UW researchers respond to novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 experts for reporters

Here are the most recent stories of UW experts commenting on the novel coronavirus epidemic

In addition to UW researchers from a variety of disciplines offering their expertise to journalists covering the novel coronavirus, UW Medicine researchers are leading the way in the detection and prevention of COVID-19 and other coronaviruses. In fact, our researchers have sequenced COVID-19’s genome, identified the architecture and mechanisms of COVID-19, created a new laboratory test to expedite diagnostics and are crowd-sourcing a cure, among other efforts.

This page is updated every week day. For more information on the coronavirus, visit uw.edu/coronavirus. 

Some of the stories below may require a third-party subscription. 

• Elders of color face major hurdles getting COVID-19 vaccine | South Seattle Emerald17 hours ago
  Even though elders make up a large portion of the vaccine-eligible population in Washington, many in south King County still face a web of difficulties in scheduling vaccines. These difficulties have the potential to become exhausting obstacles, particularly if these elders come from communities of color. Esther Min, a research consultant with the UW’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, is quoted.
• Community groups call for more equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution for people with limited English, technology access | International Examiner17 hours ago
  On February 11, a coalition of organizations that serve communities of color, immigrants and refugees in King County sent a letter to County Executive Dow Constantine, raising concern about “barriers and significant inequities” in vaccine distribution. It followed an earlier letter to Governor Jay Inslee and state Health Secretary Umair Shah. A mapping tool developed by the UW is mentioned.
• The COVID-19 vaccine roadblocks states face | Here & Now1 day ago
  Sema Sgaier, affiliate assistant professor of global health at the UW, discussed her data that shows why 54% of all counties in the U.S face at least one significant barrier to getting every resident vaccinated for the coronavirus.
• Washington state using new technology to track COVID-19 variants | KING 51 day ago
  The state purchased 'next generation' technology to perform genome sequencing to track new coronavirus variants. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is interviewed.
• Why public shaming of vaccinations is a bad idea | VOX1 day ago
  Don’t be mad about individuals getting the vaccine. Be mad about vaccine inequity. Jennifer Balkus, assistant professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
• How virtual school is straining the mental health of WA students | Crosscut1 day ago
  Few studies and surveys have thoroughly analyzed the mental health impacts of the pandemic on children and youth, but early available research reveals a crisis. Georganna Sedlar, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• Without official vaccine guidance, pregnant people are left to do their own research | Mother Jones1 day ago
  Public health groups haven’t yet fully endorsed the vaccine during pregnancy — despite increasing evidence that it’s safe. Dr. Linda Eckert, professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• Volunteers worry seniors will struggle even more to get vaccine in Washington | KING 51 day ago
  A group helping senior citizens get vaccinated is worried that the elderly community will face a harder time finding appointments now that educators are eligible. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is interviewed.
• UW reaches 100,000 vaccinations | KOIN2 days ago
  Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine hospitals and clinics, says she's excited that UW Medicine has been able to launch their mobile van team and vaccinate patients in low-income housing.
• Progress in fight against COVID-19 | KOMO Radio2 days ago
  Lisa Brandenburg, president of UW Medicine hospitals and clinics, says that there are 20 COVID-19 patients at the four UW Medicine hospitals, down from a high of 120 two months ago. She is confident UW Medicine will be able to get more and more people vaccinated.
• Washington teachers, school employees move to head of the vaccine line — what’s next? | The Seattle Times2 days ago
  Since the news flooded their social-media feeds and work emails, school employees and child-care workers shared stories of scouring the internet and consulting their friend groups in search of appointments. Throughout the next month, the state and federal governments plan to help with programs to speed up vaccinations for education and child-care workers, who number about 260,000 in Washington state. Judith Malmgren, affiliate assistant professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
• 'Big mistake' President Biden criticizes state relaxing COVID-19 restrictions | KOMO 42 days ago
  President Joe Biden is criticizing Texas and other states relaxing COVID-19 restrictions. He calls it a "big mistake,” as do local health experts who say what happens in Texas will impact Washington and the entire country too. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is quoted.
• Washington state surpasses 5,000 COVID-19 deaths | Associated Press2 days ago
  Washington state has surpassed 5,000 deaths from the coronavirus, a milestone that comes a few days after the one-year anniversary of the first known virus death in the U.S. Dr. Judith Wasserheit, professor of global health and of medicine at the UW, is referenced.
