littlemissmartypants
littlemissmartypants's JournalYale's massively popular 'happiness' course is available free online
The Science of Well-Being find course here:
https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being
Yale's massively popular 'happiness' course is available free online
By Ryan Prior, CNN
Updated 12:27 PM EDT, Mon March 23, 2020
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/health/yale-happiness-course-wellness/index.html
(CNN)As you're spending more time at home and working to stay sane during the coronavirus pandemic, you might be able to find solace in Yale University's mega-popular "happiness" course, which is available for free online through Coursera.
"We're in a particularly challenging time not just for this health crisis, this physical health crisis, but also a potential mental health crisis as well," course creator Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor, told CNN's Christiane Amanpour this week.
The course went online for free about two years ago under the name "The Science of Well Being," according to the Yale Daily News. Anyone can audit the course for free, and $49 lets you complete assignments, submit them for a grade and earn a certificate of completion.
Although in-person social connections matter, Santos says the good news from science is that much of happiness stems from cultivating healthy practices and routines.
Much more at the link.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/health/yale-happiness-course-wellness/index.html
❤lmsp
Protesters rally for NC to reopen
Protesters rally for NC to reopen. One woman arrested for violating governor’s order.
BY JOSH SHAFFER AND ASHAD HAJELA APRIL 14, 2020 12:05 PM
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article241999131.html
More than 100 protesters rallied in downtown Raleigh to reopen North Carolina on Tuesday, describing Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-home order as an unconstitutional overreach that will kill the state’s small businesses.
At least one protester, Monica Faith Ussery, 51, of Holly Springs, was charged with violating the executive order. “I have a right to peacefully assemble,” she said as officers led her away, her hands bound with a zip tie. “God bless America.”
Every 15 minutes during the protest, roughly 50 cars honked their horns in unison. As a Raleigh police officer asked several protesters to keep 6 feet apart, the noise drowned out his voice. “We are in violation of Comrade Cooper’s order,” said Leonard Harrison of Mebane, dressed in an American flag shirt. “If I get locked up today, I’m OK with that. As North Carolinians, we need to get back to work.”
The protest was organized by ReopenNC, a private Facebook group organized last week that wants people to make their own stay-at-home decisions to avoid exposure to COVID-19 as the worldwide pandemic continues. The group surpassed 28,000 members on Tuesday afternoon. Cooper said at a Monday afternoon news conference that anyone wanting the restrictions to end abruptly is inviting danger. “Some people want to completely obliterate these restrictions,” Cooper said . “It would be a catastrophe. The numbers are very clear that the interventions that we’ve entered into — social gatherings, limitations on bars and restaurants, the stay at home order — those kinds of things are working.”
Tuesday’s protest reached its third round of honks at 11:45 a.m. as protesters vowed to continue for hours. But at roughly 12:30 p.m., police asked protesters to disperse. “You are in violation of the executive order,” said a police captain. “You are posing a risk to public health. If you do not disperse, you will be taken and processed at Wake County jail.” Honking erupted.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” said one protester. “Are you goons of Cooper or servants of the people?” said another. Most of the crowd began leaving after a third warning. Those gathered Tuesday said they doubt the extent of the virus’ danger, describing testing as inaccurate and causes of death suspicious. Although the State Capitol Police made the arrest, the Raleigh Police Department garnered much of the attention Tuesday for its defense of the arrest on social media. The Raleigh Police Department tweeted “Protesting is a non-essential activity” about 1:20 p.m. to explain why protesters were asked to leave.
In a statement Tuesday night, the Raleigh Police Department stood by its tweet as well as officers’ obligation to enforce the stay-at-home order during “these unprecedented times and unusual circumstances.” They said there’s no exemption spelled out in state and Wake County stay-at-home orders for protesting like there is for other “essential” activities.”
“But more important is the health and wellness of all who live in our community, including the officers who must engage in circumstances such as these,” the statement said. “We simply want everyone to be safe during this very serious public health crisis.”
In an email to The News & Observer, Raleigh police said they are “having ongoing conversations with Wake County officials and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office on the scope and enforcement” of both the local stay-at-home order and the statewide order.
