History of fighting disease, 500 greatest songs

Air Date:
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Nurses tend to influenza patients in 1918
In this 1918 photo made available by the Library of Congress, volunteer nurses from the American Red Cross tend to influenza patients in the Oakland Municipal Auditorium, used as a temporary hospital. As scientists mark the 100th anniversary of the Spanish influenza pandemic, labs around the country are hunting better vaccines to boost protection against ordinary winter flu and guard against future pandemics, too. (Edward A. “Doc” Rogers/Library of Congress via AP)

From the beginning of humankind, people have been fighting against infectious disease. We look at what that history can teach us about the COVID-19 pandemic. We also check out an updated list of the 500 greatest songs of all time and hear some of your favorites.

Featured in this Show

  • Our infected human history — and lessons for the future

    Humans today stand on centuries of dealing with mass infections and plagues — but there’s more we can learn from these past scourges to help us navigate the current pandemic and future scares.

  • Rolling Stone updates its picks for 500 greatest songs of all time

    Outkast, Robyn and Kanye West are some of the new additions in Rolling Stone’s first update of its “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list in almost two decades. We break down the picks, and talk about the outlet’s efforts to have the selection process be more diverse and inclusive.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Sarah Hopefl Technical Director
  • Tyler Ditter Technical Director
  • Tim Peterson Producer
  • Rachael Vasquez Producer
  • Charles Kenny Guest
  • Alexander Shashko Guest

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