VOA – CONNECT
EPISODE 124
AIR DATE 05 29 2020
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
Capturing the Moment
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
My day job as a hygienist requires me to read people and to
kind of be flexible in going with what makes them most
comfortable.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Shifting Gears
((Ian Talbot, Cosplayer))
We have a lot of friends in the medical field and stuff and
just, “What can we do to help instead of just sitting at home
watching Netflix?” although, if you are home, watching
Netflix, great, do that.
((Robert Tovani, Cosplayer))
Stay there.
((Ian Talbot, Cosplayer))
Stay there!
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Sleeping Well
((Aarthi Pai Vemana, Sleep Pediatrician, Pediatric and
Adolescent Sleep Center))
Start off by having a good Bedtime Routine.
((Banner: Bedtime Routine))
And that Bedtime Routine doesn’t have to be anything
complicated, but it should be the same few steps done in the
same order at the same time every night.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) FRONTLINE WORKERS
((Banner: Back at Work))
((Reporter/Camera: Aaron Fedor))
((Producer / Interviewer: Suzanne Crowe))
((Editor: Stefan Pildes))
((Map: Bayonne, New Jersey))
((Main characters: 1 female; 2 male))
((NATS))
((Dr. Peter J. Wong, Director of Cardiology, Bayonne
Medical Center, CarePoint Health))
I'm Peter Wong. We're at Bayonne Medical Center and I
run the cardiology department here at Bayonne. There are
first responders and then there are first responders and
there are two people who I know, they developed the
disease and the first thing that they did after three to four
weeks of severe illness, is come right back to the front.
((Dr. Alfredo L. Rabines, Chief Medical Officer, Director
of Emergency Medicine, Bayonne Medical Center,
CarePoint Health))
I have had COVID. I tested COVID-positive early in April. I
had classic symptoms of sore throat. Then I developed a
fever and chills, body aches and was sick for about 15 days.
((Connie Maranan, Registered Nurse, Bayonne Medical
Center, CarePoint Health))
I work in the emergency room. I've been here in Bayonne
Medical Center for almost 11 years now. I'm a certified ER
nurse. I'm also a COVID recovery patient. When they told
me I had COVID, that's the time that I said, "Oh gosh." I
panicked. I was so short of breath.
((Connie Maranan, Registered Nurse, Bayonne Medical
Center, CarePoint Health))
I have two kids. One is in New York and one is a 17-year
old who stayed with me at home. When I was really sick, I
felt so disgusted because I cannot hug my son anymore. I
said goodbye to my kids already. I told my oldest son, "You
have money for college. I put it on the side." My mother
died when I was five and I said I'm not going to leave them
like that.
((Dr. Alfredo L. Rabines, Chief Medical Officer & Director
of Emergency Medicine, Bayonne Medical Center,
CarePoint Health))
I have a wonderful husband and we've been married for two
years. We are currently having a baby girl in September.
So, we're about 23 weeks pregnant with a surrogate.
Bringing a child into the world right now is, it scares me. In
general, we have to, you know, be very cautious about
newborns with infection. Come September, I hope there's
some better way to test and be comfortable that I wouldn't
get COVID. I want to feel comfortable going near my child.
((Connie Maranan, Registered Nurse, Bayonne Medical
Center, CarePoint Health))
A week after I had the COVID, that's the only time I relaxed.
That's the only time I said, "Okay, I can do this." I came
back to work sixteen days after I was diagnosed with
COVID.
((Dr. Alfredo L. Rabines, Chief Medical Officer & Director
of Emergency Medicine, Bayonne Medical Center,
CarePoint Health))
When I completely recovered, I returned to the emergency
room immediately. My staff was in need of support. They
needed my direction and just let them know that it's okay to
come back as long as you follow the institutional guidelines.
It was so good to be back.
((Connie Maranan, Registered Nurse, Bayonne Medical
Center, CarePoint Health))
My perspective is different. The way I treated the patient is
different, different after because I have experienced it.
((Dr. Alfredo L. Rabines, Chief Medical Officer & Director
of Emergency Medicine, Bayonne Medical Center,
CarePoint Health))
It really felt so good to be back.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((PKG)) FRONT STEPS PHOTOGRAPHER
((Banner: Portraits in Time))
((Reporter/Camera: Matt Dibble))
((Adapted by: Zdenko Novacki))
((Map: Oakland, California))
((Main characters: 1 female))
((NATS))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
My name is Belinda. I am volunteering my time to
photograph and document families during the pandemic.
((NATS:
Belinda: And how long have you guys lived here?
Man, woman: Twenty-eight years.
Belinda: Wow.))
((Stills Courtesy: Belinda Agamaite))
((NATS))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
Kind of new to this but loving it so far and meeting a lot of
fabulous people. I’m a dental hygienist by day. The dental
field is shut down with the limitations to only emergency. It
gave me purpose, spread kindness and I can do something
that I love to do.
((NATS:
Belinda: Look here. Whoo! She’s like, “You're crazy.
You’re crazy.” Right there. Ready? Ready? What are you
doing?))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
They've been just in their own little bubble. And so, to have
somebody come outside and just interact with them and then
bring them out.
((Stills Courtesy: Belinda Agamaite))
((NATS:
Belinda: Oh, my goodness. Did you see him go like that?))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
My day job as a hygienist requires me to read people and to
kind of be flexible in going with what makes them most
comfortable.
((NATS:
Woman: Come here, sweetie pie.
Belinda: Oh, my God. Are you kidding me right now?
Oh, my God.))
