Covid-19 Quarantining

 

By: Ariana Walker

 When looking back over the last years life became very different from the normal for a least two years.Covid-19 became a disease that nobody knew what was happening  but knew it was causing many people to become very sick.

The world went into lockdown for about 4-6 months unless people were frontline workers such as doctor or grocery store employee. Everbody were told to wear a mask to protect themselves from catching the disease and try to wear it all day. And it was best to buy make that people are able to through away.

Covid-19 stands for Coronvirus Disease which is an infectious dieased caused by the sars-cov-2 virus. Most people that are affect by the disease will experince a lot of pain in there upper respiratory but, can recover at home by themselves without having to go to the doctor. But if it becomes serious people should seek medical attention. If people already have medical conditions it can become very serious at any age.

When it comes to having symptoms for it its like having a common cold thats why when most people get it they don’t even realize that they have caught it. The virus is able to spread from an infected person mouth or nose in very small particle from anything such as cough,sneeze,or speak.

When it comes to getting tested for covid-19 the testing was free because it was so many people getting tested. Most counties had a testing spot that was set up for a couple months where you were able to get tested. People where able to get tested without getting out of there car just riding through.Which they will swab peoples nose or mouth than collect the sample which people would get there results right then or 3-7 days after. Now people are able to test there own selfs at home with buying the kit out of the store.

When you go back and look at the number of people that caught covid in the state of georgia overall it looks unreal for it to just be a disease that has jst come out. Today there have been over 2 million cases that have been confirmed over the course of 2 years. And the confirmed deaths have been less than forty thousand. And till this day some so many people still are getting the disease.

After catching covid people are instructed to a thing that is called quarantin until they get there result back. “Quarantine is considered as an effective solution in the early stages of an epidemic. In the case of the coronavirus epidemic, quarantine was also recommended and implemented as a significant guideline to prevent the disease.”(pouya,2023).Quaratine you should stay in separate room from other people in your family if it is possible. A lot of people don’t relalize that there is a difference between quarantine and isolation. Isolation is when you stay home for five or more days. But if your symptoms begin to go away after the time frame people are able to leave the house.

“I think that you should isolate yourself if you have covid until you get a negative covid test back because you might not have symptoms but you could still have covid,”said Jamie turner a student at georgia southern.

But now it has changed for the days you will have to isolate yourself. “You no longer have to isolate for five days. CDC issued a new 25-page guidance for COVID and other respiratory viruses, including flu and RSV.”( Fryhofer,2024)Which means that people are still able to go to work even if they got covid.But still try to wear a mask and physically distance yourself for the five days.Also, be fever-free for about 24 hours without taking fewer medications.

“It is fine not to quarantine anymore as most people are immune/vaccinated to the virus now but   if the person is having symptoms they can stay isolated for a few days since they are  symptom-free and not contagious anymore,”said Sara Bakhtiar physician Assisiant.

The covid vaccine was first approved in August of 2021 the main two were Pfizer and Modrena.

Most people felt like the vaccine was rushed and they didn’t take there time trying to make it. 

“as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product”.(FDA,2021)

Most people did not want to take the vaccine because they felt like the government was puting something in there body. But most people began to take it because they wanted to get back to there normal lives. And if people didn’t have it they could not go certain places.

Even though I receive the vaccine I still feel like if I would every get covid again I would quartanie until getting a negative covid test said,Turner.

Everybody will always have there own opinion on how they feel about not having to quarantine anymore than 24 hours . But most of the population has been vaccinated which is about 81% if they still  feel unsafe they can always continue to wear a mask.

Is the ‘Super Shoe’ Worth The Hype?

 By Zoey Pittman 

                                              

By Zoey Pittman 

 A growing trend in the runners’ world is that carbon fiber plated shoes make you a faster runner, but it is not solely the carbon plate that makes you faster, it is just a small piece of the puzzle. 

In July of 2020, Nike released their shoe line, Alphafly, that is made using carbon-fiber plate and changed the pace for runners. 

