DOM In the News

Read about how the Department of Medicine is responding to the outbreak of the coronavirus respiratory illness COVID-19. See related COVID-19 publications.

child receiving Pfizer vaccine

Pfizer says its vaccine gives strong protection to kids 12-15

San Francisco Chronicle |

Monica Gandhi and Melanie Ott were quoted in the SF Chronicle regarding promising study results from Pfizer with growing evidence that immunizations could be a major factor in fully reopening K-12 schools in the fall. 

san francisco skyline

Cases are going up across US. Where does California fall in this trend?

SF Gate |

Peter Chin-Hong was quoted in the SF Gate warning that despite California’s low infection rate, there could be an uptick due to increased travel and mobility. 

sf gate logo

Pfizer, Moderna vaccines 90% effective in preventing coronavirus infections in U.S. study of essential workers, CDC says

SF Gate |

Monica Gandhi was quoted in the SF Gate explaining how vaccine studies took place during one of the worst surges in the U.S., stating that efficacy results are reassuring, and that people should feel safe after vaccination. 

sf gate logo

Fauci and others look ahead to the holidays: Put another leaf in the table

SF Gate |

Monica Gandhi was quoted in the SF Gate explaining how herd immunity works with the virus eventually dying once it stops circulating and has nowhere to go. 

two people kissing

When Can We Make Out With Strangers Again?

New York Times |

Peter Chin-Hong was quoted in the New York Times recommending that people monitor vaccination rates in their own communities to determine individual risk. 

sf gate logo

U.S. on pace to clear Biden's new goal of 200 million coronavirus shots in his first 100 days

SF Gate |

Monica Gandhi was quoted in the SF Gate regarding Biden’s new vaccine goals and describing her surprise over the lack of press coverage for outstanding policy questions, from testing in schools to mask mandates to the American role in global vaccinations. 

chart about SF reopening

Move to orange stirs elation as experts recall the last time - when case rates spiked again

San Francisco Chronicle |

Monica Gandhi was quoted in the SF Chronicle regarding the city’s move to the orange tier, predicting that vaccination and other factors this time around will not lead to a fourth coronavirus surge. 

kids on Zoom at Palega Community Learning Hub

Desks can be 3 feet apart in classrooms to safely reopen schools, CDC says

San Francisco Chronicle |

Monica Gandhi was quoted in the SF Chronicle urging Newsom to ease certain classroom restrictions so schools may safely reopen. 

family walking through San Francisco International Airport

Kids can't get the Covid vaccine yet. So what are the risks of traveling with children?

San Francisco Chronicle |

Bob Wachter was quoted in the SF Chronicle explaining how the risks of traveling with children depends on a variety of things: age, who the family will be visiting, where the family will be going, and how they’re getting there. 

coronavirus rapid test being administered at SFO

Rapid tests and 5-day quarantines could help bring back air travel

San Francisco Chronicle |

Nathan Lo was quoted in the SF Chronicle describing how standardized coronavirus tests and shorter quarantine times could make air travel safer and easier as the pandemic continues. 

a16z podcast logo

16 Minutes #59: The U.S. Vaccine Rollout

a16z |

Bob Wachter was quoted in an a16z podcast discussing vaccine rollout and distribution, new strains, and herd immunity.

empty Disneyland train station in November

Disneyland is finally reopening. Is it safe to make trip from the Bay Area?

San Francisco Chronicle |

Bob Wachter was quoted in the SF Chronicle explaining the health risks of visiting the reopened Disneyland and describing how data has shown that children under 12 have a substantially lower risk of infection than older people. 

WSJ Video animation

How Risky Is the Classroom With Covid-19 Controls in Place?

WSJ Video |

Peter Chin-Hong was interviewed on WSJ Video about the risk of spreading Covid-19 in classrooms.

distanced indoor dining

Even if you're unvaccinated, indoor activities now much less risky in Bay Area, experts say

SF Gate |

Peter Chin-HongMonica Gandhi, and Bob Wachter were quoted in the SF Gate describing how most Bay Area indoor activities are less risky for unvaccinated people if appropriate safety precautions are followed. 

nbc bay area broadcast

Coming Back from Covid

NBC Bay Area |

Peter Chin-Hong and Bob Wachter were interviewed on NBC Bay Area reflecting on the fight against Covid-19 and describing how the pandemic has affected our mental health.