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The LEGAL LEDGER
P E R S O N A L I N J U R Y A N D T R I A L L A W Y E R S
This month, we are handing the reins of our cover article to Tampa General Hospital’s Urgent Care Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Paul Nanda. Dr. Nanda; his wife, Danielle Nanda, RN; and Mary R. Anderson, Ph.D., joined together this summer to voice their concerns and professional opinions about incorporating a mask mandate into Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS). As a family medicine practitioner, I’ve always been invested in my community. Every day, I care for families in our Tampa Bay region, yet, like many physicians, I’m often so bogged down with patient care that it can be difficult to maintain involvement outside of work. However, since the beginning of this pandemic, I’ve felt compelled to help. I’ve been engaged in an open dialogue with our children’s preschool from the very beginning of this pandemic, and as things have rapidly evolved, I’ve remained actively engaged. It’s a privilege to be an expert in the science and medical field, and when people look to us for nonpolitical, well-researched advice, I don’t take the responsibility lightly. So, as summer break began to wind down and Danielle and I prepared to send our eldest child to kindergarten, we knew we had to act. We had heard DENMONPEARLMAN.COM MASKING MATTERS DR. NANDA AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS FIGHT TO PROTECT HCPS STUDENTS AND STAFF THIS SCHOOL YEAR
AUGUST 2020
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very little about a possible mask mandate or safety procedures that HCPS was taking to protect its 250,000 students and massive number of employees. It’s one of the largest employers in our county, and with nearly 300 schools, HCPS is one of the top-10 largest school districts in the nation! It would be devastating to have an outbreak within this district, not to mention the countless other citizens who would be impacted by familial contact and stranger interaction. My wife has always been an advocate for social justice and medical advancement. She helped lead the charge, and we partnered with Mary R. Anderson, a professor at the University of Tampa who serves on the college’s COVID-19 Health Safety Task Force. (Mary also has three children in HCPS.) Mary helped us craft a well-thought-out proposal to HCPS’s school board and superintendent. In it, we asked that masks become part of the mandated dress code at HCPS, that masks be provided for those who cannot afford or forget them, and that the classroom and gathering spaces at HCPS be reorganized to allow for proper social distancing. The letter also addressed common questions, such as how we can convince children to keep their mask on or what we would do if a child is frequently attending school without a mask. While we never claimed to have all the answers, we believe mandating masks and instilling better safety procedures are vital to ensuring the safety and protection of all our students. This also requires communication and transparency. In mid-July, we received word that the school board was meeting to discuss the issue. We prepared statements to encourage enforcing a mask mandate, and just before the meeting we received word that it had been put in place by the school board. Mary and I still attended the meeting to further argue our belief that our district had a duty to protect our students and families, and we were pleased to see some wording in the district’s plan was lifted from our proposal. The
WHEN YOU TOUT PERSONAL
FREEDOMS OVER THE SAFETY, PROTECTION, AND WELL-BEING OF OTHERS, YOU PUT OUR CHILDREN, NEIGHBORS, OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR SOCIETY AT RISK. LIKE DRINKING AND DRIVING OR NOT WEARING YOUR SEATBELT, REFUSING TO WEAR A MASK IS RECKLESS.
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HELP YOUR KIDS HANDLE STRESSFUL SITUATIONS WITH THESE SENSORY-RICH ACTIVITIES
You can see it happening, almost in slow motion: Your child goes from playing and laughing to frowning in less than a second. They start to cry, and suddenly, a meltdown is underway. Is this just the way raising young kids is? Does a lack of sleep, change in routine, or intense hunger always have to lead to a meltdown? While it’s human to feel emotions and express them, you can use certain strategies to help your child navigate major emotions and calm down. The key is helping them tap into their central nervous system with activities that engage their senses. Just like adults, younger kids sometimes need support to regulate their emotions, especially in situations that are stressful for them. That’s where activities that engage the five senses can be really beneficial. Sensory activities that utilize the five CONGRATS, NICOLE AND PAUL!
senses can help your little one connect their body to their immediate surroundings and the larger world around them. Here are some sensory-rich activities that can help kids feel calmer in stressful times: • Make a pile of pillows and jump into it. • Put on some fun music and dance. • Bounce your little one on your lap or an exercise ball. • Take them for a spin around the house in a box or laundry basket; kids can even race each other.
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Create a slide by propping a mattress or exercise mat against the couch.
These are activities you can use right where you are to help your child find their calm again, even in a meltdown. According to early childhood development expert Alyssa Blask Campbell, sensory input stays in the system for about two hours, meaning even just five minutes of these types of activities can give you and your child hours of calm throughout the day.
RECOGNIZING OUR SUPER LAWYERS RISING STARS
W e’re proud of the team we’ve built at Denmon Pearlman. We know our legal experts will stop at nothing to ensure your needs are met so you can begin your next chapter with the support and guidance you need. That’s always been our mission. This month, we’re honored to announce that these character traits and dedication have also been recognized by the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. Paul Knudsen, managing family law attorney, and Nicole Denmon, partner and trial attorney, have both been selected for the
Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, which honors no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state! Paul and Nicole were nominated and recognized by their peers for their tremendous efforts and commitment to clients in the Tampa Bay area, among other qualifying criteria. Nicole has been honored on this list since 2017! In addition, she has been previously named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the nation, one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers Under 40 in the nation, and one of the Top 40 Trial Lawyers under 40 in Florida for three years in a row. Nicole graduated from Stetson University’s College of Law in 2006.
