The pandemic has made urgent issues out of longstanding problems. Paid sick leave should be available to everyone. People with disabilities should have programs and supports that meet their needs. Criminally negligent for-profit long-term care should end. These issues all have widespread public support, so why aren't our politicians taking action?

In the second half, we play an interview with Dr. Eric Topol and Dr. Eddie Holmes covering the story behind how the coronavirus was first sequenced and shared with scientists around the world, the rapid development of the tests and vaccines we rely on today, and the science behind the new variants. 

In recent weeks we've started to see the spread of dangerous variants around the world. There's growing evidence that the UK variant is more contagious and more deadly than the original, and that our current vaccines are significantly less effective against the South African variant — both of which have been detected in Canada. Researchers have already started to develop updated vaccines. Will we all need booster shots to stay safe in the years ahead?

Guests:

Joel Harden [@JoelHardenONDP], NDP MPP for Ottawa Centre, and Ontario’s Critic for Accessibility and People with Disabilities

Dr. Eric Topol, cardiologist, director of Scripps Research, and professor of molecular medicine

Dr. Eddie Holmes, virologist and professor at the University of Sydney