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Translating the COVID-19 information firehose as a healthcare professional
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareIn these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us find ourselves wondering what evidence-based information we should follow and what news sources to avoid. We may first choose to do this simply to keep ourselves sane and focused amidst the noise so that we can function as both private citizens and healthcare professionals. Having said that, we are also likely to feel the heavy responsibility of skillfully curating information so that we can translate the firehose of pandemic-related information for our loved ones who turn to us for reassurance, education, and clarity. In this regard, where do we begin?
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Why Google and Microsoft obsess over psychological safety
Timothy R. Clark Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementGoogle and Microsoft know something a lot of other companies simply refuse to acknowledge — that organizations lacking psychological safety are galloping their way to extinction. Psychological safety is a social condition in which you feel included, safe to learn, safe to contribute, and safe to challenge the status quo — all without fear of being embarrassed, marginalized, or punished in some way. Basically, it means it’s not expensive to be yourself.
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Healthcare’s furloughs continue even as parts of the US begin to…
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationThe cratering of the healthcare job market has continued as COVID-19 spreads across the United States. In all sectors, more than 22 million people have filed for unemployment benefits as of April 17, with the virus, for now, wiping out a decade of job gains. The United States has not seen this level of job loss since the Great Depression. Healthcare, long seen as an untouchable career field — safe from the ups and downs of the economy — is among the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic.
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Associations face a new advocacy landscape
Jeb Ory Association ManagementAs many people in Washington know, the COVID-19 crisis launched an advocacy boom. What they may not realize is that it is far from over. As Congress considered a $2 trillion stimulus bill — the largest in U.S. history — hundreds of organizations scrambled to ensure that lawmakers understood and addressed their needs, whether that meant safety equipment, financial support, tax relief or other necessities. Trade associations led that charge.
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When can we start traveling again?
Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementWhen will the COVID-19 pandemic end? When will we be able to travel again? Since California issued its stay-at-home order in mid-March, over 316 million people in the U.S. and Puerto Rico have been urged to stay at home. The U.S. State Department also issued a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory for all international travel. Today, many people are getting tired of staying at home. So, when can we go out and begin traveling again?
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Incorporating the US Census into remote classroom instruction
Brian Stack EducationLike most school principals around the country, earlier this year I received a package in the mail from the U.S. Census. The package contained a toolkit for educators, complete with colorful maps and activity books, designed to help teachers incorporate the U.S. Census into their classroom instruction. There are specific areas for K-12 activities, pre-K materials, ELL/adult ESL resources, maps, videos, and tools that are specific to Puerto Rico and the islands.
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Does workers’ compensation cover coronavirus?
Grace Ferguson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThough we still have much to learn about the novel coronavirus, symptoms range from mild to severe and can lead to death. In response, lawmakers and industry leaders have been implementing relief for impacted individuals — such as paid leave, additional unemployment benefits, and free COVID-19 testing. A common question among employees is whether relief extends to workers' compensation, also known as workers' comp. Long story short, if you're exposed to COVID-19 on the job, you might have a hard time getting workers' compensation — unless you’re a healthcare provider or first responder.
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Do face masks prevent COVID-19 transmission? Results of a small study
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareCiting concern about asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread of COVID-19, the CDC has now released recommendations that all Americans should wear cloths masks in public where distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Recently, a small study from South Korea questioned the effectiveness of surgical or cotton face masks to prevent dissemination of COVID-19 from the coughs of infected patients. Sung-Han Kim, MD, of the University of Ulsan College of Medicine in Seoul and colleagues examined data from four COVID-19 patients.
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COVID-19: What can federal contractors do?
Lisa Pafe Civil & GovernmentEveryone involved in federal procurement — acquisition professionals, federal contractors, and others — has been busy rearranging personal affairs. Making sure you, those you love, and everyone in your community is safe is what should be the primary concern. But once the dust settles, the short- and long-term impacts will become apparent. While we can't predict the full extent of the impact at this time, change is happening. Here are some best guesses.
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Health systems scrambling for federal cash amidst coronavirus pandemic
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareHospitals, many of which are hamstrung under near-fatal cash shortages brought on by the onslaught of the COVID-19 virus, are slated for another round of federal stimulus funding. The funding from the first round of stimulus money designated to hospitals was aimed at fighting the coronavirus front in some of the nation's most troubling hot spots. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma told reporters on April 15 that cash-strapped hospitals should expect details about a second wave of emergency funding in a matter of days.
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