Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Mind The Gap: A White Paper On Maine's Missing Covid-19 Surveillance Data, How They Perpetuate Health Disparities Of Maine's Citizens With Disabilities, And What Can Be Done To Increase Maine's Public Health Data & Service Equity, Michelle Fong

Student and Trainee Scholarship

A white paper by Michelle Fong, a 2023 NH-ME Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) trainee and MPH student at the University of New England. Equitable health data represents all populations and can be linked to their common characteristics. Maine’s COVID-19 data can be disaggregated by gender, race, ethnicity, and age, but not by disability status or type. It is an example of inequity in data collection, or a data gap, that prevents analysis of pandemic health outcomes for Mainers with disabilities.

The Impacts Of Covid-19 On Friendship Reciprocity In Adolescents, Tori Lucia

Honors College

The current study looks at how COVID-19 affected adolescents’ interpersonal relationships due to safety restrictions. Adolescent friendships are particularly important in adolescence (Yu and Deutsch, 2021; Adler & Adler, 1995; Parker et al, 2006). Emerging research suggests that interpersonal relationships were impacted during COVID-19 (Shoshani & Kor, 2022), but there is more to understand about precisely how adolescent friendships were impacted. Specifically, it is not known whether the onset of the pandemic impacted the number of reciprocated friendships, the stability of reciprocation in best friendships, and both positive and negative friendship quality in adolescents’ lives. The current study tests whether …

"This Winter Is Going To Be Awful": Challenges Facing Maine Domestic Violence Resource Centers Amid Covid-19, Catherine Keely Mcconville

Honors College

Few studies have considered the impact of COVID-19 on the domestic violence workforce in the United States, while none have focused on the state of Maine or the challenges experienced by advocates and organizations as the pandemic becomes endemic. To fill these gaps, this study examines the immediate and enduring impacts of COVID-19 on Maine’s domestic violence workforce using semi-structured interviews analyzed thematically using an inductive coding technique. This study reveals (1) the impact of the pandemic on Maine’s the domestic violence workforce, (2) the ways in which adaptations were made in the provision of services, for better and for …

University Of Maine Athletics_Maine Athletics Announces New, Relaxed Covid Policy Email, University Of Maine Athletics

Athletics Department

UMaine Athletic News email regarding the changing of COVID-19 policies, specifically that was no longer a requirement to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter Alfond Arena or The Pit at Memorial Gymnasium. And that face coverings were no longer required.

Covid-19 And Outdoor Recreation In Maine And New Hampshire: Analysis Of Trends Using Passive Visitation Data, Andrea Knapp

Honors College

The COVID-19 pandemic has motivated alterations to the way people approach and practice outdoor recreation. Access to outdoor areas has changed rapidly in response to measures like travel bans, closures, and health and safety guidelines. Recreation managers have had to act quickly to keep up with these visitor use fluctuations in order to protect resources from use degradation. I explored how pandemic effects have changed visitation behaviors and trends in outdoor recreation in Acadia National Park and the White Mountain National Forest. Acadia National Park is a well-known and highly trafficked outdoor recreation area with over 3 million visits annually …

University Of Maine Athletics_University Of Maine System Updates Indoor Gathering Attendance Requirements For Children Email, University Of Maine Athletics

Athletics Department

UMaine Athletic News email regarding the fact that starting Jan. 4, 2022 the University of Maine System required anyone five years of age or older attending an indoor event with more than 250 people to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive a negative test within 72 hours of the gathering. Proof of vaccination or a negative test was also needed.

Center For Community Inclusion And Disability Studies_Ccids And Partners In Maine Dd Network Collaborate On Covid-19 Vaccination Video Psas, University Of Maine Center For Community Inclusion And Disability Studies

Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies

Screenshot of the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies and Partners in Maine DD Network Collaborate on COVID-19 Vaccination Video PSAs webpage.

University Of Maine Athletics_Women's Basketball Essential Worker Day, University Of Maine Athletics

Athletics Department

UMaine Athletic News email regarding an invitation to Essential Workers to attend the Women's Basketball Home Opener. vs Providence in the Pit on November 13th at 1pm.

Covid-19 Affects Coping Strategies And Food Access For Maine Adults, Tara Whiton, Kathryn Yerxa, Rachel E. Schattman

Food Science and Human Nutrition Faculty Scholarship

Food-coping strategies (FCS) are often measured as direct indicators of food insecurity, as they allow for an assessment of the vulnerability and sustainability of attempts to maintain a sufficient food supply by limited-resource individuals. They are often easier to assess than other household indicators of sufficiency, including income and food consumption. Because vulnerability is considered, food-security policies and programs that account for FCS can broaden their efforts from addressing current constraints to food consumption, to include actions that also address future threats to food security. Households may employ any one or a combination of the four types of coping strategies, …

Umaine Office For Diversity And Inclusion_Happy Coming Out Week! Email, University Of Maine Office For Diversity And Inclusion

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Email from the UMaine Office for Diversity and Inclusion with various details of the Office's work and specific events related to Coming Out Week and LGBTQ+ History Month events.

