>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON," MASSACHUSETTS IS NOW AMONG THE TOP STATES FOR GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED -- IF YOU'RE WHITE -- BUT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE STILL SERIOUSLY LAGGING.

I'M JOINED BY MICHAEL CURRY, THE HEAD OF THE MASSACHUSETTS LEAGUE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S COVID VACCINE ADVISORY GROUP, AND WHETHER THE STATE'S DOING ENOUGH TO CLOSE THE GAP.

SPEAKING OF, HOW SOME LEGISLATORS ARE AIMING TO CLOSE RACE AND GENDER GAPS ON THE STATE'S PUBLIC BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

THEN, FINALLY, SOME OF BROADWAY'S BIGGEST STARS ARE JOINING FORCES TO RAISE MONEY FOR HEALTH CARE FOR HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN BOSTON.

HOST AND PANDEMIC MUSIC PARODY MASTER CHRIS MANN JOINS ME, ALONG WITH THE FOUNDER OF HEALTH CARE WITHOUT WALLS.

>>> THE U.S. NOW ACCOUNTS FOR ONE-FIFTH OF THE WORLD'S CORONAVIRUS DEATHS, MORE THAN A HALF MILLION PEOPLE DEAD IN THIS PANDEMIC.

A TRULY STAGGERING TOLL.

BUT THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS, AS HOSPITALS ARE REPORTING DECLINES IN COVID-19 PATIENTS, PROMPTING CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM FROM DOCTORS.

BUT MANY STILL WARN WE STILL COULD SEE ANOTHER SPIKE IF STATES KEEP ROLLING BACK RESTRICTIONS AND PEOPLE START GETTING COMPLACENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO MUTATE AND FEWER THAN 45 MILLION PEOPLE HAVING GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE VACCINE DOSE SO FAR IN A NATION OF MORE THAN 330 MILLION.

HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS, WE'RE DOING A LOT BETTER ON THE VACCINE FRONT, NOW IN THE TOP 10 PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION THAT'S RECEIVED A LEAST ONE DOSE, UP FROM THE BOTTOM 10 AT THE START OF THE MONTH, ACCORDING TO THE "WASHINGTON POST."

BUT GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER IS STILL FIELDING CRITICISM OVER SEVERAL ASPECTS OF THE ROLLOUT, INCLUDING THE VAXFINDER WEBSITE THAT CRASHED LAST WEEK.

THE DAY AFTER IT WENT DOWN, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY MARYLOU SUDDERS BLAMED PREPMOD, THE VENDOR BEHIND THE WEBSITE.

BUT PREPMOD'S CREATOR SAID THE STATE NEVER EVEN TOLD HER ABOUT EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY TO AN EXTRA MILLION OR SO PEOPLE, THE NEXT DAY TELLING "THE BOSTON GLOBE," "I DID NOT GET A PHONE CALL THAT SAID WE'RE ABOUT TO KICK IT UP A FEW NOTCHES."

THE GOVERNOR IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY ABOUT THAT THURSDAY, AT THE FIRST OF SEVERAL PLANNED HEARINGS BEFORE THE STATE LEGISLATURE ON THE VACCINE ROLLOUT, INCLUDING ON ISSUES OF EQUITY.

ACCORDING TO STATE DATA, BLACK AND HISPANIC RESIDENTS STILL MAKE UP JUST 5% AND 4% OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE SO FAR.

TO THAT END, THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS TO PLAY A GREATER ROLL IN THE VACCINATION PROCESS.

BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, THE STATE IS SHIFTING ITS FOCUS LARGELY TO MASS VACCINATION SITES, LIKE THE ONES AT FENWAY PARK AND GILLETTE STADIUM.

>> THE BIG MESSAGE WE GOT FROM THE PUBLIC WAS, "VACCINATE, VACCINATE."

AND THERE'S NO QUESTION THE FASTEST WAY TO DO THIS IS WITH HIGH-VOLUME SITES.

>> Braude: BUT THERE'S DEBATE OVER WHETHER THAT DECISION WILL ADVANCE OR INHIBIT THE STATE'S EQUITY GOALS.

I'M JOINED BY MICHAEL CURRY, WHO'S ON THE GOVERNOR'S COVID VACCINE ADVISORY GROUP.

HE'S ALSO THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE MASSACHUSETTS LEAGUE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND CHAIR OF THE NATIONAL NAACP ADVOCACY AND POLICY COMMITTEE.

