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. 

• How the UW predicts the trajectory of COVID-19 | KUOW4 hours ago
  Public health policy and decisions about everything from restaurants to schools are being made on the backs of modeling about the novel coronavirus’ infection rate. And one of those models is being made at the University of Washington. Dr. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW, is interviewed.
• Seattle robotics company steps in to help after UW student’s startup dream is stalled by COVID-19 | GeekWire4 hours ago
  Rob Sinclair was excited to be taking time off from work and the corporate world to go back to school in the UW’s Master of Science in Entrepreneurship program. Then the coronavirus outbreak hit, and what followed was just one example of how Seattle’s tech startup community is ready to assist one another.
• Ross: Would Americans trade privacy for end to coronavirus outbreak? | KIRO Radio4 hours ago
  Despite all the criticism, we have to admit President Trump managed to convince most of his base – which instinctively mistrusts government – to accept staying at home and not driving. Jevin West, associate professor in the UW Information School, is quoted.
• Analysis: Gita Ramjee — a woman who pursued science for the greater good | The Conversation4 hours ago
  "[She] dedicated her professional life to HIV prevention research for women and adolescents from the 1980s when the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was first detected among South Africans," writes Keymathri Moodley of Gita Ramjee, clinical professor of global health at the UW, who died from COVID-19-related complications.
• Think you've got COVID-19 — here's what doctors say about when to seek help | NPR4 hours ago
  The new coronavirus is killing hundreds each day and swamping hospitals around the world. But catching the disease does not mean you will end up in the ICU. Here's their advice for what to watch out for if you think you or a loved one might have COVID-19. Pavan Bhatraju, an assistant professor of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• Based on data used by White House, social distancing should continue through mid-June, doctor says | WBUR4 hours ago
  Dr. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, discusses data that he and colleagues have shared with the White House, urging strict social distancing measures to remain in effect through summer.
• Preparedness spending exploded after 9/11 — is that helping now? | Undark5 hours ago
  The U.S. invested billions in public health infrastructure and preparedness after 9/11. Is that helping with COVID-19? Dr. Ann Marie Kimball, professor emeritus of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
• UW pandemic expert — should we all be wearing masks during coronavirus? | MyNorthwest5 hours ago
  While initially the CDC said masks should be preserved for caregivers, should everyone now be wearing them when they go out? Dr. Peter Rabinowitz, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the UW, is quoted.
• Inside look at Harborview Medical Center’s ICU during COVID-19 | KIRO 75 hours ago
  Harborview Medical Center revamped two intensive care units to care for COVID-19 patients, and now, we get to see the doctors and nurses in action. Dr. John Lynch, associate professor of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• Protein puzzle game turns up 99 ways to confound coronavirus | GeekWire5 hours ago
  Who would have thought a video game could identify potential treatments for COVID-19? Researchers at the UW’s Institute for Protein Design certainly thought so, and so far the game has produced 99 chances to win. Brian Koepnick, a research scientist at the UW Institute for Protein Design, is quoted.
• Councilmembers Sawant, Morales say Seattle big business tax could finance coronavirus relief payments to many | The Seattle Times5 hours ago
  Seattle City Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Tammy Morales, who have proposed a new tax on big businesses like Amazon, say they intend to introduce the legislation Monday and say the tax could help finance coronavirus relief payments for many vulnerable families. The support of unionized graduate student employees at the UW is mentioned.
• Seattle study seeks plasma from coronavirus survivors to help treat others | KING 55 hours ago
  The UW and Bloodworks Northwest are looking for volunteers who have recovered from the novel coronavirus to donate blood plasma for a study. Dr. Terry Gernsheimer, a professor of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• Seattle research group coordinating human trial for coronavirus treatment | KIRO 75 hours ago
  The Food and Drug Administration has given approval for a new coronavirus immunotherapy clinical trial to go forward. Dr. Corey Casper, clinical professor of medicine and of global health at the UW, is quoted.
