COVID-19 AMA: Pfizer Starts Testing Omicron-Specific Vaccines, L.A. County Omicron Deaths Rise, And More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with infectious diseases physician and assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Dr. Paul Adamson.
Topics today include:
- Pfizer begins testing Omicron-matched COVID-19 vaccines in adults
- F.D.A. halts use of antibody drugs that don’t work versus Omicron
- L.A. County seeing more deaths from Omicron
- “Mild” but still deadly: Omicron may kill tens of thousands more Americans by March
- Omicron is spreading. How should we respond now?
- Coronavirus tests from the U.S. government have started to arrive at homes
Ahead Of Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, We Look Back At The Epic Sports Rivalries Between Los Angeles And San Francisco
The Golden State has a track record of exceptional sports teams around the state, with powerful franchises in Los Angeles and San Francisco. That leads to epic face offs in both regular and postseason play, stoking the fires of rabid fan bases. Dodgers vs Giants may be the biggest rivalry, with the two teams going head-to-head for NL West supremacy multiple times – including last season. The rivalry even led to one of the MLB’s most historic brawls. Other rivalries include Lakers-Warriors and Kings-Sharks but now, Rams-Niners will take center stage as the two California powerhouses fight it out in the NFC Championship game for a spot in the Super Bowl. Today on AirTalk, Larry discusses the history and significance of these rivalries with SCNG sports columnist Mark Whicker and San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler.
San Jose Mayor Says His City Is Tired Of Waiting On Congress To Pass Gun Control Legislation, So They’re Doing It Themselves
This afternoon, San Jose’s City Council is expected to cast final votes on proposals designed to curb gun violence in the city and provide more oversight of gun ownership. One ordinance would require gun owners to carry liability insurance; another would create an annual fee on gun ownership that would go to a fund to offset the cost of gun violence. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo recently wrote an op-ed for The Los Angeles Times making the case for why he thinks the ordinances will be effective at reducing gun violence in his city. The San Jose area has experienced several mass shootings in recent years, including at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in 2019. However, gun rights activists have raised several issues with the proposed ordinances ahead of the vote.
Today on AirTalk, Mayor Liccardo joins Larry to talk about the ordinances, why he believes they will be effective, and how he expects the new ordinances, if passed, to stand up in court against anticipated legal challenges.
The Latest With Russia, Ukraine And What Role The US Could Play
At President Joe Biden’s direction, the Pentagon will put about 8,500 U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for potential deployment to Europe. The move is meant to reassure allies amid rising fears of a possible Russian military move on Ukraine. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday no final decisions had been made on deployments. Tensions between Russia and the West have risen sharply over the past few weeks amid concerns that Moscow is planning to invade Ukraine, with NATO outlining potential troop and ship deployments, Britain saying it would withdraw some diplomats from Kyiv, and Ireland denouncing upcoming Russian war games off its coast. Today on AirTalk, we talk with James Landale, diplomatic correspondent for the BBC and Chris Miller, assistant professor of international history at the Fletcher School at Tufts University in Massachusetts about the latest news, how the region’s history plays into the conflict, and what role the U.S. could play.
With files from the Associated Press
Grammy-Winning Artist Keb’ Mo’ Returns To Compton With New Album “Good To Be…”
Music has taken blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist Keb’ Mo’ from his childhood home in Compton to the Grammys and the White House. Now he’s returning to his roots with the release of his new album “Good To Be…” The album pays tribute to his childhood home - where he now lives part time - and his adopted hometown of Nashville, where he’s lived for more than a decade. Today on AirTalk, Larry speaks with five-time Grammy winning artist Keb’ Mo’ about his new album, his inspirations, and his Compton roots.