In Part Two of our pandemic series, we move beyond the early origins of COVID-19 and dive into the extraordinary measures taken across the globe to stop its spread. Almost overnight, entire cities, countries, and continents fell silent. Streets emptied, planes stopped flying, and economies froze as governments imposed restrictions not seen in living memory. What began as a two-week pause stretched into months and, in some cases, years—transforming daily life in ways few could have imagined.
We explore the striking differences in how nations approached the crisis. China enforced some of the strictest lockdowns in history, welding apartment doors shut and tracking citizens with digital health codes. Meanwhile, Italy became the first Western country to shutter completely, with haunting images of military trucks carrying away the dead. In the United States, the approach varied by state: New York and California locked down hard, while others resisted, creating a patchwork of rules that fueled political battles as much as public health debates. Australia sealed itself off from the world, even banning its own citizens from returning home for a time, while Sweden pursued a controversial path of minimal restrictions, betting on herd immunity.
We’ll also look at the ripple effects. Businesses crumbled, unemployment soared, and mental health crises deepened under prolonged isolation. Schools went virtual, changing how a generation of children learned, while hospitals strained under the weight of rising cases.
Join us as we explore the controversial government pandemic playbook during the coronavirus of 2020 and beyond.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.