Michele Pedicone, an assistant professor of respiratory therapy at Upstate

Respiratory therapist Michele Pedicone discusses the importance of ventilators and respiratory therapists who care for some patients infected with the coronavirus. She explains how respiratory therapists train for such work, such as through the four-year program offered through Upstate's College of Health Professions, where Pedicone is an assistant professor of respiratory therapy.

Note: If you are running a fever along with a cough or shortness of breath and are concerned about a possible coronavirus infection, contact your primary care doctor. If do not have a primary care doctor or are uninsured, call the Upstate COVID-19 hotline at 315-464-3979, and someone will tell you whether you should be tested. The number will be staffed from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. For questions about the disease, call the New York State Department of Health Coronavirus Hotline at 888-364-3065. Click here for COVID-19 information from Upstate.