As the Electoral College formalizes the election of President-Elect Joe Biden and COVID-19 vaccines begin to rollout in NC and across the country, can we expect a turning point after what’s been a contentious year? We also discuss the growing trend of reparations in North Carolina with journalist Mary C. Curtis, Morrisville Town Councilman Steve Rao, and NCCU professor Brett Chambers.
Blame Game Over Hacking Culprit, Deal Reached on Covid Relief Package
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lawmakers have reached a deal on a Covid-19 Relief package.
The 900 billion dollar package includes extra funding for Covid testing, federal loans to help keep small businesses open, and stimulus checks to those struggling to pay for food or rent.
This will be the second largest government stimulus package in history.
And, the blame game. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced it was Russia that hacked into several U.S. Government agencies.
But, President Trump disagrees and blames China for the attack.
WCCB Charlotte Contributor, Mary C. Curtis weighs in on the latest headlines.
Dec202020
Mary C. Curtis: COVID-19 Vaccinations Underway
CHARLOTTE. NC — The first COVID-19 vaccines, from Pfizer and approved by the FDA for emergency use, have been sent throughout the country, including North Carolina, where health care workers and residents of care facilities are tops of the list to receive the shot. A Moderna vaccine might get approval later this week. This is happening as the country passes 300,000 dead from the virus, with hospitalizations reaching record highs in North Carolina.
WCCB political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more.
Dec162020
POLITICAL WRAP: Electoral College Meets Monday; Latest on COVID Vaccine
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Monday, the Electoral College will meet to formally cast their ballots for President and Vice President of the United States.
It comes just days after the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit by the Texas Attorney General to overturn millions of votes.
Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more on this and the latest on the arrival of the COVID vaccine, in the video above.
Dec132020
Local News Roundup: COVID-19 Cases Continue To Surge With Vaccines On The Way; A New Curfew; CMS Returns To Remote Learning
Friday, Dec. 11, 2020
On the next Charlotte Talks local news roundup …
Gov. Roy Cooper imposes a statewide curfew of 10 p.m. beginning Friday as numbers for COVID-19 spike, and in Mecklenburg County, trends reach new highs. We’ll give a local and regional update on the coronavirus and what the new curfew means for businesses.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools opts to go back to remote learning until January in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the area. We’ll talk about the school board vote and what it will mean for all students, especially those about to take exams.
The Department of Health and Human Services has released the list of hospital systems that will receive the first shipment of a coronavirus vaccine. The state expects about 85,000 vaccine doses from Pfizer, which are going first to health care workers and residents in adult care facilities.
And Charlotte Moves recommended last week that the city put a 1-cent sales tax hike on the ballot for next year’s election. The tax would fund several transportation projects in Mecklenburg County. But for that to happen, legislators in North Carolina would need to authorize the increase and approve a referendum. We’ll hear what some of those legislators say about the proposal and its chances.
Those stories and more as Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters delve into this week’s top news on the Charlotte Talks local news roundup.
GUESTS:
Erik Spanberg, managing editor for the Charlotte Business Journal
Mary C. Curtis, columnist for Rollcall.com, host of the Rollcall podcast “Equal Time” and contributor at WCCB-TV
Steve Harrison, WFAE political reporter
Annie Ma, education reporter for the Charlotte Observer
Dec112020
Mary C. Curtis: Trump Signs Order on COVID-19 Vaccine
CHARLOTTE, NC — COVID-19 vaccines will be given to Americans just as soon as the FDA approves emergency use authorization.
President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday, which will prioritize the U.S. receiving doses over other countries.
This move comes after a New York Times piece claimed Pfizer offered to sell more doses to the U.S. over the summer, but the Trump Administration turned it down.
Political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more.
Dec092020
POLITICAL WRAP: Will Governor Cooper Re-Implement COVID Restrictions?
And in Washington, what’s the latest on efforts for another stimulus package?
Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more in the video above.
Dec062020
POLITICAL WRAP: Will Holiday Travel Lead to More COVID Cases?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dr. Anthony Fauci says the U.S. could see “surge upon surge” of coronavirus cases in the weeks to come.
He also says the arrival of vaccines offer “a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis gives us her take.
Nov292020
POLITICAL WRAP: Will People Follow CDC Thanksgiving Recommendations?
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dr. Anthony Fauci is explaning why people should limit family and social gatherings this Thanksgiving. But will people ignore CDC recommendations?
Our political contributor Mary C. Curtis has more in the video above.
Nov222020
Actress Alicia Cole Becomes Patient Advocate After Surviving Flesh-Eating Disease, Near Fatal Infections
COVID-19 ‘s disproportionate impact on communities of color has forced the nation to confront how systemic racism has shaped both health and health care in this country.
In this four-part discussion series, host Mary C. Curtis will talk to advocates and experts about how structural and institutional racism has impacted the health care system and about what can be done to change it.
The series is brought to you by WFAE, Everyday Health, the health information giant; and ClearHealthCosts, an organization that creates transparency about medical costs.
In the second discussion Curtis talks to actress Alicia Cole who developed flesh-eating disease, sepsis and three life-threatening antibiotic-resistant infections after a minor surgery in 2006. The racial bias Cole said she encountered during her treatment prompted her to become a patient safety advocate. While still bedridden and recovering from six additional surgeries, Cole used a talk-to-type program to blog about her experience and call improvements in the health care system. She co-sponsored and lobbied successfully for passage of two California patient protection laws. Cole works with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others.
Nov192020
