Swine Flu: Mixed Messages and Public Anxiety
Host:
Produced by:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Mixed messages about swine flu and the availability of H1N1 vaccine have led to confusion and unexpected public anxiety. We hear from parents, doctors and medical researchers today. Also, reports that the CIA is paying the brother of Afghani President Hamid Karzai. On Reporter's Notebook, California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he's open to "robust debate" on legalizing marijuana. We hear about a hearing today in Sacramento.
Banner image: A young boy looks at a sign as he and his mother arrive to wait in line with several thousand other people at the Utah County Health Department to get H1N1 vaccine shots October 27 in Provo, Utah. Photo: George Frey/Getty Images
Making News
CIA Pays Hamid Karzai's Brother, Says New York Times ()
Today's New York Times reports that Ahmed Wali Karzai has been on the CIA payroll for the past eight years. Not only is he the brother of Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai, he's long been a suspected player in the country's opium trade. Gretchen Peters, who has covered Afghanistan and Pakistan for Associated Press and ABC News, is author of Seeds of Terror: How Heroin is Bankrolling the Taliban and al Qaeda.
Guests:
- Gretchen Peters: former journalist, Associated Press and ABC News
Main Topic
Swine Flu: Mixed Messages and Public Anxiety ()
Two weeks ago, swine flu vaccination was derided on television talk shows, and polls showed a lack of public interest. Then supplies began to run out. Even before the President declared an Emergency last Saturday, lines were forming. Now the government is counseling Americans not to panic. Why is there a lack of supply? Is that what's behind the increased demand? Who really needs the vaccine? Is the risk from the H1N1 virus being blown all out of proportion?
Guests:
- Michael Shear: National Political Reporter, Washington Post, @shearm
- Elizabeth Heubeck: mother of a 9-year-old child with asthma
- James Landers, MD: pediatrician near Detroit, Michigan
- Lisa Jackson, MD: Senior Investigator, Group Health Cooperative
- Matthew Dallek: Visiting Scholar, Bipartisan Policy Center
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
Legalization of Marijuana Gets a Hearing in Sacramento ()
A tax on marijuana could raise $1.4 billion in revenue for California, the first state to legalize marijuana for medical use and one that could really use the money. Next year's state ballot will likely feature an initiative to legalize the drug for personal use with taxation. Today in Sacramento, a legislative committee took up the subject. Governor Schwarzenegger says he's open to “robust debate.” Jesse McKinley is San Francisco Bureau Chief for the New York Times.
Guests:
- Jesse McKinley: San Francisco Bureau Chief, New York Times, @jessemckinley
Links:
Engage & Discuss
Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.
For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