Although the Nike Alphafly shoes have become one of the most popular racing shoes for marathons, Nike was not the first to decide to use carbon fiber in a shoe. It has actually been years before it became a trend. 

Brooks was actually the first running shoe company to use carbon fiber in their Fusion and Fission shoe line in 1989. The plate was placed in between the midsole foam and then outsole rubber. 

“The advances of the carbon is that it provides a stability platform from the responsiveness of the foam,” said Phillip Howe, who is the owner of Howe2Run. 

A common misconception is that it is the carbon fiber in the shoes that are making runners faster, however that is not the case. 

“The carbon plate is not what makes the shoe faster, it's the foam. The fastest shoes have the best foams,” said Marc Cameron, who is the general manager for Howe2Run. 

With Nike using the ZoomX foam in the Alphafly shoe, it absorbs more bounce from the runner and the carbon fiber plate gives the runner the snap that is needed to pick their feet up off the ground quicker. 

“It is the marriage of the two that makes it great,” said Howe.

What the carbon plate does is help the forefront flexion of the foot coming off and landing on the ground, which is then the responsiveness from the bounce, into the foam. 

While discussing how Nike Alphafly works, the question came up of why the shoe was banned from major marathons?

Cameron and Howe had a disagreement on  what was the illegal stack height for a super shoe that an elite athlete can use while racing a major marathon. 

“They did not ban any super shoe, but they had to change the stack height after Eliud Kipchoge’s ‘Breaking 2’ project with Nike because he was racing in a 44mm shoe,” said Howe

However, Cameron had a different opinion on the matter…

“No, Eliud Kipchoge did nothing illegal during the race. After he finished the marathon, racing in a 42mm shoe, that is when the regulations for the shoe’s stack height came about,” said Cameron. 

Cameron and Howe started to argue about what the real reason was for these shoes to almost be banned. Their debate was whether or not the Olympic runner, Eliud Kipchoge, running the marathon on the Formula One race track, Autodromo Nazinale in Monzain Italy was racing in an Alphafly that was 44mm or 42 mm 

“He was racing in the Alphafly with a 42mm stack height. Nike created the ‘Breaking 2’ project and was the main sponsor for the race. After the race was over, that was when they set the legal stack height limit for super shoes,” said Cameron. 

The two eventually agreed to disagree, with Cameron having the final say that the shoe Eliud Kapchoge was racing in was a 42mm stack height. 

Nike Alphafly’s shoe has shown to give runners a 2-4% betterment of race and recovery time. Because of how the shoe helps give the runner a snappier cadence and a foam with more receptivity, it takes some of the stress off a runner’s body.

“The hype over the last four years has statistically proven to be true,” said Cameron. 

The price for this racing shoe can range from $220 to $275, and the life span of the shoe is not built for longevity. After about 250 miles to 300 miles, the shoe starts to wear down. 

“The carbon breaks down faster than the foam does in the shoe. It still has the punch even after the carbon is worn down,” said Howe.

Because of their low mileage rate, Nike Alphaflies are not typically used for everyday training, but can depending on the runner.

“At the end of the day, it's not about the shoe, it’s about the athlete. The shoe is simply a tool,” said Howe. 

When a runner trains in Nike Alphaflies, they become used to the intensity of the bounce in the shoes. They develop muscle memory of how the shoe operates with their body, which can be a good thing for race day. 

But, if the runner only uses them sporadically during their training cycle, they will see the advantage Nike Alphafly has to offer them on top of race-day adrenaline.

“Runners, even down to the citizen level, who like to perform at races, are willing to spend the money for the betterment of their performance,” said Cameron. 

Since Nike released Alphafly, runners of all levels have seen the benefits from the shoe.

“Everybody puts tremendous amounts of effort into their goals and these are the tools to help push you above your goals, and statistically these shoes are proven to push you past that edge,” said Howe. 

Moo-ving Forward: Cow Colostrum Supplements and Social Media

"Miracle Moo" Bovine Colostrum supplements courtesy of Amazon.com 

 By: Emily Potter 

Within the first two days of giving birth, new mom, Cali Thomas, sat in her delivery room feeding her daughter "liquid gold." 