AND, AGAIN, TO HEAD OFF ANY COMPLAINTS THAT WE'RE NOT LETTING THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WEIGH IN DIRECTLY, WE DID REACH OUT TO THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, WHO RUNS THE STATE'S COVID RESPONSE, AGAIN TODAY, FOR THE 23rd TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED, AND WE'RE TOLD SHE'S NOT AVAILABLE.

>> Braude: MICHAEL CURRY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.

>> ANY TIME, JIM.

>> Braude: MICHAEL, WHEN YOU WERE HERE EXACTLY 20 DAYS AGO, A FEW DAYS BEFORE YOU HAD BEEN IN A PRESS CONFERENCE WITH THE GOVERNOR, IN WHICH YOU SAID THE GOAL WILL BE, AND IS, EQUITY.

AND I ASKED YOU IF IMPLEMENTATION WAS MATCHING THE GOAL, AND YOUR RESPONSE WAS NO.

ARE WE DOING ANY BETTER 20 DAYS LATER?

>> I THINK THE NUMBERS ARE SHOWING SOME PROGRESS, WHETHER IT IS THE RATES OF INFECTION GOING DOWN, AND SOME OF THAT IS POST-HOLIDAYS, AND WHETHER IT IS SOME PROGRESS THAT IS BEING MADE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REGGIE LEWIS TRACK AND ATHLETIC CENTER, OR THE RESOURCING AND DOZING OF DOSING OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS IN GETING GETTING THESE VACCINES OUT.

MY HOME CHURCH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MATTAPAN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER -- THERE IS SOME AMAZING AND REALLY POWERFUL THINGS GOING ON.

BUT WE'RE NOT BEFORE WE NEED TO BE.

AS I'VE SAID, JIM, THOSE CLOSEST TO THE PAIN ARE STILL NOT THOSE CLOSEST TO THE VACCINE.

>> Braude: I KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO PRIORITIZED -- WELL, HE IS STOPPING SHIPPING TO 20 COMMUNITIES PATS, MUNICIPALITIES -- TWO-THIRDS OF THE FIRST DOSES TO WHITE PEOPLE IN THIS STATE, A TOTAL OF 9%, BETWEEN BLACK AND LATINX PEOPLE.

THAT IS SO WILDLY OUT OF WHACK, IT IS INSANE.

>> I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, AND I'LL CONTINUE TO SAY IT.

NONE OF THIS SHOULD BE A SURPRISE.

IT IS OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

WE'VE HAD THIS RACIAL RECKONING IN THIS COUNTRY, LIKE OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PEOPLE, DISADVANTAGES PEOPLE OF COLOR AND IMMIGRANTS.

WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN IN A PANDEMIC THAT THOSE WOULD BE THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE LEAST LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO GET TESTED, THAT WOULD BE THE MOST DISTRUSTFUL, AND LIKELY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF GETTING A VACCINE APPOINTMENT.

WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ALL OF THIS.

I DO THINK, JIM, COMPARED TO SOME SOUTHERN STATES, WHEN I TALKED TO MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHERE SOME OF THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS DON'T CARE, WE KNOW -- AND I TALKED TO SECRETARY SUDDERS, SHE CARES, MONICA BERREL CARES, AND THEY WORK FOR A GOVERNOR WHO CARES.

BUT CARING ISN'T ENOUGH.

HOW DO YOU TRANSLATE AND OPERATIONALIZE ON THAT CARING THAT GETS EQUITY.

WE'RE BETTER OFF THAN MANY OTHER STATES IN THAT REGARD, BUT WE ARE IN A SYSTEM THAT WAS NEVER REALLY BUILT TO BE AN EQUITABLE SYSTEM AND IT IS PLAYING OUT.

>> Braude: I SAID IT A COUPLE OF MINUTES AGO, MICHAEL, THE GOVERNOR IS GOING BIG ON THE VACCINATION SITES.

HE SAID, VACCINATE, VACCINATE.

I BELIEVE DARTH DARTMOUTH IS OPENING ON WEDNESDAY.

DO MORE SITES ENHANCE OR INHIBIT THE GOAL OF MORE VACCINATIONS?

>> I WOULD SAY WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE VARIOUS OPTIONS ABOUT VACCINATION SITES, THE ANSWER IS "E," IT SHOULD BE ALL OF THE ABOVE.

