Crash Course: U.S. healthcare system at brink of collapse

[View this email in your browser]( Your daily update from [Salon](. Written by [Brett Bachman](. U.S. healthcare system is at risk of collapse Blame whoever you'd like, but one thing is clear: healthcare workers are at a breaking point. And if any more of them quit, many hospital administrators and researchers of U.S. healthcare policy say, the entire system is at risk of catastrophic failure. [Salon's Nicole Karlis looked into this phenomenon]( and came out with a series of heart-wrenching anecdotes from healthcare professionals, who all said something needed to change in order to ensure Americans get quality healthcare in the future. The likely culprits include burnout, nursing staff shortages and vaccine hesitancy — the latter of which is driving both a surge in patients and an exodus of unvaccinated workers who, despite their irresponsible decision to go without the shot, are still desperately needed. Indeed, a recent survey from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) found that 66% the members it surveyed said they had considered leaving their jobs because of the pandemic — jobs for which there are few qualified replacements. "The thing is, if nurses decide to leave the profession in the numbers that say they might, it would bring our healthcare system to its knees," Amanda Bettencourt, AACN president-elect, told Salon. "You wouldn't be able to get care for lots of things that you need, whether it's your health emergency or your loved ones' health emergency, and critical care nurses are not easy to replace because it takes at least a year past their academic training for a nurse to have the skills and knowledge to take care of critically ill patients." The problem with "The Problem With Jon Stewart" It's hard to miss the fact that Jon Stewart's return-to-television project hasn't strayed far from the "Daily Show" format that made him into a star — and spawned a number of successful copycats that have since taken over our collective TV landscape. But [Salon TV critic Melanie McFarland has some ideas]( for how to freshen the Apple TV+ show up — first and foremost being the most extreme: dump the guy-behind-a-desk schtick and don't force jokes at the expense of difficult conversations. "Once you've gotten rid of the studio audience, the stagnant set and the urge to shove jokes where the sun don't shine, embrace the Jon Stewart of Today," McFarland writes. "You've more than earned your right to do serious interviews that aren't rolled in sugar." There are hints of this in episodes throughout the show's limited run already — and in recent projects like David Letterman's Netflix series "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" — which is why McFarland is still bullish on Stewart's prospects as an "elder statesman" of the comedy world. "Move out, move on, and don't be afraid to drop the old bits to spend the wisdom points you've gained. We're betting that if you do that, more people will be glad to listen to what you have to say." (Photo via Apple TV+) - Jan. 6 committee [finds its next target: “Stop the Steal” organizers]( - A major Pacific [current system is poised to heat up]( — with potentially devastating repercussions - Trump apparently [covered up his colonoscopy]( for fear he would become the butt of late-night TV jokes - Michael Strahan [on going from Giants to GMA]( "When you're successful, people don't see the failure" - Sen. Ron Johnson, worth millions, [paid almost nothing in 2017 state income tax]( – and won't explain why - Infrastructure bill debacle proves Elizabeth Warren right, [Salon columnist Amanda Marcotte writes](. To get things done, first fix corruption. - [Salon spoke with "Dumplin'" star Danielle Mcdonald]( about her new film with Joanna Lumley, "Falling for Figaro" and performing comedy - Olympic swimming medalist Klete Keller [pleads guilty to felony for role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot]( - And finally, try [YouTube chef Joshua Weissman's cinnamon French toast]( Not a subscriber yet? [Sign up]( to receive Crash Course. Joe Biden, the eternal optimist, meets reality It's a big change having an optimist in the White House again — but Joe Biden's eternally rosy view of the world is just as divorced from reality as anything Donald Trump believed, [Salon columnist and longtime White House correspondent Brian Karem writes](. Biden needs to smarten up and realize that he's living in the middle of an authoritarian insurrection that never ended — and soon. He needs big wins, Karem argues, and a more robust emphasis on messaging in the face of a coordinated right-wing media ecosystem that has only grown in influence since Trump took office in 2016. "It's perfectly true that the Trumpers will convince themselves of anything that Donald says or does. But Biden still doesn't seem to understand he has to cut through the clattering, monotonous, chest-beating Trump bile that's infected this country. People are concerned, and rightly so, that a party of fascist authoritarians is poised to sweep aside democracy and take over." "For Biden to maintain his optimism and convince others he's not just whistling in the dark, he needs a few legislative victories, a continued solid improvement in the economy and real progress in getting the pandemic under control. He also needs to speak out more about what he's done and what he's doing. His falling poll numbers are a byproduct of being outshouted in the court of public opinion by the former president and his band of mouthy mutants." "Actions may speak louder than words, but Biden has the bully pulpit at his control — he cannot allow himself to be bullied by an outlier who was twice impeached and whose minions include some of the most sanctimonious, authoritarian troglodytes ever to disgrace the American political stage." - "[A Conversation With]( Game]( Breakout Robot-Doll Star]( Vulture - "[Ozy Built a TV Show on a False Claim, Says Its Former Producer]( The New York Times - "[Dinosaur Cowboys Are Hunting for the Next $32 Million T. Rex]( Bloomberg - "[How a Secret Google Geofence Warrant Helped Catch the Capitol Riot Mob]( WIRED Magazine Mike Lindell is back on Fox News For those of you who have been following the icy feud between MyPillow CEO-turned-election conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell and America's most-watched cable news network, it appears things are beginning to thaw at long last. The bedding magnate was [back on Fox News Thursday with a new ad]( — complaining about "cancel culture" and hawking both his memoir and a set of bible-themed pillows. Lindell had been barred from the network for the past few months after his false pronouncements about the 2020 election landed both himself and Fox News in legal trouble. Unlike Lindell, however, Fox has stepped back in recent months from suggesting that President Joe Biden's victory was illegitimate. Before their falling-out this summer, Lindell was one of Fox News' biggest advertisers — dropping nearly $50 million in 2020 and close to $19 million in the first few months of 2021 alone. He told The Wall Street Journal last week that he was not sure if he would return to his previous levels of spending. (Photo via Fox News/Screengrab) Have a tip for Salon? Feedback on this newsletter? [Let us know](mailto:brett.bachman@salon.com). [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( Copyright © 2021 Salon.com, LLC, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at Salon.com Our mailing address is: Salon.com, LLC 1000 N. West StreetWilmington, DE 19801 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. [Mailchimp Email Marketing](