JULY 2020
COVER STORY
How Teachers Can Prepare for Successful Distance Learning this Fall, pg. 16 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JULY 2020 1
Contents
6 Concerned About Asthma and Allergies During COVID-19?
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
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Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader
Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.— Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com
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7 Mental Health on the Farm: Don’t let pride stand in the way of getting help
11 Taking on Lung
Cancer is Worth the Fight 13 Eight ways Your Family Can Cure Cabin Fever 15 Seven Ways Technology can Help You Make the Most of Your Summer
COVER STORY 16 How Teachers Can Prepare for Successful Distance Learning this Fall 18 How are We Equipping Students to Succeed in Science? 20 How to Help Older Adults Avoid Fraudsters During the COVID-19 Pandemic 21 Donate Plasma Fight COVID-19 22 Thinking about a road trip? How to get back behind the wheel safely
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Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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Concerned About Asthma and Allergies During COVID-19? Allergy season is causing congestion, coughing, itchy eyes and other classic symptoms for people across the country. However, this year brings new concerns as COVID-19 has dramatically impacted everyone’s lives, and people with asthma and allergies have many questions. “With the coronavirus pandemic coinciding with allergy season, many people with asthma and allergies have questions about symptoms, risks and medication,” says allergist Dr. J. Allen Meadows, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “It’s more important than ever to use medications to control symptoms while taking precautions to stay healthy. Remember that your allergy symptoms usually happen annually. So if symptoms seem familiar and you’ve had them in the past, there’s a pretty good chance it’s your allergies at work again.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers asthma to be one of the chronic illnesses that may increase the chance of a severe case of COVID-19. Here’s what you need to know if you or a family member suffers from asthma: Respiratory viruses trigger asthma flares: Respiratory viruses are the most common trigger for asthma flares - the severe worsening of the condition that typically requires oral steroids to relieve symptoms. Not all viruses affect asthma patients equally and some viruses such as influenza and rhinovirus are more likely to trigger asthma flares than others. “Right now, we don’t know if COVID-19 is one of those viruses that tends to trigger an asthma flare,” says Meadows. There’s not a higher risk of contracting COVID-19: Currently, there is no clear evidence that patients with asthma are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. However, asthma is an underlying medical condition that may be associated with more severe disease if you are infected with this virus. “ACAAI recommends that anyone with allergies or asthma should follow CDC guidelines such as using a face mask while in public, keeping an appropriate distance from others, washing your hands with
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soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth,” says Meadows. Asthma and allergy medications don’t increase COVID-19 risks: You may be concerned about using your intranasal corticosteroids for nasal allergies and your inhaled corticosteroids or biologic therapy for your asthma. There is no data to show that continuing these allergy and asthma medications will have any effect on increasing your risk of getting COVID-19, or if you get the infection, lead to a worse outcome. “It’s more important than ever to take medications and control allergy and asthma symptoms because they may lead to misdiagnosis of COVID-19 as there is some overlap of symptoms,” says Meadows. Take precautions if you do get COVID-19: It is important if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (or suspect you may have COVID-19) and are using a nebulizer at home, that you know the virus may persist in droplets in the air for 1-2 hours. Therefore, you should use a nebulizer in a location that minimizes exposure of droplets to members of your household who aren’t infected. “Choose a location for your treatment where air is not recirculated into the home,” Meadows says. “Places like a porch, patio or garage with surfaces that can be cleaned more easily are good options.” Reach out to an allergist with questions: Allergists recommend people with asthma stay on medications to control symptoms. If you have questions about your symptoms or current medications, contact your allergist. Many now offer telemedicine where they meet with you remotely via video or phone. And many telemedicine visits are covered by insurance. “Allergists are asthma specialists. They can help answer questions, provide guidance and ease concerns regarding both asthma and allergies. You can find a local allergist at acaai.org/locate-an-allergist,” says Meadows. “If you do become infected with COVID-19, use caution and avoid experimental treatments unless the treatment is specifically recommended by the physician caring for you.”—
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Mental Health on the Farm: Don’t let pride stand in the way of getting help
