How to think about the rise in COVID-19 cases and why we have to stay at home, homeless activists attempt to reclaim house in El Sereno, why we need to celebrate 'Tiny Victories'

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 24: Holiday beachgoers head to Venice Beach on Memorial Day as coronavirus safety restrictions continue being relaxed in Los Angeles County and nationwide on May 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. County officials are braced for a holiday weekend that could again challenge residents' resolve to fight the COVID-19 pandemic by adhering to stay-at-home restrictions, avoiding large gatherings, wearing face coverings and social distancing when interacting with others. A growing heatwave also adds to the temptation to gather at beaches. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
David McNew/Getty Images

Take Two | November 30, 2020

Listen to story

49:22

CORONAVIRUS CASES ARE RISING - WHY WE NEED TO STAY HOME

As coronavirus cases continue to climb across the state and hospitalizations hit record, LA County is enforcing a temporary restraining order that basically shuts downs restaurants, but lets other business stay open. The Governor warns it could get worse, however, if we do not keep get these numbers. To understand why this is all necessary, we have UCLA professor and infectious disease specialist Anne Rimoin.

A THANKSGIVING INCIDENT IN EL SERENO DRAWS ATTENTION TO LA'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEFICIT

While many Angelenos were celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday last week, officers with the California Highway Patrol were forcibly removing people occupying several vacant homes in El Sereno. These homes have long been owned by the state’s department of transportation, or Cal Trans, and have been sitting idle for years after a plan to build a freeway through these communities was scrapped. Now, activists are pushing for them to be used to house the homeless. KPCC's Aaron Schrank has been following.

WHY BIDEN'S PICK FOR DHS SECRETARY HAS WON PRAISE FROM IMMIGRANT ACTIVISTS

President-elect Joe Biden has announced his first round of cabinet picks. Among them is Alejandro Mayorkas to head up the department of homeland security. If confirmed by the Senate … the former Obama administration official will be the first Latino and the first immigrant to head D-H-S. It’s a choice hailed by many of his peers as well as advocates of immigration reform. For more, Austin Cross talks to Lorella Praeli. She is the co-president of Community Change Action … an organization dedicated to immigrant rights and social justice...and previously served as the Latino Outreach Director for the Hillary Clinton campaign.

A PODCAST ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING

A new podcast "Tiny Victories" with co-hosts Annabelle Gurwitch and Laura House show us how to celebrate the small things in life that make you smile - something we all need in 2020.