Marquette University In the News

President Michael R. Lovell and Dr. Emily Mazzulla, clinical assistant professor of psychology in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences and director for Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee Collaboration and Innovation, wrote an article about managing trauma during the coronavirus pandemic. “In the wake of this crisis, it will also be important to emphasize resilience and growth that often occurs out of adversity. Currently, organizations that focus on trauma and resilience, such as SWIM, are pivoting efforts to respond to the crisis at hand so that the myriad needs of our most exposed community members are met,” they wrote. “During these unprecedented and uncertain times, self-care is essential to helping people cope.”

Dr. Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette University Law School Poll, discussed how respondents in several recent national polls were much more likely to approve of their governors’ response to the coronavirus than President Trump’s. Franklin added, though, it is not clear how long approval boosts will last, as Gov. Tony Evers’ latest decision to extend Wisconsin’s stay-at-home order through May 26 sparked criticism from Republican state legislators and threats to challenge his authority in the courts.

Franklin also spoke with Politico for an April 23 story about how the economic downturn as a result of the pandemic is affecting states like Wisconsin that helped elect President Trump, and he contributed to an April 21 U.S. News and World Report story about Vice President Mike Pence’s recent Wisconsin visit.

Prof. Lisa Grabert, visiting research professor in the College of Nursing, discussed hospitals needing to cut costs amid the coronavirus crises. “A lot of providers across the country have gotten some funding but not a lot,” Grabert said. “And we’re not sure when the federal government will make the next sets of payouts from that $100 billion fund. Some policymakers say that’s not enough to support health care providers with the increased costs they’ve had that are associated with the pandemic.”

Keli Wollmer, PA, executive director of the Marquette University Medical Clinic, discussed the importance of wearing face masks to slow the spread of coronavirus. "I can say that I highly recommend it (wearing face masks). I haven't heard anything from our governor or other health officials to say that they're going to mandate that in Wisconsin," Wollmer said. “We do know from the CDC guidelines that is what's recommended for people when they cannot maintain the six-foot social distance."

Dr. James McGibany, associate professor and chair of economics in the College of Business Administration, commented on the federal government issuing stimulus checks as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). "It's kind of both a small stimulus aspect to it and a little bit of signaling or confidence that 'OK, things aren't that bad, and we’ll get you through this,’” McGibany said.

Dr. Julia Azari, associate professor and assistant chair of political science in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, discussed the uncertainty of a virtual Democratic National Convention if the pandemic were to force the organization to cancel its in-person convention scheduled for August. “It’s a really tricky question in some ways. Conventions are kind of a holdover from a past era when delegates really picked the nominee, but the transition from ‘conventions as real events’ to ‘conventions as infomercials’ has been kind of messy and slow,” Azari said. “It’s hard to say without knowing the electoral context of the late summer.”

Dr. Matteo Arena, associate professor and chair of finance in the College of Business Administration, discussed Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce’s Back-to-Business plan and its potential flaw regarding travel between counties. “Let’s suppose that we open Sheboygan and we close Milwaukee. There are a lot of people that work in Sheboygan that live in Milwaukee so they will travel there,” Arena said. “There are great restaurants in Sheboygan County, so people on the weekend from Milwaukee might just drive up. You are going to spread the disease no matter what.”

Dr. Paul Nolette, associate professor and chair of political science in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, talked about how state governors are interacting with the federal government regarding the response to the pandemic. “Even when they formed these regional cooperatives, obviously it’s very implicit that this is a criticism of the federal government, but they were generally pretty mild in their criticism of the Trump administration,” Nolette said. “The governors realize that we can criticize the Trump administration, but if we criticize too much, there are no ventilators or equipment to California.”

Andrew Hunt, director of the Center for Real Estate in the College of Business Administration, explained how growth in real estate can only happen once industry professionals accept the reality of the pandemic’s impact — now that experts are predicting longer market disruptions. “Not that it’s without pain, but it will lead us to a better place,” Hunt said. Hunt added most landlords are collecting at least 80% of rent, which means they are likely bringing in enough revenue to keep up on mortgage and loan payments of their own.

Dr. Philip Rocco, assistant professor of political science in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, discussed how the pandemic has unveiled the political realities of authority in the realm of public health and safety. “The major thing to note is what state governments have the capacity to do, and that is they have capacity to respond in a comprehensive way to manage public health emergencies such as emergencies related to infections when they arise,” Rocco said. “That’s why when Gov. Evers puts out a ‘Safer-at-Home’ order he is not just sort of coming up with authority on the fly. That authority rests in a chapter of Wisconsin state statutes — chapter 252."

Rocco was also cited in an April 23 New America Weekly story about restoring trust in the American government post pandemic.

Dr. Kent Belasco, assistant professor of practice and director of the Commercial Banking program in the College of Business Administration, discussed the impact consumer defaults amid the coronavirus pandemic have on small banks. “If consumer defaults continue to rise, then you can see small banks really getting strained and that will lead to capital infusions,” Belasco said.

Prof. David Fantle, adjunct professor of digital media and performing arts in the Diederich College of Communication, discussed the pandemic’s devastating impact on the entertainment industry, as well as some of the new opportunities for audiences. “I think it really is arguable to say that we are in a Golden Age,” Fantle said. "There are some amazing limited-edition series, documentaries and all sorts of things to be consuming right now while we are hunkered down.”

University action on coronavirus

Marquette recognized for virtual experiences to engage with new students
To connect with accepted students during social distancing, Marquette is sending out personalized video messages containing a friendly welcome to campus in the fall. The videos, recorded by faculty and current students, often with phones for a more unpolished, authentic look, help convey the warmth of campus.

Story appeared on Digital Marketing Industry News, April 24, 2020

Marquette news

Dr. Tony Gamble, assistant professor of biological sciences in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, commented on the evolutionary meaning of a new video of a lizard holding on to a tree during strong hurricane winds simulated by a leaf blower. “Is it that after decades and centuries of hurricanes, this lasting effect could be this gradual increase in toepad size,” Gamble said. “Or are hurricanes affecting vegetation and these patterns are adaptations to vegetation?”

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Marquette experts provide commentary on coronavirus

University action on coronavirus

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