WE NEED TO GET TO HERD IMMUNITY, WHATEVER THAT NUMBER, IS 80 PLUS PERCENT.

THAT IS ABOUT GETTING A CRITICAL AMOUNT OF MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS VACCINATED, SO WE HAVE TO GET THERE.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE TO GILLETTE, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST -- OR BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO FENWAY PARK.

I THINK THERE WAS A NEW SITE JUST ANNOUNCED TODAY -- >> Braude: THE NADICK MALL.

THOSE>> THOSE ARE ALL EXCELLENT, BOUGHT THEY'RE NOT ENOUGH.

COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, CHURCHES, AND RESOURCING HEALTH CENTERS TO MEET THE MOMENT IS CRITICAL.

IF WE DON'T DO THAT, THE DISEASE AND THE HOSPITALIZATION RATE REMAIN HIGH FOR BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE AND IMMIGRANTS.

AND WE WILL SEE A LONGER RUNWAY TO REOPENING FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> Braude: BUT, YOU KNOW, MICHAEL, YOU SAID A MINUTE AGO, I SELECT "E," ALL OF THE ABOVE.

YOU CAN'T SELECT ALL OF THE ABOVE BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID REGULARLY, WE WERE GETTING, WHAT, 110,000 DOSES, AND I THINK IT IS UP TO 130,000 A WEEK, AND HE ADDED A MILLION PEOPLE 65 PLUS AND PEOPLE WITH TWO OR MORE SPECIFIC HEALTH CARE PROBLEMS.

SO IT HAS TO BE EITHER/OR TO A DEGREE.

THE DIRECTOR OF THESE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, AND LESS SO AT LOCAL HEALTH COMMISSIONS, WHICH IS UPSETTING A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WHY ARE YOU A BETTER CHOICE?

>> ONE, LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE CRITICAL.

I AM AN ADVOCATE, AND WILL BEAT THE DRUM WE SHOULD HAVE RESOURCED PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE STAFFED.

WE HAVE A FRAGMENTED PUBLIC SYSTEM IN MASSACHUSETTS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND THEREFORE WE'RE REALIZING THE PAIN IN THIS MOMENT THAT WE DID NOT -- WE DEFUNDED, AND I USE THIS TERM EVERYWHERE I CAN, JIM -- WE DEFUNDED OUR PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND OUR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

SO WE NEED TO HAVE THAT RECKONING ON HOW WE DEAL WITH PUBLIC HEALTH.

COMMUNITY CENTERS, BORN OUT OF CIVIL RIGHTS, WE KNOW THEIR CULTURES.

IN FACT, WHEN YOU WALK INTO A HEALTH CENTER, THE PEOPLE WHO WORK AT THE FRONT DESK, AND EVEN LIKELY THE DOCTOR WHO TREATS YOU AND THE STAFF WHO TREATS YOU, THEY LIKELY LOOK LIKE YOU, WHETHER THEY'RE HAITIAN -- THAT IS WHY ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO LOOK AT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS.

WE DO VACCINATIONS.

HEALTH CENTERS HAVE ALWAYS DONE VACCINATIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Braude: I WANT TO READ YOU ONE MORE QUOTE FROM THE GLOBE.

A GUY NAMED JOHN CAR JOHN CARRIER, HERE IS WHAT HE SAID ABOUT THE WHOLE ISSUE OF COMMUNITY-BASED VERSUS MASS VACCINATIONS.

A CENTRALIZED APPROACH, ESPECIALLY IN DENSELY POPLIZED AREAS MAKES GOOD SENSE, TO GET TO HERD IMMUNITY AN UNFAIR SYSTEM THAT MOVES QUICKLY MAY BE MORE FAIR THAN A SYSTEM THAT IS SIX MONTHS LATE."

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO WHAT HE HAD TO SAY?

>> THE UNFORTUNE ABOUT POLICY IS THERE SHOULD BE MORE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

IF WE LET, WHICH WAS ESSENTIALLY WHITE FOLKS TO DECIDE WHO GETS A VENTILATOR, BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS WITH CO-MORBIDITIES, WITH THOSE CONDITIONS, WOULDN'T HAVE SEEN A VENTILATOR.

THEY COULD HAVE BEEN DEPRIORITIZED AND NOT PROVIDED A LIFE-SAVING TOOL.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT GETTING TO HERD IMMUNITY.

