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Vaccine Maker AstraZeneca Puts Hold on Clinical Trials After Participant Falls Ill Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

We had a setback this week in vaccine development as AstraZeneca and Oxford University put a hold on stage three clinical trials of their experimental COVID-19 vaccine. One participant in the U.K. came down with an unexplained illness forcing the trial to shut down while an investigation is done. Rebecca Robbins, reporter at STAT News, joins us for what this pause means.

Next, the west coast is on fire this week with major fires in Washington, Oregon, and California. CA Gov. Gavin Newsom has said that so far, at least 2.3 million acres have burned, 20 times what burned in all of last year. But as fire season keeps starting earlier and lasting longer every year, what can be done to prevent these megafires? Some experts say we need more controlled burns throughout the year to get rid of some of the fire fuel. Elizabeth Weil, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for more.

Finally, as universities begin to see outbreaks of coronavirus on their campuses, some are sending students home to quarantine, and that is causing another concern that they could be spreading it back home. Some public health experts are suggesting that it might be better to have them quarantine on-campus or nearby to avoid more community spread. Melissa Korn, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how colleges are handling outbreaks.

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Drug Companies Sign Safety Pledge on COVID Vaccines and Eight Election Battleground States to Watch Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

The CEOs of nine drug companies that are developing coronavirus vaccines have all signed on to a pledge to not seek regulatory approval until the shots have been shown to work in late stage clinical trials. This is an attempt to calm fears that a vaccine may be approved too soon for political reasons. Many Americans are skeptical about taking a vaccine if it seems like the development and authorizations are rushed. Christopher Rowland, business of healthcare reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.

Next, there are eight critical battleground states where the 2020 election will be won or lost. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin represent 127 electoral votes and a potential roadmap for victory for the candidates. President Trump must turn out rural voters and Joe Biden needs a huge turnout in big cities, and in many states suburban women hold the balance of power. Michael Kruse, senior staff writer at Politico, joins us for the eight states to watch in the election.

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New Rules for Getting a Job During the Coronavirus Pandemic Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

While the economy has suffered greatly because of the coronavirus and millions are claiming unemployment benefits, there are still some that are getting hired for new jobs. With that, there are some new rules for landing a job during the pandemic. You still have to work your networks, as many jobs are found through referrals. You also need to be flexible and realistic about location. There are many companies with "work from home" policies right now, but that is constantly changing. You must also be prepared for a completely virtual interview process. Kathryn Dill, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how to get a job in the covid era.

Next, we'll tell you what enabled the CBD craze to take root in America. Right now, CBD can be found in products all over boasting some kind of health benefits from pain management to treating anxiety and inflammation. But in 2011, a rag-tag group of doctors, activists, and writers met on a marijuana farm to think of a way to market it. CBD was featured on Discovery Channel's "Weed Wars" and the subject of A CNN special touting its benefits in treating epilepsy. Sen. Mitch McConnel of all people even had a hand in making hemp and CBD legal. Amanda Chicago Lewis, contributor to the NY Times, joins us for how the CBD craze got started.

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President Trump Under Fire for Comments About Military and a Key to Preventing COVID-19 Indoors Is Proper Ventilation Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

President Trump has come under criticism for comments attributed to him where he called U.S. servicemembers killed in combat "suckers" and "losers." While the president has vehemently denied saying anything, varios news organizations have independently confirmed his words. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for the fallout from those statements, the rush to release a vaccine, and states in desperate need for another coronavirus relief bill.

Next, one of the main keys to preventing COVID-19 indoors is proper ventilation. Health scientists have started to issue recommendations to schools and businesses that want to reopen on how often indoor air needs to be replaced, as well as fans, filters, and other equipment that also needs to be replaced. For schools, think open windows with fans, air purifiers, and upgraded HVAC systems. Cailtin McCabe, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how good ventilation can help keep coronavirus particles at bay.

Finally, many unoccupied buildings that were abandoned during the coronavirus shutdowns and left empty for long periods of time may have a new uninvited guest: mold. The CDC has warned people who are reopening buildings to watch out for potential hazards like mold and the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease. While mold and bacteria is always around us, in poorly ventilated areas and in increased concentrations, it could lead to health problems. Louise Matsakis, reporter at Wired, joins us for what to know about mold problems.

