When you feel like you belong, you are more confident and successful. Conversely, when you don’t feel like you belong, you end up with a host of stressors, and also, impostor syndrome.

We’ve all been there. The new kid on the block, wanting desperately to fit in. Feeling small, insignificant, unnoticed. And if one person, just one, extends a hand in friendship, suddenly, you can take on the world. You can join that game of kick ball and knock the ball out of the park. But without that sense of belongness, you stay closed in your shell. You play poorly. You go home defeated.

Magnify this sense that you don’t belong, and it sounds a whole lot like the mental and physical effects of systemic racism: chronic stress, high blood pressure, poor sleep, apathy, depression.

Imagine you are constantly being chased by a bear; it’s pretty hard to live your best life.

Support networks help us thrive. Even when we complete a solo project, or give an important presentation, or paint a picture – most of us have someone standing behind us that is encouraging us and offering support, sharing a meal, being a sounding board, or just holding our hand.

We did not create the Science for Georgia Member Network so we could all have a group hug (although, in non-Covid-times, a good hug would be nice). We did create it because we understand that life is easier when you don’t have to go it alone.

Scientists and friends-of-science know that science can contribute to a thriving society and make a better tomorrow. We also know that moving outside your comfort zone and talking to the public, policymakers, the press, heck, even people down the hall from you, is hard.

Our member network is designed to provide the support and tools needed to make standing up for what is important easier. Through information, events, and outreach our member network will make Science Matter in Georgia. Right now, as we “build back” we’ve got a once-in-a-generation chance to make sure we set in motion evidence-based ideas to make the world a better place.

Joining our network means access to members-only events, discounted admission tickets, opportunities to advocate, and supporting my writing of poetry-riffs like:

I can go anywhere/ Skills to know/ And brains to grow / A reading rainbow / I can be anything / Help me to look / 15 min in a book / A reading rainbow

The facts don’t actually speak for themselves. We have to give them a voice. 

Also – go get your Covid-19 shot – so we can all go have a beer (and HUGS!)

Its hard to write anything else without mentioning that in less than 30 days we had an armed insurrection at the US Capitol, another impeachment, and the swearing in of a new administration. And we thought 2020 was a lot…

But, now, after all that and all the voting we did (am I the only one still getting post cards reminding me to vote on Jan 5^th?) – it’s time to get to work.

We’ve got multiple crises to work on: a pandemic, a recession (bringing food insecurity, education inequality, healthcare inequality, etc), climate change, extremist white-nationalism, and racial injustice. The good news is that science has been working on answers to these things for years. We’ve got this.

We welcome the fact that with a recent executive order the Office of Science and Technology Policy is now a cabinet-level position. This gives science a seat at the table.

Science will always be at the forefront of my administration — and these world-renowned scientists will ensure everything we do is grounded in science, facts, and the truth.

President Biden

We also welcome another executive order focusing on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking. Restoring trust in science is one of the reasons Science for Georgia was founded.

Scientific and technological information, data, and evidence are central to the development and iterative improvement of sound policies, and to the delivery of equitable programs, across every area of government.  Scientific findings should never be distorted or influenced by political considerations.

Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking

These executive orders are a starting point, not an ending. We cannot sit back and assume that “they” will handle this. As scientists and friends of science we are obligated to remain engaged and provide the science, facts, and truth. We must provide this information in a clear and concise manner that enables decision making. We have learned how to speak-up, and now that we have a seat at the table, we cannot go silent.

Typically, we only have one ask per month – but now we’ve got two.

Step 1: Fill out our State of Science in Georgia Survey – and give voice to our collective hopes, dreams, wants, and needs. We voted for our legislators, now tell them what we think.

Step 2: People are going hungry in Georgia because of paperwork delays.

Georgia’s budget was severely cut last year because of shortfalls caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Georgia’s new budget would maintain these cuts – underfunding vital state agencies in education and health. These are the very agencies needed to process applications for food stamps and unemployment aid, and support reopening of schools. For example, in 2020 Georgia made a $2.2M reduction in DFCS (Division of Family and Children Services), which removed over 100 caseworkers, the very people who process the applications for food stamps and other services.

