Boston Public Radio

Yes, we should be focusing on the flu, but we should also be wary of just how unprepared we are for an outbreak in America.

On Tuesday, US Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling charged the chairman of Harvard University’s department of chemistry and chemical biology, Charles Lieber, with lying about his connections to a Chinese university.

Epic is being critiqued for not making its medical data easier to be shared between doctors and patients.

After more than a year since the first marijuana shops in the state opened their doors, however, many minority business owners say they’ve been locked out of the marijuana industry.

Fine dining restaurants are serving up climate-minded meals.

Former Brewster Whitecaps coach John Altobelli was among those killed in the crash that killed Kobe Bryant.

Food writer Corby Kummer spoke with Boston Public Radio *on Friday about the revival of 'victory gardens' during the coronavirus crisis. "Victory gardens in World War I and especially in World War II were promoted as ways to keep reserves from farms for fighting troops," he said. "And if you, the consumer, grew your own produce, you would be self-sufficient and allow the country's farmers' produce to be bought by the military and used for the war effort." Food supply anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic has caused a demand for personal gardens, Kummer noted. "Now 'victory gardens' are being revived to feed people," he said. "Even though the idea of self-sufficiency is very appealing, I would much rather be helping farmers trying to stay in business." *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 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.