Media Coverage

Media articles featuring INFORMS members in the news.

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Corralling COVID-19 In Meatpacking And Poultry Processing Plants

Corralling COVID-19 In Meatpacking And Poultry Processing Plants

WUNC 91.5, March 1, 2021

Across the country, more than 250 employees at meatpacking plants have died of the coronavirus. Congress has opened an investigation into the outbreaks as the companies try to stem the COVID infections. In North Carolina, one large Tyson Foods poultry plant is making some workplace changes. The Tyson complex is nestled in the center of Wilkesboro. It’s a massive facility, employing around 3,000 people. That’s a lot for this small, rural community. The town manager of Wilkesboro, Ken Noland, says it’s a challenging time for both the region and Tyson. “You put that many people together, you got to have cases. It’s impossible not to and so we all have to realize that," he says. "This community spread right now has really got us very concerned overall.”

Coronavirus: What You Need to Know For Tuesday, March 2

Coronavirus: What You Need to Know For Tuesday, March 2

Jacksonville.com, March 2, 2021

Florida adds 150 COVID-19 deaths, 11 in Duval County; cases, tests sharply decline. Both new case and new test numbers plunged to their lowest levels in months across Florida, as the state recorded 150 additional deaths Monday from the coronavirus pandemic. Northeast Florida recorded 13 of these deaths in the state's online dashboard, with 11 in Duval County and one each in Putnam and St. Johns counties. So far, the Florida Department of Health has recorded 1,972 deaths across the six-county region, which is on pace to surpass 2,000 COVID-19 fatalities as soon as this week. 

'Vaccine Angels' Can Only Do So Much: How Can US Make It Easier to Find COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment in Minutes, Not Hours?

'Vaccine Angels' Can Only Do So Much: How Can US Make It Easier to Find COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment in Minutes, Not Hours?

USA Today, March 2, 2021

As of Monday, Nick Muerdter had gotten 2.4 million hits on a page he launched two weeks ago to help people find open COVID-19 vaccine appointments at nearby pharmacies. “I just wanted to simplify it, so you didn’t have to click a dozen times to find out there are no appointments available,” the Colorado programmer said. The nation's vaccine appointment system is broken in many places, leading to a race to find appointments that in many places works best for the lucky, the internet-savvy or the mobile. "I have plenty of neighbors who are driving hours to get to other counties where they can get vaccinated, but not everybody can do that," said Melissa McPheeters, a professor of health policy and biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Lack of Eligibility Checks at Maryland's Mass COVID Vaccination Sites is a 'Double-Edged Sword,' Experts Say

Lack of Eligibility Checks at Maryland's Mass COVID Vaccination Sites is a 'Double-Edged Sword,' Experts Say

The Baltimore Sun, March 2, 2021

People who show up to Maryland's mass coronavirus vaccination clinics will not be turned away for lack of documentation or proof of eligibility - a possible benefit for some of the state's at-risk residents, but also for those exploiting the system, medical ethicists, logistics experts and lawmakers say. Like other states, Maryland relies on an "honor system" at its mass vaccination sites, where those who show up for their shorts without proof of eligibility or photo identification are asked to sign affidavits immunized, according to Dennis R. Schrader, the state's acting health secretary. 

Testing Ourselves Can Get Us Out of This COVID Mess Quickly

Testing Ourselves Can Get Us Out of This COVID Mess Quickly

Morning Consult, March 2, 2021

In March 2020, the World Health Organization gave the solution to reducing the impacts of the pandemic in the short term: tests, tests — and more tests. Universities have taken this to heart. Many large state universities have set up testing labs to be able to conduct surveillance testing on campus. N.C. State has joined other institutions in this including Georgia Tech, Penn State, Purdue University, and many more. Recent “gateway” testing on the campuses of Georgia Tech and N.C. State identified about 400 cases on each campus, many of whom were asymptomatic at the time of the test. The individuals testing positive were quarantined from others, and next week surveillance testing will be done again.

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Artificial Intelligence

Why 23andMe’s Genetic Data Could Be a ‘Gold Mine’ for AI Companies

Why 23andMe’s Genetic Data Could Be a ‘Gold Mine’ for AI Companies

TIME, March 26, 2025

The genetic testing company 23andMe, which holds the genetic data of 15 million people, declared bankruptcy on Sunday night after years of financial struggles. This means that all of the extremely personal user data could be up for sale—and that vast trove of genetic data could draw interest from AI companies looking to train their data sets, experts say.

Healthcare

Want to reduce the cost of healthcare? Start with our billing practices.

Want to reduce the cost of healthcare? Start with our billing practices.

The Hill, March 11, 2025

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as the new secretary of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s de facto healthcare czar. He will have influence over numerous highly visible agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, among others. Given that healthcare is something that touches everyone’s life, his footprint of influence will be expansive. 

We all benefit from and are hurt by health insurance claim denials

We all benefit from and are hurt by health insurance claim denials

Atlanta Journal Constitution, January 23, 2025

Health insurance has become necessary, with large and unpredictable health care costs always looming before each of us. Unfortunately, the majority of people have experienced problems when using their health insurance to pay for their medical care. Health insurance serves as the buffer between patients and the medical care system, using population pooling to mitigate the risk exposure on any one individual.

Supply Chain

Experts warn logistics industry stakeholders to make contingency plans

Experts warn logistics industry stakeholders to make contingency plans

Seafood Source, March 10, 2025

In their March 2025 forecasts, shipping and logistics experts are warning those who rely on the industry to expect continued disruption, and in order to survive a chaotic landscape, they are advising businesses to spend money conservatively, work with trusted partners, and make comprehensive contingency plans.

Climate