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EDITOR’S LETTER

Would it surprise you to know that there are over 25 billion chickens in the world? They outnumber any other bird species. If all the chickens on earth were evenly distributed among our population, every person would have at least three chickens each. I imagine many people reading this note will quickly say, “There is no way I would ever own chickens!” Two months ago, I would have agreed with you. But while my family has been “cooped up” during this COVID-19 quarantine, my wife shared her longtime desire to have a chicken coop, raise hens, and harvest her own farm fresh eggs.

If this feathered fantasy had been presented to me at any other time, I would have most likely declined the request citing a lack of available time or interest. But in our current state, a coronavirus construction project seemed like a great escape!

But like most do-it-yourself plans, what I originally thought would be a minimal, but much-needed distraction, quickly turned into a mammoth undertaking.

Speaking of massive, did you know that chickens actually evolved from dinosaurs, and are the closest living relatives of the magnificent Tyrannosaurus Rex? Birds (aka – chickens) are the one lineage of dinosaurs that survived the mass extinction 65 million years ago. The chicken is definitely the most primitive of any bird species and is more ‘dinosaur-like” than any other modern bird. Granted, I’ve only been a hen handler for a few weeks, but just watching our broody hens run around with their distinctive gait, making their signature noises, it is not hard to image their relationship to the ancient Velociraptor.

I apologize for the random fowl facts, but I’ve grown a particular fondness for them. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has found unsuspected positives in the midst of a seemingly negative situation. I believe that we have all found ourselves stretched to find a new normal lately, and in doing so have often been happily surprised with the outcome. That is exactly what the theme of this Saline County Lifestyles - 12th Anniversary Edition highlights: “Conquering COVID – Prevailing a Pandemic.” I believe you will be encouraged as we focus on the positives, moving forward together as a stronger whole. Your town. Your life. Your magazine.

2020 Volume 13, Issue 3

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Josh Elrod

jelrod@ignite-mediagroup.com

ART DIRECTOR Krystal Neuhofel krystal@salinecountylifestyles.com

CONTRIBUTORS Contributing Writers Dennia Beard Carolyn Buckner Ed Buckner Charles Crowson Brent Davis Justin Elrod Jillian Jacuzzi Dr. Robert Lai Ashley Leopolus Marietta McClure Dr. Sam Taggart Jason White

IDEAS/COMMENTS If you have a story idea or comment, please email us at: feedback@salinecountylifestyles.com

ADVERTISING

JOSH ELROD Publisher & Editor

If you are interested in advertising in Saline County Lifestyles please email us at: info@ignite-mediagroup.com Saline County Lifestyles is published by:

Ignite Media Group P.O. Box 861 Bryant, AR 72089 www.salinecountylifestyles.com Articles should not be considered specific advice as circumstances vary per individual. Advertised products and/or services are not necessarily endorsed by Ignite Media Group.

2 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

CONTENTS A SILVER LINING TO THE COVID CLOUD

NOTES FROM DR SAM

WEATHER UPDATE

FITNESS TIPS

04 07 08 12

A NEW KIND OF LEARNING

BUSINESS AS [NOT SO] USUAL

QUARENTINE MEMES THE PANDEMICS OF RURAL ARKANSAS

ON THE FRONT LINE QUARENTINE [RE]IMAGINE

HEALTH UPDATE

MyFarmers.Bank

INSURANCE INSIGHT

FAITH FOCUS

TIME TO FIX THE ROOF

14 18 20 22 30 34 36 38 40 42

#SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 3

A Silver Lining to the COVID Cloud

4 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

7,602 miles away from Saline County, a microscopic virus so small that 8,000 of them can fit on the head of a pin spread from the first infected person to our community and every corner of the world in a matter of weeks. The impact on every aspect of our day-to-day existence is difficult to adequately explain, describe or quantify. Words fail.

There is no frame of reference on what to expect or do. There are no roadmaps, procedures or protocols to address the uncertainty when information we are learning about the novel coronavirus seems to change daily.

So what does this county do when faced with tough times?

That’s easy. We pull together, put on our thinking caps and do the hard work. We find ways to make it better. We move forward.

This time, while different from any other we have faced in our nation’s history, people throughout our county adapted. Most of all, out leaders stepped up.

The decisions weren’t easy. Some weren’t popular. But with a wider perspective and the goal of mitigating the spread, at the time of this writing, Saline County has 68 positive cases and 1 death compared to 1,182,615 positive cases and 68,247 deaths across the United States.

January 21, 2020 was the date of the first reported case of the novel coronavirus in the United States.

Less than two months later on March 11, the first case was confirmed in Arkansas. As the numbers began to spike over the coming weeks, several states imposed orders for residents to stay at home. In Arkansas, Governor Asa Hutchison did not choose this course of action while the states on our borders did. Instead, targeted closings and restrictions were put into place in attempts to limit face-to-face interactions. Social distancing became the norm with the expectation that individuals stay six feet apart from each other.

Shortly afterward, schools were closed. Some businesses closed while others adapted to what everyone was calling “the new normal.” For public

policy makers, it was time to make decisions based on local needs.

Saline County Judge Jeff Arey started discussions beginning in February.

“I started having conversations with Saline County Office of Emergency Director Brandon Guillot and Deputy Director Austin Walls.” said Judge Arey. “Those conversations were more ‘what if ’ scenarios that at that time seemed a little farfetched. They led us to start having meetings with the different county offices to make sure we had plans and protocols in place to be able to continue to offer public services while keeping the public and county employees safe. It was early on, so it was hard to imagine that Arkansas would really be impacted, but everyone agreed we needed to be prepared.”

With schools no longer in session, the concern became the possibility of the youth of our county gathering at each other’s homes or public parks, therefore increasing the probability of spreading the virus. After weeks of discussions, an order was issued

by Judge Arey to prohibit youth in county areas from leaving their home without adult supervision.

According to Judge Arey, “One of the most difficult tasks that public officials have is striking the proper balance in public safety and individual freedoms. I had been discussing this issue with other local officials, particularly Mayor Farmer and Circuit Judge Robert Herzfeld, who presides over Juvenile Court, for some time. We did not take this action lightly. It is widely known that the most likely vector for spreading the virus and causing death is between asymptomatic teens then transferring the virus to other teens and from there to parents and grandparents who are most likely to die. It’s for that reason that the Governor closed schools to on-campus instruction across the state early on. I would have strongly preferred that folks take this action on their own, but unfortunately that was not happening.”

For Circuit Judge Robert Herzfeld, the closure of schools hit a bit closer to home. “Governor Hutchinson closed

Saline County schools, and my son, Leo, came home from the University of Arkansas where they had canceled in-person classes for the semester.

We all went from ‘Hey, this might be a kind of a big deal,’ to ‘We’ve got to change how we do almost everything in our lives for the next several months,’ in what seemed like a heartbeat.” Judge Herzfeld had been keeping up on the research and science related to the virus and had been posting his concerns on social media as early as the second week of March.

WE PULL TOGETHER, PUT ON OUR THINKING CAPS AND DO THE HARD WORK. WE FIND WAYS TO MAKE IT BETTER. WE MOVE FORWARD. With an understanding of how quickly the virus could spread, Judge Herzfeld, Judge Arey and Benton Mayor Tom Farmer put together a plan. As Judge Herzfeld recalls, “We began contemplating what it would mean to have tens of thousands of kids in our communities on the streets in the middle of a serious health crisis.

Just having kids not in school was a concern for me as the Juvenile Judge, but stack on top of that the fact that the science tells us that a really high percentage of younger people can be asymptomatic and spread COVID-19 to their grandparents and neighbors or someone they bump into walking down the street. So, Judge Arey and I (and many others) were in discussions about finding the right solution to this question very early on. I remember him telling me over the phone on March 19 that he could see a large group of teens hanging out on the courthouse lawn through his office window—unsurprisingly, they weren’t socially distancing or following other COVID-19 protocols.”

For Mayor Farmer, issuing the stayat-home order for juveniles within the city limits was in the best interest of all residents. “Up to April 6 we

had increased in our positive cases.

On April 6 we put into effect the juvenile order to protect the citizens.

From April 6 till April 15 we had no increase in positives in Saline County.

From April 16 to the present we have increased only 18 cases. The reason we felt so strongly about this order was that we had gotten reports of schoolaged children roaming neighborhoods and the streets of Benton, as well as school-aged children knocking on people’s door and running away. Was it popular? No, but I have spoken to other mayors that were going to put something similar into effect.”

The city of Bryant did not issue an order for juveniles and when questioned, Mayor Allen Scott explains why.

“Bryant was asked to be a part of the stay-at-home directive for juveniles.” recounts Mayor Scott. “My challenge was that since closing our playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts and ballfields, we did not seem to be experiencing the same problem that Benton or Unincorporated Saline County was experiencing.