((Stills Courtesy: Belinda Agamaite))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
Everyone brings something unique with every photo, which I
find really fascinating. I find people fascinating.
((Stills Courtesy: Belinda Agamaite))
((NATS))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
I think the important part of this also is the documentation for
their family. Children will go back. “Look at my great
grandma. This was during the pandemic of 2020. Look
what they did.”
((NATS:
Belinda: What do you want to do?
Child: The rainbow.
Belinda: OK. Silly face. Silly face.))
((Stills Courtesy: Belinda Agamaite))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
This pandemic has kind of slowed everyone down. The light
in this whole thing is the reconnecting of the basics of
humanity with each other and that's what I like about it. I’m
meeting all these people that would not meet otherwise and
how kind everyone has been. Oh, my God. So much
kindness and so many interesting people. Big, little, four
legs, two legs.
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
I find, you know, what makes people tick? You know, what
brings out the good side, the bad side? I think we're all
good. I think we're all good. We just have bad days and you
got to forgive somebody for those bad days.
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Getting Creative
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
What I’ve been doing to help out with the Covid-19 response
is creating 3-D printed PPE. So, the design I’m using is
something called the face shield. I have two designs, this
one and this one.
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) 3D MASK MAKERS
((Banner: Creative Mask Making))
((Reporter/Camera: Genia Dulot))
((Map: Long Beach, California))
((Main characters: 2 male))
((Banner: Cosplayers in California are using their 3D
printers to provide hospitals with masks and ventilator parts))
((NATS))
((Robert Tovani, Cosplayer))
It’s a 3D-printed cowl or helmet. It’s like a mask basically but
it’s specifically designed and tailored to fit my face
exactly. Because of that, it’s kind of difficult to get on
because it is a rigid, hard plastic. But the amount of time
that it takes to make something like this is, and cost even is
far superior than it would be to sculpting it, molding it,
casting it. We are cosplayers. We are comic book nerds
and fans of comic book culture and everything like that.
((Stills Courtesy: Robert Tovani))
So we are naturally inclined to craft things and
creativity. That led me to a job at the Long Beach Public
Library, teaching 3D design and 3D printing, which led me to
purchasing one, which I’ve used to make costumes and
props and things like that for cosplay.
((NATS))
((Ian Talbot, Cosplayer))
We have a lot of friends in the medical field and stuff and
just, “What can we do to help instead of just sitting at home
watching Netflix?” although, if you are home, watching
Netflix, great, do that.
((Robert Tovani, Cosplayer))
Stay there.
((Ian Talbot, Cosplayer))
Stay there!
This is what we’ve done in one week on two machines.
With the masks, they are done in three pieces. There is the
front nose part. There’s the inside. There’s like a shield and
in between that is the four layers of MERV-13 filters. With
COVID-19, everyone’s, you know, needs help on the
respirators or the ventilator machines. This is a way that two
people can use one machine now. So, it splits off, kind of
like, you know, back in the day, you had for Walkman and
you could let two people could listen to it at the same
time. So, two people can use one machine now. So, we’re
just basically going to the friends, you know, the people who
are actually doing the jobs right now and just reaching out to
them first because that’s easier.
((Robert Tovani, Cosplayer))
There is a gray area and we talked about this before, where
hospitals are not supposed to accept anything from a non-
medical professional. However, they have been reaching
out to other people because they just need anything rather
than nothing. And that’s why we are kind of trying to go out
of our way to make sure that these things are able to
withstand the processes that they would go through for
sanitization.
So, we’ve switched to these ones here, which are the high
heat plastic. So, they’ll melt at a much higher rate, higher
temperature. They are a lot sturdier. They are going to last
longer. They can withstand being sanitized over and over
and over again.
((Ian Talbot, Cosplayer))
We have set up an Amazon wish list. So, whatever people
buy on there, gets shipped directly and we are just using it.
People get weird about like sending money or things like
that. What’s it actually going to? And yeah, and we just
want to do this. We are not trying to make anything out of
this or whatever. We’re just trying to help.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((PKG)) 3D FACE SHIELDS
((Banner: A More Traditional Approach))
((Reporter: Faiza Elmasry))
((Video Editor: Lisa Vohra))
((Video from/Camera: Eric Bubar, Mary Mount University))
((Map: Fairfax, Virginia))
((Main character: 1 male))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
My name is Eric Bubar. I’m the associate professor of
physics at Mary Mount University in Arlington, Virginia.
What I’ve been doing to help out with the Covid-19 response
is creating 3-D printed PPE. So, the design I’m using is
something called the face shield. I have two designs, this
one and this one. These are actually not my designs. They
are open sourced. They’re created by other individuals.
So, this was created by a company named Prusa Research.
They’re very well known in the 3D printing industry for having
very reliable 3D printers. And then this is the Verkstan
design made from a Swedish design firm.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
These are what I am creating, not what I came up with, just
using the open sourced designs that were made available for
anybody that has a 3-D Printer to download and create.
((Courtesy: Eric Bubar))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
What is 3-D printing? It’s a way to do manufacturing. It’s
called additive manufacturing in some circles. And what you
do is you take some plastic in the form of a filament and you
extrude it through a very, very hot nozzle. That nozzle melts
the plastic and it lays down a little bit of plastic in whatever
shape you want. As soon as the plastic hits the, what we
call the built plate, it kind of cools off and solidifies. Then the
little nozzle will go up just a little bit and draw another layer
on top of that and build up whatever 3-D shape you can
imagine.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
So, if you look very closely at this 3-D print, you can see that
there are different layers. So, a 3-D printer builds up
whatever shape you want, layer by layer by layer.