The Raleigh Police Department added in its statement: “The Wake County District Attorney is the individual who decides charging language for failure to adhere to the Governor’s Orders and the Wake County Proclamation, when charging is appropriate, and what charges individuals may face for violating either one of these orders.”
The Raleigh Police Department referred questions about the arrest to the State Capitol Police.
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Much more at the link.
https://amp.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article241999131.html
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It should come as no surprise that this group is affiliated with the antivax movement. It is my understanding that another protest is planned for this Friday, April 17th.
Good luck everyone.
❤ lmsp
Andrea Bocelli's Easter Sunday Performance Breaks YouTube Record
Andrea Bocelli’s Easter Sunday Performance Breaks YouTube Record
https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/andrea-bocelli-easter-sunday-live-youtube-records-1234580981/
❤lmsp
NC 2-1-1 has launched a new online search tool
NC 2-1-1 has launched a new online search tool to help you find resources in your local community during the COVID-19 crisis. #COVID19NC
https://nc211publicsite.z20.web.core.windows.net/
You can keyword and location search or by category:
Basic Needs
Consumer Services
Criminal Justice and Legal Services
Education
Environment and Public Health/Safety
Health Care
Income Support and Employment
Individual and Family Life
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services
Organizational/Community/International Services
H/T Rep. John Autry (NC House 100)
Good luck everyone.
❤ lmsp
N.C. cases climb; additional social distancing requirements announced
N.C. cases climb; additional social distancing requirements announced
by Annette Weston and Sydney Basden
Thursday, April 9th 2020
http://wcti12.com/news/state-news/cases-up-by-225-12-additional-deaths-in-north-carolina
RALEIGH, Wake County — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says 225 additional cases of coronavirus cases have been confirmed, with a total of 3,651, and 12 additional deaths.
Officials say 65 people have now died in the state since the outbreak began.
There are currently 398 people hospitalized with the virus, which is present in 91 of the state's 100 counties.
So far, 47,809 tests have been completed.
Governor Roy Cooper and members of the COVID-19 Task Force will hold a media briefing at 4 p.m. today. Watch here:
Cooper says he will sign a new executive order to further attempt the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Executive Order No. 131 [PDF] can be read in full HERE and will include:
New social distancing requirements for retail stores,
Mandatory protective measures for nursing homes,
Additional measures to process unemployment claims faster.
Effective Monday at 5 p.m., the executive order states that stores may not have more than 20% of their stated fire capacity or either 5 people for every 1,000 square feet inside at one time.
"This should make shopping safer for everyone and help prevent stores from becoming flashpoints for virus transmission," Cooper explains.
Stores must also mark 6 feet of distance at places where people tend to gather, like checkout lines, and frequent cleanings and disinfections are required. Also, stores are encourages to make hand sanitizer accessible, set shopping times for seniors and at-risk people, use shields at check out, and mark aisles as one-way to limit traffic.
"I know a number of stores have already taken steps like these," Cooper says, "and I thank them."
The second part of the order includes mandatory protective measures for nursing homes that had previously been recommended as guidance. The order will prevent dining and group activities in common spaces and require face masks for employees.
"We are focusing efforts on these congregant care institutions since the nature of the virus makes them easy targets for outbreaks," Cooper says.
According to Cooper, the order also requires these nursing homes to screen employees and residents for symptoms of sickness. Officials encourage other long-term facilities to follow this guidance as well.
Lastly, the executive order requires additional measures that will help unemployment claims be processed faster. Cooper says the order will make it easier for employers to file a batch of claims on behalf of their employees, known as an "attached claim."
"By temporarily eliminating some hurdles for employers," Cooper explains, "we hope to get benefits in the hands of those who need them faster."
Since March 16, officials say the Division of Employment Security has accepted more than 497,000 unemployment claims and sent out $40.3 million.
Officials have also received updated guidance from the federal government on how to disburse the supplemental $600 a week benefit; they expect those payments to begin by the end of next week.
