INSIDE
July 2020 How Does Intestate Succession Work? ... 7
Immigration: Canadian Court Rules US No Longer Safe for Asylum Seekers ... 21
Advice: How to Stop Interrupting ... 23
Issue #10
John Lewis: Who was the Civil Rights Activist?
"Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble." - Hon John Lewis
BY BBC NEWS
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ohn Lewis forged his legacy as a lifetime champion for civil rights and racial equality during the struggles of the 1960s as he
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preached a message of non-violence alongside Dr Martin Luther King Jr. It was in March 1965 that Lewis, aged only 25, stood with other civil rights leaders as they led peaceful protesters
across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Their planned march would take them to Montgomery, the state capitol, to demand equal voting rights. As they crossed the bridge, armed Alabama police officers on horseback carrying tear gas, whips and bully clubs attacked them. At least 40 protesters required treatment, and Lewis suffered a fractured skull. Media outlets from across America captured the brutal attack on film, calling it Bloody Sunday. The event became a pivotal moment in the battle for civil rights for African-Americans, as Americans outside the South could now see the abuse inflicted upon the black community under "Jim Crow" segregation laws. continued on page 6
Hot Topics and News You Should Know About
NYC School Reopening on Course for Delay, Union Leader Says BY ALEX ZIMMERMAN, CHALKBEAT
Principals union boss Mark Cannizzaro
C
iting an “alarming lack of direction” in the city’s plans for reopening school buildings, a Sept. 10 start date seems increasingly difficult to achieve, according to a letter sent this week by the head of the union that represents school administrators. “It is abundantly clear that the [Department of Education] has not provided you with the guidance and relevant information necessary for you to effectively plan for the opening of school buildings and offices in the fall,” wrote Mark Cannizzaro, the head of the continued on page 8
100 Days to Good Trouble: Our Vote is Our Voice... 3
CWE: Showing Up for Workers of Color... 4
Statement on 30th Anniversary of ADA...22
Labor-Related News - Nationally & Locally
Weathering Waves of Trauma in the Community ... 29
How the Real Estate Industry Will Change After COVID-19 and more! ... 17 to 20
How the Postal Service Helped Stamp Identity on America – and Continues to Deliver a Common Bond Today BY AMY WERBEL, THE CONVERSATION
Black and Immigrant Workers on Path to Win Healthcare ... 9
NYU to Study Impact of COVID-19 on Transit Workers ... 15
Pushing Back Against the Idea of “Freak Accidents ...13
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mericans overwhelmingly support a federal bailout for the cash-starved United States Postal Service. They view the USPS as a vital civic institution – one that despite a crisis continued on page 14
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July 2020
Did you know unions are what brought races and genders together more than any other type of organization, including government? We’re all brothers and sisters in the union.
Contents
And we don’t have to be forced into this unity. In the common struggle for a better life, a decent income and respectable retirement, the divisions fade away. -Loren Adams, Arkansas Postal Workers Union Editor, The Arkansas Postal Worker
The Remarkable Legacy of John Lewis
In Solidarity: 100 Days to Make Good Trouble......................................3 4 Things You Should Know About the 2020 Census.......................................................................3
Love, Health & Relationships ... 23
Relationship Advice: How to Stop Interrupting
Education New Teachers Mistakenly Assume Black Students Are Angry...............................................12 Workers’ Safety Pushing Back Against the Idea of “Freak Accidnets”............................................................13
Then-President Barack Obama hugs Rep. John Lewis during a 2015 event at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., commemorating Bloody Sunday. In paying his respects, Obama said: "Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did."
Labor History: July 20, 2020
Workers’ Matters Airport Workers - Majority Black and Immigrant - On Path to Win Healthcare.....................9
Jobs & Recession Need a Job? Attend a Virtual Career Fair.................16 Union in Action... 10 Unions Mobilize for Passage of HEROES ACT, Condemn Senate for Ending $600 COVID-19 1Unemployment Benefits
Love, Health & Travel How to Make Sure Your Mask Maximizes Protection........................................................................20
COLUMNS Conversations ... 29 Black Mental Health Specialists Weathering Waves of Trauma in Community
New York City newsboys, many so poor that they were sleeping in the streets, begin a 2-week strike. Several rallies drew more than 5,000 newsboys, complete with charismatic speeches by strike leader Kid Blink, who was blind in one eye. The boys had to pay publishers up front for the newspapers; they were successful in forcing the publishers to buy back unsold papers - 1899 Postal unions, Postal Service sign first labor contract in the history of the federal government—the year following an unauthorized strike by 200,000 postal workers - 1971
Love, Health & Relationships ... 26
Protecting Your Home While Traveling
“It all feels like so much,” Mack said with a sigh. “I limit my intake of social media in order for me to maintain my own level of sanity, and also be responsive to the people that I work with...” Mental health counselor Tabethah Mack, June 26, 2020. Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY
Family: The True Modern Relationship ... 11 Getting Divorced? Take Time to Write a Parenting Plan Writing a parenting plan is one of the most important things you can do right now to help ease them through this difficult transition.
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July 2020
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In Solidarity
100 Days to Make Good Trouble: Our Vote is Our Voice BY MICHAEL BLAKE
W Supports Workers’ World Today
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ecently, I was in Albany fighting and seeking support of A1261/S1947, legislation that will create a clear definition of public work and level the playing field for New York’s contractors. District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union (DC9), the union for painters, prides itself on being a strong advocate for workers’ rights and safety. We are excited about this new publication, Workers’ World Today, which covers the issues of relevance and concern for all workers. We are encouraged that all workers: blue and white collar will have a voice and platform. Congratulations on your inaugural issue. We wish much success to the leaders and team of Workers’ World Today and pledge our support.p Davon Lomax Political Director, DC9
e have 100 days until the next Presidential and Down Ballot Election. Let's be clear though that we cannot wait as there will be Vote By Mail and Early Voting starting in a matter of weeks. ALL of us must vote – this election is just too important to miss. We, as a nation, deserve to rise and unite together, not deal with more of the divisive rhetoric and racist actions. We deserve to have basic needs met and our voices heard. It’s time for a change, and, we are all needed to make this happen. In the next 100 Days, we must say I. WILL. VOTE. Commit to doing everything you can. In 100 Days, we have the power to support candidates who are going to make the difference for us all. In 100 Days, we can make phone calls, volunteer, make donations if we are able, and make sure that our friends and family are registered to
Civil Rights icon and Georgia Rep, John Lewis endorsed Joe Biden for President in the November 2020 elections.
vote. These 100 days are going to be critical to our future. We must support Joe Biden as he runs to be our next President. He BELIEVES our best days are ahead. We need hope, experience, and inclusive legislative priorities. Brothers and Sisters, it’s time for us to stand up for who we are. Every single ballot must be counted. Right now, we are still waiting to make sure that every valid vote is being counted in New York. Each vote is you voicing what is important to YOU, what is needed in our community, and what must be done to move us forward. We will continue to fight for every valid vote to be counted – now, and in the future. This is nonnegotiable. Every vote must be heard.
We cannot stop at the White House. Policy decisions matter at every level of government. Policy has real-life consequences, from education to health care, from small business support, to criminal justice. We must elect people for each office that reflect our values. Each office offers us an opportunity to make the changes we need for The Bronx and beyond. As Congressman Lewis crossed over the Edmund Pettus Bridge one last time today [July 26], we must cause some Good Trouble in his name. We have 100 days. Support Joe Biden and local candidates by making calls, volunteering, donating if you are able, and making sure that you and your loved ones are registered to
TEAM Publisher Workers’ World Today, Inc Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip Contributing Writers Marilyn Silverman Charles Tabasso Victoria Falk Erin Telesford Jennine Estes, MFT Travis Morales Mary Campbell Janet Howard Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Telephone 1-866-435-3286 Email info@workersworldtoday.com Visit us at www.workersworldtoday.com
cast their votes on November 3rd. We BELIEVE in The Bronx and we BELIEVE in our country. We BELIEVE that our votes and our voices are powerful. We have 100 Days to save our country. Who's with me?p Michael Blake currently serves as both a New York Assemblyman from the 79th district and a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
4 Things You Should Know About the 2020 Census
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ave you filled out the Census form as yet? What are you waiting for? The Census is very important for communities of color Your response to the 2020 Census matters. But you may be unsure about what to expect. Why is this process so important? Does it make a difference for my family or in my community?
The 2020 Census is a count of everyone living in the U.S. The goal of this effort is to get an accurate count of people across all 50 states and five territories. You can respond in multiple ways. You can complete your questionnaire online, by phone, or by mail. The 2020 Census asks a few simple questions about you and everyone who was living with you on April 1, 2020. Data security and safety is a priority. When you respond to
the census, your answers are kept anonymous. They are used only to produce statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential. The law ensures that your private information is never published and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. Your response matters. The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners,
teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts. p
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July 2020
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Civil Rights
CWE Supports Black Lives Matter: Showing up for Workers of Color
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t has already been a long summer for New Yorkers of color. Black, Latino, and Asian residents have gotten COVID-19 at higher rates, while also suffering the worst effects of the recession. Police brutality has compounded these problems, but also sparked an inspiring movement to take racism head-on. The Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) and our partners ground our organizations in the belief that supporting workers means supporting them on the job, at home, and in the streets. Workforce development is a response to systemic racism and part of creating an equal society where all people can prosper. Please read on for the latest work by CWE and our partners to serve New York workers. The Consortium for Worker Education released the following statement on July 20, 2020 in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, as our
union and community partners participated in a national "Strike for Black Lives." "The Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) supports and champions Black Lives Matter because we acknowledge centuries of unequal words, opportunity, and economic justice for Black citizens and workers. Racism permeates our society, and we stand with our labor union and community organization partners in the call to transform policing
and in continuing to break down the systemic barriers to racial and economic equality. This ongoing crisis is compounded by the failures of our political institutions and government which have a responsibility to ensure the basic safety and security of Black people in particular. Black people are over-policed, over represented in jails and prisons, and disproportionately subjected to police brutality. Valuing Black life doesn’t just
mean spending less on policing and incarcerations; it means and requires that we invest more - and equitably - in Black communities. "There is no separation between the issues our workers face at work and the racism that permeates our society. Our workforce development efforts and partners will continue to be part of the fight to dismantle racism, for our member organizations and for all workers. Since our incep-
tion, our programs such as JtBO work with community groups to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers in good-paying careers. We view economic justice and continued worker training opportunities for Black workers as part of the call to support Black Lives Matters and protect our communities. CWE stands in solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter."p
Live in the basement? Yes, the census is for you. Your answers cannot be shared with your landlord, ICE, or any law enforcement agency. You don’t need a paper form.
