Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest in sports. Also on the show, we learn more about a new rent control proposition; discuss the ethical considerations of having robots take over some care taking responsibilities for older adults; and more.
Triple Play: Nuggets Take The Clippers!
Denver started its season by talking about winning a championship way back in training camp, knowing very well that few would believe in the Nuggets’ chances.
Well, Clippers fans and haters are one step closer to believing, after game 7’s Nugget win.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
A. Martinez, host of KPCC’s “Take Two”; he tweets
Dan Woike, national NBA writer for The Los Angeles Times; he tweets
Jared Diamond, national baseball writer for the Wall Street Journal; his new book is "Swing Kings: The Inside Story of Baseball's Home Run Revolution” (William Morrow, March 2020); he tweets
LAPD Chief Moore: Reviewing Response To Summer Protests, Reaction To LACSD Shooting, Police Reform Bills, And More
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore joins Larry Mantle for his monthly check-in on AirTalk. Topics discussed include:
LAPD reaction to the shooting of two LACSD deputies
Reviewing LA’s response to June protests
Prosecutors reviewing police misconduct during protests
Pandemic has led to increase in gun violence and killings according to Moore
Police reform bills passed in Sacramento
How city budget shortfalls will affect LAPD
Gang-database investigation update
Enforcement on homeless encampments at local beaches
Increase in paintball shootings
Guest:
Michel Moore, Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department; he tweets
Prop 21: California Voters Get (Another) Chance To Vote On Rent Control
Rent control is always a divisive issue among Californians and it seems like almost every election year, a ballot measure that addresses it in some fashion makes its way onto the ballot. There was one in 2018 and 2020 is no different with Proposition 21.
If passed, Prop 21 would replace the now 25-year-old Costa-Hawkins Housing Rental Act and allow cities and counties to enact their own rent control measures on rentals, so long as they’re over 15 years old. Landlords who own two or fewer single-family rental properties would be exempt from the new law. Cities and counties would also be able to limit how much a landlord raises rent after a new tenant moves in. Supporters of the legislation say the bill will help prevent families from being pushed out of their neighborhoods by increasing rents, which they say is contributing to the state’s homelessness crisis, and that the majority of landlords won’t be affected because most don’t own more than two rental properties. Opponents argue that if passed, the law will hinder the development of new housing because builders who won’t be able to recoup their costs won’t want to build in California, where it’s already expensive to construct housing.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll hear arguments for and against Prop 21 and take your calls and questions on the initiative at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
René Moya, campaign director for “Yes on 21” and director of Housing Is a Human Right, an advocacy division of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Debra Carlton, executive vice president of state public affairs for the California Apartment Association, which opposes Prop 21 and is sponsoring the official “No on 21” campaign
Doc AMA: Federal Government Outlines Plan For Vaccine Rollout, L.A. Officials Warn Against Lifting COVID-19 Restrictions
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong from UCSF.
Today’s topics include:
US outlines sweeping plan to provide free COVID-19 vaccines
As coronavirus rebounds, Europe rejects new lockdowns
L.A. officials warn against lifting COVID-19 restrictions until a review of Labor Day weekend data
LAUSD begins testing for coronavirus with surprising results
Guest:
Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets
Should You Get A Robot For Your Grandparents? We Explore The Ethical Dilemma Of AI
We’ve all felt the ping of isolation these last several months as the novel coronavirus gripped the world and forced us to retreat indoors and keep to ourselves as much as possible. The pandemic has been particularly difficult and isolating for older Americans, as that population is at high risk of complications from the virus.
According to the New York Times, more than 40 percent of U.S. COVID-19 deaths are linked to nursing homes. The high risk has forced relatives and friends to stay away from their beloved parents or grandparents, but it can lead to extreme loneliness for older adults. Some are turning to artificial intelligence, but there are complicated ethical questions to consider.
A recent Vox piece explores the various types of robots on the market geared toward easing loneliness and caretaking responsibilities for elderly adults. In addition to price, the robots range in how advanced they are and what tasks they can perform. This can be highly beneficial during a pandemic when isolation is necessary to slow the spread of a deadly virus, but worry about robots becoming the norm even once the pandemic subsides. If that’s the case, it could mean less human interaction, which was sometimes already hard to come by pre-covid. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the pros and cons of purchasing a robot for older relatives, the ethical questions at play and what the future might hold for AI in this context. We also want to hear from listeners. Would you purchase your parents or grandparents a robot? Or have you already purchased one? What are your considerations? Do you think there’s a fine line to walk when using AI for older loved ones? How do you think it would impact their life? Share your thoughts by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Sigal Samuel, staff writer at Vox where she writes about artificial intelligence and tech ethics, her latest piece is titled, “You can get a robot to keep your lonely grandparents company. Should you?” ; she tweets