University Of Maine Athletics_Umaine Athletics Announces Covid-19 Vaccination Policy For Basketball, Hockey Email, University Of Maine Athletics

Athletics Department

UMaine Athletic News email regarding the fact that per University of Maine system guidance, UMaine Athletics will require all guests attending home hockey and basketball events to provide full proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, which must be administered within the previous 72 hours. Patrons must have a mask in place covering their nose and mouth prior to entry to the venues.

Umaine Office For Diversity And Inclusion_Happy October! Email, University Of Maine Office For Diversity And Inclusion

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Email from the UMaine Office for Diversity and Inclusion with various details of the Office's work and specific events related to LGBTQ+ History Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Indigenous Peoples Day, and National Coming Out Day.

Honors College_Dei Scholarship Webpage, University Of Maine Honors College

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Screenshot of University of Maine Honor College webpage with details of the new Robert B. Thomson Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Scholarship

Shopping, Eating, And Dietary Behaviors Of Maine Adults As A Result Of Covid-19: A Focus On Older Adults, Rachel E. Schattman, Kathryn Yerxa

Food Science and Human Nutrition Faculty Scholarship

Through a survey conducted in 2020, we investigated changes in eating, shopping, and dietary behaviors of Maine adults by age group before COVID-19 (prior to March 2020) and during COVID-19 (August/September 2020). This investigation was part of a larger investigation to assess food security, access, and food systems during COVID-19.6 The survey was conducted in Maine between August and September 2020 and illustrates responses from a sample of 618 Maine adults aged 18 years and older. Findings include:

• Respondents who were 55 years and older were less likely to reduce fruit, vegetable and seafood consumption during COVID-19.

• Respondents in all …

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Food Insecurity And Use Of Food-Assistance Programs And Food Pantries Of Maine Adults As A Result Of Covid-19, Rachel E. Schattman, Kathryn Yerxa

Food Science and Human Nutrition Faculty Scholarship

We investigated the food-security status and use of food assistance programs and food pantries of Maine adults before COVID-19 (prior to March 2020) and during COVID-19 (August to September 2020). Data were collected through an online survey administered to 618 Maine adults aged 18 years and older between August and September 2020. The survey was part of a larger study to assess food security, access, and food systems during COVID-19. We found that COVID-19 has increased the incidence of food security for survey respondents of all ages, but younger respondents (18 to 34 years) were the most likely age group …

University Of Maine Athletics_Face Coverings Required At Indoor Events At Umaine Email, University Of Maine Athletics

Athletics Department

UMaine Athletic News email regarding the fact that face coverings were required at indoor events at UMaine.

Umaine Office For Diversity And Inclusion_Hispanic Heritage Month Continues, Lgbtq+ History Month Begins! Email, University Of Maine Office For Diversity And Inclusion

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Email from the UMaine Office for Diversity and Inclusion with various details of the Office's work and specific events related to Hispanic/Latinx Heritage and LGBTQ History Month.

Umaine Office For Diversity And Inclusion_Happy Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month! Email, University Of Maine Office For Diversity And Inclusion

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Email from the UMaine Office for Diversity and Inclusion with various details of the Office's work and events related to Hispanic/Latinx Heritage month, Bisexual month, and Yom Kippur.

Umaine Office For Diversity And Inclusion_It's Week 1 And We're Excited! Email, University Of Maine Office For Diversity And Inclusion

Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Email from the UMaine Office for Diversity and Inclusion with various details of the Office's work and the return to campus for the 2021 Fall Semester.

Covid-19_Umaine News_News Center Talks With Umaine Student Athletes About Vaccine Requirements, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing And Communications

Division of Marketing & Communications

Screenshot of UMaine in the News regarding the News Center Maine speaking with Tiana Bucknor, Delaney LaBonte and Sophia Santa Maria about vaccine requirements at the University of Maine.

