Reopening America

Latest Episodes:

Masks and Alcohol Help to Cause More Disruptions on Airplanes Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

We have been seeing a lot of bad behavior on airplanes recently. Disruptions by passengers due to alcohol and especially their refusal to wear masks has been on the rise. The FAA has not been shy about publicizing the fines associated with unruly passengers and proposed a $15,000 fine for one man who wasn’t wearing his mask and drinking alcohol on the plane when it was prohibited. Hannah Sampson, travel reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the rise of conflicts in the air.

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Persistence of Hygiene Theater After the Pandemic Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

Even as more parts of the country continue to fully reopen from the pandemic, you’re going to keep seeing what many are calling “Hygiene Theater.” Think plexiglass dividers, scanning QR codes for menus, and the constant cleaning of surfaces, despite surface contact not being a significant transmitter of the virus. These actions have much more to do with making customers feel better than it does with science. Marc Fisher, senior editor at The Washington Post, joins us for how long this “hygiene theater” may last.

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Housing Market Needs 5.5 Million Units to Meet Demand Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

The housing market continues to have a much lower supply of homes needed to meet demand and now we have a better idea of how many are needed. A new report by the National Association of Realtors says we need 5.5 million more housing units, everything from single family homes to multi-family units. The report does call for policy responses, some of which are in President Biden’s infrastructure proposal. Nicole Friedman, housing reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.

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Study Shows COVID Virus Was in U.S. as Early as December 2019 Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

A new study done by the National Institutes of Health is showing that in five states, some people were infected with Covid-19 before those states recorded their first cases. Blood samples collected between January and March of 2020 were tested for antibodies… out of 24,000 samples, nine came back positive. While these cases were earlier than previously recorded it does show that there wasn’t much community spread at the time. Betsy McKay, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for more.

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National Parks Are Being Overwhelmed by Outdoor Enthusiasts, Expect Long Lines to Enter Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

Be warned when making plans this summer… everyone has the same idea as you. Right now, national and state parks are being overwhelmed with people trying to enjoy outdoors activities. At Arches National Park in Utah, they reach capacity and close gates to visitors most days before 9am. You have to also be ready for long lines just to get in anywhere. Allison Pohle, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how it’s packed everywhere, even outdoors.

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Novavax Vaccine 90% Effective Against COVID, Hopes to Have Big Impact Outside the U.S. Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

A new coronavirus vaccine may soon be available from Novavax as they say their two-dose shot is 90% effective at preventing symptomatic Covid-19. While it may not make much of an impact in the U.S., it is expected to be a welcome addition to global vaccination efforts. Approval may still take a few months as they ramp up their manufacturing processes, but it is still a big win for Novavax who has never won an approval for a vaccine. Peter Loftus, pharmaceutical reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.

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Judge Throws Out Employee Lawsuit Over Hospital Group That Mandated Vaccines Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

Over the weekend a judge threw out a lawsuit by employees of Houston Methodist Hospital after the hospital mandated that they get Covid vaccines. 117 employees joined the failed lawsuit alleging they did not want to be part of the vaccine experiment. Many legal experts agree that employers can mandate vaccinations as conditions of employment. The G-7 summit also agreed this past weekend to give one billion vaccine doses to poorer countries, half of which will be supplied by the U.S. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and a preview of President Biden's meeting with Vladimir Putin.

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With Natural Immunity, Herd Immunity May Be Here Quicker Than We Think Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

Some good news on the coronavirus front as we might be closer herd immunity than you think. More than 64% of adults have had at least one vaccine dose, and for those who haven’t had the vaccine, about half of them have natural immunity from prior infection. When you factor in natural immunity, the number of individuals protected is more than we think. Dr. Marty Makary, professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and author of “The Price We Pay: What Broke American Healthcare and How to Fix It,” joins us for why herd immunity is not so far off.

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As Grocery Prices Rose During the Pandemic, the Price of Alt-Meat Was Dropping and It's Taking a Bite Out of Big Meat Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

Plant-based meats were already having a moment before the pandemic showing up in your grocery stores, fast food chains, and restaurants, but as meat and pork prices were going up do to the pandemic, these alternative meats were surging in options and dropping in price. In 2020, we saw 112 new plant-based meat, egg, and dairy brands hit the shelves and people aren’t just trying them once, we are seeing repeat customers. Laura Riley, business of food reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how plant-based proteins are taking a bite out of Big Meat.

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New Alzheimer's Treatment Approved by the FDA, Not a Cure but Helps Slow Cognitive Decline Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

The FDA has approved a new drug that could help all those that suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. This is the first new Alzheimer’s drug approved in almost 20 years and targets proteins called amyloids that are thought to play a part in cognitive decline. More studies on its effectiveness will continue to be done and the treatment is very expensive, coming in at over $50,000 a year. Robert Langreth, science and health reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for more.

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