“For too long, we've falsely assumed that polio has been eradicated in the U.S.,” says Katherine Foss, a professor and associate director of the School of Journalism & Strategic Media at Middle Tennessee State University.
“However, no cases does not mean the virus has been eradicated, especially with the polio virus still existing in the world,” she continues.
“We need to shift the mediated conversation from surprise that polio and monkeypox are here to what we plan to do about it. These, and other diseases, can't just be fought in public health. We need to involve media communicators to combat anti-vax rhetoric,” she warns.
Dr. Foss is available for interviews on current outbreaks and how best to educate the public. She can also share information from her research on epidemics and public health campaigns throughout history.