• 'There's nothing about it that will feel right' — hospitals are gearing up to choose which patients to save if they run low on crucial equipment | Business Insider6 hours ago
  Hospitals are preparing to make difficult decisions about which patients to save and how to ration care should they be overwhelmed by the novel coronavirus. Dr. Mark Tonelli, professor of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• New self-swab COVID-19 test is just as accurate, study finds | The Everett Herald6 hours ago
  A coronavirus test that lets patients swab the front part of their nostril and mid-nose is just as accurate as those given by medical professionals, according to a study coordinated by coordinated by the UW and UnitedHealth Group. Gerard Cangelosi, professor of environmental and occupational health sciences, is referenced.
• UW researchers want to hear your coughs to help COVID-19 patients | KING 56 hours ago
  UW researchers are developing an app to monitor coughs from self-quarantined coronavirus patients, but the app needs to be ‘trained’ to recognize coughing sounds. Matthew Whitehill, graduate student in the UW Allen School, is quoted.
• Opinion: Local newsroom staff cuts could seriously hamper disease detection | The Seattle Times6 hours ago
  "Local news is one of the more important signals amid all that digital noise, and even before this month’s economic freeze began wiping out newsroom jobs, data scientists had been worrying about the underlying insecurity of the news business," writes Dean Miller of the Seattle Times. Jevin West, associate professor in the UW Information School, is quoted.
• Some Washington gun dealers keeping stores open, defying Inslee’s order amid coronavirus outbreak | The Seattle Times7 hours ago
  Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency stay-home order didn’t deem firearms dealers essential and necessary to stay open. That isn’t stopping Tiffany Teasdale, owner of Lynnwood Gun, and other gun dealers. Hugh Spitzer, professor of law at the UW, is quoted.
• More evidence indicates healthy people can spread virus | AP7 hours ago
  Scientists offered more evidence Wednesday that the coronavirus is spread by seemingly healthy people who show no clear symptoms, and the federal government issued new guidance warning that anyone exposed to the disease can be considered a carrier. Carl Bergstrom, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.
• Health experts call on Inslee to investigate COVID-19 conditions at Northwest Detention Center | The Stranger1 day ago
  Six public health experts affiliated with the UW have sent a letter to Governor Jay Inslee asking him to use his power to "compel" answers from Geo Group, the private prison operator responsible for running the controversial Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma.
• UW public health faculty call on governor to investigate Northwest Dentention Center | KUOW1 day ago
  To protect detainees from coronavirus, a group of UW public health faculty have asked Governor Inslee to release information on hygiene practices at the Northwest Detention Center and for detainees to be released.
• Researchers say finding a COVID-19 vaccine is tricky | KIRO Radio1 day ago
  Dr. Helen Chu, assistant professor of medicine at the UW, says there is a random component to COVID-19 that makes finding a vaccine difficult. She is studying survivors to investigate how to make a vaccine.
• Experts caution that model looks at the best-case scenario | KUOW1 day ago
  A UW model looks at what could happen with COVID-19 infection if social distancing works. Carl Bergstrom, a professor of biology at the UW, says that we can't plan for the range of conditions in the model.
• Rent is due, but how will people pay? | KIRO Radio1 day ago
  Rent is due tomorrow! Gregg Colburn, assistant professor of real estate at the UW, called into the COVID-19 Seattle podcast to explain what rent and mortgage relief could look like.
• The United States leads in coronavirus cases, but not pandemic response | Science1 day ago
  America is first, and not in a good way. Last week, the United States set a grim record, surpassing all other nations in the reported number of people infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Carl Bergstrom, a professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.
• Why lupus patients find hydroxychloroquine in short supply | NPR1 day ago
  A drug being investigated as a possible COVID-19 treatment is being snapped up, and lupus patients who depend on it to stay healthy are having trouble finding it. Ruanne Barnabas, associate professor of global health and of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• In the race to crack COVID-19, scientists bypass peer review | Undark1 day ago
  To speed information sharing, many scientists are posting paper drafts directly online. What are the downsides of that? Trevor Bedford, affiliate associate professor of genome sciences and of epidemiology at the UW, is mentioned.
