721 - A Widespread Epidemic

Some diseases can move very quickly from one person to another. Learn more about how to describe epidemics in this episode.

Slow dialogue: 1:18
Explanations: 2:55
Fast dialogue: 13:37
Alan: Did you see today’s news? There’s been an outbreak of Podcaster’s Disease in the city.
Katja: Oh, my God, not Podcaster’s Disease! I would not want to come down with that.
Alan: The first outbreak was at the local high school, and the health authorities thought it was localized. But a second, more widespread, outbreak has been reported at the city’s government offices.
Katja: That’s terrible! I thought Podcaster’s Disease was very rare.
Alan: It is, and that’s why the authorities are so alarmed. It’s highly communicable, so they’re hoping it won’t turn into an epidemic, or worse, a pandemic.
Katja: I’ve heard that this disease is horrible, but I’m not sure what the symptoms are. Do you know?
Alan: From what I’ve read, sufferers of Podcaster’s Disease can’t stop talking and they speak in an announcer’s voice all the time.
Katja: Oh, my God, what a terrible fate!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse