healthcaresystems

Brazil has a long, distinguished history of successfully navigating public health crises. But in recent weeks, it has emerged as one of the world’s most severe coronavirus hot spots, second only to the United States. What went wrong?

Guest: Ernesto Londoño, The Times’s Brazil bureau chief

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily

Background reading:

• Here’s an overview of what you need to know about the coronavirus in Brazil.
• The country’s pioneering responses to past health crises, including AIDS and Zika, won global praise.

In this episode, Sam Harris, neuroscientist, author, and host of the Making Sense Podcast, joins Peter to discuss this unprecedented coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The discussion includes the important distinction between COVID-19 and influenza, the impact on the economy, the dire situation in New York, and the challenge of creating a safe and effective vaccine. Additionally, Sam brings insights from his extensive meditation practice to help those struggling with stress, anxiety, and fear in this extraordinary situation.

We discuss:

• A time unlike any other—why many people don’t seem to fully grasp the magnitude of this situation [2:00];
  
• Why comparing COVID-19 to influenza is a bad analogy [10:45]
  
• The impact on the economy of measures like shelter-in-place—Is the “cure” worse than the disease? [16:45];
  
• Why are some places, like New York, getting hit so much worse? [24:45];
  
• The trickle down effect of an overrun healthcare system on non-COVID-19 related health issues [34:45];
  
• How to calm our minds and manage our emotions during this craziness [38:00];
  
• Talking to kids about this situation without burdening them with undue stress [50:15];
  
• Insights from meditation practice—Recognize and unhook yourself from a heightened emotional state [52:00];
  
• How to make the most of a situation where you let your emotions get the best of you [59:15];
  
• What are some potential positive things that Sam hopes could be learned from this crisis and applied to the future? [1:09:30];
  
• The unfortunate politics being layered on top of this crisis [1:15:30];
  
• The challenge of creating a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 [1:20:00]; and
  
• More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/

Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/samharris2

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