((Courtesy: Eric Bubar))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
So altogether, this one takes probably about four hours to
fabricate one, whereas this one, the 3D Verkstan, this 3D
print takes about 40 minutes to print one of these little
headbands. And then, the shield itself is a very thick
overhead transparency that takes about, maybe, five
minutes to hole punch, three hole punch to get it to pop onto
these little pegs. So, this one takes, maybe, 45 minutes to
create one.
((Courtesy: Eric Bubar))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
So, currently the shields are being used by a variety of
different healthcare professionals, in hospitals, in community
health centers, in elder care facilities. People like that these
3D printed shields are sanitizable so they can reuse them.
They can clean them very easily.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
And regarding changes that we might make to these face
shields, we’re always open to more feedback.
((Courtesy: Eric Bubar))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
And we’ve gotten some feedback that some providers would
like a little bit more length on the bottom of it, so that it kind
of interfaces with their sternum a little bit better, so that it
kind of blocks off any transition into the bottom. And some
providers want a visor over the top. So, on this Prusa
design, you can see that this is open. This is meant to
ventilate air so that it doesn’t fog up, but it does allow some
particulates can get down in there, so, maybe, some visor to
cover that portion up. Those are the two big pieces of
feedback that we’ve gotten that we’re trying to come up with
adaptations for and adjustments. But currently what we’re
trying to do is stick with designs that are recommended by
NIH print exchange. These are the ones that have been
approved for clinical use.
((NATS/MUSIC))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Practice Time
((SOT))
((Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher and Zade, Student))
OK, can you play this now a little faster?
((NATS/MUSIC))
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) DRIVE-IN MOVIES
((Banner: The Big Screen))
((Reporter/Camera: Aaron Fedor))
((Producer: Kathleen McLaughlin))
((Editor: Stefan Pildes))
((Map: Astoria, New York))
((Main characters: 1 female; 1 male))
((Sub characters: 3 female; 3 male))
((Banner: One of the world’s most ethnically diverse
neighborhoods. New York’s Astoria is seeing an all-
American pastime make a comeback during the pandemic))
((NATS))
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
We are at Bel Aire Diner. Bel Aire Diner has been in
business for about 60 years.
I'm born and raised in Astoria, same block and everything.
Astoria is just a cute little community. I went to high school
in Astoria. I went to middle school in Astoria. I worked here
a couple of years ago. I came back and we're all talking.
And they were talking about the drive-in and how exciting it
was to plan it. And then we all came together.
((NATS))
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
We're really happy that so many people are excited about
the event. It sold out yesterday in two minutes. I wish I
could fit a thousand people in the parking lot. I wish I could
fit everybody in there, but we're very grateful for it.
((NATS))
((Rachel, Moviegoer))
When I saw the drive-in, I thought it was a great idea. It was
a good use of the space that they have here, since there's a
parking lot here, to get people to be socially distant but still
get to enjoy, like, use their food and do something a little bit
more fun than what we've been able to do.
((NATS))
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
Hi guys. Can I just see the reservation? All right. Perfect.
Mary, Mary Chun, I got you right here. Okay, guys. Enjoy
the movie. Okay.
((Moviegoer))
Thank you.
((Rachel, Moviegoer))
Astoria is a really wonderful neighborhood. I've lived here
for almost 10 years. There's a lot of different types of people
here which what I like about it and why I stay here.
((NATS))
((Harry Mavromichalis, Moviegoer))
I was born and raised abroad, so I've never been in a drive-
in. This is my first time and very excited.
((Anthoula Katsimatides, Moviegoer))
We’re very excited.
((Peter Dellaportas, Restaurant Owner, Bel Aire Diner))
Our first movie helped first responders. With every popcorn
sold, we had a meal for first responders. Our second movie
was for our local precinct which is the 114 Precinct which is
on Astoria Boulevard.
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
Basically, we're just doing family-friendly, feel-good movies.
((NATS))
((Jeffrey Bloom, Moviegoer))
I heard about it from my girlfriend. She was really excited to
go to it because she had never been to a drive-in movie
before. It's a new experience. It's not something I haven't
heard of happening since the '80s.
((Katarina Soto, Moviegoer))
And I mostly came just for the experience of going to a drive-
in.
((Rachel, Moviegoer))
Getting a drive-in movie is not something you expect to have
in New York City, so it's kind of nice to have like something
that feels very old-fashioned and American.
((Joe, Moviegoer))
When my wife and I were dating years ago, they used to
have drive-ins. They've since then closed them all up and
they had some in Long Island, upstate, Westchester. And
we used to go to them often.
((Anthoula Katsimatides, Moviegoer))
And, you know, we're at a diner. We're in a drive-in theater.
We're going to have some burgers, I think. And we're
watching a movie about baseball. So, it's the quintessential
kind of American, you know, evening tonight. All credit to
the Bel Aire Diner.
((Peter Dellaportas, Restaurant Owner, Bel Aire Diner))
One of my favorite movies like, is Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I
mean, hopefully in the future, we have a drive-in of that
because it's like a classic. I feel like everyone can enjoy
that.
((Margaret, Moviegoer))
Well, my favorite movie is Overboard.
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
Rocket Man was my favorite movie. It's my favorite movie
ever.
((Katarina Soto, Moviegoer))
I definitely want to see West Side Story. That would be
amazing to see, especially in New York.
((Jeffrey Bloom, Moviegoer))
I would want to see probably Star Wars.
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
For the Dirty Dancing movie - and I actually posted it on our
social media - for the second showing. Windows must've
been cracked a little bit because it was cooler. And as soon
as Patrick Swayze lifted her up, everybody started singing.
