Coronavirus | Penn Today

Two incarcerated people seen from above and behind with their hands handcuffed behind their backs outside in a prison yard.

Annenberg researchers use data science skills for social justice

Data scientists at the Annenberg School for Communication are working with the Amistad Law Project to create an open access dashboard of data that can aid efforts to help the incarcerated communiy.

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Behavior Change for Good unveils effective strategies to boost vaccination rates

Texts with “reserved for you” messaging boosted flu vaccine rates by up to 11%.

COVID-19 has already cut U.S. life expectancy by a year. For Black Americans, it’s worse

Samuel Preston of the School of Arts & Sciences said not all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have been correctly attributed to their cause, creating an undercount. Furthermore, he said, many of 2020’s deaths may be linked to people postponing medical care to avoid exposure to COVID-19.

The myth of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ COVID vaccines: Why false perceptions overlook facts, and could breed resentment

Alison Buttenheim of the School of Nursing spoke about public perceptions of different COVID-19 vaccines. “I worried that we’re going to have that kind of consumer-driven ‘Oh, is it Moderna? Great! Is it [Johnson & Johnson]? No, thank you, I’ll wait,’” she said. “That’s just going to delay getting to the coverage that we want to get to.”

A dismal spring awaits unless we slow the spread of COVID-19

PIK Professor Ezekiel Emanuel co-wrote an op-ed about what the U.S. can do to prevent spring lockdowns, including continued social distancing and mask wearing, vaccine uptake, government aid, and workplace safety measures.

nurse holding the covid vaccine against blue background

Logistics of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Penn experts demystify the process of shipping a vaccine and, ultimately, getting it into arms.

Masked person holds up photo border that reads "I got the COVID-19 vaccine!"

Engaging faith communities to reduce vaccination disparities

In partnership with Mercy Philadelphia and community faith leaders, Penn Medicine held a vaccine clinic at the Church of Christian Compassion that reached 500 people in West Philadelphia. At least two more such events are planned.

COVID vaccines for kids are coming, but not for many months

Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine said COVID-19 vaccines for children are a lower priority than those for adults due to the significantly higher risk of severe illness and death among older populations. “We’re trying to save lives, keep people out of the I.C.U., keep them from dying,” he said.

The virus is evolving. But so are your antibodies

Laura Su of the Perelman School of Medicine said certain memory cells, especially T cells, might be flexible enough to recognize a modified version of their viral target, including the novel coronavirus.

Close-up of a smiling person in a black V-neck shirt, standing outside near marble pillars.

When the message matters, use science to craft it

An interdisciplinary initiative called the Message Effects Lab aims to understand, tap into, and develop communication around what motivates specific behaviors for specific populations. Its first projects center around COVID-19 testing and vaccines.

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