Pandemic Freedom, Opioids during COVID-19, Meritocracy

How the Pandemic Is Testing American Ideas of Freedom and Individuality (0:29) Guest: Chris Karpowitz, PhD, Professor of Political Science, Co-Director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, BYU; Grant Madsen, PhD, Professor of History, BYU State capitols and city government buildings across the country have become the site of protests against pandemic stay-at-home and mask-wearing orders. Some of the protests have resulted in physical confrontation. Others have featured protesters armed with guns. A month ago, President Trump egged on the protests with his Twitter feed. What’s the Purpose of Nightmares? (21:13) Guest: William Kelly, Associate Professor of Psychology, California State University, Bakersfield I’m lucky to not have nightmares too often, but when I do, they’re a pretty obvious response to a daytime stress I’m having. Like the recurring one where I’m supposed to be doing this show, but I can’t get the microphone to work and I have no idea what the interview is about and I can’t stop stumbling over my words. Typical work-stress nightmare. But suppose nightmares aren’t just a reflection of daytime anxiety. What if nightmares are the mind’s way of teaching itself new skills like a sort of twisted exercise routine? COVID-19 Pandemic’s Small Silver Lining for People Seeking Treatment for Opioid Addiction (32:15) Guest: Barbara Andraka-Christou, Assistant Professor of Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, Author of "The Opioid Fix" The pandemic has offered a surprise silver-lining for people in need of treatment for opioid addiction. Social distancing rules have prompted the Trump Administration to relax some of the rules around when and how a patient can receive Suboxone and Methadone in what’s known as “medication assisted treatment” for opioid use disorder. Advocates say this kind of treatment is the nation’s best hope for ending the epidemic of opioid overdose in America. These new pandemic-related rules could be the breakthrough advocates have been