A few years ago, I was walking alone in a part of Paris I didnt know and suddenly my iPhone and GPS stopped working. I had been on a sight-seeing break in between meetings and realized that I might be completely lost. But fortunately, since I was being an observant tourist, I started to recall my old pre-GPS method of navigation. I recreated a mental image of where Id been and remembered that in the middle of my stroll, I had walked on a bridge that crossed the Seine. From there I regained my bearings and found my hotel. I thought, how fortunate that my life experiences predate carrying a portable computer in my pocket. But what if I hadnt? Like anyone else, I would have asked directions from people on the street, but what struck me was how dependent I had become on technology for simple tasks that I used to be able to do on my own.

Civilization once replaced human labor with animal labor and then replaced animals with mechanical labor and now we are in a world of computer-controlled electronic automation. Everything around us from our refrigerators to our autos are controlled by technologies we use but do not understand. We live in a global and interdependent world, reliant on technology and scientific experts for our survival. Corporate decision-making and public policymaking require a growing degree of input from scientific and technical experts. While expertise comes from engineers and physical and biological science, decisions are largely made by people trained in law or business. Although the lawyers are sometimes experts in some element of law and the business folks often have some understanding of finance and its math, most senior leaders are a long way from their days of focused, analytic inquiry. They depend on but do not always know how to communicate with experts.

At the start of my professional career in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, I was struck by the relative lack of scientific expertise among decision-makers. I had been hired in part to staff a reorganizational analysis and develop policy guidance for citizen participation in superfund toxic waste clean-ups. I had focused my doctoral studies in political science and public policy on organization theory and I had written my dissertation on public participation in environmental decision-making. Much of my work at the EPA was within my areas of expertise. But then at times, I was asked to participate in policy analyses that required an understanding of toxicology, hydrology, soil science and engineering. Needless to say, I learned the difference between something I was an expert in and something I was not. That experience taught me to stay within my lane and focus my work on something I truly understood. It also taught me the importance of learning to work across disciplines. We could not address environmental problems without drawing on many forms of expertise. Environmental policy and management require people who understand organizations, law, finance and business but we also need engineers, environmental scientists, experts in public health and many other types of experts.

But decision-makers do not have the luxury that consultants, policy analysts and academics enjoy: They often dont have time to search for expertise and slowly learn from experts. They need experts and expertise, but they often need them and their knowledge in a hurry. Sometimes they have to fly the jet plane and repair it at the same time. A recession hits, and lawyers must learn finance. A pandemic hits, and all of us must learn about the science of virus transmission. It is important that we have enough scientific background to know what we dont know. For those who are experts in one area, it is critical to recognize that you need to consult with someone who is an expert in another area. For those who are not experts in a subject matter, but professionals trained in the methods of management, quantitative analysis, financial analysis, law or some other field, it is essential that they learn the critical importance of scientific expertise. They must not only know what they dont know but must learn how to learn what they need to know to make decisions. They need to learn how to elicit competing experts and identify areas of scientific consensus that justify action. This requires setting aside personal biases and during a crisis, personal interest.

There is little question that the White House is now conducting a master class in the cost of scientific illiteracy. Our elected leaders are well versed in the mantra of Bill Clintons first presidential campaign: its the economy stupid. Anything that interferes with economic growth is politically toxic. Shutting down the economy this past spring was something to get through quickly to minimize damage to the economy and the presidents reelection campaign. Medical and public health expertise was briefly heard in the White House briefing room but soon, it was overwhelmed by the political rhetoric of the president. Eventually, health experts were sent into exile after the president proposed the Clorox cure. A president with Donald Trumps degree of scientific illiteracy could simply not share a platform with world-class medical experts. Unlike many other problems faced by political leaders, the facts of COVID-19 could not be denied. Politicos in and out of the White House worked hard to spin and attempted to minimize the danger, politicize masks and label prudent public health measures as attacks on liberty.

Nevertheless, as the disease spread, more and more people knew someone who had suffered from it. Elected leaders from President Trump to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio pushed hard and continue to push to reopen schools in September. The damage of closed schools to child development and to the return to normal economic life has been clearly articulated by experts in the physical and mental health of children and economists. On the other side of the debate are medical and public health experts seeking to understand this new disease and reduce its impact on human health. The stakes are high, and it is very difficult to balance the claims of experts from these diverse disciplines. Moreover, the decisions on school openings will not only be made by government but by parents who may decide to keep their children at home.

The pandemic is an example of months of public decisions that needed to be made in the face of scientific uncertainty, by decision-makers who did not know what they didnt know and didnt fully understand the range of options opened to them. The opportunities to contain the virus in China, Europe and the United States were missed by decision-makers in each place. The methods used to reduce virus transmission have worked, but the economic cost of those methods resulted in re-openings that have caused the virus to come back to places that have driven it out.

I believe that we will eventually reduce this pandemic and return to normal life. But to maintain that normal life, we will need to do a better job of utilizing scientific expertise to address the negative impacts of our technologies. Climate denial and pandemic denial are examples of willful scientific ignorance. In a world as dependent on technology as the one we live, we should expect that technologies from air travel to food production will carry dangers we must learn to identify and mitigate. We listen to experts when they invent something new we think we will like, but we ignore them when they deliver bad news. We need a more mature and sophisticated approach to utilizing scientific expertise in decision-making. COVID-19 highlights the seriousness of the impact of our choices: over 150,000 Americans have died and millions of people are out of work. There is widespread hunger in America. This is no place and not the time for posturing and political bombast. The folks in Washington are clearly unable to deliver leadership, and so we will need to rely on our families, corporations, institutions, localities and states to continue to fill the void.

