Newburgh Magazine September 2020 by Newburgh Magazine

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SEPTEMBER 2020

E N I L T N O R F e h t m o fr

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EDITOR

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EDITOR Megan Purazrang newburghmagazine@gmail.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Maegan Saalwaechter

CONTRIBUTORS Wyatt Squires

The year 2020 is not one that will be easily forgotten — we are all adapting and learning how to navigate what has been coined the “new norm” during this pandemic. Now more than ever it is important to remember that as a community we are in this fight together and there are so many individuals working to keep us safe during this time. To all of the frontline workers – we would like to offer a special thank you for keeping us safe during times of uncertainty. In this edition, we highlight local people who are adapting in different sectors of the community — from healthcare to agriculture. Our readers will also find a gamut of tips like hygiene practices, monitoring financials during a time of cashless spending and how to sanitize a backpack during the school year. Our stories and experiences are what ultimately will make a difference as we continue through these uncertain times. Please continue to share your thoughts with us! I hope that as readers are engaging with this edition they will ask his or herself the question, “who is my pandemic hero?” We all have one and I think now more than ever it’s important to tell those around us what they mean to our lives. I invite you to email us and share your pandemic hero story. Please don’t forget that each month we offer a special call out on social media to match our themed editions. Be on the look out for your chance to be featured in an upcoming magazine! Stay connected by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I wish everyone a happy and safe month, and I look forward to hearing from you! Reach us directly by sending an email to newburghmagazine@gmail.com

Warrick County Soil and Water Conservation District

PHOTOS Wyatt Squires Warrick County Soil and Water Conservation District Warrick County Standard

TO ADVERTISE Bob Rigg brigg@warricknews.com Phone: 812-641-2001

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table of

CONTENTS

September 2020

PHOTO BY: WARRICK COUNTY STANDARD

LOCAL FARMERS

FINANCIAL

Producers continue operations amid COVID-19 pandemic

Be cautious and thorough when relying on cashless options for payment

FEATURE SECTION

UNZIP THE GERMS

Essential profiles and thank a frontline worker

Backpacks can get grimy quickly. Routine washing can freshen them right up.

DEEP CLEAN

HEALTH

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pass up a cleansing for the inside of your vehicle

Personal hygiene can have a lasting and positive impact on your wellbeing

REAL ESTATE

PREGNANCY

Use these tips to purchase a new home during the outbreak

Protect both mom and baby from infections during critical development September 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 1

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FARMERS ADJUST AND ADAPT

Local farm producers continue operations during pandemic WRITER: WARRICK SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way of life for many individuals and businesses locally. The agriculture community is no exemption, and many continued operations during the shutdown period to help provide food for people and livestock. Logan Springstun, a local seed salesman with Pioneer, covers Warrick and Spencer County, and also farms with his father Phil Springstun. “For the most part farming and agriculture has proceeded on from the beginning of this pandemic as if nothing has happened we still had to get a crop planted and take care of animals because we are the beginning for the food chain. Although, there

seemed to be a shortage of some supplies and food in stores it wasn’t because the farmer didn’t have the their part done it was because logistics, and if the farm would have shut down this spring like many other businesses then the coming months and years there really would be a supply and food shortage. For the most part farmers have always been accomplishing things behind the scenes that consumers take less for granted every year even before this pandemic,” Logan Springstun says. “We work hard long hours providing, food and supplies for thousands of people we’ve never met and lots of time very little appreciation is given to us. So 2020 has been no different we

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Note from the Warrick Soil and Conservation District: Food insecurity has grown in the community due to the economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many homes without meals on the table. On the other hand, the quarantine has allowed gardening to become an increasingly popular hobby once again to many people. With some families having an excess of produce coming out of their garden and other families struggling to get their next meal, why not put the extra food into the homes of the families in need. Join our “Add a Row” Initiative partnered with the Purdue Extension. To participate, all you have to do is have a garden with extra produce and be willing to donate it back to your community! To participate or for more information, contact Jo Gilreath at jgilreat@purdue.edu.

