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The COVID-19 pandemic has shuttered classrooms from P-12 schools to the nation’s top universities and forced educators to quickly adapt instruction to the virtual realm. Online learning experts - William Beasley, Ugur Kale and Jiangmei Yuan - offer the following advice for educators who may now be online instructors for the first time. The three faculty members are part of the Instructional Design and Technology Program at the West Virginia University College of Education and Human Services.

From medical equipment shortages to panic-buying, the links in supply chains are breaking but will serve as valuable learning lessons for the future, said Ednilson Bernardes, professor and program coordinator of the Global Supply Chain Management program, West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics.

People with eating disorders can have an especially difficult time, said Elizabeth Claydon, an assistant professor of social and behavioral sciences at West Virginia University, noting the pandemic might make people more susceptible to disordered eating or exacerbate disordered eating for a number of reasons.

As many families transition to remote work and schooling, making physical activity a part of that daily routine can provide many health benefits. Emily Murphy, childhood obesity prevention specialist with West Virginia University Extension Service offers some tips to help keep your family moving, while practicing social distancing and heeding the “Stay At Home” order in West Virginia.

Dr. Christiadi, a research associate with the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research, explains how the timing of the COVID-19 outbreak and the U.S. Census threatens accurate data collection and is particularly confusing now for college students, who should be counted at their schools, even if they have been sent home to learn remotely because of the virus. The form may be completed online at 2020census.gov.

As many Americans take steps to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and keep their families safe, many will be using household cleaning products to clean and disinfect their homes, offices and other spaces. What many don’t know is that if these products aren’t used properly, they can be harmful to your health. Ami Cook, West Virginia University Extension Service Families and Health Agent in Clay and Braxton counties, offers information, tips and advice for properly cleaning and disinfecting your home to keep your family (and pets) safe.

Amy Root, a West Virginia University parenting scholar and associate professor in the College of Education and Human Services Child Development and Family Studies Program, offers the following tips for parents and families who want to maintain consistency and normalcy in this rapidly changing environment.

Christine Schimmel, associate professor and program coordinator of the School Counseling Program at the WVU College of Education and Human Services, recommends that parents be open with their children about current events.

Working from home is one way to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, but not every profession makes it possible. One example? Dentistry. Dentists, dental hygienists and other dental professionals face an especially high risk of occupational exposure to the virus.

After observing the lack of coordination and communication - which put vulnerable populations at higher risk - before, during and after Hurricane Katrina, Michael Zakour, professor of social work at West Virginia University, is concerned the same may be happening now in the U.S. response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.