usatoday--2020-08-15--Nurses at reopening schools brace for 'uphill fight' to keep students safe from COVID-19

DES MOINES , Iowa — School nurses have a message for parents : Expect your kids to be sent home more quickly this year if they seem even a little ill. “ There have been a lot of kids I ’ ve sent back to class with a headache , and now I might send them home .
That will be different for sure , ” said Nicole Cable , the nurse at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines , Iowa .
In normal times , a student with a headache , fatigue or slight cough would not raise alarms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But these are not normal times .
Cable and about 600 other Iowa school nurses — along with their peers across the country — will face immense challenges in trying to keep children and staff safe as classes resume amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic .
“ It ’ s an uphill fight , '' said Cable , who is leading a Des Moines school district committee working on the issue .
`` It ’ s one thing to say you have to physically distance in the classroom .
It ’ s another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurses will be on the lookout for signs of COVID-19 , the disease the virus causes .
It could be especially tough to sort out those cases as late-summer allergy season brings a wave of coughs and sneezes .
Then schools will see outbreaks of colds and flu , which cause many of the same symptoms that COVID-19 brings .
School nurses always perform crucial public health tasks , from bandaging playground scrapes and ensuring kids are vaccinated to responding to teens who are considering suicide .
“ It was a really complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID on top of that and it gets a whole lot more complicated , ” said Sharon Guthrie , executive director of the Iowa School Nurse Organization .
School nurses are armed with flow charts to help discern the difference between everyday maladies and COVID-19 .
But they will have to employ a relatively quick hook this fall , sending kids home if there ’ s any doubt .
Once a coronavirus case is identified , school nurses and local public health officials will have to figure out which students , teachers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at length to the infected person .
That could lead to extensive testing and quarantining .
The challenges could be particularly daunting for nurses in rural school districts .
Many of them work in more than one building , and some ride a circuit of several towns .
Urban districts ’ nurses have backup in case they become overwhelmed or ill .
Many rural school nurses lack that support .
Heather Sloma-Weber is the only full-time school nurse in eastern Iowa 's Tipton school district .
She monitors the health of about 700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurse covers the high school .
Sloma-Weber said she enjoys the autonomy of her job , which she likens to being on an island as the district 's leading medical expert .
“ Now everyone ’ s on my island , ” she said with a laugh , describing the intense focus on health issues this year .
'Like saying I do n't love her ' : Parents torn as some schools face greater reopening risks Sloma-Weber said she and many other school nurses wish the state was allowing more flexibility in deciding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if COVID-19 breaks out in a community .
She ’ s concerned about state benchmarks that districts will be required to hit before they can apply for waivers to in-person teaching requirements .
One of the criteria for such a waiver is that at least 10 % of students must be absent from school .
“ This is going to be my ninth school year , and I ’ ve never had that many kids gone , ” even during a bad flu season , Sloma-Weber said .
The other main benchmark before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce in-person classes is that at least 15 % of people being tested for the coronavirus in a county come up positive over 14 days .
“ That would be pretty ugly .
I hope we don ’ t get to that point , ” Sloma-Weber said .
As of Friday , Cedar County , which includes Tipton , had a positivity rate of 6 % .
Sloma-Weber said she appreciates the support of colleagues who have been participating in weekly video chats organized by the Iowa School Nurse Organization .
Dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharing tips .
Guthrie , executive director of the professional group , said many school nurses weren ’ t being paid during the summer , but they devoted countless hours to planning how to prevent outbreaks .
She said some rural members of her group serve three or four schools in different towns .
“ A lot of people have an assumption that there ’ s a nurse in every building every day , all day , '' she said .
`` There really isn ’ t. ” Guthrie , a former school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids , wishes schools had their own coronavirus testing equipment .
If they did , nurses could quickly determine if a child or staffer was infected with the virus .
But such equipment is not likely to be available any time soon , she said .
From Stanford med to blueberry fields : Student laborer gets lesson in COVID perseverance Like teachers and other staffers , school nurses face the risk of becoming infected at work .
But Melissa Walker , a nurse practitioner who coordinates school-nurse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said she hasn ’ t heard of a wave of Iowa school nurses resigning or retiring because of the risk .
Walker said some school districts have hired additional nurses or health associates to help respond to the pandemic .
Iowa school districts employed the equivalent of 645 full-time nurses last school year , the education department reports .
Walker said some districts also contract out with local clinics or hospitals to provide nursing services to students .
Face masks will be one of the main ways of limiting the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some districts will just encourage their use .
Others , including Tipton and Des Moines , will require them for almost everyone .
Nurses said they don ’ t expect major problems in persuading students to comply .
Cable , the Des Moines high school nurse , said it will be important for adults to set an example by wearing masks properly all the time .
“ We all have a responsibility to keep each other safe , ” she said .
Sloma-Weber noted that everyone is under stress , but she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show each other grace and patience as they work their way through difficult times , including the mask issue .
“ We all want the same thing , ” she said .
“ We all love these kids and we all want the best for them .
”

Nurses at reopening schools brace for 'uphill fight' to keep students safe from COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption Reynolds: Schools who primarily use remote learning without approval break the law Kim Reynolds said that Iowa schools that move to remote learning without state approval are breaking the law during her news conference on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2020. Des Moines Register
DES MOINES, Iowa – School nurses have a message for parents: Expect your kids to be sent home more quickly this year if they seem even a little ill.
“There have been a lot of kids I’ve sent back to class with a headache, and now I might send them home. That will be different for sure,” said Nicole Cable, the nurse at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa.
In normal times, a student with a headache, fatigue or slight cough would not raise alarms in a school nurse’s office. But these are not normal times.
Cable and about 600 other Iowa school nurses – along with their peers across the country – will face immense challenges in trying to keep children and staff safe as classes resume amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s an uphill fight," said Cable, who leads a Des Moines school district committee working on the issue. "It’s one thing to say you have to physically distance in the classroom. It’s another thing to actually do it.”
School nurses will be on the lookout for signs of COVID-19, the disease the virus causes. It could be especially tough to sort out those cases as late-summer allergy season brings a wave of coughs and sneezes. Then schools will see outbreaks of colds and flu, which cause many of the same symptoms COVID-19 brings.
School nurses always perform crucial public health tasks, from bandaging playground scrapes and ensuring kids are vaccinated to responding to teens who are considering suicide. “It was a really complex role anyhow, and now you add COVID on top of that and it gets a whole lot more complicated,” said Sharon Guthrie, executive director of the Iowa School Nurse Organization.
School nurses are armed with flow charts to help discern the difference between everyday maladies and COVID-19. But they will have to employ a relatively quick hook this fall, sending kids home if there’s any doubt.
Once a coronavirus case is identified, school nurses and local public health officials will have to figure out which students, teachers and other school staff might have been exposed at length to the infected person. That could lead to extensive testing and quarantining.
The challenges could be particularly daunting for nurses in rural school districts. Many of them work in more than one building, and some ride a circuit of several towns. Urban districts’ nurses have backup in case they become overwhelmed or ill. Many rural school nurses lack that support.
Heather Sloma-Weber is the only full-time school nurse in eastern Iowa's Tipton school district. She monitors the health of about 700 elementary and middle-school students. A part-time nurse covers the high school.
Sloma-Weber said she enjoys the autonomy of her job, which she likens to being on an island as the district's leading medical expert. “Now everyone’s on my island,” she said with a laugh, describing the intense focus on health this year.
'Like saying I don't love her': Parents torn as some schools face greater reopening risks
Sloma-Weber said she and many other school nurses wish the state was allowing more flexibility in deciding whether to pull back from in-person classes if COVID-19 breaks out in a community. She’s concerned about state benchmarks that districts will be required to hit before they can apply for waivers to in-person teaching requirements.
One of the criteria for such a waiver is that at least 10% of students must be absent from school. “This is going to be my ninth school year, and I’ve never had that many kids gone,” even during a bad flu season, Sloma-Weber said.
The other main benchmark before a district can apply for a waiver to reduce in-person classes is that at least 15% of people being tested for the coronavirus in a county come up positive over 14 days.
“That would be pretty ugly. I hope we don’t get to that point,” Sloma-Weber said. As of Friday, Cedar County, which includes Tipton, had a positivity rate of 6%.
Sloma-Weber said she appreciates the support of colleagues who have been participating in weekly video chats organized by the Iowa School Nurse Organization. Dozens of members have been tuning in and sharing tips.
Guthrie, executive director of the professional group, said many school nurses weren’t being paid during the summer, but they devoted countless hours to planning how to prevent outbreaks.
She said some rural members of her group serve three or four schools in different towns. “A lot of people have an assumption that there’s a nurse in every building every day, all day," she said. "There really isn’t.”
Guthrie, a former school nurse who now directs graduate nursing programs at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, wishes schools had their own coronavirus testing equipment. If they did, nurses could quickly determine if a child or staffer was infected with the virus. But such equipment is not likely to be available anytime soon, she said.
From Stanford med to blueberry fields: Student laborer gets lesson in COVID perseverance
Like teachers and other staffers, school nurses face the risk of becoming infected at work. But Melissa Walker, a nurse practitioner who coordinates school-nurse programs for the Iowa Department of Education, said she hasn’t heard of a wave of Iowa school nurses resigning or retiring because of the risk.
Walker said some school districts have hired additional nurses or health associates to help respond to the pandemic. Iowa school districts employed the equivalent of 645 full-time nurses last school year, the education department reports. Walker said some districts also contract out with local clinics or hospitals to provide nursing services to students.
Face masks will be one of the main ways of limiting the spread of the virus in schools this fall. Some districts will just encourage their use. Others, including Tipton and Des Moines, will require them for almost everyone.
Nurses said they don’t expect major problems in persuading students to comply.
Cable, the Des Moines high school nurse, said it will be important for adults to set an example by wearing masks properly all the time.
“We all have a responsibility to keep each other safe,” she said.
Sloma-Weber noted that everyone is under stress, but she’s optimistic parents and school staff will show each other grace and patience as they work their way through difficult times, including the mask question.
“We all want the same thing,” she said. “We all love these kids and we all want the best for them.”