IT IS ABOUT GETTING THAT EQUITABLY.

I APPRECIATE MORE PERSPECTIVES, BUT I'M GLAD THERE ARE MORE VOICES AT THE TABLE.

AS MY PREDECESSOR JIM HAUTE USED TO SAY, IF YOU'RE NOT AT THE TABLE, YOU'RE ON THE TABLE.

OR YOU'RE ON THE MENU.

>> Braude: I'M GLAD YOU'RE AT THE TABLE, MICHAEL CURRY.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU, JIM IS.

> BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT, THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM PREDICTED IT WOULD TAKE AS MANY AS 160 YEARS TO CLOSE THE GENDER GAP ACROSS THE GLOBE, WITH NORTH AMERICA ON THE WRONG END OF THE SPECTRUM, AT AROUND 151 YEARS.

NOW TACK ON A COVID-INDUCED FINANCIAL CRISIS THAT'S HIT WOMEN, PARTICULARLY WOMEN OF COLOR, THE HARDEST, AND YOU HAVE ECONOMISTS WARNING IT WILL SET WORKPLACE GENDER EQUALITY BACK ANOTHER DECADE.

BUT ONE OF THE WORLD'S BIGGEST INVESTORS, NORWAY'S SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUND, IS PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON MANY OF THE MORE THAN 9,000 COMPANIES IT SUPPORTS TO EACH SET SPECIFIC TARGETS AND REGULARLY REPORT ON PROGRESS.

OF COURSE, THIS ISN'T THE FIRST EFFORT OF ITS KIND.

IN FACT, NORWAY BECAME THE FIRST NATION TO IMPOSE A GENDER QUOTA ON BOARDS IN ITS TOP 500 COMPANIES BACK IN 2003.

HERE IN THE U.S., CALIFORNIA ADOPTED GENDER QUOTAS FOR THE BOARDS OF ITS PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANIES BACK IN 2018, AND ANOTHER LAW SIGNED IN SEPTEMBER REQUIRES RACIAL DIVERSITY AS WELL.

NOW, MASSACHUSETTS LAWMAKERS ARE AIMING TO DO SOMETHING SIMILAR IN THIS STATE, WITH PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MANDATE A 50/50 GENDER BALANCE ON ALL STATE PUBLIC BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

THE BILL WOULD ALSO MANDATE RACIAL BALANCE, REQUIRING BOTH BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS TO REFLECT THE GENERAL POPULATION OF THE STATE.

I'M JOINED NOW BY ONE OF THE SPONSORS, STATE REPRESENTATIVE PATRICIA HADDAD, ALONG WITH BETH CHANDLER, THE C.E.O.

OF Y.W.BOSTON, WHICH FORMED THE PARITY ON BOARD COALITION TO HELP GET THIS BILL PASSED.

>> Braude: REPRESENTATIVE BETH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU, JIM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: BETH, I'M AFRAID TO ASK, WHAT IS THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN ON BOARDS AND PUBLIC BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO DAY, AS WE SPEAK?

>> SURE.

IT IS PRETTY PALTRY.

WE LOOKED AT THE TOP 50 BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND THERE WERE 32% OF WOMEN ON -- 32% OF THOSE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT WERE CLOSE TO GENDER PARITY, AND NONE WERE CLOSE WHEN IT CAME TO RACIAL PARITY, PARTICULARLY LOOKING AT- WOMEN OF COLOR.

>> Braude: HOW BAD IS THE WOMEN OF COLOR PICTURE?

>> THERE WERE 2% THAT WERE C.E.O.s, 6% THAT WERE ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 6% AND 9%, SO IT IS PRETTY PALTRY.

AND THE REASON IT MATTERS IS BECAUSE OUR COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON REPRESENTATION, RIGHT?

AND THESE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MAKE SIGNIFICANT DECISIONS THAT IMPACT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMONWEALTH, AND YET THEY'RE NOT REPRESENTED BY MANY OF THOSE VOICES.

>> Braude: BETH, HOW MANY OF THESE PUBLIC COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS ARE THERE, ROUGHLY?

>> THERE ARE OVER 400 THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED BY THIS PARTICULAR BILL.

WE AREN'T LOOKING AT HOUSING BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, SO ANY MUNICIPAL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ARE EXCLUDED.

