December 19, 2025 • 38 mins
We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!
Update on the Cape Cod Bridges Project – What’s the latest with funding, etc?
Guest: Luisa Paiewonsky - Executive Director of MassDOT's Mega Projects Delivery Office
Can the Patriots still make the playoffs with 3 games to go?
Guest: Chris Price – Boston Globe sports reporter
Aggressive new flu variant sweeps globe as doctors warn of severe symptoms
Guest: Dr. Anahita Dua - Vascular Surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard University & chair and founder of Healthcare for Action (a coalition of healthcare workers fed up with inaction in gov’t – supporting healthcare workers running for Congress)
To show appreciation for our military during the holidays, Miles For Military and the 1928 Rowe’s Wharf restaurant are hosting a free lunch for active-duty military and veterans on Monday afternoon 12/22 - from 11 am to 2 pm.
Guest: Jacob Cool - Miles for Military COO
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's Nice Eyes with Dan Ray.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
I'm gelling you Easy Boston's News Radio.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good evening, everybody, and welcome into a Friday night edition
of night Side. It is December nineteenth, and we are
just about through one of the most bizarre weeks I
think in the history of certainly New England. You have
to go back to the bombing at the Boston Marathon
(00:27):
at twenty thirteen to even imagine what the last week
has been like for people in Rhode Island, people in Brookline,
and last night, people in New Hampshire. We'll put all
of that aside and we will get to that at
nine o'clock tonight, and I want to hear your thoughts
and opinions on that. But we have four really interesting
(00:49):
guests to start the program off. We will finish the
week this week with a twentieth hour. Not exactly sure
what we're going to do. We'll take some recommendations on
that maybe as well, but I just want to say
thanks for being with us this entire week. It has
not been the most uplifting week for any of us.
(01:09):
I think everyone understands what I'm what I'm talking about,
but we will we'll dive deep into that between nine
at eleven. My name is Dan Ray. I'm the host
of night Side. Rob Brooks's back in the control room,
set to ready to take your phone calls after the
nine o'clock news, and we have four interesting guests. We're
going to talk a little football, going to talk about
a new flute variant, going to talk about appreciation for
(01:32):
our military during the holidays beginning actually next Monday, Monday afternoon.
But we're going to start off with an update on
the Cape Cod Bridge project with us as Luisa Powanski.
She's the executive director of mass Dots Mega Projects Delivery Office.
You know, Louis, I didn't even realize you guys had
(01:53):
a Mega Projects Delivery office. How many mega projects are
you dealing with?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Welcome to night Side, Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
It's good to be back.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
I'm dealing with two mega projects, which refer to projects
of a value of over five hundred million dollars.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Well, I assume one is the Sagamore in the short run.
Is the other the Boorne Bridge or for what? And
of course you also have to deal with the mass
Pike process situation.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
I assume we consider the cap On Bridge projects both
the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge each is about two billion
dollars as a single project, and the Alston Multimodal Transportation
Project is our other project.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Okay, well, let's let's talk about the Sagamore because the
Sagamore is the one that is I think, first up,
I try to keep as close to it as I can,
but to be honest with you, with everything that else
is going on, I know that that you know a
lot more about it, and probably in my audience. So
thank you first of all for coming in tonight. Our
(02:56):
being available on a Friday night. I think most people
believe is that there's a big bump in the road,
and it's called the White House, a president bump. A
President Trump is the one who's providing the bump. As
I understands, basically said, Hey, that funding is not necessarily
(03:18):
going to be available. How do you describe it?
Speaker 2 (03:22):
The funding for the Sagamore Bridge is in place. It
comes from a variety of different sources. On the state side,
the Heally Risko administration has contributed seven hundred and fifty
million dollars. Even though these are federally owned bridges, they
are such importance to the Commonwealth that the state has
chipped in a good amount of the share. We do
(03:43):
have one point three billion dollars in federal grant funds
which we received a couple of years back. We have
an executed funding agreement with the federal government. We have
some more steps to take in the process. We're very
active on it right now to take those funds from
federal to state accounts before the end of twenty twenty six.
(04:05):
So they have not touched those funds. There was a
tweet that caused a little bit of concern on kit
cod and here in Boston as well, where a Trump
administration official speculated that the Army Corps of Engineers, which
is contributing three hundred and fifty million dollars, might not
be able to be active on the project. And so
(04:26):
far that turned out to be only a tweet. It
was said in the heat of the shutdown, and they
have not removed any funding. So all of the funding
is in place for Sagamore. We're keeping a very close
eye on goings on in DC, but so far we've
had no indication that they're planning to take it back.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
Okay, I've done some stories with one of the families
whose home is at risk for eminent domain. Mark and
Joan Handle who live under the bridge, about a dozen
families there who find themselves standing in the way of
progress or whatever. How generous can the state be to
(05:10):
those families to make that relocation uh as as difficult
as it will be for anyone, to make it as
as smooth as possible for them. That that's a that's
a concern that I have, and I realized that that
you are thinking from the point of view of the state.
But I'm just wondering if if I could get some
(05:31):
words of assurance, you know that that what whatever can
be done.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Will be done absolutely. You know, we're we're here to
move a badly needed bridge forward for the people of
Cape Cod. But we're we're public servants, and we're human,
and we know that the taking of homes by eminent
domain has has caused some families, in particular, some distress
(05:57):
and and disruption in their lives. The process is governed
by federal and state regulations which tilt toward the homeowner
to ensure that we treat them, We get their compensation,
We pay them every nickel they're entitled to. We go
beyond what we have to the requirement to provide just
(06:21):
compensation is built into the US Constitution. We also have
highly trained professional staff from scot who are specialists in
the appraisal process and the relocation process. And when we
do appraisal, we do triple appraisals and the third one
is done by an outside board to make sure that
we give them everything that they deserve. And then we
(06:45):
also have a team of specialists who help them with relocation,
help all of the families find new homes, and we
do try to treat them with utmost sensitivity and professionalism.
And I'm really proud of my colleagues who are working
with all of the families directly. It's not easy for
anyone involved in that, and we respect their sensitivities around
(07:08):
this issue.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
I hope that your staff follows through on the words
that you're just articulated. Would sound to me to be
absolutely genuine. My understanding is that when some of the
homes were moved back in the nineteen thirties, when the
original bill Bridge was built, some of those homes were
physically moved. They weren't just knocked down and had a
check written. And this couple that I've had on the show,
(07:32):
and I don't try to I'm not trying to take
advantage of you at this point. I just want to
pass it on to you. They're hoping that their home,
which they actually built new they moved. They're from New England.
They moved here from the mid well actually from Iowa,
I don't know if we can call it the Iowa
the Midwest, and they wanted to live in the Cape.
They had a new home built, and they're hoping desperately
(07:55):
that as opposed to their new home, their new home
just simply being not down and leveled, that it could
be moved. And I guess there were some homes that
were moved in the nineteen thirty so there may be
a bit of a precedent there that maybe the state
could help ease the transition for them in that way
so that the home that they just built would not
(08:19):
be demolished.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yeah, that's certainly a tough situation. Most of the neighborhood
was aware because we had been discussing potential property takings
for the previous few years. But as you mentioned, one
family was moving in from out of state and was
caught off guard by this. So tough news is never
better when it's a surprise, so we can empathize with
(08:44):
their situation. They just have recently shared that suggestion that
they be allowed to move their house. We would have
to take a hard look at it from an engineering perspective.
We would have to make sure that it didn't impact
the bridge schedule. The land itself of that neighborhood tilts
downward toward the canal, there are utility lines, so there'd
(09:06):
be a lot to look at. So I couldn't say
anything in response, but we're aware of that request and
we will take a look at it well.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Very reasonable responses. Thank you for the big update, and
also thank you for taking into consideration when I raise
what happens is as a talk show host, someone calls
you when you realize that they're human beings too, And
it sounds to me like you have a level of
empathy which maybe a lot of people who work in
(09:35):
government don't understand. And I I appreciate the tone, and
I appreciate you the direct answers to the questions. You
easily could have said to me something, Louisa, Well, I'm
not all that familiar and I'll have to check back
with you on it. But your answers were complete and thorough,
and I really do appreciate this, and we'll follow on,
and I hope that you're successful with all the government
(09:58):
agencies that we now have to rely upon. And I
hope you'll come back and keep us posted because I
think the more information that's available to the general public
on this is going to make the project run more smoothly,
and let's keep people keeple informed. I really do appreciate
your comments and your presence with us tonight. Thank you
so much. Hope you have a great Thank you Christmas
(10:19):
and New Year's season.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
You as well. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Okay, thanks Bie. That was an interesting set of comments,
and I don't think we concluded anything there, but I
felt duty bound to raise those issues when we get
back when I talk about something that all of us
are interested in, not that all of us aren't interested
in the Cape Cod Bridges, but all of us are
interested in how the Patriots are doing, whether they go
(10:44):
make the playoffs. Chris Price, Boston Globe sports reporter, joins
us coming back on Nightside. It's Night Side with Dan Ray,
Boston's news Radio. All right, welcome back, everybody, as we
move through our eight o'clock hour. Our next guest is
Chris Price, woust to go sports reporter, and a lot
of people are asking after the that's lost last weekend
(11:06):
thirty five thirty one to the Buffalo Bills. Uh does
does that? How much of a threat is that to
their playoff possibilities? And who better to answer that than
than Chris Price. Hey, Chris, welcome back to Night's side.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Good to talk to you. Dan, Hey you Ben, I'd
be great.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
I look at the Patriots remaining schedule. The only game
I'm worried about his Monday Night. Yeah, but I don't
play for the Patriots. Who are you? Are you worried
about any of the three remaining games?
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Well, yeah, the Sunday night game is the one that
really kind.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Of Sunday night yea, yeah, thank you, thanks, thank you
for correcting me. No noise.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Yeah. The Ravens are a feisty team. You know, they're
kind of hanging on by a thread, and when you're
you're trying to handicap who's got a better chance, a
lot of times you kind of default this time of year, anyway,
to the team that has to play with a sense
of urgency. And I don't think that the Ravens would
necessary be eliminated, but it's certainly, you know, they're kind
of hanging on by this again of their teeth there,
(12:04):
and they also match up really well against the Patriots.
The Patriots have struggled to stop the run, and the
Ravens do a really good job running the ball with
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. So it's gonna be a
really tough matchup for New England, you know, especially going
on the road primetime game, and there's a lot on
the line for this team, especially in the wake of
what happened last week against the Bills.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
What does Lamar Jackson's health look like. Lamar Jackson is
a great quarterback, was an MVP, but at this point
I don't think he is as dangerous as the Patriots
face last weekend at QB.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
Yeah, yeah, I will say this, he's a little bit
dinged up. That being said, he's still very dangerous. And again,
Derrick Henry's already rushed for over a thousand yards this season.
He was an MVP. Mike Raable knows him really well
because he used to coach Derrick Henry when you know,
they were together in Tennessee and So what the Ravens
do better than an awful lot of teams out there
is run the football. They're they're the third best team
(12:57):
in the league when it comes to average rushing yards
per game. And the Patriots, which started the year really
well against the run, have kind of fallen off a
little bit lately for a few reasons, not the least
of which they're missing Milton Williams, who's on injured reserve
for at least one more game. And so again, like
I said, this is going to be a real test
for New England's run defense. If they can force them
(13:18):
three and outs early, make Lamar Jackson throw the football,
that changes things for Baltimore. If they fall behind early,
they're going to have to throw it. And you know
when you get to when you get a one dimensional
team out there, it makes a lot easier to defend.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
So the Patriots are eleven and three. How many wins
do they need to make the playoffs?
Speaker 3 (13:37):
One? The need they need to win one more game.
If they win Sunday, they are in the post. Yeah,
if they win Sunday, they've reached the postseason. So I
agree with you when you said that, you know, the
only game you're really worried about it if you're a
Patriots fan. I think the rest of the way is
the Sunday night game. They have two games to finish
up the season in the Jets and Dolphins, two teams
(13:58):
that have really underachieved over the course of the year. Uh,
the Jets are down there a couple of days after Christmas,
and then the Dolphins are home right after the New Year.
So it's the very lead and technically the Patriots are
still in contention for the number one seed, but it's
looking more and more like they're going to get the
number two seed. If they win two of these three
last games, that should be the best possible outcome for
(14:19):
this team and they'll get the number two seed in
a Nancy.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Now, Miami has spectacularly underperformed to the point that the
two are is going to ride the bench this weekend.
Feat reports I read talk about a start from Grace.
Speaker 3 (14:35):
Yeah, it really and Dan it's it's funny. I've talked
to a couple of people about this, and I said,
this is the first conversation that we're going to have
in a series of conversations that's going to end with
Mike McDaniel the head coach losing his job because they
fired the GM there. And my guess is the new
GM is going to want to hit the reset button.
I'm gonna want to bring his own head coach. And
the thing there with two of those is two that
(14:57):
makes so much money it's not really cost effective to him.
And so maybe they try and find, you know, a
willing trade partner. Maybe they try and make it work
with him. But it looks like the Dolphins really you know,
it starts with Tua, but they're really going to hit
the reset button this offseason.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Is two As far as you know, we call him
too because his last name is tough. But is twoa
still suffering from the concussions from a year ago.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
No, But I will say this that you know, we
talked about Miami spectacularly spectacularly underachieving. I think that's part
of it when you talk about him and his struggles
this year. He leads the league at least amongst starters
in interceptions, and while Miami has had their share of injury,
including Tyreek Hill, it just really hasn't clicked for him.
(15:42):
They haven't played good, complimentary football. The defense really hasn't
helped out the offense. The offense hasn't helped up the defense.
Special teams hasn't helped anyone out, and so I think,
you know, when you talk about a team's failures, it's
kind of a joint effort, and a lot of that
I still think rest with the quarterback though in his
just general struggles over the course of the year.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Yeah, I just hope that that whatever issue he had
a year ago was cleaned up before they put him
back on them.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Because you yeah, yeah, it's yeah. I still I think
it is still a problem. And I think people are
I'll say this, people in South Florida kind of kind
of you know, hold their breath when he takes off
and runs or when he's exposed to a big hit,
And I think that is maybe not sustainable long term
(16:29):
when you're talking about the future of that quarterback with
that franchise.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Well, my concern would be, can you go through the report,
can you go through the repetition so that if if
you first received as a coverge or second receiver and
get you know, and even maybe get back to the
first guy if he's broke, how good is your your
your comprehension of what's going on in front of you,
that's what I would be concerned.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Yeah, and and and that's a that's a completely legitimate question,
especially when you consider the fact that Miami's offense likes
to run high, high speed, up tempo. They like to
do things very quickly, and if you can't diagnose those
issues quickly, then you got a problem with quarterback.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Yeah. Well, and they have had a quarterback problem with
a quarterback. Anybody is the backup who's going to play?
Is this someone who we should be being concerned about
two weeks from now?
Speaker 3 (17:16):
No, I think that I think it's always good to
have a good backup quarterback. That the number two there are,
the guy who's going to be starting for them moving forward,
is Quinn Yours, a young man out of Texas who
quite honestly is probably a better cold, cold weather quarterback
right now than two is. Because you talk about Miami struggles.
Miami hasn't won a game when the temperature have been
(17:37):
under forty degrees in forever.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
It feels like, so.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
I think, you know, I think, you know, you make
that change, and you know, you kind of roll the
dice and see what you have with, you know, three
games left.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
Well, they have nothing to lose, that's for sure, Chris.
That's always Thanks so much. Love, love talking with you,
and love going through my own progressions on the our conversation.
I always learned something from you, that's for sure. Thanks,
my friend. We'll talk to you.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
Thank you, definitely, We'll take care. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Right coming back, right after the news of the bottom
of the hour, we're going to talk with doctor Anahida Dua.
She's a vascular surgeon at mass General Hospital, Associate Professor
of surgery at Harvard University. She's also chair and founder
of Healthcare for Action. And we're concerned and she's concerned
about this aggressive new flu variant. And guess what we
are moving Well, we're still moving through the holiday season,
(18:30):
the Honuker part of the holiday season, and pretty soon
we'll be really in the Christmas season and then New
Year's and you got to be take some precautions and protections,
and doctor Dua will help us know what those are.
Right after the break here at the bottom of the hour.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
It's Night Side with Dan Ray on.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Boston's news radio.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Well, we are I guess at some point here in
the flu season, at least that's what I am told
with US is doctor Anita Dua. She's a vascular surgeon
Mass General Hospital and Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard University.
She's also the chair and founder of Healthcare for Action.
Doctor Dua, Welcome to Night's side. I hope I haven't
(19:14):
butchered either your first or last name.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
No, you're the fantastic job. Thank you very much for
having me.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
You are more than welcome. Thanks for being here. So look,
we've talked about this flu strain coming this way out
of England as I understand it is where it was
first picked up. And if I'm wrong, please correct me.
But how are we doing? Are we fighting it off
or are we succumbing at a at a rate that
all of us should be concerned about.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
Unfortunately, we are succumbing, and the reason for that is
because it's sort of the perfect storm. Basically, the way
that we know that a flu strain is going to
be a problem is we sort of look at the
southern hemisphere because that's usually where it kind of the
flu starts out and we sort of see what the
numbers are there. So, for example, Australia had one of
the worst seasons that it's ever had. In fact, I
(20:01):
think the numbers were so high they were higher than
every other Australian season, and that's a good predictor of
what's going to be happening in the United States. And
the reason that we're seeing such a surge is, first
of all, this is an influenza, a virus which is
always really potent, but it's being combined with the fact
that recently, in the last few years, there was a
(20:23):
lower amount of flu that was kind of going around,
so people lost a little bit of their natural immunity.
On top of that, fewer people are getting vaccinated, and
on top of that, the flu always brings his friends,
which are in this case RSV and COVID, So we've
got the perfect storm of a really potent flu strain,
people not being immunized and having a little less immunity,
(20:45):
and people are coming with combined diseases like the RSV,
the COVID, and the flu, and that's making for a
real problem with patients who are basically overwhelming the ers.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Now, I always get a flu shot, and I got
a flu shot in September. I like to wait a
little bit, but I want to make sure it was
in effect. Flu shots as I understand, are pretty effective
for about six months, as I understand, And so if
what should someone do today? Unlike me who did get
(21:18):
the flu shot, and I hope I'm going to be okay.
But if you didn't get the flu shot, it takes
a couple of weeks to actually begin to develop, you know,
for you some immunity. I guess the best day to
get the flu shot was a week ago, Tuesday. The
second Wednesday would be tomorrow, tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (21:42):
That's right, That's exactly right.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
You know.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
The thing about the flu shot is it's never one
hundred percent. But what it does do is even if
you get the flu, because you've had the shot, your
body's had a chance to practice. That's the best way
to put it. So your body is practiced fighting this
particular strength. And as a result, if you are you know,
unlucky enough to get it, even if you're vaccinated, you're
(22:05):
not going to have as aggressive as a flu that
you can have. Now you mentioned earlier, you know, I'm
a vascular surgeon. When people think of the flu, they
think of the sniffles, they think of the headache, they
think of the virus and the you know, the coughing
and seizing. But actually, as a vascular surgeon, I see
a terrible side of the flu. And what I see
is people who end up in the ICU because they
(22:26):
become septic, so they're unable to keep their blood pressure up.
And what happens there is that they actually lose blood
flow to their fingers and their toes. And when I
meet these patients, I'm meeting them to actually amputate their
hands and their feet. So it is no joke to
get the flu when it is very severe. So it's
(22:46):
not just about getting the shot to get it or
not get it. It's about getting the shot to protect
yourself because even if you get it, you will not
hopefully end up in that ICU.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Okay, so let's assume that people have just gotten flu shot,
or or they have the flu shot, or whatever their
situation is. I hope they all get the flu shot.
But is that What else can people either who haven't
got the flu shot or have already gotten the flu shot.
What else can we do? I mean, one of the things,
it sounds to me like that if I could, I
(23:16):
would just like barricade myself in the house. And I
know we can't do that, but what else should we
go back to mask. What do you think?
Speaker 4 (23:27):
Bread is through droplets? So it is a respiratory disease.
So anytime that you're in contact with these respiratory droplets,
there is a possibility that you can inhale them and
basically give yourself the virus. So, indeed, what you just said,
there are a few things. Number One, you have to
keep your own immunity up. You want to make sure
that you're sleeping right, you're eating right, so that your
(23:48):
body has the defenses to fight off any disease, not
just the flu. The second thing is, of course, I
mean this is on top of the flu shot if
you want to be in a position where you're really protected.
The masks do help, they're not one hundred percent, and
the only reason that they help is a very mechanical thing.
They quite literally stop you from breathing in these droplets.
(24:09):
And the final thing is that you have to be
cautious and aware of who you're around. If there is
somebody who is sneezing and coughing in your proximity, be
careful about touching things, make sure that you use that
hand sanitizer, and make sure that you move a little
bit away you know, so that you're not breathing in
the same stuff that's being put out. But the number
one thing, and you've already mentioned this, of course, is
(24:30):
getting that shot again to reduce how aggressive the flu
may be if you do contract.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
It, and there's nothing to be ashamed about. If I
believe people should make their own decision. But National Hockey
League goaltenders all wear masks now because they don't want it.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
I wear a mask. I'm a surgeon. I wear it
all day long.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Okay, sure, right, well you heard in your job. But
I mean I don't think that you should be have
your arm twisted to wear a mask, nor do I
think people should make fun of you if you choose
to wear a mask. I just think that we should
all do for ourselves what we feel is best. I
do think, as you've just explained so effectively, it would
(25:13):
be best to get your flu shot, even if you
think it's too late because the flu the flu will peak.
Do they project sort of a peak of late January
or or is it going to peak earlier than that,
or do we even know?
Speaker 4 (25:29):
We don't know exactly, but you basically hit it on
the head. December to January time it depends on where
you are also in the country, you know, and how
extensive the flu is in that particular region. You know,
We've seen with other viruses like measles, for example, that
we know their little pockets bursting, and it really has
to do with who you're exposed to and how the
disease is spreading. I completely agree with you with the masking.
(25:54):
You absolutely should not be forcing anyone to do anything.
And simultaneously, if someone wants to do something, it's up
to them. I mean, that's the beauty of America. It's
a free country.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
Do what you want.
Speaker 4 (26:04):
And if you feel that that's going to protect you,
especially if you're older, you know, and you're already a
little immuno compromised, you've got a few core mobilities, you
can't afford to get the flu, and so if you
want to put a mask on them, put it on.
But again, the flu shot out of it is probably
the most important thing to give yourself as much protection
as possible.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Now, you're also the chair and founder of a group
called Healthcare for Action, a coalition of healthcare work is
set up with inaction in government supporting healthcare workers running
for Congress if folks want to either get in touch
with that group or to get more information on the flu.
Is there a website or too that you could share
with us?
Speaker 4 (26:42):
Absolutely so. Healthcare for Action indeed is exactly a group
of healthcare workers and people who are affected by healthcare issues,
which is everybody who are out here to support people
in Congress and in the Senate who support these types
of issues. And so if you want to learn more
about it, our website www. Dot healthcarefoaction dot com all
(27:02):
words is the perfect place to go. I am on
Twitter at at A m h I T A d
u A, so feel free to go ahead on there
and connect with me. And of course, if you want
to learn more about the flu and how it can
affect you, the best thing to do is to actually
speak to your doctor, because it's actually about you as
a person. You know, one of the mistakes that we've
(27:24):
made in medicine historically is kind of blanketing everybody. But
you know, if you're a seventy year old man who's
immunal compromised from a cancer, your situation is different from
a twenty two year old girl who may be completely
healthy and normal, and the doctor that you speak to
your primary care doctor can give you a sense of
how important it is for you to do certain things
to protect yourself.
Speaker 1 (27:44):
Doctor, I very much appreciate your time. I only want
to correct you on one small thing, and that is this.
And of course I'm speaking a little sarcastically here or
a little tongue in cheek. You don't have to do
the www anymore. Just go Healthcare for action. Donald, is
it dot com and dot org? By the way, is
(28:04):
it dot com?
Speaker 4 (28:06):
It is dot com?
Speaker 1 (28:07):
So it's not often.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
My husband he makes fun of me about that all
the time.
Speaker 1 (28:12):
Really, okay, well he must be a great guy. Then
it took me more courage to do say that, probably
than your husband. But yeah, that WWW, it's it's, it's
it was. It was in vogue for a long time.
But it's not necessary anymore, doctor dout. We love our conversation.
Come on back soon, Okay, thanks very much.
Speaker 4 (28:31):
Thank you so much. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
Welcome, very welcome. When we get back, when we talk
about a group that is showing actually it's a restaurant here,
and a group that is showing appreciation for our military.
As a matter of fact, this appreciation will be next Monday,
if you're former military or current military, we gotta we
got a suggestion for you. Stay with us right here
at Nightside.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
You're on night Side with Dan Ray on Boston's news radio.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
We're gonna wrap up our eight o'clock hore here. I'm
going to talk with Jacob Cool. It's a very cool name, Jacob.
How are you tonight?
Speaker 3 (29:06):
Hey?
Speaker 5 (29:06):
Good even sir, how are you? It's great to be.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
Here, excellent. Miles for Military, you're the chief operating officer.
First of all, tell us about the group Miles for Military. Yes.
Speaker 4 (29:18):
Absolutely.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
We're a new nonprofit organization to where we to champion
volunteer community service among active duty service members. To be
eligible for a program be active duty the lower enlisted ranks,
So you form below and have completed at least twenty
five hours of volunteer work with the charity, and then
(29:42):
our organization will pay for their plane ticket home free
and no cost.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
Interesting. Interesting, I've heard about the group. As a matter
of fact. How long have you been around it? It is
relatively new.
Speaker 5 (29:56):
It's our third year flying service members home and we
have seen significant growth this year. Our first year in
twenty twenty three, we've flown nineteen service members. Last year
we threw forty nine, and this year we're a banner year.
We've flown over five hundred and thirty five service members
(30:17):
this year and all over the world.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
So those are incredible leaps. Nineteen forty nine over five hundred,
that's incredible. When I did my military time, I remember
used to go stand by and you were hoping that
there would be a seat available on the plane. You
had to pay a price, but it was a pretty
(30:41):
reasonable price, particularly by today's standards. But airline travel, although
it's become more common from far away places, can get
very expensive. So does the amount of volunteer effort. Twenty
five hours is that the standard amount, whether the soldier
(31:04):
or the member of the military is stateside or their overseas,
however long, however far they are from home.
Speaker 5 (31:12):
There is no scale depending upon how far they are
from home. It's just a standard twenty five hours. But
what I will say is many of our service members
have volunteered much more than twenty five and even in
the hundreds of hours in the respective communities.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Excellent. Now, there's an event coming up here Monday at
a restaurant called nineteen twenty eight Rose Wharf, restaurant is
offering free lunch for active duty military and veterans this
coming Monday afternoon from eleven, well beginning in the morning
eleven o'clock to two pm. Of course, that's December twenty second,
(31:52):
is coming Monday. Tell us about that. Tell us a
little bit about the restaurant on twelve, nineteen twenty eight
Rose Wharf.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (32:00):
Absolutely, the owners of a restaurant an excellent thing that
they want to do to give back to the community.
Their grandfathers serve in the US Army years ago, and
just their great appreciation for the military. They want to
do their bit to kind of give back. So part
of that active duty military personnel, veterans and their families.
(32:22):
If they just show up between eleven and two at
nineteen twenty eight Rose Wharf show military ID or proof
of service, first come, first served basis, they'll get a
complimentary lunch.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
So they're able to bring a family member with them.
Is that what I heard you say? It's not they
have to show up alone, correct, Yeah, correct, that's great.
That's great. And how is this the first time that
you have done this in conjunction with nineteen twenty eight
Rose Wharf. I'm guessing from your action, from your accent
to a lack thereof that you're not a native Bostonian. Jacob,
(33:00):
this is a pretty new restaurant. Because I had not
even heard of it, and I know where Rose Wharf is.
I'm sure people will be able to find it and
and get and make their way there. But this would
this would be down in sort of the waterfront area,
down by City Hall if if you happen to have
been there, I assume that's what we're talking about.
Speaker 5 (33:19):
Yes, that's absolutely it's a great location. This is our
first time doing this and it will be a great time.
And you definitely caught me. I'm not a native Bostonian,
but my love love for the Boston area, i'd definitely
consider myself one.
Speaker 1 (33:33):
Well that's fine, And now are you folks based? Is
this group miles of the military based in Boston? Are
you based somewhere else?
Speaker 5 (33:42):
Our headquarters is based in Boston. Our founder, Maureene Byrne,
proud marine mom, who founded our wonderful organization and had
this great idea for connecting volunteer service and free plane tickets,
are are all up in Boston.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
Well, that's great. We don't want to bury the lead
on this story. Then let's take a little this brag
a little bit. Maureene Burne is here. Is her son
or daughter still active duty or have they? Have they
done the duty and moved on.
Speaker 5 (34:11):
They've since got out of the service. But uh, Marine
and her son ronan just a wonderful story they have.
And if if I made just real quick or for
your audience. A few years back, her son was stationed
down at Campbell June, North Carolina. Marienne spent a lot
of money trying to get them home for Thanksgiving, and
conversations developed around the dinner table of you know, how
(34:34):
do other military families afford to to bring their their
loved ones, you know, home that are stationed across the country,
across the world. And that's where our sons said, well,
well they don't. They all stay at their at their
duty stations. They don't go home. And obviously it broke
a mother's heart. Short, short, short while after that, her
(34:55):
son volunteered at a special Olympics event close by Campbell June,
and that's where she kind of connected the dots between Hey,
what if there is an organization that recognized championed volunteerism
with a free plane ticket home. And we're the only
organization out here that is open as wide as it
(35:19):
is for all the junior and listed service members. So
it's it's a great idea and as our numbers are
are showing with awareness, it's it are really excited to
see where this program is growing.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
So Jacob, let's let's give a website for the program. Obviously,
the the the event on Monday is at the nineteen
twenty eight Rosewolf restaurant. Again, it's not downtown Bust, and
I think I know where it would be. It's down
kind of on the waterfront. It sounds in the in
the area of the aquarium. I'm sure that's where it's located.
(35:54):
And if I mean correct, feel free to correct me
on that one.
Speaker 5 (35:57):
Okay, near the Boston Harbor, Yeah sure.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
Yeah, Okay, Well, the harve is big. I just want
to put it exactly. I know where Rosewarf is in
relation to the aquarium. And how can folks who listened
to our show anywhere all over the country, all over
the world right now, support miles from military give us
the website in case some folks out there would like
to pop open their checkbook between now and December thirty. First,
(36:24):
I assume you are five oh one c three, So
some people might need some charitable deductions on their on
their taxes next April. They how can they get in
touch with you or get more information about the group?
Speaker 5 (36:35):
Miles from Military absolutely figure to our website Milesfromilitary dot org.
They can learn more about our organization, a lot of
our service member stories, what they did to volunteer, what
they did with their plane ticket to reconnect with their families,
and they can obviously make donations there through all the
(36:58):
variety of means for that. But our program, obviously we're
experiencing great demand with military members trying to go home
for the holidays, but we're already seeing demand in twenty
twenty six to fly service members home, so we're definitely
working year round.
Speaker 1 (37:14):
Sounds great. Jacob Cool, the COO of Miles to the Military,
thank you very much. Hope that you have a great
holiday season. Do you celebrate Christmas? What's your holiday? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (37:25):
No, absolutely, I just retired from the Army myself after
twenty three years, so this will be the first Christmas
in a long time. My wife and son will be
able to celebrate with our family, so it'll.
Speaker 1 (37:35):
Be great enjoyed Merry Christmas and all the success possible
in twenty twenty six. Thanks Jake, I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (37:42):
Thank you again.
Speaker 1 (37:43):
Welcome. Okay, when we get back, we're going to talk
about this crazy seven days or so that we have
just experienced here in New England. I think we need
to talk about it and just kind of move past
it at this point. We can never forget those who
have lost their lives, but we also need to I think,
somehow put it in perspective and realize it was the
(38:03):
work of a madman who took his own life. Now
apparently they're saying took his own life as early as Tuesday.
