5 things to know today about the coronavirus: Poll workers and going back to school

It is Tuesday, July 28, 2020, and these are five things to know about the coronavirus today.

Ohio’s layoff aversion program has more than quintupled since March

Ohio’s SharedWork program has grown by more than five times since March. The program works to help employers retain workers by offering the employer a form of partial unemployment payments – the employer reduces the worker’s hours by 10-50 percent, and then the state makes up the difference. SharedWork Ohio has existed for five years with 160 employers who participated. Since March, there have been 923 employers.

Doctors are worried about people’s mental health as pandemic drags on

Keeping a physical distance can help protect against contracting the coronavirus, but it could also endanger mental health, and doctors are concerned. In particular, disrupted routines and the potential of contracting the virus can exacerbate pre-existing psychological or substance abuse issues. So, we spoke to health experts on ways people can look out for themselves and others.

Miami University will be starting its semester online

All undergraduates at Miami University’s home and regional campuses will begin classes online this semester, running at least until Sept. 21, with the option for students to continue online classes for the whole semester. Graduate students, meanwhile, are scheduled for on-campus classes at the same time.

Ohio asks attorneys to fill gaps in poll worker numbers left by coronavirus cancelations

As election season nears, Ohio is having a problem filling all the polling stations with workers, as some older people who would normally work at the polls are deciding to stay home instead out of concern about the coronavirus. So, the Ohio Supreme Court has issued an order to give attorneys required continuing education credits for serving at the polls on Nov. 3.

Back-to-school shopping expected to look different during the coronavirus

With some students returning to classrooms, others staying home, and others using a combination of the two, uncertainty is changing the ways that families shop for school supplies. For students in normal classrooms, shopping includes normal supplies include items like notebooks and pencils. However, families with students learning part- or full-time from home are getting more electronics, depending on the school system.

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