SO THAT GETS IT DOWN TO A LITTLE OVER 400.

>> Braude: SO, REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT EXACTLY WOULD THIS BILL DO?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

>> IT WOULD START, FIRST OF ALL, WITH PUBLIC BOARDS.

BECAUSE IN THE STUDY THAT HAS BEEN REFERENCED ABOUT THE POWER GAP, WE FOUND THAT IT STARTED OUT WITH THE HIGHER EDUCATION WORLD.

AND WE FOUND THAT IT CARRIED ON THROUGH HIGHER ED.

THE ONLY PLACE WE FOUND ANY KIND OF REAL PARITY WAS ON LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, WHICH WAS VERY INTERESTING.

>> Braude: REALLY?

>> BUT AS BETH HAS SAID, WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR BOARDS, WHERE WE SHOULD BE MODELING GOOD BEHAVIOR FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WE'RE AS BAD.

WE'RE AS BAD AS ANY BOARD, ANY ENTITY, THERE IS.

>> Braude: REPRESENTATIVE, WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JUST PICK PUBLIC BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS?

AS I MENTIONED A MINUTE AGO, CALIFORNIA, THREE YEARS AGO, FOCUSED ON PUBLICLY-TRADED CORPORATIONS.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE NOT TO THINK MORE BROADLY?

>> WELL, THERE IS A BILL THAT HAS BEEN FILED AGAIN THIS YEAR TO BE TUCKED WITH PRIVATE BOARDS.

BUT IF THE STATE ITSELF IS NOT MODELING GOOD BEHAVIOR, HOW CAN WE EVER EXPECT PRIVATES TO?

>> Braude: FAIR ENOUGH.

ONE LAST THING ABOUT -- THERE ARE A LOT OF WELL-INTENDED THINGS, AND THIS SURELY IS AT THE TOP OF THAT LIST.

BUT GETTING BACK TO CALIFORNIA, IF THAT LAW IS VIOLATED, THE FINES ARE IN THE SIX-FIGURE CATEGORY.

WHAT IS THE SANCTION, WHAT IS THE PENALTY, FOR A PUBLIC BOARD OR COMMISSION IN MASSACHUSETTS SHOULD THIS MEASURE BECOME LAW AND THEY CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT?

>> SO WE DIDN'T START WITH SANCTIONS AS YET BECAUSE WE FELT THAT PUBLIC BOARDS SHOULD JUST BE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

>> Braude: BUT SHOULDN'T THEY BE DOING THE RIGHT THING EVEN WITHOUT YOUR LEGISLATION?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY ABSOLUTELY SHOULD.

THEY ABSOLUTELY SHOULD.

BUT VERY OFTEN WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS WE'VE GOT A SPOT ON A BOARD, YOU SAY -- THE BOARD SAYS, WELL, I KNOW A GUY.

IT IS NOT BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT MEN, IT'S JUST THAT THAT IS A MORE COMMON THING.

WOMEN HAVE TO BE MUCH MORE INTENTIONAL.

>> Braude: THAT'S THE CLUB.

>> YEP.

YEP.

>> Braude: WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO SAY ABOUT THAT?

I INTERRUPTED YOU, I'M SORRY.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO USE A SLEDGEHAMMER.

WE WANT TO USE A CARROT AND NO A STICK.

THAT IS WHY THERE IS NOT PUNITIVE LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL.

IT IS REALLY ABOUT TRYING TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT AND PROVIDE ORGANIZATIONS AND BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS WITH THE SUPPORT TO BE ABLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

AND SO WE'VE HAD -- ALREADY TO DATE, WE'VE HAD THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S OFFICE REACH OUT TO US WITH OPENINGS THEY'VE HAD ON THEIR COMMISSION.

WE'VE DONE A VARIETY OF TRAININGS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH TO SHARE PARTICULARLY WITH WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR WHAT THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE, HOW THEY FIND THEM, AND HOW THEY CAN PUT THEIR RESUME AND OTHER MATERIALS TOGETHER SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY'RE THERE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIND A VARIETY OF WAYS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, AND NOT JUST PENALIZE PEOPLE FOR NOT DOING IT.

>> Braude: BUT, BETH -- EXCUSE ME -- WHEN THEY DON'T TAKE THE CARROT, YOU'LL MOVE ON TO THE SLEDGEHAMMER?