continue to do our job no matter, the weather, political environment, state of the economy, or simple flu season or global pandemic. My personal hope is that maybe after we all get through this all, the average consumer will look back on this and just be thankful for the farmer more then they were before because in the end the US consumer still has the most abundant and affordable food supply available to them, maybe how they get it from a restaurant or a store has changed during this, but the effort it takes for a farmer to produce the food hasn’t.” Mary and Roger Winstead have been providing home grown produce since 2015 when they began farming in Illinois. In 2016 family circumstances saw the family back in their hometown of Newburgh producing vegetables on their one-acre farm called Beautiful Edibles, located off of Oak Grove Road. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how and the amount of produce the Winstead’s grow this year. During a normal year, they provide produce to several restaurants and farmer’s markets but as many restaurants have been closed and farmers markets have delayed opening, the Winstead’s have had to become creative. They still do provide to a few local restaurants and they also provide produce to Elbert’s Natural Food Market. Elbert’s offers curbside and drive-up service to lessen contact during the pandemic and have been a great way for the Winstead’s to keep going during the pandemic. Another new route the Winstead’s have developed is to start a community-supported agriculture (CSA) that provides a delivery of weekly shares of in-season produce from a collaboration of their farm and Mike Rabuck’s 4Gardens. In addition to these two farms, subscribers can get supplemental eggs, meat and cheese, which are being provided by Steckler Grassfed, LLC, Double A Ranch and Adams Farms. This has been a great way to get local produce to the public while supporting local farmers. The venture has been so successful that they are going to have a fall CSA shares as well.

WANT MORE INFO? If you are interested in the CSA or would like to purchase produce from Beautiful Edibles, contact Mary at https://beautifulediblesgrow.com/

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to all of our FRONTLINE

WORKERS

THANK

YOU 6 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE September 2020

SHIRLEE WALKER BSN, RN, CCRN Department Manager for the Respiratory Care Unit and Gateway Stepdown Unit WHAT IS YOUR POSITION? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR POSITION?

I am the Department Manager for the Respiratory Care Unit and Gateway Stepdown Unit. As manager, I oversee the daily operations of the unit encompassing staffing, equipment and patient care needs. The position also requires fiscal management, care coordination, as well as communication and planning on a hospital-wide basis. I have been Manager on Respirator y Care Unit for 1 year and 2 months. I have been Manager on Gateway Stepdown for 8 months. Prior to Manager I worked as an RN, Team Leader and RN Clinician in Deaconess ICU. This is the same role I had during the pandemic. IN YOUR OWN WORDS, EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

When the pandemic began to arrive in the U.S., Deaconess leadership started making contingent plans immediately. Part of the plan was to convert the B Tower at Gateway to negative airflow for infection prevention purposes for COVID-19 positive patients. As both my units are on the B Tower, we were now part of the COVID-19 plan. Deaconess was very proactive with training staff in PPE use, infection prevention, and care of the COVID-19 patient. As a manager, we met daily on our Deaconess COVID19 task force call and were constantly tweaking our procedures and practices as we learned more about caring for COVID-19 patients. During all of this activity during the initial phase of the pandemic, and where we are now as the pandemic continues and our positive patient numbers rise, I have seen nothing but dedication and commitment by everyone involved at Deaconess. For my staff and for myself, this has been an educational journey as we have had to learn new processes, medications, and staffing structures. It was a very busy and stressful time as we placed staff where they were needed most, ensured they were properly trained to take on the role, and worked on processes to improve our care. It seemed like everyday something would change, or the CDC would update guidelines. WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE CONSIDER ABOUT THE PANDEMIC OR YOUR ROLE?

I hope they realize how nursing has been impacted. We have been challenged by this pandemic.

STORY IDEAS?

SEND THEM TO

• It is difficult to communicate and care for a person when you are wearing a mask or a PAPR. • It is difficult to communicate with families when visitation has to be limited because of infection prevention, and is replaced by phone calls. • It is difficult to see a husband and wife or parents and children separated by this virus. • It is difficult to feel helpless as an infection takes its toll on human life and your team has done all that is possible to no avail. More so I hope people realize that this pandemic is very real and that, yes, although it is difficult to wear masks, isolate yourself and practice safe social distancing, it will be a lot more difficult if they end up in the hospital fighting COVID-19.

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JILLIAN WARD Systems Food, Nutrition and Quality Supervisor for Deaconess Health WHAT IS YOUR POSITION? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR POSITION?

I’m the Systems Food, Nutrition and Quality Supervisor for Deaconess Health System. I’ve been with Deaconess Health System for 9 years, working my way up in the food service department and I’ve been in my current role for 3 years. Food service is ever-changing, and in return so does my role in the department. My position consists of monitoring the food service staff and assisting them when needed, hiring staff, writing the department policies and procedures, talking with patients, monitoring our patient meal ordering system, and assisting in improving the patients’ food service experience. Food service is more a “behind the scenes” and “watch the magic happen” department. I always like to put the number of meals we serve each year in perspective, as a health system we serve over a half a million meals each year to patient rooms. The department strives to ensure that each patient has the best food service experience while being in the hospital and that takes a multidisciplinary approach. The department would not be as successful without the help of the our food service team, dietitians, nursing staff, environmental services, the list goes on and on. IF THIS IS NOT THE SAME POSITION YOU HAD PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, HOW IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE RELATED TO THE POSITION YOU HAD PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC?

My title might not have changed, but my role and my department has. As a food service department, we are following new guidelines that before COVID-19, staff have not had to deal with. I would have never thought that we would be told that staff need their temperatures taken, they must wear masks at every moment, limit the amount of people per table and space out tables, prepackage all food items in the café and close down the salad bar. The café had to make several more changes than our Patient Room Service Line, but the focus throughout all of these changes has been to protect our customers and patients. We have been making changes to help prepare the hospital for a potential surge of patients, and providing meals and beverages to several of the Deaconess testing sites. Meals are also being prepared and delivered by the food service staff to the COVID units. IN YOUR OWN WORDS, EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

COVID-19 has been an unreal experience… isolation and fear of the unknown is probably the best way to describe it. I feel like I have isolated my family to protect them from what I can control. Before COVID-19, I considered myself an extremely laidback person and do not consider myself a worrier, but that all changed when Indiana had their first official case. I was at Sam’s Club when I heard the news, I watched people with overfilled carts and flatbeds with food items and paper supplies. As I watched people, I started to panic, and I, too, started adding more and more items to my cart. It’s a fearful moment. Up until this point in my life I had only noticed people stockpiling before a predicted snow storm, and this was spring time! Shortly after the first known case in Indiana, the number of positive cases started to grow and my family started cancelling more events…our family’s normal Easter lunch, my anniversary dinner with my husband, family visits and now my son’s birthday party, all cancelled to keep my family safe. Each day when I return home from work, I remove my shoes and uniform before walking through the door, out

8 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE September 2020

of fear of bringing something home to a toddler that cannot stop putting things in his mouth. Day-to-day, not only do I worry about my family’s health and safety, but I worry about my staff and co-workers now more than ever. The Food & Nutritional Services department has more than 200 employees, with a variety of age groups. We have staff who are new hires, all the way up to those who have been with us 48 years. Luckily the hospital has taken extra precautions to help keep the food service staff safe while up on the units, but it’s still stressful. I’ve popped several stress balls since the start of this pandemic! As a department we didn’t wait for the pandemic to affect the us, we took charge as soon as we could. The food service management team started having more supplies brought into the hospitals, preparing for the potential surge of patients. We have experienced shortages of certain types of food, and had to modify menus to adjust for the changes. On a positive note, we’ve also been able to order many essential supplies that were in short supply throughout the community, allowing Deaconess employees to purchase them at-cost. I’m extremely proud of what we accomplished as a team. WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE CONSIDER ABOUT THE PANDEMIC OR YOUR ROLE?

Food service rules and regulations have been changing weekly with the Governor’s orders. The Deaconess Food Service Management team and our staff are working to keep you and your family members safe while in our care. Please be kind to food service employees at any food service establishment, and be kind to one another. This is a new experience for most people and we are all dealing with the changes differently.

KATELYN SIZEMORE Shift Lead and Environmental Services Representative at Gateway Hospital WHAT IS YOUR POSITION? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR POSITION?

Shift Lead and Environmental Services Representative at Gateway Hospital for almost 2 years in Environmental Services Department. As the health community learns more about the virus, the hospital practices have evolved. Part of our departmental responsibilities are understanding the updates from hospital administration and putting them into practice. IN YOUR OWN WORDS, EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

When making decisions throughout the shift, we have to keep in mind what is best for the patients,

visitors and employees. As COVID19 first began in early March, the Tristate had ver y few cases; however EVS began increasing frequency of sanitation throughout the hospital. Since then, extensive additional cleaning protocols have been implemented, as have personal protective equipment increases. While these have not been enjoyable nor fashionable, they do help increase safety. I frequently work closely with the Infection Prevention Department to determine the best practices for sanitation throughout the hospital. WHAT DO YOU HOPE

a special thanks to HEALTHCARE WORKERS PROTECTIVE SERVICE WORKERS

PEOPLE CONSIDER ABOUT THE PANDEMIC OR YOUR ROLE?

Understand that Deaconess will continue to do all we can to keep facilities safe for patients, visitors and employees. I hope all citizens listen and follow standards and practices set forth by the CDC and local health official updates.

GROCERY WORKERS PRODUCTION AND FOOD PROCESSING WORKERS AGRICULTURAL WORKERS JANITORS AND MAINTENANCE TRUCK DRIVERS

TEACHERS WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS THAT KEEP OUR ECONOMY AND LIVES MOVING FORWARD September 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 9

THANK

YOU

TO ALL OF OUR WORKERS & AND HELPERS

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CLEAN

CARS

EFFECTIVELY KEEP YOUR VEHICLES SANITIZED CONTRIBUTED WRITER The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way people live. One readily felt effect was spending more time at home. Vehicles sat idle in driveways and even some automotive insurance providers reduced rates because people were driving much less. Even with stay-at-home measures in place, people still need to leave their homes to stock up on essentials, such as food or medicine. In other cases, people may have been essential workers who drive for a living, including deliver y drivers or health care personnel who were incapable of working from home. Any time a person goes out in public, he or she runs the risk of contracting viruses. Bacteria and germs may reside on various surfaces, including those inside vehicles. People want to protect themselves and now are more aware of the importance of frequently clean-

WASH HANDS: First and foremost, it is crucial

to wash your hands before and after using the car. This can reduce the likelihood of growing ill because of transferred viruses or bacteria.

AVOID BLEACH OR HYDROGEN PEROXIDE:

While bleach and peroxide are very effective cleaners and sanitizers, they are likely to damage a car’s upholstery, according to Consumer Reports.

16 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE September 2020

ing and sanitizing their cars. Keeping a vehicle safe to drive without affecting its upholstery or electronic components is paramount. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention makes a distinction between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but can lower their numbers. Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. “You want to do the best with what you have, so even soap and water can chip away at the risk,” says Stephen Thomas, M.D., Chief of Infectious Diseases and Director of Global Health at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Address frequently touched surfaces. Pay attention to the steering wheel, door handles, buttons, touchscreen displays, shift lever, and more when sanitizing. Each of these items can harbor germs.

USE RUBBING ALCOHOL: Solutions that

contain 70 percent alcohol are effective against many viruses and bacteria, including coronaviruses, says the CDC. Furthermore, Jeff Stout, Executive Director of Global Innovation at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, says that, for the most part, nearly every interior surface of a vehicle can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol. Plastic to painted chrome to imitation leather have been tested

to ensure they don’t degrade when exposed to pure isopropyl alcohol. USE SOAP AND WATER: Experts say that

vigorous washing with a soap-and-water solution can be effective against many contaminants because it breaks down the protective envelope that surrounds coronaviruses and other germs to disarm them. Friction also can help to break down germ cells during cleaning.

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HOME YOU CAN BUY A NEW

GET READY FOR VIRTUAL TOURS: Buyers might once have scoffed at the notion of buying a home they’d only seen in videos, but virtual tours have become the new normal in the wake of the pandemic. An April survey from the National Association of Realtors® found that home tours had declined sharply. While 98 percent of realtors reported taking clients on home tours as recently as February, that number had declined to 63 percent by April. As many regions pause their reopening plans, prospective home buyers should ready themselves for virtual tours as opposed to in-person home tours.

Purchasing a home during the outbreak presents

EXPECT LIMITED INVENTORY: While home prices are up, many people are holding onto their homes. The NAR reports that total housing inventory at the end of May 2020 was down nearly 19 percent from the end of May 2019. Buyers will have less inventory to choose from, so those intent on buying may need to prioritize what they need in a home and focus on finding properties that can fulfill those needs.

some unique challenges to prospective buyers CONTRIBUTED WRITER

Homeowners know that the process of buying a home can be both exciting and nervewracking. The anxiety associated with buying a home has hit new heights during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Historically low interest rates and limited inventory has made 2020 an especially unique time to buy a home. It’s also a competitive and potentially expensive time to buy a home. While the economic consequences of COVID-19 have been severe, the Federal National Mortgage Association, also known as Fannie Mae, forecasted a significant increase in median home prices in March 2020. City dwellers have scrambled to buy homes outside of cities, where social distancing is more difficult and the risk of getting COVID-19 appears greater than it is in suburban or rural settings. That’s led to a lot of competition among prospective buyers. Prospective home buyers willing to enter the hectic fray and shop for a home during the COVID-19 outbreak may benefit from knowing what to expect as they search for their next home.

EXPECT TO MOVE QUICKLY: Realtors have seen homes sell within days of being listed, and that has put pressure on buyers to move quickly. It also highlights the importance of finding a home inspector before your search begins as well as a lender who can handle quick closings. Ask around for recommendations, but make sure you have these two important professionals lined up before beginning your search. Doing so will give you a better chance of buying in an unusual time. MAKE THE BEST DOWN PAYMENT YOU CAN AFFORD: A high down payment makes buyers look better no matter the state of the economy. An offer with a high down payment looks like a stronger offer, and that can make the difference between winning and losing a potential bidding war.

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M O N I T O R Y O U R M O N E Y W H E N R E LY I N G O N

CASHLESS SPENDING CONTRIBUTED WRITER

Cashless spending has long been a convenient way to make purchases, and that convenience became even more evident in 2020. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in the winter of 2019-20 forced people across the globe to change how they live, and those changes even affected how items are paid for. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, touching or handling certain items, including cash, could expose people to the COVID-19 virus. That led many people to rely more heavily on cashless payments, including traditional options like credit or debit cards, but also relatively new cashless options, including apps such as Venmo, PayPal, Cash App and more. While these options can be very convenient, cashless payments can make it more difficult for people unaccustomed to making purchases without cash to monitor their spending. The following are some tips to make it easier for consumers to monitor their spending when they’re not using cash. RECOGNIZE THE TEMPTATION ASSOCIATED WITH CASHLESS SPENDING: Studies have shown that cashless spending tempts people to spend more than buying with cash. A recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology asked business students to bid

on basketball tickets. Some participants were told they would eventually have to pay with cash, while others were told they would need to use a card. Those who paid by card spent more than twice as much as those who were told they had to pay with cash, which illustrates just how easy it is to spend more on transactions that do not involve cash. By recognizing that temptation in advance, consumers can better prepare themselves to remain disciplined when using cashless payments like credit cards or mobile apps like Venmo. USE AN APP TO TRACK SPENDING: If you’re using an app like Venmo to make purchases, you can just as easily use an app to track that spending. Mint is a free app that automatically updates and categorizes how your money is spent. Users can see how they’re spending their money in real time, making it easy to know where they stand with their finances. PAY OFF YOUR BALANCE EACH MONTH: If your preferred mode of cashless spending is credit cards, then make sure you pay off your balances each month. This not only saves you from potentially hefty interest charges, but the knowledge that you will need to pay off your purchases at the end of each month can help you stay more disciplined with your spending.

