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Podcasts
COVID in L.A.
COVID in L.A.
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COVID in L.A.
The daily COVID-19 update from KPCC and LAist, hosted by AirTalk's Larry Mantle.

About the Show

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, we've had a daily segment on AirTalk devoted to bringing you the latest information about COVID-19, vaccines, and how the virus and pandemic have affected the lives of Southern Californians from the doctors, nurses, epidemiologists, and other medical professionals fighting the virus on the frontlines. In each episode of this podcast, we’ll speak with one of the experts on our rotating panel of guests who share their expertise with us each day.

Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Funding provided by:

Corporation for Public Broadcasting
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We brief you on what you need to know about L.A. today.
Episodes
  • COVID in L.A.
    Listen • 11:08
    Listen • 11:08
    How to Save Water
    California is in a drought -- again. LAist’s new show How to LA explores what more Angelenos can do to preserve water. It won't be easy, but we meet up with one long-time resident who shows us how it's possible. Follow How to LA; the show aims to drop a little knowledge about ALL the things that affect the people of Los Angeles, whether that’s something that makes our city great (tacos!) or something that we need to work on, like the alarming number of traffic collisions. We serve the curious Angeleno who wants to better connect with our city, discover the new, navigate the confusing and even drive some change along the way.


    Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

  • COVID in L.A.
    Listen • 22:38
    Listen • 22:38
    April 18, 2022 – California Ditches Vaccine Requirement For Kids, How At-Home Tests Are Affecting Case Counts, Breath Test To Detect COVID
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

    Topics today include: 

    • White House Covid response coordinator: Americans over 60 should get second booster. 
    • With the rise in at-home testing, are we undercounting COVID-19 cases even more than before?  
    • COVID hospitalizations fall to 213 in L.A. County. 
    • California will not require COVID vaccines for children this fall. 
    • BA.2 is spreading in the U.S. but people are over it. 
    • FDA authorizes first breath test to detect coronavirus. 

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

Support The COVID in LA podcast today
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  • COVID in L.A.
    Listen • 24:40
    Listen • 24:40
    December 9, 2021 – 16 And 17-Year-Olds Can Get Boosted, Los Angeles Sees Uptick In New Cases
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with epidemiologist and professor of medicine at UCLA’s school of public health Timothy Brewer, M.D.. 



    Topics today include: 



    • Study finds that COVID-19 attacks fat tissue. 
    • As Omicron cases grow, vaccine makers are prepared to adjust their vaccines. 
    • Los Angeles has seen a 100% uptick in new coronavirus cases in last 10 days. 
    • Nearly 500 LAUSD employees were fired due to not complying with vaccine mandate. 
    • LA County health officials are saying new Omicron case could’ve been from local transmission.  
    • What time of day is the best to get your COVID-19 vaccine. 
    • Study shows that those who receive a Pfizer booster shot 5 months after their second.  dose have 90% lower mortality due to COVID-19. 
    • FDA authorizes Pfizer booster shots for 16 and 17-year-olds. 

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

  • COVID in L.A.
    Listen • 23:00
    Listen • 23:00
    December 8, 2021 – Pfizer Offers Some Protection Against Omicron, Booster Shot Fares Better
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dean Blumberg, MD, professor medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 


    Topics today include: 


    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

  • COVID in L.A.
    Listen • 30:57
    Listen • 30:57
    December 7, 2021 – CA Preps For Winter Surge, How Omicron Compares To Other Strains
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Tobati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 


    Topics today include: 



    • Opinion: Covid-19 vaccine efforts can’t let up because of new pills. 
    • California preps for winter COVID-19 surge due to either Omicron or Delta. 
    • Safely socializing in the pandemic’s booster era.  
    • NYT: What is Omicron's contagiousness, severity and its risk to those vaccinated?
    • Surgeon General warns of mental health crisis emerging in U.S. youth. 

