Epidemics and Pandemics - The Atlantic

Epidemics and Pandemics

Next Winter, What If We Test for Even More Viruses?

Katherine J. Wu

March 1, 2022

A nasal swab twisted into an infinity sign

Stop Keeping Healthy Kids Home From School

Aaron E. Carroll

March 1, 2022

A photo of kids sitting on a carpet in a classroom.

We Might Not Need Annual COVID Shots

Katherine J. Wu

February 24, 2022

Coronavirus particles in a whack-a-mole configuration

Kids-Last COVID Policy Makes No Sense

February 21, 2022

An empty swing set roped off by caution tape

Mask Mandates Are Illogical. So What?

Rachel Gutman-Wei

February 20, 2022

A few different kinds of face masks, laid on a table

We’re Entering the Control Phase of the Pandemic

Katherine J. Wu

February 17, 2022

a cowboy riding a coronavirus particle

COVID Won’t End Up Like the Flu. It Will Be Like Smoking.

February 17, 2022

Eight cigarettes arranged in the shape of a coronavirus

The Millions of People Stuck in Pandemic Limbo

February 16, 2022

A self portrait of a photographer when he was quarantining in 2020.

The Seven Habits of COVID-Resilient Nations

February 15, 2022

A photo illustration of the flag of Korea made up of static and coronavirus particles

Post-Omicron Life Can Be Downright Maddening

February 14, 2022

A woman wearing a mask opens a door. On the door is a sign that reads "Masks are recommended."

The Bad Ideas Our Brains Can’t Shake

February 14, 2022

The COVID Strategy America Hasn’t Really Tried

February 14, 2022

A photograph of an older woman getting vaccinated

COVID-19 Is Over (If You’re Rich)

February 13, 2022

A yacht sailing on a virus-shaped body of water

The Atlantic Daily: Go ahead, live a little

Caroline Mimbs Nyce

February 10, 2022

Red 'A' on an envelope

How to Reclaim Normal Life Without Being ‘Done’

Katherine J. Wu

February 10, 2022

masked people in a movie theater

How Is America Still This Bad at Talking About the Pandemic?

Richard J. Tofel

February 10, 2022

A public-service announcement that includes a drawing of a person wearing a mask and the phrase "Do it right."

Joe Rogan’s Show May Be Dumb. But Is It Actually Deadly?

February 10, 2022

A broadcast microphone surrounded by vaccines

Vaccine Hesitancy Has Seeped Into Home Health Care

February 9, 2022

A health aide helps comb the hair of an elderly person

Why We Count Babies’ Ages in Months

February 9, 2022

A baby whose height is being measured in months

Open Everything

February 9, 2022

An illustration of a safe door withe a coronavirus particle figure as the lock.

The Atlantic Daily: America Still Isn’t Ready for the Next Pandemic

Caroline Mimbs Nyce

February 7, 2022

A person wearing a face covering walks past a white flag memorial installation outside Griffith Observatory honoring the nearly 27,000 Los Angeles County residents who have died from COVID-19 on November 18, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

The Economy Is Good, Actually

Zachary D. Carter

February 7, 2022

A disembodied man's face with a hand holding a check

Can China Ever Reopen?

Timothy McLaughlin

February 5, 2022

A photograph of a man being given a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 by a health worker at a private testing site in Beijing.

Close to Home

March 2022 Issue

a boy looks up at the sky at dusk while sitting on a bench in front of a large stone fire pit

Work In Progress

How Denmark Decided COVID Isn’t a Critical Threat to Society

February 4, 2022

Illustration of the Denmark flag with a mask.

The COVID Jerk

Eric Schwitzgebel

February 3, 2022

An illustration of a man peering over your screen with glowing yellow eyes reflecting coronavirus particles.

The Atlantic Daily: COVID Will Surprise Us Again

Caroline Mimbs Nyce

February 2, 2022

Red 'A' on an envelope

Hospitals Can’t Accept This as ‘Normal’

February 2, 2022

A hospital symbol with a crack running through the middle.

Should We Go All In on Omicron Vaccines?

Katherine J. Wu

February 1, 2022

red and white art of virus particles

Endemicity Is Meaningless

Jacob Stern and Katherine J. Wu

February 1, 2022

A road sign showing a virus with arrows coming out of it in all directions

Omicron’s Blow to Live Music

January 28, 2022

Black-and-white photo of Ryan Miller of Guster playing the guitar

First, You Decide That Kids Belong in School

January 27, 2022

A hallway in a school

The Internet Is Eating Wordle Alive

January 26, 2022

The Case Against Masks at School

Margery Smelkinson, Leslie Bienen, and Jeanne Noble

January 26, 2022

Two girls walk to school. A school bus is on their left, and a group of children wearing masks is on the right.

What You Can Actually Do After an Omicron Infection

January 26, 2022

An abstract illustration of blurry people with shapes in the foreground

The Atlantic Daily: Parents Have Hit Their Pandemic Bottom

Caroline Mimbs Nyce

January 25, 2022

A red background with a white envelope and a red Atlantic "A"