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Episcopal Hosts Leading Experts on Covid-19 Pandemic

Earlier this week, the McCain-Ravenel Center for Intellectual and Moral Courage hosted three panelists working on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic to discuss the latest science behind the virus and its global impact.

The panel included Dr. Shelly Gunn, the director of a California lab performing molecular genetic testing for hundreds of patients each day; Dr. Kathryn Stephenson, a physician-scientist who is researching novel biomedical interventions to prevent and treat HIV and emerging infectious diseases such as Covid-19; and Dr. Ethan Weiss, a cardiologist and researcher who traveled from San Francisco to New York City in March to offer aid during the virus’s initial peak.

Moderated by Dr. Kim Olsen, chair of Episcopal’s science department, the panel focused on the scientific discoveries from the past year — and just how far we still have to go. As Weiss said, “We’ve learned a ton, but we know a lot less than we think we do.” Olsen agreed, reiterating that “the best response to a study is another study.”

The night took on a hopeful tone as the panelists answered questions about the vaccine. Gunn, who recently received the vaccine, called it “the most momentous thing that will happen to me in 2021, I hope.”

The experts closed by reinforcing the need to continue wearing masks, even after getting vaccinated. “The most important thing to do is wear a mask. Come back to school. See your friends. Sit and learn. But wear a mask,” Stephenson said. Gunn added: “We’re all going to get through this together.”

Despite the pandemic, the McCain-Ravenel Center has remained hard at work bringing in experts from across the country to meet virtually with classes. Recent speakers include Katie Gallagher Boggs, capability integration strategy lead at NASA; Captain Drew Hutcheon, co-founder of Marine Coders; Maggie Thrash, a graphic novelist; and Jasmine Turner, an Emmy award-winning journalist. See other speakers who have visited the School in recent years from the fields of science, the arts, business, politics, and more.
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