April 14, 2020: Alumni Weigh in on Fighting COVID-19

Journalist Maria Ressa ’86 shared insights on covering the COVID-19 pandemic from her experience running the Filipino news site Rappler. — IJNet 

In coronavirus-related attacks on Asian Americans, author Helen Zia ’73 sees similarities with the racism that led to the murder of Vincent Chin in 1982. — Associated Press 

Author Michael Lewis ’82 believes the Trump Administration’s rejection of expert opinions has led to gross mismanagement of risks by the government. — Vox 

Astrophysicist Katie Mack *09 explained the physics of light around neutron stars. — The New York Times 

Michelle A. Williams ’84, dean of Harvard’s School of Public Health, explored the demographic and geographic factors that may worsen the COVID-19 epidemic in rural communities. — The Washington Post 

“These are hard choices. No one wants to make them, but the pandemic is forcing our hand. In the current crisis, the health of all Americans, including our doctors and nurses, is at stake.”

— From an op-ed by Columbia University psychiatry professor Robert Klitzman ’80, arguing that states should provide civil and criminal immunity for front-line coronavirus doctors forced to make life-or-death care decisions. — The New York Times 

Alexis McGill Johnson ’93, acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, was interviewed about the group’s efforts to classify abortion as an essential medical procedure during coronavirus lockdowns. — Vanity Fair 

After Kobe Bryant’s death, a video surfaced of him playing a high school game against Bobby McIlvaine ’97, who died in the Sept. 11 attacks. — The Philadelphia Inquirer