After Pivoting into Online Workouts, Longevity Fitness Reopens While Continuing to Bring Their Signature Fitness Philosophy to Customers Via Virtual Sessions
After the coronavirus pandemic swept across the U.S., fitness centers have begun cautiously reopening their doors. Longevity Fitness in Charleston, South Carolina, long known for its pristine and spa-like setting, has been on the forefront of the movement to protect the health and well-being of their clients while offering them a wide range of ways to stay fit. The fitness studio (one that counts Bill Murray amongst its loyal clients) is kicking off a phased reopening while offering a wide variety of online workouts – from classes to private training sessions. It’s all part of Longevity’s mission to help its clients stay in optimum shape both physically and mentally. The boutique club reopened the first phase of its physical studio for private sessions and access to the open gym floor by appointment only. As of June 1st, Longevity Fitness began adding back reduced class sizes of its Pilates and group training. The phased reopening is just another step in Longevity’s successful navigation of a pandemic that has thrown many fitness clubs for a loop. Since its inception in 2015, Longevity Fitness has built a dedicated following as a boutique fitness club known for its cleanliness, spa-like elements, alluring scent, and open and airy feel. When coronavirus caused the center to temporarily shutter, owner Jennie Brooks and her team quickly pivoted to find a way to offer signature Longevity training sessions at home. Since then, the studio has hosted a wide variety of livestream classes led by their certified personal trainers, Pilates and yoga instructors. Online classes feature workouts that can be done from home with minimal equipment (a mat, dumbbells, resistance bands, etc.). Classes include a variety of Pilates mat-based workouts, Stretch, HIIT and strength-focused routines, TRX, and more. Anyone can access Longevity Live classes via the private Longevity Fitness Charleston LIVE Facebook group. Donations for the classes are appreciated and can be made by signing up for a class through the Mindbody App or Longevity Fitness Charleston website. The team at Longevity Fitness is also continuing to add to their library of Longevity On Demand workouts that are available via subscription. Subscribers get access to the full selection of Longevity On Demand classes, including a special “Body By Bill” TRX workout video featuring Murray himself. In addition to online classes, Longevity Fitness’ trainers will continue to offer live, private virtual sessions with clients to help them stay accountable, connected and on track – even if they opt to do so from home. Longevity Fitness owner Jennie Brooks founded the club to have a boutique hotel vibe with a focus on wellness as a lifestyle. She and her team of dedicated staff are looking forward to continuing to build a happy, health-conscious base of clients across the country – whether they opt to visit online or in person. To learn more about Longevity Fitness, visit www.longevityfitnesscharleston.com.
Musical Savant Inspires Heartbroken Pianist In Return Of The Song
San Antonio, TX, June 3, 2020 — Caroline Carlyle, a gifted pianist, has abandoned her unfinished compositions and traded her old ambitions for the comfort and familiarity of being the town’s favorite piano teacher. The music that once filled her heart died along with her fiancé in the floodwaters of Guatemala six years ago. Struggling with aching loss and a splintered faith, she has long since given up on rediscovering the inspiration that once came so easily.
Until, that is, a prodigious, musical savant enters Caroline’s life, shattering her glass cocoon, capturing the attention of many of the townsfolk, and awakening Caroline’s courage and sense of purpose. Inspired by her new acquaintance, Caroline embarks on a quest to track down the beloved rare piano she played as a child. Her search leads her to Rockwater, the Kentucky estate of a wealthy gentleman who will forever alter the trajectory of Caroline’s life.
Return of the Song is the compelling first book in the Rockwater Suite series from Phyllis Clark Nichols. Readers will find themselves immersed in the fictional town of Moss Point, Georgia, where quiet glimmers of romance and undercurrents of mystery complement the town’s Southern beauty and charm. They will discover the hope of life after loss and the rekindling of love and purpose.
With change in the air at Moss Point, secrets will be revealed, events will converge and characters will collide — all of it building to an unexpected crescendo. Who will ultimately help Caroline find the real music of her heart again?
Author Phyllis Clark Nichols weaves her faith and her Southern culture into character-driven stories that bring hope and light as they explore profound human questions. A classically-trained musician and retired cable executive, she enjoys art, books, nature, cooking, travel and stories about ordinary people who live extraordinary lives. In addition to the Rockwater Suite series, Phyllis is the author of the Family Portrait series and the inspirational Christmas novels, Christmas at Grey Sage and Silent Days, Holy Night. She and her husband live in the Texas Hill Country. Please visit her at www.phyllisclarknichols.com.