"After I delivered my daughter, she survived two days off of drinking what the nurses called 'liquid gold' until my milk came in," Thomas said. "I found out later it was actually called colostrum and very important to my baby's health. That's why the nurses called it gold" 

Colostrum, a nutrient-rich milk, is the first milk produced by mammals after giving birth. What is essential to a baby's first few days of life, has become the latest trend in nutrition science, creating a new craze on social media platforms like TikTok.  

This "liquid gold" is not like regular breast milk. Instead it is a thick liquid filled with various nutrients that is fed to newborns after birth to ensure the baby is getting what they need to survive and grow, according to registered dietitian Bekah Leger. 

"Colostrum is different from regular breast milk because it has more proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals than general mature milk that helps with the development of your baby's immune system," said Leger. "These nutrients are known to help with protecting the immune system, promoting growth, and overall stunting better health for your baby." 

Because of the nutritional benefits of colostrum for babies, it is no wonder why individuals are now taking colostrum in the form of supplements for the same benefits.

To be clear, these supplements are not made from human colostrum, but from cow colostrum instead, creating what some would call "bovine buzz" on the internet. 

Platforms, like TikTok, have become flooded with videos on the benefits of taking cow colostrum as a dietary and nutritional supplement.

TikTok influencer and brand content creator, Leighton Adamites, spends most of her free time creating short videos on the popular social media platform. Being an avid user of TikTok, she is always in the know of trends and new products found within the TikTok shop.

 More recently, she has noticed a rise in the videos that promote cow colostrum supplements. 

"I see videos all of the time promoting supplements, I have even had random companies - no big ones - try to get me to promote wellness supplements like powdered greens," said Adamites. "One brand I see all the time on my feed is Miracle Moo. It is claimed to be a cure all for many gut health problems." 

The idea behind taking these cow colostrum supplements is to get the same benefits like newborn babies, but what does science say? 

"Research is very limited on supplements, and even though it is known to be beneficial to newborn babies, current research does not support that these supplements have the same benefits in adults," said Leger. 

Amy Jo Riggs-Deckard, Georgia Southern professor of nutrition and food science, warns her students and others that any supplement should be taken with caution because they are not studied enough to know if they have any real nutritional and health benefits. 

"There is limited research on the bulk of supplements, and they do not require FDA approval," said Riggs-Deckard. "I always tell my students and clients to be cautious when using them for this reason." 

Riggs-Deckard also commented on the fact that there are only a few supplement companies that have actually opted to do research studies that support their claims to try and to prove their validity, but not enough, leaving many of the supplements on the shelves in a dim-lit light. 

There is no way the quality of these cow colostrums are ensured safe for the consumer. They could potentially contain other unknown additives. 

"There is a research study that tested greens powder supplements and it found that most of them are contaminated with heavy metals because there is no FDA regulation of purity standards,"said Leger. "With colostrum, who knows where it is coming from. Companies are not required to list out the active ingredients." 

So with a lack of science proof and regulation from the FDA, how have these supplements become so darn popular? The simple answer is due to the role of social media and buyer education. 

"The lack of education among the consumer and unfortunately social media marketing plays a role in the choices the consumer makes," said Leger. "People want a miracle drug to be a quick fix to their problems, so a company will pay creators to vouch for their product on social media, but in reality they are buying into schemes from companies that only want to make money." 

Adamites' experience as a content creator promoting products for companies also reveals the truth behind these videos posted. 

"I personally always try the product that I am promoting. I want to tell the truth to my followers. However, I know several creators that don't do this and are only in it to make money," said Adamites. "This only helps out the companies, giving them good reviews and making people want to buy the product." 

This reveals how social media has created a cycle of misinformation and deception for consumers in order to receive financial gain. 

So even though it is not scientifically proven to have nutritional value, is taking cow colostrum safe? 

"Taking these supplements is likely safe, but anyone taking it should be cautious due to the lack of research," said Riggs-Deckard. 

Moo-ving forward, Leger recommends that the cows should be left alone and consumers should always check with health professionals instead of consulting social media influencers when they have questions about fads in nutrition science. 