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

  • COVID in L.A.
    Listen • 32:26
    Listen • 32:26
    December 6, 2021 – Fauci Says Early Omicron Reports Are Encouraging, U.S. Averaging More Than 100,000 Cases Per Day Again
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Paul Adamson, infectious diseases physician and assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.



    Topics today include:



    • New York City to impose vaccine mandate on private sector employers. 
    • Fauci says early reports of the Omicron variant are encouraging. 
    • Where Omicron could have spread. 
    • The U.S. now averages more than 100,000 new COVID cases per day. 
    • Starting Monday, international travelers to Los Angeles face new COVID testing rules. 

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

  • COVID in L.A.
    Listen • 21:45
    Listen • 21:45
    December 3, 2021 – L.A. Sees First Omicron Case, Natural Immunity Offers Little Protection Against Omicron, and More
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil, professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine. 


    Topics today include: 



    • L.A. County records first case of Omicron variant; Officials urge more testing.
    • Rapid test site at LAX international terminal starts today. 
    • Most COVID vaccines will work as boosters, study suggests. 
    • Germany locks unvaccinated out of public life, vaccine mandate looms. 
    • Why Omicron cases weren’t detected sooner in the United States 
    • Scientists say prior COVID-19 infection is little defense against the. Omicron variant. 
    • With the Omicron variant emerging ahead of the holiday season, is it safe to travel? 
    • F.D.A. aims for quick review of vaccines and drugs for the Omicron variant. 

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

  • COVID in L.A.
    Listen • 33:05
    Listen • 33:05
    December 2, 2021 – Biden Addresses Nation On Winter Preparations, Mask Mandates For Travel Extended, And More
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Tara Vijayan, associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UCLA, and director for antimicrobial stewardship at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. 

    Topics today include: 



    • President Biden to address the nation on winter COVID-19 preparations: 

    • Minnesota reports the second U.S. case of the omicron COVID variant in a resident who traveled to New York City. What does that tell us about domestic transmission? 
    • After confirming first omicron case in the United States, California health officials assure residents it’s prepared. 
    • How San Francisco confirmed the first U.S. Omicron case so quickly. 

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

  • COVID in L.A.
    Listen • 22:05
    Listen • 22:05
    December 1, 2021 – Merck Pill Gets FDA Panel Support, Latest On Omicron & More
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center. 



    Topics today include: 

    • Merck pill gets FDA panel support in a 13-10 vote. 
    • Biden administration expected to toughen testing requirements for international travelers. 
    • Omicron likely had began to spread from South Africa prior to it being detected. 
    • Los Angeles County has no significant plans for new COVID-19 restrictions. 
      • If vaccines prove to be ineffective, county health department’s first priority will be protecting nursing homes. 
    • Bay Area Scientist explains Omicron variant’s set of mutations. 
    • California patient confirmed to have first US case of the Omicron variant. 

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

  • COVID in L.A.
    Listen • 22:09
    Listen • 22:09
    November 30, 2021 – US Prepares For Omicron Variant, FDA Reviews Booster Shots For Older Teens, And More
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Doctor Kimberly Shriner, director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. 


    Topics today include: 



    • The Omicron variant is coming, but we can prepare 
      • CDC urges all adults to get COVID-19 boosters as the Omicron variant looms. 
      • Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment is not as effective against the Omicron variant, according to preliminary tests. 
      • Omicron variant isn’t likely to cause severe illness for vaccinated individuals, according to BioNTech founder. 
      • Moderna’s chief executive predicts current vaccines will struggle against the Omicron variant.
    • Low income L.A. County residents are less likely to get COVID-19 vaccines. 
    • Merck’s COVID-19 treatment pill is being reviewed by the FDA. 
    • FDA is moving to authorize COVID-19 booster shots for 16 and 17 year-olds. 
    • Tomorrow is World AIDS Day; we look at the history of the disease and how treatments have evolved.

    This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

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Credits
Headshot of Larry Mantle
Larry Mantle
Host of AirTalk with Larry Mantle and FilmWeek