The COVID-19 Real-Time Learning Network is a platform for sharing accurate, timely information about COVID-19. It has supported tens of thousands of clinicians who have engaged with the network since its creation in 2020. Our editorial team of infectious diseases and public health experts synthesizes clinical guidance, identifies emerging scientific consensus and areas of ongoing uncertainty, and tackles misconceptions and disinformation.
The Real-Time Learning Network is led by the Infectious Diseases Society of America in collaboration with the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the American Geriatrics Society, the American Thoracic Society, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, the Society of Hospital Medicine and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists. Our initiatives are partly funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Associate Medical Editors
Matifadza (Mati) Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH
Dr. Hlatshwayo Davis is the Director of Health for the City of St. Louis. She is also a frequent medical contributor for major news outlets such as CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera and MSNBC. An infectious diseases physician and public health expert, her areas of expertise are in the care of people living with HIV as well as health equity and community engagement. Dr. Hlatshwayo Davis is the Associate Editor for the COVID Health Equity Resources section of the site.
Payal K. Patel, MD, MPH
Dr. Patel is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at University of Michigan and the Medical Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. Her interests include infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship implementation work in the US and globally. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed publications and mentors medical students, residents and fellows.
Maria Sundaram, MSPH, PhD
Maria Sundaram, MSPH, PhD is an infectious disease epidemiologist and Associate Research Scientist in the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health at the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute. Her research focuses on respiratory viruses (including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV) and vaccines that prevent them, as well as vaccine safety, promotion, and policy. She is also a weekly COVID-19 guest expert for BBC World Service Radio.
Ethel D. Weld, MD, PhD
Dr. Weld is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology, and Molecular Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in the Divisions of Clinical Pharmacology & Infectious Diseases, where she serves as an attending physician on the HIV/AIDS service and the general infectious diseases consultation service. Her research interest is in expanding options for the prevention and treatment of HIV in children, adolescents, and adults in a manner that addresses adherence barriers, particularly using long-acting, less-frequent dosing approaches, and improving treatment options for children with HIV and TB co-infection.
William Werbel, MD
Dr. Werbel is an infectious diseases clinician-scientist at the Johns Hopkins University with expertise the care of immunocompromised patients including people living with HIV, cancer, and/or organ transplantation. He conducts clinical research to understand risk factors for serious infection in these populations on a national scale, and is also studying safety and immune response of COVID-19 vaccination in these at-risk groups.
Managing Editor
Jessica Hassanzadeh
Jessica Hassanzadeh is Managing Editor for the Real Time Learning Network and Principal at MirrorLight Consulting. As a social impact consultant, Jessica enjoys working with purpose-driven organizations and positions her clients for transformational growth and success. Her areas of expertise include complex project management, strategic communications, group facilitation, and plain language writing. Outside of work Jessica loves traveling, hiking, and U.Va. basketball—in times of both happiness and heartbreak.
Associate Online Editor
Allen Kenney
Allen Kenney is a communications consultant and strategist specializing in social impact and equity, corporate governance and responsibility, internal strategic communications, sports and society, and public policy. He has nearly two decades of experience in investigative journalism, media and strategic communications. As a co-founder and Communications Leader of #TestAndTrace, he managed communications strategies and public information campaigns for a worldwide volunteer network of professionals in medicine, public health, technology and social entrepreneurship collaborating to advance testing and contact tracing as vital components of effective approaches for containing Covid-19.