Tuesday 24 November 2020 19:00
Thursday 26 November 2020 19:00
Wednesday 02 December 2020 19:00
Friday 04 December 2020 19:00
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) presents, in collaboration with sports' performance center "Sports Excellence" supervised scientifically by the Academic staff of the A’ Orthopedic Clinic of the Medical School of Athens, a series of lectures around the topic of the COVID-19 pandemic. All lectures will be broadcasted live from the Book Castle. A project implemented by the civil non-profit-making organization "Regeneration & Progress" and are realized thanks to the exclusive grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
You can watch the lectures live in Greek on the Facebook page @SNFCC and the SNFCC's YouTube channel.
You can actively participate in the discussion by asking your questions here.
Pandemic: The importance of diet and exercise
Recent epidemiological studies investigate the relation of obesity and Covid-19, showing that overweight and obese persons are more likely to transmit the virus and get hospitalized, as they develop a higher viral load. Thus, they are more likely to have underlying chronic diseases that make it harder to defeat the virus.
It is a well-known fact that diet and physical exercise are the weapons to fight obesity. The Covid-19 pandemic highlights the need to find ways to address that problem. Can an obese person, confined at home, start or continue a balanced diet and an exercise program? To what extent can this period be an incentive to improve our health?
Speakers: Maria Gianakoulia, Associate Professor of Dietetics, Harokopio University Grigorios Bogdanis, Professor of Classic Sports, PHED UoACoordinators: Harris Tsolakis, Professor PHED, Sports Programs Director SE Panagiotis Koulouvaris, Associate Professor of Orthopedics, Scientific Director SE
Tuesday 24/11 | 19.00-20.00
Pandemic: The limitation of our social life
Due to the challenging circumstances we experience every day, it is important to know exactly which are the causes and when it is necessary to limit our social life. The discussion "Pandemic: The limitation of our social life" will examine the health reasons that lead each time to the tightening of public health measures. In addition, the degree to which the restrictions applied in Greece differ from those in other countries will be discussed, as well as whether there is any connection in causes and results that we expect and desire.
Finally, answers will be discussed in questions such as: a) Is the limitation of our social life enough to deal with the current problems of the pandemic or should it be accompanied by additional measures? b) What are the consequences of social distancing, in addition to financial distress, on our physical and mental health? c) What is the role of volunteering, local government and health care providers in managing the negative effects of social distancing?
Speakers: Theodora Psaltopoulou, Professor of Epidemiology UoA Dimitris Paraskevis, Professor of Epidemiology UoA George Saroglou, Emeritus Professor of Pathology - Infectious Diseases, UoACoordinator: Panagiotis Halvatsiotis, Assistant Professor of Pathology UoA, Scientific Associate SE
Thursday 26/11 | 19.00-20.00
Pandemic: Mentally resistant during quarantine
Quarantine is one of the most effective ways to stop the virus spread, but at the same time triggers negative emotions, such as those of loneliness, sadness and anxiety. Through this lecture we learn about building our psychological resilience by resisting the negative emotions, while managing the stress and the reality surrounding us. We find appropriate ways and methods to experience more positive emotions in our daily lives and cultivate our social relations, keeping social distancing but at the same time maintaining social proximity. Sociability plays an important role in our mental health, so is important during this difficult period to keep it alert by strengthening our friendships and interpersonal relationships.
Speaker: Maria Psychountaki, Professor of Psychology - Sports Psychology, PHED UoACoordinators: Harris Tsolakis, Professor PHED UoA, Sports Programs Director SE Panagiotis Koulouvaris, Associate Professor of Orthopedics, Scientific Officer SE
Wednesday 2/12 19.00-20.00
Pandemic | The Covid-19 Vaccine: Challenges and Prospects
The day of vaccination against Covid-19 seems to be near. With the pandemic raging and more than 53 million infections by the coronavirus worldwide, and about 1.2 million deaths reported so far, the burning question remains: how soon will vaccines be available?
Major questions about the vaccine will be answered by the speakers, such as: a) Why are there vaccines that offer such strong immunity, ie up to 90%? b) Why does the U.S. Food and Drug Administration require only a 50% effectiveness in order for a vaccine to get approved? In addition, the role of the World Health Organization will be discussed, along with the implementation planning, the effectiveness, the duration of protection and dosage of vaccination regardless of the demographic characteristics, and also the time needed to limit the transmission of the virus.
