Today on AirTalk, we discuss the possible distribution of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine that was reported to have an effectiveness of 90%. Also on the show, we talk about the transition of power for the presidency; the impact Biden's policy proposals will have on businesses; and more.
Latest On Presidential Transition
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is brushing aside results of last week’s presidential election showing that President Donald Trump lost his bid for a second term. Pompeo told reporters with a grin on Tuesday that the “transition” to a second Trump term would be “smooth,” but later said the State Department would be prepared no matter who is president on Inauguration Day.
Tongue-in-cheek or not, Pompeo’s remarks implying that Trump might yet be reelected were striking, coming at a tense moment for the nation as Trump refuses to concede to President-elect Joe Biden. Pompeo, America’s top diplomat and fourth-in-line for the presidency, spoke even as world leaders have been congratulating the former vice president.
We check in on the latest with the national political scene.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guest:
Anna Edgerton, politics editor for Bloomberg; she tweets
LA County Supervisors Voted To Look Into Ways Of Removing Sheriff Villanueva
On Tuesday, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to explore options to impeach or reduce the responsibilities of Sheriff Villanueva.
As reported by the L.A. Times. this is the latest in a long running conflict between the Sheriff and Board of Supervisors, who have criticized Villanueva for what they see as his lack of accountability and moves to counter reforms.
Villanueva was elected by voters, so is it fair for the Board to take action against him? We dive into the tensions and the reasonings of the various Board members. Plus, we want to hear from you. Call us at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles County Supervisor representing District 2, which encompasses parts of the Westside, including Culver City, and the Eastside, including Carson and Compton; he tweets
Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County Supervisor representing District 4, which stretches from Marina del Rey, down to San Pedro and east, encompassing Long Beach and Diamond Bar
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
What Does A Biden Administration Mean For Businesses?
The Trump administration has long portrayed itself as pro-business and anti-regulation, but it also has a reputation for instability. With a Biden administration, many experts argue, comes predictability.
Although President-elect Joe Biden ran on a platform of higher corporate tax rates and expanded healthcare, Biden could be better for business than the alternative, according to a recent Wall Street Journal piece from Greg Ip. Biden moving into the role of the president could ultimately mean little change with a split congress. Business leaders say one of the most important issues at hand for businesses is the global coronavirus pandemic, and it’s unclear what’s to come between hypothetical stimulus efforts and potential lockdowns and mandates. It’s a severe balancing act, and no matter what happens, it’ll have huge implications.
Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with business leaders about what a new administration in the White House could mean for businesses in California and beyond. Do you have thoughts or questions? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Kevin Klowden, executive director of the Milken Institute’s Center for Regional Economics and California Center; he tweets
Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA); he tweets
Christine Meisner Rosen, associate professor of Business and Public Policy at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business; associate director of the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry
Early Data Shows Pfizer Is Narrowing In On An Effective COVID-19 Vaccine. But What Will It Take To Get It To Everyone?
For the past eight months, the idea of a coronavirus vaccine has become an emotional touchstone for many Americans. And now, we’re closer than ever to seeing it realized— but what will it take to deliver the dosage to the average person?
The pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer announced its vaccine may be 90% effective, based on early test results, and the company is on track to apply for emergency-use approval from the Food and Drug Administration this month. Dr. Anthony Fauci called the results “extraordinary” and said that “not very many people expected it would be as high as that.” But even so, it could be quite some time until average Americans are vaccinated. Much of the logistics and financial burden of creating a vaccine distribution structure in the U.S. has fallen on state governments, and many states say they need significant federal funding to be able to run a successful vaccination program.
What are the challenges to scaling up operations and creating a robust distribution infrastructure for a vaccine? And when are Americans likely to get it? We're learning more now. Questions? Give us a call at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Angelica LaVito, health reporter at Bloomberg and co-author of the recent piece “Amid Hope for Pfizer Vaccine, States Grapple With Distribution”; she tweets
Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets
As Sony, Microsoft Release Next-Gen Gaming Consoles, How Video Games Have Thrived During Coronavirus -- And How You Can Get Started On The Sticks
Console gamers across the world are rejoicing this week as both Microsoft and Sony are releasing brand new, next-generation consoles that they promise will take your gaming experience to the next level. Both offer increased processing power, more storage space, native 4K gaming and a slew of brand new games designed to make the most of the new consoles’ improved hardware. They also come with a price tag -- the companies’ top-end models, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Sony’s PlayStation 5, retail at $499.
With more people staying inside and going fewer places during the coronavirus pandemic, gaming has seen an uptick this year. The marketing research firm Nielsen reported in June that in the U.S., 46 percent of people surveyed say they’re gaming more due to the pandemic.
That same report showed a big uptick in viewing numbers of the streaming platform Twitch, where many gamers live stream themselves playing while interacting with people in their chat. And while some people who may never have thought about gaming as a hobby but want to try it out might be willing to spend half a grand on a new next-gen console this holiday season, there are also those out there who might want to get involved at a slightly lower price point.
The good news is, while you might think this limits you to games like Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, or other free-to-play mobile games, the reality is there are lots of ways to play some of the best, most beloved games out there and to do so without breaking the bank.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll use the release new gaming consoles as a springboard to enter the world of video games. Whether you’re game to pay or a new console or just want to hear some suggestions of popular video games that are available on your phone or tablet.
Guest
Jason Schreier, video games reporter for Bloomberg News, co-host of the “Triple Click Podcast” on video games and author of the forthcoming book “Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry” (Hachette, May 2021); he tweets
Catalina Wants To Boost Tourist Attracting Bison Herd, But Biologists Are Skeptical
Santa Catalina Island, located nearly 30 miles southwest of Long Beach, will soon have new residents: two pregnant female bison. The island serves as a home to a few thousand residents and a free-range herd of bison, which is maintained by the Catalina Island Conservancy.
In 2003, biologists Julie King and Calvin Duncan helped the conservancy launch a contraception initiative to bring the number of bison on the island within a more manageable range. Many tourists come to the island to view bison in open surroundings, although sightings are increasingly rare due to the sheer size of the island and the contraception initiative.
According to an article in the L.A. Times, the conservancy’s board is working with the Laramie Foothills Bison Conservation Herd to incorporate the new bison into the herd in December. Today, we’ll talk with wildlife biologist Calvin Duncan and the president from the conservancy about the implications of bringing two non-native bison into the herd. Questions or comments? Join the conversation at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Tony Budrovich, president and CEO of the Catalina Island Conservancy
Calvin Duncan, wildlife biologist who formerly co-led the bison management at Catalina Island Conservancy from 2008 to 2017, which included the contraception program