Entries by CHHS Research Assistants & Externs

Tocilizumab And COVID-19

Scientists began to investigate Tocilizumab in clinical trials as a possible therapy for COVID-19 because of the drug’s potent anti-inflammatory properties. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody drug manufactured by Hoffman-La Roche, is marketed in the US as Actrema® and is approved for treating arthritis. Tocilizumab effectively treats arthritis by reducing the progression of inflammation in the […]

Developing a Vaccine to Prevent Covid-19 Disease

Vaccination against COVID-19 aims to produce an initial immune response to enable the body to quickly respond to attack and destroy SARS-CoV-2 whenever the vaccinated individual is later infected with the virus. All vaccines aim to expose the body to an agent, called an antigen, to provoke an initial immune response. In the initial immune […]

US-China, TikTok, and National Security

By CHHS Extern Arsanious Hanna  Over the course of the last decade, the United States has been embroiled in a transnational cybersecurity warfare. Washington’s concerns with America’s cybersecurity infrastructure and integrity is in response to years of intelligence agency whistleblowers and cyber hacks. Whistleblowers such as former Army Intelligence Analyst Chelsea Manning, and former NSA […]

Corticosteroid Hormones and COVID-19

CORTICOSTEROID HORMONES AND COVID-19 Introduction. The corticosteroid hormone drugs Dexamethasone and Methylprednisolone have both been successfully used to treat COVID-19 patients. Dexamethasone, approved by the FDA in 1958, is marketed for treating severe or incapacitating allergic conditions. Methylprednisolone, approved by the FDA in 1959, is marketed for treating severe allergic conditions and some types of […]

Unpacking Contact Tracing

By CHHS Extern Carly Yost Public health jargon, previously only known by professionals in the field, is now a part of most people’s everyday vernacular. Due to the global pandemic caused by the emergence of COVID-19, contact tracing is among those previously unknown terms that are now a part of everyone’s daily lives. Several large […]

Presidential Executive Order Attempts to End Social Media’s Liability Shield under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act

By CHHS Extern Cheryl Gordon Twitter, Facebook, Google.  These social media sites have become ubiquitous in American culture. While some use them more than others, we all use these social media sites for various purposes.  We keep in touch with friends and colleagues.  We meet new friends and network.  We suggest new activities and provide […]

The Meaning of Last Week’s COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

By CHHS Extern Sharon Sidhu President Trump declared a national emergency over the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic on Friday afternoon, “unleash[ing] the full power of the federal government.” This action, under the authority of the Stafford Act, opened up access to up to $50 billion for states, territories, and localities, to use towards the shared fight […]

Latest Update on COVID-19 in Maryland

By CHHS Extern Emma Evans Eiden Just one week after announcing Maryland’s first three cases of COVID-19, Maryland has identified its first community transmission case of the virus bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 12.  A Prince George’s county resident, with no travel outside of the state, tested positive on Wednesday. During a […]

COVID-19 Reaches Maryland

By CHHS Extern Emma Evans Eiden Thursday night, Governor Larry Hogan announced three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the State of Maryland.  While residents are encouraged to continue their daily routines, including work and school, the Governor declared a state of emergency to mobilize funds and activate full coordination between the Maryland Department of Health […]