宅男视频

A key strength of the 宅男视频 community is its ability to work across disciplines and with colleagues, partners and industry to help address the biggest challenges facing the world today.

UCL researchers are working in the vanguard of helping find cure, improving diagnosis and are advising Government here in the UK and globally. In addition, they are helping to inform public knowledge by providing expert comment on issues as varied as predictions on virus spread, panic buying and stockpiling, broadband provision, and the economic and political impact of the pandemic.

Professor Judith Breuer (UCL Division of Infection & Immunity) is advising the Government on the use of viral genomics to help control the outbreak, and Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) is advising the UK government-convened advisory group, the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behavioural Science (SPI-B): 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID19).

Professor Rachel McKendry (London Centre for Nanotechnology at UCL and i-sense) and Professor Ingemar Cox (UCL Computer Science) are in collaboration with the World Health Organization, Public Health England and Africa CDC, while Professor Martina Micheletti (UCL Biochemical Engineering) is working with Oxford colleagues to develop a potential vaccine.

Others at UCL are working on monitoring people who have been tested, predicting the outbreak鈥檚 future, and developing digital platforms for community-based care.

Here in 宅男视频 in the Media, we feature the work of 宅男视频 colleagues who are providing critical advice and expert comment to world leaders and the public on COVID-19 and its impact through numerous appearances on TV, radio, print and online news sources:

• Fresh term of uncertainty begins with fears of resurgent pandemic The government could have done more to blunt the inevitable autumn rise in Covid cases as 鈥渞ising community infection rates will result in rising infections within schools...households and communities,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (7 September 2021)

• Fears Covid could raise the risk of dementia 鈥淭here is a big risk for younger people such as forty-somethings with Covid, as it may cause dementia in later age that they would not otherwise have developed,鈥� says Dr Dennis Chan (UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience). (7 September 2021)

• Children don鈥檛 need vaccine on health grounds The MRHA have decided that Covid vaccines are safe for those age 12 to 15, however there is no reason to do so based on their health, says Professor Jeremy Brown (宅男视频 Medicine). (7 September 2021)

• Ethics of Covid boosters questioned Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health) has questioned the ethics of the UK giving boosters to large numbers of low-risk individuals at a time when poorer nations are desperate for vaccines. (7 September 2021)

• Biggest wave of Covid infection yet to come 鈥淓ven though the [Covid] vaccine will substantially reduce the number of deaths and hospitalisations, it鈥檚 still likely that we will see somewhere in the low tens of thousands of deaths even if we are cautious,鈥� says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (7 September 2021)

• Should we be concerned about September Covid spike? A September lockdown is 鈥渆xtremely unlikely鈥� but if there is a large spike in Covid cases over Autumn then 鈥渢he government might go back to step three of the road map,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (6 September 2021)

• Vaccinating all teens shouldn鈥檛 be difficult decision Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) argues that the case for vaccinating three million younger teens in the UK is 鈥渙verwhelming鈥� because it would protect them against the immediate and long-term impacts of Covid, as well as reduce infections in schools. (6 September 2021) ,听,听

• Delay on Covid boosters hard to fathom While the UK was once far ahead with the vaccine rollout, it is now slipping behind due to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation dragging its heels on authorising booster jabs, says Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (3 September 2021)

• Covid-19 could lead to increase in dementia cases Not only has Covid-19 caused an unexpectedly fast dementia progression in some patients, 鈥渋ncreased isolation because of Covid and social distancing is itself a risk factor for dementia,鈥� warns Professor Gill Livingston (UCL Psychiatry). (1 September 2021)

• First findings from world鈥檚 largest study on long Covid in children 14% of children who caught SARS-CoV-2 may have symptoms linked to the virus 15 weeks later, suggest preliminary findings from the world鈥檚 largest study on long Covid in children, led by Professor Sir Terence Stephenson (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (1 September 2021) ,听,,听,听,听,听,听,听,,听,听,听听听听听听听UCL News,听,听,听,听

• Global vaccination drive needed now A global drive to boost Covid-19 vaccination rates is needed, and richer countries like the UK must do more to help countries without adequate vaccine supplies, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (1 September 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听

• World leaders urged to boost vaccine availability The best way to slow the transmission of Covid-19 and prevent new mutations is to roll out a high quality, high coverage worldwide vaccination programme, argues an open letter signed by Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health). (1 September 2021)

• Low-level Covid restrictions preferable to closing schools Re-imposing lower level Covid-19 restrictions such as masks would not be ideal, but 鈥渨e can鈥檛 keep on opening and shutting schools, it is not great for anyone,鈥� says Professor John Jerrim (UCL Institute of Education). (1 September 2021)

• New Covid strain unlikely to be more transmissible A new strain of Covid-19 first identified in South Africa 鈥渟hows no evidence of increasing in frequency,鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (31 August 2021) ,听,听

• Up to 600,000 Britons feared to have missed second AstraZeneca dose People may have chosen not to get the second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine as the media discussed the vaccine鈥檚 risk of blood clots 鈥渨ithout highlighting the incomparably higher risks of Covid,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (31 August 2021)

• University Freshers鈥� events likely to have high Covid risks Freshers鈥� events at universities are likely to carry a high Covid risk as 鈥渉owever much universities pay attention to making it as safe as possible, it鈥檚 the behaviour of people that won鈥檛 be known,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (31 August 2021)

• Pfizer鈥檚 Covid jab only causes mild to moderate side effects in vulnerable teenagers The findings that the Pfizer Covid jab produces few side effects in a group with severe disability and very high medical needs is 鈥済enerally reassuring,鈥� says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (27 August 2021) ,听,听,听

• More information is needed before vaccinating teenagers The reason for vaccinating teenagers against Covid would largely be to protect adults and 鈥渋f we are going to do that then the safety bar needs to be exceptionally high,鈥� says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (26 August 2021) 听

• Donald Trump鈥檚 vaccine stance sees steadfast supporters turn on him Former President, Donald Trump has faced backlash in recent days for encouraging supporters to get vaccinated against Covid-19 but 鈥渋f the pro-vaccine message falls flat, he will ditch it in a hurry,鈥� says Professor Thomas Gift (UCL Centre on US Politics). (25 August 2021)

• Covid booster vaccine for most vulnerable within weeks Booster jabs for the most vulnerable could start within two weeks but 鈥渕ost people have been starting to feel that a blanket booster programme at this stage is not needed in the UK,鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (24 August 2021) ,听

• Nationwide Covid antibodies search begins Providing Covid booster jabs on the condition of presence of antibodies is 鈥渧ery clever鈥� as it is 鈥渞easonable to give boosters to those who do not have sufficient antibodies,鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (23 August 2021) ,听

• Covid has worsened online radicalisation problems 鈥淟ots of people get radicalised for a lot of different reasons but there is definitely a pool of people that have become more vulnerable as a by-product of the lockdown,鈥� says Professor Paul Gill (UCL Security & Crime Science). (23 August 2021)

• Covid booster jab plan not currently set The plan for rolling out Covid-19 booster vaccinations is not currently set, but is likely to focus on the most vulnerable members of the population who may not have an adequate immune response from the first two doses, says Professor Jeremy Brown (宅男视频 Medicine). (20 August 2021)

• Are Covid-19 vaccines working? While transmission of Covid-19 is never going to be stopped completely, "the vaccines are still doing what they are meant to do," by reducing transmission and disease severity, says Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy). (20 August 2021)

• How to boost vaccination rates among students Boosting Covid-19 vaccination rates among students isn鈥檛 straightforward, but easy access, information about how the vaccination helps protect others, and ways to speak to people about any concerns would all help, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (16 August 2021)

• Behaviour change after lockdown end not as drastic as feared The lifting of lockdown measures has not had as big an impact as feared, because 鈥淥ther parts of our society 鈥� businesses, local authorities, regional governments 鈥� have stepped in鈥�to enforce some form of restrictions,鈥� says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (16 August 2021)

• Air purifier pilot in schools is coming too late The pilot use of air purifiers in schools 鈥渟hould not be an excuse to delay implementation of basic air quality measures any further鈥� as there is already ample evidence to support their use, says Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (13 August 2021)

• A fifth of people report a complete relationship breakdown in the past year Over a fifth (22%) of adults say they have experienced a complete breakdown of a relationship with either family, friends, colleagues, or neighbours in the past year, finds the UCL social study, led by Dr Elise Paul (Epidemiology & Health). (13 August 2021) ,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Children born during pandemic have lower IQs New research suggests children born during the pandemic have lower IQs and those from lower socioeconomic families were particularly affected, which 鈥渞esonates with many of the other impacts of the pandemic,鈥� says Sir Terence Stephenson (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health). (13 August 2021)

• Little benefit in vaccinating children Professor Helen Bedford (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) has said that as children have such a low risk of Covid, it would make more sense to give the vaccines to other countries before boosting adults or vaccinating children here. (11 August 2021) ,听

• Herd immunity cannot replace vaccinations 鈥淚t is not so much anymore a 鈥榙uty to others鈥� to get vaccinated but a protection for oneself. There won鈥檛 be any 鈥榟erd immunity wall鈥� to hide behind,鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (11 August 2021)

• 鈥楥ovid will soar annually like flu 鈥� and we won鈥檛 need lockdowns鈥� Covid will become an 鈥渆ndemic disease鈥� that soars annually like flu but will not need further lockdown to keep it under control, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (11 August 2021) ,听,听,听听听听听听

• Important benefits for vaccinating teenagers 鈥淰accinating all 16 and 17-year-olds with the Pfizer vaccine is a welcome and sensible step given what we know about Covid-19 risks and the safety of vaccines in the age group,鈥� says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (11 August 2021)

• Why the Covid experts are not sure that the pandemic is over Although high levels of Covid antibodies and cautious behaviour among the public mean that the situation bodes well for summer and early autumn, the picture for the UK becomes more uncertain after that, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (10 August 2021)
• Can we defeat the long Covid epidemic too? 鈥淲e don鈥檛 yet have treatments for many of long Covid鈥檚 effects, but we do know how to help patients with common symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, breathlessness and anxiety,鈥� says Professor Elizabeth Murray (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (10 August 2021)
• Coronavirus pandemic could continue to shrink until schools return The R rate of Covid may continue to fall until the schools go back then will gradually increase, rising above 1 again around the start of November, as the weather cools and people spend more time indoors, forecasts Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (9 August 2021)

• Is the coronavirus pandemic over at last? While there may be 鈥渁 few flares and outbreaks鈥� in Europe this winter, Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute) is 鈥減retty confident鈥� that in countries with high vaccination, the pandemic phase of the virus will be over by the spring. (9 August 2021)

• Binding antibodies could help reach threshold needed for protection against Covid Professor David Goldblatt (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) found that less effective Covid vaccines generate lower antibody levels, so binding antibodies which latch onto the virus鈥檚 spike protein could be key to reaching the threshold needed for protection. (6 August 2021)

• A third of adults unvaccinated in parts of London, data shows Vaccination rates may be low in London as 鈥渉ighly mobile populations may not registered with GPs鈥�low-paid people may not be able to take time off work, or have other difficulties accessing vaccination services,鈥� says Professor Helen Bedford (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health). (6 August 2021)

• Overcoming vaccine hesitancy in younger people Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) recommends combatting vaccine hesitancy in younger people by sharing accessible information about the risks from vaccines vs the risks from the disease itself, and talking to a trusted figure about any concerns. (6 August 2021)

• The benefits of Covid on commutes and the environment Instead of 鈥済oing back to huge long commutes鈥� we need to consider using local hubs so people don鈥檛 have to travel as much, which will be better 鈥渘ot only for health but for the environment,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (6 August 2021)

• Vaccinating older teenagers is a sensible step Vaccinations for children must balance risks, and 鈥渧accinating older teenagers is a reasonable first step,鈥� says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health), but Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) says the decision should have been made earlier. (5 August 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听

• Researching long Covid in children There is no accepted definition of long Covid and no simple test for it, making diagnosis and treatment incredibly difficult, says Professor Sir Terence Stephenson (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health), who is leading a study into long Covid in 11-17 year olds. (5 August 2021)

• 鈥極verwhelming鈥� Government guidance held schools back as Covid hit Headteachers and school leaders have described how an 鈥榓valanche鈥� of confused and shifting Government guidance severely impeded schools during the first months of Covid-19 lockdown, finds research involving PhD Student Grace Healy (UCL Institute of Education). (5 August 2021) ,听,听,听,听UCL News

• What is the Delta plus variant? The Delta Plus Covid variant 鈥渉as remained at very low frequency everywhere where it has been identified, which strongly suggests it is not more transmissible than its Delta progenitor,鈥� says Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (5 August 2021)

• Easing young adults' concerns about the Covid jab 鈥淚t鈥檚 really important that young people have information about the risks and benefits [of the Covid vaccine] in a form that they understand and is accessible to them,鈥� argues Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (5 August 2021)

• Study on long-term Covid symptoms in children 鈥榬eassuring鈥� A study which has found a low proportion of children who catch Covid-19 have persistent symptoms 鈥渋s much lower than reported in some other studies and is reassuring,鈥� says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (4 August 2021) ,听,听,听

• Covid-19 case reduction 鈥榮urprising鈥� All the evidence points towards a real reduction in Covid-19 cases since lockdown easing, with Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) saying 鈥淐ovid鈥檚 had a habit of surprising us, and it鈥檚 a good surprise for a change鈥�. (4 August 2021) ,听More: BBC Radio 2 News (from 57 mins 4 secs),听

• Fall in recorded Covid infections could be due to test avoidance A fall in Covid-19 infection rates could be driven by a reluctance to self-isolate leading to an avoidance of taking a test, even when people are experiencing symptoms, says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (2 August 2021) ,听,听,听

• Public information campaign needed to boost Covid-19 vaccine uptake Incentives intended to boost Covid-19 vaccine uptake among younger people may have an impact, but what is really needed is a public information campaign explaining the benefits of the vaccine and how they outweigh any risks, says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (2 August 2021) 听

• Fall in Covid infections can鈥檛 be taken at face value There is evidence to suggest that people are avoiding being tested for Covid to avoid having to cancel events such as holidays, meaning that the current data on infections is not 鈥渄esperately reliable,鈥� says Professor Hugh Montgomery (宅男视频 Medicine). (30 July 2021)

• Opening borders to US and EU 鈥榙oesn鈥檛 make sense鈥� People arriving in the UK from the EU and the US will not have to quarantine if they have had two Covid vaccinations but 鈥渢he variants we are most worried about are the ones that infect vaccinated people,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (30 July 2021)

• Concern raised over risk of new Covid variant as travel restrictions eased A 鈥渨orrying new [Covid] variant could emerge鈥� in the US or Europe 鈥� or 鈥渁 variant that emerges anywhere will spread everywhere鈥� if travel were less inhibited between those places and the UK, says professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (29 July 2021) ,听,听

• Britain may be finally nearing herd immunity The herd immunity threshold is currently about 93 per cent and it is estimated that the total population immunity is now at 87 per cent, says Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (29 July 2021)

• Drop in Covid infections could be evidence of peak A drop in new Covid infections could be evidence that cases have peaked, with 鈥渘o further surges until winter,鈥� says Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (27 July 2021) ,听

• Covid events programme 鈥榓n excuse for opening things up鈥� The announcement that Premier league football games could go ahead at full capacity, it鈥檚 clear that the trial to test the safety of live events has given the Government 鈥渁n excuse for opening things up,鈥� says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (27 July 2021)

• UK government opening floodgates to Covid variants It is concerning and surprising that there has a been a steep decline in the proportion of positive Covid tests being analysed for variants among people arriving from red list countries, says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (26 July 2021)

• Uncertainty around why Covid infections are dropping despite previous rise in cases Covid cases had been rising rapidly due to unlocking. However, it 鈥渏ust doesn鈥檛 make sense that we were going up a lot, then we open further and then suddenly you see these drops,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (UCl Mathematics). (26 July 2021)

• Covid is losing its grip despite confusion over 鈥榩ingdemic鈥� 鈥淚f you were extremely optimistic, and not afraid of hurting people鈥檚 feelings, you could say the pandemic is already borderline over,鈥� says Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (26 July 2021)

• No reason for children to be vaccinated against flu but not Covid Under 18s are expected to reach immunity from Covid by being infected even when 鈥渨e vaccinate school-age children against flu every year and Covid is more fatal than flu, even for young children,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (26 July 2021)

• Government let virus rip to bolster levels of immunity Lifting all Covid restrictions is a way to 鈥済et as many people infected as possible, as quickly as possible, while using the rhetoric about caution as a way of putting the blame on the public for the consequences,鈥� says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (26 July 2021)

• Vaccine antibody levels start to wane at around 2-3 months Total antibody levels appear to start declining from as early as six weeks after complete vaccination and can reduce by more than 50% over 10 weeks, according to new data from 宅男视频 Virus Watch study, says Professor Dr Maddie Shrotri (UCL Institute of Heath Informatics). (23 July 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Adults with Down鈥檚 Syndrome should be prioritised for the Covid vaccine Adults over the age of 40 who have Down鈥檚 Syndrome have a higher risk of dying or developing breathing problems, so it鈥檚 鈥渞eally important鈥� they get the vaccine, says Professor Monica Lakhanpaul (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (22 July 2021)

• By opening its economy as Delta variant surges, the UK becomes a Covid-19 test case 鈥淚n previous stages of the pandemic, rising cases have meant tightening, not loosening, restrictions,鈥� which meant that what happens next in the UK 鈥渋s highly uncertain鈥�, says Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health). (22 July 2021)

• Approximately 1.5million children lose family members or caregivers due to Covid-19 About 1.5million children have lost a parent, grandparent or primary caregiver due to Covid-19, a new study, conducted by researchers including Lorraine Sherr (UCL Institute for Global Health) has estimated. (21 July 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• The importance of encouraging 18鈥�30-year-olds to get the Covid-19 vaccine Young people are more hesitant to get the Covid-19 vaccine, so we need to emphasise to them that by doing so, they are doing their part to protect the NHS and protect those more vulnerable than they are, says Dr Elise Paul (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (21 July 2021)

• Covid-19 unlocking encourages new variants Removing Covid-19 restrictions in England could lead to the emergence of new variants, as the virus 鈥渨ill mutate faster and more frequently,鈥� warns Dr Rochelle Burgess (UCL Institute for Global Health). (20 July 2021)

• Covid-19 vaccines must be tested before use on children Because so few young people become seriously ill with Covid-19, 鈥渨e therefore need to be very clear about of the safety of the vaccines in this group,鈥� says Professor Helen Bedford (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (20 July 2021) ,听,听,听

• End of lockdown may not radically alter behaviour The perceived level of threat from Covid-19 is more likely to influence behaviour than government regulations, meaning that the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions may not actually impact behaviour as much as feared, says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (20 July 2021)

• UCL leads 拢8m studies into long Covid treatments and diagnosis Professor Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) and Professor Dennis Chan (UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience) are leading the largest clinical trial on long Covid to date, involving over 4,500 people. (19 July 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Proceeding with Covid unlocking is 鈥榤adness鈥� Removing Covid-19 restrictions when cases are rising and a large proportion of the population are still unvaccinated or have only had one jab is 鈥渕adness鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (19 July 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• How to protect yourself and others from Covid-19 Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) answers common questions about protection from Covid-19, including when mask-wearing helps and whether sanitising your hands is an effective way to prevent the spread of the disease. (19 July 2021)

• Child vaccination decision could be influenced by supply issues A delay to the decision on whether or not to vaccinate children against Covid-19 could be due to lack of supplies of the Pfizer and Moderna jabs, says Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health). (19 July 2021)

• People may become more cautious after lockdown lifts Population responses to previous waves of Covid-19 suggest that members of the public will become more cautious about infections despite the easing of restrictions, says Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (19 July 2021)

• Covid-19 pandemic not a reason to take children out of school An increase in the rates of children being homeschooled has been blamed on 鈥楥ovid anxiety鈥�, but the risks of the disease for children attending school are far lower than for adults, says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (19 July 2021)

• Caution key in Covid unlocking Removing all lockdowns restrictions now means 鈥渨e are heading into the biggest wave of Covid infection that we have ever seen,鈥� cautions Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health), adding that people should continue to minimise contact with others. (19 July 2021) ,听,听,听

• Should we be concerned about Covid hospitalisations among young people Around 5830 children and young people have been admitted to hospital since the beginning of the pandemic, out of an estimated four million infections among this age group, says Dr Joseph Ward (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (16 July 2021)

• Boris Johnson urged to fix Covid-19 鈥榩ingdemic鈥� Being 鈥減inged鈥� on the NHS Test and Trace app should be a tool used to 鈥渉elp us manage the risk鈥� rather than always being required to self-isolate, says Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery (UCL Laws). (16 July 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• NHS risks being overwhelmed by winter flu The NHS must prepare for a difficult winter by 鈥渁cting now鈥� and ensuring that all adults are fully vaccinated against Covid by September with the addition of a major flu jab and Covid booster campaign, says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (15 July 2021) ,听,听

• Johnson鈥檚 reopening is a potential recipe for disaster A group of clinical virologists, featuring four experts from UCL, including Professor Judy Breuer (UCL Infection & Immunity), have expressed concerns about government plans to abandon community infection control measures against Covid-19. (15 July 2021)

• Identification of over 200 long Covid symptoms prompts call for UK screening programme Patients who experience long Covid have reported more than 200 symptoms across 10 organ systems, in the largest international study of 鈥榣ong-haulers鈥� to date, led by Dr Athena Akrami (Sainsbury Wellcome Centre at UCL). (15 July 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听听听,听,听,听UCL News

• England鈥檚 鈥榝reedom day鈥� is tempered by worries of rising cases Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted in England from 19 July but 鈥淒elta has changed the equation鈥� and made it 鈥渕uch harder to rely on vaccination to bring cases down on its own,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (15 July 2021)

• Government accused of chasing 鈥榟erd immunity鈥� by mass infection With regards to Covid-19 鈥渢he government says it isn鈥檛 [following a herd immunity strategy], but at the same time they鈥檝e said they鈥檙e willing to live with potentially a few more million infections just before autumn,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (14 July 2021)

• Approximately 20% of UK adults have deleted NHS Covid app Around one in five adults of all ages in the UK have deleted the NHS Covid-19 app from their phone, which could be down to an expectation of increased caseloads after 19 July, says Professor Henry Potts (UCL Health Informatics). (14 July 2021) ,听,听

• Removing all Covid restrictions will only 鈥榤ake things worse鈥� Boris Johnson鈥檚 plan to lift all Covid restrictions on 19 July can only make things worse as infectious diseases are a matter of collective, rather than personal responsibility, says Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (13 July 2021)

• Researchers are looking for parents of autistic children for Covid-19 school study A study into autistic children and Covid-19 aims to capture the impact of the virus on school attendance of autistic children and those with learning disabilities, alongside school deregistration and home learning, study leader, Dr Vaso Totsika (UCL psychiatry). (13 July 2021)

• English sports test events risk further Covid outbreaks Test events mean that the virus could spread among sport fans on public transport, in pubs and homes as 鈥淐ovid is thriving in close contact where there鈥檚 poor ventilation,鈥� says Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (13 July 2021)

• Covid vaccines may be less effective at preventing infection than previously thought Even people who have had two jabs against Covid-19 should behave more or less as they did before they had their vaccinations if they want to be safe, says Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (13 July 2021)

• Will a public wary of Covid-19 restrictions be willing to self regulate? Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted on 19 July signalling that 鈥渋t is not such a risk any more鈥�. However there is 鈥渁lso a narrative that everyone should be cautious鈥�, which is leading to confusion, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (13 July 2021)

• Concern for vulnerable people who have chosen not to be vaccinated During the Covid third wave, vulnerable people who have not been vaccinated are more susceptible to the disease being severe, ending up in hospital or dying, says Professor Jeremy Brown (宅男视频 Medicine). (13 July 2021)

• Mask wearing cuts Covid risk Wearing a mask cuts the risk of Covid spread, and 鈥渋f鈥�nine others are not wearing a mask, if you鈥檙e the one who is infected and you put on your mask, you are protecting those nine others,鈥� says Professor Laurence Lovat (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science). (12 July 2021)

• Football final likely to contribute to rise in Covid cases Mass gatherings and celebrations relating to the Euro 2020 football tournament are likely to drive up Covid cases more than the match itself, say Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) and Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (9 July 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• Risks of severe Covid-19 in children shown to be very low in largest study yet The risk of severe illness and death from Covid-19 is very low in children and teenagers, according to comprehensive analyses of public health data, led by researchers including Professor Russell Viner and Dr Joseph Ward (both UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (9 July 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• How can we encourage more people to isolate? A growing number of people are deleting the Covid-19 Track and Trace app, so to encourage isolation the government need to give people better financial and practical support, says Professor Henry Potts (UCL Health Informatics). (9 July 2021)

• NHS Covid app could be useful after lockdown The NHS Covid-19 app could be used to caution vaccinated people that they may have the virus, with the app 鈥渆nabling you to be careful,鈥� says Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery (UCL Laws). (9 July 2021)

• NHS app changes must be data-driven Any changes to the sensitivity of the NHS Covid-19 app must be driven by the data, rather than political pressure to reduce levels of self-isolation, says Dr Michael Veale (UCL Laws). (9 July 2021) ,听

• Isolation still an important tool in controlling Covid-19 Controlling Covid-19 using distancing and isolation is important even after restrictions end, as 鈥渋f we get to a very small percentage of a massive number of cases getting hospitalised, that鈥檚 still a very large number,鈥� says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (8 July 2021) ,听,听,听

• 鈥楶remature鈥� Covid-19 Freedom Day is a dangerous and unethical experiment Boris Johnson's plans to unlock the nation from Covid-19 restrictions have been called 鈥渄angerous and unethical", in a letter signed by nine UCL academics, including Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health) and Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (8 July 2021) 听

• Scotland must not follow English example on Covid-19 restrictions Scotland shouldn鈥檛 take England鈥檚 decision to remove lockdown restrictions as a prompt to do the same, and Nicola Sturgeon should continue with her 鈥渆xemplary,鈥� messaging on the virus so far, says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (7 July 2021) ,听

• Arthritis drugs save lives of hospitalised Covid-19 patients Drugs used to treat arthritis reduce deaths and the need for mechanical ventilation among people hospitalised with Covid-19, according to a new study led by Dr Claire Vale (MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL) which has prompted new World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. (7 July 2021) ,听,听),听听,听听,听,听UCL News

• It鈥檚 鈥榯oo early鈥� to know how dangerous Covid Lambda variant is It is important to track the Lambda variant of Covid-19 but it鈥檚 not a concern until 鈥渋t starts growing week on week鈥�, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) (7 July 2021) ,听

• Concerns it may not be 鈥榳ise鈥� to make face masks optional As Covid restrictions ease, 鈥渇ace masks are a really simple way to prevent people from transmitting disease to others,鈥� says Professor Laurence Lovat (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science). (7 July 2021) ,听,听,听

• Thousands facing long Covid as 鈥榗ollateral damage鈥� of Boris Johnson lifting restrictions Lifting restrictions on 19 July is 鈥渁 pretty crazy thing to do when cases are so high and rising鈥� and 鈥渄oesn鈥檛 make much sense,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (7 July 2021) ,听,听

• What will lockdown ending mean for Covid spread? Covid cases are likely to rise rapidly once restrictions are lifted, but at some point new infections will slow and eventually reduce due to vaccination and natural immunity, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (6 July 2021)

• How much protection do face masks give us? Despite laws on wearing face masks being lifted, they provide protection 鈥渆specially in indoor spaces where it鈥檚 crowded and where there鈥檚 not very much ventilation鈥�, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (6 July 2021)

• Covid-19 R rate continuing to increase Covid-19鈥檚 R rate, the rate at which the virus is spreading, has increased as the Delta variant of the disease continues to transmit among the UK population, says Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (6 July 2021)

• Russian Covid surge comes at politically difficult time A surge of Covid-19 in Russia has come ahead of the parliamentary elections in September, a key barometer of the legitimacy of Putin鈥檚 leadership, says Dr Ben Noble (UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies). (6 July 2021)

• Lockdowns have protected the rich at the expense of working class people While richer people could work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, poorer people would not have been protected without lockdowns, making inequalities worse, says Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (5 July 2021) ,听

• Lifting of Covid-19 restrictions happening too quickly New Covid-19 infections increase the possibility of new variants, and can lead to debilitating cases of long Covid, meaning restrictions should not be lifted when cases are increasing rapidly, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (5 July 2021)

• Removal of all Covid-19 restrictions 鈥榖onkers鈥� The planned lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions on July 19 is 鈥渁bsolutely bonkers鈥� and is the equivalent of removing all laws relating to driving and leaving it up to 鈥榠ndividual responsibility鈥�, says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (5 July 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Surge in Covid-19 transmission could lead to new variants The lifting of Covid-19 restrictions and the subsequent surge in community transmission 鈥渋s like building new 鈥榲ariant factories鈥� at a very fast rate,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (5 July 2021)听,听,听,听,听,听

• Covid-19 quarantine exemption for double-jabbed will lead to resentment Allowing people who have had both Covid-19 vaccine doses to skip quarantine will lead to resentment, especially as many people haven鈥檛 yet been offered the vaccine, and could also lead to a loss of compliance, says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (5 July 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听

• Common cold could prime the immune system to fight off Covid People who are repeatedly exposed to Covid-19 but do not develop an infection may have had their immune systems primed by the common cold, finds preprint research led by Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (5 July 2021)

• Biden administration misses vaccine target A missed Covid-19 vaccine target for the US Government will lead to more cautious deadlines in future, and shows that 鈥渙verpromising and underdelivering is never a recipe for success,鈥� say Dr Julie Norman and Professor Thomas Gift (Both UCL Centre on US Politics). (5 July 2021)

• GPs must not confuse cases of long Covid with other ailments in teenagers It is important to remember that some Covid symptoms, such as very significant fatigue, 鈥渁re very common in teenagers,鈥� says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (2 July 2021)

• Covid-19 cases reach new high in UK raising fresh concerns of lockdown timetable At the current growth rate the UK will be exceeding 40,000 cases a day by 19 July, yet 鈥渆verything this week implies the Government is going to let virus go regardless of long Covid, chances of mutation and hospitals,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (2 July 2021)

• Schools could hold Covid vaccination clinics for teenagers A schools-based Covid vaccination programme would be the best choice if the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) decides vaccines should be given to youngsters, says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (2 July 2021) ,听

• UK offers a cautionary tale as Ontario battles the contagious Delta variant In the middle of April, only one per cent of Covid-19 cases were attributed to the Delta variant but now they are doubling every week, despite a partial lockdown and vaccine roll-out, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (2 July 2021)

• Young people should get Covid vaccine before they become biggest source of infection to the vulnerable By vaccinating all adults, the dynamics will change so that children and young people become the source of most infections, says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (2 July 2021)

• Quarantine exemptions a cause for concern Exemptions from Covid-19 quarantine for business executives don鈥檛 make sense scientifically and are more likely to cause the public to ignore rules which are perceived as unfair or selectively applied for no good reason, says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (30 June 2021) ,听,听,听

• Half of teenagers suffering anxiety and trauma in wake of Covid lockdowns Half of teenagers have been left suffering anxiety and trauma in the wake of the Covid lockdowns, a systemic review in to the impact of school closures led by Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) has found. (30 June 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听

• How to embed better infection control into people鈥檚 lives We can help provide better infection control for society by making sure people understand the risks, making sure the environment is safe and creating motivation, says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (29 June 2021) ,听

• High profile cases signal rise in Covid-19 ahead of lockdown An increase in cases of Covid-19 could be due to the high transmissibility of the Delta variant and, possibly, a slight bending of the rules by the public, says Dr Elise Paul (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (29 June 2021)

• Covid rules in schools should be reviewed 鈥淚f all adults are vaccinated we need to think carefully about restrictions on schools" says Professor Russell Viner (UCL great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) with regards to Covid-19 restrictions. (28 June 2021) ,听,,

• Those with long Covid report worse quality of life than cancer patients Many people suffering from long Covid have a worse quality of life than patients with advanced lung cancer, in what has been described as 鈥渁 real wake-up moment,鈥� by Professor Elizabeth Murray and Dr Manuel Gomes (both UCL Epidemiology & Health). (28 June 2021)
• Data on vaccines for children is based on low numbers While the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine appears safe in teenagers, more data is needed, says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health), while Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute) says vaccinating children is an 鈥渆thical minefield鈥�. (28 June 2021) ,听,听

• The dangers of long Covid The long lasting impact of Covid-19 should be taken seriously, and long Covid 鈥渨ill be profoundly debilitating for some people,鈥� says Professor Hugh Montgomery (宅男视频 Medicine). (25 June 2021)

• Up to one in six people with Covid-19 report long Covid symptoms One in six middle-aged people who report being infected by SARS-CoV-2 also report long Covid symptoms, while this falls to one in 13 among younger adults who reported having Covid-19, finds a study led by Professor Nishi Chaturvedi (宅男视频 MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing). (24 June 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Careful decision needs to be made on vaccinating children in England The decision about whether to vaccinate healthy teenagers 鈥渘eeds to balance risks and benefits for both young people and for broader society 鈥� and there are complex ethical and safety issues,鈥� says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (24 June 2021)

• Race between Covid-19 vaccines and Delta variant plays out in UK Covid-19 Deaths would likely have been considerably higher without the vaccine against the disease and the jabs 鈥渁re working鈥� says Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (24 June 2021)

• What happened to the Alpha Covid variant? The Alpha Covid variant prompted a deadly Covid surge earlier this year but Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) says it鈥檚 now 鈥渄ying out鈥� and that the Delta variant now accounts for 鈥渨ell over鈥� 90 per cent of sequenced Covid cases. (23 June 2021)

• Experts unsure if jabs will stop long Covid but hopes grow for current sufferers Without data from trials, 鈥渁t present the best way to avoid long Covid is to avoid getting infected,鈥� says Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (21 June 2021)

• Young people 鈥榓re most hesitant about vaccines鈥� Student Nusayba Ali (UCL School of Pharmacy) has launched a project addressing vaccine hesitancy, saying that hesitancy can originate in people鈥檚 backgrounds, philosophical or religious beliefs, or approach to risk. (21 June 2021)

• Experts unsure if jabs will stop long Covid but hopes grow for current sufferers Without data from trials, 鈥渁t present the best way to avoid long Covid is to avoid getting infected,鈥� says Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (21 June 2021)

• Can you go to the gym after your Covid vaccine? It would be a 鈥渓ogical approach鈥� to avoid vigorous exercise on the day of vaccination against Covid-19, says Dr James Hull (UCL Surgery & Interventional Sciences). (21 June 2021)

• Keeping stands closed at Tokyo Olympics is least risky option Professor Eric Brunner (Institute of Epidemiology & Health) says, 鈥淚t鈥檚 clear that the attitude in Japan is very much a precautionary one but it鈥檚 likely that they will allow some people into the stadium,鈥� for the upcoming Olympic Games. (21 June 2021)

• The mental impact of the pandemic on NHS doctors 鈥淭he problem with this new incessant case load is that it increases the danger of burnout,鈥� explains Professor Hugh Montgomery (宅男视频 Medicine), who has led an intensive care unit throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. (18 June 2021)

• Matt Hancock confirms Covid vaccines will be compulsory for care home workers 鈥淓ncouraging vaccination is always preferable to a mandatory requirement鈥� as people need to have trust in the vaccine and in the organisation that鈥檚 recommending it, says Professor Helen Bedford (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (17 June 2021) ,听

• 鈥楢rmy鈥� of contact tracers would mean no delay to lockdown 鈥淭he NHS has done a fantastic job on vaccines but why has there been such poor investment in public health infection control to supress these outbreaks?鈥� asks Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health). (15 June 2021)

• Why is vaccine merchandise so popular? The popularity of vaccine-related merchandise is a physical way for people to express their values, 鈥渁 reflection of the situation and, in this instance, even taking a pro-vaccination position,鈥� says Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (15 June 2021)

• Delay lockdown easing to suppress Covid-19 Delta variant The spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19 among unvaccinated people is 鈥渆xtremely worrying,鈥� and means a delay to further lockdown easing is needed to ensure a third wave of the virus doesn鈥檛 spread out of control, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (14 June 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听

• NHS will be overloaded if 鈥淕overnment takes a gamble鈥� on Covid Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health) argues that cases could reach 100,000 a day in a month if lockdown is lifted on June 21, 鈥渓ike Tory backbenchers want鈥�. ,听,听,听,听,听 (14 June 2021)

• How a lack of interaction during Covid could have affected the youngest generation Seeing different faces is an 鈥渋mportant, rich source of information鈥� for babies as they are the first building blocks of our learning about communication, relationships and other social information, says Professor Pasco Fearon (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (14 June 2021)

• More data needed on those who have had two jabs dying from Covid We need to find out more about how long after their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine it was before those who were fully vaccinated and eventually died from the disease became unwell, says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (14 June 2021)

• UCL and WHO scientists urge nations to collaborate for vaccine equity Leading academics Professor Alison Rodger and Professor Ibrahim Abubakar (both UCL Institute for Global Health) joined Dr Soumya Swaminanthan, the World Health Organisation鈥檚 (WHO) Chief Scientist for this year鈥檚 UCL-Lancet lecture. (11 June 2021) ,听,听UCL News

• Face masks should 鈥榗ontinue forever鈥� Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) argues that face coverings and social distancing should be retained in the long term to help suppress other viruses and boost public health. (11 June 2021) ,听听听,听,听

• We are fighting a 鈥榗ontinually evolving arms race鈥� against Covid 鈥淲e are in this constant battle of evolution between viruses and their attempts to subvert or evade or hijack the front line defences we have in the cell sensors or in immunity,鈥� says Dr Clare Jolly (UCL Infection & Immunity). (11 June 2021)

• Covid-19 spread not solely due to schools 鈥淲e opened schools [in March] and, contrary to what people suggested, [Covid-19] cases continued to fall. That tells us very clearly that this isn鈥檛 just about children in schools,鈥� says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (10 June 2021)

• Covid-19 distancing may have weakened children鈥檚 immune system Several cases of RSV, a virus that can cause serious lung infections in young children, were reported last month, which is 鈥渧ery unusual,鈥� and could be evidence of weakened immune systems in children, says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (10 June 2021)

• Theatres can safely re-open if mask-wearing is mandatory Modelling by researches including Professor Laurence Lovat (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science) has found that wearing a facemask reduces the spread of droplets, meaning 鈥淚f theatre-goers wear鈥�masks and follow other rules already in place, theatres become safe places to go to.鈥� (10 June 2021) ,听,听

• Covid-19 likely to remain in circulation Covid-19 is likely to remain a threat into the future, and 鈥渨e鈥檙e going to have to鈥� live with this virus and try and minimise the amount of severe disease that it causes.鈥� Says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (10 June 2021)

• Political benefits for Republicans probing Cobid-19 鈥榣ab leak鈥� theory An investigation into the theory that Covid-19 could have leaked from a lab in Wuhan would have political benefits for Republicans and give them 鈥渕ore ammunition鈥� to portray the Covid-19 response as driven by elites with an agenda, says Dr Thomas Gift (UCL Centre on US Politics). (10 June 2021)

• Covid-19 vaccine incentives on dating apps could fuel division and mistrust From this week dating apps are allowing users to show they are vaccinated, but by 鈥渄ividing the population up into the vaccinated and unvaccinated you鈥檙e basically further increasing inequality,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (9 June 2021)

• Vegan and pescatarian diets may reduce Covid-19 severity Those 鈥渆ating plant-based or pescatarian diets tend to be at significantly lower risk of developing severe Covid-19 symptoms upon infection,鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute) of the US led research. (8 June 2021) ,听,听听,听听,听,听

• Could a third wave of Covid be more serious than UK鈥檚 first two? If growth rates of the Delta variant don鈥檛 go down over the coming weeks then 鈥渞estrictions may have to stay in place for the time being,鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (8 June 2021)

• We 鈥渟hould not rush鈥� into decision on whether children are offered the Covid vaccine 鈥淭he early reports provide a warning that we should not rush into these decisions,鈥� says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) reflecting on the side effects seen among young male recipients of the vaccine in Israel. (7 June 2021)
• 21 June reopening should be delayed until August We should follow Israel鈥檚 example when it comes to easing Covid-19 restrictions and wait until August, when 75% of adults will be fully vaccinated, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (7 June 2021)
• Fears that 鈥渞obust Covid pass鈥� backed by Blair stokes inequality A Covid pass should only be discussed after concerns around vaccination and access problems are dealt with, as otherwise 鈥渋t is likely to increase social divisions between different sectors of society,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (7 June 2021)
• This week will be 鈥渃ritical鈥� for decision on 21 June This next week is going to be 鈥渁bsolutely critical鈥� in gathering the data needed to decide whether it鈥檚 safe to ease all restrictions at the end of June, says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (7 June 2021) 听,听,听,听,听,听

• 鈥淢ix and Match鈥� Covid booster jabs may be offered in UK Giving people a different vaccine for their Covid booster is 鈥済ood news鈥� as it allows for greater 鈥渇lexibility鈥� and means we are not 鈥渓imited by supply of one particular vaccine鈥�, says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (7 June 2021)

• Why a third wave is still a risk, despite vaccines Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology and Language Sciences) cautions that a third wave is still a risk because of 鈥渉igher transmission鈥� and 鈥渕ore mutations鈥� leading to 鈥渢he likelihood of a variant that could undermine vaccination.鈥� (4 June 2021) 听

• People who have had Covid are 鈥減rotected from reinfection for ten months,鈥� study shows The Vivaldi study led by UCL discovered that a previously infected person is very unlikely to suffer the disease twice in one year 鈥� a revelation that lead author Dr Maria Krutikov (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) describes as 鈥渞eally good news.鈥� (4 June 2021) 听听,听听听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients have lower antibody levels targeting the Delta variant Levels of antibodies in vaccinated people that are able to recognise and fight the new SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant first discovered in India (B.1.617.2) are, on average, lower than those against variants previously circulating in the UK, finds a new study involving UCL scientists. (4 June 2021) ,听,听UCL News

• People with mild cases of Covid are just as likely to get neurological symptoms, as those who are severely ill A study found that patients with mild cases of Covid were just as likely to suffer fatigue, depression and loss of smell. 鈥淚t appears that Covid-19 affecting mental health and the brain is the norm, rather than the exception,鈥� says lead author, Dr Jonathan Rogers (UCL Psychiatry) (4 June 2021) ,听,听,听,听UCL News

• India Covid variant spreading in England鈥檚 schools, data shows New figures covering 26 April to 30 May, showed the numbers of cases in schools or other education settings are rising rapidly, proving they were now 鈥渁 major source鈥� of transmission, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (4 June 2021)

• News that 75% of adults have had one Covid vaccine should come with caveats As the Delta variant becomes dominant in England, we 鈥渞eally need two doses to get good protection鈥� and shouldn鈥檛 just be focusing on adults, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (3 June 2021)

• Travellers could bring new Covid variants back to UK As travel restrictions are lifted we will struggle to track the emergence of new variants and how they spread. 鈥淭here are some countries where they don鈥檛 sequence at all, so we have no idea what鈥檚 going on,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (2 June 2021)

• Importance of vaccination emphasised by UCL expert who discovered link between AstraZeneca and new thrombotic syndrome Professor Marie Scully (UCL Cardiovascular Science) says she was surprised to find the potential link behind rare cases of blood clots in those who have had the jab. However, she says vaccines are important to 鈥渞id ourselves of this pandemic鈥�. (2 June 2021) ,听

• There should have been more focus on data not dates on Covid restrictions We suffered the consequences of not acting soon enough with lockdowns and should 鈥渓earn from the past and the mistakes we made鈥� when deciding when we should relax rules, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (2 June 2021)

• R rate doubles in a week, but third wave 鈥渦nlikely鈥� The 鈥渞eal time鈥� value of R has more than doubled in the past week. However, on a national level the R rate is likely to have peaked thanks to the accelerating vaccine programme bringing figures down, says Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (2 June 2021)

• Experts urge caution on giving vaccines to children in Britain Health experts warn that children should only be immunised in special circumstances. But after all adults have been vaccinated 鈥渨e will have accumulated much more knowledge of how safe vaccines are鈥� says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (1 June 2021)

• Extending November lockdown would have saved lives If the November Covid-19 lockdown had been extended 鈥渢he great majority of second-wave deaths could have been avoided,鈥� says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (28 May 2021)

• Delay lockdown easing until higher proportion vaccinated The final stage of lockdown easing should be delayed until more of the population have had both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, say Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) and Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (28 May 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Covid-19 trajectory could go one of two ways If cases of Covid-19 don鈥檛 rapidly increase, vaccinations should prevent a big surge, but if we start to see big case increases in the next week or two, then the 鈥渨e are on quite a bad trajectory,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (27 May 2021)

• Sage advice did not delay first lockdown Former adviser Dominic Cummings鈥� claim that advice from Sage delayed the first Covid-19 lockdown is not true, as Sage 鈥渨ere not asked whether the British people would accept a lockdown,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (27 May 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听

• Covid-19 advisory guidelines not properly thought out Advisory guidelines from the Government on restricting activity in Covid-19 hotspots don鈥檛 seem to have been properly thought out and are 鈥渁 complete and utter farce,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (26 May 2021) ,听

• Moderna Covid-19 vaccine effective in teenagers News that the Moderna vaccine is effective in teenagers is encouraging, but 鈥渢here are still a range of complex questions to consider,鈥� when it comes to vaccinating healthy teenagers, says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (26 May 2021)

• Covid-19 vaccine: Common stroke symptoms must be 鈥榰rgently evaluated鈥� Neurologists led by Professor David Werring (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) have published the first clinical observations of patients who experienced an ischaemic stroke, the most common form of stroke, following an Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. (26 May 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Covid-19鈥檚 impact on problem drinking The Covid-19 pandemic led to increased stress for many, while also cutting problem drinkers off from support networks and replacement activities, leading to a difficult time for recovering alcoholics and people with alcohol issues, says Dr Gautam Mehta (宅男视频 Medicine). (26 May 2021)

• Herd immunity near impossible without tougher border restrictions Herd immunity from Covid-19 is near impossible in the UK unless new variants of the disease are prevented from coming into the country, something which current border restrictions are not doing, says Professor Judith Breuer (UCL Infection & Immunity). (25 May 2021) ,听

• Covid-19 variant 鈥榗an and does鈥� spread in schools The Indian variant of Covid-19 鈥渃an and does spread in schools,鈥� and PHE鈥檚 decision not to publish crucial data on its spread is concerning, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (24 May 2021) ,听,听,听

• ONS data can miss local Covid-19 spikes ONS data on Covid-19 is based on random sampling, which can miss local pockets of Covid-19, or the growth of new variants, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (24 May 2021)

• Schools not amplifying Covid-19 spread Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) says the data doesn鈥檛 support the idea that schools contribute to the spread of Covid-19 variants any more than communities generally. (24 May 2021) ,听,听

• Would support increase rates of self-isolation? Proposals to support people who need to self-isolate due to Covid-19 would increase rates of adherence as one of the top reasons for not following the isolation rules is financial hardship, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (24 May 2021)

• Lockdown has encouraged uptake of creative projects The Covid-19 lockdown has led to an increase in engagement with the arts as 鈥渁 form of support, a form of coping, to regulate [people鈥檚] moods," says Research Fellow Katey Warran (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (24 May 2021)

• Delay Sats tests by at least another year Sats tests cause stress and take months away from valuable learning time for children, meaning there is no place for them during the Covid-19 recovery period, argues an open letter signed by Professor Gemma Moss and Dr Alice Bradbury (both UCL Institute of Education). (24 May 2021)

• New Covid-19 variants could bypass immunity As Covid-19 variants emerge, it鈥檚 possible that 鈥榠mmune escape鈥� lineages which can reinfect people with immunity through prior infection or vaccination, warns Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (24 May 2021)

• Vaccine incentives could be counterproductive Offering external incentives to people to get the Covid-19 vaccine could be counterproductive, as people should understand why they need the jab, rather than only getting it for an external reward, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (24 May 2021)

• Less than a third completely understand Covid-19 rules Fewer than 1 in 3 people (29.1%) say that they 鈥榗ompletely鈥� understand the current UK Covid-19 lockdown rules, finds the Covid-19 Social Study, led by Dr Elise Paul (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (21 May 2021) ,听,听UCL News

• Covid-19 has affected parents鈥� mental health Before Covid-19, those with children were at no greater risk of mental health issues, but during the pandemic they have struggled with higher levels of anxiety, loneliness, stress, and symptoms of depression, says Dr Elise Paul (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (21 May 2021)

• Indian Covid-19 variant is spreading within UK The Indian variant of Covid-19 is spreading within the UK, and rising figures are not just down to imported cases relating to travel, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (20 May 2021) ,听,听,听

• Tackling Covid-19 vaccine worries and misinformation Professor Jeremy Brown (宅男视频 Medicine) answers questions around the Covid-19 vaccine, explaining why two doses are needed, and how the antibody response works. (20 May 2021)

• UK could be at the start of new Covid-19 wave The spread of the Indian variant of Covid-19 could be the start of a new wave of Covid-19 due to its increased transmissibility, warns Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (20 May 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Local strategy needed to suppress Covid-19 The recent spike in Covid-19 cases in Bolton and Blackburn show how quickly local surges can occur, and a new strategy of identifying and focussing on potential hotspots is needed, says Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (18 May 2021) ,听

• 96% of Britons develop antibodies after one Covid-19 vaccine dose More than 90% of Britons develop antibodies to coronavirus after having one dose of the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines, and almost 100% do so after their second jab, finds research from 宅男视频 Virus Watch study, led by Professor Rob Aldridge (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (18 May 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Vaccination crucial in countries which have controlled Covid-19 Countries which controlled Covid-19 early on, including South Korea and Japan, are now struggling to ease lockdowns without mass vaccine coverage due to a lack of immunity in the population, says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (17 May 2021)

• Delay lockdown easing due to new variant The easing of the Covid-19 lockdown should be delayed 鈥渋f we are following data not dates,鈥� due to the spread of the Indian variant of the disease, say Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) and Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (17 May 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Delay in banning travel from India 鈥榙idn鈥檛 make sense鈥� The UK Government鈥檚 decision to ban travel from India came too late, and 鈥淭he general consensus among scientists I know is [that] it didn鈥檛 make sense to delay border controls given what was happening in India,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (17 May 2021)

• Will lockdown have affected our immune systems? A year of avoiding contact with others won鈥檛 have had a big impact on the immune systems of adults, which are fairly stable, but may have impacted children whose immunity is still developing, warns Professor Graham Rook (UCL Infection & Immunity). (17 May 2021)

• Concerning amount of unknowns surround Covid-19 variant The lack of data on the transmissibility of the Indian Covid-19 variant, as well as whether it can evade the immunity offered by vaccines, is concerning and means we should slow the easing of lockdown restrictions, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (17 May 2021)

• 鈥楽urge vaccinations鈥� could raise uptake The use of surge vaccinations for Covid-19 would signal the importance of getting the vaccine and 鈥淧eople will realise, if the messaging is right, that what this is about is stopping transmission,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (14 May 2021)

• How Covid-19 variants evade immunity Viruses work by using a protein spike to interact with receptors on a human cell, and variants can be less recognisable to neutralising antibodies that would normally attach to the spike protein and block its entry, says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (14 May 2021)

• Studying airborne Covid-19 transmission at the FA Cup Final A study to help get large-scale events back up and running, led by Dr Liora Malki-Epshtein (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering), will be collecting and analysing data from test events in London, including this weekend鈥檚 FA Cup Final and the BRIT Awards. (14 May 2021) ,听,听,听UCL News

• Vaccines cannot be treated like a commodity Massive public investment has gone into developed Covid-19 vaccines, and patents on vaccines must be waived to ensure they are not treated like a commodity, says Visiting Policy Fellow Els Torreele (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose). (14 May 2021) ,听

• Vaccinating children against Covid-19 has major benefits Covid-19 vaccines which are safe and effective in young people should be used as children will not only gain protection from the disease, but also the more people who are vaccinated, the lower the chances of another wave of the virus, says Dr Joe Grove (UCL Infection & Immunity). (12 May 2021)

• Slowing lockdown easing would reduce Covid-19 risk Closing the UK鈥檚 borders and slowing lockdown easing until all adults are fully vaccinated would reduce the risk of Covid-19, especially as new variants emerge, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (12 May 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Study investigates immune response to Covid-19 in patients with antibody deficiency How the immune systems of patients with antibody deficiency respond to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination will be investigated as part of a new national study co-led by Professor Siobhan Burns (UCL Infection & Immunity). (11 May 2021) ,听More: UCL News

• Seychelles Covid spike could be due to mixing before vaccines take effect The Covid-19 spike in the Seychelles despite high rates of vaccination could be due to mixing between those yet to be vaccinated and those who have only received their first dose 鈥� and are therefore not fully protected, says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (11 May 2021)

• Important to be wary of variants as lockdown eases Emerging variants of Covid-19 are still a danger as lockdown eases, and 鈥渨e still need to be following the plan and taking things step by step,鈥� says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (11 May 2021)

• Caution still needed during lockdown easing Whatever the changes in restrictions, people still need to take personal responsibility and be cautious to help ensure there isn鈥檛 a resurgence in Covid-19, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (11 May 2021)

• Face masks could soon be unnecessary If cases of Covid-19 continue to fall, we could soon be at a point where face masks are no longer necessary in some environments, such as secondary schools, says Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (11 May 2021)

• New mothers twice as likely to have post-natal depression in lockdown Almost half (47.5%) of women with babies aged six months or younger met the threshold for postnatal depression during the first Covid-19 lockdown, more than double average rates for Europe pre-pandemic, finds research by Dr Sarah Myers and Dr Emily Emmott (both UCL Anthropology). (11 May 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Face-to-face medical appointments should return post-Covid While virtual consultations are necessary to protect staff and patients from Covid-19, face-to-face medical appointments are still necessary in the long term due to a lack of technical infrastructure, says Professor Martin Marshall (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (10 May 2021)

• Mild Covid-19 infection very unlikely to cause lasting heart damage Mild Covid-19 infection is very unlikely to cause lasting damage to the structure or function of the heart, according to a study led by Dr Thomas Treibel (UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science). (10 May 2021) ,听,听,听,听UCL News

• No easy return to normality for immunocompromised people Trials are continuing to assess how effective the immune response of immunocompromised people is, but 鈥渟ome profoundly immunosuppressed people are likely to have only weak protection,鈥� from Covid-19, warns Professor Jeremy Brown (宅男视频 Medicine). (10 May 2021)

• Controversy over face masks in schools SAGE should have been consulted on The Government鈥檚 decision to make face masks compulsory in schools, as it鈥檚 not a simple issue due to the 鈥渆motional cost鈥� to children, says Honorary Lecturer Gavin Morgan (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (7 May 2021)

• Patents not the only barrier to vaccine production Even if patents on Covid-19 vaccines were waived, there is 鈥渘o evidence鈥� that other companies would have the skills or equipment to begin manufacturing the vaccines, says Sir Robin Jacob (UCL Laws). (7 May 2021) ,听,听

• Why waiving Covid-19 patents makes sense To control the pandemic, it is essential to suspend intellectual property rights on medical products related to Covid-19, argue Professor Mariana Mazzucato and Els Torreele (both UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose). (7 May 2021)

• Vaccination alone not guaranteed to stop a Covid-19 surge A surge in Covid-19 cases in the Seychelles, despite the nation fully vaccinating more of its population than any other, shows that 鈥渢hat high vaccination rates alone are not necessarily enough to stop a surge in cases,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (6 May 2021)

• National Covid-19 risk continues to drop It is unclear why data suggests that those commuting by public transport are less likely to catch Covid-19 than those walking or cycling, but 鈥淲hat is clear is that the national risk continues to drop,鈥� says Dr Joe Grove (UCL Infection & Immunity). (6 May 2021)

• Covid-19 variant gaining foothold in London The 鈥業ndian鈥� variant of Covid-19 now makes up 10% of cases in London, and 鈥渢hey absolutely need to be surge testing for it because it does seem to be spreading fast in the community,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (5 May 2021) ,听,听,听

• Covid-19 bubbles protect children from stress and bullies Research led by Dr Sandra Leaton Gray (UCL Institute of Education) has found that Covid-19 bubbles in schools has caused some children to flourish because they were shielded from older pupils and did not have to move around school for lessons. (4 May 2021) ,听,听

• Single Covid-19 vaccine dose may boost protection against variants in those previously infected A single dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine may boost protection against Covid-19 variants for those who have previously had the virus, according to a new study involving Professor James Moon, Dr Charlotte Manisty (both UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science). (4 May 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• End of Covid-19 restrictions means increase in personal responsibility As restrictions designed to control the spread of Covid-19 are lifted, 鈥渨e need to put the tools into people鈥檚 hands and help them understand what it is that makes the virus pass from one person to another,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (4 May 2021)

• Covid-19 variant spread 鈥榗oncerning鈥� The spread of the B167 鈥業ndian鈥� variant of Covid-19 in the UK is worrying and 鈥渋t is rapidly on its way to becoming the most commonly detected variant other than the dominant 鈥楰ent鈥� variant,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (30 April 2021) ,听

• Dispel myths and build trust to combat vaccine hesitancy among ethnic minority health workers Addressing misinformation, using more inclusive communication, and promoting vaccination through trusted networks, could help reduce the high rates of vaccine hesitancy among ethnic minority healthcare workers, finds a new study led by Dr Katherine Woolf (宅男视频 Medical School). (30 April 2021) ,听,听UCL News

• Date for ending UK Covid restrictions is symbolic Despite claims of following the data to safely ease Covid-19 restrictions in the UK, 鈥渢o choose June 21, which is Midsummer's Day, as a symbolic releasing of everything is actually choosing dates not data,鈥� says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (29 April 2021) ,听

• One in four people in England exercised less during and after lockdown More than one in four people in England did less exercise than they would normally in the first lockdown, and didn鈥檛 increase it afterwards, finds research by Dr Feifei Bu, Professor Andrew Steptoe, Dr Karen Mak, and Dr Daisy Fancourt (all UCL Epidemiology & Health). (28 April 2021)

• Covid-19 report doesn鈥檛 consider some measures A report on preventing a third wave of Covid-19 is welcome, but doesn鈥檛 take the importance of border controls and a functioning test and trace system into account, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (28 April 2021)

• Mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic The Covid-19 pandemic has seen increases in symptoms of anxiety, depression and loneliness, but this is not uniform across the population, and some people have even seen increases in their mental health and wellbeing, says Professor Andrew Steptoe (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (28 April 2021)

• Autumn Covid-19 lockdown should have been earlier There was a majority scientific consensus that tougher measures were needed to combat Cobvid-19 in autumn last year, and 鈥淚ndie Sage recommended a circuit-breaker by mid-October,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (28 April 2021)

• UCL-Venturas sent to India to help with Covid-19 surge UCL has sent 100 non-invasive breathing aids to India as part of the UK Government鈥檚 shipment of emergency medical supplies. (27 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Pandemic鈥檚 effect on Year 11 students to be tracked in major national study A new study led by Dr Jake Anders (UCL Institute of Education) is being launched today to follow the outcomes 鈥� educational, career and wellbeing 鈥� for 12,000 Year 11 students across England to find out how the pandemic has affected them. (26 April 2021) ,听More: UCL News

• Vaccine passports could become 鈥榮ecurity theatre鈥� The potential for forged vaccine passports, coupled with the difficulty of training and equipping staff across Europe to verify them, could lead to them becoming 鈥渟ecurity theatre鈥� which is more intrusive than practically useful, says Professor Michael Veale (UCL Laws). (26 April 2021) ,听,听

