L-Shaped Recovery

Emily, John and David discuss the state of the pandemic; insider trading allegations in the Senate; and Trump’s firing of the watchdog investigating Mike Pompeo. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss the online videos that have educated and entertained them during social isolation. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap. Episode Notes Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Ed Yong for the Atlantic: “America’s Patchwork Pandemic Is Fraying Even Further” Ryan Grim for the Intercept: “David Perdue Got Sweetheart Deal That Grew North of $6 Million After Election to The Senate” Here are this week’s cocktail chatters: John: These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore;   Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Tim Ferriss The Hardest Job in the World, by John Dickerson Emily: Meredith Blake for the Los Angeles Times: “The Woman Behind ‘Roe vs. Wade’ Didn’t Change Her Mind on Abortion. She was Paid” David: Normal People by Sally Rooney ; “Abhushan Gautam for the Nepali Times: When The Air is Clean: Photographs of Kathmandu Valley With Air Pollution Removed by the Coronavirus Lockdown” Listener chatter from Valerie Minor: LavaMae‘s design for a DIY handwashing station you can build for the use of people experiencing homelessness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices