674: Reporting on Avian Flu, Student Loan Forgiveness Webinar

ROBERT JOHNSON:   

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Wednesday, May 29, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. 

HELEN BRANSWELL:   

There isn't really any kind of a sense of how much spread there's been to people and how much of a risk there is of ongoing spread from person to person. 

JOHNSON:   

Stat News Journalist Helen Branswell, reflecting on her early coverage of the avian flu virus, impacting mostly dairy cows and some farm workers in locations across the country. She's covered avian flu for 20 years, and says it was a shock to see that cows are at the center of this latest concern.  

BRANSWELL:   

The site that seems to be really susceptible to the virus being utters is also a shock and the high high concentrations of virus and milk. Again, not something that I would have, you know, if somebody asks you to drop a H5N1 bingo card, I don't know that I would have put utters and milk on that bingo card. 

JOHNSON:   

Branswell says other animals like chickens and raccoons have died from past outbreaks. But cows, they're not getting as sick when they catch the virus. Branswell adds it's those mild symptoms in dairy herds that are complicating the response.  

BRANSWELL:   

We don't have a good idea of how many people have been exposed, and how many people may have had an infection that wasn't detected. Those are critical questions that public health authorities would really like to get answers to, but it is a challenge.  

JOHNSON:   

ASTHO held a national avian flu symposium recently. You can get a readout on the event by clicking the link in the show notes. 

Public health workers may be able to have their student loans forgiven under a law that was passed in 2007. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is explained in a webinar set for June 4. Betsy Mayotte is president of the Institute of student loan advisors. 

BETSY MAYOTTE:   

So we're hoping that audience members walk away having a clearer understanding of what the rules are for PSLF action steps as to what they need to do to make sure that they're in the best position to qualify for this. And frankly, even to understand whether PSLF is the right avenue for them in particular. 

JOHNSON:   

Mayotte says many borrowers consider student loan forgiveness, a life changing event. 

MAYOTTE:   

The words relief are always in there. It feels unreal, but it's always a celebration. And especially you know, for public service. You know, these are people that have often chosen an employment path that maybe doesn't pay them as well as it would have in the private sector, but they have such a passion for what they do. 

JOHNSON:   

Once again, the webinar is on Tuesday, June 4, it starts at 3 p.m. Eastern time. You can sign up using the link in the show notes. Also today, ASTHO continues its celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with reflections from public health leaders in the Island Areas. This is Andra Samoa, a consultant for American Samoa's health department. 

ANDRA SAMOA:   

I take great pride in my heritage and white identity and also to contribute in terms of maximizing the use of this relationship with the United States. And also realizing that, you know our traditional identity is providing kindness and love with regards to also caring for the environment and the connectivity of everything as one health. 

JOHNSON:   

Finally, this morning, public health agencies are preparing for another wildfire season. Learn how in an ASTHO blog article now online, there's a link in the show notes. 

Before we go a reminder also to follow this newscast on your podcast player and connect with ASTHO on social media. We are on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.  

That'll do it for today. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Robert Johnson. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.