Dr. Jennifer Ashton joins Rick and Forrest to discuss everything you need to know about the current state of the pandemic. This includes what vaccinated people should feel comfortable doing, the J&J vaccine pause, how to think about risk, and how we can support our mental health during the New Normal.
About Our Guest: Dr. Jennifer Ashton is the Chief Medical Correspondent for ABC News, and has appeared on the ABC Network up to 14 hours a day in order to bring viewers important medical information. She is in regular contact with public health officials, including the Surgeon General and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Dr. Ashton is also the bestselling author of six books, including her recently published book The New Normal: A Roadmap to Resilience in the Pandemic Era.
Key Topics:
- 3:10: Why can’t we just go back to the “old normal?”
- 6:10: Being realistic about uncertainty.
- 7:45: The J&J vaccine pause, and why this is encouraging.
- 11:15: How to think about risk.
- 14:30: What should vaccinated people feel comfortable doing?
- 18:30: What else can we do to support our health right now?
- 20:25: The communication challenges of the pandemic.
- 24:40: How to “think like a doctor,” and approach new medical information.
- 27:30: Respecting the common good with our choices.
- 33:50: Mental health during a pandemic.
- 37:00: The RAIN method.
- 40:20: Compassion, grief, and interconnection.
- 44:00: The lack of preparation, and hopes for the future.
