COVID Conversation

Understanding COVID-19 - A Conversation for Kids & Teens

Tuesday, April 27 | 3:30-5:00pm

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists and medical professionals have been grappling to understand the science of this novel virus, how it spreads and how to manage it through public health guidelines, vaccine development and distribution. It can feel like information overload, especially for kids and teens. Speakers in this session broke down the complexity of COVID-19 into an engaging, casual conversation starting with an experiment with germs and washing hands, and closed with a live Q&A with the audience. 

Durante el último año de la pandemia de COVID-19, los científicos y los profesionales médicos se han esforzado por entender la ciencia de este nuevo virus, cómo se propaga y cómo manejarlo a través de pautas de salud pública, desarrollo y distribución de vacunas. Todo esto, puede parecer una sobrecarga de información, especialmente para niños y adolescentes. Por ello, en esta sesión los ponentes explicaron el virus del COVID-19 de una manera informal e interesante que comenzó con un experimento con gérmenes y lavado de manos y cerró con una sesión de preguntas y respuestas en vivo con la audiencia.


 

Speakers

Leah PezettiModerator: Leah Pezetti, Meteorologist, ABC 10News

Leah is ecstatic to be back in her home state of California as part of the 10News team. Leah is a native to Sacramento and moved to the Central Coast to get a B.S. in Journalism from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She then started her career at KERO in Bakersfield as a reporter and weekend weather anchor.


Dr. Sayone ThihalolipavanDr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, Medical Consultant, County of San Diego

Dr. Thihalolipavan is a Board Certified Preventive Medicine Physician who aims to work on the population level to address health-related issues. Continuing his work to protect and promote the health of all San Diegans as the former Deputy Public Health Officer for the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Public Health Services, he currently serves as a Medical Consultant for the County. He has a strong interest in health equity and is mission-driven to improve the quality of life for all San Diegans via the Live Well San Diego Vision. In addition to population-based efforts, Dr. Sayone sees patients in the County’s public health clinics. He also continues to be an associate reviewer for the American Journal of Health Promotion. 


Raenique Madden BowmanRaenique Madden Bowman, San Diego County T3 Team

Raenique was born and raised in San Diego County’s Southeast region. She has worked closely with the County of San Diego’s T3 (Testing, Tracing, Treatment) Team, assisting in lead roles at testing and vaccination sites. She works directly in various community settings assisting with the COVID relief efforts. She is also active within the Mt Erie Baptist church family. She is proud to have the role of wife for 9 years (and counting) and being mother to a high energy 4-year-old. 


Bob Hollingsworth, Vice President, Cancer Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, Oncology R&D, PfizerBob Hollingsworth, Vice President, Cancer Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, Oncology R&D, Pfizer

Dr. Robert (Bob) Hollingsworth is the Vice-President for Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics. He oversees research and development from target discovery through clinical proof-of-concept for projects. His team has developed and is applying several innovative therapeutic modalities including cancer vaccine regimens, oncolytic viruses, immune cell redirecting bispecific antibodies, and drug combinations. 


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