DURA Spring 2022 Newsletter

DURA

SPRING 2022

D U K E

U N I V E R S I T Y

R E T I R E E S

A S S O C I A T I O N

705 Broad Street, Suite 201 Box 90511, Durham, NC 27708 Telephone: 919-684-2808 • Fax: 919-681-7924

April 2022 Dear DURA Members,

Spring is considered the sweetest season of the year. Spring represents natures revival and new beginnings.

If you are like me, I’m sure you are looking forward to the days becoming longer and warmer and spending more time outdoors.

Although in-person meetings have been paused, we wanted to continue to connect with DURA members through the DURA Newsletter. If you know of a current DURA member that does not have their email listed with DURA, please ask them to email DURA@duke.edu with their name and email address. They will be added to the DURA email database.

We also encourage you to invite Duke retirees that have not yet joined DURA to visit the DURA website and apply online.

I hope you and your loved ones stay healthy and well.

Antwan-La’Mont Lofton

Antwan-La’Mont Lofton, Ed.D, PHR Interim Vice President, Human Resources Duke University & Duke University Health System

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Your Guide to Masks Two years of experience with COVID-19 has demonstrated that robust infection prevention protocols such as masking, maintaining physical distance, washing hands regularly and other safe practices have been effective in limiting the transmission of COVID-19 and its variants.

Even with the arrival of the Omicron variant, science has shown the smart path forward for otherwise healthy older Americans to live their life is to get vaccinated and wear a mask.

To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, CDC continues to recommend that you wear the most protective mask you can, that fits well and that you will wear consistently.

Masks and Respirators Masks are made to contain droplets and particles you breathe, cough, or sneeze out. If they fit closely to the face, they can also provide you some protection from particles spread by others, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

The proper fit of a mask improves its effectiveness.

Check that your mask fits snugly over your nose, mouth and chin  Check for gaps by cupping your hands around the outside edges of the mask.  Make sure no air is flowing from the area near your eyes or from the sides of the mask.

 I f the mask has a good fit, you will feel warm air come through the front of the mask and may be able to see the mask material move in and out with each breath.

Simple mask modifications can be made to help improve its fit, and thereby improve source control.

There are many options to make your mask fit better if it is too loose. Some options include: T wisting the straps of your mask before you put it on so that the elastic is in a crisscross. U se a plastic clip to pull the straps tighter behind your head.

Respirators are made to protect you by filtering the air and fitting closely on the face to filter out particles, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

They can also contain droplets and particles you breathe, cough, or sneeze out so you do not spread them to others.

When choosing a respirator, look at how well it fits and read the manufacturer instructions. These instructions should include information on how to wear, store, and clean or properly dispose of the respirator. Most publicly available respirators are disposable and should be discarded when they are dirty, damaged, or difficult to breathe through.

More information about mask types and proper use of masks is available on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

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Grandparents and Grandchildren

Activities In a national 2018 AARP study, 38% of grandparents said one role in their grandchildren’s lives is as babysitter or day care provider. During the pandemic, some grandparents stepped up even more by watching their grandchildren for longer hours, filling in as teachers and becoming lifeboats so parents could continue to work. Grandparents have also contributed to providing a stable work-life balance making them starring figures in family life. This role has often resulted in a deeper relationship with members of the household and keeping grandparents active.

Here are a few generation-bridging and boredom-busting activities for grandparents that are taking a more active role in their grandchildren’s lives:  Send and decode secret messages: This is a fun play activity for kids but also a useful resource as it could easily be used for math skill, spelling practice, writing activities, word work and more.  Make super-soft playdough: This simple 2 ingredient playdough recipe requires no cooking and is easy for kids of all ages to make and play.  Solve brainteasers, puzzles and riddles together: Click on the link to find fun and educational materials related to health, science and the environment.  Lead an outdoor color hunt: As the weather is getting warmer, head outside on a color walk.  Create a fairy garden: Miniature fairy gardens look great, are low care and get kids involved with gardening.  Interview each other: Use your smartphone to record it and send copies to family members.  Draw and discuss your family tree: From hand-drawn genealogy charts to computer-generated ancestor trees, there are many different ways to chart and display your family history.  Design a giant chalk maze: A giant sidewalk chalk maze activity for preschoolers gets them moving and is easier to make than you might think!  Plant a vegetable garden in the backyard: Children are curious by nature, and there is no greater joy than that from a child who has cultivated plants from his or her own vegetable garden.  Go living-room camping: A great activity to do on a rainy Spring day!

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Good To Know Charging Cables

Have you ever wondered why you can’t use one cable for all devices?

Below is a guide to assist you with knowing which device uses what charging cables.

USB-A: The most common USB cable, a rectangular connector used for a host of products.

Micro USB: A popular cable used for Bluetooth headphones, older Android devices and video game controllers.

USB-C: The newest variation, used on the newer mobile phones, tablets, e-readers and laptop computers.

Mini USB: Most frequently used on older cameras and MP3 players.

Lightning: Apples’ proprietary charging cable for iPhones and iPads.

AC Adapter: Traditional power supplies often used for power tool batteries, older laptops and kitchen appliances.

Inductive (wireless) charging: Products charge by resting on a pad. Used for phones, e-readers and tablets.

MegSafe: Proprietary wireless technology from Apple that allows its phones to charge a bit faster.

Changing an Email Address

Changing an email address can be a nuisance but is sometimes necessary. Here are some steps to help with the process.

Step One: Experts recommend choosing an agnostic platform-an email service not lined to other accounts or services to which you subscribe. There are several popular choices that are free and simple, such as Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook. Once you choose your service, consider opening two accounts: one dedicated solely to trusted sources-family, friends, doctor offices-and the other for your interactions with retailers, charities and professionals. Using a second email address for loyalty programs and such keeps your primary email address out of the hands of scammers.

