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Voting in the Bubble

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Andy’s brought Mike Birbiglia, Chelsea Clinton, DeRay Mckesson, Kara Swisher, 12-year old Catie, Julián Castro, Andy’s mom and a number of other surprises to keep you entertained while you vote! Plus two co-host epidemiologists, Caitlin Rivers and Farzad Mostashari, to review safety tips for voting. You’ll laugh, you’ll think, you’ll be inspired … but most importantly, you’ll vote!

Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt and Instagram @andyslavitt.

Follow Caitlin Rivers @cmyeaton and Farzad Mostashari @Farzad_MD on Twitter.

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Transcript

SPEAKERS

Arnie Duncan, Dr. Farzad Mostashari, Pete Buttigieg, Zach, Dr. Caitlin Rivers, Kara Swisher, Julian Castro, Kaya Henderson, Zeke Emanuel, Andy’s Mom, Speaker 2, Andy Slavitt, Katie Price, Chelsea Clinton, Nick Bagley, Dre, Mike Birbiglia

Andy Slavitt  00:01

I’m waiting in line. I’m waiting in line, I’m waiting in line, I’m waiting in line, I’m waiting in line, I’m waiting in line, waiting in line. Okay.

Andy Slavitt

Welcome to IN THE BUBBLE. This is Andy Slavitt, voting edition. Do you want to mention any people voting, do you want to give a message?

Speaker 2  00:35

To who?

Andy Slavitt  00:36

People voting.

Speaker 2

What do you want me to say?

Andy Slavitt

I don’t know, do you want to say something to the people who are voting?

Speaker 2

Shout out to all the people in line in Minneapolis.

Andy Slavitt  00:44

All right. Let us shout you out. And to you welcome IN THE BUBBLE. It is the VOTING EDITION. This is Andy Slavitt. Very exciting day. If you’re like me, you’ve kind of wished every day for the last four years was voting day. But it’s finally here. And we have a special podcast for you. We have some surprise messages from some surprise guests. For people, you know, who will talk you through what voting means to them and I should think about voting. I also asked Al Franken, if he would record himself in line for us. So, Al will be reporting to us from the voting station as he is voting. Al, of course, the former Minnesota senator, the Saturday Night Live comedian and writer is in line for us to report on how voting is going where he is. And then I will also just have a little bit of a guide with two of your favorite epidemiologists who’ve been on the show before Farzad Mostashari, Caitlin Rivers, and we’re just talking about how to vote safe, how to be a coworker safely, how to make sure that aspect is taken care of that can be done, I think you’ll hear that. And they’re good fun to talk to. So, I think that we should really roll into the show. And I also have a Spotify playlist that I think you’ll find, we just search on Spotify, it is all of the inspiring music that you should play while you vote. Oh, finally, one more thing as you’re voting. Take a selfie post it on Twitter with the hashtag #votinginthebubble. For each picture we get, we will be making a donation to World Central Kitchen. So, let’s get a lot of pictures. Okay, let’s roll into the show.

Zach  02:41

Hey, everyone, this is Zach. And I’m back with another fact this time about voting. I know it’s been a while since I’ve done one of these. But I just wanted to encourage young people to vote. And it’s really important this year because less than half of eligible voters under 30 voted in 2016. I recently voted for my first time and I hope everyone else who can vote does so as well. We have clips from many of our previous guests, including my grandma, ranging from 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. And I really hope everyone’s been enjoying the podcast, because I know it’s a lot of fun to put together and I really miss doing it.

Andy Slavitt

Welcome back two of our favorite actually your favorite as listeners, people we’ve ever had on the show and I’m talking about this super epidemiologist of Caitlin Rivers and Farzad Mostashari. Welcome back to the show, guys.

Dr. Farzad Mostashari

Thank you.

Dr. Caitlin Rivers

Thanks.

Andy Slavitt

You guys been anywhere near the White House recently? You guys okay?

Dr. Farzad Mostashari

I try to avoid super spreader sites.

Andy Slavitt 

All right. Well, we’re here to talk to folks as they’re waiting in line to keep them busy. Because sometimes the lines get long, but with some informative information, and you guys are going to be the experts and we’re going to play the game we’ve played before SAFE OR UNSAFE VOTING EDITION. So, tell us guys first of all, is it okay for people to show up and vote in person? And if so, what precautions should they take? Okay, Caitlin, why don’t you start?

Dr. Caitlin Rivers  04:20

Yeah, I was ready. I’m planning to vote in person I think with proper with the proper approach the risk can approach that of going to the grocery store. I think with masks and social distancing, particularly if you do the waiting bit while outside it can look a lot like going to the grocery store. So, I will be voting in person.

Andy Slavitt 

So, like you bring mittens and stuff in case it’s cold outside. But they’ll socially distance you.

Dr. Caitlin Rivers

I think so.

Dr. Farzad Mostashari 

I’m voting by mail. And my message to those who are listening to this waiting in line is thank you for voting. But you know, what were you doing two weeks ago, you should have sent in your mail in ballot I’m still glad you’re voting but I think the best way to minimize the risk is by mailing and those who’ve and also early voting where we can spread out the crowds hopefully and minimize the time.

Andy Slavitt

This is not the episode for that Farzad, this is like the stuff you should have told me yesterday. We’re talking. November 2nd, November 3rd people, some people like the experience of voting on election day in line, or maybe they made a plan to vote, and it didn’t work out. So, don’t get so judgy they’re voting now.

Dr. Farzad Mostashari 

No blame, no blame, no blame. I’m glad you’re I’m glad you’re voting.

Andy Slavitt

And it is still safe, in your opinion?

Dr. Caitlin Rivers 

Yeah, I think, as Caitlyn said, it’s the usual precaution stand and my usual rule of thumb stands, how many breaths are you going to share with other people and if you can keep your distance, while in line, particularly if it’s outdoors, it’s not crowded, and you have a mask on, that’s a pretty safe, pretty safe formula for the voters. I do worry some about our poll workers particularly, we know that there are a lot of lot of older folks who volunteer have volunteered as poll workers. And I think the other thing that you can do, if you’re so inclined, is to volunteer to work. As a poll worker, we actually have 60 people in my company who volunteered to, we give him the day off from work, and they’re the younger healthy people who can who can take the place for the poll workers who are going to be more exposed.

Andy Slavitt  06:38

So, I’m hearing a bunch of stuff out of your mouth here for hours. I but the one thing I hear that’s useful, is be respectful of the poll workers.

Dr. Farzad Mostashari 

Yeah, for sure.

Andy Slavitt

Because they’re going to be dealing with this all day long. And even beyond your sake, giving them a safe distance is a great idea. I think that’s a really important, and really important point.

Man in line

I’m still on line, just on line, still. Oh, boy. Still in line. I am still in line.

Dre 

Hey, this is Dre, and a lot is on the line with the selection. Now, a couple things when I think about the vote, it is the power to higher fire in shape. We got to make sure that we get the people and we want that we get rid of the people we don’t want and that I values are represented at every step of the process. So yeah, we’re electing the President, because we need to elect the president, we are also electing people in Congress, you’re electing your mayor. But you are also electing people who bring your values in the room. And that’s why this is important. And we just got to get rid of some of the bad people. That has to be how we think of it. So, I’m voting for myself as much as I’m voting for my community. But if for queer people, I’m voting for black people, I’m up for a lot of people. The other thing is that the vote is one token that we’re trying to build a big house and the house we’re building can’t build it with just one tool.

08:18

The hammer is not enough to build the house, that is justice and equity enjoy. The wrench is not enough to build a house, you actually have to use all the tools and voting is one of the tools. So, vote, and protest and run for office and testify. And lobby like it is all of the things you just can’t use one of the tools. The third thing is that there is so much at stake. So please vote like your life depends on it, because this administration is literally trying to kill everybody. And we can have that, like we deserve something much better. I’m excited that if we are victorious on election day, that it won’t just be a president and vice president we’re electing, it’ll be a whole administration of people have high values. It’ll be a congress standing behind them, so that we’d never backtrack and go to the past that didn’t serve our interests. Well, we deserve so much and let this be the beginning of getting it. Let’s go.

