The FDA has approved a new and inexpensive saliva test for COVID-19 that was developed by Yale University and funded in part by the NBA and the NBA Players Association. So far, the test has yielded similar results to other diagnostic tests and also avoids a key step that has caused shortages in chemical reagents in other tests. Ed Silverman, @Pharmalot columnist and senior writer at STAT News, joins us for more.




Next, the first Bluetooth “exposure-notification” app has launched in Virginia and it’s called Covidwise. The app uses Bluetooth chirps to detect if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. While it is very easy to use, for it to really be effective, it needs widespread adoption. Geoffrey Fowler, tech columnist at the Washington Post, joins us this useful app with little privacy risk.




Finally, as the Democratic National Convention takes place this week and the Republican convention taking place next week, we are firmly into general election mode. But what do the polls show about the state of the presidential race? Joe Biden continues to maintain a lead, but that is narrowing and while Biden has his supporters, voters are really more united in opposition against Trump. Steven Shepard, politics editor at Politico, joins us for what the polls are saying right now.

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