COVID-19 crisis in Los Angeles: Why activating 'crisis standards of care' is crucial for overwhelmed hospitals

States and hospitals are starting to declare 'crisis standards of care' as the pandemic floods their ERs. The orders have consequences – both good and bad, as a medical ethicist explains.

Maria Howard, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Gonzaga University • conversation
Jan. 6, 2021 ~8 min

Plastic pipes are polluting drinking water systems after wildfires - it's a risk in urban fires, too

A new study shows how toxic chemicals like benzene are leaching into water systems after nearby fires. The pipes don't have to burn – they just have to heat up.

Kristofer P. Isaacson, Ph.D. Student, Purdue University • conversation
Dec. 14, 2020 ~9 min


Nurses on the front lines: A history of heroism from Florence Nightingale to coronavirus

Nurses have always been at the forefront during war, epidemics and other times of disaster.

Leslie Neal-Boylan, Dean of the Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell • conversation
May 11, 2020 ~8 min

Can your community handle a natural disaster and coronavirus at the same time?

If the forecasts are right, the US could be facing more natural disasters this year – on top of the coronavirus pandemic. Local governments aren't prepared.

Mark Abkowitz, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Environmental Management Studies, Vanderbilt University • conversation
April 30, 2020 ~7 min

Robots are playing many roles in the coronavirus crisis – and offering lessons for future disasters

Robots are helping health care workers and public safety officials more safely and quickly treat coronavirus patients and contain the pandemic. They have something in common: They're tried and tested.

Vignesh Babu Manjunath Gandudi, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Texas A&M University • conversation
April 22, 2020 ~10 min

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