Story Tips from Johns Hopkins Experts on COVID-19

Front-Line Worker Story: Panagis Galiatsatos — Commitment to Community

Media Contact: Rachel Butch, [email protected]

Frontline Healthcare Stories – Panagis Galiatsatos

It seems as though there will never be enough “thank-you’s” for the incredible doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff who are working around the clock to help patients with this dangerous coronavirus disease. Their dedication, determination and spirit enable Johns Hopkins to deliver the promise of medicine.

When COVID-19 hit Maryland, Panagis Galiatsatos, M.D., M.H.S., knew that Johns Hopkins would have to engage with the Baltimore community more than ever to stop the spread. To do this, “Dr. G” launched twice-weekly community phone calls to answer questions and listen to the needs of community leaders. He has led groups to deliver masks, hand sanitizer and food to community centers. “We know that this virus is impacting some groups in our community more than others, and this work comes with a commitment to make disparities a part of the past, just like this virus will someday be.”

Galiatsatos is available for interviews.

The Importance of Contact Tracing

Media Contact: Michel Morris, [email protected]

Contact tracing is an essential component of the toolbox for containing a disease outbreak. This is especially true for a disease such as COVID-19, which can be spread by people who have no symptoms. Polly Trexler, an infection control practitioner and epidemiologist, is director of operations for the Department of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control (HEIC) at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is available to discuss how contact tracing works, why it is important and how it plays a part in limiting the second wave of COVID-19.

Fighting the Pandemic of Racism: Johns Hopkins Takes a Knee

Media Contact: Archana Nilaweera, [email protected]

Video: Johns Hopkins White Coats for Black Lives

To acknowledge the senseless murder of George Floyd and countless others across this nation, the medical residents of the House Staff Diversity Council at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in collaboration with the national organization White Coats for Black Lives, hosted a demonstration at 1 p.m. on June 5 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to take a stand against police brutality and to pay respects to Floyd and the many other victims of oppression and racism.

Demonstrators knelt for 10 minutes and recited the names of victims of police brutality. About 350 medical professionals attended, and many others throughout the Johns Hopkins Health System participated at their hospitals in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Florida.

To take precautions against COVID-19, proper social distancing measures were observed and masks were required.

Medical residents from the House Staff Diversity Council are available for interview. Additional images are available upon request.

More information about this demonstration can be found on the Johns Hopkins University Hub.

Protesting Safely During a Pandemic

Media Contact: Kim Polyniak, [email protected]

Protests against police brutality and racism are taking place around the world. While these deep-rooted issues are important to protest, health care experts are concerned that the demonstrations may lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases. African Americans and other racial and ethnic minority groups are especially vulnerable because they can experience more serious illness and even death due to the disease.

Experts recommend taking measures while protesting to prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, including remaining 6 feet away from others, wearing a face covering and bringing hand sanitizer.

Experts Sherita Hill Golden, M.D., M.H.S., vice president and chief diversity officer at Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Panagis Galiatsatos, M.D., M.H.S., co-chair of the Johns Hopkins Health Equity Steering Committee in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, are available to comment on the potential increase of COVID-19 cases and to offer tips on protesting safely.

The Johns Hopkins Hospital Surpasses 500 Discharges of Patients with COVID-19

Media Contact: Kim Polyniak, [email protected]

It has been more than two months since The Johns Hopkins Hospital admitted its first patient with COVID-19. Now, the hospital is marking an inspiring milestone: It is surpassing 500 discharges of patients with COVID-19.

Teams throughout the hospital have worked tirelessly to provide health care for patients with COVID-19, as well as to clean rooms, provide meals and so much more in the fight against the pandemic.

Video and photos of staff marking the milestone and of a recent patient discharge are available upon request. Interviews with a patient and members of our health care team can also be arranged.

For information from Johns Hopkins Medicine about the coronavirus pandemic, visit hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus. For information on the coronavirus from throughout the Johns Hopkins enterprise, including the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and The Johns Hopkins University, visit coronavirus.jhu.edu.

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