Follow-Up: Experts Comment on Informatics LifeLine

Informatics LifeLine solicited and curated comments and updates from industry experts and past interview subjects.

Chief Kevin Booker: “Changes will happen, but it takes time”

In reference to: Trust and Communication in Police-Community Relations

I would like to give a few thoughts to the interview I gave last month on community-police relations because of the continued protests. The movement will result in some reforms to policing; change will happen but it takes time. I do not understand what goes on in some officers’ minds. When I see events like the man who was punched several times in Georgia or the incidents In Kenosha or Rochester, New York, I am very disappointed.  As a police chief with a seat at the table who has been trying to influence the conversation, these actions by some officers set us back.

It affects the community’s trust in the police. However, when we resort to violent protests we could have unintended consequences like the sudden retirements of African American and other minority police chiefs who could bring about the changes we demand.  Leaders like the Dallas and Seattle police chiefs have resigned and others may follow.  These regional chiefs have gained experience in the system, have seats at the decision-making table, and could influence change.  When we lose people in leadership positions, we no longer have a seat at the table and we lose influence. It takes time to attain  positions of influence in the system. It is sad when we lose our leaders. These are some of the unintended consequences of the protests. It is unfortunate, change takes time and violent protests could set us back.

Dean Wayne Giles: “We may have to live with this virus for a while.”

In reference to: U.S. COVID-19 Spikes; Illinois Reviews Its Data

Since my recent interview on the health impacts of reopening businesses and schools in Illinois, a number of events have occurred that require further comments. The state has moved to stage four of the pandemic, restaurants and bars have opened with limits on the number of clients, and some universities have reopened for in-person education.

In view of the fact that we may not have vaccines soon people should keep wearing their masks, wash their hands frequently and maintain social distance. These activities are guaranteed to slow the spread of the disease.  I will also advise people to have their flu shots. The combination of the regular flu and Covid-19 could be deadly. We do not yet fully understand the behavior of the novel coronavirus and it is important to follow the CDC regulations and instructions coming from Illinois Department of Public Health.

Regarding the restaurants, our governor has introduced some new regulations that will help to slow the spread of the disease. He has mandated that customers must wear their masks when they come in contact with the staff. This serves to protect the staff from the virus. I understand they are working on some guidelines for ventilation in the restaurants.  It is important for customers in bars and other businesses that take place in enclosed structures to also follow similar guidelines.

I realize that there have been occasional outbreaks due to returning students holding large parties in their dormitories. It is unfortunate. These students must realize that their actions have negative consequences on themselves and their colleagues. Here at UIC, only a small percentage of the undergraduate students have returned to the campus. They are tested regularly. We have not had any surges yet but we are watching closely and ready to implement policies to curb any surges.  I cannot overemphasize the need to strictly follow the guidelines. We may have to live with this virus for a while.

Dr. Charles John: “The need for reliable information gathering and analysis of virus related data is paramount.”

In reference to: Chicago Public Schools Plan For Safe Reopening

I listened to your interview on the measures that Chicago schools are taking to prepare for reopening of the schools for in-person classes. Dr. Fox laid out the system the Chicago schools will take. The Chicago Public Schools face a difficult situation in order to return children to elementary, middle, and high schools.  As Dr. Fox related they are dealing with a massive population spread over many schools with a student population residing at home.  For effective return to the classroom while attempting to mitigate virus spread, the need for reliable information gathering techniques and tools and analysis of virus related data is paramount.

I think there are two areas where the return to school plans may need further consideration from an informatics viewpoint. The first is an expansion of what data needs to be collected. The condition of the student health status via temperature measurement or more extensive testing is certainly important but other considerations, such as the school building’s ventilation and air exchange properties may also be important. One of your recent blog articles discussed using internet tools already developed to monitor air ventilation and air exchange in restaurants as one strategy to potentially reduce exposure risk. Monitoring ventilation in schools is equally important. If aerosols transmit the virus, proper ventilation is a key factor and requires real time monitoring.

The second informatics area is comprehensive analysis and reporting programs. The current information and health reporting systems were largely designed pre-COVID 19 and do not possess robust surveillance and case management capabilities. Updated and evolving guidance is needed specifically for the enormous challenges facing school districts and their schools, like Chicago Public Schools, that allows not only the identification of the student health status but also the conditions under which the students were potentially exposed or exposed, for example, rapidly identifying contacts (contact tracing) ,what rooms they were in, their home conditions, etc. Correlation analysis could improve the capacity to identify risk factors, develop realistic mitigation strategies, and implement them.

Dr. Charles John is a Manager in the Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Practice at RSM US, a limited liability partnership and the U.S. member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms.

Dr. Ray Krizek: “I don’t believe the role of engineering design has received enough attention in combatting the virus.”

In reference to: Using WiFi-Enabled Sensors For Smarter Restaurant Reopenings

I am the Director of the Executive Management for Design and Construction program at Northwestern University.  Your article on using ventilation improvements  and monitoring devices to improve the safety of restaurants as they strive to reopen for indoor dining is right on target, but I think the idea actually has much broader application than only the restaurant business.  While the standard recommendations of washing hands and  safe distancing are certainly good advice for the average individual, I don’t believe the role of engineering design has received enough attention in combatting the virus.  Relatively inexpensive enhancements in the standard design of a typical HVAC system for a building offer the potential to contribute significantly to a safer environment in the building. 

This is only one example in the emerging field of construction sustainability and healthy building design – a topic which will assume increasing importance in the future and one that is emphasized in our graduate programs of study.  I applaud your efforts to address one aspect of it.

Dr. Ray Krizek is the Director for the Engineering Management Design and Construction program at Northwestern University, as well as a Professor of Civil Engineering.