Did Blue City America Get Covid Wrong, Too?

This week we take a look back at the COVID-19 pandemic with Steven Macedo, a professor of politics at Princeton University and co-author of "In Covid's Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us" (Princeton University Press). The book offers a self-critical examination of how blue leaders and institutions in government, academia, science and the media navigated the unprecedented crisis. 

Macedo makes a provocative argument: that cosmopolitan elites, influenced by political divides and class blindness, made some significant mistakes in pandemic response. The conversation highlights a lack of public debate surrounding the trade-offs inherent in lockdown measures, school closures, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions. We also discuss the economic and social costs, disproportionately borne by low-income and minority communities. 

The episode was taped live before an audience at Seattle University at the invitation of Seattle University President Eduardo M. Peñalver (a fan of the pod!) as part of his presidential speaker series, which brings nationally known speakers to Seattle to discuss issues related to freedom of speech, viewpoint diversity and campus culture. 

Our editor is Quinn Waller.  

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