WashU responds to COVID-19
This is an extraordinary time, and in extraordinary times the Washington University community comes together. Here in The Source, we’ll share the many ways we’re responding to the COVID-19 pandemic — from our efforts in the St. Louis community to our research and scholarship, and the many ways we’re #WashUTogether.
These are our stories.
WashU Expert: Disappearance of sports inflicts pain on entire economy
The U.S. sports blackout because of the pandemic has left at least a $12 billion crater in the national economy. And even if stadiums and arenas light up anew soon, they won’t look the same. A sports business expert from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis doesn’t expect the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball to welcome fans if/when they return in 2020, for example.
WashU Expert: ‘Innovate or die’ has never been truer for businesses
During this critical transition as local economies are reopening, an organizational strategy expert at Washington University in St. Louis says businesses must be thinking about the appropriate mix of defense and offense if they are going to succeed in the long game.
Minimum wage increases a mixed bag, but ‘not a good idea’ amid crisis
If the post-pandemic economic return includes minimum-wage increases across a few or many states, research led by Washington University in St. Louis scientists in the Olin Business School suggests that some positive and negative effects for U.S. workers follow in the two years after implementation.
Lack of physical activity during COVID-19 may fuel childhood obesity
The childhood obesity rate in the United States may increase by 2.4% if school closures continue into December, finds a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
Experts urge caution in interpreting COVID-19 antibody tests
Blood tests for antibodies against the COVID-19 virus are becoming more available, but no test is perfectly reliable, so results must be carefully interpreted, Washington University School of Medicine experts say.
University funds program that delivers food, services to nearby neighborhoods
As part of its response to the COVID-19 crisis, Washington University in St. Louis has partnered with Park Central Development and St. Louis Food Angels to deliver groceries to nearby families. The program also connects residents to important community resources.
COVID-19 study looks at genetics of healthy people who develop severe illness
Washington University School of Medicine is one of more than 30 genome sequencing hubs worldwide participating in a study to sequence the DNA of young, healthy adults and children who develop severe COVID-19 despite having no underlying medical problems.
Global study to test malaria drug to protect health workers from COVID-19
Researchers at the School of Medicine are helming a global study of an estimated 30,000 health-care workers to establish whether the antimalaria drug chloroquine might prevent or reduce the severity of COVID-19 infections in such workers.