Coronavirus

Over the course of the history of the humanitarian aid sector, thousands of humanitarian aid workers, including public health, medical and crises response experts from the United States and other nations have been deployed for decades developing and sharpening the technical skills needed in health crises. These experiences and skills can provide a framework to help strengthen health systems, risk communication and community engagement strategies, vaccine rollouts, recovery and overall public health funding in the U.S.

Last year’s holiday season occurred during a raging pandemic and no vaccines in our toolbox. This year’s holiday season has two clear advantages: (1) we have safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 and (2) we’re much more attuned to risk reduction measures like the availability of at-home testing, ventilation, and better masks that can make any type of gathering safer.

We have three safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to help to curb transmission levels and protect people from the worst outcomes of this devastating disease. Yet millions of Americans remain unvaccinated by choice.

Pediatric cases of COVID-19 are continuously rising in the midst of back to school re-openings. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions updated Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K - 12 Schools to keep children safe through a layered prevention strategy is essential for schools to follow and consistently implement.

The U.S. has now entered a new phase of the pandemic – this time a preventable fourth surge fueled by the highly transmissible Delta variant. Here are ways you can reduce your risk.

The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. Household transmission of the virus continues to be common and one of the leading causes of new infections.

As more people get vaccinated, we will not only see improvements individually, but its impact collectively, at the population level, with decreasing cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Household transmission of COVID-19 remains a high priority given the ease of how the virus, SARS-CoV-2, that causes COVID-19 can spread in closed, confined spaces. Here, the authors outline environmental health strategies to fortify home air ventilation and filtration systems.

With three remarkable COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S. and millions of Americans getting vaccinated daily, it is indeed time for COVID optimism, write Syra Madad and Monica Gandhi. 

As fully vaccinated persons wonder what activities they can engage in, it’s important to look at it from the lens of those around you and their vulnerability to the virus. The table here provides high level information for those vaccinated.

The graphic “Keeping Safe and Protecting Yourself and Others from COVID19” covers 11 measures we should all be taking to prevent infection and spreading it to others.