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clean and sanitize a

BACKPACK Backpacks are useful tools for students and adults alike. From hiking supplies to school books to sports equipment, backpacks can store just about anything. As veritable workhorses, they’re bound to get dirty and can benefit from periodic cleaning. While it may be tempting to simply throw a backpack into the washing machine, it is important to check the care instructions first. Some canvas, nylon and fabric backpacks can go in the wash, but those made of leather or those with intricate details should not. Backpack manufacturers also advise against putting backpacks in a dryer. If a backpack is waterproof, only wash it once or twice per year; otherwise, you may reduce the pack’s ability to repel water. Use cleansing wipes to spot clean when necessary.

CONTRIBUTED WRITER To get started, begin by removing any items from the backpack, including all of the pockets. If necessary, use a vacuum to get crumbs out of the backpack.

Check the care label to see if there are washing instructions. This will determine if you should wash it by hand or if it can be put in the machine. If the bag can be machine-washed, turn it inside out first or place it in a pillowcase so that the straps and zippers will not be caught. Then wash it on a gentle setting with a mild detergent and lukewarm water. If the bag should be hand-washed, use lukewarm water and a soft sponge or a gentle bristle brush. The outdoor retailer REI says you do not want to harm any protective coatings on the pack.

Zippers need occasional cleaning to remove dirt, sand or crumbs. Many zippers have water-resistant coatings so do not scrub them. Use a lubricant made for zippers to help them slide smoothly.

Hang the bag to air dry upside down. It likely will dry more quickly outdoors, but avoid direct sunlight, which can compromise the integrity of the fabric or discolor the backpack.

Do not store or use the backpack until it is completely dry.

Sometimes a backpack may need to be disinfected to prevent the growth of fungus or bacteria. Athlete’s foot fungus can easily transfer from socks and shoes to the backpack if gym clothes are left in the bag. The Spruce says to skip chlorine bleach and use a pine oil or phenolic disinfectant or a disinfectant wipe, such as Pine Sol or Spic-n-Span. Lysol brand disinfectant also can be used and is available in liquid formula or spray.

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HYGIENE &

HEALTH H O W S I M P L E H Y G I E N E C A N H AV E

A L A S T I N G A N D P O S I T I V E I M PA C T CONTRIBUTED WRITER Personal hygiene isn’t about just looking good. The effects of maintaining personal hygiene are myriad and include reducing one’s susceptibility to infection and decreasing the risk for disease. Because personal hygiene can have such a profound impact on overall health, some may feel that they need to go to great lengths to maintain their hygiene. But that’s not the case. In fact, the following are a handful of simple ways that men, women and children can maintain their personal hygiene.

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WASH YOUR HANDS The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that is one of the most important steps a person can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. After using the toilet, changing a diaper or handling raw meats that have invisible fecal matter from animals on them, people who do not wash their hands can spread germs such as salmonella, E. coli and norovirus. In addition, feces from people or animals can contribute to the spread of respiratory infections, including adenovirus and hand-foot-mouth disease. A 2008 study into the efficacy of handwashing published in the American Journal of Public Health found that improvements in hand hygiene resulted in a 31 percent reduction in gastrointestinal illnesses and a 21 percent reduction in respiratory illnesses. CLEAN AND TRIM YOUR FINGERNAILS Some may consider cleaning and trimming one’s fingernails a purely cosmetic activity, but proper grooming of nails can reduce a person’s risk for infection. For example, keeping fingernails clean and short can help to prevent and control pinworm infection, which the CDC notes is the most common worm infection in the United States. Pinworms are small, white roundworms that sometimes live in the colon and rectum of humans. People infected with pinworms may itch or scratch infected areas, ultimately spreading the pinworms if they do not wash their hands and trim and clean their fingernails. Reinfection may occur among people infected with pinworms who do not clean their hands and fingernails and keep their fingernails short. BRUSH AND FLOSS YOUR TEETH There’s more to personal hygiene than cleaning hands and fingernails. The American Dental Association notes that the mouth is filled with bacteria, some of which can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease, which has been linked to problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. The presence of periodontitis, an advanced from of gum disease that can result in tooth loss and, in pregnant women, can even increase a woman’s risk of delivering preterm and/or delivering lowbirth-weight infants. Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice per day and flossing between the teeth once per day can improve your overall health and contribute to fresh breath. The importance of maintaining clean teeth and healthy gums goes beyond having fresh breath and a white smile. Many people are surprised to discover that oral hygiene plays an integral role in overall health. Research indicates that oral health mirrors the condition of the body as a whole. Also, regular dental visits can alert dentists about overall health and pinpoint if a person is at a risk for chronic disease. An oral health check-up also may be the first indication of a potential health issue not yet evident to a general medical doctor. HEART DISEASE According to the Academy of General Dentistr y, there is a distinct relationship between periodontal disease and conditions such as heart disease and stroke. Joint teams at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, found that people with bleeding gums from poor dental hygiene could have an increased risk of heart disease. Bacteria from the mouth is able to enter the bloodstream when bleeding gums are present. That bacteria can stick to platelets and subsequently form blood clots. This interrupts the flow of blood to the heart and may trigger a heart attack. Brushing and flossing twice daily and rinsing with mouthwash can remove bacteria and keep gums healthy. FACIAL PAIN The Office of the Surgeon General says infections of the gums that support the teeth can lead to facial and oral pain. Gingivitis, which is an early

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BRUSHING FOR KIDS The American Dental Association suggests the following strategies to make brushing teeth something kids will look forward to. MAKE IT FUN: Brushing teeth may not be considered

a fun activity, but who’s to say it can’t benefit from a little levity? The ADA recommends turning tooth brushing sessions into dance parties and/or singalongs. Youngsters might be so busy cutting a rug or listening to mom and dad belt out a few hits that they don’t even realize they’re cleaning their teeth at the same time. If singing and dancing aren’t cutting it, then incorporate another fun activity, like reading a child his or her favorite story, into daily brushing sessions. The ADA advises adults and children to brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day, so activities need not be too advanced. But a fun activity that allows kids to do something other than brush their teeth can be a great way to help them meet the “two minutes, two times” guideline. REWARD GOOD BEHAVIOR: Parents can reward

youngsters who brush their teeth without incident by offering praise or allowing them to pick a bedtime book when brushing at night. PUT KIDS’ FAVORITE CHARACTERS TO WORK: The

ADA notes that many popular children’s television shows and books have stories about brushing teeth. Watch these stories with your children, then reference the stories and characters if kids are reluctant to brush their teeth. Parents also can find toothbrushes and/or toothpaste that feature kids’ favorite characters to get youngsters more excited to brush. BECOME A STORYTELLER: Parents also can make

up their own stories, explaining to kids how they can be superheroes who brush away the bad guys that cause cavities. BRUSH ALONGSIDE YOUR CHILDREN: Kids love to

mimic their parents, so moms and dads can brush alongside their youngsters in the hopes they’ll follow suit.

stage of gum disease, as well as advanced gum disease, affects more than 75 percent of the American population. Dental decay can lead to its own share of pain. Maintaining a healthy mouth can fend off decay and infections, thereby preventing pain. PANCREATIC CANCER In 2007, the Harvard School of Public Health reported a link between gum disease and pancreatic cancer. In the ongoing study, 51,000 men were followed and data was collected beginning in 1986. The Har vard researchers found that men with a history of gum disease had a 64 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared with men who had never had gum disease. The greatest risk for pancreatic cancer among this group was in men with recent tooth loss. However, the study was unable to find links between other types of oral health problems, such as tooth decay, and pancreatic cancer. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE Various health ailments, including poor oral health, have been linked to a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In 2010, after reviewing 20 years’ worth of data, researchers from New York University concluded that there is a link between gum inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease. Follow-up studies from researchers at the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom compared brain samples from 10 living patients with Alzheimer’s to samples from 10 people who did not have the disease. Data indicated that a bacterium — Porphyromonas gingivalis — was present in the Alzheimer’s brain samples but not in the samples from the brains of people who did not have Alzheimer’s. P. gingivalis is usually associated with chronic gum disease. As a result of the study, experts think that the bacteria can move via nerves in the roots of teeth that connect directly with the brain or through bleeding gums.

