Today on Boston Public Radio:
Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett began the show by taking questions from listeners about COVID-19 booster shots, rapid tests and more. Gergen Barnett teaches in the family medicine department at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School.
Then we asked listeners for their thoughts on COVID-19 testing in the United States, and President Joe Biden's announcement that people will be able to get reimbursed for at-home tests.
Richard Blanco read his favorite “aubade” poems — about lovers departing at dawn — including “Aubade with Burning City” by Ocean Vuong and “Ghosting Aubade” by Amie Whittemore. Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet in U.S. history. His latest book, "How To Love A Country," deals with various socio-political issues that shadow America.
The Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discussed the persistence of racial harassment in schools. They also talked about religious communities that support abortion rights. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist, the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail and co-host of the All Rev’d Up podcast. Price is the founding pastor of Community of Love Christian Fellowship in Allston, the inaugural dean of Africana studies at Berklee College of Music and co-host of the All Rev’d Up podcast.
Michael Curry talked about Biden’s efforts to ramp up testing, and his administration’s plan to get through the second pandemic winter. Curry is the president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and a member of Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 vaccine advisory group. He’s also a member of the national NAACP board of directors and chair of the board’s advocacy and policy committee.
We ended the show by asking listeners if they have returned to movie theaters, as venues struggle to bring back patrons due to the pandemic.