Paul was also named to this list in 2019 and graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2011.
Congratulations, Nicole and Paul! We are proud to have you on our team.
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TAKE A BREAK!
CHARCUTERIE FOR EVERY CELEBRATION GATHER ‘ROUND & GRAZE FOUNDER KALEY CHANK CREATES BUSINESS IN THE PANDEMIC
Kaley Chank has been making charcuterie boxes and plates for her friends and family for as long as she can remember. Wherever there was a housewarming party, a holiday event, or a celebration, Kaley was likely there with a well- thought-out and — most importantly — scrumptious assortment of meats, cheeses, and more.
“I love how much food can bring people together, especially just mixing and matching a smorgasbord of cheese and meats,” Kaley says.
(EASY WAY OUT)
When she was furloughed from her job as the event coordinator for Hunger Thirst Group due to COVID-19, Kaley had a revelation. As she was packing a box filled with yummy creations for a friend, Kaley thought she just might be able to pack and sell the boxes. That was the inception of Gather ‘Round & Graze, a charcuterie board service mailed to customers’ doors. After the initial idea, Kaley found a commercial kitchen to operate out of and became food ServSafe certified. She’s also taking cheese and wine courses to build her knowledge.
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district also recently pushed back the start of school to Aug. 24 to help our community better prepare.
It’s reassuring to see the school board is taking our expert concerns seriously. I commend the efforts being taken by HCPS so far, but I believe there have been missteps leading up to this moment, and there is more we could do to ensure the safety and protection of our children. As pillars of the community, hospitals and schools have a duty to protect our most vulnerable populations. And I believe our community as a whole must share that responsibility. As both a doctor and a dad, I can’t help but be frustrated by the rate at which members of our community and nation refuse to wear a mask. When you tout personal freedoms over the safety, protection, and well-being of others, you put our children, neighbors, our community, and our society at risk. Like drinking and driving or not wearing your seatbelt, refusing to wear a mask is reckless. I plan to continue working with our local districts and professionals to ensure our community stays safe. I hope you do your part as well and wear your mask.
The response, Kaley says, has been welcoming.
“Who knew the world needed charcuteries delivered right to their door,” Kaley says. “It’s been great how the community has welcomed me with open arms.”
In addition to ordering your own custom-made charcuterie box, Gather ‘Round & Graze also offers specialty packages. Father’s Day boxes came with cigars and candles, while the Fourth of July box was packed with sweet cupcakes and Sour Patch Kids. Each box also comes with a handwritten card, thanking customers for their business and wishing them a happy celebration. Kaley says her supportive network of friends, her business partner and boyfriend, Danny, and the community’s referrals have been helpful in propelling her venture into entrepreneurship. Hunger Thirst Group’s owner has also mentioned they would be willing to work with Kaley and support her in this business endeavor, even as she returns to her original job.
Kaley expected nothing less from the St. Pete community.
“I just love the sense of community and the local love everyone has for the small businesses,” Kaley says. “It’s just a really cute, tightknit family, and everyone wants everyone to succeed.”
Stay safe,
Learn more about Gather ‘Round & Graze on Facebook.
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A Special Message From Dr. Paul Nanda
The Best Activities for Helping Kids Cope With Stress Denmon Pearlman Attorneys Featured on Super Lawyers Rising Stars List This St. Pete’s Entrepreneur Can Deliver Charcuterie to Your Door Take A Break!
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Is Seasoning Sabotaging Your Health?
HOLD THE SALT
DON’T LET FOOD SEASONINGS SABOTAGE YOUR HEALTH
With so much emphasis on what foods you should eat to be healthy, it’s easy to overlook an important element of the cooking process: seasoning. You can find thousands of premixed seasonings on the market, and although adding dashes to your food seems inconsequential, the seasoning may actually turn your healthy foods into unhealthy foods. And the main culprit, in this case, is salt. Salt is a popular component of many premade seasonings because of its flavor-enhancing abilities. The label on your favorite mix should tell you exactly how much salt it contains. If it’s high on the ingredient list, you’re better off finding a substitute. High-sodium seasonings will promote water retention if used too liberally, which may lead to weight gain. The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 2,300 mg of salt a day. Ideally, adults would consume only 1,500 mg of salt daily. Removing salt from your seasoning repertoire may be difficult because it does enhance flavor. But alternative spices, when paired with the right food, can be great substitutes and have numerous health benefits. Here are a few.
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For beef: bay leaf, marjoram, nutmeg, pepper, sage, thyme For chicken: marjoram, oregano, paprika, rosemary, tarragon, chili powder For pork: garlic, onion, sage, pepper, oregano For fish: curry powder, dill, dry mustard, marjoram, paprika, pepper For vegetables: pepper, parsley, cumin, dill, chives, basil, paprika
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Try not to use more than 1/4 teaspoon of dried spice or 3/4 teaspoon of fresh spice per pound of meat or veggies. And for the best flavor, add ground spices to your food about 15 minutes before the end of cooking time. Add whole spices at least one hour before. Remember, salt doesn’t have to be the enemy — in moderation, it helps your body stay properly hydrated and helps deliver nutrients more efficiently. But too much can quickly lead to negative side effects, and with granules that are hard to see, it can be easy to go overboard. Instead, experiment with the hundreds of incredible spices available, and you might just open up a whole new world of great flavors and healthy habits.
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