usatoday--2020-08-15--'I have no idea why': 5-year-old boy fatally shot in North Carolina 'loved everybody,' family says

The world now knows Cannon Hinnant as the North Carolina 5-year-old who was fatally shot while riding his bike less than a week ago .
But to family , he was so much more : A child who will be remembered for his humor , energy and love .
`` He was very full of life , '' Gwen Hinnant told USA TODAY on Friday .
A grandmother like her needed to be prepared for one of his regular visits — and be ready to play .
It was n't just bikes that he loved riding : Lawn mowers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But his humor is what she remembers most .
She laughed , retelling her favorite story .
Cannon , age 4 at the time , was visiting with his two older sisters when she knelt down on the floor to ask the boy a question : Will you take care of me when I 'm old ?
“ You ’ re already old , grandma , ” he replied .
It was n't said in a mean spirit .
`` Cannon loved everybody , '' Hinnant said .
He also loved water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said with a chuckle .
He was often asking his dad , Austin Hinnant , for $ 2 .
Most of the time Cannon lived with mother , Bonny Waddell , and step-father , Lee Parker .
But last weekend , he was visiting his dad , who is Gwen Hinnant 's step son .
Police have n't said much about the details of Cannon 's death , other than a man has been charged with his murder .
But a grieving Austin Hinnant gave his account to local media .
Cannon was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , hours after going to church with the family , WRAL-TV reported .
Austin Hinnant was inside when he heard the gunshot .
He went outside and ran to his dying son .
There , he also saw a neighbor , Darius Sessoms , pacing with a gun .
`` I have no idea why he would kill my son in front of his two sisters , '' Hinnant told the station .
Hinnant said he was filled with rage but could n't leave his son 's side .
`` I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held him — and held him , and I screamed : 'Somebody help me .
Please help me save my son .
God , save my son , please . '
`` Cannon 's story has now touched a nation , with thousands of people donating to a GoFundMe set up by Gwen Hinnant .
It 's raised nearly half-a-million dollars as of Friday night .
That money will help expenses following his death — things like therapy for his sisters .
And she hopes there will be enough money to fund a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maybe a bike park for kids , Hinnant said .
That 's something `` Cannon would have loved and other children will enjoy . ''

'I have no idea why': 5-year-old boy fatally shot in North Carolina 'loved everybody,' family says
Show Caption Hide Caption 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant was fatally shot while riding bike Thousands of people have donated to a GoFundMe set up by Gwen Hinnant. It's raised nearly half-a-million dollars as of Friday night. USA TODAY, Wochit
The world now knows Cannon Hinnant as the North Carolina 5-year-old who was fatally shot while riding his bike less than a week ago. But to family, he was so much more: A child who will be remembered for his humor, energy and love.
"He was very full of life," Gwen Hinnant told USA TODAY on Friday. A grandmother like her needed to be prepared for one of his regular visits — and be ready to play.
It wasn't just bikes that he loved riding: Lawn mowers, 4-wheelers . . . Anything with wheels.
But his humor is what she remembers most. She laughed, retelling her favorite story.
Cannon, age 4 at the time, was visiting with his two older sisters when she knelt down on the floor to ask the boy a question: Will you take care of me when I'm old?
“You’re already old, grandma,” he replied.
It wasn't said in a mean spirit. "Cannon loved everybody," Hinnant said.
He also loved water gun battles — and money, she said with a chuckle. He was often asking his dad, Austin Hinnant, for $2.
Most of the time Cannon lived with mother, Bonny Waddell, and step-father, Lee Parker. But last weekend, he was visiting his dad, who is Gwen Hinnant's step son.
Police haven't said much about the details of Cannon's death, other than a man has been charged with his murder.
But a grieving Austin Hinnant gave his account to local media.
Cannon was riding his bike when the shooting happened Sunday, hours after going to church with the family, WRAL-TV reported.
Austin Hinnant was inside when he heard the gunshot. He went outside and ran to his dying son. There, he also saw a neighbor, Darius Sessoms, pacing with a gun.
"I have no idea why he would kill my son in front of his two sisters," Hinnant told the station.
Hinnant said he was filled with rage but couldn't leave his son's side.
"I just scooped him up in my arms and held him — and held him, and I screamed: 'Somebody help me. Please help me save my son. God, save my son, please.' "
Sessoms, 25, faces a first-degree murder charge.
Cannon's story has now touched a nation, with thousands of people donating to a GoFundMe set up by Gwen Hinnant. It's raised more than $600,000 as of Saturday afternoon.
That money will help expenses following his death — things like therapy for his sisters. And she hopes there will be enough money to fund a project to help memorialize Cannon's story.
Maybe a bike park for kids, Hinnant said. That's something "Cannon would have loved and other children will enjoy."


usatoday--2020-08-15--Opinion: NFL training camp limitations leave many rookies, coaching staffs in tough spot

Every year , training camp features a two-pronged mission for NFL coaches and talent evaluators : Prepare the squad in a way that offers the best chance to win in the coming season and fortify the roster with depth that will serve the team both in the short and long term .
As teams transition this week to Phase 2 of this training camp season and begin practicing in earnest , coaches and decision-makers will continue their quest for that first goal .
However , roster construction during this pandemic-impacted period could prove more challenging , particularly when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The absence of offseason practices , the abbreviated slate of training camp practices and the elimination of preseason games means significantly fewer opportunities for coaches to evaluate the talent on their rosters , especially those middle- to late-round draft picks and undrafted rookies who typically use this time to earn jobs as backups and key contributors on special teams .
Every year , players come out of nowhere to earn spots thanks to strong preseason performances .
Many become glue players who serve a team well for multiple seasons .
Some – such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony Romo , Wes Welker , Antonio Gates , James Harrison , Terrell Davis – even become household names .
But this year , those hidden gems face the risk going unnoticed by talent evaluators due to insufficient audition opportunities .
While those players worry about their futures , many team decision-makers share a similar trepidation about the ability to accurately identify potential under-the-radar difference-makers .
“ I am concerned , ” Ron Rivera , entering the first season as coach and leader of the reclamation project that is the Washington Football Team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have to create as gamelike a situation as possible without hitting anybody because one of the toughest things that is going to be judged is special teams .
That ’ s where a lot of those guys that shine as diamonds in the rough really come through .
So this will be a really tough challenge for us : how we create as positive a special teams competition as we can.
” NFL POWER RANKINGS : Who 's trending in right direction during training camp ?
OPINION : Jerry Jones angling toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anthem The good thing for Rivera and Washington is that every team finds itself in a similar situation .
Yet this predicament will not impact established , veteran-heavy squads as greatly as rebuilding teams like Washington .
The unheralded rookies stand to lose the most from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic .
Their chances of unseating veterans aren ’ t great this preseason .
Many will likely have to settle for spots on the practice squad ( expanded from 10 to 16 members this season ) , if they manage to secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think any player drafted after the fourth round is vulnerable , ” longtime NFL agent Mike McCartney of Priority Sports told USA TODAY .
“ They did beef up the practice squad this year .
There will be 16 spots , so we believe in a couple cases where guys were undrafted , we chose the right team and let ’ s let it play out .
`` But you can ’ t save yourself .
You have to do extra .
You have to really treat these practices like it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you go through training camp and you ’ re really trying to survive the practice .
But you can ’ t do that .
You have one shot , literally , from mid-August to late August .
...
But it ’ s going to be really difficult if you ’ re drafted fourth round or later to make the roster.
” Pressure on those players will reach its highest point over the next three weeks .
The first two weeks of training camp consisted of strength and conditioning drills and walk-throughs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how teams will handle the divvying up of practice reps .
The current setup will challenge the creativity of coaching staffs and the initiative and drive of young players .
Under normal circumstances , starters normally receive the largest portion of practice reps , with the remainder of the action divided among the second- , third- and at times fourth-string players .
But because this year they have less time to prepare , many coaches are expected to increase the starters ’ workload , thus decreasing those of the backups , to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will use scout-team reps to help grade young players .
Some coaches , like Matt LaFleur in Green Bay , planned to devote a practice segment exclusively to young players .
“ The max time on the field is 2.5 hours as we progress through , ” the second-year coach explained during Thursday ’ s news conference .
“ We 'll try to keep our veteran players we know very well under that two-hour limit , but we 'll stay out there with our younger players and give them an opportunity to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to evaluate those guys.
” The setup will vary from team to team .
However , many first-year players will encounter the same challenge : learning quickly enough to actually play fast enough to compete with veterans .
“ They ’ re in deep water , turbulent water , and it ’ s going to get rougher , ” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in Friday 's news conference .
“ Just in terms of the volume and the level of competition , becoming a professional athlete and the full day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very high demands both physically , mentally and rest and recovery and all that .
… I think they ’ re just trying to keep their head above water and try to swim or paddle in the right direction , knowing that they ’ re not really able to keep up , but they ’ re doing the best they can , and they ’ re way , way ahead of where they were a week ago , two weeks ago , a month ago , two months ago .
A lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go.
” Many coaches will try to build as many competitive situations into their practice plans to help evaluate talent .
Those 1-on-1 drills and scout team performances will carry more weight than ever .
However , multiple coaches and personnel officials predicted that evaluations of running backs , safeties and special teams contributors will prove most challenging because of the physical nature of those positions and the restrictions on tackling in practices .
Players must capitalize on every opportunity .
But in many cases , a player 's greatest efforts might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rosters will likely opt for veterans over rookies entering the regular season and hope that time on the practice squad will help produce the development that the young players need to compete in time .
But in many cases , dreams will hit the skids for many rookies this month .
Some have experienced that already , with the pandemic preventing their opportunities from fully manifesting .
Quarterback Broc Rutter , who signed with the San Francisco 49ers out of Division III ’ s North Central College as an undrafted rookie in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lack of rookie minicamp or OTAs before July ’ s roster reduction from 90 to 80 players led to Rutter ’ s release before he even got to throw his first pass for the team .
“ We were quarantining and doing our training camp physicals , ” Rutter told USA TODAY Sports .
“ I got called in , in the morning , told hey , ‘ Because we have to reduce these rosters , there ’ s going to be no reps for a fourth quarterback , ’ and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told me their plan and ( to ) stay in shape and keep working out because it ’ s such a weird year , and you never know what could happen.
” Because of the unpredictability of how the coronavirus could spread throughout a locker room , roster depth and practice squad quality could make or break a team 's season .
So although players covet roster spots , many should maintain optimism that practice squad selections will pave the way for promotions .
Patience and diligence represent the most important virtues for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think the thing I tell those guys more so than anything else is that every rep is important , ” Rivera said .
“ You have to put yourself in that position .
Extra work after practice on your own is important because we can see that you ’ re doing the extra stuff .
Show us that you want to be here .
That is the thing they have to do.
” Follow USA TODAY Sports ’ Mike Jones on Twitter @ ByMikeJones and listen to the Football Jones podcast on iTunes @

