Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org >> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": FROM THE ABUSE ALLEGATIONS TO THE BLUE WALL OF SILENCE, "THE BOSTON GLOBE'S" ADRIAN WALKER AND LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS' SOPHIA HALL JOIN ME ON WHAT THE REPORT ABOUT BOSTON POLICE COMMISSIONER DENNIS WHITE MAY MEAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT AND THE RACE FOR MAYOR.

PLUS, THIS STATE WILL SOON LIFT ALL COVID RESTRICTIONS AS WE RACE TOWARDS THE GOAL OF 60% VACCINATED.

BUT IN MANY POORER COUNTRIES, 6% IS STILL FAR OFF.

THAT'S WHY LIZ NEISLOSS REPORTS THE PRESSURE IS ON FOR MANUFACTURERS TO SHARE THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE VACCINES.

THEN, LATER, B.C.

GRAD AND ENTREPRENEUR NATALIE WHITE, THE FOUNDER OF MOOLAH KICKS, WHO'S TAKING ON THE GENDER GAP IN BASKETBALL ONE PAIR OF SNEAKERS AT A TIME.

>>> BOSTON POLICE COMMISSIONER FOR A DAY, DENNIS WHITE, IS NOW SUING THE CITY TO HOLD ONTO HIS JOB AFTER ACTING MAYOR KIM JANEY MOVED TO FIRE HIM ON FRIDAY, AS SHE RELEASED THE REPORT FROM AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR HIRED BY HER PREDECESSOR, MARTY WALSH, TO LOOK INTO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST WHITE.

>> IT IS CLEAR FROM THE REPORT, WE HAVE TO MOVE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

THE FUTURE LEADERSHIP OF THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS AN URGENT MATTER AS WE MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD.

>> Braude: YOU'RE THINKING, I'VE NEVER HEARD OF COMMISSIONER WHITE.

THAT'S BECAUSE FORMER MAYOR MARTY WALSH SUSPENDED WHITE, JUST DAYS AFTER HE APPOINTED HIM, FOLLOWING A "BOSTON GLOBE" INVESTIGATION INTO THE 1999 ALLEGATIONS THAT HE PUSHED, HIT, AND THREATENED TO SHOOT HIS EX-WIFE, WHO THEN FILED FOR A RESTRAINING ORDER.

BUT THE NEW REPORTER GOES FURTHER, WITH ALLEGATIONS OF REPEATED VIOLENT ABUSE FROM SOME WHO SAY WHITE'S EX-WIFE TOLD THEM HE HAD "BURNED HER HAIR, PUT HER FACE TO THE STOVE, STEPPED ON HER FACE, CHOKED HER, THREW A TELEVISION AT HER, AND TRIED TO PHYSICALLY THROW HER OUT OF THE HOUSE."

THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR, ATTORNEY TASMIN KAPLAN, ALSO DETAILS AN ALLEGATION FROM ANOTHER WOMAN, WHO WAS JUST 19 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE SAID WHITE "PUNCHED HER, THREW HER DOWN THE STAIRS, PUSHED HER OUT THE DOOR, AND CALLED HER A WHORE" AFTER SHE REJECTED A SEXUAL ADVANCE.

AND IN RESPONSE TO THOSE DISTURBING CLAIMS, ALL OF WHICH DENNIS WHITE HAS DENIED, KAPLAN DETAILS A CONCERTED EFFORT TO KEEP THINGS QUIET, EXPLAINING THAT TWO-THIRDS OF WITNESSES, MOST OF WHOM WERE CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICERS, REFUSED TO COOPERATE.

THAT THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS RULING ON THE 1999 ALLEGATION WAS LATER DOWNGRADED AFTER WHITE'S HIGHER-UPS INTERVENED, AND THAT OFFICERS IN THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT SAID THEY FACED RETALIATION FOR THEIR ROLE IN INVESTIGATING WHITE.

KAPLAN ALSO DESCRIBED A MESSAGE SHE GOT AT THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY'S CORPORATION COUNSEL UNDER WALSH, EUGENE O'FLAHERTY, TELLING HER TO SHUT DOWN THE INVESTIGATION EARLY, THOUGH SHE WAS ASKED TO RESUME A FEW DAYS LATER.

ALL OF THAT, DESPITE WHAT ONE PERSON INTERVIEWED TOLD THE INVESTIGATOR: "THE HISTORY OF DENNIS IS KNOWN BY EVERYONE IN THE DEPARTMENT."

