Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1356079
32 WAC Magazine | wac.net PARTH SHAH Assistant Professor Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch Like many of you, I could view this past year from different vantage points. But the one I want to share with you is the viewpoint of a research scientist thrown into the midst of the worst public health crisis in the history of our country. I look on this past year with grief for the people we have lost—family members, friends, co-workers—and for the things we have lost, including birthdays, graduations, and a simple meal out. But I also look on the past year in wonderment of how Seattle's sci- entific community persevered and became a global leader in the fight against this pandemic. Although tech companies have taken a lot of the spotlight in Seattle, I cannot overstate how incredibly fortunate we are to have such robust biomedical and health- care institutions that have paved tangible ways to address this pandemic, from COVID-19 prevention and diagnosis to cutting-edge treatments. I'm proud to be able to count myself among the many scientists and healthcare professionals who have worked restlessly since the beginning of 2020 to curb this pandemic. COVID-19 revealed many structural and cultural flaws in our community, but it also has shown us how so many people—not just the scien- tists and healthcare workers—are putting their talents toward making a more resilient community. ose individuals and their stories help me remain optimistic when I go to bed each night and give me reason to wake up and get to work the next day. —Learn more about Parth Shah's work at fredhutch.org/en/faculty -lab-directory/shah-parth.html. DEBORAH VAN OLST Public Health Epidemiologist Fourteen months ago, people oen asked me to explain what an epidemiologist does. Not so anymore. (Note: We study diseases and population health.) Now, when I meet someone new they almost immediately ask me my thoughts on COVID-19. My past year is best described as a roller coaster of activities and emotions. I work for a county public health depart- ment in the Bay Area. Our public health policies and actions are informed by data. However, as the first sick patients tested negative for known diseases, we faced intense pressure to figure out specifically what was happening with limited or no data. Outdated data collection soware and a small team of case investigators made gathering needed data and devel- oping information difficult. ere were days when I was afraid of the silent and deadly disease we knew so little about. Unfounded conjecture and misinfor- mation seeped into the national and local information void. e crisis evolved into organized chaos, but grassroots collab- oration at the county, regional, and state levels soon provided a foundation for information sharing that accelerated analysis and hypothesis testing. More than a year later, as we confront pandemic fatigue and a prolonged second surge, I am hopeful. We have learned a great deal about the disease and how to fight it. Vaccines are now available. I am grateful for my colleagues and for the frontline workers who helped keep our communities sheltered and fed. I'm also thankful for my family, and my network of friends, including those at the WAC. Virtual social events, holiday meals to go, and the WAC's online 90th anniversary celebration provided bright and rejuvenating respites during the very scary roller coaster ride of 2020. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't encourage you to wear a mask, avoid group gatherings, and please get vaccinated. E M I L I O H U E R T A S C O U R T E S Y P H O T O