>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": AFTER YET ANOTHER UP AND DOWN WEEK ON THE VACCINE ROLLOUT FRONT HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS -- WHICH JUST GOT A FAILING GRADE FROM HARVARD, BY THE WAY -- B.M.C.

DR. CASSANDRA PIERRE AND HARVARD IMMUNOLOGIST BARRY BLOOM JOIN ME ON THE GOOD COVID NEWS -- AND THERE IS SOME -- AND THE BAD.

THEN, LATER, B.S.O.

MUSIC DIRECTOR ANDRIS NELSONS JOINS ME ON WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE BACK ON STAGE IN BOSTON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A YEAR, IN CELEBRATION OF BEETHOVEN'S 250th BIRTHDAY, AND HOW YOU CAN SEE THOSE PERFORMANCES NOW.

AND, FINALLY, REMEMBERING SOME OF THE MANY WE'VE LOST TO COVID.

>>> GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER IS DEFENDING HIS ADMINISTRATION'S VACCINE ROLLOUT AGAIN.

AFTER MAJOR CONFUSION AT THE MASS VACCINATION SITE, HE STOPPED BY IN DANVERS YESTERDAY, WHERE A LINE STRETCHED AROUND THE BLOCK WHEN WORD GOT OUT THE SITE HAD EXTRA DOSES.

>> PEOPLE NEED TO MANAGER THEIR DOSING AND VACCINES GOING FORWARD.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN APPOINTMENT, THERE WON'T BE A VACCINE FOR YOU.

>> Braude: WHILE THE GOVERNOR MAY WANT THAT TO BE THE CASE, REPORTS INDICATED SEVERAL PEOPLE GOT THEIR SHOTS YESTERDAY WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT OR BEING ELIGIBLE UNDER CURRENT STATE GUIDELINES.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE ONLY PLACE IT'S HAPPENED.

BAKER ALSO TOUCHED ON A CHANGE HE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY ALLOWING A PERSON WHO ACCOMPANIES SOMEONE AGE 75 OR OLDER TO ONE OF THE MASS VACCINE SITES TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THEMSELVES, TOO, A MOVE THAT'S ALREADY HAD SOME UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE OWENS TWEETED: "TOTALLY NORMAL FOR YOUR STATE'S VACCINATION PLAN TO CREATE A MARKET ON CRAIGSLIST FOR PEOPLE WILLING TO PAY TO DRIVE SENIORS TO THEIR APPOINTMENTS," PROMPTING THIS WARNING FROM BAKER: >> Governor: IF YOU'RE 75 PLUS AND YOU NEED ASSISTANCE GOING THROUGH THE VACCINATION PROCESS ONLY, REACH OUT TO SOMEBODY YOU KNOW AND TRUST TO BRING YOU AS YOUR COMPANION.

>> Braude: BUT BAKER IS GETTING CREDIT FOR SOME PROGRESS ON REDUCING RACIAL DISPARITIES.

AFTER INITIAL CRITICISM IN A JANUARY 26th LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR, CONGRESSWOMAN AYANNA PRESSLEY TOLD US ON "BOSTON PUBLIC RADIO" YESTERDAY THAT SHE'S BEEN ENCOURAGED BY THE GOVERNOR'S COMMITMENT TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND TRUSTED LEADERS TO REACH THE STATE'S HARDEST HIT COMMUNITIES.

BUT SHE NOTED THERE'S STILL MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

>> I'M AN ASTHMA SUFFERER MYSELF, I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN THAT ASTHMA WAS LEFT OFF THE LIST OF ELIGIBLE MEDICAL CONDITIONS FOR THE COVID VACCINE IN THE STATE'S PHASE 2 ROLLOUT.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S REALLY DEVASTATING FOR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS, INCLUDING MY OWN DISTRICT, WHO HAVE DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGHER RATES OF ASTHMA.

>> Braude: THE VACCINE ROLLOUT OVERALL: MASSACHUSETTS' JUST GOT AN "F" FROM A PROFESSOR AT HARVARD FOR ITS "STUMBLING" EFFORT TO GET SHOTS INTO ARMS AND FOR FAILING TO PREVENT DEATHS, PUTTING MASSACHUSETTS BEHIND ALMOST EVERY OTHER STATE.