• Covid-19 in India Honorary Lecturer Dr Shikta Das (UCL Cardiovascular Science) and her father, who lives in India, discuss the current Covid-19 situation in the country and how people are coping amid a huge rise in cases. (26 April 2021)

• Mental health care inadequate during Covid-19 pandemic Many mental health patients found their conditions deteriorated during the pandemic because the NHS switched from in-person help to support by telephone, video and text messages, finds research led by Dr Brynmor Lloyd-Evans (UCL Psychiatry). (26 April 2021) ,听

• People with disabilities more likely to be depressed, anxious and lonely during pandemic Older people in England with physical disabilities were more likely to have worse mental health and to feel lonelier during the Covid-19 pandemic than able bodied people finds research by Professor Andrew Steptoe and Dr Giorgio Di Gessa (both UCL Epidemiology & Health). (22 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Regular physical activity cuts Covid-19 risk A study involving Professor Mark Hamer (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science) has found that regular physical activity cuts the risk of dying from infectious diseases such as Covid-19 by 37 per cent, and the risk of catching them by 31 per cent. (22 April 2021)

• Green behaviour during the Covid-19 pandemic While many people have reported doing less to help the environment during the Covid-19 pandemic, 鈥淩outines are often linked to contexts,鈥� and people are likely to move back towards old habits as life returns to normality, says Dr Jo Hale (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (21 April 2021)

• How Covid-19 variants are imported into the UK Queues in airports are a prime location for the spread of Covid-19, the system for checking if passengers have Covid-19 is 鈥渧ery leaky,鈥� and only a small sample of positive tests are checked for Covid-19 variants, says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (21 April 2021) ,听,听,听

• Unclear how many people suffer from long Covid It is unclear how many people suffer from long-term Covid-19, partly because 鈥渘o two patients have the same experience and it varies within patients," says Elizabeth Murray (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (20 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• Under-30s less compliant with Covid-19 rules People under 30, especially those in relatively good physical shape, who rated themselves as not particularly empathetic or conscientious, were less compliant with Covid-19 rules over the past year, finds analysis led by Research Fellow Liam Wright (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (20 April 2021)

• UCL academic appointed to Government-led partnership to prevent future pandemics Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health) has been appointed to the Pandemic Preparedness Partnership, aimed at saving lives from future diseases and preventing another global pandemic. (20 April 2021)

• Greed is holding back the vaccine drive, not helping it Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose) discusses Boris Johnson's suggestion that capitalism and greed drove the UK's quick vaccine roll-out. (19 April 2021)

• Survey on impact of self-isolation on mental health must be approached with caution A survey which found a third of people say self-isolating due to Covid-19 has had a negative effect on their mental health must be approached with caution as the figures are much higher than those found in other surveys, says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (16 April 2021) ,听,听

• How long will economic recovery from Covid-19 last? The economic bounce back from Covid-19 is due to government stimulus and pent-up savings, but the real question should be how we recover to a better economy than the one we had before the pandemic, says Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose). (16 April 2021)

• Difficult to say which vaccines may have risk of blood clots The claim by the manufacturers of the Sputnik Covid-19 vaccine that it doesn鈥檛 have a risk of causing blood clots is difficult to verify as 鈥渢he bottom line is we do not know the cause of this very rare complication,鈥� says Dr Joe Grove (UCL Infection & Immunity). (15 April 2021) ,听

• Spread of Covid-19 variant shows importance of border controls The spread of the South African Covid-19 variant has been traced back to one person who arrived in the UK in February, highlighting 鈥渢he paramount importance of proper border quarantine in a hotel and from all destinations,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (15 April 2021)

• More research needed into mixing Covid-19 vaccine types A second dose of a different Covid-19 vaccine to the first 鈥渨ill probably give good antibody responses,鈥� but human studies are needed to confirm this before any vaccine mixing, says Professor Jeremy Brown (宅男视频 Medicine). (14 April 2021)

• 鈥榁itally important鈥� remaining at-risk population get Covid-19 vaccine Around 5-10% of those in the UK who are 鈥榤ost at risk鈥� from Covid-19 haven鈥檛 been vaccinated, and it is 鈥渧itally important we get that last few percent,鈥� says Professor Jeremy Brown (宅男视频 Medicine). (14 April 2021) ,听

• Half of children with inflammatory syndrome after Covid-19 `have neurological signs麓 Half of all children who develop an inflammatory condition linked to Covid-19 have neurological symptoms or signs, such as headaches or seizures, finds research led by Dr Omar Abdel-Mannan (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (14 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Self-employed need support to self-isolate Self-employed people need financial support to self-isolate when they test positive for Covid-19, as otherwise they lose money not working and are unlikely to isolate, says Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy). (13 April 2021) ,听

• Easing Covid-19 restrictions too soon could be dangerous Easing lockdown measures prematurely could be dangerous, especially with a lack of concrete data showing how significantly vaccines stop the spread of infection. Says Professor David Alexander (UCL Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction). (13 April 2021)

• Vaccine passports could give false sense of security The widespread adoption of vaccine certificates for Covid-19 could be discriminatory and give a false sense of security as no vaccine gives 100% protection, warns Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (13 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• Rapid Covid-19 tests could give false reassurance The mass rollout of rapid Covid-19 tests could give false reassurance to people as 鈥渘egative results鈥� are not an accurate indicator of not having coronavirus,鈥� says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (13 April 2021) ,听

• Test and trace vital in suppressing Covid-19 A functional test & trace program is vital in stopping Covid-19 spread, and 鈥淭here will be a d茅j脿 vu this summer,鈥� as experts urge the Government to reform the current program and support those self-isolating, says Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (13 April 2021)

• Covid-19 has radically changed the housing market Covid-19 has polarised the market between those with high purchasing power 鈥渃ompeting hard for highly desirable homes,鈥� and others who are suffering financially, says Professor Yolande Barnes (UCL Bartlett Real Estate Institute). (13 April 2021)

• UK Covid-19 variant does not increase disease severity in hospitalised patients The Kent variant of Covid-19 is not associated with more severe illness and death in hospitalised patients, but appears to lead to higher virus load, suggests a new study led by Dr Eleni Nastouli (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (13 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听, 听UCL News

• Covid-19 herd immunity could be imminent Herd immunity to Covid-19 in the UK could be achieved in the UK, due to the levels of people with protection either through vaccination or previous infection, finds modelling by Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (13 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• More research needed into potential Covid-19 vaccine blood clot link While the absolute risk of blood clots 鈥渞emains extremely low,鈥� after Covid-19 vaccination, more research is needed to establish whether there is a link between the clots and the vaccine, says Professor David Werring (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (13 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Regular testing crucial to preventing Covid-19 spread Regular testing for Covid-19 is a step to help limit virus spread, as people are infectious before any symptoms develop, but support is needed for those self-isolating, say Professor Henry Potts (UCL Health Informatics) and Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (13 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听

• Vaccine passports could give false sense of security The widespread adoption of vaccine certificates for Covid-19 could be discriminatory and give a false sense of security as no vaccine gives 100% protection, warns Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (13 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• Blood clot risk from Covid-19 vaccination very low The risk of a blood clot after taking the Covid-19 vaccination is very low, but must be balanced against the risks different groups have of being seriously affected by Covid-19, says Professor Jeremy Brown (宅男视频 Medicine). (13 April 2021)

• Covid-19 vaccines for children Professor Monica Lakhanpaul (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) discusses Covid vaccines for children, what can be done to help parents overcome hesitancy and a new UCL-India Alliance exhibition focusing on the critical first 1,000 days of a child鈥檚 life. (1 April 2021) Listen: BBC World Service鈥檚 鈥楬ealth Check鈥� (from 55 secs)

• Nearly a third of Covid-19 hospital patients readmitted within 140 days People discharged from hospital after Covid-19 appear to have increased risks of diseases across multiple organs and nearly a third are readmitted to hospital in the following months, according to a new study co-led by Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (1 April 2021) ,听,听,听UCL News

• Low adherence to Test, Trace, and Isolate in UK Adherence to the UK鈥檚 test, trace, and isolate system, and people鈥檚 understanding of the main symptoms of Covid-19 are low, according to analysis involving Professor Henry Potts (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) and Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (1 April 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Teaching and classroom assistants key to keeping schools open in lockdown Just over half of teaching assistants in schools stepped-up to manage classes on their own during the winter lockdown ensuring vulnerable and key worker children could attend lessons, finds a study led by Dr Rob Webster and Professor Gemma Moss (Both UCL Institute of Education). (1 April 2021) ,听More: UCL News

• Antibodies in population key to suppressing Covid-19 News that over half of the UK population have Covid-19 antibodies is 鈥渁mazingly good news,鈥� as this is key to reducing Covid-19 cases, but there are still millions of people without this protection, cautions Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (31 March 2021)

• Fewer than 1 in 10 adults sleeping well during lockdown Fewer than 1 in 10 (7.7%) people say they are currently getting 鈥榲ery good鈥� quality sleep during the Covid-19 lockdown, find UCL researchers led by Dr Elise Paul (UCL Epidemiology & Health) as part of the Covid-19 Social Study. (31 March 2021) ,听Read: UCL News

• Clearer messaging on mitigating Covid-19 risk needed People are currently too fixated on the rules of the Covid-19 lockdown, rather than the actual risks posed by different activities, and messaging around the best ways to mitigate risk needs to be prioritised, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (30 March 2021)

• UK Covid-19 death toll 鈥榝ailure of public health policy鈥� The high Covid-19 death toll in the UK wasn鈥檛 inevitable, and 鈥測ou can鈥檛 see it as anything other than a failure of public health policy,鈥� when compared to other countries with far lower death rates, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (29 March 2021)

• Dealing with Covid-19 without religion Dr John Sabapathy (UCL History) discusses the role of community and religion in times of crisis throughout history, saying 鈥淲hen it comes to mortality, we have relatively few social institutions that allow us to talk about it,鈥� in modern secular society. (29 March 2021)

• Difficult to predict impact of lockdown easing The easing of the Covid-19 lockdown 鈥渋s likely to lead to a resurgence in cases although the speed and extent of this is difficult to predict,鈥� warns Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (29 March 2021) ,听

• Confidence in government handling of Covid-19 higher in Scotland Scots have more confidence in the Scottish Government鈥檚 handling of Covid-19 than English people do in the UK Government, finds 宅男视频 Covid Social Study, partially due to the loss of confidence after the Dominic Cummings scandal, says Dr Elise Paul (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (29 March 2021)

• Compliance with Covid-19 lockdown rules remains high Adherence to the Covid-19 lockdown rules is high, with 93.9% of people saying they generally comply with the rules, finds the Covid-19 Social Study, led by Dr Elise Paul (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (29 March 2021)

• Travel restrictions can鈥檛 completely stop Covid-19 transmission As some travel is needed for essentials such as freight entering the country, any travel restrictions can at best slow the transmission of Covid-19 from one country to another, but can鈥檛 prevent it completely, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (29 March 2021)

• Staying mentally healthy during Covid-19 Professor Andrew Steptoe (UCL Epidemiology & Health) discusses ways to improve mental health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that gardening and being active outside can both provide a boost to mental wellbeing, while fixating on the news can be harmful. (29 March 2021)

• How to prevent Covid-19 rates increasing Lockdown easing is a cause for celebration, but it is important people don鈥檛 mix indoors as this drives infection rates up, and holidays abroad this year could import Covid-19 variants, says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (29 March 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Increase in Covid-19 cases not just due to testing An increase in cases of Covid-19 will partially be due to increased testing, but also due to the re-opening of schools and mixing that results, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (26 March 2021) ,听

• UK entered Covid-19 pandemic in poor shape Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health) discusses his report into the health of Britain, saying 鈥渨e were in terrible shape,鈥� as a nation, even before the Covid-19 pandemic. (26 March 2021)

• How long Covid affects children Honorary Associate Professor Amali Lokugamage (宅男视频 Medical School) contributes to an article on how long Covid affects children and what parents and teachers need to know about the condition. (26 March 2021)

• The complexities of Covid-19 modelling Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) explains the different types of modelling used for Covid-19, with 鈥榳orst-case鈥� and more realistic models both having an important part to play in coordinating a response to the pandemic. (26 March 2021)

• Learning to live with Covid-19 Covid-19 cannot be eradicated, but it can be eliminated through a combination of public health measures and population immunity worldwide, which will suppress community transmission, says Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health). (25 March 2021) ,听

• Big cities could become centres of Covid-19 infection As lockdown restrictions ease, there are still a lot of people who could get seriously ill, especially in areas of big cities where vaccine uptake rates have been lower, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (24 March 2021)

• Covid-19 vaccines will need updating over time The fight against Covid-19 is a race where 鈥渢he two sides are constantly trying to gain the advantage,鈥� meaning that vaccines will need updating as the virus continues to mutate, says Professor Greg Towers (UCL Infection & Immunity). (24 March 2021)

• Statement on Covid-19 vaccine 鈥榟ighly unusual鈥� A statement by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is 鈥淗ighly unusual鈥�'It comes close to accusing Oxford/AZ of having wilfully misrepresented some results from their recent US vaccine trial,鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (24 March 2021)

• Over 4 in 5 people who were hesitant would now take Covid-19 vaccine More than four in five people who were unsure or said no to a Covid-19 vaccine in December 2020 would now take one or have been vaccinated, finds research by 宅男视频 Virus Watch study, led by Dr Parth Patel and Professor Rob Aldridge (both UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (24 March 2021) ,听,听UCL News

• Smarter public spending is key to Covid-19 recovery Rebuilding the economy and reducing inequality post-Covid will require a massive reorganisation of public spending on work, education and skills issues, according to Professor Sir Richard Blundell (UCL Economics). (23 March 2021) ,听More: UCL News

• Europe Covid wave largely due to Kent variant The surge of Covid-19 cases in Europe is primarily due to the Kent variant of the virus which is already commonplace in the UK, meaning any attempts to blame this third wave on a delay to the UK lockdown roadmap is a 鈥渟capegoat,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (23 March 2021)

• Blaming vaccines for rise in Covid-19 deaths 鈥榬idiculous鈥� A paper blaming vaccines for an increase in Covid-19 deaths is 鈥渞idiculous鈥�if you鈥檝e been vaccinated you have around an 85 per cent lower chance of ending up in hospital,鈥� says Professor Jeremy Brown (宅男视频 Medicine). (23 March 2021)

• Stronger travel restrictions needed to prevent Covid-19 spread Strong border restrictions are needed to prevent the spread of new Covid-19 variants, as at the moment we are relying too much on luck to carry us through the pandemic, warns Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (22 March 2021)

• Vaccine passports don鈥檛 solve problems Vaccine passports wouldn鈥檛 solve issues around travel or festivals, as the window where people would be fully vaccinated doesn鈥檛 tally with the timings of these events, says Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery (UCL Laws). (22 March 2021)

• The psychological and social impact of Covid-19 Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health) discusses the psychological and social impacts of Covid-19, as well as the Covid-19 Social Study, on actor and journalist Ross Kemp鈥檚 podcast. (22 March 2021)

• Traffic light system for Covid could facilitate travel A system where some countries 鈥渁re no-go areas鈥�other areas where there will be more severe restrictions鈥�and maybe there will be some low-risk countries that you can go,鈥� could allow travel during the Covid-19 pandemic, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (22 March 2021) ,听,听

• Another wave of Covid-19 is possible A surge in Covid-19 infections is possible if mistakes are made when exiting lockdown, but 鈥渨ill cause substantially fewer deaths and hospitalisations because of high levels of vaccination,鈥� says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (22 March 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Earlier lockdown would likely have saved lives of London bus drivers, reports independent review An independent review into the deaths of London bus drivers from Covid-19, led Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Institute of Health Equity), finds an earlier national lockdown would likely have saved lives. (22 March 2021) ,听,听,听UCL News

• How Covid-19 is changing our sex lives People living without a partner during the Covid-19 pandemic 鈥渨ere more likely to report increases in sexual activity that don鈥檛 involve a partner,鈥� including masturbation, watching more porn and using sex toys, says Professor Cath Mercer (UCL Institute for Global Health). (22 March 2021)

• CPAP breathing aid helping Covid-19 patients in over 15 countries The low-cost breathing aid developed by UCL, UCLH and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains - the UCL-Ventura - is helping to cut deaths from COVID-19 in hospitals around the world. (19 March 2021) ,听听,听UCL News

• Wide variety of animal hosts carry Covid-19 virus Commenting on concerns around the number of animal species that might be able to host the virus causing Covid-19, Professor Joanne Santini (UCL Structural & Molecular Biology) says that coronaviruses typically have a 鈥渂road host range鈥�. (18 March 2021)

• Too soon to tell if Covid-19 will surge in winter months If the transmission risk of Covid-19 is low during the summer, herd immunity may be achieved, but if viral transmission remains high, a winter resurgence is more likely, says Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (17 March 2021)

• Tackling Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy Hesitancy around the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine may grow, and 鈥渢he way to get trust from the public is to be open and present the information on both sides,鈥� as this will make it clear that the vaccine risk is very low, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (17 March 2021)

• UK Covid-19 variant spread rapidly in care homes The UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly in care homes in England in November and December last year, broadly reflecting its spread in the general population, according to a study by Dr Maria Krutikov and Dr Laura Shallcross (Both UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (17 March 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听听UCL News

• 鈥楧ifficult to place value鈥� on long Covid study A study which suggests children with long Covid suffer symptoms for an average of over eight months is interesting, but it is 鈥渧ery difficult to place value on the findings,鈥� due to the methodology, says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (17 March 2021)

• Covid-19 inquiry should focus on learning for the future Any inquiry into the UK鈥檚 response to the Covid-19 pandemic should focus on 鈥渓earning for the future rather than culpability,鈥� says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (17 March 2021) ,听

• Halting Covid-19 vaccinations increases risks Suspending use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine not only increases the Covid risk in the population, but also could actually increase risks of thrombosis as this is one of the known complications of Covid-19, says Professor Lucy Walker (UCL Immunity & Transplantation). (17 March 2021)

• The story of Covid-19 Professor Hugh Montgomery (宅男视频 Medicine) shares his experience of working as an ICU consultant during Covid-19, along with some of the patients he cared for including author Michael Rosen. (17 March 2021)

• Covid-19 death rate among people in prison three times higher than public People in prisons are at an increased risk of Covid-19 - with a death rate over three times higher than that of the general population - and should be made a vaccine priority, finds a study led by Dr Isobel Braithwaite (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (17 March 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• South African Covid-19 variant likely widespread As the South African variant of Covid-19 is identified through gene sequencing, and around 5-10% of cases are sequenced, 鈥測ou can immediately tell from that that we have a big under-estimation of the number of cases,鈥� says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (16 March 2021)
• How to ease lockdown without deepening social divisions We must boost resources for disadvantaged areas to ensure that they can benefit from testing and vaccination and not be disadvantaged by the need to self-isolate during the Covid-19 pandemic, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (15 March 2021)
• Vigilance needed on Covid-19 With children going back to schools, the level of mixing in society could lead to an increase in Covid-19 rates, meaning caution must be taken, says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (15 March 2021)

• Covid-19 is an opportunity to change capitalism Recovery funds for Covid-19 need to be used to create stronger structures in the real economy, especially global health systems, rather than being pumped back into the financial sector, says Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose). (12 March 2021)

• High rates of mental health disorder among all health and social care groups Almost 60% of frontline health and social care workers (HSCWs) experienced a mental health disorder during the first Covid-19 lockdown, suggests a study led by Dr Talya Greene, Dr Michael Bloomfield, and Dr Jo Billing (all UCL Psychiatry). (11 March 2021) ,听,听UCL News

• Covid-19 has exacerbated gender inequities Women have spent longer on housework and childcare than men during the Covid-19 pandemic, and mothers were more likely than fathers to change employment schedules to care for children, finds research led by Dr Baowen Xue and Professor Anne McMunn (both UCL Epidemiology & Health). (11 March 2021) ,听

• Covid, ICU burnout and the NHS pay rise row Professor Hugh Montgomery (宅男视频 Medicine) speaks about Covid-19鈥檚 toll on the NHS frontline, and why more support is desperately needed. (11 March 2021)

• NHS Covid-19 vaccine algorithm may be flawed The algorithm used to decide vaccine priority may be flawed as it will assign somebody the highest BMI possible if no weight is recorded, and younger, healthier people are less likely to have these measurements recorded, says Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (10 March 2021)

• BAME groups don鈥檛 all face same Covid-19 risk BAME communities are often grouped together when it comes to Covid-19, but the risks are radically different within the individual communities that fall under this grouping, says Professor Monica Lakhanpaul (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (10 March 2021)

• Will people break lockdown rules as vaccine rollout continues? It makes sense for the UK to exit lockdown 鈥渢ogether,鈥� rather than bringing in different rules for the vaccinated and unvaccinated, and polls show that most people think the relaxing of restrictions is proceeding at a good pace, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (10 March 2021)

• Do vaccinated people relax on other Covid-19 prevention measures? Professor Andrew Steptoe (UCL Epidemiology & Health) discusses the prospect of relaxing Covid-19 restrictions for those who have been vaccinated, saying that so far there hasn鈥檛 been any evidence of vaccinated people flouting the current lockdown measures. (10 March 2021) ,听

• How Covid-19 jumped from animals to humans Professor Kate Jones (UCL Biosciences) speaks to Dr Chris Van Tulleken (UCL Infection & Immunity) about Covid-19鈥檚 origins, saying many viruses jump from animals to humans, often driven by human behaviours such as habitat destruction. (10 March 2021)

• We must remain cautious on Covid-19 Covid-19 vaccines will help to reduce deaths from the virus but will not eliminate it completely, and we it isn鈥檛 鈥渢ime to return to a more risky approach,鈥� warns Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). ,听,听,听,听,,听,听,听,听,听 (10 March 2021)

• School openings won鈥檛 increase Covid spread The re-opening of schools won鈥檛 have an impact on Covid-19 rates, writes Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute), saying 鈥淚鈥檓 personally not convinced any school would have been closed if we had been 鈥榝ollowing the science.鈥� (9 March 2021)

• Schools are vital for child development Reopening schools is important both for teaching and 鈥渋ncidental aspects of education [which are] so important for children鈥檚 development, such as play and developing social skills,鈥� says Honorary Lecturer Gavin Morgan (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (8 March 2021)

• Discharged Covid-19 patients to be treated via digital technology Project lead Professor Elizabeth Murray (UCL Epidemiology & Health) explains the value of an innovative digital app which was developed by UCL researchers with Barts Health NHS Trust and UCL Partners, to treat the lasting effects of Covid-19 infection. (8 March 2021)

• More cautious approach to school returns needed With concern around new Covid-19 variants and the possibility of localised outbreaks, a more cautious approach to school returns 鈥渟tarting off with the primary schoolchildren,鈥� should have been taken, says Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (8 March 2021) Read: Guardian

• Overcrowded households have much higher Covid-19 risk The UCL Virus Watch study has found that overcrowded households have twice the risk of coronavirus infection compared to people living in undercrowded households, says Dr Rob Aldridge (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (8 March 2021)

• The women leading the way on Covid-19 research Professor Judith Breuer (UCL Infection & Immunity) is included in a list of women conducting ground-breaking research for her work looking at the spread of Covid in hospitals to understand how NHS staff and patients get infected. (5 March 2021)

• Key driver of Covid-19 risk for minority ethnic groups unclear 鈥淎 high proportion of ethnic minority people live in deprived areas. But you can鈥檛 tease out鈥�the key driver of not only getting the coronavirus but also feeling the worst effects of it,鈥� says Professor Nishi Chaturvedi (宅男视频 MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing). (5 March 2021)

• Society must learn to live with Covid-19 The worst levels of Covid-19 mortality are probably over, but we must learnt to live with the virus in much the same way as we do the winter flu, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (5 March 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Why do people break Covid-19 lockdown rules? While it is easy to condemn those who break Covid-19 lockdown rules as selfish and dangerous, the sheer number of people flouting restrictions implies there may be deeper issues behind the breach, says Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (5 March 2021)

• FDA issues emergency authorisation for Covid-19 vaccine Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy) is interviewed about the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the US. (3 March 2021)

• Reduction in Covid-19 deaths is good news The downward trend in Covid-19 cases and deaths is good news, but it is essential to remain cautious when easing lockdown restrictions and ensure that the numbers don鈥檛 rise, says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (3 March 2021) ,听

• Long Covid must be taken into account when easing lockdown Despite a lack of hard evidence, children do suffer from long Covid, and this must be taken into account when discussing reopening schools and easing lockdown, say Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) and Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (2 March 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• Single dose of vaccine acts as 鈥榖ooster鈥� in those with prior Covid-19 infection Those who have had Covid-19 have an enhanced response with a single dose of RNA vaccine, finds research led by Professor James Moon, Professor Charlotte Manisty (both UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science) and Professor Mahdad Noursadeghi (UCL Division of Infection & Immunity). (1 March 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Lockdown easing could lead to rule-bending The easing of lockdown measures could lead to people not fully understanding what they鈥檙e allowed to do, or bending rules in advance of dates when easing takes place, warn Dr Daisy Fancourt and Professor Robert West (both UCL Epidemiology & Health). (1 March 2021)

• School closures risk 'permanent scarring' to children Keeping children away from the classroom does "serious harm" not only to their education but also to their mental and physical health, finds research led by Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (1 March 2021)

• New vaccine approval 鈥榚xciting鈥� The approval of a single-dose Covid-19 vaccine which can be stored easily is 鈥渆xciting鈥� and should help with vaccine rollout worldwide, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (1 March 2021)

• Covid-19 infection levels still too high to ignore guidelines People need to obey stay-at-home orders despite the warm weather and vaccination rollout, as Covid-19 infection rates are still far too high to relax, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (1 March 2021) ,听,听,听

• Herd immunity threshold could be reached by mid-May Modelling by Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) suggests herd immunity to Covid-19 could be reached by mid-May, although Friston stresses that all forecasts must be taken 鈥渨ith a pinch of salt鈥�. (26 February 2021)

• Covid could become 鈥榙isease of poverty鈥� if government does not raise sick pay A refusal by the Government to address issues associated with deprivation could lead to Covid-19 becoming a 鈥渄isease of poverty鈥�, as diseases such as TB have been in the past, says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (26 February 2021)

• Most Covid-19 mutations 鈥榥ot of particular concern鈥� Viruses are constantly mutating, and the majority of Covid-19 mutations aren鈥檛 concerning, but "Noticing them early, flagging them, raising concern is useful," says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (26 February 2021) ,听,听

• How can you tell when a patient has long Covid? It can be hard to diagnose long Covid, and sufferers seem to experience a cluster of different symptoms rather than a single issue, explains Professor Nishi Chaturvedi (宅男视频 MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing). (25 February 2021)

• Schools awarding GCSEs and A-levels puts teachers in 鈥榬idiculous鈥� position The announcement that schools will be awarding GCSEs and A-levels directly puts teachers under pressure as any student who feels they鈥檝e been under-predicted is likely to appeal, which could lead to major grade inflation, says Dr Jake Anders (UCL Institute of Education). (25 February 2021)

• 'People's Covid Inquiry' to include UCL academic A group of experts including Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health) have formed a 鈥楶eople鈥檚 Covid Inquiry鈥� to examine the UK response to the Covid-19 pandemic. (25 February 2021)

• Should the UK roll out vaccine passports? Professor Jonathan Montgomery (UCL Laws) comments on concerns about 'vaccine passports', such as a lack of strong evidence that vaccinated people will not transmit Covid-19, and possible civil liberties issues. (24 February 2021) ,听

• Lockdown shows that flu season may be avoidable Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) says that, while no one would advocate a return to lockdowns, the reduction of flu deaths this season shows there may be measures, such as hand sanitiser in shops, that could continue to protect the NHS. (24 February 2021)

• Schools can safely reopen if lockdown is maintained elsewhere School reopening needs to be our highest priority and can be done safely as long as wider restrictions remain in place in march to keep the Covid-19 spread to a minimum, says Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (23 February 2021) ,听,听

• Studies on vaccine effectiveness are 鈥榩romising鈥� While new studies on Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness weren鈥檛 large enough to be completely conclusive, they are 鈥渧ery promising and in line with what we hoped for from the trials,鈥� says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (23 February 2021) ,听

• Lockdown easing must be cautious The roadmap out of the Covid-19 lockdown is welcome, but any unlocking must be cautious and entirely dependent on the progressing situation, says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (23 February 2021)

• Lockdown roadmap raises expectations A gradual return to normality has been announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but the inclusion of specific dates will raise people鈥檚 expectations and make it more difficult to shift the timeframe if needed, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (23 February 2021)

• Can 鈥楥ovid status certificates鈥� help the UK return to normal life? Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery (UCL Laws) discusses the proposed 鈥淐ovid status certificates鈥�, a type of vaccine passport, saying they raise problems ranging from privacy to inequalities created by exclusions. (23 February 2021) ,听

• Prematurely ending lockdown could increase rates of long Covid If people are not adequately protected as the Covid-19 lockdown eases, 鈥渨e would expect to see higher rates of long Covid,鈥� says Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (23 February 2021)

• New Covid-19 strains possible in US if lockdown not put in place While cases of an older variant could fall rapidly enough that it looks like Covid-19 is fading, a new variant could be growing at the same time if the US doesn鈥檛 enact cautionary measures, warns Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (22 February 2021)

• How and when to safely lift Covid-19 lockdown Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) and Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) give their views on when the Covid-19 lockdown can be lifted, both stressing the importance of not picking an arbitrary date to lift measures. (19 February 2021)

• UCL researchers lead 拢11m projects to investigate Long Covid Professor Nishi Chaturvedi (MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing at UCL) and Professor Sir Terence Stephenson (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) are leading two new studies on Long Covid announced by the UK Government today. (18 February 2021) ,听,听UCL News

• Two possible reasons why a Covid-19 variant is more transmissible Research suggests that Covid-19 variants are more transmissible either due to a higher viral load or due to the virus being transmissible for a longer period of time, explains Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (18 February 2021)

• Heart damage in half of Covid-19 patients with raised protein levels More than 50% of patients hospitalised with Covid-19, who had raised levels of a protein called troponin, have some heart damage, finds a new magnetic resonance imaging study led by Professor Marianna Fontana (宅男视频 Medicine). (18 February 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Could people be infected with two strains of Covid-19? While there doesn鈥檛 seem to have been a significant number of Covid-19 cases which have resulted from multiple strains of the virus, it would not be surprising if they started to occur, say Dr Lucy Van Dorp and Professor Francois Balloux (Both UCL Genetics Institute). (17 February 2021) ,听

• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports are 鈥榚xcellent鈥� A report on mask wearing during Covid-19 by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is another example of their 鈥渆vidence-based, cautious, balanced鈥�technical and yet approachable [reports],鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (17 February 2021)

• Covid-19 shielding update is based on more sophisticated system The new Covid-19 shielding list takes national data and calculates risk in a more sophisticated way, incorporating age, illness, and ethnicity, among other factors, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (17 February 2021) ,听

• Covid-19 illustrates why Canada needs more - and better - public banks The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that Canada鈥檚 public banks need to be strong, democratic and accountable to tackle issues in the future, argues an article co-written by Dr Thomas Marois (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose). (17 February 2021)

• Covid cases must be lower before easing lockdown rules Cases of Covid-19 cannot be allowed to rise again, not just due to the danger from the virus itself, but also due to the impact cases have on hospital capacity and delaying other operations, warns Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (17 February 2021)

• UK hits target for vaccinating most vulnerable 鈥� but who should be prioritised next? After those most at risk of dying or becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 have been vaccinated, there are differing views on which groups should be prioritised next, say Dr Vageesh Jain (UCL Institute for Global Health) and Professor Paula Lorgelly (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (16 February 2021) ,听,听UCL News

• School closures harm children鈥檚 health and well-being School closures during Covid-19 lockdowns have led to a marked decrease in children鈥檚 health and well-being, finds a review authored by Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (16 February 2021)

• How to avoid lockdown eye strain Taking regular breaks from looking at a screen is essential for preventing eye strain during lockdown, as 鈥渋t gives your eyes a chance to look into the distance and blink," says Mariya Moosajee (UCL Ophthalmology). (16 February 2021)

• Rapid detection of new Covid-19 variants is vital Detecting Covid-19 variants of potential concern while they are at a low frequency is vital in reducing their impact and prevalence, says Dr Lucy Van Dorp (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment). (16 February 2021) ,听

• The problem with a 鈥榋ero Covid鈥� approach Eliminating Covid-19 completely would require a huge economic and social cost, and would not be 鈥渃ompatible with the individual rights and freedoms that characterise post-war democracies," says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (16 February 2021)

• No guarantee UK Covid-19 variant will outcompete variants from abroad Claims that new Covid-19 variants will not spread in the UK due to the existing Kent variant ignore the fact that 鈥渢here are actually more unknowns than some may think, or the government communication could suggest,鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (15 February 2021)

• Reusable masks needed to reduce plastic waste听鈥嬧�婱ass adoption of reusable face masks is needed to reduce the environmental impact of disposable masks, which have a higher carbon footprint and are very difficult to recycle, says Professor Mark Miodownik (宅男视频 Mechanical Engineering). (15 February 2021)

• Covid-19 shows we should put policy ahead of cost Our Covid-19 strategy should be based on the principle of determining policy goals first, then doing what is necessary to achieve them, rather than beginning with the idea of potential costs, says Professor James Wilson (UCL Philosophy). (15 February 2021)

• Worldwide immunity and more time needed to halt Covid-19 Without worldwide immunity to Covid-19, new strains will be a danger, says Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health), while Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) warns that 鈥渢here are still more people in hospital than during the first peak.鈥� (15 February 2021) ,听,听,听

• UK vaccine rollout aimed at equal access The UK鈥檚 vaccine rollout programme has worked on the principle of equal access, which contrasts with countries such as Germany, where individuals need to book an appointment, favouring more 鈥渢ech-savvy鈥� citizens, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (15 February 2021)

• Covid-19 vaccination programme must reach marginalised people The UK鈥檚 Covid-19 vaccination rollout needs to reach excluded and marginalised people such as refugees, asylum seekers and the homeless, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (15 February 2021)

• The parallels between AIDS and Covid-19 AIDS and Covid-19, while very different diseases, both expose the groups in society which are deemed to deserve rapid protection, and "Covid is a genocide of the clinically vulnerable and disabled by neglect," says PhD Student Ben Weil (UCL Science & Technology Studies). (12 February 2021)

• Why we need a People鈥檚 Vaccine for Covid-19 The world will not emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic without a People's Vaccine that can be produced rapidly and made available for all people free of charge, argues an article co-authored by Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose). (12 February 2021)

• UCL medical volunteers at a Covid ICU 鈥� photo essay A photo essay documenting the lives of medical volunteers working shifts on ICU during Covid-19 features UCL students Seyi Adeleye and Theo Reback (Both 宅男视频 Medical School). (12 February 2021)

• Kent Covid-19 variant could 'sweep the world' Professor Greg Towers (UCL Infection & Immunity) warns that the more transmissible variant of Covid-19 first identified in Kent could become the dominant strain worldwide. (12 February 2021) ,听

• Hotel quarantine scheme is too little, too late Introducing a quarantine for arrivals into the UK to prevent new variants entering the country is unlikely to be effective, as the variants in question have already been imported into the UK, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (10 February 2021)

• Wider lockdown key to preventing Covid-19 surge if schools reopen Wider restrictions must remain in place if schools reopen in March to keep the epidemic鈥檚 R number below 1 in the UK, finds a study led by Dr Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths (UCL Epidemiology & Health) and Professor Russell Viner (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health). (10 February 2021) ,听,听UCL News

• Wearing two facemasks is 'common sense' but not backed by strong evidence Two face masks are likely to reduce Covid-19 spread, but there is a lack of research into the topic and the increased discomfort may mean people are put off, 鈥渇iddle with the mask more, or they don鈥檛 wear it properly,鈥� says Dr Ben Killingley (UCL Institute for Global Health). (9 February 2021) ,听,听

• How has lockdown affected light pollution? Professor Lucie Green (宅男视频 Mullard Space Science Laboratory) explains how to spot the constellation Orion, as people are being asked to count the stars they can see from their home to measure how levels of light pollution have been affected by lockdown. (8 February 2021)

• Hotel quarantine scheme 鈥榤isguided鈥� A scheme to prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants by requiring arrivals into the UK to quarantine in hotels is 鈥渕isguided鈥�, as we should instead be focussing on controlling the spread of the virus more generally, says Professor David Alexander (UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction). (8 February 2021)

• Are Covid-19 vaccine passports a good idea? Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery (UCL Laws) discusses the idea of Covid-19 vaccine passports, as well as their possible downsides and impact on peoples鈥� behaviour, a topic which he is currently chairing an expert deliberation on. (8 February 2021) ,听

• Covid-19 vaccination is cutting cases and death rates The Covid-19 R rate is below 1 and by July, vaccination, natural immunity and social distancing could have produced some form of 鈥渉erd immunity鈥�, finds modelling led by Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (5 February 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,,听,听,听,听

• Covid-19 pandemic the result of multiple factors Research which claims climate change played a key role in the Covid-19 pandemic is interesting, but viral transmission from animals to humans 鈥渋s a complex interplay of not only ecological hazard but human exposure and vulnerability," says Professor Kate Jones (UCL Biosciences). (5 February 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听

• How worrying are Covid-19 mutations? Covid-19 variants must be controlled and prevented from spreading where possible, as although none of the current mutations are vaccine-resistant, further mutations could have an impact on vaccine efficacy, warns Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (5 February 2021)

• The impact of reduced social interaction on health Due to Covid-19, many of the daily social interactions people took for granted are no longer possible, and the lack of spontaneity and minor gestures are an issue as they can have a major impact on our wellbeing, says Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (5 February 2021)

• Covid-19 restrictions could be loosened significantly by summer The seasonality of Covid-19, coupled with the vaccine rollout, mean that a 鈥渟ignificant return to normality,鈥� should be possible by the summer, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (4 February 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• Chinese Covid-19 vaccines could be 鈥榓 very useful tool鈥� A Chinese-developed Covid-19 vaccine which has low rates of preventing the disease, but can prevent serious illness, could still be 鈥榓 very useful tool鈥� as preventing serious illness is the top priority, says Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy). (3 February 2021) ,听

• Strengthen UK border controls to help contain Covid-19 A co-ordinated approach by the UK to control borders and prevent transmission of Covid-19 variants is necessary to control the spread of the virus, says Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy). (3 February 2021) ,听

• Can schools reopen safely in March? Amid concern around the government鈥檚 plans to reopen schools in March, Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health) comments on the possible effects for children鈥檚 health, education and coronavirus transmission in the community. (3 February 2021) ,听,听

• Reducing infection rate vital to minimising Covid-19 variants As scientists come to grips with how the coronavirus continues to mutate, Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) says current efforts to contain an outbreak of the South African variant in the UK will likely contain rather than eliminate it. (3 February 2021)

• AstraZeneca publishes EU contract amid vaccine row Professor Ronan McCrea (UCL Laws) discusses what the publication of the EU contract means for the vaccine row with AstraZeneca. (3 February 2021)

• Indonesia鈥檚 prioritisation of Covid-19 vaccine to those aged 18-59 years old 鈥榪uestionable鈥� The Indonesian government policy to exclude the elderly in the first phase of the free Covid-19 vaccination program could hinder the vaccine鈥檚 impact in lowering mortality rates, argues an article co-authored by PhD Student Fiona Verisqa (UCL Eastman Dental Institute). (2 February 2021)

• Socialising in childhood provides foundation for good mental health Lockdown loneliness for children could leave a long legacy, as 鈥渒eeping relationships with others during this period provides the foundation for good mental health in adulthood,鈥� says Professor Eamon McCrory (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (2 February 2021)

• 鈥楽ustainable strategy鈥� needed to tackle Covid-19 mutations New variants of Covid-19 will continue to pose a risk, and the UK cannot keep borders shut forever, meaning a 鈥渟ustainable strategy鈥� is needed to deal with future mutations, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (2 February 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• The importance of public health Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health) talks about her work on HIV and AIDS, her involvement in Flu Watch, a community survey which ran during the swine flu pandemic, and why it鈥檚 important to focus on prevention as well as cure. (2 February 2021)

• Covid deaths likely to exceed those in first wave Deaths from Covid-19 in the current wave of the pandemic are "likely to far exceed the number seen during the first wave," as it will be more protracted than the first, warns Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (1 February 2021) ,听,听

• Covid-19 pandemic not an unexpected threat The Covid-19 pandemic was predictable, and pandemics are 鈥渢housands of times more likely than a volcanic super-eruption or asteroid impact,鈥� says Professor Bill McGuire (UCL Earth Sciences). (1 February 2021)

• China's plan for anal swabs to test for COVID-19 is 'obvious thing to do' Professor Joanne Santini (UCL Structural & Molecular Biology) comments that the use of anal swabs to test for COVID-19 is not nice, but makes sense based on the evidence available. (1 February 2021)

• Giving forests back to communities could halt the next pandemic Reducing deforestation is key to breaking the chain of disease emergence, and 鈥淲hen humans change the landscape, there are definite changes that could influence a spillover,鈥� says PhD Student Rory Gibb (UCL Biosciences). (1 February 2021)

• How to ensure rapid Covid-19 vaccine rollout Supply of vaccines is only one facet of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, with attitudes towards vaccines and logistical issues in administering vaccines also incredibly important, says Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy). (1 February 2021)

• Failure to act behind high UK death toll Adding to criticism over the government鈥檚 handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) says that the UK鈥檚 high death toll could have been reduced with tighter lockdowns and border controls early on. (29 January 2021)

• EU lab inspection part of ongoing dispute over vaccine supply Amid a contractual dispute over Covid-19 vaccine supply to the EU, Professor David Taylor (UCL School of Pharmacy) says an EU lab inspection is a tactic used to make a political problem publicly visible and AstraZeneca has done well to supply the world with a vaccine. (29 January 2021) 听

• Lack of support to prevent addictions during pandemic Professor Val Curran (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) and Dr Adam Winstock (UCL Epidemiology & Health) comment on the declining use of party drugs such as ecstasy in favour of depressants such as cannabis and ketamine during lockdowns. (29 January 2021)

• People exercising less and watching more TV than in first lockdown Two fifths (40%) of people report exercising less in the current Covid-19 lockdown than in the first, with just 13% saying they exercise more, finds the Covid-19 Social Study, led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (29 January 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• UK entered Covid-19 pandemic 鈥榠n a bad state鈥� The UK鈥檚 rising health inequality, slowdown in life expectancy improvements and lack of investment in the public sector before the Covid-19 pandemic meant we entered the crisis 鈥渋n a bad state,鈥� says Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (28 January 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• UK travel policy not strict enough UK border restrictions meant to control Covid-19 will be 鈥渆nough to damage the economy but not nearly enough to be effective against Covid,鈥� warns Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (28 January 2021)

• The risks of international travel during a pandemic The main risk with international travel during the Covid-19 pandemic is that arrivals may bring different strains of the virus into the country, which could be more infectious or deadly than the dominant variants, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (28 January 2021) ,听,听

• Viruses, vaccines, and Covid-19 Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy) discusses Covid-19, including how the virus works, why mutations matter, and methods of controlling its spread, on actor and journalist Ross Kemp鈥檚 podcast. (28 January 2021)

• Government should have done more to halt Covid-19 The Covid-19 pandemic has been mishandled by the UK Government, and 鈥渁t every stage there were things we could have done and could still be doing, and we haven鈥檛,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (27 January 2021)

• Novel antiviral drug significantly more potent against SARS-CoV-2 The antiviral drug plitidepsin could be between 10 and 100 times more effective against SARS-CoV-2, including the new UK variant, than remdesivir, finds new preclinical research involving Professor Greg Towers and Dr Clare Jolly (both UCL Infection & Immunity). (27 January 2021) ,听More: UCL News

• People better than expected at complying with Covid-19 lockdown rules The high rates of adherence to Covid-19 lockdown rules this far into the pandemic are surprising, and 鈥淗umans have actually been much better at responding as a collective,鈥� than expected, says Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (27 January 2021)

• UK must cooperate on global vaccine supply The UK must not hoard large amounts of Covid-19 vaccines, and should instead fund vaccine distribution in lower-income countries to ensure a global Covid-19 vaccine programme, argues an open letter signed by Professor Michael Walls (UCL Bartlett Development Planning Unit). (26 January 2021)

• Covid-19 risk to children underestimated Because of the low Covid-19 mortality rate in children, it has been assumed that the disease is not harmful to children, which is 鈥渘ot necessarily the case,鈥� says Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (26 January 2021)

• UCL Professor receives vaccine he helped make possible Almost 50 years ago Emeritus Professor Gregory Gregoriadis (UCL School of Pharmacy) discovered that encasing vaccines in fat droplets could help their efficacy, a technique used by the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine which he received this month. (25 January 2021) ,听,听

• Tighten lockdown rules instead of blaming public Government Covid-19 messaging assumes people aren鈥檛 following the existing rules, but data shows this isn鈥檛 the case, and the real issue is that the lockdown is not nearly strict enough, argues Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (25 January 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听

• Reasons why Covid-19 variant could kill more people are uncertain It鈥檚 not yet clear why new Covid-19 variants may have a higher lethality, but 鈥渢here is no new way to deal with it,鈥� and we need to adhere to existing measures in order to control its spread, says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (25 January 2021)

• We must learn to live with the coronavirus We are unlikely to ever completely eradicate Covid-19, and will have to ease lockdown restrictions before we push deaths from the virus to zero, argues Visiting Professor Paul Ormerod (UCL Centre for Decision Making Uncertainty). (25 January 2021)

• No definite dates for end of Covid-19 restrictions We need to stop thinking of a definite date for the 鈥榚nd鈥� of Covid-19 and instead be patient, continue to observe distancing measures and anticipate a slow easing of lockdown measures when it is safe to do so, says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (25 January 2021)

• World Health Organization must help poorer countries deploy vaccines The WHO needs to do more to prepare poorer countries for the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, 鈥渨ith tangible support for local structures, mechanisms and systems to be able to deliver vaccines,鈥� says Dr Julius Mugwagwa (UCL STEaPP). (22 January 2021)

• Important to maintain trust in Covid-19 vaccinations Reports of Covid-19 infections after receiving the vaccine need cautious interpretation, especially with 鈥渆xtraordinarily high鈥� levels of infection in the country, and trust must be maintained in the vaccination programme, says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (22 January 2021)

• Test & trace is a "key part of the jigsaw" in fighting Covid-19 Making it financially possible for people with Covid-19 to self-isolate is key to boosting quarantine rates and increasing the effectiveness of test & trace, say Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) and Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (22 January 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• More children admitted to hospital for mental health reasons than physical ailments Social distancing has led to a reduction in the virus transmissions which usually lead to children requiring hospital treatment, with a shift towards more mental health problems among hospitalised children, says Professor Russell Viner (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health). (20 January 2021)

• Covid-19 vaccine must not lead to complacency The optimism and confidence around Covid-19 vaccines may lead to people 鈥渂ecoming more lax in their behaviours, in a way that entirely undermines the benefits of the programme,鈥� warns Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (20 January 2021) ,听

• Covid-19 rates continue to climb Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health) discusses the climbing rates of Covid-19 in the UK, the potential danger of new mutations, and reports from Israel which claim the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine doesn鈥檛 give as much protection as initially thought. (20 January 2021) ,听,听

• Lateral flow tests important tool in fighting Covid-19 The use of repeated lateral flow tests could be a game changer as 鈥渢he current test strategy has failed & there are so many people who don't know they are actively infectious,鈥� says Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (20 January 2021)

• Too early to know when Covid-19 lockdown can be eased We don鈥檛 yet know what impact vaccinations will have on Covid-19 rates or hospitalisations, meaning that we can鈥檛 currently predict when the lockdown measures can be eased, says Dr Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (19 January 2021)

• Ending Covid-19 lockdown prematurely could lead to more virus mutations We must look beyond death and vaccination rates when thinking about easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, as premature easing would give the virus more chances to mutate, warns Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (18 January 2021) ,听,听,听,

• Covid-19 impact extends beyond fatalities A study which looks at the long-term impacts of Covid-19 is important because 鈥淐ovid is about so much more than death,鈥� and many people suffer from long-term effects of the virus, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (18 January 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• Lifting Covid-19 restrictions after vaccinating priority groups 鈥榲ery dangerous鈥� Lifting Covid-19 restrictions once priority groups have been vaccinated is dangerous as 75% of patients in critical care are 70 or under, and high levels of circulating virus could lead to vaccine-resistant mutations, argues an open letter signed by UCL academics. (18 January 2021)

• Covid-19 could cause permanent lung damage Lung damage caused by Covid-19 could be permanent, potentially due to 鈥渋nflammation that鈥檚 causing the scarring, but we just don鈥檛 know,鈥� says Professor John Hurst (宅男视频 Medicine). (18 January 2021)

• Our children are in crisis and need help During Covid-19, young people are suffering from increased poverty and illness, a situation which could be averted by an independent commission, argues an open letter signed by Dr Lee Hudson (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health) and Dr Bonamy Oliver (UCL Institute of Education). (18 January 2021)

• Will there be enough Covid-19 vaccines? While manufacturing enough Covid-19 vaccines will be a challenge, 鈥淚t鈥檚 an advantage that they鈥檙e all using different technologies so they鈥檙e not competing for the same reagents and other supplies of materials,鈥� says Dr Stephen Morris (UCL Biochemical Engineering). (18 January 2021)

• The impact of Covid-19 on intensive care wards Professor Hugh Montgomery (宅男视频 Medicine) gives an overview of intensive care wards, warning that the levels of sickness are far in excess of what is normal for this time of year, with a huge psychological strain on hospital workers. (18 January 2021)

• New Covid-19 cases may have peaked in UK Despite difficulty in interpreting the data due to fluctuations in testing and sampling, 鈥渨hen you model the underlying incidence and prevalence, then it looks as if new cases [of Covid-19] have now peaked,鈥� says Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (15 January 2021)

• Lockdown has 鈥榮plit the population in two鈥� Financial support is needed for those who currently can鈥檛 afford to stay home, or Covid-19 will continue to spread, warns Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (15 January 2021)

• Vaccine distribution must prioritise high-incidence regions London and the South-East should be receiving a larger proportion of the Covid-19 vaccine based on their high rates of the virus, but this is not happening as 鈥減eople are so sensitive about London. You can imagine the outcry,鈥� says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (14 January 2021)

• Covid-19 mortality risk increases by 20% when ICUs are full Patients admitted to very full hospitals have an increased chance of dying which is equivalent to being up to 11 years older, according to a new study co-led by Dr Bilal Mateen (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) and Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (14 January 2021) ,听,听,听UCL News

• Lockdown compliance improving but low take up of Covid tests 鈥榳orrying鈥� Less than half (43%) of people who developed Covid-19 symptoms say they鈥檝e requested a test, but 鈥楳ajority鈥� compliance with the lockdown rules is being reported by 96% of people, finds the Covid-19 Social Study, led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (13 January 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Altering timing of Covid-19 vaccine doses is 鈥渁 massive experiment鈥� The Covid-19 vaccines currently licensed in Britain require two doses to work properly, and the Government鈥檚 decision to alter the timing of these doses is 鈥渁 massive experiment鈥� which is 鈥減otentially putting lives at risk,鈥� says Professor Peter Taylor (UCL School of Pharmacy). (12 January 2021)

• Healthy gut bacteria could help prevent severe cases of Covid-19 A study suggesting healthy gut bacteria may help prevent severe Covid-19 could be a reason for higher Covid-19 rates in individuals of low socioeconomic status, 鈥渨ho for numerous reasons鈥�have suboptimal gut bacteria,鈥� says Professor Graham Rook (UCL Infection & Immunity). (12 January 2021)

• Majority complying with lockdown rules Despite emphasis on people breaking the current Covid-19 lockdown rules, more than 80 per cent of people say they are abiding by them, say Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) and Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (12 January 2021)

• Current Covid-19 lockdown rules not stringent enough With a new variant of Covid-19 and the increased transmission rates associated with winter, we need a stricter Covid-19 lockdown to control the virus, argue Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) and Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (11 January 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• How will Covid-19 impact the City of London? While the Covid-19 pandemic has led many people to predict the death knell for huge offices like the ones in the City of London, Professor Peter Rees (UCL Bartlett School of Planning) says this is unlikely, and that 鈥淭he City has always been adapting鈥�its only constant is change.鈥� (11 January 2021)

• Total lockdown needed to prevent Covid-19 transmission Lockdown rules must be tightened to prevent the spread of Covid-19, with 鈥渘o nurseries open, no synagogues, no churches, no mosques. We should have compulsory masks, two-metre distancing,鈥� argues Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health). (11 January 2021) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,,听

• Mandatory isolation needed to slow Covid-19 spread With the rules allowing for a lot more mixing than in the March Covid-19 lockdown, mandatory isolation is needed, with empty hotels providing a perfect space, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (11 January 2021) ,听,听,听,听

• Plan now to minimise Covid-19 risk next winter 鈥淲hat happens in autumn will depend on our success in keeping the virus down over the summer,鈥� says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health), adding that we need to analyse how much virus there is in the community and antibody levels in the population. (11 January 2021) ,听

• UK Covid-19 variant was flagged quickly Due to ongoing efforts to track mutations to Covid-19 and assess their impact, the recently discovered UK variant was quickly flagged as a potential cause of concern, says Dr Lucy Van Dorp (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment). (11 January 2021)

• Algorithm used to set vaccine priority order missed key vulnerable groups The QCovid algorithm used to set the vaccine priority is likely to underestimate Covid-19 risk as people who are suffering from rare illnesses and have been shielding successfully are unlikely to show up in the data, says Professor Jeremy Brown (宅男视频 Medicine). (11 January 2021) ,听

• Vaccines not Covid-19 鈥榮ilver bullet鈥�听The public must be informed that vaccination will not end the Covid-19 pandemic, and that once vaccinated people will need to continue with other measures, say Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) and Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (8 January 2021)听

• Covid-19 hospital strain affects all patients听The strain on hospitals caused by Covid-19 affects all patients, and vaccine rollouts must be accompanied by effective testing and tracing to ensure that the virus can be suppressed in the longer term, says Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (8 January 2021)听,听

• Mass testing needed to find asymptomatic Covid-19 cases听Mass testing is crucial to identify asymptomatic cases of Covid-19, as "We have underestimated the impact of mixing and not knowing you might have the virus," says Professor Irene Petersen (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (8 January 2021)听

• Ensuring the whole world gets a Covid-19 vaccine听In order to permanently suppress Covid-19, vaccines must be administered worldwide, a logistical and financial challenge which urgently needs to be tackled, says Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health). (8 January 2021)听

• Will people abide by tougher Covid-19 restrictions?听When people feel the situation is serious, the vast majority will abide by Covid-19 restrictions, even those which impact massively on their daily lives, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (7 January 2021)听

• Why Zoom isn鈥檛 a replacement for real interaction听Zoom鈥檚 face to face set-up is not how you would normally be positioned in a social situation, and also removes subtle cues which we use in conversations, such as breathing and eye contact, says Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (7 January 2021)听

• Is safe singing possible during Covid-19?听A study led by Professor Laurence Lovat (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science) has found that singing while wearing a surgical face mask results in almost no droplets being spread, potentially paving the way for safe communal singing during the Covid-19 pandemic. (7 January 2021)听,听

• Going outside can help reduce feelings of isolation听Getting outside, even if only to walk around the block, is "one of the best things you can do for your brain and your mood,鈥� especially during Covid-19 restrictions, says Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (7 January 2021)听,听,听

• Hospital pressure due to Covid-19 still rising听Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) warns that "pressure on hospitals and the NHS is yet to peak鈥� due to rising Covid-19 cases. (7 January 2021)听

• Covid-19 mutation has made virus more transmissible听Increased Covid-19 transmission is due to recent mutations in the virus, but behaviour is still an important way of limiting its spread, says Professor Judith Breuer (UCL Infection & Immunity). (7 January 2021)听

• How to decide on the fairest student grades during Covid-19听Due to uneven learning loss throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, there is no fair way to award student grades, but a combination of testing with coursework and moderated teacher judgement would be the fairest possible system, argues Dr Tina Isaacs (UCL Institute of Education). (7 January 2021)听,听

• Reconsider Christmas plans to halt Covid-19 spread听People must think carefully about the risks and consider cancelling their Christmas plans to help halt the spread of Covid-19, says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (7 January 2021)听,听

• Covid-19 variant not expected to reduce vaccine efficacy听While the 鈥楽outh African variant鈥� of Covid-19 has a mutation which reduces antibody recognition, it is not anticipated that this mutation will be enough for the variant to bypass vaccine protection, says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (7 January 2021)听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Delaying second Covid-19 vaccine dose not risk-free听Even with the potential benefits of doing so, there is a 鈥渢heoretical possibility鈥� that delaying the second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine could encourage new mutations in the virus, warns Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (7 January 2021)听

• How we can learn our way out of the pandemic听Randomised trials are needed to ascertain the most effective non-medical measures at slowing the spread of viruses, including wearing face masks, hand washing and social distancing, argues an article co-authored by Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (7 January 2021)听,听

• Covid-19 hospital admissions continue to rise听The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 is rising, with intensive care wards approaching a similar level of crisis to that reached during the peak of the first wave, warns Professor Hugh Montgomery (宅男视频 Medicine). (7 January 2021)听

• More understanding of Covid-19 vaccines needed听Vaccines are the most important tool in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic, but more research is needed into how long the immunising effects of the existing vaccines lasts, among other things, says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (7 January 2021)听

• Virus mutations and Covid-19听Most mutations have little impact on viruses, but occasionally a mutation will positively affect the ability of a virus to survive and reproduce, as in the new faster spreading strain of Covid-19, explains Dr Lucy Van Dorp (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment). (7 January 2021)听,听,听,听

• A year with Covid-19听A programme looking back over the course of Covid-19鈥檚 discovery and spread includes an interview with Dr Jennifer Rohn (宅男视频 Medicine) from the start of the pandemic, in which she explains the virus鈥� similarity to seasonal flu. (7 January 2021)听

• Covid-19 hospital admissions not just due to new virus variant听Professor Hugh Montgomery (宅男视频 Medicine) warns that increased rates of Covid-19 are not just due to a new variant of the virus, but are also caused by people not wearing face masks and improperly washing their hands, both of which aid the spread of the virus. (7 January 2021)听,听,听,听,听,听

• 鈥淲ise to be cautious鈥� about Covid-19 variant听While there are alternatives to the new variant of Covid-19 being inherently more transmissible than the initial strain, it is 鈥渨ise to be cautious鈥� to limit further transmission, says Dr Jennifer Rohn (宅男视频 Medicine). (7 January 2021)听

• Will people abide by tougher Covid-19 restrictions?听When people feel the situation is serious, the vast majority will abide by Covid-19 restrictions, even those which impact massively on their daily lives, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (7 January 2021)听

• New national lockdown needed to control Covid-19 spread听The tier system鈥檚 mixed results in containing Covid-19 and the more infectious variant mean that a strict national lockdown may be necessary, warn Professor Andrew Hayward, Professor Robert West (both UCL Epidemiology & Health) and Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (7 January 2021)听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Covid-19 lockdown will take time to have an impact听Deaths from Covid-19 will keep increasing in the short term despite new lockdown restrictions, as there is a lag of two to three weeks between measures coming into effect and them having an impact on the number of cases, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (7 January 2021)听,听,听

• Tier system no longer stopping Covid-19 spread听The tiered approach to Covid-19 restrictions did work to suppress the virus in October and early November, but the stricter tiers now in place don鈥檛 seem to be having nearly the same impact, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (6 January 2021)听,听

• Loosening Covid-19 restrictions will lead to increase in deaths听Any proposed loosening of Covid-19 restrictions will increase deaths, and many of those who die would have been eligible for the vaccine over the coming weeks, warns Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health). (6 January 2021)听,听,听