Everybody was applauding and laughing. And it was just
such a heartfelt moment. Everybody was just so happy to
be together. And I look forward to those moments every
time we do a drive-in.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((PKG)) MUSIC TEACHER
((Banner: Virtual Piano Lessons))
((Reporter/Camera: Genia Dulot))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((Main character: 1 female))
((Sub character: 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher))
I came to the States in 1992. I fell in love with American
guy. He fell in love with me. We met in Moscow through my
friend. Five months later, I was here and I love this
country. I have Master’s degree in both, Master’s degree in
singing, vocal and Master’s degree in piano. I couldn’t do
nothing for me than a year. I started learning English, then I
start teaching students and then I opened my first school. It
was in 1998.
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((NATS: Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher and Zade,
Student))
Marina: Oh, who do I see! Zade! Hello! Good to see you!
Zade: Hi.
Marina: Hi. Well, Zade, are you hungry?
Zade: No, I just ate lunch.
Marina: Perfect! Perfect timing then for music! Ok, let me
see. What you are going to play for me first?
Zade: Song eight.
Marina: Song eight? My favorite. Let’s do it.
((Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher))
It was my dream actually for a long time because I have
students that used to be here with me and then they left to
another state and I always thought, how is that to do it
online? Maybe, one day I will figure it out. But this time, I
was forced to figure it out, so I did. With coronavirus,
because one day they said, schools are closed, cannot run
the business. Okay, so one week I didn’t know what to
do. But then I started calling them and I said, “Would you
like to try online?” And some parents say, “Yes,
please, we need it!” And some parents say, “Online? What
is that? How do you do that?”
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((NATS: Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher and Zade,
Student))
Marina: That’s right, very good! OK, can you play this now
a little faster?
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher))
So, the teacher is on the screen, the student is on the other
side of the screen and it can be directed through their
hands. There is a camera that is movable around, so I can
direct it on the notes, I can point to the keyboard.
You know, it’s probably not that difficult to do. The difficult
part is how to make them interested online because you are
not there, cannot point at the notes and you cannot do
personal things that you do when they are here. So, it is
actually hard work.
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((Adriana, Student’s Mom))
It’s part of their daily learning. I mean they just use the
internet all the time and it’s not strange for them. My kids
seem to adapt pretty well. The only thing is I have to be very
careful that at home, we have a quiet environment and they
are not distracted with other things because at least in the
classroom setting that’s it, they are forced to focus. But at
home, you know, if we are walking or around doing other
things, it’s possible that they can get distracted.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher))
Of course, it takes away personal approach and smiles and
the movements. It does but these days, everything is on the
screen and we could be there on the screen or we could be
not on the screen, so we lose. It’s better to be there.
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((NATS: Marina Simpkins singing, playing piano))
Marina: Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight.
I wish I made a wish…..
((NATS/MUSIC))
((PKG)) QUARANTINE WELLNESS - SLEEP TIPS
((Banner: A Good Night’s Sleep))
((Reporter: Lisa Vohra))
((Camera: Lisa Vohra, Philip Alexiou))
((Map: Vienna, Virginia))
((Main character: 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Aarthi Pai Vemana, Sleep Pediatrician, Pediatric and
Adolescent Sleep Center))
Hi, I’m Dr. Aarthi Vemana, Co-director of the Pediatric and
Adolescent Sleep Center. The Covid-19 pandemic has had
a huge impact on everyone’s daily lives. Now, we do have
more time at home to focus on sleep, but sleep is really
difficult in stressful periods. So, I wanted to take a few
moments to talk to you guys about having a good sleep
schedule
((Banner: Good Sleep Schedule))
and how to maintain that sleep schedule during the
quarantine period. Start off by having a good bedtime
routine.
((Banner: Bedtime Routine))
And that bedtime routine doesn’t have to be anything
complicated, but it should be the same few steps done in the
same order at the same time every night.
This helps your brain realize that it’s time to wind down to go
to sleep. The next morning, make sure that you’re waking
up around the same time every day and keep yourself on a
schedule.
((Banner: Daily Schedule))
That schedule should include exercise and that exercise is
best done during the daytime, if possible.
At night, make sure that you’re putting your screens away
about an hour
((Banner: An Hour))
before you go to bed. This helps to minimize your blue light
exposure and that’s important because blue light can trick
your brain into thinking that it’s daylight outside.
But more importantly during these stressful Covid-19 times,
the content of what we are looking at on the screens, can be
very stressful and can be very anxiety provoking for young
ones. So, instead of using screens, spend some time
together as a family.
((Banner: Spend Time Together))
Talk about all the good things that have happened during the
day and focus on the positive. This will help to distress
everyone’s brains, right before bedtime. If you’re still having
trouble,
((Banner: Reading & Relaxation))
reading or guided relaxation is a great option to help focus
your brain on something that’s not related to Covid-19. I
hope everyone stays home and that they stay healthy.
((NATS))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
((PKG)) FREE PRESS MATTERS ((NATS/VIDEO/GFX))
((Popup captions over B Roll))
Near the Turkish Embassy
Washington, D.C.
May 16, 2017
President Erdogan’s bodyguard attacks peaceful protesters
“Those terrorists deserved to be beaten”
“They should not be protesting our president”
“They got what they asked for”
While some people may turn away from the news
We cover it
reliably
accurately
objectively
comprehensively
wherever the news matters
VOA
A Free Press Matters
BREAK THREE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
SHOW ENDS
EPISODE 124
AIR DATE 05 29 2020
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
Capturing the Moment
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
My day job as a hygienist requires me to read people and to
kind of be flexible in going with what makes them most
comfortable.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Shifting Gears
((Ian Talbot, Cosplayer))
We have a lot of friends in the medical field and stuff and
just, “What can we do to help instead of just sitting at home
watching Netflix?” although, if you are home, watching
Netflix, great, do that.
