We are starting a new column on our blog: What We’re Reading! Each week we will post particularly interesting articles that we are reading that relate to public health and science. If you come across something that you think we should be reading, please leave a link in the comments!
February 1, 2012
- This Is What A Scientist Looks Like: This isn’t actually an article, but is a Tumblr of photos of scientists. The woman who manages the site lets people submit photos to be posted in an effort to dispel stereotypes of what scientists look like. Such a simple thing yet it makes a big statement! I love checking this site every day to see all the scientists.
- RI screened 100 percent of newborns in 2011: In every state, parents may opt-out of newborn screening for their baby. It is exciting to see that in Rhode Island, they were able to test every single baby born in that state in 2011. Babies of Rhode Island, you’re good to go.
- The Curse of the White Powder: How fake bioterrorism attacks became a real problem: This is an interesting take on the white powder hoax letters that are often sent to government and other offices around the country. An APHL staff member did make a great point that it leaves out the lab — while these letters are ultimately fake, the labs take them just as seriously as if they contained anthrax. When you consider the testing they do to determine that they are fake, it really shows the strength of our preparedness and response systems.
- Inside the lost island of New York: Eerie pictures of the abandoned leper colony just 350 yards from the Bronx: Incredible story with incredible photos. It is amazing to read this story and think about how far our public health system has come. North Brother Island was a quarantine center for people with highly contagious diseases. It became a leper colony, and was the home to “Typhoid Mary.” This is a must read if you ask me.
