COVID-19: News and Resources

For comprehensive information about the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ohio State University’s measures to slow the spread of infections, and advice on distance learning, teaching and working, please visit: https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/

OUR WORK

Embedded thumbnail for Student contact tracers reflect on job’s challenges, rewards
Student contact tracers reflect on job’s challenges, rewards
Liz Klein's COVID-19 ornament
Professor’s COVID-19 ornaments go viral
Professor Ayaz Hyder
Public health faculty, staff create COVID-19 surveillance tool for schools
student studying wearing mask
Ohio State’s COVID-19 containment efforts appear to be working, experts say
ohio map with community pictures
New research-based tools to help Ohioans at higher COVID-19 risk
Dr. Abigail Norris Turner prepares for door-to-door COVID-19 testing this summer as part of a statewide initiative.
Ohio State public health researchers estimate statewide COVID-19 prevalence
MPH-VPH in action
Veterinary public health alumni support COVID-19 response
patient getting shot
Seven in 10 Americans willing to get COVID-19 vaccine, survey finds
Jiyoung Lee, left, and PhD student Yuehan Ai check SARS-CoV-2 genetic copy data using droplet digital PCR.
Looking for a COVID-19 early warning
Short North, Columbus, Ohio
‘A healthy workforce is a productive workforce’
Embedded thumbnail for A song to stop the spread
A song to stop the spread
Cover art credit: Kevin Murray, OSU BS Design 2019, Graphic Designer
New Ohio Journal of Public Health issue focuses on COVID
Web of thread
Ohio State students help with COVID-19 contact tracing
Embedded thumbnail for Four words that can help you enjoy a healthy summer
Four words that can help you enjoy a healthy summer
lady justice
Understanding the inequitable burdens of COVID-19
Embedded thumbnail for Dean Fairchild, Elisabeth Root discuss public health’s critical role in pandemic response
Dean Fairchild, Elisabeth Root discuss public health’s critical role in pandemic response
graph
Predictive modeling, data curation helps guide state in COVID-19 response
math notebook
The math behind the modeling
helping hands
'Boots on the ground'
Elisabeth Root
Building bridges between Ohio State and the state health department
Amy Fairchild
Dean Amy Fairchild to lead effort applying public health science to transition back to on-campus operations
medical staff and patient
COVID-19 is revealing our faults — and virtues.
life preserver
COVID Connect bridges gap between community need, expert support
(Left to right) Michael Bisesi, Margaret Murphy and Dean Amy Fairchild.
Foresight, teamwork and long hours helped Public Health flip the switch
Student Wellness Center team member Michaela Martin unpacks boxes at the Buckeye Food Alliance.
An essential resource for students
Ross Heart Hospital
Examining the past, present and future of the COVID-19 pandemic
Amy Fairchild, Dean, College of Public Health
Understanding social distancing and how it helps
person in quarantine
Dean Amy Fairchild talks with WOSU’s Ann Fisher about the ethical considerations of quarantines
Coronavirus
COVID Connect: Uniting experts with the community

IN THE NEWS

Ohio state to have shorter quarantine time, more social activities planned in spring semester

The Lantern
January 18, 2021
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

'Trust issues' prompt nursing home workers to decline COVID-19 vaccine, union says

News5
January 5, 2021
C. Tory Harper Hogan, PhD
Health Services Management and Policy

How COVID-19 Hollowed Out a Generation of Young Black Men

ProPublica
December 22, 2020
Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Lima area groups install air scrubbers, CDC urges caution

Lima News
December 22, 2020
Michael Bisesi, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

Second COVID-19 vaccine coming to Ohio, doctors take on community concerns

WSYX
December 18, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Tucker Carlson, Greg Abbott Take Wrecking Ball to Biden's Pandemic Plans

Newsweek
December 18, 2020
Micah Berman, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

Covid skeptics look to ‘weak links’ in House on bill to gut the health department

Ohio Capital Journal
December 7, 2020
Micah Berman, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

With flu season off to mild start, experts say 'twindemic' is less likely but still possible

The Columbus Dispatch
December 7, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Column: Treat COVID-19 as if it’s already in your home

The Columbus Dispatch
December 5, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

'Extraordinary Acceleration': Takeaways From The Pandemic Last Week

NPR All Things Considered
December 5, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

America Is Having A Third Coronavirus Wave. Some Countries Are Having Their First.