• More than 5,000 people have now died from COVID-19 in Washington | The Seattle Times2 days ago
  Washington health officials on Wednesday reported the state has surpassed 5,000 deaths from the novel coronavirus, an announcement that comes a few days after the one-year anniversary of the country’s first COVID-19 death. Dr. Judith Wasserheit, professor of global health and of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• Seattle researchers zero in on COVID-19 virus mutation that could be driving spread of new variants | GeekWire2 days ago
  A team of researchers from Seattle is raising concerns about a mutation in the COVID-19 virus that’s infecting growing numbers of people in Washington state and beyond. Dr. Evgeni Sokurenko, professor of microbiology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• How the pandemic is opening the door to housing access | Yes! Magazine2 days ago
  The coronavirus spread fast in homeless shelters, which prompted creative solutions to safe housing. Gregg Colburn, assistant professor of real estate at the UW, is quoted.
• Biden administration steps up push for school reopenings | The New York Times2 days ago
  A day after President Biden said teachers should be prioritized for vaccination, the first lady and the education secretary hit the road to urge communities to return to in-person learning. Carl Bergstrom, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.
• 'We are so close:' Experts sound alarm as Texas lifts masks mandate, opens up 100% | KOMO 42 days ago
  Texas became the biggest state Tuesday to lift its mask rule, joining a rapidly growing movement by governors and other leaders across the U.S. to loosen COVID-19 restrictions despite pleas from health officials not to let their guard down yet. Dr. Paul Pottinger, professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
• Opinion: The humbling coronavirus has instead touched off a pandemic of preening | The Seattle Times2 days ago
  "One year in, when we maybe finally have the coronavirus a bit on the run, there’s a new outbreak emerging in the land. It’s a pandemic of preening. Of crowing and boasting about who slayed the COVID-19 monster the bestest," writes columnist Danny Westneat. Studies led by Dr. Helen Chu, associate professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, are quoted.
• Vaccinated Pope Francis heads to Iraq amid covid outbreak | The Washington Post2 days ago
  When Pope Francis embarks this week on his first trip abroad since the pandemic began, everybody on board, from priests to journalists, will be vaccinated. But then Francis will arrive in Iraq — where the coronavirus is raging. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is quoted.
• 'It is exciting': Multiple sclerosis vaccine could be byproduct of COVID-19 technology | The Spokesman-Review2 days ago
  The breakthrough technology deployed to vaccinate against COVID-19 also has led to a promising new approach to preventing the progression of multiple sclerosis. Dr. Annette Wundes, associate professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• 'When will it end?': How a changing virus is reshaping scientists’ views on COVID-19 | Reuters2 days ago
  Data in recent weeks on new variants from South Africa and Brazil has undercut optimism about the vaccine's ability to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. They now believe that SARS-CoV-2 will not only remain with us as an endemic virus, continuing to circulate in communities, but will likely cause a significant burden of illness and death for years to come. Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is quoted.
• Scientists want virtual meetings to stay after the COVID-19 pandemic | Nature3 days ago
  A Nature poll shows that a year of online research conferences has brought big benefits, but blending them with in-person meetings in future will be a challenge. Hawley Helmbrecht, a doctoral student in chemical engineering at the UW, is referenced.
• COVID-19 case counts are declining | KUOW3 days ago
  Dr. Helen Chu, associate professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, said that we may be seeing a drop in cases, because we are coming to the end of a winter surge as a result of holiday gatherings and seasonality.
• COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy: Everything you need to know | Glamour3 days ago
  Medical experts explain the latest research and what pregnant people should consider when deciding whether to get the shot. Dr. Linda Eckert, professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• Vaccine passports, COVID-19's next political flash point | The New York Times3 days ago
  A world divided between the vaccinated and unvaccinated promises relief for economies and families, but the ethical and practical risks are high. Nicole Errett, assistant professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
• UW Medicine faces vaccine shortage, stops scheduling first dose appointments | KING 53 days ago
  UW Medicine said it understands that the shortage is difficult news for those who are eligible and ready for the first dose of the vaccine.
