Reopening America - podcast cover

Reopening America

iHeartPodcastswww.iheart.com
We have shifted into a new phase in the coronavirus pandemic. We are social distancing, washing our hands, wearing face masks, and we are Reopening America. Oscar Ramirez from the Daily Dive Podcast updates you on any new information about the virus and vaccine development, but will focus on how cities, states, and industries affected by the shutdown are opening back up.
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Episodes

Spotify and Joe Rogan Respond After Fight Over Covid Misinformation

The fight over Covid misinformation continues on Spotify as Joe Rogan and the company have both responded after Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and others demanded their music be taken off the platform for misinformation spread on Rogan’s podcast. Spotify said they will be more transparent with its rules for what is allowed on the platform as well as add content advisories to podcasts that talk about Covid. Travis Andrews, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-ch...

Feb 01, 20227 min

Trucks Clog America’s Roads and Tear up Front Yards

You are seeing them everywhere and oddly there still aren’t enough to get Americans all the stuff they want. Tractor trailers and delivery trucks have taken over the roads. While all these deliveries are solving one problem and getting us what we need, it is creating new problems such as damage to roads and even homes as they take up more space on residential streets. Atlanta in particular has been hit hard as it has two of the top five truck bottlenecks in the country. David Harrison, reporter ...

Jan 31, 20229 min

Covid Surges Cause Disruptions to Production of Super Bowl Commercials

The road to filming and producing all those excellent Super Bowl commercials that many love, has been very stressful this year. The average price for 30 seconds of ad time during the game is up to $6.5 million, an increase of a million from last year. However, because of Covid surges, delays and price hikes have affected commercial shoots. Suzanne Vranica, advertising editor at the WSJ, joins us for all the disruptions. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See...

Jan 28, 20228 min

Consumers Making Larger Changes as Inflation Persists

Inflation remains at a 40 year high and many are having to adjust their buying habits more than just the simple, switching to generic brands at the grocery store. People are scaling back on other life events and picking up new skills to make due. You can’t make cuts on things like medication, so the savings need to come from other areas. Veronica Dagher, personal finance reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudi...

Jan 27, 20227 min

The Omicron Surge Has Once Again Stretched Nurses Too Thin and Fearing Burnout

One of the common themes of the pandemic keeps persisting… nurses stretched too thin and looking for help to avoid burnout. The healthcare sector has lost about 500,000 workers since February of 2020. The staffing shortage coupled with medical workers getting sick with Covid themselves is pushing them to the brink. Julie Wernau, health and medicine reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Jan 26, 20227 min

Are You Asymptomatic or Just Don’t Want to Believe You Have Covid?

What does it mean to be asymptomatic? As Covid guidelines constantly change around us and infections keep spreading, many don't want to believe a sniffle or scratchy throat could be a symptom. To be clear, being asymptomatic means you feel your best and aren't taking any medications to manage symptoms such as a headache. If anything seems amiss, a Covid test might be a smart choice. Allie Volpe, contributor to Vox, joins us for what to know. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheart...

Jan 24, 20227 min

Health Experts Signal Warning as Some Nations Decide to Just Live With the Virus

Health experts are warning that nations could be giving up too soon in the fight against the pandemic. Many are looking forward to a time when the virus will be endemic and we can just live with it, and certain policies have already begun to reflect that. Joel Achenbach, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for why experts say it’s not time to let your guard down just yet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Jan 21, 20228 min

The Sick Day May Be Over for At-Home Workers

For those working remotely, the sick day may be gone. As the Omicron variant continues to cause disruptions, some remote workers experiencing mild symptoms are opting to work through it. Some figure that since they are not in the office posing a risk to others, they are taking the posture of, “If I can work, I’ll work.” Kathryn Dill, reporter at the WSJ, joins us Americans complicated relationship with taking time off. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See ...

Jan 20, 20227 min

Four States Have Recovered All the Jobs Lost When the Pandemic First Hit

Some good news when it comes to jobs and the pandemic. Texas, Arizona, Idaho and Utah have recovered all the jobs they lost since the start of the pandemic and another dozen states could hit that mark by the middle of this year. A lot of this was driven by population growth due to companies and workers shifting away from coastal cities. Bryan Mena, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Jan 19, 20226 min

The Changing Guideline of the Pandemic Has Basically Made Your Head of H.R. the School Nurse

The head of human resources at your place of work could be some of the most important people as we face constantly changing guidelines when it comes to the pandemic. They are key figures in setting new policy on mask wearing, testing and vaccine mandates and have had to quickly become experts on public health. Emma Goldberg, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for all the new complexity brought to the world of H.R. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnys...

