Nick Tommarello
BROADCAST SCRIPT FROM A VALID PODCAST MARCH 31, 2020:
ONE-HUNDRED TWENTY-NINE CASES OF COVID-19 WERE CONFIRMED AT A WASHINGTON STATE NURSING HOME EARLIER THIS MONTH. A REPORT FROM THE C-D-C REVEALED THAT 81 RESIDENTS RANGING FROM 54 TO 100 YEARS OLD, CONTRACTED THE DISEASE…
A SURVEY IDENTIFIED FACTORS THAT COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE VULNERABILITY OF THE CARE FACILITIES INCLUDING STAFF MEMBERS WHO WORKED WHILE SYMPTOMATIC OR WORKED IN MORE THAN ONE FACILITY. FACTORS ALSO INCLUDE NOT FOLLOWING PROPER PROTECTION PRECAUTIONS, NOT HAVING AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, P-P-E, AND OTHER ITEMS LIKE HAND SANITIZER. THERE WAS ALSO A DELAY IN RECOGNIZING CASES BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF TESTING, AND DIFFICULTY WITH IDENTIFYING RESIDENTS BASED ON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ALONE…
SEVERAL STAFF MEMBERS, INCLUDING HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL AND VISITORS, ALSO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. 35 PEOPLE HAVE DIED… THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL OUTBREAK AT THE NURSING HOME AFTER A LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER CONTACTED THEM, AND TOLD THEM THAT ONE OF THEIR PATIENTS HAD SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 BACK ON FEBRUARY TWENTY-SEVENTH. THAT PATIENT DIED ON MARCH SECOND.
EDS NOTE: Above is the broadcast copy for a live news segment that was edited out of the full podcast recording for content timeliness and relevance. The additional episode content from March is here.
A VALID PODCAST SUMMARY: COVID INFECTIONS WERE GETTING CLOSER TO THE REGION BY THE DAY. KATE BLAKER GOT HOME SAFELY. BUT A NUMBER OF COVID DEATHS HAVE HAPPENED IN NURSING HOMES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ON THIS EPISODE OF A VALID PODCAST, BLAKER SHARES HER CONCERNS ABOUT NURSING HOME CONDITIONS. AND WE’RE JOINED BY A REPORTER WHO’S SPENT EVERY DAY THIS WEEK TALKING WITH STAFF AND FAMILY OF A BEAVER COUNTY NURSING HOME WHERE THREE PEOPLE HAVE DIED. THIS WORK IS FUELED BY THE ALL-ABILITIES MEDIA PROJECT.
THE PROVIDES FREE MEDIA EDUCATION AND PAID PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THE PROJECT IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN UNABRIDGED PRESS AND THE CENTER FOR MEDIA INNOVATION AT POINT PARK UNIVERSITY. AND IT’S SUPPORTED BY THE FISA FOUNDATION AND AN ANONYMOUS FOUNDATION. MORE INFO ABOUT A VALID PODCAST AND ALL-ABILITIES MEDIA AT UNABRIDGEDPRESS.COM.
Nick Tommarello is an anticipated 2021 graduate of a B.A. in Broadcast Reporting at Point Park University. He’s worked on the All-Abilities Media project since 2019, helping train people with disabilities in podcast production and directed and/or produced video interviews. He’s also an associate producer of “A Valid Podcast,” and “Look Who’s Here!,” Nick loves the immediate and accessible communication and feedback from the AAM team and the disability community.