American farm life is often portrayed with images of a happy family, healthy animals, sunshine and green fields. Working in agriculture is a source of pride for many people, but reality is not as perfect as the commercials and storybooks. In fact, depression and anxiety on the farm are pressing problems that have long simmered beneath the surface with little attention or open discussion. Shelby Watson-Hampton knows this too well; her older brother, Russ, who almost always appeared outgoing and energetic, silently battled depression and anxiety. Suicide claimed his life in 2003. Watson-Hampton farms on their fourth-generation family farm, Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards, located in Maryland. “Suicide was very stigmatized then. It just wasn’t talked about,” she says. “So I think we did what a lot of farm families do: We just shut down a little bit.” Anxiety and depression are widespread in agriculture, yet it’s something people often struggle with silently. Farmers and farmworkers say financial issues (91%), farm or business problems (88%) and fear of losing the farm (87%) impact their mental health, according to a 2019 poll sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation. “Rural people take pride in taking care of themselves and handling situations,” says Ted Matthews, director of Minnesota Rural Mental Health. “That positive thing can become a negative when they need help and they have too much pride to ask for it.” Warning signs of depression: When it comes to warning signs of depression and anxiety - whether in yourself or someone else - Dr. David Merrell says one of the main things to look for is a loss of enjoyment. “You stop doing the things that you enjoy doing, the activities, the fishing, whatever it is,” says Merrell, the on-site medical doctor for Syngenta in Greensboro, North Carolina. “Individuals who are starting to face depression and anxiety find there’s a mounting weight on them that makes those activities no longer enjoyable.” Weight gain or weight loss can be another sign, as is increased emotionality, such as becoming tearful over simple interactions. “Maybe deadlines are being missed where they never used to be missed, fields aren’t getting planted when they used to,” Merrell says. Additional signs indicating that a person might need help include: * Decline in care of crops, animals and farm * Deterioration of personal appearance * Marriage issues * Opioid abuse * Withdrawing from family and friends 8
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* Buying more life insurance * Increase in physical complaints, difficulty sleeping * Giving away prized possessions * Comments like: “I have nothing to live for,” and “My family would be better off without me.” Giving and getting help: Many experts suggest that listening nonjudgmentally, with care and concern, is often the most effective way people can help someone facing anxiety or depression. If someone in your life needs to talk, be sure to listen and don’t blame, Matthews says. “All of us in rural communities are in this together,” says Matthews. “If people don’t know what to do, they do nothing. More medical doctors and psychologists would be helpful. But without community involvement, little progress will be made.” For the person suffering from depression, proactively finding that kind of support system is crucial, Merrell says. “This I cannot stress enough: Find somebody you can confide in to say, ‘I’m having a hard time,’” he says. “That person might be a friend, a spouse, a clergy member or a mental health professional who will be able to give you tools and say, ‘Hey, next time this comes up, here’s what you’ve got to do.’” These conversations don’t always require going into an office. “There are a lot of telehealth opportunities so you can seek help from professionals over the phone,” Merrell notes. Today, there are more outlets for help than ever before. “Major land grant universities, extension agencies, commodity groups, agribusinesses - they’re all looking at it now. It comes up at almost every ag conference I’ve gone to in the last year or two, which is a huge change,” says Watson-Hampton. “There are farm crisis centers and farm resources like Farm Town Strong, which is a collaboration of the Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union to combat opioid addiction.” Additional mental health resources: To get mental health counseling or to learn more about mental health issues, contact these organizations: * American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, afsp. org * Employee Assistance Program, www.workhealthlife.com * Make It OK, makeitok.org/resources * National Alliance on Mental Health, www.nami.org * National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-2738255 * Ted Matthews, www.farmcounseling.org To learn more about Syngenta and read more stories about trending agriculture topics, visit www.syngentathrive.com.—
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Five Ways to Help Prevent Home Cyberattacks
Being home 100% of the time has become the new norm for many Americans, as social distancing is implemented in communities across the country to slow the rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic. Connected devices are being used virtually nonstop, as the homebound stream shows to binge watch and video chat with friends to help pass the time. Unfortunately, most residential computing networks aren’t regularly maintained and monitored to protect against security breaches. This presents hackers with a virtual playground of which to take advantage. “Cybercriminals are continuously looking for ways to exploit computer system vulnerabilities and home networks are popular targets because so many of our devices - phones, TVs, computers, even appliances - are connected to them,” said Jane Li, Mercury Insurance director of product management. “Insurance companies provide solutions to help financially protect homeowners and renters if they fall victim to a cyberattack. There are also steps they can take ahead of time to help prevent one from happening in the first place.” Following are five tips to protect your home network - and the devices connected to it - from hackers. 1. Power down your devices. This disables the internet connection, cutting off access to any personal information stored on your computer, tablet or phone. Unattended machines are easy targets for hackers, especially if you’re asleep. 2. Secure your wireless network. Information accessed on an open network, including email passwords and sensitive bank information, is fair game for hackers. Don’t make their jobs easier - protect your Wi-Fi network with a strong password that’s difficult to guess. Wireless routers that are issued by cable providers are typically assigned a network name and password that’s easily located on a label on the device itself. These can be changed using your
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online account, so do this as soon as possible for added security. 3. Invest in anti-malware software. Malware or malicious software - can be installed on your computer without your knowledge so hackers can damage your system, steal personal information or restrict your access to extort money from you. Anti-malware software helps protect against, detect and remove malware, stopping cybercriminals from doing further damage. Also, avoid downloading music or video files from suspicious websites, and clicking on links or email attachments in messages sent from unknown senders to help prevent malware from infiltrating your system. 4. Install recommended updates. Smartphone, computer, tablet and smart TV manufacturers, among other providers of connected devices, offer periodic software updates to protect against potential security breaches. Chances are, if an update is recommended, hackers have already discovered a way to access your personal property and information, so keep your software up to date. Set your devices to install auto-updates when possible. 5. Beware of phishing scams. Phishing scams aren’t new, but hackers continually use more sophisticated email - and even text messages - to trick people into providing their personal information. Once again, do not click on the links or attachments in messages from unknown senders. Li suggests homeowners and renters consider adding Home Cyber Protection to their existing policies as an additional way to protect against hackers. “Even the most vigilant individuals can experience a cybersecurity breach,” said Li. “Having coverage to help recoup financial losses that are brought on by cyberextortion or stolen personal information can offer peace of mind during an otherwise stressful time.”—
Taking on Lung Cancer is Worth the Fight You have cancer. Three small words that impact a person in a very big way. For advanced lung cancer patients, the emotional response to a diagnosis can be especially complex as lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths - each year, more people in the U.S. die of lung cancer than any other type of cancer. For those newly diagnosed with lung cancer, feelings of hopelessness and defeat can paralyze their decision-making and may contribute to their hesitancy to seek treatment. That’s why Merck has teamed up with GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer on a new campaign, Worth the Fight: Taking on Lung Cancer, to help empower people with advanced lung cancer and their loved ones to take an active role in their cancer care and talk to their healthcare team to understand treatment options that might be right for them. This campaign is based on findings from a recent survey of over 500 U.S. patients, caregivers and healthcare providers to better understand the mindset and challenges people impacted by advanced lung cancer face around the time of diagnosis. Despite incredible progress made against lung cancer over the past few decades, the survey revealed that most people diagnosed with advanced lung cancer still struggle with navigating their disease. The survey also revealed a need for more effective communications between a patient, their caregiver, and healthcare team and guidance around identifying helpful resources at diagnosis to help patients determine next steps, including whether they and their loved ones think it’s worth the fight to take on lung cancer. In fact, when first diagnosed, most patients (57%) think nothing can be done to treat their disease. Patients may feel scared (56%), have trouble making sense of what their doctor says (76%) or feel overwhelmed (41%). Upon learning of their diagnosis, 72% of patients believe they may have brought the disease on themselves. While many believe smoking is the sole cause of lung cancer, nearly anyone can be diagnosed with this life-threatening disease. The unspoken implication that a person is responsible for bringing lung cancer upon himself or herself can prompt feelings of hurt and shame. Stigma can cause people to avoid seeking treatment and is linked to disease-related distress and poor health outcomes, the American Lung Association warns.
