KQED's Forum

In his new book, “Why We’re Polarized”, Vox founder and editor-at-large Ezra Klein delves into the historical reasons that America’s political landscape has become increasingly divided over the past 50 years. He argues that identity is a central driver of political polarization, and explains how hyper partisanship is threatening national cohesion. Klein joins Forum to talk about his book, and how COVID-19 is affecting politics and the November election.

Concern is growing over how the coronavirus pandemic might affect the upcoming wildfire season, especially since Northern California has only gotten about half the average rainfall this year. Officials are rushing to develop plans for how federal and state agencies can fight fires within the framework of social distancing guidelines.  We’ll hear what will change in response to the pandemic and how communities will have to step up.

A second wave of coronavirus infections next winter could prove more difficult to combat than what we’re dealing with now, according to Robert Redfield, director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Redfield told The Washington Post last week that coronavirus coupled with seasonal flu would further strain healthcare systems. Experts warn that how we prepare -- such as replenishing the national stockpile of personal protective equipment and implementing widespread coronavirus testing -- will be key. We’ll discuss the anticipated second wave and take your questions on what to expect.

Why do good-intentioned people so often do nothing when a small intervention could make a big difference? That's the question psychology professor Catherine Sanderson poses in her new book "Why We Act: Turning Bystanders Into Moral Rebels." Drawing on the latest developments in neuroscience, Sanderson explores the mindsets of bullies and bystanders and the psychology of inaction. We'll talk to Sanderson about "the bystander effect" and how we can learn to be more brave in the face of wrongdoing.

Journalist George Packer’s 2013 bestseller  “The Unwinding” painted a picture of an America with institutions in decline, a frayed social fabric and inequality on the rise.  In his new piece in the Atlantic, Packer looks at what happens when a country with those pre-existing conditions meets a deadly pandemic.  “Every morning in the endless month of March, Americans woke up to find themselves citizens of a failed state,” he writes. Packer joins us to talk about his piece, and what can be done to strengthen our civic life.

Golf courses in Napa County will soon start welcoming golfers for the first time in weeks. Still, many of the Bay Area’s beaches, parks and recreation areas remain closed because of shelter-in-place orders. Health experts say spending time in nature is essential for well-being, but the coronavirus pandemic has made that a huge challenge, especially for people who don’t have backyards. With stay-at-home orders stretching on and the weather warming up, we discuss the best ways to safely enjoy the outdoors.

On Wednesday, Governor Newsom announced that hospitals can resume essential surgery.  The state had  imposed delays on non-emergency surgeries and elective procedures in light of the coronavirus pandemic.  We’ll hear how the moratorium has affected patients and hospitals and what the governor’s announcement will mean for them.

While social distancing and stay-at-home orders have helped slow the spread of the coronavirus, many Americans are itching to resume pre-pandemic activities and re-animate the economy. Some states such as Georgia are starting to reopen nonessential businesses and others are pushing to do the same. Still, experts warn that doing so too soon could lead to a resurgence of infections. New York University professor Paul Romer, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and former chief economist at the World Bank, argues that bringing back the economy depends on having widespread testing for coronavirus. Romer joins us to discuss how the United States can safely and effectively return to "business as usual."

Panic, denial and fear. Reaching out to others for connection. Those are some of the reactions journalist Amanda Ripley documented in  her 2008 book, "The Unthinkable” which looked at how people behave in major disasters like floods or terrorist attacks. Today, she says she is seeing similar reactions to a slower-moving crisis: the coronavirus pandemic. Forum talks to Ripley about how  individuals and governments respond to disasters, and how we can avoid squandering Americans' willingness to sacrifice and help during this time.

The coronavirus pandemic has prompted swift and far-reaching global action, as governments impose stay-at-home orders and the private sector mobilizes to find a cure. To some environmentalists, all that's a sign that our society is capable of bold, collective action to combat climate change. But the pandemic has also exposed fissures in the public's trust in science. On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we'll talk about how our experience battling the pandemic can inform how we address the climate crisis, and whether this is the moment to enact lasting green reforms.