BPR Full Show: Aubade to BPR

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett begins the show by taking questions from listeners about booster shots, rapid tests and more. Gergen Barnett teaches in the Department of Family Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School.

Then, we ask listeners their thoughts on the state of testing in the U.S., after President Joe Biden announced a plan to reimburse citizens for their purchase of tests.

Richard Blanco reads 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.

Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III discuss the persistence of racial harassment in schools, and 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 talks 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 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 end the show by asking listeners if they have returned to movie theaters, as venues struggle to bring back patrons due to the pandemic.