After Jodi Parker was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in 2013, her doctors wanted her to start treatment immediately, but she wasn’t convinced. For Parker, it came down to protecting the time she had left. “I’d planned on living out the rest of my life the best way I could and making the most out of the time I had left. Fortunately, a well-timed call from a good friend persuaded me that I needed to reconsider. Seven years, one wedding and three grandchildren later, my cancer has returned. But it’s never been clearer that it’s worth the fight.” A treatment decision should be based on an informed discussion between a patient, their caregivers and healthcare team. But oftentimes patients are not sure how to weigh the risks and benefits of various treatment options, even after speaking with their oncologist. When first diagnosed, 79% of patients said their doctor clearly explained the value of being treated for advanced lung cancer, but more than half (56%) of patients doubted treatment would make a difference in their outcome. In addition, more than a third of patients (33%) and caregivers (39%) said they did not know enough about the disease to make informed decisions. These factors may lead patients to leave the ultimate treatment decision up to their healthcare providers. “Lung cancer is most often diagnosed at an advanced stage when the prognosis is poor, making it critically important for patients and their loved ones to have an open and honest conversation about what treatment options might be right for them at the time of diagnosis,” said Dr. Jacob Sands, thoracic medical oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Worth the Fight: Taking on Lung Cancer is designed to help people like Parker with advanced lung cancer take an active role in getting the care they need. “I know now that an advanced lung cancer diagnosis does not have to mean giving up. Ask your oncologist questions. Learn as much as you can. Take control of your care,” said Parker. Visit www.fightlungcancer.com to download a discussion guide to help you and your loved ones have an informed conversation with your doctor about treatment options and additional support resources.—
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Eight ways Your Family Can Cure Cabin Fever It’s not always easy to be at home with kids day after day, but with a little creativity, you can beat cabin fever. Whether you’re in your own backyard or venturing out, there are plenty of things you can do to have fun together. Make sure to choose activities that are age-appropriate and that follow your current local guidelines for social distancing. Here are just a few things to try. Get out in nature Visit nearby parks or scenic areas for fresh air and exercise. Choose locations that aren’t crowded, so social distancing isn’t difficult. Bring toys for the kids, like balls, kites, hula hoops, scooters or bikes. Play tourist. Pretend your car is a tour bus. Let Mom or Dad play tour guide first, modeling what to say (serious and/or funny). Drive by picturesque or unusual locations and make up the “tour” as you go along. Then let your kids take a turn narrating the “sights” as you drive. Plan a celebratory parade. Have a friend or family member with a birthday, anniversary or graduation to celebrate? Plan a drive-by parade with a few other family groups in cars, complete with signs, streamers and balloons. Honk, wave and sing as you slowly pass their home. Enjoy a treat with the family. Take a tour to find the best shake, burger or kids meal toy. For example, Sonic Wacky Pack Kids Meals come with a fun toy for kids. Through Aug. 2, kids age 3 and older will receive a collectible Hot Wheels Monster Truck exclusively at Sonic with their meal. Check out SonicWackyPack.com for free, downloadable activity packs that include coloring sheets, puzzles and games to entertain the kids while stuck at home. Contactless ordering and payment are easy using the Sonic app: Just create and pay for your order in the app, drive to your nearby Sonic, and check in when you arrive via the app. A Sonic Carhop brings out your meal when it’s ready. Make washing the car an event. If there’s a touchless car wash nearby, young children will have a blast being in the car during the washing process. Turn up
their favorite songs while you sit back and watch the suds and water do their work. Or you could involve the kids in washing the family car in your driveway. Go on a scavenger hunt. Whether you’re walking or driving through the neighborhood, play “I Spy” or hunt for specific items - like a red car, a blue house, a large dog - or search for signs, rainbows or teddy bears in neighbors’ windows (a trend sweeping the nation while people are staying home). Make the most of your own yard. You’d be amazed how much kids can appreciate their own yard, with just a little help. * Create an obstacle course using large cardboard boxes, hula hoops, cones or other items from your garage. * Make bubbles with 1 part dish soap to 3 parts water, adding a little sugar (1-2 teaspoons). Stir the mixture gently. Use pipe cleaners or cut out the bottom of plastic water bottles to create wands. * Use sidewalk chalk to draw hopscotch and other games, plus pictures and hopeful messages for neighbors walking by. * Find veggies or flowers your kids want to grow and involve them in gardening projects. * Dig through your garage for neglected toys and games. When did your kids last play badminton or croquet? Or make your own games, like jump rope, cornhole or horseshoes, using household items. Search online for tips on crafting homemade games. Take a trip down memory lane. Scour your memory and ask grandparents about outdoor games from when you (or they) were children. Have grandparents explain how to play their games via phone or FaceTime. Then, video kids playing the games for the whole family to share! Spending time together, outside or in, creates special memories your kids will treasure as they grow up - making all your efforts worthwhile.—
