In our season finale of The Line, we talked to a man who has taken on some of humankind’s worst diseases, and won. Dr. D. Lorne Tyrrell, ’68 MD, is the founding director of the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology and the renowned researcher who developed an effective treatment for Hepatitis B. Now, as he and other researchers race against time to battle COVID-19, Dr. Tyrrell shares a message of hope. Hear about the unprecedented global collaboration that may soon lead to the development of an antiviral that could change the course of the disease.

This episode was recorded on June 23, 2020. At the time, Alberta had had 7,781 cases of Covid-19.

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The Line is a University of Alberta Alumni Association podcast

Hosted by: Matt Rea

Produced by: Matt Rea and Chloe Chalmers

Music: “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones

Read more about U of A researcher Dr. John Lewis and the two vaccines headed for human trials here:

https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/made-in-alberta-covid-19-vaccine-prototypes-to-be-tested-on-humans-1.5001596

Read more about U of A’s work on the drug Remdesivir here:

https://www.folio.ca/u-of-a-virology-lab-finds-drug-originally-meant-for-ebola-is-effective-against-a-key-enzyme-of-coronavirus-that-causes-covid-19/

Read the New Trail article on hope:

https://www.ualberta.ca/newtrail/research/seeking-hope.html

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Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-line/id1504960888

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I456thiwm54gpka3suw3nu7iohi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4fNmgFtG5K5PkWYawSO9Cj

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wtj-podcast/the-line-stories-from-the-front-lines

The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by an equally dangerous “infodemic” — an onslaught of misinformation which threatens our ability to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance. It's something that Timothy Caulfield fights against as a UAlberta professor of law, research director of its Health Law Institute, author and documentary TV host. Listen as Tim helps us unravel the many conspiracy theories surrounding the pandemic, and separate fact from fiction once and for all.

This episode was recorded on June 11, 2020. At the time, there were 7,167 cases of Covid-19 in Alberta.

Learn more about Tim Caulfield’s documentary series, A User’s Guide to Cheating Death here:

https://www.ualberta.ca/health-law-institute/a-users-guide-to-cheating-death

***

The Line is a University of Alberta Alumni Association podcast

Hosted by: Matt Rea

Produced by: Matt Rea and Chloe Chalmers

Music: “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones

SUBSCRIBE on:

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-line/id1504960888

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I456thiwm54gpka3suw3nu7iohi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4fNmgFtG5K5PkWYawSO9Cj

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wtj-podcast/the-line-stories-from-the-front-lines

The human cost of the COVID-19 crisis can’t be overstated, but an important secondary story is the economic toll of the pandemic. With recent Canadian job losses in the millions, when might we see a gradual market recovery? In this episode we ask renowned economist and UAlberta School of Business professor Andrew Leach, ’20 LLM, about the future of Alberta’s economy, the efficacy of government emergency relief programs, and the feasibility of a Green New Deal.

This episode was recorded on June 5, 2020. At the time, there were 7,052 cases of Covid-19 in Alberta.

***

The Line is a University of Alberta Alumni Association podcast

Hosted by: Matt Rea

Produced by: Matt Rea and Chloe Chalmers

Music: “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones

SUBSCRIBE on:

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-line/id1504960888

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I456thiwm54gpka3suw3nu7iohi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4fNmgFtG5K5PkWYawSO9Cj

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wtj-podcast/the-line-stories-from-the-front-lines

Shana Dion never imagined she’d be teaching Elders how to Zoom, or conducting a virtual Round Dance on Instagram. But as UAlberta’s assistant dean of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Students, she’s willing to do whatever it takes during the pandemic to maintain wâhkôhtowin — a Cree word referring to the interconnectedness of relationships, communities and natural systems. In this episode, Shana talks about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on Indigenous communities, both on and off campus. Learn about her innovative approach to connecting to ceremony online, her concerns for her students and the importance of relationships during hard times.

This episode was recorded on May 28. At the time, there were 6,955 cases of Covid-19 in Alberta.

***

The Line is a University of Alberta Alumni Association podcast

Hosted by: Matt Rea

Produced by: Matt Rea and Chloe Chalmers

Music: “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones

The clip from the interview with Dr. James Makokis was edited for length.

Watch the full interview on APTN:

https://www.aptnnews.ca/facetoface/cree-doctor-hopes-for-positive-changes-post-pandemic/

Listen to Elder Elsey and Elder Francis singing:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2575460802773215

Read Shana’s article on Wâhkôhtowin:

https://blog.ualberta.ca/w%C3%A2hk%C3%B4htowin-the-value-of-relationships-amid-crisis-c4f75c83cfa7

Learn more about how the pandemic intersects with race and gender in IG in Conversation, an interview series that uses intersectional expertise to explore emerging issues, created by Intersections of Gender, a University of Alberta signature area:

https://soundcloud.com/user-634439622-564879468/ig-in-conversation-with-dr-catherine-clune-taylor-covid-19-racism-and-masculinity

SUBSCRIBE on:

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-line/id1504960888

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I456thiwm54gpka3suw3nu7iohi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4fNmgFtG5K5PkWYawSO9Cj

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wtj-podcast/the-line-stories-from-the-front-lines

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many of the essential support services UAlberta students rely on, from career support to mental health counselling to the sexual assault centre, are no longer physically accessible. So how has the university pivoted to help? In this episode we talk to Dean of Students, André Costopoulos, about how students are coping with change, delivering student services virtually, and what long term impact the health crisis could have on the educational experience.

