Juneteenth Holiday Celebrated on UTC’s Chamberlain Field

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June 23, 2022

Juneteenth Holiday Celebrated on UTC’s Chamberlain Field

By Shawn Ryan

For Stacy Lightfoot, Juneteenth has multiple levels of meaning, not just for herself but for the United States as a whole.

“I think it brings more light to the entire country about the importance of what emancipation is and what freedom is and what independence is,” said Lightfoot, vice chancellor for diversity and engagement at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth is a national holiday to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved blacks in the United States. While the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in Confederate states in 1863, it was not until more than two years later that many enslaved Black people in Texas were told that the order had freed them.

“American Idol” winner and UTC faculty member Ruben Studdard performed on Chamberlain Field during a Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, June 19. Photo by Angela Foster.

On Sunday night, Lightfoot and several hundred people gathered on Chamberlain Field at UTC to celebrate Juneteenth. A collaboration between UTC and the Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas, it featured a concert by Ruben Studdard–the 2003 winner of “American Idol” who will become a UTC faculty member starting in the fall semester.

It also was announced that the 700 block of Vine Street on the UTC campus will be renamed Dr. Roland Carter Street to honor the longtime UTC professor and internationally renowned musician.

Carter’s arrangement of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”–known as the Black National Anthem–was sung as part of Sunday’s celebration at UTC.

Carter stood alongside Lightfoot and Studdard on Chamberlain Field when the announcement was made.

“Dr. Carter, we are better for having your wisdom, your talent,” Lightfoot said.

The Juneteenth commemoration officially began with Lightfoot reading the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s a long document, she said, “but slavery was longer.”

During his hourlong concert, Studdard noted that, when he returned to perform on “American Idol” in May, most of this year’s contestants were in their mid-to-late teens.

“I was 24 when I won,” he said. “I felt like a grandfather.”

CHI Memorial Is Nationally Recognized for Its Commitment to Providing High-quality Stroke Care

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June 23, 2022

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The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus and Silver Plus awards for proven dedication to ensuring all stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving care

CHATTANOOGA, TN – CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga has received the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines^® – Stroke quality achievement award, and CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson has received the AHA’s Silver Plus Get With The Guidelines^® – Stroke quality achievement award. These awards show CHI Memorial’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability, and accelerating recovery times.

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

“CHI Memorial is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” Diona Brown, market senior vice president, cardiovascular and neurosciences. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in Chattanooga and the surrounding counties can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize CHI Memorial for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., chairperson of the Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families, and communities.”

CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga and Hixson also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke^SM Elite Plus award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-busting medication.

Both hospitals also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

CHI Memorial meets specific scientific guidelines as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

About CHI Memorial

CHI Memorial is a not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to the healing ministry of the Church. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and strengthened as part of CommonSpirit Health, it offers a continuum of care including preventative, primary and acute hospital care, as well as cancer and cardiac care, orthopedic and rehabilitation services. CHI Memorial is a regional referral center of choice with 4,500 associates and almost 600 affiliated physicians providing health care throughout Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia and Northwest Alabama. To learn more, visit memorial.org.

About Get With The GuidelinesGet With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

Still Standing

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June 23, 2022

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After the fire, after the chaos, after the dramatic response, the scene of a disaster is assessed. Eyes first see obvious destruction and devastation, the smell of char and ash fill the air, and heat remains from the ruins. If there’s hope, it’s usually cast into the distance with every sense consumed by the presence of the confrontation of loss.

But there is hope. Not wishful thinking but hope for those whose frame around the snapshot extends to the ongoing reel of film of life is a frame of understanding that good and bad happen to all. Yet those who rise despite the loss seem to thrive and even grow through life’s events and circumstances because they choose to rise, stand and move forward.

In Texas, a church fire provided a visual example of how this may be painted on the canvas of our optically driven minds.

In Bridgeport, Texas, a small community of around 6,000 northwest of Fort Worth headed toward Oklahoma, the Balsora Baptist Church burned with no help from the scorching weather along with winds. The church had stood in this rural community for more than 120 years with a story that will last likely longer after the smoke cleared.

After unsuccessfully fighting the blaze, a collapsed roof and three non-life-threatening injuries, more than 40 firefighters saw standing among the ruins a cross. Stunned, the Wise County Fire Department spokesman related, “A devastating loss to our community, but a sight to behold. The fire took the structure, but not the cross. A symbol that the building was just that, a building. The Church is the congregation, and where two or more gather, there He shall be also.”

The response involved eight different fire units along with state agencies, but the remains of the church sanctuary were inventoried to be the Cross, a stack of Bibles and the frame of a piano.

“That cross is where we would get little pieces of paper with a string and everyone put all their family members and different ones they wanted to pray for and we hung them up on that cross,” Pastor Sonny Smith explained pointing to the value of the enduring cross. “It’s an absolute miracle that that cross made it through the fire when nothing else did.”

The wise will take this moment to ask of themselves, “What will remain, endure the churn and chaos of life as a symbol of my own strength and resolve?”

It’s been written by a very learned, renowned man whose life was changed that, “each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work.” The excerpt from Paul’s letter to the Church of Corinth seems appropriate for the folks of Balsora Baptist but applies to all. What will still stand and remain from your life?

Senator Blackburn Fights For Tennessee Servicemember Readiness Capabilities In NDAA

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June 23, 2022

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Senator Blackburn Fights For Tennessee Servicemember Readiness Capabilities In NDAA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), a member of the Armed Services Committee, joined her colleagues in passing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 NDAA out of Committee.

“Tennessee is home to a fearless group of warfighters,” said Senator Blackburn. “Our military and research communities in Clarksville, Tullahoma, Oak Ridge, Millington, and Holston help our nation fight battles and win wars. My work in this Committee-passed legislation will empower our servicemembers’ defense capabilities as they continue to face threats from the New Axis of Evil and challenge global threats to democracy.”

Key Points:

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Will Support Tennessee By:

Encouraging additional funding for defense capabilities and partnering with private sector developers along with additional research at Vanderbilt University; the University of Memphis; Tennessee Technological University; University of Tennessee Space Institute at Tullahoma; the University of Tennessee at Knoxville; Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU); Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE); and more.
Increasing funding by $4.2 million to support defensive and offensive cyber protections, firewall protections, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based intrusion detection, and data encryption for the Department of Defense (DoD) autonomous vehicles for Fort Campbell;
Supporting companies such as General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., who spent $8 million on subcontractors in Tennessee in 2020, with additional funding and authorities for the MQ-9 program;
Authorizing the Future Force Requirements Experimentation (FFRE) program to develop the next generation of technology innovation. Vanderbilt and the University of Tennessee are collaborating with the 101st Airborne and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), 5th Group, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, University of Tennessee at Martin, University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma, and University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis;
Procuring additional Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters for Fort Campbell, 101st Airborne, and 160th SOAR while supporting increased funding for the Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) line of effort;
Increasing funding by $25 million for nuclear modernization projects at the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) program at Y-12 National Security Complex;
Putting enhanced focus on the vital work of Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP), which supplies energetics to support U.S., Allies, and partners – including in Ukraine; and
Advancing domestic uranium enrichment capability with Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) by establishing and implementing long-term plans for continued research, development, and demonstration of enrichment technologies to support deployment decisions.

HCSO to Host Corrections Hiring Event on Saturday, June 25th

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June 23, 2022

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HCSO to Host Corrections Hiring Event on Saturday, June 25th

Hamilton County, TN – On Saturday, June 25, 2022, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office will host a hiring event for Correction’s Services at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office West Sector located at 6233 Dayton Boulevard from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. This event is designed for qualified candidates to apply for sworn and civilian positions in HCSO Corrections Services. Applicants must be 18 or older.

This hiring event will offer prospective applicants a unique opportunity to complete several key steps in the overall application process at one time rather than having to schedule and complete them independently over a series of weeks. The hiring event activities will allow applicants to complete the following:

∙ Complete Job Application & Interview

∙ Physical Agility Test

∙ Written Examination

∙ Schedule a Polygraph Examination

Pence Was Within 40 Feet of Mob Inflamed by Trump, Jan. 6 Committee Reveals

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June 23, 2022

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Pence Was Within 40 Feet of Mob Inflamed by Trump, Jan. 6 Committee Reveals

By Jacob Fischler, Tennessee Lookout

WASHINGTON, DC–The private and public conflict between Donald Trump and Mike Pence over certifying the 2020 election results put the vice president within steps of the Jan. 6 attackers, the U.S. House committee investigating the insurrection said Thursday.

As the mob approached the U.S. Senate chamber in the Capitol, the vice president’s Secret Service retinue hustled him into a secure location. Pence’s and the rioters’ paths were within 40 feet of each other, said U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, a California Democrat, who led much of the committee questioning in the panel’s third public hearing.

Then-President Trump put Pence in danger by pressing him to execute a plan championed by John Eastman, an outside Trump attorney, to reject slates of electors from seven states that Trump lost: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Pence viewed that plan as illegal and wrong and consistently told Trump as much, people close to Pence told the House Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, Attack on the U.S. Capitol. Pence later publicly declared he was duty-bound to respect the will of voters and not single-handedly overturn the election.

“President Trump is wrong,” Pence said in February 2022 remarks to the conservative Federalist Society that the committee replayed Thursday.

“I had no right to overturn the election. The presidency belongs to the American people and the American people alone. And frankly, there is no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person could choose the American president.”

Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson said he didn’t often agree with Pence, but that he endorsed that view.

Bennie G. Thompson (center), Committee Chairman of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“He resisted the pressure,” the Mississippi Democrat said of Pence. “He knew it was illegal. He knew it was wrong. We are fortunate for Mr. Pence’s courage on Jan. 6. Our democracy came dangerously close to catastrophe. That courage put him in tremendous danger.”

The plan to replace legitimate electors with slates of fake electors who would support Trump gained steam in early January, driving a wedge between Trump and Pence.

Pence told the president several times the plan was unconstitutional and illegal.

On the morning of Jan. 6, before addressing supporters on the White House Ellipse, Trump phoned Pence, who moved into a room to be alone to take the call.

Witnesses to Trump’s end of the call, including his daughter Ivanka Trump, characterized it as “heated.”

Former White House aide Nicholas Luna said Trump called Pence a “wimp.” Ivanka Trump’s former chief of staff, Julie Radford, said the first daughter told her Trump used an obscener term with a similar meaning.

Ivanka Trump said her father’s tone was different from what she’d “heard him take with the vice president before.”

A confidential informant associated with the far-right Proud Boys group–which the panel has said was among the organizers of attempts to violently overturn the election–told the FBI the group would have killed Pence at the Capitol if they were able, Aguilar said, citing an affidavit.

Secret Service agents tried to get Pence into a car to leave the Capitol complex, Greg Jacob, an attorney for Pence, said.

Pence refused, saying he did not want the world “to see the vice president of the United States fleeing the United States Capitol, and he was determined that we would complete the work that we had set out to do that day,” Jacob said. “And rioters who had breached the Capitol would not have the satisfaction of disrupting the proceedings beyond the day on which they were supposed to be completed.”

Instead, Pence stayed in the secure location, where he monitored events of the day.

The committee showed a photograph, made public for the first time, of Pence in the secure area watching a Trump video praising the rioters but telling them to leave the Capitol.

June 2022 Civics Article Rights Versus Responsibilities

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June 23, 2022

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RIGHTS VERSUS RESPONSIBILITIES

Americans often talk about “our rights” and are not hesitant to invoke “our rights.” When we do so, we are talking about those rights protected under the United States Constitution, such as the right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. As citizens, we all have these and other rights protected from infringement by the government, whether federal or state. These rights are vitally important and play a large role in the kind of government we have and the society in which we live.

What we do not talk about nearly as much, but which are equally important, are the responsibilities that go along with our rights. Under our democratic republican form of government, there are corresponding responsibilities that go with citizenship and membership in our larger society. Without citizens recognizing and willingly shouldering these responsibilities, our government and our society would cease to function. In a free society such as ours, it is imperative that citizens embrace these responsibilities.

General Civic Responsibilities.

General responsibilities of citizens include obeying the laws, paying taxes, keeping informed on pertinent public issues, voting, serving in the military, serving in public office, serving on juries, and, serving as witnesses when called upon to do so. These last two civic responsibilities pertain specifically to citizens’ obligation to participate in the judicial branch of our government.

Jury Service.

Jury service is one of the most important civic responsibilities we can fulfill. Our Constitution assigns to the average citizen acting as part of a jury the responsibility to determine whether the “life, liberty, or property” of another citizen should be diminished.

In criminal cases, that must happen twice. First, before a person can even be subject to the loss of life or liberty, average citizens acting as part of a grand jury must give their consent by the return of an indictment if they find that the government has presented sufficient evidence to show there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and the person in question committed that crime. After indictment, a person charged with a serious crime may not be deprived of life or liberty without another group of average citizens, acting as a petit or trial jury, determining unanimously that the government has produced proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is guilty. Only after the jury has made this determination may a judge impose a sentence.

In civil cases, one person is seeking money from another in a private dispute. There is no risk of a loss of life or liberty, but there is a risk of loss of property when a defendant is ordered to pay money to the plaintiff. As in criminal cases, before a defendant can be subjected to a loss of property, average citizens acting as a trial jury must determine by preponderance, or majority, of the evidence that the deprivation is justified.

This shows how important it is for average citizens to serve on juries. Without average citizens willingly serving as jurors, the judiciary would not be able to fulfil its fundamental function of resolving disputes. Those accused of crimes could not have their day in court. The government would not be able to fulfill its responsibility of enforcing the criminal laws. People seeking financial compensation in civil cases would not be able to get decisions. So, when called upon to do so, it is critical to our judiciary and society at large that citizens respond to requests to serve as jurors.

Serving as a Witness.

Our judiciary functions by giving both sides in a dispute the right to present evidence to support their positions in court. The evidence most often involves the sworn testimony of witnesses who have knowledge about the dispute. Without the testimony of witness, parties would be unable to present the proof they believe supports their positions. Cases might then be decided incorrectly, and justice would not be served. As in the case of average citizens being called to serve as jurors, it is critical to our judiciary and society at large that citizens respond positively to requests to testify as witnesses. This is another of our crucial civic responsibilities

Citizens Serving in the Judiciary.

There is another way to fulfill a civic responsibility to through the judiciary. Judges are the public face of the judiciary. They are the individuals we most often identify with the courts. Although judges are indispensable, the judiciary could not function without a host of others working diligently behind the scenes. Clerks, judicial law clerks, probation officers, U.S. Marshals, and others make the judiciary work. The judiciary relies on ordinary citizens filling these important positions so it can fulfill its role as assigned by the Constitution. These public servants fulfill an important civic responsibility through their work every day.

Rights and responsibilities – both are necessary and equally important in our democratic republican form of government. The judiciary, like the two other branches, depends on average citizens being willing to accept the responsibilities that come with citizenship to ensure we remain a free society.

Curtis L. Collier

United States District Judge

Chair, Eastern District of Tennessee Civics and Outreach Committee

Carrie Brown Stefaniak

Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier

Past President, Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association

Kristen A. Dupard

Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier

Apple Cider Vinegar: 13 Uses For It That Will Change Your Life

Health

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June 23, 2022

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Apple Cider Vinegar: 13 Uses For It That Will Change Your Life

Of all the well-touted natural health remedies that exist today, very few are followed quite as religiously as taking a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar every day.

Apple cider vinegar has been hailed as a cure-all supplement, from allergy relief to weight loss.

Anywhere you look, you can find people who believe that drinking apple cider vinegar has helped them.

With all the benefits, it’s hard to figure out what ACV is not good for.

What exactly are the benefits of apple cider vinegar?

Weight Loss

The idea that apple cider vinegar somehow “speeds up fat loss is altogether a myth.”

There is no evidence to suggest that apple cider vinegar can affect metabolism, which is the way an individual breaks down food and burns calories.

Appetite Suppression

A 2006 study found that people who took doses of vinegar while eating bread reported feeling more full than people who ate bread alone.

While this study has been cited by those who believe in the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, it is important to note that it only tested 12 individuals, and the authors concluded that much more research was needed before firm conclusions could be drawn.

This study did not suggest that the way these people burned calories was affected.

Detox Bath

Use ACV in your bath. Add ½- 1 cup to your bath water along with Epsom salts and lavender essential oil for a relaxing and detoxifying bath.

Hiccups Be Gone!

I like using apple cider vinegar to get rid of hiccups—the sour taste of a straight teaspoon can stop hiccups.

Exercise Exhaustion (Recover Faster)

Beat exercise exhaustion—lactic acid buildup in the body causes fatigue, while the amino acids in ACV act as an antidote.

Add a tablespoon to a glass of water after a workout.

Skin Tag Removal

People have been using vinegar as a natural remedy for centuries. Its acidic properties are thought to protect against infection, sterilize wounds, and preserve food. More recently, apple cider vinegar has become the vinegar of choice for everything from treating colds to promoting weight loss.

Some people believe that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can help to break down the tissue surrounding skin tags, causing them to eventually fall off.

Hair Detangler/Restorer

Create shiny, untangled hair by adding 1/3 cup ACV to 4 cups of water and pouring it over your hair after shampooing.

Leave it on for a few seconds and rinse with cold water.

Clear Sinuses

Since breaking up mucus is one of apple cider vinegar’s many talents, it also helps clear out the sinuses.

Since it’s antibacterial, it can also prevent a sinus infection or cold as well. Sip some water and apple cider vinegar to breathe a little easier.

Wart Remover

Over-the-counter wart removers are anything but natural. A trip to the doctor to remove it can be scary, painful, and leave a scar.

Instead, soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and cover the wart.

Leave it covered overnight (I use a bandaid or medical tape) and repeat every night until the wart falls right off.

Energy Boost

Don’t reach for a chemical-filled energy drink if you’re feeling tired. Instead, grab a bottle of apple cider vinegar for an energy boost.

The potassium and enzymes in apple cider vinegar help to give you a pick me up. Just add some ACV to a glass of water.

I like adding it to my water during a workout to prevent fatigue.

The amino acids in apple cider vinegar combat lactic acid build-up that can happen after exercise.

Lowering Cholesterol Levels

A successful study was done on rats but has yet to be replicated in humans.

The study found that rats on a diet with an acetic acid supplement had lower cholesterol levels than rats without the acetic acid supplement.

Acetic acid is one of the ingredients in apple cider vinegar and many other kinds of vinegar.

For those who believe in the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, this study is promising.

But there are other things to consider before assuming that the findings will be true in humans — primarily that there are key differences between the metabolism of rats and humans.

The study authors recommend that the next trial be on hamsters, which break down fat in a way that is more similar to humans.

Diabetes Management

A few studies have found that apple cider vinegar helped in the management of diabetes; however, these studies are also limited by their small size.

One study, which found that taking vinegar at bedtime reduces blood sugar levels the next morning in people with type 2 diabetes, examined only 11 people.

Another study found that taking cider vinegar might have some effect on insulin sensitivity in some diabetes patients, but that research, too, was limited by the small number of people being studied.

Hair Restorer

Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a natural hair care product to promote healthy hair in both men and women.

Its acidity is close to that of natural hair, it’s a good conditioner and cleaning agent and it’s also an effective germ killer.

As a result, apple cider vinegar uses and benefits for the hair include:

Vinegar hair rinse
Hair Herbal rinse
Essential oil vinegar hair rinse
Dandruff and itchy scalp relief
Natural hair loss treatment
Home Remedy for head lice

Teeth Whitener

Yellow teeth are no match for apple cider vinegar.
For stubborn stains, rub apple cider vinegar directly on your teeth then rinse with water.
Be careful not to do this too often, as it can break down tooth enamel.
For a less abrasive whitening mouthwash, mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water, then swish around in your mouth.

Researchers are still involved in new studies about apple cider vinegar which may soon offer more information on how this really works. (Source: BlackDoctor.org

8 Tips For Handling Diabetes In The Summer Heat

Health

CNC Staff

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June 23, 2022

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8 Tips For Handling Diabetes In The Summer Heat

The summer heat requires greater care for diabetes medications and supplies. High temperatures can also change the way your body uses insulin. The following tips will help you keep your cool, and your diabetes medications and supplies safe.

1. Drink plenty of water.

Even if you’re not thirsty, you should drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

People with diabetes get dehydrated (lose too much water from their bodies) more quickly. Not drinking enough liquids can cause your blood glucose – also called blood sugar levels to rise.

“Becoming dehydrated and not replacing that water can lead to high blood sugar. When fluids leave your body, your blood becomes more concentrated with glucose,” says Brooklyn-based Dacia Bryant, Founder and Chief Health Officer at A ONE C LifeBox, a digital healthcare engagement company that equips Black and Hispanic people with the tools to manage their diabetes more effectively.

