Today on Boston Public Radio:
We opened phone lines to talk with listeners about Gov. Baker’s loosening of COVID restrictions in Massachusetts, and whether the state is ready.
Sue O’Connell spoke about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Feb. 2 Instagram live where she revealed she’s a victim of sexual assault, and the subsequent backlash she faced for it. She also discussed President Biden’s foreign policy memo on global LGBT rights, and the significance of having several openly LGBT officials serve in his administration. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the South End News, as well as NECN's political commentator and explainer-in-chief.
Emily Rooney talked about MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell’s chaotic Tuesday appearance on NewsMax, and Tom Brady’s “Mean Tweets” segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Rooney is host of Beat the Press, which you can watch Friday nights at 7 p.m.
Andy Ihnatko explained some ways that Gov. Baker’s vaccine website could have been more user-friendly. He also weighed in on a new user privacy feature from Apple, and how tech giants like Facebook are responding. Ihnatko is a tech writer and blogger, posting at Ihnatko.com.
Randi Weingarten offered her views on the necessary steps to safely bring teachers back to school for in-person learning, including the question of whether teacher vaccination ought to be top-priority. Weingarten is the president of the American Federation of Teachers.
Senator Elizabeth Warren made her case for the cancellation of student loan debt in order to move the needle on racial equity, and boost the U.S. economy. She also shared her thoughts on congressional members refusing to wear masks, and the ongoing Wall Street-GameStop saga.
Corby Kummer explained how Gov. Baker’s capacity increase for state businesses might impact local restaurants, and the new safety guidelines restaurants must follow. He also spoke about his hopes for the Biden administration on issues like food assistance programs and climate science. Kummer is the executive director of the food and society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
