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Which States Had the Best Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

Coronavirus case counts continue to rise in many places as the country fights to contain the spread, but throughout the pandemic, there have been some bright spots in states’ responses. President Trump gave states the opportunity to call their own shots and some have been more successful than others. Speaking to public health experts and officials, Politico has a list of which states had the best pandemic response whether it is fighting the virus, managing the economic fallout, or getting kids back to school. Tucker Doherty, healthcare reporter at Politico, joins us for who did it best.

Next, some more bad news on the vaccine front. The share of Americans who say they are likely to get a Covid vaccine as soon as it’s available is dropping. Only 58% of the public say they would be vaccinated when it becomes available. The number is even less when it comes to communities of color. There is a high level of distrust in vaccines as everything about them has been politicized. Ed Silverman, senior writer at STAT News, joins us for what the latest numbers say.

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Pelosi Sets Deadline for Stimulus Talks and How the Pandemic Has Set Recycling Efforts Back Oct 19, 2020

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Stimulus talks continue between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin with a deadline set for Tuesday on whether anything will be able to get done by election day. It seems there have been some agreements on more stimulus checks for Americans and aid for airlines, but disagreements on other issues such as a national testing strategy. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, millions of Americans who have already voted early, and what to expect from the final debate between President Trump and Joe Biden.

Next, the coronavirus pandemic has sparked a need for more plastic. Demand for everything from face shields, gloves, takeaway food containers, and even bubble wrap for online shopping has gone up, and with that demand it has severely set back the effort to recycle. This is happening as big oil companies are investing hundreds of billions of dollars to create new plastic. Companies that have made pledges to use more recyclable materials are even in a tough spot as new plastics are far cheaper than using recycled plastic. Joe Brock, special correspondent at Reuters, joins us for how the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the trend of creating more and not less plastic trash.

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WEEKEND EDITION- Gig Economy Is on the Ballot, The Fight to Reopen Disneyland, What Can Go Wrong on Election Night Oct 18, 2020

Show notes

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

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WEEKEND EDITION- First Confirmed COVID Reinfection in America, Hunter Biden's Emails, Bill Barr's Unmasking Probe Oct 17, 2020

Show notes

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

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hunter Biden's 'Smoking Gun' Emails Released Oct 16, 2020

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The NY Post this week published what it called “smoking gun” emails revealing how Hunter Biden introduced a Ukrainian businessman tied to Burisma, to his father Joe Biden. The emails were obtained from a laptop left at a computer repair shop whose contents were later shared with Rudy Giuliani and then the NY Post. Glenn Kessler, editor and chief writer of Washington Post’s Fact Checker, joins us for what to know.

Next, there’s a lot to look out for on election night. One of the biggest concerns is that there could be chaos at the polls and we won’t know who wins on election night. Some other things to look out for will be poll watchers for fear of voter intimidation, how long it will take for mail-in ballots to be counted, and litigation that could follow. Mark Niquette, national government reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for everything that could go right or wrong on election night.

Finally, scientists are looking into what is becoming known as Covid brain fog. These are lingering symptoms of memory loss, difficulty focusing, dizziness and even grasping for everyday words. Some Covid survivors say that it’s impacting their ability to work and function normally. Pam Belluck, health and science writer at the NY Times, joins us for what to know about Covid brain fog.

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Bill Barr's Unmasking Probe Concludes Without Charges Oct 15, 2020

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The federal prosecutor appointed by Attorney General Bill Barr to review unmasking requests by Obama Administration officials has completed his work and found no substantive wrongdoing. U.S. Attorney John Bash provided no criminal charges, no public report, and also left the department just last week. Matt Zapotosky, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for what we know about the unmasking probe.

Next, the gig economy is on the ballot this year, at least in California, and it is shaping up to be the most expensive ballot proposition ever. Prop 22 will decide whether gig economy companies can classify workers as employees or independent contractors. The spending on this is huge with gig economy companies shelling out $184 million to help pass it and just $10 million for the opposition. Kia Kokalitcheva, tech and business reporter at Axios, joins us for more.

Finally, there was a time early in the pandemic where employers thought they would be relying on rapid response tests to get employees back to work safely. But as we have seen with recent events, testing alone won’t stop the spread of COVID-19. These tests were not designed to be used this way and is only one part of a full response plan. Aarian Marshall, staff writer at Wired, joins us for how and when tests should be used for returning to work.

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Nevada Man Reinfected With COVID-19, Symptoms Were Worse Second Time Around Oct 14, 2020

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Calling into question how long people are immune after being infected with COVID-19, we have a 25-year-old man that is the first American confirmed to have been infected twice with coronavirus. We know this is a reinfection because the virus was genetically different the second time around and his symptoms were also worse. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for what we know about this reinfection.

Next, some more information on the men accused of trying to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. They were also planning on “taking out” another political leader, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. The organizers of these plans wanted to make them big, saying they needed 200 men to storm capitol buildings. The FBI has said that neither governor was ever at risk. Pilar Melendez, reporter at the Daily Beast, joins for these foiled plots.

Finally, as we move through the pandemic and everything has become more politicized, we are seeing trust in government science erode. President Trump has hailed some therapeutic treatments as cures, which they are not, and some government agencies like the FDA have stumbled too. But trust in the science needs to be maintained especially when it comes to taking a vaccine once it is approved. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us more.

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The Fight to Reopen Disneyland and How Trump's Businesses Have Made Money During His Presidency Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

When will theme parks come back to California? Disney and the city of Anaheim is in a battle with the state to reopen Disneyland and get back to normal. Full guidelines on reopening have not been released, but we do know some of the requirements. The park would be limited to 25% capacity and restricted to visitors that live within 120 miles. The park is a huge economic driver for local businesses, but a balance must be struck in protecting the health of the public and employees. Tarpley Hitt, reporter at the Daily Beast, joins us for the fight to reopen Disneyland.

Next, while president Trump campaigned on getting rid of the swamp and Washington’s insider culture of lobbying, he actually built a swamp of his own where his properties and businesses reaped the benefits of public and private businesses and special interest groups spending money at his properties. According to the NY Times, 60 customers brought in nearly $12 million dollars to his family business during the first two years of his presidency. And people knew where to find him, Trump has visited his resorts and hotels nearly 400 days since his inauguration. Kenneth Vogel, reporter at the NYT, joins us for how Trump’s properties made money from those wanting to get close to the president.

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What Happens to Political Campaigns Once COVID Infects White House Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

The next presidential debate has been thrown into turmoil. After the Commission on Presidential Debates decided it will hold a virtual debate, President Trump said he would not be participating. Instead his campaign said he will hold a rally and Biden’s camp will hold a town hall. While the president continues to recover from COVID-19, he says he is ready to get back out there. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and new polls and stimulus talk.

Next, to survive the pandemic, the restaurant industry has had to adjust and reinvent itself. While many can’t wait to get back into a buzzing restaurant, the reality is that it might still be far off. So restaurants are focusing on outdoor patio dining, takeout options, keeping menus smaller, and being creative in how to retain their customer base. At least 100,000 restaurants have closed in the past six months and the industry is on track to lose $240 billion. Tom Sietsema, food critic at the Washington Post, joins us for how restaurants are changing with the pandemic.

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WEEKEND EDITION- America's K-Shaped Recovery From Coronavirus, How One College Keeps COVID-19 Cases Down, Trick-or-Treating During a Pandemic Oct 11, 2020

Show notes

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

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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