As for Thomas, mentioned earlier, she is thankful for that "liquid gold" and its benefits for her baby's growth, but she would never take colostrum supplements herself. 

"I'm not too sure about the cow colostrum, I just think it's weird," said Thomas. 

Citizens Become Certified Water Collectors

By: Vanessa Countryman

The Institute for Water and Health (IWH) has provided Water Data Training to Citizens of Brunswick Georgia and is still continuing their road to safe water for everyone.

Glynn County, located on Georgia's central coast, is known for its beaches such as Jekyll Island, Saint Simons Island, and Sea Island, with Brunswick as the county's administrative center; However, the area is also recognized for its environmental concerns, housing four Superfund sites.

District Commissioner Allen Booker raised an issue regarding increased subsistence fishing in Terry Creek during the pandemic—a water body with significant pollution levels. Despite advisories and monitoring by the EPA and Hercules, the community continues to fish there.

The reasons behind this are multifaceted, encompassing tradition, geography, culture, and economic necessity. These factors can override scientific warnings, particularly when communication strategies do not effectively engage the target communities. 

The Institute has received just under $150,000 in funding from the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation. They are establishing a Black-led team dedicated to water quality assessment in popular fishing areas. 

“This grant is really important because it drives towards something that’s been an issue in Brunswick for many many years,” said Roberson. “And that is really the environmental justice implications of the communications gap between a lot of folks that have done monitoring on the Superfund sites and water quality monitoring in the city and the county are often not connected with a lot of people who are most impacted by the pollution in the county.”

Historically, environmental research and messaging have often excluded vulnerable populations, such as those with lower incomes and people of color, even though they face the highest health risks from pollution.

“We have trained, so far, the group to be Adopt-A-Stream certified,” said Luke Roberson. “So they are certified now as water quality collectors.

This group, known as the Safe Water Ambassador Group (SWAG), is aiming to gather and distribute water quality data to those most impacted by pollution.

“What the training does, it not only familiarizes themselves with the program, why water quality is important, what metrics are measured, but it also clears them to once they collect data… they can put it up into the statewide database.”

A community-centric approach to data collection and education can lead to improved environmental literacy, healthier choices, and the empowerment of underserved communities to influence future environmental justice policies.

Weight Loss Medication

 By: Ariana Walker 

Losing weight is a journey that many individuals embark on the improve their health. The decision to lose weight often stems from various motivations, such as improving overall well-being and preventing chronic diseases. when it comes to losing weight it can be hard for some and easy for others.

Because it can be hard sometimes for some people they may go to the doctor and get extra help to lose weight. The two top brands that are on the market right now are Ozempic and Mounjaro which both are shots. Both of these weekly injections also play a pivotal role in diabetes management.

“I prescribe both of these medicines pretty much every day I have done obesity medicine for almost over twenty years now as a nurse practitioner,” Jodi Hannah said. Both of these medicines were only for people with diabetes doctors saw patients losing weight. And wanted to try it out for weight loss.

Both of the medicines were approved by the Food and Drug Administration to have higher doses and wanting to use it for obesity. Mounjaro has a very significant effect on weight loss more than Ozempic does. With both medications, patients have to give themselves a shot once a week in the stomach to inject the medicine. When taking both of the medications it will curve the patient’s appetite. 

The question that gets asked the most is will the weight come back if patients stop using the medicine. Most of the time the answer will be yes unless patients can maintain the eating habits they had before getting off of the medicine. They can’t just go back to eating McDonald's and Wendy's every day. Because there was medicine to help curve your appetite now it’s just back to normal. Most doctors will let patients stay on the medicine just so they can maintain their weight even if they stop losing weight at a fast pace.

When it comes to the prices for these medications it depends on the patient’s insurance. Some patients are blessed to where their insurance will cover the whole cost of the medication.

Others will have to come out of pocket of their own money to receive the product. For some people who pay out of pocket, Mounjaro can cost at least $1,000.

Some people will have side effects from the medications but it won't last long because it only when you are begin to just start taking the medicine. The most common one will be feeling nausea and loss of appetite. Some other ones would be tiredness and vomiting.

“My Experience with Ozempic has been great so far I have lost 40 pounds and it has really help me curve my appetite as a patient that takes the medication,” Babara Colman said.

 Throughout this journey, individuals learn to make healthier choices, both in terms of nutrition and physical activity and develop a deeper understanding of their bodies. Both Medicines are great medicines for weight loss patients should see them if they are thinking about taking them.

The science behind Medical Marijuana

 By Kamryn Gibson

Graph by Kamryn Gibson

Medical marijuana, derived from the Cannabis plant, has gained increasing recognition for its potential therapeutic benefits. The plant contains numerous chemical compounds known as cannabinoids, with two primary players, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), holding particular interest for their impact on the human body. "THC is also the form of cannabis that's approved by the FDA and has been since the 1980s," stated Edward Bednarczyk, a medical marijuana expert.

THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the euphoric "high" associated with marijuana use. It binds to cannabinoid receptors (CB1) in the brain and central nervous system, influencing mood, perception, and appetite.

CBD (Cannabidiol) is non-psychoactive and has gained attention for its potential therapeutic effects. It interacts with cannabinoid receptors (CB2) found in the immune system, influencing inflammation and immune responses.

Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is central to the science behind medical marijuana, a complex cell-signaling system in the body. The ECS consists of receptors, endocannabinoids (produced naturally in the body), and enzymes that regulate their production and degradation. When cannabinoids from medical marijuana interact with the ECS, they can modulate various physiological processes, including mood, appetite, sleep, and immune responses.

Therapeutic Effects include pain management, anti-inflammatory properties, nausea and vomiting, neurological disorders, and mental health. For pain management, THC and CBD have analgesic properties that may alleviate chronic pain by interacting with CB1 receptors in the nervous system. Medical marijuana is increasingly prescribed for conditions like neuropathic pain and arthritis.

For anti-inflammatory properties, CBD's interaction with CB2 receptors contributes to its anti-inflammatory effects. Medical marijuana shows promise in conditions with inflammatory components, such as Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. With nausea and vomiting, THC has antiemetic properties that can help manage nausea and vomiting, especially in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Medical marijuana has been an effective alternative for those resistant to traditional antiemetic medications.

Neurological disorders, CBD's impact on neurotransmitter systems makes it a potential candidate for neurological disorders. Studies suggest its potential in treating epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Andrew Hathway, who is a Sociologist, stated, "I've talked to people who, you know, senior citizens who find eating like a cannabis cookie as a useful way to control, like, their seizures from Parkinson's or something, and within their social circle, their retirement home or whatever, they're getting like, uh, stigmatized for that choice, right? Like the people who just don't understand, um, that medical marijuana has these benefits." Mental Health, while THC may exacerbate anxiety in some individuals, CBD's anxiolytic properties show promise in anxiety disorders. Medical marijuana is being explored as a complementary therapy for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

Despite the potential therapeutic benefits, challenges persist in the field of medical marijuana research. Regulatory restrictions, varying legal statuses, and limited access to research-grade marijuana hinder comprehensive investigations. Standardized dosing and precise formulations also pose challenges in ensuring consistent therapeutic effects. Bednarczyk also stated, "So what you have to do is separate this kind of co-mingling of use of the cannabis plant versus using the ingredients that are present in the cannabis plant for, uh, for going through the rigor of the FDA process so we can correctly define the right dose. And, you know, maybe it's not just the dose, maybe it's you need a blend of cannabinoids that are in there."

In conclusion, the science behind medical marijuana is an intricate interplay between cannabinoids and the body's Endocannabinoid System. Research continues to unravel the potential therapeutic benefits of this complex plant, offering hope for patients with various medical conditions. As the scientific community navigates the regulatory landscape, it is essential to prioritize rigorous research to maximize the therapeutic potential while addressing challenges in dosage precision and accessibility. Medical marijuana represents a promising frontier in healthcare, beckoning further exploration and unlocking new avenues for patient well-being.

