We get the latest on the Zika virus from two doctors; a deeper look into the politics behind Mexico president Enrique Peña Nieto's move to enshrine into his country's constitution last year's Mexico Supreme Court ruling favoring same-sex marriage; and it's TGI-FilmWeek, with a discussion about the new documentary, "Weiner."
CDC identifies nearly 300 pregnant women infected with Zika in the US
We have been aware of the Zika virus since 1947, only identifying cases in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, but in January this year it became a public health concern after it was detected in Brazil.
For healthy adults, the effects of Zika are mild, but if that healthy adult is pregnant, the virus can create severe brain defects in the fetus, including microcephaly.
Now, as we approach summer travel season, the CDC has announced Zika’s larger presence in the US, identifying 279 pregnant women who have the virus. So we’ve got some doctors to help answer our personal and public health concerns: What do we have to worry about? Should people delay planned pregnancies? If you are traveling to Zika areas, should you avoid pregnant friends and family when you come home?
Guests:
Amesh Adalja, M.D., Senior Associate at the Center for Health Security at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he specializes in studying and preventing the epidemics and infectious diseases.
Neil Silverman, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA, perinatal point person on Zika for the California Department of Public Health
The twisting path to legalizing same-sex marriage in Mexico
Earlier this week Mexico’s president Enrique Pena Nieto proposed amending the constitution to codify same-sex marriage across the country.
He will need two-thirds of Congress to support him and a majority of the 31 states would have to vote in approval. Legal in Mexico City since 2009 and in five states, same-sex marriage remains a controversial issue in the country.
The Supreme Court ruled last year that banning same-sex marriage was unconstitutional but did not go so far as to legalize it themselves, recognizing various local resistance to the change.
How are Mexico’s different regions responding to the push for same-sex marriage rights? What is the landscape of LGBT activism in Mexico? How big a role does religion play in how LGBT rights are viewed by Mexicans?
Guests:
Enrique Torre Molina, campaigns manager at Allout, an international LGBT rights organization, and long-time LGBT rights activist in Mexico; he tweets
Andrew Selee, executive vice president and senior advisor to the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center
The American tradition of modifying, tweaking, and customizing our meals
Apparently there’s something we Americans do with food that dazzles tourists when they visit and frustrates chefs when we leave: The value we put on freedom and individuality extends to what we eat.
Think about it: “Lightly salted” and “dressing on the side” are basically inalienable rights when it comes to dining out. Can you even imagine a table setting without salt, pepper, or ketchup? More restaurants low and high have been using technology and tweaking their models to cater to picky customers… while some are laying down firm rules.
Just like clothing and cars, food is another thing we consume that can show off who we think we are. Are you the one who can’t order a dish without a modification? Or are you the one rolling your eyes at your picky friend?
Guest:
Sophie Egan, author of "Devoured" (HarperCollins), program director at the Culinary Institute of America, contributor to the New York Times Well blog.
FilmWeek: ‘The Nice Guys,’ ‘Neighbors 2,’ ‘Weiner’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Wade Major, Christy Lemire and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases including a comedic crime story set in 1970s Los Angeles, “The Nice Guys” starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe;” a comedy sequel opening in wide release, “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” with Seth Rogen and Zac Efron; an all-access documentary tracking the sex scandals of former Congressman Anthony Weiner; and more.
TGI-FilmWeek!
Wade's Hits
Christy's Hits
Mixed Reviews
- Christy: "The Angry Birds Movie"
- Wade and Christy: "Maggie's Plan"
- Christy and Wade: "Manhattan Night"
- Wade and Christy: "Welcome to Happiness"
- Christy and Wade: "Hard Sell"
- Wade: "Margarita with a Straw"
This Week's Misses
- Wade: "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising"
- Wade and Charles: "The Angry Birds Movie"
- Charles: "Welcome to Happiness"
Guests:
Wade Major, Film Critic for KPCC and Host of IGN’s DigiGods.com
Christy Lemire, Film Critic for KPCC and Host of YouTube’s “What the Flick?”; she tweets from
Charles Solomon, Film Critic for KPCC and Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
‘Weiner’ documentary filmmakers talk about the scandal’s significance
A new all-access documentary tracks former Congressman Anthony Weiner during his campaign to be mayor of New York City while dogged by an interminable sex scandal.
Simply called "Weiner," viewers are shown the inner workings of his marriage to Human Abedin, renowned for being a right-hand operative for Hillary Clinton.
During the campaign, the couple hopes Weiner's political policies can trump his lies over his Twitter "sexting" scandal. Filmed and edited in a simple, cinema verite style, what was supposed to be a political comeback story turns into a meltdown as new sexting allegations are exposed, including Weiner's alterego "Carlos Danger," and the media pounce on every salacious detail and x-rated photo.
On AirTalk, Larry will interview the filmmakers, Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg.
How did the filmmakers get such intimate access? What is gained and what is lost by the documentary being verite style - minus straightforward interviews and analysis? Was Huma Abedin as accessible for filming as Anthony Weiner? Did the couple express concerns about the film being released as Clinton campaigns for the Democratic nomination for president?
From distributor Sundance Selects, “Weiner” opens today at select theatres across the country including The Landmark in West LA.
Guests:
Josh Kriegman, Filmmaker, "Weiner"
Elyse Steinberg, Filmmaker, "Weiner”