News Room

The government may no longer require North Carolinians to wear masks in public, but putting them on could help prevent thousands of coronavirus cases and deaths by the end of the year, according to researchers at three of the state’s universities.

The researchers have created a computer model that predicts coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths under various scenarios. The variables include vaccination rates and effectiveness of the vaccines, as well as adherence to measures meant to prevent spread of the virus, such as closing schools and workplaces and wearing masks.

Experts say if the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we need to plan and prepare more.

Back in March 2020, Japan and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided that delaying the 2020 Olympics was necessary, given the uncertainty and risks surrounding the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its then unknown impact on global public health. This decision was prudent, given the many unknowns at the time. 

The University of Maryland Medical System is donating $4.6 million worth of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves as well as generators and other goods to South Asian countries currently hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., and Jim Baird, R-Ind., have introduced the Statistical Modeling Education Act,  which would help K-12 schools to modernize their math curriculum and improve K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.