Image - Michael Lewis, Priscilla Chan and Joe DeRisi: The Pandemic Premonition
Past Event

Michael Lewis, Priscilla Chan and Joe DeRisi: The Pandemic Premonition

At the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, with a slow government response to a rapidly escalating crisis, doctors and scientists were ready to take bold action to keep our communities safe. Dr. Joe DeRisi, co-president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, and Dr. Priscilla Chan, co-founder and co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, moved quickly to significantly increase COVID-19 testing capacity throughout California and provide free whole-genome sequencing and analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to all California departments of public health. Both actions would prove critical to understanding the number of cases in our communities and identifying clusters of linked transmission events throughout the state.

Now, master storyteller Michael Lewis, author of bestsellers The Blind Side, Moneyball and The Big Short, is celebrating medical visionaries like DeRisi, who pioneered swift and effective measures to combat COVID-19. His newest book, The Premonition: A Pandemic Story, highlights the brave doctors and scientists who led through fact and refused to be deterred by misinformation or willful ignorance. These are the unsung heroes whose work flew under the radar until now.

Join us for a conversation with Lewis, DeRisi, and Chan to hear untold stories from the battle against COVID-19 and learn how this important work is continuing to shape our collective future as we emerge from this public health crisis.

Notes

This is a free, online-only program; please pre-register to receive a link to the livestream event.

We welcome any donations made during registration to support the production of our online programming.

First 100 registrants will receive a copy of Michael Lewis's new book, The Premonition: A Pandemic Story. Additional copies can be purchased at checkout (U.S. shipping only).

This program is made free to the public by underwriting support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Thanks to their support, the first 100 ticketholders will each receive one complimentary copy of Michael Lewis’ book Premonition. Books will be sent to address provided at checkout (domestic U.S. address only).

June 16, 2021

United States

Speakers
Image - Michael Lewis

Michael Lewis

Author, The Premonition: A Pandemic Story

Image - Priscilla Chan

Dr. Priscilla Chan

Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Image - Joe DeRisi

Dr. Joe DeRisi

Co-President, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub,

Image - DJ Patil

In Conversation with DJ Patil

Ph.D, Former U.S. Chief Data Scientist; Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs; Member, Commonwealth Club Board of Governors