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Forecasting demand of any product for industry, manufacturing and even retail is already a difficult task. And now, amid a global pandemic that has seen some industries grind to a halt while others ramp up to keep up - means that measuring expectations about demand is key to corporate survival during these trying times. We have not experienced a global pandemic like the coronavirus in last 100 years. The sheer increase in demand for everyday necessities like toilet paper, sanitary wipes and bottled water is putting undo stress on a lean global supply chain. It is testing the agility of many retailers and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies as they attempt to ramp up manufacturing facilities and logistical operations while struggling to keep up with consumer demand. Business executives are looking to data, analytics, and technology for answers on how to predict and plan for the surge and, ultimately, the decline in consumer demand. It is significantly easier to shut down facilities than it is to quickly boost production and capacity. The biggest unknown is whether there will be a delayed economic recovery or a prolonged contraction. Regardless of the outcome, retailers and their CPG suppliers will need to think ahead and be prepared to act quickly. March 25 – RIS News There are so many angles and aspects of our daily life that need to be covered during the COVID-19 outbreak – and if you are a journalist looking at how business and industry are adapting during this crisis, the let our experts help. Dr. Karen Sedatole is the Goizueta Advisory Board Term Professor of Accounting. She has conducted extensive research on forecasting and capacity management that can shed light on the challenges of responding to the current uncertain environment. Karen is available to speak with media – simply click on her icon to arrange an interview today.
Does gender matter when it comes to COVID-19?
As America begins to adapt and adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic, details are emerging about who is more susceptible to the virus and why. The latest is gender. In fact, as some are observing, it seems men are more likely to fall victim to COVID-19 than women. A report published by the New England Journal of Medicine showed men not only made up 60% of the first 393 COVID-19 patients admitted in two New York City hospitals, but they were the highest group placed on ventilators. Another study of people hospitalized in the United States for COVID-19 in March similarly found that “males may be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 compared with females.” “The higher risk of COVID-19 among men we are seeing in New York City may be consistent in other US regions, including the southwestern Georgia area that has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19,” says Dr. Justin Moore, an assistant professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences in the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. “Researchers are still looking into why men, specifically African American men, are seemingly more susceptible to the virus. However, we know this may be due to underlying health issues, including hypertension, obesity and diabetes.” It’s a startling detail and one that needs to be communicated. If you are a journalist covering COVID-19 and how men may be more vulnerable than women during this crisis – then let our experts help. Dr. Justin Moore is an expert in spatial epidemiology and an associate professor at the Institute of Public and Preventive Health at Augusta University. He is available to speak with media regarding this topic – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
Scapegoating During Pandemics Has Always "Plagued" Humanity
Though it was widely known that the first known cases of coronavirus could be traced back to Wuhan in China, many Americans were shocked and saddened to hear President Donald Trump repeatedly calling the illness the "Chinese virus" during a news conference in March. Though President Trump has insisted it's "not racist at all," Asian-Americans have reported incidents of slurs and physical abuse over the perception that China caused COVID-19. Rev. Joseph Ryan, OSA, PhD, teaches a course on the history of disease, with a focus on the bubonic plague, and notes that this type of xenophobic hysteria is not new when it comes to pandemics. “A theme that we can see with these epidemics is hysteria and the scapegoating of people who are liminal and have no defenders,” says Fr. Ryan. “We also see nativism and xenophobia evident in people's response to epidemic illness. Pandemics test the humanity of human populations and sometimes we are inhumane in the face of the fear of death from such diseases.” Here are a few examples from history of how humanity shifts blame during times of great pandemic-related stress: 1348: The Bubonic Plague A third of Europe's population was eliminated by this epidemic, which spread along trade routes. The event caused different expressions of hysteria among Europeans, including the persecution of the Jewish community. 1832: Cholera Like the bubonic plague, cholera traveled along trade routes. In the United States, Irish immigrants were scapegoated. 1918: Spanish Influenza It gained its name because the first journalists to talk about the disease were from Spain. Influenza came from Kansas and spread through the transport of American soldiers to Europe to fight in the First World War. Later, it traveled to British colonies in India and Africa via the transport of British troops, and the result was the rise of independence movements in these countries. 1980s: HIV/AIDS The HIV/AIDS crisis caused hysteria surrounding gay men. 2014: Ebola Another event that sparked hysteria was the recent outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. The governors of New York and New Jersey threatened to close their airports, though there was little chance of the virus breaking out in the United States. (To the best of Fr. Ryan's knowledge, only two Americans developed the disease.)