• For better or worse, coronavirus puts cyber charters in the spotlight | Education Week1 day ago
  The extended shutdown of most K-12 schools nationwide is putting cyber charter schools in a spotlight few could have imagined before the coronavirus outbreak. But that attention could come with good and bad consequences. Robin Lake, director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education at UW Bothell, is quoted.
• Volley of Washington, Oregon orders like ‘policy pingpong’ | The Columbian1 day ago
  Lack of federal guidance and support pushes governors to the front of virus response. Christopher Adolph, associate professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.
• Social distancing shows signs of curbing virus on west coast | Bloomberg1 day ago
  The U.S. west coast is offering hopeful signs that early social distancing efforts worked, allowing officials to increase hospital capacity and slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Janet Baseman, professor of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
• As some states go soft on COVID-19 mitigation, 'every day counts' | MSNBC1 day ago
  Rachel Maddow points out that the terrible projections of COVID-19 death rates in the U.S. are based on fully implemented mitigation measures that are still not in place, and talks with Christopher Murray, Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
• A possible treatment — Researchers looking for COVID-19 survivors to donate plasma | KIRO 71 day ago
  A team with UW’s School of Medicine is working with Bloodwork’s Northwest to recruit COVID-19 patients who’ve recovered to see if the antibodies in survivors’ blood could be a key to fighting the disease. Dr. Terry Gernsheimer, a professor of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• CDC weighing new advice on masks in fighting coronavirus; experts say don’t take them from medical workers | The Seattle Times1 day ago
  As health care workers face shortages of medical-grade masks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is weighing whether to advise the public to use face coverings or homemade masks in an attempt to prevent transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, professor of medicine at the UW, and Dr. Jared Baeten, professor of global health, are quoted.
• How you can help people in need during coronavirus | Crosscut1 day ago
  Crosscut rounds up a few suggestions of ways you can share your cash, time and supplies with organizations in Washington state. UW Medicine's donation page is linked to and mentioned.
• Opinion: Coronavirus and its impacts on a Seattle college senior’s life | Forbes1 day ago
  “'The coronavirus is ruining my senior year,' exclaimed my 22-year-old son, who attends the University of Washington in Seattle," writes career counselor Robin Ryan.
• Top South African HIV scientist Gita Ramjee dies | BBC News1 day ago
  Tributes are being paid to world-renowned South African scientist Gita Ramjee, clinical professor of global health at the UW, who has died from COVID-19-related complications.
• The new coronavirus testing crisis at private labs | The Atlantic1 day ago
  Backlogs at private laboratories have ballooned, making it difficult to treat suffering patients and contain the pandemic. Dr. Geoffrey Baird, associate professor of laboratory medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• For health care workers fighting COVID-19, crisis spurred innovation | PBS NewsHour1 day ago
  In response to the growing strain brought on by the pandemic, providers are coming up with new workarounds when the normal protocols, like seeing patients in person, have become fraught with risk. Dr. Seth Cohen, the medical director of infection prevention and employee health at UW Medical Center Northwest, is quoted.
• Opinion: With coronavirus, prison and jail sentences could become death sentences | The Seattle Times1 day ago
  "A little more than a year ago, the Washington state Supreme Court found the death penalty to be unconstitutional. Yet a failure to take strong and immediate measures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak could mean that many prison and jail sentences become death sentences," write Katherine Beckett, professor of sociology at the UW, and Anjum Hajat, assistant professor of epidemiology at the UW.
• New single day record for reported U.S. deaths | CNN1 day ago
  Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, explains IHME models to Anderson Cooper.
• As coronavirus patients surge, medical students rushed into practice to fight pandemic | ABC News1 day ago
  The United States health care system is mobilizing to triage a public health emergency that is rapidly taking members of its workforce out of the ranks. An unnamed UW Medicine spokesperson is mentioned.
• Analysis: COVID-19 could lead to an epidemic of clinical depression | The Conversation1 day ago
  "Isolation, social distancing and extreme changes in daily life are hard now, but the United States also needs to be prepared for what may be an epidemic of clinical depression because of COVID-19," write Jonathan Kanter, research associate professor of psychology at the UW, and Katherine Manbeck, graduate student of psychology at the UW.
• Prior pandemics offer lessons on funding, treatment | USA Today1 day ago
  Public health agencies in the USA are hampered in putting those lessons into action because they haven't spent enough time and money preparing between crises. Public healthfunding at every level of government has spiked feverishly during outbreaks, only to stagnate or fall after the outbreak dissipated. Dr. Ann Marie Kimball, professor emeritus of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
• Infected but feeling fine: The unwitting coronavirus spreaders | The New York Times1 day ago
  The CDC director says new data about people who are infected but symptom-free could lead the agency to recommend broadened use of masks. Carl Bergstrom, a professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.
• Coronavirus death toll may reach 100,000 to 240,000 in US, officials say | The New York Times1 day ago
  The top government scientists battling the coronavirus estimated that the deadly pathogen could kill 100,000 to 240,000 Americans as it ravages the country despite social distancing measures that have closed schools, banned large gatherings, limited travel and forced people to stay in their homes. Carl Bergstrom, a professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.
• DeSantis administration urged by IHME expert to close FL | Miami Herald2 days ago
  Dr. Ali Mokdad, professor of health metrics sciences at the UW's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, has advised Florida’s state government to issue a statewide stay-at-home order. He is quoted.
• New study shows more than 80,000 deaths in the US | KUOW2 days ago
  A new study from the UW shows COVID-19 could cause more than 80,000 deaths in the U.S. over the next four months even with social distancing in measures in place. Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is quoted.
• New trial starts on potential prevention for COVID-19 | KIRO 72 days ago
  Local researchers are studying a drug touted by President Trump for potential COVID-19 treatment. Ruanne Barnabas, associate professor of global health at the UW, is interviewed.
• Emissions have reduced amid COVID-19 | KIRO 72 days ago
  The Pacific Northwest is seeing reduced carbon emissions thanks to COVID-19, but experts say we shouldn't expect it to last after the pandemic is over. Amy Snover, director of the UW Climate Impacts Group, is interviewed.
• UW researchers looking at treatment for COVID-19 | Q132 days ago
  UW researchers are looking all options for possible COVID-19 treatment. Dr. Helen Chu, assistant professor of medicine at the UW, is interviewed.
• Seattle researchers to study malaria drug treatment of coronavirus | KUOW2 days ago
  A decades-old malaria drug - that has recently prompted debate and confusion - will be tested in Seattle and New York to see if it could treat coronavirus patients as part of a UW Medicine study. Dr. Ruanne Barnabas, associate professor of global health and of medicine at the UW,
• UW Medicine researchers race to find coronavirus treatments | MyNorthwest2 days ago
  Seattle has some of the best infectious disease researchers in the country at UW Medicine, and they are grinding on finding ways to fight coronavirus. Dr. Helen Chu, assistant professor of medicine at the UW, and Dr. Ruanne Barnabas, associate professor of global health and of medicine at the UW, are quoted.
• Experts try to understand rural spike in positive COVID-19 tests | KOMO2 days ago
  Governor Jay Inslee on Monday raised questions about some alarming new COVID-19 test results coming out of a handful of rural counties. Dr. Keith Jerome, professor of laboratory medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• Should you wear a mask — here's what a UW epidemiologist says | KOMO2 days ago
  Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the only people who need to wear masks are people who are sick or in the medical field. Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, professor of medicine at the UW, sees potential in more people wearing masks. He is quoted.
• Can the OxVent ventilator help slow the coronavirus death rate? | CBS News2 days ago
  Two hospitals in England are testing a ventilator that just two weeks ago hadn't even been sketched on a piece of paper. The machine is composed of a few dozen widely-available parts and is unique in its simplicity. Per Reinhall, professor of mechanical engineering at the UW, is quoted.
• Lizzo buys lunch for UW Medical Center staff and other hospitals in midst of coronavirus pandemic | The Seattle Times2 days ago
  The world could use more fun surprises right now. The staff at UW Medical Center’s Montlake emergency room received one Monday courtesy of Lizzo, one the hottest stars in pop music.
