UNLV Newsmakers 2020: November

A collection of news stories highlighting the election, COVID-19, and scientific discovery at UNLV.

November: A time for holidays, politics via the presidential election, Thanksgiving travels — and this year — looming worries about the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

At UNLV, the month was also full of academic cheer as our researchers and experts made groundbreaking discoveries, influenced change, or offered insight to lend context to happenings around the world.

From health care to politics to scientific research, UNLV can always be found at the forefront of change.

UNLV Preps For COVID-19 Vaccine

Finally – effective vaccines for COVID-19 are on the horizon, and UNLV is ready for action. As the FDA finalized test trials, UNLV prepared to assist with distribution via the acquisition of a medical-grade freezer that can store up to 50,000 doses of a Pfizer vaccine at sub-zero temperatures. Meanwhile, experts across various disciplines offered insight on the impact of the inoculations on everything from the society to the economy. 

  • UNLV School of Medicine’s Director of Bioethics Johan Bester explains to MSN how important it is to introduce new vaccines into the market.
  • Stephen Miller, a Lee Business School economist and director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, explains to InkedIn how vaccines will help boost the economy.

Holidays vs. COVID-19

Let’s face it: Thanksgiving and a pandemic do not mix well. After months of social distancing and isolation, many Americans debated whether to travel in order to spend the perfect holiday together — defying the advice and pleas of public health and local government officials. Ahead of the holiday, UNLV experts weighed in on the anticipated boom in pandemic holiday travel, the mental health impacts of choosing between public health and a traditional holiday with family, and the best ways to stay safe during the most sociable time of the year.

Election Countdown

In November, we experienced some of the most revolutionary moments in U.S. history as Americans cast their votes in record numbers for president — both in person and, because of the pandemic, by mail. Before the outcome, however, Nevada became a key battleground state that teased the national audience on the final ballot results. Throughout the election, UNLV experts analyzed mail-ballots, dissected voter fraud allegations, and kept the audience up to date on Nevada’s voting count. By the end of the month, UNLV helped Las Vegas and beyond understand the political intricacies of the election and what is to come.

Pandemic Fatigue: It’s Real

COVID-19 – it’s everywhere, physically and mentally. It’s spurred lockdowns, social distancing, and life-threatening danger to our everyday lives. The word itself can be so irritating to hear. UNLV experts have understood this dilemma, classifying it as “COVID fatigue” – frustration over the pandemic. As the nation grapples with continued social distancing, university experts point out that it’s normal to experience distress over the coronavirus, providing tips on how to better mental health amidst isolation and lockdown.

The “Magnetic Star”

Discovered more than a decade ago, fast radio bursts, or FRBs, are rare and mysterious forms of radio emissions that have recently been detected under human surveillance. The lingering question though is: where do they come from? Recently, a team of astronomers, including College of Sciences associate dean for research Bing Zhang, detected a distinguishable FRB that emerged within the Milky Way, enabling researchers to discern their origin from magnetars, or “magnetic stars” – neutron stars that possess powerful magnetic fields. Zhang explains the workings behind magnetars and FRBs.

General Expert Roundup

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newsmakers,  Newsmakers 2020

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