Q: To be an online proofreader, or any proofreader, requires a love of reading. You should enjoy reading several forms of writing and become familiar with a number of writing styles, as well as acquire knowledge in a broad range of subjects. Proofing online text successfully requires a knowledge of correct word usage and punctuation, spelling words correctly and recognizing common word confusions ("then" for "than," etc.), and understanding what the writer intended to say through careful re-reading of the text. Website text you'll proofread will either be sent to you by email, or you'll be given access to a site where the draft text can be downloaded from or edited directly. If you download the text to your computer, you'll need to be familiar with the proofreading and editing tools in your word processing program, such as Microsoft Word's "Track Changes" and "Insert Comments" features. If you proofread the text directly, you'll need to learn whatever online proofing tool you'll be asked to use. Some clients may instead prefer you to print out the text, proofread it manually, then fax it back. In those cases, you'll need to know how to use a printer and fax, as well as the symbols used in proofreading and copyediting by hand. At a minimum, high school courses in English, journalism, and literature will give you a foundation in the language and proofreading skills you'll need to have. You can supplement this knowledge with courses at a college or university, a community college, or online, as well as with online tutorials. Online classes are available from such organizations as eLearners, Universalclass.com, and Mediabistro.com. While classes can give you a foundation in English, the organizations you'll be working with often adopt an established style guide or create their own in-house guide. At a minimum, you should become familiar with the AP Style Guide, used by most newspapers and online news organizations and many websites, and the Yahoo Style Guide, used by many other organizations with a Web presence. Other stylebooks to consider include the Chicago Manual of Style, the New York Times Manual of Style, and the AMA Manual of Style. For an overall refresher on usage, read "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk and E.B. White. In addition to the style manuals listed above, you should have a dictionary and thesaurus and, depending on the clients you plan to work for, specialized dictionaries of medical, scientific, legal, or financial terminology. You should also become familiar with and bookmark reference websites such as Dictionary.com; however, it can sometimes be faster or more effective to look something up in a book than online. Look at books, newspapers, websites, and even the text displayed on TV news programs and commercials with a critical eye. This will teach you to spot errors in spelling, punctuation, and usage of words.
A: Be well-read. Understand the specific skills required of an online proofreader. Develop your computer skills. Consider formal training as a proofreader. Familiarize yourself with several stylebooks. Build a reference library. Practice your proofreading skills on what you read.

Q: Your values are the things that are most important to you in your life. To focus on your values, write down what they are, and then figure out how to make them priorities. You might write down “family” as a core value. Make specific goals on how to focus on your relationship with your family. For example, you could write down, “Eat lunch with my siblings every Saturday.” Concentrating on your values can help you feel more centered and can also make it easier to focus on the positive things in your life. If you are in a relationship, you’ll want to make this one of your value categories--if of course, this relationship is healthy for you.Ask yourself questions such as, “What type of partner do I want to be?” and “What do I need from this relationship?” Once you've determined what you want your relationship to look like, take concrete steps to make that happen.  Maybe you wrote down that you need clear communication in your relationship. With your partner, set aside 20 minutes a day to talk to each other. Put down your devices, turn off the TV, and focus on any issues at hand. If you wrote down that you want to be a more attentive partner, you could take time to check in with your partner during the day instead of waiting until after work. Your friends can be one of your greatest assets when you’re battling depression. When you’re practicing BA, make sure to think about your relationships with your friends. Look for ways to make those bonds stronger.  Write down what you value about each friendship, such as "Amy always makes me laugh". List concrete ways that you can work to improve your relationships. For instance, "I'll make an effort to invite Amy to more social events." Your career might be another area that is a major priority in your life. Sometimes depression and anxiety can make it feel like you’re going nowhere at work. When you are practicing BA, make sure to write out a list of concrete goals and update this list regularly.  Make short-term goals. For example, you might write “Increase my sales by 10% this month.” Include long-term goals. You could say, “Become a Vice President of Accounting within the next year.” Find a way to get involved in your town or neighborhood. Community engagement can help you feel connected to others and also give you a sense of accomplishment. Plus, you’re helping someone in need! Find a place to volunteer that fits your interests. If you’re a dog lover, ask the local shelter if they need help. If you’re an avid reader, check with the local library to see if they need volunteers.
A: Make time for your family. Commit to your romantic relationship, if applicable. Devote time to your friendships. Set clear goals at work. Contribute to the community.

Q: The biggest risk of a Zika infection is not the infection, it is the potential complications that can develop as a result of the infection. Although complications only develop in a small minority of people, they can be severe. The two main complications that are suspected to be linked to the Zika virus are:  Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), which is a neurological condition that can lead to potential paralysis. Microcephaly, which is a birth defect that develops when women who are pregnant become infected with Zika. Infants born with microcephaly have an abnormally small head and may have developmental delays as well. Some infants may even die as a result of this birth defect. GBS has been linked as a potential complication of the Zika virus, but there is not yet a proven link between the two. Still, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of GBS if you have Zika. GBS is an autoimmune disorder that may occur following a viral infection such as Zika. It affects your nervous system by damaging the nerve coverings. Symptoms include:  Numbness in the lower extremities such as the feet, lower legs, and hands Difficulty moving Numbness and/or paralysis that gradually moves upwards Difficult breathing if the paralysis moves to the chest area Microcephaly in newborns has also been linked to the Zika infection in pregnant women (who then pass it on to their fetus in the womb). Microcephaly refers to an abnormally small head. This condition can lead to developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and, in severe cases, it may even lead to death.  When your baby is born, the doctors will take routine measurements of head circumference (both at birth, as well as at progressive intervals throughout your baby's growth). It is through abnormally small head circumference measurements that a doctor may diagnose your baby with microcephaly. Microcephaly is defined as a head circumference of less than 42cm at full growth. Doctors can use age-based growth charts to determine whether your baby's head circumference fits into the normal range at each developmental stage. If your baby is diagnosed microcephaly, it may be a sign that you have recently been infected with the Zika virus. However, GBS is treatable, so see a doctor as soon as possible if you think you have GBS. Microcephaly cannot be treated, but there are support strategies that may help your child reach as many developmental milestones as possible.
A:
Be aware of potential complications of Zika. Recognize symptoms of GBS. Watch for signs of microcephaly in newborns. Keep in mind that there is no cure or vaccine for Zika.