JOINING ME TO DISCUSS ARE "BOSTON GLOBE" COLUMNIST ADRIAN WALKER AND SOPHIA HALL, SUPERVISING ATTORNEY FOR LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, A WATCHDOG ADVOCACY GROUP THAT HAS SUED THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, LOOKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE ALSO INVITED THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR, TASMIN KAPLAN, AND DENNIS WHITE'S ATTORNEY, NICHOLAS CARTER, TO JOIN US.

CARTER DECLINED AND KAPLAN TOLD US SHE THINKS HER REPORT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

>> Braude: ADRIAN, SOPHIA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: ADRIAN, YOU WROTE ABOUT SO MANY THINGS SO CONCERNING ABOUT DENNIS WHITE HIMSELF, ABOUT WHAT THE REPORT, THE INVESTIGATION, UNCOVERED, AND THE ROLLOUT ITSELF.

SHARE JUST A COUPLE OF THE MOST TROUBLING ISSUES, TO YOU AT LEAST, THAT YOU RAISED?

>> WELL, THE MOST TOWBLG THINGS ARETROUBLING THINGS ARE THE THINGS IN THE PREVIEW YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT.

THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST WHITE HIMSELF.

BUT I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFORTS OF THE WALSH ADMINISTRATION TO SHUT DOWN THIS ADMINISTRATION.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT ALL OF THE CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICERS WHO DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE.

IT SEEMS THERE WAS A GREAT EFFORT TO GETTING AT THE TRUTH HERE, WHICH TROUBLES ME A GREAT DEAL.

>> Braude: SOPHIA, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

WHAT STOOD OUT AS YOU LOOKED AT THE INVESTIGATOR'S REPORT.

>> AS LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, WE LITIGATE CASES.

WHAT STANDS OUT TO ME IS SYSTEMIC ISSUES.

IT IS MUCH RARE THAT WE WOULD SEE A RELEASE OF A REPORT LIKE THIS, IN MOST CASES WE DON'T.

WHAT IS HERE IS A VERY CANDID REPORT OF NOT JUST INACTION, BUT IT DOES FEEL LIKE MULTIPLE BARRIERS WERE THROWN UP TO ENSURE THAT REAL TRANSPARENCY AND REAL TRUTH DIDN'T COME TO LIGHT HERE.

>> Braude: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND.

THIS BLUE WALL OF SILENCE, AS SOME CALLED IT, AND YOU BOTH REFERENCED, HERE IS ACTING MAYOR JANEY SPEAKING TO IT ON FRIDAY'S RELEASE.

>> THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CULTURE OF FEAR AND SILENCE WITHIN THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SWORN OFFICERS REFUSED TO SPEAK TO INVESTIGATORS, FRUSTRATING EFFORTS TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH, WHAT IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS A BLUE WALL OF SILENCE WAS CONFIRMED BY ONE RETIRED OFFICER WHO SAID HE RECEIVED FIVE PHONE CALLS DIRECTING HIM NOT TO COOPERATE WITH THIS INVESTIGATION.

>> Braude: CAN WE TALK ABOUT BOTH THESE INCREDIBLE THINGS FOR A MINUTE THAT, BOTH TOUCHED ON.

A RETIRED COP SAYS FIVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE REACHED OUT TO HIM TO SAY DON'T TALK.

WHO ARE THEY?

WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO DO THAT?

14 OF 21 PEOPLE THAT THE INVESTIGATOR PURSUED, ADRIAN, REFUSED TO COOPERATE.

SOME ARE COPS.

WHO ARE THEY?

WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO DO THAT?

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THESE THINGS GOING FORWARD?

>> IT IS ASTONISHING TO ME, AND I SAY THAT AS A BOSTON CITY CITY COUNCILOR.

WE HAVE THIS INVESTIGATION ONLY BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN NAMED POLICE COMMISSIONER, OTHERWISE ALL OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN SWEPT UNDER THE RUG.

AND EVERYBODY FEELS TOTALLY FREE TO REFUSE TO COOPERATE, INCLUDING THE CURRENT COMMISSIONER, GREG LONG, WHO, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE.

SO THIS IS ALL ENORMOUSLY DISTURBING.

THERE IS JUST EFFORT AFTER EFFORT TO SHUT THIS DOWN.

>> Braude: WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST MENTIONED GREG LONG, WHO I, BY THE WAY HAD AN INTERACTION WITH, IN THE SPIRIT OF CLOSURE,DISCLOSURE, WHERE HE WAS VERY HELPFUL.

IS THAT ON LONG ON JANEY FOR HAVING HER PERSON CALL AND SAY DON'T TALK.

