Where We Stand on the Pandemic

<p>In the U.S., emergency-use authorization has been granted for convalescent plasma, the efficacy of which is yet to be robustly tested. For some, this echoes the situation with hydroxychloroquine and the government’s subsequent U-turn on its rollout.</p><p>Meanwhile, America’s infection rate appears to be flattening out — but at tens of thousands of cases per day. This stands in stark contrast to China, where daily cases are under 40.</p><p>Overseas, a Hong Kong resident has been reinfected with the virus, the first recorded instance of a second bout. And Russia and China have begun distributing vaccines, sidestepping Phase 3 safety trials to the incredulity of immunologists and vaccine executives.</p><p>We check back in with Donald G. McNeil Jr. on the coronavirus and the impact of these developments.</p><p>Guest: Donald G. McNeil Jr., a science and health reporter for The New York Times </p><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank">nytimes.com/thedaily </a></p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>A 33-year-old man in Hong Kong was infected with the coronavirus for a second time.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/health/coronavirus-reinfection.html?searchResultPosition=1" target="_blank"> It is unclear how often people might become reinfected, and how soon after the first bout.</a></li><li>Despite<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/24/us/coronavirus-cases-decreasing.html?searchResultPosition=1" target="_blank"> flattening</a>, America’s infection rate remains one of the highest in the world.</li><li>The F.D.A. has permitted the expansion of convalescent plasma treatment after<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/23/us/politics/fda-plasma-coronavirus.html?searchResultPosition=4" target="_blank"> pressure from President Trump.</a></li><li>Russia has approved a coronavirus vaccine and is<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/11/world/europe/russia-coronavirus-vaccine-approval.html?searchResultPosition=6" ta