’Great Influenza’ author John Barry on politicization of public health and news coverage of the Covid-19 crisis

John Barry, author of "The Great Influenza," reflects on what can be learned from history, now that his 2004 book has been thrust back onto best-seller lists. "Fortunately this virus is not nearly as virulent, as deadly as the 1918 virus, so we're not in that situation," he says. "But the trivialization of it for the first several months by the administration, the politicization of the mask issue -- it's costing lives. There is no question." Barry says the communications problem is paramount: "It all depends on convincing people to comply with the recommendations." He also discusses his recent New York Times op-ed and the influence of right-wing media.

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