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CDC Data Shows Which Underlying Conditions May Require ICU Admission for COVID-19 Apr 03, 2020

Show notes

We’ve known for some time that those with underlying health conditions are more at risk of getting more severe symptoms from COVID-19, but new data from the CDC shows that those with diabetes, lung disease and heart disease face an increased chance of being hospitalized. The CDC found that of those people requiring admission to an ICU, 78% had at least one underlying health condition. Joel Achenbach, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.

Next, with the global economy coming to a halt, airline flights cancelled, and people staying at home, the unintended consequence has been that air pollution is down. In a somewhat unwanted atmospheric experiment we are seeing levels of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide go down, but these small gains may not last once things get back to normal. Ula Chrobak, contributor to Popular Science, joins us for how coronavirus has cut down air pollution.

Finally, curious about what people are doing to pass the time as more states impose stay-at-home orders? Jigsaw puzzles are having a moment, but good luck trying to find one. Amazon has stopped accepting puzzle shipments, so try Target, Barnes and Noble, and your local mom and pop shop. Michael Phillips, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the jigsaw puzzle craze and why to watch out for secondary puzzle dealers.

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A Cruise Ship Comes to Florida and Why We Should All Be Wearing Face Masks Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has officially declared a 30-day stay-at-home order for the state after facing criticism for not doing so earlier. The other issue facing Florida is what to do with sick people on the Zaandam cruise ship that wants to dock in Port Everglades. DeSantis only wants to take state residents that are on the ship and the Coast Guard has said that the ships must stay out at sea with the sick on board. A plan is still being worked on for what to do even as another sick cruise ship also plans to make its way there. Samantha Gross, reporter at the Miami Herald, joins us for more.

Next, the CDC is considering recommendations for people to wear face masks while out in public. Previously, the recommendation was not to buy any masks, as medical workers needed them and they were in short supply. But we have gotten to the point where we need to step up efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus. Masks reduce the spread of infectious disease by catching microbes expelled by the wearer and also protecting them from outside microbes, and while they might not catch everything, there’s a strong case we should all be wearing masks during a pandemic. Ferris Jabr, writer for Wired, joins us for how wearing face masks could help.

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Why It Takes so Long to Get Coronavirus Test Results Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

As COVID-19 testing capabilities ramp up and companies are coming up with new tests, why does it still take so long to get results? First, it is a multi-step process… once a sample is taken, it needs to travel to a lab, then it needs to be processed. And different circumstances in processing will lead to different turnaround times. Julie Appleby, senior correspondent at Kaiser Health News, joins us for the steps involved in testing and new ones on the way.

Next, we hear a lot about confirmed cases of coronavirus. The U.S. has the most confirmed cases in the world right now, but unfortunately, that metric does little for us in the way of tracking how fast it is spreading due to uneven testing. Instead, some suggest we track the rate of hospitalizations and other factors. Faye Flam, columnist at Bloomberg News, joins us for why we still need a lot more data to find out true rates of infection and spread.

Finally, coronavirus is forcing pregnant women to make tough choices. There are many hospitals with such tight restrictions that in some cases a woman’s partner might not even be allowed into the delivery room. Women are having to resort to FaceTime to have their partners present, and it could be falling to nurses to provide supportive care and camerawork. Laura Kusisto, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.

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This Is a Make-Or-Break Week for the Economy Amid Coronavirus Pandemic Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

This could be a make-or-break week for the American economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Bills and rent are coming due for millions of laid off workers and businesses, big and small, alike. Tough decisions will have to be made on what to pay first and what to put off. The restaurant industry alone has lost $25 billion in sales since March 1, and many are feeling the pain. Ruth Simon, senior special writer at the WSJ, joins us for more.

Next, President Trump has extended the social distancing guidelines until at least April 30. Previously Trump wanted to open the economy back up by Easter, instead we are now learning that the peak of the outbreak in America could come about that time. Gabby Orr, White House reporter at Politico, joins us for how Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, convinced the president to extend the guidelines.

Finally, with coronavirus, it’s all about the genetic mutations. Two critical mutations occurred… the first altered the spikes in the virus to allow it to latch onto proteins that line the respiratory tract, the second mutation, allowed the virus to grow a protein dagger that lets it bind tightly to throat and lung cells making it infectious and deadly. Robert Bazell, professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at Yale, joins us for coronavirus mutations.

