What A Day - Vaccine Passport To Adventure

Episode Date: April 5, 2021

The MLB is officially moving the All-Star Game out of Georgia after Republicans in the state passed a restrictive voting law. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp insinuated the move amounts to so-called “cancel culture.” And in Texas, big businesses are starting to speak out against a similar voter suppression law there before it’s on the books.The CDC released new guidance for vaccinated Americans on how to safely travel. Plus, “vaccine passports” are emerging as a major flashpoint for both politics and privacy. We explain.And in headlines: Chicago Police will release video of an officer fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy, major wastewater leak in Florida, and VP Harris moves into the VP residence.Follow What A Day on Instagram at instagram.com/whatadayFor a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday.

It's Monday, April 5th. I'm Ahila Hughes. And I'm Gideon Resnick, and this is What A Day, the official podcast of whoever wins March Madness. Yeah, we're already wearing the Stanford merch for the ladies, so we're just going to wait to see what's going on with them in. I have bought tons of Gonzaga and Baylor merch, and some of it needs to be returned. On today's show, travel updates for vaccinated Americans and the contentious idea of vaccine passports, then some headlines. But first, the latest. Secure, accessible, fair elections are worth the threats. They are worth the boycotts as well as the lawsuits. was just not popular this go-around and you got fewer votes because the shit you're trying is not working. But in true loser form, Kemp is doubling down on his party's unpopular policies and defending Georgia's new voter suppression law. What is new there? So we've spoken a bit about the battle lines that have been drawn in Georgia over these laws and growing protests by individuals

and large corporations. So what is the latest there? Well, Major League Baseball is officially withdrawing the all-star game from the state, meaning that Kemp has fumbled the bag to the tune of about $100 million in money that the event could have brought to the state. And after Delta CEO spoke out about the new legislation, Georgia's GOP-led House voted down a jet fuel tax break that would have benefited the company. The state Senate ignored the bill for now, so it's not a law yet. But it is kind of funny because the only way to get Republicans to care about the planet that they live on is out of spite for being called out for their anti-democratic racism. But it's also just important to note the links to which the GOP is

willing to go to silence or cancel these companies because they're not sitting silently watching the GOP cancel democracy. And to your point, Kemp had this press conference on Saturday where he also tried to stoke fears about cancel culture. Yeah, there's that reason that I harp so hard on the two part episode of that other daily news podcast. But let's just go ahead and take a listen to Kemp. Cancel culture and partisan activists are coming for your business. They're coming for your game or event in your hometown. I mean, they're coming to what? Like help Americans vote and not be thrown in jail for offering water to people who are just waiting in outsized lines

because the GOP has shuttered so many poll locations in black areas. Is that what cancel culture is now? No, it's just still meaningless. OK, great. Yeah, glad we checked in there. And Stacey Abrams had some words to share about the boycotts too, right? That's right. And Abrams has been very outspoken about how a boycott hurts families and jobs, which is absolutely understandable, especially after so much goodwill was sown through this last election cycle. But she also ultimately said that boycotts are a good thing and continued to place the blame on the GOP's legislation, not on corporations who can't in good conscience make a state that openly undervalues people of color a lot of money. Yeah, and nationally, big corporations are taking customer threats of boycotts seriously because they're finally being proactive in

states like Texas. What's happening there? Right now, Republicans in the Lone Star State introduced 49 odd bills to make voting harder. The big one to watch is SB7, which passed in the Senate just last week and now heads to the House. But a lot of companies headquartered there have come out to try and kill the bills before they pass. And nationwide, a ton of companies have spoken out against proposed laws elsewhere, including HP, Dow, Under Armour, ViacomCBS, and so many more. And all of this is good and helpful, but I'd really like to see them shouting out H.R. 1, the federal For the People Act bill that can overrule some of the more hideous and desperate bills on the state and local level. To find out more about that, head to votesaveamerica.com slash for the people to get involved.

But let's move on to the pandemic. The latest seems to be all about whether people should start planning that summer vacation. That's crazy to think about because we're definitely not out of the woods yet. But according to the CDC, the short of it is if you're vaccinated, you're basically cleared to book that trip. Here's CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. We state that fully vaccinated people can resume travel at low risk to themselves. For domestic travel, fully vaccinated people do not need to get a COVID-19 test before or after travel and do not need to self-quarantine after travel. Okay, so my head is spinning because officials are also worried about

us being on the cusp of another surge. That's partly because of the variants out there. So what am I supposed to believe? Yeah, I mean, we're in a strange moment where we have to believe both, I guess, at the same time. Yeah, totally. I mean, listen, I'm going to listen to science even when the science is everything. Right, exactly. And so to that point, you know, almost a third of Americans have gotten at least one dose of a vaccine at this point, according to the CDC. But it does feel like, yeah, they are trying to communicate these safe rules for Americans who are vaccinated while not creating more problems for the majority that still aren't just yet, especially to your point, while the surge might be on the horizon.

