The #LCSM Chat on November 5, 2020, at 8 pm Eastern (5 pm Pacific) is open to all members of the cancer community.

As the leaves turns, daylight hours lessen, and the weather becomes cooler, we spend more time indoors. Our thoughts turn to holidays, a time when many expect to reunite with family and loved ones, and to celebrate with shared meals and warm embraces. However, as cases of COVID-19 are once again surging in almost every state, these activities present a serious risk for virus transmission.  COVID-19 is an even greater risk is for the lung cancer community, given the increased likelihood of severe disease and heightened mortality for lung cancer patients who contract COVID-19.

Thankfully, the pandemic does not mean we need to completely cancel our holiday celebrations. With advanced planning and knowledge of prudent precautions, we can take action to ensure a safe and COVID-19-free holiday season.

The Centers for Disease Control and other health experts have recently posted suggestions online and in the media for indoor activities and celebrating the holidays during this pandemic.  On November 5, 2020, at 8 pm Eastern time (5 pm Pacific), #LCSM Chat and the lung cancer community will discuss some of these suggestions with special guests Upal Basu Roy, PhD, MPH, Executive Vice President of Research at LUNGevity Foundation, and Amy Moore, PhD, (@acmoorephd) Director of Science & Research at GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer.  Dr. Basu Roy is responsible for setting strategy and overseeing LUNGevity’s scientific research awards programs, and has a background in cancer research and public health. Dr. Moore is a trained virologist and cancer scientist, and is a key member of an NCI-funded, multi-institutional effort led by Mt. Sinai that is studying the intersection of COVID-19 and lung cancer. Both have worked closely with lung cancer patients and researchers, and as lung cancer advocates.

 Our moderator Janet Freeman-Daily (@JFreemanDaily) will lead the discussion with these questions:

• T1: What have we learned over the past 8 months about how COVID-19 is transmitted?
• T2: How can people reduce the risk of COVID-19 during outdoor activities?
• T3: How can people reduce the risk of COVID-19 when travel is involved? What about travel to or from hot spots?
• T4: How safe is it to meet with family and friends who had COVID-19 and recovered?
• T5: How can people reduce the risk of COVID-19 for indoor activities (shopping, dining in restaurants, family gatherings, worship services, etc.)?

Please join us, and bring your experiences and wisdom!  Remember to include #LCSM in ALL your tweets so the other chat participants can see them. You can read a primer on participating in the chat here.