How to Check Your Privilege During a Pandemic | Gen Medium

 As Sandro Galea, dean at the Boston University School of Public Health, noted in Scientific American, this is not the only epidemic our country is facing. “We should not forget that the U.S. is in the midst of an opioid epidemic which contributed to 70,237 drug overdose deaths in 2017, and a gun violence epidemic which killed 39,429 people last year and over 7,000 so far in 2020,” Galea wrote. “We have also seen up to 52,000 deaths from flu since October.” And by writing specifically about this one, at this time, I’m by no means attempting to minimize or negate the seriousness of our other challenges.

Read the full piece here.

Mass. Public Health Leaders to Address Health Inequities Amid Coronavirus | WBUR

“Obviously, the more precarious the population is, the less likely it is that these populations will come forward to seek care as they need it. It is less likely that the population that will have access to stable employment that will protect them from an economic downturn or from loss of jobs, less likely to have the kind of social connections and facility with language that makes them aware of the resources that are available.”

Walmart, Uber, and Others Tweak Sick-Leave Polices as Coronavirus Spreads | The New York Times

“Low-wage, hourly workers are already at greater risk of poor health because of their pre-existing condition of economic instability,” said Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of the Boston University School of Public Health.“It is essential that our response to Covid-19 keeps a focus on the health of marginalized, vulnerable populations,” he continued. “By providing them with the necessary resources to be well — paid sick leave, etc. — we are not just supporting their health, we are supporting the health of whole populations.”

Read the full piece here.

Massachusetts Declares A State of Emergency Over Coronavirus | WGBH

But as guidance varies from state to state, and the federal response sends mixed messages, it’s been left up to institutions, organizations and school systems to figure out their plans day-by-day. To discuss, Jim Braude was joined by Dr. Sandro Galea, the Dean of Boston University’s School of Public Health and the co-author of the forthcoming book, "Pained: Uncomfortable Conversations About The Public’s Health."

Unpacking the Latest Coronavirus News | WBUR

We take your questions about the impacts of the coronavirus on the U.S. with Dr. Davidson Hamer, professor of infectious diseases and medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine, and a professor at Boston University School of Public Health and Dr. Sandro Galea, Dean and professor at B.U. School of Public Health. He's also the author of the forthcoming book, "PAINED: Uncomfortable Conversations About the Public’s Health."

BU Epidemiologist Sandro Galea Talks Coronavirus | WGBH

“With the total number of confirmed U.S. coronavirus cases nearing 100, some have voiced worries about the country’s preparedness, and whether the average American ought to be seriously concerned about a coronavirus outbreak. Addressing those concerns, Dr. Sandro Galea, Boston University’s Dean of the School of Public Health, called in to Boston Public Radio on Monday to make the case that, while we shouldn’t panic, Americans are better off thinking about preparedness now.

"I think it doesn’t serve us to say [the coronavirus] is nothing, it’s going to go away… It also doesn’t serve us to say the sky is falling, because the truth is somewhere in the middle,” Galea said. "This is problematic, it’s something we should be paying attention to, but we should also put it into perspective.”

Listen to the full interview here.

As the coronavirus spreads, Americans lose ground against other health threats | Texarkana Gazette

“While the reasons for the backsliding are complex, many public health problems could have been avoided, experts say, through stronger action by federal regulators and more attention to prevention.

"We've had an overwhelming investment in doctors and medicine," said Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of the Boston University School of Public Health. "We need to invest in prevention — safe housing, good schools, living wages, clean air and water."

Read the full piece here.

Coronavirus in Mass.: Public Health Experts Say Don’t Panic But Do Prepare | WBUR

Another virtue that could help in a time of coronavirus: Honesty.
"I always feel the optimal messaging is honesty about what we know and what we do not know," said Sandro Galea, dean of the Boston University School of Public Health.
It is simply honest to say that that the new coronavirus can be expected to spread in the United States, he said. "It is also honest," he added, "to say that there are no particular novel measures that can be taken beyond the measures that we take to avoid the spread of other flu-like illnesses, and that institutions and localities need to be responsive and adaptive."

Read the full piece here.

As The Coronavirus Spreads, Americans Lose Ground Against Other Health Threats | Kaiser Health News

“While the reasons for the backsliding are complex, many public health problems could have been avoided, experts say, through stronger action by federal regulators and more attention to prevention. “We’ve had an overwhelming investment in doctors and medicine,” said Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of the Boston University School of Public Health. “We need to invest in prevention — safe housing, good schools, living wages, clean air and water.

Read the full piece.

This is the personal website of Sandro Galea. All photos are taken by Sandro Galea.