NATIONALLY, THE VACCINE SITUATION IS LOOKING A LITTLE BIT BRIGHTER.

ONE IN 10 AMERICANS HAVE NOW GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE, AND TODAY BIDEN'S TOP MEDICAL ADVISOR, DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, SAID HE THINKS THE PROCESS WILL SPEED UP DRAMATICALLY IN THE COMING MONTHS.

>> BY THE TIME WE GET TO APRIL, THAT WILL BE WHAT I WOULD CALL, FOR BETTER WORDING, "OPEN SEASON," NAMELY VIRTUALLY EVERYBODY AND ANYBODY IN ANY CATEGORY COULD START TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Braude: BUT MY FAVORITE PIECE OF NEWS?

WE WON'T BE SUBJECTED TO ANYMORE PANDEMIC LIES FROM ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR., ON INSTAGRAM.

HE WAS BANNED FROM THE PLATFORM YESTERDAY BY ITS PARENT COMPANY Facebook FOR "REPEATEDLY SHARING DEBUNKED CLAIMS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS OR VACCINES."

I'M JOINED BY DR. CASSANDRA PIERRE, ACTING HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST AND AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE PHYSICIAN AT BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER, AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT B.U.

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, AND BARRY BLOOM, FORMER DEAN OF FACULTY, NOW A PROFESSOR OF IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE AT HARVARD'S CHAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> Braude: DOCTORS, THANK YOU SO MUCH, BOTH OF YOU, FOR JOINING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

DR. PIERRE, IF I COULD START WITH YOU, ONE POSITIVE UPDATE I FAILED TO MENTION IS DEATHS REMAIN, OBVIOUSLY, FAR TOO HIGH, THE OVERALL VIRUS NUMBERS HERE AND ACROSS THE NATION ARE IMPROVING.

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY.

IT SURELY ISN'T THE VACCINES.

THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ENOUGH DOSES ADMINISTERED YET.

WHY ARE THE NUMBERS GETTING BETTER?

>> Doctor: YOU'RE RIGHT, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VACCINES TO ACHIEVE ANY SORT OF HERD IMMUNITY.

I THINK ONE MAYBE OVERALL OPTIMISTIC ANALYSIS OF THIS MIGHT BE AS WE HAVE GOTTEN TO A NEW ADMINISTRATION, THERE ARE NEW RULES, WHICH IS A NATIONAL MASK MANDATE, AND WE SUME THESE ARE PRESUME THESE ARE BEING ENFORCED MORE EXPLICITLY, AND PEOPLE ARE HOPEFULLY FOLLOWING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.

BUT I ALSO THINK THERE IS A BIT OF A DARKER MEANING.

THERE ARE LESS INDOOR GATHERINGS, LESS HOLIDAYS, AND SO LESS OPPORTUNITIES TO MIX HOUSEHOLDS AND TO POTENTIALLY TRANSMIT VIRUS.

>> Braude: DR. BLOOM, DO YOU BUY THAT ANALYSIS?

>> YES.

AND I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT THE INCREASED CONTACT BETWEEN THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, AND NEW YEAR'S HAS DONE ITS DAMAGE AND WE'RE COMING BACK TO A MORE NORMAL STATE.

AND PEOPLE ARE MORE CONSCIENCE OF WEARING MASKS AND I THINK MORE PEOPLE ARE WEARING THEM.

>> Braude: IT'S ABOUT TIME.

I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED YOU'RE INVOLVED IN THE GOVERNOR'S VACCINE ROLLOUT TASK FORCE, DR. BLOOM.

THE GOVERNOR HAS ADMITTED IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING, ALTHOUGH I'M SURE HE CHALLENGED THAT GRADE FROM YOUR COLLEAGUES AT HARVARD.

LET'S CALL THIS SCAM SUSCEPTIBLE ABOUT THE PERSON WHO ACCOMPANIES SOMEONE 75 YEARS OR OLDER.

OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO GET AS MANY OLDER PEOPLE VACCINATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BUT WAS THE GOVERNOR RIGHT HERE?

WAS THIS THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT, DR. BLOOM?

>> Doctor: SO THE QUESTION IS -- IF YOU GO BACK TO FIRST PRINCIPLES, THE PEOPLE MOST AT RISK OF DYING FROM THIS DISEASE ARE PEOPLE OVER 70 AND OVER 65.

