Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democr

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democr


#1418 The morality test of the COVID age (Vaccine Distribution)

May 22, 2021

Air Date 5/22/2021 Today we take a look at the global struggle to acquire and distribute sufficient doses of vaccine in an effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not going as well as one might hope. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com  Transcript   MEMBERSHIP, Gift Memberships and Donations! (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) REFER-O-MATIC! Sign up, share widely, get rewards. It's that easy!   OUR AFFILIATE LINKS: PRODUCTION SOFTWARE: Check out the fancy audio/video editing/transcribing/collaborating software we use! BLINKIST: GET KEY INSIGHTS FROM THOUSANDS OF BOOKS! BOTL BOOKSHOP! BOTL MERCHANDISE! Want to advertise/sponsor the show? GET IN TOUCH!   SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Pandemic Immunoprivilege - In The Thick - Air Date 4-27-21 Ranna Ayyub writes for Time Magazine about the COVID-19 crisis in India and the Prime Minister’s failure to lead during this second wave. Ch. 2: We're Torn Apart: Inside India's Worsening COVID Nightmare - The Mother Jones Podcast - Air Date 5-12-21 Dean Baker, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, joined host Jamilah King on the podcast to talk about the impact this decision could have on bringing the pandemic to an end. Ch. 3: Filipino Activist Walden Bello Global Vaccine Disparity Shows Irrationality of Global Capitalism - Democracy Now! - Air Date 5-5-21 The international disparity in vaccine access between rich and low-income countries highlights “the irrationality of global capitalism,” says acclaimed Filipino scholar and activist Walden Bello. Ch. 4: Media Ramps Up Vaccine Patent Propaganda Production - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 5-8-21 Refuting the hollow arguments made by the likes of Bloomberg News against waiving the vaccine patents. Ch. 5: #VaxLive is a PR Scam So Those Causing Vaccine Inequity Can Pose as Saviors of Global Poor - Citations Needed - Air Date 4-30-21 We breakdown the anti-TRIPS waiver corporate and ideological forces behind the seemingly good-hearted #VaxLive concert on May 8th. Ch. 6: Covid Vaccines - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 5-3-21 John Oliver explains why some people don’t want to get the Covid-19 vaccine and how they might be reassured. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 7: James Love on Bill Gates & Vaccine Politics - CounterSpin - Air Date 5-7-21 How we navigate that has to do with media’s elevation of “experts” like Bill Gates raise serious questions about why we allow billionaires to set policy on something as important as public health. We talk about that with James Love. Ch. 8: #VaxLive is a PR Scam So Those Causing Vaccine Inequity Can Pose as Saviors of Global Poor Part 2 - Citations Needed - Air Date 4-30-21 Ch. 9: Pandemic Immunoprivilege Part 2 - In The Thick - Air Date 4-27-21 VOICEMAILS Ch. 10: Disney IP and copyright law - Nick From California FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on our recent bonus episode about surveillance capitalism MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions): Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr  Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com SUPPORT THE SHOW Listen Anywhere! Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com