My2020census.gov 1-844-330-2020
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July 2020
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Civil Rights Icon: John Lewis John Lewis/ continued from page 1 Who was John Lewis? John Lewis was born on 21 February 1940 in the small town of Troy, Alabama in the USA. He was one of 10 children. He loved learning and reading at his local library. But, he was born at a time of huge racial inequality in America, known as segregation. During segregation, it was law that black and white people had to have separate public facilities, including shops, restaurants, parks and schools. These facilities were supposed to be equal, but black people's were almost always worse. Poverty was also a major problem. Black people often had lower paid jobs in society, and many black women worked as servants for white people. Growing up in a segregated country made Lewis want to see things change. In 1954, when he was only 13, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of calling an end to more than 50 years of legalized racial segregation. But not all US states followed the ruling - Alabama, where Lewis lived, fought against the decision and Lewis' school continued segregation Segregation continued throughout his University years too, and Lewis, along with other black people, was not welcomed into any of the schools he wanted to attend. Upset about these injustices, he wrote to campaigner Martin Luther King Jr, and began his work challenging racial inequality. Early activism Whist at University, Lewis continued to challenge racism. He would organize sit-ins at places that had separate lunch counters for white and black people. In 1961 he became one of the original 13 Freedom Riders - a group that wanted to end segregation on public transport where it was still illegal in
In final tribute: The body of Rep. John Lewis crosses the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., one last time as the world pays their finals respects to the of civil right icon, who helped lead a double line of protesters marchers on Bloody Sunday.
The attack was named 'Bloody Sunday' and the events were filmed and shown on TV around the world. But 'Bloody Sunday' became a turning point and many who saw what had happened began to call for change too. Five months later, Lewis joined other civil rights leaders at the White House, and the then President, Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law, giving people of all races the same right to vote.
Credit: Steve Schaefer
some states for people from different races to sit together. The group was made up of seven white and six black people. In May 1961, Lewis was attacked by a group of white men for trying to enter a waiting room marked "Whites' on the outside. During his campaign, he was attacked and arrested many times, but did not stop fighting for equality. March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom When Lewis was 23, he became the leader of a student group encouraging others to call for change peacefully. In 1963, Lewis, along with other civil rights leaders known as the' Big Six', organ-
ized a march on the USA's capital city, Washington. They wanted to see a future where all people are equal, regardless of the color of their skin. The march was made up of both black and white people, with thousands of others offering their support behind the scenes. People all over the world watched the powerful event on TV. When the group reached the Lincoln Memorial, Dr Martin Luther King Jr delivered his historic 'I Have a Dream' speech. Lewis spoke passionately too. He said: "We are tired‌ We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again. And then
you holler, 'Be patient'. How long can we be patient? We want our freedom and we want it now." The following year in 1964, the Civil Rights Act banned segregation in schools, public places and in jobs. Selma to Montgomery March In 1965, when Lewis was 25, he marched with other rights leaders across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. They wanted to demand the same voting rights for black Americans that white Americans had. As the protesters peacefully crossed the bridge, armed police from Alabama violently attacked them and 40 people were injured.
What else did John Lewis do? John Lewis continued to campaign for equality and equal rights for all for his entire life. He was elected to City Council in Atlanta and later became a Congressman for Georgia, a role he held until he died. Despite the legal changes that John Lewis and other activists brought about, racism and inequality remain in the USA, and other countries around the world. In 2017, after a violent rally held by a racist group, who believe white people are superior to other races, Lewis voiced his upset. He said: "I am very troubled‌ I cannot believe in my heart what I am witnessing today in America. I wanted to think not only as an elected official, but as a human being that we had made more progress. It troubles me a great deal."p
July 2020
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Generations
How Does Intestate Succession Work? haps you named your two brothers joint beneficiaries of your retirement account. They would get the proceeds.
BY JANET HOWARD
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here are many important documents in our lives, but few carry the life changing importance that a will can provide.While every responsible adult should have a will in place, all too few of those men and women have taken the time to prepare this vital document. A will provides much more than peace of mind – a properly executed will provides valuable protections for those you love, and it is important for anyone with a family to protect to start planning their will without delay. How Does Intestate Succession Work? While people intend to create wills to pass on their legacy, the unfortunate reality is that not everyone manages to do so before they pass on. The legal process of intestate succession determines how a decedent's possessions get distributed after their death. Find out how intestate succession works as part of your estate-planning
research. How Does Intestate Succession Work? In intestate succession, the legal system looks to a chain of surviving relatives who are in line to inherit your estate. They also consider your marital status. If you have children and are unmarried, your children receive your estate. If you are married, your spouse receives everything regardless of whether or not you have children. If someone is married and has two children from a
previous marriage, then the heirs split the property according to a predetermined formula. That can become messy if the children do not get along well with the current spouse. For individuals who do not have children or a spouse, parents followed by siblings are in line to inherit the estate. For example, if you have one surviving parent and two brothers, your parent will inherit your estate. If you have two brothers, but both parents are deceased, your brothers will inherit the estate.
Are there Exceptions to Intestate Succession? Intestate succession affects the distribution of all assets in your name. Assets that aren't in your name only, such as a home that is owned in joint tenancy, are not affected by this process. Life insurance payouts, retirement accounts, and any financial account that is marked "payable on death" are not affected by intestate succession. These assets are passed on to the named beneficiary, which you selected when you opened the account. For example, per-
Alternatives to Interstate Succession If you don't like the way your assets would be distributed under intestate succession, your best option is to plan for your legacy while you are still alive. This way, you get to decide who inherits what. It can bring peace of mind to know that your loved ones will be cared for in a manner of your choosing after you die. Estate planning also allows you to set up trusts, give money to charity, and leave property to those outside of the line of intestate succession, such as stepchildren or grandchildren. Legal Help Estate planning is a necessity; not a luxury. Call the Law Office of Figeroux & Associates at 855-768-8845 for a FREE consultation. You will be glad you did.p
Wills, Trusts & Nursing Home Asset Protection Learn how to Protect your Assets and Provide for your Loved ones
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At this consultation, we will discuss issues that include: Nursing home costs- the myth of the 昀ve year look back The advantages of Wills, Living Trusts & Probate How to maintain your privacy and protect your estate if you become disabled (Hint: Not all Powers of Attorney are valid) Why putting property in children’s names may be a mistake Protect one’s spouse when the other needs nursing home care Preserve your estate for your kids if your surviving spouse gets married How Probate works and more importantly, how to avoid probate How you can qualify and use Medi-Cal to pay for nursing home expenses Provide for special needs (disabled) children and grandchildren How you may be able to minimize federal and state taxes
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Issues NYC School Reopening on Course for Delay, Union Leader Says/continued from page 1
5 Steps Companies Might Consider Before Reopening Their Office Spaces
T United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew speaks at a 2018 City Hall news conference. New York City Department of Transportation
Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, to school leaders on Wednesday. “As each day passes without clear guidance and safety assurances, it becomes less likely that we will be ready to reopen in September.” The letter puts Cannizzaro in line with the city’s teachers union, which has also begun to raise concerns about whether the department is doing enough to ensure the city’s plan to reopen school buildings in September is safe. Michael Mulgrew, head of the teachers union, has repeatedly cast doubt on reopening buildings in September. “At this moment, the odds are against us in terms of actually getting open safely on time, if at all,” he recently told WNYC’s Brian Lehrer. Many educators have urged the city to rethink whether schools can reopen their doors come September. Union leaders are trying to balance being responsive to their members’ safety concerns while recognizing that virtual instruction is generally seen as a poor substitute for in-person learning. The growing chorus of critical statements from union leaders could ultimately derail the city’s reopening plans, even as the coronavirus infection rate in New York City remains relatively low. Key Details Unknown Neither union has directly called for the city to delay inperson instruction this fall, and the teachers union has endorsed the city’s hybrid approach, in which students will have the option of attending school in person one to three days a week. City officials have vowed that they will follow guidance to maintain social distancing, re-
quire students and teachers wear masks, adopt a rigorous cleaning regimen, and update school ventilation systems. Key details have still not been released, however, including how the city will respond to infections in school communities, and whether there will be widespread coronavirus testing of students and staff. Even basic issues like how children will maintain distance in bathrooms or how educators will enforce health-related rules remain murky. Department officials defended their reopening plans. “Now is not the time to stoke fear and anxiety amongst school leaders and we will continue, in partnership with [the administrators union], to work around the clock to develop guidance that aligns with this evolving health crisis,” Danielle Filson, an education department spokesperson, wrote in an email. She added that department leaders regularly meet with union officials, “engage in follow up conversations, await their sign off on key policies, and collaborate on the timing of announcements.” Timing Issues Loom Principals are required to choose between models of how often their students are allowed to attend school in person, though Cannizzaro’s letter argues that principals do not have enough information to make that determination. The education department initially asked schools to send their preliminary scheduling decision by Thursday — though schools still don’t know how many families plan to opt into full time remote learning, nor do they know how many teachers are expected to request health ac-
commodations to work remotely. Families have until Aug. 7 to apply for full-time remote learning. Teachers began requesting accommodations on July 15. Cannizzaro’s letter says the department will now require schools to provide their scheduling decision by Aug. 14. The timeline means that many schools — and families — will not have a firm sense of their schedules until just a couple weeks before students are expected in buildings. Cannizzaro’s letter also criticized the education department’s management of summer school, which has suffered from technical problems that kept students from accessing their coursework. Adding to the uncertainty, Mayor Bill de Blasio indicated this week that he would not make a call about reopening schools until just days before the school year is expected to begin on Sept. 10. “The final decisions will be made as we get right up to it based on the data we have in front of us,” de Blasio said at a Thursday press conference. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said schools will be allowed to reopen if the local rate of positive coronavirus tests is below 5% — much higher than the city’s current infection rate of about 1-2%. Cuomo is expected to make a decision about whether city schools will be permitted to reopen in the first week of August.p
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering public education. This story was originally published on July 23, 2020 by THE CITY.
he coronavirus pandemic has changed many workplaces temporarily and others permanently. Working remotely is more common, and for those returning to a physical office, the seating arrangements, meeting protocols, and other dynamics of the pre-pandemic work environment will be different. After weeks of having employees work remotely whenever possible, many organizations are developing plans to reopen their physical workplaces. For many business leaders, this is a challenging time as they try to determine how to reconfigure their offices after quarantine. Putting a plan in place may be the best solution. A return-towork plan may mitigate the closure of offices for additional and more enhanced cleanings, help prevent lost productivity and help reduce absenteeism. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that lost productivity due to absenteeism in the U.S. cost employers $225.8 billion annually - or $1,685 per employee through a combination of direct and indirect costs. To help position your business for a successful reopening, Stephen Mohan, EVP, Business Solutions Division for Office Depot, Inc., recommends considering: Site assessment Partner with a business solutions provider and conduct a site assessment. Details derived from an assessment of the site can help develop facilities plans, and programmatic cleaning strategies. It may help guide your change management strategies and your reconfiguration of the workspace with tools and equipment like physical barriers, entrance screening stations, space dividers, floor markings, and signage outlining traffic flow to facilitate social distancing.