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Scientific Literacy, Technology and COVID-19 - Coronavirus Coverage - State of the Planet

Massachusetts largest group of tech companies is calling on its members to double the percentage of Black and Latinx employees in the state by the end of the decade.

Introduced on Monday, the 2030 Challenge by the Mass Technology Leadership Council aims to push the percentage of Black employees at tech companies in Massachusetts to 10% and Latinx workers to 14%.

While MassTCL specifically mentioned Black and Latinx workers, the organization will continue to strive for gender equity within the tech work-sphere asa well.

According to the MassTLC, the Massachusetts tech sector does not adequately reflect the diverse population of the state.

More than calling for change, the MassTLC is asking its more than 450 members to commit to The Tech Compact for Social Justice, which outlines 12 steps to accomplish its 2030 Challenge.

So far more than 60 companies have agreed to the commitment.

This is a time when people are speaking out and we, as leaders, need to listen to them, CEO of MassTLC Tom Hopcroft said in a statement. This is how change happens, and it is why we launched The Tech Compact for Social Justice. We recognize that Boston and the tech industry have more to do to support and encourage the inclusion of black, Latinx and Indigenous people and we accept our responsibility to do more to make change at the company and community level.

By agreeing to the Tech Compact for Social Justice, companies commit to introducing or expanding educational programs and opportunities that promote diversity. The compact states companies should invest in students of color to create more diversity in developmental programs too.

They also commit to creating more diversity within leadership and board composition.

The CEO of companies will be evaluated on racially diverse hiring, leadership development, and promotion, the compact says.

By June 2022, companies that join the compact agree to self report demographic data of employees and hiring practices including at the leadership level and promotions. Reporting data will also include self reporting on racial diversity initiatives in purchasing and procurement as well as aggregate pay parity.

Outside of the day-to-day operations, the compact calls for companies to leverage products and communications to support communities of color. Companies will also advocate for public policies that support opportunities for people of color.

More than 60 companies have already signed on including Akamai, iRobot, TripAdvisor, Verizon and Wayfair.

At Akamai, diversity is a mission-critical goal, executive vice president and chief human resources officer of Akamai Technologies Anthony Williams said in a statement. As long-time active members of MassTLC we are proud to join forces with them to create long-term change in the Massachusetts technology community. By pooling resources with other companies, we harness our collective influence for greater impact.

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Mass Technology Leadership Council calls on its members to double states Black, Latinx tech employees as par - MassLive.com

