Brunswick News. May 20, 2022.

Editorial: Jobs Still Plenty Despite Low Unemployment

There’s an interesting dichotomy at play when you look at the state’s unemployment numbers.

According to Capitol Beat News Service, Georgia’s unemployment rate held steady in April at 3.1%. That mark tied March’s rate for the lowest unemployment rate ever. The state also added 19,000 jobs to a record 4.76 million.

All this is undoubtedly good news. But someone who hears this may be a bit confused as to why there are still so many “Now Hiring” signs still affixed to many of our businesses in the area.

All you have to do is look at the number of jobs listed on EmployGeorgia.com to see that there are still plenty of companies out there suffering for workers. There are 227,000 jobs listed on the site, according to Capitol Beat.

Some industries have been hit harder than others. There are 36,000 healthcare openings listed at EmployGeorgia with 23,000 manufacturing jobs and 18,000 retail jobs.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to play a role in all of these issues. Some people lost their jobs during the pandemic and did not return. Some chose to leave their position voluntarily due to a variety of factors that primarily revolved around finding a better work-life balance, a phenomenon called the “Great Resignation”.

The pressure exerted by the pandemic on healthcare workers has undoubtedly had a negative effect on this industry. Being on the front lines of a global pandemic that has killed millions is likely to give even the most ardent doctors, nurses and other staff pause when it comes to considering what their future might hold. .

Although unemployment is low, it has not assuaged the need for workers. This should be good news for anyone who still wants to find a job. However, part of the responsibility will fall on companies hiring to adapt to these competitive times.

Workers are in demand, which means that a skilled worker can afford to demand what he thinks he deserves for his work. That’s why we’ve seen even our local county and city governments give raises to its workers, as both seek not only to retain the workers they have, but also to attract new workers to join their ranks.

With inflation continuing to be an issue and gas prices still much higher than they were this time last year, potential workers may be less picky going forward.

One thing is certain. No matter what the numbers say, there is still a huge need for workers in almost every industry.

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Dalton Daily Citizen. May 25, 2022.

Editorial: The heat is on – stay cool, safe

North West Georgians should prepare for the scorching summer days.

In recent days, high temperatures have climbed to the mid 80s and then cooled considerably. Lows later this week should be in the 60s.

As we had a very mild spring, it is important to remember that extreme heat can have rapid and devastating effects on our bodies. While we’re outside mowing the lawn or out for a walk, we can quickly come close to overwork from the heat.

Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable. However, more than 600 people in the United States are killed each year by oppressive heat, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are tips from the American Red Cross to help you cope with the heat:

• Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The car’s interior temperature can quickly reach 120 degrees.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of caffeine- and alcohol-free fluids.

• Monitor family, friends and neighbors without air conditioning, who are alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.

• If you don’t have air conditioning, seek relief from the heat in places like schools, libraries, theaters, malls, etc.

• Avoid extreme temperature changes.

• Wear loose, lightweight, light-coloured clothing.

• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

• Postpone outdoor activities.

• Take frequent breaks if you work outdoors

• Check animals frequently. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water and shade.

It is also important to know the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which is more dangerous.

• “Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or imbalanced fluid replacement. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are the elderly, those with high blood pressure, and those who work or exercise in a hot environment,” according to the CDC.

• “Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool itself. Body temperature can reach 106 degrees or more in 10 to 15 minutes. Heatstroke can lead to death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided,” according to the CDC.

Remember to stay hydrated and stay safe while you’re out in the heat.

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Rome News Tribune. May 21, 2022.

Editorial: Making elections boring again

That’s right, we’ve covered primaries, election days, runoffs – all of it – for decades and usually the most excited people are the candidates and us, the reporters who monitor these processes. Nobody else usually cares much.

Election web traffic is STILL low, but there are a number of people who really care (we like to call them our readers, and thank you) every election cycle. Many are just leaving and most people around have never even bothered to check in.

Then came 2020.

Well, to be fair, let’s go back to 2016 on a national level with Russians trying to influence the presidential election. It happened, but President Donald Trump was still legally elected. Oh, and don’t forget 2018 when Democrats in Georgia, without evidence, suggested that then-Secretary of State Brian Kemp influenced his gubernatorial election.

But, again, came 2020. Wild and ridiculous conspiracy theories surfaced like erupting volcanoes everywhere. People who had never bothered to vote or pay attention before suddenly became election experts. Trump used his now-banned Twitter account to share videos pushing outlandish conspiracy theories about local — yes local — members of the Floyd County Board of Elections.

The sad truth in Floyd County is that the problem originated with one person, the Chief Election Clerk at the time, and it is still being worked out.

Here are a few points:

♦ The Elections Office discovered the problem during an audit (that’s what an audit is for, by the way)

♦ The Elections Office has admitted the problem (as we hope a government agency would)

♦ The Elections Office resolved this issue and counted and certified all ballots

♦ The person responsible for this problem has been fired

What more can you ask for? Not much more really. But people who want to cling to ANYTHING that makes them appear in the right continue to do so despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Being honest is what conspiracy theorists mean, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

However, we are here to tell you that there have ALWAYS been mistakes on primary day and election night. STILL.

Going back to former editors, reporters and staffers who have all been ground zero on election night for decades, there is consensus that there has almost always been a snafu or another. And they’ve all been fixed.

If they were resolved and the problem was not sustainable, we generally did not report it.

We have cared that our county for years and years is one of the last or in the last third to report election totals to the Secretary of State’s office on election night. But no one else did.

Then Trump lost the election and some of his supporters, like our representative in Congress, started aggressively pushing lies. They have continued to do so to this day.

The 2020 presidential election and the months that followed were a tense time that has continued to prove unhealthy for our nation, and we would like to see things return to normal.

Therefore, make elections boring again.

We won’t be bored, believe us. Most journalists live for election day. This is where treasures of knowledge useless elsewhere become valuable. Can you imagine introducing the law or electoral processes as a topic of conversation at a party?

You pay us to pay attention to detail and we do it, because we love it. But the accusations, threats and ridiculous behavior, especially on a journalist’s salary, have aged.

The thing is, this 24/7 political scene is exhausting. The basis of the complaints is not true and, let’s be fair, people who complain don’t really care.

Stand with the truth, stand with the experience and go vote. Most of our races will be decided in this primary, and you should all bring your voice to our democratic process.

END