Title

Episode 06: COVID-19’s Effects on Vulnerable Populations with Social Epidemiologist Amy Dailey

Document Type

Audio

Publication Date

3-27-2020

Department 1

President’s Office

Abstract

In Episode 6 of Conversations Beneath the Cupola, podcast host, Gettysburg College President Robert W. Iuliano is joined by Social Epidemiologist and Prof. of Health Sciences Amy Dailey. Iuliano and Dailey discuss the short-term and long-term effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on vulnerable populations.

The episode begins with Dailey explaining how COVID-19 is affecting different populations in different ways. Some of the populations Dailey talks about include health care workers, low-wage earners, the homeless, and nursing homes. The spread of illness is a top concern for these populations, and subsequently, the lack of equal access to testing and treatment, which Dailey shares in more detail. Even if an individual is not classified within a vulnerable population, Iuliano and Dailey agree that everyone is being affected by COVID-19 in some way, and everyone should take seriously the precautions put in place, such as social distancing.

Later, Iuliano asks Dailey what the government could be doing better during this time and how we can learn from this health crisis. She explains that not everyone has the same access to paid sick leave or flexible leave, immediate income assistance if laid off, housing, food emergency services, and many other related things. From her viewpoint, we should find ways to reduce the obstacles that some people have to go through to get assistance.

The episode concludes with an anecdotal “Slice of Life” told through the president’s perspective. Iuliano briefly talks about how the campus has responded in truly remarkable ways to this unprecedented moment in time, and shared one example: a social media post made by the Women’s Lacrosse team, featuring a quote from senior Liza Barr ’20. Despite her senior season being cut short, Barr still has much gratitude for her team and the College, which she expressed in the post.

Comments

A full transcript of this episode is available on the podcast website.

Link to Full Text
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