75 IS A GROUP THAT IS THE HIGHEST RISK FOR DEATH.

SO ANYTHING THAT ONE CAN DO REASONABLY TO REACH AND GET THROUGH THESE PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM ARE NOT ABLE TO GET AROUND ON THEIR OWN, IT IS A CONSTRUCTIVE IDEA.

THE DOWNSIDE IS, AS YOUR COMMENTATORS HAVE INDICATED, IF IT IS NOT A FAMILY MEMBER, AND IT IS AN UBER DRIVER, IT SKEWS THE EQUITY ARRANGEMENTS AND FAIRNESS ARRANGEMENTS, AND YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINES SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DRIVE AN UBER.

I DON'T EXPECT MUCH OF THAT, BUT IT IS POSSIBLE, AND IT WOULD BE UNFORTUNATE.

>> Braude: YOU SHOULD LOOK AT MY NEIGHBORHOOD MESSAGE BOARD IN CAMBRIDGE, AND YOU MIGHT FEEL DIFFERENTLY.

THERE WERE A LOT OF, QUOTE, "VOLUNTEERS" THIS MORNING.

DID BAKER GET IT RIGHT?

OBVIOUSLY THE GOAL IS ADMIRABLE, BUT IS THE VEHICLE TO GET IT THERE THE RIGHT ONE?

>> Doctor: I HAVE TO AGREE WITH DR. BLOOM, IF THIS IS ROLLED OUT SUFFICIENTLY, YES, THERE ARE SUFFICIENT DOSES OF VACCINES TO ACCOUNT FOR THE ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL BE SHOWING UP, WHETHER CAREGIVERS OR NOT, OR OPPORTUNISTS, AND WE HAVE ACCELERATED VACCINE ROLLOUTS AND TARGETED THOSE WHO ARE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO SEVERE FORMS OF COVID.

AND ALSO, POTENTIALLY, MADE VICTORY FOR RACIAL AND HEALTH EQUITY, BECAUSE THEY THE INDIVIDUALS IN THESE VACCINE SITES MIGHT BE INDIVIDUALS IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

SO EVEN IF THE INDIVIDUALS SHOWING UP WITH THEM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE PRIMARY CAREGIVERS, IT IS A WAY TO INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO SHOW UP.

AND THEY NEED ADDITIONAL DOSES -- THOSE DOSES HAVE NOT BEEN FACTORED IN, AND IT DELAYS THE SUBSEQUENT HIGH-RISK GROUPS, THEN IT WILL BE A PROBLEM.

>> Braude: WELL, I HAPPEN TO BE IN THAT NEXT GROUP.

65 AND PEOPLE WITH TWO CO-MORBIDITIES.

AND EVERY DOSE THAT GOES TO THE PERSON WHO GETS THE 75-YEAR-OLD TO THE VACCINATION SITE ARGUABLY MEANS ONE FEWER DOSE FOR THAT PERSON IN THE NEXT GROUP.

HERE IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TO SAY.

>> Governor: I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA, BEING OVER THE AGE OF 75, BEING OVER THE AGE OF 85, THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE FAR MORE LIKELY TO LOSE THEIR LIFE AND GET HOSPITALIZED AS A RESULT OF COVID.

AND IT'S NOT LIKE 5% OR 10%.

IT IS LIKE MULTIPLES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE BEFORE WE GO TO OUR NEXT CATEGORY, THAT WE'VE GOTTEN EVERYBODY WE CAN POSSIBLY GET WHO FALLS INTO THAT CLASSIFICATION.

>> Braude: I WANT TO BROWCHBROACH ANOTHER BUMPY ISSUE.

ONE OF THE ISSUES -- I MENTIONED AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW THE CHAOS IN DANVERS, WHERE PEOPLE WERE HOPING THERE WAS AN EXTRA DOSE.

THE GOVERNOR WAS ASKED REPEATEDLY ABOUT THESE EXTRA DOSES TODAY.

LET ME START WITH YOU, DR. BLOOM.

EVERY TIME HE WAS ASKED THE QUESTION, HE SAID, YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

BUT THE REPORTERS WERE BASICALLY SAYING THERE ARE GOING TO BE EXTRA DOSES, THOUGH.

