The Gist: Airborne Assumptions and Subventilated Science
Hosted by Mike Pesca, Peach Fish Productions
Release Date: July 31, 2025
Introduction
In the July 31, 2025 episode of The Gist, host Mike Pesca shifts focus from his recent critiques of The New York Times to a more balanced examination of the paper's noteworthy reporting. The episode delves into the complexities of airborne diseases, drawing insights from Carl Zimmer's new book, Airborne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe. Through a compelling conversation, Pesca and Zimmer explore historical misunderstandings of airborne pathogens, the scientific community's response to COVID-19, and the implications for future public health strategies.
Reassessing The New York Times' Coverage
Mike Pesca begins by acknowledging his recent criticisms of The New York Times but takes this opportunity to commend some of the paper’s significant reporting. He emphasizes the importance of holding major publications accountable while also recognizing their contributions to critical discussions.
Notable Quote:
“Great job New York Times on these stories lately and great job to all of us.”
— Mike Pesca [00:03]
Pesca contrasts The Times' coverage with that of Bloomberg, highlighting how both outlets approached the recent tragic event at 345 Park Ave, where a mass shooter targeted the NFL but failed to reach its intended victims. He appreciates The Times for their thorough reporting on sensitive issues, underscoring the necessity of comprehensive journalism.
Highlighting Important Health Stories
Pesca shifts focus to commend The New York Times for their in-depth articles on organ transplants and social studies. He points out that such stories provide valuable insights often overshadowed by more sensational headlines.
Notable Quote:
“The Times does a good job. In fact, the fact that it was the Times maybe adds heft to the idea that this is really going on.”
— Mike Pesca [02:09]
He specifically praises Jason DeParle’s front-page story, which critically examines the effectiveness of cash payments to poor families in child development, illustrating The Times' commitment to unbiased reporting.
Interview with Carl Zimmer: Exploring Airborne Diseases
The heart of the episode is an insightful interview with Carl Zimmer, an esteemed science writer for The New York Times and National Geographic. Zimmer discusses his new book, Airborne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe, which explores the oft-overlooked science of airborne pathogens and the historical missteps in understanding their transmission.
Notable Quote:
“Health officials did not take the threat of airborne infections seriously. They largely failed.”
— Unnamed Co-Host [07:00]
The Skagit Valley Chor Incident
Zimmer recounts the 2020 outbreak among the Skagit Valley Chor in Washington state, where 52 out of 61 attendees contracted COVID-19 during a rehearsal, underscoring the virus's airborne nature despite precautions.
Notable Quote:
“...52 of them got Covid. And that was a spectacular demonstration that Covid is airborne.”
— Carl Zimmer [08:12]
Historical Misconceptions of Airborne Transmission
Zimmer delves into the historical context, highlighting how early 20th-century assumptions about disease transmission hindered the recognition of airborne pathogens. He discusses the pioneering work of William and Mildred Wells, whose experiments in the 1930s were crucial in demonstrating airborne transmission, only to have their findings sidelined and misinterpreted in subsequent decades.
Notable Quote:
“...the basics of airborne infection, you know, had, I mean, it's kind of astonishing to think about this...”
— Carl Zimmer [12:12]
The Impact of Military Research on Aerobiology
The conversation touches on how World War II shifted aerobiology research towards biological warfare, leading to ethical quandaries and the eventual stigmatization of airborne disease studies.
Notable Quote:
“So, so it was a real life... military applications. It becomes discredited...”
— Carl Zimmer [23:15]
Lessons from COVID-19 and Public Health Responses
Zimmer critiques the slow adaptation of public health organizations like the WHO and CDC in recognizing COVID-19 as an airborne disease. He argues that earlier acknowledgment could have led to more effective interventions, potentially saving countless lives.
Notable Quote:
“They adapted very slowly. So the World Health Organization right now is very clear about COVID being airborne in their printed materials.”
— Carl Zimmer [33:44]
The Future of Public Health and Airborne Pathogens
Zimmer emphasizes the necessity for interdisciplinary collaboration in science to prevent future public health crises. He advocates for breaking down silos between different scientific disciplines to foster a more holistic understanding of disease transmission.
Notable Quote:
“Just tells you people in these different branches need to talk to each other. They need to get together and bring their different kinds of expertise together.”
— Carl Zimmer [45:02]
Conclusion
Mike Pesca wraps up the episode by highlighting the importance of accurate science communication and the role of journalism in shaping public understanding. The conversation with Carl Zimmer serves as a compelling reminder of the critical lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing need to reassess and improve our approach to airborne diseases.
Notable Quote:
“But yeah, it's really eye-opening in a way that I didn't quite expect.”
— Unnamed Co-Host [07:46]
For more in-depth analysis, listeners are encouraged to read Airborne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe by Carl Zimmer.
Additional Credits
- Produced by: Cory Wara
- Production Coordinator: Ashley Khan
- Socials Managed by: Astrid Green and Michelle
- Sound Engineering: Pesca
Thank you for listening to The Gist.