As many Virginia schools return to temporary virtual learning, some students are spending more time in front of screens. In response, the Virginia Department of Education provides tips to help moderate children’s screen time.
The department’s “Digital Devices in the Classroom” guide offers tips for parents and teachers to manage children’s exposure to technology. Charles Pyle, director of media relations for the department, said the guide was written in consultation with doctors and technology experts.
“One of the recommendations is that you take a break, have the students take a break every 20 to 30 minutes from the device,” Pyle said. “Not just to rest your eyes, but also to get up and move around a bit.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, excessive screen time can lead to irregular sleep, behavioral problems, and impaired academic performance, among other symptoms.
The guide encourages parents and teachers to create a daily plan for their students that involves spending at least one hour a day outdoors and away from a screen.
The DOE also recommends turning off electronic devices at least 60 to 90 minutes before children go to bed. Scott Edmonds – head of eye care at United Healthcare – explained that electronic devices can emit blue light, which interferes with people’s sleep patterns.
“It suppresses the release of the hormone melatonin, which is our sleep hormone,” Edmonds said. “So when you’re exposed to blue light late in the day, your sleep can be disrupted.”
A September report from the Pew Research Center reveals that about 70% of parents say their children are spending more time in front of a screen than before the pandemic. About 40% of survey respondents said they had become less strict about their children’s screen time during the pandemic.
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Statistics show that thanks to the pandemic, Americans are now glued to their digital devices an average of 13 hours a day, up from 7 or 8 hours a day before COVID.
Exposure to blue light from screens harms our eyes. Blue light is part of the UV spectrum and can damage your retina.
Helen Macias, an optician at Dynamic Eye Care in North Las Vegas, said she’s seen many more customers complaining of eye pain over the past year.
“Right now, we’re meeting a lot of kids, teachers, and other people who are now doing business online,” Macias explained. “People now experience eye strain when looking at the screen. This can lead to macular degeneration.”
People with light eyes or a family history of macular degeneration are at higher risk. Blue light is present in sunlight, but most of people’s exposure comes from their cell phones, tablets, some smart TVs and high-end video games.
Dr. Scott Edmonds, head of eye care for United HealthCare, recommended people follow the 20-20-20 rule: for every 20 minutes of screen time, take 20 seconds to look at something in the distance at least 20 feet.
“That pause takes you away from the blue light, allows your pupil to return to normal size, allows your eye muscles to relax, allows your focus muscle to relax,” Edmonds pointed out. “All of that every 20 minutes will really help you be more comfortable with screen time.”
People can buy lenses for their glasses or some laptops to filter out blue light, and they can use the “night mode” feature on their cellphones to reduce exposure.
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High volumes and technology issues have led to an extended delay for Kentuckians to get health coverage through the state market, “kynect.gov.”
Kentucky Voices for Health outreach coordinator Priscilla Easterling explained that residents have until Jan. 31 to compare state-run health care options, apply for coverage and complete the enrollment process on a single platform.
“Four out of five Kentuckians could get a plan for $10 or less,” Easterling said. “And that’s mainly because of these increased subsidies.”
She added that anyone considering coverage can contact their local “kynector” through the online portal or by calling 1-855-459-6328 for help finding a plan.
Kynectors are available free of charge in every county to answer questions and help people sign up for coverage. Residents of almost any county can find subsidized coverage through Anthem and CareSource.
Easterling said the natural disaster last month prompted the state to extend the deadline.
“There have also been disasters across the state, with tornadoes and flooding,” Easterling said. “And there have been some kind of technical issues with Kynect, which the state has done really well to resolve.”
She also added that this year, Kynect is offering a vision plan for Kentuckians who need eye exams, glasses or other eye care.
“Right now, with the American Rescue Plan Act and increasing grants,” Easterling said, “it really is a great time to go shopping. Things are a lot more affordable than they used to be.” been in previous years.”
According to federal data, more than 13 million people have so far signed up for 2022 health care coverage, surpassing previous years.
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare say more than 400,000 people will receive tax credits for 2022 coverage that otherwise would have been unavailable to them without the US bailout provisions.
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Advanced practice volunteer registered nurses serve North Carolina’s most vulnerable communities, but many say the state’s requirements for supervising physicians are an additional barrier to providing patients with high-quality health care. in right time.
Amanda Culp-Roche, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at the College of Health and Human Services at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, said she volunteers at a rural farmworker clinic in the county area. of Sampson-Duplin for a year.
Her collaborating doctor retired last month, so she had to look for a new one. She said she thought it was an unnecessary burden.
“And throughout this pandemic,” Culp-Roche said, “we’ve really shown that, yes, we can provide great service to patients and those vulnerable populations that really need us — without having that oversight or that restriction. of a medical collaborator.”
Legislation proposed last year sought to remove requirements for supervising physicians.
According to the National Academy of Medicine, North Carolina is one of the most restrictive states in the country for APRNs.
The American Medical Association and other physician groups argue that collaborations are necessary for patient safety.
Culp-Roche added that many of her clients have chronic health conditions, lack insurance, and have nowhere to turn for medical care. She said she was lucky to find a doctor willing to be her supervising doctor so she could resume volunteering.
“Well, luckily for me,” Culp-Roche said, “this particular farm worker clinic has a really good relationship with a community clinic. The wonderful director said he would be my collaborating doctor.”
UNC Chapel Hill research shows that by 2033, North Carolina will face an estimated shortage of more than 12,000 registered nurses. However, experts note that the novel coronavirus pandemic could alter the course of supply and demand.
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