Oh This World

Every Friday, we'll follow up on our previous episodes from the week, and talk about what we're doing to stay grounded in this unsettling time, including sharing what we're listening to, reading and watching.

Today we started with an update from yesterday's episode on testing, and talked about how there is so little moral leadership in our country that the tremendous toll the coronavirus has taken here - 50,000 Americans are now dead - is not being treated with the seriousness this dark moment deserves.

We also re-visited the war on experts, and discussed how the small stay-at-home protests that the GOP tried to paint as a mass movement last weekend will be back this weekend (despite polling showing the vast majority of Americans oppose them).

When it comes to how we're staying grounded, Antoinette is turning to music. She recommended Yo-Yo Ma's #SongsOfComfort; the acclaimed cellist has been tweeting out recordings of himself performing using the hashtag, and has invited others to do the same.

Meanwhile, Lucas had somehow gone 37 years without seeing Stop Making Sense, Jonathan Demme's Talking Heads concert film. It's currently streaming on Criterion Channel and temporarily alleviated Lucas' frothing rage.

Calls to action:

1. #WhereAreTheTests: These are the four most important words you can say this weekend. As the GOP makes a second pass at portraying small protests as a mass movement, it's even more important we keep the focus on the real reason the economy is shutdown: the Trump administration's inexcusable failure on testing.

Take a photo of yourself this weekend in quarantine, post it to social media with the #WhereAreTheTests hashtag, and remind your friends and neighbors about why we're in the position we're in.

2. Let us know what is keeping you grounded during this crisis. What books, movies, music and shows are getting you through? Let us know at [email protected] or on Twitter @OhThisWorldPod and we'll share them. 

This episode was recorded on Friday, April 24, 2020.

Today's episode is about how we know when it's OK to "re-open" society, and what we can do to make sure it's done safely (hint: we need more tests).

First, Antoinette and Lucas explore the GOP's war on experts, and how misinformation has made it difficult for many Americans to know where to turn for basic facts. With what we know about COVID-19 changing every day, who do you trust?

Then, we jump into what we do know about when it'll be safe to loosen stay-at-home measures. Antoinette takes us through the WHO's six conditions for ending lockdown, as well as the White House's (somewhat vague!) plan for "re-opening America."

Unfortunately, the Trump administration's plan leaves the most important question unanswered: Where are the tests?

The bottom line is that we are in the situation we are in because of the President's lack of preparedness on testing, and we can't safely ease restrictions until we get prepared on that front.

Our call to action this week:

1. Call both your Senators and your representative in the House and demand increased funding for testing, a necessary step in order for states to ease restrictions and get us all back to work.

2. Make these four words your rallying cry: Where are the tests? Ask it of your representatives at all levels. Shout it from the rooftops. Throw it on a sign along with the office phone numbers for your senators and plant it in your yard. Our way out of this is testing. Where are the tests?

This episode was recorded on Thursday, April 23, 2020.

In recent days, the GOP has tried to paint small protests against stay-at-home measures as a mass movement. In this episode, Antoinette and Lucas look at who's behind these rallies, what they're hoping to accomplish, and what we can do about it.

After Antoinette gives a quick update on last episode's Maskapalooza, we jump into an exploration of astroturfing: when events organized by political operatives or other outside forces are made to appear as if they've bubbled up from the grassroots.

There's increasing evidence that this is the case with these protests. The GOP understands the importance of creating a narrative, no matter how made-up it is. If the stay-at-home protests become the big story, there's less attention paid to the real reason the economy is shut down: because of the Trump administration's complete unpreparedness on testing.

And even if these protests aren't spontaneous and wide-spread now, the GOP hopes they'll become so later, and know they'll get ample media coverage in their quest to accomplish that goal. That's why it's essential that the vast majority of Americans who disagree with these protests counter the narrative.

How? By speaking out. Two immediate actions you can take:

1. Call your governor. Let them know you support stay-at-home measures until adequate testing is in place. Your governors are seeing the same wall-to-wall coverage of these protests as you are. Those protestors don't speak for you? Your state leaders won't know that unless you speak for yourself.

2. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper. While social media is great for getting your message out, we want to reach multiple audiences. Among the regular readers of your local paper? Older folks, who tend to vote, as well as many local political leaders (and their staffs): aka, some of the exact people who need to hear from you.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. 

