UC Davis Distinguished Professor Walter Leal’s first COVID-19 public awareness symposium drew an audience of more than 1,000, and this week he is hosting another one, this time featuring welcome remarks by UC President Janet Napolitano.

Other participants: David Lubarsky, vice chancellor of Human Health Sciences and chief executive officer, UC Davis Health; Allison Brashear, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine; Emanuel Maverakis, professor of dermatology and immunology, UC Davis School of Medicine; and Atul Malhotra, professor of medicine, UC San Diego Health.

Not to mention Steve Robinson, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and a former astronaut. “Our Aggienaut will be asking questions, and we’re encouraging others to follow suit and ask questions, too,” said Leal, a faculty member in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and a former chair of the Department of Entomology.

Priority will be given to questions asked in advance via the registration form. Among the questions already lined up:

• 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?

Leal’s COVID-19 symposium April 23 drew a capacity audience of 500 on Zoom and had nearly 650 real-time viewers on YouTube. A recording is available here.

Kim Allen thanked Leal and the participants: “You are my heroes,” she wrote. “This give me a sense of hope and calmed my anxiety like nothing else. 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!”

Kathy Keatley Garvey, communications specialist with the Department of Entomology and Nematology, contributed to this report.

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