Alpha then delta and now omicron – 6 questions answered as COVID-19 cases once again surge across the globe

People are buzzing with questions about the omicron variant and whether it could help usher in herd immunity. A team of virologists deciphers the latest findings.

Cody Warren, Postdoctoral Fellow in Virology and Immunology, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Jan. 21, 2022 ~11 min

What Supreme Court's block of vaccine mandate for large businesses will mean for public health: 4 questions answered

A legal scholar explains what the ruling means for other vaccine mandates and the government’s ability to protect public health.

Debbie Kaminer, Professor of Law, Baruch College, CUNY • conversation
Jan. 14, 2022 ~8 min


Medical technologies have been central to US pandemic response – but social behaviors matter just as much

Vaccines and medical treatments can only go so far in an unequal society. Facing the ongoing history of racial discrimination and bias in the US would help end the pandemic.

Eyal Oren, Professor of Epidemiology, San Diego State University • conversation
Dec. 22, 2021 ~11 min

Rapid tests play a crucial role in curbing COVID-19 infections – especially as people gather for the holidays

Knowing when and how often to use rapid tests is key to getting an accurate picture of your COVID-19 status.

Nathaniel Hafer, Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School • conversation
Dec. 10, 2021 ~8 min

Will omicron – the new coronavirus variant of concern – be more contagious than delta? A virus evolution expert explains what researchers know and what they don't

It’s too early to say whether the newly identified omicron variant is going to overtake delta. But particular mutations in the new strain have researchers deeply concerned.

Suresh V. Kuchipudi, Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Penn State • conversation
Nov. 30, 2021 ~8 min

Who's in? Who's out? The ethics of COVID-19 travel rules

Should countries require COVID-19 vaccination for entry while vaccines remain globally scarce?

Caesar Atuire, Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Ghana • conversation
Nov. 30, 2021 ~11 min

Will omicron – the new coronavirus variant of concern – be more contagious than delta? A virus expert explains what researchers know and what they don't

It’s too early to say whether the newly identified omicron variant is going to overtake delta. But particular mutations in the new strain have researchers deeply concerned.

Suresh V. Kuchipudi, Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Penn State • conversation
Nov. 30, 2021 ~8 min

Why we're using filmmaking to encourage vaccination by Black and Latino Angelenos

Two film crews comprised of Latino and Black cinematic arts graduate students made short films to counter vaccine fears in both communities.

Sheila Murphy, Professor of Communication , USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism • conversation
Nov. 29, 2021 ~8 min


Could oral antiviral pills be a game-changer for COVID-19? An infectious disease physician explains why these options are badly needed

Merck and Pfizer both have oral antiviral pills under review by the FDA. Such treatments could help turn the tide of the pandemic.

Patrick Jackson, Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia • conversation
Nov. 19, 2021 ~9 min

'Off-label' use is common in medicine – a bioethicist and legal philosopher explain why the COVID-19 vaccines are different

The CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine provider agreement prohibits health care professionals from administering the vaccines in people for whom they are not yet authorized or approved. But this departs from longstanding norms.

Shannon Fyfe, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Adjunct Professor of Law, George Mason University • conversation
Nov. 17, 2021 ~9 min

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