Babbage: Going antiviral

<p>As <a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/11/05/as-winter-draws-near-covid-19-threatens-europe-once-again?utm_campaign=babbage&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">covid-19 threatens Europe once again</a>, effective oral antiviral treatments for covid-19 are finally being <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2021/11/04/an-effective-new-drug-to-treat-covid-19-emerges-from-merck?utm_campaign=babbage&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">approved by regulators</a>. Is this the next step towards beating the virus? Also, author Azeem Azhar on what the <a href="https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2021/10/16/two-new-books-explore-the-impact-of-accelerating-technology?utm_campaign=babbage&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">accelerating growth of technology</a> means for business, the economy and society. And we reveal the winners of our latest book giveaway. Kenneth Cukier hosts.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at <a href="http://www.economist.com/podcastoffer?utm_campaign=babbage&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">economist.com/podcastoffer</a> and sign up for our weekly science newsletter at <a href="http://www.economist.com/simplyscience?utm_campaign=babbage&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">economist.com/simplyscience</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Terms and conditions for the book competition featured in this podcast are available at <a href="http://economist.com/podcast-contest" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">economist.com/podcast-contest</a>.</p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style