Kentuckians play for TEAM Kentucky by limiting gatherings and planning a safe ride

Football fans across the country are gearing up for America’s most-watched sporting event, Super Bowl LV, on Sunday, Feb. 7. While celebrations will look different this year due to COVID-19, the dangers of drunken driving remain the same.

Gov. Andy Beshear encourages Kentuckians to play for TEAM Kentucky by celebrating responsibly at home as this year’s Super Bowl comes during a health pandemic.

“As public health commissioner Dr. Steven Stack said yesterday, we want everyone to have a good time watching and celebrating the Super Bowl but we can’t afford to let our guards down,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “This year, there’s two good reasons to watch the big game at home. One is to combat the spread of COVID-19 to protect our fellow Kentuckians. The second is to avoid putting yourself and others on the road at risk if you plan to drink alcohol.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) Office of Highway Safety is teaming with the National Highway Traffic Safety for a “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” reminder urging football fans to avoid a major fumble by not driving impaired.

Drunken driving can be deadly. With a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, a driver is considered legally alcohol-impaired; however, impairment begins at one drink. If you plan to drink and need to travel, plan a safe ride home in advance.   

“Drunken driving crashes are 100 percent preventable,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “Drivers must understand that drugs and/or alcohol not only hinder your ability to drive, but also affect your judgment about whether you can or should drive. You may think you’re fine, but impairment slows judgment, coordination and reaction times.”

According to KYTC, preliminary numbers indicate 120 people in Kentucky were killed in crashes that involved a drunken driver in 2020. 

“These are not just numbers,” said Gray.  “These are people – mothers, daughters, sons, fathers – who never made it home to their loved ones due to someone’s choice to drink and drive.  Any number above zero is unacceptable.”

The KYTC reminds motorists traveling not only on Super Bowl Sunday – but every day – to always buckle up.  A seat belt provides the best protection against injury and death. 

The coldest weather of the season is on its way to the Louisville area. With single-digit temperatures and sub-zero windchill predicted over the next several days, The Arrow Fund, Inc., a local animal protection group, and Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) announces a partnership to provide potentially life-saving straw for those animals that cannot be brought inside or provided with heavily insulated and/or heated shelter. The Arrow Fund purchased and donated the straw currently being distributed to the public for free until supply runs out at the LMAS Harshaw Family Foundation Animal Shelter located at 3528 Newburg Road.

“A dog or cat left outdoors in this extremely cold weather will suffer tremendously and most likely die without proper, well-insulated shelter. Properly placed straw can help protect both cats and dogs from hypothermia, frostbite, and death,” said Jessica Brotzge, president of The Arrow Fund.

“A simple wooden doghouse or a plastic Igloo-type house is not going to protect your pet, “she warned. “The strategic placement of straw inside a doghouse or cat shelter can make the difference between life and death.”
“Not every pet can be kept inside so it is important to provide adequate shelter with proper protection from the elements,” said Ashley Book, interim director of LMAS. “By providing straw for pet owners who need it, we are fulfilling our mission to serve the citizens of Louisville and ensure the humane treatment of domesticated animals.”

Pet owners can pick up straw Monday – Saturday from 12-6 p.m. at the LMAS Harshaw Family Foundation Animal Shelter (3528 Newburg Road).

Cold weather tips include:
• Do not keep pet outside for long periods of time • Shelter floor should be off the ground (to minimize heat loss into the ground) with thick, dry bedding such as straw (not blankets) • Position shelter doors away from winds • Space heaters and heat lamps should be avoided because of the risk of burns or fire • Heated pet mats should be used with caution because they also are capable of causing burns

BBB Tip: Don’t share your COVID-19 vaccine card on social media

Did you just get your COVID-19 vaccine? That’s great, but don’t share a photo of your vaccination card on social media. The self-identifying information on it makes you vulnerable to identity theft and can help scammers create phony versions.

What to watch out for:

You got your COVID-19 inoculation, and you are excited to share the good news and encourage others to do the same. You take a selfie holding your vaccination card and post it to Facebook, Instagram, or another social media platform.

Unfortunately, your card has your full name and birthday on it, as well as information about where you got your vaccine. If your social media privacy settings aren’t set high, you may be giving valuable information away for anyone to use.

Sharing your personal information isn’t the only issue. Scammers in Great Britain were caught selling fake vaccination cards on eBay and TikTok. It’s only a matter of time before similar cons come to the United States and Canada. Posting photos of your card can help provide scammers with information they can use to create and sell phony ones.

How to share safely on social media:

• Share your vaccine sticker or use a profile frame instead. If you want to post about your vaccine, there are safer ways to do it. You can share a photo of your vaccine sticker or set a frame around your profile picture.
• Review your security settings. Check your security settings on all social media platforms to see what you are sharing and with whom. If you only want friends and family to see your posts, be sure that’s how your privacy settings are configured.
• Be wary of answering popular social media prompts. Sharing your vaccine photo is just the latest social trend. Think twice before participating in other viral personal posts, such as listing all the cars you’ve owned (including makes/model years), favorite songs, and top 10 TV shows. Some of these “favorite things” are commonly used passwords or security questions.

For more information:

BBB has identified many ways in which scammers are cashing in the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about vaccine scams,  clinical trial scams, contract tracing cons, counterfeit face masks, and government agency imposters.

If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams.