You've likely heard the first U.S. case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday afternoon. It's in California.
The patient had returned from South Africa November 22nd, and had mild symptoms that are improving. They were fully vaccinated.
The world first learned about the new variant over a week ago, first showing up in South Africa. It's already been found across four continents and is in more than 23 countries, including Canada, Israel, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, and the U.K.
Now that it's here in the US, we’ll talk to Kent State epidemiologist Dr. Tara Smith what we know about omicron and what we still don't know.
Later in the hour, we discuss the latest happenings at The US Supreme Court.
Yesterday, countless eyes and ears were glued to The Court, as arguments were made that could affect the landmark Roe v Wade case.
The case and subsequent decision has stood almost 50 years, and grants a woman's constitutional right to obtaining an abortion.
What's before the court now, is a case from Mississippi than bans most abortions after 15 weeks, a timeline that violates the Roe decision.
We aired and streamed the live oral arguments presented to the Supreme Court yesterday here on 90.3 WCPN, and at ideastream DOT org, and we thought it would be worthwhile to recap the day's event's now for those who couldn’t listen to all of the proceedings.
Jessie Hill, and Jonathan Entin, both from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law weigh in with their expertise.
Last up, an introduction to the newest President of The Greater Cleveland Film Commission. Our David C. Barnett has that story.
- Tara Smith, Ph.D, Professor of Epidemiology, Kent State University
- Jonathan Entin, Professor Emeritus of Law and Adjunct Professor of Political Science, Case Western Reserve University
- Jessie Hill, Professor of Law, Case Western Reserve University's School of Law
- David C. Barnett, Senior Arts Reporter, Ideastream Public Media