After conversations with my police department, city staff who are out monitoring the community, and my daily drives around Bryant, I think that the approach that I took was appropriate for Bryant. In one or two instances, the police had to tell a small group (less than 10) to go home, but that was because they were violating other ordinances as well.”

For businesses, social distancing has put a particular bind on how to interact with customers. Benton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gary James says that while the pandemic has caused a shock in the business community, he is proud of the resilience he is seeing.

“I don’t think anyone could’ve known the impact the pandemic would have.” says James. “Overall, the attitude of business owners and leaders has been very positive and they want to work together to protect this community. Two segments of our community that have really stepped up are our restaurants and grocery stores.

Restaurants have been creative and innovative in changing their business models to still provide top notch

#SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 5

customer service to their customers.

Grocery stores have met the challenges that were unexpectedly thrown at them and have still found ways to keep the supply chain moving to provide for our community. Non-profits, churches and our school districts have done an incredible job of still meeting daily needs in innovative ways.”

Through it all, it is clear from these leaders that the spirit of cooperation and community service is foremost among the people of this county.

Each one of them credits their staff for adjusting to uncertain times and their willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. They are a reflection of the backbone of the people of this county. We pitch in when a neighbor is in need. We look after each other. Words may fail, but our actions never will.

We will come out of this on the other side a stronger community for the struggle.

And that, my friends, is the silver lining to this COVID-19 cloud.  Brent Davis

Leading local means lending local.

Small businesses make a lasting impact for our locals. We’re invested in all that you do for our community.

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6 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

Good Day, I hope this note finds you well.

In these uncertain times, the short sentence above takes on far more significance for me. I am writing this piece after seven weeks of shelteringin-place. Our Governor is in the process of beginning to cautiously loosen the reins on civil society in Arkansas. Arkansas schools were shut down for the spring semester to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This pandemic has been (and continues to be) an existential threat to many of our most vulnerable citizens.

We have been encouraged to use common sense, to maintain social distancing, wear masks and wash our hands. I have watched as our local and state-wide leaders have maneuvered through this cloud of uncertainty. Our leaders were faced with a dilemma: if they did not respond early enough, they could rightfully be accused of not doing enough; if they were too aggressive, they could be accused of overreacting.

I, for one, am impressed with the measured, reasonable response of our Arkansas leaders in this crisis.

It is important to remember that this is neither the first nor the last time that we will facea menace like COVID-19.

The year 1541 was the beginning of a dark period for the native peoples of Arkansas. De Soto described a large, vibrant, well-organized chiefdom culture estimated to be from 75,000 to 350,000 strong. Over the next two centuries, repeated epidemics of foreign diseases decimated these peoples and their social structures.

In the 1800s, Arkansas faced Endemic Fevers. Initially, residents lacked effective remedies for these illnesses because they did not understand their causes. Eventually, they discovered that malaria and typhoid fever were at the root of the problem. tThe town of Benton began down at the end of River Street at Saline Crossing. But as the settlement grew it moved up the hill—away from unpredictable flooding, mosquitoes and malodorous air (Mal-air or malaria).

But certain troubles come with the territory. As settling became more widespread, violent epidemics of smallpox, cholera and yellow fever plagued the state. Except for the smallpox vaccine, the one truly effective strategy for any of these illnesses was quarantine.

In the fall of 1918, the Granddaddy of pandemics struck the world.

The novel Spanish Flu hit in a series of waves around the world

killing twenty to fifty million people; in Arkansas, 7,000 died.

The mid-20th century saw repeated epidemics of paralytic polio, with iron lungs filling the hospitals of Arkansas.

Schools, churches and swimming pools were closed; the citizens were encouraged not to gather in groups.

In the last 20 years, Seasonal flu outbreaks, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), Swine Flu, MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and Ebola have threatened us. They have been stopped, in large part, because of massive coordinated efforts of the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

There are some similarities between the Flu of 1918 and our present menace COVID-19; perhaps there are some lessons to be learned.

Have a good journey and be safe, Sam Dr. Sam Taggart is a retired doctor/ writer/ marathon runner in practice in Benton for the last 35 years. He recently published The Public’s Health: A narrative history of health and disease in Arkansas, published by the Arkansas Times.

His two other books, With a Heavy Heart and We All Hear Voices are available at your local booksellers or online at Amazon.com.

#SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 7

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WEATHER WATCH Common COVID Questions

By Ed Buckner, THV11 Chief Meteorologist

In researching how weather conditions affect COVID-19, I was surprised to learn of the vast disparity in predictions regarding how summertime climate will affect the virus. But I suppose I should have expected that, as I’ve heard both Dr. Fauci (Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) and Dr. Birx (United States Global AIDS Coordinator under Presidents Obama and Trump) state numerous times during White House Coronavirus Task Force briefings that this virus presents many, many unknowns.

It’s frustrating because we all want answers. We all want to know if this will be a seasonal illness such as the common cold or various strains of flu, or if through social distancing and other recommended behaviors, we will stop COVID-19 from dominating our lives year-round.

Opinions vary about the seasonal prevalence of this disease. Here are some snippets of information I found online, sources for you to access and do your own research. One thread of evidence seeming to run throughout each article is that a warm humid climate affects COVID-19—but to what extent, we simply do not know.

New study says “high temperature and high relative humidity significantly reduce” spread of COVID-19 [March 18, 2020]

“According to a team of researchers, ‘High temperature and high relative humidity significantly reduce the transmission of COVID-19.’ An increase of just one degree Celsius and of 1% relative humidity substantially lower the virus’s transmission, according to the team’s data.

The study is the latest in a limited but growing body of research, not all of which has been peer-reviewed, examining the effect of weather on the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, which causes the COVID-19 illness.

March 26, 2020 Study on new coronavirus says warmer weather may slow COVID-19 spread, and cooler weather may accelerate it.

“Based on the current data on the spread of 2019-nCoV [or SARSCoV-2, which causes the illness COVID-19], we hypothesize that the lower number of cases in tropical countries might be due to warm humid conditions, under which the spread of the virus might be slower as has been observed for other viruses.”

Scientists ask: could summer heat help beat COVID-19? [April 5, 2020] “Initial studies of other coronaviruses—the common varieties that cause colds in the UK—do suggest a seasonal pattern, with peaks occurring during winter and disappearing in spring. Intriguingly,

these peaks tend to coincide with flu outbreaks. By contrast, only small amounts of coronavirus appear to be transmitted in the summer.”

Will Summer’s Heat, Humidity, and Sunlight Help Us Slow COVID-19? [April 24, 2020] “Laboratory experiments show that heat, humidity, and exposure to sunlight significantly speed up the rates at which the novel coronavirus is destroyed, according to data revealed recently at the White House by William N. Bryan, the acting undersecretary for science and technology at the Homeland Security Department.”

The above is just a miniscule drop in the bucket of professional opinions, research data and mere educated guesses available online. We do know that according to the Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service, Arkansas’ summer climate in May, June and July is expected to be above normal temperature-wise and near average precipitation-wise. Being a “glass half full” kind of guy, I am choosing to believe that the hotter temperatures (and higher humidity) this summer will reduce the spread of COVID-19 and we will again be able to participate in all the fun things we love to do with our friends and family. Visit SalineCountyLifestyles.com to view links with additional information.

#SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 9

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ACTIVE

Lifestyle

FITNESS TIPS Getting Creative During Quarantine

By Marietta McClure, Head Trainer, McClure Fitness

On March 15th, I closed the doors of McClure Fitness due to COVID-19. It was heartbreaking for me as a small business owner.

But our no excuses fitness mantra kicked in as the brick and mortar was closed. We found new ways to exercise and started advertising our online classes that we have been streaming since 2017 to all of our local customers. Our online classes feature many of the favorite McClure Fitness instructors so our clients still felt connected, even though apart.

Technology has been a godsend during the quarantine, keeping us in touch with loved ones, colleagues, teacher and students, and providing us with so many online services, including workouts.

REASONS TO EXERCISE ONLINE

(even when not quarantined): • Most online workouts are minimal equipment for maximum flexibility. If you’ve got access to a screen and an Internet connection, you can get a workout in. It can’t get any more convenient than that.

• Most online programs are ondemand, meaning you can work out whenever you’re ready. Not a morning person? Don’t worry

about missing that 5 AM class.

As long as you can carve out enough time to put on your gym clothes and commit 20-50 minutes of your day, you can work toward your fitness goals.

• Many of the online programs are guided by a fitness professional.

Access to that level of instruction would cost a lot more if you were paying in person. Mass distribution keeps the cost low, so it fits in the tightest budgets.

HERE’S WHAT IT TAKES So how do you get in a workout with killer calorie burn all by yourself? And how do you keep it up to get the results you’re after?

I’ll tell you exactly what it takes.

