The University of Nebraska Medical Center McGoogan Health Sciences Library invites the public to hear from the creators of the "C’RONA Pandemic Comix" project. The panel discussion will take place via Zoom on Nov. 3 at noon CT.
In spring 2020, a multidisciplinary group including artists and scientists received funding from the Rapid Response Research Program of the National Science Foundation to develop comic books that would help youth understand the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project, which is on temporary exhibition in the library, was built upon a decade of expertise in creating comics about the biology of viruses. In collaboration with virologists and artists, three comic stories about COVID-19 were developed during the pandemic and posted online during the last half of 2020.
Panelists will include:
Judy Diamond, professor and curator, University of Nebraska State Museum and University Libraries;
Bob Hall, writer and artist;
Judi gaiashkibos, executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs; and
St Patrick Reid, PhD, assistant professor, UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology.
The fictional narratives address fundamental issues in biology, virology and network science in order to help readers understand the complexities of living through a viral pandemic. The stories focus on three themes: the biology and social context of the COVID-19 virus; the relationship of wild animals, particularly bats, to the pandemic; and the impact of the pandemic on Tribal communities.
The stories are posted online and are published by the University of Nebraska Press as the book "C’RONA Pandemic Comics," which includes essays for youth about the virus and the pandemic.
Registration is now open for the talk. A drawing will be held for five signed copies of the comic.
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