8 chapters across the catalog
Former CDC Director Robert Redfield tells CNN's Sanjay Gupta that he believes COVID-19 originated from a laboratory in Wuhan rather than a natural zoonotic jump from bats. Redfield suggests the virus began spreading in September or October 2019. The hosts discuss the significance of a high-ranking virologist breaking the official narrative and the potential risks of gain-of-function research in populated areas.
LaTasha Brown of Black Voters Matter discusses how black voters are primarily concerned with healthcare and the coronavirus. She predicts a record turnout despite a drop in 2016. The hosts question how such massive registration and turnout were achieved during a pandemic when "ground games" and door-knocking were restricted.
Donald Trump's rallies are described as cultural events similar to rock concerts, with supporters following him from city to city like fans of the Grateful Dead. A massive rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, saw over 12,000 people camping out for days to attend. The hosts suggest that the opposition to these rallies during the COVID-19 pandemic was an attempt to cut off Trump's primary "energy base."
Early in the pandemic, a myth circulated that Black people were immune to COVID-19, a sentiment echoed in a Saturday Night Live sketch by Chris Redd. Low initial infection numbers in Africa fueled this speculation, though researchers now suggest the widespread use of anti-malarial drugs in the region may have provided a level of protection not present in the United States.
Senator Bernie Sanders officially ended his 2020 presidential campaign, making Joe Biden the presumptive Democratic nominee. Sanders cited the insurmountable lead held by Biden and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as primary reasons for his withdrawal. Media reports highlight that Sanders delivered his concession remarks from his home in Vermont without the typical fanfare of a campaign rally.
The hosts discuss how the COVID-19 lockdowns have leveled the playing field between mainstream media and independent podcasters. They observe that without professional makeup, lighting, and sound stages, corporate media figures appear less authoritative and "lose their magic." They argue that this shift exposes who has genuine "chops" versus who is merely supported by a corporate machine.
The discussion shifts to the overwhelming nature of COVID-19 media coverage and its potential negative effects on the human psyche. Observations are made regarding how even television commercials have become "corona-inspired." A parallel is drawn to how media coverage of violent events in 2015 and 2016 influenced public behavior and aggression.
The hosts open the episode during the March 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, discussing the slang term "the Rona" and the impact of the pandemic on daily life. One host describes a bizarre workplace situation where teams were segregated by color, noting the "white team" appeared to have the most privilege. They address the month-long school closures and the Family's First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes provisions for SNAP benefits and unemployment.
