Public Health

Urbanism Pays the Price for High COVID Death Toll in New York and New Jersey
Opponents of dense housing and public transit have seized on the disproportionate death toll originating from the epicenter of the nation's coronavirus outbreak. Is it time for the leaders of New York and New Jersey to admit they acted late?

COVID-19 and Big, Dense Cities That Aren't New York
As in metropolitan New York, big, dense cities don't always suffer from coronavirus to a greater extent than their car-oriented suburbs.

States to Train Public Health Armies to Move Beyond Mitigation to Containment
As some governors open nonessential businesses, subjecting workers and customers to potential viral infection, others move beyond social distancing to the next steps, boxing in the coronavirus with testing, contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine.

Coronavirus Spreading to the White, Trump-Voting Suburbs
The spread of coronavirus doesn't fit a tidy demographic narrative, according to new analysis by William Frey.

Late Action, Local Opposition Frustrate Emergency Homeless Shelter Plans
Some progress, but not nearly enough, has been reported as California and its cities scramble to procure temporary shelters to house homeless people during the pandemic.

A Canary in the Coal Mine for All Cities? Santa Monica City Manager Steps Down
Rick Cole discusses the existential challenges cities must grapple to be a leading city in the 21st century, Santa Monica's achievements during his five years as city manager, and the sacrifices that will be made as the city endures COVID-19.

'Glaring' Racial Disparities Revealed in Louisiana COVID-19 Data
New data from the Louisiana Department of Health provide the most detailed look at the disparate impacts of the coronavirus across racial lines.

State and Local Border Restrictions Draw Legal Scrutiny
Some call restrictions at state and county borders necessary to protect the public health of communities. Others call them unconstitutional.

Subway-Coronavirus Connection Suffers From Lack of Evidence
There is little evidence that the New York Subway is spreading the coronavirus, according to analysis by Alon Levy.

COVID-19 Impacts on the Future of Transportation
MoveLA's Denny Zane and Gloria Ohland assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public transit.

Does Dispersion Help?
Only 7 percent of U.S. residents live in the nation's largest metropolitan area (New York). Has that made coronavirus less deadly?

A Rare Chance for Urban Innovation
The realities of social distancing are allowing for innovations and experimentations with real opportunities for long-term benefit in cities, according to an article by Allison Arieff.

Lessons from Pandemics: Comparing Urban and Rural Risks
Many people assume that infectious disease risks make cities dangerous, but this is generally untrue. Other factors have more effect on pandemic risk and mortality rates, making cities safer and healthier than rural areas overall.

Another State (Ohio) Gets It Right
Washington and California have been praised for early efforts to mitigate community spread of the novel coronavirus, resulting in relatively low rates of infection, hospitalization, and ultimately, death. Add Ohio to the bunch.

Race, Planning Intersect as the Coronavirus Kills Black and Latino Americans at Higher Rates
Black and Latino Americans in the United States are dying from COVID-19 at a much higher rate than whites. The foundation for the tragedy has been laid for decades.

Will the Coronavirus Spare Rural America?
Many counties throughout the nation have recorded no deaths from COVID-19. A perception exists that population density is responsible for the massive death toll in New York and New Jersey and that exurban and rural counties may be spared.

Overcoming Social Distance
People are finding new ways to connect digitally across physical spaces during the coronavirus pandemic, and these temporary solutions could have a lasting impact on the way we live.

Even Parks Are Going Online During the Pandemic
Parks departments in New York City and Pittsburgh are offering videos and livestreams to cooped-up residents.

Planning More Important Than Ever During the Pandemic
The work of planners might seem unimportant during the pandemic, according to this article, but some of the skills and expertise of planning are more important than ever.

Light Rail Service Restored in South Bay Area
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will start running trains again today, two weeks after shutting down service.
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