((Robert Tovani, Cosplayer))
Stay there.
((Ian Talbot, Cosplayer))
Stay there!
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Sleeping Well
((Aarthi Pai Vemana, Sleep Pediatrician, Pediatric and
Adolescent Sleep Center))
Start off by having a good Bedtime Routine.
((Banner: Bedtime Routine))
And that Bedtime Routine doesn’t have to be anything
complicated, but it should be the same few steps done in the
same order at the same time every night.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) FRONTLINE WORKERS
((Banner: Back at Work))
((Reporter/Camera: Aaron Fedor))
((Producer / Interviewer: Suzanne Crowe))
((Editor: Stefan Pildes))
((Map: Bayonne, New Jersey))
((Main characters: 1 female; 2 male))
((NATS))
((Dr. Peter J. Wong, Director of Cardiology, Bayonne
Medical Center, CarePoint Health))
I'm Peter Wong. We're at Bayonne Medical Center and I
run the cardiology department here at Bayonne. There are
first responders and then there are first responders and
there are two people who I know, they developed the
disease and the first thing that they did after three to four
weeks of severe illness, is come right back to the front.
((Dr. Alfredo L. Rabines, Chief Medical Officer, Director
of Emergency Medicine, Bayonne Medical Center,
CarePoint Health))
I have had COVID. I tested COVID-positive early in April. I
had classic symptoms of sore throat. Then I developed a
fever and chills, body aches and was sick for about 15 days.
((Connie Maranan, Registered Nurse, Bayonne Medical
Center, CarePoint Health))
I work in the emergency room. I've been here in Bayonne
Medical Center for almost 11 years now. I'm a certified ER
nurse. I'm also a COVID recovery patient. When they told
me I had COVID, that's the time that I said, "Oh gosh." I
panicked. I was so short of breath.
((Connie Maranan, Registered Nurse, Bayonne Medical
Center, CarePoint Health))
I have two kids. One is in New York and one is a 17-year
old who stayed with me at home. When I was really sick, I
felt so disgusted because I cannot hug my son anymore. I
said goodbye to my kids already. I told my oldest son, "You
have money for college. I put it on the side." My mother
died when I was five and I said I'm not going to leave them
like that.
((Dr. Alfredo L. Rabines, Chief Medical Officer & Director
of Emergency Medicine, Bayonne Medical Center,
CarePoint Health))
I have a wonderful husband and we've been married for two
years. We are currently having a baby girl in September.
So, we're about 23 weeks pregnant with a surrogate.
Bringing a child into the world right now is, it scares me. In
general, we have to, you know, be very cautious about
newborns with infection. Come September, I hope there's
some better way to test and be comfortable that I wouldn't
get COVID. I want to feel comfortable going near my child.
((Connie Maranan, Registered Nurse, Bayonne Medical
Center, CarePoint Health))
A week after I had the COVID, that's the only time I relaxed.
That's the only time I said, "Okay, I can do this." I came
back to work sixteen days after I was diagnosed with
COVID.
((Dr. Alfredo L. Rabines, Chief Medical Officer & Director
of Emergency Medicine, Bayonne Medical Center,
CarePoint Health))
When I completely recovered, I returned to the emergency
room immediately. My staff was in need of support. They
needed my direction and just let them know that it's okay to
come back as long as you follow the institutional guidelines.
It was so good to be back.
((Connie Maranan, Registered Nurse, Bayonne Medical
Center, CarePoint Health))
My perspective is different. The way I treated the patient is
different, different after because I have experienced it.
((Dr. Alfredo L. Rabines, Chief Medical Officer & Director
of Emergency Medicine, Bayonne Medical Center,
CarePoint Health))
It really felt so good to be back.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((PKG)) FRONT STEPS PHOTOGRAPHER
((Banner: Portraits in Time))
((Reporter/Camera: Matt Dibble))
((Adapted by: Zdenko Novacki))
((Map: Oakland, California))
((Main characters: 1 female))
((NATS))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
My name is Belinda. I am volunteering my time to
photograph and document families during the pandemic.
((NATS:
Belinda: And how long have you guys lived here?
Man, woman: Twenty-eight years.
Belinda: Wow.))
((Stills Courtesy: Belinda Agamaite))
((NATS))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
Kind of new to this but loving it so far and meeting a lot of
fabulous people. I’m a dental hygienist by day. The dental
field is shut down with the limitations to only emergency. It
gave me purpose, spread kindness and I can do something
that I love to do.
((NATS:
Belinda: Look here. Whoo! She’s like, “You're crazy.
You’re crazy.” Right there. Ready? Ready? What are you
doing?))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
They've been just in their own little bubble. And so, to have
somebody come outside and just interact with them and then
bring them out.
((Stills Courtesy: Belinda Agamaite))
((NATS:
Belinda: Oh, my goodness. Did you see him go like that?))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
My day job as a hygienist requires me to read people and to
kind of be flexible in going with what makes them most
comfortable.
((NATS:
Woman: Come here, sweetie pie.
Belinda: Oh, my God. Are you kidding me right now?
Oh, my God.))
((Stills Courtesy: Belinda Agamaite))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
Everyone brings something unique with every photo, which I
find really fascinating. I find people fascinating.
