Reopening America

Latest Episodes:

The CDC’s Ban on Evictions Is Causing Confusion and a Little Too Late for Some Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

The nationwide moratorium on evictions lapsed just last Saturday, but only a few days later the CDC stepped in and provided an extension for those that live in counties experiencing high or substantial community spread of the virus. This has led to a lot of confusion and worry among those at risk of being evicted. For some, it was a little too late as some were kicked out of their homes already. Abha Bhattarai, business reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the last minute eviction ban extension.

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Biden Administration Pushing to Reform State Drug Laws and Cape Cod COVID Outbreak Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

The Biden administration wants to reform state drug laws and focus on what’s called “harm reduction,” which promotes safe drug use instead of abstinence and threats of jail time. The Office of National Drug Control Policy will be promoting draft model laws that supports harm reduction programs, increase treatment options, and reform criminal statutes. Dan Vergano, science reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for this and also how a Cape Cod Covid outbreak in mostly vaccinated people prompted the CDC to change its mask wearing guidance.

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Vaccine Breakthrough Infections Are Happening but Are Mild in Most Cases Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

Let’s talk about vaccine breakthrough infections of Covid-19. Some recent numbers from the CDC say that breakthroughs represent about 0.098% of those that are fully vaccinated. Still, they are happening, but those cases are often mild or asymptomatic. Getting vaccinated is not a free pass, but it gives you the best defenses possible to fight the virus. Katherine Wu, staff writer at the Atlantic, joins us for more.

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How to Talk to Family and Friends About Getting the Vaccine Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

Despite rising cases of Covid in the unvaccinated, it can be very tough to persuade the vaccine hesitant, it can be even tougher to talking to family and friends. Experts say that the first step is to listen closer. You have to understand their reasons for refusing the shot before trying to convince them. It’s also important to focus on your relationship and de-escalate if things get heated. Derek Hawkins, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for how to talk to vaccine hesitant friends and family.

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Among the Vaccinated, Anger and Frustration Is Rising With Those Refusing Shots Jul 29, 2021

Show notes

Mask and vaccine mandates are coming, Covid cases are rising and so is the anger. There is a growing frustration that the vaccinated are having with the unvaccinated as we see the majority of cases are all happening with those refusing the shot. Roni Rabin, health reporter at the NY Times, joins us for all the anger surrounding vaccines.

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More Covid Variants Are on Their Way, but the System to Track Them in the U.S. Is a Mess Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

The CDC has issued new guidance saying that everyone should wear masks in certain high transmission indoor areas regardless of vaccination status as well as universal masking for schools. This comes as the Delta variant continues to spread throughout the country. Public health officials are also worried that more variants could be on the way and the system to sequence the genetic mutations of the virus isn’t ready to track them. The U.S. is only sequencing about 10% of all Covid cases and more needs to be done so that another variant doesn’t catch us by surprise. Cynthia Koons, health care reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.

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Here Come the Vaccine Mandates! Time to Show Proof or Get Weekly Covid Tests Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

Here come the vaccine mandates! The Dept. of Veterans Affairs has become the first federal agency to require its healthcare workers to be vaccinated. New York City is mandating vaccines for city employees or weekly tests. And California is the first state requiring health care workers and state employees to show proof of vaccination or get tested weekly. Erin Allday, health writer at the SF Chronicle, joins us for the new vaccine requirements.

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Restaurant Workers Continue to Quit Due to Low Wages and Rude Customers Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

The restaurant industry has been having a hard time coming back after the pandemic. Each month so far this year, about 5% of restaurant and hospitality workers have quit their jobs largely due to low pay, no benefits, and rude customers. There are currently 1.2 million jobs unfilled in the industry despite rising wages and signing bonuses. Alina Selyukh, business correspondent at NPR joins us for more.

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Tokyo Olympics Get Under Way With No Spectators and Pandemic Looming Large Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

The Tokyo Olympics are now officially under way and they will definitely be an Olympics like no other. Happening amid the pandemic and rising numbers locally in Japan, these Games will also not have any spectators. The big question now is how that might affect the athletes, having no cheering fans and the bigger concern, not having their families present. Questions have also been raised about athletes not being subject to the usual, rigorous drug testing standards. Erin Doherty, reporter at Axios, joins us for more.

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Life Expectancy for the U.S. Drops in 2020, Hispanic Men Fared the Worst Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

Largely driven by the pandemic, drug overdoses and homicides, U.S. life expectancy fell by 1.5 years in 2020. This is the biggest decline since World War II. The group that fared the worst were Hispanic men who had a drop of 3.7 years. Life expectancy is an important number because it is a measure of a nation’s well-being and prosperity. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for the big drop.

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