As the coronavirus spreads, Seattle and its suburbs have become America’s laboratory and guinea pig.

The response now touches every part of daily life. From restaurant closures to bans on gatherings to the total reorientation in the area's research centers, sweeping changes arrive at a pace unimaginable two weeks ago.

The idea of building herd immunity – increasing the number of infected to such a degree that naturally occurring immunity would outstrip the coronavirus, while isolating the elderly and others at greatest risk of the disease – has been tossed around in the United States, the United Kingdom and elsewhere.  This week, however, U.K. officials appear to be backing away from that approach.

By John Lynch (MPH '11) and Karin Huster (MPH '13)

As we swiftly surpass 100,000 cases and 4,000 deaths globally, every one of us is understandably rattled and may be asking, will I be next? Will I get infected with COVID-19? Will I end up in the hospital? Will it kill me, my family or friends?

The just-released Department of Global Health 2019 Annual Report highlights DGH’s impacts, in collaboration with our partners around the globe, on transforming lives and improving health for all.

The report highlights innovative discoveries in science, efforts to improve global health systems and practices, and examples of how we are preparing the next generation of global health leaders through our world-class learning programs.