>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": RHODE ISLAND SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE JOINS ME ON A POSSIBLE TRUMP PROSECUTION, AN ETHICS INVESTIGATION INTO JOSH HAWLEY AND TED CRUZ, AND A BLOCKBUSTER UNDER THE RADAR CASE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.

PLUS, THE OWNERS OF MIDA AND DARRYL'S CORNER BAR AND KITCHEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANTS THIS MONTH MORE THAN EVER.

THEN, LATER, A LOOK AT THE VOLUNTEERS AT THE HEART OF VACCINATION ROLLOUTS IN MASSACHUSETTS AND BEYOND.

AND, FINALLY, STORIES OF SOME OF THE MANY WE'VE LOST TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

>>> THREE STORIES IN PARTICULAR GRABBED MY ATTENTION TODAY.

ONE, THE MILLIONS WITHOUT POWER FOR A THIRD DAY IN TEXAS AFTER A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME WINTER STORM POURED SNOW AND ICE ACROSS THE REGION, AND THE PARTISAN FINGER-POINTING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON SINCE.

TWO, SPEAKING OF PARTISAN FINGER-POINTING, THE DEATH OF TALK RADIO HOST RUSH LIMBAUGH, THE MAN WHO PAVED THE WAY FOR THE FOX NEWSES AND ALEX JONESES AND OANs TO COME.

AND, THREE, THE FACT THAT HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS WE'RE NEARLY DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ELIGIBLE TO GET A COVID VACCINE IN THE STATE.

GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT PEOPLE 65 AND OVER, AS WELL AS THOSE WITH TWO OR MORE CO-MORBIDITIES, WILL BE ABLE TO REGISTER FOR APPOINTMENTS STARTING TOMORROW.

THE STATE ALSO ADDED MODERATE AND SEVERE ASTHMA TO ITS LIST OF QUALIFYING LIST OF CONDITIONS, MAKING AROUND A MILLION MORE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE, IN ALL.

SO THIS TIME AROUND, GOVERNOR BAKER IS TRYING TO SET EXPECTATIONS BEFORE THE ONLINE BOOKING MANIA BEGINS TOMORROW MORNING.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ONLY SENDS STATES A SMALL AMOUNT OF VACCINE EVERY WEEK.

UNLESS WE SEE MASSIVE INCREASE IN SHIPMENTS FROM THE FEDS, IT WILL TAKE US A LEAST A MONTH FOR PEOPLE IN THESE NEW GROUPS TO BE ABLE TO BOOK THEIR FIRST VACCINE APPOINTMENT.

WE HAVE TO ASK EVERYBODY TO BE PATIENT.

THERE'S GOING TO BE VACCINES, EVENTUALLY, FOR EVERYONE, AND EVERYONE WILL GET AN APPOINTMENT.

IT'S JUST GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE WHILE.

>> Braude: AND THE STATE IS EXPECTING TO GET AT LEAST A LITTLE MORE TO ADMINISTER NEXT WEEK, ANTICIPATING ABOUT 139,000 FIRST DOSES, UP FROM AROUND 110,000 DOSES A WEEK THEY'VE BEEN GETTING.

AND MANY ARE HOPING MORE HELP COULD SOON BE ON THE WAY IF JOE BIDEN'S COVID RELIEF PACKAGE PASSES, WHICH INCLUDES $20 BILLION FOR A SO-CALLED "NATIONAL VACCINE PROGRAM," TO ACCELERATE THE PROCESS.

DEMOCRATS ARE AIMING TO PASS THE BILL BY THE END OF THE MONTH, PART OF AN AMBITIOUS AGENDA THE PARTY IS HOPING TO TACKLE WITH BIDEN IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND MAJORITIES IN BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS, ALBEIT SLIM ONES.

ON THEIR LIST: EVERYTHING FROM STUDENT LOANS AND HEALTH CARE TO RACIAL EQUITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE, THE LATTER OF WHICH RHODE ISLAND SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE HAS BEEN BEATING THE DRUM ABOUT FOR YEARS.

IN FACT, HE'D BEEN GIVING A "TIME TO WAKE UP" SPEECH ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE NEARLY EVERY WEEK FOR ABOUT NINE YEARS, ALMOST 280 IN TOTAL.

BUT WITH DEMOCRATS IN POWER, WHITEHOUSE RETIRED THE TRADITION, GIVING HIS FINAL "TIME TO WAKE UP" ADDRESS LATE LAST MONTH.