Opinion: NFL training camp limitations leave many rookies, coaching staffs in tough spot
Show Caption Hide Caption NFL preseason power rankings: Rams, Bears could be bottom dwellers this season SportsPulse: We are less than a month away from the scheduled kickoff of the NFL season. Here is our preseason power rankings for 2020. There are plenty of surprises. USA TODAY
Every year, training camp features a two-pronged mission for NFL coaches and talent evaluators: Prepare the squad in a way that offers the best chance to win in the coming season and fortify the roster with depth that will serve the team both in the short and long term.
As teams transition this week to Phase 2 of this training camp season and begin practicing in earnest, coaches and decision-makers will continue their quest for that first goal.
However, roster construction during this pandemic-impacted period could prove more challenging, particularly when it comes to identifying young future building blocks.
The absence of offseason practices, the abbreviated slate of training camp practices and the elimination of preseason games means significantly fewer opportunities for coaches to evaluate the talent on their rosters, especially those middle- to late-round draft picks and undrafted rookies who typically use this time to earn jobs as backups and key contributors on special teams.
Every year, players come out of nowhere to earn spots thanks to strong preseason performances. Many become glue players who serve a team well for multiple seasons. Some – such as Rod Smith, Priest Holmes, Tony Romo, Wes Welker, Antonio Gates, James Harrison, Terrell Davis – even become household names.
But this year, those hidden gems face the risk going unnoticed by talent evaluators due to insufficient audition opportunities. While those players worry about their futures, many team decision-makers share a similar trepidation about the ability to accurately identify potential under-the-radar difference-makers.
“I am concerned,” Ron Rivera, entering the first season as coach and leader of the reclamation project that is the Washington Football Team, told USA TODAY Sports. “You have to create as gamelike a situation as possible without hitting anybody because one of the toughest things that is going to be judged is special teams. That’s where a lot of those guys that shine as diamonds in the rough really come through. So this will be a really tough challenge for us: how we create as positive a special teams competition as we can.”
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Who's trending in right direction during training camp?
OPINION: Jerry Jones angling toward right side of history on protests during anthem
The good thing for Rivera and Washington is that every team finds itself in a similar situation. Yet this predicament will not impact established, veteran-heavy squads as greatly as rebuilding teams like Washington.
The unheralded rookies stand to lose the most from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Their chances of unseating veterans aren’t great this preseason. Many will likely have to settle for spots on the practice squad (expanded from 10 to 16 members this season), if they manage to secure a job at all.
“I think any player drafted after the fourth round is vulnerable,” longtime NFL agent Mike McCartney of Priority Sports told USA TODAY. “They did beef up the practice squad this year. There will be 16 spots, so we believe in a couple cases where guys were undrafted, we chose the right team and let’s let it play out.
"But you can’t save yourself. You have to do extra. You have to really treat these practices like it’s game day. A lot of times, you go through training camp and you’re really trying to survive the practice. But you can’t do that. You have one shot, literally, from mid-August to late August. ... But it’s going to be really difficult if you’re drafted fourth round or later to make the roster.”
Pressure on those players will reach its highest point over the next three weeks. The first two weeks of training camp consisted of strength and conditioning drills and walk-throughs, so it remains to be seen exactly how teams will handle the divvying up of practice reps.
The current setup will challenge the creativity of coaching staffs and the initiative and drive of young players.
Under normal circumstances, starters normally receive the largest portion of practice reps, with the remainder of the action divided among the second-, third- and at times fourth-string players.
But because this year they have less time to prepare, many coaches are expected to increase the starters’ workload, thus decreasing those of the backups, to ensure they are adequately prepared.
Some teams will use scout-team reps to help grade young players. Some coaches, like Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, planned to devote a practice segment exclusively to young players.
“The max time on the field is 2.5 hours as we progress through,” the second-year coach explained during Thursday’s news conference. “We'll try to keep our veteran players we know very well under that two-hour limit, but we'll stay out there with our younger players and give them an opportunity to get more team reps and give us a chance to evaluate those guys.”
The setup will vary from team to team. However, many first-year players will encounter the same challenge: learning quickly enough to actually play fast enough to compete with veterans.
“They’re in deep water, turbulent water, and it’s going to get rougher,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in Friday's news conference. “Just in terms of the volume and the level of competition, becoming a professional athlete and the full day and consecutive days that get strung together with very high demands both physically, mentally and rest and recovery and all that. … I think they’re just trying to keep their head above water and try to swim or paddle in the right direction, knowing that they’re not really able to keep up, but they’re doing the best they can, and they’re way, way ahead of where they were a week ago, two weeks ago, a month ago, two months ago. A lot of progress there, but a long way to go.”
Many coaches will try to build as many competitive situations into their practice plans to help evaluate talent. Those 1-on-1 drills and scout team performances will carry more weight than ever. However, multiple coaches and personnel officials predicted that evaluations of running backs, safeties and special teams contributors will prove most challenging because of the physical nature of those positions and the restrictions on tackling in practices.
Players must capitalize on every opportunity. But in many cases, a player's greatest efforts might not be enough. Coaches with competitive rosters will likely opt for veterans over rookies entering the regular season and hope that time on the practice squad will help produce the development that the young players need to compete in time.
But in many cases, dreams will hit the skids for many rookies this month. Some have experienced that already, with the pandemic preventing their opportunities from fully manifesting.
Quarterback Broc Rutter, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers out of Division III’s North Central College as an undrafted rookie in April, finds himself in that category.
The lack of rookie minicamp or OTAs before July’s roster reduction from 90 to 80 players led to Rutter’s release before he even got to throw his first pass for the team.
“We were quarantining and doing our training camp physicals,” Rutter told USA TODAY Sports. “I got called in, in the morning, told hey, ‘Because we have to reduce these rosters, there’s going to be no reps for a fourth quarterback,’ and that it was really unfortunate. But they told me their plan and (to) stay in shape and keep working out because it’s such a weird year, and you never know what could happen.”
Because of the unpredictability of how the coronavirus could spread throughout a locker room, roster depth and practice squad quality could make or break a team's season. So although players covet roster spots, many should maintain optimism that practice squad selections will pave the way for promotions.
Patience and diligence represent the most important virtues for young players this season.
“I think the thing I tell those guys more so than anything else is that every rep is important,” Rivera said. “You have to put yourself in that position. Extra work after practice on your own is important because we can see that you’re doing the extra stuff. Show us that you want to be here. That is the thing they have to do.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones and listen to the Football Jones podcast on iTunes.


usatoday--2020-08-15--Opinion: Will Clippers benefit or struggle in playoffs by prioritizing health over on-court time?