Recreation Center_ August 18: Face Coverings Required In Indoor Spaces Regardless Of Vaccination Status, University Of Maine Recreation Center

Recreation Center

Screenshot of webpage with the University of Maine Campus Recreation's policy on face coverings required in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Effect Of Waste And Waste Management On The University Of Maine And Community During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alexis Welch

Honors College

The Covid-19 pandemic closed the University of Maine the second week of March. Quickly following, most of the country was on lockdown. The virus also has directly affected the University of Maine and its waste stream due to the drastic changes in population and the types of waste being produced. The purpose of this study is to first analyze the direct effects on the amount of waste produced per category on campus in 2019 compared to 2020. The main categories are municipal solid waste, single stream, compost, demo debris, metals, electronics, hazardous waste, universal waste, and biowaste. The second purpose …

The Defense Of American Exceptionalism: President Trump's Covid-19 Rhetoric, Sabrina Paetow

Honors College

This thesis uses grounded theory and content analysis to examine the political rhetoric President Donald Trump used in the Coronavirus Task Force press briefings during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. I collected 44 transcripts of these press briefings from when they began on February 26, 2020 until April 27, 2020. This time frame marks the period during which the press briefings happened with consistency and when Trump spoke at all of them. Through my research, I established that United States presidents have employed rhetorical tropes of American exceptionalism, including Trump. Trump invoked American exceptionalism in a three-pronged rhetorical …

Covid-19_Umaine News_Maine Contemporary Archives Garners National Award Of Excellence, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing And Communications

Division of Marketing & Communications

Screenshot of UMaine News press release regarding the group that created the Maine Contemporary Archives, which includes the University of Maine Raymond H. Fogler Library, earning an award of excellence from the American Association of State and Local History (AASLH).

Teaching News Literacy During A Pandemic: Adapting To The Virtual Learning Environment, R. Alan Berry, Jennifer L. Bonnet, Judith E. Rosenbaum

Library Staff Publications

In the fall of 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic shuttered universities and sent much of higher education online, a team of media and information literacy experts at the University of Maine sought meaningful ways to collaboratively teach news literacy from a distance.

The result of their efforts was a weeklong virtual program, Friend, Enemy, or Frenemy? A News Literacy Challenge, open to anyone with an internet connection and an email address. This approach to remote learning scaffolded multiple literacies (critical media, news, and information) into five days, as participants examined different aspects of news production and consumption. The overall objective …

Political Polarization And The Dissemination Of Misinformation: The United States Pandemic Response As A Cautionary Tale, Mary Giglio

Honors College

This thesis discusses the failings of theUnited States response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it has been shaped by the nation’s intense political polarization and the widespread dissemination of misinformation. In this thesis, I critically examine the government’s initial response to the pandemic, including its lack of preparedness and the ineffectiveness of its eventual policies. I also attempt to explain the influence of political polarization on the states, resulting in congressional gridlock, as well as wildly varying policies regarding lockdowns and mask mandates. I connect the increasing prevalence of misinformation today to the historically recent rise of postmodernism, a …

Covid-19_Umaine News_Press Herald, Wabi Cite Umaine S Tudy In Story About Issues With Unemployment Claims System, University Of Maine Division Of Marketing And Communications

Division of Marketing & Communications

Screenshot of UMaine in the News regarding the Portland Press Herald and WABI (Channel 5) cited a study by Sandra Butler, a University of Maine professor of social work, which detailed numerous issues with the state's unemployment claims system, including long delays in receipt of benefits.

Covid-19_School Of Economics_Malacarne And Colleagues Address The Impacts Of Covid- 19 On Maine's Food System, University Of Maine School Of Economics

Teaching, Learning & Research Documents

Screenshot of a University of Maine School of Economics news release webpage regarding Jonathan Malacarne (SOE Assistant Professor), Jason Lilley (University of Maine Cooperative Extension Professional), and Tora Jackson (Maine Farmer Resource Network) presenting a summary of the impacts of COVID-19 on Maine's food system at the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) 2021 virtual Maine Ag Trades Show.

The Covid-19 Misinformation Challenge: An Asynchronous Approach To Information Literacy, Jennifer Bonnet, Senta Sellers

Library Staff Publications

The coronavirus pandemic introduced a "new normal" to the everyday lives of people the world over, including an evolving understanding of the virus’s spread and long-term impact. With each new development, misinformation about COVID-19 proliferated, sowing confusion and uncertainty about everything from causes to cures. In response, two librarians designed The COVID-19 Misinformation Challenge, a weeklong program aimed at discerning coronavirus fact from fiction on social media, in the news, and in academic publishing. Based on the number of program participants and their overwhelmingly positive feedback, the Challenge proved to be popular, fun, and educational.

How To Record Current Events Like An Archaeologist, Matthew Magnani, Anatolijs Venovcevs, Stein Farstadvoll, Natalia Magnani

Anthropology Faculty Scholarship

This article shows how to record current events from an archaeological perspective. With a case study from the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway, we provide accessible tools to document broad spatial and behavioral patterns through material culture as they emerge. Stressing the importance of ethical engagement with contemporary subjects, we adapt archaeological field methods—including geolocation, photography, and three-dimensional modeling—to analyze the changing relationships between materiality and human sociality through the crisis. Integrating data from four contributors, we suggest that this workflow may engage broader publics as anthropological data collectors to describe unexpected social phenomena. Contemporary archaeological perspectives, deployed in rapid response, …