An anthropologist explores how her current study of COVID-19 and childbirth reveals profound and amplified problems with the United States’ maternity system.
Ventilators Alone Won’t Save UsAmid the rush to ramp up the production of ventilators to battle COVID-19, the public has lost sight of an even more desperate need.
Preppers and the PandemicWere preppers more prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic than others? The SAPIENS podcast turns to an anthropologist on the inside of the preppers movement to find out.
The Masked ManA history of masks reveals how humans have used them to hide, disguise, transform, and protect themselves.
Will “Faith Not Fear” Spread the Coronavirus?A combination of some evangelical beliefs and right-wing conservatism in the United States risks increasing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Could COVID-19 Permanently Change Hand Hygiene?An anthropologist tackles the slippery subject of hand sanitization in a world torn between concerns over contagion and antibiotic resistance.
Explaining the Emergence of Coronavirus RitualsAn anthropologist illuminates how both old and new rituals can provide a sense of comfort during times of uncertainty.
What’s Wrong With “the Chinese Virus”?An anthropologist explores the controversial labels for COVID-19.
Gasping for Air in the Time of COVID-19Suffocating air pollution and a fog of censored information in China are leading to higher fatalities from the virus. Will this outbreak clear the air?
Why Face Masks Are Going ViralAs the new coronavirus epidemic spreads, more and more people are wearing surgical masks—despite their questionable effectiveness. An anthropologist explores the reasons why.