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Seven Ways Technology can Help You Make the Most of Your Summer With summer upon us and travel plans likely on hold, it’s time to figure out what’s on your family’s summer bucket list. Whether it’s learning a new language, reading one book a week or exploring your culinary skills, there are many different ways a smart home with Amazon Alexa can make this summer your best one yet. From enabling Skills to setting up Routines, here are seven different ways Amazon Devices and Alexa can help: 1. Rise and shine. Although many of us think of summer as the time to sleep in, try setting a consistent routine this season. Start the day off right by setting a Routine through your Alexa app. Alexa can wake you at the same time each day with a friendly “good morning,” play your favorite song or even turn on your bedside lamp with an Amazon Smart Plug. 2. Practice self-care. Make yourself a priority this summer. Whether that includes working out, doing yoga, or taking a moment to slow down and meditate, Alexa can help you stay on track. With the Fire TV Stick 4K, ask Alexa to start a 7-minute workout for a quick sweat or open your favorite workout with the Peloton app. 3. Get work done. A productive work environment can help increase your daily performance. Upgrade your home Wi-Fi with an eero mesh wi-fi router for reliable signal and an Echo Dot to stay on top of tasks with your calendar and to-do lists. In addition to being able to control your schedule, you also have full control over your voice recordings and more with Alexa. Alexa and Echo devices are built with multiple layers of privacy - from microphone and camera controls to the ability to review and delete your voice recordings. It’s easy to manage your recordings by simply saying, “Alexa, delete what I just said” or “Alexa, delete everything I said today.” You can also use the Alexa app or Alexa Privacy Settings for full control over your voice recordings and more. 4. Learn new skills. Take this summer to expand
your knowledge and learn new skills. With Amazon Devices, you can start learning a new language with the Rosetta Stone skill or read new books with the Fire HD 8 Tablet or Kindle Paperwhite. Learn new skills in the kitchen by trying recipes with the Food Network Kitchen skill on the Echo Show. 5. Plan for the week. Staying organized will help keep your summer stress-free. Easily plan your week by asking Alexa to create a to-do list and set reminders for important tasks. With Alexa Voice Shopping, you can easily order items such as paper towels or a new set of grilling tools for your weekend backyard barbecue. 6. Spend time with family and friends. While you may not physically be with friends and family, it’s easy to stay in touch with the Echo Show. For extra face to face time, enable Drop-In and ask Alexa to connect you with your contacts directly. 7. Wind down for the day. When it’s time to wind down, use the Fire TV Cube to watch your favorite shows or movies on streaming platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu and Disney+. You can also set up a “Good Night” Routine that uses your smart lights to automatically dim brightness to 50% and play relaxing music to quiet your mind. These devices make it easier to stick to a routine this summer that works for both you and your family. Taking a few minutes to set up a Routine will save you time down the road - and make home life simpler and smarter. Discover everything Alexa and Amazon Devices can do for you at Amazon.com/ devices.—
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COVER STORY
How Teachers Can Prepare for Successful Distance Learning this Fall The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most disruptive event in the history of K-12 education, closing 120,000 schools and affecting 55 million students in the U.S. And educators have been challenged like never before. According to a survey commissioned by University of Phoenix, K-12 teachers often felt overwhelmed and under-supported. Teachers reported spending almost as much time prepping for virtual teaching (3.13 hours) as they spent actively teaching (3.97 hours), and less than half (47%) felt that available training was good or excellent. Having too much information could be as taxing as not having enough, making it difficult to determine which tools were best. Forty-one percent of teachers felt overwhelmed by the many resources provided to help them navigate virtual learning. During the next 90 days, schools and teachers will develop their resources for teaching this fall. “Most schools are beginning their preparation by learning from what they experienced when schools closed - what were they prepared for, and more importantly, where they fell short,” says Pam Roggeman, dean of the college of education at University of Phoenix. “There are a number of learning and communication tools available that provide methods and space for education to happen, but tools are only as good as the teachers who are managing them.” 16 RuralLeaderMag.com | JULY 2020
Roggeman offers tips for educators preparing for the upcoming year. Conduct a needs assessment of yourself. “Before diving into the sea of free resources, apps, etc., first decide what you already know and then what you need to know to better serve the needs of your students,” advises Roggeman. Stay positive, she says, and be open to adapting to changing needs and circumstances. Be willing to readjust plans when something isn’t working. Learn from peers. Talk to colleagues, sharing notes about what worked this past term, and what didn’t. Explore articles and resources from educators who faced similar challenges. “Tap into one of the best free resources - your peers,” says Roggeman. “Take this time to learn what sound distance learning looks like.” Collaborate with administrators and school counselors to focus not only on teaching methods, but also supporting the mental wellness of students during this uncertain time. Use resources designed in response to current circumstances For example, the Virtual Teaching Academy, taking place June 26-July 1, is a free resource for K-12 educators, leaders and administrators who are seeking expert guidance and tangible insights on best practices for navigating the upcoming school year.
