(upbeat music) - Coming up this week on NewsDepth.

In his new role boy has Biden been busy.

And this is what democracy looks like.

Can music help cure COVID patients?

Will tell ya.

Plus, scared of shots?

We've got tips on how to be brave.

NewsDepth is now.

(upbeat music) We officially have a new president, and he's already getting the work.

Hello everybody, I'm Rick Jackson.

Thank you for joining us.

Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States in an impressive inauguration ceremony on January 20th.

The ceremony looked a bit different from years past due to the pandemic but it was decades in the making for Biden.

This was his third run for the top spot.

He served about 36 years in the Senate and then was Vice President to Barack Obama for eight years after that.

A limited in-person audience attended the event and extra precautions were taken because of the pandemic.

Still, the ceremony included the same oath that every president before him has pledged.

Karin Caifa has the report of Biden's big day.

- This is America's day.

- [Karin] After nearly 50 years of service in Washington and three bids for the presidency.

Joe Biden is finally being sworn into the highest office in the land.

- Hi, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. do solemnly swear.

- That I will faithfully execute.

- That I will faithfully execute.

- The office of President of the United States.

- Office of President of the United States.

- [Karin] Along with his Vice President Kamala Harris who was making history as the first female first black and first South Asian to hold that position.

- I Kamala Devi Harris, solemnly swear.

- That I will and faithfully discharge.

- That I will and faithfully discharge.

- The duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

- The duties of the office upon which I am about to enter.

- [Karin] Three former presidents including the man Biden stood beside for eight years in the White House send two former vice presidents among the extremely limited socially distanced audience.

A bittersweet scene for a man who has spent much of his political career working towards this moment.

In an inaugural speech, nearly five decades in the making Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. said this day is not about him.

- Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate but of a cause, the cause of democracy.

- [Karin] Delivering remarks on the West Front of the US Capitol looking out on a national mall, not filled with people, but with flags Biden now the 46th president of the United States acknowledging extraordinary challenges that face the nation and his presidency.

- To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America requires so much more than words, requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy, unity.

- [Karin] Inaugural festivities subdued due to COVID-19 and extraordinary security precautions.

But today, a new chapter leaders of both parties looking on as the Biden administration seeks to unify a divided greeting nation.

Biden setting the tone for his new administration.

- And my first act as president, I'd like to ask you to join me in a moment of silent prayer.

Remember all those who we lost this past year to the pandemic.

- Thank you Karin.

A performance by our nation's first ever youth Poet Laureate was a standout moment at the inauguration.

A Poet Laureate is a person appointed by the government to write and recite poems during important events.

22 year old, Amanda Gorman joined the ranks of famous poets like Robert Frost and Maya Angelou who shared their work at past presidential inaugurations.

Let's listen to a snippet of Amanda's poem.

It was called "The Hill We Climb."

- When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade.

The loss we carry a sea we must wade.

We've braved the belly of the beast.

We've learned that quiet isn't always peace, and the norms and notions of what just is isn't always justice.

And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it.

Somehow we do it.

Somehow we've weathered and witnessed a nation that isn't broken, but simply unfinished.

We, the successors of a country and the time where a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.

- Wow, I mean, wow.

Amanda began writing poetry as a child but had to overcome her nerves and a speech impediment to learn to perform those poems.

No one could be more proud of Amanda's accomplishments though then who else?

Her grandmother.

Brandi Cummings met up with her in Sacramento, California.

- [Brandi] The world watched as she recited a poem at today's historic inauguration.

- Somehow we've weathered and witnessed a nation that isn't broken.

(Bertha applauding) - [Brandi] No one more proud than this woman who watched from her Sacramento home.

You see 22 year old, Amanda Gorman is Bertha Gorman's granddaughter.

Bertha says she's not surprised that her granddaughter was given this special honor.

The young woman has a long list of accomplishments.

She's a Harvard graduate and published author.

It was during Amanda performance at the Library of Congress that first lady, Jill Biden saw her and made sure the young poet would be part of the presidential inauguration.

- This is a twin sister, and this is her cousin.

