As the state moves forward with its multiphase reopening plan, the necessity to track where infected people have been will be just as important as more widespread testing, Las Vegas health experts say.

Like many medical and scientific professionals, UNLV epidemiologist Brian Labus is hesitant to speak in absolutes. But he is certain that Las Vegas poker rooms will have a difficult time preventing the spread of the coronavirus, regardless of limits to the number of people allowed at a table or any plexiglass barriers.

The Southern Nevada Health District has reached out to pool and restaurant inspectors along with sexually transmitted disease investigators to assist in the daunting task of notifying close contacts of people testing positive for COVID-19 that they may have been infected.

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that the arrival of warm weather probably won’t stop the spread of COVID-19 as had been previously hoped.

A vaccine is likely our best bet for stopping the spread of COVID-19. But since that’s still likely a long way off, one of a few next-best strategies for slowing the transmission of the coronavirus is contact tracing.

Two weeks ago, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp drew sharp criticisms from African Americans across the country. Black politicians, social media commenters, and others blasted the governor, saying his decision to lift his state’s month-long stay-at-home order by first opening businesses like barbershops, nail salons, sneaker stores, tattoo parlors, gyms, and bowling alleys put the lives of Blacks at risk. Those are businesses African Americans frequent, his critics pointed out.

Dr. Melva Thompson-Robinson knows the data on the disparate impact of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 on African Americans and other minorities. Her key concern is how racism and unconscious bias continue to act as an accelerant of the pandemic.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, James Swanson’s Las Vegas printing company was busy making advertising wraps that go on buildings and big signs for events like the Electric Daisy Carnival and Life is Beautiful music festivals.

Every year Brian Ursua builds the same booth at the CES technology convention.

Every year, Brian Ursua constructs the same booth at the CES technology convention.

In late April, The American Lung Association issued its annual air quality grades, including a pretty bad one for Las Vegas (F), pegging it as the ninth-worst-polluted metropolitan area in the country. The Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability immediately shot back that the area’s air quality is “good, despite the American Lung Association grade,” based on its compliance with all but one (ozone) of the EPA standards for air pollutants.

"I'm convinced that we had it," said Monica and Brian Ursua.