The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Bermuda and the world of science is up for discussion next week at Bermuda College’s Roche Science Public Forum,

Five Bermudian scientists will explore the toll Covid-19 has taken on the island’s society, environment and economy in a free virtual public panel talk next Wednesday.

Amy Harvey, the chairwoman of the Roche Science event, said the college wanted to look into the pandemic’s effects on Bermuda’s “three pillars of sustainability”.

Sandy De Silva, Shaina Kelly, Tucker Murphy, Phillippe Rouja and Craig Simmons will explore the blow from the pandemic to their respective disciplines of public health, the environment and next steps for rebuilding the island’s economy.

Alnisha Simmons, the college’s senior biology lecturer, said: “From the multidisciplinary panel, we hope to gain insight on how Bermuda can plan ahead to deal with the aftermath of Covid-19.”

The college is also creating lab kits for the island’s participating middle schools to investigate the health merits of handwashing.

Students will be provided with reusable bottles to make hand sanitiser and shown how to analyse bacterial growth on agar dishes.

2020 marked the 25th anniversary of the relationship between Bermuda College and Bermuda-based Corange Ltd.

The company became Roche and decided to rebrand Science Week and the college’s science centre as part of its celebrations – which had to be cancelled because of the pandemic.

Log-in details for the virtual panel discussion can be found at http://bit.ly/3orM2WN, and on the College website at www.college.bm