In this episode we learn about the worldwide data collection process and presentation of the Johns Hopkins COVID Dashboard. We speak to Ensheng Dong, doctoral student and part of the team who started the dashboard.

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In this episode we welcome Kristin Urquiza of Marked By COVID who shares the work she and her organization have partcipated in for COVID Memorial Day and commemorating the over 1 million lives lost in the United States alone due to COVID.

We also discuss COVID policy needs, health equity issues, and the opportunities available for advocacy and activism to bring awareness to the fact that COVID is still here, it is airborne, and we are at the beginning of dealing with the increase in long COVID and mental health challenges resulting from the pandemic.

Learn More about Marked By COVID

Visit COVID Memorial Day

NPR: As U.S. COVID deaths near 1 million, advocates press for a memorial day

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In this episode, we discuss the new BA.2 variant, a sublineage of Omicron (aka BA.1). How does BA.2 differ from BA.1/Omicron, and from Delta for that matter?

We share news and information from the US, Denmark, Japan, South Africa, as well as the World Health Organization about this new variant and why some people feel hopeful - despite the continued illness and positive cases we are seeing worldwide.

We also discuss why COVID continues to be a concern for the immunocompromised and why protections can still be crucial.

References:

NPR: "More Contagious Version of Omicron Spreads in US, Fueling Worries"

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/02/21/1081810074/omicron-ba2-variant-spread

Nature: "Had Omicron? You're Unlikely to Catch its Rising Variant"

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00558-w

Deseret News: "New Omicron Subvariant Has New COVID Symptoms"

https://www.deseret.com/coronavirus/2022/2/24/22948911/new-covid-19-symptoms-omicron-subvariant-ba2

BioRXIV.org: Virological Characteristics of SARS COV2 BA.2 Variant

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.14.480335v1.full.pdf

Reuters: Omicron BA.2 Subvariant More Infectious but No More Severe - Africa CDC

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/omicron-ba2-sub-variant-more-infectious-no-more-severe-africa-cdc-2022-02-24/

UN: Omicron Sublineage BA.2 Remains a Variant of Concern

https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1112492

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Caroline Orr-Bueno is a researcher in cognitive security and in this episode we discuss the pandemic, the experience of Long COVID, and some of the misinformation that is currently out there. More awareness of the symptoms of long COVID still need to be addressed in the medical community and we hope that this episode increases this awareness.

Who is a public health leader, and how can public health leaders advocate for correct health information? 

In this very important episode, we speak to Dr. Meena Bewtra MD, PhD, MPH, who is a specialist in IBD and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Bewtra shares important information on how everyone has the ability to be a public health leader, and that community voices are the most trusted and important of all during this pandemic as we work to address misinformation. Your voice can help to control the pandemic and save your loved ones from serious COVID-related illness.

Dr. Bewtra is on Twitter at @drsmeena . Learn more about our podcast at anchor.fm/covid19ppc and on Instagram @covid19ppc

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As schools reopen for the fall, off and on after 18 months in some cases, there is still much uncertainty about how schools are responding to the pandemic. There are changing quarantine and vaccine guidelines, and the current lack of vaccine access at this time for children. Dr. Bess Williamson shares information on the school landscape for children at school in Chicago and the continuing policy needs, concerns and messaging available to children, parents, and families.

References:

K-12 Schools and Child Care Guidance

Will COVID cases in Chicago schools force your child to quarantine? Here’s a handy flowchart

In this episode, we discuss the various guidelines and patchwork of policies in various public-facing sectors such as schools, hotels, and restaurants and their inconsistencies.

I Loved Being a Bartender but COVID Turned My Job into a Nightmare I Couldn't Bear: