5.20
Coronavirus
Politics, pandemics, and protests
Politics, pandemics, and protests
Exactly how the coronavirus pandemic, the current unrest, and the nation’s economic woes will affect November’s presidential election is unclear, but voter turnout will be key, according to two political experts.
Coronavirus or COVID? A glossary to help navigate pandemic vocabulary
Coronavirus or COVID? A glossary to help navigate pandemic vocabulary
As scientific jargon and new words become prevalent in headlines, social media, and everyday conversations, Penn Today provides key definitions and context for making sense of COVID-19.
Performing organ transplants safely amid the COVID-19 outbreak
Performing organ transplants safely amid the COVID-19 outbreak
The unique challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, coupled with fewer organ donations, led to a tremendous reduction in transplant procedures in the United States. But the Penn Transplant Institute is working through the crisis.
Bridging the communication divide for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities
Bridging the communication divide for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities
Clear-fronted face masks, better and more frequent interpreters, and amped up involvement from local organizations have made a big difference during the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Expanding what it means to be a class’
‘Expanding what it means to be a class’
Allison Lassiter, Randall Mason, Michael Luegering, Joshua Mosley, Richard Farley, and Michael Henry had to work quickly and creatively to shift their classes from a hands-on learning experience to a virtual one.
Jiaqi Song on his Roman quarantine
Jiaqi Song on his Roman quarantine
Jiaqi Song meant to study in Italy for his spring semester—just not like this. Penn Today talks with the Penn sophomore about navigating online classwork, personal projects, and family time.
At a community health center, doctors offer COVID testing—and screening for depression
At a community health center, doctors offer COVID testing—and screening for depression
The Sayre Health Center in West Philadelphia is including anxiety and depression screening with COVID-19 testing, a necessity for a population especially at risk for both.
The joys and trials of defending a dissertation virtually
The joys and trials of defending a dissertation virtually
When most aspects of university life moved online because of COVID-19, so, too, did the thesis defense for Ph.D. candidates. Despite some challenges, the shift had unexpected benefits.
Will the pandemic cause food shortages?
Will the pandemic cause food shortages?
Wharton’s Marshall Fisher examines what’s behind the supply chain disruptions in grocery stores, with suppliers experiencing production slowdowns due to the pandemic.
Literary characters as masks: A reflection on identity during a pandemic
Literary characters as masks: A reflection on identity during a pandemic
An English and visual studies double major, May graduate Amy Juang created five masks to reflect the identities of characters in novels she studied in a young adult literature course taught by Melissa Jensen.
In the News
Bloomberg
House Democrats, insurance industry face off on pandemic plans
Howard Kunreuther of the Wharton School said the proposed Pandemic Risk Insurance Act would require the government to take on too much risk and proposed an alternative program that would more evenly distribute responsibility between policyholders, the insurance industry, and the government.
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The New York Times
There are 3 things we have to do to get people wearing masks
Angela Duckworth of the School of Arts & Sciences, Lyle Ungar of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and PIK Professor Ezekiel J. Emanuel wrote an op-ed about how best to persuade people to wear protective face masks. “It’s not too late to apply three basic principles from behavioral science: make it easy, understood, and expected,” they write, “and we’ll soon see face masks everywhere, saving lives.”
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The New York Times
Cancel sleep away camp
Jill M. Baren of the Perelman School of Medicine and a Columbia University colleague wrote an op-ed proposing the cancellation of summer camps. “Camps are primarily in rural communities where an increasing number of COVID-19 cases are now emerging,” they write. “That local rise in cases increases the risk of transmission into camps, which could overwhelm already fragile hospital systems.”
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The Washington Post
Retiring to a sunny foreign vacation spot was the American dream. Now the coronavirus is forcing some expats to come back
Olivia Mitchell of the Wharton School said expat retirees tend to stay abroad until their health begins decline, at which point access to U.S. medical care and family becomes a high priority. “This epidemic may hasten that return flow for people on the edge of that, who are starting to struggle with taking care of themselves,” she said.
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The Hill
Incentives for COVID recovery: A single-edged sword?
Chris William Sanchirico of the Law School wrote about Sen. Mitch McConnell’s efforts to pass legislation shielding employers from liability as businesses reopen and employees return to work.
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The Washington Post
A third of Americans now show signs of clinical anxiety or depression, Census Bureau finds amid coronavirus pandemic
Maria A. Oquendo of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the pandemic’s negative effects on Americans’ mental health. “It’s understandable given what’s happening. It would be strange if you didn’t feel anxious and depressed,” she said. “This virus is not like a hurricane or earthquake or even terrorist attack. It’s not something you can see or touch, and yet the fear of it is everywhere.”
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