As the global pandemic touches almost all parts of the United States – it is essential that the public receives only accurate and definitive information from credible and expert sources as news, media and information reaches million of people across the country. An invisible enemy is killing thousands and forcing people worldwide to cower behind closed doors. Unfounded conspiracy theories and miracle “cures” abound on social media. Politicians and pundits send mixed messages about how to protect yourself. Who you gonna call? - Bedford Gazette, April 14 As the coronavirus rampages, the public increasingly is turning to experts in academia and government -- the educated, experienced “elites” that many Americans had tuned out. The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) situation is certainly new to all of us. As guidance from the CDC changes and instructional methods transition, there are experts at Georgia Southern who can help to answer questions such as: How should we best address this pandemic as a nation? How should we best address this pandemic individually? What does it mean to “flatten the curve?" What is the economic impact of COVID-19? How do you best manage employees virtually? Why are grocery stores having trouble keeping inventory on their shelves? Should we prepare for a lapse in groceries and goods? What contributes to the fear and panic in disasters and pandemics? What do educators, parents and students need to know to prepare for online learning in the K-12 and college settings? If you are a reporter covering COVID-19, let the team of experts from Georgia Southern help with your coverage. Public Health: Atin Adhikari, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Dr. Adhikari brings over 15 years of extensive research experience on aerosols, airborne microorganisms, other air pollutants, and related respiratory disorders. His current research areas include environmental air quality, exposure assessment, occupational health and safety, environmental microbiology, and respiratory health. Before joining JPHCOPH, Dr. Adhikari was also involved (Co-I) with two DoD-DTRA and U.S. Office of Naval Research funded projects on inactivation of hazardous microorganisms. Chun Hai (Isaac) Fung, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Dr. Isaac Chun-Hai Fung is a digital health expert and an infectious disease epidemiologist. He analyses social media data for public health surveillance and health communication and uses digital technologies for public health interventions. He investigates the transmission of communicable diseases with a focus on respiratory infections and environmentally transmitted infections. He applied a variety of methods, from classical statistical methods to machine learning and mathematical modeling, to address public health problems and to provide solutions to policy-makers. He is especially interested in assisting public health agencies in their responses to public health emergencies. He is currently a guest researcher with the Health Economics and Modeling Unit, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Examples of his recent projects include: Surveillance of unplanned school closures through social media platforms, Analysis of social media posts pertinent to public health emergencies, such as Ebola, MERS and Zika. Jessica Schwind, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Dr. Jessica Smith Schwind is an epidemiologist and program evaluator. She joined the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences at JPHCOPH in August 2017. Her current research interests include disease surveillance, capacity building and risk communication for the prevention and/or early recognition of outbreaks with a focus on: best practices for operationalizing the ‘One Health’ approach, understanding and improving capacity building efforts and priorities for increasing health surveillance, and improving early warning systems for disease detection and response by bridging the gap between global digital databases and local health information. Schwind also conducts SoTL research on innovative online/onsite teaching and evaluation with a focus on immersive and service-learning practices. Pandemics, panic and the public: Amy Ballagh, Ed.D. Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Featured in the Washington Post : Jessica Schwind, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Dr. Jessica Smith Schwind is an epidemiologist and program evaluator. She joined the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences at JPHCOPH in August 2017. Her current research interests include disease surveillance, capacity building and risk communication for the prevention and/or early recognition of outbreaks with a focus on: best practices for operationalizing the ‘One Health’ approach, understanding and improving capacity building efforts and priorities for increasing health surveillance, and improving early warning systems for disease detection and response by bridging the gap between global digital databases and local health information. Schwind also conducts SoTL research on innovative online/onsite teaching and evaluation with a focus on immersive and service-learning practices. Jodi Caldwell, Ph.D. Executive Director of the Georgia Southern University Counseling Center On a national level, Dr. Caldwell is currently serving her second elected term to the Directorate Board of the Commission for Counseling and Psychological Services of the American College Personnel Association and is a certified Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Responder. COVID-19 and logistics, the economy and the workforce: Alan Mackelprang, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Logistics & Supply Chain Management Currently the director of the Ph.D. in Logistics and Supply Chain Management program, his research interests include examining interdependencies among supply chain partners, JIT/Lean production, manufacturing flexibility as well as supply chain integration. Scott Ellis, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Logistics & Supply Chain Management Scott Ellis’ research interests center on the study of purchasing and supply management processes and functions. He has published in Journal of Operations Management and Journal of Supply Chain Management, among others. Richard McGrath, Ph.D. Professor, Parker College of Business Richard McGrath researches immigration, consumer survey methodology, and applied microeconomics. He is a long time expert on the economy in Savannah and the Coastal Empire. Michael Toma, Ph.D. Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics Michael Toma is a professor and lead analyst for the Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research, a student- and faculty-staffed applied research group focused on the Savannah-area economy that works with many local partners on special initiatives, customized applied business research and impact studies. Based on Toma's analytics, the Center publishes the quarterly Coastal Empire Economic Monitor, a closely watched economic report. Toma's community ties are also strong in the area. He serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of the Coastal Empire and on the organization's Executive Committee as chair of the Community Investments Committee. David Sikora, Ph.D. Assistant professor of management David Sikora’s research interests include strategic human resource management and the business impact of employee management practices. He has published his research in such journals as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Leadership Quarterly, Human Resources Management Review, International Journal of Selection and Assessment, and International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management. Prior to his academic career, David had extensive corporate experience in human resources and marketing including serving as human resources vice president at Cigna Corporation and director of human resources product management at Gevity HR, Incorporated. Steven Charlier, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Management Charlier’s research interests are focused on the modern work environment, and include virtual teams, e-learning, leadership in a virtual world, and management education. His work has been published in several leading international academic journals, including The Leadership Quarterly, Human Resource Management, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Academy of Management Learning & Education, and Human Resource Management Review. Online teaching and learning: Charles Hodges, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Leadership, Technology and Human Development Hodges is a tenured professor of instructional technology at Georgia Southern with over 20 years of online teaching experience. As an active researcher in online teaching and learning, Hodges presents regularly at the national and international levels. He currently serves as the editor-in-chief of the journal and he is a long-time member of the Association for Educational Communications and Technologies, a professional organization for Educational Technology scholars and practitioners. Featured in the Inside Higher Ed article (published 3/11/20): Jeffrey Tysinger, Ph.D. and Dawn Tysinger, Ph.D. Professors, Department of Leadership, Technology and Human Development The Tysingers are one of very few individuals who are actively researching in the area of crisis preparedness in K-12 online learning Professors, Department of Leadership, Technology and Human Development The Tysingers are one of very few individuals who are actively researching in the area of crisis preparedness in K-12 online learning: o https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar/vol2/iss1/4/ o https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2811036.2811057 o https://eric.ed.gov/?q=Tysinger&id=EJ1147626 o https://eric.ed.gov/?q=Tysinger&id=ED595756 Dawn Tysinger, NCSP, serves as professor and program director for the nationally-recognized, National Association of School Psychologists-Approved Education Specialist program in school psychology at Georgia Southern University. Tysinger has contributed to her field through active participation in NASP, publications in school psychology journals, and presentations at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. She currently serves on the NASP program review board for school psychology programs and as a member of the editorial boards of Journal of School Psychology, Psychology in the Schools, Trainers’ Forum: Journal of the Trainers of School Psychologists, National Youth-At-Risk Journal and Journal of Online Learning Research. Jeff Tysinger, NCSP, is a professor of school psychology at Georgia Southern University. He has been the president of the Kansas Association of School Psychologists (KASP), editor of the KASP Newsletter, KASP Futures committee member, KASP NCSP committee member, member of National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) since 1997, Nationally Certified School Psychologist since 1997, NASP Program Reviewer, NCSP Portfolio Reviewer, member of NCATE Board of Examiners, member of Georgia Association of School For parents at home with (k-12) children now distance learning: Chelda Smith Associate Professor, Department of Elementary and Special Education Smith’s master's thesis focused on parents as the first teachers of children and can speak to how parents can be empowered in that role. Her research agenda continues to focus on home and community assets, of which parents/caregivers are the primary influence and factor for positive outcomes. Lastly, as a parent of both a middle schooler and a toddler, Smith is navigating the process of being a primary educator in the home in real-time. Each expert is available to speak with media – simply contact Melanie Simon at 912.313.3245 to arrange an interview today.
Find out how Georgia Southern is helping America’s Second Harvest during COVID-19
Sustainability is at the forefront of the FORAM Sustainable Aquaponics Research Center (SARC) on the Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus, even during a pandemic. SARC recently donated produce grown at the aquaponics farm on campus to America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. Donations like this, as well as other community service projects, are a large part of SARC’s mission. “SARC’s mission has always included community outreach and education, which means knowing how we can support the community when it’s in need,” SARC curator Brigette Brinton said. “Right now we’re just supplying food instead of information.” Brinton said it’s also important to make sure the food grown at the aquaponics farm isn’t wasted in order to be as sustainable as possible. “We are donating produce that would otherwise be in excess or go bad before being consumed,” she said. “We had a lot of lettuce ready to plant just after spring break that would normally have gone to the Southern Cafe, but they don’t need it, and the heat is causing it to bolt and wilt quickly. So far, we’ve donated lettuce and kale, and soon it will be lettuce and chard.” Brinton, two student workers and SARC senior scientist Heather Joesting, Ph.D., have been working at the aquaponics farm during the period of social distancing to make sure the produce growing in the greenhouse remains usable. In addition to donating produce to Second Harvest, the research center partners with the Nine Line Foundation to help show homeless veterans how to grow their own food. Also, they partner with Savannah State University to help integrate aquaponics into K-12 curriculum. “In addition to conducting fundamental research on aquaponics, we value the importance of education and outreach to the community,” SARC director Brent Feske, Ph.D., said. If you are a journalist and you are looking to cover or learn more about how Georgia Southern University is using its knowledge and resources to support those in need during COVID-19 – then let us help. SARC’s director, Brent Feske is available to speak with media – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview today.
The forgotten crisis – are opioids and overdoses being overlooked during the COVID-19 outbreak?
As one crisis overcomes another in the spectrum of news coverage and public health messaging, there’s a serious concern that drug users are particularly vulnerable and potentially being forgotten in the wake of COVID-19. With millions of Americans forced into weeks of extended isolation, several communities have reported a spike in drug overdose deaths, prompting health officials to raise concerns about the safety of those suffering from substance use disorders amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In Jacksonville, Florida, the fire and rescue department reported a 20% increase in overdose emergency calls in March. In Columbus, Ohio, the county coroner’s office saw a surge in overdose deaths, including 12 in a 24-hour period the first week of April. And in New York State, at least four counties have acknowledged an increase in reported overdoses, including Erie County, where officials saw at least 110 drug overdoses, including 36 deaths, reported since the beginning of March. “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety but connectedness,” said Dr. Joseph Hernandez, an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. “As we practice social distancing to control the spread of COVID-19, many addicts have lost their traditional in-person meetups, which may explain the jump in overdose deaths.” Despite these challenges, Hernandez says the addiction recovery community is working to maintain connections by switching to online or virtual formats. Additionally, most rehabilitation centers for substance abuse have remained open and are screening their residents to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It’s unclear whether the reports from local officials reflects a broader trend nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control was unable to provide national data on overdose deaths during the coronavirus crisis, but a spokesperson says its officials are “aware of the concerns involving COVID-19 and drug overdoses and that it could affect some populations with substance use disorders.” If you are a journalist covering topics like overdoses and how drug abusers are being cared for or potentially forgotten during this crisis, then let our experts help. Hernandez is a leading expert in addiction medicine and is available to speak with media regarding this topic — simply click on his name to arrange an interview. Also, check out the Augusta University Expert Center to view a complete list of our experts and get the latest on COVID-19 on our dedicated resource page.
Endorsements are in – but what will it mean for Joe Biden?
And suddenly, they’re all lining up behind Joe Biden. With the nomination in the bag, the former Vice President and now candidate for the presidency has been receiving ringing endorsements from former challengers like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and even his former partner-in-chief, President Barack Obama. It’s been said that endorsements aren’t worth the paper they are printed on if no one reads them, so why are these suddenly so significant? Has the DNC finally learned that a divided party can’t beat Donald Trump? Are these done to curry favor for future Cabinet spots and potentially a VP nod? And what took Barack Obama so long to get on side with his former Vice President? There are a lot of questions to be asked – and if you are covering American politics – let our expert help. Dr. Stephen Farnsworth is a sought-after political commentator on subjects ranging from presidential politics to the local Virginia congressional races. He has been widely featured in national media, including The Washington Post, Reuters, The Chicago Tribune and MSNBC. He is author or co-author of six books on presidential communication. His latest work, "Late Night with Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency" examines the role late night television has played in shaping the perception of presidential politics. Dr. Farnsworth is available to speak with media and help with your coverage – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview today.
CAA Insurance announced today that it will be offering a 10 per cent rate reduction for new and renewing home and/or auto insurance policy holders. This rate reduction will be available starting soon in Ontario and is valid for the duration of a 12-month policy term. “CAA believes that insurance should be based on people’s needs, and according to their lifestyle,” said Matthew Turack, president, CAA Insurance. “Right now, people are driving less and are focused on reviewing their finances. This rate reduction, combined with other creative ways where CAA Insurance can potentially help find savings, can make a big difference for people when they need it most.” CAA Insurance has been able to help consumers save money on their insurance premiums since the launch of CAA MyPace in 2018. The first-of-its-kind program in Canada, gives consumers more choice and control, by allowing motorists to monitor how much they are driving and to pay for auto insurance based on that mileage. The 10 per cent rate reduction is aimed specifically at lowering premiums during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduced rates can be combined with additional ways to adjust coverage and payment plans to reflect reduced driving behavior such as: Reducing annual mileage amounts on policies Insurance adjustments for multiple cars that aren’t being driven CAA MyPace Customers switching to CAA MyPace due to a shift in driving habits, can decide to return to a traditional CAA Insurance policy with no fees or penalties once COVID-19 physical distancing measures are over, and higher mileage needs return. “The key thing is for consumers to check with their agent or broker, and make sure you explore all your options,” continued Turack. “Every company is taking a different approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s important to use this time to shop around to make sure you find the best savings.” While the auto insurance rate reduction will soon be available in Ontario, CAA Insurance is working with regulators in other provinces, with the intention to deliver auto insurance savings in all provinces where it operates. “CAA Insurance recognizes the efforts being made by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) to enable the industry to implement measures that help provide solutions to Ontario consumers during these challenging times,” said Turack.
Bare shelves and closed facilities – is America facing a food shortage?
Earlier this week, South Dakota based, Smithfield Foods was ordered to closed its Sioux Falls pork production facility because workers at the plant tested positive for COVID-19. It may be one facility; however, it is responsible for five percent of all the packaged pork in America. While the plant is making the decision to close indefinitely, President and CEO Kenneth Sullivan said in the news release that the closure "is pushing our country perilously close to the edge in terms of our meat supply." The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, plant accounts for 4% to 5% of the nation's pork production, the company says. "We have continued to run our facilities for one reason: to sustain our nation’s food supply during this pandemic," Sullivan said. "We believe it is our obligation to help feed the country, now more than ever. We have a stark choice as a nation: We are either going to produce food or not, even in the face of COVID-19." The release said the plant will be shut down until "further direction is received from local, state and federal officials." Employees will be compensated for the next two weeks, but there was no mention of payment if the plant is closed for longer. April 13 – USA Today And it is not just Smithfield facing trouble. Tyson Foods and National Beef Packing are also shutting doors at facilities in Iowa. So, what will this mean for American supermarkets, consumers and a nation already worried about supply? Is there any way to keep production sustainable amidst a COVID-190 outbreak? If you are a journalist covering this emerging issue – then let our experts help. Dr. Zach Jenkins is an infectious disease expert at Cedarville University. He is available to speak with media about this topic – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.
Are African Americans more at risk from COVID-19 than other Americans? Let our experts explain.
It’s a startling piece of evidence, but it appears that a disproportionate number of African Americans are dying due to the COVID-19 outbreak. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump called the impact of the coronavirus on African Americans a "real problem" that was showing up "strongly" in the data. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, added that pre-existing conditions that are more prevalent among African Americans, including asthma and diabetes, are a factor. “We’re very concerned about that,” he said. Low-income people of color are also more likely to have jobs that can't be done remotely, meaning they're more likely to be exposed to the virus while more affluent professionals are able to stay at home. And they're less likely to have access to high-quality private testing or medical care. "I'm concerned this will be yet another case where there's a huge difference between people who are more wealthy and people who are poor, and there's going to be a difference between people of color and how much they suffer," Dr. Marcus Plescia, the chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, said. “We have a longstanding legacy of bias and racism in our country and we’re not going to get beyond that quickly.” NBC News – April 07 But as health officials and experts further examine the data – there are a lot of questions to be asked? What can African Americans do to further prevent the risk of infection? Do government officials need to allocate more resources to areas with a higher population of African Americans? Are African Americans being tested or have access to tests in the same manner as the rest of America? When we African Americans informed of this unique vulnerability and was anything put in place to inform to properly inform them? If you are a journalist covering this topic – then let our experts help. Dr. Tiffany G. Townsend is a widely recognized leader in diversity and psychology. She is an expert in the areas of health equity and serves as the chief diversity officer for Augusta University. Dr. Joseph Hobbs is an award-winning physician and a notable leader in the research of racial disparities in health care. He also serves as the chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Dr. Joseph Hobbs is an award-winning physician and a notable leader in the research of racial disparities in health care. He also serves as the chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Townsend and Hobbs are both available to speak with media regarding this topic– simply call 706-522-3023 to arrange an interview or simply click on Dr. Townsend's icon to book a time.