BPR Full Show: The Next Step

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Jon Gruber argues that we should be grateful for COVID-19 vaccine innovation, as well as why we shouldn’t be hesitant to get vaccinated. He also shares his thoughts on whether employers should require their employees to get vaccinated before returning to work. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health-care reform and the Affordable Care Act, and his latest book is "Jump-Starting America How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream."

Next, we opene the phone lines, asking listeners if they could celebrate the scientific achievements of COVID-19 vaccines despite the bumpy vaccine rollout.

Art Caplan talks about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end the state’s mask mandate, and the religious debate over vaccines. Caplan is the Drs. William F and Virginia Connolly Mitty Chair, and director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the NYU School of Medicine.

We hear what listeners had to say about Gov. Baker’s announcement that K-12 teachers, school staff, and childcare workers are now eligible for vaccination.

Derek DelGaudio discusses the roles identity and illusion play in his work, and his thought process behind his film, In & Of Itself. DelGaudio is a writer and artist. His latest book is “AMORALMAN: A True Story and Other Lies,” and his film, In & Of Itself, is on Hulu. 

Shirley Leung explains how the Mass. Department of Unemployment Assistance is struggling to deal with the needs brought on by the pandemic. She also speaks about the new capacity allowances for Mass. restaurants, and the Baker administration’s announcement to prioritize vaccinating K-12 teachers, school staff, and childcare workers. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe.