Looking Back on COVID-19: Where We’ve Been and Some Hope Heading in 2021
2020 has been the deadliest year in American history with more than three million deaths. “It’s unfortunate because we’re in the era of better medicine, better innovation, and healthcare, yet we’re seeing this record-number of annual deaths,” Dr. Debra Furr-Holden said. The good news to round out 2020 is the emergency authorization of two new vaccines. “It’s a good thing that we have a vaccine available, and when you couple that with people wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and people having the resources that they need to stay safe, we start to build layers of protection that are going to be critical to get this pandemic under control,” she said.
A Candid COVID Conversation with Black Men
At the Forefront is a podcast that highlights the work and experiences of people at the forefront of the health equity revolution, including researchers, practitioners, community members, activists, youth leaders, and political leaders. In this episode, Isaiah Oliver, CEO, of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint has a conversation with Black Men about COVID.
FREE online self-paced public health course, Promoting Public Health in Michigan in the Face of COVID-19
Brought to you by Michigan State University Public Health Experts and Community Leaders. This course will enhance the public’s understanding of public health, why it is important in the fight against COVID-19 and beyond, and practices for promoting the health of diverse individuals and communities. You will learn a brief history of public health, including the impact of vaccines; how psychological, social, and environmental factors influence health; about COVID-19 testing and treatment in Michigan; how to promote critical elements of a healthy society; how communities can support public health. Open to all.
Social and Psychological Consequences of the Covid-19 Pandemic in African-American Communities: Lessons From Michigan
Drs. Rodlescia S. Sneed, Kent Key, Sarah Bailey, and Vicki Johnson-Lawrence publish a journal article in the July issue of Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. They discuss the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are particularly relevant in African-American communities because African-Americans have been disproportionately impacted by the disease, yet they are traditionally less engaged in mental health treatment compared with other racial groups.
COVID-19 Response: Alumni and Students
Like the far-reaching impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Spartans in Public Health have addressed the pandemic in unprecedented ways. Alumni and students rapidly applied their skills and their talents to actively address the evolving needs of the pandemic. These Spartans have helped address the epidemiology of disease transmission, worked to ensure patients are able to get their medicine safely, conducted risk assessments, developed containment strategies, provided psychiatric and mental health consultations to COVID-19 positive patients, volunteered to work the COVID-19 provider hotlines, performed autopsies, and more. Where there is a need, there is a Spartan in Public Health.
As Reopening Begins in Uncertain Coronavirus Times, You Need Emotional Protective Equipment, Too
As millions across the U.S. prepare to return to work – and maybe, a level of normalcy – the phrase, “We’re all in this together,” heard constantly in the media, turns out to be both true and untrue. Yes, the pandemic is a global experience. But it’s also very much an individual enterprise. Drs. Claudia Finkelstein, and public health researchers Jennifer E. Johnson and Julia Felton write about the need to focus on our "emotional protective equipment" as reopening begins in uncertain coronavirus times.