Where We Live

How are employers responding to coronavirus? 

This hour, Where We Live, we talk about how coronavirus is impacting our local businesses, and their employees.

What happens if a company has to temporarily shut down due to coronavirus? What if you, or someone else you work with gets sick?

We also hear how local farmers and local cultural institutions are staying afloat during the pandemic. 

GUESTS

• Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt - Connecticut Department of Agriculture
• Daniel Schwartz - partner at Shipman and Goodwin, LLP (@danielschwartz)
• Ilene Frank - Chief Curator of Connecticut Historical Society (@CTHistorical)

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As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Connecticut and across the US, many Americans are staying home to prevent the spread of this deadly disease. But not everyone can work remotely and many people have lost their jobs. This hour, we take a look at the pandemic’s economic impact .

We hear from Connecticut workers in the gig economy—people who drive for Lyft or deliver for Uber Eats. And we talk with an economist about what policies can ease the economic burden on Americans.

We want to hear from you. How is the coronavirus affecting your family—and your pocketbook?

GUESTS:

• Krista Deprey - Hair stylist at Bowl and Brush in Rocky Hill and hairdressing educator
• Sarah Kaufold - Artistic director of the Voices of Concinnity choir and the Consonare Choral Community in Eastern Connecticut (@choral_sarah)
• Molly Tran - Director of the Public Health program at Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois; Her research focuses on the occupational health of gig workers (@WalkingNPR)
• Ibrahim Shikaki - Assistant Professor of Economics at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut

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As coronavirus cases increase, so will the associated anxiety. 

This hour, we discuss coronavirus, and how it’s affecting our mental health. 

What should people do if they are experiencing anxiety for the first time? What about those already living with mental health conditions? How should we talk with children about coronavirus?

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Guests

• Thomas Burr - Community and Affiliate Manager with National Alliance on Mental Illness - Connecticut (@TBurr_NAMI_CT)
• Janine Domingues - clinical psychologist at anxiety disorders center at Child Mind Institute (@ChildMindInst)

• Naomi Hirabayashi - co-founder and co-CEO at Shine (@Naomi_NYC)

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As Americans respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, what should elected officials be doing to protect public health? Today, we talk with Connecticut 1st District congressman John Larson. As coronavirus spreads, how will lawmakers do their jobs? Do you have a questions for Rep Larson?

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

GUEST:

• Congressman John Larson - U.S. Representative for Connecticut’s 1st District (@RepJohnLarson)

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Governor Lamont has declared a public health emergency and thousands of residents, including school children, are staying home.

This hour, we discuss the latest in hospital protocols and talk about who can, and cannot, get tested for coronavirus. We hear how colleges, universities, and local school districts are responding to the crisis.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

 GUESTS:

• Nicole Leonard – Health care reporter for Connecticut Public Radio (@ACPressNLeonard)
• Dr. Jessica Abrantes-Figuerindo - Infectious Disease Specialist at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford
• Cassie Basler - Senior editor with WSHU in Fairfield (@CassBasler)
• Fran Rabinowitz- Executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents

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This hour, we take a trip to the Yale Peabody Museum, where a renovation is giving the museum a chance to update its famous dinosaur skeletons to reflect 21st century scientific knowledge.

The museum has disassembled all of its large fossil skeletons, which have been shipped to a facility in Canada to be remounted. When they return to the Peabody in 2023, dinosaurs like the museum's Brontosaurus will be standing in jauntier--and more scientifically accurate--poses.

Later, we talk with a science writer about the events that lead to the mass extinction of almost all dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

GUESTS:

• Vanessa Rhue - Collections manager for Vertebrate Paleontology at the Yale Peabody Museum
• Peter May – Founder and president of Research Casting International, the company the Yale Peabody Museum is contracting with to re-mount their large fossil skeletons
• Chris Norris - Director of Public Programs at the Yale Peabody Museum
• Riley Black - Science writer and author of My Beloved Brontosaurus (@Laelaps)

Catie Talarski contributed to this show.

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What challenges do people with criminal records face when re-entering society? What is Connecticut doing to help prior offenders reintegrate? 

This hour: we discuss challenges faced after leaving prison. This includes finding gainful employment, getting an education and even finding a place to live.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Guests

• Kel Lyons - Reporter and Report for America corps member who covers justice for the Connecticut Mirror (@Kelan_Lyons)
• Shelby Henderson - Smart Justice Advocate with the ACLU of Connecticut (@ShelbyHendG)
• State Representative Robyn Porter - Representative to the Connecticut General Assembly for New Haven and Hamden (@Porter4DaPeople)
• Trina Sexton - Director of Re-Entry Services at the Connecticut Department of Corrections

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She started as a social worker in Connecticut more than two decades ago. Now, Vannessa Dorantes is the Commissioner of the state’s Department of Children and Families (DCF). This hour, we sit down with Commissioner Dorantes. What questions do you have for the leader of DCF?

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

GUESTS:

• Vannessa Dorantes - Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF)
• Jacqueline Rabe Thomas - Reporter for the Connecticut Mirror (@jacquelinerabe)

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There have been confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York. What do you need to know to prepare for a potential outbreak in Connecticut? 

What should residents do to protect themselves and their families against coronavirus? How is the state of Connecticut preparing?

This hour: what are researchers doing to identify a vaccination, and when should they expect to have a new antiviral? How should employers prepare teams for a potential outbreak?

What are your questions about the coronavirus?

GUESTS:

• Dr. Ajay Kumar - Chief Clinical Officer at Hartford Healthcare
• Dr. Albert Ko - Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine, and the Chair, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Disease at Yale School of Public Health

• Mark Soycher - Human Resource Counsel for Connecticut Business and Industry Association (@HRHotline)

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March Madness begins in a couple of weeks, a favorite time of year for people who love watching college basketball. But if you want to legally place bets on your favorite team, inside Connecticut you’re out of luck.

This hour: will the General Assembly legalize sports betting this legislative session?

Some lawmakers want to see sports betting revenues coming into the state's coffers. But a debate over who should run sports betting has led to an impasse between the governor and the state’s tribal nations.

Do you want sports betting to become legal in Connecticut? Or do you have concerns about  the expansion of gambling in our state?

GUESTS:

• Mark Pazniokas - Capitol Bureau Chief for the Connecticut Mirror (@CTMirrorPaz)
• State Rep. Joe Verrengia - State Representative for West Hartford, co-chair of the Public Safety and Security committee in the Connecticut General Assembly
• Marc Edelman -  Professor of Law at Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business, where he specializes in sports law

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