COVID-19 From a Penn Stater's Perspective | Documenting student life during a modern public health crisis

COVID-19: What’s New?

At the end of March, I published my first post to this blog: “COVID-19: Fast Facts,” where I was prompted to give an introduction to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In it, I addressed topics I was curious about, given the novel coronavirus’ novelty. Since today is Penn State’s virtual commencement, I think it’s appropriate to revisit…

See you soon, PSU

Being home doesn’t quite feel right. Leaving Penn State behind so abruptly has left me with regret over things I hadn’t done and sadness for people I won’t see for a long time. I’m lucky in that I still have another semester as a student — and I recognize that I’m even luckier to have…

Nursing home outbreaks highlight the need for collaborative leadership

I’m studying to be a nursing home administrator (NHA). In this role, I’d oversee a facility’s day-to-day operations, ensuring our care aligns with governmental regulations and advocating for high patient care standards. The long-term care sector is tumultuous and facing heavy scrutiny amid this pandemic: America’s first outbreak cluster occured at a nursing home in…

Lessons from America’s public health crises

The world is facing an unprecedented emergency: the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is infecting and taking lives at an awful rate. As this pandemic unfolds, we can look to challenges our health system has faced in the last century for lessons and for guidance. Ebola in the U.S., Hurricane Katrina’s fallout, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic each…

Into the unknown: living through a pandemic at 19

Back in January, my Public Health Principles professor started to begin our lectures by briefly exploring the news around 2019-nCoV, the novel coronavirus. Each day, we’d track the virus’s movement on the world map dot-by-dot, we’d discuss its impact on the public health system, or we’d share stories found in news headlines or from our…

What can we do to support our communities amid a pandemic?

As the impact of the novel coronavirus extends into every town, every community, and every home, we should all do our part in helping those who need it. This infographic gives people who are now working or studying at home five ways to give back.

COVID-19: Fast Facts

The past three weeks have been a whirlwind of public health interventions aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus as it has taken hold in America. Understanding what the virus is, how it affects humans, and how we can protect ourselves are key to overcoming this pandemic. All information in this post is…