Travelers to that point should still wear masks and practice social distancing, for example. Kudos to you if you can figure that out at an airport where a lot of other people are going to be. But if you are vaccinated and you travel internationally, you have to have a negative test result before coming back home and a few days afterwards, too. But here's the kicker to all of this. The recommendation overall is still to not travel unless it's essential. Maybe a little bit confusing there, but already we're seeing air travel go up. So it seems like a best effort from the CDC to tell people how to do it safely if they're just going to do it regardless. I mean, I feel like vacations seem to be essential at this point, but you know what?

Fine. I will do my best to stay home. Part of the challenge is that this info about the virus and vaccines keeps evolving over time. And scientists don't know with 100% certainty that vaccinated people can never spread the virus. So, you know, things are still ebbing and flowing. Yeah, that's right. And there was some back and forth on this very point. Here's Wenski again on Rachel Maddow last week. Our data from the CDC today suggests, you know, that vaccinated people do not carry the virus, don't get sick. Yeah, so that little part of this, some took that to mean that vaccines

offered total protection against transmission. But shortly after it, a CDC spokesperson qualified it to the New York Times, saying in part, quote, the evidence isn't clear whether they can spread the virus to others. So long story short, even experts are often in uncharted waters during the evidence isn't clear whether they can spread the virus to others. So long story short, even experts are often in uncharted waters during the pandemic and trying to respond and

speak clearly as things evolve. Yeah. So when people start traveling or even just doing things close to home, like going to a concert, some officials are trying out this thing called vaccine passports. What's that about? Yeah, it's basically a system where you can prove that you have been vaccinated, clearing you to board that international flight or get past the bouncer to get your GNT or whatever it is that you're rocking with. Israel is using them. The UK is piloting something similar. New York State debuted its own last Friday with the idea that very soon you could go to a game at Madison Square Garden by flashing your ticket and a vaccine passport on your smartphone. And the federal government is trying to develop standards throughout all of this. It all sounds

great on paper, at least. Yeah, there's a catch though, Gideon. You know, why is this idea not really a golden ticket for people? There are a lot of reasons. But you know, as we try to get back to normal, vaccine passports are going to be a major flashpoint. First, there are concerns about creating a kind of two-tiered society or making our two-tiered society even worse of the wealthier jet-setting crew living large while most people in the U.S. and around the world still don't have access to a vaccine. Then there's the politicizing of it. For example, Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order last Friday that banned businesses in the state from asking that customers show proof of vaccinations. He talked about them being a quote, violation of freedom, but also of privacy. Mississippi's Republican governor also pushed back

on the idea. Yeah, and that part about privacy is what makes the pushback against these passports interesting. It's more than you're just, you know, regular Biden hating conservatives that are side eyeing the idea of these passports, right? Yeah, exactly. The ACLU told CNN that if the passports are digital only, for instance, they'll exclude people who don't have a smartphone. Think of elderly parents or grandparents who still don't know what an emoji is or people who just can't afford one. Plus, the organization is worried about people's privacy and the sensitive health info being stored in an online database. And then some health professionals are worried about this as well.

The head of the American Public Health Association told Stat News that vaccine passports could make inequities worse, politicize the vaccination process, and more. And on top of that, even some local music venues are skeptical. A rep from the National Independent Venues Association, which represents venues around the country, also told Stat News that they were worried about the cost of implementing these kinds of checks at the door. So at this moment, vaccine passports aren't your backstage pass just yet. We'll stay on the story and I guess try to help you find out what the new normal might be as you try to plan your summer. But that is the latest for now. It's Monday, WOD Squad, and for today's Temp Check, we're talking about cartoons playing sports.

The trailer for Space Jam A New Legacy dropped this weekend, and there was a lot going on in it, from Toon LeBron to evil cyber Don Cheadle to hundreds of characters from the extended Warner Media Universe. It seems like they went all out. The movie comes out July 16th. So, Giddy, you saw the trailer. What was your reaction? Why are the Clockwork Orange guys?

Yeah, that was number one for me. I thought it was somebody trolling when I first saw the screenshot and then it was also so quick in the trailer that I missed it, but then I did like pause. They're definitely there. Yeah, like they're watching a basketball game and Pennywise is there too.

Like they should be in jail. Right, they should be in jail. And if we're the tune squad trying to win a game, I feel like that messes up my priorities a lot. Like my, my priority is immediately like there is a murderous clown on the side of the game. Like let's pause this basketball game.

Like unless they're rooting for you, then I guess like let him use his magic scariness to like kill the other team. I don't really know. I'm losing the thread a little, you know? Yeah. I just,

it would totally, you know, throw off my jump shot in this situation. Like I, I, I would want to know, you know, why this murderer's row of literal, literal murderers is at this game before we proceed. Yeah. They're sitting in really good seats too. Like it's weird that they're right on the court. Like you'd think that they wouldn't be making that much money doing all the horrible things they do, but somehow they have found the funds to see this very high profile basketball

game. Pennywise had a great pension. I think that's what, you know, it looks like killing pays for him. Yeah. Um, but same question, Akilah, how did you feel about this trailer? Oh, I loved it. I mean, for me, it was the slowed down theme song that was like so good. Like I was like, that's a bop. They absolutely did justice to the original. I'm going to like come on and slam and welcome to the jam personally. I loved the jerseys. Like I'm ready for that merch to officially drop because I was deep in the Toon Squad merch back in the day and I'm ready to just rehash it.