>> A NEW DAWN IS BREAKING, AND WHEN IT'S DAWN THERE'S NO NEED FOR MY LITTLE CANDLE AGAINST THE DARKNESS.

SO INSTEAD OF URGING THAT IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP, I CLOSE THIS LONG RUN BY SAYING IT'S NOW TIME TO GET TO WORK.

WHITEHOUSE -- AT LEAST ON "TIME TO WAKE UP" -- OUT.

>> Braude: SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: SENATOR, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

MUCH APPRECIATE IT.

>> Braude: DID YOU MODEL THAT MIC DROP.

I SAW A LITTLE KANYE AND OBAMA IN THERE -- >> NO, THEY'RE WAY OUT OF MY LEAGUE.

>> Braude: YOU'RE A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY FROM RHODE ISLAND, WERE YOU TO BE THE U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, BASED ON WHAT YOU KNOW, WOULD YOU INDICT DONALD TRUMP ON INCITEMENT AND REBELLION?

>> I WOULD CERTAINLY MAKE SURE THAT MY INVESTIGATION LOOKED UPSTREAM AT THE ORGANIZERS.

ALL WE KNOW IS WHAT HE SAID PUBLICLY.

WE'RE NOT AWARE OF HOW HE WAS LINKED TO THE ORGANIZERS, THROUGH THEIR BACK-CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS.

WE'RE NOT AWARE OF HOW THE FUNDING FLOWS WORKED.

I WOULDN'T WANT TO MAKE THAT DECISION UNTIL I HAD A FULL PICTURE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON.

MY ORIGINAL WORRY WAS THAT THE TRUMP U.S. ATTORNEY IN THE DISTRICT WAS GOING TO JUST DO WHAT WE WOULD CALL A MOPES AND DOPES INVESTIGATION, PICKING UP EVERYBODY WHO WAS THERE THAT DAY, BUT NOT LOOKING AT WHO ORGANIZED IT, WHO FUNDED IT, WHO SCRATCH SCRATCH GIZED IT, AND WHERE THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER POLITICAL FIGURES FIT IN THAT ROLE.

SO THAT IS WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

I DON'T WANT TO JUMP AND SAY HE SHOULD BE INDICTED WHILE THAT CRIMINAL WORK IS NOT YET DONE.

>> Braude: THE FEDERAL STATUTE -- WE'LL PUT IT UP FOR A SECOND -- IT SEEMS TO MIRROR THE LANGUAGE OF THE IMPEACHMENT RESOLUTION THAT YOU VOTED FOR, AND JUST LIKE CHUCK SCHUMER WAS HOPING FOR, THAT HE WOULD BE BARRED FROM FEDERAL OFFICE AGAIN.

THE REASON FOR VOTING FOR CONVICTION IN THE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDING WAS BECAUSE OF A DIFFERENT STANDARD OF PROOF?

>> YES.

IT IS PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, AND THERE ARE PRETTY SERIOUS PENALTIES IF YOU COME ON THE WRONG SIDE.

>> Braude: I AM OF THE OPINION THAT DONALD TRUMP'S BEHAVIOR WAS NEAR HOMICIDAL WHEN IT COMES TO COVID.

AND I'M SURE YOU HAVE READ THE SAME THINGS I HAVE.

MANY EXPERTS IN THE FIELD SAY THAT NEARLY A HALF MILLION DEAD IN THIS COUNTRY MIGHT BE REDUCED BY 350,000 TO 400,000 PEOPLE WERE FOR IT NOT DONALD TRUMP'S MALEVOLENCE.

IS THERE ANY POSSIBLE CRIMINAL CHARGE THERE?

>> CERTAINLY THERE ARE CIVIL CHARGES THAT ARE POSSIBLE FOR NEGLIGENCE AND FOR RECKLESSNESS.

THERE IS AN OLD SCHOOL CRIMINAL CHARGE, IF YOUR CRIMINALNESS AND NEGLIGENCE GETS CRUEL, IT IS CALLED THE "CORRODED HEART DOCTRINE."

THERE MAY BE A CASE THERE TO BE MADE, BUT I WOULDN'T WANT TO MAKE SUCH AN ASSERTION WITHOUT HAVING A HELL OF A LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS RELEVANT TO THAT, WHAT HE KNEW, AND WHETHER HE HAD A MENTAL DISEASE THAT PREVENTED HIM FROM KNOWING THE DANGEROUS NUS OFDANGEROUSNESS OF HIS ACTION.

