Environmental Microbiology (TESTING WASTEWATER FOR DISEASES) with Amy Kirby
b'Oh boy. This episode may seeeeem crappy but it is certainly not a waste of your time. We\\u2019re not kidding, while the episode is of course wonderful, mostly thanks to our wonderful guests, it is also certainly about poopy wastewater and what we can all learn from it. About those terrific guests: we mostly speak with Dr. Amy E. Kirby, Ph.D., MPH of the frickin\\u2019 CDC (yes, that CDC) about the National Wastewater Surveillance System or NWSS. Did you know sewer water is not just a feature of teenage mutant ninja turtle habitats? Epidemiologists have been using the contents of our collectively owned chocolate waterfall to track disease since polio, but it was only in response to COVID-19 that the CDC launched the NWSS \\u201cto coordinate and build the nation\\u2019s capacity to track the presence of SARS-CoV-2.\\u201d So we learn a bit about what all that means, as we talk weird waste, medication levels in the water, whether or not \\u201csilent but deadly\\u201d is flim flam, and more in this absolutely gushing sluicegate of an ep. \\n\\nBUT WAIT. That\\u2019s not all. We got two little extra guests! First up, your ol\\u2019 Dadward did a prank call on Amy Narimatsu of Shorerivers.org, so she has a fun little cameo, and we conclude with previous virology guest, Dr. Shannon Bennett, of the California Academy of Sciences to discuss what\\u2019s happening with COVID these days, and why it\\u2019s important to stay safe for those who still need protection. \\n\\nIt\\u2019s an absolutely bursting septic tank of an episode so\\u2026 Hang on to your butts.'