Category: Infectious Diseases
Sickbert-Bennett Weighs In On the Question Of COVID Spread By Books
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS The magazine Romper recently asked experts whether or not the COVID-19 virus can live on books. Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS, associate professor of medicine in infectious diseases and director of infection prevention at UNC Hospitals, told Romper “the fact that coronavirus can survive on surfaces for several hours is not enough alone to lead to … Read more
Weber Tells Washington Post COVID-19 Will Wax and Wane
David Weber, MD, MPH David Weber, MD, MPH, professor of medicine in infectious diseases, said the term “second wave” has been used to describe trends during past outbreaks, including the 1918 influenza and 2003 SARS outbreak in Toronto, in a recent Washington Post interview. In those instances, unlike most countries’ coronavirus outbreaks, “they essentially got down to zero” new … Read more
Sickbert-Bennett Discusses Neck Gaiters Versus Face Masks With USA Today
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS A USA Today article recognizes that a recent Duke University study found polyester/spandex gaiters less effective at preventing the spread of respiratory droplets than face masks, and experts agree more tests are needed, and that wearing something is always better than nothing. Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, associate professor of infectious diseases … Read more
Department of Medicine Grants & Funding: July 1 – July 31, 2020
Division of Geriatric Medicine Joshua Niznik, PharmD, PhD, was awarded pilot funding from the US Deprescribing Research Network (USDeN) for his proposal entitled “Deprescribing Bisphosphonates in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia.” Division of Hematology Stephan Moll, MD, received an award from the Anticoagulation Forum for “2020 Clinical Fellowship Award in General Vascular M … Read more
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Sickbert-Bennett Talks to the Washington Post About Mask Safety
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, MD Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS, associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases and director of UNC Medical Center Infection Prevention, was interviewed for a Washington Post article about “when, where and how” to wear a mask during the pandemic. Although the CDC does not recommend people wear face shields as a substitute for a c … Read more
Cohen Explains a Game Changing Treatment For COVID-19 Not Being Talked About
Myron Cohen, MD Elemental Magazine reports most of the public’s interest has been focused on the progress of the various vaccine candidates, which could provide the ultimate form of protection against the novel coronavirus. However, much less attention has been paid to monoclonal antibodies, which are drugs that contain specialized proteins that are intended to stop SARS-CoV-2 fr … Read more
Wohl Talks With WRAL About the Latest COVID-19 Updates
David Wohl, MD David Wohl, MD, gave WRAL an update on COVID-19, discussing current hospitalizations and testing capacity, which still lags behind. “What if I told you that your smoke detector goes off three hours after it detects smoke?” Wohl said. “It doesn’t do what it needs to do. Anything we get is lagging behind a week. That’s just not realistic for anyone to act on.” Wohl … Read more
Gay Discusses Planning For COVID-19 Clinical Trials
Cynthia Gay, MD, MPH Both UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke are recruiting thousands of people to help them test potential coronavirus vaccines. Cindy Gay, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, talked with CBS-17 about efforts to recruit 500-1000 volunteers who will participate in COVID-19 clinical trials. Read the article here.
UNC Infectious Diseases Division Launching COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial
Cindy Gay, MD, MPH Led by Cindy Gay, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases, clinical researches are leaning on years of experience and expertise to partake in a large phase 3 clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine. In February 2020, as bits of data about the SARS-CoV-2 virus started to emerge, Gay and UNC infectious diseases colleagues beg … Read more
NIH Awards Cohen, FHI $9.2 Million for Development of COVID Prevention Studies
Myron Cohen, MD The National Institutes of Health has awarded Myron Cohen, MD, and Family Health International $9.2 million to support research through the new COVID Prevention Network (CoVPN). The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health formed the COVID Prevention Network (CoVPN) to better coordinate the national research respon … Read more
Scholars Named to Physician Scientist Training Program
Clockwise, from top left: Alena Markmann, MD, PhD, Erin Steinbach, MD, PhD, Peyton Thompson, MD, Tessa Andermann, MD, PhD As part of the Forward Together Strategic Plan, the UNC School of Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) supports a small number of clinicians committed to translating research findings to advance the practice of medicine in addition to providing … Read more
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Sickbert-Bennett Offers Suggestions For Sending Children Back to School Safely
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS, associate professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases and director of UNC Medical Center Infection Prevention, offered tips on WRAL News for parents as they make plans to send kids back to school. Sickbert-Bennet suggested that parents should start looking for the best mask now, and that kids should … Read more