Andy’s Mom

Hi, I’m Andy’s mom. And I just want to tell you that I have been through many, many elections, and none is more important than this one. There is so much on the line. And we’re all doing a good thing by voting. So, let’s just wish each other good luck.

Andy Slavitt

All right now, you’re going to hear from a good friend of mine. Her name is Katie Price. She is the only person you’ll hear from who is not voting herself, because she is 12. But I think after you listen to her, you will be very incentivized to vote. I can’t wait for people like Katie to be taken over this country and this planet.

Katie Price

Well, I think that is important vote. Because in a time like this, it’s important to be heard, especially when there are people saying that there are certain people that are being discriminated against, and they don’t get to be heard, as well as other people. And I think everyone needs a chance to vote and share their opinion, especially in a time like this where we are struggling. And I mean, if Trump wins, then our country might just fall apart in a time like this, we need someone who will keep us all together, and not tear us apart and not see not see color and not see gender and not see anything like that, it’s just seen that we’re all the same, and that we all need to love each other. And that we, we all just need each other to support us in a time like this.

10:47

And we’re all struggling, you know, we all we’re all having trouble in a time like this, it’s impossible not to be affected by this right now in America, and to have a President who’s going to keep us apart and to lie to us and tell us that science is not right. And I think that is why we need to get him out of office. And he has so much power to do things that are going to make terrible effects on the next generation and what’s going on right now. And we need to get them out and get someone who loves us all, and treats us all the same. And who is going to support us over and over again and elect someone in the Supreme Court who is there for everyone who believes in rights for everyone who is not anti-abortion, who believes in LGBTQ+ rights, who is Black Lives Matter, everything like that.

And that is not what we have right now. I think that’s what we need, we need to get someone who believes in science and someone who is I mean, mentally stable enough to run a country. And that’s not what we have right now. So, I’m not saying this is just my opinion when it comes to like politics, but it’s you just need to vote. Yeah, voting is just incredibly important at a time like this, just be heard, you know, and make your point. And that’s what America is about. Right now. It’s just going to all be heard, we need to all come together to make America a better place. And thank you, Andy, so much. Thank you for this opportunity.

Andy Slavitt  12:26

The next voice will come to you from Julian Castro who wanted to send a very special message to you Julian was the Housing and Urban Development Secretary under President Obama, here’s Julian has to say.

Julian Castro 

it’s hard to believe that November 3 is here, because it seems like this election has been going on forever. It’s wonderful to see so many people out there exercising their right to vote, including in my home state of Texas, where we’re seeing unprecedented turnout, that’s fitting because the stakes of this election are so high. Maybe the best example of that is that a week after election day, on November 10, the Supreme Court is going to hear a case about the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. And it’s very possible in fact, most people think likely that it could get struck down or significantly limited. That means that the only alternative if we want to keep healthcare as available and accessible and affordable as it is today is to have new legislation.

13:31

And that’ll require a new Congress and a new President with Democrats in control. And that’s just one example. Whether we’re talking about equality or investment in educational opportunity, or housing, or any number of things. The difference between keeping Donald Trump and embracing Joe Biden and starting fresh is, you know, enormous, not to mention the fact that we have a President who, in my estimation, in the estimation of many has failed on the pandemic, and we need a leader who can actually handle it. So, it’s good, I think, for people to realize how important this vote is and to get out there and exercise their right to vote and I hope that everybody is talking to their family, their friends, their neighbors, their coworkers, their classmates, and letting them know how important it is to vote.