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. — The five Los Angeles Clippers players took the court for what would become a meaningless game on the final night of the NBA ’ s regular season .
Unlike how other championship contenders often show in forgettable regular-season finales , the Clippers indirectly revealed something about their season-long identity .
Once again , the Clippers did not field their full roster .
Not a big deal in a 107-103 overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday that had no implications on their playoff standings .
When the No .
2-seeded Clippers ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 43-32 ) in the first round of the playoffs starting Monday , they will once again have their star duo ( Kawhi Leonard , Paul George ) and their sixth man of the year candidates ( Lou Williams , Montrezl Harrell ) .
After handing off head-coaching duties to assistant Sam Cassell , Doc Rivers will once again make decisions on the sideline .
Then , the Clippers will have to answer two questions that will determine their NBA championship fortunes : Will their season-long devotion to maximizing health and rest help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or should the Clippers feel worried they missed out on valuable on-court time amid players missing a combined 114 games due to injuries and fielding 33 different starting lineups ?
'STAY MY ASS HOME ' : Teams deal with leaving safety of bubble '' A coach ’ s job is always to be worried .
So that would be the extent of it .
But other than that ?
I don ’ t worry too much about it , '' Rivers said before Friday ’ s game .
`` You just make due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going .
We have to get our rhythm during the playoffs as quickly as possible .
That would be the only fear . ''
It remains a fear that seems hard to quantify both in its severity and significance .
The Clippers spent their restarted season fielding a mixed roster both for calculated reasons and unforeseen circumstances .
The calculated ?
Los Angeles occasionally sat Leonard for load management and limited George .
The unforeseen ?
Williams , the scoring specialist off the bench , spent 10 days in quarantine after veering from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s funeral to stop at an Atlanta strip club for takeout food .
Patrick Beverley , the defensive stalwart , missed four games because of both a personal matter and a strained left calf .
Montrezl Harrell , the dependable pick-and-roll scorer and defender , missed the entire season restart amid the recent death of his grandmother .
Rivers plans to integrate all of those players both for a full-fledged practice Saturday and for Game 1 against Dallas on Monday .
Though the Mavericks are a seventh seed , they have enough ingredients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the NBA ’ s brightest young stars ( Luka Doncic ) , a rising talent ( Kristaps Porzingis ) and a veteran , title-winning coach ( Rick Carlisle ) .
`` Obviously not the way you would plan on heading into the playoffs , but it is what it is , '' Rivers said .
`` We just have to make the best of it .
We 're hoping by playoff time we have our entire roster .
That would be nice .
Hopefully we can find some kind of rhythm because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Still , most NBA championship aspiring teams show regular-season complacency before changing their identity seamlessly once the postseason starts .
In the Clippers ’ case , they have gone 10-1 this season when they play a game without any listed injuries .
Even when they did not have a fully healthy roster , the Clippers handled things just fine with Leonard ’ s load management on his left knee ( 13 games ) and George ’ s offseason shoulder issues ( 14 ) .
The Clippers bench led the NBA in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second in rebounds ( 20.3 ) and finished third in field-goal percentage ( 46.9 % ) .
In the playoffs , the Clippers will rely more on Leonard and George .
Even if their stars experience more health issues or a bad game , the Clippers have plenty of reinforcements in bench scoring , defense , perimeter shooting and inside presence .
The Clippers are also the only NBA team to have four players average at least 18 points per game , with Leonard , George , Williams and Harrell .
Despite their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Clippers still ranked sixth out of 22 teams in scoring ( 119.1 ) and shooting percentage ( 48.9 ) .
Beyond their depth , the Clippers ensured those numbers by staying disciplined with training , dieting , communication and film study during the shutdown .
`` With talent and depth , you never know what happens in the playoffs , '' said Clippers rookie forward Terance Mann , who took advantage of his increased role in the season finale with 25 points and 14 rebounds .
`` You never know what Doc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feel like all 15 guys are ready to go .
Everyone knows what they are bringing to the table and knows what their job is . ''
Unlike other championship teams , though , the Clippers do not exactly have the same equity .
Though Leonard won an NBA title last season in Toronto , his teammates do not have the same experience .
This also marks the first year Leonard and George have played together with most of a supporting cast that challenged the Golden State Warriors to six games in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s playoffs .
Therefore , it was not surprising to see the Clippers show inconsistency during the restart by finishing 15th of 22 teams in defensive rating ( 113.2 ) , 16th in rebounding ( 43 ) and 18th in assists ( 22.7 ) .
`` We definitely got to be in a better rhythm , '' Leonard said recently .
`` Guys have been in and out of the lineup . ''
That will not be the case when the playoffs start .
For better or worse , the Clippers will then @ @ @ @ @

Opinion: Will Clippers benefit or struggle in playoffs by prioritizing health over on-court time?
Show Caption Hide Caption NBA 2K 101 with BearDaBeast Sports Pulse: Mackenzie Salmon learns tips and tricks from 2K champion Michael Key AKA BearDaBeast SportsPulse, USA TODAY
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The five Los Angeles Clippers players took the court for what would become a meaningless game on the final night of the NBA’s regular season. Unlike how other championship contenders often show in forgettable regular-season finales, the Clippers indirectly revealed something about their season-long identity.
Once again, the Clippers did not field their full roster. Not a big deal in a 107-103 overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday that had no implications on their playoff standings. When the No. 2-seeded Clippers (49-23) play the seventh-seeded Dallas Mavericks (43-32) in the first round of the playoffs starting Monday, they will once again have their star duo (Kawhi Leonard, Paul George) and their sixth man of the year candidates (Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell). After handing off head-coaching duties to assistant Sam Cassell, Doc Rivers will once again make decisions on the sideline.
Then, the Clippers will have to answer two questions that will determine their NBA championship fortunes: Will their season-long devotion to maximizing health and rest help the Clippers win their first title? Or should the Clippers feel worried they missed out on valuable on-court time amid players missing a combined 114 games due to injuries and fielding 33 different starting lineups?
PLAYOFF SCHEDULE: First-round matchups
'STAY MY ASS HOME': Teams deal with leaving safety of bubble
"A coach’s job is always to be worried. So that would be the extent of it. But other than that? I don’t worry too much about it," Rivers said before Friday’s game. "You just make due with it. We have to get going. We have to get our rhythm during the playoffs as quickly as possible. That would be the only fear."
It remains a fear that seems hard to quantify both in its severity and significance.
The Clippers spent their restarted season fielding a mixed roster both for calculated reasons and unforeseen circumstances.
The calculated? Los Angeles occasionally sat Leonard for load management and limited George. The unforeseen? Williams, the scoring specialist off the bench, spent 10 days in quarantine after veering from a preapproved trip to his mentor’s funeral to stop at an Atlanta strip club for takeout food. Patrick Beverley, the defensive stalwart, missed four games because of both a personal matter and a strained left calf. Montrezl Harrell, the dependable pick-and-roll scorer and defender, missed the entire season restart amid the recent death of his grandmother.
Rivers plans to integrate all of those players both for a full-fledged practice Saturday and for Game 1 against Dallas on Monday. Though the Mavericks are a seventh seed, they have enough ingredients to pull off an upset with one of the NBA’s brightest young stars (Luka Doncic), a rising talent (Kristaps Porzingis) and a veteran, title-winning coach (Rick Carlisle).
"Obviously not the way you would plan on heading into the playoffs, but it is what it is," Rivers said. "We just have to make the best of it. We're hoping by playoff time we have our entire roster. That would be nice. Hopefully we can find some kind of rhythm because right now we've been very inconsistent."
Still, most NBA championship aspiring teams show regular-season complacency before changing their identity seamlessly once the postseason starts. In the Clippers’ case, they have gone 10-1 this season when they play a game without any listed injuries. Even when they did not have a fully healthy roster, the Clippers handled things just fine with Leonard’s load management on his left knee (13 games) and George’s offseason shoulder issues (14). The Clippers bench led the NBA in scoring (50.2 points), ranked second in rebounds (20.3) and finished third in field-goal percentage (46.9%).
In the playoffs, the Clippers will rely more on Leonard and George. Even if their stars experience more health issues or a bad game, the Clippers have plenty of reinforcements in bench scoring, defense, perimeter shooting and inside presence. The Clippers are also the only NBA team to have four players average at least 18 points per game, with Leonard, George, Williams and Harrell.
Despite their uneven play during the season restart, the Clippers still ranked sixth out of 22 teams in scoring (119.1) and shooting percentage (48.9). Beyond their depth, the Clippers ensured those numbers by staying disciplined with training, dieting, communication and film study during the shutdown.
"With talent and depth, you never know what happens in the playoffs," said Clippers rookie forward Terance Mann, who took advantage of his increased role in the season finale with 25 points and 14 rebounds. "You never know what Doc is going to go with, but I feel like all 15 guys are ready to go. Everyone knows what they are bringing to the table and knows what their job is."
Unlike other championship teams, though, the Clippers do not exactly have the same equity. Though Leonard won an NBA title last season in Toronto, his teammates do not have the same experience. This also marks the first year Leonard and George have played together with most of a supporting cast that challenged the Golden State Warriors to six games in the first round of last year’s playoffs. Therefore, it was not surprising to see the Clippers show inconsistency during the restart by finishing 15th of 22 teams in defensive rating (113.2), 16th in rebounding (43) and 18th in assists (22.7).
"We definitely got to be in a better rhythm," Leonard said recently. "Guys have been in and out of the lineup."
That will not be the case when the playoffs start. For better or worse, the Clippers will then know their true identity.
Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


usatoday--2020-08-16--Teachers are drafting wills along with lesson plans; one even wrote her own obituary