More at the link...
http://wcti12.com/news/state-news/cases-up-by-225-12-additional-deaths-in-north-carolina
Stay safe everyone.
❤ lmsp
Surviving a Sugar Detox
In her book Potatoes, Not Prozac: Solutions for Sugar Sensitivity, nutritionist Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD, offers a dietary plan to smooth the sometimes challenging process of getting off sugar. She proposes three primary solutions to support mental and physical health during the transition.
1. Keep a food journal. DesMaisons says this will help “keep you in sync and in a relationship with your body. It reminds you of the connection between what you eat and how you feel.”
2. Always eat breakfast, and have five small meals each day at regular intervals.
3. Find ways to naturally stimulate your serotonin level. This might mean doing meditation, yoga, and exercise on a regular basis. DesMaisons also recommends eating high-quality sources of protein at each meal—such as organic eggs, a handful of almonds, bananas, purple berries, or animal-based omega-3 fats. These foods help to keep blood sugar levels steady for enhanced energy and mood.
By keeping our sugar levels under control, we can maintain adequate levels of serotonin and avoid the ups and downs, resulting in a more stable and elevated mood and an improved sense of well-being. Whether you need a quick pick-me-up or you’ve been struggling with depression or other mental illness, evidence suggests that a great place to start practicing self-regulation and taking control of both your mood and your life is not in your medicine cabinet, but in your kitchen.
https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/well-being/what-sugar-is-really-doing-to-your-brain-and-body/
❤lmsp
Trump has connections to maker of antimalarial drug.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213239457The suspect science behind Trump claims
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-04-01/trump-chloroquine-coronavirus-bad-science-hiltzik-column
Coronavirus, Into the Red Zone
News on Unemployment Claims!
DES Working to Immediately Expand Capacity in Response to Surge in COVID-19 Unemployment Claims
Adding Staff, Equipment and IT Infrastructure as Unemployment Claims top 370,000
$10 million in unemployment benefits delivered so far this week
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Division of Employment Security is taking immediate actions to help people who are unable to work because of COVID-19.
Approximately 370,000 North Carolinians have filed for unemployment insurance assistance since March 16, an unprecedented spike in filings as a result of the pandemic. Prior to COVID-19, DES received about 3,000 claims a week.
As of April 3, DES has sent out more than $10 million in unemployment benefits for claims related to COVID-19. That number will grow exponentially in the coming days. Claimants should be aware that it takes approximately 14 days from the time a person files a claim to receive their first payment.
DES is committed to intaking and processing every claim from workers impacted by COVID-19 in a timely and efficient manner, despite the extraordinary surge in demand. Accordingly, DES is moving aggressively to build the capacity necessary to help North Carolinians quickly get their benefits.
To better assist individuals and employers, initial steps include:
Hiring 50 new staff
Adding 100 staff from Division of Workforce Solutions Career Centers
Contracting with an additional 200-person call center
Adding computer servers to ensure capacity for large number of people filing online
Doubling printing and mail capacity to ensure timely delivery of documents
Purchasing more than 500 new computers and other equipment so employees in the office and at home can work to process claims.
Following these initial steps, the division will have more than 850 people working to process unemployment claims and get payments out the door.
“The Division of Employment Security understands that for people who have lost their jobs, the assistance can’t get there soon enough,” said Lockhart Taylor, assistant secretary for DES. “We are taking immediate action to increase our capacity in the face of this historic challenge and be there for the North Carolinians who need our help.”
Last Saturday, Governor Roy Cooper authorized DES to implement three federal unemployment programs. The first provides an additional $600 in weekly benefits. The second provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits. The third is Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which is assistance for people who are not typically eligible for state unemployment benefits. This should provide coverage to self-employed workers or independent contractors. DES needs final guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor in order to make the federal assistance available.
Individuals can file for unemployment benefits online at des.nc.gov. Those who have internet access are encouraged to check the website for updates and answers to their questions before calling the customer call center. People without internet access should call 888-737-0259 for assistance.
The most up-to-date information about eligibility and how to apply for benefits can be found on the Division of Employment Security website at des.nc.gov link here: https://des.nc.gov/
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