Necessity Is The Mother Of Convention
Former vaccine chief Dr. Rick Bright will testify before a house subcommittee today—he’s the guy who says he was removed from his job because he didn’t want to push for widespread use of unproven anti-malaria drugs as a treatment for coronavirus. Bright’s pre-released statement said we’ll be in trouble if we keep following Trump off a cliff. In their latest show of unity, Former VP Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders announced the members of their joint policy task forces. Names include: Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep Pramila Jayapal, and Former Secretary of State John Kerry. And in headlines: local governments in Brazil are issuing mandatory lockdowns since their president won’t, Flynn’s “unmasking” was normal, and glittery worms of the deep blue sea.
14 Maj 202015min
The Wind Cries Fauci
Top U.S. health officials took questions from the Senate Health Committee yesterday on coronavirus. The partially teleconferenced testimonies featured weird background filters, quarantine beards, and one notable poster for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The main takeaway was that the U.S. is far from "out of the woods" in the fight against COVID-19. House Democrats put out a draft of their new economic relief bill. It’s a 3 trillion dollar package that includes money for states, another round of $1,200 checks for some households, hazard pay for essential workers, and more. Republicans rejected it without even seeing it.And in headlines: investigating the killing of 26-year-old Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, Twitter to let staff work from home forever, and one Australian soap opera resumes production sans kissing.
13 Maj 202017min
The State Of South Dakota Vs. Common Sense
The governor of South Dakota threatened to sue two Sioux tribes over road checkpoints they have set up to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to their reservations. Members of the tribe say that establishing checkpoints is a matter-of-life and death. South Dakota’s governor, who never issued a stay-at-home order for her state, says the checkpoints are illegal and causing traffic. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases regarding Trump’s financial records today. These cases will help determine the limits of Trump’s power to ignore subpoenas from Congress and state prosecutors.And in headlines: Georgia’s AG appoints a new prosecutor to oversee the case of Ahmaud Arbery, Poland holds a “ghost election,” and Shanghai Disneyland re-opens.
12 Maj 202014min
The Covid Is Coming From Inside The White House
Top US health officials are self-isolating and quarantining after a couple White House employees tested positive for coronavirus. Plus, new data reveal a racial bias in enforcement of stay-at-home orders in the US.South Korea has been held up as a model for fighting coronavirus to the rest of the world. Last week, they were faced with a new breakout in Seoul. Now, bars and clubs have been closed to stem the spread in that city.Following arrests in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, calls are growing for an investigation into the handling of the case and local law enforcement.And in headlines: the Justice Department drops its case against Michael Flynn, Tekashi 6ix9ine goes live to 2 million people, and one salon owner’s grift-y GoFundMe in Texas.
11 Maj 202017min
It's Not Easy Making Vaccine
The vaccine race is on, with several companies, governments, and academic labs working on lots of different potential options at once. We dig into the radical ideas to speed things along.Protestors and activist groups in Georgia are calling for the resignation of the district attorney who chose not to arrest the killers of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot while jogging unarmed in that state. A look at the activists and leaders who are speaking out.And in headlines: Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos makes things more difficult for college sexual assault victims, Facebook unveils 20 members of its content Supreme Court, and one brave Belgian llama stands up to Covid-19.
7 Maj 202017min
Don't Be Like Mike
Vice President Mike Pence says the federal coronavirus task force could be disbanded within a month because of “the tremendous progress we’ve made as a country.” We discuss what that could possibly mean. Wisconsin's Republican-controlled legislature is suing over the state's stay-at-home order, in a case that’s currently being heard by Wisconsin's conservative Supreme Court. We talk to Justice-elect Jill Karofsky, who will begin her term on that court in August.And in headlines: Georgia prosecutors will bring the case of Ahmaud Arbery to a grand jury, California sues Uber and Lyft, and meat shortages mean no junior bacon cheeseburgers at certain Wendy’s.
6 Maj 202017min
Leaky Projectors
A leaked government projection shows the US daily death toll from Covid-19 reaching 3,000 by June, which would almost double the current rate. Both the model's creator and the White House say that number shouldn’t be taken at face value. The FDA announced that companies selling antibody tests have to submit data that proves their accuracy within the next 10 days or face the possibility of getting removed from the market. And in headlines: a former VP at Amazon resigns over the company’s treatment of whistleblowers, Costco limits meats, and former Governor Matt Bevin predicts a Pulitzer prize.
5 Maj 202014min
Businesses Are People Too
As dozens of states reopen, Senator Mitch McConnell wants liability protections for businesses, so that employers won't face the possibility of lawsuits if an employee gets COVID-19. Critics say that puts the economic wellbeing of businesses over the health and safety of workers.Presumptive democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden responded directly to an allegation of sexual assault made by Tara Reade, a former junior staffer in his senate office.And in headlines: the return of Kim Jong-Un, man versus murder hornet, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to say what’s up to an eel.
4 Maj 202019min