Speaker 2 

Jesus Christ. I’m still on line. Oh my god. Oh, my Lord. Oh, okay. Voting a Trump. I hate Trump

Zeke Emanuel

Hello, this is Zeke Emanuel. I want to tell you a story about the first time I remember going to a polling place. I was about eight or nine years old with my mother. We were in the city of Chicago, a democratic stronghold during the Mayor Daley regime. It was 1966. And it was a big contest in the Senate, between the sitting senator Paul Douglas, a longtime new dealer, and very liberal member, and the upstart Republican, Charles Percy, who came from a corporate background, but was anti-Vietnam War. My mother was torn, a lifelong Democrat, but very anti-war. And thought as immoral. She used to take us into the voting booth to educate us about the importance of being a solid citizen. And I remember she closed the curtain behind her, but it was all open.

And she pulled the lever for Charles Percy, and I pushed it up and said, no grandpa said, It’s Paul Douglas, and pull down the Paul Douglas. And she slapped my hand and pulled down Charles Percy and rapidly opened the curtain, to the amazement of everyone in the polling place who heard how she had voted because of my loud mouth. It was my first very strong stand in politics. And it indicated the importance of voting to me and what was at stake at various times. So please, I’m so happy that you’re voting, it’s so important in this election, take your time, vote. it’s really critical that we get the right government that represents our views, and will do the right thing for the United States of America. Thank you and thank you for your citizenship.

Andy Slavitt

Okay, so what do you do? If you’re there? And there’s someone who’s not practicing the safest practices? Maybe they’re, they’re doing that mask with the nose hanging out thing? Or maybe they’re not wearing a mask? Because it’s not required? And I think, you know, in Ohio and a couple of other states, the Governor’s said that, no, we’re used to seeing the situation where we see someone without a mask. And we’re like, Okay, this is not good. This is a terrible event. I don’t know what you think people’s options are. But let me start with you, Caitlin. Should people just like run away? Are they okay? Are they taking a risk? What do you what do you think?

Dr. Caitlin Rivers

Well, if you are so inclined, I think you could remind or ask the person to adjust their mask as a small woman, I tend to avoid those confrontations. So, I think I would just give a wide berth to someone who didn’t have a mask on but I would not let it deter me from voting, I might take a spot further back in line or just give them a little extra space. I don’t think it’s a crisis. But it’s not ideal.

Andy Slavitt  18:06

Strategic line management. So, find a bunch of people that look like salad mask where’s in Beeline near that? No, it’s this is practical advice is good. I know that you’re probably looking at someone right now. And you’re suspicious about their mask, but you don’t glare at them. Just move to the right spot in line.

Dr. Farzad Mostashari  18:23

I guess I agree with this. But I think it’s valid discussion, that people should be able to vote regardless of whether they’re wearing a mask or not. I do think it is particularly unfair to the poll workers. You know, I don’t think it’s I don’t think it’s very ethical behavior to expose other people. But I wouldn’t want to see voting rights taken away for anybody.

Andy Slavitt 

But here’s what here’s what I might do. Because I think, you know, you’re right Farzad, you know, today to be accommodating to everybody. And we don’t know people’s personal story about why they, you know, there could be it could be legitimate reasons why they can’t wear masks. But if I were there, I might say to the person who said, Hey, you know what, I’m nervous about going in with people who are not wearing a mask or who not distancing and so forth. Is there a time is there a better time when you can send me in. And universally the people who work at these places are like the nicest. They’re just they’re like people who work in libraries. They’re wonderful. They don’t shush you as much either which is great. So, I think that’s another strategy

Dr. Farzad Mostashari

The harm reduction there is I don’t know Caitlyn curious what you think about face shields as an alternative to people who don’t feel comfortable wearing masks offering them that or doubling up. That’s the other thing if you’re really concerned, particularly if you’re a vulnerable population from a health reason to double up the mask and face shield. I don’t know Caitlin, what do you think about the evidence there or recommendations?

Dr. Caitlin Rivers

I was gonna say this thing actually if you are someone who can’t wear a mask for health reasons but you still want to vote which you should and I think a face shield is the second-best thing I do not recommend a face shield alone if you can wear a mask but if it’s if it’s a face shield or nothing then go for the face shield.

Andy Slavitt  20:14

Should you double mask if you can’t if you’re now we’re talking about people who wear masks in case could you double mask for the for the short time that you’re that you’re that I see people doing that kind of thing on airplanes and so on. Does that do anything?

