COVID-19 AMA: California Surpasses 6 Million Cases, U.S. Hospitalization Hit Record High, And More
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with infectious diseases physician and assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Dr. Paul Adamson.
Topics today include:
- L.A. County launches new pick-up PCR testing kit program to help meet demand
- How and where to get free COVID and flu test kits in L.A. County
- Home COVID-19 tests to be covered by insurers starting Saturday
- California surpasses 6 million COVID-19 infections as Omicron wave expands
- U.S. COVID-19 hospitalizations reach record high
- How reliable are COVID-19 rapid tests for detecting Omicron?
- Spain calls for debate to consider COVID-19 as endemic
- Omicron may infect half of Europeans within weeks, W.H.O. says
Three In 10 Americans Say They’re No Longer Religiously Affiliated -- What We’re Seeing In Southern California
While a global pandemic might seem like a time when people would turn to religion and spirituality for stability, hope and growth, a recent report from the Pew Research Center suggests the opposite. Researchers found America’s trend towards a more secular society is continuing, with 29 percent of participants identifying as religious “nones,” meaning they consider themselves atheist, agnostic or nothing at all. That number is up six percentage points from 2016, and the report suggests the trend is led by younger generations, millennials in particular.
Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by NASHUVA founder and leader Rabbi Naomi Levy, UCLA Muslim chaplain Lobna Mulla and Loyola Marymount University’s Father Allen Figueroa Deck to look at what trends they are seeing in participation as religious leaders and mentors.
What’s In Newsom’s Spending Plan?
Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday unveiled a $286.4 billion budget proposal. Buoyed by an expected revenue surplus for the 9th consecutive year, the proposal focuses on addressing COVID-19, homelessness, climate change, health care, and more. The fiscal year starts on July 1, but Newsom wants faster action on the pandemic response, with $2.7 billion reserved over the next 18 months for vaccination efforts, hospital support and testing. Today on AirTalk, John Myers, Sacramento bureau chief covering state government for the Los Angeles Times and Nicole Nixon, reporter covering politics and government for CapRadio discuss the main takeaways from the budget plan and what Californians can expect.
AirTalk Covers Climate: What's The Latest On Electric Vehicles in California?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in September 2020 requiring that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in California be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The governor’s budget proposal — unveiled Monday — includes $6.1 billion over five years for additional incentives for electric vehicles, new charging stations, and rebates for lower-income Californians. In addition to efforts at the state level we’re also seeing local efforts to expand charging station accessibility: the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power approved a plan in October 2021 that would add high-speed charging stations for the public. However, is this improvement in infrastructure happening fast enough? Are batteries developing quickly enough to soothe concerns of “range anxiety?” And is the cost coming down enough to help working class Angelenos afford new or used electric vehicles?
Today on AirTalk, Larry discusses the latest on electric vehicle infrastructure in California with California Energy Commissioner Patty Monahan, director of the Plug-In, Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center at UC Davis Gil Tal and sustainable communities program director at GreenLatinos Andrea Marpillero-Colomina.
Biden Expected To Announce Support For Filibuster Changes. What Does It Mean For Voting Rights Legislation And Beyond?
President Joe Biden will use a speech in Georgia to endorse changing Senate filibuster rules that have stalled voting rights legislation, saying it’s time to choose “democracy over autocracy.” But some civil rights groups won’t be there, in protest of what they say is administration inaction. Biden on Tuesday will pay tribute to civil rights battles past — visiting Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once held forth from the pulpit — before turning to today’s challenge. A White House official, previewing the speech on the condition of anonymity, said Biden would voice support for changing the Senate filibuster rules only to ensure the right to vote is defended — a strategy Democrats have been looking to the president to embrace. Today, we talk with Anthony Adragna, POLITICO reporter who’s been following this story.
With files from the Associated Press