What makes a 'wave' of disease? An epidemiologist explains

There's no scientific definition for a wave of disease – and no evidence that the original onslaught of coronavirus in the US has receded much at all.

Abram L. Wagner, Research Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, University of Michigan • conversation
July 6, 2020 • ~8 min
influenza infectious-diseases epidemiology covid-19 coronavirus pandemic sars-cov-2 herd-immunity epidemics 1918-flu-pandemic iran seasonal-flu waves second-wave pandemic-flu seasonality coronaviruses

The US isn't in a second wave of coronavirus – the first wave never ended

The recent spike in new coronavirus cases in the US is not due to a second wave, but simply the virus moving into new populations or surging in places that opened up too soon.

Melissa Hawkins, Professor of Public Health, Director of Public Health Scholars Program, American University • conversation
June 30, 2020 • ~8 min
covid-19 coronavirus pandemic transmission sars-cov-2 new-york 1918-flu-pandemic florida texas second-wave eradication

Ready to see your doctor but scared to go? Here are some guidelines

Many people delayed routine doctor visits during social distancing. Now that distancing guidelines have eased, people still are concerned about going to the doctor. Here, two doctors offer guidance.

Margot Savoy, Department Chair & Associate Professor, Family & Community Medicine, Temple University • conversation
June 16, 2020 • ~7 min

 covid-19  coronavirus  pandemic  telehealth  doctors  second-wave  coronavirus-transmission

Compare the flu pandemic of 1918 and COVID-19 with caution – the past is not a prediction

Differences in the viruses' biology and societal contexts mean there's no guarantee today's pandemic will mirror the 'waves' of infection a century ago.

Megan Culler Freeman, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellow, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
June 4, 2020 • ~11 min
influenza history-of-medicine covid-19 pandemic sars-cov-2 1918-flu-pandemic h1n1-influenza virology second-wave

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