Podcasts

Ep. 12: Should I be Concerned about Variants of Concern?

This week, Kyle and Amanda provide the latest updates and outlook on the U.S. response to COVID-19, including a discussion on the many variants of COVID-19 that are now circulating both in the U.S. and globally and what that means for us moving forward.

Ep. 11: The Biden Budget and the J&J Vaccine

This week, Kyle and Amanda discuss the recent developments related to the pausing of the J&J vaccine, their own vaccination experience, and the Biden administration's broader public health priorities beyond the COVID-19 response highlighted in the budget proposed for Fiscal Year 2022. 

Ep. 10: The Politicization of Reconciliation

In this week's episode, Kyle and Amanda describe the ins and outs of reconciliation that will be used to pass President Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, and the resulting polarization that now inevitably ensues when Congress utilizes this process. Also discussed is the contentious confirmation of the nominee for the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and what an important role this individual will ultimately play in shaping the Administration's policies if confirmed. 

Ep. 9: COVID has Teachers Singing, “Don’t Stand So Close to Me”

This week, Kyle and Amanda discuss the various approaches states have taken in prioritizing teachers for COVID-19 vaccines, the political pressure coming from teachers' unions, and reopening schools. They also discuss the comments from Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx following the administration change and the challenges they faced during their time on the COVID-19 Task Force. 

Ep. 8: A $2 Trillion Bill and a Split Senate Walk Into a Bar

In today's episode, Kyle and Amanda unpack the Biden administration's COVID-19 response plan and the challenges they will face working with Congress and a 50/50 Senate to enact an aggressive policy agenda. They also cover the differences between the outgoing administration's approach compared to the Biden plan, recalling their experiences during the initial months of the response. 

Ep. 6: COVID-19 Stimulus and the Need for True Leadership

In today's episode, we cover the recent COVID-19 stimulus bill and what's in it for public health, but also discuss the recent events in our nation's Capitol. It's time for leaders with character to step up. 

Ep. 5: Operation Warp Speed

What is Operation Warp Speed? What are the next steps for vaccine approval and distribution? And how are states managing vaccine distribution? In this week's podcast, we address these questions and more, discussing the latest news regarding COVID-19 vaccines. 

Ep. 4: A New Hope - The Biden Health Team

The incoming Biden health team is a mix of newcomers to the executive branch and former Obama administration officials. We discuss the nominees and offer our insights and recommendations for success, particularly in regards to the ongoing COVID-19 response. 

Ep. 3: The Holiday Rush - Rising Cases and Vaccine Distribution

With COVID-19 cases on the rise, what should we expect in the coming weeks as the first vaccines in the U.S. are approved and distribution begins? We discuss the latest news and why it's so difficult to listen and adhere to the advice of our nation's public health experts. 

Ep. 2: The Impact of the GA Senate Runoffs on the Future of Public Health

The fight for the majority in the US Senate hinges on two Georgia Senate races. Regardless of who holds the majority, however, big changes are ahead as a number of key committees with jurisdiction over the nation's public health agencies are likely to change leadership and greatly impact the future of the COVID-19 response

Ep. 1: What Does 90% Efficacy Mean?

With the recent good news about the Pfizer and Moderna Phase 3 trials exhibiting greater than 90% efficacy, what exactly does this mean and how does it compare to other vaccines? In this episode, we discuss the impact of these results and the next steps in the vaccine distribution process.