Behind The Lens episode 122: ‘We just didn’t know if it was crazy, or if it was going to do what we hoped’

New district warnings issued to New Orleans schools for policy violations. Vaccinations at the city jail. And new research finds that the city's approach to COVID testing equity was a success.

This week on Behind the Lens, COVID cases continue to decline in local schools but recent vacations and the rise of the B.1.1.7. variant nearby has officials watchful. And two New Orleans schools are given warnings from the district alleging policy violations. 

The Tulane School of Public Health and the New Orleans Health Department published a report this week detailing what they are touting as a successful COVID testing procedure this past spring and giving detailed data about who got tested and where.

About a quarter of New Orleans jail detainees have been vaccinated thus far, but there are still questions about the vaccine rollout there. 

Our guests this week are education reporter Marta Jewson, health reporter Philip Kiefer, and The Lens editor Charles Maldonado.

Behind The Lens is available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Play and Stitcher. And we broadcast the show on community radio stations 102.3 FM WHIV LP in Mid-City and 90.3 FM WAMF-LP in the Marigny.

Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic planning, research, branding, and non-traditional revenue generation. During her tenure she also created and launched four weekly news, public affairs and cultural affairs programs and monthly live Town Hall broadcasts. Heldman moved to New Orleans last summer with her husband and canine companion and they live happily in The Marigny.