As It Happens

As It Happens: The Wednesday Edition

Dec. 15, 2021

Episode Transcript

Part One

Ontario Booster Doses
New measures to slow the spread of the Omicron variant were announced across the country today, and an Ontario infectious disease specialist just wants to know what took so long.

NS Rapid Tests 
Still the best place to cram for a test. Halifax's chief librarian tells us how libraries helped Nova Scotia become a rapid-test success story. 

Brain Surgeons Vs Rocket Scientists
It's not rocket science or brain surgery. A researcher tried to find out whether the people in those fields are actually smarter than the rest of us...and found out they mostly aren't. 


Part Two

Dead Giraffes Photo
High and dry.The journalist behind a dramatic photo of six dead giraffes in Kenya tells us why it's emblematic of the suffering the region is facing after months without rain.

Man Eats at Chinese Restaurants
You are what you eat. David R. Chan didn't grow up eating Chinese food, but years ago he decided to explore his roots by eating at every Chinese restaurant he could. And eight thousand meals later he has a whole menu of opinions.


Part Three

Encore Texas Power 
Scott Willoughby shared his story of what happened to his variable rate electricity charges after a deadly Texas winter storm earlier this year. Carol's conversation with Mr Willoughby was one of the most popular this year -- the ones that you listened to, read, and shared the most. Here is another chance to listen, as we look back at 2021.  

Plastic Eating Bacteria 
Pick of the litter. A group of researchers in Sweden find that a striking number of bacteria appear to be evolving an ability to degrade plastic pollution.