Connections Podcast

What have doctors learned about how to treat COVID-19 patients over the course of the pandemic? Doctors at the University of Rochester Medical Center say inpatient care has evolved from essentially flying blind in March to using specific treatments, starting clinical trials, and more. We're joined by clinicians and researchers who share what they've learned and what being on the front lines of the virus looks like today. Our guests: Paritosh Prasad , M.D., director of URMC’s Highly-Infectious

Many schools are deciding to keep students online – some exclusively, others for part of the fall. The New York Times argues that consistent internet access is now a civil right, and many students will be denied quality education based on their household’s income or where they live. And now, Charter Communications is asking the government for the right to impose data caps and charge families more for using their services. Our guests discuss the impact of such a move, along with ways to handle

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli joins us to discuss his latest actions regarding climate, and where the state invests its money. DiNapoli recently defended New York State as being among the most responsible governments in the world when it comes to investing or divesting from fossil fuels. Youth climate leaders have called for aggressive action in making sure the state is not investing or propping up fossil fuels in any way. How do they view DiNapoli’s performance? We discuss it with

Back in March at the outset of the pandemic, we heard predictions that this crisis would change the way Americans view climate action. Months later, we're getting some real research into whether that's true. The Nature Conservancy wanted to find out what New Yorkers think about making parks and open space more accessible and permanent. They wanted to know what New Yorkers think about how we travel, what we build, and how many resources we use. On Connections, they reveal what they've found, and

Last week, Mayor Lovely Warren banned public gatherings of five or more people between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. in the City of Rochester. The move, made in coordination with RPD, is aimed at curbing recent violence. Protesters took to the streets Wednesday night; organizers say the curfew is anti-Black and discriminatory. This hour, our guests debate the curfew and discuss their ideas for how to address violence in Rochester. Our guests: Stanley Martin, co-leader of Free the People Roc Iman Abid ,

Brighton graduate Toby Merrill was named to Time Magazine's list of the "100 Next." That's because Merrill has been a leader in the fight against predatory for-profit colleges and institutions. As student debt piled past one trillion dollars, Merrill launched a plan to combat what she calls the "worst-of-the-worst student debt." Merrill is the founder and director of Harvard Law School's Project on Predatory Student Lending. Her team represents thousands of former students who have been fleeced

So you're fatigued with the pandemic. How tired do you think Dr. Michael Mendoza is? The Monroe County Public Health Commissioner has become a leading voice in the effort to reduce cases and increase safety. Dr. Mendoza joins us to discuss how we can cope with pandemic fatigue while still making good decisions. We look ahead to the fall and beyond, and we discuss what the public needs to do to keep local numbers among the soundest in the country. Our guest: Dr. Michael Mendoza , M.D., Monroe

Wednesday on Connections, Congressman Joe Morelle made some strong remarks in favor of a universal basic income, or UBI. This was a significant change for the Congressman, who has previously been lukewarm about UBI. Congress returns later this month to work on the next round of help for struggling Americans during the pandemic. Is this the time for a national UBI program? Our guests discuss the possible impact of, well, just giving people cash and letting them decide what to do with it. Our

Most police officers do not live in the cities they serve. That's not necessarily the case in smaller towns, but it's true in cities like Rochester and most larger cities. Is there a harm in allowing police officers to live outside the city they serve? Now, with the national focus on improving policing, there is growing momentum for new requirements on where police live. What are the benefits to this change? Is it fair? Our guests discuss it: Simeon Banister , vice president of community

Can the coronavirus be the source of comedy? Should comedians joke about it? Some comedians say we need levity now more than ever, and comedy can be a way to cope with the uncertainty and fear that may come with the pandemic. This hour, we hear from comedians about their perspectives on comedy in the time of COVID-19. Our guests: Abby Feldman Todd Youngman Shirelle "Gator" Kinder Sara Shipley