In the News
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March 30, 2021
“If we have anything to learn from the history of the 1918 influenza pandemic … it is that a premature return to pre-pandemic life risks more cases and more deaths. And today’s Americans have significant advantages over those of a century ago. … Most critically, we have multiple safe and effective vaccines that are being deployed,” wrote J. Alexander Navarro, assistant director of the Center for the History of Medicine.
MarketWatch -
March 30, 2021
“When those people say, ‘Well, people made a choice,’ 30 years ago, that choice was different than what it is now; 40 years ago, that choice was different than it is now. This is a racial issue, this is a gender issue, this is a class issue,” said So’Phelia Morrow, a doctoral student in social work and sociology, commenting on student debt forgiveness and the choice to pursue higher education no matter what the cost.
Vox -
March 29, 2021
Daniel Clauw, professor of anesthesiology and director of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, is concerned that COVID-19 could exacerbate chronic overlapping pain conditions: “I think it will trigger the development of this symptom complex in a subset of people that get COVID, and make the symptoms of pain, fatigue, memory problems worse in many people that had pre-existing problems that were more affected by the pandemic.”
The Guardian (U.K.) -
March 29, 2021
People who receive a flu shot are less likely to test positive for COVID-19 and even if they do, they have fewer complications, says Marion Hofmann Bowman, associate professor of internal medicine and cardiology: “It is possible that patients who receive their flu vaccine are also people who are practicing more social distancing and following CDC guidelines. … It is also plausible that there could be a direct biological effect of the flu vaccine on the immune system relevant for the fight against SARS-CoV-2 virus.”
International Business Times -
March 29, 2021
“They don’t want to be the arbiters of free speech. But they have to be,” said Cliff Lampe, professor of information, who believes Facebook would like to return to its pre-2020 hands-off approach, but public pressure to crack down on online extremism will likely win over.
The Associated Press -
March 26, 2021
Gun violence is not a partisan issue nor is it a debate about gun control, says Marc Zimmerman, professor of public health and psychology: “Maybe some of the questions might be access to firearms. But, it may also have to do with our mental health systems and … access to mental health care.” Patrick Carter, associate professor of emergency medicine and public health, says, “We don’t need just people at the table who are sort of traditional advocates for safety. We also need gun owners at the table.”
WXMI/Grand Rapids -
March 26, 2021
“I believe that that no vote helped to make sure there was more transparency,” said A. Oveta Fuller, associate professor of microbiology and immunology, who as part of the FDA coronavirus advisory committee helped change the vaccine approval process by voting against Pfizer’s vaccine over concerns about its long-term impact.
WDIV/Detroit -
March 26, 2021
Megan Ankerson, associate professor of communication and media, is optimistic that more people are becoming aware of the way things get lost online and is hopeful that the limitations of digital archives will inspire them to think of more creative ways to preserve the history they care about: “Early on, the web itself was a sort of subculture. Now there are many, many, many subcultures online. And honestly, I would be happy if every single one of them had a book.”
The Atlantic -
March 25, 2021
“Mussels seem innocuous when you hold a single one of them in your hands, but once you take a look underwater and see the bottom of Lake Michigan covered by mussels, you start realizing they may be a problem,” said Vincent Denef, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology.
The Lakeshore (West Michigan) -
March 25, 2021
“Even before COVID, schools were pervasively unsafe for many students, especially students of color. … Certainly there are children for whom the last year has been a painful or harmful time, or a time when support they needed was removed. But for many Black and brown children to be out of the white gaze of punishment and deficit views was a welcome respite from fear and control,” wrote Deborah Loewenberg Ball, professor of education, and Alyssa La’Dawn Brandon, graduate student in education.
Detroit Free Press
