- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
“Thanks you so much for today, and to all of your panelists. The citizens of our area are truly lucky for your hard work in your preparation for this informational webinar. The public needs more of these types of forums for the detail education that this provided on COVID-19.”
That was one of the unsolicited comments praising the second COVID-19 Symposium organized and moderated by UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal.
If you missed the symposium, held May 14, not to worry. It's online at https://bit.ly/3b8TAau. Offering up-to-date information from physicians and scientists on the front lines, the symposium to date has drawn more than 2000 viewers from 10 countries: United States, UK, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Peru, and Slovakia.
UC Systemwide President Janet Napolitano, introduced by UC Davis Chancellor Gary May, delivered the welcoming address, noting that UC Davis and UC Davis Health are meeting the challenges.
Four panelists presented information and answered questions:
- Dr. Allison Brashear, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine
- Dr. Atul Malhotra, professor of medicine, pulmonology, critical care, UC San Diego Health
- Dr. Emanuel Maverakis, professor of dermatology and immunology, UC Davis School of Medicine
- Dr. David Lubarsky, vice chancellor of Human Health Sciences and chief executive officer, UC Davis Health.
Brashear related that UC Davis has 24 active COVID-19 studies and is pursuing possible treatments on many fronts, including plasma transfusions from blood donors who recovered from COVID-19 used in an effort to boost another patient's ability to neutralize the virus.
Others participating included Dr. Jane Sykes, professor of small animal internal medicine (infectious diseases emphasis) and chief veterinary medical officer, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; and Dr. James M. Hotaling, associate professor, Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Utah.
Viewers, including Steve Robinson, former NASA astronaut-turned UC Davis professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, asked a number of questions. Lubarsky cautioned against opening schools during the coronavirus pandemic. “It is cavalier to simply open elementary schools without understanding this," he said. "We can't assume that because they may be asymptomatic and relatively less affected that they aren't less contagious."
Sykes said that although dogs and cas can get the virus, there "is still absolutely no evidence" that they can "transmit infections back to people."
Then came the surprise guest.
Professor Leal earlier indicated earlier that a special guest would probably bring the viewers to tears.
He did.
Dr. Anoop Maheshwari, pulmonary and critical care specialist in Riverside, chronicled how he turned from doctor to patient; from helping patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and then himself being diagnosed with the COVID-19 disease and nearly losing his life.
He suspects he may have contracted the virus in early April from a former healthy 35-year-old who entered the emergency room with a cough and congestion, and who wound up in ICU 12 hours later on a respirator.
The doctor remembers the onset well. He recalled feeling so tired after one of his regular 12-14 hour work days that he took an uncustomary nap at the hospital. Over the next two days, fatigue gripped him; he was sleeping 18 to 20 hours a day and had no appetite.
He wound up in the ICU, diagnosed with COVID-19.
"It was quite worrisome," Dr. Maheshwari told the symposium viewers. "I knew what was coming up next, which was intubation and you know the survival of intubation is very low with COVID-19 pneumonia. So that night was very, very emotional and very difficult. I talked with my family by video-conference and, you know, said my goodbyes. It was very difficult talking to the children, talking to my wife, mother, sister, father, everyone. It was an experience that I hope no one has to go through."
He told critical care specialist and longtime friend Dr. Adarsh Sharma that he wasn't going to make it. "He knew what I was talking about, and you know, he had the same intuition that I was not going to make it. And we're very close friends. He had tears in his eyes and you know, he just told me that I have to fight; I have no choice, I have to fight. You cannot give up on me."
Dr. Maheshwari credits the drug Remdesivir (then in clinical trials at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach), and the team of physicians and other healthcare workers, with saving his life.
"On Monday, April 28, all the doctors said that you're good to go home."
Sad Leal: "It's a powerful story. COVID-19 is a very serious disease."
Leal, a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, a member of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology faculty and a former chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology, hosted the two COVID-19 symposiums as a public service. The first symposium spotlighted the cutting-edge expertise of physicians, researchers, and a recovering COVID-19 patient. It is online at https://bit.ly/2VurK3Z. "You are our heroes," one viewer wrote.
The second symposium prompted a viewer to say: "It was a great symposium--the personal story of the frontline physician was incredible.”
Added another viewer: "Well, what an amazing finale and yes, we are taking it seriously, especially those of us older office workers. What a story of your life and death experience. Amazing presentation!"
"Congratulations on today's new webinar," another viewer commented. "It was excellent again. I look forward to the next one."
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The free public awareness event will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14. Viewers can register and post advance questions on Zoom at https://bit.ly/2SUJ7t5. For YouTube Live, the link is https://bit.ly/3b8TAau.
UC Systemwide President Janet Napolitano, a former secretary of Homeland Security, will deliver the welcoming address.
Panelists are Dr. Allison Brashear, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine; Dr. Atul Malhotra, professor of medicine, pulmonology, critical care, UC San Diego Health; Dr. Emanuel Maverakis, professor of dermatology and immunology, UC Davis School of Medicine; and Dr. David Lubarsky, vice chancellor of Human Health Sciences and chief executive officer, UC Davis Health.
