By Dominic Yates, UW-Stout reporting intern
A quartet of panelists discussed everything from the biology of COVID-19 to the toll this pandemic may place on your mental health during a virtual program presented by the University of Wisconsin-Stout last week.
The Honors College and social science department at UW-Stout hosted the completely online presentation last Thursday night (Apr. 9). The program, which drew over 50 virtual attendees, included the panelists’ discussion plus a question-and-answer segment where audience members were able to ask questions regarding COVID-19.
Alexandra Hall, a physician and UW-Stout biology instructor, covered the scientific aspect of the virus, and why quarantine and other measures are so necessary to contain it.
“This virus cannot move on its own, it needs people to transmit it from one place to another. So, that’s why there’s all of these shutdowns happening, that’s why all of these difficult interventions both economically and psychologically are happening,” Hall said. “Because right now, those are the best tools we have to deal with this virus.”
Other panelists
The panel also included Pilar Gerasimo, a health journalist and author of “The Healthy Deviant,” who preached the importance of a healthy and happy lifestyle during a pandemic.
Gerasimo explained that the virus is typically contracted by people who are living with a chronic illness or leading unhealthy lifestyles. She said that because of this, leading a healthy, happy lifestyle is actually one of the most important steps in avoiding COVID-19.
The panel also acknowledged how much stress the stay-at-home order can put on people. Andy Felton, UW-Stout assistant professor of rehabilitation and counseling, explained why we can sometimes feel stressed or even depressed.
“For many people, probably for most of you, you feel like your outlets have been taken away from you. You don’t have the same way to release the energy that you have, and that really can affect mental health in many ways,” Felton said.
While the effects of quarantine are understood on an individual level, UW-Stout professor of sociology Jeff Sweat discussed the effects of COVID-19 on a societal level.
Not an ‘equal opportunity virus’
Sweat explained that though this virus has been coined “the equal opportunity virus,” nothing could be further from the truth.
“We’re seeing large numbers of cases, large numbers of hospitalizations, and a disproportionate death rate among those who are in underprivileged groups, racial and ethnic minorities,” he said. “Some of the recent data that has come out is that African-Americans seem to be dying roughly at a rate of two times what we would expect if there were no inequalities or health disparities between the racial groups.”
Thomas Pearson, assistant director of the Honors College, said the college set up the event to try and bring clarity to local citizens regarding COVID-19.
“It’s a very stressful time and many people are scared. I know I am. We’re really just trying to draw on the expertise of UW-Stout professors and others to facilitate discussions that help people make sense of the current crisis.” Pearson said in an email after the presentation.
“We also want people to know they are not alone,” he added. “Even though social distancing requires physical isolation, we want to facilitate new ways of connecting and building a sense of collective solidarity in response to the crisis.”
Student reaction
Kelsey Galbraith, an Honors College sophomore student at Stout, said she left the online gathering feeling more informed.
“I learned about how important individual health is to society’s collective health,” Galbraith said. “I also learned about the dangers of underlying and chronic conditions in this kind of crisis.”
Galbraith also explained that the information she received in the online discussion soothed some of her worries regarding the severity of the virus.
“My favorite part of the presentation was learning from Dr. Hall that being put on ventilator was not a death sentence. My anxiety tends to latch onto those terrible statistics and news stories, so hearing it from an expert was comforting.”
Dominic Yates is a junior at UW-Stout, majoring in Professional Communication and Emerging Media.