• New Covid-19 variant likely developed in patient with suppressed immune system听The new variant of the Covid-19 virus likely infected a patient with a severely suppressed immune system and evolved rapidly before jumping back to the general population, explains Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics Institute). (6 January 2021)听

• Tougher restrictions needed to halt Covid-19 spread听The speed with which London and the South-east saw an increase in Covid-19 cases shows that tougher restrictions will be needed to halt the spread of the virus, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (6 January 2021)听,听,听,听,听

• The rise of Covid-19 scientist merchandise听The popularity of merchandise featuring Professor Chris Whitty is unsurprising as "We are always struggling to find something to explain things, so...they have become brand ambassadors," says Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (6 January 2021)听

• Social solidarity needs rebuilding Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) warns that with existing inequalities worsening due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 鈥淭he government needs to think about how to rebuild social solidarity.鈥� (18 December 2020)
• Digital equipment and internet access needed for all during Covid-19 pandemic Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) warns that many UK households do not have access to the internet, an issue which needs to be addressed both for quality of life and to mitigate disparities in children鈥檚 education during the Covid-19 pandemic. (18 December 2020)
• Tier system isn鈥檛 working to contain Covid-19 Areas in tier two have seen increases in Covid-19 cases, while tier three is at best holding cases steady, but there are 鈥渁ren鈥檛 any easy answers, just difficult questions,鈥� on what form new restrictions would need to take, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (18 December 2020)

• Long Covid prevention and treatment 鈥榚ssential鈥� The prevalence of long Covid and the risk factors it carries mean it is essential to plan how to prevent and treat it, says Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (17 December 2020)

• Testing vital to halt Covid-19 spread Up to 500,000 people a day present with coronavirus-like symptoms every winter, with or without a pandemic, meaning getting tested is absolutely vital to ensure minimal Covid-19 spread, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (17 December 2020)

• Mixed messages on Christmas easing In trying to strike a balance between competing priorities, the UK Government is sending out mixed messages, and the danger is that the lack of clarity may add to people鈥檚 stress as they feel it鈥檚 up to them to decide, warns Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (17 December 2020)

• Covid-19 narrative should focus on support, not punishment A supportive approach based around offering more public holidays next Christmas would be more effective at gaining public support for Covid-19 restrictions than emphasising punishments for rule-breaking this year, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (17 December 2020) ,听

• Should you visit your family this Christmas? Dr Lena Ciric (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering) warns against visiting family members over Christmas, saying Covid-19 cases are rising and it will be very hard to take adequate precautionary measures to protect vulnerable relatives over the festive period. (17 December 2020)

• More data needed on new Covid-19 variant Current knowledge of the new variant of Covid-19 is limited, but there is no data to suggest it is evading immunity in population or behaving differently to the other variants, says Professor Judith Breuer (UCL Infection & Immunity). (16 December 2020)

• Covid-19: UK must 鈥楤uild Back Fairer鈥� warns new Marmot Review A generation of children and young people risk worsening health and having shorter lives post the Covid-19 pandemic, warns Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health) in his new landmark report. (15 December 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Not enough information given on new Covid-19 variant Claims of a new Covid-19 variant by the UK Government without the associated evidence being made available are 鈥渇rustrating鈥�, says Dr Lucy van Dorp (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment). (15 December 2020) ,听,听,听,听

• Covid-19 cases rise sharply in London Boroughs dense with housing being busier than usual due to people working from home, coupled with a move into tier 2 in December, created conditions which could 鈥渟upercharge the spread鈥� of Covid-19, explains Professor James Cheshire (UCL Geography). (15 December 2020)

• Avoid gatherings over Christmas to prevent Covid-19 spread While Covid-19 restrictions will be relaxed over the Christmas period, the surest way to protect loved ones from contracting the virus is not to see them, warns Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (14 December 2020) ,听,听,听,听

• Some common cold antibodies could work against Covid-19 The s2 subunit, which lets Covid-19 into cells, is sufficiently similar to the same subunit in common cold coronaviruses for some antibodies to work against both, finds research co-authored by Honorary Reader Dr George Kassiotis (UCL Infection & Immunity). (14 December 2020)

• Closing 鈥榳et markets鈥� wouldn鈥檛 solve problem of virus transmission People get illnesses from livestock all of the world and wet markets aren鈥檛 the only, or even the largest, source of virus transmission, explains Dr David Redding (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment). (14 December 2020)

• Having a safe Christmas during the Covid-19 pandemic Mixing with fewer people over Christmas is the safest option to prevent the spread of the virus, and people should think carefully about the best way to protect vulnerable family members says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health). (14 December 2020)

• No association between Covid-19 and Guillain-Barr茅 syndrome There is no significant association between Covid-19 and the potentially paralysing and sometimes fatal neurological condition Guillain-Barr茅 syndrome, finds research by Dr Stephen Keddie and Professor Michael Lunn (both UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (14 December 2020) ,听,听,听UCL News

• Christmas family gatherings risky for older relatives With families facing 鈥榟eart breaking鈥� choices over spending time with elderly relatives at Christmas, Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) says there is a big risk for older people mixing with younger relatives who have not self-isolated. (11 December 2020)

• Men significantly more likely to need intensive care treatment for Covid-19 Men have almost three times the odds of needing intensive care and 40% higher odds of dying from Covid-19 than women, finds research co-senior authored by Dr Claire Deakin (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) and Dr Lizzy Rosser (UCL Division of Medicine). (10 December 2020) ,听,听UCL News

• Rise in London Covid cases not just due to increase in testing A rising Covid-19 positivity count in London and an increase in hospital admissions shows that the rising cases in the city are not just due to an increase in numbers being tested, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (9 December 2020)

• Vaccine news not leading to flouting of lockdown restrictions Despite news of the Covid Vaccine, people seem to still be abiding by lockdown rules, an encouraging trend that could be derailed by the easing over Christmas, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (9 December 2020)

• Christmas plans could lead to a third Covid-19 wave Plans to allow household mixing over Christmas risk increased transmission and pressure on the NHS, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Public Health). (8 December 2020) ,听听

• Boasting about vaccine approval speed risks vaccine hesitancy 鈥淚nappropriate comments about the brilliance of the UK鈥� from government ministers following the Covid-19 vaccine approval risk adding to vaccine hesitancy among the public and are 鈥渟natching chaos from the jaws of sanity,鈥� warns Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (7 December 2020)

• Vaccines must not lead to complacency about Covid-19 While the approval of the Pfizer vaccine is good news, it is just one more thing which can help reduce deaths and 鈥渋t is essential that we don鈥檛 fall into complacency,鈥� cautions Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (7 December 2020) ,听

• Choosing between the economy and Covid-19 is a false dichotomy There is no way you can have a thriving economy with confident people when Covid-19 cases are soaring and hospitals are filling up, meaning attempts to prioritise the economy without getting the pandemic under control are futile, argues Professor Andrea Sella (UCL Chemistry). (7 December 2020) Listen: BBC World Service鈥檚 鈥榃eekend鈥� (from 9 mins 30 secs)

• Transparency is key in increasing vaccine uptake More than gimmickry such as role models taking the vaccine live on TV, a transparent approach to how the vaccine is developed and how it works will be crucial in fostering trust among the general public, says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (7 December 2020)

• Secondary school students should be pulled out before term ends Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) says that allowing parents to take their children out of school before terms ends would allow them to isolate before seeing elderly relatives at Christmas. (7 December 2020) ,听,听,听,听

• Majority feel they comply with Covid-19 rules better than others More than nine in ten (92%) people grade their own compliance with Covid-19 lockdown restrictions as better than what they think the population average is, finds the Covid-19 Social Study, led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (4 December 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Vaccine approval not about UK 鈥渃oming first鈥� The statements which frame the UK approval of the first Covid-19 vaccine as 鈥渢he UK coming 鈥榝irst in some race鈥欌�� are unwise, and downplay the diligence with which the approvals process works, says Professor Derek Hill (宅男视频 Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering). (3 December 2020)

• Redesigning our cities and lives post-pandemic Commenting on the potential of the Covid-19 pandemic to transform our much-loved metropolises into greener, quieter spaces, Dr Manos Chaniotakis (UCL Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources) says it has forced us to reshape the way we live. (2 December 2020)

• Are 鈥渧accine passports鈥� a good idea? With exceptions for medical reasons, vaccine passports for Covid-19 could work in the same way that proof of inoculation against yellow fever or polio is a requirement to enter some countries, says Professor Ilan Kelman (UCL Institute of Risk & Disaster Reduction). (1 December 2020) ,听,听

• Debunking Covid-19 vaccine myths Dr Jennifer Rohn (宅男视频 Medicine) debunks the false theories surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine, including spurious claims that it alters DNA or has been rushed to market. (1 December 2020)

• How to sleep well in a pandemic The Covid-19 pandemic means that some usual rules of good-quality sleep may not apply, for example clutter may make people feel safer and lead to better quality sleep even though the usual advice is to declutter bedrooms, says Dr Dagmara Dimitriou (UCL Institute of Education). (30 November 2020)

• Christmas in the time of Covid-19 Mixing with fewer people over Christmas is the safest option to prevent the spread of the virus, and Christmas carollers should keep their distance from front doors, says Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health) in an article on having a Covid-safe Christmas. (30 November 2020)

• Concern over risk of Covid-19 moving into wild animals The risk of escaped Danish mink spreading Covid-19 to wild populations is concerning as 鈥渋t will become extremely difficult to control its further spread鈥� if this were to happen, warns Professor Joanne Santini (UCL Biosciences). (30 November 2020) ,听

• Why stronger restrictions are needed post-lockdown Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) argues that England needs stronger restrictions following lockdown, as the pre-lockdown restrictions were not sufficient to slow the spread of the virus, and points out that effective suppression of Covid-19 also benefited the economy. (28 November 2020) ,听

• The stages of vaccine development Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy) explains the different stages of vaccine development, as well as how the Covid-19 vaccine was developed in record-breaking time. (27 November 2020) ,听

• What went wrong with the first Covid-19 lockdown Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy) warns that the new tier system in the UK must learn from the mistakes of the rush back to normality that followed the initial Covid-19 lockdown to avoid driving the R number back up. (27 November 2020)

• Rich countries must help vaccinate poorer nations against Covid-19 vaccinating everyone is a global responsibility and if rich countries buy up vaccines, leaving Covid-19 to 鈥渞un rampant鈥� in less well-off parts of the world it will lead to the virus spreading back across borders, says Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy). (27 November 2020)

• An 鈥榚lectrifying鈥� economist鈥檚 guide to the recovery Professor Mariana Mazzucato (宅男视频 institute for Innovation & Public Purpose) envisions a post-pandemic world that redefines what is valued, as well as looking at how Covid-19 has exposed the fact that today鈥檚 capitalism doesn鈥檛 work for the majority of the population. (27 November 2020)

• Contextualising the worst fall in economic output for 300 years Dr Judy Stephenson (UCL Bartlett School of Construction & Project Management) explains that the economic slump of 1706 and 1709 were due to arctic temperatures across Europe, as well as discussing the parallels with the current drop in output due to Covid-19. (26 November 2020)

• SARS-CoV-2 mutations do not appear to increase transmissibility None of the mutations currently documented in the SARS-CoV-2 virus appear to increase its transmissibility in humans, according to a study led by Dr Lucy van Dorp and Professor Francois Balloux (both UCL Genetics Institute). (26 November 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Efforts to normalise pandemic exam grades 鈥渇oolish鈥� The UK Government鈥檚 attempts to normalise the exam grades of students during a worldwide pandemic were foolish as it was 鈥渁 completely abnormal situation,鈥� argues Dr Mary Richardson (UCL Institute of Education). (26 November 2020)

• 鈥楧rinks on the pavement鈥�: gathering for a Covid-19 Christmas As the government announces plans to ease household mixing restrictions over Christmas, Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology and Language Sciences) and Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) comment on how they plan to reduce social contact during the festive season. (25 November 2020)

• Coughs and sneezes don鈥檛 鈥済et rid of viruses鈥�听The belief that coughing or sneezing is a way of ejecting viruses is conjecture, and 鈥渋t seems more likely that respiratory viruses鈥� have evolved to make us cough and sneeze to transmit the virus in an effective way,鈥� says Professor Greg Towers (UCL Infection & Immunity). (24 November 2020)听

• Mask-wearing in schools must be handled well听Schools would 鈥渘eed to educate, they would need to tell children, they would need to reassure children as to what is going on and why it is happening,鈥� with regards to mask-wearing to help prevent Covid spread in schools, says Dr Gavin Morgan (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (24 November 2020)听

• Transparent criteria needed for Covid-19 tier system听Transparency is key in ensuring people follow the Covid-19 lockdown rules, with clear information on why different activities are allowed, as well as why each area is in a specific tier, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (24 November 2020)听

• Should face masks be worn during exercise?听鈥淚t would be expected that people should be socially distanced during exercise," and face masks should therefore not be necessary to prevent the spread of Covid-19, says Dr Ben Killingley (UCL Institute for Global Health). (23 November 2020)听

• London bus ventilation helps reduce Covid-19 spread听Dr Liora Malki-Epshtein (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering), part of a team of UCL experts who advised Transport for London on ventilation in buses, says that ventilation can be "one more layer of protection" in reducing Covid-19 transmission risk. (23 November 2020)听,听More: UCL News,听

• Vaccine rules just as stringent for Covid-19听Professor Judith Breuer (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains the process of vaccine approval, saying the regulations will be just as stringent for a Covid-19 vaccine, with more hours worked to speed the process up, rather than any corners being cut. (23 November 2020)听

• Financial inequalities widen due to Covid-19听Existing financial inequalities within society are widening as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, finds the Covid-19 Social Study, led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (20 November 2020)听,听,听UCL News

• Second Covid-19 lockdown appears to be working听Commenting on England鈥檚 second lockdown, Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) says the Covid-19 infection rate鈥檚 current decline is due to measures in the north-west and impact in the south-east should be seen in the next few days. (20 November 2020)听

• Arthritis drug may help critically ill Covid-19 patients recover faster听Early findings that Arthritis drug tocilizumab may improve the recovery of Covid-19 patients could make it valuable among possible treatments if the results stand up to full analysis, says Professor Derek Hill (宅男视频 Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering). (20 November 2020)听,听,听

• How to improve NHS test-and-trace听Commenting on why the NHS鈥檚 test-and-trace system is struggling to be effective, Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) says those asked by the app to self-isolate need to be offered more support. (20 November 2020)听,听,听,听

• Covid-19 vaccine promising immune response in elderly听Commenting on reports that Oxford University鈥檚 Covid-19 vaccine is showing promising immune responses in at-risk age groups, Dr Jennifer Rohn (宅男视频 Medicine) says the vaccine is already in production and may be ready as early as the end of winter. (20 November 2020)听

• Covid-19 highlights racial inequalities in health听Research into how discrimination affects the health experiences of minority groups shows that living in a racist environment can be harmful to all black people鈥檚 health even without direct experience, says Dr Delan Devakumar (UCL Institute of Global Health). (20 November 2020)听

• 鈥淪ubstantial risks鈥� if mixing allowed at Christmas听Allowing people to mix over Christmas would lead to increased Covid-19 risk, particularly for older people, and it would be 鈥渢ragic鈥� to throw away gains in suppressing the virus just as a vaccine is on the horizon, argues Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (19 November 2020)听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,,听,听,听,听,听,听,,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Defining and researching long Covid fatigue听As long Covid is a new phenomenon, it鈥檚 not yet known whether it鈥檚 similar to chronic fatigue syndrome, or more similar to the fatigue of multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, says Professor Elizabeth Murray (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (19 November 2020)听

• Is mandatory vaccination a moral imperative?听Vaccination is crucial, but measures to improve vaccine access are far more important than making vaccination mandatory, as the social norm in the UK already leads to very high uptake of vaccines, argues Professor Helen Bedford (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health). (19 November 2020)听

• Making sure the public abides by Covid-19 restrictions听Public understanding of why measures are put into place and belief that adhering to them will make a difference are crucial in ensuring people obey any restrictions over the Christmas period, explains Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (19 November 2020)听

• Londoners urged to do 鈥榩retend commute鈥� during Covid-19 lockdown to protect health听A study led by Professor Anna Cox (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) found that a 鈥榩retend commute鈥�, such as a walk or a cycle ride, can separate work from non-work while people work from home during lockdown, as well as building physical activity into their routine. (19 November 2020)听

• Supply chains are next big Covid-19 vaccine hurdle听Once a Covid-19 vaccine is approved, it will face the logistical challenges of fragile supply chains in some parts of the world, coupled with potential shortages of even basic equipment such as syringes, warns Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy). (18 November 2020)听

• Keeping Christmas presents free of Covid-19 Sending gifts early and quarantining them before Christmas or wiping down packaging when it arrives are both good ways to ensure that parcels are Covid-free, but the chances of infection are 鈥渞eally low鈥�, says Dr Lena Ciric (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering). (17 November 2020) ,听,听,听,听

• How to tackle Covid-19 vaccine misinformation Some people feel Covid-19 vaccines are being rushed or improperly tested, and it鈥檚 important the public is reassured that 鈥渢here鈥檚 a strict regime of how vaccines are trialled and then approved,鈥� says Professor Helen Bedford (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health). (17 November 2020)

• Damage to multiple organs recorded in 'long Covid' cases Almost 70% of patients who suffer with 鈥榣ong Covid鈥� show signs of damage in one or more organs four months after the initial infection, a study involving Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) has found. (16 November 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听听

• Covid-19 solutions must not widen existing inequalities Technology and treatments which combat Covid-19 must be available for all people who need them, or they may exacerbate existing inequalities, both within the UK and worldwide, argues Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (16 November 2020) ,听,听

• Covid-19 risk for minority ethnic groups 鈥渁n imprecise proxy鈥� Responding to a study which shows Black and Asian people are at greater risk of Covid-19, Professor Nishi Chaturvedi (宅男视频 MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing) says it鈥檚 important to investigate risks in more closely defined populations rather than grouping ethnicities together. (12 November 2020)

• We鈥檙e making our own rules this lockdown Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) says she has seen few signs of 'compliance fatigue' from lockdown restrictions, but that people are likely to improvise when the rules are too complicated or seem unfair. (11 November 2020)

• Majority have 鈥榣ong Covid鈥� symptoms seven weeks after discharge More than two-thirds of patients hospitalised due to Covid-19 continue to suffer from 'long Covid' symptoms more than seven weeks after being discharged, finds a new study led by Dr Swapna Mandal and Professor John Hurst (both 宅男视频 Medicine and the Royal Free London) with UCLH. (11 November 2020) 听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Covid 'raises new psychiatric disorders risk' Dr Michael Bloomfield (UCL Psychiatry) and Honorary Professor David Curtis (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) provide external comment on a study about mental health consequences from Covid-19 and mental illness as a risk factor for the illness. (11 November 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Could a Covid vaccine bring back normality? In a feature report highlighting global attempts to combat Covid-19, the FLARE trial led by Professor David Lowe (UCL Institute of Immunity & Transplantation), which aims to see if favipiravir and lopinavir/ritonavir can inhibit viral replication in early infection, is mentioned. (9 November 2020)

• Covid pressure on health visitors puts generation of babies at risk A generation of babies born during the Covid-19 pandemic may be at risk because they and their parents are not being fully supported by health visitors, as many health visitors are being deployed found a survey by Dr Gabriella Conti (UCL Economics). (9 November 2020)

• GCHQ tackling Russian anti-vaccine propaganda online Commenting on claims that the Government鈥檚 chief cyber security body GCHQ is fighting the spread of anti-vaccine propaganda by Russia online, Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Biosciences) says the soviet vaccine, Sputnik V, is 鈥渋mproperly tested鈥�. (9 November 2020)

• Covid-19 mutations require risk mitigation Mutations in the Covid-19 virus found in minks would not render all potential vaccines ineffective, but shows that surveillance and precautionary risk mitigation are needed to ensure the pandemic can be brought under control, says Professor Joanne Santini (UCL Biosciences). (6 November 2020)

• Women and ethnic minorities have found the pandemic psychologically more challenging Women have found the Covid-19 pandemic more challenging than men psychologically, reporting higher levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness, and lower levels of life satisfaction and happiness, finds research led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (6 November 2020) ,听,听UCL News

• Covid-19 linked to worse stroke outcomes People who experience strokes while infected with Covid-19 appear to be left with greater disability after the stroke, according to a study led by Dr Richard Perry (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UCLH). (6 November 2020) ,听,听,听UCL News

• No alternative to a national lockdown The Covid-19 infection rates within the UK are so high that there is currently no alternative to a national lockdown, but the test & trace system must be improved during the time gained by locking down, says Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (3 November 2020)

• National lockdown was 鈥榠nevitable鈥� due to rate of Covid-19 spread The total lockdown announced by the government was 鈥榠nevitable鈥� as cases are currently rising too quickly for lesser measures to have the impact needed, says Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (2 November 2020) ,听,听,听,,听,听

• Testing capacity less important than actual number of Covid-19 tests Discussing the UK鈥檚 testing capacity is 鈥渟leight of hand鈥�, as it gives a more impressive figure than the amount of tests which are actually being carried out, a far more important figure, argues Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity). (2 November 2020)

• Covid-19 polarisation undermines scientific inquiry The politicisation of the Covid-19 debate risks undermining the science, with polarised viewpoints ignoring any science which doesn鈥檛 bolster their position, say Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Biosciences) and Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics). (2 November 2020)

• Support for Covid-19 lockdown remains high The public support for the upcoming lockdown remains high, but confidence in the government to do the right thing is low, which may affect adherence to the rules, warns Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (2 November 2020) ,听

• Month long lockdown 鈥榗an work鈥� The Month long Covid-19 lockdown can work as long as people across society adhere to the rules and do everything they can to avoid contact and potentially spreading the virus, says Professor Ilan Kelman (UCL Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction). (2 November 2020)

• Why are we facing another national lockdown? With lockdowns an option of last resort, Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health) explains why one is necessary now, saying that it was initially suggested at the end of September and the delay has caused a much higher death rate and more damage to the economy. (2 November 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Minimising human-animal contact cheaper than paying for pandemics Commenting on a report that found reducing human contact with animals would be less costly than absorbing the economic expense of future pandemics, Professor Kate Jones (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) says this pandemic has been 鈥減retty mild鈥� considering what鈥檚 possible. (30 October 2020) ,听,听

• Covid-19 infection rate doubling every nine days 鈥� report As West Yorkshire becomes the latest area to face tighter regional restrictions, Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) says the accelerating infection rate is 鈥渢he last thing we need鈥� and that it needs not only to come down, but reverse. (30 October 2020) ,听

• Antiviral drugs trialled in the early stages of Covid-19 Two antiviral drugs are being given to Covid-19 positive adults to establish if they stop the virus replicating, as part of a trial led Dr David Lowe (UCL Institute of Immunity & Transplantation and The Royal Free Hospital). (29 October 2020) ,听,听UCL News

• More funding for medical research urgently needed A letter signed by Professor Nishi Chaturvedi (宅男视频 MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing) urges the government to fund medical research and help make up the shortfall caused by the 40% cut to research funding provided by UK medical research charities this year due to Covid-19. (28 October 2020)

• New Covid-19 dashboard highlights gaps in data needed to address pandemic A public health data visualisation dashboard for Covid-19, developed by researchers at UCL-led interdisciplinary research collaboration i-sense, has revealed issues regarding the quality, consistency and availability of reliable data needed to manage the Coronavirus pandemic. (28 October 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• People are more likely to break inconsistent Covid-19 rules Rules which seem inconsistent carry less weight with people, and a shift towards a risk assessment and management system is needed to ensure people obey lockdown rules over the Christmas period, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (28 October 2020) ,听,听,听

• Study on Covid-19 brain impact 鈥渋ntriguing but inconclusive鈥� A study which claims that some Covid-19 patients鈥� brains age 10 years is intriguing, but does not compare results before and after the illness, and includes those who self-reported but weren鈥檛 tested, cautions Professor Derek Hill (宅男视频 Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering). (27 October 2020) ,听

• Home UV sterilisers may not combat Covid-19 UV lights marketed as sterilisers for mobile phones won鈥檛 abide by the strict regulations of those used in hospitals and it would be difficult to know if they鈥檙e actually doing anything of note, warns Dr Lena Ciric (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering). (27 October 2020)

• Czech Republic sees Covid-19 cases soar Professor Hynek Pikhart (UCL Epidemiology & Health) explains that Covid-19 cases are rising in the Czech Republic as restrictions were relaxed too quickly due to opinion polls which showed the public were strongly against lockdown measures. (27 October 2020)

• Treating healthcare workers as heroes is unhelpful The narrative of health workers as 鈥榟eroes鈥� or 鈥榓ngels鈥� during Covid-19 is unhelpful, as it paints a picture of people doing things because they鈥檙e special, rather than workers doing a job that needs adequate pay and protection, argues Dr Jo Billings (UCL Psychiatry). (26 October 2020)

• 鈥楲ong Covid鈥� should not be overestimated Long-term symptoms of Covid-19 may exist, but are likely no more prevalent than with other illnesses, and less panic around the issue is needed, argues Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Biosciences). (26 October 2020)

• Neurological complications after a pandemic not unprecedented In the years after the Spanish flu pandemic, a small proportion of survivors of the virus developed tremors and loss of motor control, showing that it isn鈥檛 impossible that Covid-19 may lead to similar complications, says Dr Jonathan Rogers (UCL Psychiatry). (26 October 2020)

• How can we learn to live with Covid-19? In the long term, we are likely to reach a similar situation with Covid-19 to that we currently have with the common cold, with short-term immunity and reinfections which are either weaker or held at bay with recurring vaccinations, says Dr Jennifer Rohn (宅男视频 Medicine). (26 October 2020)

• Any human contact will increase Covid-19 transmission rate The best way to protect people and the economy from Covid-19 transmission is to hold a two to three week 鈥榗ircuit breaker鈥� lockdown where the whole country locks down temporarily to halt the spread of the virus, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (26 October 2020)

• Smoking cessation and high-risk drinking increased in lockdown The percentage of people who reported stopping smoking more than doubled after the Covid-19 lockdown was implemented in March, according to a new study led by Dr Sarah Jackson (UCL Epidemiology & Health) and Professor Jamie Brown (UCL Behavioural Science & Health). (23 October 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Half of public don鈥檛 鈥榝ully understand鈥� current Covid-19 lockdown rules Just 13% of people in England feel they 鈥榝ully understand鈥� the current Covid-19 lockdown rules, with half of adults (51%) in the country saying they understand 鈥榯he majority鈥� of them, finds research led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (23 October 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Lethal cytokine storm often follows symptom recovery in Covid-19 victims The flurry of immune molecules responsible for causing the damaging tissue inflammation that kills many Covid-19 patients often occurs after their symptoms appear to be improving, says Professor David Isenbery (宅男视频 Medicine). (23 October 2020)

• Why optimism bias may not be helpful during a pandemic Professor Tali Sharot (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) explains optimism bias, saying that her research has found most people believe themselves to be less at risk from Covid-19 than the average person. (22 October 2020) ,听

• Public are 鈥渢ired and also confused鈥� about Covid-19 restrictions Confusion around what is and isn鈥檛 allowed under current Covid-19 restrictions, coupled with fatigue from months of lockdown, are leading to a shift in public mood with regards to the virus, explains Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos (UCL Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology). (21 October 2020) ,听

• Backlog of patient appointments will see unnecessary deaths, experts say In a look at how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected hospital admissions and patients in the UK, a study from Professor Harry Hemingway (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) is mentioned for findings that up to 6000 patients may die due to postponed patient appointments. (20 October 2020) ,听,听听听

• Gentler ventilation techniques can help Covid-19 patients Professor Derek Hill (宅男视频 Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering) explains that CPAP machines can help Covid-19 patients suffering from respiratory problems to breathe easier and replace the need for medical respirators. (20 October 2020) ,听听听

• Should England go for a 鈥榗ircuit breaker鈥�? Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) urges England to hold a circuit breaker lockdown for two weeks, arguing that it could save hundreds of lives, but that delaying such preventative measures could be disastrous. (20 October 2020) 听

• Staying active can help kids through pandemic depression As a professional boxer shares classes to help kids stay positive during the pandemic, a study is mentioned from PhD student Aaron Kandola, Dr Gemma Lewis, and Professor David Osborn (all UCL Psychiatry), which found that staying active was linked to better mental health in kids. (19 October 2020) 听

• Blood test to identify Covid-19 patients at risk of pneumonia 鈥榗ould soon be available鈥� A new study from Dr Rajeev Gupta (UCL Cancer Institute) has found that patients infected with Covid-19 who have high levels of CR3 protein also face risk of pneumonia, and adds, 鈥渢racking CR3 levels in patients with COVID-19 could help us assess disease severity." (19 October 2020) 听

• Experts call for 鈥榗ircuit breaker鈥� to halt coronavirus spread Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) explains that a circuit breaker would help lower the transmission of the coronavirus, as the current situation of mixed messaging 鈥渦ndermines trust, a sense of national purpose and motivation to adhere to restrictions.鈥� (19 October 2020) ,听,听,听听

• Should the police be given NHS contact tracing data? Amidst concerns over personal privacy should the police receive data from the NHS contact tracing app, Dr Michael Veale (UCL Laws) comments how people may feel hesitant to report symptoms of Covid-19. (19 October 2020) ,听听听

• Data shows the UK was the 鈥榮ick man鈥� of Europe even before Covid-19 As new research finds that before Covid-19 people in the UK were sicker than in neighbouring countries, research from Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) is mentioned for finding that people with greater susceptibility to the virus had health issues. (19 October 2020) 听

• Why is the coronavirus killing more men than women? Professor Sarah Hawkes (UCL Institute of Global Health) adds to a debate on why more men have died from Covid-19, discusses behaviour differences between genders, and adds that 鈥渢he more you have women participating in the workforce, the smaller your sex difference becomes.鈥� (19 October 2020) ,听听

