Strange Times

Welcome! My name is Erin Stearns and I’m a geospatial epidemiologist. I started this page to share helpful information and resources pertaining to COVID-19.

In Brief

• Coronavirus disease AKA COVID-19

  • Caused by: infection by SARS-2-CoV (a novel coronavirus)

  • Emerged in late 2019 from Wuhan, China

• Prevention (see CDC page about protecting yourself and others here for more details)

  • Basic health & hygiene practices (e.g. handwashing)

  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines

  • Wear a mask to be safe, and if planning to be in a crowded place with poor ventilation where you will be closer than 6 feet to people

  • Improve ventilation & spend time outdoors

  • Get tested for COVID-19 if needed

    • You can get up to 4 free tests per household per month by ordering through this government website.

  • Stay home if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19

    • Seek treatment if you have COVID-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick

  • Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19

• Symptoms of concern – seek medical attention (CDC site with more details)

  • Trouble breathing or shortness of breath

  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

  • New confusion

  • Inability to wake or stay awake

  • Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

    ***This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Staying up to date

Despite the rapidly changing landscape of information around the coronavirus pandemic and SARS-2-CoV spread, there are some helpful and reliable sources to stay up to date:

• Johns Hopkins’ Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases tracking dashboard

• CDC Coronavirus information page

• World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus information page

Collaboration

If you are in need of EpiMap services, please fill out the form located here and we will be in touch.