Public Health On Call

Jim Golen, a nurse in Minnesota, became sick with COVID in March of 2020. Nearly one year later, he still suffers from severe shortness of breath and brain fog and may have permanent lung damage. Golen talks with Stephanie Desmon about how he got COVID, the doctors who misdiagnosed him with anxiety and depression, and how long-haul COVID has completely changed life for him and his wife. Golen also speaks about support groups for long-haulers that have been helpful for him and one message he hopes everyone hears: Wearing a mask is an act of empathy and kindness. Read more about Jim Golen's story in Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine: https://magazine.jhsph.edu/2020/covid-long-haul Have you tested positive for COVID-19 or experienced COVID-19 symptoms? Our Johns Hopkins led study wants to learn more about COVID-19 symptoms in the short and long term. Tell us about your experience with COVID-19 by filling out a short, online questionnaire. Learn more by clicking here https://covid-long.com/. KEYWORDS: long-term symptoms; post-viral syndrome

150 years ago, it was common—even expected—that children would die, and tragedy struck families from the poor to the rich and powerful. Dr. Perri Klass, a pediatrician and author of A Good Time to Be Born, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the incredible scientific, public health, and social movements that made child mortality so rare in the United States. They also discuss why disparities persist and how today's parents, despite being "the luckiest in history," are not any less anxious about the safety and well-being of their children. KEYWORDS: child health; social determinants of health

On a special episode, Tradeoffs host Dan Gorenstein talks with Tracey, a staff member at a long term care facility, about her experience with having COVID-19, her hesitancy to get vaccinated, and how her workplace has used "learning circles" to address questions and concerns. Gorenstein also talks with Dr. Jasmine Travers, an NYU nursing professor about the pros and cons of mandates and incentives, and how long-standing mistreatment of frontline workers in these facilities have contributed to distrust and feeling unvalued and invisible. Listen to the original episode here: https://tradeoffs.org/2021/01/14/we-need-you/ KEYWORDS: vaccine hesitancy; policy; geriatric health

COVID-19 is tied to sleep issues like insomnia but is this a result of stress and anxiety or is there a biological issue caused by the virus? Dr. Rachel Salas, a neurologist and sleep specialist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep and Wellness talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about sleep anxiety and the neurological drivers behind insomnia in patients regardless of whether or not they've had COVID. They also talk about the sleep issues plaguing health care workers, changes in circadian rhythms for people working from home, treatment plans for sleep issues, and why seeking help for insomnia may be easier than ever. KEYWORDS: sleep hygiene; orthosomnia

While schools may not be inherently safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, they can be made safer. Dr. Caitlin Rivers of the Center for Health Security talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about what schools can do to consider reopening safely including the data to consider, and risk-reduction methods like masks, distancing, testing, and more. They also discuss how variants of SARS-CoV-2 could factor into these developments. KEYWORDS: child health; student life; pandemic response

Matthew Hornbeck, principal of Hampstead Hill Academy—a K-8 public school in Baltimore City—talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the challenges of virtual learning, the excitement and fears of teachers and staff, and plans to reopen for in-person learning in the coming weeks. They also talk about how the vaccine might make a difference in giving confidence to reopen, and how some teachers are centering the wellbeing of students and their families in their decision to get vaccinated. KEYWORDS: child health; student life; pandemic response

COVID-19 has increased awareness of public health, health inequities, and shortcomings of the US health system, but it may also negatively impact college students in terms of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Dr. José Ramón Fernández-Peña, APHA President and Northwestern's director of Health Professions Advising, talks with Stephanie Desmon about how the pandemic is affecting undergraduate students, an increasing interest in and appreciation of public health work, and how this "disaster time" may be forcing students to grow up faster while robbing them of vital experiences to develop some skills and pursue professional opportunities. KEYWORDS: student life; college; health equity

Although the CDC has found little evidence of COVID spreading in schools with proper precautions in place, 17% of districts in the US are fully open for in-person learning. Dr. Annette Anderson of the Johns Hopkins School of Education returns to the podcast to give an update about the impacts of the pandemic, academically and socially, on K-12 students. Dr. Anderson also talks with Stephanie Desmon about why schools may not fully reopen until the fall, and the opportunities now for schools to address a longstanding lack of innovation. KEYWORDS: child health; student life; pandemic response

Although private schools and daycares have been open across Chicago since June, public schools are only now preparing to reopen for in-person learning. Dr. Ken Fox, chief health officer and "the district's pediatrician", talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about centering the well-being of kids in reopening, what the science says about how to do things as safely as possible, and his hopes for getting caregivers, teachers, and everyone else on board through transparent communication and a dedication to the kids they all serve. KEYWORDS: child health; student life; pandemic response

Dating is already so much about trust and safety—COVID-19 adds new complications. Dr. Keri Althoff and Dr. Laura Murray return to the podcast to talk with Stephanie Desmon about why human connection is so important, how to navigate difficult conversations, the new ways people are meeting—not just online!—and how COVID-19 may change dating forever, possibly for the best. KEYWORDS: community mental health; social distancing; young adults