’I’m privileged I was able to do an extra step and actually help out in the community,’ UW nursing student says.
UW nursing students assist in COVID vaccine distribution to community
Badger Herald
Category: Health
What you need to know about vaccine passports — and the ‘double privilege’ dilemma they raise
MarketWatch
Noted: Taken together, while vaccine supply is still limited, if vaccine passports are widely used not only for travel but for other social events such as concerts, broadway shows, nightclubs, it would “double privilege” people got vaccinated early on, said Christine Whelan, clinical professor in the School of Human Ecology at UW-Madison.
When Will Kids Get COVID Vaccines?
Scientific American
Quoted: Given that most kids are at low risk for complications from COVID, the need for a pediatric vaccine for the disease may not seem pressing. But scientists say the pandemic may never be fully controlled until kids are inoculated. When we only vaccinate adults, we leave vulnerable “an enormous, immunologically naive population,” says James H. Conway, a pediatrician and associate director for health sciences at the Global Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Without a pediatric vaccine, “the disease, even if our kids don’t get super sick with it, is going to be there and continue to circulate routinely.”
How school lunch could improve when classrooms are full again
The Conversation
Jennifer Gaddis, Assistant Professor of Civil Society & Community Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison: Before the pandemic, a growing number of schools were employing cafeteria staff to cook nutritious meals from scratch, and implementing farm-to-school programs and other practicesto improve jobs, local economies and the environment.
Due to fewer kids eating school meals during the pandemic and the increased costs associated with COVID-19 safety protocols, these positive changes may stall, or even be reversed.
My research suggests these reforms are needed to transform the school lunch experience and maximize the ability of school meals to improve public health and contribute to a post-pandemic economic recovery.
Daytona Beach: Spring break 2021 has fewer college students amid COVID
USA Today
A short list of schools that have canceled or altered spring break plans includes Ohio State University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, Baylor University, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Purdue University, the University of Kentucky and Davidson College, according to the website Inside Higher Ed.
Weekend Roundup: Evers Signs 14 Bills Into Law
Wisconsin Public Radio
Band: Earlier this month, the University of Wisconsin-Madison changed its COVID-19 guidelines to allow 50 people to gather indoors and 150 people outdoors. This paved the way for the school’s varsity band to have its first large group practice in over one year.
Vaccine rollout in Wisconsin picks up speed
NBC-15
UW Health’s Dr. Matt Anderson attributes the turnaround to hard work from health care workers, tackling the immense learning curve quickly.
UW Health moves forward with vaccination efforts
WKOW-TV 27
UW Health is now welcoming eligible members of the public to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine at its locations.
Surgical consent altered at UW after case involving hysterectomy
Wisconsin State Journal
UW-Madison’s obstetrics and gynecology department changed its surgical consent process to ask patients to sign consent forms on the day of surgery, not before, after a case in which a patient’s ovaries were not removed as desired during a hysterectomy.
AstraZeneca used ‘outdated and potentially misleading data’ that overstated the effectiveness of its vaccine, independent panel says
The Washington Post
David L. DeMets, a University of Wisconsin at Madison biostatistics expert, said that while he has no specific information on what occurred in this case, his experience serving on data safety and monitoring committees for nearly half a century was that it would be “very uncommon” for those experts to challenge a company or scientists on the content of a news release.
UW Health Care Direct to help homebound patients get COVID-19 vaccine
WKOW-TV 27
Care Direct is UW Health’s home care affiliate that cares for those who are homebound and require medical services. Recently, the state Department of Health Services approved Care Direct as a COVID-19 vaccinator, and it is receiving shipments of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine, clearing the way to vaccinate those who can’t leave their homes to visit a vaccination clinic.
AstraZeneca reports 79% effectiveness rate for COVID vaccine in trial, conducted in part at UW-Madison
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
AstraZeneca reported Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine provided strong protection among adults of all ages in a long-anticipated U.S. study, a finding that could help rebuild public confidence in the shot around the world and move it a step closer to clearance in the U.S.
UW Health asking patients to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations as eligibility expands
Wisconsin State Journal
As more than 2 million Wisconsin residents with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for COVID-19 became eligible for vaccination Monday, Madison health care providers started changing some immunization procedures — including UW Health moving to a self-scheduling model.
UW Health now asking patients to schedule COVID-19 vaccinations
Wisconsin State Journal
UW Health is moving to a self-scheduling model for COVID-19 vaccination and no longer reaching out to eligible patients, the organization said Monday.
