BMI Weekly News  

March 30, 2020 

The COVID-19 pandemic is upon us.  Social distancing remains the primary tool for slowing its advance through the population.  The importance of this is that it offers the possibility of keeping our front-line health care providers from being overwhelmed by the sheer number of cases.  Much of the spread of the virus through our community will come from seemingly healthy individuals who do not (yet) know they are infected (asymptomatic shedders).  

While social distancing is very important, many in our community are in need of assistance of the sort provided by food banks and community kitchens, as well as other organizations.  If you participate in those important activities, please do it in a way that reduces the possibility of you becoming a vector or a casualty who will need care.  Wear masks (even homemade), gloves, and eye protection (glasses and sunglasses are better than nothing).  Wash hands frequently.  Change and then launder clothes afterwards; a cycle in a hot dryer is better than nothing.  If that is not possible, put them in a plastic bag and do not touch them again for a week.

Take care and Keep your Distance! 

Phil 

News  

•  The School of Medicine News recently featured a story (Link) about a paper recently published in Journal of Immunology about identification of a potential therapeutic target for controlling infections with Zika virus.The work is from the laboratory of Dr. Ashok Kumar, a member of our extended faculty.  Postdoctoral fellow Sneha Singh is the lead author; Dr. Pellett is a co-author.  Link to the paper: https://www.jimmunol.org/content/early/2020/02/20/jimmunol.1901310   

•  Coronavirus: COVID-19 updates: https://wayne.edu/coronavirus     

•  Mail and Receiving Services Update: https://i.wayne.edu/view/5e7911fd0ed8e. Except for emergencies, purchases of items that will need to be shipped to campus should be deferred until further notice.