News
When can we say that the COVID-19 pandemic is over?
The rapid decline in coronavirus infection rates in the U.S. might make it feel like the end of the pandemic is upon us. It’s not yet. But the point at which we do consider it over may be confusing—and personal. AP Photo/Kathy Willens
June 15, 2021
People in the U.S. Started Moving Around More Before Stay-At-Home Measures Were Lifted
Even before the vast majority of states were loosening the measures intended to keep people physically distant and slow the spread of the coronavirus, people were starting to travel further and see each other more, according to research from Northeastern’s Network Science Institute.
May 28, 2020
The Coronavirus Was in the Us in January. We Need to Understand How We Missed It.
SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, was circulating in major U.S. cities as early as January, says Alessandro Vespignani, director of Northeastern’s Network Science Institute. And if we want to keep our communities safe going forward, we need to understand how we missed a virus that was right under our noses.
April 27, 2020
Herd Immunity Won’t Come Anytime Soon for Covid-19
Herd immunity is the idea that a disease can’t spread through a population once a large enough percentage is immune, either because they’ve recovered from an infection or received a vaccine. But that won’t work with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, said Samuel Scarpino, an assistant professor who runs the Emergent Epidemics lab at Northeastern
April 24, 2020
Here’s Why Washing Your Hands With Soap for 20 Seconds Protects You From Covid-19
In soap lather, a combination of molecules assemble into bubble-like structures that trap viral matter and other biomaterials—grease, oil, dirt—and rinse them down the drain, says Thomas Gilbert, associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Northeastern.
March 26, 2020