Scammers are looking to capitalize on more than just consumers’ fears over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They are also hoping to take advantage of vulnerable small businesses, Attorney General Curtis Hill said today.
There are resources available to small businesses when it comes to the economic impacts of this ongoing public health emergency, Attorney General Hill said. However, small businesses must remain vigilant and be on the lookout for fraudsters who may appear to be offering help, but are actually seeking to harm.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) said scams involving the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are targeting small businesses. In one example, imposters posing as the SBA offer grants for small businesses affected by the outbreak. After completing an application for the grant by perhaps providing banking and business information, the business owner is asked to pay a “processing fee,” the BBB said.
No matter how much your small business could use this “free” money, do not take it, the BBB says.
Attorney General Hill urged business owners to thoroughly research any offers like this one before accepting and providing personal information.
“Small businesses in Indiana are normally trying to satisfy their customers and maintain a profit. But as this pandemic plays out, small businesses are shifting their business models, keeping people safe and just trying to survive,” Attorney General Hill said. “This juggling act makes them especially vulnerable to scammers who are trying to illegally and immorally profit from this crisis.”
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has documented additional coronavirus-related scams targeting businesses. These include “public health” scams, government check scams, information technology scams and more. Read more from the FTC here.
To avoid coronavirus-related scams, Attorney General Hill said to do the following:
Carefully inspect the email addresses in all messages landing in your inbox.
Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments.
Use trusted, legitimate government websites to obtain up-to-date information.
Don’t reveal personal or financial information via email or text message.
Hang up on robocalls.
If you own a small business in the Hoosier state, visit the Indiana Chamber of Commerce website to view assistance options available to you. Small businesses may also be eligible for relief under the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses.
Hoosiers who believe they have encountered scams may file a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by clicking here. If you need more information about services provided by this office, you may call 1-800-382-5516.
April is Citizen Science Month. Being involved in a citizen science project is a great way to learn about the nature around you and help at the same time. Here are a few citizen science opportunities you can explore:
Indiana Phenology is seeking volunteers to collected plant phenology data. Phenology is the study of observable seasonal life cycle changes in nature, such as leafing, flowering and fruiting of plants or in migratory, feeding and reproductive behavior in animals.
The goal is to gather data on the leafing, flowering and fruiting of common native plants in all 92 counties of Indiana to document the impacts of environmental change in Indiana. Partners include the USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN), an organization dedicated to collecting, organizing, and sharing phenological data and information to aid decision-making, scientific discovery, and a broader understanding of the science of phenology. Long-term observations of plant and animal life stages are recorded by volunteer and professional scientists in a national phenology program called Nature’s Notebook. All observations are freely available through the USA-NPN website.
There are three Indiana cities participating in the City Nature Challenge this year-South Bend, Fort Wayne area and Indianapolis, which combined covers a large part of Indiana. This is a friendly, collaborative effort to document the wildlife found all around us using the iNaturalist app. Check out the project page for information https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/indiana-city-nature-challenge-2020?tab=about
NestWatch is a nationwide monitoring program designed to track status and trends in the reproductive biology of birds, including when nesting occurs, the number of eggs laid, how many eggs hatch, and how many hatchlings survive. The database is intended to be used to study the current condition of breeding bird populations and how they may be changing over time as a result of climate change, habitat degradation and loss, expansion of urban areas, and the introduction of non-native plants and animals. To find out more visit https://nestwatch.org/
eBird is a simple app that allows you to quickly record bird sightings as a way of creating a personalized list of what you’ve seen and learned. It is for all levels of birders to use. The data from eBird can be used by scientists to explore bird biology on a global scale. To learn more about eBird, visit: https://ebird.org/home
EDDMapS
Given the vastness of Indiana, you may be the first to notice an invasive species growing. You can use the citizen science tool EDDMapS to report your observations. It is free and easy to use. EDDMapS tracks invasive species across Indiana and there have been over 130,000 county reports. It is also a helpful website for learning about invasive species identification. To learn more about reporting invasive species with EDDMapS, visit: www.eddmaps.org/indiana/
Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow network – simply known as CoCoRaHS – is an international (North America) program that offers an opportunity for anyone — young or old — to become a volunteer observer of precipitation. Local television, radio, and newspaper outlets can use the volunteer reports to share information from rural and small communities as well as larger cities. Climatologists study the data and look for changing weather patterns and historical trends. Even the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses CoCoRaHS reports to help determine if a county may qualify for federal funding after a severe storm. Your observations can help while also becoming a significant contribution to the official climate record of Indiana. CoCoRaHS came to Indiana in February of 2006 and has over 500 active observers of all ages from across the Hoosier State. Indiana was one of the first states in the Midwest to join this international network, which consists of over 20,000 volunteers. CoCoRaHS is a volunteer, grass-roots network dedicated to the monitoring of precious water resources. Organizations involved in agriculture/gardening, public safety, and natural resources management will find great benefit from contributing to this data network, that is available free of charge to anyone through the https://www.cocorahs.org/ website.
CoCoRaHS represents an important way to monitor precipitation trends that can significantly affect our daily lives. To learn more about CoCoRaHS, what is involved, how to join, etc., please join one of our upcoming CoCoRaHS Overview and Training webinars:
Thursday, April 16 meeting invitation:
Topic: CoCoRaHS Informational and Training
Time: April 16, 2020 (6 PM ET / 5 PM CT) (US and Canada)
Time: April 17, 2020 (10 AM ET / 9 AM CT) (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting – https://zoom.us/j/110143581
Meeting ID: 110 143 581
Want more citizen science opportunities? Visit https://scistarter.org/finder and fill out the search boxes to learn about other projects.
Purdue University Webinars
Some interesting webinars are being offered by the Exotic Forest Pest Educator from Purdue University
Spring 2020 Schedule
April 22 at 11 a.m. ET – Forest Invaders to Watch for and How to Manage Them Part 1: Emerald Ash Borer, Thousand Cankers Disease, and Asian Longhorned Beetle
Something chewing up your tree trunks? This webinar will cover the basics of identification and treatment of three major invasive woodborers: emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and thousand cankers disease. It will also include instruction on the identification of the host plants of invasive species.
April 29 at 11 a.m. ET – Forest Invaders to Watch for and How to Manage Them Part 2: Spotted Lanternfly, Gypsy Moth, and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
What’s that on your tree? We’ll tell you about how to identify, treat, and where to find three invasive species to watch out for on the outside of your trees: spotted lanternfly, hemlock wooly adelgid, and gypsy moth. The program will also include instruction on the identification of the host plants of invasive species.
CEU credits are offered but vary by webinar. Contact Elizabeth Barnes at barne175@purdue.edu for more details.
Can’t watch it live? No problem! All webinars are recorded and posted online after the talks. Register to be emailed the link when the video is posted! http://www.emeraldashborer.info/eabu.php
The Indiana State Police Forensic Scientist of the Year Award is presented annually to a Forensic Scientist within the Laboratory Division deemed to have consistently provided a superior quality forensic analysis service in a highly professional, proficient, and unbiased manner for the Indiana Criminal Justice Community.
The recipient of the 2019 Indiana State Police Forensic Scientist of the Year is Stacey R. Hartman, whose accomplishments during that year are worthy of such recognition and have earned her this award.
In 2019, Hartman, who serves as a Forensic Scientist in the Forensic Firearms Identification Unit at the Fort Wayne Regional Laboratory, completed 347 firearm/toolmark cases, which was well above the Unit’s average of 247 cases a year. In addition to casework, Ms. Hartman generated 53 hits in the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) Database, which aided federal, state, and local agencies with investigative leads in over 100 cases. Ms. Hartman produced results of the highest quality and successfully completed all proficiency and competency testing.
She completed 56 administrative reviews of other analysts’ casework while acting as the Unit Supervisor. Ms. Hartman testified four times in 2019 receiving a “superior” review from her Unit Supervisor and a letter of commendation from a prosecutor. She served as both Acting Laboratory Manager and Evidence Clerk at the Fort Wayne Regional Laboratory during the year and became known as someone to go to when help was needed.
In 2019, Hartman assisted the Forensic Firearms Identification Unit to maintain its place of leadership around the world by, for the second year, co-chairing the Midwest Firearm Examiner Training Seminar, which was held at the Indiana State Police Museum.
Ms. Hartman continued to be recognized as a leader in her field by being invited by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to participate in a Firearms Mapping Exercise in Gaithersburg, Maryland. NIST flew her and ten other Firearm Examiners from around the globe to the NIST campus to complete this three-day exercise. The very detailed document from the NIST exercise is now being used by the Firearms Subcommittee in the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) to establish standards that will be used worldwide.
Hartman earned a “distinguished” membership in the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE). AFTE is an international association with worldwide membership. Ms. Hartman was a member of the 2019 Host Committee for the AFTE meeting held in Nashville, Tennessee, and she worked with over 100 companies in preparation for the meeting. She continued to be a member of the AFTE Glossary Committee, and she has been certified since May 2013 in the area of Firearms Identification by AFTE.
In addition, Hartman actively assisted the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Marion Police Department, and the ATF by organizing IBIS shoots to streamline analytical processes. Ms. Hartman demonstrated her leadership and sense of community by receiving approval from Superintendent Carter to create an Indiana State Police Corporate 5K challenge running team, which participated in a local fundraiser and helped organize food drives and exercise groups within the Fort Wayne District.
Hartman has an undergraduate degree in Biology, Criminal Justice and Criminology from Ball State University and earned a Masters in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven, New Haven Connecticut in 2005. Before coming to work for the ISP she was employed by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office. She started her career with the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division in August of 2007 at the Fort Wayne Regional Laboratory as a member of the Forensic Firearms Identification Unit where she continues to serve.
With the reported forthcoming economic impact payments (commonly referred to as stimulus checks), there will undoubtedly be those who will attempt to take advantage of the situation.
Scammers never allow a good crisis to go to waste! For that reason, the Indiana State Police would caution all citizens to be ever so vigilant in protecting your personal information over the next few months to avoid being scammed. Here are a few facts from the Internal Revenue Service every Hoosier should know.
On March 30th, The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that the distribution of economic impact payments should begin over the next three weeks. The checks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. However, some taxpayers who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the economic impact payment.
For those who have already filed their 2019 tax returns, the IRS will use this information to calculate the payment amount. For anyone who has not yet filed their return for 2019, the IRS will use data from their 2018 tax filing to calculate the payment. The economic impact payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on the return filed.
Don’t give the scammers, swindlers, and frauds an open door. The IRS will not contact you via telephone or email asking for any personal information. All stimulus check information will be automatically gathered by the IRS from your actual tax return data.
For more information and to read for yourself, please visit the IRS coronavirus website for more details click here.
On Friday, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health will again co-host a conference call for those in the agricultural sector to discuss the current coronavirus situation.
This call is part of the regular Friday industry calls to focus on issues impacting those in the agricultural sector, including, but not limited to, the impact of the stay-at-home order and other current developments.
Just a reminder: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is not a foodborne pathogen and is not food transmitted.
To join the discussion, call: 240-454-0887
Meeting/passcode is: 618 434 482
If you have questions to be addressed during the call, email them ahead of time to animalhealth@boah.in.gov
An IU Medical student has contracted Covid-19 and shares his experience along with a warning.
David Vega, a fourth-year IU School of Medicine student, shared his personal experience of contracting COVID-19 and its impact on his health in a video and a blog.
He warns younger adults who may think they are invincible to take the virus seriously.
Below is Vega’s story:
Yes, I tested positive for COVID-19. I fell victim to this virus: a nasty, lingering virus that gave me the worst symptoms I’ve experienced to this day that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. My story is to warn you that this is not the common cold or the regular flu. This virus is serious.
My name is David, and I am an otherwise healthy 27-year-old male with no past medical history. I am a fourth-year medical student, who will soon be a doctor starting residency in June. I am a health freak, I work out five to six times a week, I have a six-pack on a good day, and I completely took my health for granted.
I thought I was INVINCIBLE—I thought I was immune to this coronavirus because I am healthy and young. But I was wrong.