Yes, Georgia has a tremendous budget shortfall, but also has a large rainy-day fund of monetary reserves. Gov Kemp refuses utilize this fund, and only address the shortfall via cuts.

In a pandemic that stresses the system in many different ways, we need to support those most affected. The federal government is releasing aid money, but people cannot get to it because no one can process their paperwork.

Use this link to write the Governor and your Legislator and urge them to use the rainy-day fund to reverse the cuts so people can eat.

Actually – I wrote that sentence with a little trepidation. Because I plan on taking some time off during the holidays and am preloading this blog. Any other year, I’d set it and forget it – but 2020 – it’s been a doozy – and it could happen that the 751^st shoe might drop, and the ball won’t actually drop on 2020.

I am going to place my confidence in physics, assume we won’t enter a relativistic bending of space-time, and that time will continue to march forward. You will read this in 2021!

We are going to take some time in 2021 to reflect on what matters: food, water, and shelter.

Covid-19 has highlighted that there is an ever-growing disparity between those with and without access to adequate basics: clean water, healthy food, greenspaces, healthcare, and educational opportunities. Without those basics, people are more likely to have chronic health problems and less likely to have a financial cushion to ride-out economic downturns. Combined this means those without were, and are, more likely to die of Covid-19.

Focusing on these interconnected basics allows us to not only improve lives, but to improve the environment and the economy.

Throughout 2021 Science for Georgia will provide information about these basics, highlight partners who are working in all three of these areas, provide simple steps anyone can do to improve your life and the lives of your neighbors (and change the world at the same time), and empower people with tools and activities to advocate for change. Knowledge is power and even something as simple as reading to a kid 15 minutes a day can save the world.

So, as you step into a new year, resolved to do something to make a difference, think about how your actions effect your surroundings. The choices you make have an impact on people, places, and things (and all the nouns including animals, plants, oceans, soil, farms, economies). Think about a new year resolution you could make that is better for you, your community, and the environment such as: eating one meatless meal a week (saves water and reduces carbon footprint), carrying a water bottle to avoid using plastic ones (saves water, reduces carbon footprint, reduces waste, saves money, and helps you stay hydrated), offering to read to your neighbor’s kids once a week (save their parents’ sanity, improves health, literacy, and success).

We are all in this together. We can make 2021 amazing. We can make Science Matter Here.

Although Thanksgiving is behind us, we at Science for Georgia have much to appreciate as 2020 comes to a close and we work toward an exciting 2021. As a young organization, one year is long in our history. Even with many unexpected changes due to COVID-19, we were able to move science forward in Georgia and, with your help, have many programs and ideas that are being developed.

In 2020, Science for Georgia took huge steps forward as we were asked by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to be one of three partner organizations to help build their Local Science Engagement Network (LSEN). Their confidence in our ability to take the science and bring it to the local community has led to the production of much of our content this year and going into next year.

We realized that we are really good at highlighting other organizations across the state and we have grown and are growing our partner network to help us connect, learn, and share across the state. Thank you to all who have joined, suggested others, and made the introductions.

Although Science Tales and Trails had to change to a virtual presentation, you still came and learned about food, water, flu vaccines, fossils, and so much more. There will be more to come in 2021.

Our partnership with Atlanta Science Tavern is very strong and we are pleased to share that we will be taking on the ongoing program and production for AST. Marc Merlin will still have a role in helping ensure excellent content and programming.

We had many fabulous interns! We cannot sing their praises enough. Check out all their great work on our issues page. And, of course, we had rock-solid volunteers that without which, we would grind to a halt.

There is a lot more to share, but now we want to thank you and ask for your support. We are a small organization that runs on a very small budget. We need to grow that budget in order for us to meet the needs of all those who understand the importance of science in our lives.

If you want Science for Georgia to be more successful, please read on and see how you can help. Here are a few ways.

