In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Joshua Morrison, the CEO of advocacy non-profit 1Day Sooner. They discuss what worked and what didn't in Operation Warp Speed's unprecedented push to develop COVID-19 vaccines. The conversation then turns to the future of pandemic preparedness, particularly the promising (and underappreciated) clean air technology. Throughout, Joshua and Patrick illuminate how institutional design choices, political incentives, and technical constraints shape our ability to respond to public health challenges.

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Full transcript available here: www.complexsystemspodcast.com/warp-speed-joshua-morrison/

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Links:

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Twitter:
@joshcmorrison
@patio11

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro
(00:56) The role of challenge studies in vaccine development
(09:24) Understanding vaccine platforms
(18:33) Sponsor: Givewell | Check
(19:46) Regulatory system insights and future improvements
(20:41) Lessons for our regulatory system
(29:55) First doses first debate
(37:35) The surprising nature of COVID-19
(39:30) Vaccine hesitancy and public communication
(42:08) Political influence on vaccine distribution
(58:28) Indoor air quality and disease prevention
(01:06:52) Future of public health initiatives
(01:12:27) Wrap