Dr. Caitlin Rivers

I don’t know that there’s strong evidence that it does anything we know that thicker masks and well-fitting masks are likely and more protective both for you and the people around you then flimsy mask that doesn’t fit that well. I don’t think we have hard data to say one way or the other. But as long as you’re comfortable and it’s not making it difficult for you to breathe or to feel claustrophobic and you want to double up I don’t see the harm.

Dr. Farzad Mostashari 

I’m with Caitlin on this one. I think getting a better mask is more important than doubling up and in particular surgical masks. That may seem flimsy but they’re actually you know designed with nonwoven materials and triple layer and all that to filter out particulars. I think that is the best I’d much far better to wear a surgical mask that properly fits than to you know, put two or three cotton masks on top of each other.

Andy Slavitt

Who would have thought a year ago that you’d be standing in line to vote listening to a wonderful epidemiologist talk about fine woven masks. Don’t go anywhere. We’ve got to go earn some money to donate to charity.

Man in line

Okay, still in line, still in line.

Mike Birbiglia

Hey Andy, and Andy’s listeners IN THE BUBBLE, it’s Mike Birbiglia, it is possibly the only comedian on the on the voting episode. I’m just checking in with some jokes that I hope expire and aren’t relevant. After we all vote this week. By the way, and I’ve made a little video on my @birbigs in Twitter and @birbigs on Instagram the other day, but it’s really crucial. If you’re not volunteering, or phone banking, which you can do, you can go to votesaveamerica.com there’s a you can learn all about that guy stuff. If you’re not doing that, you can do something so simple, which is I actually sound a little bit like Andy there where my voice can, you can use, you can do something so simple, which is, you can just call like, 10 people, you know? And sometimes people go, No, I don’t know, 10 people, I’m like, you know, 10 people, you just don’t want to call the dead people because you don’t have a great conversation with someone from your past who you know, you’ve owed a phone call to because you didn’t return their salad bowl or whatever it is.

23:07

That’s not an innuendo of any kind. But called dead people just be like, and don’t have an argument about politics. Just go, Hey, you should vote, we should all participate. Because if we all participate, my sense, and I might be wrong, and Andy could correct me on this. I think that if we all vote, we’re gonna end up electing someone who believes in science, because I think that the majority of Americans believe in science. Maybe I’m not. But I’ll say these are my These are my last few jokes. If you don’t know me, I’m a comedian did on Netflix, THE NEW ONE, THANK GOD FOR JOKES. My girlfriend’s boyfriend, I have a podcast working it out. Anyway, just so you aren’t confused when I start telling jokes right now. Here’s my vote. Here are my voting jokes. I didn’t used to care about voting when I was younger. But now I’m like, when can we vote again, I’m just wandering into high school gymnasiums, just looking for levers to pull, grabbing fire alarms, because it’s an emergency.

And it’s a strange type of an emergency. Because some people don’t think it’s an emergency. And that’s like 40% of America. And it’s hard to have conversations with people who support Trump still after all of this, but I actually I came up with something, which is it the next time somebody says to you like what’s wrong with Trump? I think that what you have to say is, I think a better question is what’s right with Trump, you know, it. I think it’s a little bit like, like if you had a vase, and you dropped the vase on cement, and it breaks in 1000 pieces and then someone walks up and goes, What’s wrong with the vase? Like, no, no. What’s wrong with it is that those thousand shards of glass, sometimes form into a structure that holds water. And I think what I’m saying is, we need a new vase. Even if the new vase is an old vase, that’s going to promise to bring a new vase. And that’ll be good. And, and I know what you’re thinking, Mike, don’t alienate the vase.

And I don’t mean to alienate the vase. I think there’s an extrude. I actually appreciate being invited to give a little message on the on the podcast today, because I think there’s social media is sort of madness, people a lot of name calling. And the thing that they call me, is a Coastal Elite. Just because I live on a coast, and I’m better than other people. But I actually find that term offensive to high ranking members of the Coast Guard. Can you imagine if I showed up to a meeting of our coast guard officials with my Brooklyn buddies, and we had our moustache wax and our pour over coffees, and I’m like, Ahoy Captain, Coastal Elites on board. And we do not want children in cages. And to prove how strongly we feel we are prepared to post about it on social media, Ira, fire up the giffs.

