Media Advisory: Lt. Gov. Hochul to visit Jacobs School at UB today

BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will join infectious disease and medical informatics experts from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo this afternoon to discuss COVID-19 transmission in Western New York, the state’s phased reopening plan, and the importance of wearing face masks to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Hochul will discuss the public health impacts of COVID-19 as Western New York prepares to potentially enter Phase 4 in Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Reopening New York plan.

She will be joined by three researchers from the Jacobs School: Peter Winkelstein, MD, who has been leading a team of UB researchers modeling COVID-19 cases for the Erie County Department of Health; and infectious disease experts John Sellick, DO, and Thomas A. Russo, MD, both of whom have been interviewed about the novel coronavirus by media outlets across the globe.

The researchers will give brief presentations following Hochul’s remarks.

Please note: Face masks will be required for all attendees, and social distancing will be practiced.

Members of the press will also be able to see how a classroom in the Jacobs School will be set up for social distancing. Earlier this month, UB officials announced plans for a “modified in-person” format when classes resume in the fall.

When: 2 p.m. Monday, June 29

Where: Room 2220A in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 955 Main St., Buffalo (map). Members of the media should enter at the Main and High streets entrance and will be directed by building security to the 2nd floor or to the elevators.

Who:

• New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul
• Michael E. Cain, MD, vice president for health sciences at UB and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
• Thomas A. Russo, MD, professor and chief, Infectious Disease, Jacobs School
• John Sellick, DO, professor, Department of Medicine, Jacobs School
• Peter Winkelstein, MD, executive director, Institute for Healthcare Informatics; professor, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School

On-site contact: David Hill from UB's Division of University Communications, 716-238-1001.