Your Local Epidemiologist

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this pandemic, it’s the gaping hole of public health communication. As scientists, we’re never taught how to translate our science discoveries to the lay audience. As community members, a vast majority are never taught scientific literacy. With a rapidly evolving pandemic, this gap has resulted in confusion, misinformation, anxiety, and in some cases, people just stop listening.

I created this blog 6 months ago to fill this gap (even though, at the time, I didn’t realize it). Since then, many of you have graciously asked how to financially support this effort. While this is incredibly thoughtful, this has been my service to the community. So, I’ve typically sent people to donate to their local food bank instead.

Going forward, though, I can be a bit more strategic. I’ve set up a donation link. Maybe this will just pay for a coffee with one of my PhD students to discuss this gap. Or maybe, if there is enough support, I can develop opportunities so this doesn’t happen again.

Over the past month, I've thought through ways that this could be materialized: development of a non-profit; scholarships for PhD students; trainings for scientists (like how to create an infograph, or how to translate research findings), webinars for community members (on current public health events), and more. I ultimately envision this as a partnership with all types of experts around the country. This is not to pay for the YLE “service” but rather to support the “cause”. I plan to continue to post, as long as i can!

I recently heard this quote: “You may be the first to do something, but make sure you’re not the last”. And this is my goal. Maybe my coin jar can do a little good for the world.

Love, 

Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD

Your Local Epidemiologist