Rethinking the Joro Spider

By: Mya Taylor

Female Joro Spider Photo Courtesy of Dr. David R. Coyle

You walk into your backyard, and to your surprise, a spider is sitting in a web. The arachnid is as big as the palm of your hand. However, you have never seen one like this before.  

You have just been introduced to the Trichonephlia clavata, more commonly known as the joro spider. Joro spiders are large, invasive orb weavers. The spiders were first seen in Georgia in 2013 and it is believed they were brought there on a shipping container from China. 

 Male and female joro spiders have different physical characteristics. Female spiders are hard to miss. They can grow to be inches long, have black legs, with yellow and silver stripes on their abdomen. Male spiders are small, and dull brown in color.  

Emerging in the spring, the young spiders continue to grow until they reach full development in the fall. The spiders first seek a suitable location, and then mark their territory with golden wheels of woven silk that can stretch across several feet. They can be spotted in the forests, the countryside, cities, and living on the edge of roadsides and wooded areas.

Alan Harvey is a Professor at Georgia Southern University who studies field biology, evolutionary ecology, plant ecology and invasive species. As an expert in invasive species, Harvey believes that it is important to be observant of anything out of the ordinary. Researchers must also be careful when handling invasive species.

"We would generally prefer invasive species to sort of stay where they belong, not in their new invasive range, so you don't want to do things where you would accidentally be spreading it out to places where it wasn't before," Harvey said.

Dr. David R. Coyle is an assistant professor at Clemson State University, studying forest health and invasive species. Coyle and other scientists conducted an experiment in which they used iNaturalist and other datasets to predict the future growth of the invasive spider population. 

The scientists first used the datasets to observe 20 factors in China, the native region of the spiders. They then marked those same factors in North America. The scientists used those markings to construct species distribution models. The computerized models are used to predict the spread of a species in different environments.

However, using datasets like iNaturalist can be tricky being that there are more datapoints in higher human populated areas.  The accuracy of species distribution models are also put into question because they are based on predictions made by other scientists.

While the fuel behind the population growth of the spiders remains a mystery, the scientists noticed a difference in environments where they thrive.

“But we’ve been collecting some data, for the past couple of 3 years and we definitely see that where there’s a lot of joro spiders, you don’t have a lot of native spiders,” Coyle said. “So I think they it seems like they sort of crowd them out.”  

University of Georgia Research Scientist Andrew Davis conducted an experiment in which he tested the response times of the spiders. For the experiment, they collected fully developed female joro and golden silk spiders. They also collected datasets detailing the startle responses of other species of spiders to compare to joro spiders.

Each spider was placed in a plastic container, where there were two puff of air blown on them with a turkey baster.  

Reviewers did not believe the experiment was natural. While Davis agreed with this critique, he felt that it was better to conduct the experiment away from disturbances in nature.  

From their observations, they found that joro spiders remained frozen longer than any of the other species of spiders. Their shyness is a response to potential disruptions in the environment. However, Davis believes that their shyness also may be essential in their survival in highly human populated areas. 

According to Davis, joro spiders are spreading to the cool temperatures in the North, similar to those in their native region. While the spiders have established themselves in the South, they favor Northern temperatures. This will pose a problem in the future, as they will continue to spread throughout the United States.   

Joro spiders are still a mystery to scientists. While spider personalities are still unknown, Davis believes that learning them will be the key to figuring out the future population growth of the spiders. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, "about 3% to 15% of the population has arachnophobia." The spiders can also be learning lessons on facing this fear. While their appearance may be intimidating, they exhibit timid behavior.   

Just like any other species of spiders, joro spiders only bite humans when they are physically restricted and feel threatened.  

When someone sees a spider on their property, their first instinct is to exterminate it. This process often involves the use of toxins. However, what they don’t realize is that those toxins will also harm other organisms that live there.  

Instead of fearing the joro, Davis suggests naming it. 

“And it’s harder to kill something that you’ve named,” Davis said. 

Resources:

Arachnophobia (Fear of Spiders). Cleveland Clinic. 2021.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21852-arachnophobia-fear-of-spiders