• A teachers union lawyer says spike he 's seen in teachers drafting wills has been unprecedented • One Duval Schools elementary school teacher went viral for writing her own obituary • In protest of schools reopening until COVID-19 cases taper , a group of teachers marched to a local cemetery JACKSONVILLE , Fla. – When Whitney Reddick , 33 , posted her own obituary on Facebook , she didn ’ t intend for it to go viral .
The Florida special education teacher made national headlines over her summer vacation when her plea to Jacksonville 's Duval County Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education virtual during the coronavirus pandemic was shared over and over .
“ It is crazy , ” Reddick said .
“ I ’ m seeing my name in publications I ’ ve never even heard of .
Hands down , this is not my first vocal stance , or the first activism that I ’ ve taken on the issue .
So whenever it did take off , I was obviously humbled .
I had no expectation of that whatsoever.
” Reddick ’ s obituary of herself said things like “ she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a ventilator at a Duval county hospital in Jacksonville , Florida ” ; and “ even though she shouted from the rooftops ... she succumbed to the ignorance of those in power [ and ] returned to work.
” Since then , Reddick has been featured by news media outlets ranging from People Magazine to the `` Today '' show .
Her goal , she said , is to encourage her Florida school district to pivot to 100 % distance learning until COVID-19 cases taper instead of the hybrid in-person model the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of school is set for Aug. 20 .
Teachers and faculty returned for planning Wednesday .
Reddick isn ’ t the only educator thinking about death .
With the coronavirus pandemic still hitting local communities , teachers are being forced to think about a lot more than their lesson plans – they ’ re considering their own mortality .
Across the country , teachers are drafting their wills as part of back-to-school preparation .
Some are marching to cemeteries in protest .
Others are inviting officials to their looming funeral services .
Teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also are facing in-person school told CNN they were looking into supplemental life insurance plans and drawing up wills .
On Twitter , dozens of teachers wrote about working on their wills as part of back-to-school preparations .
“ I ’ m writing my will and I haven ’ t even paid off my student loans yet , ” one tweet said .
Another teacher tweeted : “ Been feeling really off this week because I ’ m working on writing my will .
I turned 27 last week , but I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scared.
” Duval Teachers United in Jacksonville offers legal services to union members , including drafting wills at no cost .
In private teacher Facebook groups , Duval County Public School teachers discussed making appointments and having their wills drafted .
Reddick said she drafted her will after the Florida Department of Education issued an executive order last month directing school districts to reopen in-person five days a week .
That call by state Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran to return to in-person schooling has been echoed by President Donald Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ron DeSantis .
Teddy Rivera , one of the teachers union ’ s two staff attorneys , said that since the coronavirus pandemic started , he has had to stop doing other duties to keep up with the demand for teachers ’ wills .
“ I ’ ve been here approximately six years and there ’ s an absolute spike in interest , ” Rivera said .
“ We also do uncontested divorces , name changes , adoptions at no cost , but all I ’ ve been doing for the last three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge spike , like 1,000 % .
Literally all I ’ m doing now is wills , wills , wills.
” Rivera said that to accommodate social distancing measures , he ’ s doing the consulting portion of the appointment via phone call .
He added that if a teacher gets their own notary and two witnesses , they won ’ t have to come into the office at all , which would help alleviate the burden , since the bulk of Rivera ’ s time is being taken up by appointments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Florida are offering free or discounted will services to keep up with the demand .
Charles Gallagher , whose law firm , Gallagher & Associates , is offering free living wills to educators , told NBC he has received roughly 600 requests from teachers and other school employees .
Attorneys at The Orlando Law Group said about 800 reached out in the span of two days .
In March , the deVere Group , a financial advisory firm , reported a spike in the demand for wills by 76 % .
Andrea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got local attention when she brought her will to a School Board meeting last month .
Teachers `` are so concerned about returning to school that they are updating their wills or making their wills , '' Clark told First Coast News .
`` Some teachers have underlying health concerns where they feel fairly certain that if they caught COVID-19 , it would be a bad outcome , possibly fatal . ''
Clark , who is a teachers union representative , said at least 10 teachers have approached her about writing a will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Duval County school district , Superintendent Diana Greene said she understands the teachers ’ concerns .
“ Teaching is a public service , but it is unlikely any of us thought about a long-term global pandemic when we chose this path to serve children .
I empathize with the fears some teachers have expressed , and I also empathize with the needs of 130,000 children and their families , ” Greene said .
“ With the resources and guidance available to us , we must move forward with every feasible precaution to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students who need us in classrooms .
That is the moment we are in , and we will rise to the challenge.
” One of the teachers who spoke out in front of Greene and School Board members was high school teacher Bradley Fischer , who during the public comment portion of a meeting invited School Board members to his own funeral .
“ If you do not heed this science , if you do the easy thing and open these schools , then I cordially invite you to my funeral , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , to the funerals of my colleagues , to the funerals of the people who will be cleaning these infected classrooms , preparing the lunches , driving the buses , because that is what we ’ re talking about , ” Fischer said .
“ The blood will be on your hands .
That is not hyperbole.
” Since campuses originally pivoted to distance learning last school year , cases of COVID-19 and deaths related to it have only increased .
In Florida , the total number of cases has surpassed 500,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more than 8,000 .
Repeatedly , DeSantis has touted the need for schools to resume in-person , including athletics and football games .
But it ’ s largely unknown how COVID-19 affects children or if the virus has long-term effects on children who contract it .
Additionally , since younger people who contract COVID-19 may be asymptomatic , they ’ re more likely to unknowingly spread the virus to more vulnerable populations .
A poll published by NPR said 82 % of teachers fear returning to the classroom and a USA TODAY/Ipsos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they ’ re unlikely to go return to the classroom this fall .
Still , Reddick plans to go back to class .
“ For me , the decision was extremely difficult because there ’ s a lot of other factors at play , with my family , with what ’ s right , ” she said .
“ If our students are going to return , I want to be here to make sure I can provide a great educational experience for something none of us have ever had to deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure they are safe .
I want to be able to do that and I want to be the one here with them.
” Reddick said the decision has been taxing because her son is so young – just 2 years old – and she and her husband live with an older family member who is classified as more vulnerable to COVID-19 .
“ The feelings that I have strongly about returning just don ’ t override my willingness to stand up to the call of duty , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave it up to chance to have a sub come in here .
That ’ s not fair to my peers , their students.
” She added that she ’ d like to see schools remain fully virtual until cases in Jacksonville subside and hospital and death rates decline – “ some sort of decrease that ’ s longer than a day or two.
” “ I don ’ t have a number , which is why it ’ s infuriating that the Department of Health is stunted from giving us any scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a report that county department of health branches were instructed by state officials not to advise school districts on how to reopen safely .
“ If we can ’ t rely on true , actual science to guide those decisions , what do we rely on ?
” In her obituary for herself , Reddick closed , “ Please send your condolences to Governor Ron DeSantis , Mayor Lenny Curry and finally , the Duval County School Board and Superintendent .
”

