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For more than a decade MPR News has brought you many of the speakers from the summer Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. The 2020 festival was canceled because of the pandemic but this week, there's a scaled-back "all-digital" festival, with speakers connected up remotely for shorter interviews. 

The first three speakers you'll hear this hour are: Dr. Anthony Fauci, who spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic; musician David Byrne, who spoke about the importance of the arts during a time of crisis; and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaking about the importance of voting and participating in the census.

First, Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was interviewed by CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen.

Dr. Anthony Fauci on the COVID-19 pandemic

Second, musician David Byrne of “Talking Heads” was interviewed as part of the Aspen Ideas Festival by Darren Walker, the president of the Ford Foundation.

Musician David Byrne on why art matters

Third, former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, founder of "Fair Fight 2020” and author of the new book out in June, "Our Time is Now.” The moderator is Brittany Packnett Cunningham, founder of Campaign Zero.

Former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, founder of "Fair Fight 2020” and author of the new book out in June, "Our Time is Now.” The moderator is Brittany Packnett Cunningham, founder of Campaign Zero.

Stacey Abrams on importance of voting, participating in census

These three speakers were part of the opening night of the 

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From the 2020 Aspen Ideas Festival: Dr. Anthony Fauci on the COVID-19 pandemic, musician David Byrne on why art matters, and Stacey Abrams on the importance of voting and participating in the census. 

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was interviewed by CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen.

2020 Aspen Ideas Festival: Dr. Anthony Fauci on the COVID-19 pandemic

Musician David Byrne of “Talking Heads” was interviewed as part of the Aspen Ideas Festival by Darren Walker, the president of the Ford Foundation.

2020 Aspen Ideas Festival: Dr. Anthony Fauci, David Byrne, Stacey Abrams

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