>> PROBABLY ON JANEY, BUT WE DON'T KNOW BECAUSE THERE IS SO LITTLE WE KNOW ABOUT THESE CALLS AND WHO ORDERED THEM AND WHY.

THAT'S ALL PART OF THE PROBLEM.

>> Braude: SOPHIA, YOU'RE THE LITIGATOR HERE, AND I HATE TO SOUND LIKE AN 8-YEAR-OLD AND SAY, ISN'T THERE A LAW FOR THIS?

HOW CAN COPS ON THE PAYROLL REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INVESTIGATION OF ANOTHER COP ORDERED BY THEIR BOSS, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY?

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> CAN I TELL YOU AS A CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER THIS IS DISTURBING BUT NOT SURPRISING.

I THINK THIS IS THE NORM, NOT THE EXCEPTION.

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE REASON THAT WE DON'T SEE INDICTMENTS, WE DON'T ACTUALLY SEE SUCCESSFUL CIVIL VERDICTS IS BECAUSE DO BAN TOGETHER AND KEEP QUIET.

I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT IT MAKES ME THINK ABOUT THE RECENT GEORGE FLOYD TRIAL AND HOW SHOCKED PEOPLE WERE TO SEE INDIVIDUALS FROM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT STAND UP AS WITNESSES AND CALL OUT THIS MISCONDUCT FOR WHAT IT WAS.

BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

>> Braude: WELL, YOU KNOW -- >> LET ME BE CLEAR -- >> Braude: I'M SORRY.

ADRIAN.

GO AHEAD.

>> LET'S BE CLEAR, THIS HAS BEEN KEPT QUIET FOR YEARS.

THESE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST WHITE GOES BACK TO 1999.

THERE HAS TO BE PLENTY OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENT WHO KNOW ABOUT THIS, AND THEY'VE ALL BEEN KEEPING IT QUIET FOR 20 YEARS.

>> Braude: YOU SEE, TO ME -- AND IT'S HARD TO RATE THE RAGE, WHILE I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU TWO SAID, THE THING I WOULD PUT ATOP MY LIST, NUMBER ONE, THE POLICE'S INABILITY TO POLICE THEMSELVES.

IN THE DENNIS WHITE CASE, THEY DIDN'T COME CLEAN, ADRIAN, BECAUSE THEY DECIDED THEY HAD AN OBLIGATION TO THE PUBLIC.

THE "GLOBE" FORCED THEM TO COME CLEAN.

LET'S NOT JUST LEAVE DENNIS WHITE.

PATRICK ROSE, SR., AN ACCUSED CHILD MOLESTER.

HOW DID THAT GO PUBLIC?

ALSO THANKS TO "THE BOSTON GLOBE."

SO THE QUESTION I'M LEFT WITH IN THESE CASES, ADRIAN, WHY SHOULD THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON NOT BELIEVE THAT ROSE AND WHITE ARE NOT JUST TWO OF MANY AND THE GLOBE JUST HASN'T GOTTEN TO THE OTHER ONES WHO DID SOMETHING THAT IS ANTITHETICAL TO THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO SERVE?

>> WELL, IT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE WE DON'T KNOW.

BUT WE CAN ONLY ASSUME THERE IS PLENTY THAT WE DON'T KNOW.

>> THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE CRITICAL.

I BELIEVE THEY HAVE IS A RIGHT TO.

II THINK THAT'S WHY THE TOP QUESTIONS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT POLICE REFORM ARE ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT FROM MANY OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND WE SHOULD.

>> Braude: SOPHIA, LET'S LOOK AT WHAT THE STATE DID ON THE POLICE REFORM, WHICH TOOK THEM FOREVER, BUT THEY FINALLY GOT TO YES AT LEAST ON SOME THINGS, EVEN THOUGH NOT MUCH ON QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

WHAT THE CITY OF BOSTON DOES, AND I THINK ADRIAN POINTS OUT BRILLIANTLY TODAY, RATHER THAN APPOINTING A NEW COMMISSION, MAYBE WE SHOULD IMPLEMENT WHAT THE PRIOR COMMISSION UNDER WAYNE BUDD DECIDED TO DO.

WHAT COULD PEOPLE LEGISLATIVELY DO TO ENSURE WE'RE NOT DEPENDENT ON THE MEDIA EXPOSING INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, BUT THAT THE POLICE ARE FORCED THEMSELVES TO EXPOSE THAT BEHAVIOR IN THEIR OWN RANKS?

WHAT DO WE DO?

>> WELL, I THINK MANY OF THE EFFORTS THAT HAVE COME OUT SO FAR HAVE ASKED PEOPLE TO BRING IN THIRD PARTIES.