High-touch surfaces Assess key areas used regularly by employees, including the lobby, work areas and offices, restrooms, cafeterias, elevators, storage spaces, high-traffic hallways and stairs, auditoriums, break rooms, classrooms/training rooms, parking garages, gyms and conference rooms. These areas may require additional cleaning or separate strategies. Social distancing Currently the CDC recommends a minimum of 6 feet between people for proper social distancing. This will likely mean reconfiguring many work areas, including cubicles, small-group collaboration spaces and larger meeting rooms with appropriate seating, capacity limitations and traffic pattern signs. Touch-points and cleaning Determine how to limit touchpoints in the workplace and enhance cleaning and disinfecting practices. Identify what cleaning products are appropriate for your business, such as stronger and more durable disinfectant wipes, DIY cleaning stations, low or touchless motion-activated solutions, and consider whether antimicrobial products or furniture may benefit your workplace. Communications Consider how to have ongoing and transparent communication with your employees as you work through the phases of welcoming everyone back into the office. Provide employees with clear communication about safety and cleaning protocols through the use of digital and print signs, posters and literature. You may want to maintain an open-door policy for employees to voice their concerns or ideas for improving the workplace. Learn more today Thoughtful planning and proactive action today will help build confidence with employees. (BPT) p
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Workers’ Matters
Airport Workers—Majority Black and Immigrant—on Path to Win Health Care
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s many as 25,000 airport workers, including predominantly Black and immigrant wheelchair attendants, security officers, cabin and terminal cleaners, and other sub-contracted airport workers at JFK and LaGuardia Airports are a signature from the Governor away from winning life-saving health care benefits. After a long, hard-fought campaign, the New York State Legislature passed the trailblazing Healthy Terminals Act (HTA) on Wednesday that now awaits Governor Cuomo’s signature. “Workers of color have kept this country together throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, even without the basic protection of adequate healthcare,” said Vladimir Clairjeune, a Haitian American JFK security officer who is currently laid off. “This is a victory in the much larger fight for racial and economic justice. In our corner of the world, we have shown we can make a difference for the thousands of Black, Latino, and immigrant workers who make up the fabric of our airports.” “Thousands of sub-contracted airport workers from all backgrounds have fought for years to transform these low-wage jobs into family sustaining jobs with good benefits that strengthen our communities and economy,” said 32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg. “Essential airport workers secure terminals, sanitize planes, keep passengers safe and our economy running. They are predominantly Black and immigrant workers who have been devastated by the COVID19 pandemic, all the while dealing with systemic racism that impacts every aspect of their lives. The New York State Legislature, especially bill sponsors State Senator Alessandra Biaggi and Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, have set an example for the nation to follow with this responsible and moral policy to workers and passengers, both healthy and safe. We look forward to Governor Cuomo signing the bill, which could be the nation’s farthest-reaching policy to impact the health and well-being of essential workers of color.” “The passage of the Healthy Terminals Act is fueled by the tireless organizing and strength of essential airport workers, labor advocates, immigrants, and working families. Assem-
bly Member Alicia Hyndman and I introduced this bill well before the arrival of COVID-19, because it should not take a pandemic for us to value workers’ lives and fulfill their right to healthcare,” said Senate Bill Sponsor Alessandra Biaggi (D – Bronx, Westchester). “By enacting the Healthy Terminals Act, we can provide tens of thousands of airport workers, including those who work for subcontractors, with the ability to purchase health insurance without falling into poverty. I extend my deepest gratitude to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, and 32BJ SEIU for their partnership to move this bill forward.” “Our state needs a healthy workforce so people can do their best serving the traveling public. Front line airport workers have risked their lives by showing up to work during COVID-19 and other public health crises because they could not afford to stay home. Nothing is more important than protecting the people whose job it is to protect us, and adequate, affordable health insurance is their first line of defense. I am proud to stand with airport workers in their fight for healthcare. I commend the Speaker and my colleagues in the Assembly for doing the right thing and passing the Healthy Terminals Act. I look forward to working with the Governor to ensure our essential airport workers are adequately protected and have the means to attain good healthcare,” said Assembly Bill Sponsor Alicia Hyndman (D – Queens). In 2011, as many as 10,000 sub-contracted workers at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark International airport mounted one of the most successful union organizing campaigns for fair wages and union rights since the creation of the Fight for $15. Since then, 32BJ SEIU members at New York and New Jersey airports have been at forefront in the fight for dignity and respect on the job and the professionalization of vital services at the region’s airports. Eventually, these workers went on to win the nation’s highest mandated minimum wage of $19 an hour by 2023. However, their compensation did not include quality, affordable health insurance. Airport workers are currently
exposed to a hodge-podge of employer-provided health plans, including many that won’t even qualify as health insurance, with sky high premiums, co-pays and deductibles. Many often choose to go without health insurance. And the risks that come with working in some of the most heavily trafficked airports in the world without health insurance are heightened when health scares happen. The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as previous scares like Ebola and SARS, only exposed what workers in major transportation hubs have always known—they are on the frontlines of any health crisis. affordable, quality health insur- attendant for eight years who is “As essential workers, we ance directly. currently laid off. “I have know we can be exposed to all Now that the HTA has passed epilepsy, which is very expenkinds of illnesses, whether or both the State Senate and As- sive since I don’t have health not there’s a pandemic,” said sembly, the bill will await Gov- insurance. I’m looking forward Floyd Adonis a laid off bag- ernor Cuomo’s signature to to going back to work and helpgage handler from JFK who pass into law. ing the passengers, but I’ve owes over $14,000 after being “When Governor Cuomo been worried. We may have hospitalized three times this signs this bill, it will change our masks and gloves, but the most year with a heart condition. lives and give us the protection important protection is health “People need healthcare every we need to do our jobs, said Jor- care.”p day. As frontline workers, we dany Bueno a JFK wheelchair need to be protected not just for ourselves, but for the passengers we come into contact with.” The landmark Healthy Are you working? Have you been injured on the job? Terminals Act Was it a serious injury as defined under NY Workers’ will require Compensation Law? employers at New York airIf yes, then call Figeroux & Associates ports to comfor a FREE Consultation at 718-222-3155. p e n s a t e workers, including subcontracted passenger In addition to being services workeligible for workers' compensation, you may ers, at least a also have a claim against $4.54 benefits a party other than your supplement employer. That is why it that they will is so important to seek asbe able to use sistance from our to acquire the experienced team. quality health insurance they desperately need. Workers could use this supplement for health insurance or emp l o y e e s working under collectively Workers who know their rights and speak to a lawyer put bargained conthemselves in a better position to obtain a recovery. tracts could negotiate to use Find Out What Our Firm Can Do For You this supplement to prov i d e The Law Firm of Figeroux & Associates. Call us at 718-222-3155.
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Union In Action
Unions Mobilize for Passage of the HEROES Act, Condemn Senate for Ending $600 COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits
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he AFL-CIO and its affiliate labor unions condemn Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for his body’s failure to pass the HEROES Act, deepening economic hardship for millions, especially those who will lose the additional $600 in unemployment insurance benefits expiring at the end of this month. For months, millions of laidoff American workers have relied on these increased weekly supplemental benefits to pay the bills and stay afloat amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The termination of this benefit will have devastating impacts on the economy and America’s workers. "The extra $600-per-week in federal pandemic unemployment compensation has been a
total game changer," said AFM Local 802 member Theo Primis. "This extra weekly amount has allowed me and my family of four to pay our
bills and put food on our table. Without this extra payment, I’m really not sure how we would do it, especially given the fact that we don’t know
when I’ll be able to return to work as a performing artist in NYC.” Responding to the Senate’s failure to act, the labor move-
ment has been mobilizing in all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico to pass the HEROES Act. This groundswell has only grown as the COVID-19 crisis has worsened in recent weeks. On Wednesday alone, nearly 20,000 calls flooded into Senate offices to demand passage of the HEROES Act. The HEROES Act, which includes America’s Five Economic Essentials, is the road map to rebuilding America and empowering working families. The labor movement refuses to stand idle as McConnell’s Senate sits on its hands. Tell your Senator that it’s time to pass the HEROES Act, including the extension of the $600 supplemental benefit, and put the lives of America’s working families first.p
July 2020
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Family: The True Modern Relationship
Getting Divorced? Take Time to Write a Parenting Plan BYJANET HOWARD
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ven an amicable divorce can be busy, stressful, and painful for your children, as well as for you and your spouse. That’s why writing a parenting plan is one of the most important things you can do right now to help ease them through this difficult transition. A parenting plan will increase the certainty and improve the care your children receive after the divorce by spelling out exactly how important childcare issues will be dealt with. It will prevent potential conflicts that could arise in the future, and give your children the stability they need. Your parenting plan should include agreements for: Custody The first thing you have to decide is whether or not you will share custody of your children.
If you both do not wish to, you need to decide which one of you will be the primary caregiver, which can be a very difficult decision to make. Your children need you to resolve this issue, though, however difficult the decision is. On a related note, you should also decide if the custody agreement will be an informal one or a legally binding one. Child Visitation If you decide on a shared custody agreement, the next thing you need to do is work out a visitation schedule. Determine when the children will be with each parent. Will they live with one parent on weekdays and the other on weekends? Do they live with one during the school year and the other during the summer? Whatever you agree too, be sure your agreement has the ability to accommodate any unexpected developments. You also need
to work out which one of you will have your children for which of the holidays and special occasions. Childcare You will also need to come to an agreement about who will be trusted to provide babysitting and daycare services for both parents. Either relatives or professional services could be used but, either way, it is important that both you and your spouse trust whoever is selected. Schooling Will your children go to a public or private school? How will college be paid for? Both you and your spouse need to answer these questions and any other school-related questions, no matter what age your children are. Medical Issues You also need to talk about
how or if your children use prescription medications, how mental health care issues will be addressed, and any other medical issues that could come up. You also should decide whose health insurance will be used for your children, and how premiums and copayments will be made. Communication It is not surprising if you and your spouse are having trouble communicating in the middle of your divorce. If this is the case, you should agree on how the two of you communicate
about important issues. Maybe only communicating by email is best, or only through a third party. Use whatever works best for keeping the communication neutral and free of negative emotions. It can be difficult to come to an agreement on how to deal with your children while your marriage is coming to an end. It is worth the trouble, though. If you work out an agreement now, your children will quickly be able to find a sense of stability and a sense of the new normal.p
July 2020
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Education
New Teachers Mistakenly Assume Black Students Are Angry BY ALISON COOKE, AMY HALBERSTADT & PAMELA WATKINS GARNER THE CONVERSATION
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ollege students who are training to become teachers are 36% more likely to mistakenly believe that a Black child is angry when that child isn’t making an angry face than if a white child makes the same facial expression, according to our new study. We determined this by having a group of 72 Black and white child actors trained by experts to make specific facial muscle movements. For example, to come across as surprised, the children raised their eyebrows and widened their eyes. To convey anger, the children furrowed their eyebrows and tightened their lips. We designed our study this way to make sure that no one
could say maybe the Black children were making angry faces more often than the white children. They absolutely were not. Then we had teachers-intraining watch videos of the children making facial expressions and we asked them to identify each emotion they saw. Why it matters Black children are three times more likely to be suspended or expelled from school than their white classmates. This problem begins early on, before kids even make it to kindergarten. Black children also tend to feel less understood by their teachers than white children. The potential consequences of poor relationships between students and their teachers and school discipline can be long-term and last well into adulthood.
