In the Loop

Mayor Lori Lightfoot joins us for an extended conversations about the covid-19 pandemic, the city’s plans and preparedness, first responders, the city’s public schools, what the situation means for the city budget and the overall economy, and more

As we concentrate on taking care of ourselves and our own, who’s looking after the most vulnerable populations in and around Chicago? Helene Gayle of the Chicago Community Trust explains how the precious dollars are making their way to the folks that need it most

Dr. Ernie Wang, chief of emergency medicine at NorthShore University HealthSystem, updates us on the mental and physical health of area emergency room staff, and if they have the resources needed as hospitals see an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Former head of USAID and current president and CEO of the ONE Campaign Gayle Smith talks about how we can apply lessons learned during the Ebola outbreak to the current Covid-19 pandemic

Reset breaks down the biggest news of the week in WBEZ’s Friday News Roundup with host Jenn White.

GUESTS: Paris Schutz, WTTW political correspondent and host

Becky Vevea, WBEZ government and politics reporter

In a rare bipartisan move, late Wednesday the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a $2 trillion emergency bill to grant economic relief to individuals, families and businesses dealing with the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The so-called “CARES Act”, once approved by the House and signed by the President, would be the largest economic rescue package in American history.

This comes as the Labor Department this morning announced that nearly 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — more than quadruple the previous record set in 1982.

Some economists predict the unemployment rate could go as high as 30 percent. This would match levels during the Great Depression.

Reset checked in with Congressman Brad Schneider, who represents Illinois’ 10th district in Lake County, for more on the bill, including how it helps hospitals in Illinois access the resources they need. 

Reset talks to a Chicago ER doctor about life in the emergency room amid supply shortages. We also check in with a member of a citizen-led initiative to help get those needed supplies to Chicago-area healthcare workers. 

Among the many responding in time to the novel coronavirus are university and college campuses.

Reset talks with a WBEZ education reporter and an associate vice chancellor of the University of Illinois System, and takes your calls.

Reset looks into how restaurant owners and chefs are reacting to their businesses being closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

GUESTS: Jason Hammel, chef and owner of Lula Cafe in Chicago

Victor Love, owner of Josephine’s Southern Cooking

Greta Johnsen of WBEZ’s Nerdette podcast is a voracious reader and consumer of groovy pop culture. In a twist on the Reset broadcast’s “See Hear Eat” segment, Greta gives us some ideas for things to “Read Watch Do”.