February 20, 2020

‘People always forget their thumbs.’ Mayo doctor’s late-night TV cameo on handwashing worth another look.

By Karl Oestreich

Star Tribune

Most of us are flunking handwashing. That’s an important public health message at any time, but especially during the height of the winter influenza season — one complicated by the emergence of COVID-19, the name given to the coronavirus that got its start in Wuhan, China, and has since spread across the world. While researchers put the rush on developing treatments for this new pathogen, it’s good to remember how powerful low-tech, individual interventions like handwashing can be in combating disease. But doing it properly is key. That’s why it’s worth revisiting a Mayo Clinic doctor’s 2016 appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! late-night talk show. The video is now on YouTube and Mayo’s web site. Dr. Greg Poland, an infectious disease and vaccine specialist, flew to Los Angeles to do a handwashing tutorial for Kimmel, his sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez and the show’s viewers.

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KROC-Radio, Mayo Clinic expert – what you need to know about the coronavirus by Andy Brownell — The fast spread of the new coronavirus in China has health agencies worldwide on alert, but should the average American be overly concerned? Mayo Clinic Dr. Gregory Poland heads The Vaccine Research Group and is considered one of the world's top experts on combatting infectious diseases. He joined Andy Brownell for the Rochester Today Show on News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM and 96.9 FM to share what is known about the coronavirus and the threat it poses to the average person living in the Rochester area or other parts of the midwest.

Context: Gregory Poland, M.D. is a Mayo Clinic infectious disease expert. Dr. Poland and his team within the Vaccine Research Group aim to improve the health of individuals across the world by pursuing challenges posed by infectious diseases and bioterrorism through clinical, laboratory and epidemiologic vaccine research.

Contact: Bob Nellis

Tags: COVID-19, Dr. Gregory Poland, infectious disease, Star Tribune, Uncategorized, vaccine specialist

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