- [Brandi] A grandmother's love spans the distance while Amanda gains international fame Bertha proudly shows off the old pictures of Amanda, her twin sister and cousins.

But the incredible moment where the family is not lost on her.

A woman who grew up in the segregated South.

- This day is very impactful because it's so historic.

I mean, to be with the first black woman of color who has been elected as the Vice-President of the United States.

I mean, that is historic.

And for her to be a part of that is beyond fantastic.

As for what's next, Bertha says Amanda plans to run for president something she's not shy about revealing.

- We the successors of a country and a time where a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.

- Thanks, Brandi.

While it is exciting to celebrate a new president, it's important to remember that the president isn't the end all be all in a democracy like ours.

Why don't we pause to take a minute and learn what exactly our government entails.

Nick's got the scoop in this week's politics on point.

Take a look.

- This nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom.

And that government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln certainly laid out an impressive goal in his Gettysburg address.

For the US to have a government that follows the lead of its citizens, a democracy.

And that's what we're talking about today.

(dramatic orchestral music) Democracy is a form of government in which the ultimate power belongs to the people.

You probably already know that the United States is a prime example of this, but we didn't invent it.

Originating in Greece, the name was created from two Greek words.

Deimos which means the people and criteria meaning the power of authority.

Democracy during this time in 500 BC, Athens took the form of what is known as direct democracy.

That means all citizens are equally responsible to meet and settle all matters of the community.

It kind of worked at the time because the population was smaller.

Having everyone work it out on their own today would probably end up a mess though.

Over time, the concept of democracy changed and developed.

We figured out a way to narrow down the number of people in charge.

So rather than a direct democracy the US has what is called a representative democracy.

This means citizens elect representatives.

Think the presidents, governors, senators and the like from among them to be in charge.

The leaders are of the people.

Unlike a monarchy or a dictatorship democracy requires citizens to participate.

The responsibility to decide who gets the next chance to lead is up to the people.

We have the exciting task of voting to make our voice heard.

That's where by the people part comes into play.

People tend to elect leaders who align with their personal views of government positions.

The goal here is that they will lead with the voters best interest in mind, hence for the people.

Unlike in a monarchy where leaders rule for life or a dictatorship where the leader rules for life or usually until they're overthrown, leaders in a democracy take terms.

Term limits say how long a leader can stay in office.

The president is only allowed two four year terms before his or her term is up.

Democracy may not be as simple as Abraham Lincoln made it sound.

There's lots of working parts like checks and balances, majority rules and minority rights, political parties that we don't have time to get into today.

But for now, if you can remember of the people by the people and for the people, you've got the most important part down.

- Thanks Nick, of the people, by the people, for the people.

I think we can all remember that.

And it seems president Biden's getting to work on it too.

During his first day on the job, he signed a multitude of executive orders.

An executive order is a rule issued by the president that has the force of law.

Whitney Wild was in Washington for some of the first of the Biden administration, Whitney.

- With the state of the nation today there's no time to waste.

Get to work immediately.

- [Whitney] President Joe Biden's signing 15 executive actions and two agency actions targeting many of former president Trump's policies.

- Some of the executive actions I'm going to be signing today will help change the course of the COVID crisis.

We're gonna combat climate change in a way that we haven't done so far.

(Congress applauding) - [Whitney] Democrats have officially taken power in the executive and legislative branches of government.

Vice President Kamala Harris, making it official.

Swearing in three new democratic Senators including Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia who tipped the balance of power in the Senate.

- And that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter so help you God.

- I do.

- I do.

- Congratulations.

- [Whitney] Now in the tradition of first, the first White House Press Briefing of the Biden Harris administration highlighting the president's new executive actions and their plan to tackle the pandemic.

- The issue that he wakes up every day focused on is getting the pandemic under control.

- Thanks Whitney.

Biden's executive orders covered a wide range of topics.

For this week's poll, we want you to choose which of those topics you think the new president should focus on first.

Head to our online poll to choose the environment, the economy, the pandemic or equality for all.

Then write to us.

We want you to come up with an executive order for your school.

Be sure to provide support for your order by telling us why you think it's so important.

My executive order?

How about I declare it NewsDepth day once a week.

Okay, now let's take a look at the results from last week's poll since we're here.

We asked if you thought people should be paid to get the COVID vaccine?

58% of you said, no they should not.

Well, one hurdle for some in getting the vaccine is a phobia of needles.

Phobia means a fear of something or other.

We know a fear of needles might be something that you have.

In fact, Sarah, from New Bremen School in New Bremen ask us, can anyone make the COVID 19 vaccine in a way that no needles are used so small children can easily get it?

Maybe one day, Sarah, you know, they do have the flu vaccines in the form of a nose spray, but for now the COVID vaccine is injected.

However, there are ways to overcome the scary thought of a shot.

Lisa Ryan has that.

- [Lisa] While you probably don't describe getting a shot as fun.

Some might find that needle downright frightening.

- An instant panic, I get clammy and queasy and nauseous, shaky, sweaty, all, everything that you would get in a really stressful situation.

- [Lisa] Alisa Modi says when she was younger she'd even faint from her fear of needles.

She isn't alone, about a quarter of American adults share that same fear.

In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even estimates that 7% of adults avoid immunizations because of it.

But there are ways to help yourself brave that needle.

Cheryl Carmin, a psychologist at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center suggests overcoming a needle phobia with exposure.

That means placing yourself increasingly and repeatedly closer to what you fear.

Ways of immunizations.

Until you can finally work your way up to getting an actual shot.

Another psychologist suggests reducing anxiety by relaxation techniques like meditation.

Distracting yourself during a shot can help too.

Modi says, that's what she does.

- Keep my eyes focused on something other than what's happening on my arm or wherever else when getting the shot, and that makes it tolerable.

- [Lisa] If you have a severe fear you might need to seek medical help.

It's a good idea to do that soon because it may take a while to work through it.

More and more COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available.

So get ready to put your brave face on and roll up those sleeves.

- Thank you, Lisa.

Well remaining calm and trying to not stress are also helpful when you're recovering from an illness.

Staying calm lets your body's immune system focus on battling whatever bug is bothering it.

Add art or music into the equation, and you have what's known as art therapy.

Art therapy is the use of music or art to improve someone's mental or physical health.

At Sharp Healthcare in California, they're expanding their use of the technique to help patients and hospital workers during the pandemic.

Jared Aarons has that story.

♪ And go ahead and breathe in ♪ - [Jared] For Martha Uribe, music therapy has been an integral part of her COVID-19 treatment.

♪ Here comes the sun ♪ - It's cure good to say that.

Because it makes you feel alive.

And it gives you a lot of hope.

[Jared] Hope that Sharp's Art Therapy Department is spreading throughout their system during the coronavirus pandemic - It's been really powerful and meaningful and where we found ourselves very busy.

- [Jared] Emmy Andrews, J Jang and Sophia Alvarez have expanded the program since the pandemic started adding virtual art and music sessions done through phone calls from empty rooms.

- I was thinking maybe I can just sing you a couple songs.

- [Jared] Its part of Sharps mission to treat the person, not the disease.

- We're not just looking at patient's illnesses or their sickness, but just treat that person as a whole and trying to bring different aspects of their life and improving the wellness of their life.

♪ Thank you for being a live ♪ - [Jared] They've also expanded it to nurses, doctors, and staff helping them cope with the stress of the job.

- We are really supporting our team to keep going through this, it's a long run.

And so we wanna make sure we take care of each other.

- [Jared] Uribe says it's comforting during a scary time when her family can't visit, her favorite song, "You Are My Sunshine."

♪ You never know how much I love you ♪ - It makes me feel so good.

Especially you have the curtain open and you are able to see the sun outside.

Yeah, you open your eyes and say I gonna be outside.

And I gonna feel that sun again.

- [Jared] A simple way to bring light into a dark time.

♪ Please don't take my sunshine away ♪ - Thanks, Jared.

Well, let's stick with arts for just a minute but switch to a different form.

Let's talk language arts.

Last week we asked you to write to us about your favorite books.

Let's see those recommendations by opening up our inbox.

(upbeat music) Ellie from Bio-med Science Academy in Ravenna Road, my favorite book is "Lily and the Great Quake" by Veeda Bybee.

This book is about a girl and her brother who live in Chinatown.

There's a sudden earthquake and they have to survive it.

If you love historical fiction like I do then this is the book for you.

I definitely recommend this book is a five star rating from me.

Here's one from Everett at Orchard Hills Intermediate in North Canton, who wrote my favorite book is the "Puppy Place Buddy," by Ellen Miles.

It's all about a man named buddy and his sisters Cocoa and Cinnamon and their mom.

A family called the Peterson family fosters buddy and his family.

A friend of theirs gets to keep the sisters and the bookstore owner gets them all.

And lastly, the Peterson family gets to keep buddy and there are like 50 more books in the series.

That's my favorite book.

Will from Woodland Elementary in Liberty like this one.

My favorite book is "The Book with No Pictures" by B.J.

Novak.

I liked this book because it has silly words and dialogue.

My second reason is that you can visualize funny skits inside your head.

One last reason is that it makes the reader say funny things like I have a hippo friend named Boo Boo Butt that is why my favorite book is the book with no pictures by B.J.

Novak.

Sounds funny there.

Well here's one from Naya at Avon Heritage in Avon.

My favorite book is "The Warrior Series" by Erin Hunter.

I enjoy reading this series because there's lots of adventure and action.

Sometimes there's even a little mystery too.

Best of all, everything is from a forest cat's perspective.

All in all the warrior series sure keeps me on my toes.

And finally, Logan from Troy Intermediate in Avon left this hanging.

My favorite book is "Land of Stories: World Collide" by Chris Colfer.

If you wanna read it, I won't spoil anything because it's the last book in the franchise.

Wow we've got some major bookworms in the audience.

And those pitches have me ready to hit the bookstore.

A pitch, oh, that's a short statement trying to sell or promote something.

The girl on our next story knows a thing or two about the perfect pitch.

The six year old girl Scout from Arizona took a different approach to selling cookies this year and it's gone viral.

Mark Curtis has her story.

- Hello.

- [Mark] Meet six year old Allie Shroyer.

(doorbell ringing) She doesn't know it yet, but this sales pitch to her neighbor's doorbell camera is about to go viral and produce a huge number of sales.

- Hello, I'm Allie, would you like to buy some Kelli's Cookies?

- [Mark] The owner of the home sent the video to Allie's mom who like most moms then posted it on Facebook.

- Would you like one?

(mumbles) - [Mark] Allie may be only a first grader at Cheyenne Traditional School in Scottsdale but she is a natural entrepreneur and offered her customer a unique way to pick out what cookies to order.

- What's your favorite Kelli?

Because the boxes are like common then maybe your favorite Kelli in a box exact color, and then you can choose it.

- [Mark] Allie's mom says, even though it's been a little tougher these days to sell cookies because of the pandemic, she couldn't help, but be blown away by Allie sales skills.

- Her sales pitch was so successful that she sold over 200 boxes in the first 24 hours.

- [Mark] The business model for the cookie biz has also changed.

Each Scout now gets their own website to take orders digitally.

- And so it's great, everybody can order online and then we have their name and address and then they can select to have it even delivered to their house.

- Kind of it's been harder because it's like you didn't know what to say so (mumbles) what I think I should say.

- [Mark] Well, Allie if the girl Scouts motto is to be prepared?

- Would like to buy any?

- [Mark] Then be prepared to get a bunch of new orders.

- Thank you.

- Thanks Mark.

Let's stick with business news, and go to Florida.

A new coffee and ice cream shop there is offering employment to folks with developmental disabilities.

Who often have a hard time finding work.

Francesca Constantini visited Rise Coffee Company and Nye's Ice Cream Sandwiches, and filed this report.

- Hey thank you.

