Joel Achenbach

Washington, D.C.

Reporter covering science and politics

Education: Princeton University, politics, 1982

Joel Achenbach writes about science and politics for The Washington Post's National desk. He has been a staff writer for The Post since 1990. He started the newsroom’s first online column, Rough Draft, in 1999, and started washingtonpost.com’s first blog, Achenblog, in 2005. He has been a regular contributor to National Geographic since 1998, writing on such topics as dinosaurs, particle physics, earthquakes, extraterrestrial life, megafauna extinction and the electrical grid. A 1982 graduate of Princeton University, he has taught journalism at Princeton and at Georgetown University.
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Latest from Joel Achenbach

Early studies suggest omicron is formidable — but not unstoppable

The early data from Pfizer and BioNTech, which is not yet peer-reviewed or published, suggests that two vaccine doses may not be sufficient to prevent infection from omicron.

December 8, 2021

First lab results show omicron has ‘much more extensive escape’ from antibodies than previous variants

The study, released Tuesday, found that even if the power of vaccines is diminished in the face of omicron, there’s still some protection afforded against the virus.

December 7, 2021

    What you need to know about the highly contagious delta variant

    Research shows people who are vaccinated against the coronavirus recover from the delta variant more quickly than those who are unvaccinated, but they can still spread the virus.

    December 6, 2021

    How scary is omicron? Scientists are racing to find answers.

    Is it more transmissible? Does it make people sicker? Scientists are working to find answers.

    December 4, 2021

    Your questions about covid, answered: Omicron, indoor spaces, boosters, lockdowns

    Reporters at The Post respond to four questions about the coronavirus.

    December 4, 2021

      Your questions about the omicron variant, answered

      Three health and science reporters — Akilah Johnson, Fenit Nirappil and Joel Achenbach — and William Booth, the London bureau chief for The Post, answered your questions on Wednesday.

      December 1, 2021

      Omicron mutations alarm scientists, but new variant first must prove it can outcompete delta

      Limited data impede any firm conclusions about the threat posed by omicron and whether it can evade immunity.

      November 29, 2021

      ‘You’ve got to prepare for the worst’: World responds to new variant’s arrival

      White House officials, vaccine manufacturers say they are sprinting to stave off omicron.

      November 27, 2021

      Prominent scientist who said lab-leak theory of covid-19 origin should be probed now believes evidence points to Wuhan market

      Paper in the journal Science argues that first cases point directly to viral spread from animals, not a ‘lab leak’

      November 18, 2021

      Coronavirus infections rise in northern states, Mountain West, as holidays near

      U.S. could face a fifth major wave of cases, but vaccinations and new treatments would likely temper its severity.

      November 10, 2021