New Perspectives and Controversies in Infection Prevention: Thank You

 

Thank you to my co-editors Drs. Silvia Munoz-Price, Dan Morgan and Rekha Murthy, along with all the contributors for making our book, New Perspective and Controversies in Infection Prevention, a resounding success.

More importantly,  thank you to all the readers. To date we have over 50,000 downloads (August 2020), placing the book in the top 25% of most downloaded e-books in its respective category.

Here is a team photo from the original book launch, in 2017.

The 2nd Edition is underway with Dr. Susy Hota joining the editorial team.

Stay tuned.

From Cairo to Capetown on Bike: Africa Solo

With all the ongoing COVID-19 pressures, I needed an uplifting read and as an avid cyclist, this one is truly worth mentioning.

Enter Scottsman Marc Beaumont who chronicled his solo, unsupported bike ride (completed in record time) from Cairo to Capetown in the book Africa Solo.

For anyone who values passion, adventure and grit,  this  book will not disappoint.

Back to Campus and the Remote Misses of COVID-19

 

Source: Richmond Times Dispatch

Campus is open and my home institution already has 25 COVID-19 cases reported by the local newspaper ( available here).

In my opinion, the major barrier to COVID-19 infection prevention on campus is behavior change. A seeming lack of concern for COVID-19 infection risk by university students is predicted by a mechanism known as 'passive adaptation to danger',  as neatly explored in this recent Annals of Internal Medicine article.

For young adults, COVID-19  infections are best seen as a 'remote misses'- where traumatic events are seen or heard with minimal aftermath, resulting in no physical or emotional harm. This is in contrast to those who take a 'direct hit' or have a 'near miss' yet are deeply impressed by the danger and consequences.

Unless young adults are infected and hospitalized with greater frequency, which I hope is not the case, or the incidence of community infection is so widespread that these are perceived as near misses, only aggressive infection prevention messaging and disciplinary action (suspension for parties and non-compliance with safety measures) will  significantly reduce high risk behavior on campus.

Crushing the Virus in the USA: Does it Play Out in Reality?

(Photo Credit: NY Times)

I read with much interest this article by Dr. Michael Osterholm on how to crush the virus until a vaccine arrives.  

Let me first say that I have shared the lecture podium with Dr. Osterholm at a medical conference.  His passion for infectious diseases and public health is both palpable and admirable,  as are his academic achievements.

The argument for a 6 week stay at home order to 'crush the virus' is likely correct.

However, will it play out in reality?  Is there any politician gutsy enough to follow through? Is the American ethos of rugged individualism and government mistrust insurmountable? 

I am skeptical, as are some of my colleagues.  Our perspective is published here (available open access).

The U.S. COVID-19 response has been bungled and I am not optimistic that we will self correct.

VCU NEWS: Campus Re-Opening Perspective

Our VCU News Campus Re-Opening perspective cane be accessed here. 

SARS-CoV-2 Screening Strategies and Return to Campus: Reality Check

I read with great interest this article just published in JAMA Network Open,  on SARS-CoV-2 screening and return to campus.

Let's make the leap of faith and assume that students will respect social distancing, wash their hands and meticulously wear face masks. Let's further assume that there will be no supply chain issues with testing for SARS-CoV-2.  

If the above is true, the article's relevancy and punchline is in the concluding paragraph:

We believe that there is a safe way for students to return to college in fall 2020. In this study, screening every 2 days using a rapid, inexpensive, and even poorly sensitive (>70%) test, coupled with strict interventions that keep R_t less than 2.5, was estimated to yield a modest number of containable infections and to be cost-effective. This sets a very high bar—logistically, financially, and behaviorally—that may be beyond the reach of many university administrators and the students in their care

This model was based on the return to campus of 5000 students, which may work for small colleges with significant finances.

For the rest, this is a reality check.

The Abstract Athlete

Several weeks ago I had the great pleasure of chatting (via zoom) with VCU ARTS professor, Ron Johnson- the CEO and Co-Founder of the Abstract Athlete, a unique project highlighting art, athletics and creativity.

Ron was exceedingly generous to include me in an upcoming podcast as I am neither an elite athlete (ex-college soccer player only) nor an artist (although I do play drums in the Vagabond Dandies, a recently formed and thoroughly unknown local rock n roll band whose number of gigs you can count on one hand). Regardless, the chat was a blast.

Ron is a skillful interviewer, gracious host and talented artist/musician.

Kudos on the Abstract Athlete project.