Watch recorded live: COVID-19 Q&A livestream with Drs. David Pate & Tommy Ahlquist

Watch this recorded Q&A with Dr. David Pate and Dr. Tommy Ahlquist as they answered questions about the coronavirus delta variant, booster shots, masks in schools, vaccine hesitancy, more.

Learn more about COVID-19 in Idaho and our nation on our COVID content page.

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As summer began, the economy opened back up after more than a year of pandemic consequences. But before Idaho could even take a breath, the coronavirus made a comeback in the form of the new variant causing concern and controversy.

It is driving nearly all of the new COVID cases and related deaths.

The delta coronavirus variant first was identified in Great Britain and India in December 2020. In short order, it became the dominant strain there. It hit the U.S. in June, and because it is more contagious than the original coronavirus, and because so many Idahoans refuse to be vaccinated, it is spreading quickly in the Gem State.

We know you have questions, so, we felt it was time to turn to our COVID-19 experts, Dr. David Pate and Dr. Tommy Ahlquist for another question-and-answer session.

Both Pate and Ahlquist have been working on our state’s pandemic response — Pate as part of the Governor’s Coronavirus Working Group and advisor to multiple entities, including West Ada School District; Ahlquist as the co-founder of the Crush the Curve Idaho and Vaccinate 208 initiatives.

Pate also recently co-authored a book, “Preparing for the Next Pandemic: Lessons, Stories and Recommendations,” (Johns Hopkins University Press), with Dr. Ted Epperly, who served on the Central District Health Board for 15 years.

Dr. David Pate, retired CEO of St. Luke’s Health Care System.

Dr. Tommy Ahlquist, former emergency room physician, co-founder of Crush the Curve Idaho.

Chadd Cripe, Idaho Statesman editor and panel moderator.

This story was originally published August 9, 2021 at 11:19 AM.