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New Hotspots, Inmates Released, and Travel Bargains Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

With the most number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world, here in U.S., new hotspots are emerging. While mostly concentrated on the coasts, more cases are creeping into other cities. The CDC has issued a domestic travel advisory urging residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut not to travel for 14 days. In other news, GM and Ford are working to make more ventilators and new polls show Joe Biden and Trump in a competitive race for 2020. Julia Manchester, political reporter for The Hill joins us for more.

Next, fearing a surge of coronavirus cases that could tear through prisons and jails, counties and states are releasing thousands of inmates. Health and corrections officials have issued warnings about cramped and unsanitary conditions that could spread the virus and put inmates, corrections officers, and prison healthcare workers at risk. Kimberly Kindy, national investigative reporter at the Washington Post, tells us who is getting out of jail.

Finally, as travel is restricted across much of the world, there are a ton of cheap airfare deals. While you shouldn’t fly during a pandemic, you might want to consider booking a short getaway later in the year once things calm down. The good thing is that fares will remain low until people start traveling again. Scott McCartney, Middle Seat columnist for the WSJ, joins us for what to consider before snagging a travel bargain.

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Blood Plasma From Recovered COVID-19 Patients Could Be Short Term Treatment Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

As the search for an effective COVID-19 treatment continues, doctors are looking to an old method of delivering antibodies to an infected person, by using blood plasma from recovered patients. While a vaccine could still be a year away, the FDA has expedited the use of this blood plasma infusion in NY to see if it is an effective short term treatment. Mike Hixenbaugh, national investigative reporter for NBC News, join us for how doctors are exploring all options.

Next, something a little lighter while we practice social distancing… How has coronavirus impacted those looking for love and dating? Dating apps have seen big increases in people still looking to connect with others and singles are doing the best they can with video dates, all that’s lacking is the physical chemistry. There is even an app called Quarantine Together. Georgia Wells, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how dating works in the time of coronavirus

Finally, looking to hang out with your friends virtually? What if you want to host a movie night or just watch your favorite shows with friends? Ashley Carman, senior reporter at The Verge, joins us for a look at a few web browser extensions that you can use to sync up your Netflix stream and video chat at the same time. We’ll also talk about Zoom, who is having a moment right now in connecting people.

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WEEKEND EDITION- 2020 Olympics Cancelled, Live Events Postponed, Carl Goldman Recovers From COVID-19 Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

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WEEKEND EDITION- Coronavirus Stimulus Package, Some Employers Are Hiring, Possible COVID-19 Treatments Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

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New York Is the Epicenter of the the Fight Against Coronavirus in the U.S. Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

New York has become the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. It has 50% of the cases in the country and is facing severe shortages of critical medical supplies needed for patients and medical workers. New York is throwing everything it can against the wall in its fight against the virus and some expect the peak of the epidemic to still be weeks away. Jennifer Kingson, managing editor at Axios, joins us for the fight for New York.

Next, many people have lost jobs or had their wages cut back as companies are slowing or shutting down due to coronavirus concerns. But right now, some of America’s biggest employers are trying to hire hundreds of thousands of workers, often forgoing normal hiring practices hoping to get people started right away. Michael Corkery, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for why Walmart, Amazon, grocery stores, and pizza chains are all hiring.

Finally, Congress is working to pass a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package to keep the economy moving while everything is shut down to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This will be the third emergency spending package Congress has advanced and the largest economic aid measure in U.S. history. It will include direct payments to Americans, help for small businesses, extended unemployment programs, and help for hospitals and healthcare workers. Alayna Treene, White House reporter at Axios, joins us for how the stimulus bill could help you.

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Hospitals Face Equipment Shortage and 2020 Olympics Postponed Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

As hospitals brace for an influx of patients with COVID-19, they are already running low on critical medical supplies. Facemasks and other protective equipment are in very short supply, and despite tapping into the strategic national stockpile, it seems there will not be enough to go around. In the meant time, hospitals and medical workers are looking to the administration for guidance. Toluse Olorunnipa, White House reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.

Next, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have officially been postponed until sometime next year. This is the first time in the modern era that that games have been impacted by anything other than war. Now comes the big problems, handling the logistics of moving everything, all the money that has been poured into the games so far, and what happens to the athletes who still need to stay in tip top shape for the games? David Mack, editor at BuzzFeed News, joins us for how coronavirus has impacted the biggest sporting event so far.

Finally, as many people are working remotely from home, they are closer than ever to a fully stocked fridge and pantry due to all that panic buying. It could be harder than ever to avoid eating all day, but now is the time to set a good eating schedule, keep using fresh produce, and try not to eat pasta the whole time. Hilary, Potkewitz, contributor to the WSJ, joins us for how to avoid eating too much while working from home.

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