Author: TheConversation

By Judith Ridner, Professor of History, Mississippi State University “Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.” That’s what the CDC has advised all Americans to do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during this pandemic. It is common-sense advice. The surfactants found in soap lift germs from the skin, and water then washes them away. Soap is inexpensive and ubiquitous; it’s a consumer product found in every household across the country. Yet few people know the long and dirty history of making soap, the product we all rely on to clean our skin....

By Laura Schultz, Director of Fiscal Analysis and Senior Economist, Rockefeller Institute of Government, SUNY Empire State College When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, expressed reluctance to fund coronavirus relief for hard-hit cities and states, suggesting they would be “blue state bailouts,” New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had a quick retort. “We put into that pot $116 billion more than we take out,” Cuomo said. “Kentucky takes out $148 billion more than they put in. Senator McConnell, who’s getting bailed out here?” The debate sparked a furor on social media and has generated a great deal...

By Ryan Malosh, Assistant Research Scientist, University of Michigan Now that states are relaxing social distancing restrictions, people desperately want to see friends and family, go to a restaurant, and let our kids have play dates. Even grocery shopping sounds fun. But how can you do that and still stay safe? An epidemiologist who is immune-compromised himself, I can walk you through some decision making. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has finally released new guidelines for businesses, bars and schools that are considering reopening. Although following these guidelines should help, it is frustrating there hasn’t been...

By Elizabeth C. Tippett, Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Oregon With states reopening – or planning to reopen – in the coming weeks and months, you may be worried about what returning to work will mean for you and your family, particularly if it means increased exposure to COVID-19. As a professor specializing in employment law, I do not have a lot of reassurance to offer. Employment law is a patchwork at the best of times – let alone during a global pandemic – and legal protections may not cover your situation. Like so many of the challenges...

By Jeremy Howard, Distinguished Research Scientist, University of San Francisco In late March, I decided to use public mask-wearing as a case study to show my students how to combine and analyze diverse types of data and evidence. Much to my surprise, I discovered that the evidence for wearing masks in public was very strong. It appeared that universal mask-wearing could be one of the most important tools in tackling the spread of COVID-19. Yet the people around me were not wearing masks and health organizations in the U.S. were not recommending their use. Along with 18 other experts...

By Paul F. Clark, School Director and Professor of Labor and Employment Relations, Pennsylvania State University The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated the degree to which we depend on the work of others. This is particularly true of essential workers like truck drivers, grocery store employees and hospital nurses who are ensuring the rest of us stay safe and are able to get the supplies, food and health care we need. The pandemic has also drawn attention to the fact that these workers, like all Americans, do not receive many of the basic workplace benefits and protections – like paid...