In this episode we learn about the worldwide data collection process and presentation of the Johns Hopkins COVID Dashboard. We speak to Ensheng Dong, doctoral student and part of the team who started the dashboard.

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In this episode we welcome Kristin Urquiza of Marked By COVID who shares the work she and her organization have partcipated in for COVID Memorial Day and commemorating the over 1 million lives lost in the United States alone due to COVID.

We also discuss COVID policy needs, health equity issues, and the opportunities available for advocacy and activism to bring awareness to the fact that COVID is still here, it is airborne, and we are at the beginning of dealing with the increase in long COVID and mental health challenges resulting from the pandemic.

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NPR: As U.S. COVID deaths near 1 million, advocates press for a memorial day

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In this episode, we discuss the new BA.2 variant, a sublineage of Omicron (aka BA.1). How does BA.2 differ from BA.1/Omicron, and from Delta for that matter?

We share news and information from the US, Denmark, Japan, South Africa, as well as the World Health Organization about this new variant and why some people feel hopeful - despite the continued illness and positive cases we are seeing worldwide.

We also discuss why COVID continues to be a concern for the immunocompromised and why protections can still be crucial.

References:

NPR: "More Contagious Version of Omicron Spreads in US, Fueling Worries"

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/02/21/1081810074/omicron-ba2-variant-spread

Nature: "Had Omicron? You're Unlikely to Catch its Rising Variant"

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00558-w

Deseret News: "New Omicron Subvariant Has New COVID Symptoms"

https://www.deseret.com/coronavirus/2022/2/24/22948911/new-covid-19-symptoms-omicron-subvariant-ba2

BioRXIV.org: Virological Characteristics of SARS COV2 BA.2 Variant

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.14.480335v1.full.pdf

Reuters: Omicron BA.2 Subvariant More Infectious but No More Severe - Africa CDC

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/omicron-ba2-sub-variant-more-infectious-no-more-severe-africa-cdc-2022-02-24/

UN: Omicron Sublineage BA.2 Remains a Variant of Concern

https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1112492

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