A note about this special rebroadcast:

In commemoration of the one year anniversary of the start of the pandemic, and in honor of our amazing new Co-IFFer, super host, Gaby Paniccia, we proudly present Gaby’s debut appearance on the show.

One year ago this week… it was a scary time, with so much uncertainty, and with science as our only hope of grasping what was happening. Matt had seen a livestream in which Gaby was explaining COVID-19 and all that might happen, and her gift for science communication was so evident that we asked her to come on the show and help us deal with this sudden REAL LIFE IF in which we were living.

It’s fascinating to hear what the view was like as we first confronted the new state of the planet at the dawn of the pandemic. Nearly a year later, Gaby would find herself joining the experimental trials for the Pfizer vaccine, and we are all enjoying the incredible benefits of the hard, hard work of scientists like Gaby today as we get shots in our arms!

Of course, the pandemic continues even today, and the virus is still running amok, and our knowledge about it continues to grow. All the science Gaby teaches us in this episode remains fantastically easy to understand, revelatory, and empowering, as she helps us understand what is going on INSIDE THE VIRUS.

Strap in, goggles on, and lets RIDE… back to the future… March 25, 2020!

Ride Inside The Virus

We hope you're saying safe, practicing good social distancing and hopefully not hoarding all the toilet paper!

This week, we've got another Coronavirus-related WHAT THE IF for some self isolation edutainment: What The IF… We could go inside a VIRUS?!

GABY PANICCIA, a graduate student in Molecular Virology at the world famous Rockefeller University, uses her imagination to shrink us all down to nanometer scale and she takes us on a FANTASIC VOYAGE! We swim into cells to see how a coronavirus works, up front and all too personal! How big are those spikes really?

So put on your innerspace suits, and get ready for a ride of a lifetime!

Yearning for more learning?

Welcome aboard! Thank you for choosing the INTERCELLULAR CRUISE LINE. For your safety and knowledge, please reading the manual below before we depart. Thank you again, and we wish you a pleasant journey!

1.     What do Viruses Look Like?

We know that biological entities are extremely small, but how small exactly? Check out this helpful scale comparison with all kinds of cells and bacteria to get an idea of the views on this trip.

2.     What Exactly is a Virus?

Is a Virus alive? Should the study of viruses fit under biology or biochemistry? Scientists have struggled with these questions for a long time. Take a closer look at the strange features of viruses that sparked this debate and how they pertain to the novel Coronavirus.   

3.     How do Viruses Work?

How does a virus infect cells? Here is a Virian attack plan to gives you an idea of the tactics used. In particular, CORVID-19 attacks have been frequent in recent times. Here is an outline of their hijacking techniques. In the case of an unexpected emergency, please follow the official instruction and standardized health conduct for the safety of you and other passengers onboard.

4.     Meet the Crew

The cells of your body work hard to defend against viral threats. Here is how your immune system adapts to external threats to keep you healthy, or, in the case of an illness, set you on the path to recovery. For a closer encounter with the crew members, check out this show to find out more about the work they do on a daily basis.

Got an IF of your own?

Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at feedback@whattheif.com and let us know what's in your imagination. No idea is too small, or too big!

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Keep On IFFin',
Philip, Matt & Gaby