UTA In The News — Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Pandemic not over
The Dallas Cowboys’ COVID-19 outbreak is one of the biggest in the NFL this season, CBS 11 reported. Public health experts, including Erin Carlson, director of graduate public health programs at UT Arlington, said it shows that the pandemic is far from over. “It is a reminder that we still need to take precautions to protect those around us,” said Carlson.
Holiday airline travel
Erin Bowen, aviation psychology researcher and UTA professor, spoke with FOX 4 about "air rage." With more holiday travel to come, a group that represents passenger service agents put out videos with a goal of cutting down on unruly passengers. Bowen said that while well-meaning, the videos, in her opinion, will not do much to change passenger behavior. "These are not preplanned actions. These are spur-of-the-moment emotional outbursts," she said. Bowen also advised to stay up to date on current rules for masks and security procedures, especially with international travel.
Teacher retention payments
Catherine Robert, assistant professor in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department, spoke with the Texas Association of School Boards about the news that one-time retention payments have been approved across Texas in hopes of retaining employees. Although the one-time payments can act as morale boosters, Robert encouraged districts to look at other ways to champion their staff and educators, namely by providing administrator support and leadership.
Exercise in cancer survivors
Researcher and Assistant Professor Yue Liao in the Department of Kinesiology found that cancer survivors improved their quality of life, physical activity level and physical functioning after completing a 12-week group-based exercise program, Disease Prevention Daily reported. Liao, co-lead author of the study, and her research partners found that community-based programs can be effective in supporting cancer survivors to improve their physical functioning.