Separating the wheat from the chaf on COVID-19 information

Getting reliable information about the COVID-19 pandemic is not always easy. The WE Spark Health Institute hopes more people will pose their questions of local experts instead of relying on social media.

Over the past two weeks, the institute has held weekly virtual events to try and explain some of the finer points of the pandemic, and combat the multitude of misinformation available.

Executive Director Lisa Porter told BlackburnNews.com that about 50 people tuned in online to pose questions in the last two sessions that tackled mental health and the effectiveness of personal protective equipment like masks.

“Come and ask your questions. Ask us, and get the right answers. Ask the people actually doing the work,” she said, hoping the events will shed some light on how public officials make decisions.

Since the events back on July 8 and 15, there has been a demand for a repeat, and Porter said the institute might hold those events again.

On Wednesday, at 10 a.m., the Institute will hold its third event, focusing on a possible wave of COVID-19. Porter said a roundtable of experts will take questions on how a second wave is forecasted, and what individuals and businesses can do to prepare.

On July 29, experts will focus on screening for COVID-19 and treatment.

Porter said the Institute is supporting 25 major projects related to the pandemic. They study everything from how the pandemic impacts the community to how it is changing the way we do simple things like opening doors without touching it.

Participants can register online on WE Spark Health Institute’s website.

Courtesy: Blackburn News