Pardee Center Hosts Webinar on Life During COVID-19
On August 19, the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, an affiliate center of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, hosted a webinar titled “Being Well & Staying Safe: Daily Life in a COVID-19 World,” which explored how the coronavirus pandemic has changed world.
The webinar featured a panel of experts including Nahid Bhadelia, Associate Professor, Medicine/Infectious Diseases at the Boston University’s (BU) School of Medicine; Davidson Hamer, Professor, Global Health and Medicine at the BU School of Public Health and BU School of Medicine; and Gerald T. Keusch, Professor, Medicine and International Health at the BU School of Medicine and BU School of Public Health. The discussion was moderated by Adil Najam, Dean of the Pardee School.
Panelists discussed how the coronavirus has effected different parts of the world, global responses to the virus, the key numbers and trends to keep an eye on, how we can tell if/when a pandemic is over, as well as how people should adjust their lives to deal with the pandemic for the long haul.
In her opening remarks, Bhadelia said that, even if a COVID-19 vaccine is developed by the end of this year, we will still be dealing with the changes to our lives for at least another year. Accepting this fact allows us all to innovate and adapt while still being able to enjoy our lives and minimize societal harm.
Hamer explored questions around a potential COVID-19 vaccine and emphasized the importance of keeping cost and availability front of mind. He also highlighted actions being taken by the general populace to combat the spread of the virus including mask wearing, social distancing, avoiding congestion in stores, and an overall increased awareness of hygiene. Because of these practices, he says people have still been able to enjoy outdoor and social activities but in a different, safer way.
Keusch emphasized the importance of scientific literacy and respect in tackling the pandemic. In light of misinformation campaigns and mistrust of the scientific community, he pondered how we can improve scientific education and restore respect for expertise and thought rather than miracles and intuition.
A recording of the event can be viewed below.
Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future is an interdisciplinary research center affiliated with the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. Through programs of scholarship, outreach, and education, the Pardee Center works to improve public decision-making and policy to train future generations of interdisciplinary scholars. Read more about the center here.