• Tell friends about Science for Georgia
• Forward this newsletter
• Buy Science for Georgia swag
• Help us pay for the amazing content of our interns, who we’d like to pay $5,000 for their work. If you can’t give us that much, find four friends who can join with you and give $83.33 per month for a year.
• Provide a scholarship for a scientist to take our SciComm training. $200 covers the training. Our goal is to provide 100 scholarships.
• Give what you can, on a monthly recurring basis

Thank you again for everything you do. The only way to make science part of the fabric of Georgia is through you.

The holiday season is in full swing; with Halloween in the rear-view mirror, we’re moving into preparations for Thanksgiving and the bounty of food we hope it brings. But while most of us are worrying about how many buttons we’ll have to undo after we’ve had our fill and how we’re going to get everything cooked on time, many of our neighbors are worrying about putting basic meals on the table. The stress of entertaining family and cooking up a meal that everyone can enjoy will be front and center for a short time for us, but those other families will have to fight every day to get something to eat. 

Food insecurity is not something that only exists in some far-off country. It is a constant presence in our major cities, our neighborhoods, and our rural communities. The fact is, 13% of Georgia households are food insecure. This means that these families are unable to secure enough food for one or more of their family members. The number is even larger when you consider families that can’t afford a balanced meal, which we know to be essential for health and development.

Not in our house!

Georgia is struggling: 16% of children and seniors are affected, and 36% of food insecure Georgians do not qualify for food assistance programs. Overall, the state of Georgia is ranked 27^th in the United States for household food insecurity. We have the 8^th largest economy in the country; in 2019, our economic production was about that of Sweden. There is no world where a state as wealthy as ours should have such a high proportion of our population food insecure.

Hunger has long-term effects

The effects of food insecurity are far-reaching. Early childhood food insecurity can lead to permanent neurological changes that disadvantage those children later in life. Those children will also benefit less from school environments for a variety of social and psychological factors, have higher rates of mental illness, and significantly higher rates of chronic disease later in life. In some ways, the effects on elderly populations are even more severe. Food insecure adults are less able to adapt to malnutrition and increase the effect of any existing health conditions.

Food insecurity also has an impact on those who aren’t directly challenged; the estimated cost of food insecurity in the U.S. is at least $160 billion annually. That number becomes even starker as you consider what else we could spend $160 billion on. If we were to eradicate food insecurity in the U.S., that money could be put towards any of the other many pressing needs in our society. Positive growth in society puts us into a cycle of improvement, where each round of improvement provides even better returns (see the multiplier effect).  

Take Action…As you’re preparing for Thanksgiving, consider giving donations of food goods and your time to your local food banks. Even more, remember that your local food banks need food year-round. Consider continuing to give throughout the year because food insecurity isn’t seasonal. This month we’ll provide information and resources on how to make an impact, not just in the short-term, but in the long-term as well, in the fight against food insecurity.

The transition from summer to fall brings many things; cooler temperatures, fall clothing, autumn leaves, Halloween decorations, and Influenza. Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory virus that spreads via respiratory droplets and causes fatigue, fever, chills, and body aches. If that sounds familiar, that is because the spread and symptoms of the flu are very similar to COVID-19, the current global pandemic.

COVID-19 is deadlier than the flu, even here in Georgia. During the 2019-2020 flu season (October through May) approximately 1,500 Georgians died from the flu and in a roughly equivalent time period almost five times that number of Georgians have died from COVID-19.

As of Oct 1, COIVD-19 has infected 33.8 million worldwide, killed over 1 million worldwide and killed over 7,000 Georgians. 

But, the flu isn’t exactly a slouch of a virus. The CDC estimates the 2019 to 2020 flu season lead to 38 million flu illnesses, 18 million visits to health care providers, 400,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths in the US alone. And that was considered a moderate flu. Worldwide the flu results in approximately 290,000 to 650,000 deaths a year.

Know the enemy

Both diseases share symptoms and this similarity will make identifying COVID-19 cases even harder. But we must differentiate between the two viruses, because while the flu may share symptoms with COVID-19, they are very different viruses. COVID-19 requires different treatment, makes people sicker, often lasts longer, and has a much higher mortality rate.