26:35

And then the other thing that people came after me recently, and they said, they call me Coastal Elite. And then one of these crazy right-wing sites called me a Hollywood Elite, even though I have never lived or worked in Hollywood, and it’s sad for me, because I auditioned to be a Hollywood Elite, and I didn’t get the part. They gave it a Paul Rudd, Rudd strikes again. So, I’ll leave you with this. Maybe this is positive, maybe this is negative. But it’s a truism, at least for me, is I really embarrassingly, I didn’t used to care as much about voting in this process. But now I have a child, I have a daughter, and she’s five.

And if she, you know, when she gets older, and if she does something wrong, which of course, all kids do something wrong, I’m gonna have to discipline her and say, like, I, you know, go to your room, or whatever. And she’ll say, you elected a broke racist game show host who paid off a porn star and then separated kids from their parents, and dismantle the EPA. So, the government isn’t accountable. If me and my friends don’t breathe clean air, or drink clean water? Why don’t you go to your room? And I’m gonna go, because she’s not wrong. So that that’s my, what do they call it in politics? That’s my that’s my closing message. It’s my closing statement.

28:10

My closing argument, I think, is what President Obama said the other day. That’s my closing argument. We’re all gonna have to go to a room. If we don’t make sure people vote. Honestly, make sure people vote just because you think that everyone’s gonna vote does not mean they’re gonna vote, make sure they have a voting plan, have them go to votesavemerica.com, click on the thing that says, make a plan. And, then make sure 10 people do it and see if those 10 people will, will do that with their 10 people. I think we can do this, everybody. Thank you, Andy, for having me. On the podcast, I love the podcast, and be safe, everybody. I think we can do this.

Chelsea Clinton

Hi everyone, this is Chelsea Clinton. And I’m voting in this election because I want my children and all of our kids and all of us that aren’t kids to live in to grow up in to grow old in a country that is radically different than the one that we’re living in right now. A country that is radically different because we have radically different leadership that believes in public health in science, and believes in human rights and civil rights and voting rights and acts accordingly. A government that actually protects public health will respond, finally, with a national strategy to combat COVID that will respond to the existential threat that is climate change. That knows it is unacceptable to have to wait four or five, six hours or more to vote. That’s unacceptable. to not know if you mail in your ballot if it’s going to reach the local board of elections in time, even if you mailed it, I don’t know, a week or two kind of before election day. And that knows it’s never okay to take kids away from their families. Not at the border, not in a detention center. Not hopefully, in the country that we will be post January 20 2021. So, I’m proudly voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and I cannot wait to be able to call them President Biden and Vice president Harris next year.

Man in line  30:41

Okay. It’s moving. It’s moving. Huh? Oh, next.

Nick Bagley 

Hey, this is Nick Bagley from the University of Michigan Law School. Get up there and vote, I’m going to be voting because the Affordable Care Act is in jeopardy. The Supreme Court is set to hear a case about its constitutionality. And it could invalidate the whole law leading 23 million people to lose their health insurance coverage. But I’m not just voting because of the Affordable Care Act. I’m voting too because you want to keep in mind all the nasty things that President Trump could do when it comes to health insurance if he gets another four years in office. Right now, 19 states have asked for permission to impose work requirements and their Medicaid programs. What that means is that people who are on Medicaid, these are the poorest of the poor, are going to be asked to find a job or they’re going to be kicked off the Medicaid rolls. And this during a global pandemic when there are no jobs to be had. So far, the Trump administration’s efforts to give permission to these red states to impose work requirements have been blocked in the courts. But I think a supermajority Supreme Court might let those go ahead. And for that to happen. We could see hundreds of thousands maybe even millions of people lose health insurance coverage. So, get out there vote like your life depends on it because a lot of people’s lives do depend on it.

