Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest headlines in COVID-19. Also on the show, we take a historical deep dive into the inequities in LA County's urban planning; go over the proposed barriers along the Colorado Street Bridge; and more.
COVID-19 AMA: LA County Enters Yellow Tier, Plus Can You Drink Alcohol After Your Vaccine?
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg of UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
Topics today include:
L.A. County enters yellow tier, could see wider reopening soon
U.S. averaging 2.7 million COVID vaccine shots per day, majority of states have vaccinated half their adults
Can you drink after the COVID vaccine?
Fauci says global pandemic needs global response amid outbreak in India
West Virginia offering financial incentive to get vaccinated
Guest:
Dean Blumberg, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital
How L.A. County’s Highways Serve As Historical Examples Of Inequitable Infrastructure
In an interview, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg had noted that “there is racism physically built into some of our highways,” a sentiment that may seem odd at first glance but is rooted in facts that can be found in highways and other infrastructure across the country.
In Los Angeles County, there have been differences as to where projects inevitably are built and where they aren't. In places like Beverly Hills, protests have led to scrapped highway plans while areas such as Boyle Heights have not faired as well.
Despite both neighborhoods arguing against their respective projects, it was Boyle Heights that lacked the political resources to prevent the eventual construction of highways near its homes, according to UCLA historian Eric Avila.
Moments in history like this are what have now created major issues for minority communities across Los Angeles county that live nearby these highways and must deal with the heavy pollution that comes from them.
Today on AirTalk, we look back on these inequities to understand why communities like Beverly Hills and Boyle Heights met different fates during the 1960’s and 1970’s, as well as the greater picture of inequality that has been caused by urban planning in the county.
Guests:
Eric Avila, professor of history and Chicano studies at UCLA; Los Angeles historian and author of the book “The Folklore of the Freeway: Race and Revolt in the Modernist City” (University of Minnesota Press, May 2014)
Gilbert Estrada, associate professor at Long Beach City College who writes about Southern California history
Joe Linton, editor for Streetsblog LA
Local Community Weighs In On Proposed Barriers Along Colorado Street Bridge
If you've crossed the Colorado Street Bridge lately, you may have seen three tall, oddly shaped vertical barriers between the 10-foot high fencing. One of these installations may be the new sight for the bridge in years to come.
The bridge has been the backdrop in various films, most notably in Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid" and more recently in 2016 film La La Land.
In June 2017, the city of Pasadena erected the temporary fencing along the bridge to mitigate people from jumping. Now, the city is looking for a more permanent barrier solution for the bridge to deter suicides.
The Department of Public Works contracted Donald MacDonald Architects for the project. The firm also designed the netting for the Golden Gate Bridge. The mock ups are available online for public review until May 31.
Today on AirTalk, we learn the latest developments on the suicide prevention barriers erected along the Colorado Street Bridge. Have any questions? Call us at (626) 893-5722.
Colorado Street Bridge Barrier Mock Up by Southern California Public Radio on Scribd
We reached out to the city of Pasadena for a representative to come on our show, but they were not able to come on at the time of the broadcast.
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. It is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish.
Guests:
Bradley Bermont, journalist formerly with the Pasadena Star News; he wrote "Pasadena seeks feedback on Colorado Street Bridge anti-suicide fence mockups"; he tweets
Brad Hanson, president of the Pasadena Beautiful Foundation; he is the author of “Colorado Street Bridge Barrier Options Impair Views, Degrade Walking Experience”
The ‘YOLO’ Economy: Why Burned Out Millennials Are Using The Pandemic As An Opportunity To Take That Big Chance
The pandemic has forced us all to come to certain realizations. Some have realized that certain friendships may not be as strong as once believed when the ability to see one another in person is removed from the equation. For others, maybe it’s that you’re more (or less) of a homebody than you’d originally thought. And still for others maybe it’s the discovery of a previously unexplored hobby.
But as New York Times technology columnist Kevin Roose writes in his latest piece for his column “The Shift,” some millennials are deciding that now is the time for them to chase their dreams, travel the world the way they’ve always envisioned, or risk it all to start that business or solo venture they’ve always thought about doing but never been able to pull the trigger on actually starting. Having just spent a year indoors pondering their own mortality and that of their friends and loved ones, Roose writes, and with considerably heftier bank account balances thanks to not being able to go anywhere and asset values that have climbed during the pandemic, many are jumping at the chance to quit their job or career and try their hand at something completely different, or simply to strike out on their own in search of freelance or other opportunities.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll talk about how the “YOLO economy” came about, how some are taking advantage of it, and we want to hear from you! Are you someone who made a drastic career change during the pandemic? Did you leave your day job to pursue travel, a passion project, or self-employment? What led you to this decision? How are things going? Join our conversation by calling us at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Kevin Roose, technology columnist for The New York Times and author of the piece “Welcome To The YOLO Economy”; he tweets
Latesha Byrd, CEO and founder of Byrd Career Consulting, talent development consulting agency based in Charlotte, NC serving organizations and top talent at the intersection of career empowerment, diversity, equity & inclusion and leadership development; she tweets