• Experts concerned people will view Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as inferior | KOMO 44 days ago
  Doctors said the new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine offers strong protection against coronavirus. However, some experts are concerned people will view this vaccine as second-class or inferior to Moderna’s and Pfizer’s. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and Dr. Anna Wald, professor of medicine, of epidemiology, and of laboratory medicine and pathology at the UW, are quoted.
• Twitter to label tweets that may mislead about COVID-19 vaccines | USA Today4 days ago
  Twitter is bolstering its efforts to point out misinformation on the platform, a long-standing problem across social media that has taken on new urgency amid last year's election and through the pandemic. Kolina Koltai, a postdoctoral researcher at the UW Center for an Informed Public, is quoted.
• UW study: About 30% of people who get coronavirus experience long haul symptoms | seattlepi.com4 days ago
  Over the past year, more than 300,000 people across Washington have had COVID-19. Only a fraction of those cases resulted in hospitalizations and deaths, but the lingering impacts of the virus are continuing to affect the lives of even people who didn't have severe cases. Dr. Helen Chu, associate professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, and Nicholas Franko, a research scientist in Chu's lab, are quoted.
• 500 people vaccinated today | KOMO 44 days ago
  UW Medicine's Deborah Gussman says that by vaccinating people in Kent, in their own community, they are reaching people who otherwise might not have been able to access the vaccine.
• Verify: Herd immunity by April | KTVB4 days ago
  Dr. Martin Makary at Johns Hopkins University claimed we will reach herd immunity by April. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, says that 20% of the population has been infected, and 20% will have been vaccinated by April, percentages that are not high enough to represent herd immunity. [This appeared on multiple outlets]
• Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine comparable to other vaccines | KOMO Radio4 days ago
  Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, says the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is slightly less effective than mRNA vaccines, but similar enough to help bring an end to the pandemic.
• Vaccine supply will be joined by Johnson & Johnson's one-dose vaccine | NPR4 days ago
  Johnson & Johnson's vaccine ships this week. It is 66% effective at preventing mild to moderate cases of COVID-19, and 93% effective at keeping people who do get the disease out of the hospital. Dr. Helen Chu, associate professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
• Should you be concerned about J&J’s vaccine being less effective? 'Absolutely not,’ doctor says | Today4 days ago
  Dr. Vin Gupta, affiliate assistant professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, says although Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine is less effective than the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, Americans should “absolutely not” have any reservations about the single-dose shot because it “checks all the boxes.”
• As schools reopen, should they change how they approach academics? Here are trends to watch | The Seattle Times4 days ago
  On the limited measures of assessing student progress — based on tests administered online, where students are home with help or distractions and facing deep mental health issues — they are losing ground in math, while they’re generally sustaining their reading knowledge, during the pandemic. Dan Goldhaber, director of the Center for Education Data & Research at the UW, is quoted.
• The bumpy road to herd immunity | CNN4 days ago
  What will it take to achieve herd immunity? CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, about the role of vaccinations, variants and preventative behavior on the "Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction" podcast.
• How prisoners feel about the COVID-19 vaccine | Slate4 days ago
  A survey of the incarcerated showed widespread interest in the coronavirus vaccine as well as pervasive distrust of the prison medical system. A UW study is mentioned.
• Challenges deep for improving sexual and reproductive health, study says | US News4 days ago
  The COVID-19 pandemic and previous U.S. policies have damaged the global health landscape, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Jennifer Balkus, assistant professor of epidemiology at the UW, is referenced.
• CDC advisers recommend Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine | The Washington Post4 days ago
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending the nation’s third coronavirus vaccine for people 18 and older, paving the way for the easier-to-use, one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine to be administered starting this week. Dr. Beth Bell, clinical professor of global health at the UW, is quoted.
• One year after seeing first COVID-19 death, Washington expected to surpass 5,000 this week | The Seattle Times4 days ago
  Washington is expected to surpass 5,000 COVID-19 deaths this week — almost exactly a year after the first was announced in the United States. The UW's Dr. Peter Rabinowitz, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences and director of the Center for One Health Research, and Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, are quoted.
• Experts say the Johnson and Johnson vaccine could help rural communities | Q134 days ago
  Friday, an expert FDA panel made up of US Health Advisers unanimously endorsed the one-dose Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Dan Bustillos, assistant professor of nursing and health services at UW Bothell, is interviewed.
