The ACR has developed six special sessions for those looking to learn more about COVID-19 and are offering them as part of the new all-inclusive, All-Access Pass as well as through the convenient COVID-19 Pass. These high-value sessions will feature important insights into the current pandemic and are designed both for rheumatologists as well as healthcare professionals from other specialties. The cost of the COVID-19 Pass is only $150 for the six sessions, which can be viewed at the times listed below or anytime on demand until March 11, 2021.
ACR Secretary Kenneth Saag, MD, MSc, said that the ACR has created several task forces developing guidance and position statements to help rheumatologists and their patients deal with COVID-19. The literature evolves dramatically and rapidly right now, and much of it involves understanding immunology and repurposing existing therapies that target immune response.
The six sessions are a natural evolution about knowledge that’s important to rheumatologists. They feature well-known speakers like Anthony S. Fauci, MD, ACR Master and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and cover topics that lead to better identification, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19.
Dr. Saag said that this year’s COVID-19 Pass could lead to more efforts at future meetings to reach outside rheumatology and engage others with education from the rheumatology perspective.
“There are many other topics besides COVID that have overlapping interests with rheumatology,” Dr. Saag said. “This is a way to bring to the public the importance of what we do in rheumatology and provide broader-based education beyond the primary audience of rheumatologists.”
The six sessions are:
COVID-19 Around the World: Impact on Rheumatology
Friday, Nov. 6 | 4 – 5 p.m. ET
Get the latest data from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Registry, including risk factors for poor patient outcomes. Also learn about emerging risk-stratification and management guidelines and the effect of immunomodulating and immunosuppressive medications on patient susceptibility to COVID-19.
COVID-19: Special Lecture from Dr. Anthony Fauci
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 4 – 5 p.m. ET
Anthony S. Fauci, MD, ACR Master and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), will give a live presentation. Dr. Fauci delivered the 2017 ACR Keynote Lecture on vaccine development during epidemics.
Pediatric COVID-19 Hyper-Inflammation: Decipher Clues & Enhance Collaborations
Sunday, Nov. 8 | 4 – 5 p.m. ET
Italian rheumatologist Angelo Ravelli, MD, will describe the European experience with COVID-associated inflammation, and Mary Beth Son, MD, will share the North American experience and utilization of existing ACR guidance for severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
COVID-19: Developing a Vaccine During a Pandemic
Sunday, Nov. 8 | 5 – 6 p.m. ET
Harnessing methods they developed to design vaccines against Zika, Ebola, HIV, and other viruses, Dan Barouch , MD, PhD, and his research team used a remodeled adenovirus to prime the immune system to the COVID-19 spike protein. Dr. Barouch will lead participants through the vaccine development journey.
Impact of a Worldwide Pandemic: Physical Rehab Needs Post-COVID-19 & Psychosocial Implications for Patients
Monday, Nov. 9 | 10 – 11 a.m. ET
A growing cadre of survivors has shown chronic illnesses such as cognitive problems, malaise, and other generalized and specific issues that require physical rehabilitation. This ARP lecture will explain current treatment guidelines for physical rehabilitation and evidence-based interventions to help patients enhance their resilience and restore emotional wellness.
Repurposing Medications for the COVID-19 Pandemic: Basic Science Symposium
Monday, Nov. 9 | 4 – 5 p.m. ET
This session will explain how large panels of already existing chemical compounds are screened for possible use as medications for the current COVID-19 pandemic and the rationale for repurposing existing compounds that include medications currently used for other indications. The speakers will also look at the rationale for trials in COVID-19 infected patients of antibodies that block IL-1 and IL-6 and JNK inhibitors that are now in common use for RA.