In early March, reports of novel transmission of the coronavirus were just starting to appear in the United States. I had heard about the nursing home in Seattle, the synagogue in New Rochelle, New York. It was a precarious situation, but community transmission of the virus was not quite so widespread.
‘Sure, I’ll wash my hands,’ ‘I’ll social distance after that party,’ I thought. Looking back, there were too many opportunities for me to have caught this virus. I did not take my health seriously. I figured I could avoid the virus, but in the off-chance I were to get it, it would be like a mild flu or a bad cold. I flew home from a two-month global medicine elective in Africa, ventured on long flights home and around lots of people at Nairobi and JFK airport. I went to a beach party during my week stay in Florida and saw lots of friends before heading back to Indiana to finish up my last semester of medical school. I was not careful. I did not take the necessary precautions. I did not think it could happen to me.
The fact of the matter is – you NEVER know.
A day after arriving in Indiana, symptoms started to kick in. On Thursday, March 12, I woke up with fever, chills, fatigue, generalized muscle aches, and joint pain. Probably just a bad case of the flu, right? No cough, no shortness of breath, no difficulty breathing, no respiratory problems whatsoever. No nausea, no diarrhea. JUST Fever and chills.
Thinking ‘I’ll get over it soon,’ I took some Ibuprofen and Tylenol and stayed in bed most of the day. The next day, I had a routine doctor’s appointment. I was almost turned away because of my symptoms, but I fought to be seen. My oral temperature was 101 degrees Fahrenheit, and I was put in an isolation room for my appointment. My provider, thankfully wearing complete PPE, performed a quick flu test (Influenza A, B, and RSV), which resulted negative that same day. It would later reflex to COVID-19 because of the negative result and I then began the seven-day wait for results.
My symptoms, however, only continued to worsen. The fever was unrelenting. I had no appetite. I had lost about 10 pounds. I loaded up on my daily multivitamins and Emergen-C; I continued to use Ibuprofen and Tylenol every six hours because my body was asking for ANYTHING to take away the misery.
It was not until Day 6 that I decided to drop the Ibuprofen after reading some expert opinions that NSAIDs may actually alter the immune response against the virus. Admittedly, I did feel WAY better the next day after dropping Ibuprofen. My fever and chills—although still present—felt improved. I continued to use only Tylenol spaced out now in the morning and before bedtime. By Day 7, still feeling chills in the morning, I opted out of using any Tylenol and tried to help my body fight this virus on its own. I attempted a little home bodyweight workout and instantly got lightheaded and felt very nauseous. My body was still desperately fighting this thing.
Day 8: I woke up in the usual sweats from the night before, but felt no fever or chills during the day—I felt much improved. I told myself I would take it easy that day. I was begging and pleading to God for an end to all of this.
After waiting SEVEN ENTIRE DAYS in self-quarantine, I finally received my results: positive for COVID-19, continue self-quarantine for another seven days. Ironically, this arrived an hour before receiving my Match Day residency assignment for emergency medicine at the University of Miami. March 20th was certainly a big day of “results” for me.
By Day 13, I had not used any fever-reducing medicine in six days. For the last few days, my symptoms were mostly confined to nighttime-fatigue, sweats, chills, but by Day 13, all of my symptoms had completely gone away. I reintroduced exercise little by little and can now get through a whole hour workout without getting totally winded.
Why am I telling this story?
Because I encourage you to learn from my mistakes. Because I didn’t listen when numbers started climbing. And now they continue to climb. 55,000-plus patients diagnosed in our country, more than 1,000 people deceased.
Because this virus is REAL. And it SUCKS. To say it was almost two weeks before I was feeling like my normal self. Because I am a “healthy young adult,” but “mild” COVID-19 made my life a living hell.
Because people around the world are DYING from this virus—and doctors must make resource allocation decisions (e.g. in Italy) as to who should get that last ICU bed or that last ventilator because hospitals are at FULL CAPACITY. After returning from a two-month global medicine trip in Africa, I witnessed patients dying on a daily basis due to resource-allocation purposes. And now we are starting to see the same issues in New York City and other densely populated communities in the United States.
