Topic: Sanitation

New York City is transitioning from curbside plastic bag trash disposal to a mandatory hard-sided bin system to combat the growing rat population. Business owners are already required to use containers, and the mandate will expand to all businesses by March. Residents expressed mixed feelings about the trade-off between cleaner streets and the loss of street parking to accommodate the large bins.

The US Department of Labor fined a Wisconsin-based sanitation company $1.5 million for employing over 100 children in hazardous meat processing plants across eight states. Some workers were as young as 13 years old. The hosts discuss the history of youth employment and the perceived hypocrisy of reporting on domestic labor violations while ignoring international supply chain issues.

Governor Andrew Cuomo introduced "New York State Clean," a hand sanitizer produced by the state's prison labor division, Corcraft. Cuomo touted the product's 75% alcohol content and "floral bouquet" scent as superior to commercial competitors. The sanitizer was distributed to government agencies and schools to combat shortages and price gouging by private retailers.

Chilling video from the Catskill Police Department shows 29-year-old Jason Jones bursting into flames after being hit with a stun gun. Jones had doused himself in flammable hand sanitizer prior to being tased in the police station lobby. He later died from his injuries, leading to a lawsuit against the department for using 50,000 volts of electricity in a hazardous environment.

Tom Starkweather provides a "boots on the ground" report from New York City regarding reports of trash piling up. While photos confirm garbage accumulation, the report suggests the situation is not significantly worse than historical norms in neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy. The segment also briefly mentions reports of hospitals filling with non-COVID patients.

In New York City, 9,000 municipal workers were placed on unpaid leave for failing to comply with the vaccine mandate, including significant percentages of the fire and sanitation departments. In Clark County, Wisconsin, severe staff shortages at nursing homes have led to the National Guard being deployed after a five-day training course to support nursing staff.

A New York Times report on CDC warnings regarding hand sanitizer poisonings was widely misinterpreted on social media as people following bad medical advice. However, the article clarified that most incidents involved adults consuming the product for its high alcohol content due to addiction issues. The story was frequently used as a political cudgel against the Trump administration despite the underlying substance abuse context.

A suggestion is made for a public prank involving a cleaned-out hand sanitizer bottle filled with water and blue food coloring. The gag involves spraying the "sanitizer" on food and into one's mouth in a crowded restaurant to observe the reactions of panicked onlookers.

Governor Andrew Cuomo introduces "New York State Clean," a state-branded hand sanitizer with 75% alcohol content. The product is manufactured by Corecraft using state prison labor and is intended for distribution to government agencies, schools, and the MTA.

Major news networks including CBS and CNBC shift to remote broadcasting and alternate locations after employees test positive for COVID-19. The CBS Broadcast Center in New York is closed for deep cleaning, while CNBC anchors broadcast from global headquarters and other sites.

A report from KFI Los Angeles regarding homeless encampments near residential areas inspired a new "ISO" (In Search Of) soundbite titled "Fresh Loaf on the Ground." The segment describes the deteriorating sanitary conditions in California cities, where residents frequently encounter human waste on public sidewalks. The hosts use the anecdote to highlight the failure of local government to maintain basic public health standards.

Philadelphia officials declared a public health emergency following a surge in Hepatitis A cases, primarily affecting the homeless population and drug users. The city plans to install hand-washing stations and public toilets in areas like Kensington's McPherson Park to contain the contagious virus. The hosts discuss the long-term health risks of the disease, which can cause chronic liver damage.

The removal of camping ordinances in Austin has led to an increase in homeless tents on city sidewalks. A theory is proposed that visible homelessness and public defecation in wealthy cities like Austin and San Francisco are signs of extreme societal decadence and elite indifference.

San Francisco is facing a significant public health crisis involving human waste on the streets, leading to the creation of "poop maps." Some store owners are reportedly paying individuals to clean up or move away from their entrances. The city's struggle with homelessness and drug use is highlighted as a failure of local governance.

Austin, Texas is considering a $900 million bond measure that includes funding for homelessness services and light rail. Critics argue that current spending is ineffective, noting that the city has over 7,500 homeless individuals but very few shelter beds. An anecdote is shared regarding the aggressive behavior of homeless individuals in private office buildings.

San Diego has implemented large industrial-sized tents to house the homeless, with each structure accommodating 324 people and approximately 70 dogs. The hosts express skepticism regarding the sanitation and logistics of housing hundreds of people and dozens of animals in a single confined space. The conversation transitions into a critique of public restroom facilities and the emergence of tent cities in Austin, Texas.

Sir Dwayne Melancon of Tigard, Oregon, is elevated to the rank of Grand Duke with a donation of $333.32. In his note, he mentions using an ultraviolet sanitizer for his phone and keys, describing it as a modern "prepper" item. He requests the "Obama Gangster's Paradise" jingle to be played at the end of the show.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders appeared at the Global Citizen festival to promote a $300 million commitment to global sanitation. Koenders challenged the audience to choose between mobile phones and clean toilets, promising that the Netherlands would provide 50 million people with access to clean toilets by 2030.

The hosts examine "The Poop Project," a grassroots organization featured on the Climate March website that aims to heal cultural shame surrounding "potty talk." The organization is a fiscally sponsored nonprofit through Fractured Atlas that promotes conversations about sustainable sanitation. The segment includes a jingle for "Detective Dookie" and critiques the group's mission to reconnect people with their bodily functions.

The hosts address a listener's comment about the lack of diversity in Star Wars, specifically the role of the black stormtrooper as a "sanitation engineer." John Dvorak shares a personal strategy for holiday gift-giving, suggesting that husbands should sit down with their wives to create a list. A donation from Shilah Brown for her husband Dennis is acknowledged with a "boom shakalaka" jingle.