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Step Two: Tell your family and friends about your new email address and encourage them to

change their electronic and physical address books. Then, make a list of every important contact who may have your old email address and try, either by phone or online, to update your information with them. This includes health care providers, banks, landlord, credit card companies, utility companies, loyalty accounts, and so on. Be sure to update your new email with DURA by emailing DURA@duke.edu.

Step Three: Try to keep your old account open for at

least three months after opening your new address. This will ensure you don’t miss important communications.

Go through the old emails and forward them to your new address. Once you’ve done that, delete all of the messages and folders on the old account. Many free email services have tools to let you import your entire email box to your new email account. Then you can delete all the emails from the old account at once.

Step Four: Be sure to shut down the old account to limit potential hackers. Emails can provide a wealth of personal information. Hackers can use this information to assume your identity for a variety of nefarious reasons.

How to Clear Your Web Browser’s Caches Computers, smartphones and tablets can get sluggish when storage space is cramped. Sometimes a quick reboot seems to mercifully fix all problems. Sometimes you need to free up space by removing apps or programs you haven’t used in a long time. But one of the simplest ways to restore order is to clear the cache and cookies from your browser.

Cache, pronounced cash, in this text refers to an area that becomes a temporary home for files and data left while you were patrolling the internet, including images, videos and text. Their chief purpose is to personalize your experience upon your return to a site. Your browser will also accumulate crumbs left behind known as cookies that sorts and reminds a site who you are. On your return to an online shopping destination, for example, you may not have to reenter your log-in credentials or add back items that you left in the shopping cart. Clearing your cache and cookies generally causes little harm. But the first time you return to some places online, you may have to log in again or wait for certain content to load.

Click here to learn how to clean things up on some of the

most popular web browsers.

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5 Easy Ways to Protect Yourself from Web Hackers and Eavesdroppers During the pandemic, we’ve grown even more dependent on our devises to stay in touch and remain entertained. With increased reliance on tech comes a greater risk of being tracked, analyzed, marketed to or even scammed. Consider these simple ways to stop cyber-snoopers in their tracks.

1 Use a VPN Many of us choose the “private” or “incognito” mode when opening a web browser because it deletes your history and trackable cookies. But be aware your online activity is still visible during your time online. This information can be tracked, saved and shared or sold to third parties. While private browsing prevents information from being automatically stored on your device, everything you did is still visible to your internet service provider. Websites you visit can see your IP address, which gives them your approximated geographical whereabouts, and identifies your device. Install a reputable virtual private network (VPN), which provides anonymity when browsing online. Popular VPN options include ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

2 Create strong passwords or pass phrases Remember to have a strong password for all your accounts. Make it at least seven characters long and a combination of letters, numbers and symbols.

Never use the same password for all your online activity. A pass phrase instead of a password is a good way to lengthen your passwords and give you a reminder. For example, “My dog Duke is No 1!” can be turned into Myd0gD#1!

For online banking and shopping apps, opt for two-factor authentication. It requires your password to log in but will also send a one-time code to your mobile deice to prove it’s really you.

3 Mute, unmute your smart speaker While smart speakers are convenient for their instant responses to your queries, these digital assistance devices are always listening for their wake word – “Alexa” for Amazon Echo devices or ‘OK, Google” for the Google Nest or Google Home family. That means your virtual assistant is always listening. Press the mute button on top of the smart speaker or smart display. That turns the microphone off, so the device can’t listen for its wake word. You can enable it whenever you have a request.

4 Disable sharing to Facebook Off-Facebook Activity tool gives you a summary of activity that businesses and organizations share with Facebook about your interactions and lets you turn off that tracking.

5 Webcam We’re now accustomed to using Zoom and other apps for video chats, so be sure to take precautions to avoid having your camera compromised.

If you use an external webcam, one that plugs into your computer’s USB port, connect it only when you need it. If your camera is built into your laptop, pick up a lens cover, which may be available at many local stores or on Amazon.

For a camera built flush into your screen, use a double layer of tape to block the tiny lens, but don’t leave it on forever because it could gum up.

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Spring Dinner Recipe Ideas Bring some springtime sunshine into your cooking with these super-quick Spring dinner ideas.

Crunchy Chili Lime Shrimp Easy, quick and family-friendly, this spring dinner idea comes together in just 30 minutes. The secret is the flavor-packed sauce and crunchy tortilla chips.

Click here for complete recipe.

Air-Fryer Chicken Parmesan Quick, simple and oh-so-tasty, this air-fryer chicken Parmesan recipe is the perfect weeknight dish to have on hand. It’s just as crispy as the classic, if not crispier! Click here for complete recipe.

Pepper Ricotta Primavera Garlic, peppers and herbs top creamy ricotta cheese in this meatless spring dinner idea you can make in just 20 minutes. Click here for complete recipe.

Asparagus Ham Dinner With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it’s a tempting blend of tastes and textures.

Click here for complete recipe.

Spring Dinner Wraps Larb gai (Thai chicken salad) is a spring dinner idea made with ground chicken, chiles, mint and basil.

Serve as a main dish or as an appetizer in lettuce cups. For a heartier version, serve with rice.

Click here for complete recipe.

Grilled Tilapia Piccata It’s simple, looks lovely and tastes restaurant-worthy.

Click here for complete recipe.

Tex-Mex Chicken Strips Crushed up some leftover corn chips create a crispy, flavorful coating. Click here for complete recipe.

Have you moved? Has your name, home, or email address changed?

In order to keep your name on the mailing list at Human Resources, you must notify HR of any changes. Email DURA@duke.edu or call (919) 684-9040 and inform HR of any changes.

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