Jan 18, 20227 min

Colleges Also Feeling the Pain of Omicron Causing Disruptions to School Plans

The disruptions from the latest Covid surge continue as college campuses are changing plans for the start of the semester. In-person instruction has been delayed, boosters are being mandated, and they are even restricting student travel. Yale University is asking students not to go to local businesses, restaurants or bars until later in the semester. Melissa Korn, higher education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See...

Jan 17, 20228 min

California Changes Policy to Allow Covid-Positive Health Care Workers Stay On the Job

The Omicron surge is putting a heavy strain on hospitals around the country with many hospital workers themselves testing positive, forcing them to stay home. To help with serious staffing shortages, California is implementing a temporary and controversial new policy that allows asymptomatic healthcare workers who have tested positive to return to work immediately. Hayley Smith, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for Covid-positive medical workers staying on the job. Learn more about your ad-cho...

Jan 14, 20227 min

Here’s Why You Might Be Seeing Empty Grocery Store Shelves Again

In some grocery stores around the country we are again seeing empty shelves. Some of the reasons remain the same as early in the pandemic, others have changed slightly. The Omicron surge coupled with labor shortages is making it difficult to keep things stocked. Supply chain issues in other countries are affecting us, and more people are eating at home. Laura Reiley, business of food reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ihear...

Jan 13, 20227 min

What to Know About Free At-Home Covid Tests and How to Get Reimbursed by Insurance

Health experts see at-home Covid tests as a key tool in the fight against the pandemic. Starting Saturday, Jan. 15th people with private health insurance will be able to get reimbursed for up to 8 tests per month. The administration is also encouraging insurers to create networks of preferred stores or pharmacies so that costs can be covered up front. For those without private insurance, 500 million at-home tests will soon be available for people to request online. Despite all this action, limit...

Jan 12, 20227 min

Despite the Omicron Surge, No Calls for Shutdowns From Democratic Leaders This Time

The Omicron variant continues to surge, but we aren’t hearing the same calls for shutting things down again, at least not from Democratic mayors and governors. We have seen an attitude shift and recognition that Covid fatigue is real and people just want to get back to normal. This fight is especially playing out with school closures in Chicago. Susannah Luthi, reporter at Politico, joins us for why many Democratic leaders are changing their tune. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www....

Jan 11, 20227 min

Total Number of Dialysis Patients Shrunk for the First Time in Nearly 50 Years, They Were the Pandemic’s Perfect Victims

For the first time in nearly 50 years, the number of dialysis patients shrunk, not because more people were healthy, but because Covid struck. People with kidney failure and the associated illnesses are more prone to severe infection, but many people also neglected getting their treatments during the pandemic. And despite dialysis centers implementing Covid precautions, some facilities didn't follow their own infection control policies. Duaa Eldeib, reporter at ProPublica, joins us for how dialy...

Jan 10, 202212 min

Rapid COVID Tests Are Hard to Find and Some Are Reselling Them for Triple the Price

Covid testing is once again becoming an issue as the demand for tests is growing. Specifically, at-home rapid tests are very hard to come by and when you do find them the prices can be inflated. Some are resorting to buying the tests at triple the retail price as they are becoming a necessity for returning to work and school. Kelsey Butler, equality reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for the unpredictable market for rapid tests. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetw...

Jan 07, 20227 min

Thousands of U.S. Service Members Defy Vaccine Orders

30,000 active-duty service members still have yet to be vaccinated despite mandates and some deadlines already passing. To be clear, the vaccination rate stands at more than 97%, but some are instead resigning or facing honorable discharges. Lawsuits are pending and thousands have requested religious exemptions, although none have been granted. Melissa Hernandez, reporter at the LA Times, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.c...

Jan 06, 20227 min

Parents Are Frustrated as Omicron Changes Many Back-To-School Plans

Omicron has definitely thrown a wrench into back-to-school plans for students as many districts shifted last minute to remote learning after the holiday break. For parents, the constant changes have left them frustrated trying to adjust to evolving plans and confused on what to do. The students aren’t faring better either. Maggie Astor, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

Jan 05, 20227 min

With Omicron Continuing to Spread, Some Doctors Say Cloth Masks May Not Be Enough

Covid cases continue to rise in the U.S. as the Omicron variant proves to be highly transmissible. The rise in infections has reignited the conversation over masks which now has some doctors and healthcare systems saying cloth masks may not be enough, recommending that you pair them with surgical masks or upgrade to other options like KN95 masks. Nidhi Subbaraman, science reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See ...

