Conversations about COVID-19

Pitt Public Health brings together a variety of experts to have a conversation about different aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and address questions from seminar attendees. The goal of the seminar series is to provide our school community, alumni, and the public with credible information about the virus and the associated health impacts. 

View past sessions below and stay tuned for future sessions. 

Recent Session Summaries & Recordings

Biden coronavirus task force appointee Michael Osterholm discusses "The COVID Pandemic: The Evolving Reality" (video)

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In a special IDM Seminar, Michael T. Osterholm answers questions regarding the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection, public health strategies to reduce transmission, and thoughts on how the world will likely look one year from now. Osterholm was recently appointed to President-elect Biden's coronavirus task force and directs the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.  

Disinformation & Misinformation: Politics, Pandemics & Public Health

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In the final fall session of Conversations about COVID-19 seminar series, Jaime Sidani and Michael Colaresi join BCHS doctoral student Beth Hoffman to discuss ways that public health can address dis/misinformation in the era of COVID-19, with a particular focus on implications for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.  

CDC NIOSH's Response to PPE Challenges During COVID-19

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As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) has responded ot the unique personal protective equipment (PPE) challenges that have arisen during COVID-19. This presentation, with Maryann D'Alessandro, PhD, and John Powers, both of the NPPTL, provides an overview of their response to COVID-19 and effort... 

Pennsylvania State Response to COVID-19

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Wendy Braund, COVID-19 response director, Pennsylvania Department of Health, leads a conversation about the Pennsylvania Department of Health response to COVID-19, addressing the current situation and containment and mitigation efforts.   

COVID-19 & Health Disparities

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As part of the Conversations about COVID-19 seminar series, EPI doctoral candidate Chantele Mitchell Miland , and Pitt's director of health sciences diversity, equity, and inclusion, Mario Browne (BCHS '05), discuss COVID-19 and health disparities.  

Conversations about COVID-19

 

COVID-19 News Headlines

Coronavirus case increases and risky social behavior worry Newman 

Coronavirus case increases and risky social behavior worry Newman

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER – The uptick may be linked to an increase in young adults not social distancing, so officials suspended the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption at bars and restaurants. The rise in cases suggests people don’t understand what the state’s “green” phase meant, said Anne B. Ne... (06/29/2020)

COVID19 and the Future of Public Health 

COVID19 and the Future of Public Health

How does the current pandemic compare with other public health crises like the polio outbreaks in the 1940s and 50s? This final seminar will provide an opportunity to collectively reflect on what we can do to extend the reach of the field and to improve population health and well-being. IDM's Peter... (06/30/2020)

Williams-Pate discusses COVID-19 safety during interview on The Lynne Hayes-Freeland Show 

Williams-Pate discusses COVID-19 safety during interview on The Lynne Hayes-Freeland Show

Kyanna Williams-Pate (BCHS ’19) provided sound public health advice on protecting yourself from COVID-19 during a recent interview on The Lynne Hayes-Freeland Show.  She also shared information about the free COVID testing available at the Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHC) in Alleghe... (06/25/2020)

COVID-19: The Effect on Immigrants and Latinos 

COVID-19: The Effect on Immigrants and Latinos

BCHS's Patricia Documet, associate professor and director of the doctoral program in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences and director of Latinx research and outreach in the Center for Health Equity discusses with community leaders the effects of the pandemic on Latinos and im... (06/26/2020)

Q&A: Healthcare Advisory Group members weigh in on COVID-19 questions 

Q&A: Healthcare Advisory Group members weigh in on COVID-19 questions

EPI Chair Anne Newman and EOH Chair Sally Wenzel join additional members of the Healthcare Advisory Group for a Q&A focusing on COVID-19. The group, which includes a multifaceted panel of experts in health care, law, medicine, public health, occupational health and safety, infectious diseases and e... (06/29/2020)

Chaves-Gnecco Co-hosts COVID-19: Lo Que Usted Debe Saber en Pittsburgh 

Chaves-Gnecco Co-hosts COVID-19: Lo Que Usted Debe Saber en Pittsburgh

Program Director and Founder of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Salud Para Niños Diego Chaves-Gnecco (MMPH ’00) helped to host “COVID-19: What you need to know in Pittsburgh” where he addressed concerns about staying safe during the pandemic for Pittsburgh’s Latino community. “I have been ... (06/26/2020)

Mair encourages risk priorities as a surge of coronavirus infections continues in Allegheny County 

Mair encourages risk priorities as a surge of coronavirus infections continues in Allegheny County

90.5 WESA – Social epidemiologist Christina Mair has been thinking for weeks that the county needs to close bars. She acknowledges the economic repercussions but said it might help keep infection rates low enough that kids can return to school in the fall. “It’s the risk-benefit,” she added. “Where... (06/29/2020)

“Children can die.” Elizabeth Miller urges parents to get kids vaccinated after 50 percent drop in visits (video) 

“Children can die.” Elizabeth Miller urges parents to get kids vaccinated after 50 percent drop in visits (video)

KDKA-TV - BCHS’ Elizabeth Miller, director of population health at UPMC Children’s Hospital, says many kids are behind on their vaccines for preventable and deadly diseases. “We have the potential of a massive public health crisis on top of what is already unprecedented in terms of this global pand... (06/29/2020)
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