BPR Full Show 1/27/21: Sisyphean

Today on Boston Public Radio:

Former Mass. education secretary Paul Reville discusses the CDC’s latest statement reassuring schools that they can operate safely in-person, and frustration from the Mass. educators about their standing in the state's vaccine rollout plan.

Next, we turned to listeners, hearing your thoughts on whether the state ought to prioritize vaccinating teachers ahead of school reopening in Mass.

M.I.T. economist Jonathan Gruber breaks down President Biden's plan to expand the child tax credit, and explained the significance of making those credits fully refundable.

CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem talks about the state of the forthcoming Senate impeachment trial of President Trump. She also discusses how President Biden is preparing FEMA to take preemptive action against natural disasters brought by climate change.

Medical ethicist Art Caplan weighs in on President Biden’s handling of the pandemic during his first week in office, and talks about the need for countries to anticipate snags in vaccine manufacturing and distribution. He also touches on the slow rollout of vaccines in Mass., and concerns he has with the 22,000 fans attending this year's Super Bowl.

Then, we return to callers for the ongoing conversation about teacher vaccinations and in-person learning.

Sy Montgomery returns for our monthly edition of "Afternoon Zoo." Among other animal stories, she talks about the bizarre and slow-paced mating rituals of the Shipworm, the majesty of mosquito birth, and the thieving monkeys of Bali.