- [Francesca] At the register, Eric Esclangon greets every customer with a smile behind his mask.

From coffee to ice cream.

Eric makes sure each item is perfectly made to order.

- I like being a cashier.

I like meeting new people.

- [Francesca] Eric works at Rise Coffee Company and Nye's Cream Sandwiches in downtown Sarasota.

While the shop is less than a week old, it's bringing a lot of traction among locals.

We're really excited about working here.

- There's a mission behind what we're doing and the mission is to offer job opportunities to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

- [Francesca] Beaver Shriver is the Co-owner of Rise and Nye's, and he wanted to provide his employees with a chance of a better life.

- Unemployment issue for this population is a big problem for them.

80% of these guys that can work are unemployed.

- Because through meeting Beaver, where we decided maybe Nye's Cream can kind of move into the special needs category.

- [Francesca] Partnering with facilities like the Haven and Easterseals of Southwest Florida, employees earn a paycheck and a business card but most importantly, financial independence.

- It's an inclusive workplace, but then there's the other side of it where customers come in and they get to meet somebody that maybe they've never met before.

Somebody that has down syndrome or autism whatever the issue may be.

And they can just hopefully open their eyes and open their hearts and realize that these are just regular people, and the big phrase I like is to end the fear of difference.

- Thanks Francesca.

- Okay, one last feel good story.

It's about some of you.

Time to hand out our NewsDepth A+.

Did you know that Ohio has treefrogs and that when the weather gets cooler they like to bury themselves in leaf litter to hibernate until Springs warmer temperatures arrive?

I didn't know it until Ms. O'toole's fourth grade class told us all about their impromptu rescue mission.

This week's NewsDepth A+ award goes to Ms. O'toole's class for using their research skills to help mother nature.

Like many of you, the students at Patterson liked to head outside for some fresh air and a mask break.

One morning, the class noticed a frog on the wall of the school.

Nearly a week later, the students use their science skills to observe that the frog was still up on the wall.

The frog was up there for a long time, they write.

We were getting worried he would starve or freeze that's what Kadence told us.

I suggested that we do some research and figure out what kind of frog it was.

And if it would be okay up on the wall, added Natalie.

In their research, they were able to identify the frog as a Cope's gray treefrog, and that these frogs were not in trees or stuck on buildings hang out in piles of leaves.

The class did a great job learning about the frog and habitat they decided to name it pancake because it is sort of flat explained Mrs O'Toole.

With some quick thinking and help from Mr. Meek, the building custodian they were able to rescue pancake after a quick ride in a pencil box, back to the woods.

Pancake took a few hops and disappeared into a pile of leaves.

Through some additional research, the class learned that these amphibious acrobats liked to climb up the sides of buildings to catch a tasty winter treat.

Moths, the class also learned that they can freeze, thaw and refreeze all winter long that's crazy.

So this week's NewsDepth A+ award goes to Ms. O'toole's fourth grade class and Mr. Meek at Pattison Elementary School for researching and teaching the NewsDepth team about pancake, the grey treefrog.

Great job using those research skills.

Ooh, did you hear that?

Yeah, NewsCat probably getting pretty antsy.

Let's see what she pawed up for this week's petting zoo.

(upbeat music) (cat meowing) - NewsCat whatcha up to?

Is she listening to the radio?

Oh, must've heard something.

Well, she's off to work now.

Okay, let's see.

She found a petting zoo.

It travels to people during the pandemic.

To find out about the furry visitors, click the petting zoo button on our website.

(upbeat music) - Thank you, NewsCat.

And that's gonna do it for me.

Now it's your turn.

Send us a mail and there are plenty of ways to stay in touch.

You can write to us.

We are at 1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland Ohio, or zip codes 44115.

You can email us at newsdepth@ideastream.org or you can tweet us our handle @newsdepthohio.

Plus you can catch all of our special segments on YouTube.

And if you're old enough hit subscribe, so you don't miss out on any of our new videos.

Thanks for joining us.

I'm Rick Jackson.

We'll see you right back here, next week.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] This steps is made possible by a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.

(upbeat music)