THEY HAVE SORT OF LOOKED FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN AN IMPARTIAL VOICE, THE CREATION OF THIS NEW ORGANIZATION OR THIS SEAT TO OVERVIEW OR LOOK OVER WHAT THE I.D.

DEPARTMENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO DO, THEIR INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS -- THAT'S CRITICAL.

I REMEMBER OUT IN SPRINGFIELD NOT SO LONG AGO, THEY WERE SUED SUCCESSFULLY ABOUT THEIR FAILURE TO HAVE AN AFFECTIVE CIVILIAN COMPLAINT PROCEDURE, AND, HONESTLY, THEY'RE NOT ALONE.

I THINK BOSTON AND MANY OF THESE POLICE DEPARTMENTS THAT TAKE YEARS TO INVESTIGATE AND COME TO ANY DECISION FOR NORMAL, TAX PAYING POLICE WHO HAVE INTERACTIONS WITH POLICE THAT ARE WRONG IS A REAL PROBLEM.

>> Braude: ADRIAN, OFTEN THE POLICE PATROLMAN'S -- I'LL SUBSCRIBE TO THE NOTION THEY COULD BE FAR MORE COLLABORATIVE.

BUT ONE THING I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS: HOW IS IT IN THE INTEREST OF A POLICE UNION TO HELP PROTECT A CREDIBLY ACCUSED CHILD MOLESTER AND A CREDIBLY ACCUSED DOMESTIC ABUSER?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY'RE NOT AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE TRYING TO OUST THE WORST AMONGST THEM TO ENSURE IT DOESN'T TRICKLE DOWN ONTO THE BEST AMONGST THEM?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

IN THE ROSE CASE IN PARTICULAR, THE CONDUCT OF THE BOSTON POLICE PATROLMAN'S ASSOCIATION IS APPALLING.

THEY TAKE THE POSITION THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DEFEND THEIR MEMBERS NO MATTER WHAT.

AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY ACCUSED OF THINGS.

IN THE CASE OF WHITE, I BELIEVE A LOT OF THE DEFENDERS ARE MANAGEMENT, NOT UNION, BUT THAT IS NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR.

BUT THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE.

>> Braude: BARELY, SOPHIA, WE TOUCHED ON MARTY WALSH, BUT I'M SURE YOU'VE SEEN A WALL STREET JOURNAL QUITE QUIT CUL OF CRITICAL OF HIM AND SOME OF THE NOMINEES FOR MAYOR -- WHY DID HE ASK GENE O'FLAHERTY TO TAKE THE INVESTIGATION OFF AND QUICKLY PUT IT BACK ON.

>> MAYOR WALSH HAS A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO.

TRYING TO SHUT DOWN THE INVESTIGATION IS JUST APPALLING.

AND THE ONLY REASON THEY RESTARTED IT, IN MY OPINION, IS BECAUSE POLITICALLY, YOU KNOW, IT HAD GONE TOO FAR AND IT IS TOO PUBLIC TO SHUT DOWN.

>> Braude: SOPHIA, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE WALSH INVOLVEMENT HERE?

>> I AGREE WITH ADRIAN WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS, FOR MANY YEARS, HAVE CALLED FOR MAYOR WALSH TO ACT, WHETHER IT IS ON POLICE MISCONDUCT, OR INEQUITY ON MINORITY CONTRACTING -- THERE ARE JUST A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT HE HAS FAILED TO DO ON WHAT THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS OF HIM.

SO IT IS NOT SURPRISING TO SEE THE MISCONDUCT IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE.

WHAT IS EXCITING IS TO SEE A NEW DAY WITH DIVERSE REPRESENTATION, WHERE WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING SOME DIFFERENT MOVEMENT, SOME DIFFERENT RESPONSE FROM THE CITY, AND WHAT I HOPE IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE THAT.

>> Braude: AND TO ADD TO YOUR LIST, HE REFUSED TO RELEASE THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS DOCUMENTS IN THE ROSE CASE, DESPITE THE STATE'S SUPERVISOR OF RECORD SAID HE HAD NO BASIS FOR NOT DOING IT.

AND SPEAKING OF KIM JANEY, CLEARLY SHE WAS FAR MORE TRANSPARENT ON THE ROSE FRONT THAN WAS WALSH.

BUT YOU WERE PRETTY CRITICAL OF HER IN YOUR COLUMN, ADRIAN, WHY?

>> I THINK SHE SHOULD HAVE RELEASED THE REPORT.

I THINK SHE HAD NO CHOICE.

IN TERMS OF THE ROSE CASE, LET'S BE HONEST, THEY WERE GETTING READY TO SUE HER.

SHE DECLINED BEFORE SHE SAID YES.

I THINK SHE HAS DONE THE RIGHT THING, BUT I THINK SHE HAD TO BE URGED TO SOME EXTENT.

>> Braude: BUT YOU WERE CRITICAL IN TERMS OF THE ROLLOUT -- >> YEAH.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED ANOTHER COMMISSION.

I THINK WE JUST HAD A COMMISSION.

I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES ON THE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, LIKE SOME KIND OF OVERSIGHT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS, AND A MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY PROCESS, AND I THINK WE KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND WE NEED TO GET TO WORK AT IMPLEMENTING SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

AS OPPOSED TO APPOINTING YET ANOTHER COMMITTEE WHO WILL FIND THE SAME THINGS AS THE LAST COMMITTEE.

>> Braude: WHEN WE CONTACTED HER OFFICE ON THAT ISSUE, THEY SAID IT WAS LOOKING AT LEADERSHIP IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RATHER THAN REVISITING THE SAME THINGS THAT THE COMMISSIONER WALSH APPOINTED DID.

THE FINAL THING TO YOU, ADRIAN, DOES THIS PIECE OF THE POLICE ISSUE BECOME STAY AS A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE MAYOR'S RACE?

OR IS IT TOO IN THE WEEDS FOR THE AVERAGE VOTER?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK IT IS TOO IN THE WEEDS AT ALL.

I THINK IT IS AN ISSUE.

THE ISSUE OF WHO IS GOING TO LEAD THIS DEPARTMENT WON'T GO AWAY, EVEN IF DENNIS WHITE MAGICALLY DOES.

THERE IS A QUESTION OF WHO IS GOING TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT AND WHERE IT IS GOING.

>> Braude: SURELY NOT A WEEDS ISSUE.

ADRIAN AND SOPHIA, I APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND TIME.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH ME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

> NEXT UP, THIS STATE IS ABOUT TO TAKE A HUGE STEP FORWARD ON THE ROAD TO NORMALCY.

GOVERNOR BAKER ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT MASSACHUSETTS WILL LIFT ALL COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ON MAY 29, INCLUDING THE MASK MANDATE.

AND BOSTON MAYOR KIM JANEY SAYS THE CITY WILL MOVE UP ITS REOPENING TIMELINE TO MATCH.

THE MOVES FOLLOW LAST WEEK'S C.D.C.

GUIDANCE THAT FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE NO LONGER NEED TO WEAR MASKS IN MOST INDOOR SITUATIONS.

>> THE MESSAGE FROM US IS: IF YOU'RE FULLY VACCINATED, THE DATA AND THE GUIDANCE FROM THE C.D.C.

IS PRETTY CLEAR: YOU'RE VERY UNLIKELY TO TRANSMIT IT; YOU'RE VERY UNLIKELY TO GET COVID.

IF YOU'RE NOT VACCINATED, YOU SHOULD GET VACCINATED.

>> Braude: SO FAR MORE THAN THREE MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE HAVE, AND THE GOVERNOR SAYS WE'RE ON TRACK TO HIT HIS GOAL OF MORE THAN FOUR MILLION FULLY VACCINATED, NEARLY 60% OF THE POPULATION.

BUT WHILE THIS STATE AND THIS COUNTRY NOW HAVE PLENTY OF VACCINES TO GO AROUND, POORER NATIONS STILL HAVE NEXT TO NO SUPPLY.

TODAY PRESIDENT BIDEN COMMITTED TO SENDING 20 MILLION DOSES OF THE PFIZER, MODERNA, AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINES TO COUNTRIES IN NEED BY THE END OF JUNE, ON TOP OF 60 MILLION DOSES OF THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE THE ADMINISTRATION WILL SHARE ONCE THE F.D.A.

HAS APPROVED IT FOR EMERGENCY USE.

BUT THAT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH TO MEET THE NEED.

AND AS THE VIRUS RUNS UNCHECKED IN MANY PARTS OF THE GLOBE, LIZ NEISLOSS REPORTS THAT THE PRESSURE IS ON TO SHARE NOT JUST THE VACCINES THEMSELVES, BUT THE SCIENCE BEHIND THEM, TOO.

>> Reporter: THE SURGING VIRUS IN INDIA HAS LEFT MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION DEAD.

THE COVID VARIANT THERE MAY BE MORE CONTAGIOUS.

IT'S NOW MADE IT'S WAY TO THE U.S.

