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Coronavirus Research

Coronavirus outbreak revives dangerous race myths and pseudoscience

Coronavirus outbreak revives dangerous race myths and pseudoscience

PIK Professor Dorothy Roberts spoke about misinformation regarding race and public health, such as the myth that black people are immune to coronavirus. “These myths have a track record not just of shaping attitudes but of shaping policy and practice in public and private spaces, in hospitals and in schools, in workplaces, too,” she said.

Coronavirus and the election
One person voting behind a curtain in one of a row of three voting booths

Coronavirus and the election

Political science professor Marc Meredith shares his thoughts with Penn Today on what the coronavirus pandemic could mean for primaries, traditional campaigning activities, and voter turnout.

Kristen de Groot

LAX coronavirus screenings are haphazard, travelers say. Experts say they’re futile

LAX coronavirus screenings are haphazard, travelers say. Experts say they’re futile

Carolyn Cannuscio of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on the crowded holding areas for international travelers awaiting health screenings at U.S. airports. “This to me is the very definition of what we should not be doing,” she said. “We’re creating a risk there, and we’re very likely to miss people who are in fact infected and may also be transmitting the virus but haven’t yet had symptoms.”

Coronavirus paid sick leave bill ‘does not go far enough’ and leaves many workers unprotected, economists warn

Coronavirus paid sick leave bill ‘does not go far enough’ and leaves many workers unprotected, economists warn

Ioana Marinescu of the School of Social Policy & Practice spoke about the role of paid sick leave in preventing the spread of COVID-19. “Not paying sick leave may allow some businesses to stay afloat, instead of laying off everybody and therefore lowering employment,” she said. “But on the other hand this would spread the epidemic more, further compromising the economy and threatening the same businesses.”

COVID-19 and your pet: Tips from Penn Vet
Labrador puppy on exam table with vet in background

Weapons-grade cuteness.

nocred

COVID-19 and your pet: Tips from Penn Vet

Microbiology experts Shelley Rankin and Stephen Cole have compiled some facts and tips to keep in mind regarding COVID-19 and your pets.

Penn Today Staff

Pandemics, quarantines, and history
A watercolor painting depicts a three masted ship anchored near a port with a yellow flag aloft.

A yellow quarantine flag is raised on a ship anchored off a port in this watercolor painting by E. Schwartz.

Pandemics, quarantines, and history

History professor Alex Chase-Levenson explores pandemics and quarantines in his upcoming book, and shares lessons that citizens and politicians can take from the past.

Kristen de Groot

Why the coronavirus and most other viruses have no cure

Why the coronavirus and most other viruses have no cure

David Barnes of the School of Arts and Sciences spoke about the role of supportive care during viral outbreaks. “There are actually plenty of cures for viral illnesses,” he said. “We just don’t think of them as cures. We’re still kind of myopically fixated on finding a cure, when what we really should be doing is getting adequate basic nursing care for all patients.”