The Daily Dive

President Trump has come under criticism for comments attributed to him where he called U.S. servicemembers killed in combat "suckers" and "losers." While the president has vehemently denied saying anything, varios news organizations have independently confirmed his words. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for the fallout from those statements, the rush to release a vaccine, and states in desperate need for another coronavirus relief bill.

Next, one of the main keys to preventing COVID-19 indoors is proper ventilation. Health scientists have started to issue recommendations to schools and businesses that want to reopen on how often indoor air needs to be replaced, as well as fans, filters, and other equipment that also needs to be replaced. For schools, think open windows with fans, air purifiers, and upgraded HVAC systems. Cailtin McCabe, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for how good ventilation can help keep coronavirus particles at bay.

Finally, many unoccupied buildings that were abandoned during the coronavirus shutdowns and left empty for long periods of time may have a new uninvited guest: mold. The CDC has warned people who are reopening buildings to watch out for potential hazards like mold and the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease. While mold and bacteria is always around us, in poorly ventilated areas and in increased concentrations, it could lead to health problems. Louise Matsakis, reporter at Wired, joins us for what to know about mold problems.

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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.

A slew of post-convention polling has come out and it shows that both candidates have emerged roughly where they were before. Joe Biden still maintains a lead, but President Trump has gained a little bit of ground in certain state polls. One of the next big moments that could impact the race comes at the end of September when the first debates are held. Steven Shepard, chief polling analyst at Politico, joins us for more.

Next, America is running low on a crucial resource for coronavirus vaccines and drugs…monkeys. The pandemic has created a huge demand for monkeys as research test subjects. There has been a drop in supply from China which supplied 60% of monkeys imported into the U.S., and we were already dealing with decreased numbers. Sarah Zhang, writer at the Atlantic, joins us for how were are short on these animals needed for research.

Finally, Amazon is one step closer to delivering you that package by drone. The FAA just granted them approval to operate its fleet of delivery drones, a program they call “Prime Air.” Their drone would be capable of delivering cargo that is lighter than 5 pounds hopefully in about 30 minutes. Rob Verger, associate editor at Popular Science, joins us for the latest and why it still might be some time before you see drones flying everywhere.

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Good news when it comes to the treatment of COVID-19. Studies involving 1,700 patients showed that deaths were significantly reduced by the use of steroids, raising hopes that cheap and widely available drugs could become standard treatments for severe cases of coronavirus. The steroids helped in dampening an overactive immune system. Joseph Walker, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.

Next, as the pandemic worked its way through the United States, Hawaii had a handle on its cases early on. Recently however, case counts and hospitalizations have started to creep up as a result of complacency by residents and a lack of preparation by officials. Quarantine measures for travelers are still in place and the opening of the state has continued to be delayed. Alice Miranda Ollstein, health care reporter at Politico, joins us for what happened to Hawaii.

Finally, President Trump’s new pandemic advisor has been pushing a controversial ‘herd immunity’ strategy that has some public health experts worried. Dr. Scott Atlas, who has no background in infectious diseases, has pushed to reopen the economy and let the virus spread through the general population while only protecting our most vulnerable. Yasmeen Abutaleb, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the herd immunity plan.

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California is facing a backlash for its tiered system for reopening businesses during the pandemic. Counties throughout the state used to be on a watch list, but are now in a color-coded system of yellow, orange, red, and purple, with purple being the worst designation. Critics say the system hits some businesses harder than others. Chris Woodyard, LA Bureau Chief for USA Today, joins us for the plan to reopen California.

Next, COVID-19 has impacted the public health system so much that it will have to change to accommodate and incorporate COVID-19 into doctors’ offices, virus surveillance, and hospital planning. The good news is that the health care system has done it before with HIV and H1N1. Nicole Wetsman, health reporter at The Verge, joins us for how the coronavirus has changed the health care system.

Finally, President Trump is pushing some conspiracy theories that is matching some months old rumors inspiring people to arm themselves. Trump said that a plane “loaded with thugs” wearing dark uniforms were sent to disrupt the RNC and also said that “people that are in the dark shadows” are controlling Joe Biden. Ben Collins, reporter at NBC News, joins us for more.

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Clashes continue in the streets between armed civilians and protesters, sometimes with deadly outcomes. Local authorities are facing complaints that they are not handling the violence and even supporting those that take up arms against protesters, which at times have turned to looting and vandalism. Joshua Partlow, reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for more as President Trump gets ready to go to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Next, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control says that 94% of people who died from COVID-19 had underlying health conditions, while only 6% of people had COVID-19 listed as the only cause of death. Some of the top comorbidities that people had were influenza, hypertensive disease, diabetes and cardiac arrest. Ursula Perano, reporter at Axios, joins us for more.

Finally, last week Elon Musk had a presentation for his Neuralink implants. The goal is to mass-market brain implants that could solve brain and spine problems. For the presentation Musk trotted out a group of pigs that had the implants and observed their brain activity.  John Timmer, senior science editor at Ars Technica, joins us for the latest on Elon Musk’s Neuralink. 

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Two conventions down and we are on to the general election. The GOP convention was not the optimistic and light affair that Trump had hoped for. Instead it tried to paint a picture of lawlessness and economic decline if Biden were to be elected, and the coronavirus pandemic was talked about as if it was in the past tense. Ginger Gibson, deputy Washington digital editor at NBC News, joins us for a breakdown.

Next, some new clues are emerging as to why the coronavirus hits men harder. Simply put, men produce a weaker immune response to the virus than women do, and the findings could have implications for vaccine dosing. Women produce more T-cells and a stronger immune response, possibly because their bodies are primed to fight pathogens that threaten their unborn children. Apoorva Mandavilli, reporter at the NY Times, joins us for more.

Finally, are you getting ready to travel during the pandemic? There's a lot to know about testing before you get out there. Some places require proof of a negative test before you arrive and other locations require you to quarantine before you can move freely. There is also the big question of timing so you can get your results in time. Natalie Compton, reporter at the Washington Post, tells us what you need to know.

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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.