Teachers are drafting wills along with lesson plans; one even wrote her own obituary With the coronavirus pandemic still hitting local communities, teachers are being forced to think about a lot more than their lesson plans — they’re considering their own mortality.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When Whitney Reddick, 33, posted her own obituary on Facebook, she didn’t intend for it to go viral.
The Florida special education teacher made national headlines over her summer vacation when her plea to Jacksonville's Duval County Public Schools and state officials to keep public education virtual during the coronavirus pandemic was shared over and over.
“It is crazy,” Reddick said. “I’m seeing my name in publications I’ve never even heard of. Hands down, this is not my first vocal stance, or the first activism that I’ve taken on the issue. So whenever it did take off, I was obviously humbled. I had no expectation of that whatsoever.”
Reddick’s obituary of herself said things like “she left us while alone in isolation and on a ventilator at a Duval county hospital in Jacksonville, Florida”; and “even though she shouted from the rooftops ... she succumbed to the ignorance of those in power [and] returned to work.”
Since then, Reddick has been featured by news media outlets ranging from People Magazine to the "Today" show. Her goal, she said, is to encourage her Florida school district to pivot to 100% distance learning until COVID-19 cases taper instead of the hybrid in-person model the district was planning. The first day of school is set for Aug. 20. Teachers and faculty returned for planning Wednesday.
Reddick isn’t the only educator thinking about death.
With the coronavirus pandemic still hitting local communities, teachers are being forced to think about a lot more than their lesson plans – they’re considering their own mortality.
COVID back to school: Fall semester 2020 means uncertainty and fear Going back to school amid COVID-19 outbreaks means uncertainty and fear for students and teachers, but staying home presents problems too. Harrison Hill and Scott Clause, USA TODAY
Across the country, teachers are drafting their wills as part of back-to-school preparation. Some are marching to cemeteries in protest. Others are inviting officials to their looming funeral services.
Teachers in areas affected by the coronavirus who also are facing in-person school told CNN they were looking into supplemental life insurance plans and drawing up wills. On Twitter, dozens of teachers wrote about working on their wills as part of back-to-school preparations.
“I’m writing my will and I haven’t even paid off my student loans yet,” one tweet said. Another teacher tweeted: “Been feeling really off this week because I’m working on writing my will. I turned 27 last week, but I’m a teacher and I’m scared.”
Been feeling really off this week because I’m working on writing my will. I turned 27 last week, but I’m a teacher and I’m scared. — Becca (@DramaticOstrich) July 16, 2020
Duval Teachers United in Jacksonville offers legal services to union members, including drafting wills at no cost. In private teacher Facebook groups, Duval County Public School teachers discussed making appointments and having their wills drafted.
Reddick said she drafted her will after the Florida Department of Education issued an executive order last month directing school districts to reopen in-person five days a week. That call by state Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran to return to in-person schooling has been echoed by President Donald Trump, education secretary Betsy DeVos and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Teddy Rivera, one of the teachers union’s two staff attorneys, said that since the coronavirus pandemic started, he has had to stop doing other duties to keep up with the demand for teachers’ wills.
“I’ve been here approximately six years and there’s an absolute spike in interest,” Rivera said. “We also do uncontested divorces, name changes, adoptions at no cost, but all I’ve been doing for the last three months is wills. There’s a huge spike, like 1,000%. Literally all I’m doing now is wills, wills, wills.”
Rivera said that to accommodate social distancing measures, he’s doing the consulting portion of the appointment via phone call. He added that if a teacher gets their own notary and two witnesses, they won’t have to come into the office at all, which would help alleviate the burden, since the bulk of Rivera’s time is being taken up by appointments to sign the documents.
Law firms across Florida are offering free or discounted will services to keep up with the demand.
Charles Gallagher, whose law firm, Gallagher & Associates, is offering free living wills to educators, told NBC he has received roughly 600 requests from teachers and other school employees. Attorneys at The Orlando Law Group said about 800 reached out in the span of two days. In March, the deVere Group, a financial advisory firm, reported a spike in the demand for wills by 76%.
Andrea Clark, a Florida fifth-grade teacher, got local attention when she brought her will to a School Board meeting last month.
Teachers "are so concerned about returning to school that they are updating their wills or making their wills," Clark told First Coast News. "Some teachers have underlying health concerns where they feel fairly certain that if they caught COVID-19, it would be a bad outcome, possibly fatal."
Clark, who is a teachers union representative, said at least 10 teachers have approached her about writing a will.
In a statement provided by Reddick's Duval County school district, Superintendent Diana Greene said she understands the teachers’ concerns.
“Teaching is a public service, but it is unlikely any of us thought about a long-term global pandemic when we chose this path to serve children. I empathize with the fears some teachers have expressed, and I also empathize with the needs of 130,000 children and their families,” Greene said. “With the resources and guidance available to us, we must move forward with every feasible precaution to support our employees and to serve those students who need us in classrooms. That is the moment we are in, and we will rise to the challenge.”
One of the teachers who spoke out in front of Greene and School Board members was high school teacher Bradley Fischer, who during the public comment portion of a meeting invited School Board members to his own funeral.
“If you do not heed this science, if you do the easy thing and open these schools, then I cordially invite you to my funeral, to the funerals of my Black and brown students, to the funerals of my colleagues, to the funerals of the people who will be cleaning these infected classrooms, preparing the lunches, driving the buses, because that is what we’re talking about,” Fischer said. “The blood will be on your hands. That is not hyperbole.”
Since campuses originally pivoted to distance learning last school year, cases of COVID-19 and deaths related to it have only increased.
In Florida, the total number of cases has surpassed 500,000 and the number of COVID-19 related deaths is more than 8,000.
Repeatedly, DeSantis has touted the need for schools to resume in-person, including athletics and football games. But it’s largely unknown how COVID-19 affects children or if the virus has long-term effects on children who contract it.
Additionally, since younger people who contract COVID-19 may be asymptomatic, they’re more likely to unknowingly spread the virus to more vulnerable populations.
A poll published by NPR said 82% of teachers fear returning to the classroom and a USA TODAY/Ipsos poll found that one in five teachers say they’re unlikely to go return to the classroom this fall.
Still, Reddick plans to go back to class.
“For me, the decision was extremely difficult because there’s a lot of other factors at play, with my family, with what’s right,” she said. “If our students are going to return, I want to be here to make sure I can provide a great educational experience for something none of us have ever had to deal with before. I know I can make sure they are safe. I want to be able to do that and I want to be the one here with them.”
Reddick said the decision has been taxing because her son is so young – just 2 years old – and she and her husband live with an older family member who is classified as more vulnerable to COVID-19.
“The feelings that I have strongly about returning just don’t override my willingness to stand up to the call of duty,” she said. “I don’t want to leave it up to chance to have a sub come in here. That’s not fair to my peers, their students.”
She added that she’d like to see schools remain fully virtual until cases in Jacksonville subside and hospital and death rates decline – “some sort of decrease that’s longer than a day or two.”
“I don’t have a number, which is why it’s infuriating that the Department of Health is stunted from giving us any scientific data,” Reddick said, referencing a report that county department of health branches were instructed by state officials not to advise school districts on how to reopen safely. “If we can’t rely on true, actual science to guide those decisions, what do we rely on?”
In her obituary for herself, Reddick closed, “Please send your condolences to Governor Ron DeSantis, Mayor Lenny Curry and finally, the Duval County School Board and Superintendent.”
Follow Emily Bloch on Twitter @emdrums.


usatoday--2020-08-16--Georgia trooper charged with murder in shooting of Black man. 'He was a kind soul,' widow says at vi

SYLVANIA , Ga. – Family , friends and people seeking social injustice reform gathered Friday evening in downtown Sylvania for a candlelight vigil for Julian Edward Roosevelt Lewis , who died from a Georgia State Patrol trooper ’ s single shot seven days earlier during a traffic stop on a county dirt road .
Trooper Jacob Gordon Thompson , 27 , was charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with felony murder and aggravated assault three hours before the start of the vigil for Lewis , a 60-year-old carpenter who was characterized by loved ones as a “ great caring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NAACP chapter called the slaying of Lewis another chilling example of a Black man being killed unlawfully by a white law enforcement officer .
An attorney for Lewis ' family said the trooper initiated the traffic stop over a burned-out tail light and Lewis was shot almost immediately after the trooper forced his car into a ditch .
The GBI said Lewis was fatally shot Aug. 7 after a chase in rural Screven County , about 60 miles northwest of Savannah .
This marks the 56th officer-involved shooting this year investigated by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Family attorneys push for charges 'hopefully ' before October “ He was a kind soul .
He was a people person .
He would take his shirt off for you , ” said Betty Lewis , the victim ’ s widow , at the vigil that drew approximately 200 on a humid night in a city filled with a great deal of uncertainty about what might occur after a now-fired white trooper ended the life of a Black man .
“ We need more from a public servant who is supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a T-shirt with a picture of her husband on the front .
Lewis called her spouse “ her soulmate.
” “ He died by the hands of a murderer , ” Betty Lewis said .
“ This is only the first phase .
This has got to stop .
Justice for Julian.
” Lewis was laid to rest Saturday morning with graveside funeral services at Charlestown United Methodist Church in Screven County .
“ Screven County has shown up for Screven County , ” said Francys Johnson , a former Georgia NAACP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is representing the family .
“ Julian Lewis did not deserve to die like he did on Stoney Pond Road.
” Johnson said Lewis reportedly was being stopped by Thompson for a blown out taillight .
Johnson said Lewis was shot in the head .
The GBI began its investigation on Aug. 7 at the scene of the death .
The GBI reported Thompson attempted to stop a Nissan Sentra for a traffic offense on Stoney Pond Road .
When Lewis did not stop , Thompson began a vehicle pursuit that went down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Precision Intervention Technique ( PIT maneuver ) , causing Lewis ’ car to crash into a ditch along the road , and Thompson discharged a round , fatally striking Lewis .
Thompson wrote in a GSP incident report after the shooting that after Lewis ’ car wrecked , the trooper stopped his patrol vehicle “ approximately even with the violator ’ s vehicle.
” Thompson wrote he drew his weapon as he got out of his patrol car because he was concerned about his safety .
Lewis then revved his engine , Thompson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activate the light on his weapon .
Thompson ’ s report said he saw Lewis with both hands on the steering wheel , and then “ wrenching the steering wheel in an aggressive back-and-forth manner towards me and my patrol vehicle.
” “ It appeared to me that the violator was trying to use his vehicle to injure me , ” Thompson wrote .
“ Being in fear for my life and safety , I discharged my weapon once.
” The report from Thompson reads that he unsuccessfully tried to help Lewis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thompson due to his “ negligence or inefficiency in performing assigned duties ; or commission of a felony.
” The GBI will continue its independent investigation .
Once the investigation has been completed , it will be turned over to the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review .
Thompson , who was hired by the GSP on July 28 , 2013 , currently is being housed in the Screven County Jail .
Thompson is represented by Statesboro attorney Keith Barber .
Johnson commended the “ swift action ” of the charges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement-involved deaths in Georgia and nationwide .
The GBI and FBI also have launched a separate civil rights investigation into the shooting .
“ That ex-trooper was arrested and sits in a Screven County Jail awaiting trial , ” Johnson said .
“ If you want to clap for anything , clap that the system appears to have worked for us today.
” He added : “ Today is justice for Julian , but next week it could be for any of us , ” said Johnson who will be joined in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Mawuli Davis of Bozeman and Davis Law .
The Georgia NAACP-led JUSTGeorgia Coalition and New Georgia Project , Black Voters Matter , and Screven Forward spearheaded the vigil as 56 candles were lit for each of the law enforcement-involved GBI investigations in 2020 .
A 57th also was lit to represent a possible next investigation .
Ida Daughtry , a member of Screven Forward which encourages voter registration and voter participation , told the Lewises she hopes “ your family gets some sort of closure.
” “ If there is a silver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Screven County , ” Daughtry said .
“ We can really have conversations about change.
” Georgia President of the NAACP Chapter Rev .
James Woodall said a state of emergency was declared after the death of Lewis .
Woodall called law enforcement-involved deaths domestic terrorism .
Opinion : Police officers ' connection to communities they serve is broken .
Here 's how to repair it .
“ We are done dying , ” Woodall said .
“ Enough is enough .
We will not stand for this injustice .
This has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of this system has failed us .
If we want justice , we must start from the top on down .
We will continue to fight this injustice.
” “ You never think you will be here for a gathering like this , ” said Consuelo Hodge , one of Lewis ’ s sisters and the youngest of 11 children .
“ We are asking ‘ Why ?
’ Our brother didn ’ t deserve this.
” Hodge said Lewis was a “ great brother ” and “ great guy.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserves , ” Hodge said .
“ It is at the hands of the police and those are the people we are supposed to trust .
We are going to see where it goes from here.
” Sister Jackie Rose : “ I don ’ t know if this was a hate crime , but I do want to know why.
” “ All people are equal .
All people matter .
We want justice for anybody , ” said sister Myra Hilton .
“ We loved our brother .
We will miss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed on Aug. 7 , ” said sister Tonia Lewis .
“ A young man is in jail .
His family is grieving as well .
”

