This newsletter is for stakeholders of the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health in response to the rapidly changing situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The newsletter will be sent weekly and will include FSPH COVID-19 related stories. If you do not wish to receive this information, please send an email to crmjones@iu.edu, and you will no longer receive this email.
COVID-19 Updates from the Fairbanks School of Public Health
Facebook Live Q&A with Director of Epidemiology Education Thomas Duszynski
What do you want to know about the novel coronavirus COVID-19? Thomas Duszynski, MPH, an epidemiologist with the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI, joined IUPUI for a live Q&A on Monday, March 23.
Students: How Can We Support You?
The best part of our school is you. Each of you chose public health and health administration because you wanted to make a difference in the world. We hope you will take a minute to let us know how we can support you during these unprecedented times.
Join the COVID-19 ECHO
This special series will feature public health and clinical leadership to share the most current resources, strategies, and perspectives for addressing COVID-19 in your community and around the state. Anyone working in healthcare or planning for local response to the COVID-19 pandemic is invited to attend.
Sign up to join the COVID-19 ECHO. The ECHO starts on Wednesday, April 1, from 8:00 – 9:15am (ET), and will continue weekly for 6+ weeks as needed.
Editorial by Professor Ross Silverman
Ross Silverman, JD, MPH, co-authored the editorial "Covid-19: control measures must be equitable and inclusive" recently published in the British Medical Journal (the BMJ). The editorial addresses how a failure to respect the needs of vulnerable groups could undermine response efforts.
Models for Managing Hospital Surge Capacity During COVID-19
COVID-19 is projected to infect a substantial proportion of Hoosiers. Demand for hospital services, including the use of ventilators, is projected to outpace supply in Indiana and beyond. In preparation for this surge, Nir Menachemi, PhD, and Jyotsna Gutta, MPH, have developed a brief reportthat describes approaches that could facilitate the expansion of acute care and intensive care capacity within Indiana. Specifically, we delineate strategies to increase surge capacity at the facility level and at the community level. These strategies can be used by hospital and public health leaders to enhance the ability of providers to meet the need of COVID-19 patients.
Predictive Modeling for COVID-19
Using national and international data on the characteristics of COVID-19, we have adapted the existing CDC FluSurge forecasting model for use in Indiana. Specifically, we have combined Indiana population statistics, by age group, with Indiana hospital data measuring the number of bed, ICU beds, and ventilators that are available -- all to predict how demand for care among COVID-19 patients will impact hospital supply of beds and ventilators. The work we are doing is to inform government officials and health system leaders of the gaps in our public health infrastructure that require action to support the health of Hoosiers during this pandemic.
Blog Post: Volunteering During COVID-19
The Fairbanks School of Public Health has coauthored a blog post with the Lilly School of Philanthropy about volunteering during the COVID-19 outbreak. The post includes guidelines and a tip sheet that can be utilized by organizations.
Staying Healthy While Social Distancing
During these uncertain times, we are working from home, away from campus, and engaging in social distancing. Yiqing Song, MD, ScD, created the tip sheet 10 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle and Body Weightduring the COVID-19 outbreak.
FSPH Experts in the News: COVID-19 (March 20-27, 2020)
- During a public health crisis in the US, distancing power rests with the states
- The Verge, March 26, 2020 | Ross Silverman
- "Stay-At-Home" Q&A
WFYI's All In, March 26, 2020 | Thomas Duszynski - Coronavirus
Telemundo Indy, March 21, 2020 | Gerardo Maupomé - COVID-19 Overview
1050 WLIP, March 20, 2020 | Thomas Duszynski - COVID-19
WTHR, March 20, 2020 | Thomas Duszynski
If you believe you have COVID-19
IU Health has launched a virtual clinic to offer individuals in Indiana regardless of age free Coronavirus (COVID-19) screenings using the IU Health Virtual Visit app. Staffed 24/7 with IU Health physicians, advance practice providers and registered nurses, the clinic will screen patients from home, potentially eliminating the need to visit physician offices, urgent cares or emergency departments.