• Researcher makes her pitch for new therapies in coronavirus doubleheader | GeekWire2 days ago
  Dr. Helen Chu, assistant professor of medicine at the UW, is involved in not just one, but two studies that are focusing on potential therapies to nip COVID-19 in the bud. She is quoted.
• This game helps scientists design COVID drugs — they want you to play | MSN2 days ago
  If you like solving puzzles, scientists want your help to start designing potential drugs to combat the coronavirus using a game you can play on your computer. The UW Institute for Protein Design and David Baker, the institute's director, are mentioned.
• Coronavirus germs can travel up to 27 feet, MIT researcher says | USA Today2 days ago
  The novel coronavirus has prompted social distancing measures around the world. One MIT researcher believes what's being done isn't enough. Dr. Paul Pottinger, associate professor of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• Opinion: What India needs to fight the virus | The New York Times2 days ago
  "On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered 1.3 billion Indians to stay inside their homes for 21 days in an unprecedented bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the country," writes Ramanan Laxminarayan, affiliate professor of global health at the UW.
• Medical students feel sidelined in fight against COVID-19: ‘We want to help’ | Crosscut2 days ago
  Experts are predicting an imminent shortage of health care workers, but med schools worry about the lack of protective gear and testing. Lily Jeong, a medical student at the UW, and Dr. Suzanne Allen, vice dean for academic, rural and regional affairs at the UW School of Medicine, are quoted.
• Steve Martin's banjo, and more music across coronavirus isolation, show how the arts connect us | The Conversation2 days ago
  Many musicians are reaching out from isolation on balconies, in condos or the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ellen Dissanayake, affiliate professor of music at the UW, is quoted.
• Coronavirus is posing special challenges for those trained to help the dying and their families | The Seattle Times2 days ago
  Doctors and social workers trained to help the dying are facing special challenges ministering to the isolated victims of COVID-19 in a profession where that last human touch and contact is vital. Dr. Fred Buckner, professor of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• Opinion: Is it safe to cuddle with my kids during the coronavirus pandemic? | The Washington Post2 days ago
  "I was working from my home office Thursday morning, watching a recent clip of coronavirus oracle Anthony S. Fauci, when the crying roared from the downstairs living room," writes Ian Shapira. Dr. Danielle Zerr, professor of pediatrics at the UW, is quoted.
• Maker Mask launches in Seattle using 3D-printing technology to produce protective gear | GeekWire2 days ago
  A technology veteran and a 3D-printing “savant” have teamed with other members of industry, health care and government to launch Maker Mask, a Seattle nonprofit creating medically endorsed, reusable protective masks using everyday 3D printers. Dr. Xuan Qin, associate professor of laboratory medicine, is quoted.
• How to grocery shop safely during the coronavirus pandemic | Vox2 days ago
  In our collective attempt to flatten the curve, grocery shopping has become a minefield. To help us navigate this unsettling new world of grocery shopping, Vox turned to the experts. Anne-Marie Gloster, lecturer of epidemiology at the UW, is quoted.
• Coronavirus crisis forces hard decisions for labs with animals | Nature2 days ago
  As universities scale back operations and scientists observe stay-at-home orders, many are struggling to protect their research and the animals that power it. Sally Thompson-Iritani, interim director of the Washington National Primate Center at the UW, is quoted. Thea Brabb, professor of comparative medicine at the UW, is mentioned.
• University of Washington begins study of antimalarial drug for COVID-19 | GeekWire2 days ago
  UW researchers are among the leaders of a newly announced clinical trial investigating whether hydroxychloroquine, a drug that’s commonly used to counter malaria and autoimmune disease, can prevent COVID-19. Dr. Ruanne Barnabas, associate professor of global health and of medicine at the UW, is quoted.
• Why I am volunteering to get the coronavirus vaccine | MIT Technology Review2 days ago
  MIT Technology Review spoke to Ian Haydon, a public information specialist for the UW Institute for Protein Design, who will soon be one of 45 people to get an experimental COVID-19 vaccine in Seattle.
• White House turns to statistical models for virus forecast | AP2 days ago
  Like forecasters tracking a megastorm, White House officials are relying on statistical models to help predict the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and try to protect as many people as possible. Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the UW Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, is quoted.

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