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Considering intellectual property waivers and global vaccine solutions

caption: Vials of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine are shown on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland.
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Vials of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine are shown on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland.
KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer

As Covid-19 case numbers in India reach record high numbers, the Indian diaspora in Washington get updates over text messages from miles away. We hear from Meenakshi Rishi, a Seattle University Professor about her family in India and how the role of the US in next steps. Then, a criticism of Bill Gates, a major global health leader in vaccine production. Also, we learn some of the benefit of a cosmic connection to nature and walking barefoot. And, you've heard about Save the Whales... well how about Save the Parasites?

Individual segments are available in our podcast stream or at www.kuow.org/record.

India Covid cases and global solutions

This week India reported the biggest single day increase in new Covid-19 cases in the world. Bill Radke spoke with Meenakshi Rishi professor of economics at Seattle University, about her family India and how decisions being made in the US will affect countries like India.

On Bill Gates, and suspending IP waivers for Covid-19

India and South Africa have called on the WTO to suspend Intellectual property waivers for Covid vaccines in an effort to speed up vaccine production globally. Major actors in global health and vaccine production, like Bill Gates, say that this would not be helpful due to barriers in trial production, regulatory approval and other processes. Bill Radke spoke with journalist Alexander Zaitchik about his criticism for Gates' comments, global vaccine response, and what more the WTO waiver asks.

Lyanda Haupt talks being barefoot

Have you felt the grass between your toes?--Crept your soles across cool ground or squishy mud puddles? Well, there may be some benefit to that. Seattle author Lyanda Haupt wants you to try it! Bill Radke spoke with author Lyanda Haupt about being cosmically connected to nature and her new book Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature and Spirit.

Save the parasites

We drop top dollars at bake sales and fundraisers to Save the Chinook Salmon or Save the Orcas or Save the Bald Eagles. How about Save the Leeches? Bill Radke spoke with Chelsea Wood, an Assistant Professor with the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, about saving a species you might not think you love: parasites.

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