MAY 14 • 2020 | 25

COVID-19 infection, the National 
Convalescent Plasma Project has launched a 
website for health care providers, patients 
who have recovered from COVID-19 infection 
and want to donate plasma, and those 
considering the treatment. 

Last month, the Food and Drug 
Administration expedited the compassionate 
use of convalescent plasma for care of 
seriously ill patients infected with coronavirus 
that causes COVID-19 disease. The use of 
convalescent serum involves taking the 
antibodies of those who have recovered and 
giving them to someone else who is fighting 
the virus. 

Epidemiologist 
Nigel Paneth, an 
MSU professor 
and member of 
the project’
s 
leadership team, 
along with 
colleagues from Johns 
Hopkins University and the Mayo Clinic, led 
the development of the National 
Convalescent Plasma Project. The project 
includes 170 physician-scientists from 50 
universities and hospitals across the nation 
studying the use of convalescent plasma in 
COVID-19 treatment and prevention. 

MSU epidemiologist 
part of national team 
pursuing COVID-19 
treatment

Finding a treatment for COVID-19 is urgent, 
and a new effort coordinated by an MSU 
epidemiologist and colleagues around the 
country aims to use convalescent plasma, 
which is plasma from recovered patients, 
to treat the infection. 

As part of the next step to advance the use 
of convalescent plasma for the treatment of 

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While Michigan State University’
s 
response to the COVID-19 pandemic 
has required students to adjust to 
virtual classes and extracurricular 
activities, MSU Hillel also has created 
virtual programming so students can 
remain connected to Hillel staff and to 
one another. 

MSU Hillel Associate Director Robyn 
Hughey has led the transition to 
online programming. 

“Upon learning about the seriousness of 
the pandemic, our staff quickly worked 
to create a number of innovative online 
experiences and gatherings to help 
students across the state stay connected 
to Jewish life while at home,” says 
Hughey. “Since the creation of our online 
calendar in mid-March, we have pivoted 
some programming based on interest, 
but our dedication to supporting 
students has remained strong and is at 
the core of all that we are doing.”

Hughey and her team’
s quick pivot 
helped students feel tuned in to 
everything the organization offers. 
Programs include online Jewish learning, 

making Jewish baked goods, engaging in 
mindful meditation, maintaining physical 
and mental well-being, and more. 

“In addition to these programs, our staff has 
been working hard on personal outreach 
to students, and we have been scheduling 
virtual coffee dates,” says Hughey. 

As far as formats go, Hughey and her 
colleagues have been using Zoom, 
Instagram’
s IGTV, Instagram Live and 
Facebook Live to reach students around 
Michigan and across the country. 

“Staff members are still available for phone 
and Zoom calls during regular hours so they 
could be there for students,” says Julia Levy, a 
junior and former executive member of the 

Jewish Student Union. Levy also mentions 
that to try to make things interesting, staff 
members have gone on MSU Hillel’
s 
Instagram account to talk about their time 
in quarantine. 

Another way students are staying 
connected to one another and to their faith 
is through a virtual book club, which is 
reading “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor” 
by Yossi Klein Halevi. 

“The book club has allowed me to connect 
not only with MSU students, but also with 
students from different schools and 
campuses across Michigan,” says Cooper 
Myers, a junior and former vice president of 
community programming at MSU Hillel. 
“These new connections bring new thoughts, 
ideas and perspectives that I did not have 
prior to reading the book.”

 MSU Hillel’
s goal is to maintain a sense of 
community during difficult times. The 
organization also hosted a virtual Passover 
Seder via Zoom. While the shift to virtual 
settings during the pandemic has temporarily 
disrupted daily life, MSU Hillel will continue to 
help students feel they have a home away 
from home and a connection to MSU. e

MSU Hillel creates virtual programming to support students

Students participate via Zoom in MSU Hillel’s 
virtual book club.