• How can I convince someone to get the COVID-19 vaccine? | The Atlantic5 days ago
  “Vaccine hesitancy” isn’t one thing. It is a constellation of motivations, insecurities, reasonable fears, and less reasonable conspiracy theories. Kolina Koltai, a postdoctoral researcher at the UW Center for an Informed Public, is quoted.
• Has the COVID-19 pandemic forever altered human behavior? | The Seattle Times5 days ago
  It feels like the pandemic is changing everything, but as vaccine rollout progresses and we squint at what appears to be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, the question to ask now is whether any real changes we’ve had to adopt during a year of pandemic life will stick around in the years to come. The UW’s Steve Goodreau, professor of anthropology, and Fabio Ghironi, professor of economics, are quoted.
• FDA greenlights Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine | KIRO 75 days ago
  The U.S Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine late Saturday. The decision paves the way for more than 60,000 of the one-shot doses to be sent to our state as early as next week. Deborah Fuller, professor of microbiology in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
• As variants spread, mask wearing and social distancing are critical | CNN1 week ago
  Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, says that the trajectory of COVID-19 will be driven by seasonality, vaccinations and spread of the new variants and that the behavior will determine whether there's a spring surge.
• FDA panel consider Johnson & Johnson vaccine approval | MSNBC1 week ago
  Dr. Vin Gupta, affiliate assistant professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, says the quicker you get the vaccine, regardless of which one you get, the quicker you will be protected from the devastating effects of COVID-19.
• At-home COVID-19 testing is here | The New York Times1 week ago
  The United States Food and Drug Administration has authorized dozens of test-by-mail kits, and three at-home tests. These tests are not nearly as accurate as those taken in a clinic, but experts say coronavirus tests that can be done at home play an important role as the country continues to reopen. Jennifer Bacci, assistant professor of pharmacy at the UW, is quoted.
• US coronavirus infections are way down — can we keep them that way? | NPR1 week ago
  With coronavirus infections on a steady, month-long descent in the U.S., it's clear the worst days of the brutal winter surge have waned. But what caused the turnaround, and can it last? Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is quoted.
• Labs can’t tell you if you have a COVID-19 variant, a problem for tracking and prevention | PBS NewsHour1 week ago
  COVID-19 infections from variant strains are quickly spreading across the U.S., but there’s one big problem: Lab officials say they can’t tell patients or their doctors whether someone has been infected by a variant. Dr. Alex Greninger, assistant professor of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• After getting COVID-19 vaccine, here's why you should still mask up | Patch1 week ago
  Experts say it is still unclear whether getting the COVID-19 vaccine will prevent people from spreading the coronavirus to other people. Marion Pepper, associate professor of immunology in the UW School of Medicine, is quoted.
• Can you stop wearing masks after vaccination? Here’s what doctors say | Allure1 week ago
  Masks are now a part of our everyday lives, but with vaccination rates increasing — and the looming threat of more contagious variants — new questions have arisen. Do you still need a mask if you’ve been vaccinated? Does it all depend on herd immunity? Dr. Paul Drain, associate professor of global health and of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• Coping with ‘long COVID’ – the mysterious symptoms that won’t go away | KIRO 71 week ago
  Thousands of people in Washington are coping with long-term COVID-19 symptoms that just won’t go away. Often, the symptoms are severe enough to dramatically interfere with normal life. Dr. Aaron Bunnell, assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
• Opinion: Two masks could be one too many | The Boston Globe1 week ago
  "The Centers for Disease Control now says you're better off doubling up on certain kinds of masks. But after talking to several experts and examining the research, I'm sticking with one mask for now — one that fits well and has several layers — and I fear the CDC's recommendation is confusing," writes freelance writer Christine Szalinski. Jennifer Balkus, assistant professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
• What we know about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: Timing, dosage, access in Washington | The Seattle Times1 week ago
  A year after doctors identified an outbreak of coronavirus in the Seattle area, a third vaccine is expected to arrive soon to bolster the arsenal against the virus, now responsible for more than 500,000 deaths in the United States. Janet Baseman, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
• Verify: Having a medical condition does not guarantee COVID-19 vaccine eligibility | KING 51 week ago
  Having a medical condition does not always guarantee priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine because states have different vaccine eligibility requirements. Dr. Vin Gupta, affiliate assistant professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is interviewed.
