Could the U.S. See Another Covid Wave?

<p>More than two years into the pandemic, coronavirus infections are surging in China and nations in Europe. The reason: BA.2, a highly contagious version of the Omicron variant.</p><p>At the same time, the United States is doing away with a number of pandemic restrictions, with mask mandates ending and businesses no longer requiring proof of vaccination from customers.</p><p>We explore what these BA.2 surges look like and ask whether the U.S. is ready for a new wave of Covid cases.</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/apoorva-mandavilli?smid=pc-thedaily">Apoorva Mandavilli</a>, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times.</p><p>Have you lost a loved one during the pandemic? The Daily is working on a special episode memorializing those we have lost to the coronavirus. If you would like to share their name on the episode, please RECORD A VOICE MEMO and send it to us at <a href="mailto:thedaily@nytimes.com">thedaily@nytimes.com</a>. You can find more information and<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/03/podcasts/daily-memorial-covid.html"> specific instructions here</a>.</p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Another Covid surge may be coming, and some<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/19/health/covid-ba2-surge-variant.html?smid=pc-thedaily"> scientists are warning</a> that the U.S. isn’t doing enough to prevent it from endangering vulnerable Americans and upending lives.</li><li>Many epidemiologists suspect that BA.2 may reverse the decline of cases in the United States. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/omicron-variant-ba2.html?smid=pc-thedaily">Here’s what we know so far</a> about the variant. </li></ul><p>Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available