What other research is being done Previously, researchers had determined that college students who aspire to become teachers are more likely to misread Black adults’ emotions, as compared to sensing what white adults are feeling, and that they mistakenly believe that Black adults are angry when they are not feeling angry.
This is the first time that a study has shown that teachers are prone to mistakenly seeing anger where none exists in Black children as well. What still isn’t known There are signs teachers are not the only adults who mistakenly see Black children as angry and overreact and sometimes the consequences are tragic.
In 2019, for example, a police officer in Orlando, Florida, arrested two Black 6-year-olds while they were at school, traumatizing them. And a police officer in Cleveland, Ohio, killed Tamir Rice in 2014, when the 12-year-old boy was playing with a toy gun in a public park. There are probably many other professions for which there are consequences if people mistakenly perceive that a Black person is angry. We believe it’s worth it for everyone to make an effort to try to break this pattern.p Alison Cooke is a Ph.D. Candidate of Psychology, North Carolina State University. Amy Halberstadt is a Professor of Psychology, North Carolina State University. Pamela Watkins Garner is a Professor of Childhood Studies, George Mason University.
July 2020
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Workers’ Safety
Pushing Back Against the Idea of “Freak Accidents” VIA COSHNETWORK BLOG
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n average, 14 workers are killed on the job every day in the U.S., with three to four of those workers being from the construction industry. These stories are often covered in the local or national media, but because most reporters are not familiar with worker safety practices or OSHA rules, the articles often claim the death was the result of a “freak accident.” For example, when a baggage handler was killed on the tarmac at the Atlanta airport this October, the NY Daily News headline read “Contractor Killed in Freak BaggageLoading Accident at Georgia Airport.” The article went on to describe the incident: “The airline employee was guiding a baggage-loading vehicle at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Georgia on Wednesday, when it backed up and pinned him against the
plane, Fox 5 News reported. A crew member ordered workers to stop the equipment upon realizing what had occurred, but it was too late. … The Georgia Bureau of Investigations is also looking into the freak accident.” A 2011 study of 250 Associated Press, New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer stories showed this was a common approach. The study found that when the term “freak accident” was used, fewer than 10 percent of articles included “clear and explicit injury prevention information.” The idea that serious injuries and fatalities “just happen” in construction conveys to the public that construction is a chaotic, dangerous industry without an emphasis on safety. Responsible contractors with robust safety programs that take a proactive approach to jobsite safety and health know this isn’t the case. “Calling these incidents ‘freak
accidents’ implies that nothing could have been done to prevent them,” says LIUNA General President Terry O’Sullivan. “Yet the truth is that most workplace fatalities could have been prevented, especially if workplace safety and health standards and other well-known best practices were followed. We must push back against the perception that workplace safety is something left to chance.” A common theme in “freak accident” stories is failing to connect the circumstances that
led up to the fatality with the event itself. By focusing only on the moment when something finally went wrong, reporters often miss the truth of the matter – that occupational fatalities are usually preceded by clear violations of OSHA rules or a lack of widely accepted safe work practices. The emphasis on reporting breaking news may make it more difficult for reporters to gather all the facts before going to press. However, reporters need to take the time to ask important questions when gath-
ering information for a story, such as which (if any) OSHA standards were violated or how the incident could have been prevented. As in the airport example above, the article should also refer to any ongoing investigations, and mostly importantly, reporters should take the time to follow up with additional reporting once those investigations are completed. It’s also critical that workers and employers, especially those in supervisory roles, don’t fall into the habit of referring to on-the-job fatalities as “freak accidents.” In the wake of such an event, using this term may be tempting – especially if a full investigation might show that the deceased worker, a coworker or someone in a management role was responsible. However, labeling it a “freak accident” tells us nothing about how to prevent such incidents in the future. After a serious workplace in-
continued on page 14
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Common Bond Americans living in disparate climates and economies – from Sandy Point, Maine to Natchez, Mississippi. Just a generation later, French statesman Alexis de Tocqueville marveled at the reach of the post service, writing that there was “no French province in which the inhabitants knew each other as well as did the thirteen million men spread over the extent of the United States.”
Identity on America/ continued from page 1 brought on by massive debts and falling revenue continues to reliably deliver medicine, communications and absentee ballots that allow Americans to vote safely during the coronavirus pandemic. Equally important, the postal service delivers a common bond that has helped shape American society for more than 250 years. Research for my recent book on the postal inspector Anthony Comstock introduced me to the prominent role the postal service played in enabling Americans to conceive of themselves as a singular nation. Sending a letter from Virginia to New England in 1640 was no easy task. Settlers in Southern Colonies mostly relied on the open seas to deliver their mail, and more than three times as many vessels followed trading routes to Europe than to the Northern Colonies. In the fall months, when crops sailed from Charleston and Virginia to New Amsterdam and Boston, letters traveled in a ship captain’s mailbag. Chance determined whether these letters reached their destination. Beyond these insecure routes, settlers in early North American Colonies enjoyed precious little ability to communicate among themselves, which did not bode well for our nation’s future. Mail delivery takes off The ability to send overland letters evolved significantly by the end of the 18th century thanks to the expansion of “post roads,” especially between Boston and New York. But mail delivery remained infrequent and unreliable. It was not until Benjamin Franklin was appointed deputy postmaster for the
Editorial credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com
Colonies, in 1753, that mail delivery modernization truly took off. During his tenure, Franklin instituted numerous innovations unique to America. Until 1753 postmasters were not paid. Printers, nonetheless, had jockeyed for these positions to expand the circulation of their own publications and deny mail service to competitors. But in 1754 Franklin established a subscription model that assured pay to printers and post riders. And in 1758 he insisted that all news sheets be delivered because they “are on many Occasions useful to Government, and advantageous to Commerce, and to the Publick.” In doing so, Franklin contributed to an early American culture of free speech, which recognized the benefits of competing ideas and shared knowledge. Together with postmaster William Hunter of Virginia, Franklin also instituted changes that vastly extended the flow of information among the Colonies. These included improved accounting methods and home delivery for the price of a penny. In 1763, the two men rode
1,600 miles on horseback from Virginia through New England to improve the service. They laid the groundwork for improvements in routes and timetables that led to an explosion of low-cost communications throughout the Northern Colonies. In the years leading up to the American Revolution, newspapers and pamphlets flooded the Colonies, facilitating a shared outrage over British tyranny and condescension, and solidarity among the citizens of the fledgling nation. The Continental Congress appointed Franklin as the nation’s first postmaster general in May 1775. Franklin, in turn, oversaw the rapid transition of the Colonial network he had helped create into the first post office of the United States. After the Revolutionary War, George Washington declared that a democratic republic required an unprecedented diffusion of “knowledge of the laws and proceedings of Government.” He convinced Congress to support a sweeping expansion of postal routes that circulated mail and news with greater scope and reliability. By 1800, nearly 21,000 miles of postal routes connected
United in ‘fellow feeling’ Today there are few elements of American life that unite us. We have no national health service, which amid COVID-19 is uniting the United Kingdom in “fellow feeling,” as Queen Elizabeth II described recently. What we do have is the USPS, a constitutionally acknowledged resource that still connects us all. Today it operates 31,322 post offices, as far-flung as Pago Pago in American Samoa and Hinsdale, New Hampshire, the nation’s oldest continuously operating post office. With mail circulation down by a third since the COVID-19 outbreak and continued attacks on the service by Republicans eager to privatize, the U.S. Postal Service faces grave danger. Unlike its private sector competitors, the USPS does not depend on profitability, and keeps its promise to reach all Americans, no matter the cost. Half a million postal workers continue to make this equitable service possible, providing binding threads that draw us together in our American version of “fellow feeling.” When congressional leaders consider proposals to bail out the USPS, they should weigh the value of this cherished and historic service in uniting our country. p Amy Werbel is a Professor of the History of Art, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
Freak Accidents/ continued from page 13 jury or fatality, the goal should not be to place blame, but to determine the root causes of the incident. In other words, what are all the contributing factors that resulted in the incident? Without understanding all of these factors and taking steps to address them, another worker is likely to lose his or her life in the same way. When a worker dies on a job, it’s not a “freak accident.” Journalists may use this term to create an attention-grabbing headline or make the story seem more “newsworthy,” but doing so can change how the public and others perceive workplace fatalities. Since the way subjects are framed by the media goes a long way toward shaping public perception, it’s important that both labor and management push back against this idea of the “freak accident.” When you hear such stories from friends or coworkers, or when someone in a management position makes such claims, take the opportunity to push back and set the record straight. We cannot allow public perception to be that employers and workers have no control over what happens on construction sites. That idea may impact our ability to recruit new workers or successfully lobby cities and local governments to approve new construction projects. By focusing on the worker who lost their life and the root causes of the incident, we can all help shine a light on prevention methods that can save future workers.p
Scott Schneider is a COSH Fellow and retired director of occupational safety and health at the Laborer's Health and Safety Fund of North America (LHSFNA). This article originally appeared in Lifelines, a LHSFNA publication.
July 2020
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In the News
NYU School of Global Public What Nail Salon Workers Want You To Know Before Health to Study Impact of COVID-19 on Transit Workers Making Your Next Appointment
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YU School of Global Public Health is embarking on a series of studies to evaluate the risks and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on one of the city’s essential workforces: transit workers. This research will be conducted in coordination with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100, representing more than 40,000 New York City bus and subway workers. New York City has the largest and most complex mass transit system in the United States, with 7.6 million weekday riders on its subways and buses prior to the COVID19 pandemic. The MTA has largely continued service on subways and buses throughout the pandemic to ensure that doctors, nurses, grocery and delivery workers, first responders, and other essential workers could continue to get to work and keep the city running. But the pandemic has taken a devastating toll on the city’s transit workers: thousands have been infected and more
than 90 TWU Local 100 members have died. Transit workers are at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19 than many other professions, given their frequent contact with the public which often occurs in enclosed spaces, and their inability to work from home. Moreover, many safety measures for transit workers and riders were not put in place until late March or April, when the virus was already widespread in New York. "This will be the first time outside public health experts gather information from transit workers about their experiences during the pandemic and put the MTA’s actions under the microscope. We can’t bring back our fallen heroes. But we can keep working to improve safety on the job and that’s what this is all about," said Tony Utano, president of TWU Local 100. p
A
fter months of coronavirus-induced closures, the sandalwearing people of the United States are rejoicing at one specific aspect of reopenings: nail salons. But the pandemic isn’t suddenly over just because you can go back to getting pedicures. And even with new safety guidelines in place, there are many concerns. “In some ways I feel safe, and in others I don’t,” Araceli, a nail technician who works in the Bronx, told HuffPost. “The masks we are given are not appropriate for the salons. We need N95s and Nitrile gloves.”