Jan 04, 20227 min

People Are Broadcasting Their Resignations Online and Finding Community With Others Doing the Same

We have been seeing a lot of action with the 'Great Resignation' as people quit their jobs for better opportunities. But people aren't just leaving, they're broadcasting it to social media and finding a community with others who have done the same. Traditionally career coaches wouldn't recommend speaking ill of former employers online, but all the rules have changed. Emma Goldberg, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.c...

Dec 17, 20217 min

Hospital Systems Still Under Pressure From Unvaccinated Covid Patients

Waves of Covid infections continue to cause problems for hospital systems facing staff shortages and that are already full treating people with other ailments. In most cases, those locking up the system are patients who are unvaccinated and it doesn’t stop in just one area. The ripple effects of transferring patients to different locations with space to treat them also puts a strain on hospital workers. Drew Armstrong, senior editor for healthcare at Bloomberg News, joins us for more. Learn more...

Dec 16, 202112 min

New Study Shows Omicron Variant More Resistant to Vaccines, but Appears to Cause Less Severe Illness

We are getting more information on the Omicron variant from the first large real-world study in South Africa and see protection from hospitalization fall to 70% and against infection fall to 33%. This study pitted the new variant against two shots of Pfizer, which has been widely used in the area. Denise Roland, healthcare reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what we are seeing from Omicron, more transmissible and so far, milder infections. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodc...

Dec 15, 20217 min

Ultimate Seller’s Market: Pandemic Pushes Housing Market to New Records

2021 has been the ultimate seller’s market with a number of housing records set this past year. The pandemic sent remote workers into a rush looking for bigger places and mortgage rates were at an all-time low. Median home sales reached a high and the speed at which homes sold also set a record. Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, joins us for all the housing records set this year. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for ...

Dec 14, 20217 min

After Months of Pandemic Learning Schools Are Facing a Wave of Student Misbehavior

Months of pandemic learning and then switching back to in-person instruction has left many students without the social maturity needed to advance to the next grade. As a result schools are having to deal with a wave of misbehavior with minor incidents but also major things like fights and gun possession. Ben Chapman, national education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how schools are responding... more counseling, increased patrols and fewer suspensions. Learn more about your ad-choices at http...

Dec 13, 20217 min

Difficulties Getting COVID Rapid Tests Mar Americans

Since the start of the pandemic, the testing infrastructure in the U.S. has been marred by stumbles. Now, as President Biden is putting more emphasis on rapid tests to help fight Covid, these tests are often out of stock and still too expensive for many. Even as the new rules say insurers would pay for these tests, it could be difficult to get the reimbursements. Lena Sun, health reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for more on rapid Covid tests. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://...

Dec 10, 20217 min

More Report Losing Trust in Their Doctors Over the Past Year, Especially Republicans

According to Gallup’s annual Health and Healthcare survey, among all U.S. adults, confidence in advice from doctors is down. More reported losing trust in their doctors over the past year and Republicans in particular had a 13% drop from a decade ago while Democrats’ trust increased. Jeffrey Jones, senior editor at Gallup joins us for what to know as this data is consistent with changing attitudes of trust in science. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See o...

Dec 09, 20218 min

One Woman’s Path Through Cognitive Rehab to Fight Long Covid

We’ll take a look at one woman’s path through rehab as she tries to fight the effects of long Covid. Samantha Lewis got Covid in October 2020 and has been dealing with issues such as brain fog, fatigue, balance issues and more since then. She had to reduce time at work and place reminders in her house of even the simplest tasks such as brushing her teeth to get by. She was finally on the path to recovery after seeing doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Neuro Covid-19 clinic in Chicago wh...

Dec 08, 202112 min

Adding to Shortages, Some Nurses Leaving Staff Jobs to Triple Their Salaries as Travelers

The medical field is still experiencing a shortage of nurses and as Covid persists, some are leaving staff jobs to become travel nurses and in some cases tripling their salaries. As shortages occur in hospitals, the demand is rising for travel nurses and it can be very lucrative for those that can be flexible enough to move around for weeks and months at a time. Lenny Bernstein, health and medicine reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for how travel nursing is taking off even more. Learn mo...

Dec 07, 20218 min

Holiday Office Parties Are Back After the Pandemic Made Them Virtual

Love them or hate them the holiday office party is back. This year employees could be in store for a few iterations. The virtual parties are back, but with lessons learned. They won’t run as long and could include a box of food or crafts. The in-person party also makes its return, but much in much smaller groups. Rani Molla, senior data reporter for Recode at Vox, joins us for what to expect. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for...

Dec 06, 20217 min
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