More than seven million New Yorkers are now eligible to sign up to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Among those eligible are first responders, teachers and individuals aged 65 and over. Vaccine distribution centers are opening across the state this week. 

On this episode of The Eagle, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler leads a discussion that explores why communities of color tend to have higher rates of distrust of vaccines and public medicine, and why overcoming those fears in the Capital Region and across the nation will be key to fighting COVID-19 — a pandemic that’s done disproportionate damage to Black and Latino Americans.

Also on this episode, education reporter Rachel Silberstein interviews Russell Sage College president Christopher Ames about how the Troy-based college overcame its financial challenges and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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