At Rhode Island PBS, we know kids. We also know kids have questions. Especially now. So, we are listening to their questions and finding the right answers.
In the new Rhode Island PBS short film series, Kids Want to Know, teens ask questions about the coronavirus COVID-19 and medical professionals provide thoughtful, informative answers. Episodes range from 2-3 minutes in length.
The first short documentary features three teens, ages 14 and 15, asking such questions as how long this will last, what a government lock-down might look like, and how COVID-19 might affect interaction with our pets. Providing the answers is Dr. William D. Binder, a physician specializing in Emergency Medicine.
“As a nonprofit with strong community ties, the capacity for communications, and a public-facing mission, we felt compelled to do something to support our community, show we are right here with you,” said David W. Piccerelli, president of WSBE Rhode Island PBS. “Our challenge was to bring fresh, relevant information without merely shadowing other good work or echoing existing information out there. Kids Want to Know fulfills our vision.”
“Our Kids Want to Know segments are concise and direct, filled with important information. It’s an original, bold concept, especially under these conditions,” said Kim Keough, director of Production. “Working remotely from home studios and kitchen tables, our team of talented producers and reporters are overcoming technological and separation challenges to create this important new content in service to our community.”
In fact, technology plays a big role in the Kids Want to Know (KWTK) project. Teens and younger children (with the help of a parent as needed) are invited to make a video of themselves asking a coronavirus COVID-19 related question, and then submit the video to Rhode Island PBS. Instructions for submission are on the station’s Website, ripbs.org/kwtk.
Three new short films will be released each week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on the station’s Website and its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts @RhodeIslandPBS. The first episode in the series premiered Monday at noon. Upcoming episodes of Kids Want to Know will include Dr. Brian K. Alverson of Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and clinical social worker and therapist Meghan Farrelly.
Episodes will be 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 other times during the broadcast day. Episodes will also air throughout the day on WSBE Learn (digital 36.2; Cox 808, Verizon FiOS 478, Full Channel 989; Comcast 294 or 312).
About the “Kids Want to Know” Health Care Professionals
- Brian K. Alverson, M.D.Director of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Dr. Alverson is especially focused on providing evidence-based and compassionate therapy to hospitalized children, and holds a keen interest in the education of students and residents at Hasbro Children's Hospital. Dr. Alverson attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and trained in pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
- William D. Binder, M.D. A practitioner based at Brown Medicine in Providence, Dr. Binder is affiliated with Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital. He received his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Brown Medicine is one of the largest nonprofit, academic, multi-specialty medical groups in Rhode Island with practice locations in Providence and the surrounding communities.
- Meghan Farrelly, LICSW, BCD Ms. Farrelly is a clinical social worker and therapist, with a practice in East Providence. A graduate of Boston University and in practice for more than 10 years, Ms. Farrelly’s areas of specialty are anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.