Kids Want to Know
At Rhode Island PBS, we know kids. We also know kids have questions. Especially now. So, we listened to their questions and found the right answers.
In the Rhode Island PBS short film series, Kids Want to Know (KWTK), teens and children ask questions about the coronavirus COVID-19 and medical professionals and educators provide thoughtful, informative answers. Read more here.
*Please note: some of the Kids Want to Know segments include children of our Rhode Island PBS staff and extended family.
Visit health.ri.gov for the latest news about COVID-19 in Rhode Island.
episode 127
In this episode, Dr. Tanuja Gandhi, a child psychiatrist at Bradley Hospital, offers advice to children who are nervous about going outside again as restrictions loosen.
episode 126
In this episode, Dr. Tanuja Gandhi, a child psychiatrist at Bradley Hospital, offers advice to children dealing with the grief of losing a loved one to COVID-19.
episode 125
In this episode, Abbey (age 15) asks for the best resource on COVID-19 facts. Dr. Brian Alverson, director of Pediatric Medicine at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, answers. Lili (age 7) asks if it's safe to ride her bike with a neighborhood friend. Dr. Rebecca Brown of Roger Williams Medical Center answers.
episode 124
In this episode, Dr. Tanuja Gandhi, a child psychiatrist at Bradley Hospital, responds to frustrations from children over how involved their parents have become in their daily routines since the quarantine.
episode 123
In this episode, Dr. Tanuja Gandhi, a child psychiatrist at Bradley Hospital, offers children ways to express feelings of sadness and anxiety during the pandemic.
episode 122
In this episode, Dr. Tanuja Gandhi, a child psychiatrist at Bradley Hospital, responds to concerns from children about the health of their grandparents during the pandemic.
episode 121
In this episode, Dr. Tanuja Gandhi, a child psychiatrist at Bradley Hospital, responds to feelings of frustration and sadness from children over being stuck at home and offers ways to remain socially connected.
episode 120
In this episode, Dr. Tanuja Gandhi, a child psychiatrist at Bradley Hospital, responds to questions and concerns from children surrounding the use of social media during the pandemic.
episode 119
In this episode, Finn (age 13) asks which states have the most and least COVID-19 cases and what can be learned from them. Dr. William D. Binder, a physician specializing in Emergency Medicine, and affiliated with Rhode Island and Miriam Hospitals in Providence, answers.
episode 118
In this episode, Skylar asks if you can catch coronavirus from a package in the mail. Dr. William D. Binder, a physician specializing in Emergency Medicine, and affiliated with Rhode Island and Miriam Hospitals in Providence, answers. Alex asks how the coronavirus got here from China. Dr. Brian Alverson, director of Pediatric Medicine at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, answers.
epsiode 117
In this episode, Tess (age 14) asks what differentiates a vaccine from a cure and which we need more. Dr. Brian Alverson, director of Pediatric Medicine at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, answers. Jasmine (age 13) asks what's stopping doctors from making a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. William D. Binder, a physician specializing in Emergency Medicine, answers.
episode 116
In this episode, Juliet (age 15) asks what support systems exist for people struggling with mental health issues during quarantine. Dr. Rebecca Brown of Roger Williams Medical Center answers.
Kids' Link RI is a hotline for children in emotional crisis. If you or a child you know is experiencing excessive sadness or anxiety, call 1-855-543-5465.
episode 115
In this episode, Louis (age 8) asks how coronavirus began. Dr. Rebecca Brown of Roger Williams Medical Center answers. Kyle (age 15) asks what herd immunity means. Dr. Brian Alverson, director of Pediatric Medicine at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, answers.
episode 114
In this episode, Giovanni (age 11) asks if you can catch COVID-19 again after recovering. Dr. Brian Alverson, director of Pediatric Medicine at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, answers. Anthony (age 11) asks when it will be safe to play with friends again. Dr. William D. Binder, a physician specializing in Emergency Medicine, and affiliated with Rhode Island and Miriam Hospitals, answers.
episode 113
In this episode, VJ (age 9) asks if children can transmit COVID-19. Dr. Brian Alverson, director of Pediatric Medicine at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, answers. Violet (age 8) asks if the coronavirus will be around in the summer. Dr. Rebecca Brown of Roger Williams Medical Center answers.
