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Day: February 5, 2021

Hosting a Superbowl During a Pandemic – Tampa’s Take on COVID Precautions

Posted on by Staff Writer

On February 7th, the city of Tampa will host Superbowl LV, where the Tampa Buccaneers will play the Kansas City Chiefs. Notably, it will be the fifth time for the Superbowl to be in Tampa. However, it’s the first time one of the teams playing will do so in their own city. And of course, it’s also another important first. Never before have the teams played in a Superbowl during a pandemic. For Tampa, that presents obvious challenges as they strive to make this year’s event not only entertaining but safe.

From initial preparations through the entire Superbowl experience, COVID precautions will be in place. Some measures like social distancing, had-washing and facemasks will be the same as they are otherwise. But in addition, additional measures are being taken for added safety measures. This also extends well beyond NFL policies and Raymond James Stadium itself. In fact, the entire city of Tampa will feel the effects of hosting a Superbowl during a pandemic. And perhaps, it might just turn out to be an incredible opportunity for everyone.

“Our city is gearing up to host the Super Bowl, and we are so excited to offer a fun, safe and unforgettable Super Bowl experience for our community and to show off Tampa on the world stage.” – Jane Castor, Tampa’s Mayor

Pre-Superbowl Preparations During a Pandemic

Naturally, the city of Tampa will perform routine clean-up activities in preparation for this year’s big game. Keep Tampa Beautiful and the Host Committee for the Superbowl partnered in 1/24 or a “land and sea” cleanup effort. In doing so, standard COVID precautions will be in place. But other aspects of the city will feel the pandemic’s impact as well. For example, Tampa International Airport will boost their own virus-proofing and clean-up efforts. And all official staff preparing the stadium will practice strict precautions in readying the event for nearly 25,000 fans.

A mop and mop bucket at a sporting event
COVID precautions for the Superbowl means a lot of cleaning… A LOT of cleaning.

As part of having the Superbowl during a pandemic, fans will be required to wear facemasks throughout the game. But these won’t be just any masks. Everyone entering will be given a KN-95 face mask, designed to offer high-level COVID precautions. Staff will need to prepare these for distribution game day along with safety cards noting the event’s rules. Likewise, sanitizer stations will be located everywhere in addition to designated eating and drinking areas. All of this will be well-demarcated before the gates open Superbowl Sunday.

“Every fan, every guest, every person working at the stadium when they arrive will receive a KN95 mask, will receive bacterial wipes, will receive hand wipes, will receive sanitizer, will receive a safety card. And everybody will be in masks.” – Jon Barker, NFL Head of Live Event Production

Fan Experiences of a Superbowl During a Pandemic

Despite many COVID precautions in place, Tampa is striving to recreate engaging fan experiences the week before the game. When there isn’t a Superbowl during a pandemic, parties and festivities are abundant leading up to the big event. Concerts, player interviews, and fan interactives are the norm. Unfortunately, there won’t be many of these regular events this year and no autograph signing either. However, fans still have many things to look forward to. This is where Tampa’s scenic waterfront and Riverwalk will be quite the asset. (For more the development of Downtown Tampa, check out this Bold Business article.)

The Superbowl Fan Experience will still take place in Tampa this year in the days before the football match. Tickets, though limited in number, were offered free for those who signed up early. The event will provide a variety of fan interactive experiences along the 2.7 mile stretch adjacent to Tampa’s beautiful bay. Julian B. Lane Park, Curtis-Hixon Park, and Tech Village will all be specific destinations. And most importantly, all will offer outdoor activities with plenty of fresh air. Along with regular COVID precautions, this will allow fans to best enjoy their visit to the Superbowl during a pandemic.

“These dedicated health care workers continue to put their own lives at risk to serve others, and we owe them our ongoing gratitude. We hope in a small way that this initiative will inspire our country and recognize these true American heroes.” – Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner

Appreciating Fans in a Unique Way

In an effort to show respect and appreciation, the NFL awarded 7,500 healthcare workers tickets to this year’s Superbowl. Local nurses, EMS workers, and others in healthcare fields who have received vaccinations were able to enter a lottery drawing. Not only does the gesture reward the courage and dedication of local Tampa healthcare staff. It also encourages others to receive vaccinations as they become available. In this way, these efforts are both reactive and proactive ways to invoke COVID precautions.

Fans will look a bit different in this Superbowl during a pandemic in other ways. While 24,700 total fans will be socially distanced inside, they won’t be the only ones. COVID precautions limited the number of live fans but not virtual and cardboard ones. Digital 2-D cutouts as well as paper ones will fill many of the seats in Raymond James Stadium during the game. In pursuing this, the NFL and Tampa will strive to make a Superbowl during a pandemic as “normal” as possible. Safety is certainly top priority, but where possible, normalcy will be a focus as well. Digital sports technologies will help. (For more on the evolution of digital sports technology, check out this Bold Business story.)

A Social Statement in Challenging Times

It’s been a tremendously difficult year for everyone around the globe. Dealing with COVID precautions and restrictions has taken a toll on all of us. Likewise, frontline workers and those who have lost loved ones to the disease has been heartbreaking. For this reason, the ability to enjoy a Superbowl during a pandemic is something that should be cherished. With so much of life disrupted, coming together around such a major sporting and entertainment event is powerful. Without question, Tampa is striving to provide both fans in person and at home such an opportunity while still honoring safety. It’s definitely something we all need at this stage of the game.

 

Want to make 2021 a better year than 2020? Then check out PROJECT BOLD LIFE: The Proven Formula to Take on Challenges and Achieve Happiness and Success.

Diagnosing Early Brain Problems – The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Neurological Disease

Posted on by Staff Writer

As the population ages globally, conditions that will become more prevalent involve neurodegenerative ones. These types of disorders develop gradually over time, and unfortunately, are not detectable until late into the disease. These include conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s and other types of dementia. Though many have limited options for treatment, diagnosing early brain problems is still preferable. If nothing else, this would allow additional therapies to be explored that might prevent progression.

Given these objectives, one possible tool in diagnosing early brain problems involves the use of AI, or artificial intelligence. Researchers and companies are increasingly exploring the use of artificial intelligence in neurological disease. Some are using it to screen for Alzheimer’s in older adults. Others are using it to track eye movements that might hint at brain-related issues. Interestingly, not only are these tests showing promise, but they are detecting dementia years before clinical signs. (For more on the early detection of dementia, check out this Bold Business article.) Because of this, many health experts are quite enthusiastic about the promise that these AI tools may hold.

“This is the first report I have seen that took people who are completely normal and predicted with some accuracy who would have problems years later.” – Dr. Michael Weiner, Alzheimer’s Disease Researcher at the University of California, San Francisco

Language Screening with Artificial Intelligence in Neurological Disease

The Framingham Heart Study has been ongoing for decades. In the 1980’s early data from this longitudinal study completely changed the recommended diets and activities. But the study didn’t stop then. In fact, it has been ongoing, and now it is revealing some additional insights. IBM researchers are finding that AI examining data collected from these individuals predicts early brain problems 75% of the time. And it does so several years in advance.

A scan of someone's brain and a doctor pointing at it
Artificial intelligence is being used to detect early brain problems.

The study examined 80 people in their 80s with normal brain function 7.5 years prior and followed them over time. The study routinely includes cognitive examinations, and these exams include tests of language abilities. By using AI, it found that those who went onto to develop Alzheimer’s disease had some notable abnormalities early. Specifically, this included repetitive word usage, omissions of prepositions, and increased grammatical and spelling errors. The researchers concluded that the findings support the use of artificial intelligence in neurological disease as a screening tool.

“The interesting thing with mobile artificial intelligence applications is that the more data we obtain, the more accurate our algorithms become at detecting and tracking the presence and progression of these various devastating neurological conditions.” – Etienne de Villers-Sidani, MD, Founder, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer at Innodem

Using AI in Other Conditions with Early Brain Problems

Using artificial intelligence in neurological disease extends well beyond Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers at IBM are not only exploring its use here but in other neurodegenerative conditions. These include illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and other dementias. It also involves psychiatric disorders like bipolar disease and schizophrenia. Each of these conditions show early brain problems well before clinical detection. If AI could detect these changes earlier, then potentially interventions might be employed to slow the disease.

Interestingly, researchers are looking at the use of AI in schizophrenia with these concepts in mind. Like Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia shows language changes as part of the condition. However, these changes are different and include more simplistic forms of speech and rapid, loosely-connected thoughts. Studies evaluating individuals with AI has shown that this tool could detect 85 percent of those who would go onto to have schizophrenia. And it did it three years before they met clinical criteria for diagnosis. Results like these are why there is excitement about the future use of artificial intelligence in neurological disease.

“For us, it is a priority to do the science correctly and at scale. We should have many more samples. There are more than 60 million psychiatric interviews in the U.S. each year but none of those interviews are using the tools we have.” – Guillermo Cecchi, an IBM researcher

AI Assessments of Eye Movements Also Show Promise

Language changes are not the only ones that occur in neurodegenerative diseases. Changes in eye movements can also be markers for early brain problems. Understanding this, Innodem Neurosciences, a Montreal start-up, is using AI to evaluate eye changes. Currently, its artificial intelligence in neurological disease detection is being applied to possible Multiple Sclerosis development. And early results look promising. In fact, Innodem recently received $6 million in Series A funding to further their efforts. As a result, the company plans to start exploring AI in other neurological conditions with altered eye movements as well. Specifically, it plans to study Parkinson disease and ALS patients in the future.

Innodem didn’t just stumble upon the use of AI in diagnosing early brain problems with eye movement changes. It first was used in an app called Pigio. Pigio was used to help individuals with communication and mobility issues communicate through eye movements. However, the vast amounts of anonymous data that was collected allowed AI patterns to be identified. Thus, Innodem suspected the use of artificial intelligence in neurological disease detection might show promise. Obviously, other investors believe they’re onto something based on the funding recently provided.

Leveraging AI and Data to Aid Disease Prevention

Advances in technology often bring about amazing discoveries and opportunities. Using artificial intelligence in neurological disease management reflects this statement well. Having the ability to diagnose early brain problems could be a real gamechanger for many. It provides opportunities to prepare, and it invites ways to perform better research. And for conditions that have preventative measures or treatments, it could improve quality of life. All of these reasons explain why the use of AI in neurodegenerative conditions is exciting. Given the early evidence cited above, data analytics and AI will likely be routine diagnostic tools employed in the future. And as data expands, these tools will only get better and better.

 

Want to make 2021 a better year than 2020? Then check out PROJECT BOLD LIFE: The Proven Formula to Take on Challenges and Achieve Happiness and Success.

Living in a Bubble World – How COVID Bubbles Are the New Norm

Posted on by Staff Writer

Prior to 2020, if you mentioned a “bubble,” someone would have thought you were talking about housing or the economy. But that’s no longer the case. With the rapid spread of coronavirus, many now refer to COVID bubbles as a means to deter infection. But even this terminology can have a variety of different meanings from the conceptual to the literal. From restaurants, to sports leagues, to even concerts, we now find ourselves living in a bubble. And it’s a world that’s not likely to go away any time soon.

COVID bubbles today can refer to different situations, but they all have one goal in mind…to protect us. As more virulent strains of the virus emerge, living in a bubble remains perhaps our best bet. Certainly, long-term protections will involve coronavirus vaccinations and herd immunity. (For more on the challenges that lie ahead with coronavirus vaccinations, check out this Bold Business story.) But based on the current vaccination rollout, many are predicting such protections won’t appear until 2022. This is why many continue to embrace a bubble concept when it comes to deterring the spread of COVID.

“The fewer, the better. Your bubble consists of everybody that your entire bubble is in contact with. So even if you’re only including one other person in your bubble, but that person has 10 people in their bubble, you’ve now got 11 people in your bubble.” – Dr. Sadiya Khan, Epidemiologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The Conceptual COVID Bubbles

When most people refer to COVID bubbles, they’re talking about conceptual ones. In essence, these types of bubbles refer to restricting contact to only a select few people. Only close friends and family members should be allowed in such circumstances. Those who agree commit to limiting contact to only those people living in a bubble. And if accidental contact is made outside, then COVID testing and quarantining is required. Combined with mask-wearing, this approach has been shown to be the most effective in deterring COVID infectious spread.