Araceli told HuffPost that the masks provided by her salon’s owner weren’t sufficient to prevent the spread of the virus or inhalation of salon chemicals, and that the provided latex gloves were not protective enough, either. Organizations like the New York Nail Workers Association, a project of the New York New Jersey Regional Joint Board of Workers United, are working hard to create and enforce safety guidelines and protections for workers.p
Retail Workers Still Need Our Pass the Mic: All Support! Musician Discussion
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ince the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the members of UFCW Locals 1500, 338, and 342 have heroically answered the call to support their communities. They went to work each and every day to ensure that we all had continued access to fresh groceries and supplies. But Stop & Shop is still refusing to reinstate a 10 percent pay raise it gave its 56,000 employees this spring to acknowledge that their work was essential and appreciated. We call on Stop & Shop to immediately extend hazard pay until the end of this crisis and to continue enforcing strict safety measures. Why is this important? Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the members of UFCW Locals 1500, 338, and 342 have heroically answered the call to support their communities. They went to work
Go to www.moveon.org to sign the petition telling Stop & Shop to immediately extend hazard pay until the end of this crisis and to continue enforcing strict safety measures each and every day to ensure that we all had continued access to fresh groceries and supplies. However, despite the fact that these workers continue to face danger every day, Stop & Shop has announced they will be cancelling hazard pay for their Associates effective on July 4th. This is completely unacceptable. The grocery business is one of the few industries that has not been shut down or devastated but has actually been thriving during the COVID-19 outbreak. There is simply no excuse to cut pay for workers right now. So long as there is a hazard, there should be hazard pay. And the hazard is still very real right now. With no vaccine in sight, these essential workers will continue to put their lives at risk by coming to work.p
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his panel discussion welcomes all musicians to join in a conversation about intersectionality, listen to perspectives from the BIPOC+ community, and begin a journey toward actualizing effective growth and change both personally and professionally. This is part three of three panel discussions co-sponsored by Women of 802 and Maestra in July featuring Black women+ musicians in conversation. Date: Wednesday, July 29th, 5– 6:30pm: It will be an opportunity to create
community and to focus on the individual perspectives of these women in a broader discussion of identity, access and inclusion, social responsibility, and accountability in the music industry. Panels will be moderated by esteemed playwright, dramaturg, producer, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Jacqueline Lawton. For registration visit: www.local802afm.org or www.maestramusic.org p
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July 2020
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Jobs & Recession
Need a Job? Attend a Virtual Career Fair able, which also will help you in customizing your resume and cover letter for the positions that interest you the most.
BY MARY CAMPBELL
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ttending a job fair is another fantastic option for job seekers. A job fair is an event in which employers, recruiters, and hiring managers meet with job seekers to talk about their industries, provide information about their respective companies, and interview candidates for open positions. With the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures in effect right now, it’s rather difficult to gather employers and job seekers in one place. Technology to the rescue. For now, you no longer have to be in a packed place just to get a few seconds of face time with a potential employer. Yes, that’s right: virtual job fairs are increasingly a fantastic option for many job seekers. Goodbye suit and tie. Hello click and send. The career fair is undergoing a rapid transformation. The traditional face-toface career fairs may soon be a thing of the past. It can now
take the form of a digital collaboration meant to streamline the interview process to save the employer both time and money. However, not all virtual career fairs offer video chats with recruiters, you'll want to be dressed well for those that do. Find A Fair An online search for a virtual career fair in your area is likely to reveal multiple events
scheduled through your local community college or university. These fairs take place completely online, allowing job-seekers to handle all aspects of their job search from the comfort of their own computer. When you find a virtual job fair, you can search through the list of employers that will be represented. This will give you get a sense of what types of opportunities will be avail-
Recruiter Interaction Traditionalists may be slow to embrace virtual job fairs because of their lack of human interaction. But many of these events are set up with live chat capabilities. Candidates can chat with recruiters from various companies to ask questions about their open positions. They also can answer any immediate inquiries a hiring manager may have about professional achievements, educational backgrounds, and key strengths. Diversify Your Strategy There are many reasons to jump on board the virtual train when it comes to job-seeking. The act of reaching recruiters through digital means is convenient, simple and proving to be effective for all involved parties. But just like your in-
vestment strategy, it is important to diversify. Depending solely on one avenue for potential job opportunities can damage your chances of landing your next gig. For every digital career fair you “attend,” you should make plans to visit a traditional fair at your local college or trade organization. Doing so will help get you face to face with hiring managers, who in many cases still prefer this type of interaction to get a feel for your personality. Other career-seeking strategies to employ include uploading your resume to job boards, searching for specific job openings on social media, cold-calling potential employers and using a headhunter to find tailored openings. Last Word Don't forget to prepare a few questions to ask of recruiters; asking questions not only helps you better understand the situation, but is taken as a sign of strong interest by many recruitersp
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No. 27
How the Real Estate Business Will Change After COVID-19 BY TED HIGHLAND KAPLAN REAL ESTATE EDUCATION
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cademic futurists are projecting that the COVID-19 pandemic is going to shape the future of everyday life, including the way real estate business is conducted, the behavior of real estate consumers, and how real estate education takes place. The National Bureau of Economic Research issued a paper in April 2020 which researched how pandemics affect economic activity in the mediumto long-term. Studying 15 major pandemics dating back to the 14th century, they concluded that an after-effect of pandemics is a reduction in the size of the labor force. The surviving labor market sees a rise in real wages. This labor scarcity may result in less investment and demand for capital. They
concluded that these factors result in a reduction in the natural rate of interest, which they estimate will reach its lowest point about 20 years later. We can conclude from this that the coronavirus may, generally, result in stimulating home sales. This article seeks to identify what specific changes are going to take place in the real estate business and what their impact will
be on real estate agents, consumers, and educators. Responses to Pandemics Historically, people have responded to pandemics by following certain patterns of behavior. The first step in this pattern involves going through an adjustment stage. Most people in the United States are going
Getting Ready to Sell BY MARY CAMPBELL
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our house doesn’t need to be in perfect condition to sell it for a good price. There are steps you can take, however, that will net a good return on investment. There are still other changes that, even if they’re not immediately noticeable, could result in a lower offer price because the buyers will have to pay for those repairs themselves. Repair what needs fixing Hire a home inspector to find major issues like the roof, foundation, plumbing and wiring. How old is your water heater? Buyers will ask. Has mold ever been a problem? Make sure it’s taken care of. Many of these issues will have to be disclosed in the offer. Look for smaller repairs as well. Realtor.com suggests looking for wood rot around door frames, window ledges and garage doors; water stains on the ceiling or near doors or windows; leaks under the sink; bulges under carpet or discolored hardwood; visible cracks in the walls; doors that don’t shut right; broken handles; loose doorknobs or trim; non-functioning gas fireplaces; and anything else that is broken.
Paint the walls to neutral tones One of the best parts of owning your own home is getting to paint a bedroom maroon or bright yellow or allow your children to paint handprints on their walls. However, when you decide to sell, it’s time to paint over those colors. Go for neutral colors like tan or other light colors — hues that won’t be the first thing potential buyers notice or what they remember and that allow buyers to think about what colors they would like the walls to be. Ready for a renovation or an upgrade? Even if your house is in good condition, you may want to get work done to make the house more appealing and increase its value. This could be new kitchen or bathroom cabinets, new carpets or hardwood
floors, replacing windows, adding ceiling fans or upgrading the light fixtures or myriad other updates. Figure out how much you want to spend and what updates will give you the best return. A study by the National Association of Realtors found new hardwood floors give you a 100 percent return on investment, new insulation can get you a 95 percent ROI and a new roof will more than pay for itself. Get Help Need assistance? We will be happy to meet with you and share our guidance. Schedule an appointment today. Call us at 888-670-6791.n
through that adjustment stage now. The adjustment stage is where people discover their old habits changing and therefore develop new habits to replace the old ones. Disruption and isolation are very effective in resulting in life evaluation and changing one’s behavior. These changes are not always negative. When times are normal, we get lulled into routines, develop habits, and invest in relationships that we believe are important. When we live through a crisis, we realize some of these things are not as important to us continued on page 3
2
EQUITY SMART REALTY
Choosing the Right Real Estate Brokerage
BY KAPLAN REAL ESTATE EDUCATION
T
he first step to success in pursuing a real estate career is making a good business decision. Part of becoming a licensed real estate salesperson is selecting a broker to sponsor you. Although it is true that you’re technically working for yourself, a real estate agent cannot act as a real estate agent independently; they must work on behalf of a real estate broker. This decision has the potential to affect the direction of your career in real estate, either positively or negatively. Most real estate companies are constantly recruiting salespeople. However, there are big differences among companies in structure, operation, and philosophy. Your goal is to find the real estate office that you like
and will ultimately be the right fit for you. If you haven’t selected your career specialty or real estate brokerage, there are a number of factors to consider. Researching, weighing pros and cons, and planning ahead are essential in getting your new real estate career off to a fast and productive start. Take the following advice to find the brokerage that's right for you and get ready to send them a killer resume. Scout the Area Where You Want to Work as a Real Estate Salesperson •Check the local area as if you were an outof-town buyer •Stop by local real estate brokerages and review printed materials •Talk to active agents from different brokerages to gauge their opinions of the local offices
Call 888-670-6791 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Downtown Brooklyn
•Drive by the offices. Is it a convenient location, ample parking, attractive exterior? Narrow Down the Search of Real Estate Brokerages •What is the company’s reputation locally and/or nationally as a real estate brokerage? •Is the company well established in the local area? •Does the brokerage specialize in a certain area of real estate? •How is the quality and quantity of ads in the local papers and on Internet sites? •Do they effectively promote properties, the office, and their agents? •How many real estate agents work out of the office? •Do they serve a large market? Is it in the areas you would like to work?
