Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Economics of Ebola and the Untold Story of Trapped Chilean Miners
The cost of containing the Ebola virus is adding up quickly for the U.S. But it pales in comparison to the possible $30 billion West Africa could lose to the disease. We break down that number, and hear from one business owner in Liberia who’s been personally affected.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenWe start with a look at the economic cost of the Ebola crisis: It’s already in the millions in the U.S., which pales in comparison to the possible $30 billion price tag in West Africa. Then, we hear from the owner of a surf retreat in Liberia who’s been affected by the disappearance of tourism. Next, 10,000 pages of newly released, previously confidential documents from the Clinton administration shed new light on the history of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” among other things. Then we hear from writer and LA Times reporter Hector Tobar, whose new book details the previously untold story of 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 69 days. Finally, in our weekly TV roundup we discuss the season five premiere of “The Walking Dead” and more.
Banner Image: Chilean Miners
In this episode
5 storiesThe Economics of Ebola
Before Thomas Eric Duncan died from Ebola last week in Dallas, he’d spent nine days in intensive isolated care at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital at an estimated cost of half a million dollars. The U.S. is facing bigger bills for sending troops to West Africa and implementing airport screenings to fight the disease.
Read the story9 minLiberia Tourism Takes a Hit From Ebola
Two years ago, a couple of San Diego surfers decided to open a surf retreat in a small fishing village in Liberia. The retreat has attracted surfers and other adventurers from 40 countries around the world. But with the Ebola outbreak, all tourism to the country has stopped and all U.S. volunteers and workers have been pulled out.
Read the story8 minClinton Documents Shed New Light on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
On Friday, the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock released 10,000 pages of previously confidential documents. It’s the last batch of more than 30,000 pages of documents that have been released since February. They reveal new details about behind-the-scenes discussions of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, among other things.
Read the story9 min“Deep Down Dark”
Four years ago today, the entire world was watching as 33 Chilean miners emerged unharmed from a stone prison that had held them captive for 69 days. A massive piece of rock had trapped them more than 2,000 feet underground.
Read the story15 minZombies, Infidelity, and Broken TV Ratings
The zombies are back! AMC’s “The Walking Dead” returned last night after much anticipation, and it looks like the series might have a new hero. We discuss the season 5 premiere, plus Showtime’s new series “The Affair” and fallout from the molestation allegations against “7th Heaven” actor Stephen Collins in our weekly TV roundup.
Read the story8 min
