ND Experts on: Coronavirus
Dr. Bernard Nahlen, director of Notre Dame’s Eck Institute for Global Health, Catherine Bolten, associate professor of anthropology and peace studies, Jeffrey Bergstrand, professor of finance and James O'Rourke, professor of management and Kaitlin Wowak, assistant professor of information technology, analytics, and operations, provide insight into aspects of how the COVID-19 epidemic has unfolded, as health officials brace for the virus to spread within the United States.
Limitations of WHO intervention
On Jan. 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global health emergency. But, as Nahlen explains, there are limitations to WHO’s legal authority — and compliance is key.
Similarities between the polio virus and coronavirus
The way coronavirus manifests itself is similar to polio. Both viruses have high person-to-person transmission rates, very moderate infection rates and relatively low death rates. The majority of people who have either virus in their bodies show no symptoms or mild to moderate symptoms; it is usually only those with underlying health issues who die.
We still have no direct evidence of animal-to-human transmission of coronavirus or Ebola
Both viruses are zoonotic, meaning they originate in wildlife and are somehow transmitted to humans. However, animals might be the reservoirs for these viruses — being able to carry them in their bodies without getting ill — but not necessarily the vectors, or the transmitters.
Playing the cultural blame game
We don’t know how patient zero contracted the coronavirus, however, China has begun to shut down so-called wet markets, where both live and dead animals are sold out in the open. Wet markets have existed for hundreds or even thousands of years without incident.
Coronavirus economic impact
International economy and trade expert Jeffrey Bergstrand, professor of finance at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business and a former Federal Reserve economist, discusses the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus communications
Corporate communications expert James S. O’Rourke, professor of management at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, discusses managing communications in a continuing crisis.
Coronavirus supply chain disruptions
Kaitlin Wowak, assistant professor of information technology, analytics, and operations at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, discusses supply chain disruptions caused by the coronavirus.