Routine Find a distraction-free time that you can turn into a schedule, and commit yourself. You have to establish a routine you can build on. This starts with a solid plan. The plan should make sense for your goals, and last long enough to get you into a groove.

Track Progress Take a moment to check yourself and see how far you’ve come. Are the workouts getting easier? Is your confidence building? Don’t forget about non-scale victories, either. If

12 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

you’re making progress but not there yet, keep going and trust the process.

Community Just because you’re working out at home doesn’t mean you have to be alone. Find an accountability group online and share your highs and lows. If you’ve never experienced the power that comes from other people cheering you on, you’re missing out.

Reward Yourself Set milestones and reward yourself for progress. I’m all about 80/20, so don’t hate yourself for having a special dinner. Or don’t even think about food and “cheat meals” but reward yourself with something else like a cute workout top.

Convenience Gives You An Edge Your fitness journey can get littered with all kinds of excuses. Working out at home can eliminate some excuses but has its own set of risks if you do it wrong. I say capitalize on the convenience while you are spending more time at home.

My Head Space During quarantine with my four small children I went through every emotion/mood/feeling. The only thing that kept me sane was exercise.

The days I worked out were good days and I was a better mom, wife,

EXERCISE IS VITAL TO OVERALL HEALTH. IT KEEPS OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM STRONG, OUR LUNGS HEALTHY AND OUR ATTITUDES POSITIVE. person. The days I procrastinated or just didn’t exercise, I was definitely not the best version of myself.

At a time when we are isolated and depression and mood swings come and go daily, exercise is more important than ever to build into your day. Exercise is a natural anti-depressant. It will relieve anxiety and stress, boost brain function and build confidence.

Never underestimate the non-scale reasons to move your body daily.

WHERE ARE WE NOW? After eight long weeks, McClure Fitness re-opened with new guidelines: participants must exercise 12 feet apart and masks must be worn when not exercising.

Even with these restrictions, we are grateful the Governor allowed us to re-open. Exercise is vital to overall health. It keeps our immune system strong, our lungs healthy and our attitudes positive.

We will continue to move forward as we will have to problem solve in the days ahead.  #SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 13

Dr. Seuss once said, “Children want the same things we want: to laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted.” Saline County is known for its excellent school systems, and each has found the silver lining in the dark COVID-19 cloud as it pertains to education. Our teachers, food service staff and administrators are finding ways to continue to challenge students, create smiles and make memories.

and sharing in their lives is a joy.

Arkansas students have been participating in online learning since March 15 when Governor Hutchinson closed schools. This necessary decision is having a significant impact on everyone, but in true Saline County spirit, there are many good things coming from it.

But there are many hours of preparation that go into online teaching. A typical day begins around 8:00, preparing for the Zoom meeting that begins at 8:27. Each child is welcomed as they appear on the screen for the 20-30 minute meeting that explains the day’s learning activities.

After the meeting is over, it is uploaded to Google Classroom so others can watch it if they could not join live.

Zoom meeting attendance is recorded and work reviewed from the previous day’s assignments. In addition to student interaction, Mrs. Huddleston has Zoom meetings with the school faculty, or grade level meetings to determine any issues needing attention.

Bryant Parkway Kindergarten teacher Debbie Huddleston makes each morning special for her class.

“We have a Zoom meeting every morning that gives those who can attend a chance to see each other and stay in touch. We sometimes have ‘show and tell’ to see what is going on in our friends’ lives. I go over the day’s assignments, and we will practice on some skills to keep them sharp. Every meeting is ended with a group hug we send to each other and two questions-”Who loves you?” and “Who misses you?” Seeing her students

After teaching through Zoom, uploading sessions, and attending faculty meetings, she then starts checking for completed assignments.

“At the end of the day, I check on the next day’s assignments to see what the students will be doing and make sure that I know what to explain. That evening I will post the following day’s work and check to see if someone else has turned in work.”

This system is effective, but it doesn’t take the place of real community.

“What I miss most about being in the classroom is the sense of family

14 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering Covid

we have. The hugs, laughter, encouragement of the classmates, the “a-ha” moments when the learning clicks, reading stories, and just watching them grow. They are so young when they come in and to see them mature and become a class of learners and friends is just amazing!”

Kindergarten, a child’s first year of school, is a special time, as is the last year of school for seniors. Benton Senior Kip Tracy says the hardest part of missing his senior year is Panther Baseball. “I miss the time spent during practice, traveling to and from ballgames, hanging out in the dugout with my buddies.

Laughter, sharing stories, high-fives, ragging each other and being on the ballfield and listening to the fans in the stands. That is time and memories you cannot get back!” It’s true. Much has been lost, but there are memories and experiences that students would not have had in a normal school year. “During this time of slowing down, I have spent a lot of family time working around the house and building a garden. I also know that every day is good, and some days are better! Family is very important to me and one day I will be able to tell my children and grandchildren what my 2020 senior year was like living through a pandemic.”

Kip stays in touch with his friends through social media and “on weekends I either fish or go frog gigging with my buddies.” In the time that Kip does have with friends, he is an encourager, telling them, “Don’t let this hold you back! Be better! Go out and make something happen for yourself.” Senior Kip Tracy is spreading the silver lining.

Kip and Mrs. Huddleston aren’t alone in their efforts. Saline County schools are going above and beyond in every area to help during this uncertain time. Harmony Grove, Bauxite, Benton and Bryant have all offered “Grab-and-Go” meals in some form for students. In a recent article published in The Saline Courier, Harmony Grove Superintendent Heath Bennett said, “We are just trying to make sure the kids who would have normally eaten at school have food.”

In addition to working to meet academic and nutritional requirements, Saline County teachers are also concerned about their students’ social and emotional needs. Teacher driveby parades complete with signs and balloons help to remind the children how important they are and how much their teachers love and miss them.

work includes literacy, math, social studies and science. “They also have to have a daily zoom meeting with their teachers. 8:00 am for Piper and 9:00 am for Gracie. Art, P.E., library and music were eliminated as not ‘mandatory’ on the revised schedule.

Now each is an optional activity.”

So, where is the silver lining?

“Learning invaluable lessons that they couldn’t learn in school, spending quality time with them all during the day, seeing how they learn, and what is being taught. Helping them learn different ways to solve problems are the good things coming from this. During a regular school year, I would ask “How was your day, what did you learn?” and the answer was always, “good and stuff”. Now I know the stuff and can help them break it down and learn from different angles.” Liz says one very big silver lining is that everyone gets to do their work in pajamas!

Dr. Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra, President of Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development has this advice for parents learning how to teach their children.

DIGITAL QUARANTINE Consider limiting your children’s cell phones and tablets until their schoolwork is done satisfactorily, so that it can receive their undivided attention.

MAKE SPACE FOR LEARNING Your children will achieve their best work in a quiet, comfortable, and dedicated space devoted to learning. Ideally, this will be a different set-up than where they normally play games or watch television.

MONITOR THE (COMPUTER) MONITOR In this new learning milieu, you can help by monitoring your children’s levels of interest and engagement in adapting to their new schedule and at-home materials. The simplest way to do this? Observation. Look at your child’s eyes to see if they’re following along with the screen. Check if they’re taking notes or zoning out.

Ask questions at the end of a lesson.

DIGITAL RECESS Make sure that your children take plenty of breaks in order to get physical

Another group greatly affected by school closings is, of course, parents.

Liz Douglas is a working mom and parent of two Hurricane Creek Elementary school students, Gracie (5th grade) and Piper (2nd grade).

Being a working mom and trying to ensure your children are receiving quality education is a monumental undertaking. “The toughest part for me is there is no downtime. I work as an NICU nurse on weekend nights. So, there’s stress at the hospital, and then I turn around and put on a teacher hat.

It’s like asking a teacher to come to my work and start an IV on a baby. As a mom I feel like I’m not doing a good enough job, and as a teacher I feel like I’m not doing a good enough job.

“Honestly, I feel like I am too hard on them, and run out of ‘nice mommy’ far too early in the day. But they are so resilient and encourage me all the time. They really are troopers. Not to mention, we can’t go anywhere for a fun learning experience,” says Liz. Gracie and Piper’s assigned #SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 15

activity and time away from screens.

FACETIME In-person interaction is ideal for kids, but until it’s safe for them to return to school, encourage your children to video chat or text message rather than simply scrolling through social media.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER Remember that you’re not alone in this journey. Check in with other parents to see what they’ve found effective or to ask if they need help.

PLAN YOUR WORK & WORK YOUR PLAN Good planning can relieve stress for both children and parents.

Check in with your kids about their plans and help them develop a written schedule not only for the day, but for the whole week.

THIS AIN’T NO VACATION Even though staying home from school might feel like a holiday, remind your kids that they’re not on vacation.

Assignments, grades, requirements, and tests like state exams, SATs, and ACTs aren’t going away just because classes have moved online.

