Today on AirTalk, we answer your COVID-19 questions. Also on the show, we update you on the latest political news; breakdown how the GOP won congressional seats in California; and more.
DOC AMA: City Of LA Issues Stay-At-Home Rules, What It’s Like To Receive A Vaccine & More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Tim Brewer from UCLA.
Topics today include:
- LA issues stay-at-home rules amid COVID-19 spike
- As hospitalizations rise, San Bernardino County limits ambulance dispatches
- What it feels like to get an mRNA coronavirus vaccine
- Initial vaccine distribution will cover fraction of health care workers
Guest:
Timothy Brewer, M.D., epidemiologist and professor of medicine at UCLA’s school of public health; has served on the advisory boards of the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention
National Politics Round-Up: Stimulus Talks, Special Counsel, Biden’s Cabinet And More
We’ll talk about the latest national politics headline you need to know, including:
- Biden’s cabinet picks and GOP opposition
- AG Bill Barr says DOJ found no evidence of election fraud
- Dem leaders want to compromise on the COVID stimulus bill
- Barr appoints U.S. Attorney John Durham special counsel
- What’s going on in Georgia?
- DiFi backs Secretary of State Alex Padilla for CA Senate seat
Guests:
Anita Kumar, White House correspondent and associate editor for POLITICO; she tweets
George Thomas, professor of American Political Institutions at Claremont McKenna College
Republicans Made Gains Down-Ballot In California. What Does It Mean For The Party’s Future In The State?
Although Joe Biden won California by nearly 30 percent of the vote, the Republican Party saw gains down-ballot in the otherwise heavily Democratic state.
Republicans will likely win back as many as four of seven House seats that Democrats had flipped in 2018. Additionally, voters did not vote in favor of business tax and rent control measures, and voted down an attempt to reinstate affirmative action. Democrats have a supermajority in the California legislature and hold every statewide office, but the recent advances by Republicans show that the party is not dead in the state, and could find greater influence in coming years.
Does this signal a shift in the state that may develop in years to come? We’re hearing more now on AirTalk. Questions? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Jessica Millan Patterson, chairwoman of the California Republican Party; she tweets
Pete Peterson, dean of the School of Public Policy and senior fellow at The Davenport Institute at Pepperdine University; he tweets
Checking In On The Bond Fire In OC
Powerful winds pushed flames through Southern California canyons early Thursday as an out-of-control wildfire burned near homes and forced residents to flee.
The fire in Orange County's Silverado Canyon began late Wednesday as a house fire that quickly spread to tinder-dry brush as gusts topped 70 mph (113 kph). It exploded in size throughout the night and as the sun came up, an enormous plume of smoke was visible for miles. Firefighters struggled in steep terrain amid unpredictable Santa Ana winds that have raised fire danger for much of the region.
Evacuations were ordered for several canyon neighborhoods near the city of Lake Forest and residents of other nearby areas were told to be ready to get out. It was not immediately known how many people were affected or if any homes were damaged.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Thanh Nguyen, captain with the Orange County Fire Authority
The Most Recent Los Angeles County Public Health Has Led To Confusion Among Residents. What Does It Allow For?
Yesterday, the City of Los Angeles issued a modified stay-at-home order that parallels Los Angeles County’s new rules, which went into effect on Monday.
Yet many LA County residents still have questions about what exactly the county order entails. Outdoor dining has closed in much of the county, although there are notable holdouts, including the City of Pasadena. It also calls for residents to not gather with people outside their household. Some residents are frustrated by what they feel are contradictions in the order. For example, while playgrounds have been ordered to close, shopping malls (which are contending with the busiest shopping season of the year) have not. California is also reportedly considering a statewide shutdown, similar to what the state saw in March, which could further impact the restrictions in LA County and neighboring counties.
Are you confused about the county public health order? What questions do you have? Leave them below or give us a call at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Zev Yaroslavsky, director of Los Angeles Initiative at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and former L.A. County supervisor and city councilmember; he tweets
Ying-Ying Goh, director of public health and health officer for the City of Pasadena
BTS 101: The South Korean Boy Band Taking Over The US Music Charts
In late November, K-pop band BTS released their highly anticipated new album “BE,” It includes their English-language hit “Dynamite,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time ever for a South Korean group.
The band, which debuted in 2013, became the biggest boy band in the world, selling out stadiums worldwide and delivering a video message at the U.N. General Assembly this year.
Their songs, filled with intimate, socially conscious lyrics, are credited for their success. Unlike other K-pop bands that carefully maintain the personas created by their labels, BTS is known for its active engagement with fans — known as ARMY — through social media. BTS has over 30.8 million followers on Twitter.
And if you somehow don’t know who they are, we’re here with a primer. Plus, whether you’re ARMY or a newer fan, call us and tell us what BTS means to you: 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Lenika Cruz, senior editor at the Atlantic where she covers culture and has written about BTS; she tweets @lenikacruz