Mónica Feliú-Mójer, Ph.D.
Scientist | Science Communicator | Public Speaker | Diversity & Inclusion Advocate
- COVID-19 EffortsHighlights of COVID-19-related science communication and advocacy efforts I have been leading or engaging in, mainly in my role as the Director of Communications for CienciaPR. The majority of the efforts are in Spanish and include serving as editor-in-chief for an op-ed and popular science articles campaign, connecting Puerto Rican scientists with national and international media outlets, doing TV, radio, podcast and media interviews, creating resources for journalists, and writing op-eds, among others.
OP-ED, SCIENCE ARTICLES & MEDIA INTERVIEWS
I have guided almost 60 members of the CienciaPR network in the publication of more than 80 Spanish-language articles about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. I established a collaboration with the morning radio show Sin Tapujos on WIAC 740AM Radio, where experts from our network go on air at least once a week to discuss topics related to the pandemic from a scientific perspective. I have also coordinated or facilitated more than 70 Spanish-language radio, TV, podcast, and press interviews with scientists and experts who are members of the CienciaPR network. You can learn more about the story behind some these efforts in this NPR interview (in English). You can read, watch or listen most of the content HERE (in Spanish).
CUÍDATE, CUÍDAME CAMPAIGN
In September 2020, the Puerto Rico Public Health Trust (PRPHT), Ciencia Puerto Rico (CienciaPR), and the humanitarian organization Mercy Corps Puerto Rico, launched the "Cuídate, Cuídame" (Take care of yourself, Take care of me) campaign to encourage young adults between 20-39 years of age (who have consistently had the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Puerto Rico) to adopt healthy behaviors to minimize their risk of infection. I am one of the organizers of the campaign. You can find and download all the campaign's content HERE.
SOCIAL MEDIA & PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
"Cuídate, Cuídame" includes a series of social media posts for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and public service announcements published in newspapers and aired on TV.
CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN SCIENTISTS AND INFLUENCERS
"Cuídate, Cuídame" features a series of virtual "Conversations about COVID-19", which brings together renowned media and sports personalities and social media influencers, with science and public health experts to discuss various COVID-19 topics and practical ways to coexist safely with the coronavirus.
COVID-19 in the media (October 13, 2020) Science communication expert Dr. Mónica Feliú-Mójer and political analyst Luis Herrero discussed how COVID-19 has been communicated in the media, how to spot fake news and more.
Children and COVID-19 (September 24, 2020) Biochemist and COVID-19 testing expert Dr. Marcos López Casillas and children's character El Trotamundos chatted about how COVID-19 affects children and how to protect them from the coronavirus.
Sports and COVID-19 (September 16, 2020) Infectious disease expert Dr. Marcos Ramos Benítez and former MLB player Carlos Delgado spoke about how to play sports and exercise safely during the pandemic, and when professional leagues might return.
Travel and COVID-19 (September 3, 2020) Molecular biologist Dr. Marieli González Cotto and Latinx travel blogger Wilson Santiago discussed when and how we might be able to travel safely during and after the pandemic.
RESOURCES FOR JOURNALISTS
On May 11, 2020, I hosted an informational session for journalists in Puerto Rico (in Spanish) featuring presentations and a Q&A with experts in SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. I also led the development of this document (in Spanish), answering 24 FAQs about SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, testing and contact tracing.
Retos éticos, bioéticos y periodísticos frente a un nuevo virus (Ethical, bioethical and journalistic challenges against a new virus) (May 7, 2020). I participated of the Foro Virtual Hispanoamericano de Periodismo Científico (Virtual Hispanic-American Forum on Science Journalism) in a panel where we discussed how to deal with the ethical and journalistic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
TV
COVID-19 en/in Puerto Rico (June 7, 2020) Muévete (Radio Isla y TeleOro)
Uso de las pruebas para COVID-19 (COVID-19 Tests)(May 5, 2020) Noticias Telemundo
Verdades y mentiras acerca del coronavirus (Truth and Lies About the Coronavirus) (April 20, 2020) Noticias Telemundo
Recomendaciones para protegernos del contagio de COVID-19 (Recommendations to Protect Ourselves Against the Coronavirus) (April 8, 2020) Noticias Telemundo
La "curva del coronavirus" necesita aplanarse (We Need to Flatten the Coronavirus Curve) (March 20, 2020) Noticias Telemundo
WRITINGS
- The Government of Puerto Rico’s Main Strategies During COVID-19: Ineptitude, Misinformation and Secrecy (April 19, 2020) Latino Rebels
- Faltan datos y transparencia ante la pandemia de COVID-19 (Data and transparency are lacking in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic) (April 2, 2020) El Nuevo Día
QUOTED/MENTIONED
- Puerto Rico scraps pandemic safe sex campaign amid criticism (October 27, 2020) The Associated Press
- Distrust of authority fuels misinformation for Latinos (Coronavirus: abunda la desinformación en comunidades hispanas) (August 13, 2020) The Associated Press
- Pruebas rápida y falsos negativos: las estrategias de Perú y Puerto Rico frente al COVID-19 (Rapid Tests and False Negatives: the strategies of Puerto Rico and Perú against COVID-19) (August 9, 2020) Centro de Periodismo Investigativo
- El gobierno lo que ha hecho es recurrir a excusas (What the Government has Done is Find Excuses) (July 25, 2020) Claridad
- "Seguimos teniendo un berenjenal de datos" sobre COVID-19 (COVID-19 Data in Puerto Rico is Still a Mess) (June 11. 2020) Noticel
RADIO & PODCAST
Agenda Propia (May 25, 2020) Interview with the Center for Investigative Journalism's "Agenda Propia" on Radio Isla, fact-checking statements made by the Puerto Rico Secretary of Health about coronavirus immunity and vaccine.
Of Earthquakes and Pandemics (May 4, 2020) English-language interview with Latino Rebels Radio about the COVID-19 pandemic, the 5.4 earthquake that struck southern Puerto Rico on May 2, and how the government has responded to these emergencies.
Puerto Ricans Are At Risk From The Coronavirus And A Lack Of Information (April 7, 2020) English-language interview with NPR's Short Wave podcast about CienciaPR's efforts to provide timely and culturally relevant COVID-19 public health and science information in Spanish for Puerto Ricans.
- Ahora con Damaris Suárez (Now with Damaris Suárez) (September 23, 2020) Radio Isla 1320AM
- Recomendaciones para la próxima orden ejecutiva (Recommendations for the Next Executive Order) (September 8, 2020) Sin Tapujos, WIAC 740AM Radio
- Repunte de casos de COVID-19 en Puerto Rico (Spike of COVID-19 Cases in Puerto Rico) (July 13, 2020) Sin Tapujos, WIAC 740AM Radio
FACEBOOK LIVE, YOUTUBE & OTHER DIGITAL PLATFORMS
Foro Virtual: Vacunación contra COVID-19 (Virtual Forum: COVID-19 Vaccine) (October 22, 2020) VOCES: Coalición de Vacunación y Promoción de la Salud
Cómo eventos catastróficos impactan a la comunicación de la ciencia (How Catastrophic Events Impact Science Communication) (September 23, 2020) Vistazo a la Ciencia
#NosotrosPodemos (Together We Can) August 24, 2020) Public Service Announcement Campaign
Mitos y verdades sobre el desarrollo de la vacuna contra COVID-19 (Myths and Truths About the Development of a COVID-19 Vaccine) (August 11, 2020) Mente Abierta
#CienciaBoricua antes, durante y después de la pandemia (Puerto Rican Science before, during and after the pandemic) (July 23, 2020) Vistazo a la Ciencia
Scientists and the News Cycle: What Role Can We Play? (May 27, 2020) Papa PhD Podcast
Recomendaciones para combatir la desinformación sobre COVID-19 (Addressing Misinformation) (April 14, 2020) Caminos en Ciencia