ONE QUESTION I THOUGHT MADE TOTAL SENSE, WHICH HE BLEW AWAY WAS, HOW ABOUT A CALL LIST?

SO THAT IF THERE ARE EXTRA DOSES, THERE IS A CALL LIST OF PEOPLE, WHICH IS ORDERLY TO SAY, IF YOU'RE AVAILABLE, COME ON DOWN.

WHY IS THAT NOT THE SANE APPROACH TO THE EXTRA DOSE ISSUE?

>> Doctor: THE COMPLEXITY THAT I TRULY DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WHY IN THE BEGINNING YOU HAD TO CALL PLACES THAT HAD VACCINES.

IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE MOST SENSIBLE THING WOULD BE TO HAVE A STATE REGISTRY.

PEOPLE MAKE APPOINTMENTS, AND THERE THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO THE PLACES CLOSEST TO WHERE THEY LIVE.

AND WE HAVE 25 VACCINES LEFT OVER, AND WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO CAN USE THEM IN 30 MINUTES, AND THAT WOULD BE THE FAIREST WAY TO DO IT.

THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT HAS BEEN ROLLED OUT.

>> Braude: STAYING WITH YOU FOR A SECOND, YOU'RE ON THIS COVID ROLLOUT VACCINE TASK FORCE.

WEST VIRGINIA, ONE OF THE POOREST STATES IN THE COUNTRY, HAS EXACTLY THAT KIND OF CENTRALIZED PRE-REGISTRATION SYSTEM.

INDIANA AND I THINK ARIZONA.

WHY DON'T WE HAVE ONE?

>> Doctor: I'M ONLY ON THE COMMITTEE THAT GIVES ADVICE.

I DON'T RUN THINGS.

>> Braude: DR. PIERRE, IF I MAY, LET ME MOVE TO ANOTHER ISSUE.

I MENTIONED CONGRESSWOMAN PRESSLEY WAS ON THE RADIO WITH US, AND I WAS GLAD TO HEAR SHE WAS FINDING A RECEPTIVE AUDIENCE FROM THE GOVERNOR, PARTICULARLY AROUND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS.

I THINK WE FOCUSED ALMOST ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ON THE ISSUE OF VACCINE HEFT HESITANCY, AND NOT NEARLY ENOUGH ON THE ISSUE OF VACCINE ACCESS.

WE ALL READ THE STORY ABOUT THE REGGIE LEWIS STORY ON DAY ONE, WHERE THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO HAD APPOINTMENTS WERE MIDDLE CLASS AND UPPER MIDDLE CLASS WHITES, NOT PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY.

IF THE ISSUE IS NOT JUST VACCINE HESITANCY, BUT VACCINE ACCESS, WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

>> Doctor: I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS WE CAN DO.

ONE, I THINK CLEARLY A BETTER MARKETING PLAN FOR THE VACCINES IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

I THINK THAT THERE ALSO NEEDS TO BE, YOU KNOW, DISSEMINATED VACCINE SITES.

I THINK THE REGGIE CENTER IS A GREAT LOCATION.

I THINK WE NEED ONGOING EDUCATION, PROFESSIONALS LIKE MYSELF GOING INTO COMMUNITIES TO TALK ABOUT THE TRUST GAP AND WHY WE BELIEVE IN THESE VACCINES.

BUT I ACTUALLY THINK THAT THE LARGER ISSUE CANNOT BE REMEDY IMMEDIATELY DOCTORS GOING OUT.

THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM NEEDS TO RECONCILE.

ONE OF THE WAYS THEY CAN DO IT BY SHOWING THEY PRIORITIZE THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY BY POTENTIALLY PAIRING THINGS THAT THE COMMUNITY DESIRES.

THINGS LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, SIGN UP FOR (indiscernable) -- >> Braude: LIKE A ONE-STOP KIND OF THING?

>> Doctor: EXACTLY.

>> Braude: BARRY BLOOM, I WANT TO CHANGE GEARS WITH YOU.

STALT,STAT WHICH IS THE WONDERFUL "BOSTON GLOBE" PIECE, YESTERDAY HAD A STORY, THE TITLE OF WHICH IS "THE CALM," WHICH MEANT NUMBERS DECLINING BEFORE THE STORM, AND THE STORM WAS THE VARIANTS COMING.

