COVID’s deadliest new hotspot is close to the U.S.

Main Topic: The podcast episode discusses three main topics: the COVID-19 pandemic in South America, the use of ranked-choice voting in the New York City mayoral primary election, and various other news stories.

Key Points:

1. The COVID-19 pandemic is surging in South America, with the continent accounting for a quarter of the global death toll despite having only 5% of the global population.
2. The pandemic is fueled by dense cities, slow vaccination rates, and the spread of new variants, including the gamma strain that emerged in Brazil.
3. The pandemic has led to protests and political upheaval in several South American countries, including Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
4. The New York City mayoral primary election is using ranked-choice voting, a system in which voters can list up to five candidates in order of preference.
5. Ranked-choice voting is being tested in the election, with supporters arguing that it can reduce polarization and negative campaigning, while critics argue that it is too complicated.
6. Las Vegas Raiders player Carl Nassib has come out as gay, becoming the first active professional football player to do so.
7. A California pistachio company reported a theft of 42 pounds of pistachios, highlighting a trend of nut heists in the state.

Participants: