Story Search Results

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 27 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Clues to makes resident life work found during pandemic

Roberta Baker

April 29, 2021 |

The Laconia Daily Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Laconia, New Hampshire

Nursing homes adapted to COVID-19 so that they could protect residents’ physical well-being while also preserving their social and emotional health. Staff at Belknap County Nursing Home modified popular activities to make them safe, like hallway bingo, where numbers were called from hallways so that residents could stay in or near their rooms. Participation jumped 30% from pre-pandemic levels. An adaptation to another popular game, “Price is Right,” had staff bringing items, like snacks and toiletries, room-to-room so that residents could guess the price, with the person coming closest winning the item.

Read More
Go to Original Story
No ‘take-out' option: How are metro Detroit's music venues surviving?

Kate Roff

October 07, 2020 |

Metromode |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Lake Orion, Michigan

The music industry has been uniquely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, as described by the co-owner of a boutique music venue in Lake Orion who says, "We were the first to close and will be the last to re-open." To adapt to the constraints of the pandemic and generate revenue, artists and businesses have turned to livestreaming performances and partnering with entities such as the Downtown Development Authority and a local hotel to host concerts that respect the social distancing guidelines.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Laughter May Be Effective Medicine for These Trying Times

Richard Schiffman

October 01, 2020 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Because studies indicate that humor has positive health benefits, some doctors and psychotherapists are now using humor tactics in their practice and prescribing prescriptions for their patients to find ways to laugh more as a means of staying healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. Although doctors risk the possibility of sounding insensitive or making light of pain, formal humor programs and laughter lessons have shown success with patients.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Drag Queens and Restaurateurs: An Unlikely Partnership Amid the Pandemic

Eli Rallo

September 25, 2020 |

NYC Reopens |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In New York, restaurateurs who have struggled to stay open amid the coronavirus pandemic are partnering with drag performers who have lost work due to the pandemic to offer patrons a new dining experience while also trying to increase business. The dining performances are offered outdoors and some restaurant owners are hoping to continue the partnership even after COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Can Greek Tragedy Get Us Through the Pandemic?

Elif Batuman

September 01, 2020 |

The New Yorker |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Theater of War Productions performs Greek tragedies, using the themes to encourage dialogue and healing from modern community traumas. Beginning with military audiences, participants were asked to discuss the themes in relation to their experiences in the military or as a military spouse. They have since expanded to include other problems, such as gun and police violence. Recently, actors read Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King” in their first virtual Zoom performance to about 15,000 people. Themes of leadership during a plague, “fake news,” and conspiracies resonated with audiences during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How one Seattle teacher kept his kindergartners engaged through the coronavirus closures

Hannah Furfaro

July 04, 2020 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

When many schools across the U.S. suspended in-person school and switched to virtual learning, a teacher was able to successfully keep his students motivated and hopeful despite the drastic decrease in physical interaction. Kevin Gallagher, a kindergarten teacher, recorded his lessons and uploaded them to YouTube where his students could watch at their convenience, and engaged his students through the use of fun props, as well as talking to them about the realities of living through the pandemic.

Read More
Go to Original Story
There's No Cure for Covid-19 Loneliness, but Robots Can Help

Kate Knibbs

June 22, 2020 |

Wired |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan

Robot pet therapy, which uses a social robot designed to look like a small animal, weigh the same as an infant, and communicate in a socially comforting way, is helping isolated seniors find a sense of companionship during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although some have raised ethical concerns about "the role of robots in caretaking," others point to evidence indicating success such as "reduced reliance on psychotropic drugs, improved blood pressure and oxygenation levels, and stirred the emotions of patients who otherwise often appeared disconnected."

Read More
Go to Original Story
Streaming into the void

Erika Fredrickson

June 22, 2020 |

Montana Free Press |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Montana

Many Montana musicians are holding virtual streaming events to deal with the financial and psychological impact of canceled music events due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Early events were well attended, with up to 100 people, and brought in more money than they would have earned playing at local bars. Interest has slowed down over time, but many musicians want to keep streaming events after the pandemic as another tool to engage audiences now that they have embraced digital delivery. The virtual events allow musicians to experiment and be creative, but most are excited to return to the energy of live shows.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Teaching during a pandemic: Island educators use innovative methods to keep students engaged

Jessica Jones-Gorman

June 16, 2020 |

Staten Island Advance |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Staten Island, New York

Although the pandemic has set a serious tone, teachers in Staten Island are helping their students cope with at-home learning through laughter and unconventional methods. Two teachers recorded videos of themselves while wearing wigs and did their best Jersey accent to deliver grammar lessons. A biology teacher used Zoom to guide students through a dissection lesson on chicken legs. These teachers are proving that despite the challenges of teaching through a pandemic, there are also novel opportunities to seize.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Detroit's virtual wine & cheese classes feed hunger for connection

Kate Roff

June 05, 2020 |

edibleWOW |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Wine bars and cheese shops in the Detroit area are taking their businesses online during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering virtual tasting classes to their customers. The Royce and Marrow, a wine bar, is connecting viewers with winemakers around the world with their “At Home With Wine” series and Mongers’ Provisions, a cheese shop, set up tasting classes about cheese, chocolate, and charcuterie, with tasting samples delivered to homes or collected via curbside pickup. While there are learning curves for hosting online classes, many shops enjoy connecting with their communities.

Read More
Go to Original Story