Scott Simon

It should bring about a pause in fighting, as well as the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and many more Palestinian prisoners and detainees over the next six weeks. And Piers Hadil El-Shalchi joins us from Tel Aviv. Hadil, thanks so much for being with us.

What else can you tell us about the agreement?

What else can you tell us about the agreement?

What else can you tell us about the agreement?

Ideal efforts have been underway for months. Why a deal now?

Ideal efforts have been underway for months. Why a deal now?

Ideal efforts have been underway for months. Why a deal now?

What's been reaction there so far?

What's been reaction there so far?

What's been reaction there so far?

And if the deal holds, what can we expect in coming days?

And if the deal holds, what can we expect in coming days?

And if the deal holds, what can we expect in coming days?

And Pierce Adiel Al-Shulji in Tel Aviv, thanks so much.

And Pierce Adiel Al-Shulji in Tel Aviv, thanks so much.

And Pierce Adiel Al-Shulji in Tel Aviv, thanks so much.

Monday marks five years since the U.S. recorded its first case of COVID-19.

Monday marks five years since the U.S. recorded its first case of COVID-19.

Monday marks five years since the U.S. recorded its first case of COVID-19.

NPR's Will Stone has been on the story from the beginning and joins us now. Will, thanks for being with us. Sure thing, Scott. You were in Seattle when that first COVID case, January 2020, in the U.S. was confirmed, weren't you?