- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
So began an unsolicited email to UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal, who organized and moderated a UC Davis-based COVID-19 virtual symposium spotlighting the expertise of physicians, scientists and a COVID-19 survivor.
“This give me a sense of hope and calmed my anxiety like nothing else,” letter writer Kim Allen continued. “Part of what has been so hard is all the disinformation and complete lies and contradictions that are happening daily. To hear people, real doctors and scientists who are so knowledgeable talk about what is going on and why, is so appreciated. We need to know what we are contending with to fight it and be safe. You are all so much appreciated!”
The webinar, held Thursday afternoon, April 23, with an introduction by UC Davis Chancellor Gary May, drew viewers from 10 countries: United States, Germany, Brazil, France, Indonesia, India, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, and Slovakia. A full house on Zoom resulted in an overflow crowd watching it on the YouTube. See https://bit.ly/2VurK3Z.
It will remain on YouTube, said Leal, a UC Davis distinguished professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and a former professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology.
As of Friday noon, more than 1000 had tuned into the channel, and thousands more are expected.
“Given the volume of the material and questions to cover, the symposium was extended from 2.5 hours to 3 hours and 41 minutes,” said Leal, a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and the recipient of numerous research, teaching and public service awards.
Speaking live and answering questions were five panel members: UC Davis physician-scientists Emanuel Maverakis, Stuart Cohen and Nathan Kuppermann; UC Davis veterinarian-scientist Nicole Baumgarth; and pediatrician State Sen. Richard Pan, District 6, and chair, Senate Committee on Health.
They all agreed that the COVID-19 isn't going away anytime soon, that the virus is mutating, and that it must be taking seriously.
Davis resident Marilyn Stebbins, a pharmacist on the faculty of the UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy--and a survivor of the deadly illness--told her story to Leal in a pre-recorded interview. Unlike most other COVID-19 patients, Stebbins never had a fever. And unlike many other patients, the 58-year-old was healthy with no underlying medical conditions.
Also sharing their medical or scientific expertise with Leal in pre-recorded interviews: Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D., of Scripps Research Institute, who pioneered the field of viral immunology and has been a leader in viral pathogenesis and immunity for the past four decades; professor emeritus Niels Pedersen, DMV, of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; and Anne Wyllie, PhD., Yale University School of Medicine.
James R. Carey, distinguished professor of entomology, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, contributed his scientific modeling expertise in a pre-recorded video. In addition, in a pre-recorded interview, You-Lo Hsieh, UC Davis distinguished professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and an expert on textiles and clothing, explained the differences between regular masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks, and why certain kinds of fabric should not be used.
Bottom line: the much-needed symposium provided a wealth of information--factual information from the experts who work behind the scenes. They chronicled the history of the COVID-19 virus, how it infects us, how it spreads, possible medications that may be used to treat it, the desperate need for a vaccine, and what we can do to flatten the curve--and why this is all crucial.
"Our heroes," as Kim Allen wrote.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The webinar, to be broadcast on Zoom and YouTube Live from 1:30 to 4 p.m., will feature physicians, scientists and a survivor of the COVID-19 virus, announced organizer-moderator Walter Leal, UC Davis distinguished professor of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
“COVID-19 is set apart from all other strains of flu for the simple reason that people die from it at higher rates than from other varieties,” Carey says. “It follows that understanding the actuarial details and consequences of this virus is central to understanding, has potential impact on the U.S. population in particular and on the world population in general.”
In his presentation, Carey will ask and answer three questions: “The first is related to case fatality rate of COVID-19. The second concern will be the age-specific mortality of this virus, and the third, to its demographic consequences if no health-related interventions, policies implemented, or a vaccine were available.” Carey is the co-author of the newly published book, Biodemography: An Introduction to Concepts and Methods. (See news story.)
The webinar, free and open to the public, will include experts in immunology, infectious diseases, pathology and emergency medicine. Viewers can register at http://zoompresentation.com and submit advance questions. Also, viewers can access YouTube Live at covidactionplan.com or https://bit.ly/2VurK3Z.
Chancellor Gary May will give the introduction.
The main speakers are UC Davis physician-scientists Emanuel Maverakis, Stuart Cohen and Nathan Kuppermann; UC Davis veterinarian-scientist Nicole Baumgarth; physician Ron Chapman, Yolo County Health Officer; and pediatrician State Sen. Richard Pan, District 6 chair, Senate Committee on Health.
Davis resident Marilyn Stebbins, a pharmacist who works at the UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy--and a survivor of the deadly illness that to date has killed more than 182,000 people worldwide (15,000-plus in the United States)--will tell her story. (See Johns Hopkins University's coronavirus map for up-to-date statistics.)
You-Lo Hsieh, UC Davis distinguished professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and an expert on textiles and clothing, will explain the differences between regular masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks.
Newly added to the list: Michael B. A. Oldstone, M.D., of Scripps Research Institute; professor emeritus Niels Pedersen, DMV, of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and Anne Wyllie, PhD., Yale School of Medicine.
