NSF Self Sanitizing Masks and Interview with David Leventhal Dance for PD

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and this is episode #448. Today’s show is brought to you by Skylight Frame.

As part of health, science, and the arts series, we’ll be joined today by David Leventhal, who is the Program Director and founding teacher of the Dance for PD approach.

Before we join David Leventhal, I want to give everyone a National Science Foundation update from the front lines of COVID 19. And, perhaps some good news, too.

As we’ve been following the news reports, we all are wearing masks, social distancing, and ordering for delivery in.

Here’s the issue with the masks, and why they’re important: the spread of infectious respiratory diseases, such as COVID-19, typically starts when an infected person releases virus-laden respiratory droplets through coughing or sneezing. To further slow and even prevent the virus from spreading, we need to greatly reduce the number and activity of the viruses in those just released respiratory droplets.

Current masks worn by individuals provide a physical barrier, reducing the number of escaped respiratory droplets that would become a new source of infection after entering the atmosphere or landing on objects and surfaces. 

But, through a RAPID funding grant from the National Science Foundation, a new self-sanitizing medical face mask is being developed to deactivate viruses on contact.

This new mask mitigates the transmission and spread of viruses. How does it do it?

Always fascinating work from the National Science Foundation, and we thank NSF for their work and time.

Let’s move on to another impressive science story. The use of dance as therapy for Parkinson’s Disease, hence the name: Dance for PD.
Dance for PD was conceived in 2001 as a collaboration between the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) and Brooklyn Parkinson Group and is now administered by MMDG, and David Leventhal.

Dance for PD was born from the idea that people with Parkinson’s could benefit from the insight and specific techniques and methods used by dancers to guide their own bodies and minds, Dance for PD® strives to increase coordination, balance, flexibility, and strength through music and movement from a broad range of dance styles. In classes led by professionally-trained dancers and musicians, participants experience the grace, fluidity, and power of dance in a social, joyful, and supportive environment. Dance for PD’s fundamental working principle is that professionally-trained dancers are movement experts whose knowledge about balance, sequencing, rhythm, and aesthetic awareness is useful to persons with PD.

We’re going to take a break, but will be right back with David Leventhal. We’ll learn more about David Leventhal’s program, Dance for PD, and we’ll hear David talk about how to get your family involved when needing more support from Dance for PD. Very helpful. Please stay tuned…

We’re back with David Leventhal, program director and founding member of the Mark Morris Dance Group program, Dance for PD.

My thanks to David Leventhal, and the Mark Morris Dance Group’s Dance for PD. My thanks, too, to the National Science Foundation. Of course, happy Mother’s Day, and my thanks to Skylight Frame for sponsoring the show. Finally, my thanks to you, our wonderful Not Old Better Show audience for your time and enthusiasm. Please keep your emails coming with show ideas and feedback: Paul@notold-better.com. Let’s practice smart social distancing, good health practices, and let’s talk about better. The Not Old Better Show. Thanks, everybody.
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