KINGSTON, R.I. — Oct. 14, 2021 — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are becoming more aware of the enormous impact of the virus on our health care system and on the lives and health of individuals and communities. One such group whose lives have been almost universally impacted are the children of the community.

Between online school (for those with adequate Internet connection), limited social interaction with their peer groups, and the loss of recreational activities and social events important to the development of children and adolescents, the younger members of society have been no less impacted by the pandemic than the adults of the community. Many children have also had to face the loss of loved ones to the disease, as well as the prospect of their own illness, especially among the youngest, who still have no access to a vaccine.

What has this experience meant to the health and well-being of our children? What will be the long-term impact on health because of fewer childhood vaccines, growing rates of obesity, and social isolation? Such questions are the topic of the latest in a series of COVID-19 virtual panel discussions hosted by the URI Academic Health Collaborative and Interprofessional Education and Practice Initiative. The discussion is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m. Contact patrickluce@uri.edu for more information and to register.

The expert panelists include:

•	Dr. Elizabeth Lange, MD (moderator), pediatrician, Waterman Pediatrics/Coastal Medical Lifespan; president, Rhode Island Medical Society; co-director, PCMH-Kids.
•	Ellen Flannery-Schroeder, Ph.D., professor, director of training in Clinical Psychology, University of Rhode Island.
•	Kaitlyn Rabb, MPH, policy analyst, RI KIDS COUNT.
•	Jovina Morla, parent and child-care worker, Pawtucket Adult Education.
•	Daniela Quilliam, MPH, chief, Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Rhode Island Department of Health.
•	Phyllis Penhallow, MS, CFLE, senior lecturer and academic advisor, Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Rhode Island.