DON’T FORGET TO HAVE FUN Plan off-screen activities for the whole family. Between school and work obligations, it’s rare for parents and children to have this much time together, so turn it into an opportunity for bonding.  Carolyn Buckner

16 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering Covid

#SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 17

The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything many of us have ever encountered. Our lives changed within weeks, days even, as schools, businesses, churches and pretty much any place that hosted a crowd of people, shut down.

The economic and health crisis as coronavirus spread across the country and into Arkansas has posed not only many personal challenges, but also business challenges.

Small businesses like so many in Saline County that make up the fabric of our communities have faced uncertainties like no other.

They merely have been trying to survive. The state and federal governments have stepped in to help relieve these burdens and help small businesses stay afloat.

Philip Partain, Saline County community bank president of Arvest Bank, says one of the biggest takeaways from this pandemic for businesses is the U.S. Small Business Administration. While most business owners are aware of the Small Business Administration, he says very few understand the different products the SBA offers, how competitive the rates are compared to traditional

financing or how these products can work to assist businesses in need.

“We all have to do a better job of educating our communities of this tremendous resource, and I think the heightened awareness of the SBA’s products will carry over into post-COVID-19 relief efforts,” says Phillip. “I have a feeling that they will be more of a top-of-mind resource than they were before.”

The main SBA loan program from which many local businesses have benefited is the Paycheck Protection Program, Phillip notes. “Through this program, small businesses struggling to pay their employees can apply for an SBA loan that will cover the cost of their payroll and help them keep their doors open. In many cases, these loans will not need to be paid back.”

The Paycheck Protection Program is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic crisis.

Phillips adds that Arvest Bank has been able to work directly with small business owners needing these

18 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

loans because of its certification as an SBA Preferred Lender. “This funding as provided by the SBA has been incredibly effective in helping several local businesses stay open and keep their staff employed. Small businesses are hurting mightily and the SBA has been the bridge throughout this tumultuous time in our history.”

And there are other ways the government has assisted businesses during this crisis: • Offering Emergency grants of $10,000 to SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan applicants: Even if your business is denied a loan, you can still access this grant, which can be used to provide employee sick leave, maintain payroll or meet other needs like paying rent.

• Expanding access to SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: As part of its disaster assistance program, the SBA is providing working capital loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and nonprofits affected by the coronavirus. Sole proprietors and businesses with fewer than 500 employees qualify, and applicants don’t need to provide a personal guarantee on loans under

$200,000. Payments can also be deferred for up to four years.

• Extending the federal return tax filing from April 15 to July 15.

Estimated tax payments for 2020 originally due on April 15 are now due on July 15. Arkansas also has extended its filing date to July 15.

Also of note, Facebook has committed to offering up to 30,000 small businesses $100 million in cash grants and Facebook advertising credits.

Phillip points out how this pandemic has made individuals and businesses realize how important technology is. “The biggest change I think we are seeing across all industries, including the banking industry, is in the way technology is providing solutions to the challenges our customers are facing,” he says.

“Technological advances are dramatically changing the landscape of banking by providing customers the ability to conduct business without having to step foot in the bank. Two

examples of this include remote deposit capture and e-sign capabilities for loan requests and funding, which have enabled borrowers to have remote access to capital.”

Technological advances are dramatically changing the landscape of banking by providing customers the ability to conduct business without having to step foot in the bank.

With various directives and guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local, state and federal health officials, the way business is conducted has dramatically changed. Restaurants and ice cream shops changed their models from dine-in to curbside and pickup, retailers went to online shopping or curbside service, real estate agents went to virtual tours, and banks closed

their lobbies or restricted access.

Phillip says the banking industry already had been dealing with declining lobby attendance, so the drop in face-to-face interaction wasn’t so much of a shock to them.

“As we begin to work through a ‘new normal,’ it may be incumbent on those small businesses that are not as technologically savvy to work toward enhancements of their own in order to retain, expand or acquire new clientele, and really, that’s what the recent technological advancement boils down to—improving accessibility and customer-brand experience.”

With help from experts like Phillip, small businesses and individuals find ways to survive during one of the most debilitating economic and health crises our state and nation have ever experienced. It may take some research and digging, but through SBA assistance and technology, thriving, not just surviving, is possible.  Jillian Jacuzzi

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Spanish Flu of 1918 and COVID-19 The Spanish Flu of 1918 and the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020 had and are having a major impact on rural Arkansas. What causes these illnesses, and how are they different from each other?

How did these illnesses get here? Why do they spread so quickly? Who is at risk? Were there treatments in 1918? How about today? How deadly are they? Will they come back? Are these outbreaks predictable?

What causes these illnesses and how are they different from each other?

The Spanish Flu of 1918 did not originate in Spain. The Flu Pandemic of 1918 probably began in Northern China in 1917. It was a novel (new to humans) flu virus brought by Chinese migrant workers into Canada. These workers were being transported across Canada by train and taken to work behind the battle lines in Europe. It was only called the Spanish Flu because the combatants in WW I did not publish their statistics. Spain as a noncombatant had no such restrictions.

COVID-19 is a not a flu virus, it is a type of coronavirus. Most corona viruses cause mild upper respiratory illnesses (colds) in humans. There are at least three corona viruses that cause

severe illness and at times, death: SARS (Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) virus and COVID-19.

How did these illnesses get to rural Arkansas, especially in 1918?

The Pandemic Flu of 1918 made its first major appearance in rural Kansas in the spring of 1918 and then quickly spread to a military camp in Central Kansas, Camp Funston. As the men from Camp Funston spread out across the country, 24 of 36 large military camps in the U.S. had major outbreaks during the next year. Among those camps was Camp Pike, just north and west of North Little Rock, Arkansas.

In the fall of 1918, Camp Pike had 54,000 troops, making it the second

22 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

largest city in Arkansas. Little Rock had a population of 58,000. The first soldier was reported ill on September 23rd, and seven days later there were 7,500 cases of influenza and 100 had died. It is important to remember that, early in many infectious illnesses, a person may be shedding the virus, quite contagious but showing no symptoms themselves.

On Friday, October 4th, 1918, Dr. James C. Geiger, the Public Health officer in charge of the North Little Rock post said, “The situation is well in hand.”

This, even though 506 cases had been reported in Little Rock and North Little Rock. The next day he stated, “The disease has reached its highest point and will begin to decline from now on.” Over that long weekend, cases of the flu were reported in Newport, Wilmot, Hot Springs, Stuttgart, Waldron, Subiaco, Paris, Hunter, and Dermott. Despite further official reassurances, on Monday, the 7th of October, Dr. Charles Garrison, a State Board of Health officer, and the Arkansas Board of Health declared a quarantine over the entire state.

The Pandemic Flu of 1918 spread like a wildfire and within

days, there was no corner of Arkansas not overwhelmed.

Benton Courier: October 8th, 1918: “Sheriff Cox (Saline County) has received a letter from the State Board of Health advising him to see that all places where public gatherings are held in Saline County are kept closed…To open any place for the purpose of a crowd assembling is in direct violation of the law….”

Benton Courier: October 10th, 1918: “Benton and Vicinity in Grip of Epidemic of Spanish Influenza.

Public Places Closed. No epidemic has had its grip on this country and county as has the Spanish influenza, which, during the past week has placed itself in almost every home. The American Bauxite Company had to shut down its plant on Tuesday on account of so many men being sick, and several have died in that section of the county.”

The quarantine was honored in Saline County, but this was not necessarily true in other parts of the state.

In Scott, Arkansas, the local authorities failed to stop a circus from performing. Dr. Garrison sent an officer and had the owner of the circus arrested. The Mayor of Booneville chose to ignore the quarantine. Dr. Garrison telegraphed the Mayor and threatened to seal off the town unless the he ordered the quarantine. ) Within days, many towns of Arkansas became ghost towns. The streets were quiet, stores were closed, churches and school grounds stood

empty. Businesses and plants did not open because they did not have enough healthy employees. The Benton Courier had trouble producing a newspaper because of employees off sick with the flu. There are numerous accounts of multiple members of households being infected and no one to care for them. Caskets were often makeshift affairs thrown together by able-bodied friends. There are multiple reports of areas in rural Arkansas where there was no one in the family well enough to attend funerals.

Quickly, the flu ceased being a fearful threat and began to take on the names and faces of family and friends.

The physicians, like their patients, were faced with a daunting task. Most health care in 1918 was provided by a physician in a buggy or on horseback who rode a circuit. The roads were often impassable and little more than dirt paths. Dr. H. N. Street of Lonoke (Prairie County) would later relate: “This was the worst epidemic form of any disease I have encountered in thirty years of practice.” Dr. C.W. Dixon of Douglas (Lincoln County)wrote, “I live in the backwoods of Lincoln county. During the epidemic I had quite a territory to cover. I could cover half in one day and the other half the next.”

