They Call Us Bruce - Episode 91: They Call Us Social Distancing

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

Wash your hands. Stay home. Don't be racist. On this episode, with this global pandemic underway, we welcome Dr. Esther Choo to offer her perspective on the COVID-19 health crisis. We also break down The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of social distancing.

This letter claims there's a Coronavirus outbreak. It's fake.

Tell your relatives to stop spreading bullshit on Facebook.



Today in Coronavirus-related racism: a fake letter, purporting to be from an official with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, has been circulating on email and Facebook regarding a supposed Coronavirus outbreak in the South Bay region of Southern California. This is 100% not real.

Letter Claiming Coronavirus Outbreak in Carson is Fake, Officials Say

According to officials, there is no current threat to public health from the Coronavirus in Los Angeles County. But of course, this bullshit hoax letter names actual Asian-owned restaurants and markets in the Carson/Torrance area (including their addresses), declaring them "contaminated.

Surgeon General and Elmo team up to talk vaccinations

Dropping knowledge... and throwing some shade at the haters.



The nation's head public health official (and former Angry Reader of the Week), Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, recently paid a visit to Sesame Street to chop it up with the one and only Elmo, who was a little nervous about getting a shot. Dr. Murthy explains how vaccines work, and why they're so important for children's health. They also manage throw in a little shade at anti-vaxxers.

Check it out:

Hey Korean American smokers! Science needs you.

University of Southern California seeks smokers for a public health research study.



Are you Korean American? Are you in the Los Angeles area? Do you smoke?

I recently heard from a researcher at the University of Southern California's Health, Emotion & Addiction Laboratory who is currently recruiting Korean American cigarette smokers and vapers, ages 18 years or older, for a public health research study. I don't have much more in the way of details, but you will be compensated for your time and participation (and I hear the pay is pretty decent).

Senate confirms Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General

Dr. Murthy is the first-ever U.S. Surgeon General of Indian descent



Finally, we have a surgeon general. On Monday, the Senate voted to confirm Dr. Vivek Murthy as the new Surgeon General of the United States -- more than a year after President Obama nominated him to the post.

The U.S. Has A Surgeon General, For The First Time In 17 Months

The job has been open for a while. Dr. Murthy was nominated back in November 2013, but his confirmation was stalled by partisan opposition, fueled by the gun lobby, particularly over his views criticizing gun violence. But with Congress now in a lame-duck session, Dr. Murthy's confirmation finally got the support it needed from more Democrats, with Monday's vote tally coming in at 51-43.

At 37 years old, Dr. Murthy is the youngest-ever surgeon general in the United States. He is also the first Indian American to serve as America's top doctor.

Dr. Vivek Murthy is the Surgeon General we need right now

Sign the petition to tell the Senate to stand up to the NRA and confirm Dr. Murthy.



As you might recall, President Obama nominated Dr. Vivek Murthy, a highly qualified and experienced medical professional, to the post of U.S. Surgeon General nearly a year ago. While his credentials make him a no-brainer for the job, Dr. Murthy's confirmation have been stalled by the usual partisan politics.

A Surgeon General nominee 'tied up in politics'

Dr. Murthy, a guy who probably knows many more things about health and medicine and stuff than you, has some thoughts about gun violence in this country: it is bad, and it is indeed a health care issue. This opinion put him in the sights (no pun intended) of Republicans and the NRA, who decided to block his nomination.

So now, in the midst of some serious public anxiety over the Ebola virus, America finds itself without a Surgeon General, whose job is to effectively and authoritatively communicate what the public needs to know in situations like this. Raise your hand if you would appreciate the leadership of someone like Dr. Murthy right now.

This online petition implores the Senate to stand up to the NRA and confirm Dr. Murthy as surgeon general now. As I write this, the petition has more than 70,000 signatures.