>> Braude: IF EVER THERE WAS A CORRODED HEART, I WOULD ARGUE IT IS A SLAM-DUNK.

YOU AND SIX OF YOUR DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES ARE ASKING FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF JOSH HAWLEY AND TED CRUZ.

WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR THE REQUEST?

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR RELATIONSHIP WAS WITH THE RIOTERS AND WITH THE GROUPS THAT ORGANIZED THE RIOTERS.

WORST-CASE SEN SCENARIO, AND IN THE PROSECUTION BUSINESS, YOU RUN DOWN HYPOTHETICALS, AND PROVE OR DISPROVE THAT.

AND THEY KEPT THE WINDOW OF TIME OPEN TO ALLOW THE RIOTERS TO BREAK INTO THE CAPITOL AND DO THEIR DAMAGE WHILE THE PROCESS WAS ONGOING.

THAT WE DON'T HAVE EVIDENCE OF.

BUT WE HAVE EVIDENCE OF LINKS BETWEEN HAWLEY AND THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND THE ASSOCIATION IN ORGANIZING THE RIOT.

WE JUST NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Braude: I DON'T KNOW YOU PERSONALLY, SENATOR, BUT I WOULD ASSUME IF THERE WAS A DEMOCRAT WHO WAS PRESIDENT WHO HAD SAID YOUR WIFE WAS UGLY AND THAT YOUR FATHER PARTICIPATED IN THE ASSASSINATION OF J.F.K., LIKE DONALD SAID OF TED CRUZ, IS IT FAIR TO SAY YOU WOULD BE A BIG-TIME SUPPORTER OF THAT DEMOCRAT?

>> SOME JOBS AREN'T WORTH HAVING WITH INSULTS TO YOUR FAMILY LIKE THAT.

>> Braude: AMEN.

COVID RELIEF SEEMS TO BE A DEMOCRAT-ONLY AFFAIR, POSSIBLY IN BOTH HOUSES, BUT YOU CAN'T DO EVERYTHING WITH 50 VOTES PLUS KAMALA HARRIS IN THE SENATE.

WERE YOU ON THIS CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE WHITE HOUSE, OF ABOLISHING THE FILIBUSTER SO DEMOCRATS WOULDN'T NEED TO FIND 10 OTHER REPUBLICANS TO PASS LEGISLATION?

>> RIGHT NOW, AS A DEMOCRAT SENATOR, WE HAVE THREE SEPARATE RECONCILIATION MEASURES AVAILABLE TO US IN THIS CONGRESS ALONE.

WE CAN USE ONE ON COVID IF WE NEED TO.

WE CAN USE ONE ON BUILDING BACK BETTER, IF WE NEED TO.

AND THAT LEAVES ANOTHER IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

SO WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO REALLY, REALLY BIG THINGS WITHOUT NEEDING TO BREAK THE FILIBUSTER.

I DO THINK FOR SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES, IT WILL TAKE SOME REALLY DEMONSTRATED BAD-FAITH INSTRUCTION BY THE REPUBLICANS TO GET THEM OVER THE HUMP AND PERHAPS SELECTIVELY BREAK THE FILIBUSTER FOR SPECIFIC MEASURES.

WE HAVE COLLEAGUES WHO SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER PERIOD, BUT WHETHER ON A SPECIFIC MEASURE THEY MIGHT BE WILLING TO OR WHETHER WE CAN REFORM THE FILIBUSTER ARE QUESTIONS WE STILL NEED TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, I MET YOU SHORTLY AFTER YOU GAVE NOT YOUR FIRST, BY A LONG SHOT, TUTORIAL ON DARK MONEY IN POLITICS.

IT WAS DURING THE AMY CONEY BARRETT HEARINGS.

I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS CASE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, WHICH COULD ARGUABLY, IF THE PLAINTIFF SUCCEEDS, CLOAK DARK MONEY AND AN ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTIONS IN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTION.

CAN YOU BRIEFLY DESCRIBE NOT ONLY WHAT THE CASE IS ABOUT OR WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF A VICTORY FOR WHATEVER IT IS CALLED, AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY, OR SOME SUCH THING, WOULD BE?

>> WELL, IT IS A NOTHING OF A CASE.

