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Daily Archives: April 4, 2021

Reopening Schools: A Primer for State and Local Leaders

Berkman Klein Center for Internet Law – “This policy memo outlines two key strategies for state and local leaders looking to more safely reopen their schools: enhancing school air quality and implementing robust screening testing programs to stop outbreaks before they begin. The memo summarizes insights outlined in a recent public event featuring Dr. Joseph G. Allen, President Anthony Monaco and Vice Provost for Research Caroline Attardo Genco of Tufts University, Dr. KJ Seung, and Mayor Joseph Curtatone of Someville, MA. Better air quality can reduce the risk of airborne COVID-19 transmission in indoor settings. Robust air ventilation, filtration, and protocols can help schools protect their students, faculty, and staff from the virus. Partnering with the Broad Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Tufts University implemented a large-scale, screening testing program for its students, faculty, and staff. Using pooled testing to test multiple samples at once, Tufts was able to test many members of its community through this cost-efficient and effective program. The university then assisted its surrounding communities of Somerville and Medford as they sought to launch testing efforts for their schools as well.Several key considerations for state and local leaders examined in this memo include:

  1. Ensuring high air quality in schools through ventilation, air filtration, and other techniques and processes.
  2. Partnering with laboratories and universities for testing.
  3. Developing a robust test results notification protocol.
  4. Implementing contact tracing protocols.
  5. Augmenting personnel capacity for testing processes.
  6. Engaging the community to support the testing program and foster consent.
  7. Establishing strong information technology and logistics systems for testing program coordination…”

533 million Facebook users’ phone numbers and personal data have been leaked online

Business Insider – “A user in a low level hacking forum on Saturday published the phone numbers and personal data of hundreds of millions of Facebook users for free online. The exposed data includes personal information of over 533 million Facebook users from 106 countries, including over 32 million records on users in the US,… Continue Reading

Why You Should Plant Oaks

The New York Times – “These large, long-lived trees support more life-forms than any other trees in North America. And they’re magnificent…Oaks support more life-forms than any other North American tree genus, providing food, protection or both for birds to bears, as well as countless insects and spiders, among the enormous diversity of species….“There is… Continue Reading

The fight against fake-paper factories that churn out sham science

Nature – “Some publishers say they are battling industrialized cheating. A Nature analysis examines the ‘paper mill’ problem — and how editors are trying to cope…Much of this literature cleaning has come about because, last year, outside sleuths publicly flagged papers that they think came from paper mills owing to their suspiciously similar features. Collectively,… Continue Reading

Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, April 4, 2021

Via LLRX – Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, April 4, 2021 – Privacy and security issues impact every aspect of our lives – home, work, travel, education, health and medical records – to name but a few. On a weekly basis Pete Weiss highlights articles and information that focus on the increasingly complex… Continue Reading

National Library Week: April 4-10, 2021

“National Library Week (April 4 – 10, 2021) is a time to celebrate our nation’s libraries, library workers’ contributions and promote library use and support.  The theme for National Library Week 2021 is “Welcome to Your Library.”  During the pandemic, library workers continue to exceed their communities’ demands and adapt resources and services to meet their… Continue Reading

Google Expands Full Coverage to Add More Context to News in Search

MakeUseOf: “Google’s Full Coverage feature has been a part of Google News since 2018, but for those who consume their news by simply searching for a topic, the feature was never visible. That’s about to change, as Google has announced on The Keyword that Full Coverage will make its way to Google Search, helping anyone learn… Continue Reading

Copyright bots powered by a 1998 law threaten the public’s right to know

The Hill – “…Copyright bots are automated programs that search digital content to identify copyright infringements. Google’s Content ID for YouTube is a prominent example. According to a Google publication, 98 percent of YouTube’s copyright issues were handled through the automated Content ID system in 2018. When a user uploads a video to YouTube, Content… Continue Reading

CDC Update Travel Guidelines – Clarified

Domestic Travel Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People – “People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States. If you are fully vaccinated, take the following steps to protect others if you travel: Have You Been Fully Vaccinated? People are considered fully vaccinated: 2 weeks after their second dose in… Continue Reading

We Have All Hit a Wall

The New York Times – Confronting late-stage pandemic burnout, with everything from edibles to Exodus – “…Call it a late-pandemic crisis of productivity, of will, of enthusiasm, of purpose. Call it a bout of existential work-related ennui provoked partly by the realization that sitting in the same chair in the same room staring at the same… Continue Reading

Libraries Offering Services to Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic

Book Riot – “…According to the Central for Disease Control (CDC), eight out of ten deaths related to COVID-19 are individuals aged 65 years and older. Because of the especially high health risks, seniors and senior centers have had to take strict precautions for protection. While some seniors are able to access virtual socializing via… Continue Reading