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Rural California Transit Agency Reinvents Itself During COVID

Carl Smith

August 31, 2020 |

Governing |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, California

The coronavirus pandemic drastically reduced the ridership of the Monterey-Salinas Transit District, so the system shifted services to help the mostly rural community it serves. Despite cash-flow problems, unused drivers and vehicles helped Meals on Wheels deliver 8,000 meals to seniors and persons with disabilities, wi-fi-enabled commuter buses parked in rural areas to provide hot spots for students, and the system donated unused vehicles to groups serving veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and at-risk youth. The system continues to adjust to rapidly changing circumstances.

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How to Meet New People, Even at a Distance

Julia Hotz

August 29, 2020 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Coronavirus-related loneliness increased demand for groups that help people make personal connections and new friends, even if at a distance. A New York MeetUp, “I wanted to do that … just not alone”, has seen attendance at socially distanced activities increase. “Living Room Conversations,” an online platform where volunteers host discussions on timely topics, saw 1,000 new members since March and a 62% increase in page views. The groups encourage vulnerability and connection, but are not meant to replace professional mental-health counseling for those who are struggling with loneliness and other traumas.

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How Many Coronavirus Cases Are Happening In Schools? This Tracker Keeps Count

Simone Popperl Bo Hamby Steve Inskeep

August 28, 2020 |

NPR |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas

The National Education Association has launched a school-focused COVID-19 case tracker in the U.S., all thank to the efforts of a Kansas theater teacher. Alisha Morris started with an excel sheet and took to online searches to start logging the number of positive cases, first around her state, and later was tracking 48 U.S. states. By the time she handed off the data to the NEA, Morris, along with various volunteers "had logged over nearly 4,300 cases at more than 1,000 schools."

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Green teen memes: how TikTok could save the planet

Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu

August 28, 2020 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Many young TikTok users are sharing videos about environmental issues, like climate change and biodiversity, and it is leading to resource sharing, personal connections, and people reaching out to learn more about environmental topics like gardening, soil restoration, renewable energy, and environmental racism. Some believe the Covid-19 lockdown has increased engagement even further. A subculture called “grass TikTok” emerged to share information about plant species and has nearly 380 million views. The potential ban of TikTok in the US could lead to declining biodiversity engagement online.

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Project Uses AI to Maximize Meal Delivery to Students in Need

Ben Levine

August 27, 2020 |

Government Technology |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Using AI technology, home address data, and algorithms, the Metro21 Institute at Carnegie Mellon was able to find the best school bus routes to deliver school meals to students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The solution wouldn’t have worked with the help of a community of partners, leaders, and volunteers. “It truly has taken a village.”

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Anything — and anywhere — for a laugh

Nick A. Zaino

August 27, 2020 |

The Boston Globe |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

With many clubs closed due to Covid-19, some comics are performing online and at socially distanced outdoor events. Club owners are adapting to changing circumstances with outdoor stages. Drive-in shows are gaining popularity, where performers are projected on a big screen, audio is piped into cars, and horns and flashing lights replace laughter and applause. With audiences still a bit hesitant to go out and technology improving, some comics are embracing virtual events. Despite lower pay, they can draw audiences from greater geographical areas. More marketing investment would boost online viewership.

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A clever way to provide life-saving oxygen

Craig Langran

August 27, 2020 |

BBC |

Video |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: Uganda

A hospital in Uganda is using a new device created by scientists that produces oxygen without the use of electricity. Since the device has been introduced, 500 children have been treated with it and the mortality for children who have faced breathing problems has been reduced drastically.

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Could bartering become the new buying in a changed world?

Jessica Jones

August 26, 2020 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: England, London

Bartering has surged in popularity as neighbors and community members seek hard-to-find items during the pandemic. Groups with thousands of members have emerged, and people are trading household items as well as their time in the form of piano lessons, help around the house, language coaching and more. Businesses have also benefited from bartering and have increased their yearly business by 10 to 15 percent by swapping services with other entrepreneurs.

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Deradicalizing Militants the High-Tech Way

Tereza Engelová

August 26, 2020 |

HlídacíPes.org |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Czech Republic

Czech Technical University's online learning platform, HERMES, combats terrorism based on proven methods of deradicalization of former jihadists and preventing recruitment of new people to terrorism. Interactive exercises and other tools teach prison and court officials to separate radical jihadists from other prisoners. As thousands of people imprisoned on terrorism charges finish serving their sentences and are released from prisons, the programs also target community-based spread of radical thought, including with job opportunities for former prisoners.

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‘Digital Detroit' Works to Bridge Digital Divide for Small and Micro Businesses

Kristi Eaton

August 25, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

The city of Detroit is offering business services to entrepreneurs who want to bring their business online in the aftermath of the pandemic. Digital Detroit is the name of the program offering content creation and website development completely free of charge for a variety of businesses. Over 100 businesses were selected for the five-week program, helping the entrepreneurs to move their services online, creating, and launching websites as well as establishing social media presence, all of which has gone a long way in increasing sales and profits.

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