((Stills Courtesy: Belinda Agamaite))
((NATS))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
I think the important part of this also is the documentation for
their family. Children will go back. “Look at my great
grandma. This was during the pandemic of 2020. Look
what they did.”
((NATS:
Belinda: What do you want to do?
Child: The rainbow.
Belinda: OK. Silly face. Silly face.))
((Stills Courtesy: Belinda Agamaite))
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
This pandemic has kind of slowed everyone down. The light
in this whole thing is the reconnecting of the basics of
humanity with each other and that's what I like about it. I’m
meeting all these people that would not meet otherwise and
how kind everyone has been. Oh, my God. So much
kindness and so many interesting people. Big, little, four
legs, two legs.
((Belinda Agamaite, Volunteer Photographer))
I find, you know, what makes people tick? You know, what
brings out the good side, the bad side? I think we're all
good. I think we're all good. We just have bad days and you
got to forgive somebody for those bad days.
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Getting Creative
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
What I’ve been doing to help out with the Covid-19 response
is creating 3-D printed PPE. So, the design I’m using is
something called the face shield. I have two designs, this
one and this one.
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) 3D MASK MAKERS
((Banner: Creative Mask Making))
((Reporter/Camera: Genia Dulot))
((Map: Long Beach, California))
((Main characters: 2 male))
((Banner: Cosplayers in California are using their 3D
printers to provide hospitals with masks and ventilator parts))
((NATS))
((Robert Tovani, Cosplayer))
It’s a 3D-printed cowl or helmet. It’s like a mask basically but
it’s specifically designed and tailored to fit my face
exactly. Because of that, it’s kind of difficult to get on
because it is a rigid, hard plastic. But the amount of time
that it takes to make something like this is, and cost even is
far superior than it would be to sculpting it, molding it,
casting it. We are cosplayers. We are comic book nerds
and fans of comic book culture and everything like that.
((Stills Courtesy: Robert Tovani))
So we are naturally inclined to craft things and
creativity. That led me to a job at the Long Beach Public
Library, teaching 3D design and 3D printing, which led me to
purchasing one, which I’ve used to make costumes and
props and things like that for cosplay.
((NATS))
((Ian Talbot, Cosplayer))
We have a lot of friends in the medical field and stuff and
just, “What can we do to help instead of just sitting at home
watching Netflix?” although, if you are home, watching
Netflix, great, do that.
((Robert Tovani, Cosplayer))
Stay there.
((Ian Talbot, Cosplayer))
Stay there!
This is what we’ve done in one week on two machines.
With the masks, they are done in three pieces. There is the
front nose part. There’s the inside. There’s like a shield and
in between that is the four layers of MERV-13 filters. With
COVID-19, everyone’s, you know, needs help on the
respirators or the ventilator machines. This is a way that two
people can use one machine now. So, it splits off, kind of
like, you know, back in the day, you had for Walkman and
you could let two people could listen to it at the same
time. So, two people can use one machine now. So, we’re
just basically going to the friends, you know, the people who
are actually doing the jobs right now and just reaching out to
them first because that’s easier.
((Robert Tovani, Cosplayer))
There is a gray area and we talked about this before, where
hospitals are not supposed to accept anything from a non-
medical professional. However, they have been reaching
out to other people because they just need anything rather
than nothing. And that’s why we are kind of trying to go out
of our way to make sure that these things are able to
withstand the processes that they would go through for
sanitization.
So, we’ve switched to these ones here, which are the high
heat plastic. So, they’ll melt at a much higher rate, higher
temperature. They are a lot sturdier. They are going to last
longer. They can withstand being sanitized over and over
and over again.
((Ian Talbot, Cosplayer))
We have set up an Amazon wish list. So, whatever people
buy on there, gets shipped directly and we are just using it.
People get weird about like sending money or things like
that. What’s it actually going to? And yeah, and we just
want to do this. We are not trying to make anything out of
this or whatever. We’re just trying to help.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((PKG)) 3D FACE SHIELDS
((Banner: A More Traditional Approach))
((Reporter: Faiza Elmasry))
((Video Editor: Lisa Vohra))
((Video from/Camera: Eric Bubar, Mary Mount University))
((Map: Fairfax, Virginia))
((Main character: 1 male))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
My name is Eric Bubar. I’m the associate professor of
physics at Mary Mount University in Arlington, Virginia.
What I’ve been doing to help out with the Covid-19 response
is creating 3-D printed PPE. So, the design I’m using is
something called the face shield. I have two designs, this
one and this one. These are actually not my designs. They
are open sourced. They’re created by other individuals.
So, this was created by a company named Prusa Research.
They’re very well known in the 3D printing industry for having
very reliable 3D printers. And then this is the Verkstan
design made from a Swedish design firm.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
These are what I am creating, not what I came up with, just
using the open sourced designs that were made available for
anybody that has a 3-D Printer to download and create.
((Courtesy: Eric Bubar))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
What is 3-D printing? It’s a way to do manufacturing. It’s
called additive manufacturing in some circles. And what you
do is you take some plastic in the form of a filament and you
extrude it through a very, very hot nozzle. That nozzle melts
the plastic and it lays down a little bit of plastic in whatever
shape you want. As soon as the plastic hits the, what we
call the built plate, it kind of cools off and solidifies. Then the
little nozzle will go up just a little bit and draw another layer
on top of that and build up whatever 3-D shape you can
imagine.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
So, if you look very closely at this 3-D print, you can see that
there are different layers. So, a 3-D printer builds up
whatever shape you want, layer by layer by layer.