Carrie Mominee, RN, passing medications during her shift at Golden Living Center Woodlands. Carrie has worked at Woodlands for 15 years. The facility has remained free of Covid-19 during this pandemic and extends a special thank you to all residents, staff, families and friends for their hard work and dedication during this difficult time.

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September 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 27

IN UTERO

PROTECT BABIES FROM INFECTION

lopment. Ensure ve de r fo e tim l ca iti cr a is y Pregnanc these tips. g in us by ty fe sa ’s by ba d an the mother’s CONTRIBUTED WRITER Pregnancy is a happy time for women and their partners. While the physical challenges of pregnancy can be difficult, many women overcome such challenges by working with their physicians and reminding themselves that they will soon have a newborn baby to hold and love. No woman wants to imagine complications during a pregnancy. However, preparing in advance

for certain issues, including prenatal infections, can make them easier to confront should they arise. Group B Strep International, a nonprofit organization that promotes awareness and prevention of Group B Strep disease in babies from before birth through early infancy, notes that adhering to the acronym HYGIENE can be an effective way to prevent infections during pregnancy.

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HANDWASHING HELPS Routine handwashing is a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of prenatal infection. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after gardening or coming into contact with soil or sand. Once a child is born, wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after changing a diaper, feeding a child and/ or wiping a young child’s nose or drool.

YES TO PRENATAL CARE Prioritizing prenatal care is another effective way to prevent prenatal infection. Women should request that their urine be cultured for bacteria at their first prenatal visit and should see their physicians immediately if any symptoms of vaginitis appear. Physicians will discuss and may recommend various tests during a pregnancy, and women should not hesitate to ask any questions they have regarding these tests.

GOOD FOOD PREPARED SAFELY The right foods can nourish growing babies and reduce the risk for prenatal infections. Heed physicians’ recommendations on foods to avoid during a pregnancy, which will likely include, but is not limited to, unpasteurized milk and cheese made from unpasteurized milk. Make sure all meat and poultry is thoroughly cooked. When handling food, make sure to peel or wash fruits and vegetables and store raw meat separately from other foods. Thoroughly wash all surfaces, including countertops and cutting boards, after contact with raw meat, poultry, seafood, and unwashed fruits and vegetables.

IMMUNIZATIONS Women also can reduce prenatal infection risk by making sure they are current with their immunizations. Ask your physician if you are immune to rubella and chickenpox, each of which can cause stillbirth or serious birth defects. The vaccinations for these conditions cannot be administered during pregnancy, so if you are not immune, avoid contact with anyone infected with either virus.

EVADE OTHERS’ BODILY FLUIDS Steer clear of others’ bodily fluids, including saliva, urine, blood, and semen, which may contain germs that can compromise the health of your baby. Avoid sharing drinks, utensils and toothbrushes with young children, as women are most commonly exposed to certain prenatal infections through the saliva and urine of young children.

NO TO UNNECESSARY INVASIVE PROCEDURES Some germs can cross intact membranes, so avoid unnecessary, frequent or forceful internal exams that can push germs closer to the fetus. Women are advised to discuss stripping membranes with their physicians early in pregnancy so they can make the most informed decisions possible.

ENVIRONMENTAL PRECAUTIONS Certain environmental precautions, such as walking in the center of trails to avoid ticks and wearing gloves while gardening, can reduce the risk of prenatal infections. Women also should avoid changing cat litter and make sure there are no areas of standing water, which attracts mosquitoes, around their homes.

September 2020 NEWBURGH MAGAZINE 29

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