Today on AirTalk, we get the latest news on COVID-19. Also on the show, we discuss why industries are having a hard time finding workers; break down the newest movie releases with our KPCC critics; and more.
COVID-19 AMA: Pfizer & BioNTech Apply For Full FDA Approval, WHO Considers Emergency Use Of Chinese Vaccine And More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg from UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
Topics today include:
There might be a shortage of special syringes, leading to vaccine waste
WHO considers EUA of Chinese vaccine
Pfizer and BioNTech apply for full FDA approval
Poll: socializing maskless might not incentive unvaccinated people
Is vaccine approval for 12-15 year olds imminent?
Guest:
Dean Blumberg, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital; he tweets
Unemployment Remains High Across The Country. Why Are Some Industries Struggling To Find Workers?
As more Americans become vaccinated and economic sectors increasingly reopen, the country is facing a startling conundrum— unemployment is high, but many industries cannot find workers.
Restaurants, manufacturing and construction are the sectors most affected, though it's a phenomenon seen across many professions. The shortage is in part due to worker’s fears around contracting or spreading COVID-19, particularly in workplaces that might call for sharing confined spaces with many people. Though vaccines are incredibly effective against the virus, the scale of loss Americans have endured over the course of the pandemic has left many hesitant to return to work if they don’t have to. But part of the gap in hiring is also due to the myriad workforce shakeups that the pandemic prompted— including low-wage workers switching careers, more parents staying at home in the absence of childcare and older Americans opting for early retirement. Without robust hiring, many industries might see slowdowns, which could jeopardize an otherwise strong economic recovery.
Today on AirTalk, we’re learning more about why some industries are having difficulty hiring new workers. Have you decided to switch industries or not go back to work after the pandemic? We want to hear from you! Give us a call at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Eugene Cornelius, Jr., senior director of the Center for Regional Economics and California Center at The Milken Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan economic think tank; he has held several public service positions, most recently as senior advisor to the Office of International Trade in the U.S. Small Business Administration
How the Navajo Nation Went From Being Devastated By COVID To Vaccinating Over Half Its Adult Population
Although Native Americans are one of the most at-risk groups in contracting COVID-19, they've been the most successful at vaccinating their populations.
NPR reported that the Navajo Nation had vaccinated more than half of its adult population, which surpasses the U.S. national vaccination rate.
At one point, the Navajo Nation was a hotbed for coronavirus cases as it had the third-highest infection rate in the country in April 2020. Right before the turn of the new year, the Nation suffered from a massive second wave of cases that spread across 75 of its communities. Now, cases rates have dropped with most of the Navajo population being inoculated, so much so that they’re sending their own relief resources to India for that country’s surging cases.
But leaders in the Navajo territory still take precaution in fully committing to guidelines set by the CDC. According to the Navajo Times, face masks are still required to be worn in public, and there is a daily curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. (MDT).
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the trajectory of the Navajo Nation's vaccination campaign, and how they were able to bounce back from its once high infection rate.
Guest:
Loretta Christensen, M.D., chief medical officer at the Navajo Area Indian Health Service
FilmWeek: ‘Wrath Of Man,’ ‘Here Today,’ ‘The Paper Tigers’ And More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases.
"Wrath of Man," on Wide Release
"Here Today," on Wide Release
"The Paper Tigers," in select theaters (check your local listings); VOD (including iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video)
"The Water Man," on Wide Release
"The Crime of the Century," on HBO & HBO on May 10
"The Disciple," on Netflix
"Monster," on Netflix
"The Unthinkable," on VOD (iTunes, Amazon, FandangoNow)
"The Boy from Medellín," on Amazon Prime Video
"Undergods," in select theater (check your local listings); VOD (including FandangoNow)
"About Endlessness," at Laemmle's Royal, Laemmle's Playhouse 7; VOD (including iTunes)
"Initiation," at Arena Cinelounge Drive-In (Hollywood); VOD (including Vudu, Google Play & iTunes)
"Above Suspicion," in select theaters (check your local listings); VOD (including Amazon Prime Video, Vudu & iTunes)
"The Columnist," Laemmle's Virtual Cinema; VOD (FandangoNow, iTunes, Google Play)
"Cliff Walkers," in select theaters (check your listings)
DURING COVID: Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here.
Guests:
Christy Lemire, film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ podcast; she tweets
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets
David Oyelowo On Directing And Starring In His Debut Feature ‘The Water Man’
David Oyelowo makes his feature directorial debut this week with the family adventure film “The Water Man. He also stars in the film. You can see it now in theaters. Oyelowo sat down with KPCC’s John Horn to talk about the experience and the tips and tricks he learned about moving between in front of the camera and the director’s chair.
Guest:
David Oyelowo, actor and director of the new film “The Water Man”