Month: April 2021

President Joe Biden’s announcement he is withdrawing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11 is seen as an end to America’s longest war. But is it and will there be ramifications with no U.S. military presence in Afghanistan?

A conflict that was designed to drive out the ruling Taliban and eliminate a safe haven for the terrorists, that included those that planned and carried out the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S., has resulted in 2,200 Americans dead and 20,000 wounded.

Chris Mason, Ph.D., Professor of National Security Affairs, Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College in Carlisle joins us on Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss the way forward in Afghanistan.

Reduction in COVID testing causing concern

Rick Bowmer / Associated Press

FILE PHOTO: Christian Kirkham is tested for COVID-19 on Nov. 17, 2020, in Salt Lake City.

Many infectious disease specialists and other health experts say getting 80% of the population vaccinated against COVID-19 and possibly reaching herd immunity could be the keys to ending the pandemic and returning to normal. So, it’s not a surprise that since December when the first vaccine became available, vaccinations have become the center of attention and the priority for most Americans.

Before the vaccines, testing individuals for COVID to track the virus was the most important tool available to strategize mitigations efforts and treatments.

The number of tests for COVID is down – way down in some places – and we rarely hear about testing today.

Does that mean testing isn’t useful any longer?

Appearing on Thursday’s Smart Talk to answer that questions is Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

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If you travel to a European country in the near future, you’ll have to prove that you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. Airlines and cruise ships may do the same. Several professional sports teams want proof of testing or a vaccination before allowing fans into their stadiums or arenas.

Will that card those vaccinated receive showing that the holder has gotten his or her shots act as a vaccine passport and be required before being admitted to some places, businesses or events?

It has raised privacy issues for some.

On Wednesday’s Smart Talk, we discuss vaccine passports and privacy with Michael L. Seavers, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Healthcare Informatics, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Erik Hefti, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Domestic violence rates on the rise and insight for prevention

There are reports from across the country and even around the world that incidents of domestic violence have increased during the coronavirus pandemic.

During the last year, more couples and families have been at home together – many that have lost jobs or income or have turned to alcohol or drugs.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence is on a campaign to prevent domestic violence rather than just make the public aware of it.

PCADV Director of Prevention Kristen Herman joins us on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to talk about the messages.

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Pa. Republican lawmakers and the U.S. Capitol attack

As part of WITF’s commitment to standing with facts, and because the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol was an attempt to overthrow representative democracy in America, we are marking elected officials’ connections to the insurrection. Read more about this commitment.

In stories, we will use language that identifies lawmakers who took at least one of these actions: signed on to a Texas lawsuit aimed at invalidating Pennsylvania’s election; signed on to a state House or a state Senate letter urging Congressional representatives to object to or delay certification; and voted against certification. Those actions supported President Donald Trump’s election-fraud lie, causing many of his supporters to believe incorrectly that the election had been stolen, and that led to an assault on the U.S. Capitol.

The list of lawmakers is here.

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The Byrnes Health Education Center is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. What started in York has reached out across the country and delivered seven and a half million health lessons to children and adults.

Much has changed when it comes to health and health education over the past 25 years. Back then, there wasn’t vaping or Obamacare — let alone a President Obama. On Tuesday’s program, we examine the health concerns that Americans had then and what are the issues that require or they want education on today.

Appearing on Tuesday’s Smart Talk to discuss the history of health education and what’s important today are Anne Bahn, President/CEO, Byrnes Health Education Center,
Jamie Reisinger, Vice President of Education, Byrnes Health Education Center, and Chris Baldrige, Executive Director, Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation along with the Center’s Founder
Susan P. Byrnes.

Five actions to help threatened and endangered species

How can an animal or plant recover enough to be taken off the endangered species list? A group of educators studied that question and found time on the list, money and being an animal with a backbone – a vertebrae — helps. Forty-six species have been removed from the endangered species list.

Researchers listed five factors that decision-makers can take to accelerate the recovery of imperiled species.

Millersville University Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Aaron Haines contributed to the research that centered on recovering species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and joins us on Tuesday’s Smart Talk.

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Pa. Republican lawmakers and the U.S. Capitol attack

As part of WITF’s commitment to standing with facts, and because the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol was an attempt to overthrow representative democracy in America, we are marking elected officials’ connections to the insurrection. Read more about this commitment.

In stories, we will use language that identifies lawmakers who took at least one of these actions: signed on to a Texas lawsuit aimed at invalidating Pennsylvania’s election; signed on to a state House or a state Senate letter urging Congressional representatives to object to or delay certification; and voted against certification. Those actions supported President Donald Trump’s election-fraud lie, causing many of his supporters to believe incorrectly that the election had been stolen, and that led to an assault on the U.S. Capitol.

The list of lawmakers is here.

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Last week, The Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a bill establishing a two-year window for victims of sexual abuse to file civil claims. The legislation now goes before the Senate so it still has some hurdles to clear.

Giving abuse victims an opportunity for justice has been a passion for Democratic State Representative Mark Rozzi of Berks County – an abuse survivor himself.

Rep. Rozzi appears on Monday’s Smart Talk to discuss the two-year window and whether Pennsylvania’s Constitution will ever address the issue.

Majority of Americans accept climate change is caused by humans

A recent national poll finds that three quarters of Americans are confident that temperatures have risen on Earth over the past four decades. However, those polled seemed to be less certain about the causes. Nearly six in 10 identify human activity as the reason temperatures are rising but almost half point to a combination of human activity and the natural cycle of the Earth’s environment.

The National Surveys on Energy and Environment was conducted by Muhlenberg College’s Institute of Public Opinion.

Christopher Borick, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science and Director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion joins us on Monday’s Smart Talk.

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Pa. Republican lawmakers and the U.S. Capitol attack

As part of WITF’s commitment to standing with facts, and because the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol was an attempt to overthrow representative democracy in America, we are marking elected officials’ connections to the insurrection. Read more about this commitment.

In stories, we will use language that identifies lawmakers who took at least one of these actions: signed on to a Texas lawsuit aimed at invalidating Pennsylvania’s election; signed on to a state House or a state Senate letter urging Congressional representatives to object to or delay certification; and voted against certification. Those actions supported President Donald Trump’s election-fraud lie, causing many of his supporters to believe incorrectly that the election had been stolen, and that led to an assault on the U.S. Capitol.

The list of lawmakers is here.

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If you can’t move over, you must slow down — way down.

Effective April 27, 2021, the Move Over Law in Pennsylvania will require drivers take immediate action when approaching an emergency response area along any roadway. If able, drivers should merge into a lane further away from the “response area,” but if that isn’t possible they are required to slow to at least 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.

An emergency response area is where an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing, or where road crews or emergency responders have lighted flares, posted signs, or try to warn travelers.

Barbara L. Zortman, is the Director of the Center for Traffic Safety and she appears on Smart Talk Friday to discuss the new law and the increased penalties for failing to comply.

Noise pollution and the impact on health

Everyday, we are exposed to noise in varying intensity.

Excessive noise is linked a long list of physical conditions and a negative impact on mental health, and the problem is only getting worse.

Ted Rueter, Director of Noise Free America joins Smart Talk Friday to share what can be done to affect the noise problem.

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Pa. Republican lawmakers and the U.S. Capitol attack

As part of WITF’s commitment to standing with facts, and because the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol was an attempt to overthrow representative democracy in America, we are marking elected officials’ connections to the insurrection. Read more about this commitment.

In stories, we will use language that identifies lawmakers who took at least one of these actions: signed on to a Texas lawsuit aimed at invalidating Pennsylvania’s election; signed on to a state House or a state Senate letter urging Congressional representatives to object to or delay certification; and voted against certification. Those actions supported President Donald Trump’s election-fraud lie, causing many of his supporters to believe incorrectly that the election had been stolen, and that led to an assault on the U.S. Capitol.

The list of lawmakers is here.

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Soon after former President Donald Trump tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, he received and credited a little-known antibody treatment for making him feel better almost immediately.

The treatment has been called transformative in the fight against the disease, as it is shown to cut the risk of death or hospitalization by nearly 70-percent.

In 2020, the FDA authorized the treatment for emergency use and UPMC began offering Monoclonal antibody infusions to eligible patients with significant results.

Dr. Richard Wadas, M.D., Emergency Medicine Physician and co-lead of UPMC monoclonal antibody efforts appears on Smart Talk Thursday to discuss eligibility and efficacy of the treatment.

Smart Talk is also joined by Dr. John Goldman, M.D., Infectious Disease specialist, with UPMC to offer insight to other COVID issues and treatments, and will answer vaccine questions.

For more information on Monoclonal Antibody treatment call the UPMC Pinnacle Nurse Advice team at 1-866-9-NURSE1 (1-866-968-7731) or 717-988-T0074.

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Americans are numb to the statistics: Every day, more than 100 Americans are killed with guns and more than 230 are shot and wounded. These numbers reflect everyday gun violence, accentuated periodically by events that stand out by the number of lives lost.

The number of mass shootings in 2021 is staggering: The United States has witnessed 103 mass shootings in 29 different states (and Washington D.C.) in the 82 days of 2021.

Where do we go from here? Adam Garber, executive director of CeaseFirePA, which describes itself as the commonwealth’s statewide gun violence prevention advocacy group, says the only way is to establish a common agenda for change. He joins Smart Talk Wednesday.

Making Daylight Savings Time permanent

Spring forward or fall back — an easy way to remember which way to move clocks twice a year when daylight savings reminders roll around.

Daylight savings began during World War I as an energy saving measure; set clocks forward by one hour when there is longer daylight during day, then set clocks back again six months later when the time and light adjustment no longer matters.

Now, there is a nationwide movement to make DST the standard time all year.

Republican state Senator Scott Martin of Lancaster County appears on Smart Talk Wednesday to lay out the argument for a permanent change in Pennsylvania.

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Millions of Americans experience a common and sometimes debilitating condition called tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.

Many people call the noise a ringing sound, but for others it can vary from a ringing sound to buzzing, clicking or rushing noises. It can be constant or intermittent, steady or variable, and in one or both ears.

For some, the noise is so deafening that it can be life changing. There are many causes for tinnitus, some treatments, but often no cure.

Dr. Mark Whitaker, MD, Otolaryngologist, Penn State Health and Dr. Jill S. McClelland, Au.D., CCC-A, Managing Audiologist, Penn State Health, appear on Smart Talk Tuesday to discuss this common, and often frustrating, condition.

*Lister contributed organization that promotes quiet*

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The “Sunshine Vitamin” and Health

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Children’s advocates are raising concerns about the sharp drop in child-abuse reports during the last year.

As schools and care-settings closed doors because of the pandemic, child-abuse reports dropped significantly. This has been attributed to kids spending more time at home and away from teachers and caregivers, who are often the first people to note potential problems and make the reports.

Are there other factors that could cause abuse case numbers to drop? Smart Talk Friday is joined by Jon Rubin, Deputy Secretary for the Human Services Department’s Office of Children, Youth and Families and Angela Liddle, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance who will share their insight to this issue.

To report suspected abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.

Local woman to swim English Channel

Jeannie Zappe on-board a support boat during an English Channel relay swim in 2017. Photo provided by Jeannie Zappe

Which is easier, running a marathon or swimming one? The answer is neither! Both are elite sporting events that require months of training, preparation and mental perseverance.

Open water marathon swimmer Jeannie Zappe, of Mechanicsburg, is no stranger to long-distance swims, having completed three of the top open water challenges as part of a relay. Now, she is training to solo swim the English Channel; considered by many to be the ultimate long distance challenge.

Zappe appears on Smart Talk Friday to share what it takes to prepare for the 21-mile swim from England to France.

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