Today on AirTalk, we go over the latest COVID-19 headlines. Also on the show, we talk with school officials to see how reopening plans are going; recap the newest Supreme Court cases to appear on the docket; and more.
COVID-19 AMA: Looking At The Risk Of A New Wave As CA Reopens, Pfizer Says Vaccine is 100% Effective in Kids Ages 12 To 15 And More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with UCLA’s Kristen Choi.
California is on track to reopen - what’s the risk for another wave?
Pfizer says clinical trials show their vaccine is 100% effective in kids ages 12 to 15
FEMA is set to pull two of California mass vaccination sites
Researchers look into efficacy of mix-and-matching a vaccine
According to one survey, vaccine hesitancy is waning
According to Vox, at our current rate the U.S. is on track to have all adults vaccinated by July 4
Guest:
Kristen R. Choi, professor of nursing and public health at UCLA; registered nurse practicing at Gateways Hospital, based in Echo Park
Some Students In LA County Districts Started Returning To School This Week. How’s It Going?
Elementary students in L.A. County’s second-largest school district — Long Beach Unified — started returning to campuses this week. That’s one of several school district reopenings education reporter Kyle Stokes has been tracking.
Long Beach campuses returned students from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade on Monday. Students who don’t choose to remain in distance learning mode will spend two-and-a-half hours with their teacher, either in the morning or afternoon. “The return to in-person classes includes asymptomatic screening for staff and students,” said Superintendent Jill Baker in a video message last week. The Hart Union High School District, which serves Santa Clarita, reopened campuses for blended learning on Monday — with buildings operating at reduced capacity. Glendale Unified students in transitional kindergarten (TK) through second grade will return Monday. Students in third to sixth grade will go back to campuses on April 5. Like in Long Beach, students in Glendale will operate on a “hybrid” schedule. All Downey Unified elementary students will return to campuses on Monday. Today on AirTalk, we check in with officials from some of the districts on how it’s going and what they expect from here. We also want to hear from you. Is your child returning to in-person schooling? What has the experience been like? What are your thoughts and concerns? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.
With files from LAist. Read the full story here.
Guests:
Jill Baker, superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District, which opened elementary campuses on a hybrid schedule Monday; she tweets
John A. Garcia, superintendent of the Downey Unified School District, which opened campuses on Monday; he tweets
Explaining Biden’s Massive Infrastructure Plan And How It’s Likely To Fare In Congress
President Joe Biden is aiming for summer passage of an infrastructure plan that is expected to cost more than $3 trillion, and the White House hopes to take a more deliberate and collaborative approach with the contentious Congress than it did on the COVID-19 rescue package, officials said Monday.
The president will announce parts of his “Build Back Better” package Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Sweeping in scope, the ambitious plan aims to make generational investments in infrastructure, revive domestic manufacturing, combat climate change and keep the United States competitive with China, according to the officials. It could include $3 trillion in tax increases.
The final price tag is in flux but was expected to be between $3 trillion and $4 trillion. One White House official said Monday night that it may end up being closer to $3 trillion.
Though the White House is emphasizing the urgency, it also insists this will not be considered an emergency response like the $1.9 trillion virus relief bill that Biden signed into law over Republican objections earlier this month. The administration wants to see progress on the new legislation by Memorial Day and have it passed over the summer, White House officials said.
“The president has a plan to fix our infrastructure and a plan to pay for it,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. “But we certainly expect to have the discussion with members of Congress, as we move forward, about areas where they agree, where they disagree, where they would like to see greater emphasis or not.”
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
Mario Parker, White House reporter for Bloomberg News who’s following Biden’s infrastructure plan; he tweets
Susan McWilliams Barndt, chair and professor of politics at Pomona College and editor of American Political Thought journal
Supreme Court Hears Arguments On Property Rights, Mulls Reinstating Death Penalty For Boston Bomber And More
The Supreme Court appeared ready last week to side with two California agriculture businesses that want to bar labor organizers from their property, a case that could be another blow to unions.
The justices heard arguments in a case involving a California labor regulation put in place in 1975, following the efforts of labor leader Cesar Chavez. The regulation grants unions access to farms and other agriculture businesses in order to organize workers for up to three hours per day, 120 days per year.
The Supreme Court also said it will consider reinstating the death sentence for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, presenting President Joe Biden with an early test of his opposition to capital punishment.
We’ll dive into these cases, as well as other issues on the docket, including abortion and gun control. Questions? Call us at 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guest:
Kimberly Robinson, U.S. Supreme Court reporter for Bloomberg Law and co-host of Bloomberg Law’s podcast “Cases and Controversies”; she tweets
The Apple Pan Is Finally Taking Credit Cards. Were You A Late Adopter?
After 74 years of cash-only, the West L.A. old school diner fixture the “Apple Pan” has started taking credit cards due to the pandemic.
Which got us thinking about late adopters. Whether it comes to tech, food or habits, were you a late adopter of something and how did it change your life? For the better? Or for worse?
Call us at 866-893-5722.