Steffens Law Offices - April 2020

Steffens Law Offices - April 2020

www.steffenslaw.com Broken Bow: (308) 872-8327 Kearney: (308) 224-3325

Grand Island: (308) 675-1355 North Platte: (308) 221-6204

Lincoln: (402) 403-3025 Omaha: (402) 401-2864

April 2020

Socializing While Social Distancing Learning to Love Zoom

We all like a little downtime. It’s a chance to escape for a while, recharge, do some undisturbed thinking, read a good book, go for a walk or a run, or maybe ride your bike (preferably outside rather than on a machine). But for most of us, being alone with our thoughts is only enjoyable and nurturing for a limited period of time. We are social beings, plain and simple. Biblically speaking, “Man was not meant to be alone.” We just can’t escape our biological roots. Eons ago, prehistoric people survived by living together in communities. They socialized by talking about where to find food and what dangers to avoid. Those who listened and passed on this information survived, and the “loners” did not. So, we are all descendants of socializers. It’s part of our genetic makeup. Although, I admit, more so in some than others. How, then, do we satisfy our need to socialize in a world where we are asked to social distance or even quarantine ourselves at home? I think I can sum up the answer in one word: Zoom! Zoom is a conferencing service company headquartered in San Jose, California. It provides remote videoconferencing, online meetings, chat, and mobile collaboration services. It’s the leader in modern video communications, with an easy (even I can do it) and reliable Cloud platform for audio- and videoconferencing using mobile, desktop, and room systems. You can invite up to a thousand participants (depending on your plan), and it is very affordable. Plus, the video quality is pretty amazing! You can sign up for free and enjoy unlimited meetings for up to 40 minutes at a time. To host, manage, and set feature controls, the least expensive plan is only $14.99 a month. I first began using this platform for office meetings. All but two of our 13 employees have been equipped with laptops and monitors to work from home. Personally, I have been telecommuting for the last 10 days, but that’s another story. In the meantime, I’ve discovered that Zoom can be used for many other types of social gatherings: a birthday party, dinner and drinks (BYOF and BYOB), or just casual communication with friends. Presently, Zoom really is the next best thing to being together in person. If you do try Zoom, you’ll want to practice proper Zoom etiquette (good manners while Zooming). Here is my list to get you started. First, remember your main light source needs to be in front of your face, not

behind it (unless you want to hide a bad hair day or unshaven stubble). Second, stage an appropriate background. No one wants to peer past you and view your wet towel slung over a closet door. Third, Zoom focuses on your face with great clarity. If there is too much light shining up from below, you look spookier than Vincent Price in a horror movie. (I know, this reference dates me.) If your only light comes from above, your face will look droopy and stern. We elders battle this effect no matter what the lighting is. And last, cut out any unwanted or disruptive commotion going on behind you. That R-rated movie playing in the background may not make the impression you desire. To learn how to host or join a zoom meeting, just ask one of your children. If you’re an empty-nester like Cory and I, there are a number of tutorials available on the Zoom website. Otherwise, you’re welcome to call our office and talk to one of our youthful employees. I know this is a difficult time for everyone, but I’m confident we will get through it together. In the meantime, we need to keep communicating and socializing. Now, go try Zoom with your family and friends! Stay safe and be well.

-Bill Steffens

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Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

SOMETHING IN THE WATER WHY ROB BILOTT TOOK ON DUPONT

Rob Bilott never should have agreed to represent Wilbur Tennant’s case.

property provided water for all the cattle and wildlife in the area. Since the sale, the stream had become frothy and discolored, and the animals that drank from it were sick, malformed, or dead, including 153 of Tennant’s 200 cows. When Bilott stumbled upon a letter from DuPont to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the real horror story began to emerge — one that went far beyond the boundaries of Tennant’s farm and into the drinking water of every American. The letter mentioned a mysterious chemical called PFOA, and Bilott requested documentation from DuPont to find out more about it. However, the company refused, so Bilott requested a court order. Soon, dozens of disorganized boxes filled with thousands of 50-year-old files arrived at Bilott’s firm.

