Experts in the News

Citing modeling showing Houston looks good until mid-August “when the bottom will fall out,” health policy fellow Peter Hotez said the region needs a comprehensive strategy including accurate epidemiological models tailored specifically for Houston; workplace coronavirus testing; at least 10 times the 2,000 contact tracers Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wants; app-based surveillance systems that pick up user’s fever and other respiratory symptoms; and daily communication updates like New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo provides. 

“The key part is to emphasize that they’re not sacrificing safety, things are not being rushed, that no shortcuts are being taken, and that ... they built in elements to ensure the safety of the vaccines,” health policy fellow Peter Hotez said of some Americans' wariness of an eventual Covid-19 vaccine. 

“We’re definitely not out of the woods,” said Peter Hotez, fellow in disease and poverty. Lifting restrictions too soon means “we will likely see a second spike.” 

"We could see a resurgence of Covid-19 in a big way," said health policy fellow Peter Hotez of the partial reopening of the economy in Texas. 

"We are doing it ahead of when the models say we can do it safely," in June, said fellow Peter Hotez of plans to partially reopen Texas on Friday.