Emily, John and David discuss Republican allegiance to Trump, schools during COVID-19, and they're joined by guest Jonathan Cohn to look back on Obamacare and to explore the current state of COVID-19 vaccinations.Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:Susan Dominus for the New York Times Magazine: “Rhode Island Kept Its Schools Open. This Is What Happened.”

Shawn Hubler for The New York Times: “Vaccinating Oregon’s Teachers Might Not Be Enough to Reopen its Schools.”

The Ten Year War by Jonathan Cohn

Here’s this week’s chatter:Emily: Anna Holmes for the Atlantic: “The Magazine That Helped 1920s Kids Navigate Racism”John: Radio GardenDavid: Pick of The LitterListener chatter from Ming Richie: Cathy Free for the Washington Post: “This Man Mistakenly Left his Wallet in Antarctica. Some 53 Years Later, He Got it Back.”

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You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

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Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices