Governor Donald L. Carcieri, RI Department of Health and Rhode Island Broadcasters Association to Host H1N1-Swine Flu Panel Discussion and Phone Bank

11-03-2009

Governor Donald L. Carcieri and the Rhode Island Department of Health are partnering with the Rhode Island Broadcasters Association (RIBA) members, WSBE Rhode Island PBS, WPRI 12, WJAR-TV, and WLNE-TV to hold a live panel discussion and phone bank to answer questions on the H1N1-Swine Flu virus on Wednesday, November 4, 2009.

From 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., employees from the RI Department of Health and clinicians will staff a phone bank at the Rhode Island PBS studios to answer questions on H1N1. The phone number for the public to call with questions from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. will be 401-222-8012.

(Please note, the phone bank number will ONLY be operational from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The regular Dept. of Health H1N1 Information Line is 401-222-8022, and is operational Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

This will be followed by a 60-minute panel discussion on H1N1, prevention tips, symptoms, and with some of the more frequently asked questions answered by the panel of experts. The program, H1N1 – Swine Flu: What You Need to Know, will be moderated by former TV anchor Dave Layman with participation from Dr. David Gifford, RI Dept. of Health; Dr. Robert Crausman, RI Dept. of Health; Dr. Elizabeth Lange, a pediatrician and president of the RI chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics; and Dr. Nicole Alexander, pediatric infectious disease expert at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

The local television stations will report live from the Rhode Island PBS studios throughout the evening broadcasts, and will air the panel discussion live, starting at 7:00 p.m., on the following stations:

o News Channel 5 (Cox Channel 5 – produced by ABC 6 News) o WSBE Rhode Island PBS – 36.1 (Cox/Verizon/FullChannel 08) o WJAR-TV (NBC 10) RTN – 10.2 (Cox Channel 810, Verizon FIOS 460) o MyRI TV – 64.2 (Cox Channel 811, Verizon FIOS Channel 14)

In addition, the television stations will stream the panel discussion live on the station websites, including www.turnto10.com, www.wpri.com, and www.abc6.com, and replay the program on all channels throughout the next several weeks, including WPRI 12 and Fox Providence on Saturday, November 7th at 2:00 p.m.

Several radio stations are also supporting this effort by airing promotional spots on where and when to find programming and coverage of the event within their newscasts.

“I want to extend my appreciation for the tremendous support by our media partners in helping to inform the public on how to prevent H1N1, the symptoms to look for, and the vaccination schedule,” said Governor Carcieri. “Providing accurate and up-to-date information is critical in keeping the public informed during what is a stressful time for many Rhode Islanders, especially parents.”

“Rhode Island Broadcasters Association is proud to partner in this public service to provide information to our viewers and listeners from experts within our medical and health community, helping guide us to wellness protection and safeguard ourselves and our families,” said Lori Needham, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Broadcasters Association.

Rhode Island Broadcasters Association (RIBA) is comprised of members from both Television and Radio stations that serve the Southern New England area. An association dedicated to promoting diversity and following the tenets of democracy, its Board of Directors lead with a spirit of unity in their mission to raise awareness of issues in need of a voice, using the power of broadcasting.