The country is experiencing a coronavirus surge and it is everywhere. This past week the U.S. hit its highest single day of new coronavirus cases since April. Texas Gov. Greg Abbot also announced that due to a rise in cases, the state will pause any further phases to reopen. Furthermore, the increase in cases are skewing younger. Sam Baker, healthcare editor at Axios, joins us for the rise in cases.

Next, vote-by-mail has been getting a lot of scrutiny lately as President Trump and Attorney General Barr have both said it will lead to a huge amount of fraud. Both said that foreign countries could print up tens of thousands of counterfeit ballots despite experts saying that is not true. And despite partisan fears, research says that no party gains an advantage. Darrell West, director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution, joins us for more about mail in voting.

Finally, everything that makes a dive bar great, makes them especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Dark interiors and busy atmospheres might lend itself to a good time, but it makes it hard to social distance and keep the air clean. The big questions is… are patrons ready to go back? Nick Mancall-Bitel, reporter at Eater, joins us for more.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.