The Academy is hosted by The Alliance for Virtual Learning, a new initiative spearheaded by University of Phoenix and Blackboard - a leading education technology company for teaching, learning and student engagement - that unites a network of educators, experts and administrators who are shaping the blueprint for new education models that combine the best of virtual and classroom teaching. Virtual Teaching Academy attendees will acquire necessary insights to create a blueprint to help their schools and districts prepare for the uncertain school year ahead. Create a plan to stay connected to parents regardless of technology access level. During this challenging time, parents and teachers rely on each other to educate their kids - the parent-teacher relationship is crucial for success of a child’s virtual education. Make a plan to stay connected with even the least technologically well-equipped homes. “Technology is a tool for the educational process, not the answer to good distance learning,” says Roggeman. “Many districts are dealing with how to reach all students, which includes solving access issues such as no Wi-Fi in the home or homes whose only
‘screens’ are cell phones.” Creative thinking is key to helping families bridge the digital divide. Find low-tech ways to deliver curriculum and feedback, using telephone and mail communication, television and books. Help parents find internet access and ways to use a cell phone to access content. Focus on the needs of each student. Every student has a different home situation and unique learning needs, which requires teachers to approach virtual learning with flexibility and empathy. Despite distance, many of the same best practices apply as in-classroom teaching: * Connect with students * Give meaningful academic feedback * Diagnose learners’ individual needs * Address the needs of the “whole” child Creating a plan for the upcoming school year is crucial in these uncertain times. By utilizing resources like the Virtual Teaching Academy and focusing on individual student needs, teachers can help students be more successful in their education - even at a distance.—
Read How on Page 21
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How are We Equipping Students to Succeed in Science? Scientists across the world are charging forward in the fight to prevent and treat COVID-19. And they’re harnessing the latest tech and science as they press down on the accelerator at a speed unattainable to date. But another fight is also playing out during this unprecedented challenge: the urgent need to educate young people while schools remain closed. As science dominates headlines and dinner conversations, it’s integral that all young people better understand and appreciate science and the role it plays in society. Science literacy can no longer be a luxury or an add-on in an age when it should be embedded into how every sector responds to complex challenges. The shift to remote learning. For many young people, their first introduction to science at school is through teachers, who clearly deserve appreciation and the deepest thanks right now. Yet as teachers everywhere - 63 million primary and secondary teachers around the world, according to UN News have had to rapidly transition to online learning to reach the 1.2 billion children currently out of school around the world, many don’t have the resources and support they need to teach successfully. Among schools in the United States, teachers in 18
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the most economically disadvantaged districts are least likely to be able to provide online learning opportunities for all students, according to Education Week. Today’s school closures magnify the inequities that were always present in society and schooling before COVID-19. So how can science teachers, far from their classrooms, best encourage a scientific mindset that is needed now more than ever to understand the world? One solution is LabXchange, an online community for learning, sharing and collaboration. This free platform, launched by Harvard University and the Amgen Foundation, makes science accessible to hundreds of thousands of high school and college students. Online science platforms support teachers. LabXchange’s virtual simulations remove barriers of expensive equipment, safety issues, and the extra time teachers need to prepare materials for school labs, which is beneficial now more than ever when teachers are shifting how they deliver science education. Free, comprehensive online platforms like LabXchange, Khan Academy and others can meaningfully advance students’ learning and interest in science, even when they aren’t at school.
“When young people learn science, they need to be able to make mistakes, to be creative, to try something again and again by experimenting without worrying about breaking something,” says Dr. Scott Heimlich, vice president of the Amgen Foundation. “Failure is an inherent part of the scientific process, but too often the way science is taught in school leaves no time for mistakes or creativity or play,” Heimlich says. “Even with its limits, technology can indeed support teachers to meet their lesson goals by embedding our latest understanding of how students lean into the design process.” Meeting teachers’ and students’ needs. Well-designed programs should put teachers in the driver’s seat. In-person lab programs like the 30-year-old Amgen Biotech Experience have laid a strong groundwork for how best to reach students, especially those in underserved communities, by engaging them in science. While technology is best used to complement or supplement in-person instruction, the Amgen Biotech Experience labs are now avail-
able virtually through LabXchange, showing how an online experience can be used to teach lab skills remotely. With new online platforms, science teachers can remix high-quality, curated resources into customized learning pathways for different groups of students with different needs. Teachers can also embed their own content along with assessments to gauge their students’ learning and understanding. A scientific mindset. For science to be accessible to all, especially now, the world needs more forward-looking educational technology that gives teachers and students the tools they need to foster a scientific mindset. All around us today, scientists are leveraging the most powerful tools and platforms in the fight against this virus. Science teachers - and their students - deserve the same.—
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How to Help Older Adults Avoid Fraudsters During the COVID-19 Pandemic Crises and upheaval have a way of bringing out the best - and, sometimes the worst - in society. That’s why, during this month focused on Elder Abuse Awareness and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to protect the online information of senior and vulnerable friends and loved ones. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has seen an increase in online extortion attempts as state governments have issued “stay-at-home” orders in response to the crisis. That comes at a time when The Better Business Bureau says fraudsters are targeting older populations in particular. “Our elderly population are the wisest and most treasured members of our communities,” says DJ Johnson, Charles Schwab’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Risk Management. “However, they’re at a higher level of risk, not only due to possible physical complications with the virus, but also by being targeted by online scammers who have increased their efforts to defraud this susceptible group. As the senior population is confronted with challenging decisions, whether about visiting stores for groceries or isolating themselves from loved ones, criminals can prey on vulnerability from several fronts.” Scammers have deployed several methods intended to trick individuals into sending money, disclosing personal information or downloading malicious software. At Schwab, teams are trained to pay attention to behavioral cues that might be the result of an attempted scam. Awareness of scams targeting seniors is key. While 20 RuralLeaderMag.com | JULY 2020
fraud can come in many forms, here are a few specific schemes that can be more targeted at the senior population: Emergency scams: Schemers misrepresent themselves as a family member requesting money for care, or requesting supplies to “stay afloat.” Social Security: Scammers pose as someone from the Social Security Administration requesting payment or personal information to prevent benefits from being suspended or reduced. Investment scams: Fraudsters promote investments in companies that claim to prevent, detect or provide a cure for COVID-19. So now, more than ever, it’s important to stay informed in order to detect signs of fraud. Added isolation can increase vulnerability to falling victim to a scam. Tips: * Consult with family members and friends prior to acting on a request for funds. * Assign a trusted contact. * The Social Security Administration is not suspending benefits and will never request payment to receive them. * Perform extra due diligence when making investment choices. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Fake websites. People are turning to the internet for up-to-date information about COVID-19 and to purchase goods that either cannot be found in stores or as an alternative to shopping in person.