Kara Swisher  32:10

Hi, I’m Kara Swisher of THE SWAY AND PIVOT PODCAST. I spent the last 30 years covering the tech industry from its startup origins and garages barely scraping by to the trillion-dollar behemoths. They are now with unlimited power to influence everyone. So, I know about power. And here’s why you should vote. You don’t want to let billionaires like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg making the decisions that will impact everyone do you? No, you do not. So, vote because no matter how rich you are, everyone gets just one vote.

Andy Slavitt

And now for something we like to call advertising.

Man in line

I’m waiting in line. Oh, I’m waiting. I’m waiting in line, waiting in line, I’m waiting in line. I’m waiting in line. Okay, I’m waiting in line. I’m waiting in line and waiting in line. Waiting in line.

Andy Slavitt

Anyway, I hope your lines moving. But I’m gonna move on to some of the next question. So hopefully you’re moving on, you’re getting close to the voting. Let’s talk about the poll worker. Because if you’re a poll worker, you’re probably listening to this the day before, not the day off because you got to be paying attention. I’ve seen all the training stuff and it’s not simple stuff. You got to do a lot of work you got to hit that stickers, you got a ton of ballots there’s a lot of different things you got to potentially do. Get intimidate voters don’t just what are the things you tell a poll worker? How often should they ask for breaks? What are the what are the kinds of do’s and don’ts?

Dr. Caitlin Rivers  34:24

Well, I think poll workers have a higher risk than voters because they are indoors. They have a lot more contacts and they’re just spending a lot more time in a more risky environment. And so, if they have the option, I would recommend that poll workers wear a nice mask which could be a surgical mask like Farzad recommended I see them for sale in a grocery store now so I think they are pretty widely available. And I would think about eye protection personally which could look like glasses if you’re if you wear glasses, a face shield, goggles, whatever covers your eyes and is convenient and easy to wear

Andy Slavitt

Wraparound sunglasses.

Dr. Caitlin Rivers

I think that might make it difficult to do your job but if it works for you, I think in terms of coronavirus control it’s fine.

Dr. Farzad Mostashari

Yeah, you know, you’re supposed to intimidate the voters, Andy.

Andy Slavitt

I’m thinking about a small, elderly person with wraparound sunglasses, not a giant person, then you’re right.

Dr. Farzad Mostashari

Yeah. I agree there was a recent CDC guidance that was a subtle shift more in the direction of counting breaths, right? How many minutes? Are we sharing? Cumulative? And the finding basically, is that, you know, it doesn’t have to be there’s no magic around 15 minutes continuously defining an exposure. You know, 15 to 1-minute exposures, probably have the same amount of risk as 1 to 15-minute exposure. And so I do think that, again, that underscores that the poll workers really are facing a lot of short interactions, but in cumulative, that can pose a risk, particularly vulnerable, folks, so they should take extra precautions, I do think, face shield plus mask and to take the breaks to be able to change the mask, if they’re feeling like it’s getting wet, it’s getting uncomfortable for them, if it’s getting itchy, whatever for them to be able to take a break to go out, change the mask, and then come back in.

Andy Slavitt

All right. Anything else on that topic?

Dr. Farzad Mostashari

The only other thing is generally, we talked about last time about how fomites don’t seem to be a major route of transmission for COVID surfaces. But I would I would say that that’s the poll workers is one part in these machines are going to be where there are, you know, you’re touching the machines and touching the pens and whatnot. I do think that there is a fair amount of surface contact with folks. So, I would recommend the using the sanitizers.

Man in line

Really, someone recorded that for me to listen to all I wait in line. What the?

Pete Buttigieg

Hi, this is Pete Buttigieg, and I believe it’s so important for everyone to vote this year, because so much is on the line. Every election is a big deal. It’s the moment when we are trusted under the Constitution, to choose our leaders in the direction of the country. But this year, this year matters like never before. I’m convinced that this 2020 election will decide how life in America unfolds for the rest of this century. We know that lives are on the line, not just with the pandemic response that is so critically important, but also with our economy with equity and justice in this country. And decisions on issues like climate change, where America’s not gonna get a do over. That’s some of what’s on my mind when I’m voting. And I hope that everybody uses that incredibly important and hard-fought power to shape the future of this country.