• Would a 鈥榗ircuit breaker鈥� work to stop Covid-19? Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) and Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health) explain how the circuit breaker measure would reduce Covid-19 transmission but stress it must happen quickly and requires an improved test, track and trace system. (19 October 2020) ,听听听

• Covid-19 battle to intensify as winter sets in Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains more testing is needed as the winter will see additional cases of seasonal flu, whose symptoms strongly resemble that of Covid-19. (16 October 2020)

• The UK faces huge challenges with tiered lockdown measures, experts say Professor Ilan Kelman (UCL Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction) explains how with areas going into Tier-2 lockdown restrictions, there are major challenges to face, adding 鈥淟ondon is especially hard due to its size and large rate of mobility via public transport.鈥� (16 October 2020)

• 鈥楤ackward鈥� contact tracing will give more data on coronavirus Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains how the contact tracing programme is now doing 鈥榖ackward鈥� contact tracing to analyse the settings where people might have caught Covid-19. (16 October 2020) 听

• Small window to create contact tracing that works Commenting on reports that Serco will make 拢165m profit despite its creation of a 鈥榮hambolic鈥� Covid contact tracing system, Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) says we must not waste the small amount of time we have to create a functioning system. (16 October 2020) ,听听

• NHS Track and Trace overwhelmed by infections surge With coronavirus cases surging, and health and safety breaches reported in a testing lab, Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) comments on the effectiveness and operations of the NHS鈥檚 contact tracing programme. (16 October 2020) ,听

• Can London avoid an infection rate like the North鈥檚? Professor David Alexander (UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction) and Professor James Cheshire (UCL Geography) discuss some of the reasons why London鈥檚 coronavirus infection rate, though on the rise, is well behind the North鈥檚. (16 October 2020)

• Covid-19 battle to intensify as winter sets in Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains more testing is needed as the winter will see additional cases of seasonal flu, whose symptoms strongly resemble that of Covid-19. (16 October 2020)

• Experts criticise herd immunity in letter Eighty experts including Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology), Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) and Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) have criticised the herd immunity strategy for handling Covid-19 in a letter. (15 October 2020) 听

• Is a 鈥榗ircuit-break鈥� in the UK鈥檚 national interest? Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) stresses how implementing a 鈥榗ircuit-break鈥� lockdown strategy would buy time, but 鈥渉as to be used to create a test, trace and isolate system that is functioning and the [UK] government has to do that.鈥� (15 October 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听听听

• New toolkit to help understand how Covid-19 affects crime A research team led by Dr Herve Borrion (UCL Security & Crime Science) has developed a new range of tools, based on 鈥渞esilience theory鈥�, which can help assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on patterns of criminal activity. (15 October 2020)

• Excess Covid-19 deaths curtailed by responsive and well-prepared nations Commenting on a comparative study which found that countries with early lockdowns and well-prepared health systems minimised additional deaths, Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) says population health measures are important to reducing virus spread. (15 October 2020) ,听

• A 'circuit breaker' in England will work only if test and trace is urgently reformed Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health) calls for urgent reforms to the test, trace and isolate system if England is to avoid a second national lockdown. (14 October 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• 鈥楲ong Covid鈥� impact must be considered for students Long-term complications from Covid-19 need to be considered with regards to student infections at universities, argues Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (14 October 2020)

• Effective track and trace system vital for controlling Covid-19 infection rate Even if vaccines and treatments are developed for Covid-19, the best ways to minimise excess deaths from the virus are measures such as lockdowns and an adequate test, trace and isolate system, says Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (14 October 2020)

• By focusing on numbers we can lose sight of people Dr Hannah Fry (UCL Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis) praises New Zealand鈥檚 approach to Covid-19 and says more intellectual humility would benefit world leaders, adding 鈥渋f you are totally focused on the numbers, you can lose sight of what鈥檚 best for people.鈥� (13 October 2020) 听

• Do people want governments to lessen Covid-19 restrictions for sake of economy? Dr Tim Colbourn (UCL Institute for Global Health) explains that in contrast to other countries, there is a growing Anglo-American desire for government officials to 鈥済ive up restrictions and let it [Covid-19] spread" to save local economies. (13 October 2020) 听听

• What can mathematical modelling tell us about Covid-19? Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) explains how mathematical modelling works in relation to studying viruses and explains these study the spread of transmission, and can project on how it will affect the population, adding mathematical models will show what could happen. (12 October 2020) 听

• Don鈥檛 delay new Covid-19 procedures, experts warn Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) discusses the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the Northern regions of England and calls for the UK Government not to delay in instituting stricter measures to protect the population. (12 October 2020) ,听听

• Chinese experts proud of China鈥檚 Covid-19 measures Professor Dabo Guan (UCL Bartlett School of Construction & Project Management) explains that many Chinese people are proud of how the Chinese Government has handled the Covid-19 pandemic, adding 鈥淢any of my friends who are professors say we did well, we set an example.鈥� (12 October 2020) 听

• Resistance to lockdown rules is not just 鈥榝atigue鈥�听 In a letter to the Guardian, Professor Nigel Harvey (UCL Brain Sciences) says the World Health Organisation鈥檚 references to 鈥榩andemic fatigue鈥� are misleading, adding, 鈥淧andemic fatigue is no more a real phenomenon now than behavioural fatigue was in March.鈥� (12 October 2020) 听

• Four in 10 extra deaths in Lombardy not linked to Covid-19 About 24,000 more people died in Lombardy than expected between January and April, and only 14,000 of these deaths were confirmed as being related to Covid-19, according to a new study led by Professor Gianluca Baio (UCL Statistical Science) and his colleagues. (12 October 2020) ,听,听,听听,听UCL News听

• More women freezing eggs as Covid-19 puts dating on hold Professor Joyce Harper (UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health) explains why many women are freezing their eggs, saying 鈥淲hen they've been asked, most of them want to have children now, they just haven't met Mr Right or haven't got a partner who is happy to have children.鈥� (12 October 2020) ,听听听

• Over 65s exercising more than before lockdown Using data from an activity-tracking smartphone app, Dr Abi Fisher (UCL Epidemiology & Health) found that people aged 65 and older are exercising more than they did before lockdown. (12 October 2020) ,听,听听

• Scotland needs more than Boris Johnson's pick n' mix sweeteners As experts debate Boris Johnson鈥檚 proposals for projects in the UK, Professor John Tomaney (The Bartlett School of Planning, UCL) states that Freeports would be a bad idea, as the jobs they create are often 鈥渓ow quality, low paid, poorly protected and quite unstable.鈥� (12 October 2020) 听

• Local authorities must be part of the Covid-19 decision making Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) explains that the UK Government must include local authorities in their decision making 鈥渂ecause the government must take the whole population with them if this is going to be a successful strategy.鈥� (12 October 2020) 听

• Lose weight to lower Covid-19 risk, experts say Professor Mark Hamer (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science) explains how being clinically obese may increase a person鈥檚 risk of catching Covid-19, and says, 鈥淪ocially distanced physical activity may be a good intervention.鈥� (12 October 2020)

• 鈥楤rain fog鈥� emerging symptom following Covid-19 infection Up to 20% of coronavirus sufferers could be experiencing cognitive problems, such as difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating, as a long-term symptom of the virus, says Professor Michael Zandi (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). (9 October 2020)

• Experts urge Boris Johnson to make critical changes to deal with pandemic Explaining Independent Sage鈥檚 recommendation to enhance COVID-19 restrictions, including a ban on households mixing, Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) says 鈥渢he window of opportunity for enhanced contact tracing has passed.鈥� (9 October 2020) 听

• Are pubs and bars to blame for Covid spread? Commenting on data suggesting that 41% of under-30s with coronavirus, caught it in a pub or bar, Dr David Alexander and Dr Ilan Kelman (both UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction) say the venues鈥� actual contribution to virus spread is unknown and largely depends on people鈥檚 behaviour. (9 October 2020)

• Boris Johnson's 95% mortgages will put Britain back on course for a house price crash Dr Josh Ryan-Collins (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose) doubts Boris Johnson鈥檚 plan to lower housing prices by making it easier for first time buyers to purchase homes and explains 鈥渞enters must be given much stronger rights and landlords given tougher rules." (9 October 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Covid-19 deaths 3.4 times higher than flu and pneumonia Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health) explains the latest ONS data and adds 鈥淵ou cannot necessarily [see] it from these data, because they do not show the number of infections, but Covid-19 has a much higher case fatality rate than influenza." (9 October 2020) 听

• What should the government do to support the economy? Professor Wendy Carlin (UCL Economics) calls for a UK Government strategy to eliminate fear and inaction on behalf of companies and recommends businesses should start thinking about long-term strategies to function while the coronavirus is present. (9 October 2020) 听

• UCL and London partners bolster UK鈥檚 COVID-19 testing capacity Up to 10,000 COVID-19 tests a day will be carried out by 宅男视频 in partnership with Health Services Laboratories; the initiative will significantly boost the UK鈥檚 community testing capacity and continues our efforts in support of the national pandemic response. (8 October 2020) Read: UCL News

• Virus and NHS tests hit by delay in Roche supply chain As thousands of NHS tests are delayed due to Roche being unable to supply the testing chemicals to hospitals, Professor Derek Hill (宅男视频 Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering) comments how this could be due to the company鈥檚 Brexit preparations. (8 October 2020) 听听

• Covid-19 lockdowns easier at campus universities Highly localised lockdowns at universities to stem the spread of Covid-19 are far easier at campus-based universities, rather than those in London which tend to have buildings dispersed throughout the city, argues Professor Claire Callender (UCL Institute of Education). (8 October 2020)

• Scientists dash hopes of 鈥榦ne-shot wonder' Covid-19 vaccine Professor Deenan Pillay explains that contrary to hopes for a single one-shot coronavirus vaccine, this will be one component in a patient鈥檚 treatment and says 鈥渢he expectation needs to be tempered really that this is not going to be the thing that gets rid of the virus.鈥� (7 October 2020) ,听听

• Here's how likely you are to catch Covid-19 if your housemate tests positive Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL Pharmacy) explains more Covid-19 infections happen indoors and due of their close proximity, 鈥渁 significant number of super spreader events are linked to contact within households when widespread community control measures are in place. (7 October 2020) 听

• Spread of Covid-19 mapped in hospitals to 鈥榖reak the chain鈥� of transmission A first-of-its kind clinical trial, led by Professor Judith Breuer (UCL Infection & Immunity), will evaluate the use of 鈥榬eal time鈥� viral genomic data to reduce the spread of Covid-19 within hospitals. (7 October 2020) ,听,听,听UCL News听

• Covid-19 computer error raises other concerns, experts say Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) criticises the UK Government for its lack of oversight regarding Covid-19 cases and points out that the people who should have been contacted and told to isolate could possibly have infected other people. (6 October 2020) 听

• Dozens of mammals could be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 Numerous animals may be vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, according to a large study modelling how the virus might infect animals鈥� cells, led by Professor Christine Orengo, Su Datt Lam and Professor Joanne Santini (all UCL Structural & Molecular Biology). (5 October 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• High-risk people could be moved to hotels to protect them from Covid People at high-risk of contracting severe coronavirus could be offered accommodation outside of their homes to protect them from family members who may be infected, says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (5 October 2020) ,听听

• Have we lost control of the virus? Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) warns we are in danger of Covid-19 getting out of control, and says the focus should be on keeping schools open rather than pubs and restaurants, which can increase the spread of the virus. (5 October 2020) 听

• Singing and worship the focus of new Covid-19 study Religious and faith followers are being invited to take part in a new study, led by Professor Laurence Lovat (UCL Surgery & Interventional Sciences), which aims to understand how the practice of worship has changed during Covid-19. (5 October 2020) ,听,听听More: UCL News

• Understanding the limitations of the UK鈥檚 Covid-19 figures Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains that the R rate is a composite of the whole of the UK and doesn鈥檛 take regional variations into account and that per head of population, London is being under-tested compared to other parts of the country. (5 October 2020)

• Are people becoming complacent about the lockdown restrictions? Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Languages Sciences) disagrees with Prime Minister Boris Johnson鈥檚 assertion that the public has become complacent about UK Government guidance and says it鈥檚 clear people are obeying the rules and many want more restrictions to be safe. (5 October 2020) 听

• What drugs are being used to treat President Trump? Commenting on some of the drugs President Trump is trialling to treat his case of Coronavirus, Professor Derek Hill (宅男视频 Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering) says the President鈥檚 use of Remdesivir is not an indication of the severity of his condition. (5 October 2020)

• Trump鈥檚 diagnosis 鈥榰nprecedented鈥� for US election history Dr Julie Norman (UCL Political Science) explains how Trump鈥檚 Covid-19 diagnosis has raised serious questions for his re-election campaign and has forced both political parties to re-evaluate their campaign strategies. (5 October 2020) ,听听

• Trump鈥檚 dismissive attitude to health no great surprise Dr Thomas Gift (UCL Centre on US Politics) explains President Trump鈥檚 鈥榗avalier attitude鈥� to his contracting Covid-19 is political posturing and should come as no surprise to the American public. (5 October 2020) 听

• Computer glitch will affect public trust, experts say Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) says the UK Government should have better supported a working track, test and trace system and redirected efforts toward local testing centres, as a lack of communication can lead to errors. (5 October 2020) 听

• Scientists study whether immune response wards off or worsens Covid A joint study co-authored by Dr Dan Davis (宅男视频 MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing) analysed patient samples from before the Covid-19 pandemic and found that a large number already had antibodies which would recognise the virus. (5 October 2020) 听

• Will Trump鈥檚 obesity affect his chances of overcoming Covid-19? Professor Rachel Batterham (宅男视频 Medicine and UCLH) comments on how being obese affects the body鈥檚 chances of fighting off disease, and says President Trump鈥檚 weight and BMI place him in the 鈥榓t risk鈥� category for Covid-19 patients. (5 October 2020) 听

• Earlier monitoring has made a difference in Covid-19 cases, experts say Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) says that while there are two promising treatments for hospitalised patients infected with Covid-19, 鈥渕ost of the advances that have been made in the last few months have been because of earlier monitoring.鈥� (5 October 2020) ,听听

• The importance of hugs during a pandemic In a discussion on human touch during the Covid-19 pandemic, The Touch Test, an online survey developed by researchers including Professor Katerina Fotopoulou (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) is mentioned for finding links between touching and higher levels of well-being. (5 October 2020) ,听,听听听

• Covid-19: are we still following the rules? Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health) explains the Covid-19 Social Study results and says that whilst the majority of people are complying with the national restrictions for Covid-19 safety, 鈥減eople have gotten very confused as to what the rules are.鈥� (2 October 2020) ,听听听

• Donald Trump麓s Covid-19 diagnosis `throws wrench麓 into campaign Dr Julie Norman (UCL Political Science) comments on the impact US President Donald Trump鈥檚 positive Covid-19 diagnosis will have on his re-election campaign, adding, 鈥渢his really does throw a wrench in everything, it鈥檚 unclear how the future of the campaign will look for Trump.鈥� (2 October 2020) ,听听

• Loss of smell a 鈥榟ighly reliable鈥� indicator of Covid-19 infection Four out of five people with sudden loss of smell or taste tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies, finds a new study led by Professor Rachel Batterham (宅男视频 Medicine and UCLH). (2 October 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听听,听,听,听UCL News

• Men overwhelmingly dominate the decision-making on Covid-19 A global health tracker run by UCL researchers including Professor Sarah Hawkes (UCL Institute of Global Health) has found that out of 115 advisory bodies from 87 countries, only 11% included women. The authors said the results reinforce unequal power structures. (2 October 2020) 听听

• How to end the pandemic this year Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose) discusses ways countries could redirect funding to support local testing centres for Covid-19, in addition to vaccine research and development, and recommends nations adopt long-term plans. (2 October 2020) ,听More: UCL News听

• Experts warn 鈥渁 fine line between fear and complacency鈥� for crisis handling Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) explains that the UK Government has acted against the advice of its scientific advisors and says public health structures need to be improved for the test, trace and isolate system to succeed. (1 October 2020)

• Prime Minister鈥檚 press conference leaves experts speculating In response to Prime Minister Boris Johnson鈥檚 press briefing, Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Languages Sciences) and Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL Pharmacy) share their concerns about the national messaging and the rise of coronavirus cases. (1 October 2020) ,听,听听

• 鈥榃e鈥檝e managed the pandemic very badly鈥� Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health) expresses his concern on the UK Government鈥檚 efforts to manage the coronavirus and says that despite the British population carefully following the rules, the country entered lockdown too late and reopened too soon. (1 October 2020) 听

• Experts warn against 鈥榦versimplifying鈥� Neanderthal DNA Covid-19 theory Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Geography) warns against oversimplifying research, as a study suggests a Neanderthal DNA strand could leave some at higher risk of catching Covid-19, adding that many have been affected who 鈥渄o not have any Neanderthal genes.鈥� (1 October 2020) 听

• Is there any evidence that closing bars at 10pm will stem the spread of coronavirus? Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) asks whether the 10pm curfew has made an impact on the number of Covid-19 cases and says: 鈥淯nless policymakers engage with numbers as concrete statements of what can be expected, there is no basis for rational decision making.鈥� (1 October 2020) ,听More: UCL News听

• Coronavirus: the three types of vaccine hesitancy authorities need to combat Honorary Research Associate Annamaria Carusi (UCL Science & Technology Studies) examines the three types of vaccine hesitancy facing authorities鈥� efforts to build public trust in a coronavirus vaccine, including fears over civil liberties, animal welfare and testing. (1 October 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Scientific advisors 鈥渘ot scaremongering鈥� Recent worst-case scenario estimates of Covid-19 infections by Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance weren鈥檛 a prediction of the course of the virus and were 鈥渘ot scaremongering鈥� says Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (1 October 2020)

• Inconsistent messaging led to behaviour change during Covid-19 lockdown Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) argues that fatigue with lockdown rules isn鈥檛 to blame for people鈥檚 behaviour change, but rather inconsistent health messaging and a loosening of restrictions which led to people feeling the risk had reduced. (1 October 2020) ,听听

• Experts debate UK鈥檚 Covid-19 shielding strategy Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Languages Sciences) debates with experts on the UK Government鈥檚 shielding strategy, explains why herd immunity would not work, and compares the rules to other countries where the strategies are working. (30 September 2020) 听

• Depression and anxiety twice as common among older people who were shielding Older people who were instructed to shield and self-isolate at the beginning of the pandemic experienced higher levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness compared with those who were not shielding, finds to a study led by Professor Andrew Steptoe (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (30 September 2020) ,听,听UCL News听

• Which Covid-19 restrictions are having an effect? Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) answers questions about the latest Office of National Statistics figures and explains that the rise in cases amongst younger people may be a sign that the ban on mixing within households is working. (30 September 2020) 听

• Explaining 鈥榠mmunological dark matter鈥� Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) explains the concept of 鈥榠mmunological dark matter鈥� in the context of Covid-19, saying it refers to people who are 鈥渉ave a different kind of susceptibility to acquiring the infection.鈥� (30 September 2020) 听

• Ventilators: NHS stocked for serious Covid cases over winter The NHS鈥檚 buy-up of 30,000 ventilators, means it is well equipped to treat serious coronavirus cases during winter, and was a reasonable spend in the context of the pandemic, says Professor Derek Hill (宅男视频 Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering). (30 September 2020)

• Why do some people break Covid quarantine rules? Gavin Morgan (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) says inconsistent and unclear messages and policies around coronavirus restrictions are making people less inclined to comply with self-isolation following possible exposure. (30 September 2020) ,听,听

• Coronavirus: how the pharma industry is changing to produce a vaccine on time Research Fellow Beatrice Melinek and Dr Stephen Morris (both UCL Biochemical Engineering) write how medical developments accelerate during crises, and share hopes for the production of a successful vaccine for Covid-19. (30 September 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Local lockdowns appear to be working Local lockdown measures are 鈥渦nfortunate鈥� but appear to be curbing the spread of Covid-19 across north-east England, says Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health). (30 September 2020) ,听听

• Expect more 鈥榯esting chaos鈥� this winter Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) explains that due to the similar symptoms Covid-19 shares with the common flu, health officials can expect to see an increase in the number of patients reporting what they think may be the coronavirus. (30 September 2020) 听

• Prime Minister apologises for misunderstanding Covid-19 rules Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health) explains Prime Minster Boris Johnson鈥檚 misunderstanding of the latest Covid-19 restrictions adds to public confusion and his statements 鈥渘ot only exacerbate this problem but also highlight problems with the rules themselves.鈥� (30 September 2020) 听

• Experts call for more press briefings on Covid-19 Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) explains that many are confused by the UK Government鈥檚 recent restrictions on pubs and suggests more press briefings would be useful to help the public understand what is happening with national efforts to combat the coronavirus. (29 September 2020) 听

• Controlling Covid-19 during the winter months Dr Jennifer Rohn (宅男视频 Medicine) discusses rising Covid-19 infection rates, expectations for the virus in the colder weather, and experiments with guidelines to control the coronavirus as the global death toll passes one million. (29 September 2020)

• Global coronavirus deaths pass one million with no sign rate is slowing Following data which indicates the death toll from Covid-19 worldwide has surpassed one million, experts debate the true mortality figures, with Dr Gianluca Baio (UCL Statistical Science) saying, 鈥淭o some extent the quest for the true number of Covid-19 deaths is impossible.鈥� (29 September 2020) 听

• Supply problems deter drug dealers in lockdown Dr Adam Winstock (UCL Epidemiology & Health) comments on the recent Global Drug Survey which found that the availability of drugs had decreased during the pandemic, saying lockdown restrictions may have changed the behaviour of some drug users. (29 September 2020) 听

• The truth behind false negative Covid-19 results Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains that false negative results for the coronavirus could appear due to the quality of the swab that is taken, and adds that not thoroughly swabbing patients for the virus could contribute to the issue. (28 September 2020) 听

• Covid-19 鈥渘ot a simple pneumonia鈥� Professor Sir Jonathon Montgomery (UCL Laws) comments on the pros and cons of drugs used to combat Covid-19, and adds that many people have gotten the wrong message that the coronavirus is less infectious and less lethal. (28 September 2020) 听

• Neighbours urged to call police on Covid self-isolation cheats Following guidance encouraging reporting of those not self-isolating who should, research from Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Languages Sciences) and Dr Henry Potts (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) is referenced, for its findings that people aren't obeying rules. (28 September 2020) 听,听,听听

• Do people want tougher restrictions for Covid-19? Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) shares his opinion that the lockdown in England came too late, and adds that with infections of the coronavirus rising, 鈥渨e do need to strengthen things now.鈥� (28 September 2020) 听

• Covid-19鈥檚 second coming: how did Britain get back in this mess? Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity) and Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) comment that the Covid-19 outbreaks are the result of people having returned 鈥渢o normal behaviours too quickly鈥� and stress the need for a competent test and trace system. (28 September 2020) 听

• What do scientists think of the PM's Covid-19 plan? Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity) comments on the Prime Minister鈥檚 new rules which allow businesses to stay open and households to socialise, saying that swifter action may need to be taken to control the coronavirus. (28 September 2020) 听

• NHS contact tracing app depends on public trust Professor Sir Jonathon Montgomery (UCL Laws) comments on the new test and trace app, adding how the app鈥檚 effectiveness depends on the public鈥檚 trust and their willingness to use it. (28 September 2020) ,听听听

• The impact of Covid-19 on the housing market Professor Yolande Barnes (UCL Bartlett Real Estate Institute) says that detached homes in good areas are likely to increase in value during the Covid-19 pandemic, whilst poorly built flats in tower blocks are not only losing value, but are also proving harder to sell in general. (25 September 2020)

• Unclear if global leaders are learning the lessons of Covid-19 It鈥檚 not clear that governments are structuring their response to the Covid-19 pandemic in a constructive way, especially with regards to building a more resilient economy and healthcare system, says Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose). (25 September 2020)

• A fifth of people say they鈥檙e unlikely to get vaccinated against Covid-19 A fifth of people have said that when a Covid-19 vaccine is approved, they鈥檙e unlikely to get it, with 10% of people saying they were 鈥榲ery unlikely鈥� to get vaccinated, finds research led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (24 September 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Frosty response for plan to keep classroom windows open Commenting on the response to a Walsall school鈥檚 plan to keep classroom windows open during winter, to avoid spreading coronavirus, Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) says students will need to adapt to the situation and wear warmer clothing. (24 September 2020) ,听

• NHS launches its new coronavirus contact tracing app Commenting, Dr Michael Veale (UCL Laws) and Dr Isobel Braithwaite (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) on data safety and the benefits of the new NHS coronavirus contact tracing app. (24 September 2020) 听,听,听

• Why do we panic-buy loo roll? Commenting on the psychology of the coronavirus panic-buying phenomenon, Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) says people are returning to protective and nesting behaviours as winter looms and the disease spreads. (23 September 2020)

• Bolstering the US鈥檚 response to coronavirus 鈥渨ar鈥� As America鈥檚 coronavirus death toll surpasses 200,000, Dr Thomas Gift (UCL Centre on US Politics) suggests ways President Trump could strengthen his 鈥渨artime鈥� response to the pandemic. (23 September 2020)

• New coronavirus measures 鈥渉alfway house鈥� Commenting on the Government鈥檚 new restrictions to tackle the increasing coronavirus infection rate, Senior Research Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL Pharmacy) says the measures are a 鈥渉alfway house鈥� but could still have significant impact. (23 September 2020)

• New measures won鈥檛 stop Covid increase Commenting on criticism from the British Medical Association that new measures to curb a rise in the coronavirus infection rate were not enough, Professor Robert West (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health) says they should help but won鈥檛 stop the increase. (23 September 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Animals could act as Covid-19 reservoirs Farmed minks in Norway have tested positive for Covid-19, meaning that even if the disease is wiped out in humans it could potentially be dormant within animals and reinfect people that way, explains Professor Joanne Santini (UCL Biosciences). (23 September 2020)

• Targeted measures, not national lockdowns, needed to fight Covid-19 A letter signed by Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Biosciences) and Visiting Professor Paul Ormerod (UCL Centre for Decision Making Uncertainty) urges the UK Government to consider more targeted measures to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, rather than blanket restrictions. (22 September 2020) ,听

• Teachers鈥� wellbeing largely unaffected by lockdown Teachers鈥� wellbeing stayed largely the same during lockdown, with the proportion of teachers reporting high levels of work anxiety slightly falling, according to research co-authored by Professor John Jerrim (UCL Institute of Education). (22 September 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• How are maths departments responding to the challenge of blended learning? Low attainers and those from disadvantaged backgrounds have faced significantly greater restrictions in their opportunity to learn maths during lockdown, finds research co-led by Dr Becky Taylor (UCL Institute of Education). (22 September 2020)

• Gender responsive interventions needed during pandemic Governments faced with a second wave of Covid-19 must plan gender responsive interventions, such as ensuring women and children at risk of violence in their homes are adequately protected, says Professor Sarah Hawkes (UCL Institute of Global Health). (22 September 2020) ,听

• The UK should learn from the mistakes of the March lockdown Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Languages Sciences) warns that the government needs to learn lessons from the March lockdown and not delay in implementing necessary restrictions to stem the Covid-19 pandemic. (21 September 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听

• Refocus Test and Trace to save lives Modelling by Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) finds that shifting the focus of Test and Trace towards local health teams would be more effective, as Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) warns immediate action is needed to halt a second wave. (21 September 2020) ,听,听,听

• Covid unemployment: a new crisis? Honorary Professor Steve Keen (UCL Economics) takes part in a panel discussion on Covid-19鈥檚 impact on the economy and potential ways to solve the employment crisis that is resulting from the pandemic. (21 September 2020)

• Interview: Professor Susan Michie Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) discusses the flaws in the Conservative government鈥檚 response to Covid-19 and its failure to build trust through honest communication, in an interview for The Observer. (21 September 2020)

• Current Covid restrictions are inadequate Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) says that the rule of six is not sufficient to halt the spread of Covid-19, and that people should be able to socialise with one or two other households, rather than mixing with multiple different groups over time. (21 September 2020) ,听,听,听

• Covid-19 infections increasing faster than expected, experts say Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity) comments on the speed at which Covid-19 cases are being reported and explains this is likely because 鈥渢he higher the number of contacts we have, the greater the probability of transmission.鈥� (18 September 2020)

• Importance of international solidarity during Covid-19 宅男视频 Medical School (UCLMS) has a number of highly valued international collaborations, enabling cross-country learning and expertise, in support of medical education. Professor Deborah Gill (Director of UCLMS), explains why these partnerships are as important as ever. (18 September 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• The Covid-19 pandemic didn鈥檛 solve climate change Professor Ilan Kelman (UCL Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction) contributes to a debate on whether the lockdowns begun by the coronavirus pandemic have affected climate change鈥檚 impact on the environment and adds 鈥淐limate change is not stopping because of lockdowns.鈥� (18 September 2020)

• UK two weeks from losing control of virus Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) explains that the most recent mathematical modelling has shown the UK has two to three weeks to get the testing system under control and calls for specialised health teams to be tasked with monitoring infections. (18 September 2020) ,听

• How to lift an economy in a post-Covid world? Professor Steve Keen (UCL Office of the Vice-Provost: Research) joins a discussion on unemployment and global economies after the coronavirus pandemic ends, and gives examples of countries whose economies he expects will be affected by their early efforts to stop the virus. (18 September 2020)

• Debunking a Covid-19 鈥榤iracle cure鈥� Emeritus Professor David Colquhoun (UCL Biosciences) debunks claims by a group of Bolivian doctors that Chlorine Dioxide can help cure Covid-19, saying 鈥淲hatever actions it has at cellular level have nothing to do with whether or not it helps Covid鈥�That needs trials in humans.鈥� (17 September 2020)

• Will there be a spike in Covid-19 deaths? With Covid-19 cases on the rise, Dr Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths (UCL Epidemiology & Health) shares her concerns that 鈥渢he number of hospitalisations and deaths may be lagging behind [the recent spike in cases] and we just don鈥檛 know at the moment.鈥� (17 September 2020) 听