To take advantage of this, fraudsters set up websites to offer goods or services, such as protective gear (gloves and face masks), cleaning products, vaccines, testing kits and home delivery services. They then use these sites to collect payment and personal information with no intention of delivering the goods and services. This data is used by the fraudsters, or sold to other criminals on the dark web. Tips: * Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or coronavirus.gov, or contact your physician for information regarding COVID-19. * Avoid visiting pages offering cures or vaccines. * Go directly to websites by entering a trusted URL address into your browser. * Avoid using phone numbers for companies found through general web searches. * Read site reviews regarding product delivery and purchases. The reviews may indicate if a site is selling counterfeit products. Phishing. Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails or texts purporting to be from reputable sources to persuade individuals to reveal personal information, such as login credentials. Tips: * Be suspicious of any email or text that requests your personal information. * Hover over links to check validity, or visit websites directly by entering a known URL address into your internet browser before logging in or accessing material.
* Help ensure a website is secure before entering personal information. * Do not click or download suspicious or unknown attachments, and be wary of attachments even from people you know. Impersonations: Impersonation fraud schemes are used by impostors to obtain personal information and request fraudulent payments. The scam may begin with a phone call, email, computer pop-ups, text or other communication. Fraudsters are employing pandemic-related robocalls, claiming to be associated with charities, insurance companies or businesses offering products or cures. Some calls even offer cleaning services for your home. Impostors may pretend to be government officials and try to capitalize on the extended tax-filing date and proposed economic-stimulus checks. Tips: * Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers. * Hang up if you do answer a call that’s unusual. Don’t press any buttons because this could lead to more calls. * Don’t supply personal, account or payment information, especially if you feel you’re being pressured. * Never send money in response to a robocall or social media message. For information on more ways to educate and protect yourself and your elderly family members from cybercrimes, visit schwab.com/schwabsafe/ security-knowledge-center.—
Donate Plasma Fight COVID-19 Time is of the essence. If you or someone you know has recovered from COVID-19, the vital antibodies in your blood plasma could be used to help another patient fight off the disease or to create a medicine to potentially treat it. Please join us to unite against COVID-19 by donating your plasma. Notable voices including Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson, Helen Mirren, Awkwafina, Ryan Tedder, Dr. Ken Jeong, and Daniel Dae Kim, are supporting a broad coalition of the world’s leading medical and research institutions, blood centers, life science companies, technology companies, philanthropic organizations and COVID-19 survivor groups. This coalition has launched “The Fight Is In Us” campaign to drive awareness and recruit COVID-19 survivors to donate their blood plasma to potentially help save lives. The public-private partnership that resulted in “The Fight Is In Us” is a massive global public health
undertaking, fueled by a shared responsibility to make a difference. “COVID-19 continues to impact our communities and the time is now to donate plasma and to potentially help stop the disease in its tracks,” said Dwayne Johnson. “I’m humbled to join forces with The Fight Is In Us team to raise awareness of the urgent need for COVID-19 survivors to donate their strength.” Recovered individuals in communities across the United States hold an important key to accelerating progress in the development of potential treatment options for COVID-19. COVID-19 survivors are urged to recognize the fight within themselves and pay it forward by donating plasma to potentially help someone else in their own fight. One vital resource, two valuable approaches: Do nating blood plasma is a safe process that has been used for more than one hundred years to help Continued on page 23 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JULY 2020 21
Thinking about a road trip? How to get back behind the wheel safely
As the nation considers a safe and socially-distant return to work and travel, states are loosening restrictions on stay-at-home orders. As your car may have sat relatively idle over the last few months, the following tips can help ensure your vehicle is ready when you are, while you, the driver, stay informed and safe. Whether you’re headed back to work, road-tripping to a state park, or simply making a grocery store run, thoughtful preparation can help you successfully navigate a safe transition back to the roads. Maintain and repair: Give your car a thorough basic inspection If your vehicle hasn’t been in use for a few months, it’s important to conduct a few checks before driving again. Batteries can drain, tires can lose pressure and worse. * Battery maintenance: Make sure your car battery is free of dirt and corrosion with a simple visual inspection. If it’s looking worse for the wear, check your driver’s manual for how to remove the battery and have a local auto parts store check its charge. Of all simple car repairs, a battery replacement is perhaps the easiest. * Air pressure and tire tread: Consult your drivers manual, then ensure your tires are in the right PSI range (typically 30-35) by checking their inflation with a tire pressure gauge. While checking your tire pressure, you should also evaluate the tread on your tires. This is easy to do by sticking a penny in the tread gaps with Lincoln’s head facing down. If the head is fully visible, it’s safe to say that you need new tires. 22
