Today on AirTalk, we discuss SoCal's reopening and the news that trick-or-treating will be banned in LA County this year. Also on the show, we learn more about the Oscars' inclusion rules; get tips for at-home learning; and more.
Reopening Update: No Treats For Halloween In LA County, But Movie Theaters In OC Are Opening
Yesterday, Orange County was reclassified into a different risk level tier, which means it can reopen indoor operations at movie theaters, indoor dining and churches and other businesses, albeit with restrictions.
If you live in O.C., do you feel safe enough to go to indoor businesses? If you work for a venue or business that may reopen, how do you feel about the prospect of returning to work?
Meanwhile, L.A. County health officials said there will be no trick-or-treating for Halloween this year. If you have kids of trick-or-treating age, what are your ideas of how to still celebrate the spooky night?
Call us at 866-893-5722.
COVID AMA: Vaccine Trial Paused Over Safety, COVID-19 Obesity Complications 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.
Topics today include:
COVID-19 drug rationed in the US is plentiful in developing countries
Trick-or-treating is banned in Los Angeles this Halloween because of coronavirus risk
Doctors studying why obesity may be tied to serious COVID-19
Oxford vaccine trial on hold because of potential safety issue
Guest:
Dean Blumberg, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital
Breaking Down The Oscars’ New Inclusion Criteria For Best Picture Consideration, Plus How Hollywood Is Responding
In an historic move, the Oscars are raising the inclusion bar for best picture nominees starting with the 96th Academy Awards in 2024. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday laid out sweeping eligibility reforms to the best picture category intended to encourage diversity and equitable representation on screen and off, addressing gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and disability.
The film academy has established four broad representation categories: On screen; among the crew; at the studio; and in opportunities for training and advancement in other aspects of the film’s development and release. Each standard has detailed subcategories as well. To meet the on-screen representation standard, a film must either have at least one lead character or a significant supporting character be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, at least 30% of secondary roles must be from two underrepresented groups or the main storyline, theme or narrative must be focused on an underrepresented group. According to the academy, underrepresented groups include women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+ or people with disabilities
The second category addresses the creative leadership and crew composition of a film. In order to meet the standard a film must have either at least two leadership positions or department heads be from an underrepresented group and at least one be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group; at least six other crew be from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group; or at least 30% of the film’s crew be from an underrepresented group. The third category deals with paid internship and apprenticeship opportunities as well as training opportunities for below-the-line workers, and the fourth category addresses representation in marketing, publicity and distribution teams.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
John Horn, host of the KPCC/LAist podcast “Hollywood, The Sequel”; he tweets
New Stadiums, New Uniforms And New Faces: Previewing The Rams, Chargers And The 2020 NFL Season
When shutdowns due to COVID-19 began in the U.S., the NFL was lucky compared to its three major sports league counterparts.
The NHL and NBA were both mid-season and forced to put their 2020 campaigns on pause while Major League Baseball’s seasons were postponed four months while the league and players negotiated a deal for guys to play ball. The NFL, meanwhile, was smack dab in the middle of its offseason, and while the arrival of the pandemic meant the league’s rookie draft in April had to be held virtually, it certainly didn’t stop the league in its tracks the same way it did for baseball, basketball and pro hockey. Now, after months of planning, sanitizing and rethinking stadium capacities,, the tarp comes off the 2020 NFL season on Thursday as the Houston Texans take on the defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs in Kansas City.
On Sunday night, however, Los Angeles takes the spotlight as the Rams and Chargers unveil their new home, SoFi Stadium. And while it will be the Rams christening the building with its first official live sporting event when they play the Dallas Cowboys on national television, the Chargers will be back for their home opener in Week 2 when they take on division rival Kansas City. Both teams will be sporting new uniforms to go with their new stadium, which they hope will be a fresh start after disappointing 2019 seasons. The Rams followed up their 2018 Super Bowl appearance with a 9-7 effort that fell just short of enough to get them to the playoffs in a strong NFC West, and this year they’ll have to try and claw their way back to the postseason without All-Pro running back Todd Gurley, who was released during the offseason and signed with Atlanta. The Chargers weren’t able to duplicate their playoff berth from a year earlier either, going 5-11 and finishing last in the AFC West. And for the first time since 2006, the starting quarterback won’t be a guy named Philip Rivers, who became a free agent after last season and signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll preview the 2020 NFL season, talk about what football will look like during COVID-19, and tell you what you need to know to cheer on L.A. football this year.
Guests:
Gary Klein, Rams beat writer for The Los Angeles Times; he tweets
Gilbert Manzano, Chargers beat writer for SoCal News Group; he tweets
At-Home Learning Tips For Parents, Caretakers Assisting Kids With Virtual Education
It’s been a dramatic undertaking for many families this year as parents and caregivers learn the ins and outs of virtual and remote education.
The coronavirus pandemic quickly locked down local economies, closing K-12 schools and early childhood centers along the way. This isn’t the ideal situation for students, but many parents are trying to make the best of it and supplement learning opportunities throughout the school year.
Each age group of students has different needs. Early childhood learners ages 0-5 need consistent engagement and interaction along with open ended questions to stimulate their brain and enhance their vocabulary. While elementary students may need more structure, middle and high schoolers are typically ready to build on their independence. As a parent or caretaker, how do you help supplement learning opportunities with virtual learning? Is it important to add to a formal curriculum? Should you focus on creating moments to socialize? Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with education experts about what parents and caretakers can do to assist their students while they learn remotely. We also want to hear your experience and take your questions. Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Dawn Kurtz, chief research officer at Child360, a nonprofit focused on assisting parents, teachers and early education administrators with educational opportunities for children 0-5 years old; she tweets
Eugenia Mora-Flores, professor of clinical education and chair of the Master of Arts in Teaching program at USC’s Rossier School of Education
Erin Powers, director of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards at UCLA’s Center X, which provides advanced teaching credentials for K-12, she has more than 20 years experience as a secondary and high school teacher and instructional coach