COVID-19 Recession, Socialism in America, Cigarettes

Will the Coronavirus Pandemic Spark a Global Recession? (0:31) Guest: Josh Bivens, Director of Research, Economic Policy Institute The economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic are expanding hourly, as more countries restrict travel, businesses and universities close or urge people to work from home and large gatherings get cancelled – the NBA, NHL have even suspended their seasons. A week ago, economist Josh Bivens warned that if COVID-19 prompts a recession, it’ll happen fast. Are we there now? RecycleHealth Sends Unused Health Devices to Underserved Communities for Free (21:00) Guest: Lisa Gualtieri, PhD, Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Founder Of RecycleHealth Fitness trackers are so common, you probably have one on your wrist right now, or else it’s gathering dust in a drawer somewhere because you lost interest after a few months. That happens so often that a Tufts University public health researcher created a nonprofit to gather abandoned Fitbits and smart watches and give them new homes. Why Is Socialism No Longer Such a Bad Word in American Society? (32:42) Guest: Professor Richard D. Wolff, Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Author of "Understanding Socialism" The most famous socialist in America is staying in the presidential race for now – even though Bernie Sanders is trailing Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination. Technically, Bernie Sanders says he’s a “Democratic Socialist.” What does that actually mean, and why do his policies seem to resonate so well with young voters, when “socialism” has been a bad word in America for so long? How Grassroots Activists Turned America Against Smoking (50:45) Guest: Sarah Milov, PhD, Assistant Professor of History, University of Virginia, Author of “The Cigarette: A Political History” If you look at smoking trends in America starting in the 1960s, the line goes steadily downward. In 1964, nearly half of Americans smoked. Today only 14 p