Today on Boston Public Radio:

Gov. Charlie Baker discusses Massachusetts’ COVID-19 vaccination and hospitalization rates, and defends his decision to not mandate masks in schools statewide. He also talks about the Biden administration’s statement on booster shots, claiming that he was given no guidance on formulating a booster shot plan.

Then, we open the phone lines, talking with listeners about mask mandates in schools.

Juliette Kayyem shares her thoughts on the U.S. response to the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, and whether airlines should require passengers to be vaccinated before traveling. 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.

Acting Mayor Kim Janey discusses current vaccination rates in Boston, and the investigation into former Boston Police officer Patrick Rose over claims of child sexual abuse. She also highlights her plans for the return of an addiction treatment facility to Long Island.

Art Caplan weighs in on the CDC’s recommendation that schools enact mask mandates, and upcoming COVID-19 booster shots. He also talks about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott testing positive for COVID-19. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine.

Sy Montgomery talks about the deaths of Tatoosh, the New England Aquarium’s giant Pacific octopus, and Barry the Owl, a barred owl in Central Park. She also shares stories of seagull attacks. Montgomery is a journalist, naturalist and a BPR contributor. Her latest book is "The Hummingbirds’ Gift: Wonder, Beauty, and Renewal on Wings."

We end the show by asking listeners about their experiences with seagull thievery and attacks.