This month, CIDRAP is commemorating its 20th anniversary.

Since we first opened our doors, our team is created with now a globally renowned center, tackling the world's toughest challenges in infectious disease and public policy.

In celebration of the Smilestone anniversary, a generous CIDRAP supporter has offered a transformational matching gift to support our efforts and ensure we're able to continue our important work into the future.

For a limited time, your gift will be matched at 50%, helping to build a solid endowment to support CIDRAP's work.

Please visit cidrap.umn.edu-thord-donate.

Hello and welcome to the Ostrome Update COVID-19, a podcast on the COVID-19 pandemic with Dr. Michael Ostrome.

Dr. Ostrome is an internationally recognized medical detective and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, or CIDRAP, at the University of Minnesota.

In this podcast, Dr. Ostrome will draw on more than 45 years of experience investigating infectious disease outbreaks to provide straight talk on the COVID-19 pandemic.

I'm Chris Dahl, reporter for CIDRAP News, and I'm your host for these conversations.

Welcome back everyone to another episode of the Ostrome Update Podcast. It's November 11th, and once again, it feels like we're in no man's land in this pandemic, both from an epidemiologic and a psychological perspective.

In the U.S. and other parts of the world, we've seen significant declines in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths over the last two months, but those declines have hit a plateau, and are rather high-one at that.

Other parts of the world, meanwhile, are seeing dramatic surges.

Psychologically, with vaccines widely available for ages five and up and oral and viral treatments on the way, the light at the end of the tunnel appears to be getting a little brighter.

But as winter looms and we see the surges occurring in other countries, it also feels like we could be on the precipice of another dark period.

If it feels like I've made similar comments in past monologues, it's probably because I have.

This is just another dip in the roller coaster ride we've been on for 20 months.

This week on the Ostrome Update, we're going to discuss this uncertain moment we're in as we take a look at the international situation and what's going on here in the United States.

We'll also examine what the pandemic being over might look like and how well know when it is.

Review some new data on COVID-19 vaccines and the latest news on antiviral medications.

Enter a COVID query about Thanksgiving and tell you about the latest beautiful place submission from one of our listeners.

But first we'll begin with Dr. Ostrome's opening comments and dedication.

Thank you, Chris, and welcome to all of you back to another episode of the update.

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