Reopening America

Latest Episodes:

Looking Into the Origins of the Coronavirus, Could It Have Been an Accident? Jan 11, 2021

Show notes

Once again we are trying to learn about the origins of the coronavirus that has caused a global pandemic. A team of scientists from the WHO is beginning an investigation as to how it has emerged. While the leading theory is that the virus jumped from bats to humans, another theory posits that it could all have been an accident... a virus made more infections in a lab through something called "gain of function" research. Nicholson Baker, author of 17 books and contributor to NY Magazine joins us to talk about this lab-leak hypothesis as we try to understand the origins of the COVID-19 so we can prevent the next pandemic.

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Both Marriages and Divorces are Down During the Pandemic Jan 08, 2021

Show notes

The pandemic has taken a toll on relationships in many ways, but interestingly, both marriages and divorces are down. Many had to cancel or postpone weddings due to lockdowns, and on the other side, some are avoiding divorce for practical reasons and economic uncertainty. Ben Steverman, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for why these rates may be falling and whether they might tick back up after the pandemic is over.

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How Scammers Took $32 Billion in Unemployment Aid Jan 08, 2021

Show notes

Throughout the pandemic, many have had issues with claiming unemployment benefits, some waiting months for payments. But there has also been scammers cashing in on fraud in the system to the tune of $32 billion. Many of the scammers are coming out of Nigeria, but they can’t do it alone and use a “mule” network to get it done. Many of the victims are also people who are employed, but have had their identities stolen. Nick Penzenstadler, reporter at USA Today, joins us for how scammers are cashing in on unemployment.

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Britain Goes in Different Direction for Vaccine Rollout Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

With a new strain of coronavirus spreading through the U.K. and very strict lockdowns, Britain is taking a different approach to vaccinating its people. Instead of following the two shot protocol of the Pfizer vaccine taken about 3 weeks apart, officials have said they will try to give more people their first dose of the shot and delay the second shot by as much as three months. Helen Branswell, senior writer at STAT News, joins us for this modified rollout.

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Over 1 Million People Still Waiting for Unemployment Aid Jan 06, 2021

Show notes

More than 1 million Americans are still waiting for unemployment aid. Deep backlogs are contributing to some not getting financial aid, but also to blame are extensive fraud prevention checks, old computer systems, and applications getting flagged for extra scrutiny. Any claim set aside for a manual review can take months to resolve. Heather Long, economic correspondent at the Washington Post, joins us for more.

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California Vaccine Rollout Slow, Only 35% of Doses Administered Jan 06, 2021

Show notes

The rollout of the vaccines so far in the U.S. has been moving at a slower pace than expected. In California, where the state is experiencing huge coronavirus numbers and shortages of equipment and oxygen, only 35% of doses that have arrived have been administered. Colleen Shalby, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for why the rollout hasn’t gone as expected and what Gov. Newsom is planning to speed things up.

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What to Know About How the New COVID Variant Spreads Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

The new variant of the coronavirus that was found in the U.K. has now made its way into the U.S. The mutated virus is more transmissible, but not more severe and has been found Colorado, California, Florida and most recently, New York. People infected with the new variant are thought to have greater concentrations of the virus in their noses and throats. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how Covid is spreading faster.

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New Coronavirus Variant Appears in the U.K., May Spread Faster but Not More Severe Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

The coronavirus is mutating, and while we should be cautious, there is no cause for alarm yet. A new variant of the virus has appeared in the U.K. that officials said could spread up to 70% faster, but luckily, the variant doesn’t seem to be any more severe. Some have expressed concern that it might become resistant to the current vaccines rolling out. The worries are focused on whether the new strain is less vulnerable to certain antibodies. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what we know about this new Covid variant.

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Airline Industry Looking to More Testing to Get People Flying Again Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

The airline industry is looking to more testing as a way to make people feel safer while flying. What will that look like? Think testing sites at airports, adding results to passenger records, and offering flights only for tested passengers. While it may help, some caution that tests aren’t always reliable and fake negative-tests certificates already making the rounds. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist at the WSJ, joins us for more.

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CDC Panel Recommends That First Responders and Other Essential Works Be Next in Line for Coronavirus Vaccines Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

A CDC panel over the weekend has made its recommendations on who is next in line to receive the two vaccines we have available so far. What is called Phase 1b, will see first responders such as police and firefighters, other frontline workers like teachers and grocery workers and also people over 75 get the vaccine. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for who’s next in getting the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

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