/oss/taxonomy/term/4530/all en /oss/article/covid-19/statistics-behind-breakthrough-infections <p>Recently we have seen a rash of headlines along the lines of “75% of infected people were fully vaccinated” atop stories describing a “super-spreader” event in Massachusetts. While that statistic is correct, it needs to be put into context. First, let’s note that the outbreak, in which 360 out of 469 cases (75%) were among vaccinated individuals, was linked with densely packed indoor and outdoor events on the July 4th weekend with few people wearing masks. Next, let’s examine that scary 75% number.</p> Fri, 27 Aug 2021 17:37:35 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8823 at /oss /oss/article/covid-19-health-history/contact-tracing-key-solving-spread-infectious-disease <p>Today it is COVID-19 that is sowing panic around the world but in 19th century England the fear was of cholera, a dreadful disease. It causes diarrhea so severe that a victim can lose as much as ten liters of water in a day. If untreated, it can lead to rapid dehydration and death within a few days. The disease first appeared in Europe in 1831, an undesired import from the Indian subcontinent where it was endemic. Over 50,000 Britons died within a year, causing widespread panic. Physicians didn’t know what to do.</p> Wed, 20 May 2020 19:18:03 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8253 at /oss /oss/article/covid-19-history/physical-isolation-and-case-typhoid-mary <p>Infectious diseases have a long history. The first epidemics were probably caused by the variola virus that causes smallpox. The disease commonly spreads through skin-to-skin contact or contact with bodily fluids, but it can also be spread through the air. Smallpox first appeared around 10,000 B.C. at the time of the first agricultural settlements in northeastern Africa. Egyptian mummies that date back to about 1500 B.C. show evidence of skin lesions typical of smallpox. From Egypt, the disease was probably spread by traders to Europe and India. In 430 B.C.</p> Fri, 15 May 2020 13:42:15 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8247 at /oss