Politics and the Olympics, Future of mRNA vaccines, Road design and wildlife safety

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Cameron West, 9, receives a COVID-19 vaccination
Cameron West, 9, receives a COVID-19 vaccination at Englewood Health in Englewood, N.J., Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. Health systems have released little data on the racial breakdown of youth vaccinations, and community leaders fear that Black and Latino kids are falling behind. Seth Wenig/AP Photo

The U.S. is among several countries engaging in a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. We find out more about the controversies and the history of the Olympics as a vehicle for politics. We also look to the future uses of mRNA vaccines. Plus, how new designs could cut own on animal deaths on the roadway.

Featured in this Show

  • The quagmire of Covid, human rights abuses and the Beijing Olympics

    A political scientist and former professional soccer player discusses the current political controversies surrounding the Beijing Winter Olympics and explains the long history of activism and politics at the Olympic Games.

  • The future of mRNA vaccines

    Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine was the first FDA-approved mRNA vaccine in history. A scientist who’s been studying gene-based vaccines for decades explains how mRNA vaccines in the future could treat cancer, HIV, autoimmune disorders and more.

  • What U.S. roads mean for wildlife

    Around 12 percent of North America’s wild mammals die on roads. A form of infrastructure known as wildlife crossings can help animals survive and thrive, but only around a thousand exist across the United States. We speak with a wildlife researcher about why that is, and what roads mean for the wildlife living around them.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Sarah Hopefl Technical Director
  • Colleen Leahy Producer
  • Christine Hatfield Producer
  • Jules Boykoff Guest
  • Deborah Fuller Guest
  • Patricia Cramer Guest
  • Lee Rayburn Interviewer

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