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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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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 • 31:57
    Listen • 31:57
    November 11, 2021 – California Says Adults Who Want Boosters Can Get Them
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Annabelle De St. Maurice of UCLA and Mattel Children’s Hospital.



    Topics today include:



    • State says CA adults who want booster shot can get it
    • California’s fully vaccinated rate drops from 73% to 66.3% as kids 5-11 vaccine eligibility is factored in
    • Ellume recalls COVID-19 home test for potential false positive COVID test results
    • Moderna says Covid vaccine has fewer breakthrough cases than Pfizer’s, but higher myocarditis rates in young men
    • Nearly 1 million young children have received COVID vaccine so far, White House estimates
    • World at risk of measles outbreaks as COVID-19 disrupts infant shots, report says
    • Mountain West, Northern states seeing increase in COVID-19 infections

    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 • 32:43
    Listen • 32:43
    November 10, 2021 – Pfizer Asking For Approval Of Boosters For All Adults, A Look At Case Rates In LA, California, And Nationwide And More
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Huntington Hospital's Dr. Kimberly Shriner.


    Topics today include:



    • Pfizer seeking FDA approval for boosters for all adults
    • L.A. County sees 34 percent spike in cases over two weeks
    • California's COVID-19 fortunes reverse as cases begin to climb
    • After weeks of decline, COVID-19 case rates have stalled at a high level
    • Nearly 1m kids age 5-11 will have their first COVID-19 shots by end of today
    • Why people with depression and mood disorders now qualify for booster shots

    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 • 31:28
    Listen • 31:28
    November 9, 2021 – What To Make Of Rising COVID-19 Hospitalizations Across CA, State Officials Urge Boosters Ahead Of Holidays And More
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with UCLA’s. Dr. Tara Vijayan.



    Topics today include:

    • Thousands protest L.A. vaccine mandates as verification rules kick in
    • Are California’s vaccine rules making inequality worse?
    • COVID-19 hospitalizations rising in parts of California
    • French health authority advises against Moderna vaccine for those under 30
    • California health officials urge COVID-19 booster shots ahead of the holidays

    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 • 24:13
    Listen • 24:13
    November 8, 2021 – U.S. Allows Vaccinated Travelers Into Country, Regeneron CEO Says Treatment Provides Lasting Protection, And More
    COVID-19 AMA: U.S. Allows Vaccinated Travelers Into Country, Regeneron CEO Says Treatment Provides Lasting Protection, And More

    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 • 26:47
    Listen • 26:47
    November 5, 2021 – New Pfizer Pill May Cut Severe Illness Risk, Europe Is Pandemic Epicenter Again, 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:



    • Pfizer’s Covid antiviral pill may cut severe illness by 89%. 
    • Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti reports ‘some fever and head cold’ symptoms following Covid-19 diagnosis. What does that tell us about breakthrough cases? 
    • Europe is back at the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic, a W.H.O. official says. 
    • Hawaii is easing restrictions and preparing to welcome back tourists. 
    • Study shows dramatic decline in effectiveness of all three major Covid-19 vaccines. 

    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 • 24:42
    Listen • 24:42
    November 4, 2021 – U.S. Vaccine Mandate for Large Companies, U.K. Approves Covid-19 Pill, and 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:



    • U.S. mandates vaccines or tests for big companies by Jan. 4.  
    • Merck Covid-19 pill cleared for use in the U.K. 
    • India’s home-grown Covid-19 shot wins W.H.O. emergency use approval. 
    • San Francisco will soon require everyone 5 and older to show vaccination proof for restaurants, theaters, Warrior games. 
    • Covid-19 boosters aren’t for everyone. 
    • L.A. County to require proof of vaccination at indoor bars, nightclubs, etc starting today.  

    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 • 30:51
    Listen • 30:51
    November 3, 2021 – CDC Recommends Vaccine For 5-11 Year-Olds, What It Will Take For LA's Mask Mandate To End, And More
    In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Paul Adamson, M.D., infectious diseases physician and clinical instructor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

    Topics today include:



    • CDC panel strongly endorses COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. 

      • L.A. County details plans for vaccinating kids 5 to 11. 
      • LAUSD will not require COVID-19 vaccines for kids 5 to 11. 
    • Parents proving to be a tough sell on COVID-19 vaccines for teens. 
    • L.A. County says these criteria need to be met before Covid mask mandate can be lifted. 
    • Not all the unvaccinated are diehards, but the “wait and see” crowd is shrinking. 
    • UCSF doctors call for state health officials to lift some school Covid requirements as vaccines for kids become available. 
    • An unsolved mystery: Why do more men die of COVID-19? 
    • Entire Bay Area is back in CDC’s orange and red tiers for Covid spread. 

    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 • 17:20
    Listen • 17:20
    November 2, 2021 – What It Will Take For 5-11 Year-Olds To Get Vaccinated, Supply Chain Shortages Hit Hospitals, And More
    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:



    • What needs to happen before 5-to-11-year-olds can get the Pfizer vaccine. 
    • Health care system plagued by new supply chain shortages.  
    • How often do Covid vaccines cause heart problems in children? 
    • How to travel safely as U.S. reopening approaches. 
    • Who had Covid-19 vaccine breakthrough cases?  

    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