9 chapters across the catalog
Israel and Hamas reached a temporary hostage deal mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. after 46 days of conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the war would continue until Hamas is eliminated, despite the brief respite. The segment also critiques the use of "incubator babies" in media coverage and a flubbed press briefing by a State Department spokesperson regarding hospital infrastructure.
Biden State of the Union Delay and New York Hospitalization Mix
President Biden has delayed his first State of the Union address until March 1st, the latest in history, citing the Winter Olympics and COVID-19. Meanwhile, an end-of-show audio mix highlights that half of COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York City are "incidental," meaning patients were admitted for other reasons and tested positive upon arrival. The show concludes with a reminder that "this is not 2020, this is 2022."
New York State of Emergency, Hospital Staffing, Sutter Health
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency to prepare hospitals for a potential winter wave. Reports indicate that hospital capacity issues are being exacerbated by staffing shortages rather than patient volume, with some doctors leaving large networks like Sutter Health.
In contrast to Australia, the United States is seeing significant pushback against vaccine mandates from healthcare workers and conservative politicians. The hosts praise individuals choosing to lose their jobs rather than comply with mandates, labeling them as brave patriots. They note that the lack of a consolidated state power in the US allows for more effective resistance than in Australia.
COVID-19 Model Revisions, Washington Field Hospital
Governor Jay Inslee announced the return of a 250-bed Army field hospital as Washington state successfully flattened its infection curve. The decision reflects a broader trend of revised COVID-19 models showing lower projected death tolls than initially feared.
New York City Coronavirus Crisis, Hospital Capacity Challenges
New York City faces record-breaking 911 calls and hospital capacity shortages, leading to the conversion of the U.S. Open tennis stadium into a medical facility. Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed his brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, tested positive for the virus as the state death toll continues to rise. Medical workers are being honored with light displays at the Empire State Building while families plead for plasma donors.
Mental Health Institutions, Reagan Era Policy, Black Incarceration
The closure of mental health facilities in the 1980s under the Reagan administration is linked to the subsequent rise in prison populations. Kanye West noted that the lack of these institutions led to higher arrest rates in the black community. The discussion highlights how liberal pressure to close "horrible" facilities resulted in the mentally ill being funneled into the criminal justice system.
History of Homelessness, De-institutionalization Policies
The modern homelessness crisis is traced back to the 1970s "de-institutionalization" movement, which closed state mental hospitals in favor of civil rights for the mentally ill. While Ronald Reagan is often blamed for these closures as Governor of California, the policy was a "buy-one-get-one-free" for politicians who could appear as social justice heroes while saving hundreds of millions in state funding.
Elizabeth Trudeau, Russian Hospital Bombing Allegations
State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau is criticized for her handling of questions regarding Russian airstrikes in Syria. The hosts review a report from RT (Russia Today) that uses satellite imagery to challenge U.S. claims that Russia bombed a hospital in Sarmin, suggesting the U.S. is relying on biased NGO data.