WE HAVE ANDREW CUOMO IN NEW YORK STATE SAYING WE'RE GOING TO ALLOW STADIUMS TO GO TO 10% CAPACITY.

WE HAVE CHARLIE BAKER SAYING BUSINESSES THAT ARE ALLOWED TO BE OPEN CAN GO FROM 25% TO 40%.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE READ REPORTS THAT JOE BIDEN AND HIS ADMINISTRATION ARE THINKING OF SHUTTING DOWN DOMESTIC TRAVEL, AT LEAST BETWEEN CERTAIN STATES, LIKE FLORIDA AND CALIFORNIA, BECAUSE OF THE VARIANTS ON THE HORIZON.

AREN'T THEY WORKING ACROSS PURPOSES.

ISN'T THAT A PROBLEM?

>> IT'S A PROBLEM, BUT IT IS A PROBLEM BETWEEN MAXIMIZING CIRCULATION OF THE CURRENT VIRUS AND MINIMIZING THE CHANCES FOR EXPANSION OF VARIANTS TO DO MUCH BETTER THAN THE CURRENT ONES ARE TRANSMITTING, VERSUS KEEPING THE ECONOMIC FABRIC OF SOCIETY, KEEPING JOBS OPEN, RESTAURANTS OPEN, THAT WE CAN MAKE NEW VACCINES IN THE FALL FOR THE NEW VARIANTS.

>> Braude: BUT MY POINT IS -- IF I MAY INTERRUPT, MY POINT IS JOE BIDEN IS TALKING ABOUT SHUTTING DOWN AT THE SAME TIME THAT BAKER AND CUOMO ARE TALKING ABOUT OPENING UP.

DOESN'T THAT SEND A CONFUSING MESSAGE TO REAL PEOPLE?

>> Doctor: NO, I DIDN'T HEAR THAT.

WHAT I HEARD IS THE PRESSURE TO PUT A REQUIREMENT POSSIBLY FOR VACCINATION FOR LONG-DISTANCE AIRPLANE TRAVEL, AND THE REQUIREMENT FOR MASKS, RATHER THAN STOPPING ALL TRANSPORT.

>> Braude: WELL, I HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT AND I HOPE I'M WRONG.

I HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

SARTING WITH YOU, DR. PIERRE, GIVE ME A SENSE OF WHAT YOU SEE OVER THE, LET'S SAY, TWO MONTHS ON THE VACCINE AND VIRUS FRONT, QUICKLY IF YOU CAN.

>> Doctor: SURE.

I THINK WHAT WE WILL SEE IS THERE WILL BE A PROLIFERATION HOPEFULLY AS NEW VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE TO US, AND WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO APPOINT THESE IN AN EQUITABLE FASHION.

WE WILL RAMP UP THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, BUT WE WILL STILL NOT BE IN A GREAT POSITION FOR THE MOST AT-RISK POPULATION, AND WE NEED TO DO A LOT MORE TO GET THAT READY.

>> Braude: AGREED.

BARRY BLOOM, YOU GET THE LAST 30.

>> Doctor: I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING DR. PIERRE SAID.

WE HAVE TO BE CREATIVE AT GETTING VACCINES TO THE PEOPLE, INSTEAD OF THE FOCUS ON GETTING THE PEOPLE TO STADIUMS AND PLACES FOR VACCINES.

AND THIS MEANS UTILIZING THE VERY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTERS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE REALLY HAVEN'T TAPPED INTO AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.

I'M OPTIMISTIC THEY CAN DO A TERRIFIC JOB AND ENGENDER THE TRUST THAT DR. PIERRE FEELS IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> Braude: CASSANDRA PIERRE, I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AND BARRY BLOOM, THANK YOU.

I READ YOU ARE FROM PHILADELPHIA LIKE I AM AND YOU HAVE NO ACCENT.

THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>>> NEXT UP, AFTER A LONG YEAR AWAY FROM THE PODIUM, BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MUSIC DIRECTOR ANDRIS NELSONS RETURNED TO BOSTON LAST MONTH FOR A BELATED CELEBRATION OF THE 250th ANNIVERSARY OF BEETHOVEN'S BIRTH.

