Today on Boston Public Radio:

Jonathan Gruber shares his thoughts on President Joe Biden’s tax plans. He also explains capital gains taxes. Gruber is the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. He was instrumental in creating both the Massachusetts health-care reform and the Affordable Care Act, and his latest book is "startingamerica.com/">Jump-Starting America How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream."

Next, we ask listeners whether they think Massachusetts should make vaccines mandatory.

Juliette Kayyem explains why it’s rare for U.S. mass shooters to be charged with committing a hate crime or terrorist act. She also discusses gun legislation. Kayyem is an analyst for CNN, former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair of the homeland security program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Art Caplan weighs in on calls to make vaccines mandatory, and the potential of an international COVID-19 vaccination passport. He also shares his thoughts on Arkansas’ passage of a bill restricting access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender children. Caplan is the Drs. William F and Virginia Connolly Mitty Chair, and director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the NYU School of Medicine.

Joanne Chang and Christopher Myers recap how their restaurants, Myers + Chang and the Flour Bakery and Café franchise, have weathered the pandemic over the past year. They also talk about the rise in anti-Asian racism, and how it’s impacting Asian restaurants. Chang and Myers are the duo behind the restaurant Myers + Chang and the Flour Bakery and Café franchise. Chang is a James Beard award-winning pastry chef and author. Her latest book is "Pastry Love." Myers has been in the fine dining business for years. 

Sy Montgomery joins us for this month’s edition of The Afternoon Zoo, discussing new research on sea slugs’ responses to parasites and a viral video of a penguin being chased by orca whales. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is "Becoming A Good Creature."