COVID-19 Counsel from the College of Liberal Arts

April 9, 2020

In this new series, we collect various news articles that feature experts from the College of Liberal Arts giving insight into the current global COVID-19 crisis.

Editor’s note: In this new series, we collect various news articles that feature experts from the College of Liberal Arts giving insight into the current global crisis. The purpose of this series is to provide diverse perspectives on various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic from experts in the college. The series will be shared weekly, so check back for the most up-to-date news.

Churches turn to the internet to reach their flocks — The Economist

Featuring Heidi Campbell, professor in the Department of Communication

“Nowadays pastors do not just broadcast to their quarantined flocks, says Heidi Campbell, a scholar of religion and digital media at Texas A&M University. They expect them to participate too, using apps and social media to make virtual services interactive.

When the coronavirus retreats, will digital worship go with it? Not likely.”

How to Access Social Security Benefits During the Coronavirus Pandemic — U.S. News & World Report

Featuring Thomas Saving, distinguished professor in the Department of Economics

“The Social Security benefit payment schedule remains the same. Benefits are paid on the second Wednesday of the month for those with birthdays on the 1st through 10th, the third Wednesday for those born the 11th through 20th and the fourth Wednesday for everyone born later in the month.

‘The closure of Social Security offices does not affect the distribution of benefits,’ says Thomas Saving, an economics professor at Texas A&M University and former public trustee for the Medicare and Social Security programs. ‘Social Security recipients should have no fear that they won’t receive their benefits.'”

Trump statements about NY sow confusion amid pandemic — Newsday

Featuring Jennifer Mercieca, associate professor in the Department of Communication

“Jennifer R. Mercieca, a professor of communications at Texas A&M University who focuses on the history of American presidential rhetoric, said in times of crisis presidents have always sought to project ‘that they are in control of the situation’ and would typically vet policy announcements to avoid the confusion that has surrounded some of Trump’s recent announcements.

‘They want to convey both uncertainty, because you don’t know exactly how things are going to turn out … but also that there are steps that we are taking as a government,’ Mercieca said of Trump’s predecessors. ‘Even if things behind the scenes are not calm and steadfast, Americans have come to expect someone who can project that strength and clarity.'”