UNLV prof Natalie Pennington on lessons learned from pandemic isolation.

The pandemic has taken a toll on mental health and a new study by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas shows some surprising results.

For someone who is hours away from his family, living alone on a college campus without in-person classes, and who infrequently sees a friend in the flesh, Hugh-Jay Yu has an impressively active social life.

In a battle between old tech versus new, phone calls and emails proved more helpful for lessening loneliness, isolation and stress than video chats, social media and interactive video games during the pandemic, according to a new study in the journal Human Communication and Technology.

This week marks the anniversary of many milestones since COVID-19 hit the state.

My friend Haley called me the other day. She hadn’t texted me in advance to “find a time” to chat. Nor did we have a Zoom date “on the calendar.” She just up and called me unannounced.

My friend Haley called me the other day. She hadn’t texted me in advance to “find a time” to chat. Nor did we have a Zoom date “on the calendar.” She just up and called me unannounced.

Call me, maybe? A UNLV researcher is asking that question to see how people are staying connected during the pandemic.

I’m sure you've seen it, pictures and videos on social media of COVID-19 vaccination cards and injections.

I’m sure you've seen it, pictures and videos on social media of COVID-19 vaccination cards and injections.

As we approach the one year anniversary of COVID-19 lockdowns, a UNLV professor has been studying how well people are coping with communication. According to professor Natalie Pennington, older technologies like phone calls and emails were actually more effective at easing pandemic loneliness and stress.

As we approach the one year anniversary of COVID-19 lockdowns, a UNLV professor has been studying how well people are coping with communication. According to professor Natalie Pennington, older technologies like phone calls and emails were actually more effective at easing pandemic loneliness and stress.