IT IS A CASE THAT SPECIFICALLY INVOLVES HOW MUCH TAXPAYER INFORMATION THE I.R.S.

CAN SHARE WITH STATE AUTHORITIES.

IN THIS CASE, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS WHY FORMER ATTORNEY-GENERAL -- I GUESS STILL ATTORNEY-GENERAL, AND SARAH IS THE NAMED DEFENDANT.Ñi THE FIRST THING THAT IS FLAGGED THAT SOMETHING MORE THAN THAT MIGHT BE UP, IS THAT THE PLAINTIFF IS AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY FOUNDATION, WHICH IS A FUNDING GROUPCH GROUP, 501C 3, WHICH IS A DARK MONEY POLITICAL OPERATION.

IF THAT STARTS TO RING YOUR BELLS, YOU LOOK AT THE GROUPS THAT CAME IN AS FRIENDS OF THE COURT, AT THE CERT STAGE, AT THE "DO WE TAKE THIS CASE" STAGE, THE SUPREME COURT HAD OVER 60 BRIEFS FROM RIT RIGHT-WING DARK MONEY OUTFITS.

IT WAS BASICALLY THE GATHERING OF THE KLAN.

EVEN THE COMMODITIES CASE, WHICH RINGS THE REPUBLICAN RIGHT-WING BELL, WE ONLY GOT 12 TO 20 OF THOSE GROUPS INVOLVED.

HERE IT IS OVER 60.

SO SOMETHING BIG, IN THEIR VIEW, IS HAPPENING IN THIS CASE.

AND WHAT IT IS IS THE PROSPECT OF HAVING THIS SUPREME COURT, WITH THEIR DARK MONEY, INFLUENCED THE SELECTION OF THE LAST SUPREME COURT JUSTICES TO GET THIS COURT TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID, THAT UNANIMOUS POLITICAL FUNDING IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE AFRAID OF, AS THE SUPREME COURT SAID 8-1 IN CITIZENS UNITED, WHICH IS ONE THING THEY GOT RIGHT, BUT REVERSED THEMSELVES WITH THE THREE NEW JUDGES BY FLIPPING ALITO AND HAVING THOMAS, WHO WAS ALWAYS THERE, AND NOW SAYING THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DARK MONEY.

THAT'S THEIR GOAL, IN MY VIEW.

>> Braude: BY THE WAY, THE ONE WAS CLARENCE THOMAS, IN THATçó 8-1?

>> CORRECT.

>> Braude: THAT IS TERRIFYING TO ME.

SPEAKING OF THE SUPREME COURT, I READ YOU SAY YOU WERE HOPING THAT THE DEMOCRATS -- AND JOE BIDEN, OBVIOUSLY -- WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO CONFIRM COURT APPOINTMENTS, NOMINATIONS, FOR EVERY OPEN SEAT BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS MAY NOT CONTROL THE SENATE AFTER 2022.

IN THAT SPIRIT, STEVE BRIAR, WHO LIVES ABOUT A MILE FROM ME, IS 82 YEARS OLD.

SHOULD STEVE BRIAR RETIRE IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS SO THAT JOE BIDEN CAN PICK A REPLACEMENT WITH DEMOCRATS IN CONTROL?

>> WELL, JUSTICE BRIAR GETS TO MAKE HIS OWN DECISIONS ABOUT THAT.

I HOPE IN MAKING HIS DECISIONS, HE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT IF MITCH McCONNELL AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE ABLE TO TAKE THE SENATE BACK, THERE IS ZERO CHANCE THEY WOULD FILL HIS SEAT WITH ANYBODY THAT JOE BIDEN WOULD AGREE TO.

SO, YOU KNOW, PART OF YOUR LEGACY IN ANY POSITION IS WHO FOLLOWS YOU.

AND I JUST HOPE HE GIVES THAT SOME CONSIDERATION.

HE CERTAINLY GETS TO MAKE THAT DECISION IN HIS OWN WAY.

HE HAS BEEN AN INDEPENDENT THINKER FOR A LONG TIME, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE INSTRUCTING HIM AS TO WHAT TO DO.

>> Braude: WHAT IF HE ASKED FOR YOUR ADVICE?

>> I'D GIVE IT PRIVATELY.

[LAUGHTER] >> Braude: SO DO YOU FORESEE A DAY WHEN YOU'LL EVER BE ABLE TO DROP THE MIC ON YOUR DARK MONEY COMPAIGNS?