If only had taken his life a month before or
two months before, and the other lives would have been spared.
We'll be back on nightside right after the nine o'clock news.
My name's Dan Ray.
It's Nice Eyes with Dan Ray.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
I'm gelling you Easy Boston's News Radio.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Good evening, everybody, and welcome into a Friday night edition
of night Side. It is December nineteenth, and we are
just about through one of the most bizarre weeks I
think in the history of certainly New England. You have
to go back to the bombing at the Boston Marathon
(00:27):
at twenty thirteen to even imagine what the last week
has been like for people in Rhode Island, people in Brookline,
and last night, people in New Hampshire. We'll put all
of that aside and we will get to that at
nine o'clock tonight, and I want to hear your thoughts
and opinions on that. But we have four really interesting
(00:49):
guests to start the program off. We will finish the
week this week with a twentieth hour. Not exactly sure
what we're going to do. We'll take some recommendations on
that maybe as well, but I just want to say
thanks for being with us this entire week. It has
not been the most uplifting week for any of us.
(01:09):
I think everyone understands what I'm what I'm talking about,
but we will we'll dive deep into that between nine
at eleven. My name is Dan Ray. I'm the host
of night Side. Rob Brooks's back in the control room,
set to ready to take your phone calls after the
nine o'clock news, and we have four interesting guests. We're
going to talk a little football, going to talk about
a new flute variant, going to talk about appreciation for
(01:32):
our military during the holidays beginning actually next Monday, Monday afternoon.
But we're going to start off with an update on
the Cape Cod Bridge project with us as Luisa Powanski.
She's the executive director of mass Dots Mega Projects Delivery Office.
You know, Louis, I didn't even realize you guys had
(01:53):
a Mega Projects Delivery office. How many mega projects are
you dealing with?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Welcome to night Side, Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
It's good to be back.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
I'm dealing with two mega projects, which refer to projects
of a value of over five hundred million dollars.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Well, I assume one is the Sagamore in the short run.
Is the other the Boorne Bridge or for what? And
of course you also have to deal with the mass
Pike process situation.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
I assume we consider the cap On Bridge projects both
the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge each is about two billion
dollars as a single project, and the Alston Multimodal Transportation
Project is our other project.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Okay, well, let's let's talk about the Sagamore because the
Sagamore is the one that is I think, first up,
I try to keep as close to it as I can,
but to be honest with you, with everything that else
is going on, I know that that you know a
lot more about it, and probably in my audience. So
thank you first of all for coming in tonight. Our
(02:56):
being available on a Friday night. I think most people
believe is that there's a big bump in the road,
and it's called the White House, a president bump. A
President Trump is the one who's providing the bump. As
I understands, basically said, Hey, that funding is not necessarily
(03:18):
going to be available. How do you describe it?
Speaker 2 (03:22):
The funding for the Sagamore Bridge is in place. It
comes from a variety of different sources. On the state side,
the Heally Risko administration has contributed seven hundred and fifty
million dollars. Even though these are federally owned bridges, they
are such importance to the Commonwealth that the state has
chipped in a good amount of the share. We do
(03:43):
have one point three billion dollars in federal grant funds
which we received a couple of years back. We have
an executed funding agreement with the federal government. We have
some more steps to take in the process. We're very
active on it right now to take those funds from
federal to state accounts before the end of twenty twenty six.
(04:05):
So they have not touched those funds. There was a
tweet that caused a little bit of concern on kit
cod and here in Boston as well, where a Trump
administration official speculated that the Army Corps of Engineers, which
is contributing three hundred and fifty million dollars, might not
be able to be active on the project. And so
(04:26):
far that turned out to be only a tweet. It
was said in the heat of the shutdown, and they
have not removed any funding. So all of the funding
is in place for Sagamore. We're keeping a very close
eye on goings on in DC, but so far we've
had no indication that they're planning to take it back.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
Okay, I've done some stories with one of the families
whose home is at risk for eminent domain. Mark and
Joan Handle who live under the bridge, about a dozen
families there who find themselves standing in the way of
progress or whatever. How generous can the state be to
(05:10):
those families to make that relocation uh as as difficult
as it will be for anyone, to make it as
as smooth as possible for them. That that's a that's
a concern that I have, and I realized that that
you are thinking from the point of view of the state.
But I'm just wondering if if I could get some
(05:31):
words of assurance, you know that that what whatever can
be done.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Will be done absolutely. You know, we're we're here to
move a badly needed bridge forward for the people of
Cape Cod. But we're we're public servants, and we're human,
and we know that the taking of homes by eminent
domain has has caused some families, in particular, some distress
(05:57):
and and disruption in their lives. The process is governed
by federal and state regulations which tilt toward the homeowner
to ensure that we treat them, We get their compensation,
We pay them every nickel they're entitled to. We go
beyond what we have to the requirement to provide just
(06:21):
compensation is built into the US Constitution. We also have
highly trained professional staff from scot who are specialists in
the appraisal process and the relocation process. And when we
do appraisal, we do triple appraisals and the third one
is done by an outside board to make sure that
we give them everything that they deserve. And then we
(06:45):
also have a team of specialists who help them with relocation,
help all of the families find new homes, and we
do try to treat them with utmost sensitivity and professionalism.
And I'm really proud of my colleagues who are working
with all of the families directly. It's not easy for
anyone involved in that, and we respect their sensitivities around
(07:08):
this issue.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
I hope that your staff follows through on the words
that you're just articulated. Would sound to me to be
absolutely genuine. My understanding is that when some of the
homes were moved back in the nineteen thirties, when the
original bill Bridge was built, some of those homes were
physically moved. They weren't just knocked down and had a
check written. And this couple that I've had on the show,
(07:32):
and I don't try to I'm not trying to take
advantage of you at this point. I just want to
pass it on to you. They're hoping that their home,
which they actually built new they moved. They're from New England.
They moved here from the mid well actually from Iowa,
I don't know if we can call it the Iowa
the Midwest, and they wanted to live in the Cape.
They had a new home built, and they're hoping desperately
(07:55):
that as opposed to their new home, their new home
just simply being not down and leveled, that it could
be moved. And I guess there were some homes that
were moved in the nineteen thirty so there may be
a bit of a precedent there that maybe the state
could help ease the transition for them in that way
so that the home that they just built would not
(08:19):
be demolished.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Yeah, that's certainly a tough situation. Most of the neighborhood
was aware because we had been discussing potential property takings
for the previous few years. But as you mentioned, one
family was moving in from out of state and was
caught off guard by this. So tough news is never
better when it's a surprise, so we can empathize with
(08:44):
their situation. They just have recently shared that suggestion that
they be allowed to move their house. We would have
to take a hard look at it from an engineering perspective.
We would have to make sure that it didn't impact
the bridge schedule. The land itself of that neighborhood tilts
downward toward the canal, there are utility lines, so there'd
(09:06):
be a lot to look at. So I couldn't say
anything in response, but we're aware of that request and
we will take a look at it well.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Very reasonable responses. Thank you for the big update, and
also thank you for taking into consideration when I raise
what happens is as a talk show host, someone calls
you when you realize that they're human beings too, And
it sounds to me like you have a level of
empathy which maybe a lot of people who work in
(09:35):
government don't understand. And I I appreciate the tone, and
I appreciate you the direct answers to the questions. You
easily could have said to me something, Louisa, Well, I'm
not all that familiar and I'll have to check back
with you on it. But your answers were complete and thorough,
and I really do appreciate this, and we'll follow on,
and I hope that you're successful with all the government
(09:58):
agencies that we now have to rely upon. And I
hope you'll come back and keep us posted because I
think the more information that's available to the general public
on this is going to make the project run more smoothly,
and let's keep people keeple informed. I really do appreciate
your comments and your presence with us tonight. Thank you
so much. Hope you have a great Thank you Christmas
(10:19):
and New Year's season.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
You as well. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Okay, thanks Bie. That was an interesting set of comments,
and I don't think we concluded anything there, but I
felt duty bound to raise those issues when we get
back when I talk about something that all of us
are interested in, not that all of us aren't interested
in the Cape Cod Bridges, but all of us are
interested in how the Patriots are doing, whether they go
(10:44):
make the playoffs. Chris Price, Boston Globe sports reporter, joins
us coming back on Nightside. It's Night Side with Dan Ray,
Boston's news Radio. All right, welcome back, everybody, as we
move through our eight o'clock hour. Our next guest is
Chris Price, woust to go sports reporter, and a lot
of people are asking after the that's lost last weekend
(11:06):
thirty five thirty one to the Buffalo Bills. Uh does
does that? How much of a threat is that to
their playoff possibilities? And who better to answer that than
than Chris Price. Hey, Chris, welcome back to Night's side.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Good to talk to you. Dan, Hey you Ben, I'd
be great.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
I look at the Patriots remaining schedule. The only game
I'm worried about his Monday Night. Yeah, but I don't
play for the Patriots. Who are you? Are you worried
about any of the three remaining games?
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Well, yeah, the Sunday night game is the one that
really kind.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Of Sunday night yea, yeah, thank you, thanks, thank you
for correcting me. No noise.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Yeah. The Ravens are a feisty team. You know, they're
kind of hanging on by a thread, and when you're
you're trying to handicap who's got a better chance, a
lot of times you kind of default this time of year, anyway,
to the team that has to play with a sense
of urgency. And I don't think that the Ravens would
necessary be eliminated, but it's certainly, you know, they're kind
of hanging on by this again of their teeth there,
(12:04):
and they also match up really well against the Patriots.
The Patriots have struggled to stop the run, and the
Ravens do a really good job running the ball with
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. So it's gonna be a
really tough matchup for New England, you know, especially going
on the road primetime game, and there's a lot on
the line for this team, especially in the wake of
what happened last week against the Bills.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
What does Lamar Jackson's health look like. Lamar Jackson is
a great quarterback, was an MVP, but at this point
I don't think he is as dangerous as the Patriots
face last weekend at QB.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
Yeah, yeah, I will say this, he's a little bit
dinged up. That being said, he's still very dangerous. And again,
Derrick Henry's already rushed for over a thousand yards this season.
He was an MVP. Mike Raable knows him really well
because he used to coach Derrick Henry when you know,
they were together in Tennessee and So what the Ravens
do better than an awful lot of teams out there
is run the football. They're they're the third best team
(12:57):
in the league when it comes to average rushing yards
per game. And the Patriots, which started the year really
well against the run, have kind of fallen off a
little bit lately for a few reasons, not the least
of which they're missing Milton Williams, who's on injured reserve
for at least one more game. And so again, like
I said, this is going to be a real test
for New England's run defense. If they can force them
(13:18):
three and outs early, make Lamar Jackson throw the football,
that changes things for Baltimore. If they fall behind early,
they're going to have to throw it. And you know
when you get to when you get a one dimensional
team out there, it makes a lot easier to defend.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
So the Patriots are eleven and three. How many wins
do they need to make the playoffs?
Speaker 3 (13:37):
One? The need they need to win one more game.
If they win Sunday, they are in the post. Yeah,
if they win Sunday, they've reached the postseason. So I
agree with you when you said that, you know, the
only game you're really worried about it if you're a
Patriots fan. I think the rest of the way is
the Sunday night game. They have two games to finish
up the season in the Jets and Dolphins, two teams
(13:58):
that have really underachieved over the course of the year. Uh,
the Jets are down there a couple of days after Christmas,
and then the Dolphins are home right after the New Year.
So it's the very lead and technically the Patriots are
still in contention for the number one seed, but it's
looking more and more like they're going to get the
number two seed. If they win two of these three
last games, that should be the best possible outcome for
(14:19):
this team and they'll get the number two seed in
a Nancy.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Now, Miami has spectacularly underperformed to the point that the
two are is going to ride the bench this weekend.
Feat reports I read talk about a start from Grace.
Speaker 3 (14:35):
Yeah, it really and Dan it's it's funny. I've talked
to a couple of people about this, and I said,
this is the first conversation that we're going to have
in a series of conversations that's going to end with
Mike McDaniel the head coach losing his job because they
fired the GM there. And my guess is the new
GM is going to want to hit the reset button.
I'm gonna want to bring his own head coach. And
the thing there with two of those is two that
(14:57):
makes so much money it's not really cost effective to him.
And so maybe they try and find, you know, a
willing trade partner. Maybe they try and make it work
with him. But it looks like the Dolphins really you know,
it starts with Tua, but they're really going to hit
the reset button this offseason.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Is two As far as you know, we call him
too because his last name is tough. But is twoa
still suffering from the concussions from a year ago.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
No, But I will say this that you know, we
talked about Miami spectacularly spectacularly underachieving. I think that's part
of it when you talk about him and his struggles
this year. He leads the league at least amongst starters
in interceptions, and while Miami has had their share of injury,
including Tyreek Hill, it just really hasn't clicked for him.
(15:42):
They haven't played good, complimentary football. The defense really hasn't
helped out the offense. The offense hasn't helped up the defense.
Special teams hasn't helped anyone out, and so I think,
you know, when you talk about a team's failures, it's
kind of a joint effort, and a lot of that
I still think rest with the quarterback though in his
just general struggles over the course of the year.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Yeah, I just hope that that whatever issue he had
a year ago was cleaned up before they put him
back on them.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Because you yeah, yeah, it's yeah. I still I think
it is still a problem. And I think people are
I'll say this, people in South Florida kind of kind
of you know, hold their breath when he takes off
and runs or when he's exposed to a big hit,
And I think that is maybe not sustainable long term
(16:29):
when you're talking about the future of that quarterback with
that franchise.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
Well, my concern would be, can you go through the report,
can you go through the repetition so that if if
you first received as a coverge or second receiver and
get you know, and even maybe get back to the
first guy if he's broke, how good is your your
your comprehension of what's going on in front of you,
that's what I would be concerned.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Yeah, and and and that's a that's a completely legitimate question,
especially when you consider the fact that Miami's offense likes
to run high, high speed, up tempo. They like to
do things very quickly, and if you can't diagnose those
issues quickly, then you got a problem with quarterback.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Yeah. Well, and they have had a quarterback problem with
a quarterback. Anybody is the backup who's going to play?
Is this someone who we should be being concerned about
two weeks from now?
Speaker 3 (17:16):
No, I think that I think it's always good to
have a good backup quarterback. That the number two there are,
the guy who's going to be starting for them moving forward,
is Quinn Yours, a young man out of Texas who
quite honestly is probably a better cold, cold weather quarterback
right now than two is. Because you talk about Miami struggles.
Miami hasn't won a game when the temperature have been
(17:37):
under forty degrees in forever.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
It feels like, so.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
I think, you know, I think, you know, you make
that change, and you know, you kind of roll the
dice and see what you have with, you know, three
games left.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
Well, they have nothing to lose, that's for sure, Chris.
That's always Thanks so much. Love, love talking with you,
and love going through my own progressions on the our conversation.
I always learned something from you, that's for sure. Thanks,
my friend. We'll talk to you.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
Thank you, definitely, We'll take care. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Right coming back, right after the news of the bottom
of the hour, we're going to talk with doctor Anahida Dua.
She's a vascular surgeon at mass General Hospital, Associate Professor
of surgery at Harvard University. She's also chair and founder
of Healthcare for Action. And we're concerned and she's concerned
about this aggressive new flu variant. And guess what we
are moving Well, we're still moving through the holiday season,
(18:30):
the Honuker part of the holiday season, and pretty soon
we'll be really in the Christmas season and then New
Year's and you got to be take some precautions and protections,
and doctor Dua will help us know what those are.
Right after the break here at the bottom of the hour.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
It's Night Side with Dan Ray on.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Boston's news radio.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Well, we are I guess at some point here in
the flu season, at least that's what I am told
with US is doctor Anita Dua. She's a vascular surgeon
Mass General Hospital and Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard University.
She's also the chair and founder of Healthcare for Action.
Doctor Dua, Welcome to Night's side. I hope I haven't
(19:14):
butchered either your first or last name.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
No, you're the fantastic job. Thank you very much for
having me.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
You are more than welcome. Thanks for being here. So look,
we've talked about this flu strain coming this way out
of England as I understand it is where it was
first picked up. And if I'm wrong, please correct me.
But how are we doing? Are we fighting it off
or are we succumbing at a at a rate that
all of us should be concerned about.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
Unfortunately, we are succumbing, and the reason for that is
because it's sort of the perfect storm. Basically, the way
that we know that a flu strain is going to
be a problem is we sort of look at the
southern hemisphere because that's usually where it kind of the
flu starts out and we sort of see what the
numbers are there. So, for example, Australia had one of
the worst seasons that it's ever had. In fact, I
(20:01):
think the numbers were so high they were higher than
every other Australian season, and that's a good predictor of
what's going to be happening in the United States. And
the reason that we're seeing such a surge is, first
of all, this is an influenza, a virus which is
always really potent, but it's being combined with the fact
that recently, in the last few years, there was a
(20:23):
lower amount of flu that was kind of going around,
so people lost a little bit of their natural immunity.
On top of that, fewer people are getting vaccinated, and
on top of that, the flu always brings his friends,
which are in this case RSV and COVID, So we've
got the perfect storm of a really potent flu strain,
people not being immunized and having a little less immunity,
(20:45):
and people are coming with combined diseases like the RSV,
the COVID, and the flu, and that's making for a
real problem with patients who are basically overwhelming the ers.
Speaker 1 (20:57):
Now, I always get a flu shot, and I got
a flu shot in September. I like to wait a
little bit, but I want to make sure it was
in effect. Flu shots as I understand, are pretty effective
for about six months, as I understand, And so if
what should someone do today? Unlike me who did get
(21:18):
the flu shot, and I hope I'm going to be okay.
But if you didn't get the flu shot, it takes
a couple of weeks to actually begin to develop, you know,
for you some immunity. I guess the best day to
get the flu shot was a week ago, Tuesday. The
second Wednesday would be tomorrow, tomorrow.
Speaker 4 (21:42):
That's right, That's exactly right.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
You know.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
The thing about the flu shot is it's never one
hundred percent. But what it does do is even if
you get the flu, because you've had the shot, your
body's had a chance to practice. That's the best way
to put it. So your body is practiced fighting this
particular strength. And as a result, if you are you know,
unlucky enough to get it, even if you're vaccinated, you're
(22:05):
not going to have as aggressive as a flu that
you can have. Now you mentioned earlier, you know, I'm
a vascular surgeon. When people think of the flu, they
think of the sniffles, they think of the headache, they
think of the virus and the you know, the coughing
and seizing. But actually, as a vascular surgeon, I see
a terrible side of the flu. And what I see
is people who end up in the ICU because they
(22:26):
become septic, so they're unable to keep their blood pressure up.
And what happens there is that they actually lose blood
flow to their fingers and their toes. And when I
meet these patients, I'm meeting them to actually amputate their
hands and their feet. So it is no joke to
get the flu when it is very severe. So it's
(22:46):
not just about getting the shot to get it or
not get it. It's about getting the shot to protect
yourself because even if you get it, you will not
hopefully end up in that ICU.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Okay, so let's assume that people have just gotten flu shot,
or or they have the flu shot, or whatever their
situation is. I hope they all get the flu shot.
But is that What else can people either who haven't
got the flu shot or have already gotten the flu shot.
What else can we do? I mean, one of the things,
it sounds to me like that if I could, I
(23:16):
would just like barricade myself in the house. And I
know we can't do that, but what else should we
go back to mask. What do you think?
Speaker 4 (23:27):
Bread is through droplets? So it is a respiratory disease.
So anytime that you're in contact with these respiratory droplets,
there is a possibility that you can inhale them and
basically give yourself the virus. So, indeed, what you just said,
there are a few things. Number One, you have to
keep your own immunity up. You want to make sure
that you're sleeping right, you're eating right, so that your
(23:48):
body has the defenses to fight off any disease, not
just the flu. The second thing is, of course, I
mean this is on top of the flu shot if
you want to be in a position where you're really protected.
The masks do help, they're not one hundred percent, and
the only reason that they help is a very mechanical thing.
They quite literally stop you from breathing in these droplets.
(24:09):
And the final thing is that you have to be
cautious and aware of who you're around. If there is
somebody who is sneezing and coughing in your proximity, be
careful about touching things, make sure that you use that
hand sanitizer, and make sure that you move a little
bit away you know, so that you're not breathing in
the same stuff that's being put out. But the number
one thing, and you've already mentioned this, of course, is
(24:30):
getting that shot again to reduce how aggressive the flu
may be if you do contract.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
It, and there's nothing to be ashamed about. If I
believe people should make their own decision. But National Hockey
League goaltenders all wear masks now because they don't want it.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
I wear a mask. I'm a surgeon. I wear it
all day long.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Okay, sure, right, well you heard in your job. But
I mean I don't think that you should be have
your arm twisted to wear a mask, nor do I
think people should make fun of you if you choose
to wear a mask. I just think that we should
all do for ourselves what we feel is best. I
do think, as you've just explained so effectively, it would
(25:13):
be best to get your flu shot, even if you
think it's too late because the flu the flu will peak.
Do they project sort of a peak of late January
or or is it going to peak earlier than that,
or do we even know?
Speaker 4 (25:29):
We don't know exactly, but you basically hit it on
the head. December to January time it depends on where
you are also in the country, you know, and how
extensive the flu is in that particular region. You know,
We've seen with other viruses like measles, for example, that
we know their little pockets bursting, and it really has
to do with who you're exposed to and how the
disease is spreading. I completely agree with you with the masking.
(25:54):
You absolutely should not be forcing anyone to do anything.
And simultaneously, if someone wants to do something, it's up
to them. I mean, that's the beauty of America. It's
a free country.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
Do what you want.
Speaker 4 (26:04):
And if you feel that that's going to protect you,
especially if you're older, you know, and you're already a
little immuno compromised, you've got a few core mobilities, you
can't afford to get the flu, and so if you
want to put a mask on them, put it on.
But again, the flu shot out of it is probably
the most important thing to give yourself as much protection
as possible.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
Now, you're also the chair and founder of a group
called Healthcare for Action, a coalition of healthcare work is
set up with inaction in government supporting healthcare workers running
for Congress if folks want to either get in touch
with that group or to get more information on the flu.
Is there a website or too that you could share
with us?
Speaker 4 (26:42):
Absolutely so. Healthcare for Action indeed is exactly a group
of healthcare workers and people who are affected by healthcare issues,
which is everybody who are out here to support people
in Congress and in the Senate who support these types
of issues. And so if you want to learn more
about it, our website www. Dot healthcarefoaction dot com all
(27:02):
words is the perfect place to go. I am on
Twitter at at A m h I T A d
u A, so feel free to go ahead on there
and connect with me. And of course, if you want
to learn more about the flu and how it can
affect you, the best thing to do is to actually
speak to your doctor, because it's actually about you as
a person. You know, one of the mistakes that we've
(27:24):
made in medicine historically is kind of blanketing everybody. But
you know, if you're a seventy year old man who's
immunal compromised from a cancer, your situation is different from
a twenty two year old girl who may be completely
healthy and normal, and the doctor that you speak to
your primary care doctor can give you a sense of
how important it is for you to do certain things
to protect yourself.
Speaker 1 (27:44):
Doctor, I very much appreciate your time. I only want
to correct you on one small thing, and that is this.
And of course I'm speaking a little sarcastically here or
a little tongue in cheek. You don't have to do
the www anymore. Just go Healthcare for action. Donald, is
it dot com and dot org? By the way, is
(28:04):
it dot com?
Speaker 4 (28:06):
It is dot com?
Speaker 1 (28:07):
So it's not often.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
My husband he makes fun of me about that all
the time.
Speaker 1 (28:12):
Really, okay, well he must be a great guy. Then
it took me more courage to do say that, probably
than your husband. But yeah, that WWW, it's it's, it's
it was. It was in vogue for a long time.
But it's not necessary anymore, doctor dout. We love our conversation.
Come on back soon, Okay, thanks very much.
Speaker 4 (28:31):
Thank you so much. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
Welcome, very welcome. When we get back, when we talk
about a group that is showing actually it's a restaurant here,
and a group that is showing appreciation for our military.
As a matter of fact, this appreciation will be next Monday,
if you're former military or current military, we gotta we
got a suggestion for you. Stay with us right here
at Nightside.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
You're on night Side with Dan Ray on Boston's news radio.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
We're gonna wrap up our eight o'clock hore here. I'm
going to talk with Jacob Cool. It's a very cool name, Jacob.
How are you tonight?
Speaker 3 (29:06):
Hey?
Speaker 5 (29:06):
Good even sir, how are you? It's great to be.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
Here, excellent. Miles for Military, you're the chief operating officer.
First of all, tell us about the group Miles for Military. Yes.
Speaker 4 (29:18):
Absolutely.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
We're a new nonprofit organization to where we to champion
volunteer community service among active duty service members. To be
eligible for a program be active duty the lower enlisted ranks,
So you form below and have completed at least twenty
five hours of volunteer work with the charity, and then
(29:42):
our organization will pay for their plane ticket home free
and no cost.
Speaker 1 (29:47):
Interesting. Interesting, I've heard about the group. As a matter
of fact. How long have you been around it? It is
relatively new.
Speaker 5 (29:56):
It's our third year flying service members home and we
have seen significant growth this year. Our first year in
twenty twenty three, we've flown nineteen service members. Last year
we threw forty nine, and this year we're a banner year.
We've flown over five hundred and thirty five service members
(30:17):
this year and all over the world.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
So those are incredible leaps. Nineteen forty nine over five hundred,
that's incredible. When I did my military time, I remember
used to go stand by and you were hoping that
there would be a seat available on the plane. You
had to pay a price, but it was a pretty
(30:41):
reasonable price, particularly by today's standards. But airline travel, although
it's become more common from far away places, can get
very expensive. So does the amount of volunteer effort. Twenty
five hours is that the standard amount, whether the soldier
(31:04):
or the member of the military is stateside or their overseas,
however long, however far they are from home.
Speaker 5 (31:12):
There is no scale depending upon how far they are
from home. It's just a standard twenty five hours. But
what I will say is many of our service members
have volunteered much more than twenty five and even in
the hundreds of hours in the respective communities.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Excellent. Now, there's an event coming up here Monday at
a restaurant called nineteen twenty eight Rose Wharf, restaurant is
offering free lunch for active duty military and veterans this
coming Monday afternoon from eleven, well beginning in the morning
eleven o'clock to two pm. Of course, that's December twenty second,
(31:52):
is coming Monday. Tell us about that. Tell us a
little bit about the restaurant on twelve, nineteen twenty eight
Rose Wharf.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (32:00):
Absolutely, the owners of a restaurant an excellent thing that
they want to do to give back to the community.
Their grandfathers serve in the US Army years ago, and
just their great appreciation for the military. They want to
do their bit to kind of give back. So part
of that active duty military personnel, veterans and their families.
(32:22):
If they just show up between eleven and two at
nineteen twenty eight Rose Wharf show military ID or proof
of service, first come, first served basis, they'll get a
complimentary lunch.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
So they're able to bring a family member with them.
Is that what I heard you say? It's not they
have to show up alone, correct, Yeah, correct, that's great.
That's great. And how is this the first time that
you have done this in conjunction with nineteen twenty eight
Rose Wharf. I'm guessing from your action, from your accent
to a lack thereof that you're not a native Bostonian. Jacob,
(33:00):
this is a pretty new restaurant. Because I had not
even heard of it, and I know where Rose Wharf is.
I'm sure people will be able to find it and
and get and make their way there. But this would
this would be down in sort of the waterfront area,
down by City Hall if if you happen to have
been there, I assume that's what we're talking about.
Speaker 5 (33:19):
Yes, that's absolutely it's a great location. This is our
first time doing this and it will be a great time.
And you definitely caught me. I'm not a native Bostonian,
but my love love for the Boston area, i'd definitely
consider myself one.
Speaker 1 (33:33):
Well that's fine, And now are you folks based? Is
this group miles of the military based in Boston? Are
you based somewhere else?
Speaker 5 (33:42):
Our headquarters is based in Boston. Our founder, Maureene Byrne,
proud marine mom, who founded our wonderful organization and had
this great idea for connecting volunteer service and free plane tickets,
are are all up in Boston.
Speaker 1 (33:57):
Well, that's great. We don't want to bury the lead
on this story. Then let's take a little this brag
a little bit. Maureene Burne is here. Is her son
or daughter still active duty or have they? Have they
done the duty and moved on.
Speaker 5 (34:11):
They've since got out of the service. But uh, Marine
and her son ronan just a wonderful story they have.
And if if I made just real quick or for
your audience. A few years back, her son was stationed
down at Campbell June, North Carolina. Marienne spent a lot
of money trying to get them home for Thanksgiving, and
conversations developed around the dinner table of you know, how
(34:34):
do other military families afford to to bring their their
loved ones, you know, home that are stationed across the country,
across the world. And that's where our sons said, well,
well they don't. They all stay at their at their
duty stations. They don't go home. And obviously it broke
a mother's heart. Short, short, short while after that, her
(34:55):
son volunteered at a special Olympics event close by Campbell June,
and that's where she kind of connected the dots between Hey,
what if there is an organization that recognized championed volunteerism
with a free plane ticket home. And we're the only
organization out here that is open as wide as it
(35:19):
is for all the junior and listed service members. So
it's it's a great idea and as our numbers are
are showing with awareness, it's it are really excited to
see where this program is growing.
Speaker 1 (35:32):
So Jacob, let's let's give a website for the program. Obviously,
the the the event on Monday is at the nineteen
twenty eight Rosewolf restaurant. Again, it's not downtown Bust, and
I think I know where it would be. It's down
kind of on the waterfront. It sounds in the in
the area of the aquarium. I'm sure that's where it's located.
(35:54):
And if I mean correct, feel free to correct me
on that one.
Speaker 5 (35:57):
Okay, near the Boston Harbor, Yeah sure.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
Yeah, Okay, Well, the harve is big. I just want
to put it exactly. I know where Rosewarf is in
relation to the aquarium. And how can folks who listened
to our show anywhere all over the country, all over
the world right now, support miles from military give us
the website in case some folks out there would like
to pop open their checkbook between now and December thirty. First,
(36:24):
I assume you are five oh one c three, So
some people might need some charitable deductions on their on
their taxes next April. They how can they get in
touch with you or get more information about the group?
Speaker 5 (36:35):
Miles from Military absolutely figure to our website Milesfromilitary dot org.
They can learn more about our organization, a lot of
our service member stories, what they did to volunteer, what
they did with their plane ticket to reconnect with their families,
and they can obviously make donations there through all the
(36:58):
variety of means for that. But our program, obviously we're
experiencing great demand with military members trying to go home
for the holidays, but we're already seeing demand in twenty
twenty six to fly service members home, so we're definitely
working year round.
Speaker 1 (37:14):
Sounds great. Jacob Cool, the COO of Miles to the Military,
thank you very much. Hope that you have a great
holiday season. Do you celebrate Christmas? What's your holiday? Yeah?
Speaker 5 (37:25):
No, absolutely, I just retired from the Army myself after
twenty three years, so this will be the first Christmas
in a long time. My wife and son will be
able to celebrate with our family, so it'll.
Speaker 1 (37:35):
Be great enjoyed Merry Christmas and all the success possible
in twenty twenty six. Thanks Jake, I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (37:42):
Thank you again.
Speaker 1 (37:43):
Welcome. Okay, when we get back, we're going to talk
about this crazy seven days or so that we have
just experienced here in New England. I think we need
to talk about it and just kind of move past
it at this point. We can never forget those who
have lost their lives, but we also need to I think,
somehow put it in perspective and realize it was the
(38:03):
work of a madman who took his own life. Now
apparently they're saying took his own life as early as Tuesday.
If only had taken his life a month before or
two months before, and the other lives would have been spared.
We'll be back on nightside right after the nine o'clock news.
My name's Dan Ray.
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