Pandemic, lack of spring break strains UW-Madison students’ mental health
Wisconsin State Journal
While UW-Madison students are hopeful about vaccination efforts ramping up and spring weather arriving, many are still struggling to make online classes work while also worrying about their finances and health. This month marks the halfway point in a 14-week semester taking place almost entirely online and without a spring break, a schedule that students say is leading to burnout and in some cases damaging their mental health.
Milwaukee Makes Moves To Vaccinate Those Most Vulnerable To COVID-19
Wisconsin Public Radio
Choosing which communities to target for additional vaccine outreach is just one of many steps including building relationships with community organizations, local leaders and talking to individuals, says Ajay Sethi, a University of Wisconsin-Madison epidemiologist and associate professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences.
COVID-19 Precautions Have Cut The Spread Of Other Illnesses In Schools. What Can That Teach Us Going Forward?
Wisconsin Public Radio
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has reported zero deaths from the seasonal flu among kids since October, and a massive reduction in flu cases. University of Wisconsin-Madison pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Greg Demuri said respiratory syncytial virus, a common illness in infants and toddlers that’s one of the leading causes of hospitalizations in children, has all but disappeared this year.
Your Single-Cloth Mask Doesn’t Cut It. Here’s What Can Help.
Slate
Noted: I opted for a design created by engineers at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Called the “Badger Seal” after the school’s mascot, the design uses materials that are easy to order: vinyl tubing, cord locks, rubber twist ties, and elastic string. The instructional videos were easy to follow; while I didn’t time myself, I’d estimate it took about 20 minutes total to snip all the various pieces of tubing and ties, and put them together.
U.S. States Throw Open Vaccine Eligibility Before May 1 Goal
Bloomberg
Quoted: And opening eligibility doesn’t necessarily mean administration is going efficiently, said Ajay Sethi, an associate professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. In some cases, states are reaching the limits of vaccine acceptance.
For those still waiting to get it, he said, just knowing they’re eligible can make an emotional difference. “Sometimes people feel better standing in line than not having any line at all,” Sethi said Thursday. “Once a few states do it, other states decide to do it as well, especially if leaders are finding that they don’t want to hit the wall, they want to keep the momentum, they might as well open up the eligibility criteria.”
Hair Loss Is A Surprisingly Common Side Effect Of the Pandemic—Here Are 13 Possible Reasons Why It Might Be Happening
Parade
Quoted: “Telogen effluvium is commonly triggered by stress, and COVID-19 has definitely contributed to a lot of stress these days,” says Apple Bodemer, MD, Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin Department of Dermatology. “I am seeing a significant increase in this type of hair loss.”
Covid-19 advice for families as students return to classrooms
NBC-15
With schools across Wisconsin returning to in-person learning, pediatricians at UW Health provide tips and reminders for families as their kids once again join friends and teachers in the classrooms.
UHS opens vaccine portal as Wisconsin enters new wave of vaccinations
The Daily Cardinal
UW-Madison’s University Health Services (UHS) opened a portal on Wednesday for the university community to sign up for COVID-19 vaccinations.
UW records record low COVID rates on campus, PHMDC announces vaccinated persons can gather without masking
Badger Herald
The University of Wisconsin recorded its lowest seven-day average for positive COVID tests last week, at 0.1% positivity.
Pfizer, Moderna, J&J? Most in Wisconsin won’t be given a choice of COVID-19 vaccine — and doctors say that’s OK
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: The clinical trials for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were done later, when the virus may have been more widespread, and in different countries with different populations, said Ajay Sethi, an epidemiologist and an associate professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Graham said the same.
“People should not shun the J&J vaccine,” she said.
Here’s where Wisconsin’s neighboring states are on vaccine eligibility and how they compare to us
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: Wisconsin’s slightly later move to Phase 1C doesn’t mean the state’s rollout is sluggish, though. It’s likely an indicator that demand has been high in Wisconsin among currently eligible groups, said Ajay Sethi, an epidemiologist and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“Some of the states have been opening up eligibility criteria earlier because I think in some ways they’ve hit a little bit of a wall,” Sethi said.
UW lifts testing requirements for vaccinated students, staff
The Capital Times
As COVID-19 cases continue to decline, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has lifted testing requirements for students and staff who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
With vaccinations on the rise, UW opens online portal with eligibility status, appointments
The Capital Times
Members of the University of Wisconsin-Madison community can now check their COVID-19 vaccine eligibility status and make appointments through an online portal, instead of waiting to receive an email invitation.
UW Carbone patient’s journey with cancer ran alongside the pandemic
NBC-15
UW Health explained Tropp was preparing for surgery at the UW Carbone Cancer Center exactly one year ago from Wednesday. Her surgery was also just a few days after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Vaccinated UW-Madison students and staff exempt from COVID-19 testing for rest of semester
WKOW-TV 27
UW-Madison announced Wednesday that all employees and students who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer be required to participate in on on-campus testing.
