Public Health On Call

The COVID-19 dashboard run by the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering has been a critical source of near real-time tracking of the spread of the novel coronavirus since it first emerged. Beth Blauer, executive director of Centers for Civic Impact and an expert on the public's use of data and analytics, is part of the team that manages the map. Blauer talks to Dr. Josh Sharfstein about how the global dashboard originated, what new features have been added, and how the data can help individuals and officials make informed decisions for COVID-19 response. Learn more: jhsph.edu/covid-19

Most new diseases originate from "spillover events" where humans come into contact with wild animals. Veterinarian and scientist Meghan Davis talks to Stephanie Desmon about the rise of infectious diseases and what is being done to prepare for future spillover events. She also covers how a tiger in the Bronx Zoo got a test, and the threats COVID-19 may pose to your own pets. Learn more: jhsph.edu/covid-19

The historical context of 1918 shaped much of the response to the flu pandemic in the US—just it will with COVID-19. Dr. Paul Spiegel, director of the Center for Humanitarian Health, talks with historian and author John Barry about how an absence of credible leadership and messaging hindered response efforts then and what lessons we can apply today. Learn more: jhsph.edu/covid-19

What did we learn this week? Is there a connection between 5G cell phone towers and the novel coronavirus? How often should you wash a homemade cloth mask? Is there any truth behind using hydroxychloroquine as a treatment? Will people on ventilators have permanent lung damage? What's it like for doctors and nurses in the hospitals right now? Dr. Amesh Adalja of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security addresses your questions submitted to publichealthquestion@jhu.edu Learn more: jhsph.edu/covid-19

Development of a COVID-19 vaccine is an essential part of halting the pandemic. But will it be months or years before we see one? Vaccine expert Dr. William Moss talks to Stephanie Desmon about the complexities of vaccine development and manufacturing, potential hold ups, how opponents of vaccination may come into play, and why COVID-19 may threaten current immunization programs. Learn more: jhsph.edu/covid-19

Fallout from COVID-19 goes beyond case counts—we are facing "an epidemic of isolation and loneliness," says Councilman Zeke Cohen. The Baltimore Neighbors Network is a virtual community of trained volunteers who are available to listen to city residents and provide resources for follow-up if needed. Councilman Cohen, Shantay Jackson, executive director of the Baltimore Community Mediation Center, and Amy Greensfelder, executive director of Pro Bono Counseling, talk to Dr. Josh Sharfstein about how the network is addressing the mental health risks. Learn more: jhsph.edu/covid-19

What will need to happen for businesses and schools to reopen, and what might the future look like with COVID-19? Former CDC director Tom Frieden talks to Stephanie Desmon about what governments and individuals should be doing right now to help curb the spread of the virus and move America closer to reopening. Learn more: jhsph.edu/covid-19

There have been varying responses to COVID-19 carried out across local, state, and federal governments in the US. But what powers does the government have at various levels in a pandemic and how does the law work when an enemy like COVID-19 "does not respect jurisdictional boundaries?" Law expert and Hopkins professor Dr. Lainie Rutkow talks to Dr. Josh Sharfstein about a range of legal issues, including what happens if states start suing each other. Learn more: jhsph.edu/covid-19

Why was the US slow to stand up testing and is this improving? Should you wear a cloth mask in your daily activities? Jason Farley, an infectious disease-trained nurse epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, talks to Stephanie Desmon and breaks down the complications of testing for COVID-19 and why recommendations on the public's use of masks may be evolving. Learn more: jhsph.edu/covid-19

Early on in the COVID-19 outbreak, Singapore quickly launched a robust response which included widespread testing, diligent contact tracing and quarantining, and isolation of all sick persons, even those with mild symptoms. Alumnus Dr. Vernon Lee, Director of Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health of Singapore, talks to Dr. Josh Sharfstein about how lessons from the 2003 SARS outbreak informed Singapore's risk-based approach to staying a few steps ahead of the novel coronavirus. Learn more: jhsph.edu/covid-19