After a rollercoaster year of remote learning and school closures due to the pandemic, many parents may be feeling powerless as they face the possibility of their children being held back. This particular situation deals with third graders across the country who are not reading at the appropriate grade level. 18 states have laws on the books where students must be held back if they don’t meet the requirements and many students have fallen behind. In Tennessee, some estimates say that nearly 66% ...
Apr 26, 2021•13 min
Fake doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been spotted in Mexico and Poland as criminals take advantage of the high demand across the world. There is no indication that this is happening in the U.S. so no need to worry, but investigators said that about 80 people in Mexico got fake shots and in Poland, vials that were labeled as vaccine contained anti-wrinkle treatment. No one has been harmed. Jared Hopkins, pharma reporter at the WSJ, joins us for these counterfeit vaccines. Learn more about your a...
Apr 23, 2021•7 min
We might be hitting another snag in the vaccine rollout… too much vaccine. Some states are starting to see the supply of doses exceed the demand. The pace of vaccinations has flattened out at about 3 million per day as states are starting to see too many open vaccine appointments. Rachel Roubein, health reporter at Politico, joins us for how the strategy is changing to get more people vaccinated. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener...
Apr 22, 2021•6 min
More than half of American adults have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine, and while that is good news, experts increasingly feel that we might not get to herd immunity. Recent polls suggest that 15-25% of Americans don’t plan on being vaccinated which won’t help in the effort. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for why herd immunity might no longer be on the table. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/...
Apr 21, 2021•8 min
Vaccinations rates are going up and people are ready to get out there and start shopping again, but how will consumer spending change? With the increased use of delivery apps and curbside pickup, grocery shopping might see the most sustained changes. Younger shoppers will also be a big force in apparel spending and more eager to interact with people outside of their households. Melissa Repko, retail reporter at CNBC, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcas...
Apr 20, 2021•8 min
The conversation about vaccine passports continues as many private businesses and some states move ahead with developing methods to verify that people have been vaccinated or have negative covid tests, at the same time, some states are trying to ban them. Without federal leadership on the issue, people will most likely have to navigate a patchwork approach with many apps to choose from. Ashley Gold, tech and policy reporter at Axios, joins us for what might be next in this discussion. Learn more...
Apr 19, 2021•7 min
Retail pharmacies are a huge part of the administration’s plan to get the country vaccinated, but privacy watchdogs are raising red flags and want oversight into how these pharmacies might be using personal information to boost profits. In many cases, to sign up for your vaccine, you may need to hand over phone numbers, emails, and even more personal data as these companies are looking at how to convert people into long-term customers. Mohana Ravindranath, eHealth reporter at Politico joins us f...
Apr 16, 2021•7 min
The CDC is studying cases of Covid “vaccine breakthrough.” There have been hundreds of cases reported in Florida, Michigan, and Washington about people getting infected with coronavirus after getting fully vaccinated. Experts say that this is expected as no vaccine provides 100% coverage, but are also looking into whether these are cases of being exposed to high levels of the virus or variants. Rob Stein, health correspondent at NPR, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https:/...
Apr 15, 2021•7 min
The FDA and the CDC has paused the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while it reviews data after finding six women came down with blood clots after receiving the vaccine, one of those women died. Still, this is extremely rare, these are the only 6 cases so far after almost 7 million shots have been administered. Peter Loftus, healthcare reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what we know about the J&J vaccine. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omn...
Apr 14, 2021•8 min
Throughout the pandemic, nursing homes have been under more scrutiny as outbreaks were happening in these facilities that were understaffed and housed some of our most vulnerable citizens. In California, death and neglect was found inside a troubled nursing home chain called ReNew Health. Their CEO applied to operate nine new facilities and was denied because of all of the violations at her other facilities, but in a weird twist, she is still operating those very facilities because of licensing ...
Apr 13, 2021•12 min
The post pandemic beauty boom is here as people are ready to emerge from the pandemic and be seen in person again. No more hiding behind zoom calls, the demand for beauty services is roaring back and it's not just the regular color and cut, people are signing up for all that they can. Businesses that offer cosmetic injectables and other skin care services are projecting their busiest summer yet and are even considering expanding locations. Amanda Mull, staff writer at the Atlantic, joins us for ...
Apr 12, 2021•10 min
There is a new shortage hitting restaurants because of the pandemic: Ketchup is getting hard to come by. More precisely, ketchup packets have been hit by supply chain problems and the market leader, Kraft Heinz, is having trouble keeping up with demand. In the meantime, restaurants are looking for alternatives and different ways to offer single serve portions. Heather Haddon, restaurants reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the shortage of everyone’s favorite condiment. Learn more about your ad-cho...
Apr 09, 2021•7 min
Vaccine passports have become another contentious issue in the country as governors in Texas and Florida have signed orders banning them in their states with the argument that it will reduce individual freedom and harm patient privacy. Still, many private companies are planning to move forward with requiring proof of vaccination before using their services or going to see live sports. Jordan Davidson, staff writer at The Federalist, joins us for more on the fight against vaccine passports. Learn...
Apr 08, 2021•7 min
In an effort to help people social distance and businesses to stay afloat, many state and local governments across the country relaxed regulations over cocktails-to-go, telehealth and other medical services, even document notarization and marijuana sales. Now that the country is starting to open back up in earnest, many want to keep these changes permanent because it adds more convenience and access to consumers, while others want to go back to pre-pandemic regulations saying if it wasn’t a nece...
Apr 07, 2021•12 min
Are movie theaters ready for their comeback? Over the holiday weekend “Godzilla vs. Kong” hit it big at the box office posting the best numbers since the pandemic began and sent a signal to the entertainment industry that pent-up demand is there. The good showing happened despite the title also being released for streaming on HBO Max. Erich Schwartzel, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to look out for as we get closer to the summer movie season full of pandemic delayed releases. Learn more ...
Apr 06, 2021•8 min
As the country slowly gets back to normal, people are ready to party again. Bar and restaurant owners are getting prepared for an influx of patrons ready to get wild and the hottest thing to put on your dating profile right now is that vaccination selfie. Lisa Bonos, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for the party comeback and a possible roaring 2020s. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 05, 2021•8 min
The pandemic flipped the educational system upside down last year. It changed so much for students, but also made it difficult for teachers. Making worse a trend that was already happening before the pandemic, fewer students are wanting to pursue teaching. Low-pay was already making people think twice, but now, add in the perceived increase in risk. Emma Goldberg, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio....
Apr 05, 2021•8 min
Many large companies are formulating their return-to-work plans as more people are getting vaccinated and it’s shaping up to be a hybrid model, with time split between the office and working from home. Some experts think this could pose extra challenges like giving preferential treatment to workers in the office, among other things. Jena McGregor, writer at The Washington Post, joins us for how the hybrid office is here to stay. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwor...
Apr 02, 2021•7 min
A recent study is shedding light on the neurological difficulties some are having months after a Covid infection. These issues were even present in many that did not have severe cases of coronavirus. The most common issues were brain fog, headaches, tingling, and muscle pain. As is with many Covid problems, scientists think it is related to the inflammation caused in the body when trying to fight off the virus. Pam Belluck, health and science reporter at the NY Times, joins us for these neurolog...
Apr 01, 2021•9 min
The long awaited report into the origins of Covid-19 has arrived, but unfortunately it still leaves key questions unanswered. The most likely scenario is that the virus jumped from bats, to a still unknown intermediary animal, and then to humans. The findings may still be called into question as the investigators had little power to conduct an impartial investigation without Chinese influence. Drew Hinshaw, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what we know about the WHO report. Learn more about you...
Mar 31, 2021•8 min
A new study conducted by the CDC that followed about 4,000 health care personnel, police, firefighters, and other essential workers found that under real-life conditions, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are 90% effective after your second dose. Good news that is significant because these were all front-line workers who are more likely to be exposed to the virus. Lena Sun, health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more on vaccine effectiveness. Learn more about your ad-choices at ...
Mar 30, 2021•7 min
As schools shut down for almost a year in many cases during the pandemic, the mental health of students greatly suffered. According to a Reuters survey of school districts, 74% reported multiple indicators of mental health stresses among students and 57% of responding districts said that teachers were also seeking assistance. Michael Pell, data journalist at Reuters, joins us for how the pandemic did more damage to our students than just getting behind on schoolwork. Learn more about your ad-cho...
Mar 29, 2021•8 min
AstraZeneca and their vaccine has been on a rollercoaster ride this week as we learned that their shot is 76% effective against symptomatic Covid-19. On Monday it was 79%, then U.S. officials said they were using outdated data, and finally came back with the correction. Karen Weintraub, healthcare reporter at USA Today, joins us for the difficult rollout of this vaccine. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 26, 2021•6 min
We currently have three great vaccine options out there, but the rollout for one seems to be a little bumpier than the others. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is just not reaching as many arms as the others. Only about half of the doses that have been distributed, have been administered. Some officials believe that states may be holding back some shots to bank enough to reach underserved communities, but some states representatives say they are using all available doses as they come. Erin Banc...
Mar 25, 2021•7 min
From good news to questions and concerns. AstraZeneca released details from its U.S. trials that their vaccine is 79% effective against Covid-19. Then, hours later, federal officials said that they might have used outdated information and was missing a month’s worth of data. AstraZeneca said it would release more data soon, but the damage may have already been done, another misstep in the rollout. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA Today, joins us for the latest. Learn more about your ad-ch...
Mar 24, 2021•6 min
Good news as we may soon have another vaccine available to us. AstraZeneca and its partner, Oxford University, have released information about their clinical trials in the U.S. and found their vaccine is safe and prevents 79% of symptomatic cases of Covid-19. It also reduced severe cases and hospitalizations by 100%. There has been recent concern of blood clots associated with the vaccine in Europe, but the trials showed that no cases of that in the U.S. Karen Weintraub, health reporter at USA T...
Mar 23, 2021•7 min
The pandemic has created a housing boom, but it’s different from the last time. Residential home prices are hitting highs that we haven’t seen since 2006. The big winners are people who already own homes because they can take advantage of lower mortgage rates, but on the other side, competition is stiff because of low supply. Nicole Friedman, reporter at the WSJ, joins us to talk about the crazy housing market. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystud...
Mar 20, 2021•7 min
Moderna announced this week that they will begin testing their Covid vaccine on children aged 6 months to 11 years. This is the next piece of the puzzle to widen the mass vaccination campaign beyond adults. If all goes well, health officials believe that junior high and high school students could get their shots in the fall and elementary school students early next year. Peter Loftus, healthcare reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcast...
Mar 19, 2021•6 min
The White House is planning a wide-reaching campaign at getting those that are skeptical of the vaccines on board. It will be targeting young people, people of color, and conservatives. A recent focus group shows that to target some GOP voters, it will be best to keep politics out of it and provide as much information as possible so they can make informed decisions. Dan Diamond, national health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how to win over some vaccine skeptics. Learn more about ...
Mar 18, 2021•8 min
Which vaccine are you getting? For now, the experts are clear that the best vaccine to get is the first one that is available to you. But if you had your choice as supply goes up, which would you get? There are concerns about side effects, effectiveness, and immunity and those differences are small, but they do exist. Elizabeth Weise, national correspondent at USA Today, joins us for what to know about the available vaccines. Next, the White House is planning a wide-reaching campaign at getting ...
Mar 17, 2021•8 min