NELSONS WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO PERFORM ALL NINE BEETHOVEN'S SYMPHONIES LAST FALL, BEFORE THE SEASON WAS CANCELED.

BUT THE SHOW HAS GONE ON, AND NELSONS NOW LEADS THE ORCHESTRA IN BEETHOVEN'S THIRD, FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH SYMPHONIES, IN FOUR PRE-RECORDED PERFORMANCES THAT STARTED STREAMING TODAY AS PART OF THE B.S.O.

'S SLEW OF ONLINE OFFERINGS.

ANDRIS NELSONS RECENTLY JOINED ME.

>> Braude: ANDRIS, I HAVE REALLY MISSED YOU.

IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU BACK IN TOWN.

>> THANK YOU.

IT IS SO GREAT TO BE BACK.

YOU LOOK GREAT.

AND IT IS SO GREAT TO BE BACK.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS A YEAR.

>> Braude: WHEN YOU SAY THAT, ANDRIS, YOU HAD NOT BEEN ON THE STAGE AT SYMPHONY HALL FOR 12 MONTHS, UNTIL YOU RETURNED LAST MONTH.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE STEPPING FOOT ON THE STAGE AGAIN?

>> IT WAS REALLY, REALLY, REALLY AMAZING.

IT'S ALSO INCREDIBLY CRAZY HOW FAST THE TIME HAS PASSED, AND HOW FAST -- IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS JUST YESTERDAY.

BUT COMING BACK, IT ALSO WAS VERY EMOTIONAL, SEEING OUR AMAZING HALL AND SEEING THE ORCHESTRA BACK.

♪♪ >> AND HEARING THEM PLAY AND MEETING THEM AND SEEING THEM SMILE.

AND EVEN WITH ALL OF THE MASKS, YOU CAN SEE THE EYES OF THE MUSICIANS, WHO ARE BEAMING.

IT IS REALLY EXCITING.

♪♪ >> Braude: I ASSUMED YOU COULDN'T HAVE A FULL ORCHESTRA, LIKE YOU NORMALLY HAVE.

IS IT MORE DIFFICULT TO PERFORM BEETHOVEN WITH A PORTION OF THE B.S.O., RATHER THAN ALL OF THE B.S.O.?

>> I MUST SAY, OF COURSE, THE DISTANCING AND, OF COURSE, THE PRIORITIES OF THE HEALTH -- THE HEALTH BEING A PRIORITY, IT IS A CHALLENGE.

BU WEBECAUSE WE SAT MORE SPREAD OUT, AND, OF COURSE, HAVING THE MASKS.

BUT, AGAIN, THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ORCHESTRAS IN THE WORLD.

THEY'RE GREAT PROFESSIONALS.

THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO, AND, OF COURSE, WE HAVE AN AMAZING CONCERT HALL.

AND IT FEELS SO GREAT TO BE, YOU KNOW, EVEN AT A DISTANCE TOGETHER.

IT TAKES A BIT OF TIME TO GET USED TO, BUT IT WORKS REALLY PERFECTLY WONDERFUL.

WHEN, ACTUALLY, THIS DISTANCING YOU SEE INDIVIDUAL MUSICIANS OF THE ORCHESTRA, AND YOU SEE AND HEAR BETTER BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE THE MUSICIANS CLOSER TO EACH EACH OTHER -- THIS WAY YOU HEAR TATIANNA OR TAMARA OR ED OR THE TEAM OR SOMEBODY, ALL OF THE MEMBERS VERY CLEARLY.

AND IT IS VERY INTERESTING AS WELL.

>> Braude: IS IT HARD -- WHEN YOU FINNISH FINISH -- I'VE BEEN THERE SO MANY TIMES, AND WHEN YOU FINISH, YOU HEAR THE AUDIENCE EXPLODE OUT OF THEIR SEATS, AND THE SOUND IN THE ROOM IS SO LOUD.

FOR A SPLIT SECOND, DO YOU FORGET THAT THERE IS NO AUDIENCE, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN YOU HEAR NOTHING, DO YOU TURN AND SAY, WHAT HAPPENED?

WHAT IS IT LIKE PERFORMING WITH NO AUDIENCE?

>> OF COURSE.

FIRST, WE ARE SO HAPPY TO BE TOGETHER.