Study: Brain Exercises Provide Breakthrough Treatment for Geriatric Depression
SAN FRANCISCO — For the first time in a randomized controlled trial, brain exercises were shown effective in addressing depression in treatment-resistant older patients, who had previously used anti-depressive drug therapy without success. The exercises were shown to improve not only mood, but also the often-unaddressed cognitive deficits associated with geriatric depression. The study used neuroplasticity-based exercises from BrainHQ, the brain training app from Posit Science, plus two new exercises designed for the study.
“These study results seem particularly relevant at a time when a record number of seniors are being asked to maintain social distance, which we know is not good for mood, nor for cognitive performance,” said Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science. “This study joins a half-dozen prior studies in showing that neuroplasticity-based brain exercises can improve mood and address depressive symptoms.”
“This study also provides promising new evidence that patients who could not be helped by drug therapy may be helped by this very different kind of intervention,” Dr. Mahncke continued. “Depression can drive cognitive deficits, and cognitive deficits can drive depression, feeding on one another in a downward spiral. Here, there’s evidence of gains in both areas generating an upward spiral to improve quality of life.”
This double-blind study was led by researchers at the Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry and enrolled 36 older (aged 60-89) patients with major depressive disorder, who had failed to achieve remission after at least eight weeks of treatment with anti-depressive drugs. Participants were randomized into a neuroplasticity-based brain exercise intervention group or into an active control group engaged in computerized education with equivalent time demands and support. Each group was asked to complete 30 hours of their activity within 4-5 weeks. The results were published this week in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
The researchers found that 58 percent of the treatment-resistant patients in the brain exercise group showed remission in depression as compared to eight percent in the control group.
“We’ve come to recognize the role of brain chemistry and brain plasticity in depression,” Dr. Mahncke noted. “These exercises are designed to stimulate the neuro-modulatory systems that naturally control mood. The exercises are attentionally demanding and filled with novelty and rewards in an effort to stimulate the production of acetylcholine, norepinephrine and dopamine, which help with brain plasticity, learning, and mood.”
The researchers also found the intervention group improved significantly in cognitive performance measures as compared to the control group. In addition, the intervention group also experienced a significant reduction in a measure of their disability resulting from the depression.
There are more than 100 published studies of the exercises in BrainHQ which have shown benefits, including gains in standard measures of cognition (attention, speed, memory, executive function, social cognition), in standard measures of quality of life (mood, confidence and control, managing stress, health-related quality of life) and in real world activities (gait, balance, driving, everyday cognition, maintaining independence). BrainHQ is now offered, without charge, as a benefit by leading national and 5-star Medicare Advantage plans; by the Department of Defense to every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine; and by hundreds of clinics, libraries, and communities. Consumers can also try BrainHQ for free at http://www.brainhq.com.
This Courageous Young Woman’s Story Is Testament That One Life Really Can Impact The World
Fort Wayne, IN, June 3, 2020 — One thing most of us can’t get enough of right now are inspiring stories that put all the stress, fear and worry of the current pandemic into perspective. How about a story of an incredible young woman who lived a life without limits and managed to enrich every life she touched – regardless of the fact she had a rare and incurable disease? Brittany Moser and her best friend, her dad, set out on the journey of a lifetime and their unforgettable adventure became the backdrop for Philip Moser’s book, Free and Fearless: The Amazing Impact of One Precious Life.
“This book is not about the grief of losing a child, but about making the most out of what we are given and living our lives positively and not out of fear,” writes author (and Brittany’s father) Philip Moser. “Brittany inspired me, an ordinary farm boy, to explore life, to climb mountains and to write a book.”
In 2015, Brittany was diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare condition that can lead to adrenal failure. She passed away in 2017.
The book is an honest, poignant account of Brittany’s legacy and the ripple effect that her outlook on life had on those around her. Among Brittany’s valuable life lessons that Philip shares with readers are:
1. How precious life is and how we can affect the people around us; 2. How an open mind and a positive attitude can inspire us to do things we never thought possible; 3. How to move out of our comfort zones and into a challenging existence that can turn each day into an exciting gift to be explored; 4. How to not let fear control us, and to use our abilities to seek unique, positive and inspiring adventures; 5. To embrace change as a natural part of life; 6. And finally, that we won’t be remembered by our things or our savings accounts, but by how we made other people feel.
“I want to share the same inspiration that I received for 32 years,” Philip added. “In the end, love truly does conquer all, and Brittany wanted us to know that.”
Author Philip Moser grew up on a farm in Angola, Indiana. After high school, he began working in different aspects of the grocery business, a career that continues to this day. He and his wife, Marilyn Wells, raised two incredible daughters, Camille and Brittany.
Zeulide Depot™ is now Covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program for Patients Living with Prostate Cancer
TORONTO, June 3, 2020 /CNW/ - Verity Pharmaceuticals Inc. is pleased to announce that as of May 29, 2020, Zeulide Depot™ (Leuprolide acetate for depot suspension), a hormone therapy for the palliative treatment of prostate cancer, has been added as a General Benefit through the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program.
Zeulide Depot™ is a Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LHRH) that reduces testosterone levels in patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. LHRH is the treatment of choice for physicians across North America and Europe for its proven ability to lower testosterone levels, which can help to slow or stop the progression of this cancer.
"LHRH therapy such as Zeulide Depot™ is a proven option for the treatment of prostate cancer," said Dr. Neil Fleshner, Verity Pharma's Chief Medical Officer. "With ODB coverage, physicians and their patients will have broader access to this new therapeutic option, and the latest in LHRH drug delivery technology."
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men, with one in nine being diagnosed in their lifetime. It is critical for Canadians to have access to effective treatments.
"Today marks an important day for those living with prostate cancer in Ontario," said Howard Glase, Chief Executive Officer, Verity Pharma. "ODB coverage will allow these patients to have access to a safe, clinically proven, cost effective treatment option for a disease that has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men. We commend the Ontario Drug Benefit Program for adding Zeulide Depot™ to the Formulary and look forward to working collaboratively with the remaining provinces and territories to ensure all patients with prostate cancer have access to Zeulide Depot™."
With its patented microsphere controlled-release technology and demonstrated efficacy, Zeulide Depot™ provides physicians and their patients with an innovative treatment option, while also being the most cost-effective prostate cancer therapy in Canada.
About Zeulide Depot™
Zeulide Depot™ (Leuprolide acetate for depot suspension), is a Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LHRH) Analog, indicated for the palliative treatment of advanced and/or metastatic prostate cancer. It has been approved for use in Europe for several years and recently received Heath Canada Notice of Compliance for use in this country.
Lowering a patient's testosterone levels can slow or reverse the progression of prostate cancer. Along with proven efficacy for lowering testosterone to super-castrate levels of ≤1.7 nmol/L, the innovative, patented microsphere technology within Zeulide Depot™ provides a unique solution for the controlled and sustained release of leuprolide acetate. In a recent study, the sustained duration of castration was significantly longer with Zeulide Depot™ compared to a leading leuprolide acetate formulation.
About Verity Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Verity Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing therapeutically relevant agents to the Canadian healthcare community. Our mission is to provide access to prescription products that are in short supply or have not yet been made available in Canada. Zeulide Depot™ is just one of a number of important Verity products now available in Canada or planned for launch in 2020 and 2021.
SOURCE Verity Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Why is COVID-19 less severe in children than in adults? Why does the virus get exponentially worse in older adults? There are many unanswered questions that have been confounding health officials globally. Our scientists continue to work hard. We all need to unlock the seemingly “random” pieces of the COVID-19 puzzle, particularly the HOW and WHY different people are so badly affected. In my experience with science, I have found there is usually little randomness, but rather a lack of understanding. Thankfully, some recent studies could help shed some light on what might be happening.
What is generally understood now about COVID-19
Antibodies in our blood are essential to neutralize and kill viruses and bacteria. Both the immunocompromised and the elderly populations have been found to have lower levels of antibodies and they are more susceptible to COVID-19. It is also well documented that chronic conditions that cause a lot of inflammation (diabetes, heart disease, stroke, allergies, asthma, etc.) can make COVID-19 even deadlier. A few of the most severe symptoms of COVID-19 are mucus production and blood clotting, which can lead to suffocation and stroke, respectively. Weak immune systems and chronic inflammation can both increase your risk but they do not fully explain how COVID-19 is selecting some of its victims. There is still a missing piece to the puzzle that we do not understand yet. The answer may be walking around in young asymptomatic spreaders.
A new piece to the puzzle: antibody-dependent enhancement
New research suggests that COVID-19 is causing an antibody-dependent enhancement reaction (ADE). To summarize a lot of science talk, it generally means that the amount of neutralizing antibodies in your body from a previous infection can either help or hurt you. In order to ensure these antibodies remain protective, we need to maintain them at a high level in comparison to the virus, at a higher ratio, so that they are able to surround and neutralize the amount of virus in the body. On the other hand, if you dip below this ratio, your body can harm itself by overreacting with excessive inflammation that can damage your lungs, leading to potential suffocation or even stroke.
A good analogy for antibody-dependent enhancement is an over/under sports bet. In a basketball game there is a +13 point spread that the Raptors are going to beat the Warriors. If the Raptors win by 13 or more points you win (high antibody levels = you don’t get sick), but if the Raptors don’t beat the spread and win by less than 12 points, you in fact lose (low antibodies = you get sick). But how is there even an antibody spread to COVID-19 when we have never had it before? What could be priming our immune systems to have a bad reaction to COVID-19?
What about a common cold, another coronavirus?
The coronavirus family is the second leading cause of the common cold in humans, making up 15-20% of all cases, and has been suggested to have a 30-40% similar genetic sequence to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Common cold coronaviruses circulate the globe annually and generally only cause minor symptoms. It is quite possible that a cold (coronavirus) is priming our immune systems, acting as friend or foe, causing cross immunity to COVID-19 for youths, where antibody levels are high, while harming elderly when levels are low.
We have seen in the past how a virus from one species can provide cross immunity in another. In humans, the smallpox virus was deadly for centuries with a death rate of around 30%. It wasn’t until 1796 that Edward Jenner discovered that milk maids, who had acquired cowpox, did not show any symptoms of smallpox after they encountered the deadly virus. This discovery, that milk maids were immune to smallpox via exposure to cowpox, actually led to the concept and invention of the vaccine.
One or many of the common cold coronavirus strains could be our “cowpox” in this COVID-19 pandemic. Treatment may be complicated as it appears that it might be very concentration dependent. If true, simply giving a vaccine could become deadly if we do not perform follow up blood work to ensure everyone maintains neutralizing antibody levels above an acceptable threshold that is yet to be determined. Unfortunately, as mentioned before, this level may be a moving target as higher levels of inhaled virus should require even higher concentration of neutralizing antibodies. This could help to explain why we have seen healthy young healthcare workers getting seriously ill and even dying with COVID-19. They may have just been exposed to and inhaled too much virus.
If you take a tiny sip from a pint filled with virus you might have enough antibodies to neutralize it. On the other hand, if you chugged the whole pint, even individuals with strong immune systems and high amounts of neutralizing antibodies may succumb to the virus. In the sports bet example above, drinking “a pint of virus” could be like raising the point spread to +35 differential, it would be very tough to win that bet. As is usually true, it would be better if we never made a bet in the first place. The problem is since everyone has had the common cold before, we likely have all made a bet already, but we just don’t know what bet we placed!
We all need to wear masks in public
How do we rig the bet with COVID-19 and fix it so we win? The easiest and quickest answer is: MASKS SHOULD BE MANDATORY IN PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES. Sorry, the caps are to attract attention and not meant to appear that I am frustrated and yelling… much. The truth is masks help to reduce the amount of virus we breathe in, but more importantly the amount of virus that is exhaled from those symptomatic or asymptomatic spreaders out there. Think of a cold day... what do you notice comes out of your mouth when you exhale? Tiny water droplets that gently float away, drifting off, despite the fact that they are freezing and likely becoming heavier. Now imagine how many water particles, containing COVID-19 virus, are being exhaled in a busy grocery store, a department store or a local pharmacy frequented by the infected. Recent studies suggest that the virus can float around in these tiny water droplets in the air for up to 2-3 hours. The only way to help prevent the amount of virus being both exhaled and then inhaled by others is to WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES. Sorry, again not yelling just trying to drive home my point.
Still not convinced? Let's look at the countries that immediately made masks mandatory in public at all times. One example is South Korea, which is situated right next to China and had some of the earliest cases reported. Yet, they have limited the spread of the virus and their death rate more effectively than pretty much anywhere else. In fact, according to June 2nd stats, as displayed on worldometers.info, Canada has 11 times more relative cases and 39 times more relative deaths than South Korea. The USA has even more grim stats as they have 25 times more relative cases and an astounding 65 times more deaths. Again the major difference is that South Korea has MANDATORY MASKS IN PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES. Masks reduce the spread of the virus, but more importantly they reduce the death rate of COVID-19.
This hilarious social media meme sums a great analogy to why we need to all wear masks, enjoy.
I was recently asked by friends on how to explain the importance of wearing masks to youth, particularly teenagers, so they understand as they generally are not directly affected by COVID-19 much. I thought of a loaded gun analogy for COVID-19 spread. Everyone starts off as an empty gun that has a very sensitive trigger and is prone to fire randomly. Unbeknownst to them, if they do not practice social distancing and wearing a mask in public, they could encounter COVID-19 and become loaded. By accident, now as a loaded weapon, they could inadvertently shoot others, their mom, dad, friends, grandparents and even pass along COVID-19 to load other’s guns. If not careful their bullets could harm or even kill those they love. The fact they didn’t know they were loaded doesn’t help the shooter’s sense of guilt. After all, hindsight is always 2020 (pardon the pun). Would haves, should haves, and could haves can become consuming thoughts as grief of a loved one passing and feelings of responsibility or remorse sinks in.
I know we are fatigued and tired of the social distancing. We are excited that businesses, our economy, are slowly starting to open again. The weather is nice, the sun is out, but if we do not follow the same social distance rules we might be in line for a large 2nd bubble of COVID-19. Just last Friday I went to the local grocery store and was shocked to discover that I was the only customer wearing a mask. On my drive home I saw a group of 8 teenagers hanging out in a circle on their lawn, no distancing, no masks. I saw 3 mothers with strollers walking shoulder to shoulder while 7-8 children bicycled in very close proximity around them, again no masks. It looks like we are already back to our pre-COVID-19 world, how exciting, did we beat the virus? What’s that you say, it isn’t over? Oh shoot, we all better start wearing masks and social distancing again soon as we might start to see cases spread in the next few weeks.
Hang in there. If the science is proven and this theory is true, we could soon start to develop blood tests to monitor antibody concentrations and determine a safe over/under threshold and ensure everyone is above it. If scientifically proven and ethically approved we could distribute a live strain of the common cold coronavirus to maintain our antibody levels well above any set threshold. This would be analogous to the smallpox situation that was eradicated with cowpox. Some might prefer a few weeks of the sniffles if it means we get protection against COVID-19. I cannot stress it enough that this needs to be confirmed first through science and not experimented by the public.
I will repeat again, everyone should wear a mask out in public at all times. Masks lower both the risk of transmission and the amount of virus we could get. If we all cooperate and work together we might soon be able to regain control over this pandemic. A semblance of normal life may not be so far off after all. I originally believed it would be years before we are able to open up our economies fully, now it might be much quicker. By far the most important benefit, however, would be to reduce the pain and suffering the world has had to endure, the loss of loved ones. Hopefully the time for healing is right around the corner.
In the meantime, Stay Healthy, Stay Home.
And remember when in public #ShowMeYourPublicFace
Survey: Children’s Screen Time Above Recommended Amount During COVID-19
New international poll reveals over 60% of children spend more than the WHO-recommended hours on screens under quarantine.
Compared to the recommended 2 hours per day, children under 18 years old spend at least 3 hours on screens during quarantine on average.
21% of parents report that their children spend over 6 hours on screens.
Side-effects of too much screen time include childhood obesity, sleep problems, negative behavioural and emotional impacts, and lower academic performances.
43% of parents reported a decrease in children’s off-screen activitiesduring the COVID-19 outbreak.
More than 50% of parents agree that children have experienced signs of anxiety, sadness, and worry as a result of self-isolation.
Berlin, Germany, May, 2020 - Interactive audioplayer specialist Tonies.com has released a new dataset revealing how the COVID-19 outbreak influenced children’s screen time habits and sentiments. With experience providing children with off-screen entertainment options, Tonies.com has helped children find an alternative to screens by innovating audiobooks and storytelling. As the pandemic continues to shut down schools and limit children’s leisure activities, parents have relaxed screen time rules to maintain a sense of normalcy at home. However, imbalanced media uses for children comes at the cost of an impaired attention span and cognitive development. Restricted activities can also bring out feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability, and frustration. To better understand how children today are coping with the coronavirus outbreak, Tonies.com has conducted a poll asking parents about the change in children’s digital habits and emotions.
How the study was conducted:
An anonymous opinion poll was sent to respondents over the age of 18 in the European Union, United Kingdom, and United States between 21 April 2020 - 10 May 2020 GMT +1. Parents were asked a series of key questions on their child’s recent behavior pattern under quarantine pertaining to screen consumption, physical activity, and emotional well-being.
The questions are as follows:
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: Compared to BEFORE the COVID-19 pandemic started (13 March, 2020)...
The children living with me have been eating less healthily
The children living with me spend more time watching TV or other screens
The children living with me spend more time playing (NOT computer games)
The children living with me have shown more signs of anxiety, worries and/or sadnessRespondents were given the opportunity to respond on a 5-point scale ranging from: “Completely Disagree”, “Somewhat Disagree”, “Neither Agree nor Disagree”, “Somewhat Agree”, and “Completely Agree”. A separate question was asked concerning the number of hours children spent on screens:
During the last seven days, how much time do the children living with you spend daily watching any kind of screen- including TV, computer screens, mobile phones etc.Respondents were given the opportunity to respond on a 4-point scale ranging from: “0 Hours”, “0-3 hours per day”, “3-6 hours per day”, and “more than 6 hours per day”.
This is an excerpt from the full press release. Since this document exceeds the limit allowed via email, please visit this link to view the PDF version of the entire press release, including graphs and data tables: https://datawire.press/wp-content/uploads/Tonies/Tonies_Screentime_Study.pdf. If you prefer to receive the file as an attachment, let me know and I can send it to you in response.
Roche Canada Announces Winners of COVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge
Program will fund 11 unique solutions for challenges posed by COVID-19 from Canadians across the country
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) is pleased to announce the winners of the COVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge. After receiving over 800 submissions, Roche Canada has committed $900,000 to help develop and implement 11 unique and innovative solutions to the challenges we face from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthcare systems have been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a variety of issues and problems affecting the daily lives of Canadians. Some challenges include health system capacity, and managing remote and rural populations, along with less direct yet also important challenges such as maintaining productivity while distancing. On March 27, Roche Canada established the COVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge and called on Canadians to come together to develop solutions that can help make a difference.
Individuals or teams were asked to submit a solution to a challenge or issue they have identified. Ideas came from across the country – from Quebec to British Columbia – and demonstrated Canadian skill and talent. Ideas brought forward included symptom monitoring and prediction in senior homes using artificial intelligence, the commercialization of fast-acting surface antimicrobial for high-touch areas, development of a simple low-cost ventilator for health system use, developing post-discharge virtual care with remote automated monitoring technology and many more. For an overview of all the winning submissions visit theCOVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge page of RocheCanada.com.
"We want to thank all of the applicants and winners from across the country for stepping up to support during this uncertain and unique time," said Mike Duong, Head of Personalized Healthcare at Roche Canada. "The abundance of quality submissions demonstrates the amazing minds we have in our country and we look forward to supporting and championing this work. We hope these ideas will inspire others to follow their passion, continue to innovate and make a difference."
About Roche Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalized healthcare - a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.
Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.
Founded in 1931, Roche Canada is committed to searching for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases while making a sustainable contribution to society. The company employs more than 1,200 people across the country through its Pharmaceuticals division in Mississauga, Ontario and Diagnostics, as well as Diabetes Care divisions in Laval, Quebec.
Roche aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities through its charitable giving and partnerships with organizations and healthcare institutions that work together to improve the quality of life of Canadians. For more information, please visitwww.RocheCanada.com.
All trade-marks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
New Survey: Americans have little trust in what President Trump says regarding COVID-19 or his management of the pandemic
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, New Jersey, June 2, 2020 – Americans are getting information about the coronavirus pandemic from political leaders and medical professionals, but confidence in those sources varies widely. A recent national survey conducted on behalf of the Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences finds that Americans are more likely to trust information that comes from medical professionals than politicians, with President Trump seen as least trustworthy regarding the information he provides. This and other findings from the survey suggest that Americans are putting their faith in medical expertise when it comes to getting critical information on how to best protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19. There are, however, substantial differences in who and what they trust based on a person’s politics and race.
The poll interviewed 1003 American adults nationwide on landlines and cell phones from May 20 through May 25, 2020.
Medical professionals top the list of those Americans say they trust most for information about the coronavirus. Fifty-eight percent say they have a “great deal” of trust in doctors and scientists, while government-run websites are trusted by around a third of all Americans (36%). However, once political leaders become the source of information, Americans are more likely to distrust than trust what they see, hear, or read. Around a quarter (27%) have a great deal of trust in statewide elected officials, including their governor, and barely a fifth (22%) fully believe what their president tells them. In fact, the president is the only source who a majority (55%) of Americans distrust rather than trust.
“These findings point to the immense level of distrust Americans have in the ability of elected officials to communicate critical information needed to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and the obvious lack of meaningful leadership at the federal level,” said Bojana Beric-Stojsic, director of MPH program and an Associate Professor of Public Health, FDU School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. “What is most surprising and very distressing is that only 58 percent of Americans have a great deal of trust in doctors and scientists in the midst of a health crisis.”
Americans do give doctors and scientists much higher marks than the president when it comes to evaluating the reasons for evolving and sometimes conflicting information. Almost eight-in-ten believe that doctors and scientists change their recommendations on how to prevent and treat the coronavirus based on newly discovered scientific evidence (77%) rather than bowing to political pressure (23%). The opposite is true when it comes to the president, as more than half (53%) say his recommendations often change for political reasons rather than newly emerging scientific evidence (47%).
There is, however, a significant partisan divide on these issues. Although clear majorities of both Democrats and Republicans say that changing recommendations from doctors and scientists are due to newly discovered scientific evidence, President Trump’s evolving statements are understood very differently. Eighty-four percent of Republicans believe science dictates the president’s statements, while virtually the same percentage of Democrats (86%) believe political pressures explain changes in President Trump’s public statements about how to prevent and treat COVID-19. A huge gap between Democrats and Republicans also characterizes perceptions of the overall trustworthiness of the president (3% versus 47%), with a smaller but still significant difference separating Democrats from Republicans on their willingness to extend a “great deal” of trust to statewide elected officials like the governor (36% versus 20%).
“It’s notable that not even among his own partisans and those who approve of the job he’s done in managing this crisis does the President get a majority to say the information he provides about the coronavirus can be trusted a great deal,” said Krista Jenkins, director of the FDU Poll and professor of government and politics.
There are also significant racial disparities in assessing Trump’s performance and trustworthiness. More black Americans (83%) disapprove of the President’s management of the pandemic compared to 43 percent of white and 62 percent of Hispanic respondents; and 70 percent of blacks have absolutely no trust that the President provides accurate information about the coronavirus, compared to 37 percent of whites and 44 percent of Hispanics. More black Americans (79%) also believe Trump changes his recommendations about the coronavirus due to political pressure compared to 47 percent of whites and 60 percent of Hispanics.
“Minorities have been hit hard by the virus. Navigating their way through this pandemic is apparently being made more difficult by the deep well of distrust that exists between President Trump and non-whites in the United States. These numbers only serve to underscore how black, white and Hispanic Americans experience life differently in the United States, even on matters of life and death,” said Jenkins.
When it comes to how medical and science professionals are perceived, partisanship also comes into play, with Republicans expressing greater levels of suspicion than Democrats. Three-quarters of Democrats say they trust doctors and scientists a great deal to provide them with solid information about the coronavirus. Significantly fewer Republicans say the same (43%). And a double-digit divide separates partisans on the trustworthiness of information from government-run websites, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (49% Democrats versus 24% Republicans).
Gender also reveals differences in how sources are regarded. Significant disparities exist between how much men and women trust websites like the CDC’s. Forty-two percent of women have a great deal of trust in what they read versus 29% of men. And, although majorities of both women and men give high marks to doctors and scientists for what they offer, women (63%) are more likely than men (54%) to do so.
Governors Trump Trump on Leadership
Governors are rated higher than President Trump on questions of leadership during the crisis. Sixty-nine percent approve of their governor’s job, with opinion divided on the job that the president has done (49%). The performance of state governors is regarded similarly by partisans of both stripes, but the President gets little love from Democrats (11% approve; 89% disapprove), and only about half of political independents say he’s doing a good job (48%).
State leaders generate mixed opinions among Americans who live somewhere with past or present mandatory restrictions on where they can go and what they can do. Among the 90 percent of Americans surveyed who live somewhere with mandatory restrictions, around half (46%) say their state has moved safely to reopen, with a greater number believing things have moved too quickly (31%) as compared with those who are concerned the pace has been too slow (23%). However, black respondents are even more critical of reopening efforts, as 51% of black respondents say states are reopening too quickly, compared to 26% of whites and 41% of Hispanics.
Finally, Americans give their neighbors high marks for the job they’ve done in helping the stop the spread of the virus. Around a quarter (22%) say those in their community are doing an “excellent” job with another 46 percent who give those around them a “good” rating. The rest rate their neighbors as “only fair” or “poor” when it comes to their efforts in stopping the spread of the virus and flattening the curve.
Methodology
The survey was conducted by The Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll on behalf of the FDU School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. A random sample of 1003 was drawn of adults (18+) nationwide, including in Alaska and Hawaii, and live interviews were conducted in English and Spanish, upon request, on landlines and cell phones between May 20 through May 25, 2020. Persons without a telephone could not be included in the random selection process. Respondents within a household are selected by asking randomly for the youngest adult currently available. The interview was conducted in English and included 303 adults reached on a landline phone and 700 adults reached on a cell phone, all acquired through random digit dialing.
In this poll, the simple sampling error for 1003 adults is +/-3.6 percentage points (including the design effect) at a 95 percent confidence interval. Thus, if 50 percent of adults nationwide in this sample favor a particular position, we would be 95 percent sure that the true figure is between 46.4 and 53.6 percent (50 +/- 3.6) if all US adults had been interviewed, rather than just a sample.
The full analysis, along with the poll’s questions and tables and a detailed methodological statement, can be found on the FDU Poll website.
About Fairleigh Dickinson University
Devoted to the preparation of world citizens, Fairleigh Dickinson University offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including doctoral programs in pharmacy, nursing practice, clinical psychology and school psychology; and an AACSB-accredited business school. Degree programs are offered on two New Jersey campuses and at two international campuses: Wroxton College, in Oxfordshire in England, and the Vancouver Campus, in British Columbia, Canada. For more information, visit FDU online.
About FDU Poll
The FDU Poll is a university-based survey research center that began in 2001. It has conducted over a hundred publicly released polls guided by a mission to provide high quality, scientifically sound, non-partisan measures of important issues facing New Jersey and the nation. To learn more visit us online
About FDU’s School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
The Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences is one of only two degree-granting pharmacy schools in New Jersey and is the first in the state to be associated with a private university. The School’s dynamic program of study integrates the very best practices in pharmacy education today. The school has also expanded its presence in the field of public health and health professions with the addition of health sciences programs such as Master of Public Health, Master of Social Work, Occupational Therapy and Physician Assistant.
Alcohol Countermeasure Systems announces five-year agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to continue as an approved service provider to the Ontario Ignition Interlock Program.
Alcohol Countermeasure Systems, ACS, is pleased to announce that ALCOLOCK Canada, a division of ACS, has been selected by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to continue as an approved service provider to the Ontario Ignition Interlock Program.
As stated by Felix JE Comeau, President & CEO of Alcohol Countermeasure Systems, “We were the first supplier to the Ontario government with the inception of the Ignition Interlock Program in 2002 and remain the leader in program services. This contract award solidifies our unparalleled commitment to quality products and the delivery of exemplary interlock services to the people of Ontario. Thank you to the dedicated staff in our service delivery network throughout Ontario and to the many who recognize the value of ALCOLOCK customer service.”
Vehicles with an alcohol interlock device installed will not start unless the driver provides a breath sample below the preset limit. ALCOLOCK leading anti-circumvention technology also ensures that the breath sample is from a human subject and has not been altered in any way; the electrochemical sensor only responds to human breath samples and is not affected by environmental or biological vapours such as ketones, cigarette smoke or vehicle exhaust.
“Alcohol interlocks are an essential and highly effective tool for preventing impaired driving with Ignition Interlock Programs shown to be more effective than licence suspension alone” advises Mr. Comeau. “Studies show that over 50% of impaired driving offenders continue to drive even after losing their licence. As the only device that can physically prevent an offender from driving while impaired, the alcohol interlock is an essential tool for keeping impaired drivers off the roads.”
About ACS
Alcohol Countermeasure Systems is an international group of companies with over 40 years experience developing innovative technology to prevent impaired driving. A technology leader and manufacturer of alcohol interlock devices and breath alcohol testers, ACS provides products and services to law enforcement, automotive, industrial, public and personal safety markets. For additional information regarding ACS efforts to improve global road safety through innovative design, manufacturing and customer support services please visit acs-corp.com
About ALCOLOCK
ALCOLOCK is the premium provider of alcohol interlock services specializing in installing and monitoring alcohol interlock devices for participants convicted of impaired driving offenses. ALCOLOCK has been providing reliable alcohol interlock service for over 40 years and operates worldwide through a service delivery network of Authorized Service Centres, each staffed by ALCOLOCK trained professionals For additional information regarding ALCOLOCK Canada please visit alcolock.ca
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