State Sen. Jen Metzger, D-Rosendale, will hold a series of informational online livestream videos in collaboration with experts geared toward informing Hudson Valley and Catskills residents about the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The schedule for the series is every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. for the next four weeks and the first episode airs today, April 28, when she interviews Dr. Kenneth Steier, executive dean of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, who will provide a regional medical overview on COVID-19.
The videos will be streamed on Metzger’s Facebook page and are meant to address medical questions, the spread of COVID-19 and more.
“A wide range of important topics and issues have come up in my conversations with constituents during this public health crisis that really merit a deeper dive,” Metzger said. “This online conversation series is a great opportunity for our residents to hear from experts in our region and get useful guidance during this challenging time.”
The first distinguished guest of her series is the Executive Dean of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kenneth Steier. They will be discussing the facts of COVID-19, the projected timeline of antibody testing according to local health professionals and a possible vaccine reaching local communities.
Here is a schedule for the four weeks:
Week One:
Tuesday, April 28: Regional Medical Overview
Guest: Kenneth Steier, Executive Dean of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Thursday, April 30: Food Insecurity and How to Help
Guest: Michele McKeon, Regional Economic Community Action Program (RECAP)
Week Two:
Tuesday, May 5: Domestic Violence during COVID-19
Guests: Kellyanne Costyal-Larrier, Fearless
Thursday, May 7: Education Resources for Students, Teachers and Families
Guests: A high school teacher and elementary special education teacher from Sullivan County
Week Three:
Tuesday, May 12: COVID-19 Mental Health Awareness
Guests: Amy Nitza and Karla Vermeule, The Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz
Thursday, May 14: Paying Your Bills and Preventing Shut-Offs
Guest: Laurie Wheelock, Esq., the Public Utility Law Project
Week Four:
Tuesday, May 19: Preventing Senior Scams and Sharing Legal Resources
Guests: Jaime Samarel and Jenny Turpin, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
Thursday, May 21: The Food Supply Chain and NY Agriculture
Guest: Maire Ullrich, Cornell University Cooperative Extension Orange County
In addition to the video series, Metzger has compiled an information and resource guide for constituents of the 42nd district.