I KNOW IT IS NOT JUST IN THIS LEGISLATION -- YOU'RE LAUGHING, SO I'M ASSUMING US.

I'M ENTITLED TO ONE STUPID QUESTION, SO: WHO OPPOSES THIS?

WHO SAYS I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS A GOOD IDEA FOR THERE TO BE RACIAL EQUITY ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS?

>> I WOULD HOPE NO ONE.

BECAUSE OF COVID, MANY OF THE GOOD BILLS LIKE THIS DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE THE BODY.

SO I DON'T THINK YOU WILL FIND ANY.

>> CAN I SAY ONE MORE THING?

>> Braude: OF COURSE YOU CAN.

>> I THINK ONE THING THAT I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS BILL, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT WAS FIRST FILED, IS THAT PEOPLE SAID, WELL, DOES THAT MEAN YOU'RE GOING TO KICK THE WHITE GUYS OFF?

BY 2024, WE NEED TO HAVE RACIAL AND GENDER PARITY.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO KICK ANYBODY OFF OF ANY BOARD AND COMMISSION.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO IS AS OPENINGS COME UP, THERE BE INTENTIONALITY MAKING SURE THAT BOARDS ADD WOMEN.

>> Braude: IF PEOPLE WANT TO KICK WHITE GUYS OFF, DO THEY CONTACT YOU OR THE REPRESENTATIVE?

IF PEOPLE WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BILL, HOW DO THEY FIND OUT THE DETAILS?

>> CERTAINLY.

THE BEST WAY IS WITH MY E-MAIL, PATRICIA.HADDAD@MAHOUSE.GO V. >> Braude: TERRIFIC.

THANK YOU BOTH.

BETH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> NEXT UP, YET ANOTHER OF THE NATION'S EXISTING PROBLEMS THE PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED IS HOMELESSNESS.

AND THIS WEEK SOME OF BROADWAY'S BIGGEST STARS ARE JOINING TOGETHER FOR A FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT THE GROWING NUMBER OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN FACING HOMELESSNESS RIGHT HERE IN BOSTON THROUGH THE NON-PROFIT "HEALTH CARE WITHOUT WALLS," WHICH WORKS TO PROVIDE THESE GROUPS WITH FREE MEDICAL CARE.

THE EVENTS IS CALLED "BROADWAY SMASHES COVID," AND IT'S HOSTED BY SINGER AND COMEDIAN CHRIS MANN, WHOM YOU MAY KNOW FROM HIS STARRING ROLE IN THE 2015/2016 TOUR OF "PHAN TOM OF THE OPERA," HIS STINT ON "THE VOICE" OR MAYBE THIS COVID RENDITION OF THE HIT CLASSIC "MY SHARONA," WHICH MADE THE ROUNDS ONLINE EARLY ON IN THE PANDEMIC.

♪ WHEN YOU GONNA GET TO ME, G-G-G-GET TO ME ♪ ♪ IS IT JUST A MATTER OF TIME, CORONA ♪ ♪ WILL I KILL MY FAMILY IN QUARANTINE, YEP ♪ ♪ OR IS IT JUST A GAME IN MY MIND, CORONA ♪ >> Braude: CHRIS MANN JOINS ME NOW, ALONG WITH THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF HEALTH CARE WITHOUT WALLS, DR. ROSANNA MEANS.

>> Braude: DOCTOR, CHRIS, IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

I'M HERE TO LEAVE A LEGACY BEHIND IN MY CREATIVE CAREER.

SO I'M VERY PROUD OF MY TOILET PAPER LEGACY THAT I STARTED.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Braude: I'M SURE YOUR PARENTS MUST BE REALLY PROUD.

>> YES.

[LAUGHTER] >> Braude: DOCTOR, CAN YOU DESCRIBE A LITTLE MORE FULLY THAN I DID WHAT YOU DO, EXACTLY?

WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF THE WOMEN AND KIDS WHOM YOU SERVE IN BOSTON?

>> Doctor: WELL, THANK YOU, JIM.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN BOSTON WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR NEAR HOMELESSNESS OF ALL AGES.

OUR SPECIALTY IS WE FILL IN THE GAPS IN CARE.