Georgia trooper charged with murder in shooting of Black man. 'He was a kind soul,' widow says at vigil.
Show Caption Hide Caption Key things that propel a protest to a successful movement Do protests ever enact real change? Yes. But not all movements are created equal. Here's the ingredients of a successful movement. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
SYLVANIA, Ga. – Family, friends and people seeking social injustice reform gathered Friday evening in downtown Sylvania for a candlelight vigil for Julian Edward Roosevelt Lewis, who died from a Georgia State Patrol trooper’s single shot seven days earlier during a traffic stop on a county dirt road.
Trooper Jacob Gordon Thompson, 27, was charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with felony murder and aggravated assault three hours before the start of the vigil for Lewis, a 60-year-old carpenter who was characterized by loved ones as a “great caring man.”
The president of Georgia's NAACP chapter called the slaying of Lewis another chilling example of a Black man being killed unlawfully by a white law enforcement officer. An attorney for Lewis' family said the trooper initiated the traffic stop over a burned-out tail light and Lewis was shot almost immediately after the trooper forced his car into a ditch.
The GBI said Lewis was fatally shot Aug. 7 after a chase in rural Screven County, about 60 miles northwest of Savannah. This marks the 56th officer-involved shooting this year investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Breonna Taylor: Family attorneys push for charges 'hopefully' before October
George Floyd: Police body camera video of George Floyd's arrest, final moments released to public
“He was a kind soul. He was a people person. He would take his shirt off for you,” said Betty Lewis, the victim’s widow, at the vigil that drew approximately 200 on a humid night in a city filled with a great deal of uncertainty about what might occur after a now-fired white trooper ended the life of a Black man.
“We need more from a public servant who is supposed to help,” said Betty Lewis, wearing a T-shirt with a picture of her husband on the front. Lewis called her spouse “her soulmate.”
“He died by the hands of a murderer,” Betty Lewis said. “This is only the first phase. This has got to stop. Justice for Julian.”
Lewis was laid to rest Saturday morning with graveside funeral services at Charlestown United Methodist Church in Screven County.
“Screven County has shown up for Screven County,” said Francys Johnson, a former Georgia NAACP president who grew up in Sylvania who is representing the family. “Julian Lewis did not deserve to die like he did on Stoney Pond Road.”
Johnson said Lewis reportedly was being stopped by Thompson for a blown out taillight. Johnson said Lewis was shot in the head.
The GBI began its investigation on Aug. 7 at the scene of the death. The GBI reported Thompson attempted to stop a Nissan Sentra for a traffic offense on Stoney Pond Road. When Lewis did not stop, Thompson began a vehicle pursuit that went down several country roads.
Thompson initiated a Precision Intervention Technique (PIT maneuver), causing Lewis’ car to crash into a ditch along the road, and Thompson discharged a round, fatally striking Lewis.
Thompson wrote in a GSP incident report after the shooting that after Lewis’ car wrecked, the trooper stopped his patrol vehicle “approximately even with the violator’s vehicle.” Thompson wrote he drew his weapon as he got out of his patrol car because he was concerned about his safety.
Lewis then revved his engine, Thompson wrote. This reportedly led Thompson to activate the light on his weapon. Thompson’s report said he saw Lewis with both hands on the steering wheel, and then “wrenching the steering wheel in an aggressive back-and-forth manner towards me and my patrol vehicle.”
“It appeared to me that the violator was trying to use his vehicle to injure me,” Thompson wrote. “Being in fear for my life and safety, I discharged my weapon once.” The report from Thompson reads that he unsuccessfully tried to help Lewis.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety terminated Thompson because of his “negligence or inefficiency in performing assigned duties; or commission of a felony.”
The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once the investigation has been completed, it will be turned over to the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review.
Thompson, who was hired by the GSP on July 28, 2013, currently is being housed in the Screven County Jail. Thompson is represented by Statesboro attorney Keith Barber.
Johnson commended the “swift action” of the charges. He noted this was different than other law enforcement-involved deaths in Georgia and nationwide. The GBI and FBI also have launched a separate civil rights investigation into the shooting.
“That ex-trooper was arrested and sits in a Screven County Jail awaiting trial,” Johnson said. “If you want to clap for anything, clap that the system appears to have worked for us today.”
“Today is justice for Julian, but next week it could be for any of us,” said Johnson, who will be joined in representing the Lewis family by Decatur’s Mawuli Davis of Bozeman and Davis Law.
The Georgia NAACP-led JUSTGeorgia Coalition and New Georgia Project, Black Voters Matter, and Screven Forward spearheaded the vigil as 56 candles were lit for each of the law enforcement-involved GBI investigations in 2020. A 57th also was lit to represent a possible next investigation.
Ida Daughtry, a member of Screven Forward which encourages voter registration and voter participation, told the Lewises she hopes their "family gets some sort of closure.”
“If there is a silver lining, his death will help change Screven County,” Daughtry said. “We can really have conversations about change.”
Georgia President of the NAACP Chapter James Woodall said a state of emergency was declared after the death of Lewis. Woodall called law enforcement-involved deaths domestic terrorism.
Opinion: Police officers' connection to communities they serve is broken. Here's how to repair it.
“We are done dying,” Woodall said. “Enough is enough. We will not stand for this injustice. This has been going on for 400 years. Every part of this system has failed us. If we want justice, we must start from the top on down. We will continue to fight this injustice.”
“You never think you will be here for a gathering like this,” said Consuelo Hodge, one of Lewis’s sisters and the youngest of 11 children. “We are asking ‘Why?’ Our brother didn’t deserve this.”
Hodge said Lewis was a “great brother” and “great guy.”
“We hope the cop gets what he deserves,” Hodge said. “It is at the hands of the police and those are the people we are supposed to trust. We are going to see where it goes from here.”
His sister Jackie Rose said, “I don’t know if this was a hate crime, but I do want to know why.”
“All people are equal. All people matter. We want justice for anybody,” said another sister, Myra Hilton. “We loved our brother. We will miss our brother.”
“My brother was killed on Aug. 7,” said sister Tonia Lewis. “A young man is in jail. His family is grieving as well.”
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-08-16--How Blazers' C.J. McCollum fought through back pain to ensure a playoff berth