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* Motor oil: With minimal use of your car over the last few months, it’s a great time to consider changing your motor oil. It is a best practice to change your oil and oil filter as specified in your owner’s manual. If you’re still using conventional oil, strongly consider switching to a synthetic motor oil such as Mobil 1â„¢ motor oil. Synthetic motor oil offers improved wear protection and low/high temperature performance over conventional motor oils, particularly in modern turbocharged engines. Think about your first refuel: Try to reduce surface contact at the pump For customers filling up their vehicles for the first time in a while, many service stations are sanitizing surfaces and pump handles more frequently and encouraging the use of contactless payment. * Use mobile payment apps: Consider an option like the Exxon Mobil Rewards+ app to reduce contact with the pin pad, while also keeping your credit card information private and secure. A bonus for using Exxon Mobil Rewards+â„¢ mobile app - you’ll also earn rewards points to redeem on gas and convenience store purchases. * Gloves, paper towels and sanitizers: For actual pump handle contact, a disposable glove or even one of the paper towels next to the squeegee can be used when holding the pump nozzle. Beyond that, always carry hand sanitizer in your glove box. As you return to the roads, conduct thorough vehicle checks and take proactive measures at the pump to ensure a smooth and safe driving experience.—
Fight COVID-19, cont'd from page 21 save lives. Thousands of people safely and painlessly donate every day. The coalition partners are working on two approaches for treating COVID-19, both of which urgently require collection of convalescent plasma from survivors. * Direct transfusion - Blood donor centers throughout the country are currently collecting convalescent plasma from COVID-19 survivors that is being directly infused into current patients as part of the Expanded Access Program for convalescent plasma. This program is being administered by Mayo Clinic with authorization from the Food & Drug Administration. The safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma are being evaluated through multiple clinical trials in different populations. * Hyperimmune globulin (H-Ig) medicine - Convalescent plasma is being collected for the development of a potential treatment that is currently being manufactured and will be studied in clinical trials this summer. Through the manufacturing process, the plasma is pooled, concentrated and purified, resulting in a vial of medicine with consistent levels of antibodies that could make H-Ig easier for hospitals to store and administer to patients. Coalition members developing an H-Ig include the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance (CSL Behring, Takeda, ADMA Biologics, Biopharma Plasma, Biotest, BPL, GC Pharma, LFB, Octapharma and Sanquin) and Grifols. Racing against time: The coalition is reaching out to people in the United States who have recovered from COVID-19 to realize the unique strength they have and donate their blood plasma in a race against time.
* Within survivors’ two-month recovery period COVID-19 survivors who are willing to donate must do so within two months of their recovery to increase the chance that their blood plasma contains a sufficient concentration of antibodies. * In anticipation of seasonal increases in COVID-19 cases - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health experts warn against a second surge of cases this fall in the Northern Hemisphere, making the search for a treatment particularly urgent. How you can help: COVID-19 survivors should visit TheFightIsInUs.org to understand if they may be eligible to donate and find a nearby blood or plasma donor center using a simple self-screening tool. With more than 1,600 locations, the coalition aims to make the blood and plasma donation process easy for COVID-19 survivors. Uber Health is providing free, roundtrip Uber rides to and from the donor centers for those who are eligible to donate. We urge all healthy individuals - whether they have recovered from COVID-19 or not - to donate blood or plasma. Blood and plasma donations benefit thousands of people every day through transfusions or processed into life-saving therapies that treat serious and rare diseases. If you or someone you know has beat COVID-19, please consider donating your plasma today to potentially share your inner strength with those who need it: www.TheFightIsInUs.org.—
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Four Outdoor Cleaning Tips That Could Help Save You Thousands 24
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