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WEEKEND EDITION- Coronavirus Tests Before You Travel, The Story of Hawaii During the Pandemic, America Is Running Short on Monkeys for Testing Sep 06, 2020

Show notes

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

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WEEKEND EDITION- COVID Deaths Reduced by Steroids, California's New System for Reopening Businesses, Elon Musk's Neuralink Sep 05, 2020

Show notes

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

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Biden Still Leads After Post-Convention Polls Emerge Sep 04, 2020

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A slew of post-convention polling has come out and it shows that both candidates have emerged roughly where they were before. Joe Biden still maintains a lead, but President Trump has gained a little bit of ground in certain state polls. One of the next big moments that could impact the race comes at the end of September when the first debates are held. Steven Shepard, chief polling analyst at Politico, joins us for more.

Next, America is running low on a crucial resource for coronavirus vaccines and drugs…monkeys. The pandemic has created a huge demand for monkeys as research test subjects. There has been a drop in supply from China which supplied 60% of monkeys imported into the U.S., and we were already dealing with decreased numbers. Sarah Zhang, writer at the Atlantic, joins us for how were are short on these animals needed for research.

Finally, Amazon is one step closer to delivering you that package by drone. The FAA just granted them approval to operate its fleet of delivery drones, a program they call “Prime Air.” Their drone would be capable of delivering cargo that is lighter than 5 pounds hopefully in about 30 minutes. Rob Verger, associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for the latest and why it still might be some time before you see drones flying everywhere.

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New Analysis Says Coronavirus Deaths Significantly Reduced by Widely Available Steroids Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

Good news when it comes to the treatment of COVID-19. Studies involving 1,700 patients showed that deaths were significantly reduced by the use of steroids, raising hopes that cheap and widely available drugs could become standard treatments for severe cases of coronavirus. The steroids helped in dampening an overactive immune system. Joseph Walker, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.

Next, as the pandemic worked its way through the United States, Hawaii had a handle on its cases early on. Recently however, case counts and hospitalizations have started to creep up as a result of complacency by residents and a lack of preparation by officials. Quarantine measures for travelers are still in place and the opening of the state has continued to be delayed. Alice Miranda Ollstein, health care reporter at Politico, joins us for what happened to Hawaii.

Finally, President Trump’s new pandemic advisor has been pushing a controversial ‘herd immunity’ strategy that has some public health experts worried. Dr. Scott Atlas, who has no background in infectious diseases, has pushed to reopen the economy and let the virus spread through the general population while only protecting our most vulnerable. Yasmeen Abutaleb, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the herd immunity plan.

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California Takes Heat Over New Color-Coded System for Reopening Businesses Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

California is facing a backlash for its tiered system for reopening businesses during the pandemic. Counties throughout the state used to be on a watch list, but are now in a color-coded system of yellow, orange, red, and purple, with purple being the worst designation. Critics say the system hits some businesses harder than others. Chris Woodyard, LA Bureau Chief for USA Today, joins us for the plan to reopen California.

Next, COVID-19 has impacted the public health system so much that it will have to change to accommodate and incorporate COVID-19 into doctors’ offices, virus surveillance, and hospital planning. The good news is that the health care system has done it before with HIV and H1N1. Nicole Wetsman, health reporter at The Verge, joins us for how the coronavirus has changed the health care system.

Finally, President Trump is pushing some conspiracy theories that is matching some months old rumors inspiring people to arm themselves. Trump said that a plane “loaded with thugs” wearing dark uniforms were sent to disrupt the RNC and also said that “people that are in the dark shadows” are controlling Joe Biden. Ben Collins, reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.

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Trump Heads to Kenosha as Clashes Continue Between Protesters and Armed Civilians Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

Clashes continue in the streets between armed civilians and protesters, sometimes with deadly outcomes. Local authorities are facing complaints that they are not handling the violence and even supporting those that take up arms against protesters, which at times have turned to looting and vandalism. Joshua Partlow, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more as President Trump gets ready to go to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Next, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control says that 94% of people who died from COVID-19 had underlying health conditions, while only 6% of people had COVID-19 listed as the only cause of death. Some of the top comorbidities that people had were influenza, hypertensive disease, diabetes and cardiac arrest. Ursula Perano, reporter at Axios, joins us for more.

Finally, last week Elon Musk had a presentation for his Neuralink implants. The goal is to mass-market brain implants that could solve brain and spine problems. For the presentation Musk trotted out a group of pigs that had the implants and observed their brain activity. John Timmer, senior science editor at Ars Technica, joins us for the latest on Elon Musk’s Neuralink.

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