THIS PRODUCT COVERS EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA, CENTRAL AND WESTERN MARYLAND,NORTHERN AND NORTHWESTERN VIRGINIA, AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA**TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS EXTENDED FARTHER NORTHWEST**NEW INFORMATION---------------* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR CARROLL, CENTRALAND SOUTHEAST HOWARD, CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MONTGOMERY,NORTHERN BALTIMORE, NORTHWEST HARFORD, NORTHWEST HOWARD,NORTHWEST MONTGOMERY, AND SPOTSYLVANIA- THE TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A TROPICAL STORMWARNING FOR ANNE ARUNDEL, ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA,CHARLES, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, FAIRFAX, KING GEORGE, PRINCEGEORGES, PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK, SOUTHEASTHARFORD, SOUTHERN BALTIMORE, AND STAFFORD* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:- A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ANNE ARUNDEL,ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA, CALVERT, CARROLL, CENTRALAND SOUTHEAST HOWARD, CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MONTGOMERY,CHARLES, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, FAIRFAX, KING GEORGE, NORTHERNBALTIMORE, NORTHWEST HARFORD, NORTHWEST HOWARD, NORTHWESTMONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGES, PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSASPARK, SOUTHEAST HARFORD, SOUTHERN BALTIMORE, SPOTSYLVANIA, ST.MARYS, AND STAFFORD* STORM INFORMATION:- ABOUT 590 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF WASHINGTON DC OR ABOUT 620MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF BALTIMORE MD- 30.7N 80.1W- STORM INTENSITY 70 MPH- MOVEMENT NORTH OR 360 DEGREES AT 13 MPHSITUATION OVERVIEW------------------SIGNIFICANT FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS IS LIKELYTONIGHT INTO TUESDAY EVENING AS RAINFALL ASSOCIATED WITH TROPICALSTORM ISAIAS SPREADS NORTHWARD. WIDESPREAD RAINFALL TOTALS OF 3 TO6 INCHES ARE EXPECTED WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. THEHIGHEST AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINSPARTICULARLY OVER THE I-95 CORRIDOR LATE TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY.TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED ALONG AND EAST OF THEI-95 CORRIDOR AND NORTH CENTRAL MARYLAND. TREE DAMAGE AND POWERARE POSSIBLE IN THIS AREA. MODERATE COASTAL FLOODING IS ALSOPOSSIBLE AT TIMES OF HIGH TIDE TUESDAY AS ISAIAS MAKES ITSCLOSEST APPROACH TO THE AREA AND CONTINUING WEDNESDAY MORNING.POTENTIAL IMPACTS-----------------* FLOODING RAIN:PROTECT AGAINST LIFE-THREATENING RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLEEXTENSIVE IMPACTS ACROSS AREAS ALONG AND EAST OF THE I-95 CORRIDOR.POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:- MAJOR RAINFALL FLOODING MAY PROMPT MANY EVACUATIONS AND RESCUES.- RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES MAY RAPIDLY OVERFLOW THEIR BANKS INMULTIPLE PLACES. SMALL STREAMS, CREEKS, CANALS, ARROYOS, ANDDITCHES MAY BECOME DANGEROUS RIVERS. IN MOUNTAIN AREAS,DESTRUCTIVE RUNOFF MAY RUN QUICKLY DOWN VALLEYS WHILEINCREASING SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ROCKSLIDES AND MUDSLIDES. FLOODCONTROL SYSTEMS AND BARRIERS MAY BECOME STRESSED.- FLOOD WATERS CAN ENTER MANY STRUCTURES WITHIN MULTIPLECOMMUNITIES, SOME STRUCTURES BECOMING UNINHABITABLE OR WASHEDAWAY. MANY PLACES WHERE FLOOD WATERS MAY COVER ESCAPE ROUTES.STREETS AND PARKING LOTS BECOME RIVERS OF MOVING WATER WITHUNDERPASSES SUBMERGED. DRIVING CONDITIONS BECOME DANGEROUS.MANY ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES WITH SOME WEAKENED OR WASHED OUT.PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS RAINFALL FLOODING HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITEDTO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ACROSS AREAS WEST OF THE I-95 CORRIDOR TO THEWESTERN MOUNTAINS.* WIND:PROTECT AGAINST DANGEROUS WIND HAVING POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTSALONG AND EAST OF THE I-95 CORRIDOR INCLUDING THE WASHINGTON DC ANDBALTIMORE METRO AREA.. POTENTIAL IMPACTS IN THIS AREA INCLUDE:- SOME DAMAGE TO ROOFING AND SIDING MATERIALS, ALONG WITH DAMAGETO PORCHES, AWNINGS, CARPORTS, AND SHEDS. A FEW BUILDINGSEXPERIENCING WINDOW, DOOR, AND GARAGE DOOR FAILURES. MOBILEHOMES DAMAGED, ESPECIALLY IF UNANCHORED. UNSECURED LIGHTWEIGHTOBJECTS BECOME DANGEROUS PROJECTILES.- SEVERAL LARGE TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED, BUT WITH GREATERNUMBERS IN PLACES WHERE TREES ARE SHALLOW ROOTED. SEVERALFENCES AND ROADWAY SIGNS BLOWN OVER.- SOME ROADS IMPASSABLE FROM LARGE DEBRIS, AND MORE WITHIN URBANOR HEAVILY WOODED PLACES. A FEW BRIDGES, CAUSEWAYS, AND ACCESSROUTES IMPASSABLE.- SCATTERED POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS OUTAGES, BUT MORE PREVALENTIN AREAS WITH ABOVE GROUND LINES.ALSO, PROTECT AGAINST HAZARDOUS WIND HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED IMPACTSALONG AND EAST OF THE I-81 CORRIDOR.* SURGE:PROTECT AGAINST LOCALLY HAZARDOUS SURGE HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITEDIMPACTS ACROSS TIDAL POTOMAC AND CHESAPEAKE BAY. POTENTIAL IMPACTSIN THIS AREA INCLUDE:- LOCALIZED INUNDATION WITH STORM SURGE FLOODING MAINLY ALONGIMMEDIATE SHORELINES AND IN LOW-LYING SPOTS, OR IN AREASFARTHER INLAND NEAR WHERE HIGHER SURGE WATERS MOVE ASHORE.- SECTIONS OF NEAR-SHORE ROADS AND PARKING LOTS BECOME OVERSPREADWITH SURGE WATER. DRIVING CONDITIONS DANGEROUS IN PLACES WHERESURGE WATER COVERS THE ROAD.- MODERATE BEACH EROSION. HEAVY SURF ALSO BREACHING DUNES, MAINLYIN USUALLY VULNERABLE LOCATIONS. STRONG RIP CURRENTS.- MINOR TO LOCALLY MODERATE DAMAGE TO MARINAS, DOCKS, BOARDWALKS,AND PIERS. A FEW SMALL CRAFT BROKEN AWAY FROM MOORINGS.* TORNADOES:PROTECT AGAINST A TORNADO EVENT HAVING POSSIBLE LIMITED IMPACTSACROSS SOUTHERN MARYLAND. POTENTIAL IMPACTS INCLUDE:- THE OCCURRENCE OF ISOLATED TORNADOES CAN HINDER THE EXECUTIONOF EMERGENCY PLANS DURING TROPICAL EVENTS.- A FEW PLACES MAY EXPERIENCE TORNADO DAMAGE, ALONG WITH POWERAND COMMUNICATIONS DISRUPTIONS.- LOCATIONS COULD REALIZE ROOFS PEELED OFF BUILDINGS, CHIMNEYSTOPPLED, MOBILE HOMES PUSHED OFF FOUNDATIONS OR OVERTURNED,LARGE TREE TOPS AND BRANCHES SNAPPED OFF, SHALLOW-ROOTED TREESKNOCKED OVER, MOVING VEHICLES BLOWN OFF ROADS, AND SMALL BOATSPULLED FROM MOORINGS.ELSEWHERE ACROSS EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA, CENTRAL AND WESTERN MARYLAND,NORTHERN AND NORTHWESTERN VIRGINIA, AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, LITTLETO NO IMPACT IS ANTICIPATED.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS----------------------------------* EVACUATIONS:WATCH/WARNING PHASE - LISTEN TO LOCAL OFFICIAL FOR RECOMMENDEDPREPAREDNESS ACTIONS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE EVACUATION OF LOW LYINGAREAS. IF ORDERED TO EVACUATE, DO SO IMMEDIATELY.* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:NOW IS THE TIME TO COMPLETE ALL PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE ANDPROPERTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN. ENSURE YOU ARE IN ASAFE LOCATION BEFORE THE ONSET OF STRONG WINDS OR POSSIBLE FLOODING.IF YOU ARE A VISITOR, BE SURE TO KNOW THE NAME OF THE CITY OR TOWN INWHICH YOU ARE STAYING AND THE NAME OF THE COUNTY OR PARISH IN WHICHIT RESIDES. LISTEN FOR THESE LOCATIONS IN LOCAL NEWS UPDATES. PAYATTENTION FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES.IF YOU LIVE IN A PLACE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO FLOODING, SUCH ASAREAS ALONG TIDAL LOCATIONS, IN LOW-LYING OR POOR DRAINAGE AREAS, INA VALLEY, OR NEAR AN ALREADY SWOLLEN RIVER, BE PREPARED TO MOVEQUICKLY TO SAFE SHELTER ON HIGHER GROUND.RAPIDLY RISING FLOOD WATERS ARE DEADLY. IF YOU ARE IN A FLOOD-PRONEAREA, CONSIDER MOVING TO HIGHER GROUND. NEVER DRIVE THROUGH A FLOODEDROADWAY. REMEMBER, TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN!IF IN A PLACE THAT IS VULNERABLE TO HIGH WIND, SUCH AS NEAR LARGETREES, A MANUFACTURED HOME, UPPER FLOORS OF A HIGH-RISE BUILDING, ORON A BOAT, CONSIDER MOVING TO A SAFER LOCATION BEFORE THE ONSET OFSTRONG WINDS.CLOSELY MONITOR WEATHER.GOV, NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR LOCAL NEWS OUTLETSFOR OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION. BE READY TO ADAPT TO POSSIBLE CHANGESTO THE FORECAST. ENSURE YOU HAVE MULTIPLE WAYS TO RECEIVE WEATHERWARNINGS.THERE IS A THREAT FROM TORNADOES WITH THIS STORM. HAVE MULTIPLE WAYSTO RECEIVE TORNADO WARNINGS. BE READY TO SHELTER QUICKLY.* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:- FOR INFORMATION ON APPROPRIATE PREPARATIONS SEE READY.GOV- FOR INFORMATION ON CREATING AN EMERGENCY PLAN SEE GETAGAMEPLAN.ORG- FOR ADDITIONAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION SEE REDCROSS.ORGNEXT UPDATE-----------THE NEXT LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHERSERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC AROUND 230 PM EDT, OR SOONER IFCONDITIONS WARRANT.

