Contributor

B. David Zarley

Senior Staff Writer

Contact

b.david@freethink.com

B. David Zarley is a senior staff writer for Freethink, where he covers health and medicine, including infectious disease, psychedelic research, mental health, and the brain. A graduate of SUNY Fredonia, his work has also appeared in The Atlantic, The Verge, Jezebel, Frieze, Sports Illustrated, VICE, Paste Magazine, and numerous other publications. He lives in Chicago and can be reached via Signal by request. Send him story ideas!

Virology

Hunting zoonotic diseases before an outbreak

Stopping zoonotic diseases — and pandemics — may require studying not just viruses, but also animals, habitats, and people.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

COVID’s unique challenge for the Navajo nation

With a lack of access to running water and other resources, the Navajo Nation faces a tough challenge in COVID-19. But the Diné are fighting back.

B. David Zarley

Animals

Researchers are rushing to freeze… lab mice sperm?

With their labs closing and the future unclear, researchers are sending precious cargo — the sperm of lab mice — to be frozen and stored.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

Would you volunteer to be infected with COVID-19?

Coronavirus vaccine development could take months. There’s a potential shortcut though: purposefully exposing research subjects to the virus.

B. David Zarley

Disaster Response

Real-time data can save lives in a disaster

Researchers are working on new algorithms that could provide emergency response managers with real-time data to save more lives.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

The rise of simulated sports in the face of COVID-19

Because of the coronavirus, sports have come to a screeching halt. Unless you look online.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

Across America, libraries are fighting the coronavirus

Communities are using every resource available to fight the coronavirus. Across the country, libraries are using their resources and staff to join the battle.

B. David Zarley

Disaster Response

Learning from disaster: An interview with Bryan Walsh

Human history is dotted with pandemics. We spoke with "End Times" author Bryan Walsh on how we can learn from them for the future.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

Genetic evidence debunks coronavirus conspiracy theories, scientists say

A team of researchers analyzed the COVID-19 coronavirus. Their findings debunk the conspiracy theory that the virus was lab-made.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

Misinformation is as contagious as coronavirus

Fighting misinformation is now a crucial aspect of responding to disease, and health information expert Adrienne Holz Ivory explains why.

B. David Zarley