Connections Podcast

One of the few activities that remains entirely appropriate during the pandemic is time outdoors, and for many people, that includes planting / gardening / growing. As the weather slowly warms, our guests explore all the things we can do to grow our own food; improve our landscape; and more. But first, WXXI health reporter Brett Dahlberg joins us for an update on the state of COVID-19. Our guests: Brett Dahlberg , WXXI health reporter Petra Page-Mann, co-founder of Fruition Seeds Nathaniel Mich,

We continue our series of conversations about the impact of the coronavirus. This hour, we’re joined by two local infectious disease doctors who help us gain a better understanding COVID-19. We discuss how it’s transmitted, its symptoms, when to seek care, and questions related to immunity. We’re also joined by Nazareth College professor Tim Kneeland – an expert in studying pandemics. He discusses what we can learn about COVID-19 by studying the 1918 Spanish Flu. Our guests: Dr. Ghinwa Dumyati ,

Reports of young people crowding Florida beaches for spring break have been a source of frustration for doctors and political leaders who are ordering social distancing. Governor Andrew Cuomo addressed the issue last week, telling young people who think they are immune, “You’re not superman and you’re not superwoman, you can get this virus and you can transfer the virus and you can wind up hurting someone who you love or hurting someone wholly inadvertently.” According to the Business Insider,

New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend specific autism screenings during well visits when children are 18 month and 24 months of age. Experts say doctors can gauge social milestones during those visits; those milestones could provide early signs of autism. This hour, we discuss the new guidelines, and we talk about how to support children and young adults with developmental disabilities who are now at home and unable to access programs during the pandemic. Our guests:

The coronavirus pandemic is having an effect on the number of calls made to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Hotline staff report that a growing number of callers say abusers are using COVID-19 as a reason to further isolate victims. Locally, calls to Willow Domestic Violence Center have increased, with victims looking for advice for how to adapt their safety plans. The center has ramped up phone counseling services and is working to address a possible increase for shelter services.

*This hour includes an update on the coronavirus pandemic from WXXI's health reporter, Brett Dahlberg. Author Linda Sue Park’s new novel, “Prairie Lotus,” tells the story of a half-Chinese girl and her white father as they make a home in Dakota Territory in 1880. In the story, Hanna and her father face racial prejudice as they try to adapt to their new surroundings. The book was released earlier this month to critical acclaim; some critics compare the historical fiction to “Little House on the

*This hour includes an update on the coronavirus pandemic from WXXI's health reporter, Brett Dahlberg. The great Dolly Parton recently said on her podcast that she is recording music intended to be released after her passing. She's in good health! But she's thinking beyond her living years. Our guests discuss the value of doing work that will outlive all of us, whether it's related to climate change, art, culture, or something else. Let's get a little weird and existential. Our guests: Jake

*This hour was interrupted by NPR's coverage of a White House press conference, which led to an abbreviated discussion. We look at the digital divide -- a serious problem on any day in America, and especially so during a pandemic. But what can be done? County legislators are looking at ways to bring more connectivity to everyone. They're looking at what it would take to do a municipal internet network. It's not simple, but it's important, and some lawmakers have come to look at the problem as a

Teachers and parents across Monroe County had to act quickly last week when the county ordered all schools to close. They’ve developed lessons and curricula that can be taught remotely. This hour, we talk with teachers and parents about the work they are doing, the buy-in from students so far, and their recommendations for families who will be educating kids from home for the foreseeable future. We also discuss WXXI’s new Learn at Home programming – a special education television block in

We discuss National Safe Place Week . Safe Place programs across the country help teens in crisis find a place to stay and connects them with resources in a variety of areas. Rochester’s Center for Youth is a Safe Place partner, and it works with entities across the community to help teens in need. This hour, we’re joined by leaders from the program and its partners to discuss how it works and its impact. We also address how it is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Our guests: Elaine Spaull