Kim Severson

And that's what the United States was able to do, right? It got the vaccination rate high enough, took away the oxygen, and the disease couldn't spread.

And that's what the United States was able to do, right? It got the vaccination rate high enough, took away the oxygen, and the disease couldn't spread.

Right. And of course, there's this other thing that's changed. Trump won and he appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary. Kennedy's been a huge promoter of vaccine skepticism and now, by virtue of his position as the secretary, is in charge of the CDC, which is the leading agency responding to this outbreak. So how is RFK Jr. 's CDC doing so far?

Right. And of course, there's this other thing that's changed. Trump won and he appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary. Kennedy's been a huge promoter of vaccine skepticism and now, by virtue of his position as the secretary, is in charge of the CDC, which is the leading agency responding to this outbreak. So how is RFK Jr. 's CDC doing so far?

So how do career public health officials view this? What are they thinking about the outbreaks?

So how do career public health officials view this? What are they thinking about the outbreaks?

Teddy, I wonder if we're going to look back on this outbreak and see it as something of a turning point. I mean, the idea for a long time in this country was that public health meant something needs to be done for the greater good, even if it's distasteful or uncomfortable for the individual. But we're living through a moment where actually individual rights are in the forefront, right?

Teddy, I wonder if we're going to look back on this outbreak and see it as something of a turning point. I mean, the idea for a long time in this country was that public health meant something needs to be done for the greater good, even if it's distasteful or uncomfortable for the individual. But we're living through a moment where actually individual rights are in the forefront, right?

We have an administration that's embraced that very idea. And it's to the point where even the Secretary of Health won't directly encourage people to get vaccinated.

We have an administration that's embraced that very idea. And it's to the point where even the Secretary of Health won't directly encourage people to get vaccinated.

We'll be right back. Here's what else you need to know today.

We'll be right back. Here's what else you need to know today.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced Ukraine had agreed to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, following talks between the two countries in Saudi Arabia. American officials also said the U.S. would immediately resume military assistance to Ukraine.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced Ukraine had agreed to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, following talks between the two countries in Saudi Arabia. American officials also said the U.S. would immediately resume military assistance to Ukraine.

It was a major breakthrough after a disastrous meeting in the Oval Office in February between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

It was a major breakthrough after a disastrous meeting in the Oval Office in February between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russian officials did not comment on the US proposal, which was announced just hours after Ukrainian drones had targeted Moscow. Also on Tuesday, the Trump administration continued its dismantling of the Department of Education, announcing that more than 1,300 employees will be laid off. The department will now be about half the size as it was when Trump started his second term.

Russian officials did not comment on the US proposal, which was announced just hours after Ukrainian drones had targeted Moscow. Also on Tuesday, the Trump administration continued its dismantling of the Department of Education, announcing that more than 1,300 employees will be laid off. The department will now be about half the size as it was when Trump started his second term.

The president has long promised to eliminate the department, but it's a move he can't make without the approval of Congress. Today's episode was produced by Will Reed and Alex Stern, with help from Muj Zaydi. It was edited by Lexi Diao and Paige Cowett, with help from Mark George. Contains original music by Marion Lozano, Diane Wong, and Dan Powell. It was engineered by Alyssa Moxley.

The president has long promised to eliminate the department, but it's a move he can't make without the approval of Congress. Today's episode was produced by Will Reed and Alex Stern, with help from Muj Zaydi. It was edited by Lexi Diao and Paige Cowett, with help from Mark George. Contains original music by Marion Lozano, Diane Wong, and Dan Powell. It was engineered by Alyssa Moxley.