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698
March 27, 2020

The Test

The coronavirus has now fully arrived in the United States. This week, stories of people trying to rise to that challenge, in some pretty extreme situations.

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  • Transcript

Adam Maida

Note: The internet version of this episode contains un-beeped curse words. BEEPED VERSION.

Prologue

Prologue

People want to do the right thing, but it’s not always possible. We hear from two New Yorkers—a construction worker and an EMS worker—faced with unimaginable choices. (9 minutes)

By

Ira Glass

Song:

“Stay Your Ass Indoors” by MNEK
Act One

The Inside Game

What it’s like inside a small New York apartment with a toddler and two parents who are very sick with COVID-19. Producer Ben Calhoun talks to his brother-in-law, Elia Einhorn. (12 minutes)

By

Ben Calhoun

Song:

“Quarantine” by MNEK
Act Two

A View from the Park

Producer Emanuele Berry talks to Jiayang Fan about how Jiayang’s trying to protect her mother, who she worries about as the virus spreads across New York City. (16 minutes)

By

Emanuele Berry
Act Three

Outbreak Breakout

Across the country this week, thousands of incarcerated people have been ordered released early from prisons and jails to try to protect them from the coronavirus. Producer Sean Cole talks to Terry Smith, who got out of the San Francisco County jail last week. (6 minutes)

By

Sean Cole

Song:

“Bored” by MNEK
Act Four

Hello From the Other Side

Producer Emanuele Berry gets a text message from the other side of the crisis. (9 minutes)

By

Emanuele Berry

Song:

“Miami 2017” by Billy Joel

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Act Three: Afterburner

There are things lots of us think we might fix about ourselves, you know, someday.
222: Suckers
Sept. 27, 2002

Act One: No Receipt, No Surrender

Jen's mom Sheila does things like this: She buys a brand name at a discount store, and then returns it to a fancy store for a full refund.

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Mar. 14, 2008

The Ghost of Bobby Dunbar

In 1912, a four-year-old boy went missing in Louisiana. Eight months later, he was found. But two grief-stricken mothers both claimed the same boy as their own.

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