Covid
Penn hit with two ‘Zoom bombings’ last week, prompting profs. to increase class security
Last Wednesday, BIOL 101: Introduction to Biology A and CRIM 100: Criminology were 'Zoom bombed' — a term used to refer to hackers invading video meetings on Zoom.
Penn study finds COVID-19 deaths underestimated by 36%
The study, which is the first to examine excess deaths at the county-level, reveal that COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for many more deaths than those solely attributed to the virus.
CAPS extends hours and offers both virtual and in-person options for fall semester
In Eastern Standard Time, CAPS is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
SAC eases restrictions for student clubs to reallocate funds due to COVID-19 pandemic
SAC Chair and College junior Grayson Peters said SAC has received an influx of requests from clubs this semester to transfer funds that would have gone toward in-person activities to cover other expenses for the virtual semester.
Students slam Penn’s decision to slash spring break, brace for future schedule changes
Penn administrators wrote that the decision to modify spring break was made in an effort to "discourage travel during the pandemic," similar to the reason they canceled fall break this semester. But students want more time off during the spring semester to recover from a heavy courseload.
Philadelphia will increase indoor dining capacity to 50% on Friday
Restaurants will still not be able to offer seating at bars and alcohol must continue to only be served with meals.
Penn modifies COVID-19 test system in an effort to get students' results faster
The previous messaging system for COVID-19 tests sent students emails with results, but the new system asks students to log into a portal and independently retrieve their results.
Some STEM profs. report triple the workload to run fully online courses this fall
Math professor Robert Ghrist said the Math department has replaced infrequent, high-stake midterms with weekly quizzes, tripling the workload for professors to generate assessments every week.
Phila. receives $20 million in additional federal COVID-19 relief for small businesses
This round of funding comes in addition to the $13.3 million grant the city awarded to 2,083 businesses earlier this year through the city's COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund.
Penn FGLI students say pandemic exacerbates pre-existing educational disparities
FGLI students at Penn maintain that the pandemic has certainly hit FGLI students and students of color harder than other students, citing their struggles to secure housing during the pandemic and "disjointed" communication from administration.
Penn lab and startup awarded $667,000 NIH grant to improve COVID-19 antibody testing
By improving ELISA technology, the Titan lab and startup AlphaThera will enable faster and more sensitive antibody tests for COVID-19 patients.
STEM students report being slammed by hours of added virtual class content
The increased workload and time "in class" has forced students to drop classes, work fewer hours at their jobs, and hone their time-management skills.
Penn Med study finds nearly one in 10 COVID-19 patients are rehospitalized in Phila. area
According to data collected during the first three months of Philadelphia’s COVID-19 outbreak, 4.7% of people sent home after an initial emergency room visit for coronavirus returned to the hospital within just three days.
Penn students ring in Jewish new year with socially distanced Rosh Hashanah celebrations
Despite the virtual and socially distanced Rosh Hashanah celebrations, students and spiritual leaders said the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a greater meaning to the holiday, which signifies a fresh start and new year.
Some Greek organizations reduce chapter dues this fall in light of lost in-person experience
Chapters such as Phi Gamma Delta, commonly known as FIJI, and Sigma Kappa are only charging partial dues, while Sigma Delta Tau is waiving chapter dues entirely this fall.
Penn will offer weekly COVID-19 testing for all off-campus students
Although this testing is not mandatory, Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé encouraged all off-campus students, especially those with three or more roommates, to sign up for weekly testing.
Study finds that Pennsylvania's COVID-19 restrictions saved thousands of lives
University of Pittsburgh physician Mark S. Roberts and his team developed a model to evaluate the impacts of closing and reopening schools, offices, restaurants, and stores.
Headaches, exhaustion, and more screen time: Penn students are worn down by online learning
Students report feeling tired from staring at their screens all day, and say their courses and coursework take more time and mental energy than they normally would in person.
Penn reports 76 COVID-19 cases from Sept. 5-12, tripling the previous week’s tally
Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé wrote in an email to The Daily Pennsylvanian that the positivity rate uptick was driven mostly by three groups of students in shared community circles.