As the COVID-19 pandemic begins to subside, a key source of information about the virus will be shutting down, as announced by NPR.
The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, which was established to provide vital information during the pandemic, plans to shut down its operations on March 10, according to officials.
The center’s launch was initiated by Lauren Gardner, an engineering professor, in March 2020 when there was a lack of information available about the virus and its impact.
The center became crucial in guiding various decisions related to the pandemic, including school closures, mask mandates, business shutdowns, and border sealing.
The center’s website was heavily relied upon by world leaders, businesses, and the general public to stay updated on the latest COVID metrics.
Despite the invaluable service provided by the center, its closure comes as the threat of the pandemic recedes, and states are reporting data less frequently.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also stepped up its data reporting, leading to the university’s decision to close the center.
Despite this, the creators of the center, Blauer and Gardner, hope that the CDC and the public health system will continue to invest in data collection to prepare the nation better in the future, while they are prepared to step back in if necessary.
In conclusion, the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center played a crucial role in providing information during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its closure marks the changing state of the pandemic.
The center’s success was due to the efforts of the team, primarily women, and its impact can be seen in the staggering amount of traffic the website received, with more than 2.5 billion views.
Despite its closure, its creators hope that the CDC and the public health system will continue to invest in data collection to prepare the nation for future pandemics.