Category Archives: Citizen Journalism

Just the Facts: Scientific information about COVID-19

April 1, 20203-bottom, Citizen JournalismAAAS Science, Coronavirus, COVID-19Joanne

In this series, WKTV aims to provide factual information about COVID-19 – which stands for coronavirus disease 19 – by providing information and links to authoritative experts. Click on the blue, underlined words to get to a specific article.

Should you get your pet tested for COVID-19?

As new surfaced that two dogs and a cat have tested positive for COVID-19, many have started to ask the question of if they can get the coronavirus from their pets and if pets should/can be tested? According to the AAAS/Science article, experts, including those at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have stated that dogs and cats pose little risk to people and that there is not enough evidence that pets can spread COVID-19.

What should you do to protect your pets? According to another AAAS/Science article, include your pets in your family’s preparedness planning. If you get sick and are quarantined, make sure you have extra pet food on hand and make sure whoever will take care of the pet are aware of any feeding, walking and medications. Also keep in mind social distancing for your animal and do not pet another animal and make sure to wash your hands.

Are masks helpful in stopping the spread of COVID-19?

There has been a recent debate about whether masks would help to slowdown the spread of COVID-19. According to an AAAS/Science article, the research to wearing a mask is spotty. AAAS/Science talked to University of Michigan Epidemiologist Arnold Monto, who said that it is believed that COVID-19 is spread through larger droplets and that standard surgical face masks will have a modest effect on transmission.

Even those in favor of masks have stated on a number of news programs and science sites that due to the shortages of masks for hospital workers, they are reluctant right now to promote masking the masses. Experts do agree that social distancing and staying at home as much as possible is the best way to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

How much do genes play a factor in COVID-19?

Sciences are currently studying whether your genes may determine how sick you get from COVID-19. According to an AAAS/Science article, sciencists are working to compare the DNA of people who have serious cases of COVID-19 but no underlying disease like diabetes, heart, or lung disease with those who have mild symptons or no disease. Researchers say it is hard to predict what may come out of these gene hunts but in the past the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases did discover a relatively common mutation in another human cell surface protein, CCR5, that makes some people highly resistant to HIV.

According to the AAAS/Science article, sciences hope to discover its first susceptibility genes within a coupe of months.

KDL Staff Picks: Going Online

March 31, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingCoronavirus, Hoopla, KDL, Kent District Library CloudLibraryJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

With week two of the stay-at home order now under way, Kent District Library and WKTV thought we would remind people of the number of free online resources available through the KDL website, kdl.org.

Since I am frequent user of the CloudLibrary, eBooks and audiobooks, and have used Freegal, music, I decided to offer up my own reviews of the different sites. Most offer eBooks and audiobooks with some offering other items as well.

A couple of selections from the CloudLibrary. (WKTV)

CloudLibrary: I started listening to audiobooks, first on tape, in my car to help with long drives. Listening to a good story certainly melted the miles away. I also discovered that listening to audiobooks on my iPhone helped motivate me to walk and I suddenly found walking a couple of miles was pretty easy when you were following Stephanie Plum on one of her wild adventures in the Janet Evanovich detective series or Percy Jackson in Rick Riordan’s popular teen mythological-based series, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”.

To be honest, I downloaded CloudLibrary awhile ago and have never looked back. It is easy to search and I have followed the recommendations to discover some new authors such as Deborah Coonts (who is mentioned in last week’s KDL Staff Picks). Follow the prompts to create an account and remember to have your library card available as you will need to type in your number. The nice thing about CloudLibrary is it is available on about anything, Android, iPhone, Chrome, Mac, Windows, Nook, and Kindle.

Hoopla: Hoopla offers more than just audiobooks and eBooks but comic books, movies and television programs. In the movies, there is no huge recent blockbusters, but still a lot of goodies such as “Ella Enchanted,” “Frida,” and “Elmo’s Potty Time” for those parents who have decided the stay-at home directive is an excellent time to work on this skill. For music, I was able to find quite a lot including the cast recording of “Hamilton the Musical” and Taylor Swift’s newest release, “Lover.”

Download was simple. I went to the App store and searched for Hoopla. I followed the prompts, putting in my email address, creating a password, selecting Kent District Library as my library and then putting in my library card. Boom, I was in. Hoopla is also available through Google Play and Kindle Fire.

RBdigital: RBdigital would be perfect for those who enjoy flipping through magazines. Along with eBook and audiobooks, the site offers more than 100 magazine selections that include popular titles such as “O, The Oprah Magazine,” “The New Yorker,” and “Vanity Fair.” Looking to start a hobby? The list includes the “Woodworker’s Journal” and the “Yoga Journal.”

To create an account, you have to start at the KDL website and go to the “eBooks and Download” tab on the left side of the page. From there, scroll down to RBdigital to follow the prompts to create an account. Once you have created your account through KDL, you can download the app to your phone and open your account. RBdigitial is available through the App Store, Google Play, and Kindle Fire.

Freegal Music is definitely for music lovers. (WKTV)

Freegal Music: For the music lover, this is the site for them. Actually, I have not open my Freegal Music app in awhile, so I was surprised to discover it now offers a selection of audiobooks. I would be more likely to go to CloudLibrary for audiobooks, but if you are a person who only wants one app and music is more your thing, then Freegal probably would be the better option.

Freegal does not carry every song by every artist. You can search and often you can find older songs by the most popular artists. You also can save up to five songs a week into the “My Music” section. Again, I have not used Freegal in awhile, but when I did and was saving songs, I did lose all of them when the app updated. I do not know if this glitch has been have out or it could be songs may fade off after a certain period of time. Still it is a nice source for music.

Download is just like the others. Look for the app in the App Store, Google Play or Kindle Fire, and follow the prompts to create a login.

The “Wash You Hands” song is on TumbleBooks.

TumbleBooks (Tumble Book Library): This is strictly children’s books with some graphic novels for younger students. They are good about going by topic and one of the first sections is “Health, Hygiene and Everything in Between,” which includes the “Wash Your Hands” song. Parents and children could easily have fun searching the site for stories and songs.

To get into the site, you have to go through KDL. Click on the “eBooks and Download” tab on the left side of the page. Scroll to the bottom for TumbleBooks and click on the link, which will redirect you to the page. You must have your KDL card to enter.

Again, remember to always have your KDL library card available. If you do not have a KDL library card, some of the online sources, such as Hoopla, can help you get one.

Joint replacement myths and facts

March 31, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior LivingEve Clayton, Joint replacement, Spectrum Health BeatJoanne

Get the 411 on joint replacement from a doctor who knows. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Eve Clayton, Spectrum Health Beat

“You’d be shocked at how many patients come in thinking they’re too young for knee or hip replacement surgery,” said C. Christopher Sherry, DO, an orthopedic surgeon and joint replacement specialist with Spectrum Health Medical Group.

Some patients get this notion from their doctors. Others pick up the idea from friends who remember the conventional wisdom of 30 years ago—that you need to be older than 50 to qualify for joint replacement.

That’s simply not the case anymore, according to Dr. Sherry. It’s one of six common myths about joint replacements that he’d like to see dispelled.

Myth No. 1: If you’re under 50, you’re too young to have a joint replaced.

Fact: Doctors today don’t use a specific age to determine whether a patient is a good candidate for hip or knee replacement surgery. Instead, the decision depends on the levels of disability and pain the patient is experiencing.

“In the 1970s and ’80s, the parts used for joint replacements had limited life spans,” Dr. Sherry said. “Now that technology is advancing, we have better longevity of replacement parts, so we’re much more comfortable putting them in younger patients.”

Patients with severe arthritis, for example, shouldn’t have to suffer through years of debilitating pain just because they’re young, Dr. Sherry said. “Making them wait isn’t in their best interest.”

This first myth is closely related to a second.

Myth No. 2: Replacement joints wear out in 10 years or less.

Fact: Thanks to improvements in materials and surgical techniques, today’s knee and hip replacements can last up to twice as long as comparable replacements did in decades past.

“The components we’re using have improved significantly,” said Dr. Sherry. “We’re seeing an 85 percent success rate at up to 20 years—and as technology improves, we’re hoping to pass that 20-year mark.”

People are often relieved to hear this because they want to stay active as they age.

“Patients’ expectations are changing,” Dr. Sherry said. “They want to be able to do whatever they want to do.”

Myth No. 3: If you have a joint replaced, you’ll be saying goodbye to sports.

Fact: Rather than drastically limiting patients’ activities, joint replacements make it easier for people to be active in low-impact sports.

“The goal of surgery is to get patients back to their normal activities, like playing golf and tennis,” Dr. Sherry said. “Our goal is a painless joint with good functionality.”

It’s the high-impact sports like basketball and long-distance running that patients should avoid, he said, because these activities decrease the life of replacement joints.

Myth No. 4: Joint replacement surgery means a long hospital stay.

Fact: Twenty years ago, it was normal to spend up to 10 days in the hospital after joint replacement surgery, but today the average is two to three days.

“With improvements in technology and patient care, hospital stays are significantly shorter than in the old days,” Dr. Sherry said.

Most of Dr. Sherry’s patients at the Center for Joint Replacement at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital stay less than two days after hip or knee replacements, with a large percentage going home the day after surgery. Some patients return home the same day as surgery.

“We’re getting patients up and walking sooner—even on the day of surgery,” he said. “And we’re getting them home sooner, which is a better environment for recovery.”

Myth No. 5: You should wait as long as possible before having a joint replaced.

Fact: Waiting too long can make things worse.

“If your pain is so great that it’s hindering your ability to walk, then you’re not keeping your muscles and your extremities strong, and you could be hindering the recovery process,” Dr. Sherry said. “Waiting until the last possible moment isn’t good for you.”

Rather than waiting for their mobility and quality of life to decline, Dr. Sherry encourages patients to have their knee or hip replacement sooner. This will likely improve their outcomes.

Myth No. 6: Joint replacement surgery is highly invasive.

Fact: “Some patients think that we remove the entire knee in a knee replacement … but we’re actually taking a minimal amount of bone” before inserting the new parts, Dr. Sherry said. In knee replacement surgery, these parts consist of a metal cap for the femur, a metal base plate on the tibia and a piece of plastic in between, acting as cartilage.

Surgeons today are also using less-invasive techniques and smaller incisions to perform replacements.

So, although joint replacement is major surgery, the scope is limited, Dr. Sherry said. “It’s much less invasive than many patients think.”

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

KIA opens virtual exhibit Young Artists of Kalamazoo County

March 31, 2020Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Upcoming EventsKalamazoo Institute of Arts, WKTVJoanne

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts has unveiled an online presentation of the annual Young Artists of Kalamazoo County exhibition. (Supplied)

By Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts has unveiled an online presentation of the annual Young Artists of Kalamazoo County exhibition.

“A virtual exhibition was our solution to Michigan’s shelter in place directive by Governor Whitmer,” said Michelle Stempien, KIA Director of Museum Education, adding that opening weekend for the annual exhibition would typically draw thousands of visitors.

“We are approaching 40 years for this exhibition, and of course this is the first time we have shared it online. But we weren’t going to miss the opportunity to offer something so positive to the community — and to honor the hundreds of young artists showing work on the walls,” she said.

She added that education curators turned into videographers early this week, after installing the hundreds of artworks in two of the museum’s first floor galleries. Art teachers from more than 50 public and private elementary and middle schools chose and submitted artwork by their K-8th grade students.

“We hope everyone is inspired by the color and expressiveness of these young artists to bring more art into their own lives,” Stempien said, adding her thanks for the exhibition’s lead sponsor The Tyler-Little Family Foundation, and co-sponsor PLAZACORP.

“We always love seeing the student artwork come in each year; it puts a smile on the faces of everyone who is involved in producing this exhibition,” Stempien said, adding “and we look forward to welcoming the community back to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts very soon.”

Visit here for more information on the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.

The KIA is planning to present a virtual exhibition for upcoming spring exhibitions as needed. This will likely include the juried West Michigan Area Show (April 10) and High School Area Show (April 24).

New life for an old drug

March 30, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Healthaspirin, HealthDay, Robert PreidtJoanne

Compared to more expensive therapies, aspirin is cheaper and quite effective in treating migraines. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay

A cheap, century-old drug in most Americans’ medicine cabinets—aspirin—may come to the rescue for people suffering from migraines, a new study finds.

While there are effective prescription medications, many migraine patients in the United States don’t have access to them due to limited access to doctors or good insurance, or high insurance co-pays, said researchers at Florida Atlantic University, in Boca Raton.

Aspirin might often be a viable option for these patients, said the research team, who reviewed 13 studies of migraine treatment involving more than 4,200 patients.

The investigators also looked at data on the prevention of recurrent migraine in tens of thousands of patients.

The results suggest that giving a high dose of aspirin—900 to 1,300 milligrams—when migraine symptoms set in is an effective and safe treatment for acute migraine.

There’s also evidence that daily aspirin doses of 81 to 325 milligrams may be an effective and safe treatment for prevention of recurrent migraine, the team said. The standard “low-dose” aspirin pill, taken by millions of Americans to help lower heart risks, contains 81 milligrams.

The bottom line: “Our review supports the use of high-dose aspirin to treat acute migraine as well as low-dose daily aspirin to prevent recurrent attacks,” senior author Dr. Charles Hennekens, professor and senior academic advisor at the university’s College of Medicine, said in a school news release.

According to review first author Bianca Biglione, a second-year medical student, “Migraine headaches are among the most common and potentially debilitating disorders encountered by primary health care providers.”

Biglione added that, “in fact, about one in 10 primary care patients present with headache and three out of four are migraines. Aspirin is readily available without a prescription, is inexpensive and, based on our review, was shown to be effective in many migraine patients when compared with alternative more expensive therapies.”

About 36 million Americans suffer from migraines, the researchers noted.

Dr. Noah Rosen directs Northwell Health’s Headache Center in Great Neck, N.Y. Reading over the new findings he noted that “aspirin has been in continual use for headaches since its introduction during the industrial revolution of the late 19th century. Clearly, the part that it contributes to pain relief is quite significant and should be considered for primary treatment in an appropriate population.”

But the benefits of taking the drug regularly to prevent headaches need to be balanced against potential risks, especially the risk of bleeding, Rosen said.

“The cost benefit (of aspirin) is a huge component and out-of-pocket expense is quite low,” Rosen said. “But the risk of bleeding with daily use needs to be considered.”

The findings were published online in the American Journal of Medicine.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Signs your loved one is ready for assisted living

March 30, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior LivingVista Springs Assisted LivingJoanne

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

The prospect of moving out of a comfortable and familiar environment typically isn’t appealing to anyone, no matter their age. But, for aging adults, and the adults taking care of them, it’s often a prospect that must be considered. Before even considering a move, aging adults and their family member will want to make sure it’s necessary. Here are some signs that may indicate it’s time to start considering an assisted living facility.

Frequent falls

Is your parent or loved one falling a lot lately? Even if it’s just small stumbles over the edge of a carpet or a bump against the corner of a coffee table, frequent tumbles can be a sign of a bigger problem. Or, they could be the eventual cause of a larger problem.

According to the CDC, “Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.”

Even if your parent doesn’t tell you they’ve been falling or stumbling, you can keep your eyes open for signs such as unexplained bruises or limp. It’s also important to consider what would happen if they were to fall. How often do they have people over? If they were unable to get up or get to a phone, how long would it take to discover them? Both the falling and the repercussions of the falling are things to consider.

Memory lapses

Observe their behavior when you’re around. Are there small things they seem to be often forgetting, like names or what day it is or the last time they went to the grocery store? While these little things may seem inconsequential, you should consider what else they may forget when you’re not there. Maybe they’ve forgotten to turn the oven off or to lock their doors at night? It’s possible they could forget to put the car in park before getting out or even forget to take their medications. If the small things start adding up, it may be time to consider help, before the big things cause larger issues.

Minimal social life

Even if their social life isn’t what it used to be, how often do they leave the house or have people over? They may not be going to the movies once a week or out every weekend, but do they at least have activities they care about or people they look forward to seeing? Being cooped up at home or not leaving the house may be a sign of depression or might indicate they can no longer travel on their own. Either way, social activities are essential to a healthy lifestyle, and if they can’t attend them on their own, it may be time to move to a facility that can help.

Changes in appearance

Next time you visit your loved one, take a long look at them. What do you notice? When you give them a hug, do they feel thinner? Weight loss could be a sign they aren’t cooking enough or getting the proper nutrition. Alternatively, weight gain could be a sign of turning to easy but unhealthy food options, or that a condition like diabetes is not being treated.

Besides their physical appearance, how do their clothes look? Are the clothes clean and well-kept? Does your love one appear well-groomed and clean? Or, are they still in their night clothes in the afternoon or wearing clothes that seem dirty?

These are all signs that your loved one may not be able to complete everyday tasks such as laundry or showering.

Poor food supply

Check the fridge and cupboards of your loved one, what do you find? Are the shelves bare? Or, is the fridge full but with expired or stale items? Are there multiples of one item but not enough of another? If the weather turned bad and they couldn’t get to the store, would there be enough food to last a few days?

A grimy house

If your loved one can’t keep up with everyday house cleaning, it can create an unsanitary situation, and you’ll start to see signs even if they are good at hiding it. There may be visible signs such as cobwebs and mold in corners, but make sure you check the areas they think you won’t see like their bedroom and bathroom. These are areas they may neglect if they don’t have the energy to clean the whole house.

Frequent medical care

If your loved one is heading to the ER or hospital for one reason or another, chronic illness, frequent falls, respiratory problems or more, they may need more advanced medical care than they can get at home. Ambulance rides can be costly and so can a long stay at a hospital. Making the switch to an assisted living center, while it may be more up front, can provide your loved one access to the care they need without frequent, emergency trips.

One or two of these signs on their own may not indicate it’s time to move your family member out of their home. Maybe they just need some extra house cleaning help or a meal service to relieve the stress of cooking every day. If they want to continue living independently, and they aren’t in immediate danger, some services can help them do that.

But, a combination of these signs can result in a low quality of life and may mean it’s time to start thinking about a move.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

The diverticulitis divide

March 27, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, Senior LivingHealthDay, Len Canter, Spectrum Health BeatJoanne

Episodes of diverticulitis can entail pain in the lower left abdomen, fever, chills and changes in stool. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay

Although colonoscopy screens for cancer, it can also uncover a common condition called diverticulosis.

This is when one or more pockets develop in the colon wall, often in the large bowel. These pockets occur over time, possibly from not getting enough fiber in your diet or eating too much red meat.

They’re so common that about 50% of people have them by age 50, according to the American Gastroenterological Association.

Problems can occur if a pocket gets infected, swollen and inflamed, which happens to about 5% of people with diverticulosis.

This condition is called diverticulitis.

“Attacks” of it can come with pain in the lower left abdomen, fever, chills and changes in stool. You may also experience nausea and vomiting.

Treatment for diverticulitis often centers on a short-term low-fiber diet to quiet the digestive tract and possibly antibiotics to get rid of the infection.

Some people get repeated attacks.

There’s also the possibility of developing a serious abscess in a pocket and needing surgery to remove the affected section of intestine if the damage is severe.

But you can take steps to lower the risk for repeated attacks and complications.

After—and only after—the infection clears, slowly reintroduce fiber to your diet by eating more whole grains, legumes (including beans and lentils), vegetables, berries, fruits with edible skins, nuts and even popcorn.

The goal is 25 grams of fiber a day for women, 38 for men. Replace at least some red meat with poultry and fish. Vigorous cardiovascular exercise also offers some protection.

Also, ask your doctor about any medications that might raise your risk of a flare. These could include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like aspirin or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen may be safer for you.

These same steps may help prevent diverticulosis or stop it from progressing to diverticulitis.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Snapshots: Things to do at home

March 26, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingGrand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, John Ball Zoo, SpartanNashJoanne

The best music, you can seek some shelter in it momentarily, but it’s essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.
Singer/Songwriter Bruce Springsteen

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The Lake Sturgeon are now virtual stars at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (GRPM live stream)

Going Virtual

Adventure is only a click away now that the big four, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, and the John Ball Zoo are offering live streaming and virtual tours of exhibits, story time, and more. Click on any of the institutions to get to each’s Facebook page. For more information and videos, click here.

SpartanNash to install sneeze guards at all points of sale including cash registers and pharmacy areas. (Supplied)

With the governor’s stay-at home order, several places, including Woodland Mall and Rivertown Crossings, have closed. However, many area restaurants and grocery stories have remained opened. Restaurants are offering takeout and delivery options. Also SpartanNash recently announced it would be installing sneeze guards at all points of sale including cash registers and pharmacies.

Grand Rapids Public Museum donated masks and other personal protective equipment to Spectrum Health this week. (Supplied)

Sharing the Supplies

The Grand Rapids Public Museum was one of the first to donate its extra personal protective equipment and throughout the week there have been numerous reports of people sewing face masks and donating PPE supplies. Both Metro Health and Spectrum Health have set up donation areas. For a list of those areas and items being collected, click here.

The Mastodon skeleton at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (GRPM)

State Fossil: Mastodon Skeletons

Bet you didn’t know that Michigan has a state fossil. One of the most complete mastodon skeletons is showcased at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Below, Grand Rapids Public Museum Science Curator Dr. Cory Redman discusses the preservation of the Moorland Mastodon found in Ravanna, Mich. For more mastodon-related items, visit the grpmcollections.org.

It’s time to energize

March 26, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, Senior LivingGregory Stacey, healthy eating, Spectrum Health BeatJoanne

If it’s long-lasting fuel you’re after, steel-cut oats with berries is the ideal way to start your day. (Public Domain)

By Gregory Stacey, Spectrum Health Beat

In today’s sleep-deprived, over-caffeinated, under-exercised society, there is a relentless demand for more energy.

The energy drink sales in the U.S. are evidence of that.

And yet, we’re still tired.

So where do we go from here? Good nutritional intake. That’s right—a healthy diet can help keep you energized all day.

By eating just one or two high-energy foods every two to four hours, you can sustain your energy levels for a much longer period.

Here are the Top 10 foods to fuel long-lasting energy:

1. Old fashioned or steel-cut oats

Oats are a good source of complex carbohydrates, soluble fiber and protein. Eating oatmeal may also improve your cholesterol. Avoid flavored oatmeal packets because they have added sugar or sugar substitutes. Instead, flavor your oatmeal yourself with fruit, berries, cinnamon and nuts.

2. Brown rice

Rice is inexpensive, and it’s versatile in its culinary uses. Whole grains such as brown rice will provide complex carbohydrates for energy while also providing healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein.

3. Potatoes

Potatoes provide complex carbohydrates and are good sources of fiber (keep the skin on) and potassium. Sweet potatoes and yellow-, red- or purple-skinned potatoes are the best choices.

Given that 98 percent of Americans eat a potassium-deficient diet, the importance of potatoes can’t be overstated—they have double the potassium of bananas. So eat those potatoes.

4. Beans

Beans are good sources of complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals. They are one of nature’s perfect foods.

5. Plain Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt provides a lot of protein and simple carbohydrates in the form of lactose. Choose a plain, low-fat or fat-free Greek yogurt to avoid sugar substitutes, and add healthy carbohydrates and fats yourself—fruits, berries and nuts.

6. Fresh fruit

Fresh fruits have simple carbohydrates for quick energy, as well as fiber and antioxidants that decrease the glycemic index. Choose fruits as snacks throughout the day, and be sure to eat at least two servings daily.

7. Berries

Berries get their own category because of their unique blend of low caloric, high fiber and high antioxidant content. Try to eat berries every day.

8. Nuts

Nuts provide healthy, unrefined fats, and they’re a good source of protein and fiber. They make easy snacks and have a long shelf life. Nuts are high in calories, so a handful once a day is enough.

9. Leafy greens

A low energy level can sometimes correspond to a lack of important nutrients such as omega-3, iron, B vitamins, zinc and magnesium. Leafy greens are good sources of these nutrients, as well as a source of antioxidants. Have a salad every day, or alternatively, put these greens in your smoothie.

10. Water

Dehydration contributes to poor energy levels. Try to drink at least 64 ounces of water daily. That’s about 2 liters. If you’re a large man or you exercise regularly, you may need to drink 3 to 4 liters of water each day.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Metro Health announces two employee programs

March 25, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of WyomingCoronavirus, COVID-19, Metro HealthJoanne

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health partners with YMCA to provide daycare for staff. (Supplied)

By Jamie Allen
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health last week announced progressive programs that will help ease the burden of child care and financial restraints for valued staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Metro Health Hospital and Metro Health Hospital Foundation have partnered with the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids to provide free and reliable backup child care services for the children of all employees, employed medical providers and contracted staff. Metro Health will be providing these backup child care services on its campus at the SpartanNash YMCA location, and the care will be provided by qualified child care workers.

“We are proud to partner with Metro Health and do our small part to help the medicalcommunity during this challenging and unprecedented time,” said Scott Lewis, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. “We believe collaborative efforts like these make us all stronger as we lean in together in support of our community.”

The YMCA has agreed to allow Metro Health to lease space in the building and equipment for this limited purpose of providing emergency backup child care. Extreme measures have been taken to prepare and sanitize the classrooms and staff started utilizing the service on March 16.

Additionally, the Metro Health Hospital Foundation has announced a $1 million needs-based assistance fund for employees who encounter COVID-19-related hardships. Examples of a need include bill payment assistance, support for vehicle repairs to ensure transportation to work or offsetting the costs of care for family members who fall ill or need assistance.

“I want to thank and commend the Metro Health Hospital Foundation for helping to establish this program in such a short time,” said Peter Hahn, President and CEO, Metro Health –University of Michigan Health. “We understand COVID-19 has disrupted many lives and this is why we believe it is essential to support our colleagues through resources such as this needs-based fund and free child care.”

Metro Health employees are also being encouraged to donate back unused paid time off hours to support colleagues who may exhaust their hours due to illness or to care for family. Metro Health will continue efforts in the coming weeks in order to keep the Metro Health team healthy, financially stable and ready to serve the community.

Visit www.metrohealth.net for the most up to date information from the CDC and resources to protect yourself and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

KDL Staff Picks: A Mixed Bag

March 25, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyomingbooks, KDL, Kent District Library, Polly DiamondJoanne

Editor’s Note: Make sure to check out KDL’s online resources that include eBooks, movies and more.

Adult

The Need
By Helen Philips

“This story is sort of a blend of horror, thriller, and musing on the mundane joy of caring for small children. As a parent of a toddler and a baby, I read it at the perfect time because her language and descriptions of parenting ring so true. But even if you aren’t a parent, the tension around the plot is also very compelling and makes it a fascinating, creepy ride.”

– Anna at East Grand Rapids

Wanna Get Lucky?
By Deborah Coonts

“If you’re a fan of Janet Evanovich you may enjoy this series by Deborah Coonts. Lucky O’Toole is head of Customer Relations in a casino and gets in plenty of situations.”

– Loretta at Wyoming

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?
Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death
By Caitlin Doughty

“One of my favorite nonfiction author. Answering questions asked by kids. (adult may not ask but equally wondering about them I’m sure …)”

– Yuko at the KDL Service Center

Children’s

Polly Diamond and the Magic Book
By Alice Kuipers

“Polly loves writing and learning new words, and when she discovers a magic notebook where anything she writes inside instantly comes true, she’s thrilled to use all her favorite words to make some magical things happen. However, Polly’s about to learn that with great magical power comes great responsibility! Charming illustrations and large text make this an awesome new beginning chapter book series.”

– Jenny at East Grand Rapids

Wyoming closes offices, only essential staff reports

March 24, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming62B District Court, City of WyomingJoanne

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

With the governor’s stay-at-home order, the City of Wyoming buildings and offices have closed as of March 23. Only essential staff are reporting to their work sites, according to the city’s website, wyomingmi.gov.

Essential services include police, fire, emergency medical, water, sewer, and public works. The city has implemented aggressive cleaning regimes and eliminated overlapping schedules as protective measures for first responders.

Emergencies Services

Call 911

Police Non-Emergency Services

Call 616-530-7300

Police Non-Emergency Services

Call 616-530-7314.

Email dpsrecords@wyomingmi.gov

These include: FOIA Requests, Accident Reports, Firearm Permit Applications, and SOR Registration

Much of the city’s remaining staff will continue to work from home if they are able. The city provides a number of online resources and services. Staff will continue to monitor responses to contact forms, emails, and phone calls.

Those unable to find the information they are looking for may use the city’s contact form or call 616-530-7226.

Limited Public Meetings

The City of Wyoming will be limiting public meetings to only take what actions are necessary. Most of the city’s scheduled public meetings have been canceled. Check the city’s website for a specific meeting.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order allowing public meetings to take place digitally. We encourage everyone to submit written public comments instead of attending meetings to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Bot the City Council and Planning Commission meetings are streamed live on Facebook and WKTV local channels. Members of the public are encouraged to view City Council meetings from home. For the City Council meetings, residents may submit public comments in writing through the City Clerk’s Office webform. For the Planning Commission meetings, residents may submit public comment in writing to planning_info@wyomingmi.gov.

For both meetings, members of the public who are in attendance should follow social distancing and sit away from others. The City Council and the Planning Commission will limit public comments to one and a half (1.5) minutes per person.

62-A District Court and Kent County

Last week, the 62-A District Court announced there would be no in-person, public access to the facility. Residents are encouraged to pay tickets and check records online. Filings may be mailed to the 62-A District Court, 2650 DeHoop Ave. SW, Wyoming MI 49509.

Many of the Kent County buildings have closed to the public including the County Clerk’s Office and the Treasurer’s Office.

For up-to-date information about the City of Wyoming visit wyomingmi.gov. The city also has a page on its website dedicated to coronavirus information www.wyoming.gov/covid.

