Reopening America

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Researchers Looking Into Why Coronavirus Can Make Some of Your Favorite Things Smell Horrible Nov 26, 2020

Show notes

One of the most interesting symptoms of COVID-19 is when people lose their sense of smell and taste. As many as 80% of people experience a temporary loss of smell and while most recover in about two weeks, for some, it can last much longer and even distort some of the smells of very familiar things. French fries might smell like rotting meat, coffee could smell like burning rubber. This condition is known as parosmia. Scientists are studying why this happens and are getting clues to how recovery might work. Robbie Whelan, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more.

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Coronavirus Cases Are Going up, but Hazard Pay for Essential Employees Hasn't Come Back Nov 25, 2020

Show notes

Retailers are preparing for another surge of shoppers as we are seeing rising coronavirus cases and in some areas, new rounds of lockdowns. All the while, essential workers continue to go in to work and put their health at risk. Hazard pay incentives that we saw at the beginning of the pandemic have not come back and some companies don’t plan on bringing it back. Michael Corkery, business reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more on the lack of coronavirus hazard pay.

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AstraZeneca Vaccine Is 70% Effective on Average, up to 90% Depending on Dosage Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

Once again, more good news on the vaccine front. AstraZeneca and Oxford University has released some early data saying their vaccine candidate on average is 70% effective against coronavirus. In some cases depending on the dosing, it can be up to 90% effective. This vaccine candidate is also cheaper to make and can be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures. Adam Feuerstein, reporter at STAT News, joins us for the latest vaccine results.

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Auto-Grading Systems Are Getting It Wrong and Causing Remote Learning Headaches Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

For all those parents with kids doing remote learning this year, pay attention to your children's grades. In some cases, the auto-grading software used to grade quizzes and schoolwork are getting it wrong. If a student's answers don't match exactly what's in the teacher's answer guide, it can be marked wrong, even if it's just a capitalization discrepancy. Julie Jargon, family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for how these auto-grading systems are causing some headaches.

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It Looks Like People Are Buying up All the Toilet Paper Again Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

It looks like people are rushing the toilet paper aisle again. We are seeing cases of coronavirus rise and with it, new lockdowns in certain states. The next logical thing to do is stock up on toilet paper obviously, and while we are seeing some empty shelves already, supply chain experts say that it won't be the same this time. Mark Hay, contributor to the Daily Beast, joins us for how stores are better prepared for toilet paper panic buying.

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Hundreds of Companies Given PPP Loans Are Now Bankrupt Nov 20, 2020

Show notes

An unfortunate update on many of the small businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program loans… about 300 of them have had to file for bankruptcy. The stimulus funds were not enough to keep these businesses open as the pandemic continues to hamper economic activity and a lack of additional help from Congress. In filings, the pandemic was the primary reason for declaring bankruptcy. Shane Shifflet, data reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how tough it is for these businesses and why the number of failed companies who received PPP loans is likely higher.

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New Estimates Say More Than 3 Million People Are Actively Contagious With Coronavirus Nov 19, 2020

Show notes

Coronavirus is still running rampant across the country as the death count in the U.S. is now over 250,000. Thanksgiving is approaching and public health experts have urged caution over large gatherings. One more point of caution, more than 3 million people are estimated to be contagious with the coronavirus according to new models by epidemiologists at Columbia University. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for why this estimate is so much higher than the official case count.

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Whole Family Getting Tested Before That Thanksgiving Gathering? It's Not a Safety Guarantee From the Virus Nov 19, 2020

Show notes

Thinking of getting tested before Thanksgiving? Be careful if you’re planning the… everyone-has-gotten-tested approach to getting together with family at Thanksgiving. Getting a negative test doesn’t clear you from continuing to wear masks or social distance. While this approach can be used as a form of risk reduction, it is not a guarantee of safety from the virus. Quarantining can also help, but they day is quickly approaching. Christie Aschwanden, reporter at Wired, joins us for more.

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With Coronavirus Cases Rising, What Will the Economic Fallout Be of More Lockdowns? Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

There is a lot of talk about a new round of lockdowns as the country sees increased cases of coronavirus. Some states have already imposed more restrictions on businesses as we wade into all too familiar territory, and the focus again turns to what Congress can do to help individuals and businesses with more stimulus to get through more closures. Courtenay Brown, markets reporter at Axios, joins us for what could be the economic fallout of lockdown 2.0.

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Moderna Vaccine Candidate Is 94.5% Effective Against COVID Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

More great vaccine news this week as Moderna has said that their vaccine candidate appears to be 94.5% effective against COVID-19. Similar to the Pfizer candidate, Moderna’s vaccine also uses mRNA to target the spike protein of the virus. The other good news is that this one can be stored at standard refrigerator temperature for a month before being used, which will make it easier to ship and store. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for more.

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