Many Texans are out of work right now. Others continue with what’s deemed essential business. And others still are trying to maintain duties that used to be done in an office — but is now being attempted at home. That third category was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Coronavirus
Texas Standard: April 23, 2020
According to an African proverb, it takes a village to raise a child. But what if the village is under lockdown? We’ll take a look at the challenge facing new Texas parents during COVID-19. Also, academics have long talked about the digital divide, but in a pandemic it’s having practical implications for millions of Texas students. And you’ve got questions about COVID-19, Dr. Fred Campbell of UT health San Antonio joins us again with some answers. Also, getting back to the office, or not. Our go to tech guy Omar Gallaga on how the workplace may never be the same again. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 22, 2020
50 years ago today, what many people mark as the start of the modern environmental movement. What is the state of the Earth today? During a time of global pandemic, a pause to reflect on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Also, testing for Coronavirus ramping up in the most populous counties, whats holding back similar gains elsewhere in Texas? Plus how COVID-19 is keeping em down, way down, on the dairy farm. And a Texas congressman’s claim about a German powder that kills Coronavirus: a Politifact check and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 21, 2020
A gradual reopening in Texas. The governor promises it’ll be science based, but some have questions because of relative low levels of testing. We’ll have the latest. Also, how low can you go? What about prices plummeting to negative territory? Understanding the implications of a historic crash in one of the states staple industries. And fears of an economic impact that could rival the great depression. In Texas, street scenes echoing images form the 1930’s as thousands of families wait in line for hours to get food handouts, testing the resources of food banks. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 20, 2020
Texas becomes one of the first states making moves toward a post COVID-19 lockdown. Too fast, too soon? Governor abbott, flanked by other top officials announces schools will remain closed in Texas, but a task force is working on getting back to business as usual. We’ll discuss what happens next with House speaker Dennis Bonnen. Also, the Texas engineers ramping up to help offset a shortage of hospital ventilators. And a book by a Texan who survived a pandemic 100 years ago that resonates today. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 17, 2020
In the great tourist towns of Texas, it’s far from fun and games this weekend. From the Gulf Coast, Hill Country and Big Bend, how tourist towns are coping with COVID-19. Plus a double hit to small businesses in Texas’ already economically disadvantaged latino communities. And you’ve got questions? Dr Fred Campbell’s got answers. Our go to expert from UT Health San Antonio fields listener concerns about the Coronavirus. Plus a Texas salute to American singer songwriter John Prine. Those stories plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Poem For Doctors, Nurses, and Hospital Staff Everywhere
We always knew the roles of doctors and nurses were important. But, in the midst of a pandemic, they are being revealed even more as true heroes. That was the inspiration for this poem.
Closet Recordings: Ada Limón
In this edition of This Is Just To Say, The Closet Recordings, poet and novelist Carrie Fountain reads, “Instructions on Not Giving Up” by Ada Limón.
Texas Standard: April 16, 2020
As many jobs lost in the past month as all those created since the great recession, now Texas hospitals struggling to make ends meet, we’ll have the latest. Other stories were tracking: the oil and gas industry asking for more state regulation? More on an historic hearing aimed at trying to stop a downward spiral. Also, one place where business is good? Check in with some factories on the Texas Mexico border. And the Texas governor set to talk about plans aimed at getting back to business. A top pandemic expert at Texas A&M has a warning. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 15, 2020
National trends suggest people of color disproportionately affected by COVID-19. But in Texas, a data gap is leaving health officials empty handed. African American leaders call for the state to address concerns about a lack of data that could be the difference between life and death in some Texas communities. Harris County Commissioner and former State Senator Rodney Ellis joins us. Also, a much anticipated forecast ahead of hurricane season. And it’s only a game, or is it? How many Texans are spending their downtime online and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 14, 2020
Governor Abbott puts millions of dollars into play to help small companies amid growing pressure from some to declare Texas reopened for business. Glimmers of hope with lots of red flags. That’s how the governor’s characterizing the fight against the Coronavirus. but is there a plan for getting back to normal? We’ll explore. Plus an international artery connecting Texas to the world, but in a time of COVID-19, dividing Texans themselves. And the push for vote by mail in this year’s presidential election. Could Texas pull it off? Those stories and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 13, 2020
Seemingly endless rows of cars lined up waiting for food in San Antonio: we’ll check out the strain on efforts to feed the hungry in other parts of Texas. Plus, is a tool used to recover memories lost to trauma acceptable for use in police work? An investigative report by the Dallas Morning News raises questions about the use of hypnosis in criminal cases in Texas. Also, life in the federal lockup. Now under lockdown amid growing concerns for the prison population and for staff. And how a pandemic affects a political push to flip the Texas house. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Ellis Marsalis
On this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe remembers the legendary patriarch of New Orleans Jazz, Ellis Marsalis.
Abstraction and Base Rate Neglect
One thing that happens during a pandemic is that a lot of numbers, percentages, charts, and graphs get tossed around on a daily, even hourly basis. However, all those numbers and graphics are really difficult for us to process.
On this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about abstraction and base rate neglect.
Closet Recordings: W.S. Merwin
In this edition of This Is Just To Say, The Closet Recordings, poet and novelist Carrie Fountain reads, “The Unwritten,” by. W.S. Merwin.
The New Normal
As COVID-19 has spread around the world, it has led to changes many have begun calling the new normal. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: April 9, 2020
It’s too early to know how deep or wide, but we’re almost certainly in a recession. New jobless claims today underscore the gut punch to the economy. The Comptroller Glenn Hegar recalculates the impact of COVID-19 and its impact on our bottom line. Also, tech expert Omar Gallaga on getting and keeping your internet access during a time of heavy use. And speaking of: hot tip for movie streaming. An almost forgotten Texas film that inspired a certain festival called Sundance. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 8, 2020
If you’re a nonessential worker and you’re out for a drive, what happens if you get pulled over? The realities of police work during a pandemic. Today, our conversation with the chief of police of the Texas Capitol City on enforcement of stay at home orders, and how police are dialing back some of what they do to keep officers safe.. Also state parks and historic sites now shuttered. We’ll hear from the head of Texas Parks and Wildlife. Plus the boom in urban bear hunts: teddy bears that is. Some practical tips for first time hunters and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 7, 2020
With 90 percent of all Texans on lockdown, what of the 10 percent mostly in rural Texas? A warning about an unseen spread eluding detection. We’ll have more on what researchers are saying about the unchecked community spread of COVID-19. Also, reports of an increase in domestic violence as Texans are try to cope with stay at home rules. And the growing gap over what to do to about health concerns for those behind bars. Plus, after a big tree is cut down in west Texas, why a family won’t let it go. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 3, 2020
Jammed phone lines, websites overloaded, for thousands of Texans seeking unemployment help and hitting walls. So what’s next? Our conversation with the Texas Workforce Commission about efforts to get relief out to Texas’ newly unemployed. Also, legal pushback on paid sick leave ordinances, where do we stand? And when does lots of space mean you’re really cooped up? Survival tips from someone who’s been there. Plus the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and more today on the Texas Standard: