Pressure is mounting to find a vaccine for COVID-19 as the U.S. death toll from the virus officially passed 100,000. Right now, there are now roughly 100 candidates for a vaccine in the works with a few fast-tracked for human trials. Vaccine development has multiple stages that usually take years to ensure the treatment is safe and effective. Special contributor Joie Chen gives us a look at the push being made for a different and controversial type of testing – human challenge trials.
This weekend on Matter of Fact, a salute to the brave who put our country first. We look at the paths of two service members, Col. Harvey Barnum whose career soared after receiving this medal, and Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, whose honor was delayed for decades. Plus, a marine who lost both legs in combat keeps on running. Why he committed to a month of marathons.
Rob Jones, a retired U.S. Marine, is the only double, above-the-knee amputee to bike from Maine to California. Then, he completed a month of consecutive marathons in 31 cities, raising more than $200,000 for three wounded veteran charities. Hear his inspiring story.
More than 3,500 armed service members have received the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military’s highest and most prestigious decoration. Yet, some military heroes were denied the Medal of Honor and its benefits due to their race, ethnicity or religion. In 2014, the U.S. Congress and President Barack Obama worked to right those wrongs by awarding the Medal to 24 Veterans, including Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, more than four decades after he was recommended.
Hear Morris’ story of bravery during the Vietnam War that led to his Medal of Honor recommendation.
Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris served two tours in Vietnam as a Green Beret. On one of those tours, he crossed enemy lines and took three shots to his chest and arm as he singlehandedly destroyed enemy barracks, all to retrieve the body of team sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Hagan. He was recommended for consideration for the Medal of Honor, but it took decades before the honor was bestowed.
Hear Sgt. Morris’ story after he received an unexpected call from President Obama.
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Officer Colonel Harvey “Barney” Barnum saved over 130 lives during the Vietnam War, leading a counterattack while facing heavy enemy fire. For his act of bravery, he received the U.S. military’s highest accolade: The Medal of Honor. Watch his story of valor and how, at the young age of 26, it catapulted his military career.
This week on Matter of Fact, states are looking to get people back to work while keeping them healthy. Correspondent Jessica Gomez takes us to Detroit, where the Motor City is reassembling the pieces. Then, political tensions over mail-in ballots. Soledad O’Brien talks to Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) about how her state has done mail-in elections for 22 years and how other states can make the switch. Plus, could the pandemic lead to a universal basic income? Soledad O’Brien talks to Annie Lowrey about her book “Give People Money.”
Ramadan is usually one of the most social months for Muslims. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, traditional celebrations have had to change. Matter of Fact Correspondent Leone Lakhani shows us how a time meant for reflection, spiritual discipline, and social gatherings looks different during the COVID crisis.
There are now more Americans filing for unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic than during the Great Depression. Since mid-March, more than 36 million people have applied for unemployment benefits. Now, some federal lawmakers are calling for a monthly $2,000 payment during the crisis to help financially strapped Americans. In other words, universal basic income. Soledad O’Brien speaks with Annie Lowrey, a staff writer at The Atlantic, about her book “Give People Money.”
With the COVID-19 pandemic likely to still be a threat in the fall, some election officials are considering the possibility of moving to a mail-only election. That would limit exposure to the virus, but its quickly becoming a partisan issue. Oregon is one of five states that conducts all elections completely by mail. Soledad O’Brien speaks with Governor Kate Brown about how it works and what other states need to do to make the switch for the general election.