Study: We’ve Lost More Than 20 Million Years of Life to COVID-19
Spectrum News
Quoted: “It’s just a very large number,” said Adeline Lo, an assistant professor of political science at UW-Madison who worked on the study. “Sometimes it’s even hard to think about what that actually means.”
MyUHS portal to be used for vaccine eligibility alerts, appointment scheduling
Badger Herald
University of Wisconsin students and employees can now access information about vaccine eligibility and appointment options using their MyUHS account portal.
UW-Madison students record lowest COVID-19 positivity rate
WKOW-TV 27
UW-Madison spokesperson Meredith McGlone says she is encouraged to see the steady decline. “We think this is a terrific sign. We also want to make sure that folks don’t let their guard soon. We are in what I think we all hope will be the homestretch of the pandemic,” McGlone said.
In the 608: UW Med Flight sharing positive perspective from high in the sky
Channel 3000
There’s a group of frontline workers going into work with a positive outlook every day, even in the middle of the pandemic. The UW Health Med Flight team is showing us a different point of view, many of us will never get the chance to see.
UPDATED: UW announces increased vaccine eligibility for staff, students, future eligibility depends on supply
Badger Herald
The University of Wisconsin has announced new eligibility for university staff and students to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Warmer weather, looser restrictions draw students to gather outdoors
Badger Herald
Students are ready to take advantage of the warm spring weather and the CDC verified gathering outside as the notably safer option, but the risk of increasing COVID-19 cases is largely dependent on how students chose to gather. University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Professor Oguzhan Alagoz spoke on students gathering outdoors. “Yes, people are going to spend more time outdoors, which is great. But are they going to wear masks or are they going to let their guard down?” Alagoz said. “And that’s where I think it’s a big unknown.”
Few COVID-19 vaccine doses have been wasted in Wisconsin
Associated Press
The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, based at UW-Madison, is getting $2.7 million in federal funds to expand the whole genome sequencing necessary to identify such variants, state officials said. The lab will be able to do sequencing on 400 to 500 samples a week, up from 250 to 300 before.
Cases, deaths are down. Vaccines are way up. Here’s where Wisconsin stands on COVID-19 — and what we still don’t know.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: “At some point, we are going hit a wall on vaccine rollout where we will not have as much acceptance,” said Ajay Sethi, an epidemiologist and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Scientists launching cat-and-mouse game with COVID because ‘we’re seeing variants arise like crazy’
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: “We don’t know if we have to do it for the long-term, like with influenza, but it’s smart for vaccine companies to be gearing up,” said Kristen Bernard, a professor of virology at University of Wisconsin-Madison’s school of veterinary medicine.
Spring break: UC Davis offers $75 to students not to travel
AP
Texas A&M University opted for a three-day weekend instead of a whole week off. The University of Alabama and the University of Wisconsin-Madison also did away with spring break but are giving students a day off later in the semester. University of Mississippi also canceled spring break but will end the semester a week early.
Capital City Sunday: Evers reflects on pandemic anniversary, COVID-19’s lasting effects on society
WKOW-TV 27
UW-Madison Epidemiologist Ajay Sethi and UW-Madison Economist Tiffany Green join the program to discuss lasting lessons from the pandemic.
Student COVID-19 positivity rate falls to all time low
The Daily Cardinal
Over the last week UW-Madison recorded its lowest ever seven-day COVID-19 student positivity average for tests administered on campus, marking a milestone for the university’s efforts to stop the spread of the virus.
Stem cell therapy reverses Parkinson’s symptoms in monkeys, UW-Madison study says
Wisconsin State Journal
Using stem cells from monkeys with a condition like Parkinson’s disease, UW-Madison researchers grew brain cells that produce a chemical depleted by the disease. When they injected the cells into the monkeys’ brains, the animals’ Parkinson’s-like rigid movements were replaced by more fluid walking and climbing.
UW Health holds trainings for emergency responders
Channel 3000
UW Health’s Emergency Education Center has continued to train front line responders for all medical emergencies over the last year, including COVID-19.
Updated: All grades in Madison public schools will have in-person option before May
The Capital Times
Dr. Greg DeMuri, with the UW-Madison Department of Pediatrics, said some recent studies indicate three feet of distance is “likely as safe as six feet,” though six feet is still preferable when possible. He noted that guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control suggested six feet distancing “when feasible,” which gives “some flexibility.”