This episode was recorded on April 20. At the time, there were 2,859 cases of Covid-19 in Alberta.

***

The Line is a University of Alberta Alumni Association podcast

Hosted by: Matt Rea

Produced by: Matt Rea and Chloe Chalmers

Music: “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones

SUBSCRIBE on:

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-line/id1504960888

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I456thiwm54gpka3suw3nu7iohi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4fNmgFtG5K5PkWYawSO9Cj

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wtj-podcast/the-line-stories-from-the-front-lines

Fresh Routes mobile grocery provides healthy, affordable food to those who need it most. It becomes a community hub wherever it goes, bringing together community-based volunteers and the people they serve. While COVID-19 has parked the grocery truck temporarily, it hasn’t stopped Morgan Allen, ’19 BSc(Nutr/Food), and her team of dedicated volunteers from getting fresh food to individuals in need. Hear how Fresh Routes pivoted their operations when faced with the pandemic roadblock.

This episode was recorded on May 20. At the time, there were 6,735 cases of Covid-19 in Alberta.

***

The Line is a University of Alberta Alumni Association podcast

Hosted by: Matt Rea

Produced by: Matt Rea and Chloe Chalmers

Music: “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones

SUBSCRIBE on:

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-line/id1504960888

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I456thiwm54gpka3suw3nu7iohi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4fNmgFtG5K5PkWYawSO9Cj

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wtj-podcast/the-line-stories-from-the-front-lines

Physician Dr. Stephanie Liu, ’13 MD, values the opportunity to provide a continuity of care to families. But what happens to the doctor-patient connection when the world shuts down and people are told to stay home? Can thorough, conscientious care be delivered effectively online? Dr. Liu shares how her Life of Dr. Mom blog has helped pivot her medical practice online, what she misses most about seeing patients in her office, and under what circumstances she recommends an in-person visit with Dr. Mom.

This episode was recorded on May 15. At the time, there were 6,390 cases of Covid-19 in Alberta.

***

The Line is a University of Alberta Alumni Association podcast

Hosted by: Matt Rea

Produced by: Matt Rea and Chloe Chalmers

Music: “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones

SUBSCRIBE on:

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-line/id1504960888

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I456thiwm54gpka3suw3nu7iohi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4fNmgFtG5K5PkWYawSO9Cj

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wtj-podcast/the-line-stories-from-the-front-lines

On April 30, the Alberta Government announced that many healthcare practitioners could begin to treat patients again after months of office closures due to the pandemic. But are all practitioners able to open their doors, and what are their concerns? We talk to Dr. Paul Major, DDS ‘88, about how his orthodontic practice has been impacted by the pandemic and how he feels about returning to work. Brace yourself for a frank discussion about the risks and benefits of lifting pandemic restrictions as we drill down on the tough questions healthcare practitioners must ask themselves before treating patients!

This episode was recorded on May 11. At the time there were 6,300 cases of Covid-19 in Alberta.

***

The Line is a University of Alberta Alumni Association podcast

Hosted by: Matt Rea

Produced by: Matt Rea and Chloe Chalmers

Music: “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones

SUBSCRIBE on:

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-line/id1504960888

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I456thiwm54gpka3suw3nu7iohi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4fNmgFtG5K5PkWYawSO9Cj

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wtj-podcast/the-line-stories-from-the-front-lines

Dan Riskin wears many professional hats: evolutionary biologist, professor of biology, science and technology expert for the Bell Media Group, TV personality and author. So how has one of Canada’s foremost science communicators helped inform the public about the origins of COVID-19? How will this virus change the way we consume news? And are scientists the new celebrities? Riskin helps us understand the challenges facing the scientific community in delivering up-to-date information about a situation that changes on an hourly basis.

This episode was recorded on April 8, 2020. At the time there were 19,276 cases of Covid-19 in Canada.

***

The Line is a University of Alberta Alumni Association podcast

Hosted by: Matt Rea

Produced by: Matt Rea and Chloe Chalmers

Music: “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones

SUBSCRIBE on:

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-line/id1504960888

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I456thiwm54gpka3suw3nu7iohi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4fNmgFtG5K5PkWYawSO9Cj

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wtj-podcast/the-line-stories-from-the-front-lines

ICU Nurses care for some of the most vulnerable patients in a hospital. Their patients are experiencing life-threatening medical issues. Increasingly, those issues are caused by or made worse by the coronavirus. In this episode of The Line, we speak with Andrea Daye, BScN ‘91, about her work in the ICU of a hospital in a major urban centre in Canada. Ms. Daye shares her experiences in the ICU - from extubating her first COVID-19 patient to her fears about bringing the virus home - and tells us how she prepares for her shifts on the frontline of the pandemic.

This episode was recorded on April 21, 2020. At the time there were 39,803 cases of COVID-19 in Canada.

***

The Line is a University of Alberta Alumni Association podcast

Hosted by: Matt Rea

Produced by: Matt Rea and Chloe Chalmers

Music: “Under Cover” by Wayne Jones

SUBSCRIBE on:

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-line/id1504960888

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I456thiwm54gpka3suw3nu7iohi

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4fNmgFtG5K5PkWYawSO9Cj

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/wtj-podcast/the-line-stories-from-the-front-lines