Without question, these COVID bubbles are challenging at best and isolating at worst. This is especially concerning for those who are already socially isolated, such as many older adults. Using innovative videoconferencing platforms can be critical for these individuals. The potential harm to this population from being exposed to the virus supports living in a bubble. Likewise, current strains on the nation’s healthcare system similarly encourage these efforts despite their extreme nature. Until vaccination rates reach 70 percent or more, this remains the best strategy infectious disease experts encourage.

“If we’re going to observe the concept of bubbles, then there have to be insiders and outsiders. Instead of focusing on who’s inside or outside, suggest maintaining social contact through whatever means are safely available, e.g., Zoom or FaceTime.”- Jayson Dibble, Associate Professor of Communication, Hope College

The Literal COVID Bubbles

After suffering through the 2008 recession, most of us can easily grasp a conceptual bubble. Thus, it’s not that difficult understanding what living in a bubble means in a general sense. But some have taken this quite literally. During the fall, many restaurants in New York and other cities created dining bubble pods during the pandemic. Unfortunately, these are not ideal, often exposing those in the pod and servers to higher infection risk. Condensation, poor ventilation, and demands for sanitization in between dining parties further complicated these situations. And in terms of their utility, most experts believed they did more harm than good.

Some outdoor dining inside bubbles
Welcome to the new normal, where everyone eats in COVID bubbles.

Even more remarkable are recent concerts performed by The Flaming Lips. During the pandemic, all of us have realized that we need live entertainment. (Do you agree that we need concerts? Check out this Bold Business opinion piece.) So, the band members decided to have their entire audience as well as themselves in bubbles. Each Zorb ball could hold up to 3 patrons, and attendants were on hand to assist if needed. Each of the COVID bubbles had water, a battery-operated fan, and small speakers. It also came with a sign that could let attendants know if a restroom break was needed. Certainly, this approach required a lot of space and ample staff. But despite this, concerts were well-attended.

“[The bubble concert is] a very restricted, weird event. But the weirdness is so we can enjoy a concert before putting our families and everybody at risk. I think it’s a bit of a new normal — you might go to a show, you might not, but I think we’re going to be able to work it out.” – Wayne Coyne, Lead Musician for The Flaming Lips

COVID Bubbles in Between

Interestingly, there are also situations where living in a bubble has both physical and conceptual aspects. Last season, both the NBA and the NHL adopted their own versions of COVID bubbles. Players were required to remain in isolated areas during the season to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This also made interruptions in the games less likely. Restrictions became even more intense as teams approached to playoffs and the finals. Though still exposed to others, the number was much reduced. Mask-wearing and social distancing was used in these instances to further manage risk.

Of course, not all sports leagues decided to take a bubble approach. Several elected to impose COVID testing, contact tracing, mask-wearing and social distancing as their primary strategies. Rather than living in a bubble, players were allowed to stay at home. The NFL and MLB pursued this type of strategy, and some mishaps did occur along the way. But despite some setbacks, the seasons proceeded to completion without using strict COVID bubbles in the process. Clearly the bubbles reduce risk, but the trade-offs for some sports leagues were believed to be too much.

Living in a Bubble After COVID

Regardless whether you think of COVID bubbles conceptually or otherwise, all of us are quite aware of a bubble mentality. Even as we walk on the street or into the grocery store, we’re all very aware of our immediate personal space. This heightened sense of our own “bubble” isn’t likely to go away immediately. And if vaccines have a limited duration of effect, like a flu shot, then these perceptions will definitely stick around. While we may not be dining or going to concerts in Zorb balls (what are Zorb balls?), we will still be wary of our surroundings. That’s why, to some extent, we’ll probably be living in a bubble world for some time to come.

 

Want to make 2021 a better year than 2020? Then check out PROJECT BOLD LIFE: The Proven Formula to Take on Challenges and Achieve Happiness and Success.

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