Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast

The CDC issued new guidance yesterday saying that vaccinated people can remove their masks in most indoor settings. What spurred the change, and what does it mean for COVID risk management? On Today's Show: Stephanie Silvera, epidemiologist at Montclair State University, talks about how this affects unvaccinated people, especially those who can't get it yet, like kids.

Biden announced yesterday the country's first large-scale project to build offshore wind turbines near Martha's Vineyard. We talked to one of wind's biggest proponents in Congress. On Today's Show:Kathleen Rice, United States representative for New York's 4th congressional district, talks about the latest news from Washington, including the development of offshore wind farms, and the ouster of Liz Cheney as a GOP party leader.

A lackluster April jobs report came out last week, and this morning, an report on inflation has investors spooked. So what are the economic tea leaves saying about our economic recovery? On Today's Show:Jim Tankersley, New York Times White House correspondent with a focus on economic policy, talks about all the issues at play that might have led to the sluggish recovery numbers.

Now that kids as young as 12 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, parents had questions about how it could affect younger bodies. On Today's Show:Brianne Barker, virologist and immunologist, associate professor of biology at Drew University, and co-host of the podcast This Week in Virology, talks about the science behind the decision and answers questions from parents of kids in that age group, plus anyone still weighing their options for vaccination against COVID-19.

After criticizing former President Trump and his allies for spreading lies about the election and then violence at the Capitol, her party role is being challenged by NY's Elise Stefanik. On Today's Show:Jacqueline Alemany, Washington Post congressional correspondent and “Power Up” anchor, talks about the changes afoot in GOP House leadership

Summer is on the horizon, and as the pandemic begins to draw down, parents are thinking about summer activities, and keeping kids COVID safe once school's out.  On Today's Show:Daniel Griffin, MD, PhD, an infectious disease clinician and researcher at Columbia, ProHEALTH chief of the division of Infectious Disease and president of Parasites Without Borders, talks about how best to plan and enjoy summer activities with children too young for COVID vaccines, including family vacations and summer camp.

If there's people in your life who still don't want to get vaccinated, you might be wondering how to convince them. Turns out, it's a combo of sticks & carrots, and not being judgemental. On Today's Show:Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL Media and CEO and publisher of Epicenter-NYC, talks about Biden's new vaccine messaging, local outreach and how to strike a less judgmental tone with those questioning the vaccine.

Some GOP-run states are pushing forward with new voting laws that would make it harder for some to cast their ballots. What does that look like, and what does it mean for democracy? On Today's Show:Jami Floyd, senior editor for race and justice at WNYC, talks about what the new laws will do, and who they will harm.

As the demand for the vaccine slows, scientists are saying we're unlikely to hit herd immunity, which means this virus will likely remain a factor for years to come. On Today's Show:Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times reporter focusing on science and global health talks about what it means that the U.S. may never reach herd immunity against the COVID-19 virus.

Kamala Harris is simultaneously being labeled too cautious, and too ambitious. To what standards are we holding the first woman and first person of color to serve as vice president? On Today's Show:Eugene Daniels, a Politico Playbook author and White House correspondent, and Dr. Christina Greer, political science professor at Fordham University, host of the podcast FAQNYC, politics editor at The Grio and author of Black Ethnics (Oxford University Press, 2013) talk about the first 100 days of Vice President Kamala Harris in the White House.