Topic: 2019

The hosts revisit the 2019 "vaping pneumonia" outbreak in the U.S., noting that the lung scans showed "ground glass opacities" identical to COVID-19. They link this timeline to the temporary closure of the bioweapons facility at Fort Detrick in August 2019. They suggest that the virus may have been circulating in the U.S. earlier than officially acknowledged before being shunted to Wuhan.

Dr. Francis Collins concluded a public briefing by displaying a green model of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and promising that science would return life to its 2019 state. His final mention of "hope" was criticized as an afterthought compared to his emphasis on scientific strength and energy. Critics argue the current strategy involves blaming "rednecks" for not wearing masks while preparing to deploy vaccines in targeted cities like Houston.

The final list of $50 donors for the year 2019 is read, including Judy Schwartz and Scott Nelson. The hosts reiterate the "value for value" model and thank the community for their support throughout the year, preparing for the upcoming New Year's special.

The Labour Party suffered its worst electoral defeat since 1936, leading to questions about Jeremy Corbyn's leadership and the party's future. Media coverage focused on allegations of anti-Semitism within the party and the impact of leaked documents regarding the NHS. Comparisons are drawn between the UK results and the political climate in the United States.

Asteroid 2019 OK whizzed past Earth at 54,000 miles per hour, coming within 45,000 miles of the planet—less than a fifth of the distance to the moon. Astronomers had not been tracking the rock, which was several hundred feet across, making the "uncomfortably close" flyby a surprise to the scientific community.

A GPS "rollover" event scheduled for April 6, 2019, is drawing comparisons to Y2K due to potential software glitches in older receivers. Experts are investigating how this 1024-week cycle reset might impact global financial transactions that rely on precise satellite timestamps.

A producer known as "Anonymous Boots in the Air" requested "Goat Karma" to conduct a year-long experiment comparing the events of 2019 to a "no karma" control year in 2018. The producer intends to report back in December to verify the efficacy of the karma. The segment includes the "train foamer" jingle as requested.

CNBC and CNET coverage of the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) emphasizes 5G as a foundational platform for self-driving cars. Critics argue that the "cellular vehicle to everything" technology is overhyped and that current 5G logos on phones are misleading marketing. Gary Shapiro and Silicon Valley investors are described as desperate for 5G to justify autonomous vehicle investments for companies like Uber and Ford.