THESE WOMEN MAY GO TO A HEALTH CENTER FOR THEIR PRIMARY CARE OR TO A HOSPITAL CLINIC, BUT WHEN YOU'RE HOMELESS, POOR, STRUGGLING, DESPERATE, IF YOU'VE BEEN BEATEN, IF YOU'VE BEEN DEPRESSED, ANY NUMBER OF THINGS THAT GET IN THE WAY, IT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO CONNECT THE DOTS TO GET YOUR MEDICAL CARE.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

WE GO TO THE SHELTERS WHERE WE MEET THE CHILDREN AND HELP FILL IN THOSE GAPS.

AND NOW WE'RE ABOUT TO OPEN OUR FIRST CLINIC IN BOSTON SO THE WOMEN CAN COME TO US AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE THEM.

>> Braude: HOW MUCH MORE TRAUMATIC ARE THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE DURING THE PANDEMIC?

HOW MUCH MORE TRAUMATIC ARE THEY?

>> WE DID OVER 22,000 SCREENINGS IN JUST 2020 ALONE, AND WHAT WE SAW WERE WOMEN THAT WERE SLEEPING IN CROWDED PLACES.

THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE.

THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO GO PLACES AND WASH THEIR HANDS.

THERE WERE NOT ALWAYS PUBLIC TOILETS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

THEY COULDN'T ALWAYS GET TO THEIR DOCTORS TO GET PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED.

THEY COULDN'T ALWAYS FOLLOW THE RIGHT DIETS FOR HYPERTENSION OR DIABETES.

THOSE ARE PRETTY DESPERATE SITUATIONS FOR THESE WOMEN.

AND WE HAVE A PROGRAM AT BIG HAMBRAGBRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S FOR OBSOBSTETRIC CARE.

>> Braude: CHRIS, I ASSUME YOU'RE A PRETTY DECENT AND CARING GUY.

WHY ARE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES RAISING MONEY FOR THIS AND BOSTON?

[LAUGHTER] >> Braude: I'M SERIOUS.

WHAT'S THE CONNECTION?

>> I DO HAVE A CONNECTION.

DR. MEANS' SON IS AN INCREDIBLE MUSICIAN AND GRADUATE OF THE BERKELEY SCHOOL OF MUSIC.

AND HE TOURED WITH ME FOR YEARS.

SO I HAVE A VERY STRONG CONNECTION TO THE FAMILY.

HAVING BEEN ASKED TO DO SO MANY DIFFERENT CHARITY EVENTS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR, THIS ONE IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT IS SO RELEVANT, WHAT DR. MEANS IS TRYING TO DO, AND IS DOING, IS SUCH INCREDIBLE WORK.

AND IT DIRECTLY IS IMPACTING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND THIS IS A WAY FOR US TO ACTUALLY HAVE, LIKE, A DIRECT IMPACT THERE.

SO IT WAS AN EASY ASK FOR ME TO GET INVOLVED.

>> Braude: THAT'S GREAT.

WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT WHAT THURSDAY NIGHT WILL LOOK LIKE IN A MINUTE.

BUT, DOCTOR, BACK TO YOU.

WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE VACCINE FRONT?

I KNOW HOMELESS PEOPLE IN SHELTERS WERE IN PHASE ONE HERE.

BUT IF YOU TREAT A WOMAN OR HER KID ON THE STREET, ARE THEY GETTING VACCINATED?

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THAT?

>> Doctor: YES.

THE BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF ROUNDING UP PEOPLE ON THE STREET AND GETTING THEM VACCINES.

SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A PRETTY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF WHAT WE CONSIDER UNHOUSED PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

IN FACT, WE'RE REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF THAT.

>> Braude: GREAT.

YOU KNOW, CHRIS, I HAVE A SELECTION HERE, A LITTLE BIT OF A THING YOU DID WITH HEATHER HEADLEY, PERFORMING WRITTEN IN THE STARS.

AND THIS IS GOING TO BE PART OF THURSDAY NIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS A BIT OF A REHEARSAL.

A ROLE THAT HEATHER WON THE TONY FOR.

IT WAS MY FIRST SHOW, EVER SEEING A BROADWAY SHOW, BEING FROM KANSAS, WAS SEEING HER IN THIS ROLE.

SO THIS IS A CLIP -- >> Braude: HERE IS A LITTLE PIECE OF "WRITTEN IN THE STARS."

♪ WE WILL BE IN PARADISE ♪ ♪ AGAIN ♪ >> Braude: THAT IS UNBELIEVABLY GREAT.

BY THE WAY "MY SHARONA" IS FROM -- >> YES, IT IS.