Yeah, Toon LeBron was a surprise. I was wondering if that was just like a thing that happened because of the pandemic. But generally speaking, it seemed good. Oh, one note. I don't know why the bad guys team, since they're not the Monstars anymore, they're now the Goon Squad.

It's a little too close. It needs to be different enough. It's not like there's a team called the Cavaliers and the Scavalliers. Yes, not yet they wouldn't do that in real basketball and I think that LeBron should have requested like look I'll play this basketball game with a bunch of cartoons but you guys are gonna have to get a better better name going also who were they there was no no clue who they were and I definitely just

want I want more intell on this soundtrack I need to know i think we're gonna have these ballads these hits because still one of the best soundtracks of all time but just like that we have checked our temps stay safe you know if you're gonna be at a space jam basketball game just you know be vigilant it seems like some seedy characters out there and we'll be back after some ads. Let's wrap up with some headlines. Headlines. The Chicago Police Department announced it'll be releasing body camera footage of an officer fatally shooting a teenage boy in a predominantly Latino neighborhood. Last Monday, an off-duty officer responding to a nearby call shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo. The boy's family wasn't notified until two days later. The officer is currently on administrative leave for 30 days,

and initially the police department's oversight board refused to release the video, arguing that they legally couldn't because the victim was underage. But after challenges from legal experts and calls for its release by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and others, the board reversed its decision. Adam was the third person to be shot by Chicago police within a week. Florida declared a state of emergency in three counties over the weekend as a reservoir with over 300 million gallons of wastewater continued to leak. The leak was first reported late last month at a Tampa Bay reservoir connected to a former phosphate mine. At that point, it was leaking at a rate of two to three million gallons a day. Work clues have been manually draining millions of gallons of contaminated water into the bay to keep the wall of the reservoir from breaking.

If the wall is breached, officials warn that it could result in a 20-foot wall of water crashing into residential areas. As of recording, over 300 homes are under mandatory evacuation. Environmental protection groups say a breach could lead to an ecological catastrophe and that phosphate companies should be responsible for disposing their waste in environmentally acceptable ways. If anyone listening has a hand truck, Kamala Harris might need to borrow it this week. The vice president is moving into her official residence after spending the first two and a half months of her term in temporary housing at the president's guest quarters. That delay was necessary because the vice president's mansion needed repairs

following Mike Pence's departure, who could say what those repairs were. Maybe clear out his antique dolls that came to life, remove the steam engine he plugs into recharge, convert his rage room into a library, et cetera. The list goes on. Actually, though, the repairs included things like refurbishing hardwood floors. You didn't hear it from me,

but Pence tore them up looking for ghosts. Harris's new place is two miles from the White House on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory. Expect crowds of fans outside trying to catch a glimpse of Doug Emhoff gardening in a tank top. I mean, I'll be there. Add operating a huge boat to the list of things women can't do without getting harassed. So last month, Egypt's first female ship captain was briefly blamed for the mess at the Suez Canal, despite being on a different ship at the time, hundreds of miles away. Rumors that Marwa Saladar caused the crash circulated on social media,

spurred on by a fake newspaper screenshot. It's worth noting that women only account for 2% of the world's seafarers. The ocean is an extremely male-dominated space, except for Ursula from The Little Mermaid and seahorses, which are both moms and dads. As far as who actually caused the incident at the Suez Canal, two investigations are currently underway. One by Panama and the other by Egypt's Suez Canal Authority. The ship's owners and its insurers could be on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to the ship, damage to the canal, and loss of other ships' revenue due to delays.

Honestly, based on the mileage everyone got out of this story, I feel like we need to start a GoFundMe. Yeah, $1 for every meme posted. It's only fair. Yeah, that's right. You know, they ever gave us those memes and we're going to ever give back to them. Those are the headlines. That is all for today.

If you like the show, make sure you subscribe, leave a review, come on and jam, and welcome to the slam and tell your friends to listen. And if you're into reading and not haunted books from the 1800s that somehow mention Mike Pence like me, one of these is also a nightly newsletter. Check it out and subscribe at crooked.com slash subscribe. I'm Akilah Hughes. I'm Gideon Resnick.

And good luck on the move, VP Harris. Yeah, I hope that you have a really easy go of it. And if not, you can buy pizza for your friends who are helping. Just be careful with the box that says fragile. That's I'm not always so. What a day is a production of Crooked Media. It's recorded and mixed by Charlotte Landis. Sonia Tan is our assistant producer. Our head writer is John Milstein and our executive producers are Katie Long, Akilah Hughes and me. Our theme music is by Colin Gilliard and Kashaka.