News Room

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

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

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

If the coronavirus pandemic ended tomorrow, Scott Nestler’s newly launched company’s days would likely be numbered. He’s ok with that. After all, only during such an upside-down time as a global pandemic could a startup that pinpoints the optimal way to avoid capacity crowds at an event be useful. As colleges and universities reopen their campuses in the age of physical distancing and capacity restrictions, the question of how to safely seat people in large, ticketed spaces such as stadiums, arenas and theaters while still maximizing attendance (and revenue) is a million-dollar question.

Sports are a vital part of the fabric of America. Family time, social events and even holidays for some are centered around it. Over the past months, on top of the health and economic concerns wrought by COVID‐19, the lack of sports has added to our yearning for normality.