Comment by Robert Kriss, C2ST Editor
In this hour long interview of Dr. Emily Landon, one of the county’s leading epidemiologists and adviser to Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Dr. Landon runs through several important issues emanating from the COVID-19 epidemic.

Continue reading “COVID-19: Straight Talk about Testing, Potential Cures, & Reopening the Economy”

Subtítulos en español disponibles The shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the increasing demand has been front and center in the struggle to contain COVID-19. PPE such as masks and face shields are essential for healthcare workers to protect themselves, their patients, and the public by reducing the chances of transmission. Although industry providers have ramped up production, local makers and makerspaces are also addressing this ongoing issue. By utilizing open-source templates, local makers from DePaul’s Idea Realization Lab and Illinois PPE Network are 3D printing PPE from their own homes and providing this essential equipment to those who need it most. In our third installment in the Science from the Frontlines series, join C2ST and Jayson Margalus, Faculty Director of the Idea Realization Lab, for a deeper look into the makers and their work to develop and deliver PPE all across Illinois.

By C2ST Staff

As the COVID-19 epidemic rages on, many businesses around the world are struggling to stay afloat. But despite the enormous challenges inherent to operating in these trying times, some businesses are figuring out new ways to serve their communities. KOVAL Distillery is one such company. A Chicago-based distiller of whiskeys and gins since 2008, KOVAL is now a full-time hand sanitizer production facility. With the generous help of Chicagoans and people from around the world, KOVAL has been able to rapidly scale up production and distribution to police and fire departments, hospitals, and other organizations in need.

We spoke with KOVAL co-founder and president, Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart about KOVAL’s new normal and how folks can help the cause. Continue reading “From Spirits to Sanitizer: KOVAL Distillery Q&A”

Subtítulos en español disponibles Dr. Karla Satchell has been a frequent name in the news as she leads a team of researchers to examine the atomic structure of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19), an integral step in devising a means for fighting COVID-19 as the virus continues to spread. Satchell leads the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases, a consortium of nine labs at eight schools collaborating on the effort to better understand and devise a means for fighting the continued spread of COVID-19. The team is mapping out the proteins of the virus with the aim of finding a weak spot where medication can intervene and stop the virus from replicating in humans.


 

(Subtítulos en español disponibles) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought the world to a standstill over the last months, weeks, and days. As fear and panic increase among members of the public, it is more important than ever that accurate information about this novel virus reaches the concerned public. To assist in this important endeavor to ensure accurate information from valid, qualified authorities on COVID-19 reaches the public, the Chicago Council on Science and Technology will host a series of free online lectures with Q&A segments. Hear from and ask questions of Chicago’s esteemed researchers who are on the frontlines of COVID-19 research on topics ranging from vaccines to viral biology to social implications. As always, we are here to provide scientifically accurate information and make it accessible to all. In our first program of the series, Alicia Frasier, MPH, of RTI International will discuss a survey that she helped to create that looks at early findings of Americans’ knowledge of the Coronavirus and support for community mitigation strategies. Frasier will discuss the implications of this survey and how it could help inform next steps for public health officials, local and regional governments, and the public at large. Like our Content?

By C2ST Staff

Dear friends of C2ST,

Given the growing threat of COVID-19, C2ST is implementing large-scale changes to the way our organization will interact with Chicago residents for the foreseeable future. As you may have seen by now, we have cancelled many of our upcoming in-person events. This now includes our annual “Science in the City” Gala. 

As much as it breaks our hearts to do this, we know that it is the right decision to make at this time. Beyond preventing us from interacting with our wonderful friends and supporters, we will also be losing out on what is our most important yearly fundraising opportunity–the gala is historically where we generate a great deal of our funds to be used for upcoming programming.

In order to adapt to these changes while maintaining our mission to provide science and technology education to the Chicago area, C2ST will host “Science From the Frontlines,” an ongoing series of virtual events tackling topics such as vaccines, public health, community best practices, and other subjects relevant to the COVID-19 epidemic. This series of virtual events will also serve as a fundraiser for C2ST and frontline efforts to combat COVID-19.

While we are concerned about our continued well-being as an organization, we know that our community is also in peril. To make sure we are doing our part for the community, 50% of all donations from the “Science From the Frontlines” series will be split between selected organizations involved in the fight against COVID-19. When you make a donation during this campaign, not only will you be ensuring that cutting-edge science will be accessible to the public, but you will also be helping the effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Please keep an eye on our event pages and stay tuned for details about our upcoming programs and fundraising efforts. We look forward to seeing you online!

Please consider contributing to Science From the Frontlines by heading here.