The task of differentiating between the viruses, and treating both, will add to the load on medical workers during a time when our health care system is already stressed. We must do what we can to prevent this double calamity from occurring.

It all hinges on this one shot

Luckily, existing guidance for COVID-19 (mask up, wash hands, and social distancing), are major parts of flu prevention too. Because people are already being told to do these things, we have an opportunity to have an unprecedented level of prevention against the flu, but only if these measures are used in conjunction with getting a flu shot.  

Manufacture of the flu vaccine has ramped up significantly in anticipation of higher adherence to flu vaccine recommendations. Grocery stores and pharmacies are practically falling all over themselves to give you this shot.

We acknowledge this has not been a year of clear health guidance and information. And there is a growing body of confusing information available on the flu. This means that vaccine hesitance is a wide and seemingly growing problem. The good news is that the flu recommendations have been consistent year after year: wash your hands, cover your cough, and get your shot. We’ve also put together some helpful facts and information about the flu on the Flu Fighters page on our website.

TAKE ACTION:

We have armed you with information and now the only thing left for you to do is to get the shot. And tell all your friends to get one too.

Have you heard a lot about COVID-19 vaccine trials recently? Ever wonder who oversees and approves these trials to make sure they are safe and ethical?

Every single scientific study using people or animals must go through a review and approval process before the study can begin. This ensures the study will be ethical, safe, and that there are minimal risks or that the risks do not outweigh potential benefits. These review processes were established by law in 1974 in response to abusive and highly unethical experiments done in the 20^th century (ex. Nazi physician experiments, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study).

What research requires review?

For studies involving humans, the review and approval process is done by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). For studies involving animals, this review and approval is done by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Most human subjects research requires an IRB approval. There are a few types of research that don’t require an IRB due to minimal risk to the participant. These studies include:

• Instructional/curriculum related studies
• Analysis of existing data
• Studies involving possible changes to public service programs
• Food quality or taste studies

Everything else requires an IRB review.

Who is on an IRB?

IRBs can be established within government, universities, private research companies, or through an outside group that conducts the review on behalf of the institution doing the research.

An IRB board has specific requirements on who the members can be. Each IRB must have 5 members and must consider diversity in race, gender, and culture when choosing members. Additionally, the IRB must include at least:

• 1 member who works in a scientific area
• 1 who works in a nonscientific area
• 1 that is unaffiliated with the institution

What does the IRB Do?

The purpose of IRB review is to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects. The IRB reviews the research proposal and then approves, requests modifications, or rejects the proposal. IRBs do not evaluate or comment on the methods of the research unless it directly pertains to the human subjects’ welfare. The scientific merit of a study is judged via peer review and funding bodies.

What does the IRB review?

IRBs review all parts of the research that involve human interaction. This includes the entire study proposal, materials used for the study (surveys, questionnaires, trial medicines, etc.), information on how participants will be chosen, how participants will be told about the study and how they will consent to participate (called informed consent), and information pertaining to participant privacy and confidentiality. IRB requirements for approving research:

• Minimized risks to participants
• Risks are reasonable in relation to potential benefits
• Equitable selection of participants
• Informed consent will be given by each participant & documented
  • Informed consent means that the participant not only agrees to participate in the research, but that they fully understand the risks, benefits, and requirements of the research.
• A plan for monitoring participant safety throughout the research, including safety metrics and thresholds that must be met in order for the research to continue
• There are adequate protections for participants related to privacy and confidentiality

How does this process apply to vaccines?

In addition to IRB approval, vaccines must also receive oversight from the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) throughout the development process. Vaccine development goes through 5 stages:

1. The Preclinical Stage: Laboratory testing to show potential benefit and animal studies to ensure the vaccine is safe for human trials.
2. Phase I Clinical Trials: Test the vaccine for safety by administering to a small number of human volunteers (~20-100 people).
3. Phase II Clinical Trials: Test for short-term side effects and dosage needed for effectiveness by administering to a larger pool of volunteers (about a few hundred volunteers).
4. Phase III Clinical Trials: Tests effectiveness of the vaccine and identify additional information related to safety and side effects by a blind trial. The volunteers (about a few hundred to a few thousand) are split into two group: one receives the vaccine the other receives a placebo. If there is no different between the groups, the vaccine is ineffective.
5. Phase IV Clinical Trails: Tests effectiveness and side effects on a large scale. After FDA review, the vaccine is administered to thousands of volunteers.

