Since Joe Biden declared a “return to normal” on July 4th, the covid-19 Delta variant has knocked America’s pandemic recovery off course. Why are so many Americans still unvaccinated and can they be persuaded? We report from Arkansas, which is battling a new wave of infections, find out how the trade-off between liberty and public health dents Americans’ life expectancy, and The Economist’s Elliott Morris unveils new data modelling that sheds light on vaccine hesitancy. John Prideaux hosts with Tamara Gilkes Borr and James Astill. For access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe: economist.com/USpod   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.