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CDC Shortens Recommended Covid-19 Isolation Time Dec 28, 2021

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The CDC shortens their recommended Covid isolation period for the asymptomatic from ten days to five. Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, joins to discuss why he thinks the new CDC guidelines are what our country needs and why.
Plus, the GOP pushes to expand jobless benefits for workers who quit over vaccine mandates, the Association of Flight Attendants President Sara Nelson joins to call out the new CDC isolation guidelines, how Covid could reshape businesses in 2022 and fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45.
Hosted by Michael Smerconish.

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Biden Briefed In October On Need To Ramp Up Rapid Testing Dec 24, 2021

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With the Omicron variant rapidly spreading and not nearly enough testing to meet the massive demand, a new report from "Vanity Fair" suggests the Biden administration dismissed a plan from experts to ramp up rapid testing months ago. But is that what really happened? Dr Michael Mina, who attended White House meeting where the proposal was made, joins to give his perspective.

Also tonight: former police officer Kim Potter is found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright, Philadelphia faces a prosecutor shortage as hundreds leave the D.A.'s Office amid a record murder rate and as Trump pushes back on vaccine conspiracies, will his supporter base follow him?

Hosted by Michael Smerconish.

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First Pill To Treat Covid Authorized Dec 23, 2021

Show notes

A potentially game-changing Covid antiviral pill developed by Pfizer has been authorized by the FDA. Paxlovid, which is proven to significantly reduce Covid hospitalizations and death, will be available in January and has also been green-lighted for children aged 12 and older.

Also tonight: school closures across the U.S. mount amid the Omicron surge, Biden reiterates his plans to run in 2024 saying a Trump rematch would "increase the prospect", when does tough on crime go too far? A truck driver is set to serve a 110-year prison sentence after a deadly crash in Colorado and Bob Costas joins to discuss vaccinations and sports leagues.

Guests: Dr. Peter Hotez, Joseph G. Allen, Bret Stephens and George Brauchler.

Hosted by Michael Smerconish.

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Biden’s Omicron Battle Plan Announced Dec 22, 2021

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President Biden lays out his Omicron battle plan, announcing an additional 10,000 testing sites beyond the 20,000 the White House points to nationwide, deploying 1,000 more military members to help hospitals if they become overburdened again and mailing half a billion free Covid home testing kits to Americans next month.

Plus: NYC offers $100 to get boosted by New Year’s, Trump looks to the anniversary of January 6 to push election lies, Joe Manchin is in talks with fellow Democrats after their fiery response to his “No” on Build Back Better and sports leagues search for a way forward amid the Omicron surge.

Guests: Dr Ashish Jha, Bill de Blasio, Robert Costa and Bob Costas.

Hosted by Michael Smerconish.

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Omicron Now 75% Of New Infections Dec 21, 2021

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The rapidly spreading Omicron variant now accounts for 75% of new Covid cases. With only 61% of the country fully vaccinated and 18% boosted as people gather for Christmas, President Biden gives a new speech about the steps we can all be taking now, and issues some dire warnings for the unvaccinated.

Plus, Democrats face an uncertain path as Joe Manchin rejects ‘Build Back Better, the Pentagon issues rules to fight extremism in the military as a retired U.S. general warns of a 2024 insurrection and Harvard University suspends the SAT and ACT requirements for the next 4 years.

Guests: Dr. Zeke Emanuel, Charlie Dent, Major General Paul D. Eaton and Bob Schaeffer.

Hosted by Michael Smerconish.

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No Evidence Omicron Variant Less Severe Than Delta Dec 18, 2021

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Covid cases rise by more than 50% from last week in Texas, Connecticut and Hawaii and a UK study finds no evidence the Omicron variant is any less severe than Delta. NYC’s incoming MayorEric Adams joins to discuss the Covid crisis, and whether the federal government should follow New York and other states in sending out at-home tests to people.

Also tonight: the defense rests after ex-officer Kim Potter breaks down on the stand as she recalls her fatal shooting of Daunte Wright, following mistaking her Taser for her loaded gun during a police traffic stop. Plus, the strange secret history of the “War on Christmas” and CNN’s Fareed Zakaria joins to discuss the factors behind President Biden’s sinking approval rating.

Hosted by Michael Smerconish.

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Covid Cases & Hospitalizations Soar As Omicron Rages Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

The CDC predicts a new Covid wave as the Omicron variant takes hold, disrupting normal life. As the Covid positivity rate doubles in New York over just three days, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio joins to discuss the potential impact of vaccine mandates in reducing the severity of the spread. Will we all get Covid eventually and do we need to change the definition of fully vaccinated? Former member of Biden’s Covid-19 Advisory Board, Dr. Zeke Emanuel joins to give his perspective.

Plus, Fox News hosts respond to the controversy over their texts during the Capitol insurrection, a former Fox News insider slams its hosts saying they ”primed the pump” for the “lunatic assault…that led to the riot on January 6”, ditching ‘defund’: Democrats now want to ‘refund the police’ and Biden acknowledges ‘Build Back Better’ will miss its deadline, shifting his focus to voting rights.

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Tracking The Battle To Spread Election Denialism And Chaos Dec 16, 2021

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The Associated Press reports there was far too little fraud to have changed the outcome of the 2020 Election, but January 6 key figures are still working to threaten our democracy. Former state and federal prosecutor Ron Filipkowski joins to discuss how the anti-democratic movement are now targeting local school boards, city and county commissions and supervisors of local elections.

Also tonight: the Government releases previously classified JFK assassination documents, Democrats quietly question Biden’s future as his approval rating sinks, the price to play football: NFL players are 4 times more likely to die of ALS, and two bipartisan fixes that can help save our democracy.

Hosted by Michael Smerconish.

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The Day After The Bombshells: Full House Vote on Meadows’ Contempt Charge Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

BREAKING NEWS: a full House vote is expected this evening on Mark Meadows’ criminal contempt referral to the DOJ. No former White House Chief of Staff has faced criminal charges since H.R. Haldeman’s role in the Watergate scandal.

Also tonight: in key swing states, the anti-democratic movement has already changed laws and ousted Election officials with the aim of overturning future results. David Leonhardt of the New York Times joins give his insight into the big picture on this growing threat to American democracy. Plus, the GOP gains an advantage as redrawn maps kill swing districts, Republican Paul Gosar hypocritically takes credit for Covid relief funding he voted against twice and is 'Build Back Better' dead?

Hosted By Michael Smerconish.

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Trump's Chief Of Staff In Contempt of Congress Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

The January 6 House Committee votes to hold Mark Meadows in contempt of Congress as the investigation releases texts from several Fox News hosts, GOP members and Trump’s son, to Meadows, urging the then President and his team to calm tensions as the Capitol riot exploded.

Plus, Chris Wallace leaves Fox News after 18 years to join CNN+ in a surprise move which may have been influenced by his objection to Fox’s conspiracy theory content ‘Patriot Purge’, the Philadelphia D.A. apologizes for downplaying the City’s violence problem, and Rand Paul’s disaster relief hypocrisy: suddenly, it’s not socialism.

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