• Analysis: Can vaccinated people still spread the coronavirus? | The Conversation1 week ago
  Deborah Fuller, professor of microbiology in the UW School of Medicine, explains what the science shows about transmission post-vaccination – and whether new variants could change this equation.
• Some research suggests Biden’s school reopening goal has already been achieved | PolitiFact1 week ago
  There is no publicly available government accounting of how many schools have reopened to in-person learning. But research from several organizations suggests that Joe Biden’s goal to have in-person classes at more than half of U.S. schools at least one day a week was met before he took office. The Center on Reinventing Public Education at UW Bothell is referenced.
• The coronavirus is plotting a comeback — here’s our chance to stop it for good | The New York Times1 week ago
  Many scientists are expecting another rise in infections. But this time the surge will be blunted by vaccines and, hopefully, widespread caution. By summer, Americans may be looking at a return to normal life. Carl Bergstrom, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.
• Drastic drop in flu deaths a side effect of coronavirus restrictions | KUOW1 week ago
  Last year, as coronavirus took hold in the U.S., public health officials began to warn us about influenza, which kills tens of thousands of people every year in the U.S. With spring on the horizon, here's what we know about flu season: We didn't really have one. Dr. Helen Chu, associate professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
• As hospital numbers fall, fatigued staff get relief at last | Associated Press1 week ago
  The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.S. has dropped by 80,000 in six weeks, and 17% of the nation’s adult population has gotten at least one dose of a vaccine, providing some relief to front-line workers. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is quoted.
• Need for COVID-19 tests will continue even after vaccinations are widespread | KOMO 41 week ago
  Dr. Jay Fathi, clinical assistant professor of family medicine in the UW School of Medicine, says that there will still be a role of COVID-19 tests after vaccinations are widespread, including in schools and in the workplace.
• FDA expected to authorize Johnson & Johnson vaccine | MSNBC1 week ago
  Dr. Vin Gupta, affiliate assistant professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, says that the authorization of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is exciting news for the vaccine effort because only one shot is required and it has less stringent storage requirements.
• New tool tracks those most vulnerable to COVID-19 | KUOW1 week ago
  Esther Min, a research consultant with the UW’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, talks about how a new COVID-19 mapping tool combines census information with data from the CDC to help Seattle understand communities at the greatest risk during the pandemic.
• COVID-19 mapping tool will help distribute COVID-19 vaccines more equitably | KOMO Radio1 week ago
  A COVID-19 mapping tool developed by the UW Department of Environmental and Occupational Health will help guide Seattle about where to set up mass vaccination sites, mobile clinics and pop-up vaccine locations to improve access for those underserved by current vaccine efforts.
• Pregnant women have 70% higher chance of contracting COVID-19, study says | KOMO 41 week ago
  We now know pregnant women in Washington appear to be at a much higher risk for COVID-19. Dr. Kristina Adams Waldorf, professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.
• Doctors unsure of how COVID-19 variant strains will impact state's virus cases | KOMO 41 week ago
  Doctors are not exactly sure how the UK and South African variants will impact our case trends across the state going forward. However, it certainly leaves a lot of questions marks about how much progress we’ll make in the pandemic by this summer. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is interviewed.
• Have a question about COVID-19 vaccines in Washington? Here are all of the resources you need | seattlepi.com1 week ago
  The article recommends resources, including UW Medicine's FAQ on COVID-19 vaccines, for people looking for appointments, wondering when they will be eligible or who have other questions about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.
• If COVID-19 doubles in the community, it doubles in schools, Seattle disease modeling group finds | The Seattle Times1 week ago
  Modelers at the Seattle-based Institute for Disease Modeling attempting to close in on answers to big questions about how the coronavirus spreads between schools and the community, but is facing pushback from a handful of researchers who say the group’s mathematical modeling should be tested against real-world results. The UW's Dan Goldhaber, director of the Center for Education Data & Research, and Judith Malmgren, affiliate assistant professor of epidemiology, are interviewed.
• Study shows growth of West Coast COVID-19 variant | KIRO 71 week ago
  New research is raising concerns about a West Coast COVID-19 variant that’s already in Washington. Dr. Alex Greninger, assistant professor of laboratory medicine and pathology in the UW School of Medicine, is interviewed.

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