Daily Media Digest April 16, 2020

Caring contacts: a compassionate grassroots response to COVID-19 that is based on science
The Globe and Mail
“Zena Samaan, a psychiatrist and suicide researcher at McMaster University who has been running a small pilot that makes regular calls to 50 people hospitalized for suicidal behaviour, said people need to feel connected, to know they haven’t been abandoned. “It’s a simple, common-sense intervention that keeps people well.””
TAGS: COVID-19, public health, mental health

Queen’s University students aim to build a ventilator with easy to find parts
CTV News
“… Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. It asks participants to design a “simple, low-cost, easy-to-manufacture and easy-to-maintain ventilator …”
TAGS: COVID-19, public health, ventilator production

Coronavirus: U of C scientists receive federal funding for antiviral drug research
Globalnews.ca
“Two University of Calgary scientists are receiving federal funding to help further their work in developing effective drug treatment for COVID-19.”
TAGS: COVID-19, public health, innovative research

Carleton’s therapy dogs provide virtual love and support during COVID-19 pandemic
CTV News
“Carleton University’s therapy dogs can no longer physically engage with students during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are still offering …”
TAGS: COVID-19, public health, mental health, therapy dogs

Researchers at McMaster University developing 30-minute home test for COVID-19
Globalnews.ca
“John Brennan, director of the biointerfaces institute and professor at McMaster University, says the concept is to come up with something new that …”
TAGS: COVID-19, public health, diagnostic testing

Why will it take so long to develop a COVID-19 vaccine?
The Globe and Mail
““Science cannot be rushed,” says Rob Kozak, a clinical microbiologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. Researchers must follow …”
TAGS: COVID-19, public health, vaccine development

New collaboration platforms bring researchers together to fight COVID-19
researchmoneyinc.com
“COVID-19 Resources Canada was started by a volunteer team of researchers, students, activists and web developers. It serves as a virtual hub where researchers and members of the public can volunteer their time and expertise, find ongoing research projects and funding opportunities, and access reagents and other resources.”
TAGS: COVID-19, public health

Canadian hospitals prepare to sterilize, re-use N95 masks if supplies dwindle
National Post
“… and is looking at possible decontamination methods, while the city’s University Health Network said it is saving personal protective equipment while …”
TAGS: COVID-19, public health, personal protective equipment

U of S team moving ‘heaven and earth’ to produce sanitizer to help COVID-19 fight
CTV News
“University of Saskatchewan researchers and three local companies are helping to address a provincial shortage of hand sanitizer …”
TAGS: COVID-19, public health, sanitizer

Western University research suggests two-metre social distancing not enough
The Crag and Canyon
“Research at Western University has shown that, if someone was to cough directly toward another, the globally recognized two-metre social distancing …”
TAGS: COVID-19, public health, social distancing

UM scientists pull together to collect equipment for health-care workers
UM Today (press release)
“ .. diseases in the Max Rady College of Medicine and Canada Research Chair in the molecular pathogenesis of emerging and re-emerging viruses.”
TAGS: COVID-19, public health, personal protective equipment