In Austin, as in many communities around the country, we're now required to wear a face mask or clothing covering whenever we leave the house.

In this episode, we do a deep-dive into all things mask-related, starting with Antoinette's initial attempts to make masks from home and a Lucasian mini-rant about mask-wearing as a patriotic act.

Then we jump into the nitty-gritty, highlighting a must-see video making the rounds that delves into why masks are important and what they do. Antoinette also uses her fifteen years of sewing experience to offer advice for those making masks at home for themselves or others.

How else can you take action?

1. Stay informed. That Science Sam video is a great place to start.

2. If you still have N-95s or surgical masks at home, donate them to medical professionals. They need them!

3. Sew a mask yourself, or support a small business that is selling homemade masks.

Can't sew a mask yourself or afford to buy one? The CDC now has a face-covering how-to for both sew and no-sew masks.

This episode was recorded on Monday, April 20th, 2020.

In this episode, Antoinette and Lucas riff on how we keep time in these uncertain times, before launching into an exploration of mutual aid networks.

These are grassroots groups, operating online, that match people looking for support (elderly folks in need of grocery delivery, for example) with volunteers ready to lend a hand. A recent NYT story on mutual aid networks can be found here.

Come for the heartwarming story of mutual aid, stay for a Lucasian mini-rant on GOP attempts to replace government with charity, and leave with plenty of action to take:

1. Find your local mutual aid network at Mutual Aid Hub. No mutual aid networks in your area? Start one yourself.

2. For our friends in TX21, check out Democratic candidate Wendy Davis' mutual aid network for folks in the district, on her website.

This episode was recorded on Thursday, April 16, 2020.

In a functioning democracy, our state and federal leaders might use their platforms to educate Americans about how best to handle and consume food during Coronavirus. They might even dispel misinformation on the topic.

But that is neither the Texas nor the America we live. In this Texas, in this America, it too often seems like we're all on our own. So today, Antoinette and Lucas consider those questions and others in a food-themed episode.

After reminiscing about the first instructional food safety video of the COVID-19 era, Antoinette and Lucas dive into some of the ethical issues facing eaters fortunate enough to be able to afford food during the pandemic: Is it better to go to the grocery store or order delivery? How can we help local restaurants during this time? And how can we make sure those restaurants are treating their employees in ways that align with our own values?

What actions can you take:

1. Talk through these issues with everyone in your household. One place to start: Joe Pinsker's super-helpful Atlantic story, "Is It Ethically Okay To Get Food Delivered Right Now?"

2. Consider shopping at smaller, locally-owned grocery stores instead of the big chains.

Also, at a time when the President and his allies are engaging in significant anti-Asian demagoguery, now would be a great time to support an Asian-owned grocery.

Want to try some smaller groceries but don't know where to start? For local listeners, Eater Austin has you covered with a list of over 30 options.

Eater also has a running list of chain restaurants providing paid sick leave here.

3. If you don't receive WIC benefits, avoid grocery items that are WIC-eligible if a different brand of the same item is also available. USA Today has an explainer here.

This episode was recorded on Friday, April 17, 2020.

In our inaugural episode we discuss the uncertainty, anxiety and frothing rage that Coronavirus - and our government's response to it - has provoked, and of our desire to take concrete action to hold our leaders accountable.

Across America, there's no shortage of ways to get involved, and that's doubly true here in Texas, where Democrats have a real chance to win the Texas House and flip key Congressional seats, including in Antoinette and Lucas' home district, TX21.

Next we jump into why the United States Postal Service is in trouble, why it matters for 2020 and what we can do about it.

We also give listeners two specific calls to action:

1. Call Congress and insist USPS is funded in the next stimulus bill and

2. If you're able, buy some stamps to help USPS stay afloat.

Want to read more about what we talked about today? Check out Eric Levitz's piece in New York Magazine on why "The Postal Service Deserves a Permanent Bailout," and this Institute for Policy Studies report on "How Congress Manufactured a Postal Crisis."

Over at BuzzFeed, Lam Thuy Vo describes why people are buying stamps, while our friends at Indivisible give citizens more specifics on what to talk about with their Senators when they call to demand vote-by-mail (a key reason some Republicans seem eager to make USPS insolvent).

This episode was recorded on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.