Speakers: Garyfallia Poulakou, Assistant Professor of Infectious Pathology, UoA Maria Gazouli, Professor of Biology at the Medical School of AthensCoordinator: Panagiotis Halvatsiotis, Assistant Professor of Pathology UoA, Research Associate SE
Friday 4/12 19.00-20.00
Pandemic: Nutrition during the quarantine
The situation we are currently in has lead to a socioeconomic crisis, which often has an adverse effect on nutritional habits, resulting in malnourishment, as well as in increased food insecurity. The quarantine period may also negatively impact psychosocial health, with long-term effects on diet and health, increasing or decreasing calorie intake. It has not been confirmed which specific mechanisms of the socioeconomic and psychosocial conditions interact with the biological systems that control the homeostasis of weight. Both conditions may lead to an increase in obesity, while recent data shows that people of all ages eat less healthily. Access to healthy foods, maintaining a healthy diet and getting adequate exercise during this period are all challenges we face.
Speakers: Anastasia Kilomvotsiou, Dietician - Nutritionist, associate at Sports Excellence Antonis Zambelas, Professor, Agricultural University of Athens
Coordinators: Panagiotis Koulouvaris, Assistant Professor of Orthopedics, Scientific director at Sports Excellence Haris Tsolakis, Professor, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Sports' programs coordinator at Sports Excellence
Tuesday 08/12 | 19.00-20.00
Pandemic: Malignancies, immunotherapy, obesity, the food chain, and Covid-19
In this lecture, we will examine issues relevant to the prognosis of Covid-19 infection in patients with malignancies or undergoing immunotherapy, as well as the impact of obesity and diabetes on the development of the disease. Finally, we will discuss the extent to which the food chain is safe, and whether the animals bred at meat and poultry farms might be at risk of spreading the disease.
Speakers: Antonis Skoutelis, Emeritus Professor of Pathology - Infectious Diseases, University of Patra Aristotelis Bamias, Professor of Pathology - Oncology, University of Athens
Coordinators: Panagiotis Halvatsiotis, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Scientific Associate at Sports Excellence
Thursday 10/12 | 19.00-20.00
Pandemic: Parents, athletes-students: Harmonious coexistence
Sports can be beneficial to young people in the development of numerous physical and mental strengths. That being said, the combination of sports activities and school obligations can be difficult and demanding. What happens, however, during this time, when sports activities are cancelled? How does it affect the everyday lives of young people, and their families? This lecture will look at the ways in which we can achieve balance between school life and sports, helping to develop certain skills, such as resilience, which can serve as important tools, especially during the current circumstances. We will also have the opportunity to explore how parents and coaches can help to preserve that balance, and how they can support the young people in accepting the cancellation of sports events, without losing sight of their dreams. Speakers: Vangelis Vertopoulos, Sports Psychologist Spyros Gianniotis, Olympic medalist, Rio 2016
Tuesday 15/12 | 19.00-20.00
Pandemic: Covid-19 infection in pregnancy, children and teenagers
In this lecture, we will discuss Covid-19 infection during pregnancy, and its potential impact on both mother and baby. Is breastfeeding out of the question? In addition, we will talk about the infection in children and teenagers.
Speakers: Sofia Kalantaridou, Professor of Obstetrics - Gynecology, University of Athens Anna Daskalaki, Director, National Health Service, Pediatrician - Neonatologist Athanasios Mihos, Associate Professor of Pediatrics - Infectious Diseases, University of Athens
Thursday 17/12 | 19.00-20.00
Project Coordination Team: Panagiotis Koulouvaris, Assistant Professor in Orthopedics, Scientific director at Sports Excellence Haris Tsolakis, Professor, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Sports' programs coordinator at Sports Excellence Panagiotis Halvatsiotis, Assistant Professor in Pathology, Scientific Associate at Sports Excellence Theodoros Daviotis, Director of Mass Sports programs at Regeneration & Progress NGO
SNFCC provides a platform for discussion and ideas' development, but the views expressed are those of the speaker.
There will be simultaneous interpretation in Greek Sign Language.
