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:
COVID-19
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:
Closet Recordings: Dorianne Laux
In this edition of This Is Just To Say, The Closet Recordings, poet and novelist Carrie Fountain reads, “If This is Paradise,” by Dorianne Laux.
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.
Texas Standard: April 10, 2020
Despite hundreds of suspected positives for COVID-19 at Texas nursing homes, the state is refusing to release detailed data. Why the secrecy? We’ll take a closer look. Plus, nearly 1 in 3 apartment renters didn’t pay anything to their landlord April 1st. What happens next depends on where you live. Some tips for tenants from an expert. Also eliminating the insanity defense, unconstitutional? You might be surprised by the answer. And our go to expert from UT Health San Antonio answers your COVID-19 questions. All of that and more today on the Texas Standard:
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:
The Breaks: Beat Battle Edition
This week on The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius
- Talk about the recent live-streamed beat battles, including Mannie Fresh vs Scott Storch and Lil Jon vs T-Pain.
- Touch on the cultural significance of Mannie Fresh.
- Discuss the deep production credits of Lil Jon and T-Pain.
- Address Tekashi 6ix9ine’s release from prison and speculate about how people will react.
- In his Unpopular Opinion, Fresh defends Nas as a good beat selector.
- Confucius reminds us that just because you’re sheltering in place, doesn’t mean that you have to transform yourself or learn a new skill — simply surviving right now is enough.
Listen to this week’s episode of The Breaks
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify or Stitcher
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Texas Standard: April 6, 2020
Amid unprecedented scenes of empty cities and lines of cars stopped at the Louisiana border, the next front in the COVID-19 fight: finding food. As people who’ve never needed such assistance before join growing lines for food banks, we’ll talk with people who’re working to help feed Texans suddenly in need. Also in a holy week for Christians worldwide, many Texas congregants take to the cloud. And once a Go-Go, always a Go-Go? Texan Kathy Valentine’s lips are no longer sealed. 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:
The Role of Identity in Processing Information
When it comes to how information influences our mood, how we identify ourselves plays a big role. In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the role of identity in processing information.
Texas Standard: April 1, 2020
The governor issues new orders on social distancing. Just don’t call em shelter in place. We’ll take a closer look at the packaging of a statewide pandemic response. And religious gathers now considered essential in the Lone Star State. Patrick Svitek of the Texas Tribune with more on the Governor’s latest guidelines. Also rapid turnaround deportations. How the Coronavirus crisis has changed the rules at the U.S. Mexico border. And stay at home-schooling tips from homeschooling veterans. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Closet Recordings: Jane Hirshfield
In this, the ninth, edition of This is Just To Say, The Closet Recordings, poet and novelist Carrie Fountain reads, “Day Beginning with Seeing the International Space Station and a Full Moon Over the Gulf of Mexico and All Its Invisible Fishes,” by Jane Hirshfield.
Quarantine Confessions
We’d love to know how you’re dealing with quarantine and COVID-19. Please share your new experiences and we’ll select some of your most unique stories to pass along to a singer-songwriter to write an original song based on your experience. You can submit your stories to submit@goodtastesociety.org
Some talking points that you can share, but aren’t limited to:
Maybe you’re single or currently dating someone? How’s that going?
You’re getting to know your neighbors whom you’ve never met before? Are they as crazy as you’ve once thought?
Tell us about how you’re dealing with your kids.
Do you work at a hospital? What’s the stress level like?
We look forward to hearing from you. Please be safe and WASH YOUR DAMN HANDS!
Texas Standard: March 31, 2020
On the front lines in the war against COVID-19: how the fight is playing out in rural Texas, and the potential health crisis few are talking about. We’ll have the latest. Also, Texas counts! We all know that, right? But many worry that Texas might miss out on an important tally that could cost Texas more than just hundreds of millions of dollars, we’ll explain. And how to make sense of Coronavirus case counts. Plus where do doctors turn for medical supplies? How the current crisis may force a rethink of the healthcare supply chain. Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard: