BPR Full Show 12/23/20: Holidays Tips & Congressional Tricks

Today on Boston Public Radio:

MIT economist Jon Gruber breaks down the economics behind Congress’ latest COVID relief package, and discusses his research into March's CARES Act, where he found that unemployment insurance has had more of an impact on keeping jobs and stimulating the economy than Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Next, we open lines to talk with listeners about Congress' latest $900 billion coronavirus stimulus bill, and get your takes whether it’s going to be enough to help you get by. 

CNN analyst Juliette Kayyem talks about President Trump’s latest controversial wave of pardons, and weighs the potential impact Trump could have on national security in the final weeks of his administration.

NBC Sports Boston reporter and anchor Trenni Kusnierek talks about a recent appeal made by players on the Boston Celtics to have Gov. Baker reconsider his support for the use of facial recognition software by Mass. law enforcement. She also speaks on the Patriots’ underwhelming 2020 season, and other sports headlines.

Medical ethicist Art Caplan discusses the latest news on the pandemic front, including how the U.S. is faring in its vaccine rollout, the departure of White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx, and worrying COVID-19 mutations out of the UK.

Tech writer Andy Ihnatko discusses news that President Trump won't be passing along the POTUS Twitter account to President-elect Biden, incoming privacy software from Apple that'll make it harder for websites to track user data on other platforms, and other tech headlines.

We close out Wednesday's by reopening lines for a conversation with listeners about best tipping practices for the holiday season.