Yes, COVID-19 Cases Are Up. No, It's Not A Repeat Of Last Year.

COVID-19 case numbers are once again rising in the United States ahead of the holiday season, but the country is in a much different place than it was this time last year. Fifty-nine percent of the country is now fully-vaccinated, and tests are widely available. Mandates, including one that took effect today for federal workers, are expected to spur more people to get vaccinated in the months to come. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and health correspondent Allison Aubrey. Connect: Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here . Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group . Listen to our playlist The NPR Politics Daily Workout . Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter . Find and support your local public radio station . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy