Seven months after much of the state shut down, Ohio is still seeing COVID cases increase by the thousands, even setting a new one-day record last week with over 1800 positive cases on Friday. On Monday, deaths from the coronavirus have topped 5,000; and that number continues to climb. Here in Northeast Ohio, and in other parts of the state, schools are shutting down and moving to remote learning shortly after opening. And once again, we're taking hard looks at sporting events, even into 2021.
Yesterday, almost as a reset, the Governor stressed the importance of getting on top of this thing, as cold weather approaches. Flu season is upon us and that could make for a nasty one-two punch.
On today's program we'll check in with Karen Kasler, at the Statehouse News Bureau, and get the latest from the governor's coronavirus briefing. We'll also touch on the election news out of the state capitol, as mail-in ballots continue to come in at a record pace, and early voting is well underway. Is the state able to handle the increased numbers?
Later in the hour, we shift gears and bring you a conversation with author Jonathan Alter. He's written biographies on several former presidents before, and his latest work covers the life of Jimmy Carter. In "His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life", he argues that Carter's presidency may not have been the failure it's been made out to be. He paints a picture of a misunderstood, yet revered man.
Finally, another installment of StoryCorps and ideastream's "One Small Step" project.
- Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau
- Jonathan Alter, Author, "His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life"
- Rasheeda Larkin, "One Small Step" Participant
- Neil McCormick, "One Small Step" Participant