The Daily Dive

The Delta variant of Covid-19 continues to cause surges in cases and hospitalizations around the country. In Florida, where we are seeing big spikes, hospitals are on the race to find open ICU beds. Coronavirus patients fill about 43% of ICU beds there, but when you combine this number with people going to hospitals for other ailments, it becomes hard to find enough space. In the Orlando area, hospital group AdventHealth has even set up a mission control office to track open beds and reallocate resources where needed. Melanie Evans, hospital reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.

Next, one of the main storylines we heard throughout the pandemic were households getting new puppies. Whether it was to combat loneliness or give the kids something to do, pandemic puppies were all the rage. But on the other side of things, many were already dealing with aging pets and through shutdowns and work-from-home set ups, many took the time to say goodbye to beloved pets. Many got a chance to include them more in their new routines and also has to readjust those routines once they were gone. Jorge Ribas, reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for another perspective on pandemic pet life.

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The bipartisan infrastructure bill keeps inching along in the Senate. Full passage there is expected this week, setting up a win for President Biden. We also have two Democratic governors fighting for their political lives. NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing an impeachment and calls to resign after a NY attorney general report found that he harassed 11 women. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing a recall vote next month with the polls getting tighter. Ginger Gibson, deputy Wahington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this and why the U.S. Postal Service may be slowing down its delivery.

Next, another story of students taking on mountains of debt only to have the high paying jobs they were promised out of reach. Law school, which was once seen as a great path to a well-paying job is the latest to be scrutinized as students often take out six figure federal loans. Recent graduates of the University of Miami School of Law borrowed a median of $163,000 and two years later, half of them were earning $59,000 or less, making it difficult to pay down their loans. Just 15% of recent grads were able to begin repaying their student loans after two years. Andrea Fuller, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.

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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The FDA has expedited its timetable for full approval of the Pfizer vaccine hoping to have the process completed by early September. The move to full approval is expected to kick off more vaccination mandates especially for hospital workers, college students and federal workers. Moderna has also filed for full approval, but is still submitting data. Sharon LaFraniere, investigative reporter at the NY Times, joins us for what to know.

Next, Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee have released a report focusing on the origins of the Covid pandemic and zeroed in on the lab leak theory. Citing information about changes in safety protocols and requests for an overhaul of a hazardous waste treatment system, the report says that the virus may have been accidentally released sometime prior to September 2019. Declan Garvey, associate editor at The Dispatch, joins us for this latest report.

Finally, vaccine maker Moderna announced that their Covid shot is 93% effective at preventing infection as much as six months after your second dose. However, Moderna also said that a booster shot might be needed before the winter. We are currently seeing hospital admissions and deaths rise about 40% since last week, but we are also seeing an uptick in people getting their shots. Carolyn Johnson, science reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more.

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The nationwide moratorium on evictions lapsed just last Saturday, but only a few days later the CDC stepped in and provided an extension for those that live in counties experiencing high or substantial community spread of the virus. This has led to a lot of confusion and worry among those at risk of being evicted. For some, it was a little too late as some were kicked out of their homes already. Abha Bhattarai, business reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the last minute eviction ban extension.

Next, Arizona is currently giving us a preview of how mask wearing in schools will play out across the country. Arizona is one of at least seven states that have mandated that schools not require mask wearing. Still, with surges in cases and guidance from the CDC, some AZ school districts are defying the order and requiring masks for students and staff. Aydali Campa, education reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the continued fight over masks in school.

Finally, last week we heard that Scarlett Johansson was suing Disney over breach of contract for releasing her latest Black Widow movie on the Disney+ streaming service at the same time as its theatrical release. It’s odd to see lawsuits like this with studios preferring to negotiate, but it’s also another example of the current battle between actors and studios over profits made from streaming. Lucas Shaw, reporter at Bloomberg News joins us for more.

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A much anticipated report from the New York State Attorney General Letitia James, has found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, nine of whom are current and former state employees and one who was a New York State trooper assigned to his security detail. The report found that he made inappropriate comments to women and unwanted touching, groping and kissing. In one case, Cuomo and his office even retaliated against a woman who spoke out about how she was treated by the governor. Calls have intensified for him to resign, but Cuomo has remained defiant and refuses to step down. Tom Winter, investigations correspondent at NBC News, joins us for what’s in the report.

Next, a new study looking at the effects of children’s exposure to Disney princesses shows that it isn’t damaging. A debate has persisted that being exposed to the princess culture can negatively impact gender stereotypes in both boys and girls. The first phase of the study found that boys and girls with high engagement with Disney princesses were associated with more female-stereotypical behavior. However, when researchers caught up with those kids 5 years later, the story was not the same. Julie Jargon, Family and tech columnist at the WSJ, joins us for the Great Princess Debate.

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The Biden administration wants to reform state drug laws and focus on what’s called “harm reduction,” which promotes safe drug use instead of abstinence and threats of jail time. The Office of National Drug Control Policy will be promoting draft model laws that supports harm reduction programs, increase treatment options, and reform criminal statutes. Dan Vergano, science reporter at BuzzFeed News, joins us for this and also how a Cape Cod Covid outbreak in mostly vaccinated people prompted the CDC to change its mask wearing guidance.

Next, where will the future of booze take us? Spirits are currently going through a revolution where distillers are using new methods and applying them to classic and unfamiliar ingredients. Think of things like marigolds, pasilla peppers, coffee fruits and more. The trend is toward bigger flavors, weird fermentations and more sustainability. But one of the issues with all of these new, weird flavors is how to market them to those that might not be as adventurous as others. Adam Rogers, senior correspondent at Wired, joins us for more.

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Florida has become the new national epicenter for Covid cases. Over the weekend they had their highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic with 21,683 cases. With an overall vaccination rate of 60%, Gov. Ron DeSantis has refused to implement any new mask mandates or vaccine requirements at a time when other states are beginning to do so. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washngton digital editor at NBC News, joins us for this, the infrastructure bill keeps moving along in the Senate, and news of terrible conditions at a children's migrant shelter in Texas.

Next, it's a seller's market out there and in some cases they are flexing their muscles to squeeze the most out of selling their homes. There have been some unusual demands such as taking all of the kitchen cabinets, mid-range appliances, and even toilets. Sometimes it's for sentimental reasons, but sometimes it's just because they can. Buyers, worn out from bidding wars, just accept the terms. Ronda Kaysen, NYT columnist and co-author of Right at Home, joins us for more.

Finally, trying to make up for lost time due to the pandemic, everyone is getting married and it has become a mad scramble for everything wedding related. With marriages expected to be up by 50% this year, people are trying to do them on expedited timetables and the prices of formalwear, especially those dresses, are going up. Daniela Sirtori-Cortina, reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for summer marriage madness.

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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.