Boston Public Radio

The rise of the delta variant of COVID-19 is instilling fear and “stabilizing the need” of nutrition assistance programs.

"The administration needs to catch up" on vaccine mandates, Wu said today on BPR.

Downie said the move, while only helpful in the short term, was likely to buy time for families working to get their hands on federal aid money.

Boston mayoral candidate John Barros joined Boston Public Radio for a wide-ranging interview about his candidacy.

The Rhode Island senator said he doesn't expect his voice is enough to change Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer's mind on the issue of stepping down from the nation's highest court while Democrats maintain power.

Family medicine doctor Katherine Gergen Barnett joined Boston Public Radio to go over the latest COVID-19 developments and take listener calls.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened lines to talk with listeners about the financial strains brought by the coronavirus pandemic. Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discussed how weak or nonexistent internet access is exacerbating the COVID-19 crisis for low-income Americans, and reviewed medical tech for those looking to monitor their health from home. *Beat the Press *host Emily Rooney talked about the Patriots plane that brought medical supplies to Massachusetts from China, and recent sexual assault allegations made against Joe Biden. Food writer Corby Kummer discussed the toll that COVID-19 is taking on the food and restaurant industry, and the resurgence of Americans raising chickens. Media maven Sue O’Connell criticized Jared Kushner’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and drew parallels between our current situation and the AIDS crisis. *Under the Radar *host Callie Crossley discussed misinformation about coronavirus on Fox News, and technology that companies are using to spy on employees working from home. We re-opened our lines to callers to continue the coronavirus conversation. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Friday press conference.

Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio *on Friday about whether the restaurant industry will survive the coronavirus crisis. "I've been talking this week to a lot of restaurateurs to - most of them are saying they have so little operating capital left, even if they've tried to stay open to do takeout or help feed front line health workers." Restaurant owners have had to make tough choices whether to remain opened or closed during this time, Kummer added. "The ones who are heroically staying open - all their legal advice is 'Do not stay open, it's going to be less complicated to reopen if you're shut down tight,'" he said. "All of the legal liability is much easier and less complicated if restaurants have shut down, so what a choice these restaurant owners have been facing." *Kummer is a *senior editor at The Atlantic*, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed Florida’s bungled response to the coronavirus outbreak, and the death threats being made against Dr. Anthony Fauci. Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse called in to discuss the 15 COVID-19-related deaths at a state-run veteran’s home in his city. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about how you’re dealing with the grimness of the coronavirus pandemic. Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral talked about the gun industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and debate in federal courts over whether to release detained migrants to protect them from the coronavirus. Dr. Gary Gottlieb, former CEO of Partners Healthcare and Partners in Health, discussed his recent Boston Globe piece on how healthcare systems need to adapt to handle the stress brought by COVID-19. We opened our lines to talk with listeners about the coronavirus. We aired live audio from Gov. Charlie Baker’s Thursday press conference. Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam discussed his latest book, “Broken Glass: Mies Van Der Rohe, Edith Farnsworth, and the Fight Over a Modernist Masterpiece.”

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask callers: are you donning a facial mask to slow the spread of the coronavirus? MIT economist Jon Gruber broke down how the recently passed stimulus bill will impact everyday Americans, and discussed what he hopes to see in any future aid packages. CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem discussed gun stores being deemed “essential” during the coronavirus pandemic, and how authorities around the world are enforcing stay-at-home policies. Medical ethicist Art Caplan answered questions about COVID-19 symptoms, and discussed why it’s important that hospitals plan for what to do if they can't keep up with demands for care. Dr. Katherine Dallow, Vice President of Clinical Programs and Strategy at Blue Cross Blue Shield, discussed what we currently understand about the coronavirus, and answered questions from callers. Ali Noorani, Executive Director for the National Immigration Forum, discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting immigrant communities and the U.S. immigration system.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to ask listeners: how long can do you think you can self-quarantine? Legendary actor Alan Alda discussed his “Clear+Vivid” podcast, where he recently interviewed frequent BPR contributor Sy Montgomery. Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung discussed the unique challenges facing Boston’s undocumented immigrants amid coronavirus, and the latest on how the pandemic is affecting local small businesses. Journalist Laura Sullivan discussed "Plastic Wars,” the latest Frontline film on plastic waste and the failures of the global recycling system. Heather Goldstone, Chief Communications officer at the Woods Hole Research Center, discussed the parallels between coronavirus and the climate crisis, and whether we ought to put our conservation efforts on hold while we focus on the pandemic. CNN’s John King discussed the government’s ongoing pandemic response, and the latest on the 2020 presidential race. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed the postponed 2020 Olympics and the joys of watching marble racing.