COVID-19 made its first appearance around the first of December of 2019 in Wuhan, China. An article published in Lancet in January 2020 suggests that the index case (very first patient) was an elderly man who lived in Wuhan, China. He became

ill on December 1st, 2019 and within a week, 41 other patients had been diagnosed. The origin of the virus is hotly debated; a wet food market or a virus accidentally leaked from a government lab are thought to be possible sources of the infection.

By late December, genetic testing of the virus identified a SARS-like virus as the culprit. A public notice was released by Wuhan Municipal Health Commission on 31 December and on that same day, the World Health Organization was notified. In December, Chinese officials initially downplayed the extent and severity of the outbreak but soon it was clear that this was a new and severe epidemic.

By mid-January, the virus had spread over much of China and on January 23rd, the Chinese Communist Party declared a “people’s war” and created a major quarantine for Wuhan. Prior to the quarantine, millions of asymptomatic people poured out of the central Chinese city on buses, trains and planes, carrying the virus with them.

ON THE 21ST OF JANUARY, 2020, THE FIRST KNOWN CASE OF COVID-19 WAS CONFIRMED IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. On the 21st of January, 2020, the first known case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the United States in the state of Washington. A 35-yearold man had returned from Wuhan on January 15th, and on the 19th was hospitalized with pneumonia.

In late January, the White House established a Coronavirus Task Force and declared a public health emergency placing restrictions on entry for travelers from China but not travel from Europe. By this time, the wildfire had begun and was spreading quickly. February saw

#SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 23

little documentation of movement because of a dramatically slow start in testing in the United States.

The first documented death occurred on February 29th, when a 50-year old man with underlying health conditions in Washington state died from COVID-19. On that same date there were only 69 testing-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. The Washington Post reported on March 14th that less than 14000 tests had been done nationally. Governor Jay Inslee of Washington State declared a state of emergency and closed the schools; a number of other states followed suit.

On March 11th, 2020, the head of the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a worldwide pandemic.

On that same day, Governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in Arkansas.

The patient was in isolation in a Pine Bluff Hospital. The patient apparently contracted the virus while at Mardi Gras in New Orleans during the last week of February. The Governor signed an executive order declaring a public health emergency in the state of Arkansas.

As a part of the statewide emergency, the Governor emphasized social distancing and hand washing. As early as mid-January, Dr. Nate Smith of the Arkansas Department of Health had created a COVID-19 task force to coordinate the state’s response for a potential outbreak.

On March 12th, four new cases who had contact with the patient in Pine Bluff tested positive. One of those cases was from Saline County.

On March 13th, the president declared a national emergency and many schools and businesses began to close to reduce the spread of the virus.

On March 17, Governor Hutchison closed Arkansas schools until April 20th and two weeks later extended

that for the rest of the school year.

On that same day, the Faulkner County Deputy Coroner reported the first Arkansas COVID-19 death, a 91year old man at a Conway Hospital.

On March 20th, the Governor ordered all bars, gyms and cafes closed, and encouraged people to gather in groups of no more than 10.

By March 29th, the number of confirmed cases in Saline County had increased to five, by April 1st the number was at eleven, and by May 1st that number had risen to 67.

On April 3rd, Patti Jacuzzi, a Saline County resident age 72, died due to complications from COVID-19.

Early in the first week of May, the Governor announced the cautious reopening of many of the closed facilities in Arkansas.

It is clear from the Flu Pandemic of 1918 and COVID-19 pandemic that large gatherings and rapid transportation of infected individuals who are asymptomatic (without symptoms) spreads the disease rapidly.

In 1918, there were very few good all-weather roads and not many automobiles. The rapid transportation of the day was a spider web of rail lines that covered the state.

In 2020, the passenger jet and its ability to be almost anywhere in the world in 24-48 hours is the culprit.

Who is at risk?

Flu was not a new or unusual disease in 1918,

24 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

but most often it hit the elderly and the young children; they were the most likely to develop severe cases and major complications. This was not the case for the Pandemic Flu of 1918, however. The principal burden fell on young, healthy adults. It may well have been that Arkansas had seen an earlier version of this same flu in 1889-1890, called the Russian Flu. It had made its way through Europe and crossed the Atlantic, and before it was through 365 were dead in rural Arkansas. The immunity created in the survivors may explain why it appeared that the older population had a degree of protection in 1918.

As for COVID-19, it appears that the elderly with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer are most at risk. As in 1918, those who are confined in group settings such as cruise line ships, large military ships, nursing homes and prison systems are at higher risk of contracting the virus. Smokers and vapers have a higher risk of developing significant lung complications.

What could be done then, and what can be done now about either of these illnesses?

As for the Flu Pandemic, quarantine and avoiding contact with sick people were the only effective tools available in 1918. Wearing flu masks and hand washing were advised but the most important tool was quarantine and avoidance.

Then as now many residents of rural Arkansas had a protective barrier in their normal isolation. In the case of the Pandemic flu, this protective shield was only modestly successful

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and only delayed many of the smaller communities being affected.

Families relied on home remedies; if these failed, they called the doctor.

The physician’s armamentarium was limited.

Three medicines served as the most commonly used: calomel (mercury), quinine, and Laudanum (opium). These medicines had a long history in treating fevers of other origins, especially calomel and quinine. In hindsight, the mercury made the influenza worse. Quinine may have modulated the fever, and opium had an impact on the muscle aches and headaches associated with the flu.

Patent medicine advertising provided a major part of the revenues for newspapers. Tanlac is a good example of a medicine that was advertised in obvious drug ads in local papers. Most newspapers published articles on the same page with the advertising picture that appeared to be legitimate, quoting U.S. Government authorities.

Reading through the articles, it becomes clear that the purpose of the articles was to sell a drug like Tanlac.

There are always those willing to take advantage of the gullible. On October 26th, 1918, Dr. A.M. Davie of DeRoche, Arkansas (Hot Spring county) posted an advertisement in the Malvern paper that read: “Have deposited $25 in the Bank

of Malvern and $25 with Hodges and Son in Social Hill. For any case of Spanish Influenza, I am not able to cure in 30 minutes.”

As for COVID-19, it is clear we are in the early stages of determining what will be effective. As with almost all respiratory disease, social distancing, hand washing, and face masks are common sense and remain effective tools.

The quarantining of those who are ill and those who are potentially ill is absolutely essential to stop the spread of disease As opposed to 1918, we now have effective intensive care units with respiratory support ventilators and complex medical regimens that seem to work.

There is promise of medications such as Remdesivir that can shorten the length of the illness and reduce mortality. Convalescent Immune therapy is showing some promise.

Blood serum rich in anti- COVID-19 antibodies, taken from a recovering patient and given to someone who has active disease; helps to create a passive immunity.

A vaccine seems to be a realistic possibility within the next 8-12 months. Now for the downside: for those requiring a ventilator, optimistically, only about 50% survive. A number of critically ill COVID-19 patients develop a form of coagulopathy (clotting disorder) that dramatically complicates the illness.

26 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

Quackery and false or misleading claims of cures continue to draw in the gullible and often do great harm. Excellent examples such as the touting of hydroxychloroquine and the suggestion that ultraviolet light and or ingestion of disinfectants might be something to try have been promoted. Religious charlatans claiming the curing power of the laying on of hands and of magical prayer cloths are in the same category.

How deadly are these illnesses?

The Flu pandemic of 1918 occurred in three waves: the first was in the spring of 1918, then an especially vicious round in October of 1918 and a follow-up in the winter/spring of 1919. Estimates are that 500 million people were infected worldwide (1/3 of the world population) and between 30-50 million died. Numbers vary greatly but most experts believe the Flu Pandemic of 1918 had a mortality rate of approximately 2.5%. To put that in perspective, the Seasonal Flu has a 0.1 % mortality rate; doing the math, the Pandemic Flu was 25 times as lethal as the Seasonal Flu. Statistics from that era, and especially in Arkansas, are particularly inaccurate but estimates are that 600,000 died in the U.S. and 7,000 in Arkansas. There is no way to know for absolutely certain how many died in Saline county, but what data are available make it clear that the county suffered like the rest of the state.

The Funeral Registry at Ashby’s Funeral Home in Benton is one of the only dependable records that we have. For the years of 1917,1918 and 1919, the funeral home averaged seven to fifteen funerals per month, except for the month of October of 1918 when they performed seventyone funerals; in November of 1918, the funeral home was back to its normal rate of deaths and funerals.

News & Community for Saline County Since 2007 Email with news or events or ask about advertising: info@mysaline.com #SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 27

As for COVID-19, it is impossible to know at this point what the mortality rate will be for this illness.

