In a special 4-part series excerpted from a webcast, we look at the extraordinary challenges facing the field of public health in the COVID era. Today, health officers from around the country talk about their experiences with harassment and what needs to be done to protect public health workers. Then, Dr. Josh Sharfstein talks with Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services about fallout from this crisis and signs of hope from a new administration.

In a special 4-part series excerpted from a webcast, we look at the extraordinary challenges facing the field of public health in the COVID era. Today, Dr. Beth Resnick and Paulani Mui of Johns Hopkins talk about their research on the issue of challenges facing public health officers during the pandemic. The presentation referenced in this episode can be seen in the recorded webcast here: https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/news-and-events/events/2021/february-24.html

In a 4-part series excerpted from a webcast, we look at the extraordinary challenges facing the field of public health in the COVID era. Today, hear from Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC; and also three public health officers: Columbus, Ohio health commission Dr. Mysheika Roberts; Montana state medical officer Dr. Greg Holzman; and Wilson County, Kansas health officer Dr. Jennifer Bacani McKenney. They talk about the significant challenges they and their staff have faced during the pandemic.

Una conversación entre Dra. Sara Polk, una de las directoras del Centro Sol de la universidad de Johns Hopkins y Gabriela Calderon Velazquez, especialista en salud escolar de Johns Hopkins. Hablan sobre el regreso a clases en persona en el tiempo de covid. Escuchemos.

The American Rescue Plan Act, meant to help the country dig its way out of the pandemic’s disastrous economic effects, has some benefits that could be long-term game-changers for children and families. Bruce Lesley, president of the bipartisan advocacy group First Focus on the Children, talks with Stephanie Desmon about the Child Tax Credit’s potential to cut child poverty by 45%.

Like many venues, the Apollo Theater made the transition to virtual performances, drawing audiences from all over the world, but it also considered ways to serve its local community. Fatima Jones, the senior director of marketing and communications, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about how the health of the community and the theater are intertwined. You can check out the Apollo Theater at www.apollotheaters.org.

The pandemic halted all in-person performing arts in the last year: a “big hole to crawl back out of,” says Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Alsop talks with Josh Sharfstein about what’s been lost during a period of “emotional stasis,” but also how the pandemic, alongside the Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements, offer the chance for much-needed change for and modernization of the orchestral performing arts.

Research suggests that the arts—a sprawling industry of museums, theaters, studios, production companies, artists, administrators and more—have lost over $15 billion in the COVID-19 pandemic. Kate Levin, who oversees the Bloomberg Philanthropies Arts program, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about how the losses of these experiences impact everything from people’s mental health, to neighborhood and community cohesion, to social services.

Is the recovery on track or about to be derailed? What can we do alongside vaccines to step down case numbers? What does the CDC’s relaxed guidance for 3-feet of distance for kids mean for schools reopening? What are the key metrics of vaccine success?

Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo from the Center for Health Security returns to the podcast to talk with Dr. Josh Sharfstein and answer some questions about yet another pivotal moment in the pandemic.

Life expectancy in the US has been declining over the last 30 years, especially among working-age adults—a stark contrast from wealthy peer countries in Europe and Asia where adults are living longer, healthier lives. Hopkins health economist Dr. Darrell Gaskin talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about new data on this American crisis including a confluence of factors including a lack of jobs, systemic racism, and the greater availability of opioids.