IN CAMBRIDGE, DR. DAN BAROUCH, LEAD RESEARCHER BEHIND THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON COVID-19 VACCINE, IS WORRIED THE INDIA VARIANT AND OTHERS MAY THREAT TEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VACCINES.

>> AND IF A MORE RESISTANT VIRAL VARIANT EMERGES, THEN IT COULD THREATEN A RESURGENT PANDEMIC, EVEN IF AREAS THAT ARE CURRENTLY VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: BAROUCH AND HIS TEAM OF RESEARCHERS ARE LOOKING AT A GROWING LIST OF VARIANTS, NOT ONLY FROM INDIA, BUT FROM THE U.K., AS WELL AS SOUTH AFRICA, BRAZIL, CHILE, MEXICO, AND IN THE U.S., NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA.

>> IT'S REALLY NOT POSSIBLE TO GEOGRAPHICALLY RESTRICT THESE VARIANTS.

WE HAVE TO ASSUME THAT THEY WILL EMERGE IN ONE PART OF THE WORLD, AND THEN THEY WILL REACH OUR SHORES AND EMERGE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD AS WELL.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE NEED TO BE IS VACCINATED FASTER IF THERE'S ANY HOPE OF SLOWING DOWN THE VARIANTS.

BUT THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF VACCINES IN MANY COUNTRIES, INCLUDING INDIA.

IT'S SPURRED A CALL BY PRESIDENT BIDEN BACK TO DROPPING PATENT PROTECTIONS FOR COVID VACCINES IN ORDER TO ALLOW MORE COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TO MAKE VACCINES.

BUT WAIVING PATENTS NOW WOULD SET A PRECEDENT THAT COULD CHILL FUTURE INVESTMENTS IN RESEARCH, SAYS PETER LANDO, WHOSE CLIENTS INCLUDE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

>> YOU NEED TO INCENTIVIZE THESE DEVELOPERS WITH THESE EXCLUSIVE PERIODS FOR THEIR WORK, FOR THEIR TIME, ENERGY, AND EXPENSE TO DEVELOP THESE THINGS.

OTHERWISE, ALL COMMUNITIES, THE WHOLE WORLD GOES WITHOUT.

>> Reporter: BUT EVEN IF COMPANIES WERE TO WAIVE PATENTS, IT'S ONLY PART OF THE PUZZLE FOR MAKING VACCINES.

YOU NEED WHAT SOME CALL "THE RECIPE," AND THE TECH NULL KNOW-HOW ACQUIRED OVER TIME THROUGH RESEARCH.

COMPANIES HAVE BEEN STRIKING DEALS WITH MANUFACTURERS TO SHARE THIS ACKNOWLEDGE THROUGH LICENSING.

BUT CRITICS LIKE DR. VIKRAM PATEL SAY THAT HAVEN'T BEEN MOVING FAST ENOUGH.

>> THE QUESTION OFTEN IS: AT WHAT POINT DO YOU FEEL YOU'VE REACHED THAT STAGE WHERE YOU MADE ENOUGH PROFIT BEFORE YOU THROW IT OPEN FOR PUBLIC USE?

AND, SECONDLY, WHEN YOU HAVE A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS OF THIS SCALE, CAN YOU MAYBE, ON THIS ONE OCCASION, THIS UNIQUE MOMENT IN HISTORY, PUT ASIDE YOUR PROFIT AND REALLY DO SOMETHING FOR HUMANITY?

>> Reporter: THE RACE AGAINST VARIANTS DEMANDS FAST SOLUTIONS, AND THERE ARE RISING CALLS FOR WEALTHY COUNTRIES TO DONATE SURPLUS VACCINES.

AS PATEL AND OTHERS SAY, UNTIL EVERYONE IS VACCINATED, NO ONE IS SAFE.

LIZ NEISLOSS, GBH NEWS.

>> Braude: AND THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE TO THINK ABOUT.

BILLIONS IN TAXPAYER FUNDING WENT INTO THE CREATION OF COVID VACCINES.

AND COMPANIES, LIKE PFIZER AND MODERNA, ARE MAKING BILLIONS IN PROFIT.

ANOTHER REASON, CRITICS SAY, COMPANIES SHOULD MAKE MEYER VACCINES MORE AFFORDABLE FOR POOR COUNTRIES.

>>> FROM YOUTH LEAGUES, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE PROS, THERE HAVE LONG BEEN GENDER DIVIDES IN BASKETBALL, WITH BOYS AND MEN'S TEAMS OFTEN ENDING UP WITH BETTER FACILITIES, MORE FUNDING, AND, IN THE NBA, INFINITELY HIGHER SALARIES.

BUT THERE'S ANOTHER FUNDAMENTAL WAY THE SPORT IS FAILING WOMEN: SNEAKERS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO NATALIE WHITE, A FORMER GIRLS' VARSITY TEAM MANAGER AND CLUB TEAM PLAYER AT BOSTON COLLEGE, WHO ARGUES THE SHOES MOST FEMALE PLAYERS WHERE WERE MADE WITH MEN'S FEET IN MIND.

THAT'S WHY AFTER GRADUATING LAST YEAR, SHE STARTED THE COMPANY MOOLAH KICKS, WHICH IS NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF A CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN FOR A LINE OF SNEAKERS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN.

NATALIE JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: NATALIE, I'M REALLY GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.

>> Braude: GREAT.

SO FLUSH THAT OUT A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT GOT YOU ON THE ROAD TO WOMEN'S SNEAKERDOM, FOR LACK OF A BETTER EXPRESSION?

>> YEAH.

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I JUST REMEMBER SO VIVIDLY THAT EXPERIENCE OF WALKING INTO THE SNEAKER STORE AND BEING FORCED TO SHOP IN THE CHILDREN'S OR THE MEN'S SECTION.

AND AS I GOT OLDER, I REALIZED NOT ONLY DID THE LACK OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SNEAKERS HAVE THAT NEGATIVE SOCIAL IMPLICATION THAT WOMEN DON'T BELONG IN BASKETBALL, BUT IT ALSO HAD A SERIOUS NEGATIVE PERFORMANCE IMPLICATION BECAUSE WOMEN'S FEET ARE DIFFERENT THAN THOSE OF MEN IN FIVE PLACES.

SO WHEN FEMALE ATHLETES CONTINUE TO WEAR THESE SNEAKERS FIT FOR BOYS AND MEN, THEY'RE PUTTING THEMSELVES MORE AT RISK FOR INJURY.

>> Braude: BUT YOU DON'T HAVE A Ph.D.

IN ANATOMY.

WHY DID IT TAKE ALL OF THIS TIME SINCE, I DON'T KNOW, JAMES NAYSMITH, FOR SOMEBODY TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT AND YET SO OBVIOUS?

>> YEAH.

I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ASKING FOR FOR A LONG TIME.

I DEFINITELY DID NOT STUDY, YOU KNOW, ANATOMY IN COLLEGE, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK INTO IT, THE DIFFERENCES ARE FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD AND KNOWN.

SO I WAS REALLY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH A STRONG TEAM BEHIND ME TO MAKE SURE WE DID HIT ALL OF THOSE POINTS IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR SHOES FIT SPECIFICALLY FOR WOMEN.

>> Braude: YOU TOUCHED ON SOMETHING A MINUTE AGO, AND IT WAS THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN I READ MICHAEL SILVERMAN'S PIECE IN THE GLOBE, WHAT DOES A YOUNG GIRL FEEL LIKE WHEN SHE IS LOVING BASKETBALL, JUST BEGINNING TO GET INTO IT, TO FIND OUT SHE IS SENT TO THE KIDS' DEPARTMENT TO GET SHOES OR TO THE SMALL MEN'S DEPARTMENT?

IT IS JUST INSANE AND SO DEMEANING, IT SEEMS TO ME.

>> YEAH.

I THINK IT IS SUCH A FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE AND ONE THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, IS JUST A SMALL PART OF SO MANY OF THE INEQUALITY INEQUALITIES THAT FEMALE BASKETBALL PLAYERS FACE.

YOU REMEMBER THE TICKET DIFFERENCES IN PRICE, YOU REMEMBER THE PRACTICE TIMES.

SOMETHING THAT I WAS SO EXCITED TO CHANGE, THAT I COULD CHANGE, WAS THIS SNEAKER EXPERIENCE.

>> Braude: WELL, IT IS NOT JUST WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

AND, YOU KNOW, TITLE 9 NOTWITHSTANDING, WE DO KNOW ABOUT INEQUITIES IN BOTH COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL AND BEYOND THE U.S. WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM THAT THRILLED THE WORLD, IS INVOLVED IN THIS ENDLESS LITIGATION, AS YOU KNOW, ABOUT EQUAL PAY AND EQUAL TREATMENT.

AND THEN THE VIDEO THAT I'VE WATCHED SO MANY TIMES FROM SEDONA PRINCE, WHO PLAYED FOR OREGON AND THE NCAA WOMEN'S DIVISION, AND FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T SEE IT OR THOSE WHO LOVE EG LOVE SEEING IT AGAIN, HERE SHE IS.

>> THIS IS OUR WEIGHT ROOM.