HuffPost
December 4, 2020
Grzegorz A. Rempala, PhD
Biostatistics

Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines: Three OSU Public Health Law Experts Weigh In

All Things Considered
November 29, 2020
Efthimios Parasidis, JD, Micah Berman, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

Officials worry about virus spread at restaurants, but failed contact tracing leaves diners in the dark

USA Today
November 26, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Is Keeping Students Home Effective? It Depends On How Families Respond

WOSU
November 25, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

COVID-19 vaccine could be in Ohio in December, doctor explains when it could get to you

WSYX
November 24, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

What 635 Epidemiologists Are Doing for Thanksgiving

The New York Times
November 20, 2020
Theodore M. Brasky, PhD
Epidemiology

'We are in a very precarious situation': Experts weigh in on science behind Ohio curfew

WSYX
November 19, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Do COVID-19 curfews work? Experts weigh in on effectiveness

WBNS
November 19, 2020
Efthimios Parasidis, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

Lawmakers send bill to governor to kneecap health department authority

Ohio Capital Journal
November 19, 2020
Micah Berman, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

Thanksgiving Break and COVID-19, Part 2

Parents’ Guide to the College Puzzle
November 19, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Ohio State dashboard helping Columbus-area schools spot COVID outbreaks among children

The Columbus Dispatch
November 16, 2020
Ayaz Hyder, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

Ohio's early Covid projections now 'playing out in real life'

Business First
November 12, 2020
Grzegorz A. Rempala, PhD
Biostatistics

Thanksgiving Break and COVID-19, Part 1

Parents’ Guide to the College Puzzle
November 11, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Ohio's coronavirus cases are trending older, with group including working adults and parents accounting for larger share, data says

Cleveland.com
November 10, 2020
Elisabeth Dowling Root, PhD
Epidemiology

Expert explains whether COVID-19 could be pre-existing condition if ACA is repealed

WSYX ABC 6
November 9, 2020
Wendy Yi Xu, PhD
Health Services Management and Policy

Surging coronavirus cases in Ohio could spark calls for more health orders

WBNS via WCKY
November 5, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

October was dire month for virus in Lima region

Lima News
October 31, 2020
Maria Gallo, PhD
Epidemiology

We Answer Your Questions About How To Celebrate The Holidays Safely

All Things Considered
October 23, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

COVID-19 hospitalizations are hitting record highs. Black Ohioans are carrying the heavy load

News5 Cleveland
October 22, 2020
Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Ohio State COVID-19 numbers remain low despite jumps around Ohio

The Columbus Dispatch
October 22, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH, Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology, Health Services Management and Policy

Vaccine company Vaxart faces federal investigation for allegedly exaggerating role in Operation Warp Speed

ABC News
October 17, 2020
Efthimios Parasidis, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

Ohio sets another one-day record for new COVID-19 cases

The Columbus Dispatch
October 17, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

As daily COVID-19 cases top 2,000 for third day, experts say Ohio at crucial crossroads

The Columbus Dispatch
October 16, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

COVID shutdowns may lead to outbreaks of measles, mumps as childhood vaccinations decline

The Columbus Dispatch
October 10, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

White House Contact Tracing Efforts Appear to Fall Short Following President Trump's COVID-19 Diagnosis

WNYC
October 6, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

The NFL Learned the Same Lesson as Washington This Week

The Wall Street Journal
October 4, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Coronavirus in Ohio: 1,157 new cases, 20 new deaths reported Saturday

WCMH
October 3, 2020
Abigail Norris Turner, PhD
Epidemiology

Ohio's true COVID-19 case tally could be thousands higher, new antibody survey shows

The Columbus Dispatch
October 1, 2020
Abigail Norris Turner, PhD
Epidemiology

Dr. Amy Acton to receive Ohio State Alumni Medalist Award

WSYX
September 25, 2020
Amy Acton, MD, MPH

What You Should Know About Coronavirus Face Masks for Halloween

Mental Floss
September 22, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Big pharma’s safety pledge isn’t enough to build public confidence in COVID-19 vaccine – here’s what will

The Conversation
September 14, 2020
Efthimios Parasidis, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

New Cases Have Reached Record Levels in the Midwest

The New York Times
September 13, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

A COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Only 50% Effective. Is That Good Enough?

NPR
September 12, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Wellness Wednesday: The Science Behind Face Masks

WOSU All Sides
September 9, 2020
Mark H. Weir, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

Coronavirus cases dropped faster for Ohio counties with mask orders

The Columbus Dispatch
September 3, 2020
Elisabeth Dowling Root, PhD
Epidemiology

Bars as Risky as Jails for Potential Spread of COVID-19

Healthline
September 3, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Tracking the virus: Contact tracers play critical role in addressing COVID-19

The Lantern
September 2, 2020
Alison Norris, MD, PhD
Epidemiology

Ohio State professor says FDA is 'playing with fire' as it looks to fast-track vaccine

WSYX
August 31, 2020
Efthimios Parasidis, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

US FDA risks eroding public trust with broad COVID-19 vaccines meeting – experts

S&P Global
August 28, 2020
Efthimios Parasidis, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

The Trump Administration’s FDA Is Both Victim and Villain

Barron's
August 26, 2020
Efthimios Parasidis, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

Legal experts call for Congress to ban COVID-19 vaccine emergency authorizations

S&P Global
August 19, 2020
Micah Berman, JD, Efthimios Parasidis, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

Rural Ohio counties seeing largest percentage increase in COVID-19 cases

WSYX
August 18, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Ohio to reach 100,000 COVID-19 cases in less than half the time it took to get to 50,000

The Columbus Dispatch
August 8, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Understanding COVID-19 Statistics

WOSU All Sides
July 29, 2020
Eben Kenah, PhD
Biostatistics

Who Is Most at Risk in a Restaurant?

eater.com
July 24, 2020
Barbara Kowalcyk, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

Contact tracing’s long, turbulent history holds lessons for COVID-19

The Conversation
July 16, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Not Ready to Hit the Barbershop Yet? Guys Are Trying Professional In-Home Haircuts.

Men's Health
July 16, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

A national mandatory order to wear a mask would keep people from becoming ‘walking weapons’

Stat Journal
July 15, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Will county-wide mask mandates work in Ohio?

10TV
July 14, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Covid-19 Seed Grant Series: An Interview With Dr. Ayaz Hyder

Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University
July 13, 2020
Ayaz Hyder, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

Patients are still delaying essential care out of fear of coronavirus

The Washington Post
July 13, 2020
Peter Shields, MD
Epidemiology

Pittsburgh Seemed Like a Virus Success Story. Now Cases Are Surging.

The New York Times
July 12, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Expert explains why masks have become an emotional issue

10TV
July 8, 2020
Efthimios Parasidis, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

Hamilton County is red on Ohio's new COVID-19 health alert map. What does that mean for you?

Cincinnati Enquirer
July 6, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

At least 35 nursing homes failed COVID-19 infection control audits

Ohio Capital Journal
July 6, 2020
C. Tory Harper Hogan, PhD
Health Services Management and Policy

Throw a Chic, Safe Summer Party— with Help from an Epidemiologist and an Event Planner

goop
July 2, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Wellness Wednesday: Why Are More Younger People Testing Positive For COVID-19?

WOSU AllSides
July 1, 2020
Kathryn Lancaster, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Yes, you should still go to the dentist. But be careful.

The Washington Post
June 28, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Coronavirus In Ohio: Disease Modeling Expert Says 'Epidemic Is Not Under Control'

WOSU
June 26, 2020
Eben Kenah, PhD
Biostatistics

Taking A Trip To Visit Grandparents Or Older Relatives? Tips To Reduce The Risk

NPR
June 24, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Easy To Say 'Get Tested.' Harder To Do. Here's How.

California Healthline
June 22, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Will Ohioans Experience a Second Wave of COVID-19?

Spectrum News 1
June 17, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Should you get tested for the coronavirus after protesting? Here’s what experts say about the risks.

The Washington Post
June 12, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

How 132 Epidemiologists Are Deciding When to Send Their Children to School

The New York Times
June 12, 2020
Ayaz Hyder, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

U.S. Hits 2 Million Coronavirus Cases As Many States See A Surge Of Patients

NPR
June 10, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

When 511 Epidemiologists Expect to Fly, Hug and Do 18 Other Everyday Activities Again

New York Times
June 8, 2020
Ayaz Hyder, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

From haircuts to yard parties, here’s how infectious disease experts are running errands and socializing safely

CNBC
June 6, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Coronavirus FAQs: How To Stay Safe While Protesting, When To Go Out After Recovery

NPR
June 5, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

‘A balancing act’: As marches continue, spread of virus remains a concern

Boston Globe
June 4, 2020
Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

How one cough can overwhelm your environment

Ohio State Insights
May 29, 2020
Mark H. Weir, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

Is it Safe to Send Kids to Daycare? Experts Assess the Risks of 5 Common Childcare Scenarios

Working Mother
May 29, 2020
Kathryn Lancaster, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Water parks or national parks? How to take a safe, affordable summer vacation, according to experts

acorns
May 29, 2020
Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

From Camping To Dining Out: Here's How Experts Rate The Risks Of 14 Summer Activities

NPR
May 23, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

It’s Not Too Late to Save Black Lives

Slate.com
May 21, 2020
Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Vexing, Veiled, and Inequitable: Social Distancing and the “Rights” Divide in the Age of COVID-19

The American Journal of Bioethics
May 19, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Connect The Dots: Contact Tracing for COVID-19

10TV
May 14, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

‘Excess deaths’ suggest a much higher COVID-19 death toll than current count

Ohio Capital Journal
May 14, 2020
Kathryn Lancaster, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

VERIFY: What is the process for creating a vaccine?

