There’s still plenty of unknowns, but here’s a few takeaways — Here’s the best we know about the impact of the South African strain, and the impact on the vaccine from lots of conversations I’ve had with experts. To begin with, we are back to assuming a modest and humble position that there’s a lot we don’t know, just like we…

We have begun to fight, but we are not out of harm’s way yet — Today is a day filled with so many important reminders. First — on the vaccine. Today is not the day of triumph. It is not the day of victory over Covid-19. But today is the day when we showed up to the fight. Today is the day our troops landed…

People who say “it’s always darkest before the dawn” usually don’t have a clue when the dawn will come. But this time we do. — Have you been enjoying Andy Slavitt’s coronavirus updates? He’ll be discussing the future of the pandemic with Elemental editor-in-chief Sarah Collins on December 8th at 4pm ET. Visit this link to register for this (free!) event. There’s a trite expression that it’s always darkest before the dawn. I want to…

And why I hope you will, too — Have you been enjoying Andy Slavitt’s coronavirus updates? He’ll be discussing the future of the pandemic with Elemental editor-in-chief Sarah Collins on December 8th at 4pm ET. Visit this link to register for this (free!) event. By December 13 or soon after, vaccines for Covid-19 will likely be ready to…

Vaccines will be a story of the process working the way it’s supposed to (and how good people get it done) — With the vaccine progress today, is Operation Warp Speed for real? It’s a great story but not what it appears. First, let’s be clear on our accomplishment. From January 11, when the sequence for the virus arrived from China, to around December 13, when needles will start to enter arms…

Why Europe is doing a much better job handling Covid-19 — I was doing an interview with the Star Tribune in October when I was asked a tough question: “Andy, you say the U.S. can be down to near zero cases in six weeks like other countries in the world.” “Yes,” I replied. “Doesn’t Europe’s spike prove you wrong?” “No. They’re…

In a couple of months, things will be looking up. Be grateful it will not be years. — If the state you live in is adding restrictions on holidays, gatherings, or dining — believe me when I tell you, it’s the last thing they wanted to do. Most are even too late and many will reverse it too early. Just because something is legal and still allowed doesn’t…

Not quitting in the face of failure is noble — When we lose someone to Covid-19 there are things to remember. We have lost 230,000 people in the U.S. to Covid, likely more, and it’s not slowing down soon. This is what happens. One of the profound contrasts is how something that has roots in broad community spread ends up…

Every 10% additional non-compliant people adds to 100,000 lost lives — If you want to avoid getting and spreading Covid-19, Mark Meadows is right. There’s not one thing you can do. There are six. The truth is no one thing works perfectly — including a vaccine. But a combination of things works great. This image captures it the best.