Motivating college students toward COVID vaccinations must include campus peer influencers listening and giving accurate, memorable, and clear information. Swag wouldn’t hurt either. “Vaccines will soon be available for all Maryland adults – when will you get yours? a) I’ve already gotten it b) ASAP c) Eventually d) When they make me e) I won’t My sample size was small ~ 40 students in my General Microbiology class. We’re over halfway through the semester and they are used to my passion for microbiology and concern for their success as well. The poll was anonymous, one of the ways I like to start class to build community and check in with students during these crazy virtual times. I was shocked. A quarter of the students were in the last 2 categories – “When they make me” or “I won’t”! WHAT? These students have had their fun, activity-packed college career upended by a pandemic! Online classes rip away existing structure, can be isolating, and requires much more preparation and time on the instructor and students. Students with mental health crises are skyrocketing. Grandparents and parents are dying of COVID. They are struggling. We as faculty are struggling. Yes, half of the students
FAQs about Microbes – and just the Facts
Climate change, MRSA, flu, vaccines – sometimes finding reliable, understandable sources of information on these important topics is difficult. Professional organizations, such as the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) or the Microbiology Society (Europe) are excellent resources for accurate information. One of my favorite ASM resources are their FAQs series. They are informative without being overwhelming and are on a nice variety of topics from pathogens (MRSA, flu, West Nile Virus) to environmental issues like oil spills and climate change. Of course, microbes are also important for our food and drinks – so there’s a FAQ about the microbes that make cheese and beer. Finally, the human microbiome and built microbiome (microbiomes of our buildings!) are also included. Take a look at some reliable FAQs about microbes and share them with folks you know.