LET ME SHOW YOU ALL OF THE MEN'S WEIGHT ROOM.

>> Braude: NOW, I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I SAW THAT.

I'M ASSUMING YOU WERE NOT?

YES.

SO I WAS REALLY MORE EXCITED THAT THE WORLD SEEMED TO CARE SO MUCH.

YOU KNOW, THAT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IS KIND OF CRYING OUT TO SHOWCASE THESE GENDER INEQUALITIES, AND I WAS SO HAPPY WITH THE MESSAGE RECEIVED.

SPORTING GOODS ENDED UP SENDING WEIGHTS DOWN AND THERE WAS A LOT OF EFFORT BEHIND FIXING THAT WEIGHT ROOM SCENARIO.

>> Braude: BY THE WAY, MOST OF THE COMPANIES THAT STEPPED IN ARE LED BY WOMEN, AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW, BUT I'M NOT SURE PEOPLE AT HOME KNOW THAT TO BE THE CASE.

SO WHAT DOES IT TAKE BETWEEN NOW AND GETTING A SNEAKER ON THE FOOT OF A YOUNG GIRL OR A WOMAN FROM MOOLAH KICKS?

WHERE ARE WE?

>> THE MAIN GOAL THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS TO CONTINUE SPREADING THE MESSAGE AND GETTING IT OUT THERE BECAUSE AS OBVIOUS AS YOU SAID IT WAS, THAT FEELING THAT YOU GO IN AND IT IS THE MEN'S OR THE KIDS' SECTION, SOME GIRLS STILL DON'T EVEN REALIZE THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY'RE SO CONDITIONED TO THIS BEHAVIOR.

SO WHAT WE'RE REALLY WORKING TO DO RIGHT NOW IS CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE AND SHOW THE IMPORTANCE OF FIGHTING FOR GENDER EQUALITY.

>> Braude: BUT YOU'VE GOT TO RAISE MORE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO MANUFACTURE THESE THINGS, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

AND SO WE'RE GETTING THE WORD OUT, AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL TRANSLATE INTO THESE SALES ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> Braude: AND YOU'RE DOING A CROWDFUNDING THING, RIGHT?

YOU'RE ASKING REAL PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE TO ESSENTIALLY INVEST IN THIS ISSUE, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, SO WITH THE CROWDFUNDING, WE'RE USING PRE-SALES TO FUND THE FIRST PRODUCTION RUN.

WE'RE HOSTING IT NOW SO THE SNEAKERS WILL ACTUALLY ARRIVE BEFORE NEXT BASKETBALL SEASON.

>> Braude: BEFORE YOU GO, DID I READ SOMEWHERE THAT THE BOX THAT THEY COME IN HAS A MESSAGE, TOO?

AM I RIGHT ABOUT THAT, OR NO?

>> YOU'RE COMPLETELY RIGHT.

THAT'S MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PART ABOUT THIS.

THE BLUE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOX REPRESENTS THE AVERAGE ATTENDANCE IN 2019 FOR NCAA MEN'S TEAM, AND THE YELLOW REPRESENTS THE SAME STATISTICS FOR THE WOMEN.

SO YOU CAN SEE A SNIPPET OF WHAT SEDONA WAS TALKING ABOUT.

NOT ONLY IS IT THE WEIGHT ROOM, BUT IT IS ALSO THE ATTENDANCE IN THE STANDS.

ON THE INSIDE, YOU HAVE A PACKED CROWD, AND IT JUST SHOWS OVER TIME, WITH MOOLAH KICKS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WE'RE GOING TO GROW WOMEN'S BASKETBALL.

>> Braude: NATALIE, I WISH YOU A HUGE AMOUNT OF LUCK.

I HOPE EVERYBODY PREORDERS.

WE'LL GIVE THEM THE INFORMATION IN A MINUTE.

IT WAS GREAT TO MEET YOU.

>> THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

I APPRECIATE IT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NATALIE'S EFFORTS AND HER CROWD-FUNDING CAMPAIGN, VISIT www.moolahKicks.com.

>>> AND FINALLY TONIGHT, A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN SENDING IN DURING THESE PANDEMIC TIMES.

JANE SPOTTED SOME TURTLES SUNBATHING IN BELMONT.

HOW SWEET.

AND BET SEE SAID SHE HADN'T REALIZED TEDDY BEARS HAD BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE BUT IS GLAD TO SEE THEY MADE THE CUT.

VERY FUNNY, BETSY.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR SHARING.

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU'D LIKE TO SEND TO US, PLEASE USE THE ADDRESSES ON YOUR SCREEN.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND STAY SAFE.

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