covid-19

Countries around the world have taken different approaches in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. South Korea has implemented quicker testing facilities called public “photo booths” that allow one person to be tested every seven minutes. These booths are projected to allow for testing almost ten…

Known as Hamagan, Israel’s new government produced phone app is an open-source, voluntary and security protective surveillance app designed to notify users if they have crossed paths with someone who has tested positive for the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. It alerts people whenever they…

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are being felt across the land, air, and sea as lower volumes of noise and air pollution change the city and ocean soundscapes. Alongside, the significant decrease in the concentration of a common air pollutant, nitrogen dioxide, which enters the atmosphere…

In an abundance of caution regarding COVID-19 related concerns, California State University at Fullerton has decided to suspend their in-person classes for the Fall 2020 semester in hopes to fully open again in January 2021. While no action has been decided yet by the UC system or other Cal State…

While it is common knowledge that handwashing is important, especially during a time like this, most people are unaware of why, and how, handwashing gets rid of dirt, germs, and viruses. A virus's outer layer is made up of oil and fat. When soap is applied, it has ends that are attracted to…

One of the five most commonly used COVID-19 test, the Abbott ID NOW, has been found to only detect the virus in 85.2% of samples. Researchers speculate it may be due to the fact that samples are stored in a viral transport media rather than being placed into the testing machine immediately.…

Congress passed the CARES Act which will send $14 billion dollars to colleges to provide emergency living expenses grants for students. However, Secretary Betsy DeVos released new criteria for who is eligible, limiting the grants to only U.S. citizens and some noncitizen. Undocumented Deferred…

With the dangers of going outside, many victims of domestic violence have had to stay home with their abusive partners for longer periods at a time. While domestic violence arrests in New York have fallen 40% over the last month, computer and telephone hotlines for victims have consequently…

Hotspots for COVID-19 have demonstrated how this pandemic has brought great trauma for both patients and healthcare workers. The Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx has been treating a highly vulnerable minority population where obesity and diabetes risk also run high. For more information,…

Having people worldwide on lockdown in their homes has resulted in much more dangerous situations for victims of domestic abuse. Domestic violence rates always go up around times when families spend more time together, such as long national holidays and vacations times (like summer vacations), so…

The FDA recently approved the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat patients with COVID-19. This decision has been met with mixed feelings. Opposing view points stem from the established use of these drugs to treat diseases like malaria, amebiasis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. This…

The UN secretary-general has warned against forgetting vulnerable populations like the uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented in the response to COVID-19. Mobile clinics like the Family Van in Boston provide access to these marginalized communities. Some clinics have begun delivering essential…

The recurring patterns of flu pandemics lead to an increasing concern that COVID-19 will demonstrate a similar pattern. Recently, Singapore, Germany, and China are seeing evidence of a resurgence in the infection rate despite their early actions handling the outbreak, demonstrating COVID-19’s…

The Chicago-based airlines recently reported a $2.1 billion loss in the first three months of 2020, demonstrating the severe impact of the recent pandemic on travel demand. They have applied for $5 billion in federal payroll grants and loans as well as $4.5 billion in government loans. United…