So far, the United States has been losing the battle against the pandemic, with a patchwork of inconsistent measures across the country proving unequal to halting the spread of the virus. Today, we ask: What will it take to change the course of the crisis?

Guest: Donald G. McNeil Jr., a science and health reporter for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.

Background reading:

• President Trump has played down the threat of the virus, while at least 16 states institute stay-at-home orders. Here are the latest updates.
• The rampant spread of the coronavirus has left a trail of loss across most people’s lives. Here is some advice on how to cope.