News Room

The COVID 19 has caused unprecedented havoc in the world and disrupted lives, livelihood, business, enterprise, and economy. The disruption to the supply chain and the inadequate response of the industry has been the cause of concern across the globe.

As many children and young adults prepare to return to school in the fall, parents and students fear the impacts of COVID-19. Will these students build herd immunity? We spoke to Julie Swann, professor and department head for the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at NC State. Below Dr. Swann answers questions surrounding the return to school and the possible response of students to COVID-19. As a science advisor during a previous pandemic, H1N1, in 2009, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Swann is highly qualified to provide insight into herd immunity and returning to school. 

We do not yet have a vaccine that can be used to help protect people from contracting COVID-19. However, once a vaccine is proven to be both safe and effective, governments, industry and healthcare providers will face the considerable task of figuring out how to distribute the vaccine fairly and efficiently.

Four months into the coronavirus pandemic, and the race to find disinfectant wipes continues. “I figured the rush would be over and people would relax a little bit, but I think they’re still hoarding,” Sean Sphisak, a shopper, said. “There’s none,” Angel Gonzalez, another shopper, said. “I’ve gone to all these grocery stores. I’ve gone to Rite Aid, CVS, anything you can think of, I’ve been there.”