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. — The shot splashed through the net , and the basket did not just capture a signature play that cemented the Portland Trail Blazers ’ playoff chances .
The moment also captured C.J .
McCollum ’ s mentality , '' They can ’ t guard me ! ''
McCollum yelled along with an expletive .
He was right .
In the Blazers ’ 126-122 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in a play-in Saturday that ensured a postseason appearance , McCollum scored 29 points while going 11-of-19 from the field , 3-of-7 from 3-point range and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final three minutes , McCollum made two step-back 3-pointers and a pull-up jumper to seal the win .
And after he made that pull-up jumper following a series of one-on-one moves against Memphis rookie point guard Ja Morant , McCollum showed the actions to back up his words .
`` I ’ m a shark and you have to be a killer , no matter what the circumstances are , ” McCollum said .
`` I ’ m going to figure out how to eat .
That ’ s what I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to eat and I figured out how to provide .
That ’ s the type of mentality you have to have .
If you don ’ t kill , you will be killed out here .
You will be destroyed figuratively and you ’ ll be going home to pack your bags . ''
As McCollum has shown during the NBA season restart , though , his value to the Blazers does not solely hinge on making shots .
McCollum played in other games in which he did not shoot well from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4-of-15 ) and Dallas ( 2-of-14 ) .
Those off shooting nights stemmed from McCollum nursing back pain that he sustained at the beginning of the restart .
MOVING ON : Blazers hold off Grizzlies in thriller to clinch No .
8 seed BUBBLE PLAY : Winners and losers from the NBA season restart Yet , McCollum still stood standing .
He remained determined to offer on-court value .
Despite his poor shooting against Dallas , McCollum still sank two free throws in the final minute to steal the win .
Though Damian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nurkic ( 22 ) and Carmelo Anthony ( 21 ) offered plenty against Memphis , the Blazers needed McCollum ’ s scoring to relieve the pressure .
And through every superb or uneven performance , McCollum stubbornly remained available .
`` His back has been messed up the whole time since the first game , but he gave no excuses , '' Lillard said .
`` He didn ’ t sit out or look for a way out .
He just stayed with it .
I know who I ’ m stepping on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a reason I got the faith and trust in him that I do .
People saw his character and who he truly is .
He ’ s still hurt .
But when it comes down to it , he rises to the occasion .
That ’ s who he is and what I expect from him . ''
After all , Lillard and McCollum have played an integral part in the Blazers advancing to their seventh consecutive postseason appearance and a first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers beginning Tuesday .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he still shows his alpha personality with the way he shoots and runs the offense .
McCollum has a dominant personality , too , but he fills in the missing gaps that his other teammates might miss .
Hence , it does not sound surprising that McCollum credited his team for the win more than his own performance .
He also offered more sympathy for Nurkic losing his grandmother to COVID-19 than lamenting the pain he has felt with his back .
Nonetheless , McCollum put in a substantial amount of work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In between games , McCollum said that he received treatment on his back `` all the time . ''
He took ice baths as late a 1 a.m. after games .
And considering he has labored through ankle , knee and chest injuries this season , McCollumn willingly accepted the pain would not dissipate .
`` It was all mental .
I was fortunate enough to have an injury I can play through , and our training staff has done a great job of monitoring it , '' McCollum said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than just yourself .
We have a chance to do special things as a unit and I want to be a part of it . ''
Even through the shooting slumps and streaks , McCollum did not lose conviction in his ability to make shots for a few simple reasons .
He credited his father , mother , brother and fiancé for offering positive reinforcement .
He has remained disciplined in private and team workouts , both perfecting difficult shots and with creating his own shot .
So when McCollum ’ s shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ validated that his approach still worked .
Though he conceded the back pain has affected his shot , McCollum still labored through the adjustments .
`` I ’ m comfortable with failing .
That is what drives me , '' McCollum said .
`` I could miss all of these shots and I ’ d be here talking to you the same way and going on with my day the same way because I prepared .
That ’ s the biggest thing in this sport .
When you prepare , you have extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confident in me .
One , they ’ ve seen me deliver .
Two , they know how I work . ''
In their most important game of the season , the Blazers saw McCollum ’ s hard work pay off .
Therefore , McCollum could not help but brag about himself with some colorful language after making a key basket over Morant .
He also could not help but tell a reporter to quote what he said correctly after cleanly paraphrasing the exchange .
The reporter obliged and shared the expletive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , '' McCollum said .
Moments later , he stood up .
More work awaited McCollum to treat his back and work on his craft in hopes of continuing to help the Blazers win .

How Blazers' C.J. McCollum fought through back pain to ensure a playoff berth
Show Caption Hide Caption How Lakers view potential playoff matchup with Blazers USA Today Sports' Mark Medina breaks down how the Lakers view a potential playoff series against the Blazers. USA TODAY
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The shot splashed through the net, and the basket did not just capture a signature play that cemented the Portland Trail Blazers’ playoff chances. The moment also captured C.J. McCollum’s mentality,
"They can’t guard me!" McCollum yelled along with an expletive. He was right.
In the Blazers’ 126-122 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in a play-in Saturday that ensured a postseason appearance, McCollum scored 29 points while going 11-of-19 from the field, 3-of-7 from 3-point range and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. In the final three minutes, McCollum made two step-back 3-pointers and a pull-up jumper to seal the win. And after he made that pull-up jumper following a series of one-on-one moves against Memphis rookie point guard Ja Morant, McCollum showed the actions to back up his words.
"I’m a shark and you have to be a killer, no matter what the circumstances are,” McCollum said. "I’m going to figure out how to eat. That’s what I’ve always done. I figured out how to eat and I figured out how to provide. That’s the type of mentality you have to have. If you don’t kill, you will be killed out here. You will be destroyed figuratively and you’ll be going home to pack your bags."
As McCollum has shown during the NBA season restart, though, his value to the Blazers does not solely hinge on making shots. McCollum played in other games in which he did not shoot well from the field, including against Denver (4-of-15) and Dallas (2-of-14). Those off shooting nights stemmed from McCollum nursing back pain that he sustained at the beginning of the restart.
MOVING ON: Blazers hold off Grizzlies in thriller to clinch No. 8 seed
HEAVY HEART: Nurkic has big double-double after grandmother's death
BUBBLE PLAY: Winners and losers from the NBA season restart
Yet, McCollum still stood standing. He remained determined to offer on-court value. Despite his poor shooting against Dallas, McCollum still sank two free throws in the final minute to steal the win. Though Damian Lillard (31 points), Jusuf Nurkic (22) and Carmelo Anthony (21) offered plenty against Memphis, the Blazers needed McCollum’s scoring to relieve the pressure. And through every superb or uneven performance, McCollum stubbornly remained available.
"His back has been messed up the whole time since the first game, but he gave no excuses," Lillard said. "He didn’t sit out or look for a way out. He just stayed with it. I know who I’m stepping on the court with, and there’s a reason I got the faith and trust in him that I do. People saw his character and who he truly is. He’s still hurt. But when it comes down to it, he rises to the occasion. That’s who he is and what I expect from him."
After all, Lillard and McCollum have played an integral part in the Blazers advancing to their seventh consecutive postseason appearance and a first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers beginning Tuesday. While Lillard leads with positive reinforcement and humility, he still shows his alpha personality with the way he shoots and runs the offense. McCollum has a dominant personality, too, but he fills in the missing gaps that his other teammates might miss.
Hence, it does not sound surprising that McCollum credited his team for the win more than his own performance. He also offered more sympathy for Nurkic losing his grandmother to COVID-19 than lamenting the pain he has felt with his back. Nonetheless, McCollum put in a substantial amount of work to maximize the Blazers’ playoff chances.
In between games, McCollum said that he received treatment on his back "all the time." He took ice baths as late a 1 a.m. after games. And considering he has labored through ankle, knee and chest injuries this season, McCollumn willingly accepted the pain would not dissipate.
"It was all mental. I was fortunate enough to have an injury I can play through, and our training staff has done a great job of monitoring it," McCollum said. "You understand you’re playing more than just yourself. We have a chance to do special things as a unit and I want to be a part of it."
Even through the shooting slumps and streaks, McCollum did not lose conviction in his ability to make shots for a few simple reasons. He credited his father, mother, brother and fiancé for offering positive reinforcement. He has remained disciplined in private and team workouts, both perfecting difficult shots and with creating his own shot. So when McCollum’s shots did not initially fall, he felt validated that his approach still worked. Though he conceded the back pain has affected his shot, McCollum still labored through the adjustments.
"I’m comfortable with failing. That is what drives me," McCollum said. "I could miss all of these shots and I’d be here talking to you the same way and going on with my day the same way because I prepared. That’s the biggest thing in this sport. When you prepare, you have extra confidence. I think the team is confident in me. One, they’ve seen me deliver. Two, they know how I work."
In their most important game of the season, the Blazers saw McCollum’s hard work pay off. Therefore, McCollum could not help but brag about himself with some colorful language after making a key basket over Morant. He also could not help but tell a reporter to quote what he said correctly after cleanly paraphrasing the exchange. The reporter obliged and shared the expletive.
"That’s exactly what I said," McCollum said. Moments later, he stood up. More work awaited McCollum to treat his back and work on his craft in hopes of continuing to help the Blazers win.
Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.