BUT IT GARTH IT, AGAIN, RECONFIRMS FOR ME AND ALL OF US THAT THE MUSIC IS TO SHARE.

AND WHEN YOU PLAY MUSIC, YOU SHARE IT WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES, BUT YOU NEED AN AUDIENCE TO SHARE IT WITH.

BECAUSE IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE ENERGY WHICH IS PRODUCED WHEN YOU PERFORM THE MUSIC, WHEN YOU COME TO THE STAGE, IT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THE HALL AND THEN COME BACK.

THERE IS THIS MAGICAL THING THAT MAKES THE MUSIC SO SPECIAL.

THAT, OF COURSE, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DO WHEN WE ARE FULLY ABLE TO HAVE THE AUDIENCE.

BUT STREAMING, WE ACTUALLY REACH OUT, AS THE NUMBERS SAY, TO MUCH MORE AUDIENCES AND MUCH MORE PEOPLE THAN AN EVERYDAY CONCERT.

THAT IS ALSO INTERESTING TO REALIZE WHEN YOU CONDUCT AND PERFORM WITHOUT THE AUDIENCE VISIBLE, THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WATCHING AND LISTENING, YOU KNOW, ON THE SCREENS EVERY IN THE WORLD, AROUND THE WORLD, AND THAT GIVES YOU A SPECIAL FEELING AS WELL.

>> Braude: WHAT DID YOU DO FOR MOST OF THIS LAST 12 MONTHS?

WHAT DID YOU DO WITH YOURSELF?

>> I ABUSED MYSELF.

IT WAS EATING A LOT OF FOOD.

THAT WAS A NEGATIVE ASPECT.

>> Braude: WHAT ELSE?

>> I ALSO -- AS A YOUNGSTER, I USED TO DO THE MARTIAL ARTS, AND SO I CAME BACK TO DOING THAT, WHICH MAKES ME MORE DISCIPLINED, YOU KNOW, TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY AND YOUR BREATHING, AND TO DO THAT.

AND I ENJOY THAT.

AND, OF COURSE, LISTENING TO A LOT OF MUSIC, READING, LOOKING AT THIS COURSE AGAIN AND TRYING TO STUDY SOME NEW THINGS.

AND, YOU KNOW -- AND, OF COURSE, SHARING THE TIME WITH THE FAMILY.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, ANDRIS, WHEN I SPOKE TO YOU AND MARK VOLPI AND OCTOBER, YOU JUST SIGNED YOUR NEW CONTRACT EXTENSION, YOU WERE IN GERMANY, AND I ASKED YOU HOW ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR TRUMPET PLAYING, AND YOU SAID, "IT IS IN A VERY DARK PLACE."

IS IT STILL IN A DARK PLACE, OR HAS IT GOTTEN ANY LIGHTER?

>> IT IS QUITE A DARK PLACE.

ITWHEN THE SILVER HAS BEEN STANDING AND NOT POLISHED, IT LOOKS DARKER.

>> Braude: WE'LL GIVE YOU A PASS.

DID YOU LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF IN THIS YEAR THAT WILL CAUSE YOU TO COME BACK AND DO IT DIFFERENTLY THAN HOW YOU DID IT BEFORE?

DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I MEAN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS THINKING -- TODAY I WAS TALKING WITH BERNADETTE, AND I THINK MANY THINGS BEFORE I, PERSONALLY -- MANY OF US FORGOTTEN, ACTUALLY, THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERY MOMENT, WHAT HAPPENS IN LIFE.

EVERY CONCERT, EVERY CONVERSATION, EVERY RELATIONSHIP, EVERY DAY, WHEN YOU MEET YOUR FAMILY OR YOUR FRIENDS OR MUSICIANS, OR WHEN I TALK TO YOU, I REALIZE THAT -- I DON'T WANT TO SOUND PESSIMISTIC, BUT IT COULD BE THE LAST ONES, OR IT COULD BE -- SOMEHOW THE VALUE OF THE MOMENT IS SOMEHOW HIGHER THAN -- I DON'T MEAN THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T VALUE IT ALL THE TIME, BUT I THINK IT IS LITERALLY AND PHYSICALLY IMPORTANT TO FEEL THAT MOMENT WHEN WE ARE ENJOYING OR SHARING SOMETHING, AND TO COMPLETELY VALUE THAT.