The cattle farmer had presented evidence of the strange malady plaguing his cattle to lawyers, politicians, and veterinarians in Parkersburg, West Virginia, but no one took Tennant’s case seriously.

in the mess of documents, but soon, his time as an environmental lawyer helped him see the bigger picture. It became clear that DuPont had orchestrated a massive cover-up regarding their use of PFOA. PFOA is used in the manufacturing of Teflon, and the company had knowingly exposed workers and the Parkersburg water supply to it. Bilott filed a class-action suit as a medical monitoring claim on behalf of the people of Parkersburg, and, as of 2011, a probable link between PFOA and six health conditions, including two types of cancer, has been found.

But when Bilott saw the evidence for himself, it was clear that something was wrong.

The videos and photographs Tennant had collected showed cattle with patchy fur, growths and lesions, white slime coming from their mouths, and staggering gaits. Tennant told Bilott that the abnormal behavior and physical deformities had started after his brother Jim sold his property to DuPont, a chemical company with a big presence in Parkersburg. Jim’s property bordered on Wilbur’s, and a stream running from Jim’s

He was worried he wouldn’t be able to find anything incriminating or even conclusive Because of the medical monitoring claim, plaintiffs can file personal injury lawsuits against DuPont. So far, 3,535 people have. If it weren’t for Bilott and Tennant, the public might have never known the dangers of PFOA. DOYOUR PART TO KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL And Maintain Green Living Spaces for Everyone

Have you ever walked through a park and seen a plastic bottle or wrapper lying on the ground? If so, did you pick it up and properly dispose of it? You might not have realized it, but in that moment, you took a small step toward keeping your community — and, by extension, America — beautiful! April is Keep America Beautiful Month, and folks who celebrate aim to help each community in every state stay clean and green. Created by the nonprofit organization Keep America Beautiful, this holiday offers a perfect opportunity to roll up your sleeves and work to better the place

you live in. Here are three ways to show your appreciation for a green America this month.

of your health and keeps your community clean. Anybody can do it: Just throw on your running shoes, grab a bag, head out the door, and pick up any stray bits of trash you see on your morning jog or evening walk.

TAKE ACTION ONLINE.

With the current COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world, it might be difficult to get outside and participate in a few community cleanup programs. But that doesn’t mean the public still can’t participate in Keep America Beautiful Month. April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and to celebrate, Earth Day Network is providing digital events for everyone around the world to take part in. Follow Earth Day Network’s social media accounts and stay updated on efforts to keep the Earth green or participate in an event yourself! For more information, visit EarthDay.org.

IMPROVE RECYCLINGTHROUGH EDUCATION.

An important goal during Keep America Beautiful Month is to spread awareness about recycling. There are various ways to educate those around you about recycling and encourage them to do their part. At work, for example, you can volunteer to lead a recycling initiative by printing off guides and fostering discussions on why recycling is so essential. At home, you canmake a commitment with your family to fulfill the three R’s of recycling: reduce, reuse, recycle. To discover more ways to participate in Keep America Beautiful Month, visit their website at KAB.org today!

START PLOGGING.

If you’re passionate about staying active and cleaning up your neighborhood, then this is the perfect activity for you! Plogging combines jogging and picking up litter, which takes care

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TAKE A BREAK

Few things change faster than the internet, and how we connect with the internet is constantly evolving. When it comes to wireless capabilities, fourth-generation (4G) networks have been the norm for 10 years. But 4G couldn’t meet demands forever, and there’s already talk of a fifth-generation (5G) network taking center stage. So, what makes 5G different from 4G, and how will it affect consumers and their internet-enabled devices? SO, WHAT IS 5G? A New Horizon in Wireless Technology

WHAT ARE THE BASICS?

Simply put, 5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology that enables mobile devices like cellphones and stationary devices like desktop computers to send and receive >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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