SCANning for coronavirus

Lab Notes

In the winter of 2019, a series of storms dubbed “Snowpocalypse” dumped more than 20 inches of snow on the Seattle area, forcing the closure of schools and businesses. This weather-induced social-distancing caused flu cases to plummet. What researchers learned from these snowstorms helped prepare them for the coronavirus pandemic and find what, at the time, were the earliest known cases of community spread. Their work has gone on to provide invaluable data that social distancing works to slow down deadly viruses.

Behind every science headline, there is a human story. Hear about the scientific advancements aiming to shape the cures of tomorrow with Lab Notes: A podcast from the Allen Institute. Streaming everywhere.

Chapters

1. Show billboard (00:00:00)

2. "Snowpocalypse" in Seattle (00:00:54)

3. A weather-induced social distancing study (00:02:10)

4. A new virus emerges (00:04:30)

5. SARS-CoV-2 arrives in the U.S. (00:06:34)

6. SCAN (00:08:46)

7. Giving yourself a COVID-19 test (00:10:14)

8. What have researchers learned? (00:13:40)

9. The future of the pandemic (00:16:48)