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COVID-19 and the Immune System

May 7th, 2020

Guest Speakers

Dr. Charlie Garnett-Benson

Immunologist

Scientific Director of Translational Medicine, Bristol Myers Squibb
Adjunct Professor, Georgia State University

Dr. Davida Smyth

Microbiologist

Associate Professor of Natural Sciences, The New School

Marisa Dunigan

Biochemist

Research Supervisor, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Question Index

1. 5:16 - Why is the coronavirus called COVID-19? 2. 6:17 - Why is COVID-19 dangerous and why did it cancel school? 3. 8:23 - What does the virus actually do to us? 4. 11:07 - How does coronavirus actually make you sick? 5. 13:27 - Where did the virus come from? 6. 15:20 - Are kids' immune systems the same as adults? What do immune systems do? 7. 17:40 - How can we have a strong immune system? 8. 19:14 - Is the coronavirus still mild if a kid is around 15-18 years old? 9. 21:04 - How does COVID affect the immune system long-term? 10. 22:10 - Will our body be able to get rid of the coronavirus? 11. 24:09 - What is the smallest and biggest thing in the immune system? 12. 26:38 - Can people become reinfected? If so, after how long? 13. 28:24 - How do you know so much stuff about the coronavirus? 14. 30:10 - How does the coronavirus affect different animals? 15. 31:39 - Can bugs get COVID-19? 16. 32:51 - How does the coronavirus affect our white blood cells? 17. 34:14 - What do people do to shorten the spread of COVID-19? 18. 35:36 - How long does it take for the coronavirus to go around the world? 19. 36:48 - How are some people able to cure themselves at home while many are dying at fast rates in hospitals? 20. 38:17 - How come COVID-19 spreads faster than other viruses? 21. 40:06 - Why are antibodies so important to beat COVID-19? 22. 42:24 - What is the cure to coronavirus? 23. 43:57 - If you recover from the virus and you get it again, is it a one-time thing or is it gone forever? 24. 45:14 - Why are some viruses spread through droplets from our breath and why are some airborne? 25. 47:48 - Can you explain your job as a council member in under 2 minutes? 26. 49:25 - How do you use both the scientific information about coronavirus and your personal experience having COVID-19 to make public health decisions? 27. 51:35 - How do you respond to the impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable communities in West Harlem?

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