Coronavirus | Penn Today

One man’s battle shows why COVID-19 and obesity are a toxic mix

Lewis Kaplan of the Perelman School of Medicine said high levels of body fat can negatively impact one’s chances of surviving COVID-19. “It changes how you evaluate all kinds of considerations, from vascular issues to medications,” he said.

CDC asks latest to plan for potential vaccine distribution starting in late October

Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine said it’s unlikely that a coronavirus vaccine will be ready by the end of the year given that Phase 3 trials have only just begun. Furthermore, he said, insufficient trials could damage not only public health but public trust in vaccines.

Mauro Guillén’s world is about to change

In a new book, the Wharton professor—and “globalization guy”—breaks down the key factors that will combine to radically transform the world over the next decade.

one gloved hand holds syringe and another cleans arm with cotton ball prior to vaccine

How misinformed vaccine beliefs affect policy views

There is broad support in the U.S. for pro-vaccination policies, but as many as 20% of Americans hold negative views about vaccines. The Annenberg Public Policy Center shows that such misinformed vaccine beliefs are the strongest driver of opposition to pro-vaccination public policies.

'Without evidence': Once again, FDA expands use of COVID-19 treatment without research to back it up

Nuala Meyer of the Perelman School of Medicine said she was surprised by the FDA’s approval of remdesivir for patients hospitalized with COVID-19. "We always expect the FDA to base decisions on data and we do get concerned when we see decision-making that we can't find the data to support," she said.

Wharton releases new retail study on customer loyalty

A report from Wharton’s Thomas S. Robertson reveals that consumer disappointment with retailers runs deep.

Uniformed border patrol personnel at a border processing center in a face mask and latex gloves hands an item to a detained person sitting on a bench.

Beth Simmons writes on ‘Pandemic Responses as Border Politics’

Simmons’ article argues that the COVID-19 pandemic ‘reflects growing anxieties about border insecurity in the modern operational system,’ leaving countries to exert more effort at border control.

two people on a bench wearing masks, a third person motions that they want to sit in an open spot while one person currently on the bench gives a hand motion indicating no

Decision-making and anxiety in the time of COVID-19

Penn experts discuss the psychology behind decision-making, how anxiety and stress impacts behavior, and share strategies for deciding how to safely reengage with society.

Two people standing by a table in Houston Hall, one wears PPE and administers a nasal swab to a student.

COVID-19 testing site for Penn students up and running

Easy, quick, and safe testing is just one of several public health measures the University is undertaking to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus on—and off—campus.

Flu season could make coronavirus testing delays even worse

Laurel Glaser of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about labs potentially using a combination flu and coronavirus test to alleviate testing delays. “That’s always an option for us,” she said. “It could loosen up the supply chain.”

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