Press Play with Madeleine Brand
US struggles to send COVID vaccines abroad, CA bill aims to bring truth to recycling
President Biden announced in May that the United States would ship 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to dozens of countries.
By Madeleine Brand • • 50m ListenPresident Biden announced in May that the United States would ship 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to dozens of countries. But due to major delays, communication lapses, and international red tape, only about 14 million vaccine doses had been donated abroad by the end of June.
Also, new California legislation would restrict what kinds of plastics can have the famous “chasing arrows” recycling symbol on them. State Senator Ben Allen wrote the bill and says, “A lot of these items are theoretically recyclable under perfect conditions, but they're not actually recycled or recyclable under real-world conditions.”
Press Play also looks at the latest staff shakeup at LA’s MOCA, SpaceX’s first all-civilian space mission, and new fall TV shows.
In this episode
5 storiesBiden’s plan to send COVID vaccines abroad falls short, 2 FDA regulators cast doubt on booster
President Biden announced on May 17 that the United States would ship 80 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines around the world. One White House official described the effort as “Operation Warp Speed on steroids.”
Read the story8 minRecycling symbol on plastics: State Sen. Ben Allen wants to bring ‘truth to advertising’ with new bill
State Senator Ben Allen says, “A lot of these items are theoretically recyclable under perfect conditions, but they're not actually recycled or recyclable under real-world conditions."
Read the story9 minHow might Klaus Biesenbach’s sudden departure from MOCA affect the art museum?
LA’s Museum of Contemporary Art announced a new leadership team in early September: New Executive Director Johanna Burton (after a six-month search) and Artistic Director Klaus Biesenbach . The two were set to co-lead MOCA’s next era.
Read the story10 minSpaceX will send 4 civilians — no astronauts — to space. What will they do on the Inspiration4 mission?
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is set to lift off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on September 15 with an all-civilian crew for the first time. These four people had never been to space, and they spent six months training for it.
Read the story8 min‘Yellowjackets’ is a mix of a coming-of-age show, adult drama and ‘Lost,’ says critic
Critics review new fall TV shows and returning favorites.
Read the story16 min
