Balzer Partners with Student Affairs and Campus Life to Provide Weekly COVID Updates

Laura Balzer
Laura Balzer

Laura Balzer, assistant professor of biostatistics and director of the UMass Amherst COVID-19 dashboard, is partnering with Student Affairs and Campus Life (SACL) to provide an innovative new approach to campus public health messaging: a series of COVID-19 videos delivered via the MyUMass app.

Balzer will produce the short videos outlining the latest COVID trends and ways to mitigate further spread. “The goals are to provide key data underlying public health policies and to positively promote risk-minimized behavior,” says Balzer. “I hope that these videos will help our community to understand that risk is a continuum. Instead of a list of ‘don’ts,’ we aim to provide alternatives that support mental and physical health, while minimizing transmission risk.”

The videos will also feature Balzer’s “lab assistants” – rescue dogs Mochi and Taka.

The COVID updates will appear on an “opt in” communication channel, delivered via a weekly push notification, on the MyUMass app. A playlist is also available on the Be Well UMass YouTube channel.

"One of our challenges this year has been in finding the right frequency for clear, timely COVID communication without flooding the inboxes of our students, staff, and faculty," says Pete Smith, director of SACL communications and professional development. “Now, through the MyUmass app, anyone can opt in to receive these weekly summaries and stay informed about the latest COVID trends in our community.”

To opt in:

  1. Open the MyUMass App.
  2. In the top right, tap the human silhouette icon.
  3. Open the message center.
  4. Select ‘opt-in’ on the top menu.
  5. Subscribe to public health updates.