Coronavirus

Quarantine Q&A: Rice opera students sing praises for industry leaders’ advice

The Shepherd School's Department of Opera Studies has been thinking outside the box during the pandemic.

Showing support for the Class of 2020

Rice violinist practices social distancing while performing 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'

A Rice University violin student won’t let social distancing stop her from doing what she does best.

Global health expert available to discuss COVID-19 threat to hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa

Rice University bioengineer and global health pioneer Rebecca Richards-Kortum is available to discuss how hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa are preparing to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hotez: Trump's goal to relax coronavirus precautions by Easter unrealistic

President Trump may want to phase out 15-day self-isolating guidelines and open up the country by Easter, but a prominent epidemiologist who’s testified before Congress says that’s unlikely.

Rice senior combines love of music with social distancing

Rice senior Cesar Zapata loves making music. It’s his favorite pastime. And when the coronavirus pandemic forced Rice to close the campus and finish the spring semester online, he suddenly had plenty of free time to devote to his art.

#CoronaCovers: Rice violin student practices social distancing while performing 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'

HOUSTON – (March 26, 2020) – Hand-holding is the last thing anyone should do during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a Rice University Shepherd School violin student won’t let social distancing stop her from doing what she does best.  

Online church services reduce 'sense of loneliness,' says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (March 23, 2020) – With local and state government officials restricting large public gatherings and President Trump urging Americans to limit their gatherings to fewer than 10 people during the novel coronavirus outbreak, houses of worship all over the country are streaming services online. Even a reduced service can ease "the sense of loneliness," said William Martin, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.  

Rice U. experts available to discuss COVID-19's wide-ranging impact

HOUSTON – (March 23, 2020) – As the COVID-19 pandemic grows and impacts the lives of people across the globe, Rice University experts are available to discuss various topics related to the disease. 

Panic-buyers not making rational decisions, says Rice U. consumer behavior expert

HOUSTON – (March 20, 2020) – Many Americans who are worried about being able to provide food, water and other necessities for their families during the coronavirus outbreak aren’t making rational decisions, according to a consumer behavior expert at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business. Utpal Dholakia, professor of marketing at Rice Business, is available to discuss the dynamics at play.

In response to COVID-19, OpenStax sees surge in new users

In response to COVID-19, a surge of new students, faculty and schools are signing up to use free online texts and learning materials from Rice-based publisher OpenStax.

How stress and loneliness can make you more likely to get COVID-19

What do stress, loneliness and lack of sleep have in common? They are all factors that can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to COVID-19, according to Rice University's Christopher Fagundes, an associate professor in the department of psychological sciences who studies the link between mental and immune health.

Bioengineers call for scale-up of COVID-19 testing to academic labs

Rice bioengineers are calling on federal officials to draft their lab and thousands like it to rapidly scale up coronavirus testing.

Rice's OpenStax helps nation's colleges and universities provide free online instruction during coronavirus outbreak

HOUSTON – (March 19, 2020) – The Rice University-based nonprofit OpenStax is responding to COVID-19 by helping students nationwide navigate their online courses and supporting faculty as they quickly transition to online course delivery.

'Hunker down' and hope for a controlled crash landing

Rice bioscientist Yousif Shamoo explains how diseases like the coronavirus spread quickly and discusses how big cities like Houston can respond.