10TV
May 12, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Coronavirus: Ohio State Study to See If Pandemic Affected Cancer Treatment

The Columbus Dispatch
May 12, 2020
Amy Ferketich, PhD
Epidemiology

Black residents overrepresented in Franklin County coronavirus cases, but not death toll

The Columbus Dispatch
May 8, 2020
Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

CDC reverses course again on using race as testing criteria

Mahoning Matters
May 7, 2020
Grzegorz A. Rempala, PhD
Biostatistics

How to communicate in a postmodern pandemic

Quartz
May 7, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Final round of COVID-19 seed funding supports 11 new projects

Ohio State News
May 5, 2020
Ayaz Hyder, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

State provides COVID-19 updates: testing to expand

The Register-Herald
April 28, 2020
Mark H. Weir, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

Why OSU's 'learning' model predicts a smaller surge with reopening than prior worst-case scenarios

Columbus Business Journal
April 28, 2020
Grzegorz A. Rempala, PhD
Biostatistics

Reopening of America accelerates as states prepare to relax coronavirus restrictions

The Washington Post
April 25, 2020
Mark H. Weir, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

Coronavirus and the law: what you should know about Ohio’s stay-at-home order

Freshwater Cleveland
April 23, 2020
Micah Berman, JD
Health Services Management and Policy

Ohio State University Doctor Discusses Just How Certain Surfaces Contribute to the Spread of Coronavirus

WKYC-TV
April 23, 2020
Mark H. Weir, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

Getting Black Communities COVID-19 Help

Spectrum News
April 22, 2020
Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Coronavirus Modeling

WOSU Radio
April 21, 2020
Grzegorz A. Rempala, PhD, Joseph H. Tien, PhD
Biostatistics, Epidemiology

Beach towns to tourists: we love you, but stay home

NPR Marketplace
April 21, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

“It’s not over until it’s over”: 5 things to know about hitting the coronavirus peak

Kaiser Health News
April 20, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Doubts on coronavirus danger emerge as Ohio’s outlook improves

The Columbus Dispatch
April 19, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Ohio near the bottom for public health spending per person. Should we spend more?

Dayton Daily News
April 12, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

How San Francisco plans to trace every coronavirus case and contact

MIT Technology Review
April 8, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Most Aggressive States Against the Coronavirus

WalletHub
April 7, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

'I am hoping we're overpredicting': Q&A with Ohio State University coronavirus modelers

Cincinnati Enquirer
April 2, 2020
Grzegorz A. Rempala, PhD, Joseph H. Tien, PhD
Biostatistics, Epidemiology

Why It’s So Freaking Hard To Make A Good COVID-19 Model

FiveThirtyEight
March 31, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH, Mark H. Weir, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Coronavirus: Social distancing a lesson learned from Spanish flu pandemic

Dayton Daily News
March 29, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Coronavirus: How stores still open try to prevent spread

The Columbus Dispatch
March 26, 2020
Mark H. Weir, PhD
Environmental Health Sciences

Coronavirus: How long will we face shutdowns?

Dayton Daily News
March 23, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Ohio doesn’t have 'shelter-in-place' yet, but what would it look like?

The Columbus Dispatch
March 20, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

‘Woefully unprepared:’ How small-scale testing capabilities mar Ohio’s COVID-19 response

Ohio Capital Journal
March 19, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Opinion: The case for social distancing and why it works

The Columbus Dispatch
March 17, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s coronavirus response has become a national guide to the crisis

The Washington Post
March 16, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Self-Love in the Time of Coronavirus

Colorlines
March 16, 2020
Shawnita Sealy-Jefferson, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

What is social distancing? Public health practice behind mass gatherings ban

Lima Ohio
March 13, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Bill Miller discusses COVID-19 on 10tv.com

The Verge
March 13, 2020
William C. Miller, MD, PhD, MPH
Epidemiology

Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Amy Acton is calming leader in coronavirus crisis

Cincinnati Enquirer
March 13, 2020
Amy Ferketich, PhD
Amy Acton, MD, MPH
Epidemiology

Personal privacy matters during a pandemic — but less than it might at other times

The Verge
March 12, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

'We need the Wall!': Trump twists coronavirus fears to push his own agenda

The Guardian
March 11, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Opinion: Science Can’t Save Us From Coronavirus Panic But Trump’s Information Crackdown Can Certainly Make Things Worse

Foreign Affairs
March 10, 2020
Amy L. Fairchild, PhD, MPH
Health Services Management and Policy

Scarcity Of Health Workers A New Concern As Self-Quarantining Spreads With Virus

NPR
March 9, 2020
Grzegorz A. Rempala, PhD
Biostatistics

Stay home? Sick leave policies could test outbreak response

Lima News
March 5, 2020
Eric Seiber, PhD
Health Services Management and Policy, Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Evaluation Studies