Interview with the Real Estate Broker or Owner •What type of agent are they looking for? What are their goals? •As a real estate salesperson, would you be working as an independent contractor or as an employee? •Is there a training plan in place for new agents? •Are they members of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? •Is there clerical or administrative support for the agents? Or will you need to find your own assistant if you do well? •What is the commission split and the benefit package? •What would your obligations be to the brokerage if you were employed? •Is there technology support and marketing resources? •What is the office’s market share?n
3
REAL ESTATE TRENDS Real Estate After COVID-19/ continued from page 1 as they once were. A re-evaluation stage takes place. According to researchers, 61 percent of surveyed respondents indicated they have reduced their spending on luxury goods during this pandemic, and 21 percent indicated that they anticipated continuing to reduce their luxury spending when the pandemic ends. This pattern of thinking might manifest in reduced sales of luxury residences, as well. Maybe owning a big, expensive home will just not seem as important. Real Estate as an “Essential Service” Most state governors have classified the transfer and sale of real estate as an essential service. As such, real estate agents are continuing to help consumers with their real estate transactions during this time. Real estate agents and brokers must comply with local guidelines in terms of how to accomplish this objective. Licensees, including individuals and business entities, may use their discretion as to whether or not they wish to continue to operate their businesses with the parameters required, some of which are described below.
Open Houses and Showings In most states, physical or in-person open houses are either discouraged or not permitted. In a few states, in-person showings of single and multi-family homes that are oc-
cupied by renters are prohibited. In other areas, showings are limited to one person or family group, scheduled in advance with the consent of the property owner. Virtual or remote open houses are being required by local regulations. Specialized virtual tour software is available to agents and has become affordable, such as iStaging and Tourwizard. While readily available and affordable, virtual tours are not without their downsides. As more purchasers buy a property sight unseen, some of them may come back to the agent saying they did not get what they bargained for. As these types of practices become common, contractual language to protect the buyer, seller, and agent will become necessary to protect all parties. Disease Confidentiality The current pandemic does not invalidate agency law requirements for real estate licensees, especially the duty of confidentiality. If a real estate agent has come into contact with a client and later finds out that the client has contracted COVID-19, the
agent cannot notify any other parties that came into contact with the client without the client’s consent. If they cannot obtain consent, they may want to notify the party without identifying the specific client or the property. Remote Work According to the U.S. Census, approximately 5 percent of all workers, prior to the pandemic, worked completely from home. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has published data indicating that around 25 percent of workers worked from home at least some of the time. After the outbreak of the COVID-19, Google sent out a memo on March 11, 2020, to all of its tens of thousands of North American employees recommending that they work remotely from home if their positions allowed for it. Joining Google was Microsoft, Apple, Twitter, and other employers. The issue is not that employees mind working from home for a short time, particularly if they do not see a reduction in pay along with the request. It is that there
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is something unique that people get from interacting with others that does not fare as well when individuals are subjected to prolonged social isolation. Numerous studies have found that social interaction is critical to mental health and business productivity. On the one hand, it is easier to talk on the phone while Googling a topic, making a list of tasks, and not having to be establishing eye contact with a person you are talking to. However, texting “LOL” is not the same experience as being with someone and laughing out loud with them. It will be interesting to see how many people, given a chance to work at home, end up preferring it to the traditional social workplace. What we can anticipate is that at least a portion of those confined to working at home right now will desire to continue working remotely after COVID-19. The demand for homes with separate working spaces is bound to increase. The real estate agents who know how to identify combination home/workspaces will find a profitable niche in the future. Entertainment and Education in the Time of COVID-19 Who would have thought that the day would come when our favorite late-night hosts would be performing for us from their homes with no bands, no witty banter, or glamorous sets? Yet, that is the state of television entertainment in the age of the pandemic. Will we continue to see this version of the late-night variety show once the pandemic is over? Probably not. We will probably return to what we were familiar with in terms of entertainment. Something that no one would ever believe would happen, however, pre-virus, was that all the schools in the United States, from elementary schools to universities to private real estate schools would stop having live classes with students. Overnight, the only education taking place in the country was distance education. Continuing to educate students of all kinds is especially important, and live streaming video is the key to accomplishing it. While some of these changes are temporary, others will become permanent. Providing interactive experiences will be essential to the long-term success of live streaming video educational experiences. Passive viewing experience is not enough. Even in the classroom, the historic model of teaching (i.e. “the sage on the stage”) is fading away. No student wants to be lectured. In today’s world, they want to be engaged. Flexible software solutions can provide true interactivity so that users can communicate as naturally as if they were in the same room. Platform features can help keep participants focused by switching audio and video on and off until the instructor and the students are ready to engage. There are even capabilities where small groups of students can break out to separate electronic rooms to discuss specific topics. Embedded video clips can deliver the participants to the larger world outside of the immediate classroom to make the learning experience limited only by the imagination of the content creators. Once students experience true interactivity and real-time live streaming video with these virtual educational events, there may be no going back to passive educational experiences.n
4
HOME OWNERSHIP
Five Skills Expected from All Home Inspectors 4. Are you capable of explaining what you know to a customer? Successful home inspectors need to be able to communicate their findings, both verbally and in a high-quality physical document. Often, it’s not what you say, but how you say it. Great communication is one of the major keys to controlling liability and providing customer satisfaction.
BY DOUG HASTINGS, ACI KAPLAN REAL ESTATE EDUCATION
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hen thinking about becoming a home inspector, you should consider the industry expectations. The days of the contractor walk-thru inspection are over. In all communities, large and small, the expectation of the home inspector’s ability is higher than ever. When you hang a sign calling yourself a home inspector, you better be ready to meet a high standard of performance. Initially, real estate salespeople were reluctant to embrace the home inspector. As the industry grew, agents began to accept the home inspector, but demanded professionals. In today’s real estate industry, agents are okay with the home inspector finding issues during the transaction, as long as they are actual problems. Home inspectors essentially need to perform at the same level as a licensed contractor. They need to be experts in all facets of the home, from foundations to roof shingles, from furnaces to electrical panels, from wet basements to mold. In other words, today’s home inspector must be highly trained in order to succeed. If you want to become a home inspector, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Do you know all the systems and components of a home? As an instructor of 26 years, I have never met a student who, at the end of their inspection training, wasn’t completely overwhelmed and exhausted. Most students, regardless of their background, are shocked by the amount of technical knowledge they still needed to learn. 2. Do you know how to identify all the potential problems of each system and component? A home inspector not only needs to know each and every part of the building, but they need a unique skill set that allows them to
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KYZ2020_4.875x6.75_revised.indd 5 KYZ2020_4.875x6.75_revised.indd
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identify each problem within these systems and components. It’s one thing to know what a furnace is, but another thing to be able to tell someone why it’s unsafe and needs to be replaced. 3. Do you know old homes as well as new homes? Old homes perform differently than new homes. A competent inspector must be able to recognize that. For example, moisture intrusion in an old home is bad and needs to be stopped, but moisture intrusion in a new home, with much lower drying potential, could be devastating and should be a high concern for decay and mold.
5. Do you have any designations that support your ability to inspect a home? Unless your customer is a repeat customer, your client will likely not know you. As customers shop for a qualified inspector, they will be looking for industry designations that make you stand out from your competition. If you answered “no” to any of these questions, you may not be prepared to become a home inspector yet.n Doug Hastings, ACI is a Lead Instructor at Kaplan Real Estate Education Free Consultation Need assistance? We will be happy to meet with you and share our guidance. Schedule an appointment today. call us at 855-7688845.
July 2020
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21
Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights
Canadian Court Rules US Is No Longer a ‘Safe Third Country’ for Asylum Applicants BY ROYCE MURRAY
A
Canadian court has ruled that the United States is no longer a country to which the Canadian government could safely return asylum seekers who crossed the U.S-Canada land border. This upends more than 15 years of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. On July 22, the Federal Court of Canada ruled that sending asylum seekers back to the United States from Canada under its longstanding “Safe Third Country” agreement violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Court delayed implementation of the decision for six months until January 22, 2021 to provide the Canadian parliament time to respond. Under U.S. law, it is legal to seek asylum and most noncitizens in the country or at the border have the right to apply. Among the exceptions, are those who can be returned
under an agreement to another country where a person would not face persecution or torture and would be afforded a full and fair process to seek protection. That is considered a “Safe Third Country” agreement. In 2017, organizations and affected individuals filed a lawsuit arguing that changes to U.S. immigration policies invalidated the Safe Third Country Agreement. The lawsuit said the United States was no longer a country to which Canada could confidently send asylum seekers and know they would be protected from being returned to persecution in their home country. The suit argued the United States had ceased to provide meaningful protections. It pointed to the practice of turning back and criminally prosecuting asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border, the oneyear filing deadline for applicants, and the detention of asylum seekers. The suit was filed three years
Canada Prime Minister Trudeau (l) and US President Trump (r)
ago, before asylum seekers faced a barrage of additional hurdles. Among these changes are the so-called “Migrant Protection Protocols,” which allows immigration officials to send asylum seekers back to Mexico to await their asylum hearings. Border Patrol agents began conducting protections screenings. And there is also a practice of rapid expulsions of adults and children at the U.S.-Mexico border. In December 2002, the George W. Bush administration signed a Safe Third Country agreement with Canada that took ef-
fect in December 2004. The goal of the agreement was “burdensharing” and to make the asylum process more orderly, so that applicants could not pass through one safe country to apply in the other. There was a mutual understanding that both countries afforded ample refugee protections. Much has changed since that time.The Trump administration’s aggressive dismantling of the U.S. asylum system has set protection far out of reach. But the administration’s desire to force other countries to assume this responsibility, regardless of
their ability to safely process and protect asylum seekers, remains steadfast. Over the past nine months, the U.S. government has entered into controversial “Asylum Cooperative Agreements” with El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The administration pushed for the agreements despite these countries being the originating country for many people fleeing grave harm. Each country also has nearly nonexistent asylum protections. The organizations challenging Canada’s agreement with the United States are urging the administration of Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau to implement the court’s decision immediately, despite the six-month delay permitted by the court. Whether and how the Trudeau administration will abide that request—or appeal the decision—is unclear. But the safety and well-being of those fleeing persecution must remain central to the equation.p
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July 2020
22
Know Your Rights
Statement on the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
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ssistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Eric Dreiband released the following statement on the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): “With the passage of the ADA, our nation committed itself to a clear and comprehensive mandate: the elimination of discrimination against people with disabilities. As President George H.W. Bush said just before he signed the ADA into law, “with today’s signing of the landmark Americans for Disabilities Act, every man, woman, and child with a disability can now pass through once-closed doors into a bright new era of equality, independence, and freedom.” Today [July 23] on the thirtieth anniversary of this historic law, we commemorate the many ways that the ADA has transformed our society — by replacing exclusion with access, segregation with integration, and limitations with self-determination. The ADA has advanced the promise of the American dream, ensuring that people with disabilities enjoy the same opportunity as all Americans to participate in everything this great nation has to offer. Since the passage of the ADA, the Civil Rights Division has been at the forefront of enforcing its protections and vin-
dicating the rights of people with disabilities across this country. The division works day in and day out to further the goals of the ADA — through mediation, technical assistance, outreach, and enforcement. Since 2017, the department has entered into more than 200 agreements to further accessibility for people with disabilities. From ensuring equal employment opportunities to ensuring equal access to polling places; from ensuring inclusive child care and schools to ensuring nondiscriminatory health care — the breadth of the division’s work reflects the remarkable breadth of the statute itself. Indeed, the department’s
work enforcing the ADA touches every aspect of American life. For instance, in the area of employment, the department works to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to pursue their career goals. In the housing sphere, the department strives to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to access housing, including through its through its work to ensure the accessibility of rental offices and its challenges to discriminatory zoning laws. With respect to education, the department’s enforcement efforts span from early learning centers through postsecondary programs to ensure that the doors of educational
opportunity are fully open to students with disabilities. And the department’s ADA Voting Initiative helps voters with disabilities to exercise one of their most fundamental rights — to cast their ballot on the same terms and with the same level of independence and privacy as voters without disabilities. Through this initiative, the department has surveyed more than 2,000 polling places and increased polling place accessibility in more than 50 jurisdictions. The department also recognizes that equal access to medical providers like doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and hospitals is vital to ensuring the wellbeing of people with disabilities. The department’s Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative ensures that people with disabilities are able to access health care, without physical, attitudinal, or communication barriers. And recognizing that transportation serves as a gateway to participation in all aspects of community life, the department continues to vigorously enforce the ADA’s guarantees of increased access to public and private transportation. Finally, the department’s efforts to enforce the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C. to redress the unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities go to the heart of the
ADA’s promises. Through the department’s Olmstead work, more than 50,000 individuals with disabilities now have opportunities to live and work in their communities, alongside their neighbors. The department is proud to play a leading role in safeguarding the civil rights of individuals with disabilities. Yet, even as we celebrate the last 30 years’ progress, we know that our work is not done and that barriers to equal opportunity remain. We recommit to our work of making the promise of the ADA a reality, enabling all Americans with disabilities to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential. On this anniversary, we remember the words of President George H.W. Bush, who explained the ADA’s importance saying: “Our success with this act proves that we are keeping faith with the spirit of our courageous forefathers who wrote in the Declaration of Independence: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.’ . . . Today’s legislation brings us closer to that day when no Americans will ever again be deprived of their basic guarantee of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”p
AFT’s Weingarten CDC’s Guidance on School Reopening
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ASHINGTON: American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the follow statement in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance on reopening schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic: “The CDC may have changed its tone to accommodate President Trump’s whims, but the details of its guidance remain the same: Schools cannot reopen safely and equitably until we have effectively contained the virus spread and have a robust test-
AFT President Randi Weingarten
ing system, a plan for a future surge, and appropriate safety protocols in place, including physical distancing, proper ventilation, deep cleaning procedures and adequate personal protective equipment. Of course, every educator, principal and superintendent in America will tell you that none of this can happen without resources. The CDC could really help parents and educators by issuing a clear set of protocols and making it easier to navigate, instead of offering endless checklists that send people searching for answers.
“Educators want to be back in their classrooms—and they agree with the CDC that remote learning isn’t ideal—but the safety and health of students and staff must be paramount, particularly given the surge of COVID-19 in the South and West, and the new research about young people spreading the virus. Let’s stop the debate about whether safety matters and start rolling up our sleeves so we get the resources to meet the needs of students, whether we are teaching remotely or in person.”p
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July 2020
23
Love, Health & Travel
Relationship Advice: How to Stop Interrupting BY JENNINE ESTES, MFT
I
nterrupting can be a bad habit….and it automatically shuts down lines of communication. When we are so eager and in hurry to get our point across, it is difficult to slow down and not interrupt the other person. The quick interjection and cutting off the other person sends out a bad message that they don’t matter. The receiving end can feel as if your invisible, what you have to say does not matter, and you’re not important. There are good intentions bind this approach, yet it unfortunately sends the opposite message. Here are a few quick tips on how to stop interrupting: Remember it’s Not Your Turn: Remind yourself that it is your partner’s turn to talk. Have your mind focused on your partner and what they are saying. It is their turn, so
your job is to simply listen and try to understand what it is like to be in their shoes. Bite your Tongue: If you disagree or have something to say, bite your tongue, pinch your arm, and count to 10 in your head. Slow down your response and help keep yourself ground by biting your tongue. Breathe: Take a deep breath to calm down your reaction and remember that you want your partner to be active in the relationship. Sometimes just taking a breath will help slow down our reactions. Take a Mental Note: If something comes to mind, take a mental note to share your point of view later. Your voice and your views matter, so take note of it and bring it up when it is your turn to talk. Active Listening: Put into
practice the active listening tool. Your job at that moment is to show your partner that you are listening, try to understand what your partner is saying, and stop thinking about what your next response will be. Start active listening, stop talking, and stop the active interruptions. Value Your Partner: Successful communication is to make your partner feel important,
emotionally safe, and that they matter. When communicating, make it your personal goal to send the message that your partner is important and what they have to say matters. Remember that your partner has value. Take Turns: Create 20 minutes of uninterrupted discussions and take turns sharing your views, ideas, and thoughts. One person gets to be the
talker and other person gets to be the listener. Take turns on each side.p Jennine Estes, MFT is a Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego, CA. Estes is certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and writes relationship and self-growth advice for her blog, Relationships in the Raw. She is also the Creator of #BeingLOVEDIs campaign. MFC#47653
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July 2020
25
Love, Health & Travel
How to Make Sure Your Mask Maximizes Protection, According to a Nurse (Hint: Start by wearing Over Both Mouth and Nose) BY JOY PIEPER THE CONVERSATION
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hether or not you agree with a mandate to wear a mask, many of us will do so during our daily business. I am a professor of nursing at Purdue University, where a colleague and I teach a class detailing the history of health care over the centuries. Among other things, students discover the original reason for a cloth mask, dating back to the late 19th century, is the same as today: to protect others from the germs of those wearing them. Understanding these past practices, say the students, makes them better caregivers. With that in mind, here are five ways for you to make the most of wearing a mask in public.
1. Not all masks are created equal Cloth masks are considered appropriate for general use in public. The Mayo Clinic recommends a mask that is twolayered. This means the cute reversible one your neighbor sewed for you is approved. Not recommended: a mask with a valve. Although the wearer breathes in filtered air, the unfiltered air is pushed out upon exhalation. This negates the protection for others. 2. Wash, wash, wash your hands Before putting your mask on, wash your hands. This is a basic infection control principle. Anytime you come in contact with your face, do it with clean hands. This includes rubbing your eyes, wiping your lips, or scratching your nose. Likewise, after removing your
mask, wash your hands again. Don’t mess with the mask while it’s in place. This is not the time to take a sip of your latte or snack on your beef jerky. Eat and drink in an environment where you can socially distance from others by at least six feet. If you have to adjust your mask when it’s on, clean your hands afterwards. For convenience, carry a hand sanitizer with you. 3. Does this mask make me look smart? The mask should fit comfortably snug, always covering your nose and mouth, and secure under the chin. Covering only the mouth is useless. Humans breathe in and out of both nose and mouth. And the purpose of the mask is to block germ transmission through the air, which can occur when one exhales (spreads germs) or in-
hales (takes in germs) through either nose or mouth. 4. When you’re done When it’s time to take it off, clean your hands and grab the ties or ear loops to pull the mask away from your face. Fold the mask in on itself so the outside corners are together. Do not put the mask on your forehead like a headband,
or around your neck like a scarf. Place the mask in a receptacle to be laundered. And then wash your hands. 5. Clean it up Wash the mask with other laundry using your regular detergent. If you’re using a washing machine, use the warmest possible water that’s safe for continued on page 26
DO IT FOR THEM. Get tested for COVID-19. FREE, confidential and safe. No insurance needed. Visit NYC.Gov/COVIDTest
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July 2020
26
Love, Health & Travel
Protect Your Home While Traveling BY JOE SZYNKOWSKI
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acation is a time to relax and see some of the beautiful sights our country offers. Is your home safe while you are on an extended stay? Who will protect your belongings while you’re gone? A good way to keep your home safe while you are away is to find someone you trust to live there until you return. If you know someone you trust who can do this, it is a huge advantage. If you are unable to find a suitable house sitter, there are still a few options. An obvious threat we fear while we are away is being vulnerable to a break-in. While that may be your No. 1 concern, there are other factors to consider. Take
Maximizing Masks/ continued from page 25
steps to protect your home so you can unwind and recharge on this vacation. Make It Look Like Someone is Home It can be beneficial to have your yard work done for you during your trip. Hire someone to mow your lawn, trim hedges or even plant an attractive flower bed you can come home to. Giving the impression that outdoor maintenance is being completed is a good way to make your home look occupied. Be sure to have your mail and newspaper delivery services held. A pile of papers on your doorstep is a clear sign that you haven’t been home for several days. Potential burglars also might choose to check mailboxes for clues that
the house is vacant. Even if you are unable to find a part-time resident to stay at your home, ask friends or family members to keep an eye on your property. Ask someone to drive by on their way to and from work to make sure everything looks secure.
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Security Features Consider installing a security system. Some models can communicate with a security center, which will call law enforcement at any sign of trouble. You also will be notified of any activity. If a security system is not in your budget, you can find comfort in exterior lights. Keeping the perimeter of your home well-lit will dissuade wrongdoers. You can install lights on timers or even ones that are motion activated for an affordable price. Consider interior light timers and program them to come on when the sun goes down. Adding deadlocks to your exterior doors will reinforce their strength. While enough force will ultimately cause the door to open, most thieves won’t spend a lot of time on a secure door, due to the fear of being seen.
Utility Management Before you leave, try to unplug electronic devices, as they continue to draw power even when they are not operating. Consider using a programmable thermostat to maintain the temperature throughout the day. Turning off the heating or air conditioning in your home completely can be dangerous to a home over long periods, especially when it is extremely hot or cold outside. Some “smart thermostats” can even be controlled by a device such as a smartphone. They can be pricey but being able to control your home’s temperature wherever you are might give you peace of mind.p
the type of cloth used to make the mask. For drying, it’s the same: Use the highest temperature possible for the fabric. Then allow to dry completely before wearing again. If hand-washing the mask, use a disinfecting bleach. Follow the directions on the product to create the appropriate dilution, then soak the mask five minutes. Rinse with cool water and lay flat to dry or hang in direct sunlight. Be careful not to stretch the fabric; that could damage the mask. As a former operating room nurse, I know that masks are uncomfortable. Unless it’s Halloween, they’re no fun to wear. But we’re not trying to have fun. We’re trying to keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe. So Google search for the perfect mask to showcase your personality, and wear it correctly with pride!p Joy Pieper is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing, Purdue University
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WHAT IS MULTISYSTEM INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME IN CHILDREN? Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a new health condition associated with COVID-19.
