University of Pittsburgh’s Paul Duprex on the Promise of a COVID-19 Vaccine
As the Jonas Salk Chair for Vaccine Research and professor of microbiology and molecular genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, Paul Duprex has been leading the local effort to create candidate vaccines for COVID-19. For a short Q&A interview in which Prof. Duprex lucidly describes vaccine development and its pitfalls without overpowering the reader. Visit THIS PAGE. He provides some important perspective on the process of developing vaccines, which should help all of us who are not involved in such complex work to understand the key aspects. It is well worth reading.
Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 in North Carolina
SlowCOVIDNC Exposure Notification App provided by the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services
It’s easy. All you have to do is download SlowCOVIDNC and you can help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Download the SlowCOVIDNC Exposure Notification app, enable your Bluetooth and Exposure Notification settings, and be notified if you have been in close contact with someone who has shared a positive COVID-19 test result in the app.
Once you opt-in to the notification system, you can also anonymously share a positive COVID-19 test result in the app. SlowCOVIDNC protects your identity and privacy while empowering you to protect yourself, your family, and your community.
https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/slowcovidnc
Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D Drug Plans October 15 to December 07, 2020
This year, Open Enrollment lasts only from October 15 to December 07, 2020, and your new plan will take effect on January 01, 2021. Changes to Part D Drug Plans are generally not allowed after Open Enrollment ends.
Another option offered to Medicare recipients is a Medicare Advantage Plan in the same open Enrollment period: October 15 to December 07. A Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselor can provide information to help you decide if you want to choose a Medicare Advantage Plan or to switch from Medicare A, B, and D to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
If you currently have a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan and do not make a change, you will automatically be re-enrolled in the same plan for 2021. If you’re new to Medicare, you can enroll in any plan at the same time that you enroll in Medicare, regardless of dates. All information including available plans and pricing information is available online at www.medicare.gov.
Fearrington Cares offers appointments with licensed SHIIP volunteers who live in our community to help you choose wisely. Due to COVID-19, most appointments will be by phone. You will need to provide your counselor with a list of your drugs and preferred pharmacies so recommendations can be tailored to you and the particular drugs you take. In rare cases, there will be an opportunity to meet with your SHIIP volunteer at Fearrington Cares following CDC-advised practices.
Call Fearrington Cares, 919-542-6877 before December 01, 2020 to request a conversation to review your plans; you then will be contacted by a licensed SHIIP Counselor.
Learn to Play a Musical Instrument Amid the Pandemic
Learn to Play a Musical Instrument Amid the Pandemic
Even if you’ve never touched a musical instrument – or at least not since elementary school music class – taking one up now is a good way to help keep the brain healthy. Playing an instrument engages every part of the central nervous system.
Protecting Yourself Against Doxing
Protecting Yourself Against Doxing
Doxing is the act of searching for people’s personal information over the internet. The term comes from “document tracing,” which involves collecting documents belonging to a person or company to learn more about them. A revenge tactic, doxing and involves the malicious targeting, compiling and public release of personally identifiable information (PII) to perpetrate harassment, revenge, identity theft or potential violence against a target.