As early as March 2020, the World Health Organization suggested that the mortality rate for COVID-19 might be as high as 3.4 %. Since that time, it has become quite clear that a significant number of people who have the virus have no symptoms at all. An article in Forbes Magazine recently suggested the number might be as high as 15-20% of those infected who are asymptomatic. It will take extensive random testing over the next months and years to determine the exact rates of lethality of this virus.

Will this illness come back?

Benton Courier: October 31 1918: “Influenza Situation Improving Rapidly: Although there are several cases of influenza over the county, it is believed that the epidemic has spent its force in Saline County, and the quarantine has been raised.”

As Arkansas neared the end of October of 1918, it was obvious that the number of new cases of flu in the state had dramatically dropped.

Several localities in the state had no flu at all. By Nov 4th, the statewide quarantine was lifted but it was left up to individual counties based on their situations. In early to mid-November there was a resurgence of the virus in south Arkansas causing the Board of Health to consider re-instating the quarantine, but that spell passed. In the winter of 1919, there was one more brief round of the Pandemic but, in the end, that passed as well.

Will COVID-19 come back? A more important question, at this point, is: Will it go away? Two different approaches have been taken to deal with the virus. One approach is based on allowing the virus to spread creating a major spike in cases and then hopefully the virus will recede. A second approach was designed to flatten the curve (spike) by using avoidance, closing schools, limiting crowds at churches gym and restaurants, and varying levels of quarantine-like procedures.

The predicted result was a disease that would not overwhelm the medical

facilities and eventually develop enough immunity in the community to stop the spread of the virus. Will the virus re-appear in the fall for another wave? The experts are of a mixed mind. Herd immunity is a phrase that is used to describe what needs to happen. Herd immunity occurs when 60 percent of the community has some form of immunity that will not allow the virus to spread.

THAT IMMUNITY CAN OCCUR WHEN INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD THE INFECTION, HAVE RECOVERED, AND ARE NOW MAKING THEIR OWN ANTIBODIES That immunity can occur when individuals have had the infection, have recovered, and are now making their own antibodies. It can also occur as a result of a virus-specific vaccine. Because of a lack of testing, it is not known what part of the community has been exposed and

28 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

have some immunity. It appears that much is riding on widespread testing and the timely development of a vaccine or other effective treatment.

What are the long-term consequences to Pandemics?

Pandemics have besieged humans for at least 2,500 years. The Antonine Plague in the second century A.D. is said to have played a role in the fall of the Roman Empire. The Black Plague in the 14th century killed off millions and altered the world economy. The Columbian exchange in the Western Hemisphere starting in the 16th century killed off 90-95% of the native populations of the Western Hemisphere.

The short-term economic consequences of the Pandemic Flu of 1918 in Arkansas were welldocumented. Merchants in Little Rock recorded drops of 40-70% in their business. This was equally true throughout the state. A study done in 2007 on the long-term economic impact suggests that those born during the time of the epidemic had

reduced educational attainment, higher rates of physical disability and lower incomes. Because of its propensity to strike young adults, the flu had a lingering effect on business and social life well into the 1920s.

Clearly, COVID-19 has had obvious major short-term economic consequences. As to the long-term consequences, the jury is out.

Will this happen again?

The leaders of the CDC and the World Health organization have repeatedly made it clear that the next pandemic was (and is) a matter of WHEN and not IF. Just before he retired in 2017, Tom Frieden, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was asked what his greatest fear was, what kept him awake at night: “The biggest concern is always for a pandemic…[It] really is the worst-case scenario. If you have something that spreads to a third of the population and can kill a significant proportion of those it affects, you have the makings of a major disaster.

The Bush administration made important investments in public health, global public health and in preparedness, and in the Obama administration, we have built on those. It’s a baton that gets passed.

Preparedness is really important.”

Epilogue We will survive this, but we will be changed. There is resilience in the human psyche. Whether the foe is pestilence, war, natural catastrophes like storms and earthquakes, or man-made debacles like economic depression, humans pick themselves up, brush off the mud and go on. I suspect this time will be the same.  Dr. Sam Taggart

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There is no denying that this moment in our history has changed our globe, country and community.

We now live in a world removed from others. A world where staying home, or distancing yourself at least 6 feet from another person and wearing a face mask in public are the new normal. The novel corona virus has changed everything about the way we work, teach, worship and interact.

We are all experiencing the pandemic in different ways. Some are coping with the pain of losing a loved one, unable to celebrate the life lost in a large gathering. Others have lost work, grappling with how to pay this month’s bills. Students miss their classrooms, and graduates of all ages have lost the traditional moment of walking across the stage to accept their diplomas. Couples postpone weddings or celebrate them with ten people or less. Birthdays and anniversaries look different as we celebrate while socially distancing at home.

But even in the midst of the most difficult times, the creativity, kindness and ingenuity

of the human spirit prevails.

gratitude for everyone at this time.”

Saline County has provided much-needed support over the last eight weeks. Dr. Ahmad Yousaf, Hospitalist and Medical Intensive Care Unit Director at Saline Memorial Hospital is moved by the generosity of the community. “Multiple members of the community have sewn masks,” explains Dr. Yousaf.

Dr. Yousaf had future plans to move his family back to his home state of New Jersey. In the aftermath of the initial outbreak, the outpouring of love from the Saline County community has been life-altering.

“It’s experiences like this one that have changed my plans,” explains Dr. Yousaf. “To feel like a part of a

Local business have donated food to those on the front line and have even set up a Sunday night prayer vigil. The police and fire department, EMS and members of the community clap as the shift changes to the night team. This new tradition is a way of thanking the healthcare heroes at Saline Memorial Hospital. “On Sundays, during the evening shift change, we watch the parking lot fill up,” explains Dr. Yousaf. “It is incredible to watch the entire community come together.

Everyone has their own stresses right now. But people come out to support all frontline responders.

Our entire team from respiratory therapists, food and environmental services witnessed people showing their

30 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

larger community that supports in such a personal manner is what drives myself and the entire healthcare team to keep showing up to work.”

Dr. Micheal Pafford, a Hospitalist on the front line at Saline Memorial Hospital, has seen the medical landscape shift overnight. But thanks to planning and forward thinking of the team at Saline Memorial, they have the personal protective equipment they need to take care of patients. Dr. Pafford explains, “We have not run out of personal protective equipment, but we have had to manage equipment differently.

We have had situations where we have had to preserve equipment.”

Thanks to the ingenuity of a fellow physician, Dr. Pafford’s partner used his 3-D printer to make the brim of protective eye shields. Now each team member has their own assigned eye shield that can be disinfected and reused.

The community support is palpable and personal as well for Dr. Pafford. “I have lived in Saline county since 2008, and worked at Saline Health System nine of those twelve years,” explains Dr. Pafford. “I missed feeling like I was part of this community. I came back to Saline Memorial because I missed the community and the support you feel when you serve Saline County.”

In 2016, Dr. Pafford had a stroke and he and his wife had only moments to react.

“It is a blessing to have confidence in your local healthcare facility if you are experiencing any illness,” explains Dr. Pafford. “I chose to come to Saline Health System when I knew my brain was in danger. I could have asked my wife to drive to any big hospital in Little Rock, but I wanted to be here because I had full confidence in Saline!”

WAYS TO GIVE Matt Brumley, Director of Saline Health Foundation, connects community resources to Saline Memorial. He and Brian Mann, Director of Growth and Outreach at #SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 31

Saline Memorial, have coordinated efforts to support frontline workers at Saline Memorial. “Our faith-based community has provided grab bags, with healthy snacks and a letter of encouragement to help provide support to our heroes,” explains Matt. “We have had some non-profits partner with us. The Arkansas Chinese American Association has donated personal protective equipment.”

You can support healthcare workers on the front line of COVIDCOVID-19 by donating to the Saline Health Foundation.

“If you have an ability to give, your gift has great value to people in our community,” explains Matt.

You can donate by calling 501776-6746, emailing matt.brumley@ salinememorial.org or by visiting salinehealthfoundation.org

PREVENTING THE SPREAD | SAVING LIVES If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call your primary care physician. If you are experiencing an emergency then call 911 or visit your local emergency department. “Saline Memorial has created infrastructure to mitigate the risk of exposure to our patients,” explains Dr. Yousaf.

It is important to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Follow the instructions on how to stay safe from reliable sources. The CDC recommends the following guidelines for staying healthy during this time: •

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

•

When in public, you are encouraged to wear a face mask covering your nose and mouth

•

Cover your coughs and sneezes

•

Avoid close contact with others

Undoubtedly this moment in time will have lasting effects, but we can all do something to help. Support your local businesses, check on your family, friends and neighbors or donate what you can to support relief efforts.  Ashley Leopoulos 32 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

Saline County Lifestyles • 33

So how has your quarantine been going? Suffice to say these last two months have been bizarre and something many of us never considered as a possibility. But life has a way of throwing us the occasional curveball we never saw coming.

