Why Health Officials Are Terrified of a Pandemic Christmas Dec. 1, 2020 Despite warnings, millions traveled and gathered for Thanksgiving. As officials brace for the surge ahead, they say a new approach is needed. "Testing itself isn't a bad thing, but people started using it to justify doing whatever they wanted," said Saskia Popescu, an epidemiologist at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. "And people who really needed tests couldn't get them because sites were overwhelmed." The Washington Post
Rapid COVID-19 Tests Can Be Useful – But There Are Far Too Few to Put a Dent in the Pandemic Dec. 1, 2020 University of Arizona professors Bonnie LaFleur from the BIO5 Institute and Katherine Ellingson in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health discuss the availability and accuracy of rapid COVID-19 tests and how effective they are at slowing the spread of the virus in communities. The Conversation
Just 3 Sunbed Sessions a Year Could Increase Women's Risk of Endometriosis, Study Warns Dec. 1, 2020 A new study led by a researcher at the found that sun beds and exposure to UVA ultraviolet light not only increase the chances of developing skin cancer, but can also be linked to a greater risk of developing endometriosis, according to new research led by Leslie Farland, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Public Health. Sunday Mirror (UK)
State Posts New COVID-19 Case Record, as Possible Holiday Surge Looms Dec. 1, 2020 Arizona reported a record 10,322 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, more than twice the previous high, as cases surged ahead of a holiday season that one health expert said could be a "real scary time." Dr. Daniel Derksen, an associate vice president at the University of Arizona Health Sciences, said the holiday trips that many people took this weekend put the state in a dire circumstance in regard to the number of hospital beds. Cronkite News
Opinions & Observations: Rapid COVID-19 Tests Can Be Useful. But There Are Far Too Few to Put a Dent in the Pandemic. Dec. 1, 2020 Continuing coverage: University of Arizona professors Katherine Ellingson in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and Bonnie LaFleur from the BIO5 Institute, discuss the availability and accuracy of rapid COVID-19 tests and how effective they are at slowing the spread of the virus in communities. Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Tanning Beds and Sunbathing May Be Linked to Greater Endometriosis Risk - Study Dec. 1, 2020 Tanning beds and sunbathing may be linked to a greater risk of developing endometriosis, according to a new study. Leslie Farland, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Public Health and the leader of the research, said the association between endometriosis and melanoma may reflect a common genetic background or an underlying association between sun exposure and risk of endometriosis. Daily Mail (UK)
UArizona Nursing Researchers Develop Web-based Skin Cancer Prevention Training for Massage Therapists Nov. 30, 2020 E-training helped massage therapists increase their knowledge of skin cancer and become more comfortable discussing risk reduction with clients. Read more Image
Arizona COVID Modeler Says ‘Storm Coming’ in 2-4 Weeks Without Action Nov. 30, 2020 A researcher at the University of Arizona cautioned Monday that the state will be faced with a dire coronavirus situation within four weeks if no further action is taken to slow the spread of the virus. Dr. Joe Gerald, a member of the university’s COVID Modeling Team, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad a “storm is coming” without additional guidance and mitigation strategies. KTAR-FM Phoenix
We Need a National Coronavirus Strategy. I'm Working With Both Sides to Set It Nov. 30, 2020 U.S. Sen.-elect Mark Kelly writes that the lack of a national strategy is hurting our coronavirus response and recovery. "Dr. Joe Gerald, a member of my transition team and a researcher at the University of Arizona who has been analyzing COVID-19 data, described how cases are rising quickly and that our health-care system could soon be struggling to keep up, just like it did last summer," Kelly writes. The Arizona Republic
UA Researchers Say Shelter-in-Place Order Could Avert 'Catastrophe' in Arizona Hospitals Nov. 30, 2020 A team of university researchers says a statewide shelter-in-place order could help avert a "catastrophe" in Arizona hospitals. "It has now reached a point to where we are truly in a crisis here in Arizona. The sooner we intervene the better off we will be. Every day of delay will result in needless hospital admissions and ultimately, what we also care about — deaths," Joe Gerald, UA public health researcher and COVID-19 modeling team leader. The Arizona Republic