SEEK CARE IF YOUR CHILD HAS PERSISTENT FEVER PLUS ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS: Irritability or decreased activity Abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting Conjunctivitis, or red or pink eyes Red, cracked lips or bumpy tongue Swollen hands or feet Lack of appetite Rash IF YOUR CHILD IS SEVERELY ILL, GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM OR CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. For more information, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/coronavirus.
Bill de Blasio Mayor Oxiris Barbot, MD Commissioner
July is BIPOC Mental Health Month Formally recognized in June 2008, Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed each July and was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face regarding mental illness in the United States. Bebe Moore Campbell was an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate who worked tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community and other underrepresented communities. People and language evolve, and Mental Health America (MHA) has chosen to remove the word “minority” from our toolkit and will be phasing it out on our materials. Instead, we are using a different designation – BIPOC – that we believe more fairly honors and distinguishes the experiences of Blacks, Indigenous People, and People of Color.
www.workersworldtoday.com
July 2020
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Conversations
Black Mental Health Specialists Weathering Waves of Trauma in Community BY CARSON KESSLER THE CITY
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n recent weeks, Manhattan psychologist Tabethah Mack has been getting more calls from people seeking therapy than ever before. Anxiety and depression, she says, are “off the chart.” She’s working seven days a week, between her job as a psychological counselor at Borough of Manhattan Community College and her private practice in Midtown. “There’s been so many [inquiries] that there’s not enough time in my schedule to even accommodate most of the people that have been reaching out,” said Mack. She’s among local Black psychologists and psychiatrists reporting an unprecedented rise in referrals, inquiries, and calls from persons of color since George Floyd’s May 25 killing sparked protests that reached New York and well beyond. NYC Well, the city’s official mental health hotline, saw a near 10% spike in calls, texts, chats, and web sessions during the week following Floyd’s death. That’s on top of the growth in calls spurred by the pandemic. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of NYC has experienced a 60% increase in calls since mid-March. While COVID-19-related calls for help have dropped in recent days, the overall volume has stayed high. Both crises prompted NAMINYC to begin equipping helpline responders with resources and training designed to serve communities of color. “The impact of racial trauma on mental health in the Black community continues to be a heavy burden as it has been through the centuries,” Dana L. Collins and Denise HindsZaami of the New York Association of Black Psychologists, Inc., said in a statement to THE CITY. “The difference now is there is more awareness of the reasons for racial trauma and less willingness to suppress the anger associated with it.” ‘A Request Unmet’ According to a 2017 NYC Health Survey, serious psy-
chological distress is three times higher among adults who experience racism, discrimination or harrassment. However, those individuals are far less likely to seek help due to stigma, lack of affordable care and bias from mostly white mental health providers, the survey found. A 2016 study found that New York City psychotherapists return calls to potential new clients considerably less often when their names and speech patterns suggest that they are Black. Yet finding a therapist who is themselves Black can be a formidable challenge. “Many Black people do want a Black therapist,” Collins said, speaking anecdotally. “It’s common to hear of them being unable to find one.” Black psychologists make up just 4% of all psychologists nationwide, according to a American Psychological Association study. “Often, it is a request, and more often, unmet,” April Harvin, a social worker and therapist from The Bronx, noted. Access to mental health care is especially limited for lowincome Black New Yorkers, said Harvin— with the chances of finding a Black therapist even lower in these circumstances. While those who qualify for Medicaid or Medicare might be able to access a community health clinic waiting list, “even if they can get through the door, they can’t stay,” due
to oversaturated caseloads and limited flexibility of these clinics, said Harvin. Harvin explained if they can manage to stay, “the likelihood to have a clinician of color and/or who speaks their language who can understand some of their experiences, or a clinician who just reflects back to them is all very limited.” Afraid to Cry “Culturally competent” therapists are key in providing mental health care to communities of color to ensure clinicians do not produce further damage, especially during such a fraught period, Mack said. In almost every one of her sessions following Floyd’s death, Mack saw trauma as a common theme. The impact is deepest on patients previously diagnosed with PTSD, she said. Her Black and Latino male patients, specifically, are experiencing another type of trauma related to interactions with police. “I’ve had men literally break down and cry and not know if it’s ‘okay’ to do that in front of their children in the watching of the services and in the protests,” she added. Jor-El Caraballo, a Brooklynbased licensed therapist, shared similar experiences. “We’re starting to really think about the witnessing of these deaths as traumatic to Black people,” said Caraballo. “When you are continuously exposed to the deaths of peo-
ple who look like you, it’s actually just chipping away at your sense of safety and power and agency in your life.” Caraballo, who is Black, has seen a huge increase in requests for different kinds of services such as groups, workshops and webinars devoted to racial trauma. While Caraballo applauds the city’s mental health initiative Thrive NYC for increasing access for professional mental health support, he doesn’t believe it has been highlighted or advertised nearly enough, especially in recent weeks. Harvin said the initiative has a long way to go in terms of addressing the two main barriers for communities of color: access and stigma. ‘Feels Like So Much’ ThriveNYC Director Susan Herman said she is committed to filling the “gaps in care.” “Addressing the profound trauma of systemic racial inequities must be an all-handson-deck effort. Right now, New York City is investing more in mental health services than ever before in our City’s history,” said Herman. “Through ThriveNYC, we are committing to ensure that those new investments fill gaps in care — gaps that for too long have meant that historically underserved neighborhoods and marginalized New Yorkers have gone without help when they need it,” she added. The total ThriveNYC budget,
updated in April of 2020, increased from a projected $225.3 million in FY2021 to $236.7 million for 2022. The bulk of the hike — $11.2 million — went to the DOHMH and NYPD’s Crisis Prevention and Response Task Force. The budget for all other mental health programs, including those designed to reach people with the highest need, remained the same. Mack noted that Black mental health professionals also need to monitor their own stress. “It all feels like so much,” Mack said with a sigh. “I limit my intake of social media in order for me to maintain my own level of sanity, and also be responsive to the people that I work with. “But if I’m inundated with too much of that, I can’t be present to do the work that I do.” Similarly, Caraballo follows what he continually reminds many of his patients: “When you’re exposing yourself to images, videos, or even stories, that’s taking something away from you. “And you have to be mindful about protecting that and creating space to make sure that you can continue to show up in your life and do and respond in the ways that feel best for you.”p
This story was originally published on July 16, 2020 by THE CITY.
www.workersworldtoday.com
July 2020
30
New York Politics
Black or Blue? Protest Movements Take Center Stage in Races for NYC’s Swing Seats BY ESE OLUMHENSE AND CHRISTINE CHUNG,THECITY
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here candidates stand on Black Lives Matter is quickly becoming a key campaign issue in New York City’s swing districts. Andrew Gounardes, who helped Democrats gain a majority in the State Senate when he won his southern Brooklyn seat in 2018, slammed Republicans for organizing a “Back the Blue” rally last weekend, where pro-cop protesters and anti-police-brutality counter protesters clashed in Dyker Heights. Gounardes pointed at the vile language used by at least one pro-NYPD protester and demanded that GOP elected officials and party leaders repudiate the racist, misogynist rant. “You are responsible for this. I call on you to denounce the ugly behavior that took place at the event you organized, and make it clear that it is never OK to threaten peaceful protesters with violence or rape,” Gounardes said in a statement to THE CITY. In the weeks since antiracism protests sparked by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others spread across the country, many local candidates have taken to the streets — some to join Black Lives Matter protesters and other to join pro-police demonstrators. Now, where the candidates stand is quickly becoming a rallying point for Republicans being out-fundraised by De-
Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter demonstrators clash in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, July 12, 2020. Courtesy of Jordan Rathkopf/www.rathkopf.com mocrats as they try to take back seats in Brooklyn and Staten Island swing districts. ‘A Fraud Politician’ Gounardes’ Republican opponent, Vito Bruno, a former nightclub manager who ran for Brooklyn borough president in 2017, slammed the hateful comments captured on video. But he still supports the “Back the Blue” demonstrators, whom he joined. “I condemn disrespectful, abusive, threatening, or insulting comments to counter-protesters, but I’m not even sure if the people involved in that specific altercation were part of our march, but it shouldn’t have happened,” said Bruno in a statement. “Some of the folks demonstrating against the police used some pretty objec-
tionable language themselves, but we shouldn’t let one unfortunate situation erase the fact that people of all sorts of ethnic backgrounds and age groups gathered to show their support for our Police Department.” Earlier this year, the pushes to reopen the city and to undo bail reform served a similar role as hot-button campaign issues for GOP challengers. “It’s cutting across the political spectrum,” Brooklyn GOP Chair Ted Ghorra said. In the city’s most competitive November House race, rated a “toss up” by Cook Political Report, Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) has repeatedly attacked Rep. Max Rose’s (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) for attending a Black Lives Matter
march in June with his wife and newborn son. She also attempted to tie him to the “defund the police” movement, which he has come out against: “Take action: stop Max Rose and de Blasio’s $1 billion cut to the NYPD,” a page of her campaign website declares. Rose accused Malliotakis of being “a hypocrite” after she lauded peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstrators. “Nicole praised the Black Lives Matter protests, calling them ‘an example for the nation,’ but now she’s pretending that never happened,” said Rose in a statement. “I believe we can pursue social justice in this country, but unlike her, I also understand the life and death decisions that our cops make everyday — and I have great respect and the deepest of gratitude for their service and sacrifice. So I’m not going to bother with nonsense from a fraud politician like her on how to support our courageous men and women in blue.” Malliotakis called the “Back the Blue” demonstration a “nonpartisan event...to show support for the NYPD and demand law and order be restored in our city.” Citing bail reform, plans to close Rikers Island and efforts to defund the NYPD, she dismissed Gounardes and Rose as “part of the problem.”
Money and Politics Rallying around issues close to their base may be essential for Republicans whose campaign war chests pale in comparison to their Democratic counterparts. As of July 1, Rose had $4.3 million to spend, compared to Malliotakis’ $956,627. Gounardes has $393,932 — 15 times the sum Bruno had cobbled together as of July 15. In a race to retain Brooklyn’s last GOP-held seat, Michael Tannousis, a Republican and former prosecutor, has been attending pro-cop rallies on both sides of the district, which includes Staten Island. “Never before have our men and women in blue needed the support of our community as they do now,” said Tannousis, who is running for Malliotakis’ Assembly slot. Meanwhile, his Democratic opponent, Brandon Patterson, who has campaigned as an old-school union supporter and a moderate, has avoided the protests. ”I’ve been focusing on talking to voters directly and finding out what is driving them to the polls this November,” said Patterson, adding that voters he’s been speaking with are most concerned about economic stability and the possibility of a second COVID-19 wave.p This story was originally published on July 19, 2020 by THE CITY.
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