Where We Live

Do you see bats where you live? These flying creatures play important roles in ecosystems around the world, from pest control to pollination.

But bats in Connecticut are in big trouble. This hour: bats in our state have been devastated by White-Nose Syndrome. We learn more about this deadly disease and talk about why we should be concerned that populations in Connecticut have been so hard hit.

Bats in China have made news because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hear why scientists have looked to these flying creatures to understand the origins of a number of deadly diseases.

And we talk with bat researchers about why--amid fears of a pandemic--bats need our support, not our fear, more than ever.

GUESTS:

• Jenny Dickson - Director of the Wildlife Division for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Dr. Kate Langwig - Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech; she’s a disease ecologist who studies bat diseases

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you see bats where you live? These flying creatures play important roles in ecosystems around the world, from pest control to pollination.

But bats in Connecticut are in big trouble. This hour: bats in our state have been devastated by White-Nose Syndrome. We learn more about this deadly disease and talk about why we should be concerned that populations in Connecticut have been so hard hit.

Bats in China have made news because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hear why scientists have looked to these flying creatures to understand the origins of a number of deadly diseases.

And we talk with bat researchers about why--amid fears of a pandemic--bats need our support, not our fear, more than ever.

GUESTS:

Jenny Dickson - Director of the Wildlife Division for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Dr. Kate Langwig - Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech; she’s a disease ecologist who studies bat diseases

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, how will we remember a year in this pandemic? Grief can often leave us feeling incredibly alone. Especially when haven't been able to gather and commemorate our loss. How will we memorialize the lives and time lost this year?

If you have spent anytime journaling, or reflecting on this year either alone or with family.

Later, we will hear more about Conncticut Public's new series Cutline, a monthly deep dive into current issues, ideas, and events that are most on our minds in Connecticut. 

We want to hear from you.

GUESTS:

• State Senator Will Haskell - represents District 26
• Kate Mason - Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Brown University
• Dr. Sarah Willen - Associate Professor of Anthropology at UConn, Director of the Research Program on Global Health and Human Rights
• Jeff Cohen - News Director at Connecticut Public Radio 

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, how will we remember a year in this pandemic? Grief can often leave us feeling incredibly alone. Especially when haven't been able to gather and commemorate our loss. How will we memorialize the lives and time lost this year?

If you have spent anytime journaling, or reflecting on this year either alone or with family.

Later, we will hear more about Conncticut Public's new series Cutline, a monthly deep dive into current issues, ideas, and events that are most on our minds in Connecticut. 

We want to hear from you.

GUESTS:

State Senator Will Haskell - represents District 26

Kate Mason - Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Brown University

Dr. Sarah Willen - Associate Professor of Anthropology at UConn, Director of the Research Program on Global Health and Human Rights

Jeff Cohen - News Director at Connecticut Public Radio 

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some countries and companies have looked into creating vaccine passports to allow those vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel more freely and attend public events. Others say limiting access to vaccinated people is unfair.

Governor Ned Lamont told Where We Live earlier this week that he thinks vaccine passports could potentially be implemented in Connecticut at some point in the future, saying: "Within a month or two when broad cross-section of people are vaccinated, or at least have the opportunity to be vaccinated, I think local businesses for starters will probably take the lead on this."

This hour, we talk about the ethics of vaccine passports.

And what are the global implications when some countries have little to no access to vaccines?

GUESTS:

• Dr. Saad Omer - Director, Yale Institute for Global Health, and Professor of Medicine in Infectious Diseases. He was part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s committee that created the framework for equitable vaccine allocation, and he was also on the World Health Organization’s Working Group on Covid-19 vaccines
• Dr. Yara Asi - Post-Doctoral Scholar, Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some countries and companies have looked into creating vaccine passports to allow those vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel more freely and attend public events. Others say limiting access to vaccinated people is unfair.

Governor Ned Lamont told Where We Live earlier this week that he thinks vaccine passports could potentially be implemented in Connecticut at some point in the future, saying: "Within a month or two when broad cross-section of people are vaccinated, or at least have the opportunity to be vaccinated, I think local businesses for starters will probably take the lead on this."

This hour, we talk about the ethics of vaccine passports.

And what are the global implications when some countries have little to no access to vaccines?

GUESTS:

Dr. Saad Omer - Director, Yale Institute for Global Health, and Professor of Medicine in Infectious Diseases. He was part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s committee that created the framework for equitable vaccine allocation, and he was also on the World Health Organization’s Working Group on Covid-19 vaccines

Dr. Yara Asi - Post-Doctoral Scholar, Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on his push to reopen and to vaccinate Connecticut. With variants of the disease appearing in the state, is this the time to loosen restrictions?

Plus, a gambling expansion deal was reached between the state and Connecticut’s two casino-owning tribes. What hurdles are left to clear?

Guests:

• Governor Ned Lamont
• Hartford Courant Columnist Kevin Rennie

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on his push to reopen and to vaccinate Connecticut. With variants of the disease appearing in the state, is this the time to loosen restrictions?

Plus, a gambling expansion deal was reached between the state and Connecticut’s two casino-owning tribes. What hurdles are left to clear?

Guests:

Governor Ned Lamont

Hartford Courant Columnist Kevin Rennie

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the preview for musical artist Sia’s debut film Music was released---- it received backlash from individuals on the autism spectrum. But it also sparked a conversation about neurodiversity.

This hour, we talk about how the mainstream portrays autism. In the film Music, the central character “Music” is played by Maddie Ziegler, a neurotypical actress leading many to ask, why couldn’t someone on the autism spectrum be cast to play this role.

How should we approach portraying autism and other disabilities in film and television? We want to hear from you.

We also hear from Connecticut’s Child Advocate, Sarah Eagan on how schools are addressing educational needs of student with disabilities during this pandemic. GUESTS:

• Sarah Eagan - Child Advocate for the State of Connecticut
• Charlie Hancock - Student at Oxford studying human sciences and news editor at Cherwell, Oxford's independent student newspaper

• Sara Luterman -  freelance journalist covering disability policy, politics, and culture

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the preview for musical artist Sia’s debut film Music was released---- it received backlash from individuals on the autism spectrum. But it also sparked a conversation about neurodiversity.

This hour, we talk about how the mainstream portrays autism. In the film Music, the central character “Music” is played by Maddie Ziegler, a neurotypical actress leading many to ask, why couldn’t someone on the autism spectrum be cast to play this role.

How should we approach portraying autism and other disabilities in film and television? We want to hear from you.

We also hear from Connecticut’s Child Advocate, Sarah Eagan on how schools are addressing educational needs of student with disabilities during this pandemic. GUESTS:

Sarah Eagan - Child Advocate for the State of Connecticut

Charlie Hancock - Student at Oxford studying human sciences and news editor at Cherwell, Oxford's independent student newspaper

Sara Luterman -  freelance journalist covering disability policy, politics, and culture

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.