YES.

>> Braude: WHAT ELSE ARE YOU DOING, AND WHAT ELSE ARE PEOPLE GOING TO GET THURSDAY NIGHT IF THEY'RE SMART ENOUGH TO SIGN UP FOR A TICKET?

>> NOT TO TOOT MY OWN HORN HERE, BUT OUR LINE-UP IS UNBELIEVABLE.

WE HAVE THREE TONY WINNERS, HEATHER, LAURA, JOHN -- ALL TONY WINNERS.

OPERA SUPERSTAR RENEE FLEMMING.

WE HAVE ALLISON PORTER.

WE HAVE A BROADWAY SUPERSTAR, AND WE HAVE JENNA FROM "GLEE."

NO BIG DEAL.

IT IS REALLY AMAZING THAT THIS AMOUNT OF TALENT JOINED ON.

BUT IT IS NOT SURPRISING BECAUSE HEALTH CARE WITHOUT WALLS IS DOING IS -- YOU CAN'T ARGUE WITH IT.

IT WAS VERY INSPIRING THAT EVERYBODY WANTED TO JOIN IT.

YOU'RE GOING TO GET AN INCREDIBLE SHOW.

BROADWAY MAY BE DARK, BUT WE'RE GOING TO LIGHT IT UP ON THURSDAY.

>> Braude: WHAT A LINE-UP.

THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

DOCTOR -- BEYOND GETTING TICKETS -- IF PEOPLE WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION, WANT TO VOLUNTEER OR CONTRIBUTE, WHERE DO THEY GO?

>> healthcarewithoutwalls.or g. .

>> Braude: A KID FROM KANSAS MAKES GOOD, IT IS UNBELIEVABLE.

THANK YOU AND I REALLY ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO JOIN US.

>> Braude: CHRIS, PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.

DOCTOR, SAME TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

> "BROADWAY SMASHES COVID," THE VIRTUAL BENEFIT TAKES PLACE THIS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25 AT 7 p.m. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS, VISIT THE WEBSITE ON YOUR SCREEN: www.healthcarewithoutwalls .org/broadway-smashes- Covid.

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

I'LL TALK TO NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING ECONOMIST AND "NEW YORK TIMES" COLUMNIST PAUL KRUGMAN ABOUT WHY HE SAYS JOE BIDEN IS RIGHT TO SPEND BIG ON COVID RELIEF, AND WHY HE THINKS THE G.O.P.

IS IN A DOOM LOOP OF BIZARRO.

THAT AND MORE, TOMORROW AT 7:00.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND STAY SAFE.

I'LL LEAVE YOU NOW WITH A LITTLE MORE FROM CHRIS MANN.

♪ WAKING UP TO ANOTHER MORNING ♪ ♪ SUN IS SHINING IN CALIFORNIA MOSTLY ♪ ♪ I DON'T MIND IT ♪ ♪ BUT I FIND MY MIND REWINDING TO SNOWY DAYS IN NEW YORK CITY ♪ ♪ I WAS YOUNG ♪ ♪ THE WORLD WAS WILLING ♪ ♪ RUNNING THROUGH THE NIGHT, YEAH ♪ ♪ DAMN, THAT WAS THE LIFE ♪ ♪ OOH, SEASONS SHOW ME ♪ ♪ THAT I CAN CHANGE AND THAT'S OKAY ♪ ♪ OOH, NOTHING'S EVER GONNA STAY THE SAME ANYWAY ♪ ♪ I AIN'T GIVING UP ♪ ♪ I'M NOT LOOKING BACK ♪ ♪ TAKE ANOTHER DRINK, RAISE YOUR HOUR GLASS ♪ ♪ TO THE GLORY, GLORY, GLORY DAYS ♪ ♪ I'M NOT GROWING UP LIVING FOR THE PAST ♪ ♪ AIN'T FOREVER YOUNG ♪ ♪ IT DON'T MATTER CAUSE WE AIN'T FINISHED YET ♪ WE STILL GOT GOOD DAYS LEFT ♪ ♪ IF I DONE KNEW WHERE THIS WORLD WAS LEADING ♪ ♪ BUT EVERY MOMENT AND DREAM THAT DIDN'T GO MY WAY ♪ ♪ YEAH, YEAH, YEAH ♪ ♪ WELL, THAT'S THE (bleep) THAT MADE ME