OR IS THIS WITH US FOR ETERNITY?

>> NO.

I THINK WE CAN WIN THIS.

WE HAVE TO START PAYING ATTENTION TO IT.

DONALD TRUMP WAS SUCH A FLAGRANT OFFENSE TO SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS, THAT ALL OF THE ATTENTION WENT TO HIM.

AND IN THE MEANTIME, THIS INSIDIOUS, CREEPING, DARK MONEY INFLUENCE KEPT GOING AND GOING AND GOING, AND WE WEREN'T PAYING THE ATTENTION TO IT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE.

IF WE PAY ATTENTION TO IT, WE CAN SOLVE IT.

THERE ARE LEGISLATIVE WAYS TO SOLVE IT IF THE SUPREME COURT DOESN'T GIVE IT CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION.

AND WE HAVE, I THINK, A REAL -- IN DEFENSE OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY, WE HAVE TO DEFEND IT.

OTHERWISE, YOU HAVE A COUNTRY IN WHICH BIG, SPECIAL INTERESTS CAN RUN COVID OPERATIONS IN THEIR K.,COUNTRY, AND NOBODY, AS A CITIZEN, KNOWS WHAT IS GOING ON.

THAT CAN'T BE OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND A FINAL POINT, WHETHER YOU'RE A BERNIE BRO OR A TEA-PARTIER, YOU HATE DARK MONEY.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT POLLS OFF THE CHARTS WITH THE PUBLIC ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

SO IF WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO ENGAGE, I THINK WE CAN BRING THE PUBLIC WITH US AND WHEN.

>> Braude: GOOD LUCK13 WITH THE CAMPAIGN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>>> THIS MONTH MARKS THE FOURTH ANNUAL BLACK RESTAURANT CHALLENGE HERE IN BOSTON, HELD EACH FEBRUARY IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

WHEN IT WAS FIRST STARTED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHYNAH TYLER AND THE URBAN AFFAIRS GROUP IN 2018, THE GOAL WAS TO GET PEOPLE TO DINE IN BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANTS AROUND THE CITY.

BUT THIS YEAR, F)kHJTáju REASONS, IT'S ALL ABOUT TAKEOUT.

AND IN A PANDEMIC THAT'S HIT PEOPLE OF COLOR HARDEST AT JUST ABOUT EVERY TURN, THE CHALLENGE IS MORE CRITICAL NOW THAN EVER.

I'M JOINED NOW BY NIA GRACE, OWNER OF DARRYL'S CORNER BAR AND KITCHEN, WHICH IS A MEMBER OF THE BOSTON BLACK HOSPITALITY COALITION, AND DOUGLAS WILLIAMS, CHEF-OWNER OF MIDA.

I SHOULD ALSO NOTE: BOTH ARE OFFERING INDOOR DINING OPTIONS, AS WELL.

>> Braude: DOUGLAS AND NIA, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> Braude: NIA, BEFORE WE GET TO THE BLACK RESTAURANT CHALLENGE, WHICH SHOULD BE EVERY MONTH, OBVIOUSLY, HOW HAVE THE LAST 11 MONTHS BEEN FOR YOU?

>> INTERESTING.

I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO GET THAT STARTED.

>> Braude: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> I KNOW, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, RIGHT?

IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE.

I THINK THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES HAVE COME FROM THE DIFFERENT CHANGES THAT HAVE GONE ON FOR STATE REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS THE, YOU KNOW, UPS AND DOWNS OF TESTING AND PEOPLE BEING POSITIVE, ETC.

TRYING TO HOLD OFF ON BUSINESS AND TRYING TO KEEP BUSINESS EMPLOYED, SO, I MEAN, DIFFICULT IS PROBABLY THE ONE WORD THAT I COULD SAY BEST DESCRIBES THE LAST 11 MONTHS.

>> Braude: WHAT IS THE WORD YOU WOULD PICK, DOUGLAS?

>> UM -- THERE ARE MANY WORDS.

IT IS HARD TO FIT IT INTO ONE WORD BECAUSE YOU JUST WANT TO KEEP SAYING MORE.

THERE IS OPPORTUNITY.

THERE IS DISMAY.

THERE IS SOME CONFUSION, BUT THERE IS ALSO JUST TENACITY.

I THINK THAT BRINGS IT OUT OF NIA.