High blood glucose can make you urinate more, causing dehydration. Diuretics – water pills, can also cause dehydration. Avoid alcohol and drinks with caffeine, like coffee and energy or sports drinks. They can also lead to water loss and spike your blood glucose levels.

2. Adjust insulin as needed.

High temperatures can change how your body uses insulin. You may need to test your blood glucose more often and adjust your insulin dose and what you eat and drink.

Bryant says, “Dehydration also leads to a decrease in blood flow supplied to the skin where insulin is injected. Your insulin dose may not be fully absorbed, and blood glucose can remain high.”

Ask your health care provider or diabetes educator if you would like help making insulin adjustments during the hot summer heat.

3. Test your blood glucose levels frequently.

Check your blood glucose more often to make sure it’s in your target range. It’s especially important to

recognize the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia – low blood sugar, and treat it as soon as possible. Also, check your blood glucose before, during, and after you’re active. You may need to change how much insulin you use.

4. Take some snacks with you.

Glucose gels, tablets, candy, and regular soft drinks can relieve symptoms of low blood sugar. Snacks such as breakfast bars, cheese crackers, granola bars, and trail mix can be eaten when meals are missed or delayed. Keep snacks, glucose gel, or tablets with you.

5. Protect your medication and supplies.

Bryant suggests using a cool storage pouch for insulin.

“I often recommend packing a cooler like the Frio Insulin Cooling Case or a Medicool pouch. These cool storage pouches will protect insulin and other injectables from extreme heat not only during hot summer months but also throughout the year if you travel to warm climates where air conditioning may be limited, and power loss is common,” says Bryant.

Heat can also damage your blood sugar monitor, insulin pump, and other diabetes equipment. Don’t leave them in a hot car, by a pool, in direct sunlight, or on the beach. The same goes for supplies such as test strips.

6. Avoid tanning and sunburn.

Any increase in skin pigment as a result of tanning is a sign of damage.

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause dry skin, wrinkles and dark spots. People with diabetes tend to have dry skin, increasing the risk of damage from the sun’s rays.

Dry skin can lead to cracking and peeling, which allows bacteria to enter the body and cause infection. Wear sunscreen and a hat when you’re outside. Sunburn can raise your blood sugar levels.

7. Make a plan in case you lose power.

People with diabetes face extra challenges if a strong storm knocks out the power or they have to seek shelter away from home.

Plan how you’ll handle your insulin and other medications that require refrigeration. Also, be prepared by packing an emergency ready-to-go bag (a supply kit you can grab quickly if you need to leave your home).

8. Keep diabetes supplies cool.

Finally, always have an ice pack, cool storage pouch, or similar item for your diabetes supplies available, even at home. You never know when electricity might go out in a summer storm. (Source: BlackDoctor.org by Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, national speaker, and author of The African American Guide to Living Well with Diabetes.)

Lessons Learned from Voting During the Pandemic in Tennessee

Politics

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June 23, 2022

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Lessons Learned from Voting During the Pandemic in Tennessee

In June 2022, ThinkTN joined the Tennessee Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights – an independent, bipartisan agency established by Congress to examine instances of discrimination or denial of equal protection of the laws under the Constitution – for a conversation about Tennessee voting policies.

Dawn Schluckebier, ThinkTN’s Advocacy and Government Relations Director, was invited to share her expertise, along with two other expert panelists. The panel – one in a series of six hosted by the committee – focused on voting during the Covid-19 pandemic in Tennessee, particularly absentee voting.

During the discussion, ThinkTN shared information from its Voting During the Pandemic briefs and highlighted how current restrictions on the distribution of absentee application forms makes it difficult for Tennesseans to help eligible voters to vote absentee.

ThinkTN comments, along with those of other panelists, was used to inform the Commission’s forthcoming report on whether voting laws, policies, or practices in Tennessee create unjustifiable barriers to voting.

ThinkTN participation in the panel builds on its ongoing efforts to promote policy solutions that will streamline the voting process and further secure Tennessee’s elections. For more information, see ThinkTN recommendations in its Election 2020 After-Action Report.