Rhode Island PBS recently launched a topical series titled Kids Want to Know in which teens and children ask questions about the novel coronavirus COVID-19, and leaders in medicine, education, and government provide thoughtful, insightful answers. The short films range from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
The content fills a critical need to help calm the fear and anxiety teens and children are experiencing by providing factual, age-appropriate answers to their questions about COVID-19.
The medical professionals who share their expertise in tackling the issues and answering the questions include Brian K. Alverson, M.D., director of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at Hasbro Children’s Hospital; William D. Binder, M.D., Emergency Medicine practitioner affiliated with Rhode Island and Miriam Hospitals; Rebecca M. Brown, M.D., specialist in Geriatric and Internal Medicine at Roger Williams Medical Center; and Carla Martin, M.D., family practitioner of pediatrics and internal medicine in Pawtucket. Episodes also include answers from the Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Angélica Infante-Green, and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo.
On Monday, April 20, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) debuted as the series sponsor.
“We are thrilled to have the support of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island in this project,” said David W. Piccerelli, president of WSBE Rhode Island PBS. “When Rhode Island PBS launches a project of interest and importance to the health and well-being of our community – whether it is prevention of opioid overdose or now COVID-19 information, we are grateful we can count on Blue Cross’s leadership and enthusiastic partnership.”
“Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is grateful to WSBE Rhode Island PBS for creating the Kids Want to Know film series,” said Carolyn Belisle, managing director of community investment at BCBSRI. “The COVID-19 pandemic has naturally caused a high degree of fear and anxiety for many – our kids among them – and one of the best ways to help kids and teens feel safe during uncertain times is to provide easily accessible, factual, age-appropriate information. We know kids and teens have so many questions about what is going on and our state is fortunate to have Rhode Island PBS creating a critical and credible tool for those questions to be answered.”
The growing collection of short films is presented on the station’s website ripbs.org/kwtk. The site also includes instructions for submitting video questions to the project. Parents must authorize participation of their minor children in grades 3 through 12.
Episodes are televised between 5:25 and 5:30 a.m. and between 3:25 and 3:30 p.m. on WSBE Rhode Island PBS (digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD, Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36), as well as at other times during the broadcast day. Episodes also air throughout the day on WSBE Learn (digital 36.2; Cox 808, Verizon FiOS 478, Full Channel 989; Comcast 294 or 312). New episodes premiere on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The collection of short films, instructions for submitting a video question, and information about the Kids Want to Know project are on the station’s website, ripbs.org/kwtk.
Kids Want to Know is made possible by