I WANT TO TRY TO FIND THE NEXT STEP.

IT IS REALLY JUST FINDING THE FUTURE, FINDING THE NEXT MOVE, WHAT OUR BUSINESS TURNS INTO.

I WISH ONE WORD COULD CENTRALIZE EVERYTHING, BUT IT IS REALLY ABOUT WHAT IS THE NEXT MOVE.

>> Braude: I THINK THE ONE WORD FOR YOU, DOUGLAS, IS THAT SIGH YOU DID IN THE BEGINNING.

>> I WAS THINKING THAT WOULD WORK -- >> Braude: I READ YOUR PIECE ABOUT TAKEOUT, AND AT LEAST WHAT I TOOK AWAY, IS THAT YOU SEEM TO HAVE AN INCREDIBLY OPTIMISTIC SPIRIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS NIGHTMARE.

DID I GET THAT RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, I DON'T REALLY KNOW ANOTHER WAY TO HAVE IT.

I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER ROUTE TO GO, OTHER THAN TO RUN THIS BUSINESS.

I DON'T HAVE A WRITING DEGREE TO FALL BACK ON OR AN ACCOUNTING DEGREE.

THERE IS NO OTHER ROUTE FOR ME, SO WE HAVE TO BE AS OPTIMISTIC AND OPPORTUNISTIC AS WE CAN.

JUST AS LOOKING BACK 100 YEARS AGO, TO 1918, 1920s, WHEN THE INFLUENZA HIT, AND IT EVENTUALLY COMES BACK AROUND.

EVENTUALLY WE WILL HAVE TO ROAR BACK OUT, LITERALLY, AND START TO FIGURE SOME THINGS OUT ON THE BUSINESS SIDE AND ALSO THE SOCIAL SIDE.

>> Braude: NIA, THIS BLACK RESTAURANT CHALLENGE, VISIT OR TAKEOUT OR SOMETHING, FROM AT LEAST ONE BLACK RESTAURANT EVERY WEEK, WE'RE HALF WAY -- WELL, MORE THAN HALF WAY INTO FEBRUARY ALREADY.

I KNOW A LOT OF US ARE TALKING THE TALK, BUT ARE WE WALKING THE WALK?

HOW IS THIS WORKING OUT?

>> I WOULD SAY YES.

I CAN'T REALLY TAKE AN ACCOUNT FOR WHAT EVERYONE IS DOING, BUT TO DOUGLAS' POINT, IT HAS BEEN ABOUT COMMUNITY GALVANIZING.

BE IT BLACK, WHITE, OR IN BETWEEN, FOR THE LAST 11 MONTHS, THE RESTAURANTS AND HOSPITALITY COMMUNITIES HAVE PULLED TOGETHER, AS WELL AS OUR NEIGHBORS.

SO WE ARE BEING SUPPORTED.

>> Braude: DOUGLAS, YOU, IN ADDITION TO KEEPING YOUR OWN BUSINESS AFLOAT -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE TIME FOR ANYTHING ELSE -- BUT YOU'RE DOING A HELL OF A LOT OF THINGS BEYOND YOUR FOUR WALLS THIS MONTH.

CAN YOU SHARE BRIEFLY WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE?

>> SHORE.

SURE.

WE'RE OFFERING SEVERAL SERVICES, TIPS TO COOK AT HOME, AND TAKEOUT AND THE LIKES, AND WE'RE TRYING TO DO THINGS WITH OUR COMMUNITY, AND NIA AND DARRYL'S CORNER BAR IS A PART OF THAT, AND PROMOTEING AND WITH THE GREATERGREATER BOSTON FOOD BACK, AND TRYING TO GET FOOD TO PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.

THE BLACK ECONOMIC COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS HAS BEEN INVOLVED.

AND WE'RE ALL DOING WHAT WE CAN SO WE CAN COME OUT OF THIS.

>> Braude: NIA, YOU KNOW 10 TIMES BETTER THAN I, BUT IT ISN'T LIKE THE TRAVAILS FOR BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANT JUST APPEARED.

WE KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO GET ACCESS TO CAPITAL, TO GET A FULL LIQUOR LICENSE IN BOSTON, ALMOST FORGET IT.

IS IT NAIVELY OPTIMISTIC TO THINK THAT THE FOCUS THAT HAS BEEN PUT ON THESE ISSUES DURING THE PANDEMIC WILL CAUSE THERE TO BE GREATER ATTENTION TO FIXING THESE PROBLEMS POST-PANDEMIC?

OR AM I BEING FALSELY OPTIMISTIC?

>> YOU KNOW, I HOPE IS NOT NAIVE TO THINK SO.

I WOULD REAPLY HOPE REALLY HOPE THAT AS EVERYONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO LOOK, ON A PLAIN WHITE BOARD, HOW EVERYONE IS STANDING.

AND YOU FINALLY HAVE THAT CHECK AND SAY, I'M GOING TO FIX IT.

I OPE WE'RE MAKING ENOUGH NOISE AND MAKING IT A CLEAR ENOUGH POINT THAT WE'RE AN ABSOLUTELY SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITY, BUT THERE WERE THINGS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY DONE THAT DIDN'T ALLOW US THAT SAME FOOTING.

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT MYSELF, NOR THE COALITION, NOR DOUGLAS OR ANYONE ELSE WHO BELIEVES IN IT IS GOING TO STOP UNTIL WE HAVE SOME CHANGES.

>> Braude: HOW ABOUT IT, DOUGDOUGLAS, ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE POST-PANDEMIC AND PEOPLE GETTING IT?

>> IT IS LIKE SEEING SOMEBODY DOING SOMETHING IN MY RESTAURANT.

I SEE THEM DOING IT, BUT I CHECK AT THE SAME TIME.

WE HAVE TO PIECE TOGETHER SOME THINGS AND KEEP KNOCKING ON DOORS AND KEEP GOING DOWN TO CITY HALL AND KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES, AND, AGAIN, HAVE THAT CONTINUED TENACITY WITH MAKING SURE THAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN A PROPER AMOUNT OF TIME.

BUT ALSO STICKING TO OUR BUSINESS PLAN AND OUR COMMUNITY AND THE FOOD AND THE HOÃdTALITY WE SERVE.

>> Braude: TWO GREAT RESTAURANTS, TWO FINE PEOPLE.

THANK YOU MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR TIME WITH ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND OTHER RESTAURANT SUGGESTIONS, HEAD TO www.instagram.com /boston black restaurant challenge.

AND FOR MORE INFO ON MIDA'S "COMMUNITY THROUGH HOSPITALITY" EFFORTS AND THE FUNDRAISER FOR THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK, HEAD TO Facebook.com/mida.bosto n. >>> As we mentioned earlier, one of Biden's top priorities is to ramp up the nation's Covid vaccine program.

And to do that, he's hoping to use more local clinics and more volunteers to help staff them, including members of the nationwide medical reserve corps.

They're already part of the vaccination effort in every state, including Massachusetts, and as Liz Neisloss tells us, this kind of effort is exactly what they were formed for.

>> Are you feeling sick today?

This is your second dose of the vaccine.

>> Reporter: AMANDA FOOTE, A PHARMACIST BY PROFESSION, IS GIVING VACCINES TO FIRST RESPONDERS TODAY AS A VOLUNTEER.

>> IT'S HARD TO SIT BACK ON THE SIDELINES.

AND IT JUST FELT LIKE THIS -- IT WAS SOMETHING I COULD ACTUALLY DO TO GET OUT THERE AND HELP.

IT FELT RIGHT.

>> Reporter: SHE'S PART OF THE NATIONWIDE MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS.

IT WAS SET UP BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AFTER 9/11 TO HAVE MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS AT THE READY FOR ANY EMERGENCY.

AND IN MASSACHUSETTS, THEY STEPPED UP AFTER THE MERRIMACK VALLEY GAS EXPLOSIONS IN 2018.

AND H1N1, THE LAST PANDEMIC IN 2009.

>> WE'VE BEEN PLANNING AND PREPARING FOR A PANDEMIC FOR 20 YEARS.

AND WHAT THIS IS, IS CALLED AN EMERGENCY DISPENSING SITE, OR A POINT OF DISTRIBUTION.

WE'VE BEEN TRAINING OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS TO DO THIS EXACT THING.

>> Reporter: LISA JACKSON COORDINATES 5,000 MEDICAL RESERVE VOLUNTEERS, COVERING OVER 100 COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE, FROM THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BORDER TO CAPE COD.

>> I SEND OUT A CALL FOR A CLINIC IN UNDER AN HOUR.

I CAN GET THAT CLINIC STAFFED RIGHT NOW.