Photo of the Week: Saying Thanks

March 24, 2020Citizen JournalismJoanne

This week’s photo comes from Maggie Boorsma who snapped this on Sunday, March 22. The women in the photo was on the corner of 54th Street and Byron Center in Wyoming. The woman’s sign says “Thanks for working.”

Do you have a photo you would like considered for Photo of the Week. Send it to WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.

The power of a hearty nap

March 24, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior LivingDennis Thompson, HealthDay, Nap, Spectrum Health BeatJoanne

In a years-long study, those who napped once or twice a week cut their risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure nearly in half. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay

Could grabbing a nap once or twice a week help you live longer?

A new study reports the occasional nap appears to cut in half people’s risk of heart attack, strokes and heart disease, compared with folks who never nap.

But more frequent napping provided no benefit, researchers found.

“In fact, we found that frequent nappers had initially a higher risk for incident cardiovascular disease,” said lead author Nadine Hausler, a postdoctoral researcher at University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland. “However, when we took sociodemographic, lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors into account, this increased risk disappeared.”

The findings left experts scratching their heads.

“I don’t think it’s anything definitive, in terms of whether napping is actually helpful or not helpful,” said Marie-Pierre St-Onge, director of the sleep program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

She noted that the health benefits of napping are a source of intense debate among researchers, with many arguing that naps are a sign of lousy nighttime sleep and, therefore, not a good thing.

“This throws a little bit of a curveball, because they found one to two naps per week might be beneficial,” St-Onge said.

For this study, researchers looked at napping patterns of nearly 3,500 randomly selected people in Switzerland and then tracked their heart health for more than five years.

About three in five said they don’t nap.

One in five said they nap once or twice a week—the same number who reported napping three or more days a week.

Frequent nappers tended to be older men with excess weight and a tobacco habit. Though they reported sleeping longer at night than those who don’t nap, they also reported more daytime sleepiness and were more likely to have sleep apnea, a condition that wakes a person repeatedly in the night when their breathing stops.

During the five-year follow-up, participants had 155 fatal and non-fatal heart events, the findings showed. These could include heart attacks, strokes and heart disease caused by clogged arteries that required surgical reopening.

Napping once or twice a week cut a person’s risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure by 48%, compared with people who don’t nap at all, the researchers found.

Frequent naps initially appeared to increase a person’s heart risk by 67%, but that disappeared after accounting for other risk factors, the study authors noted.

Dr. Martha Gulati, a cardiologist who is editor-in-chief of CardioSmart.org, the American College of Cardiology’s patient website, said it makes sense that frequent napping could be a red flag for health problems.

“I worry that somebody that naps every day isn’t getting good sleep,” she said. “Somebody who takes six or seven naps a week, I ask, are you not sleeping well at night? Is that how you’re catching up with your sleep?”

Gulati added, “But I am still going to enjoy my Sunday naps and now say I am working on lowering my risk for heart disease when my husband asks.”

Researcher Hausler couldn’t say exactly why a couple of naps each week might do a body good.

“The mechanisms are not straightforward,” she said. “We assume that occasional napping might be a result of a physiological compensation allowing to decrease the stress due to insufficient nocturnal sleep and, thus, could have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease events.”

Though she said the results should first be confirmed by other studies, Hausler added: “We can say that an occasional nap can potentially decrease cardiovascular disease risk for healthy adults.”

The study was published online recently in the journal Heart.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Acupuncture—therapy for dry mouth?

March 23, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, HealthAcupuncture, Dry mouth, Spectrum Health Beat, Steven ReinbergJoanne

This holistic treatment could help with a common condition often experienced by those undergoing radiation therapy for cancer. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay

Dry mouth can be a troubling side effect of radiation therapy, but acupuncture may ease its symptoms, a new study suggests.

Of 339 patients getting radiation for head and neck cancer in the United States and China, those who had acupuncture had fewer symptoms of dry mouth, or xerostomia, than those who didn’t have acupuncture.

Patients who had fake acupuncture, a placebo, had about the same relief as the no-acupuncture group, the researchers found.

The placebo treatment involved a real needle at a spot not indicated for xerostomia, real needles at sham spots and placebo needles at sham points, the study authors explained.

A year after treatment, 35% of acupuncture patients had dry mouth, compared to 48% of those given fake acupuncture and 55% of those who didn’t get acupuncture, the findings showed.

For the study, participants were randomly assigned to real, fake or no acupuncture. Treatments were given three times a week on the same day as radiation.

“Dry mouth is a serious concern for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The condition can affect up to 80% of patients by the end of radiation treatment,” said lead investigator Lorenzo Cohen, director of integrative medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

“The symptoms severely impact quality of life and oral health, and current treatments have limited benefits,” he added in a university news release.

Further analysis showed a significant difference between patients in China and the United States in response to fake acupuncture. Chinese patients had little to no placebo response, while Americans had a large placebo response, showing both forms of acupuncture worked, the researchers said.

More studies are needed to figure out these differences. It might be that the environment in which acupuncture is given, cultural influences or the relationship between patient and doctor are at play.

Also, more study is needed to confirm these findings and understand how acupuncture relieves dry mouth.

In the meantime, Cohen said it can be used to relieve xerostomia symptoms.

“I think with this study we can add acupuncture to the list for the prevention and treatment of xerostomia, and the guidelines for the use of acupuncture in the oncology setting should be revised to include this important chronic condition,” Cohen said.

The report was recently published online in JAMA Network Open.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

5 Misconceptions about assisted living

March 23, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior LivingVista Springs Assisted LivingJoanne

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

When it’s time to start looking at alternative living options for your aging loved one, you’ll know it’s time using these indicators, chances are, they might be a little hesitant. Moving out of their home is a big change, and there are a lot of things they may think they will be giving up. They’ll have a lot of reasons why staying right where they are is the best option. But, many of the reasons people give for avoiding assisted living facilities are actually misconceptions.

Here are a few common misconceptions about life in an assisted living facility.

Loss of independence

Many feel that when they enter into an assisted living facility, they will be giving up a lot, most importantly their independence. But, many facilities are designed to offer their residents the same amount, and sometimes more, independence, than they had a home. Small details make the difference here, like their own mailboxes, the option to have their car or utilize public transportation, and the ability to bring their own furniture and even cook for themselves if they want to.

More expensive than home

Another common argument refers to the cost of an assisted living facility. And while the cost will vary depending the type and amount of care needed, in many cases choosing assisted living over staying home can save money. If an aging loved one lives alone but can’t complete many household tasks such as cleaning or yard work, they may be paying someone else to do it for them.

And, if they are slowly finding themselves uneasy and are afraid of falling, they may need railings or special tubs installed throughout their home. Adding these features, combined with medical bills or in home care if a fall or injury occurs around the house, costs can begin to add up. An assisted living facility has the features your loved one needs already built in and extra care in included in the price of the facility.

Life is over

Many see assisted living as a “final stop” and imagine all the things they will be losing, including the things that make their lives fulfilling including friends, visits, and activities. But at facilities like Vista Springs, they strive to provide a community that is “Full of Life.” Their daily activities focus on rediscovery, reconnection, and renewal and aim to target areas such as social wellness, vibrant living, and optimism.

In many ways, given the level of care and features meant to enhance life, residents find they can do more within the facility than they ever could while living at home. In a close, active community, everything they need to live a fulfilling, active life is right at their fingertips.

You lose the “homey” feel

Many see assisted living facilities as sterile environments full of sick people, medicines, bland food and cheesy hospital decor. But many facilities, like Vista Springs, are far from that description. In certain locations, the halls and rooms are designed to mimic the feel of a neighborhood street, with street signs and rooms with framed, picture windows lining the hallways. Fireplaces and pianos offer a soft, calming ambiance and sunrooms and cozy nooks provide places to find peace. Resident’s rooms can be customized with their own flair and nurses stations are situated off the beaten path, out of the way of foot traffic.

You should wait to move until “something happens”

“But I’m fine,” your loved one insists, and that may be true. Many think it’s best to wait and move until something happens but, when one fall can lead to more and costly medical bills can start to add up, why wait? Why not move into a safer environment in order to prevent something from happening.

These are just a small spattering of the misconceptions people carry about moving to an assisted living facility. The bottom line is assisted living facilities have come a long way, and there’s no reason that leaving home has to mean giving up a home.

Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.

Colon test options abound—but colonoscopy is best

March 20, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior LivingColon, Colonoscopy, Len Canter, Spectrum Health BeatJoanne

Traditional imaging tests will typically find very small polyps, which can be removed and tested for cancer. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay

No one looks forward to a colonoscopy, but it can save your life.

So you might be wondering whether a home test is a good alternative. These tests involve mailing a stool sample to a lab. Older types of tests check for blood, which could signal a cancerous growth.

Precancerous polyps are harder to find with these tests, because they tend not to bleed.

Newer types of stool tests look for changes in DNA that could be signs of cancer. They’re also better at finding advanced polyps.

You’ll need to have a colonoscopy if a home test shows any positive results.

Because they can’t detect a problem as early as imaging does, home stool tests are typically appropriate for people who have only an average risk of colorectal cancer and no history of polyps or colon disease.

Imaging tests, on the other hand, can find very small polyps, which can then be removed and tested for cancer.

And they don’t need to be repeated as often as home stool tests, which must be done every one to three years. Imaging tests are repeated every five to 10 years, depending on the type of imaging done and whether any polyps are found.

There are differences among imaging tests, but all involve bowel prep.

With a traditional colonoscopy, a flexible tube with an attached camera internally examines the entire colon.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is similar, but reaches only part of the colon.

Another option is a “virtual” colonoscopy, which is noninvasive. It allows the doctor to see your colon from outside your body, but if any polyps are seen, you’ll need a traditional colonoscopy to remove them.

Despite these different choices, a very real problem exists, experts warn: Many people are still not having any type of colorectal cancer screening.

If you’ve been putting it off, take the first step and talk to your doctor about your options.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Kent County treasurer’s office closed for walk-in services

March 19, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming17th Judicial Circuit Court, 62A District Court, 62B District Court, 63rd District Court, County Clerk, Kent County, Probate CourtJoanne

Kent County Treasurer Kenneth Parrish announces the closure of the Treasurer’s Office.

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

On Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-14 extending the redemption deadline on 2017 tax foreclosures from March 31, 2020 to May 29, 2020.

Due to this order and to minimize face-to-face interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kent County Treasurer’s Office is closed to the public until further notice. Taxpayers are encouraged to mail check and money order payments to Kent County Treasurer, P.O. Box Y, Grand Rapids, MI 49501.

The order does not defer nor cancel interest charges. Interest will accrue beyond the original March 31, 2020 deadline until paid. Money orders are available at banks and many retailers. Residents should not mail cash. Staff continues to process mail and is available to take calls at 616-632-7500.

The Treasurer’s office closure follows suit with several other Kent County offices.

Kent County Clerk/Register Office

The Kent County Clerk/Register Office suspended in-person transactions until further notice.

This change, effective until further notice will apply to the Clerk Office (Vital Records), Elections Department, Register of Deeds, and Clerk of the Circuit Court. A listing of how customers can still request or obtain common services, as well as contact information for clarification, is below.

Clerk / Register of Deeds

clerk-register@kentcountymi.gov

Until further notice, the Kent County Clerk/Register’s Office will be serving customers via online or bymail services only. Below are specifics relating to service changes:

Clerk – Vital Records:
616-632-7640
https://www.accesskent.com/CountyClerk

Certified copies of birth, death, marriage, business certificates/licenses/ registrations can be requested online; copies will be mailed via USPS, no in-person pick-up available.
New birth and death certificates received via hospital or funeral home will be processed; copies will be mailed via USPS, no in-person pick-up available. No new home births processed until further notice.
New marriage licenses applications accepted online only, applicants will be contacted
No new CPL applications accepted until further notice; renewals processed online via MSPwebsite
No new notary applications accepted until further notice
No in-person access to records until further notice; call or email for assistanceClerk – Elections:616-632-7650 https://www.accesskent.com/Elections

All candidate filings (Affidavit of Identity, Statement of Organization, campaign finance reports) are to be submitted via email: gerrid.uzarski@kentcountymi.gov. Payments for candidate filings should be mailed. Receipt of filings will be confirmed.
Individuals needing to turn in petitions should contact the Elections office to make an appointment.
No in-person access to records until further notice; call or email for assistanceClerk of the Circuit Court: 616-632-5480 https://www.accesskent.com/Courts/Clerk

Pleadings must be mailed to the court with the appropriate filing fee. Please do not send cash through the mail.
Ex-Parte Pleadings may be submitted to: ccclerksexparte@kentcountymi.gov. Appropriate filing fees must be mailed or waived. More information forthcoming regarding online payments.
Restitution payments must be paid on-line at: https://accesskent.com/CCRemittance/
Certified court records available online at: https://www.accesskent.com/CCRecords/
No in-person access to records until further notice; call or email for assistanceRegister of Deeds:(616) 632-7610 https://www.accesskent.com/RegisterofDeeds/

E-recordings will be processed uninterrupted
Filings received via USPS will be processed uninterrupted. For urgent filings, call or email theoffice.
Searches and recording copies are available online; will be mailed via USPS
No in-person access to records until further notice; call or email for assistance

Courts

Most of the area courts are closed to in-person, public access. For specific details on each court, please click the court below. Due note, that many of the courts do offer an online option to pay tickets and other fines.

17th Judicial Circuit Court

Kent County Probate Court

63rd District Court

62A District Court (Wyoming)

62B District Court (Kentwood)

The cost of aging: Slower fat burn

March 19, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior LivingAging sucks, HealthDay, Robert PreidtJoanne

Paired with a proper diet, regular exercise can help counteract an aging body’s tendency to retain fat. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay

It happens to most aging Americans: Excess pounds pile on, despite efforts to eat right and exercise.

Now, research in fat cells reveals why it’s so tough to stay slim as you get older. The new findings could point to new ways to treat obesity, Swedish investigators say.

A team led by Peter Arner of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm analyzed fat cells taken from 54 men and women over an average of 13 years.

People in the study who consumed the same or more calories as they got older had an average 20% weight gain.

Why? According to Arner’s group, fat cells showed age-linked declines in the rate at which fats—lipids—were removed and stored from the cells over time.

It’s a process called “lipid turnover.”

The researchers also assessed lipid turnover in 41 women who had weight-loss surgeries and how their lipid turnover rate affected their ability to maintain their weight loss four to seven years after surgery.

Only the women who had a low cellular lipid turnover rate before the surgery had increases in their rate after the surgery and were able to keep pounds from coming back in the years after the surgery.

The Swedish team suggested that these women may have had more “room” to increase their lipid turnover compared to women who already had a high turnover rate before weight-loss surgery. That gave them an advantage in terms of being able to stay relatively slim.

“The results indicate for the first time that processes in our fat tissue regulate changes in body weight during aging in a way that is independent of other factors,” Arner, a professor of medicine, said in an institute news release.

One U.S. expert in weight loss said the findings make sense, but many other factors are probably involved.

“A normal process of aging is slower metabolic rate. Our body uses less energy to function and as a result there is less ‘lipolysis,’ or breakdown of fat,” said registered dietitian Sharon Zarabi. She directs the bariatric program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

But, “ultimately, what influences weight loss is our metabolism, microbiome, hormones, nutrient intake, genetics, muscle composition, exercise and environmental toxins—yes, that’s a mouthful,” Zarabi said.

Arner said his team’s findings might “open up new ways to treat obesity.”

Prior research has shown that one way to speed up the lipid turnover in the fat tissue is to boost the amount of exercise you get, Arner noted.

The new study supported that theory and also suggests that increased physical activity might improve weight-loss surgery patients’ long-term chances of success.

And Zarabi stressed that “the good news is that although you can’t control your age, if you are more physically fit and have higher muscle mass, fat breakdown is still possible.”

The new findings were published in Nature Medicine.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

KDL Staff Picks: A look at the Spanish Flu of 1918

March 18, 20203-bottom, Citizen JournalismGerms, immune, pandemic, Spanish FluJoanne

Adult

Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World

by Laura Spinney

Describes the enormous-scale human disaster caused by the 1918 Spanish Flu and uses the latest findings in history, virology, epidemiology, psychology and economics to show how the pandemic permanently changed global politics, race relations, medicine, religion and the arts.

Pandemic 1918: Eyewitness Accounts from the Greatest Medical Holocaust in Modern History

By Catherine Arnold

Describes the outbreak of the Spanish Flu 100 years ago that killed more than 50 million people around the world, including 550,000 in the United States, right in the middle of World War I.

Immune: How Your Body Defends and Protects You

By Catherine Carver

Explains how the immune system works, likening it to a well-fortified castle, and notes how new drugs are being designed to harness its power to treat illness.

Children’s

Germs: Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes

By Lisa Cline-Ransome

An introduction to the world of good and bad bacteria is told from the perspective of Sam the Salmonella and reveals fascinating facts about the role of germs in everyday life, how germs were discovered and the invention of important germ-fighting practices and medicines.

Fever Year: The Killer Flu of 1918: A Tragedy in Three Acts

By Don Brown

The award-winning creator of The Unwanted and Drowned City presents a graphic novel history of the devastating Spanish Influenza epidemic and its violent impact on World War I.

Urban living: Add trees for health, happiness

March 18, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Our CitiesAmy Norton, HealthDay, Spectrum Health Beat, TreesJoanne

Trees play a role in bolstering mental and physical health for city dwellers. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Amy Norton, HealthDay

City dwellers who live on tree-lined streets might be happier and healthier for it, a large new study suggests.

The study, of nearly 47,000 urban residents, found that those who lived in areas shaded by tree canopy reported less psychological distress and better general health over six years.

Green grass, on the other hand, didn’t cut it: People in neighborhoods with more grassy areas actually reported poorer health than those largely surrounded by concrete.

The researchers said the findings suggest there might be something particularly health-promoting about trees. Maybe people who have them nearby have more chances for walking and recreation, or enjoy a buffer against noise and traffic pollution, for example.

The bottom line: Trees seem to matter to our well-being, said Kathleen Wolf, a research social scientist at the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, in Seattle.

Wolf, who was not involved in the study, said it adds to a body of research finding a link between “green space” and better health.

A U.K. study published recently is a case in point. It found that people who spent two hours a week outdoors gave higher ratings to their physical and mental health than those who preferred the great indoors.

“If you have one study showing an association,” Wolf said, “it gives you a heads-up—’Hey, this is an interesting finding.’”

When multiple studies show the same pattern, it suggests something is really there, she added.

A strength of the new study is that it followed people over time, Wolf said, rather than measuring well-being only once.

On average, it found, city dwellers who lived near more tree canopy were less likely to develop new symptoms of psychological distress—like nervousness, hopelessness and unexplained fatigue.

The benefit was seen among people living in areas with tree coverage of at least 30% within a mile of home. Compared with residents with few nearby trees, they were about one-third less likely to report distress symptoms on a standard questionnaire.

They were also one-third less likely to downgrade ratings of their general health to “fair” or “poor.”

Of course, there could be many things about living in greener areas that make people happier and healthier. But the researchers tried to account for those differences—weighing factors like household income, education levels and marital status.

Even then, trees still mattered to mental and physical well-being.

Why would that be? Wolf pointed to various possibilities.

Tree-lined streets and parks may give people more opportunities for exercise—which, she noted, is important not only for physical well-being but mental health, too.

There’s also a theory that being out in nature offers a better sense of perspective, which makes our daily stresses seem less significant.

“Human beings tend to ruminate on the bad things that happen, rather than the good,” Wolf said.

Some of that mental playback may fade when you’re outdoors, with things to see, smell and experience, she noted.

Living near grassy surroundings, on the other hand, was linked to higher odds of distress and poor health.

The study cannot reveal why, said Sjerp de Vries, a researcher with Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. But, he said, unlike grass, trees can make an area more walkable.

Trees are also more obvious, de Vries said. Tall trees, especially, make their presence known whether people are outside or inside.

Plus, de Vries noted, there is an argument to be made that trees are beneficial because they release chemicals called phytoncides, which may boost human immune function.

He wrote an editorial accompanying the new study, which was published online recently in JAMA Network Open.

The study results were based on 46,786 adults aged 45 and older in three large Australian cities. All remained in the same neighborhood over six years and completed the same health questionnaires at the beginning and end of the study period.

It’s possible, de Vries said, that healthier people chose to live in tree-lined areas.

But other studies have suggested that “green space” has particular benefits for lower-income people, he noted. And they have less choice about where to live than their wealthier counterparts.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

School News Network: School closings, 2020 Census

March 17, 2020Citizen JournalismJoanne

All Districts: Uncertainty abounds during ‘unprecedented situation’ after governor orders school closure

It is a new norm for a few weeks as the state — and the nation — deal with the coronavirus. Read just how the school officials of Kent Intermediate School District and the 20 public schools districts are making the best of the situation. Click here.

Carter Korzenowski and Kalypzo Jimenez Perez model radium and calcium in the bone lattice. (School News Network)

Godwin Heights: Science lesson reveals toxic effect of radium on female workers

Through science, sophomores at Godwin Heights High School recently discovered for themselves how the radium in paint used at a 1900s factory left a legacy of illness and death its wake. Want to learn who truth? Click here.

Urban League of West Michigan staff (from left) Jahaven Haye, Dione Ford and Javonte Tubbs were at Cesar Chavez Elementary to spread the word at a school choice event held by GRPS. (School News Network)

All Districts: What does the 2020 Census have to do with school lunch?

With some funding dependent on census data, school districts hale spread the word on why its important for residents to be counted in the census. To count all the reasons why, click here.

Kelloggsville: Voters to decide sinking fund request

On May 5, voters in the Kelloggsville Public Schools district will decided on a sinking fund request that would mean about 96 centers a week per a $100,000 home but would allow the district to fund a long list of already-identified projects without borrowing money. Get the details by clicking here.

KDL Staff Picks: Celebrating Women

March 17, 2020Citizen JournalismKDL, Kent District LibraryJoanne

Adult

The Grace Year

by Kim Liggett

“Look around,” Kiersten says as she stares me dead in the eyes. ‘We are the only Gods here.’” Being a reader (podcast listener and movie watcher) of all things murder and mystery I expected to like this book… I didn’t, however, expect to finish it in one sitting. The Grace Year tells the story of the girls from Garner County spending their 16th year, their Grace Year, in a distant wilderness camp to rid themselves of magic. It is thought that without doing so their “magic” will run rampant and men will not be able to control themselves around these girls. Nobody talks about what happens during the Grace Year but every year girls come back disheveled, missing body parts, or not at all. This is a fast-paced book that combines horror, survival, and a healthier dose of feminism than its counterparts; a truly dark read that will linger on your mind.

– Emily at Tyrone

Here’s to You, Jesusa!

by Elena Poniatowska

In the 1960s, Elena Poniatowska, one of Mexico’s most respected and celebrated writers, a woman of wealth and privilege, developed an unlikely friendship with an impoverished and illiterate campesina she called “Jesusa”. In telling Jesusa’s story, Poniatowska told the story of Mexico’s most impoverished and disenfranchised people, while at the same time drawing strength from Jesusa’s experiences and wisdom. Available as a Book Club in a Bag.

– Mark at Krause Memorial

Mrs. Everything

by Jennifer Weiner

Mrs. Everything is a story of two sisters who were raised in Detroit in the 1950s. The two sisters are so different from each other but I found myself relating to each of them in my own way. This story shares how each sister overcome hardships in their lives but manage to keep a strong relationship with each other through it all. This is a great and heartfelt story!

– Hollie at Wyoming

Teen

A Bride’s Story

by Kauru Mori

At 11 volumes so far the manga is a wonderful historical slice of life story that takes place in 19th century central Asia. It is about Amir, a bride from a nomadic tribe sent to be married to a groom who is eight years younger than her. The story focuses on the daily life of the new couple and the people around them. The books are beautifully drawn and full of incredible details. The artwork is amazing.

– Megan at the KDL Service Center

When We Were Vikings

by Andrew MacDonald

This book takes place in the mind of Zelda, a high functioning young adult diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome. This novel is funny, and very relatable. Zelda is obsessed with Vikings, and this make the novel super quirky and fun. If you want a feel good read, this is for you

– Hollie at Wyoming

Kent County encourages residents to call 211 for food, utility, other assistance

March 17, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of WyomingEssential Needs Task Force, Kent CountyJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

For a single mom whose main income is dependent on her waitressing job, the closure of all the restaurants and bars in Michigan can be devastating. But yesterday, the Kent County Health Department released a video where residents who need food or financial assistance can get help.

The answer: call 211 according to Essential Needs Task Force Director Wende Randall as she talked to Kent County Health Department Director Dr. Adam London.

Started in 2016, the United Way’s 2-1-1 has connected thousands of services in 14 counties such as Kent County. Services include food, shelter, utility assistance, disaster recovery, childcare, transportation, and more.

“They should call if they are in need assistance,” Randall said, adding that another excellent resource is the Heart of West Michigan United Way’s website, hwmuw.org.

Food

“We have several resources that have started to shift operations in terms of how they provide food access to the community,” Randall said.

As reported by School News Network, 20 school districts in the Kent Intermediate School District are making free meals available to students and families during the mandatory statewide school closures. Families are invited to pick up meals of any child ages 18 and under, and students with disabilities ages 18 – 26 with an activity IEP (individualized education program.) For a complete list of the schools and schedule of pick ups, click here.

Randall said that for older adults, Meals on Wheels has continued and many area senior centers are also providing packaged meals to seniors. Area pantries are not allowing the usually shops for food but if contacted will provide a box with food items, Randall said.

Such is the case at United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) which according to its website has closed its facility to the public, but food services will continue. Those in need of food services should call and talk to staff for further details, 616-241-4006. Those coming to the UCOM facility are asked to remain in their car in the parking lot and call for service.

The Pantry, now called the Green Apple Pantry, has announced it will be open for food distribution on March 18 on its website. However, neighbors and volunteers will not be allowed to enter the pantry. Instead, boxes will be prepared and set outside for pick up.

Randall noted that the YMCA and Kids Food Basket also are providing meal kits. On the Kids’ Food Basket website, it states that “because a virus will not and cannot stop hunger, we are committed to continuing to pack and distribute nourishing food in a safe, healthy and responsible way.”

Kids’ Food Basket stated that when a partner school is open, such as Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, Kids’ Food Basket staff and volunteers will be there to distribute Sack Suppers to the students that rely on the program.

Utility payments and other needs

“What we anticipating is the need for utility assistance is going to be delayed by a couple of weeks,” Randall said. “People may have the paycheck they’ve been working toward coming up this week or next week but then they will see their hours reduction hit their paycheck.

“So we are anticipating the biggest need for financial support in those areas to come within the next two weeks and beyond because of course we don’t know how long these work shortages are going to continue.”

Randall said that 2-1-1 can help with referrals for rent and utility assistance, adding that there could be some qualifications for those calling.

“Winter and spring are the biggest months for utility needs,” Randall said, adding that this could put financial strains on the organizations who help the community.

“The greatest need right now is going to be financial support for those agencies that are providing direct service to community members,” Randall said, adding that many of these organizations run on fairly thin margins with the coronavirus situation putting a financial strain on them.

The Heart of West Michigan United Way has set up a a Kent County Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Some banks and credit unions also have reached out to members stating if they are having any financial issues, to contact the specific institution that you bank at.

Volunteering

Randall said some agencies may need volunteers to help. For tips on volunteering, visit the Heart of West Michigan United Way website, hwmuw.org or volunteergr.org. Volunteer opportunities will be mostly solo efforts of providing food to people at home. It is recommended if you are bringing food to someone, make sure to practice social distancing by either texting or ringing the door bell after placing the bag on the porch and then move away.

How to avoid ‘inflamm-aging’

March 17, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior LivingAging, HealthDay, Inflammation, Len CanterJoanne

Add a social component to your exercise by joining a fitness class or finding a workout buddy. You’ll incorporate two major components that fight inflammation: socializing and exercising. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay

Tamping down inflammation is a must for people with a chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

But you can be exposed to damaging inflammation without having a specific medical condition.

Inflammation prevents the body from adequately reacting to stressors and puts the aging process on an unwanted fast track, increasing the likelihood of problems like heart disease.

The negative effects of inflammation can be so significant that leading researchers from the University of Bologna in Italy coined the phrase inflamm-aging.

So making anti-inflammation lifestyle choices is good for everyone.

How to avoid inflamm-aging

Eat a heart-healthy diet focusing on foods like fatty fish, fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that sugar is highly inflammatory.
Get active with moderate cardio exercise. Remember: Good health guidelines call for 30 minutes a day on at least five days per week.
Lose excess weight, especially if you’re carrying those pounds around your middle.
Avoid exposure to all forms of secondhand smoke and, of course, if you smoke, quit.
Limit alcohol to one drink per day if you’re a woman, two if you’re a man.
Clock seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Some people need more, others need less, but this is the sweet spot between not enough and too much.
Manage stress. Stress is often unavoidable, but you can minimize its effects with techniques like deep breathing and meditation.
Stay social with strong connections to friends and family.

Also, talk to your doctor about ways to boost heart health and any other steps appropriate to your needs to counter inflammation.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

School News Network: Showing school spirit

March 17, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalismgodfrey Lee Public Schools, Kentwood Public Schools, Wyoming Public SchoolsJoanne

Last fall, visual art teacher Jesse VanderBand’s students worked in teams of four to create artwork for the Legends change. (School News Network)

Godfrey-Lee: New mascot, log to be inspired by student designs

A key component in creating the new logo for Lee High School is student input according to Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Polston. Curious on what students view as the new mascot? Click here to find out.

From left, Taylor Ross, Noe Martinez, Ashley Soto, Vivian Nguyen, Norell Gill, Lisbeth De Los Santos and Keonica Hamilton operate the Wolf Den. (School News Network)

Wyoming: Shirts, slushes and spirit

Have you been to The Wolf Den at Wyoming High School? What you’ll find is a store offering the latest black and purple gear. To show your Wolf Pack Pride, click here.

Third grader Josie Day wears her team name on her head. (School News Network)

Kentwood: Third graders have the solution to organizing toys in messy bedroom

Students at Explorer Elementary tackle the task of keep a room clean by creating toy storage containers. Want to see what they created? Click here.

Schools are emphasizing thorough hand-washing and sanitizing, and keeping students home from school if they show symptoms of coronavirus or flu. (School News Network)

All Schools: School hope for the best but prepare for coronavirus anyway

From ultraviolet lights to detect germs to hand washing, area schools are doing a lot to help prevent not only the spread of coronavirus but other flus as well. To learn more, click here.

Photo of the Week: Seeing blue

March 16, 2020Citizen JournalismJoanne

This week’s Photo of the Week comes from Managing Editor Ken Norris who is currently in Morocco. Morocco’s Blue City is Chefchaouen and it has become a photographer’s dream place because of all the shades of blue. The city was founded in 1471 s a point of defense against the invading Portuguese and why it is blue, where there is a number of legends to that. One is that a Jewish community brought the tradition of painting the buildings blue because it reminded them of God while another story said it was to repel mosquitoes and prevent malaria.

Do you have a photo you would like considered for Photo of the Week? Then email it to Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.

Cleaning tips to keeping a healthy homes

March 16, 20203-bottom, Citizen JournalismCDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthy Homes Coalition of West MichiganJoanne

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

A lot has happened over the weekend from the governor announcing a shutdown of all bars and restaurants dine-in services until April 6 to many area schools offering to step in and make sure no child goes hungry during this time.

Within only hours of Kent County Health Officer Dr. Adam London signing a Public Health Emergency Order for the county, Governor Gretchen Whitmir announced that as of 3 p.m. today all bars and restaurants will shutdown in-dining services. Carry-out will be available at many locations, so call or text first to check on availability.

Many other businesses must comply with a 50 percent occupancy. So if the building’s occupancy capacity is 100, during the lock-down it may only have 50. This is to encourage social distancing, which means to stay at home as much as possible. If you must go out, it is recommended to be six to 10 feet away from the other person. According to the Centers for Disease Control, social distancing has been one of the key factors to help China and South Korea keep the coronavirus under control or at least curb its spread.

The Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan recently sent out a newsletter with tips from the CDC on how to make your home healthy when it comes to the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Those guidelines start with the recommendation to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas. Those surfaces include tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, and sinks. How do you do that? Follow these simple guidelines:

Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.

If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

For disinfection, you can use diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, or an EPA-registered household disinfectant.

If you have a child with asthma, always separate the child from the room being cleaned to avoid the bleach triggering an asthma attack, and do not over-concentrate your cleaning solution.

Prepare a bleach solution:

4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water, or
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19.

For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely, or use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at this link) that are suitable for porous surfaces.

Follow these guidelines from the CDC to keep your children and family safe during this time.

5 Questions to ask your potential assisted living facility

March 16, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior LivingVista Springs Assisted LivingJoanne

By Vista Springs Assisted Living

When it’s time to move into an assisted living facility, everyone involved in the move will have a lot of questions. If you are helping a loved one decide which community is right for them, you should be asking a lot of questions during tours.

Before going in, you’ll probably have a general idea of the things you need to know and the topics you’ll want to cover. You definitely need to cover basic housekeeping questions like:

Cost and payment options
Insurance coverage
Waitlist
Discharge policy
What services are included and which are extra

But, there are other, more specific questions regarding lifestyle, quality of life and the general feel of the facility that you should be asking. Often, these questions reveal more about the community and are more important than the “housekeeping” questions. If you’re looking for assisted living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, or anywhere, make sure to ask the following questions.

What are the “age in place” options?

If your loved one is thinking about leaving their home for assisted living, it’s probably going to be a big change. Once they make the move, consistency will be important and another move will be the last thing on everyone’s mind. Before you choose an assisted living facility, ask about the level of care they can offer if your loved one experiences any health changes or setbacks? Do they have the services to care for them if they experience dementia or if they lose mobility? What about hospice? Is this a community your loved one can stay in as long as they need to? Make sure the next move they make is as permanent as possible.

How many personal items are allowed?

Personal touches are important when it comes to feeling at home in a new environment. How much of their own furniture, decor and home items can your loved one bring with them to their new home? Will they be able to completely outfit their apartment with their own furniture and favorite rugs? Will there be room for their favorite books, pictures, or wall art? Bringing a touch of home may be an important deciding factor in choosing a place so it’s an important question to ask.

What services are offered on site?

The services offered on site can make a facility feel more like a community than just a place. By offering beauty salons, libraries, cafes, mailboxes and even walking paths, residents can make their own appointments and attend them without leaving the facility. This can add a level of independence and they won’t need to rely on rides or public transportation to enjoy these small pleasures.

What are other residents/families saying?

During your tour, take some time to aim questions not just at the staff, but at other residents. Try to time a visit when other families will be visiting so you can chat with them as well. Ask about the general mood of their loved one, their activity levels and what their favorite things to do are.

What types of activities, either within or outside the facility, are offered?

How will the facility help your loved one remain active, engaged and social? While many residents will want to plan and attend their own activities outside the facility, it may be best for some to stay close. For these residents, it’s comforting knowing that there will be activities for them to participate in whether or not they choose to leave the community daily or stay. Daily activities and an active social life are important to everyone’s well-being and are particularly important within an assisted living facility.

Don’t just ask surface level “housekeeping” questions. To get a feel for what life will look like within a community, dig deeper and ask questions that matter.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

The power of purpose

March 16, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Upcoming EventsDennis Thompson, Spectrum Health BeatJoanne

Volunteering for community events and helping others are great ways to find purpose in your downtime. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay

Do you feel like you know why you’re here?

The answer to that question could determine how you feel day-to-day.

If you’ve found meaning in your life, you’re more likely to be both physically and mentally healthy, a new study reports.

On the other hand, people restlessly searching for meaning in their life are more likely to have worse mental well-being, with their struggle to find purpose negatively affecting their mood, social relationships, psychological health and ability to think and reason.

“We found presence of meaning was associated with better physical functioning and better mental functioning,” said senior study author Dr. Dilip Jeste. He is senior associate dean for the Center for Healthy Aging at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine.

“Many think about the meaning and purpose in life from a philosophical perspective, but meaning in life is associated with better health, wellness and perhaps longevity,” Jeste continued. “Those with meaning in life are happier and healthier than those without it.”

This conclusion comes from a three-year study of more than 1,000 people aged 21 and older living in San Diego County.

All participants were asked to fill out a battery of questionnaires that assessed their physical and mental health, as well as how sharp their brains function.

They also filled out a questionnaire aimed at determining the amount of meaning they’d found in life, as well as their continued search for meaning.

Meaning in life is a very individualized concept, Jeste said. It could be drawn from your faith or from your family, from your work or your community service, or your role in society.

Jeste and his colleagues found that as people get older, they tend to follow along a U-shaped curve in their search for meaning in life.

The search for meaning is high in young adulthood, as people make decisions about career and education and family that will shape the rest of their lives, the study reports.

“That’s a period of considerable anxiety. You are desperately searching for meaning, but you haven’t found it,” Jeste said of people in their 20s.

As people grow older and settle into their lives, they are more and more likely to discover the things that give their lives meaning, the researchers found.

But then, as people enter their old age, the search for life’s meaning again starts to roil within them, results show.

Physical and mental infirmity challenges their notion of themselves—and the increasingly frequent deaths of family and friends force them to contend with grief and their own mortality, Jeste said.

“They start questioning the meaning that they’d found in life at an earlier age and they start searching again,” Jeste said. “The purpose at 75 cannot be the same as that at 35.”

These big questions—and whether you’re still looking for the answers, at whatever age—are associated with your personal health, results show.

Contentment with life was associated with better physical and mental health, while a continuing search for meaning was associated with poorer mental health and less effective brain function, the study showed.

You could imagine that a doctor finds meaning in their life because they help people who are suffering, and that provides them with satisfaction and a solid base for happiness, said Dr. Philip Muskin, a professor of psychiatry with the Columbia University Medical Center, in New York City.

On the other hand, a doctor suffering from burnout who questions whether they’re really helping others isn’t going to be either happy or healthy.

“If you are still searching for meaning as a physician, that is likely to make you unhappy,” Muskin said. “Not necessarily depressed, but if you are still searching for meaning that is likely to make you uncomfortable in life.”

So what can you do to provide yourself with a firmer understanding of your life’s purpose?

Jeste suggests that the Serenity Prayer provides one blueprint—accepting the things in life you can’t change while working to improve the things you can.

“You can find the things that you can do that make you happy and that are useful to others,” Jeste said. “By doing that, you create your own value to society.”

Thoughtful conversation also can help, Muskin said, either with your friends or your family, or a religious figure or a therapist.

“Ask yourself the hard question. What is it I want to get out of this?” Muskin said. “Meaning comes from many different sources, and if you truly feel you don’t have meaning, you should sit with someone and have that conversation. What are we doing?”

Middle-aged people can help maintain the meaning they’ve found in life by making solid plans for what they will do in retirement, Muskin added.

“I see this all the time in my practice—people who retire into nothing,” Muskin said. “They have made no plans. They were professionals for years and decided to retire and their lives are empty. Now they’re searching for meaning in life because what they did and who they were never much separated.”

The new study was published online recently the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

List of closures increases as Gardens, Civic, KDL all close

March 13, 20203-bottom, Citizen JournalismBroadway Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Kent District LibraryJoanne

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

In response to the COVID-19 — more commonly called the coronavirus — several organizations today have announced closures. Remember, if you have an event you are planning to attend, double check by calling or visit the event’s website to confirm the event will be taking place.

Kent District Library

In a statement released today, KDL officials said that in the interest of mitigating the impact of the virus, all branches are closed to the public. Programs, outreach visits, bookmobile visits, and book sales are cancelled. KDL is planning to reopen all its branches when schools are scheduled to reopen on April 6.

The staff is explored alternative ways to continue providing service. For updates, visit the KDL.org/coronavrius and the KDL social media pages. The library does provides many digital services such as:

Audiobooks, movies, music and more at kdl.org/downloads
Magazines, databases and other online resources at kdl.org/research
Online reading clubs: download the Beanstack application for your smartphones (search for “Beanstack” in your online app store).

For assistance or more information visit kdl.org or call 616-784-2007.

Grand Rapids Public Library

The Grand Rapids Public Library also has closed until further notice. For updates on the Grand Rapids Public Museum, visit grpl.org.

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

The plan was for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre to continue performances but this morning the organization announced it was suspending the rest of the run of “Matilda: The Musical.”

Civic will be offering all patrons who have purchased tickets a voucher for a future show. Officials are asking that patrons not call the box office at this time. All tickets have been recorded and staff will be contacting patrons individually to assist with rain checks. Patrons also will be given the opportunity to donate the cost of their ticket back to the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre to help offset the company’s lost from the show. For pressing concerns about Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, call 616-222-6650.

Postponed: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Broadway Grand Rapids

Broadway Grand Rapids announced to patrons that due to the governor’s order to cancel or postpone gatherings of 250 persons or more, the organization has postpone the rest of the run for “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Patrons with tickets should hang on to those tickets as the BGR is hoping to bring the show back.

Performances of “Ecsape of Margaritaville,” which are May 26-31, are expected to go on as scheduled.

Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum has closed until further notice. Private events scheduled at the Pubic Museum that are under the 250 persons (guests and staff) threshold will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Earlier this week, the Museum had announced that its Free Day set for March 15 had been postponed.

While there has been no confirmed coronavirus cases connected to the Museum, officials have announced that staff been performing rigorous cleaning routines and there are plans to announce next steps soon.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has closed temporarily. Classes will continue unless otherwise notified. However, anyone signed up for a class through April 12, 2020 may request a full refund. Private events happening at Meijer Gardens during this time will take place if guests and staff are under the 100-person threshold. Event hosts will be contacted by their event coordinator.

To kept up-to-date on Garden activities, visit meijergardens.org.

Grand Rapids Symphony

Yesterday, the Grand Rapids Symphony announced it has cancelled all performances for the next 30 days, until April 10.

Ticket inquiries and requests will be answered by phone on a limited basis. Tickets for cancelled concerts maybe exchanged for upcoming concerts later this season or for the 2020-2021 season. Exchanges may be mailed to:

Ticket Exchange

Grand Rapids Symphony

300 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 100

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

LowellArts

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and in support of the Governor’s and CDC’s request the LowellArts has decided to cancel/postpone any live events for the next 30 days (including tonight’s LaughFest event). The gallery will remain open with officials stating their plans for future events subject to the conditions at that time. For more information, visit lowellartsmi.org.

Kent County elections leaders discuss busy voting season on WKTV Journal In Focus

March 13, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Election, Local Faces, Our Cities, Politics, Upcoming Events, WKTV Journal In FocusKent County elections, WKTV Journal: In FocusJoanne

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Michigan voters are starting a busy election with the just-completed presidential primary, so on the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus we offer a review of how the State of Michigan in general — and Kent County in specific — handle elections so that they provide voter accessibility, ballot security and accurate results.

With us is Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds, who was elected to the position in 2016 after serving three terms as a Republican in the Michigan House of Representatives. Also with us is county elections director Gerrid Uzarski, who was appointed by Ms. Lyons in late 2017 and, previously worked for ElectionSource, a local company which, along with Dominion Voting Systems, is contracted by the state to provide election hardware and software.

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Grand Rapids Public Museum to host free day March 15

March 12, 2020Citizen JournalismGrand Rapids Public Museum, Kent County Farm BureauJoanne

Finny, the finback whale skeleton, greats visitors as the enter the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)

Editor’s Note: This event has been postpone.

By Christie Bender
Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that in partnership with Kent County Farm Bureau, they will be offering a Museum Free Day for the third year in a row. On March 15, 2020, the GRPM will open their doors free of charge for visitors to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits.

“We’re thrilled to offer a Free Day at the Museum to the community for yet another year,” said Kate Kocienski, VP of Marketing and PR for the GRPM. “We truly appreciate our partnership with the Kent County Farm Bureau because it continues to give the gift of curiosity for visitors of all to explore science, history and culture at the Museum without the barrier of an admission fee.”

The Free Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. Kent County Farm Bureau will have additional agriculture themed hands-on activities available as part of the day. Visitors can participate in an apple taste test and vote on their favorite apple variety, as well as learn how to milk a cow by interacting with “Casey the Cow” a life-size cow figure. Educational handouts of My Food Plate will be distributed as well as free apples, and other snacks on a first come, first serve basis. For additional information or to reserve your free ticket, please visit grpm.org, click the purchase tickets link and select March 15 for date of visit to receive free admission.

“Kent County Farm Bureau looks forward to once again partnering with the Grand Rapids Public Museum to welcome friends into the Museum free of charge,” said Bill Seif, Kent County Farm Bureau President. “On behalf of more than 1,200 Kent County farmers, we are delighted to work with the GRPM to continue inviting the community to learn more about our agriculture and food production through this experience.”

The GRPM is a place of never-ending inspiration and discovery, featuring three floors of hands-on fun and educational exhibits for visitors of all ages to explore. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids, and West Michigan Habitats, an exhibit that showcases the vast wildlife found in West Michigan.

Take a trip down memory lane in the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s “TOYS!” exhibit.

Special exhibits TOYS! and Design Zone will be included free of charge for visitors to enjoy on the Museum’s Free Day. TOYS! is an interactive, multi-generational exhibition of toys and games that rekindle childhood memories and spark the creation of new ones. In Design Zone, visitors explore a variety of concepts to learn the processes and tools needed to create a successful design by engaging with interactive games and activities.

Additional experiences for visitors include the special traveling exhibit Bodies Revealed and planetarium shows that are available for an additional charge.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is located at 272 Pearl St. SW. For more information, visit grpm.org.

10 tips for a safer home

March 12, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior LivingHealthDay, Len Canter, Spectrum Health Beat, Tips for safetyJoanne

An emergency health kit is a must-have component in bolstering home safety. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay

Here are 10 suggestions from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every month. Yes, this is an addition to changing the batteries once a year.
Wash your child’s toys just as you do your hands. (Think of how much time they spend on the floor.)
Wipe up spills as soon as they happen to avoid bacteria growth.
Put together a mini health kit and tuck it into your daily tote. Include adhesive bandages, alcohol wipes, pain relief medication, hand sanitizer, a mini tube of sun protection and an instant ice pack.
Make that wellness appointment you’ve been putting off. Ask if you need a tetanus booster. It’s a must every 10 years.
Put the poison control number—800.222.1222—on all phones and make sure all family members know when to call it.
Before leaving the house do a double check for safety. That means putting on sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for a walk and other activities, or a helmet and other gear for bike riding, or looking at the treads of your shoes before a run.
Schedule a radon test for the air in your home. Have your water checked if you get it from a private well.
Change your contact lenses on the right schedule. Don’t risk eye health by trying to extend their life past the prescribed usage, whether they’re dailies, monthlies or anything in between.
Can’t do a full floss after lunch? Use dental picks to get rid of food caught between your teeth and prevent bacteria buildup.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Want to keep sharp? Stay social

March 11, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior LivingHealthDay, Spectrum Health Beat, Stay social, Steven ReinbergJoanne

Staying engaged socially and creatively at age 50 and beyond could help you ward off mental decline. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay

The evidence continues to mount that staying socially engaged as you age helps keep dementia at bay.

In a new study, British researchers found that being socially active in your 50s and 60s may reduce the risk of developing dementia.

The findings showed that people in their 60s who interacted with friends nearly every day had a 12% lower risk of developing dementia than people who saw a couple of friends every few months.

“This has important implications for people in middle-age as it suggests that keeping socially active is important for brain health. We know that it has other health benefits in terms of benefiting physical and mental health,” said lead researcher Andrew Sommerlad, a research fellow in the division of psychiatry at University College London.

Social activity during midlife was linked with better memory and reasoning skills, he said.

“We think this may be because social contact gives us a chance to exercise different aspects of thinking, like memory and language, which may make people more resilient against the damage which accumulates in the brain in people who develop dementia,” Sommerlad explained.

For the study, Sommerlad and his colleagues collected data on more than 10,200 people who took part in the Whitehall II study between 1985 and 2013. During that time, the participants were asked about their contact with friends and relatives.

In 1997, the study participants also took tests of their thinking abilities. The group was followed until 2017.

The researchers also found an association between being socially active and dementia risk for those who were 50 and 70, but it wasn’t statistically significant.

Sommerlad said that other studies have shown similar results, but this study followed people for a much longer time.

“This gives us much more confidence in the idea that more social contact may reduce dementia risk, although a study like this can never definitively prove it,” he said, since it can only show an association.

In any case, Sommerlad encouraged people to stay connected.

Dr. Sam Gandy is director of the Mount Sinai Center for Cognitive Health and NFL Neurological Care in New York City. He said, “I tend to believe these findings are correct.”

Many studies have shown that being mentally and physically active affects keeping the mind sharp, he noted.

“Physical activity, mental stimulation and social engagement are popping up in these studies left and right all around the world,” Gandy said.

Some patients in these studies may have the beginnings of mild cognitive impairment, which is an early stage of dementia, he said. But he is confident that this possibility is well known and researchers can take it into account.

The bottom line for Gandy is that keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol low and maintaining a healthy weight along with eating a healthy diet—and staying mentally and socially active—is the best recipe for delaying or preventing dementia.

Some studies have suggested that even people with dementia can benefit from a healthy lifestyle, he added.

Gandy thinks that for those with early signs of dementia, these interventions might have some value.

“But not for those with mid- to late-stage dementia or those who are bed-bound,” he said.

The report was published online recently in PLOS Medicine.

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.