During a COVID-19 surge, ‘crisis standards of care’ involve excruciating choices and impossible ethical decisions for hospital staff

A physician-bioethicist reflects on how health professionals are yet again facing painful reminders of the early months of the pandemic.

Matthew Wynia, Director of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Dec. 22, 2021 ~11 min

COVID: how the disease moves through the air

Masks definitely catch some of the virus laden aerosols and droplets - and that will reduce transmission between people and the number of cases of COVID-19.

Chris Iddon, Research associate, Built environment, University of Nottingham • conversation
Dec. 17, 2021 ~7 min


Sold-out supplies, serving a public need and other adventures of doing science during a pandemic – 4 researchers share their experiences

Supply chain issues, emergency science, social distancing requirements and a lot more free time offered both challenges and opportunities for research scientists.

Tony Schmitz, Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee • conversation
Dec. 17, 2021 ~10 min

COVID litter: we mapped discarded masks and gloves in 11 countries with the help of citizen science

Masks are back in wider use in the UK and elsewhere. Our research highlights the need to dispose of them correctly.

Simon Kolstoe, Reader in Bioethics and University Ethics Advisor, University of Portsmouth • conversation
Dec. 9, 2021 ~7 min

Simple safety tips for trick-or-treating after Fauci greenlighted Halloween 2021

There’s no need to pull out the candy catapult this year, but a few reasonable precautions can keep COVID-19 transmissions in check.

Meg Sorg, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing, Purdue University • conversation
Oct. 19, 2021 ~4 min

Evidence shows that, yes, masks prevent COVID-19 – and surgical masks are the way to go

Since the coronaviurs first began spreading around the globe, people have debated how effective masks are at preventing COVID-19. A year and a half in, what does the evidence show?

Laura (Layla) H. Kwong, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley • conversation
Sept. 22, 2021 ~8 min

Forceful vaccine messages backfire with holdouts – how can it be done better?

Subtly shifting the crafting and delivery of public health messaging on COVID-19 vaccines could go a long way toward persuading many of the unvaccinated to get the shot.

S. Shyam Sundar, James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects & Co-Director, Media Effects Research Laboratory, Penn State • conversation
Sept. 14, 2021 ~9 min

Biden's pandemic plan overlooks mask mandates and vulnerable populations

President Biden outlined a six-point strategy to confront the pandemic. But two public health scholars believe it would work better with help from states.

Alexandra Skinner, Research Fellow of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University • conversation
Sept. 10, 2021 ~6 min


At my hospital, over 95% of COVID-19 patients share one thing in common: They’re unvaccinated

Although stretched thin and imperfect, health care workers do our best for everyone who needs us, regardless of the personal choices people have made.

Nicholas Johnson, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, UW School of Medicine, University of Washington • conversation
Sept. 2, 2021 ~7 min

Italy – once overwhelmed by COVID-19 – turns to a health pass and stricter measures to contain virus

After enduring a devastating wave of infections, deaths and lockdowns at the start of the pandemic, Italy is putting in place tougher anti-COVID measures, including a vaccine passport.

Sara Belligoni, Ph.D. Candidate in Security Studies, University of Central Florida • conversation
Aug. 23, 2021 ~11 min

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