Why this isn’t COVID all over again

This episode of As It Happens explores several timely and diverse stories, beginning with a public health update on the Hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship, where four Canadians have returned to Canada and are under strict monitoring. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Alison McGeer reassures listeners that the situation is well-managed and fundamentally different from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing improved global coordination and public health preparedness. The episode then shifts to the emotional and symbolic significance of the first Palestine Marathon since 2023, highlighting how athletes like Ahmed Taha and Yusuf Abu Omera used the race to affirm resilience and identity amid ongoing conflict. In a lighter segment, hockey mom Amanda Suzuki shares the joy and logistical challenges of watching both her sons—Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens and Ryan Suzuki of the Chicago Wolves—compete in high-stakes playoffs. The episode also features a quirky story about a 1980s Knight Rider Trans Am receiving a speeding ticket in New York, despite being on display in an Illinois museum, sparking speculation about AI hallucinations. A deeper dive into Canadian travel reveals a 42% drop in visits to major U.S. cities, driven not just by tourism but by economic and political shifts, particularly affecting business travel and trade. Finally, New York bagel shops face a potential crisis as a proposed ban on bromated flour threatens the iconic texture of their products, raising concerns about cost and tradition. The episode closes with a fascinating marine biology discovery: remoras hiding in manta rays’ cloacal openings as a survival tactic, challenging long-held assumptions about symbiotic relationships in nature.