For some, they’ve taken full precautions, locking themselves away for their loved ones’ safety.

Others, while staying mindful of the inherent dangers brought about

But before we reintroduce ourselves to the wild, let’s reflect on some interesting discoveries (or rediscoveries) we’ve made while on lockdown.

You remember how to ride a bicycle Since March, you’ve likely spent more time outside. Maybe the kids needed to burn off energy, or maybe you needed a daily walk. Whatever the reason, you’ve probably noticed the reemergence of bike riding through your neighborhood.

IT WAS LIKE BEING REUNITED WITH A FRIEND OR HEARING A SONG FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS. THOUGH IT’S FADED, RATTY OR COMPLETELY WORN OUT, YOU VOW TO NEVER LET IT SLIP AWAY AGAIN. by the pandemic, chose a more relaxed and creative approach.

Me? Well, I got married, sold two houses and bought a new one without taking a day off work or shirking any chance to spend as much time as possible with my daughter and new stepson. And yes, all of this was done safely.

Now, as we enter mid-May, our state and local municipalities are loosening the restrictions brought about by COVID-19 and allowing routines to return to a semblance of normalcy.

In fact, cycling has seen such a spike in the last eight weeks that bicycle sales have been through the roof. A quick Google search reveals countless articles describing how bikes are rolling out of shops and for now, demand is far outpacing supply.

If you were among the lucky ones who got your hands on a new bike, or you’re someone riding the one you’ve had for years, welcome back. It’s a relaxing hobby you can enjoy alone, with friends or more importantly, with your kiddos.

34 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

‘

Quarantined: Things [Re] Discovered

Your long-lost favorite…

Another consequence of the pandemic has been cleaner homes, shinier cars and better-organized closets and garages. Seriously, what else are you going to do? Springcleaning came a little early for 2020.

For some of us, one of the rewards of our efforts was finding an old article of clothing or trinket we thought had been lost to time, the garbage, or an unapproved donation to your local non-profit.

It was like being reunited with a friend or hearing a song for the first time in years. Though it’s faded, ratty or completely worn out, you vow to never let it slip away again.

Teachers are REALLY good at what they do One of the most common things heard among parents during the pandemic has been the challenges with distance/digital learning. Our schools did the best they could in mid-March to prep students for the uncertain end of the spring semester, then turned them over to mom and dad to shepherd them across the finish line.

It seemed easy enough until…it started.

There were challenges with the Chromebook. The lessons didn’t make sense. Your kid cried because you don’t teach the same way as Mrs./Mr. (Insert

teacher’s name here).

The truth is, mom and dad, teachers are outstanding at their jobs and deserve our utmost respect.

These men and women take on an often thankless job to try and help shape our children’s futures, and if we haven’t done so yet, we should take a moment to send them a note or gift letting them know how much we appreciate all they do.

Your natural hair color Be honest: the decision to temporarily close hair salons and barber shops led to a little panic, didn’t it? It did for me.

While we consider them essential, our hair stylists and barbers didn’t make the list of necessary businesses, and we were forced to fend for ourselves.

Blondes would become brunettes.

Dark hair would become grey. I would look like I was going through a midlife crisis by growing my hair out like I did in the grunge era of 1995.

Proof of this fact came as retailers began reporting that some of the items most in demand during the pandemic were at home hair coloring kits, beard trimmers and scissors.

Alas, we survived and can once again be properly shorn by the men and women we trust more

than our significant others (we’ll get to them later).

Michael Jordan It seems like an odd entry, I know, but in this time of college and professional sports on hiatus, ESPN has come through with their 10-part docuseries, The Last Dance. More than four million viewers tune in weekly for the much-anticipated retrospective on the 1990’s Chicago Bulls dynasty, as seen through eyes of coaches, players and media members. More important and for the first time, viewers are hearing from Jordan himself, the man who drove the Bulls into history and six NBA titles in eight years.

Regardless of the sometimes sanitized approach to the game’s greatest player and his cast of supporting characters (many with Arkansas ties), The Last Dance reveals one undeniable fact: Michael Jordan is the greatest competitor and winner whom basketball, and possibly all sports, has ever seen.

Your spouse, partner or significant other Among the memes circulating online during the lockdown was this: Found a lady sitting on my sofa. Apparently, she’s my wife. She seems nice. Maybe you’ve also read or heard someone say they were going to come out of the pandemic either pregnant or divorced.

Understandably, these over-the-

top declarations are meant to get a laugh (which they do), but the more you think about them, the more they make you wonder just how well you know your partner.

This is someone you’ve been with years, possibly even decades, but for whatever reason; you no longer really know one another.

Hopefully, being forced to remain in close quarters has given you an opportunity to reconnect, find those common bonds and realize that person you found sitting on your sofa is more than just “nice.”

Honorable mentions for this brief opus included: • Kids enjoy being kids, even without their screen time • You really don’t need a smart phone all the time • Long drives in the country • Classic television shows • Sports do matter; politics don’t • Tiger King (I’d need another 1,000 words to get through that one)  Charles Crowson

#SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 35

HEALTHY

Lifestyle

HEALTH UPDATE KIDNEY STONE CAUSES

By Dr. Robert Lai, Urologist, Saline Memorial Hospital

While COVID-19 is obviously top of mind for most Americans right now, we want to remind you that taking care of other health problems is just as important as ever. So what is a urologist, and how can one help you?

Urologists treat the urinary system including the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, as well as the reproductive system. Common conditions treated by urologists include kidney stones, enlarged prostates, pelvic prolapse, and incontinence for women. Since we’re about to enter the hot summer months in the South, kidney stones are a very common issue urologists will treat.

KIDNEY STONES FORM WHEN YOU CONSUME TOO MUCH STONEFORMING MATERIAL, AND TOO LITTLE WATER TO DILUTE THE STONEFORMING MOLECULES. Kidney stones form when you consume too much stone-forming material, and too little water to dilute the stone-forming molecules.

The most common kidney stone is made of calcium oxalate.

Oxalate comes from your food.

Certain foods are high in oxalate content. These include foods with caffeine (coffee, tea, cola); chocolate; nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews; berries; spinach and kale; rhubarb; black pepper. Preventing kidney stones relies on you drinking lots of water, and citrus juices (lemonade, limeade, orange juice, grapefruit juice).

You can get an idea of how concentrated your urine is just by looking at its color. A diluted urine should be almost clear (good). A concentrated urine is very dark yellow (bad).

Stones quietly form in your kidney, and slowly grow in size. They don’t cause pain while they sit in your kidney. When a stone eventually tries to leave the kidney, it gets caught in the narrow channel of the ureter.

If the stone blocks the ureter, the urine backs up into the kidney. It is this buildup of pressure behind the stone that causes the excruciating pain of kidney stones, called renal colic. Nausea and vomiting are common. Having the pain descend into the testicles in a man, or into the vagina in a woman is also a common symptom of kidney stone pain.

WHEN ARE KIDNEY STONES AN EMERGENCY? 1. Unbearable pain.

2. Fever, sweats, chills and

36 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

shakes develop. These are signs of an infection.

3. If the stone(s) cause kidney failure.

The pain from kidney stones is usually very severe, but not constant. If the pain is unrelenting, and your pain medications can’t control it, then you should go to the emergency room for treatment.

Without treatment, stones can become infected. Fever (temperature greater than 101 F, or 38.5 Celsius), chills, sweats, and shakes are signs that the urine trapped behind the stone has become infected. This infection spreads through the kidney, and into the bloodstream. This can lead to a potentially fatal sepsis. For this reason, if you experience this during an episode of kidney stone pain, you need immediate attention.

GETTING RID OF KIDNEY STONES Small stones can usually pass out on their own. This is still a painful process, however, so it is best to work with your doctor to determine treatment. If the stone refuses to pass, or the pain is too severe, then we can perform a procedure to remove the stone. As we enter the summer months, we encourage you to drink lots of water to stay hydrated, and to practice healthy eating habits to avoid kidney stones. 

HEALTHY

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#SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 37

FAMILY

Lifestyle

INSURANCE INSIGHT A Call To Action

By Dennia Beard, State Farm Insurance

I have to admit that I am sad.

Work is different. My social life has come to a halt. “Social distance” is suddenly a phrase we hear every day. If you’re like me, your world has been turned upside down.

The front doors of both of my offices have been locked now for almost two months. I truly treasure my time in my office with my work family and meeting with my customer family.

We can’t meet in our conference room because we can’t socially distance there. We can’t even high-five when

something really cool happens.

I had spring break plans with my family that I was ridiculously excited for, and those disappeared in an instant. At this point, I don’t even know what summer will look like. The empty days leave so much to think about, but mainly how precious the time we’re all losing is. Not to mention how genuinely challenging it is to regulate mental and physical health while cooped up inside, waiting out this madness.