I MIGHT BE CALLING FOR 25 PEOPLE; I GET 200 PEOPLE THAT RESPOND TO ME IN THAT HOUR.

>> Reporter: EILEEN VITTIGLIO IS ENTERING DATA FOR THE STATE AND C.D.C.

TO TRACK IMMUNIZATIONS.

THE MOTHER OF THREE JOINED THE CORPS BECAUSE SHE JUST COULDN'T STAY AT HOME.

>> FEELING HELPLESS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, WITH THIS SITUATION, AND I FELT LIKE AT LEAST IT WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO THAT COULD MOVE THINGS FORWARD IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION, HELPING THE -- HELPING THE PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: AND FROM DIRECTING ARRIVALS TO CHECKING PEOPLE IN, IT'S A WELL-OILED MACHINE.

TODAY, THE JOB OF FILLING SYRINGES WITH THE PRIZED VACCINE FALLS TO RETIRED NURSE SHERYL KNUTSEN.

VOLUNTEER SUE CAFFERY CARRIES THE VIOLENT CARGO TO VACCINE STATIONS.

RETIRED PHYSICIAN JON SZYMANSKI IS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ADVERSE REACTIONS.

BUT IT'S AN UNEXPECTEDLY QUIET DAY; ONLY HALF THE ANTICIPATED VACCINES ARRIVED.

>> SO, REALLY, THE GAP RIGHT NOW IS JUST REALLY GETTING ENOUGH VACCINE, BECAUSE, TO ME, IT'S A SHAME TO HAVE A CLINIC LIKE THIS UP AND RUNNING AND WE COULD HANDLE, OBVIOUSLY, WAY MORE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED THAN WE ARE TODAY.

>> Reporter: SO THIS CORPS STANDS AT THE READY, WISHING THEY COULD DO MORE.

>> THE ENTHUSIASM IS UNPARALLELED.

WE DON'T SEE ANYTHING LIKE IT.

WE'RE IN EXTRAORDINARY TIMES, AND EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE ARE STEPPING UP TO FILL THAT ROLE.

>> Reporter: ROLLING UP THEIR SLEEVES SO THAT OTHERS CAN GET THE VACCINE.

LIZ NEISLOSS, GBH NEWS.

>> Braude: YOU DON'T NEED MEDICAL TRAINING TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER WITH THE MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AT mamedicalreservecorps.org AND IF YOU PASS THEIR BACKGROUND CHECK, YOU COULD BECOME A VOLUNTEER WITHIN A FEW DAYS.

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 79-YEAR-OLD LEO KRICORIAN OF WATERTOWN, WHO WAS A GIFTED MUSICIAN AND THE ARMENIAN GUITARIST IN AN IRISH BAND FOR 30 YEARS.

50-YEAR-OLD RONALD McCONNELL OF WILBRAHAM, WHOSE FAMILY SAID HE RECEIVED MUCH JOY FROM BEING AROUND THEM AND HIS FAVORITE PEOPLE, AND THAT HIS MOTHER WAS HIS BEST FRIEND AND HIS BIGGEST CHAMPION.

THEIR BOND WAS ENDURING AND UNMATCHED.

AND 76-YEAR-OLD SALMAN WASTI OF CHEPACHET, RHODE ISLAND.

HIS FAMILY SAID HE LOVED HIS TV TIME AND THAT WATCHING "JEOPARDY" TOGETHER WAS ONE OF THEIR TRADITIONS.

HE COULD ANSWER ALWAYS EVERY QUESTION.

THEY WROTE: "HE WORKED HARD FOR EVERYTHING HE HAD, AND HE TRULY LOVED THIS COUNTRY."

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

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT COME BACK TOMORROW.

FORMER ASSISTANT DEFENSE SECRETARY GRAHAM ALLISON, WHO LAST WEEK GAVE THE STATE FAILING GRADES FOR ITS VACCINE ROLLOUT, JOINS ME WITH HIS LATEST ASSESSMENT.

PLUS, A LOOK AT THREE GENERATIONS OF METCO IN THE NEW DOCUMENTARY "CODE SWITCHING: RACE AND IDENTITY IN THE SUBURBAN SCHOOLHOUSE."

THE DIRECTOR AND A FORMER METCO STUDENT JOINS ME.

THAT AND MORE, TOMORROW AT 7:00.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND STAY SAFE.

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