episode 112
In this episode, Jack (age 16) asks how effective a vaccine would be at keeping the coronavirus from returning. Dr. Brian Alverson, director of Pediatric Medicine at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, answers. Indira (age 11) asks if the coronavirus can be transmitted by water. Dr. Rebecca Brown of Roger Williams Medical Center answers.
episode 111
In this episode, Braedan (age 11) asks how COVID-19 spreads so easily. Dr. William Binder of the Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital answers. Clara (age 11) asks who picks numbers like "six feet apart" and "14 days in quarantine." Dr. Rebecca Brown of Roger Williams Medical Center answers.
episode 110
In this episode, Vincent (age 11) asks if little league baseball will resume in June. And Ali (age 6 and a half) asks if there is anything kids can do to help others in need. Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo answers.
episode 109
In this episode, Matheus (age 10) asks what happens to children who do not have Chromebooks but have to do online learning. Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Angélica Infante-Green responds.
episode 108
Sage (age 16) is wondering if distance learning will continue through the end of the 2020 school year. Answering is Angélica Infante-Green, Rhode Island Commissioner of Education.
episode 107
Charlie (age 11) wants to know how doctors are protecting themselves while treating COVID-19 patients. Answering is Dr. William D. Binder.
episode 106
Emmanuel (age 9) wants to know how the doctors plan to stop COVID-19. Answering is Dr. Rebecca Brown.
episode 105
Juliet (age 15) notes a tiger in the Bronx Zoo contracted COVID-19 and asks if that means animals can contract it now. Answering is Dr. Brian Alverson.
episode 104
Skylar asks about the safety of packages received in the mail; Jake asks when sports might start back up; Robert asks if the virus might come back again once it is gone. Dr. William D. Binder, Dr. Brian Alverson and Dr. Rebecca Brown provide the answers.
episode 103
Ava (age 18) asks how will we identify when we can stop self-isolation; Montana (age 9) asks how long did the disease go unnoticed; Lillianne (age 7) asks whether it is OK to ride her bike with a neighborhood friend. Dr. William D. Binder, Dr. Brian Alverson and Dr. Rebecca Brown provide the answers.
episode 102
Helen (age 15) asks why the death toll in China is lower than the number of deaths in Italy, when China is more densely populated; Nadia (age 18) asks what happens to COVID-19 patients with no health insurance; Phoenix (age 13) asks how hard it is to access testing. Dr. Brian Alverson, Dr. William D. Binder and Dr. Rebecca Brown provide the answers.
episode 101
Alex (age 14) asking how long this will last; Layla (age 15) asks what a government lock-down might look like; Jackson (age 15) asks how COVID-19 might affect interaction with our pets. Providing the answers is Dr. William D. Binder.
About the “Kids Want to Know” Health Care Professionals
Brian K. Alverson, M.D. - Director of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Dr. Alverson is especially focused on providing evidence-based and compassionate therapy to hospitalized children, and holds a keen interest in the education of students and residents at Hasbro Children's Hospital. Dr. Alverson attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and trained in pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
William D. Binder, M.D. - A practitioner based at Brown Medicine in Providence, Dr. Binder is affiliated with Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital. He received his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Brown Medicine is one of the largest nonprofit, academic, multi-specialty medical groups in Rhode Island with practice locations in Providence and the surrounding communities.
Rebecca M Brown, M.D. - Specializes in geriatric medicine, and has more than 20 years of experience in geriatrics and internal medicine. She graduated with honors from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She is affiliated with Roger Williams Medical Center, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, and The Miriam Hospital, and cooperates with doctors and specialists in the medical group Prospect Chartercare RWMC, LLC.
Tanuja P. Gandhi, M.D. - Specializing in child psychiatry, Dr. Gandhi is a primary affiliate of Bradley Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, and Hasbro Children's Hospital. She graduated from the Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences in Bangalore, India, and has completed several fellowships with Yale New Haven Hospital. Dr. Gandhi is a long-term partner of the Rhode Island Lifespan network.
Carla Martin, M.D. - A first generation Honduran-American, Dr. Martin is doubly boarded in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and takes care of children and adults. A graduate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, she works at Providence Community Health Centers and has always been committed to caring for underserved populations. She teaches first year medical students and graduate students at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and mentors underrepresented minority students.