I THINK VALUE THE MOMENTS WITH THE FAMILY OR WITH ANYTHING YOU DO.

IT HAS MORE KIND OF VALUE, MORE SPIRITUAL FEELING.

NOT BEING PESSIMISTIC.

IT'S RATHER THOUGHTFUL AND RATHER OPTIMISTIC TO ACTUALLY ENJOY THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU CAN.

>> Braude: LET ME SAY, HERE IS HOPING, ANDRIS, THIS IS NOT THE LAST TIME.

THAT IS NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, SAY HELLO TO BERNADETTE, AND I KNOW I SPEAK FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU, YOUR ORCHESTRA, AND HEAR BEETHOVEN IN FEBRUARY.

I'M REALLY EXCITED.

IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU, AND PLEASE STAY WELL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY IT IS SO GREAT TO SEE YOU.

AGAIN, ANOTHER SHORT -- I'M REALIZING THAT WE ARE HERE IN THIS WORLD TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER AS WELL.

AND THIS PERIOD OF TIME HAS CONFIRMED AND SHOWN WHERE THE REAL FRIENDS ARE AND WHAT THE HUMAN RELATIONSHIP AND HUMANITY MEANS.

IT MEANS SO MUCH MORE THAN WE THOUGHT.

AND WE CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE.

I REALLY THINK WE WILL LEARN FROM THIS IN GENERAL.

>> Braude: YOU'RE A TERRIFIC HUMAN BEING.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU.

BE WELL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: TO CATCH ALL OF "THE SPIRIT OF BEETHOVEN," ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THE B.S.O.

HAS TO OFFER, INCLUDING SEVERAL ARCHIVE WGBH "EVENING AT SYMPHONY EPISODES," VISIT www.bso.org/now.

I ALSO WANT TO CORRECT SOMETHING I SAID DURING MY CONVERSATION LAST NIGHT WITH RESTAURANTEURS ANA SORTUN AND RACHEL MILLER MUNZER.

I SAID THE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES AT ALL OF THEIR PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS WERE SOLD OUT.

AND WHILE THAT IS THE CASE FOR SORTUN'S OLEANA AND SOFRA BAKERY, WHICH DO HAVE WAITING LISTS, SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT MUNZER'S MAMALEH'S DELICATESSEN AND VINCENT'S CORNER GROCERY.

SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, YOU CAN FIND THEM AT Mamalehs.com AND table22.com/cafe-you-pay s. AND, FINALLY TONIGHT, REMEMBERING SOME OF THE MANY WE'VE LOST TO THE CORONAVIRUS THIS YEAR, WITH THE HELP OF THE "FACES OF COVID" TWITTER ACCOUNT, LIKE 74-YEAR-OLD LAURIE CAVAGNARO OF READING, WHO'S DAUGHTER DESCRIBED HER AS A "WONDERFUL WIFE" AND A "MUM OF TWO" WHO WAS "GONE TOO SOON."

OR 78-YEAR-OLD FATHER JOHN GOVOSTES, OF IPSWICH, A "BELOVED GREEK ORTHODOX PRIEST OF THE SAME CHURCH FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS," WHO HAD A "DEEP LOVE FOR HIS PARISHIONERS, FAMILY, AND THE COMMUNITY."

THEN THERE'S 70-YEAR-OLD WANDA HOUGH OF MEREDITH, NEW HAMPSHIRE, WHOSE FAMILY WROTE, "SHE WAS THE SWEETEST PERSON I EVER KNEW" AND THAT SHE "LOVED HORROR MOVIES AND HER DOG LILLIE."

IF YOU LOST SOMEONE YOU LOW TO THE PANDEMIC AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THEIR STORY, PLEASE VISIT Twitter.com/faces of Covid.

THAT'S IT FOR ME THIS WEEK.

COME BACK TOMORROW FOR "BEAT THE PRESS".

I'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH AN ALL-STAR LINEUP, INCLUDING ECONOMIST AND POLITICAL COMMEN STATE ROBERT REICH, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR DAVID GERGEN, AND RHODE ISLAND SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, AMONG OTHERS.

FOR NOW, THANKS FOR WATCHING AND STAY SAFE.

HI, CHRIS!

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org