• Will Europe emerge from the pandemic as a stronger union? Next Generation E.U., the 鈧�750 billion coronavirus aid package for European countries, has led many to hope that EU countries will form a closer bond, but Professor Rainer Kattel (UCL Institute for Innovation & Public Purpose) cautions that this solidarity may be short-lived. (17 September 2020) 听

• Workers bring Covid-19 into care homes, not visitors With care homes going into lockdown to protect elderly residents, Dr Aida Suarez-Gonzalez (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) warns that 鈥淐ovid does not enter care homes through visitors, but workers instead. This is what we鈥檝e learned during the first wave.鈥� (17 September 2020) 听

• 鈥楲ives are going to be lost unnecessarily鈥� Independent Sage member Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Science) explains the UK Government鈥檚 test, trace and isolate system is vital as it allows experts to identify where outbreaks are, but without a working system 鈥榣ives are going to be lost unnecessarily.鈥� (16 September 2020) 听

• People鈥檚 lives 鈥榦n hold鈥� due to lack of Covid-19 tests Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) sympathises with the people who cannot get tested for Covid-19 as many who may be infected won鈥檛 know, and 鈥渢he danger is that when we do get a hold on it, whenever testing is fixed in a few weeks, we鈥檒l already be at 20,000 cases." (16 September 2020)

• 'Not enough tests for five months due to winter coughs' With the number of winter colds and flu expected to spike, new research from a team including Dr Rob Aldridge (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) indicates that people with colds who request Covid-19 tests will further lower the limited supply of coronavirus tests for months. (16 September 2020) 听

• 500,000 people a day will show Covid-19 symptoms this winter With more Covid-19 cases on the rise, Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health) highlights the importance of the testing system in the UK鈥檚 fight to control the coronavirus, and adds the demand and capacity would 鈥渘eed to rise quite rapidly over the autumn and winter.鈥� (16 September 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听听

• Fears Covid-19 may leave thousands in UK with severe kidney disease While experts debate whether long-term kidney problems may be an after-effect Covid-19, Professor Sebastian Brandner (UCL Institute of Neurology) explains more research must be done to determine the coronavirus鈥檚 impact on the human body. (16 September 2020)

• Coronavirus fatality rates are way down 鈥� why has the government not taken this on board? Visiting Professor Paul Ormerod (UCL Centre for Decision Making Uncertainty) calls the UK health officials鈥� belief that a second wave of the coronavirus will be as lethal as the first 鈥榠rrational鈥� and adds that despite the rising Covid-19 cases, fewer people are dying from it. (16 September 2020) 听

• The rise and fall of the immunity passport In a look at the merits of immunity passports during the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Michael Veale (UCL Laws) criticises a report from the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, stating it doesn鈥檛 consider the full implications of who could use the data, for how long or its purpose. (15 September 2020) 听

• Rule of six doesn鈥檛 make sense, says experts Independent Sage member Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Science) criticises the rule of six, asserting that the public health measure鈥檚 messaging is unclear and that there has been no evidence provided for it. (15 September 2020) 听

• Tests run out in England鈥檚 top Covid-19 hotspots Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) comments on the lack of Covid-19 diagnostic tests in the areas where they are most needed, tweeting, 鈥淧eople with COVID but no test confirmation will not necessarily be isolating and their contacts certainly won't.鈥� (15 September 2020) 听

• Explaining the rule of six Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health) explains the reasoning behind the new Covid-19 regulations and how 鈥渟ticking to the rule of six outside of school will reduce opportunities for transmission.鈥� (14 September 2020) 听

• The end of commuterland? With London鈥檚 lure for business entrepreneurs dwindling in light of the coronavirus pandemic, Professor Yolande Barnes (UCL Bartlett Real Estate Institute) comments on the fewer commuters travelling to London for work and how 鈥済reat cities breathe in and breathe out鈥� populations. (14 September 2020) 听

• How was the rule of six decided? Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) discusses the 鈥榬ule of six鈥� and questions whether the science backs up the UK Government鈥檚 new public health measure. (14 September 2020) 听

• England 'on knife-edge' as Covid-19 cases rise With many expressing concern over the increase in Covid-19 cases in the UK, Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) says the latest data shows that out of those people being asked to self-isolate, less than half were properly doing so. (14 September 2020) 听

• Experts say stop blaming young people for Covid-19 Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care) and Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) say we shouldn鈥檛 blame young people for socialising during the pandemic and that doing so 鈥渃ould have [the] opposite effect on compliance.鈥� (14 September 2020) 听

• Britain has done more than any other to meet the challenge of coronavirus In a look at innovations sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices manufactured by a team led by Professor Rebecca Shipley (宅男视频 Mechanical Engineering), Mercedes-AMG HPP and UCLH in partnership with Mercedes F1 are mentioned. (14 September 2020) ,听,听听

• Working from home could be keeping Covid-19 at bay 鈥� for proof, look at London Professor James Cheshire (UCL Geography) and his colleague discuss why London鈥檚 highly dense population reports low numbers of Covid-19, asserting that it may be because many London jobs can be done remotely. (14 September 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Does Trump鈥檚 Covid-19 audio recording spell the end to his election hopes? Dr Brian Klaas (UCL European Languages, Culture and Society) comments on the recording of President Trump admitting to downplaying the Covid-19鈥檚 impact, adding that Trump鈥檚 handling of the pandemic will just be one of many contentious issues for voters in the upcoming election. (14 September 2020) 听

• Could the anti-vaccination movement hinder a potential coronavirus vaccine? Professor Helen Bedford (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health) explains that the drop in UK vaccination rates isn鈥檛 solely from anti-vaxxers but also comes from confusion following NHS reforms moving vaccination services to local authorities, which mean many do not know where to go. (14 September 2020) 听

• How Covid-19 attacks the brain Dr Michael Zandi (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) explains the findings of a study on the effects of Covid-19 on the human brain, adding that patients can be affected in different ways with some suffering from neurological effects of the coronavirus and others not. (11 September 2020) ,听,听

• Does the technology for rapid Covid-19 testing exist? Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity) comments how even with the right technology, the tests must work properly to avoid false positive or negative results, the laboratories need to have capacity to run the tests, and 鈥減eople have got to want to comply." (11 September 2020) ,听听

• Over a quarter of people say their lives are very different now compared to before Covid-19 Despite the easing of lockdown measures, 28% of adults have reported that their lives are currently 鈥榗ompletely different鈥� or have 鈥榣ots of differences鈥� compared to prior to Covid-19, finds Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care) as part of the Covid-19 Social Study. (11 September 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Experts unsurprised Covid-19 cases are increasing Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health) says the rise of Covid-19 cases is unsurprising and promotes the mathematical modelling of Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) which predicted there will be a second wave of the coronavirus. (9 September 2020) 听

• On coronavirus, governments have been the most irrational of us all Visiting Professor Paul Ormerod (UCL Centre for Decision Making Uncertainty) writes how policy makers have reacted to the Covid-19 pandemic without complete or accurate information, and how governments are most guilty of this. (9 September 2020) 听

• Labs told to run some Covid-19 tests twice amid concerns of false-positives Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) comments on new PHE guidance for laboratories to run patients鈥� Covid-19 tests twice if the positive result is vague, saying false positive results in the lab are not unusual or unique to the virus. (9 September 2020) 听

• Group sizes to be restricted due to Covid-19 Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) comments on the confusion surrounding the UK Government decision to restrict social gatherings to a maximum of six people both indoors and outdoors. (9 September 2020) 听

• The plight of domestic workers in lockdown Professor Virginia Mantouvalou (UCL Laws), explains the legal complications facing unemployed migrant workers in the UK, adding 鈥渢here is absolutely no guarantee that someone who has been ill-treated and possibly trafficked will manage to be recognised as a victim of trafficking. (8 September 2020) 听

• Why are the new coronavirus cases in younger people? With new statistics revealing that the new outbreaks of Covid-19 cases are in younger people in their 20s, experts including Honorary Lecturer Dr Gavin Morgan (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) and Senior Teaching Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy) debate the causes. (8 September 2020) ,听听

• Coronavirus showed the way cities fund public transport is broken 鈥� here鈥檚 how it needs to change Dr Jenny McArthur (UCL STEaPP) writes how the coronavirus has affected public transport in cities, and calls for sustainable and affordable funding for passengers once the Covid-19 pandemic ends. (8 September 2020) 听

• What is the significance of the jump in infection numbers? Dr Jennifer Rohn (宅男视频 Medicine) explains there are unknown variables regarding the new data of Covid-19 cases in the UK, adding 鈥渨e still don鈥檛 know the longer-term effects of mild or asymptomatic infections, let alone the longer-term disabilities of hospitalised survivors.鈥� (8 September 2020) 听

• UK case rises are 'concerning' Independent Sage members Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Science) and Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health) criticise the UK Government鈥檚 confusing messaging and express concern at the 鈥渧ery worrying increases in cases鈥� of Covid-19 in England. (8 September 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听听听

• How the ageing immune system makes older people vulnerable to COVID-19 A study by Professor Arne Akbar (UCL Infection & Immunity) is mentioned in a look at how older patients face a higher risk of dying from Covid-19, as they are more likely to have underlying health conditions that make them more vulnerable to the virus. (8 September 2020) 听,听听听听

• Young people must know Covid-19 risks Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity) comments how it is essential younger people are warned about Covid-19, as new positive cases are rising among people aged 20-29 and up to age 45. (7 September 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听听听听

• Is Covid-19 a seasonal virus? Professor David Alexander (UCL Institute of Risk & Disaster Reduction) dismisses the seasonality theory of the coronavirus, adding that it is not so much the virus worsens over the winter months, but that immunity generally falls in the population during this time. (7 September 2020) 听

• Europe races to reopen schools amid Covid-19 resurgence In a discussion on schools reopening despite increasing Covid-19 cases, Senior Teaching Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy) explains how viral transmission rates are higher amongst teachers, and adds we must "think about how we can protect teachers as well as pupils.鈥� (7 September 2020) 听

• Why isn鈥檛 London having a second wave of Covid-19 While other European cities go back into lockdown amid fresh cases of the coronavirus, Professor David Alexander (UCL Institute of Risk & Disaster Reduction) says the lack of a second spike in London is an enigma, 鈥済iven that London very definitely led during the initial peak.鈥� (7 September 2020) 听

• Could the MMR vaccine help prevent Covid-19? As the MMR vaccine is trialled to determine its skill at protecting healthcare workers from Covid-19, Professor Laurence Lovat (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science) adds 鈥渋t may enhance the effectiveness of vaccines currently in development to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection." (7 September 2020) 听听

• Fears UK government has lost control as Covid-19 cases soar With over 2500 new cases of the coronavirus reported in a single day, Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) warns that 鈥淭here is no way you can look at these figures and feel confident鈥�. (7 September 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听听听听

• Do the experts understand the Covid-19 rules? Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Science) explains that the changing regulations for remaining safe during the Covid-19 pandemic has caused confusion and adds 鈥渋t鈥檚 thoroughly confusing, in terms of just people鈥檚 brains being able to absorb and keep up with it.鈥� (7 September 2020)

• Leeds faces potential lockdown as new Covid-19 cases emerge In response to new cases of the coronavirus emerging in Leeds, Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) states how England should have followed other countries鈥� strategies in lowering infection rates and adds 鈥渢he problem is that this remains a very infectious virus." (4 September 2020)

• Coronavirus: what researchers know about the risk of reopening schools 鈥� and how best to limit it Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health) co-writes a piece on how best to protect pupils in schools from Covid-19. (4 September 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Remote-work visas will shape the future of work, travel and citizenship As Bermuda is the first country to issue 12-month remote work visas, PhD researcher Dave Cook (UCL Anthropology) asserts this will change the future of work and our views on citizenship. (3 September 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Preparing children to return to school in a pandemic Dr Bettina Hohnen and Dr Jane Gilmour (both UCL GOS Institute of Child Health) offers tips and tricks for parents to help their children adjust to returning to schools, including staying calm, sticking to a routine and tailoring advice to children鈥檚 communication styles. (1 September 2020) 听听

• Quarter of Covid victims in England and Wales have dementia People with dementia account for 25% of Covid-related deaths in England and Wales, and form the large majority of linked care home deaths globally, finds a cross-country report co-led by UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and UCL Psychiatry academics. (1 September 2020)

• Little room for manoeuvre as UK Covid cases rise Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) comments how we could see more cases of Covid-19 in this autumn as more people are staying inside and working in close quarters. (1 September 2020) ,听听

• The curious saga of the deceased Herman Cain鈥檚 living Twitter account Following the tweets sent from Herman Cain鈥檚 twitter account which downplayed Covid-19, Dr Brian Klaas (UCL European Languages, Culture and Society) calls the tweet 鈥榓 tragedy鈥�, as the former GOP presidential candidate Cain died of the coronavirus. (1 September 2020) 听

• Covid-19 pandemic has changed our working environment As countries like Bermuda are offering remote working visas for visitors, PhD Researcher Dave Cook (UCL Anthropology) comments how the Covid-19 pandemic has forced employers to allow flexible working hours and remote working options for employees. (1 September 2020) 听

• Why pandemics aren鈥檛 the worst thing that could happen In a discussion on solar storms, Professor Ilan Kelman (UCL Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction) explains the devastating impact these could have on our communications if one hit the earth, saying 鈥渢he possible consequences are immense鈥�. (1 September 2020) 听

• Herd behaviour is helping keep London offices empty Professor Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) comments how in the UK people feel comfortable shopping at the same shops as everyone else, yet during the pandemic it is this same herd behaviour which keeps people working at home. (1 September 2020) ,听听听

• Experts say we are returning to work too early Amidst criticism of the UK Government鈥檚 push for remote workers to return to offices, Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) calls this move premature, saying there was 鈥渃oncern about the timing about encouraging a return to work." (1 September 2020) ,听听

• Far right using coronavirus as excuse to attack Asians In a look at the increased numbers of hate crimes against Asian people, Dr Lu Gram (UCL Institute for Global Health) explains how President Trump鈥檚 calling Covid-19 the 鈥楥hina virus鈥� has helped spread a wrong message and contribute to hate crimes. (1 September 2020) ,听,听,听听

• Has lockdown stolen our humour? In a look at how one comedian has struggled with keeping a positive outlook during the lockdown, Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) explains that during times of stress and when we are uncomfortable, finding something laughable is much harder. (1 September 2020) 听

• Government and teachers鈥� realities are increasingly worlds apart Dr Alice Bradbury (UCL Institute of Education) comments on the A-levels exam results controversy and how this has served to increase distrust in the UK Government from parents and the teaching sector. (28 August 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Experts point out flaws in Government鈥檚 return to work scheme Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) criticises the UK Government鈥檚 encouragement for people to return to the workplace, explaining how long commutes negatively impacts people鈥檚 health, whereas working from home allows for greater productivity. (28 August 2020)

• Scientists target coronavirus immunity puzzle With the new UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium (UK-CIC) dedicated to learning how immunity affects a patient鈥檚 response to Covid-19, Professor Mala Maini (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains 鈥淭he immune system is underlying everything that's key to the response to this virus.鈥� (28 August 2020) 听

• Fuller care homes with fewer staff had more Covid-19 cases In a study of care homes, a UCL study led by Dr Laura Shallcross (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) found that higher numbers of residents and fewer staff were linked to higher numbers of Covid-19 cases. (28 August 2020) ,听听

• Covid-19 and law and order key issues for US election Dr Thomas Gift (UCL Centre for US Politics) comments on the upcoming American presidential election, adding how the Republican Party is seeking to control their messaging by depicting the Democratic Party as a 鈥渇undamentally dangerous enterprise鈥�. (27 August 2020) 听听

• How worried should we be about the coronavirus resurgence in Europe? Three experts weigh in Dr Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths (UCL Epidemiology & Health) and her colleagues discuss the possibility of a second wave of Covid-19 in Europe, and calls for increased track and tracing and testing as the world awaits a working vaccine. (27 August 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• The cases for and against wearing masks in schools Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) and Professor Russell Viner (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health) debate the science supporting and rebutting the UK Government鈥檚 decision to require children to wear face masks in communal areas at school from 31 August. (26 August 2020) 听听

• Sweden shows us whether lockdown was worth the economic cost Researcher Rickard Nyman and Visiting Professor Paul Ormerod (both UCL Centre for Decision Making Uncertainty) compared the trajectory of deaths from Covid-19 between the UK and Sweden and found that 20,000 lives had been saved from the lockdown versus an estimate of 500,000. (26 August 2020) 听

• Has England learned any lessons from the first wave of coronavirus? Discussing a potential second wave of Covid-19, Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) comments how there is a lack of data available on how many people with symptoms have been contacted and are self-isolating. (25 August 2020) 听

• New patient contracts Covid-19 twice As a patient in Hong Kong is found to have had two different strains of Covid-19, Professor Mala Maini (UCL Infection & Immunity) comments that 鈥渨e can鈥檛 assume someone who has had Covid-19 can鈥檛 get it again just because they initially became antibody-positive.鈥� (25 August 2020) 听

• Exploring Covid-19鈥檚 impact on BAME communities Ahead of a documentary on Covid-19's impact on BAME communities, a study led by Dr Rob Aldridge (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) and Dr Delan Devakumar (UCL Institute for Global Health) is mentioned for looking into why BAME people are 2.3 times more likely to die from it. (25 August 2020) ,听听

• Loosening restrictions could trigger a second wave of Covid-19 As schools reopen and more people are meeting in groups and using public transport, Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity) warns that these could all contribute to an autumn spike in Covid-19 cases and calls for a public information campaign to keep cases down. (24 August 2020) ,听听

• UK's R value may be above 1 for first time on record In a discussion on Covid-19 and the R value, Dr Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths (UCL Epidemiology & Health) explains how when the infection rates decline, the transmission of the virus varies across the population, making the R value a less useful tool for scientists. (24 August 2020) 听

• Sovereign funds rethink once-reliable real estate With many retailers like Harrods projecting losses, Professor Yolande Barnes (UCL Bartlett Real Estate Institute) explains how the Covid-19 pandemic has posed major issues for many commercial properties, requiring some retailers to attempt to renegotiate rental agreements. (24 August 2020) ,听听

• Will Covid-19 kill off the teaching-research employment model? As the Covid-19 pandemic strains the traditional teaching model in higher education, Professor Graeme Reid (UCL Office of the Vice Provost: Research) explains how this is a good time for universities to align with the UK Government鈥檚 wish for more research into science. (24 August 2020) 听听

• The education time bomb to worry about Professor Francis Green (UCL Institute of Education), Emeritus Professor Uta Frith and Professor Susan Michie (both UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) discuss the fear that children re-entering schools will struggle to resume their education after the Covid-19 lockdown. (24 August 2020) ,听听

• Contact tracing apps unlikely to contain Covid-19 spread Contract tracing apps used to reduce the spread of Covid-19 are unlikely to be effective without proper uptake and support from concurrent control measures, finds a new study led by Dr Isobel Braithwaite (UCL Psychiatry and UCL Health Informatics). (20 August 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News听

• Could Covid-19 thrive this winter? As some fear a second wave of Covid-19 this winter, Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) explains how 鈥淚n the presence of a large reservoir of susceptible conditions [and people], Sars-CoV-2 can cause epidemics irrespective of climatic conditions.鈥� (19 August 2020)

• What do we know about immunity to Covid-19? In a discussion on immunity to the coronavirus, Professor Mala Maini (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains how a patient鈥檚 T-cells could work with antibodies to create stronger antibodies and protect a person from the virus. (19 August 2020) 听听

• PHE reform 鈥渉uge concern鈥� during global pandemic Commenting on plans to reform Public Health England (PHE) following criticism of its Covid-19 response, Professor Ilan Kelman (UCL Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction) and Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Health Informatics) outline concerns about the move. (17 August 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听听

• Public supportive of Covid-19 health measures Commenting on studies showing that the public supports more local lockdowns and continuing bans on large sporting events, Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) says despite dips in compliance at times, most people have adhered to social distancing measures. (17 August 2020)

• Experts question UK Government鈥檚 Covid-19 strategy Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) questions whether the UK Government will change its strategy for handling the coronavirus as reports show that over 1000 news cases have been confirmed in the UK over the last 24 hours. (13 August) 听听

• Russian Covid-19 vaccine roll-out 鈥渦nethical鈥� Russia鈥檚 approval of a Covid-19 vaccine despite it not yet passing the requisite clinical trials is 鈥渁 reckless and foolish decision鈥� and 鈥渕ass vaccination with an improperly tested vaccine is unethical,鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment). (12 August) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Study examines effects of Covid-19 on pregnant women A UCL-led research team including Professor Judith Stephenson, Dr Geraldine Barrett, Dr Jennifer Hall and Professor Anna David (all UCL EGA Institute for Women鈥檚 Health) are running the Cap-Covid survey, which looks at the effects of Covid-19 on pregnant women in the UK. (12 August 2020) 听

• Putin鈥檚 dangerous vaccine gamble Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) highlights the political sentiment surrounding the newly developed Russian Covid-19 vaccine, and the ethical issues involved with Russia having bypassed normal safety trials. (12 August 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Teachers and students urged to walk to school Commenting as ministers urge teachers and pupils to walk or cycle to school when they return in September, Professor Russell Viner (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health) says schools themselves play less of a role in transmitting coronavirus. (11 August 2020)

• Counting Covid cases not a straightforward task England鈥檚 Chief Medical Officer has suggested the nation鈥檚 Covid infection rate may increase if society opens as planned, however commenting Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) says multiple tests on individuals can affect how many cases are counted. (11 August 2020)

• Generational differences in lockdown adherence have multiple causes Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health) comments on 宅男视频 Covid-19 Social Study, which show a lower adherence to lockdown rules amongst younger people, explaining this is likely due to younger people leading more logistically complicated lives involving work or childcare. (10 August 2020) ,听

• Why did England have Europe's worst Covid figures? The answer starts with austerity In an op-ed for the Guardian, Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health) comments how increased life expectancy, growing health inequalities and a decrease in local UK Government spending all contributed to England having the worst Covid-19 death rates in Europe. (10 August 2020) 听听

• Critical interventions needed against coronavirus Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) and Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) call for a coordinated programme of research to develop social and behavioural interventions to help prevent future viral outbreaks. (10 August 2020) 听

• UK Government must replace failing test and trace scheme Independent Sage members Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health) and Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) call for a rethink of the test and trace system, suggesting that the resources would yield better results if they supported local testing. (10 August 2020) ,听听

• Should people with vulnerable health self-quarantine? Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) answers questions about whether encouraging people with diabetes, obesity and who suffer from health issues should shield during the pandemic. He says people can examine their own risks and decide whether to self-isolate. (7 August 2020) 听

• The two types of contact tracing On the topic of contact rates of Covid-19, Dr Guy Harling (UCL Institute for Global Health) discusses complex and non-complex cases of the coronavirus and explains how a 4% shift in the number of cases is a small change compared to the number of cases reported months ago. (7 August 2020) 听

• Poor mental health in lockdown most common among young women Young women are the most likely to have experienced high levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness in lockdown, compared to older adults, according to research from the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS). (7 August 2020) ,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Pandemic lockdown measures had 鈥榥egligible鈥� impact on climate change As a new study measuring the effects of the lockdown finds that the restrictions had a 鈥榥egligible鈥� impact on climate change, Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Geography) agrees with researchers that that the lockdown measures were too short to make a positive impact. (7 August 2020)

• Has Covid-19 threatened East London鈥檚 popularity? Commenting on London鈥檚 trendy east end, as young people desert the area and its night-time economy struggles to return to life following lockdown, Dr Tommaso Gabrieli (The Bartlett School of Planning, UCL) says the situation shouldn鈥檛 affect property demand too much. (6 August 2020)

• London in Limbo: can the capital survive the crisis? In an op-ed on London鈥檚 economy, economist Gerard Lyons mentions analysis conducted with Visiting Professor Paul Ormerod (UCL Centre for Decision Making Uncertainty) and discusses three solutions that must be in place for London to stay out of lockdown. (6 August 2020) 听

• Has the coronavirus pandemic killed social smoking? In a look at the pandemic鈥檚 impact on social smoking, Professor Robert West (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health) explains addiction is created by forming associations between smoking and situations, which are repeated often enough to impulses to smoke. (5 August 2020) ,听

• Do coronavirus apps work? Dr Michael Veale (UCL Laws) contributes to a discussion on the weakness of some track and tracing mobile apps, how out of a desire to protect users鈥� data privacy, the apps have been 鈥榖lind鈥� to case of potential exposure of the coronavirus Covid-19. (5 August 2020) ,听,听,听听

• Lockdown having 'pernicious impact' on LGBT community's mental health A study led by Dr Dylan Kneale (UCL Institute of Education) and Sussex University found that the Covid-19 pandemic is having a serious negative impact on people鈥檚 mental health from the LGBT community, with many feeling isolated and without a strong support network. (5 August 2020) ,听

• Are the 90 minute tests for Covid-19 a game changer? Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) speaks about the two new rapid diagnostic tests for Covid-19 and adds that for health officials to make responsible decisions, they need the data from tests like these, but also should use transparent messaging. (4 August 2020) ,听,听听

• Testing and tracing must be scaled-up to prevent second COVID-19 wave A second COVID-19 peak can be prevented if enough people are tested and traced with schools opening and more people returning to workplaces, finds research co-led by Dr Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths (UCL Epidemiology & Health) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. (4 August 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Not everyone in coronavirus-hit family prone to disease In a close look at how some people have managed to avoid becoming infected with Covid-19, Professor Karl Friston鈥檚 (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) 鈥榠mmunological black hole鈥� theory is referenced, which suggests that half the population is not susceptible to the virus. (4 August 2020) 听

• Discharged Covid-19 patients developing psychiatric disorders Following a report that increasing numbers of recovered Covid-19 patients later developed a psychiatric disorder, a study led by Dr Michael Zandi (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) is mentioned for its findings of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in children. (4 August 2020) 听

• UK virologists criticise handling of Covid-19 testing contracts In a letter to Professor Chris Whitty, England鈥檚 Chief Medical Officer, Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) and almost 70 other virologists raise concerns about how the UK Government is awarding testing contracts to private companies. (4 August 2020) 听听

• Track-and-trace fails to reach half of simple contacts Commenting on the government鈥檚 track-and-trace programme鈥檚 failure to reach more than half of 鈥渘on-complex鈥� contacts named by infected patients Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) says the programme needs a complete 鈥渞ethink鈥�. (3 August 2020) ,听,听,听

• NHS to roll out 'Covid-friendly' cancer drugs to clear backlog of treatment A study from Professor Harry Hemingway (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) is referenced as having examined the number of cancer patients who had missed appointments due to Covid-19 and, as a result, an estimated 6270 more deaths this year could occur as a result. (3 August 2020) 听

• Experts share doubts about coronavirus 90-minute tests As two new diagnostic tests are reported to take only 90 minutes to determine if a patient has Covid-19, Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) joins experts in expressing doubts about these tests, as they have not been fully evaluated before purchasing. (3 August 2020) 听听

• COVID-19 vaccine won鈥檛 help if people don鈥檛 trust it Senior Teaching Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy) shares concerns at how fast Covid-19 vaccine development is progressing, as 鈥淲e can鈥檛 really afford to cut corners in this process, specifically because there is so much momentum behind an anti-science movement.鈥� (3 August 2020) 听

• Government 鈥榳asted time鈥� designing ventilators for Covid-19 patients Professor Derek Hill (宅男视频 Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering) criticises the UK Government鈥檚 early initiative to redesign ventilators for patients during the Covid-19 pandemic, adding they "would take a long time to get through the regulatory process." (3 August 2020) 听听

• What鈥檚 the environmental cost of PPE? Professor Mark Miodownik (宅男视频 Mechanical Engineering) explains how the successful reusable plastic initiatives have stopped with the increase in single-use plastics like disposable utensils and PPE, and explains how many of these are being disposed of unsafely, creating hazards. (3 August 2020) 听

• Less than half of people in England understand current lockdown rules Under half (45%) of people in England report having a 鈥榖road understanding鈥� of the current lockdown rules, compared to 90% across the UK during the strict lockdown period, finds 宅男视频 Covid-19 Social Study, led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (31 July 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Will a heatwave kill off or slow down coronavirus? Dr Rob Aldridge (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) discusses the chances of a heat wave slowing transmission of Covid-19 and adds that while there could be lower transmission rates 鈥渢his may reverse in the winter if there is still a large susceptible population at that point." (31 July 2020)

• Excess Covid-19 deaths 鈥� how does the UK compare to other nations? In response to statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on the number of excess deaths from Covid-19, Professor Francis Balloux (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) explains this may be because the UK experienced more widespread instances of the epidemic. (31 July 2020)

• Hours worked dropped by 40% in lockdown The number of hours worked in Britain dropped significantly in lockdown, with mothers most likely to sacrifice work for home schooling and developmental play, finds research co-authored by Professor Francis Green and Professor Emla Fitzsimons (both UCL Institute of Education). (30 July 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• UCL team awarded 拢1.4m to assess Covid-19 infection risk in BAME communities A team led by Dr Rob Aldridge (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) has been awarded 拢1.4m to encourage 12,000 people from BAME backgrounds to sign up to the Virus Watch study, which looks at the factors leading to increased cases of Covid-19 in BAME groups. (29 July 2020) 听听

• How to be eco-friendly in a pandemic Professor Mark Miodownik (宅男视频 Mechanical Engineering) discusses the environmental impact of disposable plastic gloves and points out that wearing them in public does not limit the spread of Covid-19. (29 July 2020) 听听

• Absolutely no guarantee antibodies will work Dr Jennifer Rohn (宅男视频 Medicine) speaks with Bloomberg TV about whether antibodies in vaccines will help patients infected with Covid-19, the 鈥榦verreaction鈥� of people鈥檚 bodies to the coronavirus, and the social distancing measure applied by schools to protect students. (29 July 2020)

• Earlier lockdown would have saved lives of London bus drivers, suggests review An independent review into the deaths of London bus drivers from Covid-19, led by Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health), suggests an earlier lockdown would have saved lives. (28 July 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Pandemic drives boom in 鈥榓ir button鈥� technologies As some companies scramble to design contactless technological features for their products, Dr Marianna Obrist (UCL Computer Science) explains how one feature, 鈥榤id-air haptics鈥�, works by adapting ultrasound speakers to 鈥渕ake them perceivable on the non-hairy part of your skin.鈥� (28 July 2020)

