Rachel Abrams

So basically what you're saying is that we're getting rid of people who would be at the front lines of a pandemic response nationally, just as things are seeming like they're taking a turn for the worse.

Do we have any idea what the mortality rate of this virus is without a vaccine?

Do we have any idea what the mortality rate of this virus is without a vaccine?

But if bird flu is actually a 50% mortality rate, I mean, that would be astronomical, especially when compared to something like COVID, right?

But if bird flu is actually a 50% mortality rate, I mean, that would be astronomical, especially when compared to something like COVID, right?

But we also just have no idea how contagious it would be or how it would spread.

But we also just have no idea how contagious it would be or how it would spread.

So, Purva, everything that you're saying is, I got to be honest, making me kind of nervous. It just sounds like there's so much we don't know about the virus. Plus, we're not testing. Plus, the virus is changing in unpredictable ways.

So, Purva, everything that you're saying is, I got to be honest, making me kind of nervous. It just sounds like there's so much we don't know about the virus. Plus, we're not testing. Plus, the virus is changing in unpredictable ways.

And that, combined with the fact that we're not sure whether what we're hearing from the CDC is reliable or if we're getting enough information, all of that is a bad combination, right?

And that, combined with the fact that we're not sure whether what we're hearing from the CDC is reliable or if we're getting enough information, all of that is a bad combination, right?

Okay, so just to sum everything up, you've described a lot of worrying signs, but we have not yet seen a lot of evidence of human-to-human transmission or that that's coming anytime soon. The more alarming thing is that what you have described is how unprepared we are to tackle bird flu in this very moment.

Okay, so just to sum everything up, you've described a lot of worrying signs, but we have not yet seen a lot of evidence of human-to-human transmission or that that's coming anytime soon. The more alarming thing is that what you have described is how unprepared we are to tackle bird flu in this very moment.

And I have to say, I think a lot of people listening to this are going to be sort of astounded by that, considering that we're coming up on the five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic.

And I have to say, I think a lot of people listening to this are going to be sort of astounded by that, considering that we're coming up on the five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apoorva, on that note, thank you so much. Thank you.

Apoorva, on that note, thank you so much. Thank you.

Here's what else you need to know today. On Wednesday, the Trump administration took a series of steps that strengthened Russia's position in its war against Ukraine.

Here's what else you need to know today. On Wednesday, the Trump administration took a series of steps that strengthened Russia's position in its war against Ukraine.

President Trump said he had a, quote, lengthy and highly productive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the beginning of what Trump characterized as an end to the war that he had pledged to finish as soon as he took office. The call signified that Western efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically had collapsed three years after the war began.