From the doctor's office to the small screen: Who are these medical experts we see on TV every day?
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seemed like every week brought a new rule, restriction or piece of legislation meant to help curb the spread of the virus. For many, this led to confusion about what was allowed, what wasn’t—and why.
To help make sense of what was happening—media organizations brought in doctors and experts in the field of epidemiology and infectious diseases to explain everything in terms everyone could understand.
These medical experts became celebrity-like, serving as trusted sources of information for people having a hard time navigating the political rhetoric and the constantly changing information.
In episode 3 of Life Unmasked, host Ashley Legassic speaks with three such “TV doctors” about what the last year and a half has been like.
Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti, an infectious diseases physician at Trillium Health Partners, talks about his first time experiencing a pandemic in 2009 with H1N1 and what it was like to be a consistent voice on CTV News when it came to COVID-19.
Life Unmasked also speaks with family physician Dr. Jennifer Kwan, who has racked up more than 70,000 Twitter followers since she started posting crucial COVID-19 data on the platform.
Finally, the team speaks with Dr. Susy Hota, the medical director for infection prevention and control at the University Health Network, who says that being a trusted source of information throughout a pandemic is an immense responsibility.
Life Unmasked airs first on the iHeart app every Thursday morning before becoming available on other streaming platforms. If you have questions for the podcast team, or an idea for an episode, please email lifeunmasked@bellmedia.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.