Among others participating will be Dr. Jane Sykes, professor of small animal internal medicine (infectious diseases emphasis) and chief veterinary medical officer, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; and Dr. James M. Hotaling, associate professor, Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Utah; and several other guests.
Viewers are invited to ask advance questions as well as questions live. Former NASA astronaut Steve Robinson, now a UC Davis professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, will be among those asking questions. Professor Robinson, who graduated from UC Davis in 1978 with dual degrees in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, saw Earth from outer space four times during NASA shuttle missions, including the 2005 Space Shuttle Discovery.
Questions will include:
- Can our pets place us at risk for contracting the coronavirus?
- Can we get the virus through sexual transmission?
- Can COVID-19 survivors get secondary infections?
- What research is underway on COVID-19 therapies, management and testing?
Professor Leal, a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, a member of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology faculty, and a former chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology, co-chaired the 2016 International Congress of Entomology. He is donating his organizational skills and his cutting-edge technology and video-conferencing expertise to host the symposium. The first symposium drew some 4000 views from 10 countries.
“It is a pleasure to create these platforms to raise awareness and address COVID-19-related questions from the public,” Leal said. One appreciative comment brought it all home: “You are our heroes.”
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The second UC Davis-based COVID-19 Symposium, https://bit.ly/2A2Qd8a, will be streamed via ZOOM and YouTube on Thursday, May 14 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is free.
"We've assembled another panel of experts for viewers to address their questions and concerns,” said UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology faculty and a former chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology.
One of the folks asking questions will be former NASA astronaut Steve Robinson, now a UC Davis professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.
Professor Robinson, who graduated from UC Davis in 1978 with dual degrees in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, saw Earth from outer space four times during NASA shuttle missions, including the 2005 Space Shuttle Discovery.
“Yes, our Aggienaut (alumni-turned-astronaut) will be asking questions, and we're encouraging others to follow suit and ask questions, too,” said Leal, a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and highly honored for his research, teaching and public service.
Janet Napolitano, president of the University of California system, will deliver the welcoming address. Among the panelists: Dr. David Lubarsky, vice chancellor of Human Health Sciences and chief executive officer, UC Davis Health, Dr. Allison Brashear, dean of the School of Medicine, UC Davis, Dr. Emanuel Maverakis, professor of dermatology and Immunology, UC Davis School of Medicine, and Dr. Atul Malhotra, professor of medicine, Pulmonology and Critical Care, UC San Diego Health.
The questions will include:
- Can our pets place us at risk for contracting the coronavirus?
- Can we get the virus through sexual transmission?
- Can COVID-19 survivors get secondary infections?
- What research is underway on COVID-19 therapies, management and testing?
The first symposium, with a welcoming address by UC Davis Chancellor Gary May, spotlighted the cutting-edge expertise of physicians, researchers, and a recovering COVID-19 patient. It is online at https://bit.ly/2VurK3Z. It drew viewers from 10 countries and the comment “I just wanted to thank you! You are my heroes.”
“This give me a sense of hope and calmed my anxiety like nothing else,” letter writer Kim Allen continued. “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!”
(Editor's Note: At the first UC Davis-based COVID-19 virtual seminar, UC Davis distinguished professor James R. Carey of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology delivered a presentation on “Actuarial Perspectives on the COVID-19 Pandemic.” The updated presentation is at https://youtu.be/aid69khJftU.)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Get ready!
It's almost time to count the pollinators!
The University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) wants you set aside three minutes on Thursday, May 8 and count the pollinators wherever you live--and they live--in California. It's all part of UC ANR's Day of Science and Service celebrating the 100th year of the Cooperative Extension system.
First, count the pollinators (they can be bees, syrphid flies, bats, butterflies and the like.) Then you may choose to photograph them and upload your photos to the UC ANR website.
It should be interesting to glean the final count.
Just a few of the bees you may find:
- Honey bee (Apis mellifera)
- Green metallic sweat bee (Agapostemon texanus)
- European wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum)
- Long-horned bee (Melissodes communis)
Other activities on May 8 focus on water and food (see the website, Day of Science and Service)
Water: in this record drought, UC has committed to reducing its water consumption by 20 percent how are you conserving?
Food: Where is food grown in your community? Fill out our California food maps.
UC President Janet Napolitano has just issued the following statement:
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of our nation's Cooperative Extension system, the University of California's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is sponsoring a day of science and service on May 8.
We need your help to make our science projects successful. The more people who participate, the more data we'll have to analyze.
Everyone in California is invited to participate. It's quick and easy. Go to beascientist.ucanr.edu, choose a project, and record your observations about conserving water, growing food or counting the numbers of pollinating bees, birds and butterflies in your neighborhood. You can share your observations on an interactive map and upload photos if you like.
This is a great opportunity to learn about California's natural resources and the role of agriculture in all our communities.
For 100 years UC Cooperative Extension has been turning science into solutions to build healthy communities. From creating new varieties of fruits and vegetables, fighting off invasive pest attacks, and helping school kids learn about healthy eating, UC's work benefits every Californian.
Go bees!