Arnie Duncan  38:06

Hi, this is Arnie Duncan. And I’m asking you, I’m encouraging you, I’m begging with you. I’m pleading with you. Please, please vote tomorrow. I don’t say this is easily or lightly. This is the most consequential election we’ve seen in decades, maybe forever. And hopefully it will be the most consequential election our kids will see for the next couple of decades. It is that big a deal. This is not about republican versus Democrat. This is not about this policy versus that policy. This is fighting to save our democracy. Please vote. I’m voting for Joe Biden. I had the pleasure of traveling with him across the country repeatedly. During the Obama administration. I saw his heart. I saw his passion. I saw his commitment to people. I saw how much he cared. I also honestly saw how he struggled with his son’s very serious illness progressed in the wrong direction. And he knows humanity. He understands people, and just remarkably deep way. I feel so good about him. I feel so good about where our country can go. But Joe Biden can’t save our democracy. We have to do it. The only way we do that is if we show up and vote. Thank you so much.

Andy Slavitt

She doesn’t introduce herself. But you’re going to hear next from Kaya Henderson, Kaya was the head of the Washington D.C Public School District. Very inspiring. And here she is.

Kaya Henderson

Whenever I was facing something really hard, my grandmother would always tell me nothing beats a failure but a try. She meant that when you’re facing a tough situation, all you can do is your absolute best to turn it around. And more often than not, it works out. That’s how I feel about voting. We’re facing a tough situation. People are sick people are struggling people are hurting. And it can all feel like too much. My grandmother would tell us that nothing beats a failure but a try. So go do what my grandmother would have done, go vote, I’m voting you need to vote. If we all try together, we can beat this failure.

Andy Slavitt  40:22

Okay, I hope you got through the line, I hope you voted. If you haven’t been, then vote tomorrow, if you voted already, great. tell other people to vote, bring this play online or go play the playlist. Either way, we want you to get through it and not be bored. It is probably the thing you can do that’s going to have the most impact on the outcome of this pandemic. That’s just the way it is. Let me tell you what you got coming up. We have a show on Wednesday. Now bear with me Wednesday Show. I’m going to ask Jessica Yellin, who is the former CNN, Chief White House correspondent to co-host it with me. She will be bringing you the results of the election, what we know I will be bringing you the impact on COVID-19 and the pandemic and together we will give you a great podcast episode, I promise. Then the following Monday and Wednesday, we have shows that are going to get back to our main topics. Let me tell you what they are Monday, a week from now is a toolkit episode on GETTING THROUGH WINTER. Lots of questions. Your Q&A. And Wednesday is an episode that is with the great scientist, Eric Topol, who is been very close to in studying everything that’s going on one of the smartest guys around I think you’ll really love that. And then we’re going to have an episode on THE TRANSITION because by that time, we should be fairly well into it. And I will be talking to the people leading the transition and it should be quite a good episode. All right. Way to go America will talk to you Wednesday. Good luck.

Man in line 42:13

Norway, Norway, Canada, Canada, Canada.

CREDITS

42:29

Thanks for listening IN THE BUBBLE. Hope you rate us highly. We’re a production of Lemonada Media, Chrissy Pease and Alex McOwen produced the show. Our mix is by Ivan Kuraev. My son Zach Slavitt, is emeritus co-host and onsite producer improved by the much better Lana Slavitt, my wife. Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Wittels Wachs still brew our lives that executive produced the show. And our theme was composed by Dan Molad and overhill and additional music by Ivan Kuraev. You can find out more about our show on social media @lemonadamedia. And you can find me at @aslavitt on Twitter, or at @andyslavitt on Instagram. If you like what you heard today, most importantly, please tell your friends to come listen, but still tell him at a distance or with a mask. And please stay safe, share some joy and we will get through this together. Hashtag stay home

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