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The study, done jointly by researchers at UNC-Greensboro, Indiana University, the University of Washington and Davidson College, tracked cellphone data and matched it to reopening schedules at 1,400 schools, along with county infection rates. #COVID19NC northcarolinahealthnews.org/2…

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Taylor Knopf

shows two adults providing applied behavior analysis, otherwise known as ABA therapy, with two young people.

Are students with disabilities being left behind? Challenges of virtual learning.

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Are students with disabilities being left behind? Challenges of virtual learning. - North Carolina Health News

Students in special education programs are struggling to adjust to online learning during the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to setbacks and hospitalizations for some.

By Taylor Knopf As school districts across the state deliberated over whether to bring students back to the classroom or teach them virtually, social media message boards filled with comments from North Carolina parents with strong opinions on all sides. But for Brooke Rose, there was no ideal option for her family in Wake County, […]

The key to COVID-19 communication? Keep it simple.

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The key to COVID-19 communication? Keep it simple. - North Carolina Health News

COVID-19 is complicated, and the world's understanding of the virus has evolved over the last few months. We've gathered input from experts on how leaders can communicate clearly and why it's so important to do so.

By Taylor Knopf Stopped on the street, someone asked state health and human services secretary Mandy Cohen, “Are you the ‘three Ws’ lady?” “Yes I am,” she responded. The memory makes Cohen chuckle. More importantly, she said, the slogan is getting into people’s heads. As North Carolina slowly reopens, Cohen and public health officials have […]

Health care professionals grab disposable takeout containers outside. Providers have been responding to the coronavirus pandemic in the state.

UNC helps launch COVID-19 mental health app for health workers

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UNC helps launch COVID-19 mental health app for health workers - North Carolina Health News

The free Health Heroes app assess symptoms of stress and depression and helps connect those on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic connect to care.

By Taylor Knopf When COVID-19 descended on North Carolina, Rebecca Tallman, a nurse at UNC Medical Center and single mother, decided to isolate from her two children as she cared for patients sick with the contagious virus. During her 12-hour shifts, Tallman cares for patients’ physical needs while also providing emotional support. Since hospitals have […]

beyond a fence two fences, one topped with razor wire, about a dozen men play on a bleak basketball court. Many people with mental illness end up in the prison system

COVID-19 puts pressure on already fractured prison health system

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COVID-19 puts pressure on already fractured prison health system - North Carolina Health News

COVID-19 has hit North Carolina’s prisons hard. But the system was already struggling under the weight of staffing issues, budget cuts, management changes and a surge of mental health patients for more than a decade.

By Taylor Knopf The North Carolina prison system has been under heightened scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic after outbreaks of the virus occurred in several facilities across the state. Five inmates and one prison nurse have died from the virus. Hundreds have been infected. Inmates were being moved freely between facilities with outbreaks and those […]

trailers with barb wire around them

All NC inmates to be tested for COVID-19, hospitalization rate largely unknown

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All NC inmates to be tested for COVID-19, hospitalization rate largely unknown - North Carolina Health News

The NC prison system had been reluctant to test prison inmates for COVID-19 before a judge got involved. Meanwhile, prison officials have refused to release the number of inmates who have been hospitalized with the virus.

By Taylor Knopf UPDATE: On June 24, DPS reached out to NC Health News to say that currently, their outside hospitalization rate for offenders is zero and that the greatest number hospitalized was 11 inmates, in mid-to-late-April. Department of Public Safety spokesman John Bull also said the department was working to provide more information on […]

man in mask opening door

How addiction recovery specialists adapted during COVID-19 pandemic

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How addiction recovery specialists adapted during COVID-19 pandemic - North Carolina Health News

While some addiction service providers have been forced to cut programs, others have adjusted to the pandemic changes to assist people using drugs and those in early addiction recovery.

By Taylor Knopf In his 20 years at Healing Transitions, Chris Budnick has never turned away someone seeking help. But in late March after three false-positive tests for COVID-19 at the residential addiction recovery program in Raleigh, the program director made the tough call to stop all new admissions to the campuses and overnight detox. […]

a montage of all the stressors and things to remember as people attempt to cope with covid-19

Managing mental health during COVID-19

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Managing mental health during COVID-19 - North Carolina Health News

Healthy coping skills, mental health resources can ease the pain of physical distance during the pandemic.

By Taylor Knopf North Carolinians will be living in a state of uncertainty a little longer. This week, Gov. Roy Cooper announced a modified “stay home” order that extends to May 22 which looks very similar to the original order with a few exceptions. It’s clear that our lives will not return to normal anytime […]

NC Correctional Institution for Women entrance

Wonder what prison is like during COVID-19? These prisoners take us inside.

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Wonder what prison is like during COVID-19? These prisoners take us inside. - North Carolina Health News

One woman was released early, but could not get tested in prison. Now she’s so sick with the virus that she’s been hospitalized.

By Taylor Knopf Nacola Williams was released early from North Carolina’s state prison system as part of an effort to reduce exposure to COVID-19 in a confined space where the contagious virus can spread quickly from inmate to inmate. Her age, 52, plus high blood pressure put Williams in the high-risk category for COVID-19 complications, […]

A mural reading 'hope' and 'patience' in a gym at Emerald School of Excellence, the state's first recovery high school

During the coronavirus pandemic, recovery support moves online

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During the coronavirus pandemic, recovery support moves online - North Carolina Health News

There are several free resources during the COVID-19 pandemic for people who are used to attending regular meetings to support their mental health or substance use recovery.

By Taylor Knopf As 9 p.m. approaches, a Zoom meeting screen fills with several grids of 168 faces, all ages and races represented. A middle-aged African-American woman sits at a desk and pulls out a notebook and pen. A young white woman rolls out dough on her kitchen counter. An older white man sits still […]

An African American man in a suit speaks to the podium, he is Erik Hooks of DPS and he's talking about releasing inmates from NC prisons early because of COVID-19 at a briefing.

NC prisons begin early release for some inmates

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NC prisons begin early release for some inmates - North Carolina Health News

Fewer inmates will be sleeping in prison beds as the Department of Public Safety begins early release for certain eligible inmates to reduce the prison population and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

By Taylor Knopf State prison officials are reviewing early release for certain, nonviolent inmates who are considered high-risk for COVID-19 complications and those who are already scheduled to be released in 2020. The Department of Public Safety released six inmates under these new criteria and is considering about 500 more. The six released so far […]

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