Public Health On Call

Latest Episodes:

384 - COVID-19 Research Update: The Value of Masks & Testing in Schools Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Josh Sharfstein talks with researchers who break down two papers in the news. Dr. Nikolas Wada talks about a study led by researchers in Bangladesh and the U.S. which tested whether masks really help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Kate Grabowski discusses a Lancet paper from the U.K. about "test to stay" programs in schools and whether the use of rapid tests is better than quarantining when a child tests positive. These researchers are part of the Hopkins novel coronavirus research consortium, with many summaries of new studies available at http://ncrc.jhsph.edu.

383 - Molnupiravir: The Game-changing Oral Antiviral Pill for COVID-19? Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

This week, Merck applied for FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its COVID-19 oral antiviral drug, molnupiravir. Dr. Carl Dieffenbach, director of the Division of AIDS at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, talks with Stephanie Desmon about how the drug works to help people recover from COVID-19 quicker and the drug's history starting a decade ago as an experimental treatment for Ebola. Dieffenbach talks about how the drug could complement pandemic response and why it's not a substitute for vaccination. *Note: This podcast was recorded on October 6.

Bonus - Why COVID-19 Policy is About More Than Just "Following The Science" Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Jay Varma, physician and advisor for New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio on the pandemic response authored an Atlantic called "Not Every Question Has a Scientific Answer." In the article, Varma talks about the critical role of politicians in determining difficult COVID-19 policy questions. In this special bonus episode, Dr. Josh Sharfstein talks with Varma about the intersection of public values, politics, and science in responding to COVID-19.

382 - Indigenous Peoples' Day: Un-Erasing America's History Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

Monday, October 11 is Indigenous Peoples' Day in the U.S.—a day previously recognized as Columbus Day that is now reserved for reflection, education, and untangling the false narrative of discovery. Dr. Sophie Neuner of the Center for American Indian Health and co-host of a new podcast, Indigenae, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about how non-Indigenous people can think about this observance and how Indigenous people are leading on health practices and environmental revitalization. Learn more about Indigenae: https://caih.jhu.edu/programs/indigenae-podcast. Find your area on the Native Land map: native-land.ca

381 - How the Pandemic Has Opened Our Eyes to Our Relationship with Nature Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

During the pandemic, many found solace outdoors on hikes and in city parks. Dr. Mamie Parker, ecologist, activist, and the first Black Head of Fisheries for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service talks with Josh Sharfstein about how getting back in touch with nature offers an opportunity to see just how connected we are to the earth, how much we depend on a healthy environment for our own physical and mental well-being, and how critical it is for us to take action on conservation.

380 - Vaccines for Pets and Zoos? An Update on Animals and COVID-19 Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

As a zoonotic disease, COVID-19 can infect animals. Some, like farmed mink, are more susceptible to disease while others, like white-tailed deer, may only be carriers. But there's always the chance that a new variant of COVID could impact more animals, potentially endangering wild and captive creatures. Veterinarian Dr. Meghan Davis returns to the podcast to talk with Stephanie Desmon about what we now know about the risks for our pet dogs and cats as well as protected species like wild gorillas, and why some zoos are using an experimental vaccine for their animals.

BONUS - The Latest from Louisiana: A COVID-19 Delta Surge + Hurricane Ida Oct 05, 2021

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How does a health department cope with a pandemic surge that coincides with one of the largest hurricanes to make landfall in 150 years? State health commissioner Dr. Joseph Kanter talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the challenges of dual emergencies, how the pandemic and storm responses impacted one another, and how the health department is coping nearly 19 months into the pandemic.

379 - Mental Health Check-In With Dr. Laura Murray: Where Are We in the COVID-19 Pandemic? Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

Where are we with our mental health these days given that we're past the initial panic of the COVID-19 pandemic and into a more long-term fallout phase? Clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Murray returns to the podcast to talk with Stephanie Desmon about COVID as a collective trauma; overlap with other "high impact events" like Afghanistan, hurricanes, refugee crises, and more; what's contributing to fractures in society; and how to pad our "mental bank account" to better manage ongoing stress and trauma.

378 - What Might the Next Six Months of COVID-19 Look Like in the US? Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Shaun Truelove, an infectious disease epidemiologist, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub's models for the next six months into early 2022. Researchers projected what could happen under four scenarios of vaccination rates, including authorizing vaccines for children, and the possibility for new variants. Spoiler alert: It's not all bad news. Learn more: https://covid19scenariomodelinghub.org/

COVID-19 Boosters Q&A With Dr. Josh Sharfstein Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

What, exactly, is a booster shot? For which groups has the FDA authorized Pfizer boosters? What about boosters for Moderna and J&J? Will we need a fourth shot in the future? Will there be a delta-specific booster? Would it make a difference in world vaccine supply if the US refrained from giving any boosters? Stephanie Desmon interviews cohost Dr. Josh Sharfstein about these and more COVID-19 booster questions.

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