UW announces increased vaccine eligibility for staff, students, future eligibility depends on supply
Badger Herald
’We understand the eagerness of many students to get vaccinated and we share that eagerness,’ UW says.
WATCH: Our unedited interview with a UW Health doctor about COVID-19 vaccine safety
WKOW-TV 27
As part of the coverage, we interviewed Dr. William Hartman with UW Health about vaccine safety and who should get the shots.
Getting Answers: How UW Health is addressing vaccine disparities
WKOW-TV 27
“Making sure, given the disproportionate impact, that those communities do actually get prioritized and receive the vaccine is really critical to protect them, because they clearly are at higher risk,” said UW Health’s Chief Diversity Officer Shiva Bidar-Sielaff.
UW Pharmacy students assisting local pharmacies in vaccination efforts
NBC-15
Pharmacy Professor at the school, Mary Hayney, oversees the student vaccination effort.“Pharmacy students are ready to volunteer,” Hayney said. “For example, many of them, unlike other healthcare providers, or licensed healthcare providers, they don’t have patient care responsibilities. So, they’re available and ready to help.”
Another side effect from COVID-19: hair loss
Wisconsin State Journal
Dr. Apple Bodemer said she started seeing more cases of hair loss last summer, with an increase in the fall as COVID-19 surged in Dane County. “Prior to COVID-19, I was seeing two to four hair loss patients per month,” Bodemer said in a statement. “Recently, I have been seeing up to five or six a day.”
A year changed some of what we knew about COVID and who it affects most. But heartbreak was the constant.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: People who live to be 75 to 79 in Wisconsin, on average are expected to live another 13 years, according to state data. That average includes people who are quite ill with health conditions, noted Pat Remington, an epidemiologist from the University of Wisconsin- Madison.
“It is amazing how long people can live with multiple chronic conditions,” Remington said. “Everyone thinks that is when people die, but at 77 they are just likely to live to 90 on average.”
California university offers to pay would-be spring breakers $75 not to travel
Fox News
Texas A&M University opted for a three-day weekend instead of a whole week off. The University of Alabama and the University of Wisconsin-Madison also did away with spring break but are giving students a day off later in the semester. The University of Mississippi, which canceled spring break, said it will end the semester a week early.
Spring-break partying falls victim to COVID-19 crisis
ABC News
Texas A&M University opted for a three-day weekend instead of a whole week off. The University of Alabama and the University of Wisconsin-Madison also did away with spring break but are giving students a day off later in the semester.
The nurse who treated Wisconsin’s first COVID-19 patient emphasizes importance of masks
Wisconsin State Journal
The gravity of the pandemic hit Maria Hanson much earlier than most everyone else in Dane County. Hanson happened to be working the night shift in UW Hospital’s emergency room on Jan. 30 when a patient walked in and asked to be tested for the coronavirus.
COVID-19 Updates: UW has vaccinated over 5,000 students and employees
Badger Herald
19.4% of Dane County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Forget what you think happiness is
The Wall Street Journal
Noted: Psychologist Richard Davidson, founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, believes the brain can be trained, and that exercises including short meditation practices will become routine, like running and weight lifting. Emotional well-being will be as important as physical well-being in the coming years, according to Dr. Davidson.
UW Health shares preliminary data on vaccine equity
WKOW-TV 27
UW Health reported Thursday on its efforts to keep vaccine equity top of mind when prioritizing COVID-19 shots in the 65 and older population.
As Republicans welcome maskless crowd, Democrats say those following COVID-19 precautions are essentially shut out of government process
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Quoted: “Indoor settings with prolonged exposure present the greatest risk for transmission, hence why universal masking is particularly important — even if the individuals are immunized,” said Jim Conway, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Global Health Institute.
With declining COVID-19 cases, Madison hospitals ease visitor policies
Wisconsin State Journal
Starting Monday, one visitor generally will be allowed for adult patients at UnityPoint Health—Meriter, UW Health and SSM Health hospitals and clinics. Two primary support people will be allowed for each pediatric patient.
Wisconsin launches vaccine registry with just 1 county, more sites to come
Associated Press
In other pandemic-related developments Wednesday: UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said in taped remarks for the Wisconsin Counties Association’s annual Legislative Exchange meeting that a normal fall semester hinges on the pace of vaccinations for faculty, staff and students. She said the university is an authorized vaccinator and hopes to vaccinate all faculty and staff by the end of the spring semester.
UW-Madison Pharmacy students help with COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Daily Cardinal
The UW-Madison Pharmacy school designed courses to train younger students how to vaccinate to accelerate COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts. The School of Pharmacy class, Comprehensive Immunization Delivery — which includes training on vaccine administration — is now available for first-year PharmD students.