• The rise of anti-mask backlash Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) discusses why a minority of people are resistant to wearing facemasks, and says that wearing masks may make shops and public transport feel less friendly, as we require seeing the entire face to detect emotions. (28 July 2020) ,听听听

• Cat confirmed as having contracted Covid-19 In response to a cat having contracted Covid-19, Professor Joanne Santini (UCL Biosciences) comments how more research is necessary to determine the risks facing people, saying 鈥渆ven though we don鈥檛 have evidence for pet transmission, we don鈥檛 know whether this is possible.鈥� (28 July 2020) 听

• Mask wearers do not skip other measures, study finds A study has found that wearers of facemasks are unlikely to skip or decrease use of other safety measures to prevent Covid spread, although there might still be situations where 鈥渞isk compensation鈥� occurs, says Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (27 July 2020) ,听听听

• Thermal imaging cameras don鈥檛 detect fever Thermal imaging cameras are on the rise in hotels, airports and other public spaces however are not yet medically capable of detecting fever and therefore if someone is infectious, says Professor Derek Hill (宅男视频 Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering). (27 July 2020)

• Is the UK government marginalising scientists? Independent SAGE member Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) questions whether replacing SAGE with the Joint Biosecurity Centre to advise the UK Government on Covid-19 is wise as it is separate from the UK public health infrastructure. (24 July 2020)

• Analysing coronavirus dreams On the topic of interpreting Covid-19 anxiety, Postgraduate Researcher Jake Roberts (UCL Psychoanalysis Unit) discusses the UCL Lockdown Dreams Project, which has analysed over 700 of people鈥檚 dreams during the Covid-19 lockdown. (22 July 2020)

• Managing the Covid-19 crisis from the kitchen table Professor Anthony Smith, 宅男视频 Vice-Provost (education and student affairs) shares how communication, baking and even James Bond have helped him manage the Covid-19 pandemic from his kitchen table. (22 July 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• We need clear Covid-19 vaccine messaging to convince anti-vaxxers On the topic of vaccines being developed for Covid-19, Professor Helen Bedford (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health) says that the uptake of child vaccines went down during the lockdown, and states how clear messaging is essential to handle anti-vaccine sentiment. (21 July 2020)

• Covid-19 vaccine trial off to a promising start Early results of a trial to produce a vaccine for Covid-19 could be the 鈥渂iggest breakthrough鈥� in fighting the disease so far, says Professor Francis Balloux (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) with virus-fighting antibodies found in 90% of participants. (21 July 2020) ,听

• How 鈥榟erd immunity鈥� became the UK鈥檚 response to Covid Prior to lockdown, 鈥榟erd immunity鈥� was pursued as a response to the threat of Covid-19 despite warnings from scientists, including Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health), against using the concept as a public health strategy. (21 July 2020)

• Don鈥檛 use deaths as indicator for Covid-19 strategy Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) answers questions about whether social distancing measures in the UK will be fully relaxed by Christmas and suggests that the UK could follow the strategies used by Scotland and Northern Ireland. (20 July 2020)

• Does simple messaging mean a decline in the UK鈥檚 infection rates? Professor Robert West (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health) criticises the mixed messaging from the UK Government on social distancing, urging people to be cautious and make safe hygiene practices part of their daily lives. (20 July 2020)

• Facemask use shows social responsibility As Prime Minister Boris Johnson鈥檚 efforts to shape health policies during the Covid-19 pandemic come under scrutiny, Professor Sir Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health) praises people wearing facemasks in the UK, stating 鈥渁 strong sense of social responsibility鈥� is at work. (20 July 2020)

• Face masks with breathing valves risk spreading coronavirus Honorary Lecturer Dr Ben Killingley (UCL Institute of Global Health) explains how face masks featuring breathing valves protect the wearer from coming into contact with droplets, but don鈥檛 necessarily stop ones from exiting the mask as the person breathes. (20 July 2020)

• Daily UK death toll paused amid claims numbers are 鈥榚xaggerated鈥� Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) questions the health secretary鈥檚 decision to review how Public Health England (PHE) calculates deaths from Covid-19, as their methods are clearly stated on their website. (20 July 2020) ,听

• Spillover: the origins of Covid-19 In a look at how infectious diseases like Ebola and Covid-19 are thought to have originated in animal hosts, Dr David Redding (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) explains species often share pathogens, and "it is through this process that viruses naturally mutate and evolve." (20 July 2020)

• Are mutations making Covid-19 more infectious? As reports state that the strain of Covid-19 currently infecting people has mutated since originating in Wuhan, China, Dr Lucy van Dorp (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) suggests that the controversial 鈥榝ounder effect鈥� theory may be behind the mutation. (20 July 2020) ,听

• No easy route to developing a coronavirus vaccine Ordinarily it can take a decade to bring a new vaccine to market, with only one in 10 drugs that enter clinical trials making it to market, explains Professor Suzanne Farid (UCL Biochemical Engineering). (20 July 2020)

• We should be careful around animals where Covid-19 is concerned Professor Sarah Edwards (UCL Science & Technology Studies) discusses the possibility of wildlife and pets harbouring Covid-19, and explains 鈥渨e shouldn鈥檛 be too surprised if there is some as yet undetected transmission to and between animals.鈥� (20 July 2020)

• Discarded rubbish helps Covid spread Pets and wildlife that come in contact with discarded rubbish infected by the coronavirus might contribute to its spread among humans, say Professor Sarah Edwards (UCL Science & Technology Studies) and Professor Joanne Santini (UCL Biosciences). (17 July 2020)

• How do you travel safely during a pandemic? Dr Lena Ciric (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering) offers guidance about the risks and how best to minimise them, and how air ventilation differs between trains and planes. (17 July 2020)

• Too soon for staff to return to work Commenting on employees returning to offices following lockdown, Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) says it is too soon and we should instead wait until we know how more recent easing has impacted Covid-19 spread. (17 July 2020)

• Friendships and relationships worsen during Covid-19 lockdown A quarter of people have reported their relationships with colleagues and co-workers have worsened over lockdown, and a fifth have said their friendships outside of their household have also got worse, finds a study led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (16 July 2020) ,听,听,听UCL News

• Coronavirus: England鈥檚 R number is creeping up 鈥� does that mean a second wave is on the way? Dr Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths (UCL Epidemiology & Health) discusses the R number, the possibility of a second wave and whether Covid-19 has superspreading potential. (15 July 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Sadiq Khan on wearing face masks London Mayor Sadiq Khan speaks about the collaboration between Transport for London (TFL) and UCL to determine how TFL can best protect its public transport staff and passengers during the Covid-19 pandemic. (15 July 2020)

• Points-based tool to assess health worker Covid-19 risk Commenting on a checklist to identify at-risk healthcare workers, Professor Nishi Chaturvedi (宅男视频 MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing) says the tool鈥檚 drawbacks include results not being additive, and risk being relative to white, 40-something women. (15 July 2020)

• Around 5,000 fewer heart attack admissions to English hospitals 鈥榙ue to coronavirus鈥� Only two-thirds of expected admissions to hospital with heart attacks in England took place at the end of March 2020, finds a new collaborative study involving Professor John Deanfield (UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science). (15 July 2020)

• A million smokers kick the habit during pandemic More than one million people have given up smoking, and another 440,000 have tried, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, analysis of a UCL study by anti-smoking charity Action on Smoking and Health has found. (15 July 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Covid-19 immunity may only last a few months As a new study indicates that immunity in patients recovered from Covid-19 may only last a few months, Professor Mala Maini (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains 鈥淭his study does reinforce the message that we can鈥檛 assume someone who has had Covid-19 can鈥檛 get it again.鈥� (14 July 2020) ,听,听

• Disposable face masks could create mountain of contaminated waste Professor Mark Miodownik (宅男视频 Mechanical Engineering) explains how if people in the UK used a single-use mask each day for a year, it would not only create up to 66,000 tonnes of contaminated waste, but people handling the waste would also face a high risk of infection. (14 July 2020) ,听,听,听

• UCL academics question UK Government decision to 鈥榖lank鈥� Portugal Senior Teaching Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy) and Dr Gianluca Pescaroli (UCL Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction) suggest the UK Government鈥檚 decision to quarantine travellers from Portugal may be due to economic factors. (14 July 2020) ,听

• Prepare now for a winter Covid-19 peak, say UCL experts The UK must prepare now for a potential new wave of coronavirus infections this winter that could be more serious than the first, says a new Academy of Medical Sciences report involving eight experts from 宅男视频 including Professor Dame Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity). (14 July 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Wearing a face mask in shops in England will become compulsory With reports confirming that people shopping in England will be required to wear face masks from 24 July or face fines of up to 拢100, Honorary Lecturer Dr Ben Killingley (UCL Institute of Global Health) suggests this requirement may be better timed for when people return to work. (14 July 2020)

• Parliamentary commission should be established on Covid-19 The Commons public administration committee should propose a parliamentary commission to hold the Conservatives to account over their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, argues Emeritus Professor Tony Wright (UCL Political Science). (13 July 2020) ,听

• 3 in 5 adults who thought about self-harm or suicide received no mental health support in lockdown During the first month of lockdown only 42% of those thinking about self-harming or suicide and 57% of people who self-harmed had accessed mental health services, finds research led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (13 July 2020) ,听,听UCL News

• Face masks could be made mandatory in shops Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health), Professor Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Science), Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) and Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) call for face masks to be mandatory in shops. (13 July 2020) ,听,听,听

• Young people overeating as they battle lockdown anxiety Led by Dr Lee Hudson (UCL GOS Institute of Child Health) and his colleagues, the new You-COPE study finds that more young people are overeating to handle their anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic. (13 July 2020)

• Neurological symptoms of Covid-19 often caused by immune system affecting the brain As doctors see growing numbers of neurological symptoms of Covid-19, Professor Anthony David (UCL Psychiatry) explains that these are usually caused by the immune system, rather than the virus itself getting into the brain. (10 July 2020)

• Farewell to the handshake In a socially distanced interview, Independent SAGE member Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) explains how each year hundreds die from seasonal influenza and stresses that people must change their social habits to avoid transmitting viruses. (10 July 2020) ,听

• Cystic fibrosis drug trialled to fight inflammation caused by COVID-19 Patients with COVID-19 will be given the cystic fibrosis drug 鈥楧ornase alfa鈥� to determine if it can help improve survival by reducing excess inflammation in the lungs, as part of a trial co-led by UCL and the Francis Crick Institute. (10 July 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Why are Black and South Asian people more likely to be hospitalised with Covid-19? Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) explains that Black and South Asian people are more likely to be hospitalised with Covid-19 for multiple reasons, including structural, biological, and behavioural factors. (9 July 2020)

• Scientists reject PM鈥檚 claims over virus transmission In response to the Prime Minister鈥檚 claims that no one knew Covid-19 could be transmitted asymptomatically, Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) rejects this, stating 鈥渜uite early on there was good data that showed asymptomatic transmission was occurring.鈥� (9 July 2020)

• London鈥檚 future: the post-lockdown village As businesses start to reopen, Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) adds to a discussion on how this is an opportunity for people to support their local shops. He says: 鈥淲e are social animals and the high street needs to provide us with community.鈥� (9 July 2020)

• Sage sidelined as Government takes direct control of coronavirus response With reports stating that the Joint Biosecurity Centre will lead the UK Government鈥檚 response to the coronavirus, Independent SAGE member Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) questions this decision and says, 鈥渨e know little about this new body". (9 July 2020) ,听

• 鈥淣ot enough conditionality鈥� for industries borrowing funds On the topic of the UK's latest 拢30bn stimulus package in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Professor Mariana Mazzucato (UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose) asserts that countries are borrowing money but without enough conditionality attached. (9 July 2020)

• Increase in delirium, rare brain inflammation and stroke linked to Covid-19 Neurological complications of Covid-19 can include delirium, brain inflammation, stroke and nerve damage, finds a study by Dr Michael Zandi, Dr Hadi Manji, Dr Ross Paterson and Dr Rachel Brown (all UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Dr Brown also UCL Infection & Immunity). (8 July 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Once a vaccine is safe, how do experts convince the public to take it? Independent SAGE member Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) explains how it鈥檚 not just a matter of educating the public but also handling public doubts and obstruction from the anti-vaccination lobby to convince people to take a Covid-19 vaccine. (8 July 2020)

• Concerns over fresh coronavirus wave Dr Jennifer Rohn (宅男视频 Medicine) answers questions about possible US strategies for dealing with Covid-19, and adds to a debate on vaccines, stressing that it may not be effective or a 鈥渟hot for life鈥�, and how some followers of the anti-vaccine movement may not take one at all. (8 July 2020)

• Will we see a rise in the 'cruise to nowhere'? As brief 鈥榗ruises to nowhere鈥� gain popularity with holidaymakers, Dr Tristan Smith (UCL Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources) adds that whilst these will help reduce overcrowding, they 鈥渁re unlikely to significantly assist the air pollution, GHG, presence". (7 July 2020) ,听

• Reducing barriers to data access for research in the public interest In a joint letter, Research Fellow Francesca Cavallaro, Associate Professor Katie Harron (both UCL GOS Institute of Child Health) and their colleagues explain how the Covid-19 pandemic has generated an urgency to improve data access. (7 July 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Summer months could be window of opportunity for coronavirus research As fears of a possible second wave of Covid-19 grow, Dr Nigel Field (UCL Institute for Global Health) explains how the summer months could give researchers a chance to study and learn how to possibly suppress the coronavirus鈥檚 transmission, which could protect healthcare workers. (7 July 2020)

• Why the Covid-19 recovery needs a proactive public sector Professor Mariana Mazzucato and Martha Mcpherson (both UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose) discuss global economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and stress that it offers a chance to re-evaluate the exchange between the public and private sectors. (7 July 2020)

• Polar explorers and astronauts share how isolation affected them Whether it鈥檚 working on a polar ice rig, the international space station or isolated at home, Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care) explains the common features of isolation that people share, and adds how people are handling the lockdown. (6 July 2020)

• Did China find clues to the coronavirus in 2013? In response to a report that a close relative to the coronavirus Covid-10 was discovered seven years ago, Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains "understanding how this happens allows us to respond quicker to cross-species transmission in the future." (6 July 2020) ,听,听

• Coronavirus: Why Singapore turned to wearable contact-tracing tech In a discussion on Singapore鈥檚 contact-tracing TraceTogether Tokens, Dr Michael Veale (UCL Laws) warns of the dangers to privacy: 鈥淎ll you have to do is install physical infrastructure in the world and the data that is collecting can be mapped back to Singapore ID numbers." (6 July 2020)

• Britons urged to 'forgo foreign holidays' by leading scientists Independent SAGE member Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health) adds to a conversation on holidays and agrees with experts that British holidaymakers should have 鈥榮taycations鈥� and keep their trips local to Great Britain. (6 July 2020)

• Is Boris Johnson's father undermining coronavirus measures with Greek visit? As Prime Minister Boris Johnson鈥檚 father gains public criticism for visiting his property in Greece, Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) praises the safety measures Greece has set in place to protect its people, including quarantine restrictions for UK visitors. (6 July 2020)

• We must change our behaviours gradually to defeat the virus With some experts concerned that social distancing may be ignored, Gerard Lyons mentions Visiting Professor Paul Ormerod (UCL Centre for Decision Making Uncertainty) and how they recommend gradual behavioural changes for easing lockdown measures. (6 July 2020)

• Levels of depression and anxiety higher amongst those from BAME backgrounds during lockdown People from BAME backgrounds have had higher levels of depression and anxiety throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, as well as lower levels of happiness and life satisfaction, finds a study led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care). (3 July 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• How students will learn post-Covid University teaching after the Covid-19 pandemic should blend online delivery methods with face-to-face group discussions, says Professor Allison Littlejohn (UCL Institute of Education) in a panel discussion on post-pandemic learning. (3 July 2020)

• Coronavirus is a multi-system disease Senior Teaching Fellow Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy) answers questions about the long-term health effects of Covid-19 and explains 鈥渨e do have to learn how to co-exist with the virus until a vaccine is developed鈥�. (3 July 2020)

• Covid support kit for rare dementia sufferers An article written by academics from 宅男视频 Queen Square Institute of Neurology explains how 宅男视频 Rare Dementia Support Service has launched a Covid-19 emergency kit with increased call support and virtual buddying, following an increase in calls to the service during lockdown. (3 July 2020)

• Schools return plan can work Dr Amitava Banerjee (UCL Institute of Health Informatics) says the government鈥檚 plan to send children back to school in class or social 鈥榖ubbles鈥� can work with enough information and communication, however more needs to be done to improve testing and tracing. (3 July 2020)

• Reducing two metre rule effectively ends social distancing Independent SAGE member Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) shares her concerns that the reopening of pubs on 4 July could lead to people putting themselves at increased risk of catching Covid-19. (2 July 2020) ,听,听

• Children with coronavirus may have neurological symptoms Children with coronavirus may have neurological symptoms in the absence of the respiratory ones typically associated with Covid-19, according to a new UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health study. (2 July 2020)

• How the coronavirus pandemic is changing the way we commute From deep cleaning and robots to emptier commuter trains, Professor Julio Davila (UCL Bartlett Development Planning Unit) discusses some of the options transport authorities could implement to protect commutes from the risk of infection. (2 July 2020)

• Fears of a 鈥渄ivisive society鈥� if Coronavirus immunity passports are introduced Professor Robert West (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) shares his concerns about the possible introduction of immunity passports, saying that 鈥渋t could create a multi-tier society and increase levels of discrimination and inequity鈥�. (2 July 2020)

• Neoliberal policies drive UK and German Covid-19 response Commenting on criticism of the UK government鈥檚 response to coronavirus when compared to Germany鈥檚, Emeritus Professor Frank Coffield (UCL Institute of Education) says the two countries share the same neoliberal policies and should try to learn from each other. (1 July 2020) ,听

• Privacy is not the problem with the Apple-Google contact-tracing app Dr Michael Veale (UCL Laws) explains the 鈥榙ecentralised鈥� approach of the Apple-Google contact-tracing system, the problems with the NHSX app, and why the infrastructural power given to big tech companies by contact-tracing tools should give us sleepless nights. (1 July 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• How having a cold could protect against severe Covid-19 symptoms After a study found an immune response against Covid-19 in people with no experience of the disease, Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Biosciences) says that T-cell immunity, gained through prior coronavirus infections, such as colds, could provide an explanation. (1 July 2020)

• The Post-Pandemic State In a discussion of the legacies of the Covid-19 pandemic, Professor Geoff Mulgan (UCL STEaPP) asserts his belief that an overhaul of the UK Government鈥檚 involvement in social care will happen, with more efforts being made to help the elderly. (30 June 2020)

• Covid-19 and vaccine development Dr Jennifer Rohn (宅男视频 Medicine) joins a panel of experts to answer questions on the work towards a vaccine for Covid-19 and how to avoid catching the virus in the time before any potential vaccine is available. (29 June 2020)

• How engineers are helping solve the problems caused by Covid-19 Professor Rebecca Shipley (宅男视频 Mechanical Engineering) takes part in a panel discussion on how engineering is helping during the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices manufactured by UCL, Mercedes-AMG HPP and UCLH. (29 June 2020)

• Mixed messaging and stress of booking holidays adds to Covid-19 fears While many are seeking lesser-known holiday spots for brief getaways, Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) comments that due to the UK Government鈥檚 mixed messaging 鈥淭he act of booking a holiday will increase anxiety levels again.鈥� (29 June 2020)

• Covid-19 Sample found in Barcelona waste water likely a mix-up Experts including Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) cast doubt on a university team鈥檚 claims to have found samples of Covid-19 in water, stating "The most plausible explanation is sample mix-up/contamination.鈥� (29 June 2020) ,听

• COVID-19: National PTSD screening programme urgently needed Patients affected by COVID-19 need to be urgently screened for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and receive regular check-ups for at least a year. The 鈥榗all to action鈥� is led by UCL psychiatrists and psychologists including Dr Michael Bloomfield (UCL Psychiatry). (29 June 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• UK at risk of extra 30,000 deaths unless Government changes approach Independent Sage members including Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) warn that unless the UK Government changes their strategy, 30,000 more excess deaths from Covid-19 could occur by next year. (29 June 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听,听,听

• Which cultural activities are least likely to spread Covid-19? Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health) gives advice on which arts and music activities are most capable of making adjustments to avoid the spread of Covid-19, as well as which are unlikely to be safe until the pandemic is over. (29 June 2020)

• Can a coronavirus 'shielder' find consolation in lockdown? Emeritus Professor John Sutherland (UCL English Language & Literature) authors an opinion article on isolating as a vulnerable person during lockdown, and cites numerous authors whose work has provided consolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. (29 June 2020)

• Taxi drivers 'unprotected' against Covid-19 With no physical barrier separating taxi drivers from their passengers, drivers face a higher risk of infection. Dr Joe Grove (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains, 鈥淓ven after they've left the car, the virus will remain.鈥� (26 June 2020) ,听

• Crypto AM鈥檚 community play their part in the war against COVID-19 Following the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices developed by a team run by Professor Rebecca Shipley (宅男视频 Mechanical Engineering), the UCL-Ventura CPAP machine manufactured in Australia is featured in a piece promoting major inventions in combatting Covid-19. (26 June 2020)

• Study shows Covid-19 is adapting to human hosts A genetic study of more than 7,500 patients infected with Covid-19 have shown that the virus may have been present as early as October 2019. Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) explains how the research found more than 200 genetic mutations. (26 June 2020) ,听

• Schools to scrap social distancing in September With schools set to reopen in September without social distancing measures in place, SAGE member and Honorary Lecturer Dr Gavin Morgan (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) suggests the UK Government run an information campaign to earn the trust of parents and teachers. (26 June 2020)

• People are reading downgraded rules as a free pass As many people flock to beaches to enjoy the summer heat, Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health) warns that people are interpreting the UK Government鈥檚 advice as a free pass to ignore social distancing rules. (26 June 2020)

• Third of people report enjoying lockdown On balance a third of people in the UK have been enjoying the lockdown, while 46% have not been enjoying it and 21% have mixed feelings, finds 宅男视频 Covid-19 Social Study, led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care). (26 June 2020) 听听听,听,听,听,听听,听,听,听,听UCL News

• Why schools should invest in teachers鈥� wellbeing now PhD student Julia Manning (UCL Computer Science), who researches digital solutions for stress management in the context of secondary schools, describes the risks of the Covid-19 crisis to teachers鈥� mental health and how school leaders ought to invest in teacher wellbeing. (26 June 2020)

• Care home testing to launch to understand spread of COVID-19 Around 10,000 people who work or reside in care homes will be given repeat testing as part of a new UCL-led government cohort study. The research will be carried out by a team led by Dr Laura Shallcross (UCL Institute of Health Informatics). (26 June 2020) ,听,听UCL News

• UK Government鈥檚 mixed messaging is dangerous In response to the high number of people disregarding social distancing rules at public beaches, Independent SAGE member Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) tweets how the mixed messaging from the UK Government is dangerous. (26 June 2020) ,听

• How are our behaviours changing in lockdown? More than half of the UK population are now exercising or meditating at least once a day, finds a new study led by Dr Patty Kostkova (UCL Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction) exploring how people are adapting their lifestyle during the Covid-19 pandemic. (25 June 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Tensions rise in Belarus over Covid-19 response Commenting on rising dissent in Belarus over the government鈥檚 poor handling of Covid-19 and in the lead-up to the national election in August, PhD researcher Tadeusz Giczan (UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies) describes the situation as a 鈥渟low-motion crisis鈥�. (25 June 2020)
• Opinion: Children鈥檚 mental health will suffer irreparably if schools don鈥檛 reopen soon By missing out on support networks available at school, children are facing long-term consequences on their mental health, writes SAGE member and Honorary Lecturer Dr Gavin Morgan (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences). (25 June 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Staying safe whilst travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic Continuing to maintain your distance and returning home if anyone in your family feels ill are both ways to ensure health and safety standards when on a trip during the Covid-19 pandemic, says Oksana Pyzik (UCL School of Pharmacy). (25 June 2020)

• Is 鈥�1 metre plus鈥� enough to stop Covid spread? Commenting on the relaxation of England鈥檚 social distancing rules to one metre plus one mitigating measure, Dr Zeshan Qureshi (UCL Institute of Global Health) says the reduction is still a concern as it is most likely to take place in high risk areas, such as pubs and bars. (24 June 2020)

• Are people at risk from easing lockdown? With lockdown measures set to ease, Professor Robert West (UCL Epidemiology & Health), Professor Christina Pagel (宅男视频 Mathematics) and Professor Anthony Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health) share their concerns about whether now is the right time to relax restrictions. (24 June 2020) ,听,听,听,听,听,听

• What can we expect from pubs as lockdown eases? Professor Deenan Pillay (UCL Infection & Immunity) answers questions about what changes to services people can expect when visiting restaurants, pubs and cinemas once the lockdown eases on 4 July. (24 June 2020)

• Covid-19 vaccine may not work for at-risk older people In a discussion on whether young people should be vaccinated against Covid-19 to protect their elderly relatives, Professor Arne Akbar (UCL Infection & Immunity) explains how older patients might require a combination of treatments to protect from the virus. (24 June 2020)

• Weighing up the benefits and pitfalls of wearing masks Incorrect use, reduced public perception of Covid-19 risk and environmental concerns are drawbacks that could follow the introduction of masks as a public health measure. Dr Olga Perski (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health) explains some possible pitfalls of the rule. (24 June 2020)

• How far is far enough to prevent the spread of Covid-19? As England prepares to ease social distancing measures aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19, Associate Professor Lena Ciric (UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering) discusses some of the factors in deciding how far we should be distancing to minimise transmission. (24 June 2020)

• Minimising the impact of a coronavirus second wave With infection rates increasing around the world, health providers are looking at ways a second wave of the virus can be avoided. Professor Karl Friston (UCL Wellcome Centre for Neuroimaging) explains that our memory of the first wave should make the second wave less severe. (24 June 2020)

• Room for improvement: first NHS Test and Trace figures released Figures from the NHS鈥檚 contact tracing program found that more than 30% of those who tested positive for Covid-19 were not reached. Experts agree the system is not perfect however, Professor Anne Johnson (UCL Infection & Immunity) says the program is still 鈥渙ff to a good start鈥�. (24 June 2020)

• Why doctors say UK is better prepared for a second wave of coronavirus In an article on the medical advancements made in treating patients infected with Covid-19, Professor Mervyn Singer (宅男视频 Medicine) comments on the positive results so far of using the steroid Dexamethasone. (23 June 2020) ,听

• UK public 'supports green recovery from coronavirus crisis' In advance of a Climate Assembly UK report which suggests that people support lifestyle changes to reduce carbon emissions, Professor Jim Watson (UCL Bartlett School Environment, Energy & Resources) adds that the public is in favour of government action on the issue. (23 June 2020) ,听,听,听

• New study into Covid-19 transmission and immunity launched Virus Watch, led by Professor Andrew Hayward (UCL Epidemiology & Health), is inviting 42,500 people to take part in one of the largest and most comprehensive studies of Covid-19 in the UK to investigate the next phase of the pandemic. (23 June 2020) ,听More: UCL News

• Virus 'no respecter of national borders' As Covid-19 cases rise elsewhere in the world, Professor Sarah Hawkes (UCL Institute for Global Health) discusses the pandemic and reminds listeners that 鈥渢his is a global virus that is no respecter of national borders.鈥� (23 June 2020)

• Too soon to reduce social distancing rule 听With the UK Government expected to halve social distancing rules to one metre, Independent SAGE member Professor Susan Michie (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) comments on why it is too soon for this recommendation to be implemented. (22 June 2020)

• Origin of new Beijing Covid-19 outbreak unclear Based on the data available, the new outbreak of Covid-19 in Beijing was circulating for some time before being identified, meaning it 鈥渃ould have originated from essentially anywhere,鈥� says Professor Francois Balloux (UCL Biosciences). (19 June 2020) ,听,听

• Scrapping of UK鈥檚 Coronavirus contact-tracing app is welcome move Professor Michael Veale (UCL Laws) comments on how ministers鈥� decision to abandon NHS contact-tracing app and favour an app widely used in other countries 鈥渋s a welcome, if heavily and unnecessarily delayed, move鈥�. (19 June 2020) ,听听听听,听,听

• Adults remain at home despite lockdown easing People in the UK are continuing to spend several days a week at home, despite lockdown measures being eased, finds a Covid-19 social study led by Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Epidemiology & Health). (18 June 2020) ,听

听

Links

• UCL Covid-19 research
• 宅男视频 Medical Sciences
• UCL Life Sciences
• UCL Population Health Sciences
• 宅男视频 Mathematical & Physical Sciences
• UCL Engineering
• UCL Institute of Education
• UCL Arts & Humanities
• The Bartlett
• UCL Economics

Image

• Top row (l-r): Professor Martina Micheletti, Professor Mariana Mazzucato, Dr Brian Klaas, Professor Anthony Costello, Dr Jasmina Panovska-Griffiths, Professor Mala Maini, Dr Delanjathan Devakumar, Professor Rebecca Shipley. Second row (l-r): Professor David Alexander, Dr Jennifer Rohn, Dr Amitava Banerjee, Professor Rachel McKendry,听Professor David Lomas, Professor Ilan Kelman, Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos, Professor Max Parmar. Third row (l-r):听Professor Susan Michie, Professor Arne Akbar, Professor Rose Luckin, Professor Francois Balloux, Professor Ab Babiker, Professor Mark Maslin, Visiting Professor Paul Ormerod, Professor Judith Breuer. Bottom Row (l-r):听Professor Kate Jones, Dr Hannah Fry, Professor Dame Anne Johnson, Professor Christina Pagel, Professor Helene Joffe, Dr Lena Ciric, Professor Deenan Pillay, Professor Robert West