Sunday, May 19

Tag: coronavirus

Feeling overwhelmed? Approach coronavirus as a challenge to be met, not a threat to be feared
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COVID-19, HEALTH & WELLNESS

Feeling overwhelmed? Approach coronavirus as a challenge to be met, not a threat to be feared

You have a choice to make when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. Do you treat this time as an insurmountable threat that pits you against everyone else? This option entails making decisions based solely on protecting yourself and your loved ones: stockpiling supplies regardless of what that leaves for others; continuing to host small gatherings because you’re personally at lower risk; or taking no precautions because the effort seems futile. Or do you treat the coronavirus as a collective challenge that will require shared sacrifices to achieve a difficult but not impossible goal? That option would mean taking recommended precautions: practicing social distancing, hand-washing and restricting travel. These actions might not be your most desired or convenient path as an individual, bu...
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Society’s dependence on the internet: 5 cyber issues the coronavirus lays bare
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COVID-19, TECHNOLOGY

Society’s dependence on the internet: 5 cyber issues the coronavirus lays bare

As more and more U.S. schools and businesses shutter their doors, the rapidly evolving coronavirus pandemic is helping to expose society’s dependence – good and bad – on the digital world. Entire swaths of society, including classes we teach at American University, have moved online until the coast is clear. As vast segments of society are temporarily forced into isolation to achieve social distancing, the internet is their window into the world. Online social events like virtual happy hours foster a sense of connectedness amid social distancing. While the online world is often portrayed as a societal ill, this pandemic is a reminder of how much the digital world has to offer. The pandemic also lays bare the many vulnerabilities created by society’s dependence on the internet. These incl...
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Video: Why social distancing is one of the best tools we have to fight the coronavirus
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COVID-19, HEALTH & WELLNESS, VIDEO REELS

Video: Why social distancing is one of the best tools we have to fight the coronavirus

Social distancing is a tool public health officials recommend to slow the spread of a disease that is being passed from person to person. Social distancing is a tool public health officials recommend to slow the spread of a disease that is being passed from person to person. The Conversation US, CC BY This video is based on an article written by Thomas Perls, professor of Medicine at Boston University. Simply put, it means that people stay far enough away from each other so that the coronavirus – or any pathogen – cannot spread from one person to another. It helps us reduce the rate of new infections, so that new cases are spread over time and the medical care system does not get overwhelmed. Watch the video to find out more about what social distancing is, and why it’s one of the best ...
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Coronavirus: News media sounded the alarm for months – but few listened
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COVID-19, HEALTH & WELLNESS

Coronavirus: News media sounded the alarm for months – but few listened

Since the COVID-19 outbreak began in Wuhan, China, journalists at the biggest U.S. news organizations have diligently reported on the many dangers posed by its rapid spread. Yet even as entire states – like California and New York – shut down, many Americans still don’t believe that the coronavirus is as big a deal as the news media has made it out to be. A poll conducted in mid-March found that only 56% of Americans consider the coronavirus a “real threat,” and that 38% believe that it has been “blown out of proportion.” A more recent poll similarly found that only 57% of U.S. residents see the coronavirus as “the biggest concern facing your family right now.” It’s true that there has been a lot of coverage. The New York Times has consistently documented the spread of the virus across t...
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Privilege and the Coronavirus Pandemic
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COVID-19, HEALTH & WELLNESS

Privilege and the Coronavirus Pandemic

Since the first announcement of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States nearly a month ago, it’s still surreal. We wake up to announcements of the latest closures, social-distancing graphics and protocols, and zero-interest rates. Fears and insecurities continue to rise with our 24-hour news cycle firing off the increasing numbers of coronavirus cases and COVID-19 deaths, in addition to reports of vanishing toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and images of concert-goer lines outside of grocery stores. All this against the backdrop of viral videos of celebrities sharing their medical results, politicians losing decorum, and social media users jesting with daily-changing hashtags circulating the internet. But for those who have fled war-torn countries, or those in the Caribbean who live ...
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Coronavirus Restrictions Could Lead To Remote Voting For Congress
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COVID-19, IN OTHER NEWS

Coronavirus Restrictions Could Lead To Remote Voting For Congress

The spread of the coronavirus has created unprecedented problems for Congress as it confronts how to conduct legislative business after the infection of several members. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told Politico, “We probably cannot keep operating all in one location.” For all of U.S. history so far, the House and Senate have had to take votes in person, in their respective chambers. Now, public health measures may prevent that. As a former counsel for the House of Representatives from 1976 to 1983, I believe the Constitution permits Congress to use a method of voting other than gathering on the floor of their legislative chambers. Framers’ language The Framers who designed the constitutional structure for how things would work in Congress based it on parliamentary and colonial practices. ...
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Permanent Coronavirus Relief A Necessity
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IMPACT

Permanent Coronavirus Relief A Necessity

As mass cancellations of public gatherings including sports events, concerts, church services, K-12 school closures, college and university classes moving online, and social distancing sweep the country as precautions because of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, adverse economic impact is upon us and has been projected to worsen in coming months. Therefore, we need to be intentional about strategizing to create a society that on the other side of this pandemic works for all of us. Some examples of how this can be done are already emerging. The common reassurance that “only” those with underlying health conditions and those over 60 are at risk, in addition to being ableist and ageist, also encourages individualism and an attitude of taking care only of one’s self and loved ones. Those of...
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How to stop touching your face to minimize spread of coronavirus and other germs
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COVID-19

How to stop touching your face to minimize spread of coronavirus and other germs

Public health officials consistently promote hand-washing as a way for people to protect themselves from the COVID-19 coronavirus. However, this virus can live on metal and plastic for days, so simply adjusting your eyeglasses with unwashed hands may be enough to infect yourself. Thus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have been telling people to stop touching their faces. We are experts in psychological science and public health. Brian Labus is an expert in communicable diseases who knows what people should do to avoid becoming infected. Stephen Benning is a clinical psychologist who helps clients change their habits and manage stress in healthy ways. Kimberly Barchard is an expert in research methods who wanted to know what the research say...
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Students could be undercounted in the census as coronavirus closes colleges – here’s why that matters
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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Students could be undercounted in the census as coronavirus closes colleges – here’s why that matters

At college dormitories and student apartments across the U.S., census forms will be piling up – but many run the risk of not being filled in. The spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. has coincided with the start of data collection for the 2020 census. This may not affect the process for most people who are self-isolating at home. But for students, it could well affect where and if they are counted – and that could have big implications. The rapid spread of the virus has meant that most colleges have by now closed their classrooms. Many universities have extended the usual weeklong spring break into a second week. At Texas A&M University, where I am an emeritus professor, online instruction will begin after the the spring break and continue through the end of the semester in late Ap...
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Vodka won’t protect you from coronavirus, and 4 other things to know about hand sanitizer
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COVID-19, HEALTH & WELLNESS

Vodka won’t protect you from coronavirus, and 4 other things to know about hand sanitizer

As concern about coronavirus grows, hand sanitizer is in high demand. Biologist Jeffrey Gardner explains why alcohol is a key ingredient in hand sanitizer, and why he doesn’t recommend making your own supply at home. 1. Why is alcohol the main ingredient in most hand sanitizers? Alcohol is effective at killing different types of microbes, including both viruses and bacteria, because it unfolds and inactivates their proteins. This process, which is called denaturation, will cripple and often kill the microbe because its proteins will unfold and stick together. Heat can also denature some proteins – for example, when you cook an egg, the solidified egg whites are denatured proteins. 2. Alcohol doesn’t kill some microbes very well - why not? There are different types of bacteria and viruses, ...
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