I say all of this realizing that I am

among the lucky ones. As hard as things are for me and my family, they are immensely harder for a vast number of people. For me, it is a frustrating time, for others, this is a matter of life and death. If this includes you, please know that I love you and am praying for your safety as you navigate your health during this dangerous time.

Our industry is scrambling to adjust to meet customer needs. While our lobby doors might be closed, we are acclimating to our new normal and are learning from this experience.

One thing is disturbingly clear: as insurance professionals, we should not be saying, “it’s too sensitive, let’s not talk about it,” but instead say “let’s talk about the risks of losing our jobs or getting sick or passing away.”

In normal times, consumers might not think about their insurance products too much. The uncertainty has definitely shifted focus. As a society, we are seeking to understand our coverage and address personal and professional risks. Locally, we have seen higher than usual levels of consumer search traffic for life and disability insurance, along with more actual policies written compared to the past several years.

With a growing percentage of Americans out of work, customers

38 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

FAMILY

WITH FEWER PEOPLE DRIVING, INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE SLASHING RATES. have a significant interest in freeing up money right now, as well as addressing their risks. We all need a cash cushion to fall back on and one of the first ways to start saving is to call your insurance provider. With fewer people driving, insurance companies are slashing rates. If you haven’t already been offered a discount, call and explain that you are driving less and are no longer commuting. There could be discounts waiting on the other end of that conversation that you didn’t even know existed. Insurance policies are largely personal and you need to get personal with yours.

Most of the major auto insurance carriers have announced “payback” plans for customers who are sheltering in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are no longer driving to and from work.

Check your company’s website to see if they’ve announced refunds.

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We could all use a little extra change in our pockets right now, for sure. Ultimately, financial peace is something we all strive for in and out of a crisis. It is my wish that everyone would do what is necessary along the way and share their successful processes with others. After the coronavirus pandemic ends, we can rest our minds knowing we have done what it is necessary to protect our paychecks and our families in the future.

Dennia Beard, Agent

The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. Events have fast outpaced our thinking and ability to respond.

Anxiety thrives on the unknown, and fear and uncertainty are rampant.

Think for a moment about the insurance perils we are accustomed to monitoring: if there is a flood or a fire, you can see it. This virus is an invisible, universal and terrifying threat that could be anywhere. It’s scary, but we got this. Focus on what you can control and call your insurance agent to take a closer look at your risks. It’s why you hired us. Stay safe, friends.

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#SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 39

FAMILY

Lifestyle

Medicine for the Soul

By Jason White, Pastor at GracePoint Church

I can remember as a kid, having to take medicine that tasted awful!

Most likely, you remember that too.

It’s probably safe to say that the vast majority of you reading this article have had to go through the all-out battle of getting a child to take medicine that you know will help them, but which seems like poison to them.

We could go into all kinds of stories and memories about those “battles”.

Truth is, no one really likes taking the medicine they need in order to get well.

I think most of the issue with medicine is what we have built up in our minds: “This is going to be so bad!” We allow our fears about how bad the medicine will taste lead us to resist taking what will eventually help us.

Before COVID-19 became a part of our everyday vocabulary, we all were moving at an unsustainable pace.

It was perfectly normal to work all day, everyday. Parents were spending unbelievable amounts of time trying to get more done. Climbing the corporate ladder, getting that big account, finishing that “important” project…these all were consuming our time. Our kids’ schedules weren’t much different. School, homework, practices, and tournaments on the weekends…the list goes on and on.

We were lucky to eat one meal per week at home as a family. Then, life was abruptly interrupted in mid-

March, and we were forced to slow down considerably. And now that life has slowed significantly, we don’t like it one bit! I want to pose a question for you to think about. Were you too busy before COVID-19? I want to present the thought that maybe God is using this time to shift our focus back to what really matters.

Maybe it was all just too much!

Perhaps, the most serious and critical result of the fast-paced life before COVID-19 was that we had let it all become more important than God. We had let our busyness replace our commitment to Him. Our priorities were becoming misplaced.

The Bible talks about a Sabbath day of rest. Exodus 31:16-17 says, “Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

The Hebrew word for Sabbath simply means, “rest”. I believe it is safe to say we needed the emergency brake applied in our society. We needed to stop the whirlwind and refocus.

The Bible speaks of what will happen when we don’t keep the Sabbath day of rest: the result is death. Life is unsustainable without a day of rest

40 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

and refreshing from God. The Bible teaches us that we should honor the Sabbath and keep it holy (set apart).

Have you thought that maybe God could use this time to administer some medicine that we desperately need?

I know it doesn’t taste good. I know that the thought of not going back to “normal” causes us to want to hide under the bed to avoid reality. If we think about it with the wrong perspective, we can quickly let anxiety and fear build up in our minds. However, if we stop for a moment and consider the love of our Heavenly Father, we will begin to see that this is good medicine.

We needed to stop. We needed to spend hours, days, and weeks together as family units. We needed to see how important people and relationships are to us. We needed to see how much a hug and handshake mean. Most of all, we needed to realize God deserves our best. Religion just doesn’t cut it—relationship is what God desires.

I pray that we do not go back to normal. I hope that we rearrange what is most important. I pray the medicine does what it is supposed to do, and cures us of the virus of busyness.

Let us open our hearts to hear the voice of our Father as He urges us to move forward into a new normal that will be even better than we could have imagined. 

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#SalineStrong • Saline County Lifestyles • 41

FAMILY

Lifestyle

TIME TO FIX THE ROOF

By: Justin S. Elrod, Certified Elder Law Attorney, The Elrod Firm

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” - John F. Kennedy In his 1962 State of the Union Address, President John F. Kennedy acknowledged that the previous year began with the country “in the valley of a recession.” By the time he addressed Congress in January of 1962, however, America was “on the high road of recovery and growth.” Kennedy knew that human nature would incline Americans (and perhaps Congress) to “bask in the warmth of recovery.”

He encouraged otherwise, famously proclaiming, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.”

America has survived a lot of dark valleys of all different sorts, many of which were worse than the recession about which Kennedy spoke. We have survived war. We have survived terror. We have survived economic collapse stemming from a variety of causes. And we have bravely overcome deadly illnesses brought by unseen enemies like the global pandemic on everyone’s minds today. A common and encouraging thread connecting many of these challenging times is the way we always seem to come out stronger on the other side of things

that first seemed insurmountable.

I am very aware that when this article goes to press there will be many still weathering the COVID-19 storm.

Many more, on the other hand, will begin to dare to give thanks that they appear to have made it through this global event with their health intact.

Perhaps it is too soon to say we will be tempted to “bask in the warmth of recovery,” but that temptation will come. It is not too soon to be reminded of Kennedy’s warning, to get up on that roof, and to fix the holes that this unprecedented ordeal exposed.

There are some big policy lessons that our country and our state might take from recent events. But my focus is on the things over which we can each claim personal responsibility.

The pandemic might have exposed a variety of types of holes in your roof, but one I’ve heard people mention the most is the pressing need to get estate planning affairs in order.

First and foremost, if after all that has happened in 2020 you still do not have power of attorney and healthcare documents in place, what are you waiting for? When properly considered and skillfully drafted, there is absolutely no downside to having

42 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID

these essential documents in place, but the protection they can provide to you and your family cannot be overstated.

In the past, warning people, “you never know what might happen,” felt a little over the top at times. Not anymore.

It is through these documents that you give a trusted person of your own choosing (not someone chosen by a court in an emergency) the legal right to step in and handle important business, financial, and healthcare matters on your behalf when you can’t handle them yourself.

To be blunt, they are not just for old people. They are essential documents for anyone over the age of 18.

A second planning gap recently exposed for many families has been the need for a living will or advance directive. It’s not fun to talk about, but it is through this document that you can legally express your wish to die naturally when nothing else can be done—to avoid machines and invasive procedures that give no hope of recovery but, instead, only prolong the inevitable.

A third hole in the roof for many families, to continue with Kennedy’s analogy, is the absence of any clear plan for managing affairs after death.

FAMILY

Lifestyles

Each family has different goals and different reasons for planning.

Each family has different goals and different reasons for planning, but we all need a plan. The primary emphasis for some is caring for young children who may be left behind. For others, it is the need to protect the estate from the legal problems of adult children.

And for many, it is simply the desire to be efficient and cost effective in the eventual transfer of assets from one generation to the next. You don’t have to be wealthy to need an estate plan. You just need a few people and a few things that you’d like to protect.

For those directly impacted by COVID-19, our hearts are with you.

For those fortunate enough to be impacted only indirectly, now is the time to repair the roof. Do not wait for the next emergency to remember again what you’ve been putting off. Call today for a no-charge strategy session— by phone, online, or in person. Now more than ever, you need a plan.  Saline County Lifestyles • 43

Thank You to All the Front Line Workers.

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44 • Saline County Lifestyles • Conquering COVID