Today on AirTalk, we're discussing the protocols for a COVID-19 vaccine. Also on the show, we're taking a look at the campaign to approve voters as young as 16; find out what products we're missing out on in California; and more.
What We Know About The Protocols Involved In Late-Stage Coronavirus Vaccine Trials
Four major drug companies that are in Phase 3 vaccine trials for the novel coronavirus have disclosed study protocols as an effort to increase transparency and ease concerns over safety. The Wall Street Journal took a look at what the disclosed information means in a new piece and found that researchers are enrolling a large number of participants to increase chances of infection and symptoms. But the studies only need a small number of people to get sick.
According to experts the WSJ spoke with, needing just a small number of participants to become infected and sick is normal in studies like these. The goal of the drug companies though is to enroll more people and increase the chance of seeing symptoms as a way to speed up the timeline. They need to know the effectiveness of the vaccines. Vaccine clinical trials typically take years, but researchers want to move the process along as soon as possible. President Donald Trump has said a vaccine could even be available by the election in early November, although some public health experts have pushed back on that claim. Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with WSJ healthcare reporter Jared Hopkins and one of our go-to infectious disease specialists about the protocols. Do you have questions? Call 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Jared Hopkins, healthcare reporter for The Wall Street Journal covering the pharmaceutical industry, his latest piece looks at protocols for late-stage vaccine trials; he tweets
Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets
Prop 23 Explainer: Establishing State Requirements For Kidney Dialysis Clinics
Voters are going to see another ballot measure in November regarding the operation of kidney dialysis clinics. Back in 2018, Californians voted on a similar proposal that involved many of the same players between labor unions and medical industry groups.
If passed, Proposition 23 would require a minimum of one licensed physician to be present at the clinic while patients are being treated. The measure would also require clinics to report on dialysis-related infections, obtain consent from the state health department before closing a clinic, and not discriminate against patients based on the source of payment for care. The proposition’s main supporter has been the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, the labor union representing healthcare workers in California, who argue that the measure provides stronger protections and creates a safer environment for dialysis patients. But concerns over costs, lack of resources and access to care have medical companies and groups, like Davita, the California Medical Association and California NAACP State Conference, urging voters to say no. Today on AirTalk, we break down the measure, what it would mean for dialysis patients and the California medical community, and what voters need to know about the proposition before November. Do you have any questions about Proposition 23? Let us know by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Sammy Caiola, healthcare reporter for CapRadio; she tweets at
Should The Voting Age Be Lowered To 16? Activist Explains Why He Thinks It Makes Sense
Currently, the legal age to vote for young adults is 18. Some activists though want to see it lowered to 16 and use several points to back up the effort. Sixteen year olds are often studying U.S. history in high school at that time and it could lead to more habitual voting practices.
Nineteen-year-old youth organizer Tyler Okeke has supported the effort since 2018 when he held a student member position with LAUSD’s Board of Education. He says he personally felt left out of decision-making processes that directly impacted him. He also argues that Gen Z and young people have been extremely involved in politics informally through protests and march and want to have a say in the quality of life that will ultimately be left to them. Today on AirTalk, Okeke joins Larry to discuss. We also want to hear from listeners. What do you think about lowering the voting age to 16? Share your thoughts by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Tyler Okeke, Vote at 16 Youth Organizer for Power California, which focuses on voter engagement and empowering young voters of color
Debating Prop 20: Making It Easier To Charge Certain Crimes As Felonies, Plus Some Parole Restrictions
Prop 20 would make it easier to charge certain crimes as felonies, and prohibit early parole for more crimes.
It's an effort to roll back portions of previous measures designed to reduce California's state prison population. One of them, 2014's Proposition 47 (authored by current L.A. district attorney candidate George Gascón), allows certain non-violent, minor crimes to be charged as misdemeanors when they previously were classified as felonies, or could have been classified as either a misdemeanor or felony -- crimes known as "wobblers." They include shoplifting, property theft, check forgery and certain cases of drug possession. (Here's more on Proposition 47.)
Another measure, 2016's Prop 57, made it easier for certain felons to get released early on parole. Nonviolent inmates could get released after serving the sentence for their primary offense, and other inmates could earn credits to reduce their sentences through good behavior or participation in certain prison programs. Prop 20 would reverse some of these provisions.
To read more, go to our Voter Game Plan.
We look at the pros and cons.
With files from LAist.
Guests:
Robert Harris, a director of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing Los Angeles Police Department officers, and an LAPD officer
Sophora Acheson, executive director of Ruby’s Place, a nonprofit that provides services and operates a trauma recovery center for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and other violent crimes
What’s The West Coast Missing? Favorite Things You Just Can’t Find In California
As great as the west coast can be, we don’t have everything over here. Sure, we have 24/7 sunny weather, In-N-Out and Disneyland, all things you can mostly only find in California. But is there anything the west coast is missing that you can only find somewhere else?
According to the Associated Press, the Pennsylvania based brewer D.G. Yuengling and Son will be expanding their Yuengling distribution to western states for the first time in its almost 200 year history. The news has many excited, particularly those east coast transplants who made the move to California and haven’t been able to enjoy the infamous east coast beer. Yuengling isn’t the only thing you can’t find on the west coast.
Today on AirTalk, we talk with listeners about something they love but can’t seem to find anywhere here in California. Are you someone who’s moved to California from out of state? What is something totally unique to a state or area outside of California that you can’t get here? Have you gone to any great lengths to try and get that one thing? Call us at 866-893-5722 to let us know.
Polls Show Gen Z’ers Are Not The Biggest Sports Fans
Sports are a billion dollar industry, and with more viewing access to the hundreds of different competitions out there, it’s a really great time to be a sports fan right now. But polls show that for Gen Z, an up-and-coming consumer market, they aren’t as crazed about sports as many would have thought.
According to a poll conducted by the Morning Consult, they found that people ages 13-23 were less likely to identify themselves as sports fans than the general population. The most popular sports competitions among this age group were the NFL and NBA, while the least popular were the NHL and WNBA. Gen Z’ers also demonstrated stark viewing habits from other age demographics regarding how and how often they watch sports. Many were less likely to watch a sporting event live. This has challenged sports franchises to market their teams, events and access to different viewing options to cater to this new generation of consumers.
Today on AirTalk, we look into how the popularity of sports has differed between generations and what sports franchises should do to grab the attention of new viewing markets. Do the results of this survey surprise you? Are you a part of Gen Z and consider yourself a sports fan? What do you think sports franchises can do to attract the viewership of Gen Z’ers? Let us know by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Alex Silverman, senior reporter covering the business of sports for the Morning Consult; he tweets at