Ep 5. March 15, 2020
- TV-MA
- March 15, 2020
- 22 min
-
8.6 (355)
On March 15, 2020, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver aired its fifth episode of the seventh season. The episode covered a variety of topics, as is typical of the show, but had a strong focus on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Oliver began the episode by discussing the global response to the pandemic, highlighting the lack of preparation and coordination among countries. He criticized the United States' response specifically, noting the administration's slow and inadequate reaction to the virus. Oliver emphasized that the situation requires a collective effort and a strong response from leaders worldwide.
Moving on from COVID-19, Oliver discussed the Supreme Court case June Medical Services v. Russo, which involves a challenge to a Louisiana law that requires doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital in order to perform abortions. Oliver provided background on the case and explained the potential consequences of the Supreme Court's decision. He also highlighted the broader implications for reproductive rights, citing the current climate of rolling back access to safe and legal abortion.
The episode then shifted to a segment on the 2020 Democratic presidential primary race. Oliver analyzed the various candidates and their policies, while also addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding the Iowa caucuses. He critiqued the media's coverage of the race, particularly their focus on electability over policy positions.
Next, Oliver discussed the issue of paid family leave in the United States. He provided statistics on the lack of access to paid leave for workers, particularly in lower-paying jobs. Oliver also criticized the various proposals put forth by politicians, arguing that they do not go far enough to address the issue.
The episode closed with a segment on election security and the vulnerabilities of electronic voting machines. Oliver detailed the concerns surrounding the security of such machines and the potential for hacking or manipulation. He also highlighted the lack of government action to address the issue and called for a move toward paper ballots and increased security measures.
Overall, the March 15, 2020 episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver was a thought-provoking and informative episode. It covered a range of important topics, highlighting the urgent need for action on issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, reproductive rights, paid family leave, and election security.