UpFront

A new COVID variant in South Africa halts AstraZeneca vaccine rollout, deemed ineffective; Plus: EDD’s lack of transparency with Bank of America adds to massive errors, fraud, and crisis for Californians waiting for relief

0:08 – Mondays with Mitch: the upcoming second impeachment of Donald Trump, COVID relief and more.

Mitch Jeserich (@MitchJeserich) hosts Letters and Politics, weekdays at 10AM on KPFA.

0:34 – COVID call-ins

John Swartzberg is clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health.

1:08 – New study: CA’s most COVID-dangerous job is Line Cook

Yea-Hung Chen (@ch272n) is an epidemiologist with UCSF, and one of the authors of the new study on COVID deaths among essential workers in California.

1:18 – A line-cooks perspective, and the union fighting for greater worker protections

Wil Davis is a cook at Gate Gourmet, an airline catering kitchen, and a member of UNITE HERE Local 2.

Ted Waechter is an organizer with UNITE HERE (@UniteHereLocal2), the hospitality workers’ union. 

1:34 – EDD is making millions from transaction fees with Bank of America, the details are still unknown.

Lauren Hepler (@LAHepler) is an economy reporter with Calmatters. Her latest story is “How EDD and Bank of America make millions on California unemployment.”

1:50 – KPFA News: More than one in four youth incarcerated by California’s Division of Juvenile Justice have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. Kids, advocates and some staff are demanding better protections, and protocols to prevent further spread and more outbreaks. 

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that will start closing down California’s state-run youth prisons this summer. California may still incarcerate young people — but that would happen at the county level. KPFA’s Danielle Kaye (@danielledkaye) reports.

Playlist

Artist Song Album Label
HarleighbluWho's That GirlTru Thoughts Covers 2 (Compiled By Robert Luis)MERLIN - Tru Thoughts
Sly5thAveCalifornia LoveThe Invisible Man: An Orchestral Tribute to Dr. DreTru Thoughts Recordings