((Courtesy: Eric Bubar))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
So altogether, this one takes probably about four hours to
fabricate one, whereas this one, the 3D Verkstan, this 3D
print takes about 40 minutes to print one of these little
headbands. And then, the shield itself is a very thick
overhead transparency that takes about, maybe, five
minutes to hole punch, three hole punch to get it to pop onto
these little pegs. So, this one takes, maybe, 45 minutes to
create one.
((Courtesy: Eric Bubar))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
So, currently the shields are being used by a variety of
different healthcare professionals, in hospitals, in community
health centers, in elder care facilities. People like that these
3D printed shields are sanitizable so they can reuse them.
They can clean them very easily.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
And regarding changes that we might make to these face
shields, we’re always open to more feedback.
((Courtesy: Eric Bubar))
((Eric Bubar, Physics Associate Professor, Mary Mount
University))
And we’ve gotten some feedback that some providers would
like a little bit more length on the bottom of it, so that it kind
of interfaces with their sternum a little bit better, so that it
kind of blocks off any transition into the bottom. And some
providers want a visor over the top. So, on this Prusa
design, you can see that this is open. This is meant to
ventilate air so that it doesn’t fog up, but it does allow some
particulates can get down in there, so, maybe, some visor to
cover that portion up. Those are the two big pieces of
feedback that we’ve gotten that we’re trying to come up with
adaptations for and adjustments. But currently what we’re
trying to do is stick with designs that are recommended by
NIH print exchange. These are the ones that have been
approved for clinical use.
((NATS/MUSIC))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Practice Time
((SOT))
((Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher and Zade, Student))
OK, can you play this now a little faster?
((NATS/MUSIC))
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) DRIVE-IN MOVIES
((Banner: The Big Screen))
((Reporter/Camera: Aaron Fedor))
((Producer: Kathleen McLaughlin))
((Editor: Stefan Pildes))
((Map: Astoria, New York))
((Main characters: 1 female; 1 male))
((Sub characters: 3 female; 3 male))
((Banner: One of the world’s most ethnically diverse
neighborhoods. New York’s Astoria is seeing an all-
American pastime make a comeback during the pandemic))
((NATS))
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
We are at Bel Aire Diner. Bel Aire Diner has been in
business for about 60 years.
I'm born and raised in Astoria, same block and everything.
Astoria is just a cute little community. I went to high school
in Astoria. I went to middle school in Astoria. I worked here
a couple of years ago. I came back and we're all talking.
And they were talking about the drive-in and how exciting it
was to plan it. And then we all came together.
((NATS))
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
We're really happy that so many people are excited about
the event. It sold out yesterday in two minutes. I wish I
could fit a thousand people in the parking lot. I wish I could
fit everybody in there, but we're very grateful for it.
((NATS))
((Rachel, Moviegoer))
When I saw the drive-in, I thought it was a great idea. It was
a good use of the space that they have here, since there's a
parking lot here, to get people to be socially distant but still
get to enjoy, like, use their food and do something a little bit
more fun than what we've been able to do.
((NATS))
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
Hi guys. Can I just see the reservation? All right. Perfect.
Mary, Mary Chun, I got you right here. Okay, guys. Enjoy
the movie. Okay.
((Moviegoer))
Thank you.
((Rachel, Moviegoer))
Astoria is a really wonderful neighborhood. I've lived here
for almost 10 years. There's a lot of different types of people
here which what I like about it and why I stay here.
((NATS))
((Harry Mavromichalis, Moviegoer))
I was born and raised abroad, so I've never been in a drive-
in. This is my first time and very excited.
((Anthoula Katsimatides, Moviegoer))
We’re very excited.
((Peter Dellaportas, Restaurant Owner, Bel Aire Diner))
Our first movie helped first responders. With every popcorn
sold, we had a meal for first responders. Our second movie
was for our local precinct which is the 114 Precinct which is
on Astoria Boulevard.
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
Basically, we're just doing family-friendly, feel-good movies.
((NATS))
((Jeffrey Bloom, Moviegoer))
I heard about it from my girlfriend. She was really excited to
go to it because she had never been to a drive-in movie
before. It's a new experience. It's not something I haven't
heard of happening since the '80s.
((Katarina Soto, Moviegoer))
And I mostly came just for the experience of going to a drive-
in.
((Rachel, Moviegoer))
Getting a drive-in movie is not something you expect to have
in New York City, so it's kind of nice to have like something
that feels very old-fashioned and American.
((Joe, Moviegoer))
When my wife and I were dating years ago, they used to
have drive-ins. They've since then closed them all up and
they had some in Long Island, upstate, Westchester. And
we used to go to them often.
((Anthoula Katsimatides, Moviegoer))
And, you know, we're at a diner. We're in a drive-in theater.
We're going to have some burgers, I think. And we're
watching a movie about baseball. So, it's the quintessential
kind of American, you know, evening tonight. All credit to
the Bel Aire Diner.
((Peter Dellaportas, Restaurant Owner, Bel Aire Diner))
One of my favorite movies like, is Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I
mean, hopefully in the future, we have a drive-in of that
because it's like a classic. I feel like everyone can enjoy
that.
((Margaret, Moviegoer))
Well, my favorite movie is Overboard.
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
Rocket Man was my favorite movie. It's my favorite movie
ever.
((Katarina Soto, Moviegoer))
I definitely want to see West Side Story. That would be
amazing to see, especially in New York.
((Jeffrey Bloom, Moviegoer))
I would want to see probably Star Wars.
((Victoria Philios, Drive-In Event Manager, Bel Aire
Diner))
For the Dirty Dancing movie - and I actually posted it on our
social media - for the second showing. Windows must've
been cracked a little bit because it was cooler. And as soon
as Patrick Swayze lifted her up, everybody started singing.