We NEED you to STAY HOME, because our health professionals are RUNNING out of masks for themselves and ventilators for patients. The CDC is so desperate that they recently issued new guidelines for health professionals to use bandanas and scarves as substitutes for N95 masks. We NEED you to STAY HOME because these health professionals are sacrificing their lives at the frontline to make sure those affected can stay alive.
I had the two biggest celebrations of my life canceled (Match Day and graduation) for the good of those around me and the rest of the country. Now is NOT the time to go to that party. Now is NOT the time to meet up friends at the bar, to go out to eat, to celebrate your spring break, to go to the beach or the park. I promise you, the celebration can wait.
So please, as a medical professional, as a young adult, I implore for all of you to STAY HOME. I firsthand can now see how this VIRUS takes LIVES. 1 out of 5 people hospitalized from COVID-19 are young adults aged 20-44; I was LUCKY to not be one of them.
As many as 10-20 percent of people show no symptoms, so you may be spreading this virus and injuring those you love without realizing it. We DON’T know who has it and who does not, and we do not have the resources to test everyone, so please STAY HOME. Social-distancing and self-quarantine is just as important for the ELDERLY as for the YOUTH.
We NEED you to do your part to FLATTEN the curve and prevent the growing spread to more and more people every day. If we all do our part, then this self-quarantine can eventually come to an end and we can soon resume what our lives used to be.
My name is David and I am NOT Invincible. And neither are you.
Editor’s note: David Vega is a fourth-year medical student at IU School of Medicine. After traveling overseas and in Florida earlier this month, Vega returned to the IU School of Medicine—Indianapolis campus on March 11, and soon developed symptoms of COVID-19 the following day, March 12. He was tested for the virus on March 13, and received his positive test result on March 20. He informed all individuals with whom he had contact since his return to Indianapolis of his positive test.
Indiana’s health commissioner, Dr. Kris Box, this afternoon reported 18 coronavirus-related deaths at long-term care facilities across the state.
In addition to 11 deaths reported Monday at Bethany Pointe in Madison County, Box said another long-term care facility in Madison County has recorded four deaths that appear to be COVID-related.
Box said a facility in Johnson County also recorded four deaths, and Mitchell Manor in Lawrence County recorded three COVID-related deaths.
Box said a facility with a known COVID-related death should report it to the state within 24 hours, as well as reporting a resident or employee who tests positive.
The state is testing people in long-term facilities every day, Box said. The state sent 50 additional test kits to Bethany Pointe on Tuesday, she said.
In Lake County, ISDH will be setting a targeted, drive-thru testing operation, reserved for heath care workers, long-term care workers, first responders and essential workers who are symptomatic of COVID-19.
The state will also set up testing in Clark and Vanderburgh counties later this week, for health care workers that are symptomatic.
On Monday, the Indiana StatePolice at Jasper and the Perry County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a body found near the Rome boat ramp on the Ohio River. Troopers, Indiana Conservation Officers and Deputies were able to retrieve the body and an autopsy was scheduled for today.
At the time of this release, no positive identification has been made on the body and the investigation is ongoing. StatePolice detectives are diligently working on identifying the body and determining a cause of death.
When more information becomes available it will be released.
Indiana’s health commissioner, Dr. Kris Box, this afternoon reported coronavirus-related deaths at more long-term care facilities across the state.
To date there are 11 deaths at long-term care facilities.
In addition to 11 deaths reported Monday at Bethany Pointe in Madison County, Box said another long-term care facility in Madison County has recorded four deaths that appear to be COVID-related.
Box said a facility in Johnson County also recorded four deaths, and Mitchell Manor in Lawrence County reported three COVID-related deaths.
Box said a facility with a known COVID-related death should report it to the state within 24 hours, as well as reporting a resident or employee who tests positive.
The state is testing people in long-term facilities every day, Box said.
The state sent 50 additional test kits to Bethany Pointe on Tuesday, she said.
In Lake County, ISDH will be setting a targeted, drive-thru testing operation, reserved for heath care workers, long-term care workers, first responders and essential workers who are symptomatic of COVID-19.
The state will also set up testing in Clark and Vanderburgh counties later this week, for health care workers that are symptomatic.
