Public Health On Call

Thousands of COVID-19-related papers are released every week. But the information is of varying quality and health care workers don't have time to sift through the deluge. Johns Hopkins epidemiologist Dr. Kate Grabowski talks with Stephanie Desmon about the Novel Coronavirus Research Compendium, a literature curation effort by more than 50 people across collaborating institutions. Every week, the group reviews and summarizes the newest and most exciting COVID-19 research to help those on the front lines working with testing, contact tracing, and other public health responses. Grabowski also talks about how COVID-19 has meant more public scrutiny of research, how mistakes are inevitable and expected, and that retractions and corrections are part of the usual publication process. KEYWORDS: peer review; misinformation

The FDA last week issued an "emergency use authorization" for convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients – after a press conference attended by the FDA Commissioner at the White House. "Public Health on Call" co-host Dr. Josh Sharfstein was second-in-command at the FDA early in the Obama Administration. He talks to Stephanie Desmon about the controversy over the announcement on convalescent plasma and the brewing concern over whether politics could interfere with decisions on a COVID-19 vaccine. Correction: The first EUA was for an anthrax vaccine in 2005. Dr. Sharfstein signed the next set starting in 2009 for H1N1 influenza. KEYWORDS: COVID-19 therapy, vaccine authorization

Michigan State University decided not to have in-person learning this fall after a notable outbreak in the nearby community, positive tests among athletes who returned to campus, and a review of outbreaks at similar schools. University president Dr. Sam Stanley talks with Stephanie Desmon about that decision and how his experience as an infectious disease doctor has informed his work around COVID-19. Stanley also talks about what went into the polarizing decision to cancel Big Ten football this fall. KEYWORDS: young adults, student life, college

The University of Michigan plans to conduct an in-person semester this fall. Dr. Preeti Malani is back to talk with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the public health strategies in place to mitigate risk, changes to physical spaces, efforts being made to promote safety in the off hours, and her concerns about COVID-19 preparation not eclipsing other health issues like depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

The pandemic has seen health officers being attacked online, threatened at their private homes, fired or forced into resigning. But although the hyper-polarization of COVID-19 has further contributed to an erosion of trust in institutions, these tactics aren't new. California Senator Dr. Richard Pan talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about a small but vocal group that opposes public health measures like vaccines and the bullying and intimidation tactics they've used against health officials in recent years. Pan also talks about how social media has given them a platform for bad behavior and the real life consequences of online harassment.

In low-resource settings worldwide, poor infrastructure like transportation may impede pandemic response efforts. In these settings, digital technologies—used to deliver test results, manage cases, and support contact tracing—can help amplify public health services. Guest host Sara Bennett talks with Smisha Argawal, research director for the Hopkins Global mHealth Initiative, about the potential and pitfalls of these platforms and what decision makers should assess to implement people-centered solutions.

How can we think about the long-term impacts of disruption caused by COVID-19 on kids and adults? How can we get kids to talk about their feelings? Are we becoming "numb" to COVID and taking more risks? How can we reconcile feelings of blame towards people who might be making decisions we wouldn't make? Clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Murray returns to the podcast with Stephanie Desmon to answer your COVID-19 mental health questions.

Since Baltimore shut down in mid-March, health commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa and her team have been working to implement response strategies that meet the city's unique needs. Public-private partnerships have bolstered mobile testing in COVID-19 hotspots. A historic hotel was converted to care for unstably housed people in isolation and quarantine. Workforce development efforts shifted to hiring contact tracers and community health workers. Dr. Dzirasa talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about these and other innovative approaches, and her hopes and concerns for the future.

How should schools react to positive cases? What should trigger shutdowns and how can leaders know when it's safe to reopen? How can teachers and parents help children manage distress caused by uncertainty, distance learning, and what may be a year of continuous closings and reopenings? In a webcast last week, Johns Hopkins University experts Josh Sharfstein, Jennifer Nuzzo, Annette Anderson, and Tamar Mendelson weighed in on what's next—and specifically the different scenarios that leaders, teachers, parents, and students may face in the coming months depending on the pandemic's trajectory in their communities.

COVID-19 has presented a variety of challenges for employers including leave needed by employees who are sick or taking care of someone who is, employees with children who are out of school or daycare, and employee concerns of risk as they return to the workplace. Maryland employment lawyer Jennifer Curry talks with Stephanie Desmon about how employers are thinking about these challenges, existing legislation, and what the next year might look like for schools in terms of employment and safety.