Everybody was applauding and laughing. And it was just
such a heartfelt moment. Everybody was just so happy to
be together. And I look forward to those moments every
time we do a drive-in.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((PKG)) MUSIC TEACHER
((Banner: Virtual Piano Lessons))
((Reporter/Camera: Genia Dulot))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((Main character: 1 female))
((Sub character: 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher))
I came to the States in 1992. I fell in love with American
guy. He fell in love with me. We met in Moscow through my
friend. Five months later, I was here and I love this
country. I have Master’s degree in both, Master’s degree in
singing, vocal and Master’s degree in piano. I couldn’t do
nothing for me than a year. I started learning English, then I
start teaching students and then I opened my first school. It
was in 1998.
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((NATS: Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher and Zade,
Student))
Marina: Oh, who do I see! Zade! Hello! Good to see you!
Zade: Hi.
Marina: Hi. Well, Zade, are you hungry?
Zade: No, I just ate lunch.
Marina: Perfect! Perfect timing then for music! Ok, let me
see. What you are going to play for me first?
Zade: Song eight.
Marina: Song eight? My favorite. Let’s do it.
((Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher))
It was my dream actually for a long time because I have
students that used to be here with me and then they left to
another state and I always thought, how is that to do it
online? Maybe, one day I will figure it out. But this time, I
was forced to figure it out, so I did. With coronavirus,
because one day they said, schools are closed, cannot run
the business. Okay, so one week I didn’t know what to
do. But then I started calling them and I said, “Would you
like to try online?” And some parents say, “Yes,
please, we need it!” And some parents say, “Online? What
is that? How do you do that?”
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((NATS: Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher and Zade,
Student))
Marina: That’s right, very good! OK, can you play this now
a little faster?
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher))
So, the teacher is on the screen, the student is on the other
side of the screen and it can be directed through their
hands. There is a camera that is movable around, so I can
direct it on the notes, I can point to the keyboard.
You know, it’s probably not that difficult to do. The difficult
part is how to make them interested online because you are
not there, cannot point at the notes and you cannot do
personal things that you do when they are here. So, it is
actually hard work.
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((Adriana, Student’s Mom))
It’s part of their daily learning. I mean they just use the
internet all the time and it’s not strange for them. My kids
seem to adapt pretty well. The only thing is I have to be very
careful that at home, we have a quiet environment and they
are not distracted with other things because at least in the
classroom setting that’s it, they are forced to focus. But at
home, you know, if we are walking or around doing other
things, it’s possible that they can get distracted.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((Marina Simpkins, Music Teacher))
Of course, it takes away personal approach and smiles and
the movements. It does but these days, everything is on the
screen and we could be there on the screen or we could be
not on the screen, so we lose. It’s better to be there.
((Courtesy: Zoom))
((NATS: Marina Simpkins singing, playing piano))
Marina: Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight.
I wish I made a wish…..
((NATS/MUSIC))
((PKG)) QUARANTINE WELLNESS - SLEEP TIPS
((Banner: A Good Night’s Sleep))
((Reporter: Lisa Vohra))
((Camera: Lisa Vohra, Philip Alexiou))
((Map: Vienna, Virginia))
((Main character: 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Aarthi Pai Vemana, Sleep Pediatrician, Pediatric and
Adolescent Sleep Center))
Hi, I’m Dr. Aarthi Vemana, Co-director of the Pediatric and
Adolescent Sleep Center. The Covid-19 pandemic has had
a huge impact on everyone’s daily lives. Now, we do have
more time at home to focus on sleep, but sleep is really
difficult in stressful periods. So, I wanted to take a few
moments to talk to you guys about having a good sleep
schedule
((Banner: Good Sleep Schedule))
and how to maintain that sleep schedule during the
quarantine period. Start off by having a good bedtime
routine.
((Banner: Bedtime Routine))
And that bedtime routine doesn’t have to be anything
complicated, but it should be the same few steps done in the
same order at the same time every night.
This helps your brain realize that it’s time to wind down to go
to sleep. The next morning, make sure that you’re waking
up around the same time every day and keep yourself on a
schedule.
((Banner: Daily Schedule))
That schedule should include exercise and that exercise is
best done during the daytime, if possible.
At night, make sure that you’re putting your screens away
about an hour
((Banner: An Hour))
before you go to bed. This helps to minimize your blue light
exposure and that’s important because blue light can trick
your brain into thinking that it’s daylight outside.
But more importantly during these stressful Covid-19 times,
the content of what we are looking at on the screens, can be
very stressful and can be very anxiety provoking for young
ones. So, instead of using screens, spend some time
together as a family.
((Banner: Spend Time Together))
Talk about all the good things that have happened during the
day and focus on the positive. This will help to distress
everyone’s brains, right before bedtime. If you’re still having
trouble,
((Banner: Reading & Relaxation))
reading or guided relaxation is a great option to help focus
your brain on something that’s not related to Covid-19. I
hope everyone stays home and that they stay healthy.
((NATS))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
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((PKG)) FREE PRESS MATTERS ((NATS/VIDEO/GFX))
((Popup captions over B Roll))
Near the Turkish Embassy
Washington, D.C.
May 16, 2017
President Erdogan’s bodyguard attacks peaceful protesters
“Those terrorists deserved to be beaten”
“They should not be protesting our president”
“They got what they asked for”
While some people may turn away from the news
We cover it
reliably
accurately
objectively
comprehensively
wherever the news matters
VOA
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BREAK THREE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
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SHOW ENDS
