Virtual Talks on COVID-19 and Recovery

Stay informed about the latest on the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and prepare for the changed world to come with these upcoming virtual talks and lectures. Experts will consider the crisis from angles that run from architecture to science to the “infodemic” of misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash.

Scientific Perspectives. On Monday, June 22nd, convene with leaders from the fields of public health, epidemiology, and national security for an in-depth look at pandemics and the all-too-many ways we’ve come up short. On Thursday, June 18th, The Guardian continues its “Coronavirus Explained” series with an expert examination of When Will We Have a Vaccine? You can prepare for the long hot summer ahead by joining the Cary Institute on Thursday, June 18th for a science talk on Extreme Heat, COVID, & Equity in New York City. Friday, June 26th, the Care for the Polis series continues with a Columbia scholar and a professor of medicine looking at Institutions and Injustice in COVID-19.

Photo by Kourosh Keshiri.

Legal Angles. The world is sinking deeper into pandemic, unrest, and economic collapse, but our response is not preordained. Disaster capitalism expert Naomi Klein speaks with Guardian editor-in-chief Katharine Viner about positive paths forward during crisis on Thursday, July 2nd. On Friday, June 19th, Think Olio delves into the balancing act between the needs of public safety and the effort to avoid economic collapse. Capitalism isn’t having the greatest showing when it comes to public health and safety; contemplate what the U.S. response might have been under socialism with Think Olio on Monday, June 15th.

Big Picture Takes. On Monday, June 22nd, Obama Administration vet Richard Stengel joins Reliable Sources host Brian Stelter to discuss the “infodemic” of rapidly spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation. Robin Wagner-Pacifici, University in Exile Professor of Sociology, draws on her book What Is an Event? to question whether we’re living through one—and if it can lead to significant changes, on Thursday, June 25th.

Self-Care in Crisis. Attain calmness in the current storm (or at least find a direction toward it) with the help of the ancient Indian philosophy of Vedanta on Sunday, June 14th. Professor of psychology and psychiatry Richard J. Davidson, founder and chair of the Center for Healthy Minds, presents a timely talk on building resilience and well-being on Wednesday, June 17th. Jeh Johnson, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2013-2017), comes to the 9/11 museum to discuss national security in COVID-19 and other times of crisis; Friday, June 19th.

Urban Planning and COVID-19. Open House New York continues its Conversations on the City on Thursday, June 25th with professor of urban policy and health Mindy Fullilov (co-author of From Enforcers to Guardians: A Public Health Primer on Ending Police Violence), who’ll address the way disconnects within sections of cities have a negative impact on health. On Tuesday, June 16th, TransitCenter will look to Hong Kong and How to Return to a New Normal. The Center for Architecture will spend Tuesday, June 23rd looking at the lessons of COVID-19 and how they might apply to preparations for climate change in a changed world. On Tuesday, June 16th, pay a virtual visit to the Tenement Museum for a look at Lower Manhattan over the last century and what major changes may be coming up fast there.

COVID-19 and Adjustments. On Monday, June 15th, The New School looks at how intellectual publications are trying to serve their captive audiences during the pandemic, led by an editor of The Point. College may be changed forever post-coronavirus. The Houston branch of Asia Society tackles the issue on Thursday, June 18th, with a look at how universities are preparing.

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