Boston Public Radio

As the novel coronavirus responsible for the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to spread, there is a growing chorus of people calling for the release of prisoners who either no longer pose a threat to society or committed nonviolent offenses and are vulnerable to fatally contracting the disease

Members of the House are expected to vote Thursday on a $2.2 trillion economic relief bill to mitigate financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The "Meet the Press" moderator also defended former Vice President Joe Biden's limited public response to the pandemic.

Sports reporter Trenni Kusnierek says that Brady is promoting dangerous advertising during the coronavirus pandemic.

Former education secretary says state education officials need to make determinations about learning requirements as school shifts online.

In response to the outbreak, MassInc conducted a tracking poll, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, to gauge public sentiment about COVID-19 within Massachusetts.

Today on Boston Public Radio: NBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd discussed the staggering spike in U.S. unemployment, and how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting candidates in the 2020 presidential race. We opened lines to ask you: is this $2 trillion stimulus package easing your worries about the economy? Former Suffolk County Sheriff and Secretary of Public Safety Andrea Cabral discussed whether prisons should be freeing certain detainees to protect them from COVID-19. NBC Sports Boston reporter Trenni Kusnierek discussed Tom Brady’s dismissive coronavirus Instagram post, layoffs at TD Garden, and the postponing of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Former Mass. Secretary of Education Paul Reville discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting schools and colleges. We opened lines to talk with callers about how you’re doing in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. Mass Rep. Joe Kennedy offered some critique of the Trump administration’s coronavirus response, and broke down the latest on the emergency stimulus bill before the House on Thursday.

Today on Boston Public Radio: MassINC Polling Group President Steve Kozcela discussed his organization's latest polling around how Mass. residents are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We opened our lines to ask: how do you handle interactions where people don’t follow social distancing norms? CNN analyst and national security expert Juliette Kayyem discussed her latest piece for The Atlantic, where she predicts that American could be in lockdown for the next 18 months. Medical ethicist Art Caplan gave his reaction to President Trump’s latest statements about re-opening the U.S. economy by Easter. Partners in Health Co-Founder Dr. Paul Farmer discussed the world's preparedness in confronting the coronavirus pandemic, and took questions from listeners.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We opened our lines to hear your reactions to the president floating the idea of re-opening the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Robert Kuttner, professor at Brandeis and co-founder of American-Prospect, discussed his latest writing for the New York Times on how the U.S. government's response to the COVID-19 epidemic could send our economy into a major depression. We opened lines to callers to talk about coronavirus and how you’re faring in the midst of the pandemic. We aired live audio of Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker’s public address on the state’s pandemic response. Shannon Liss-Riordan, founding member of the Lichten & Liss-Riordan law firm, discussed protections that workers have amid the Coronavirus outbreak when it comes to paid sick leave and compensation. Lyndia Downie, president and executive director of the Pine Street Inn, discussed how her organization is supporting Boston’s homeless population throughout the pandemic. CNN’s John King discussed the relief bill expected to pass in the Senate on Tuesday. We re-opened our lines to talk with callers about why you think liquor stores get to stay open, but pot shops don't.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Media Maven Sue O’Connell weighed in on how state officials and the Trump Administration are handling the coronavirus pandemic. We opened our lines to check in on callers, asking how you’re doing in these worrisome times. Dr. Thomas Tsai, surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, discussed the latest news on how hospitals are preparing for the expected surge in COVID-19 cases. TV expert Bob Thompson discussed how COVID-19 is changing the TV landscape, from late-night shows broadcasting from home to ESPN’s coverage of stone skipping and sign twirling. We re-opened lines to hear your opinions on whether a full-scale shutdown is the best way the handle the COVID-19 pandemic. Journalist and author Sy Montgomery discussed the ways pets and zoo animals are keeping us sane through stay-at-home measures. We opened our lines once more to continue the COVID conversation with listeners.

Today on Boston Public Radio: Dr. Sandro Galea, Dean of BU’s School of Public Health, discussed what we can expect from the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming months, and answered listener questions about the coronavirus. “Beat the Press” host Emily Rooney discussed the media’s coverage of COVID-19, and gave her weekly list of fixations and fulminations. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh gave an update on how Boston is dealing with the outbreak, and answered caller questions. Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Boston’s economy. Environmental journalist Bill McKibben talked about what the current pandemic signals in the context of the ongoing climate crisis. “Under the Radar” host Callie Crossley broke down the inherent racism of the president’s characterization of the coronavirus as the "Chinese Virus."