During the trial, if the vaccine is found to harm participants or not work, the trial will be stopped immediately. The length of time each stage takes can depend on a number of factors, including funding, the number of people working on the research, and whether previous research on the drug or treatment already exists.

Take Action: Get your flu shot today! Be on the lookout for the Covid-19 vaccine.

More Information

For more on vaccine development, visit:

• CDC Journey of a Child’s Vaccine
• Vaccines.gov
• NIH Vaccine Clinical Studies Safeguards

For more information on Institutional Review Boards, visit:

• FDA IRB FAQs
• Wikipedia IRB
• Wikipedia Belmont Report
• 45 CFR 46 (issued by the National Research Act of  1974, the way these regulations came to be law)

Your blood is made up of four main components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

When you donate blood, you can either donate ‘whole blood’ (a pint of all four parts), or just plasma or platelets. 

When donating blood, plasma or platelets, an IV is attached to a vein in your arm. About a pint of blood is removed and stored in a collection container. If you are donating whole blood, that’s it, you are done. Have a cookie and go home.

If you are only donating plasma and platelets, the process takes longer. After extraction, you remain hooked to the IV while your whole blood is sent to a machine with a centrifuge in it. A centrifuge spins things very fast, and this separates your blood into its various components. The platelets or plasma that you are donating are stored, and the rest of your blood and fluids are returned to you.

This process is repeated a few times. This allows more plasma or platelets to be donated then if you just donated a pint of whole blood.  

After you donate your plasma or platelets, and then get the rest of your fluids returned to you – you too get your cookie and can go home.

Do not forget the cookie. In fact, remember to eat a big, protein filled meal before you donate.

What are plasma and platelets?

Plasma, which is made up of mostly water, is the liquid portion of blood that carries essential ions, enzymes, and proteins necessary for bodily function. This includes antibodies that are generated as an immune response during an infection.

Platelets are the parts of our blood that clot together to stop bleeding. When you get a cut, the platelets stick together to form a temporary scab over the cut while your body can more completely heal. Diseases can cause low platelet counts in some people – which can be very dangerous as even a small cut or wound can become a serious injury if the bleeding cannot stop. Donated platelets are used to supplement natural platelets for those in need.

What is convalescent plasma?

Convalescent plasma is plasma that contains antibodies from a recent infection. Plasma therapy has been used in the pass to treat viral outbreaks including SARS, Ebola, and Measles. Recently, convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients was approved by the FDA as an emergency therapy for current patients with COVID-19. In theory, treating patients with convalescent plasma provides them with antibodies that supplement their immunity without having to wait for the body to generate their own. There has been considerable debate over FDA issuing the emergency use authorization (EUA) for plasma treatment. The science is still debated on its effectiveness because the plasma studies conducted have had a small number of patients and/or no control group, making it difficult to draw a scientific conclusion.

Should you give plasma? If you are interested in helping science find answers about a potential treatment for Covid-19, and you have had Covid-19, yes, give plasma.

If you haven’t had Covid-19, or you aren’t sure about the plasma thing, think about giving blood. Blood and platelets are used in many medical situations and can save lives.

For more information on convalescent plasma therapy and resources for donation: 

Seeker video: What Is Plasma Therapy & How Does It Help Fight COVID-19 NOTE this video is from May 2020. As of August 23, 2020 the FDA has approved emergency use of convalescent plasma for treatment 

Find a plasma donation site: https://www.uscovidplasma.org/donate

Learn More

Kid friendly video on plasma and how the donation process works: Plasma Donation 101

Kid friendly resource on the components of whole blood: Components of blood