Facing the invisible battle of COVID-19 has been challenging, with the number of patients still remarkably high despite the availability of the vaccines. Thus, it’s important to educate people on the effects of the virus and how vaccines and other interventions can help curb its spread. One way to raise awareness, something regularly done by clinicians and the subject of this article, is through the use of metaphors. For instance, when medical terms, metaphors are said to educate the scientific layman; “[w]ithout metaphor’s bridges, science would languish.” Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