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GETTING THERE: Technology coming to help combat Interstate 95 congestion - Fredericksburg.com

Giving back to his community is nothing new for Marvin Skipper.

Skipper formed a nonprofit in 2015, Youth are Bigger Than Life, that provides mentorship to young people and often gives food to those in need.

When the pandemic struck, Skipper's organization stepped up with a grocery giveaway at Detroit's Pershing High School, his alma mater, where he was a star basketball player and one of the top 100 players in the country. But his basketball career was cut short by a heart condition going into his freshman year at Eastern Michigan University.

Skipper now is a service and parts representative for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

"I have a very tight-knit relationship with the people in the neighborhood," Skipper told Automotive News.

Skipper's group distributed more than 700 packages of food and necessities such as soap and deodorant for those who attended the drive-through event May 9. The group also does a food giveaway before Christmas each year.

Skipper has hit buzzer-beaters during basketball games but said nothing compares to the feeling of giving back to others during a tough time.

"I was still fortunate enough to work, so I wanted to give," Skipper said. "It's like no other feeling in the world."

Skipper's event is just one example of an FCA employee helping during the health crisis.

The rest is here:

FCA employees make impact through charity and technology - Automotive News

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) Its never too late to make healthier choices when it comes to what we eat!The reality is we need strong immune system health to fight the current pandemic.

The Muscleman of Technology joined Good Morning San Diego to demonstrate organic healthy food products that can make you feel better, give you more energy and help boost your immunity.

MacroLife Naturals The Ultimate Superfoodhttp://macrolifenaturals.com Macro Meals 15 Servings Can is $39.95 (28 Servings Can is $39.95)

MarcroLife Macro Greens:A true green superfood containing 38 nutrient rich super-food plant-based ingredients that feed the body at a cellular levelit nourishes the body with antioxidants, co-nutrients, enzymes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids! Most of the ingredients in MacroLife Naturals products are cold processed or are processed at low temperatures to ensure enzyme bioactivity. Macro Greens promotes gentle daily cleansing, and is Americas Best Tasting GreensNon-GMO, vegan, gluten and dairy free!It also has 18 billion probiotics to help boost your immune system.

Bear Bar Organic Meal-on-the-Go Energy Bar Made in San Diegowww.BearBar.com Case of 20 Individually Wrapped Bars is about $30.43Sold at all Jimbos or Frazier Farms locations San Diego & online

Made from just six simple, pure, whole food ingredients & USDA Certified OrganicBear Bars are an energy boosting meal-on-the-go made right here in San Diego!All 6 ingredients are 100% USDA Certified Organic: cashews, red bell pepper, kale, chia seeds, lemon juice and sea salt. The Bear Bar was born out of a desire for a better energy bar! So many bars were too sweet or had long lists of ingredients.Its not sweet like most bars. Its a healthy, savory snack you can feel great about.Bear Bars are certified organic, gluten-free, and vegan. Plus, they are low-temp dried to keep nutrients intact. We start with fresh, whole, organic produceand it makes a difference you can taste! We even juice our own lemons. They are great for hiking, camping, a day at the beach or before a workout. Also sold at Ocean Beach Peoples Co-Op, Jensens Pt. Loma or Mission Square Market.

ORGANIC Food Bar 100% Certified USDA Organicwww.OrganicFoodBar.comCovid19 SPECIAL: Friends & Family 47% OFF Discount:Just $1.74 each plus shipping ($3.29 is normal price) call 800-246-4685and use friends and family code: FAFD

This incredible bar is certified 100% USDA Organiccontains 11g of raw and organic protein including 4000mg of our exclusive green superfood blend with certified organic Spirulina, wheat and barley grass juice powder (gluten-free), Blueberry and Raspberry and MORE! The Active Greens Bar is one of our most nutritionally robust formulas and it doesnt sacrifice one bit on taste. The Active Greens Bar is optimal energy food for those of you who want to add wholesome, organic fruits and vegetables to your diet.

Orga Foods Super Crisps: 100% Organic / Gluten-Free / Veganwww.orga-foods.com about $7 for 4 oz. bag

A blend of organic seeds, berries and spices creates a delicious cracker crisp that is VERY high in fiber and protein. It is GF & Organic Certified, NON-GMO and Kosher.If you like truly heathy snacks, look no further then Orga Foods Super Crispsan excellent source of fiber, and a healthy way to increase your intake of Omega fats as well as plant-based protein & iron. Crush them and sprinkle on salads, and perfect with soup instead of those unhealthy crackers!Only 6 ingredients: Organic Chia Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Flaxseeds,Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sesame Seeds & Himalayan Pink Salt.

Dr. Bronners Health Conscious Productswww.drbronner.com

Are your hands dried out from washing them all the time, or using too much hand sanitizer? A bottle of Dr. Bronners Pure-Castile Soap is sold in the U.S. every 2.4 seconds!! Dr. Bronners (Since 1858) is a family business committed to honoring the vision of our founder Dr. E.H. Bronner by making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and by dedicating our profits to helping make a better world.

Today we featured:

Dr. Bronners Magic BalmDr. Bronners Unscented Organic Magic Balm provides instant relief and protection from all kinds of skin irritationssoothe skin safely and simply with no synthetic ingredients, certified to the same National Organic Program that certifies food. It can be used to heal dry hands, face, body, cuticles, chins & cheeks.

Dr. Bronners Pure-Castile SoapDr. Bronners is the top-selling soap in the U.S. natural marketplace. Dr. Bronners is the very best soap for body, home and Earth.Dr. Bronners Peppermint (or Cinnamon) All-One ToothpasteFluoride-Free, with 70% Organic Ingredients! No artificial colors, preservatives, flavors, or sweeteners!

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Get healthier right now with the Muscleman of Technology - - KUSI

RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), in association with VCU Health System, announced a partnership with Kallaco Health & Technology to support VCU's COVID-19 testing strategy for VCU students and employees. Kallaco is a comprehensive, integrated wellness company that offers customizable testing, training and technology solutions.

VCU requires residential students to take a COVID-19 test and receive negative results prior to move-in and is working with Kallaco to mail test kits to residential students that they can take at home and mail back for analysis before move-in begins in August.

In addition, VCU Health System will provide on-campus testing for symptomatic VCU students and employees, as well as prevalence testing for a portion of VCU asymptomatic students and employees in an effort to monitor the overall prevalence of COVID-19 in the VCU community.

VCU students and employees who receive COVID-19 testing through VCU will have access to the Kallaco app where they can review their test results and monitor their daily health.

"The partnership with Kallaco provides numerous benefits and opportunities that complement our own experience and expertise through this pandemic as an academic health system," said Melinda S. Hancock, CPA, FHFMA. Chief administrative and financial officer, VCU Health System. "Together we bring these to the University to provide the resources needed to return to campus."

The partnership with Kallaco is in addition to VCU's extensive return-to-campus plan that also includes starter supply kits for every returning student and employee (face coverings, sanitizer, and disinfectant spray to supplement supplies they may already have), required online training related to safety protocols, and required daily attestations of health.

"Kallaco is proud to partner with VCU and VCU Health along with tens-of-thousands of employees and students across universities and businesses with at-home COVID testing and other services," said John Spivey, Founder and CEO of Kallaco. "VCU and VCU Health have shown an outstanding commitment to creating the safest possible return for their students, faculty, and surrounding communities, and we are honored to assist in their efforts."

VCU's return continues now in phases and they prepare for classes to begin on the Monroe Park Campus on Aug. 17.

About VCU

Virginia Commonwealth University is a major, urban public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 30,000 students in 233 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Twenty-two of the programs are unique in Virginia, many of them crossing the disciplines of VCU's 11 schools and three colleges. The VCU Health brand represents the VCU health sciences academic programs, the VCU Massey Cancer Center and the VCU Health System, which comprises VCU Medical Center (the only academic medical center in the region), Community Memorial Hospital, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, and MCV Physicians. For more, please visit http://www.vcu.edu and vcuhealth.org.

About Kallaco

Kallaco was inspired by the greek word Kala, meaning "good, well" along with -co which represents connection, community, confidence, and collaboration. Kallaco was created as a health management platform to provide employers, university, and healthcare administrators a connected health solution to manage the current challenges of today along with their organization's future health management. For more information visitwww.kalla.co.

Media Inquiries related to VCU and VCUHS: Michael R. Porter[emailprotected]

Media Inquiries related to Kallaco: Amy Cheronis[emailprotected]

SOURCE Kallaco

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VCU Partners with Kallaco Health & Technology for Student and Employee COVID-19 Testing - PRNewswire

Without the presence of ions and their transfer, many natural and industrial processes would not exist; plants could not perform photosynthesis, mammals wouldnt maintain a stable blood pH and there would be no batteries for electronic devices. However, there are many situations where the presence of ions is unwelcome. Even at trace concentrations, ionic impurities can cause problems. For example, disinfection by-products in drinking water can have carcinogenic effects at g/L, while ambient air pollutants impact health at very low concentrations (g/m3).Therefore, highly sensitive analytical methods are needed to detect and quantify the presence of ionic impurities. While gas chromatography (GC)-based methods are commonly used for analyzing compounds that can be easily vaporized, GC analysis of ionic impurities can be challenging. Baseline movement (e.g., noise and drift) is a frequently encountered issue, often caused by contamination from a previously injected sample. Troubleshooting this problem can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

However, determining low levels of ionic impurities no longer needs to be slow and complicated, as modern and optimized instruments are available to simplify and expedite analysis. In this article, we use real-life examples to showcase ion chromatography (IC) as an efficient and sensitive method that helps to overcome analytical challenges.

Characterization of ionic and polar compounds can be achieved using a range of techniques, including GC, which is often used as the established method despite its limitations. Not all compounds are amenable to analysis by GC in their natural state. For example, some highly polar compounds with low volatility may not elute from the GC column, precluding detection. Such compounds must be modified into stable and volatile derivatives suitable for GC elution and separation. This process is known as derivatization, and can involve a range of reactions to improve sensitivity, selectivity or specificity for a particular separation in GC combined with mass spectrometry (MS).

While derivatization is a useful tool, it has been described as the bottleneck of GC-MS due to its labor-intensive and time-consuming nature. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 552.3 describes a tedious multi-step sample preparation process for the detection of haloacetic acids (HAA) and dalapon in drinking water, which involves liquid-liquid microextraction, derivatization and GC with electron capture detection executed over a number of days.

HAAs arise from a reaction between chlorine-containing disinfectants and other compounds and are a focus of modern water analysis. In common GC methods, derivatization of HAAs is achieved using diazomethane or methanol. This poses health risks to those involved in analysis. So much so that in Sweden, diazomethane is listed as a carcinogenic air pollutant in the workplace and has strict regulations around its use. Overall, there is a strong incentive to simplify methods for ionic analysis.

Advances in IC technology remove the need for such extensive sample pre-treatment, without compromising speed and sensitivity. A modular IC system, using a newly developed column, when coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (IC-MS/MS), can divert common interfering anions to waste and allow the direct detection of HAAs in water samples in 35 minutes. Compared with a standard GC method for water quality analysis, this simplified method enabled determination of key HAAs without sample acidification, extraction and derivatization.

The remarkable reduction in run time for water analysis is a consequence of new IC technologies, which provide benefits across a range of industries. One example can be found in manufacturing processes, where sulfuric acid is commonly used during production. As trace ionic impurities directly impact yield and reliability of wafer cleaning (a vital stage in electronics production, involving the use of sulfuric acid), determining their presence is critical. However, detecting anionic impurities in concentrated acids, such as sulfuric acid, poses many analytical challenges related to:

Cumbersome and tedious titration methods

The use of hazardous materials during titration

Insufficient sensitivity: there are limits to the amount of concentrated acid that can be injected onto an anion-exchange column

Long retention times for phosphate, rendering the determination of phosphate contaminants in sulfuric acid difficult

Progress in column technology has increased capacity and improved the resolution of inorganic ions, providing an attractive alternative to titration. Column selectivity has also been modified to facilitate ionic determinations, as exemplified by one developed recently that can be used to determine phosphate contamination in sulfuric acid reliably and accurately due to a modification in the order of anion elution.

Advanced IC columns are also paired with instrument technology, such as an eluent generator, to simplify the workflow. Like other types of chromatography, eluent for IC can be prepared manually by diluting an eluent concentrate or with stock chemicals. With the need for dilutions and preparation from dry chemicals, there is a strong potential for lot-to-lot variation, which can affect IC peak retention and resolution, and there is an additional safety concern relating to exposure to hazardous chemicals. Removing manual elements of a process can reduce the opportunity for error, thereby, improving reproducibility, while providing a high degree of automation. By just adding water, eluent can be automatically generated online by software control, allowing reliable and consistent eluent creation.

A simple operation combined with high performance is a dream combination for any environmental analysis, especially in challenging research conditions. Monitoring air quality in polar regions is necessary for the development of mitigation strategies for reducing air pollution. In particular, the measurement of atmospheric amines is critical to forecasting climate impacts. Between sample collection and analysis, however, amines tend to decompose, creating logistical challenges for analysis.

To overcome this, onboard analysis was trialed on an arctic voyage spanning several months. The Snow Dragon, a 25-year old research vessel, carried an ambient ion monitoring (AIM) system for IC analysis of ambient air. The operation was successful, with 27 inorganic anions and cations, carboxylic acids and amines evaluated every hour for the entire trip, producing accurate and high-resolution data. The low maintenance requirements of the AIM system made for a smoother voyage; only water needed to be added for monitoring to continue.

There are also more direct and obvious benefits to advances in air quality monitoring for human health, as newer IC methods also enable more sensitive determination of inorganic anions and carboxylic acids in fine urban ambient particles.

Advanced, and yet easy to use, IC systems have found their place across a range of settings, from food and pharmaceutical industries to municipal water treatment and bottled water quality control. Anion-exchange chromatography can be used to separate mixtures of organic acids and inorganic ions, regardless of whether the goal is to ensure flavor, safety or biotherapeutic quality. Successful analysis is dependent on the method having sufficient sensitivity, and this is particularly important for the analysis of drinking water.

In the US, thyroid dysfunction has been linked to perchlorate exposure, an oxidizer that has been used in rocket propellant, explosives, fireworks and road flares since the 1950s. Consequently, several states have set standards and guidelines for perchlorate levels in drinking water (2 and 6 g/L for Massachusetts and California, respectively) creating the need for reliable detection methods. A high-pressure IC system can be coupled with a single quadrupole MS to provide higher sensitivity, along with mass confirmation, compared to using only conductivity detection. This platform can be integrated with user-friendly software to ensure the technology is suitable for even novice users.

Advanced IC technology has simplified and fast-tracked the detection of ionic impurities across a wide range of applications, from sulfuric acid quality control to assessing air quality. Fortunately, we can leave many chromatography challenges in the past, including labor-intensive derivatization and manual eluent preparation. Modern IC platforms are important tools for manufacturing, research, and environmental analysis, where the determination of ionic impurities is critical for quality control and our health.

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The Challenges of Analytical Chromatography We Can Leave in the Past - Technology Networks

Four Big Tech CEOs - Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg, Amazons Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai of Google and Tim Cook of Apple - are testifying on their companies practices on the issue of market dominance in the industry. (July 29) AP Domestic

Many of us have had the feeling that technology, whichcontinues to changeat an ever-dizzying pace, may be leaving us behind. Thatwas embodied this past week during a Congressional hearing, nominally convened to investigate antitrust concerns of fourbig tech titans: Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google.

While the five-and-a-half-hour inquiry touched on a range topics from pesky spam filters and search resultsto how companies approached acquisitions, the House Judiciary subcommittee hearing laid one thing bare: Asizable disconnect appears to exist between the technology Americans are using and depending on in their daily lives andthe knowledge base of people with the power and responsibility to decide its future and regulation.

"Consumers and investors walk away feeling like a lot of these lawmakers dont really understand the business models to an extent that they could then navigate them and put laws in place that will dictate the future of where they go,"said Daniel Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities.

The antitrust subcommitteehearing had been convened to look into the tech giants' market dominance. While some questions asked and issues raised were pointed, others may have left constituents and the tech CEOs themselves scratching their heads.

Instead, the hearing primarily became a forum for Republicans to lament what is seen as a bias against conservatives on digital platforms and for Democrats to ask about issues such as the poor treatment of small businesses and third-party sellers online.

Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., asked Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg why the social network recently took down Donald Trump Jr.'s post about hydroxychloroquine. "Why did that happen?"he asked.

Whoops, the platform that took that action was Twitter, Zuckerberg noted.

Twittertemporarily suspended the account for posting "misleading and potentially harmful information" related to COVID-19. Earlier in the week, tech platforms removed the video, which featuredsome doctors touting the malaria drug as a treatment for COVID-19 it has not been found helpful and can be harmful and suggesting masks aren't needed in preventing the spread of the virus.

Zuckerberg said the video was removed on Facebook because the platform prohibits content "that would lead to imminent risk of harm. Stating that there is a proven cure for COVID when there is in fact none might encourage somebody to go take something that might have some adverse effects."

Rep. Pramilla Jayapal, D-Wash., questioned Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos about whether the online retailer uses any data from its third-party sellers when making business decisions, especially for its private-branded products. Bezos responded that Amazon has a policy against that, but added "I cant guarantee you that that policy has never been violated.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and its parent company Alphabet, was asked by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., why his father was finding Steube's campaign emails in his spam folder.

AndHouse Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y, took Facebook and Google to task for setting off the decline of journalism,primarily because the tech behemoths dominate digital advertising revenue, siphoning spending on print ads.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, simply attacked all the companies for an anti-conservative bias. "I'll just cut to the chase. Big tech is out to get conservatives," he said.

But for observers of the hearing, "there is definitely the feeling of two ships passing in the night,"saidIves.

Despite some smart questions on acquisitions, privacy and spread of misinformation, "the technological ignorance demonstrated by our elected officials in (the) hearing was truly stunning," said Shelly Palmer, CEO at The Palmer Group, a tech strategy advisory group.

The data elite are playing a different game with a different set of rules. Apparently, Congress can't even find the ballpark.

"People who are this clueless about the economic forces shaping our world should not be tasked with leading us into the age of AI (artificial intelligence)," he said. "The data elite are playing a different game with a different set of rules. Apparently, Congress can't even find the ballpark."

Tech CEO hearing: 10 questions Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook could have been asked

Privacy and data: Amazon shares your private info unless you do these steps

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos testifies via video conference during the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law hearing on Online Platforms and Market Power in the Rayburn House office Building, July 29, 2020 in Washington, DC.(Photo: Pool, Getty Images)

Criticism of the questioning went beyond the conference room on Capitol Hill. On Twitter a tech giant not invited discussion about the issues extended beyond the hearing.

"Net approval of the tech industry has increased 28% since the start of the coronavirus pandemic," tweeted Alex Stapp, director of technology policy at the Progressive Policy Institute. "Weird time for Congress to hold an antitrust hearing about breaking up Big Tech."

And the discussion continued into the next day. On Thursday, the House voted on an amendment to the Pentagon budget, proposed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., prohibiting the military from using the Twitch online video service, esports and video games as ways to gain recruits. The measure failed, but Ocasio-Cortez wondered whether her fellow Congressional members knew what they were voting on.

"Imagine trying to explain to your colleagues who are members of Congress what Twitch is," she tweeted Thursday.

She continued in another Tweet, callingtech literacy a "growing need in Congress so we can legislate to protect peoples privacy, etc."

The Wednesday hearing was confrontational and revealed that members of Congress are not necessarily "tech experts. That reality is clear,"said Gene Munster,an investor and analyst with Loup Ventures.

Much of the give-and-take focused on the negative aspects of the platforms, he says, which might be used as a reason to trumpet regulation that could harm the very small businesses some lawmakers professed to champion."What was clearly missed in Wednesday's conversation is the positive impact that these platforms have had on small businesses that far outweigh the negative impacts," Munster said.

Energizing the hearing was "the elephant in the room," which is the handling of content on social networks, especially manipulation of political speech and medical disinformation, saysLaura DeNardis, author ofThe Internet in Everything: Freedom and Security in a World with No Off Switch, and a professor andinterim dean of the school of communications at American University.

"Everyone understands that our democracy now is on the line when it comes to disinformation, censorship, who gets to speak in the public sphere and what to do about all these content questions," she said.

While it is important to raise questions about the market power and anti-competitive concerns around the tech giants, DeNardis said, "missing from all of itwas an acknowledgment of how important these companies are to our economy and also to our ability to thrive, and for people who are totally isolated to be able to connect in an age of COVID-19.

Tech companies and trade groups such as the Consumer Technology Association must make it their job to educate legislators and their staff as technology evolves, says Michael Petricone, the CTA's senior vice president of government affairs.

Even though there were signs that all members of Congress may not be keeping up with technology, historically, legislatorshave done a good job, Petricone says. Comparatively other countries, especially those in Europe, "are more apt to crack down on large companies because big is bad," he said. "But in terms of promoting innovation that has not beenan effective strategy."

The U.S. is "the globes innovation leader, and we also have the worlds most dynamic startup scene. Its not a coincidence. Its not because of what we eat for breakfast," he said. "We have made consistently good policy choices."

Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.

Texas house representative Ted Poe got a little heated while questioning CEO Sundar Pichai about Google's data tracking capabilities. USA TODAY

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/08/02/google-facebook-and-amazon-too-technical-congress-regulate/5547091002/

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Congress and technology: Do lawmakers understand Google and Facebook enough to regulate them? - USA TODAY

With 60-70% of your face covered up by a mask, it isn't surprising that facial recognition algorithms designed pre-pandemic aren't working very well. The U.S. government did a study that proves this as companies and security agencies scramble to design new ones.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Mei Ngan says over the years the number of facial recognition software applications have exploded. "I remember one time reading about face recognition being used to ration toilet paper in public restrooms from different parts of China to combat toilet paper theft," she says.

Recently, the computer scientist conducted a study to see how reliable facial recognition algorithms were at identifying people with a mask. She applied masks digitally to millions of photographs and then compared the accuracy of masks to unmasked people. She also looked at how changing the shape, the color and the amount of nose coverage would affect the result.

"A coverage mask caused more errors when we compared them to low-coverage masks, and on average, we saw about a factor of five increase in error rates on high masks versus low masks and this was consistent across the board."

How Did Algorithms Do?

Generally, the algorithms had error rates of 20-50% but the top companies Paravision and Deep Glint had 5% error rates.

Paravision says it has developed new software that can identify people with masks and it is in the process of rolling it out.

Ngan says next will be testing algorithms that are designed for mask wearing. That is scheduled for the fall. In the meantime, she suggests businesses supplement algorithms with iris recognition or use software that focuses on the eyes, eye brows and forehead.

It appears the pandemic is certainly not slowing the use of facial recognition algorithms. The Columbus Dispatch reports Pop ID has teamed with an Ohio company,Wasserstrom, to make a program that combines instant facial recognition and temperature screening that can connect to employee's mobile devices, lock doors if a person's temperature is too high and record all that on a time log.

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Facial Recognition Technology Adapts In The Age Of Coronavirus - WVXU

HOLON, Israel, Aug. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sapiens International Corporation, (NASDAQ: SPNS)and (TASE: SPNS), a leading global provider of software solutions for the insurance industry, announced today it has entered into an agreement to partner with AssureSign, a recognized leader in the electronic signature market. The partnership will enable carriers and agencies to expedite customer acquisitions and renewals through various distribution channels, including agency portals, carrier consumer portals and internal CSRs.

AssureSign's advanced technology will be integrated with Sapiens Platform for Workers' Compensation offering to enhance both claims and policy processes.

Sapiens is leveraging the eSign Anywhereand eSign via Textsolutions, so insureds can sign their documents on a mobile device, tablet, or computer. The solutions streamline existing insurance workflows that require single or multiple signatures, reducing operational costs by significantly speeding the previously unwieldy document completion process.

"Insurers know they must provide an immediate customer experience, while ensuring that documents are verified," said David Brinkman, President & CEO of AssureSign. The recent pandemic has increased pressure among insurance carriers to offer a high-quality remote experience to insureds. Whether customers or agents are signing in an office setting, on a laptop from home, or from a mobile device via text message, they can provide a secure and legal signature for any document, anytime, anywhere."

"Sapiens is always looking to offer a faster experience for insureds' customers and reduce insurers' operational costs," said Roni Al-Dor, president and CEO, Sapiens. "Integrating electronic signature functionality into our workers' compensation solutions will achieve these goals, without compromising on security. We are pleased to partner with AssureSign and plan to expand its technology to some of our other offerings in the near future."

About AssureSign

Since 2000, AssureSign has helpedthe most trusted and well-known brands execute over 800 million electronic signatures worldwide. Customizable as a public or managed private cloud solution for businesses of all sizes, AssureSign enables your business to send documents for signature to any device, at any time, and from anywhere. With unique solutions like eSign via Text andthe industry's most flexible APIs,AssureSign empowers you to accelerate your business and streamline your workflows making it convenient yet secure and seamlesscustomer experience.For more information:www.assuresign.com.

About Sapiens

Sapiens International Corporation empowers insurers to succeed in an evolving industry. The company offers digital software platforms, solutions and services for the property & casualty, life, pension & annuity, reinsurance,financial & compliance, workers' compensation and financialmarkets. With more than 35 years of experience delivering to over 500 organizations globally, Sapiens has a proven ability to satisfy customers' core, data and digital requirements. For more information:www.sapiens.com.

Media ContactAlex ZukermanCMO and Chief of Strategy, Sapiens+972-546-724-910[emailprotected]

SOURCE Sapiens International Corporation

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Sapiens Partners with AssureSign to Incorporate Electronic Signature Technology into its Workers' Compensation Platform - PRNewswire