Today on Boston Public Radio:

We open the phone lines to hear how listeners are processing the news that half a million Americans have died from COVID-19.

Trenni Kusnierek discusses some professional athletes’ reluctance to do vaccine PSAs. She also shares her thoughts on the debate over whether Olympic athletes should jump the vaccine line. Kusnierek is a reporter and anchor for NBC Sports Boston, and a weekly Boston Public Radio contributor.

Rep. Bill Driscoll previews this Thursday’s Mass. vaccine rollout oversight hearing, touching on the Vaxfinder website crash and the Baker administration’s response. Driscoll represents Milton & Randolph's 7th Norfolk District.

Anne Miller talks about PPE supply shortages, and President Biden’s authorization of the Defense Production Act to ramp up PPE production. She also explains the differences between N95 and KN95 masks, and how to spot fake N95 and KN95 masks. Miller is the executive director of the Boston-based nonprofit Project N95.

Shirley Leung discusses Malden’s eviction prevention measures, as well as inequities in Mass. vaccine distribution. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe.

John King updates us on the latest political headlines, from Merrick Garland’s confirmation hearing to the release of former President Trump’s tax records. King is CNN's Chief National Correspondent and anchor of "Inside Politics,” which airs weekdays and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m.

We end the show by asking listeners what they thought about the debate on whether Olympic athletes should be able to jump the vaccine line.