Friday marks two years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 crisis a global health pandemic. Dr. Lynn Paxton, the district health director at the Fulton Board of Health, Dr.Carlos del Rio, a distinguished professor of medicine and the executive associate dean of Emory University School of Medicine at Grady Health System, and Dr. Jacob Eichenberger, a pediatrician at Augusta University Medical Center, talk with “Closer Look” program host Rose Scott about the past, present and future of combating the coronavirus.

Lastly, Leslie Murphy, a local artist who is giving back by creating COVID memorial portraits, and Caitlin Doyle, a woman who received one of those portraits after her father died of COVID-19 in early 2021. They reflect on the importance of remembering and honoring COVID victims.

Friday marks two years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the&nbsp;COVID-19 crisis a global health pandemic. <a href="https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/inside-fulton-county/fulton-county-departments/board-of-health/board-of-health-leadership/lynn-paxton" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr. Lynn Paxton</a>, the district health director at the Fulton Board of Health, <a href="https://med.emory.edu/departments/medicine/divisions/infectious-diseases/profile/?u=CDELRIO" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr.Carlos del Rio</a>, a&nbsp;distinguished professor of medicine and the executive associate dean&nbsp;of Emory University School of Medicine at Grady Health System, and <a href="https://www.augusta.edu/mcg/pediatrics/hospital-medicine/faculty.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr.&nbsp;Jacob Eichenberger</a>, a&nbsp;pediatrician at Augusta University&nbsp;Medical&nbsp;Center, talk with “Closer Look” program host Rose Scott about the past, present and future of combating the coronavirus.Lastly, Leslie Murphy, a local artist who is giving back by <a href="https://lesliemurphyarts.com/copy-of-memorial-word-portraits" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">creating COVID memorial portraits</a>, and Caitlin Doyle, a woman who received one of those portraits after her father died of COVID-19 in early 2021. They reflect on the importance of remembering and honoring COVID victims.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

"Closer Look with Rose Scott" brings you the issues that impact where we live, how we interact, and how we can all thrive. It’s not just about Atlanta; it’s a program for Atlanta. Rose connects with community leaders, CEOs, policymakers, and people who don't often get a platform, and she brings you in on the conversation.

Closer Look with Rose Scott

🔊 WABE Podcasts > News, Politics, Health

Health care experts remain vigilant two years into the COVID-19 pandemic; Local artist creates COVID memorial portraits

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we speak to ProPublica Investigative Reporter Max Blau. His lawsuit forced state officials to release records on Georgia’s lethal injection process. Among Blau’s discoveries: Georgia has spent over a million dollars on a contractor since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and since that time, the contractor has carried out only one execution. Blau provides more in-depth information from his report and how a law attempted to keep the details secret.

 

The need for better maternal care remains an ongoing issue across the nation, especially in Georgia. A 2026 report by the March of Dimes updates how dire the situation is. Scott speaks with Tamara Mason, Georgia’s March of Dimes maternal child health director. She discusses “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.,” what’s concerning within the report from a Georgia perspective, as well as the good work that is being done to help Georgia families.

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, we speak to ProPublica Investigative Reporter <a href="https://www.propublica.org/people/max-blau">Max Blau</a>. His lawsuit forced state officials to release records on Georgia&rsquo;s lethal injection process. Among Blau&rsquo;s discoveries: Georgia has spent over a million dollars on a contractor since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and since that time, the contractor has carried out only one execution. Blau provides more in-depth information from <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/georgia-lethal-injections-costs-secrecy">his report</a> and how a law attempted to keep the details secret.
&nbsp;
The need for better maternal care remains an ongoing issue across the nation, especially in Georgia. A 2026 report by the March of Dimes updates how dire the situation is. Scott speaks with <a href="https://www.hopeforgeorgiamoms.org/team/tamara-mason/">Tamara Mason</a>, Georgia&rsquo;s March of Dimes maternal child health director. She discusses &ldquo;<a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/maternity-care-deserts-report">Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.</a>,&rdquo; what&rsquo;s concerning within the report from a Georgia perspective, as well as the good work that is being done to help Georgia families.

ProPublica investigates spending on lethal injection process; March of Dimes on state of GA maternal health

On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, as Georgia leads most states in development and operation of data centers, a report from Greenlink Analytics and Science for Georgia is skeptical of their expected growth beyond 2030. It claims the industry is planning massive infrastructure expansions that has “about a 0.2% chance of actually materializing.” We discuss the potential future of data centers in Georgia, and what it means for resource consumption in the state with Etan Gumerman, Director of Analytics at Greenlink Analytics, and Amy Sharma, Executive Director of Science for Georgia.

 

Then, former chief classical music critic for The New York Times Anthony Tommasini believes the cultural impact of Marian Anderson has been lost over the generations. In Tommasini’s new book, “Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson,” he shines a light on the operatic talent and the civil rights fight of the singer. It shares how Anderson broke racial barriers in opera, while holding the same crowds and stages as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., including her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial where she performed for 75,000 people.

On today&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/closer-look/">Closer Look with Rose Scott</a>, as Georgia leads most states in development and operation of data centers, a <a href="https://www.greenlinkanalytics.org/post/data-center-growth-in-the-southeast-impacts-for-the-region">report from Greenlink Analytics and Science for Georgia</a> is skeptical of their expected growth beyond 2030. It claims the industry is planning massive infrastructure expansions that has &ldquo;about a 0.2% chance of actually materializing.&rdquo; We discuss the potential future of data centers in Georgia, and what it means for resource consumption in the state with <a href="https://www.greenlinkanalytics.org/team/etan-gumerman">Etan Gumerman</a>, Director of Analytics at Greenlink Analytics, and Amy Sharma, Executive Director of <a href="http://www.scienceforgeorgia.org/">Science for Georgia</a>.
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Then, former chief classical music critic for The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/anthony-tommasini?eafs_enabled=false">Anthony Tommasini</a> believes the cultural impact of Marian Anderson has been lost over the generations. In Tommasini&rsquo;s new book, &ldquo;Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson,&rdquo; he shines a light on the operatic talent and the civil rights fight of the singer. It shares how Anderson broke racial barriers in opera, while holding the same crowds and stages as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., including her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial where she performed for 75,000 people.

Report shows overestimated data center growth; Bio reintroduces civil rights legacy of opera singer Marian Anderson

Andra Hall went from selling a few cupcake orders while earning $9 an hour at a hotel to building Cami Cakes Cupcakes, a thriving bakery brand that eventually expanded to nine locations. After more than a decade of growth and success, her life took a sharp turn as she navigated a series of major challenges; the COVID‑19 pandemic, a divorce, and a diagnosis of triple‑negative breast cancer. In this episode of Closer Look,  Andra talks about navigating through all of these challenges and how joy has been redefined. 

Andra Hall went from selling a few cupcake orders while earning $9 an hour at a hotel to building Cami Cakes Cupcakes, a thriving bakery brand that eventually expanded to nine locations. After more than a decade of growth and success, her life took a sharp turn as she navigated a series of major challenges; the COVID‑19 pandemic, a divorce, and a diagnosis of triple‑negative breast cancer. In this episode of Closer Look,&nbsp; Andra talks about navigating through all of these challenges and how joy has been redefined.&nbsp;

Health care experts remain vigilant two years into the COVID-19 pandemic; Local artist creates COVID memorial portraits

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