Video Messages From Our Community Doctor an·ti·bod·y/ˈan(t)əˌbädē/ a blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen. Antibodies
Looks like we will all be at home til the end of this month. Stay hydrated, exercise, meditate, communicate, read, and do you. In my case that means write. You might paint or draw. But after that you are probably going to watch TV. Streaming services offer the best options. Netflix is the biggest fish in this pond. Did you know HBO is offering free streaming this month? With so many choices and so much time you might be tempted to just surf. But if you want to really enjoy the time that you spend watching TV, you should check out my top 5 list.
All you have to have is a smart TV and the internet.
OZARK – This is the best series currently available. It is bingeworthy. You might lose some sleep, and gain a few pounds though because the show is addictive. Ozark- Is this what crack was like? You just can’t get enough of it.
Description: Created by Bill Dubuque (“The Accountant,” “The Judge”), this drama series stars Jason Bateman as Marty Byrde, a financial planner who relocates his family from Chicago to a summer resort community in the Ozarks. With wife Wendy and their two kids in tow, Marty is on the move after a money-laundering scheme goes wrong, forcing him to pay off a substantial debt to a Mexican drug lord in order to keep his family safe. While the Byrdes’ fate hangs in the balance, the dire circumstances force the fractured family to reconnect.
The Wire – This older series from HBO stars New Orleanian Wendell Pierce. It is a realistic look at the inner-city drug trade. Set in Baltimore, the story grabs you from the first episode and compels you to watch the next episode. You’ll probably gain a pound or two, cause you might cut your workout short to watch another episode. Even if you have seen a season or two, now is a chance to see the entire series in all its splendor.
Description: This series looks at the narcotics scene in Baltimore through the eyes of law enforcers as well as the drug dealers and users. Other facets of the city that are explored in the series are the government and bureaucracy, schools and the news media. The show was created by former police reporter David Simon.
First episode date: June 2, 2002
Final episode date: March 9, 2008
Number of seasons: 5
Available on HBO Go or HBO NOW
Queen Sono I have only seen four episodes, but this is an incredible look at modern day Africa, from an African perspective. The show stars the gorgeous and sexy spy, Pearl Thusi, who is an African superstar. This show will make her an international star. Just workout harder tomorrow because you will want to see Thusi in just one more episode. Seeing Africa from ghe ground might change your perspective on the continent.
Description: A highly trained South African spy takes on her most dangerous mission yet while facing changing relationships in her personal life.
First episode date: February 28, 2020
Number of seasons:1
Available on Netflix
Orange is the New Black. Another oldie but goodie. This look at prison life for women is like life – funny, sad, complicated, scary, shocking and soothing- all at once. It is a great series that will entertain you. You will not be sucked in and fiending for another episode, but you will enjoy each one that you see.
Description: Piper Chapman is a public relations executive with a career and a fiance when her past suddenly catches up to her. In her mid-30s she is sentenced to spend time in a minimum-security women’s prison in Connecticut for her association with a drug runner 10 years earlier. This Netflix original series is based on the book of the same title. Forced to trade power suits for prison orange, Chapman makes her way through the corrections system and adjusts to life behind bars, making friends with the many eccentric, unusual and unexpected people she meets.
First episode date: July 11, 2013
Final episode date: July 26, 2019
Available on Netflix
Street Food. This is the food I look for when I travel. Local, authentic, delicious and maybe a little dangerous. The foods that locals eat daily make me feel like I truly visited the place. My most fond memories are often the different food I ate when I travelled to a place. This show not only explores the food but the people that cook it and the scenes surrounding their lives. Be Careful. Visually stunning this show makes you want to get out and grab a bite.
The creators of “Chef’s Table” take to the streets in this half-hour series. “Street Food” brings viewers to some of the world’s most vibrant cities, where the rich culture of street food is explored. From the hawker stalls of Singapore to the food carts of India, episodes highlight the stories of perseverance and culture that bring life to various countries’ cuisine. Nations visited include Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and Vietnam.
First episode date: April 26, 2019
Available on Netflix
Some of my others include Ballers and Succession on HBO
Planet Earth and Dear White People on Netflix.
BLACKISH is my favorite show on over the air TV
These should get you through the next 30 days.
The actor debuted a coronavirus-themed update of his classic reading of ‘Go the F*** to Sleep.’
By Temi Adebowale
Many late night hosts are taping their shows from home.
Jimmy Kimmel’s most recent guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! was Samuel L. Jackson.
Jackson delivered a perfect coronavirus-themed update of the classic ‘Go the F*** to Sleep.’
The current coronavirus outbreak has led many late night hosts to tape their shows from home, and fans are enjoying the new versions of Conan, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. These at-home shows have also featured virtual call-ins from celebs like Adam Sandler, Daniel Radcliffe, and Kevin Love.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is also being taped from Kimmel’s home, and a recent episode featured the legendary Samuel L. Jackson. The actor opened up about canceling his annual vacation with Magic Johnson, and he said he’s been killing time by watching Tiger King with his daughter (extremely relatable).
Jackson also spent some time delivering an extremely important PSA: Stay the F**k at Home! As you might recall, authors Adam Mansbach and Ricardo Cortés previously released a children’s book for adults called Go the F**k to Sleep, and Jackson read the book online.
Now, Mansbach has created an updated version for those that refuse the adhere to the calls for social distancing. “I got a call the other day from Adam Mansbach, the guy that wrote the original Go the F**k to Sleep, and we talked about what we could do remind people of social distancing and where we are in these times now,” Jackson said. “So he wrote a new poem, I read it and we want to present it to the public right now.”
The hilarious new version includes lines like: “Now technically I’m not a doctor, but motherf**ckers listen when I read a poem. So here I am, Sam F**cking Jackson, imploring you: Keep your ass at home,” and “If you want things to get back to normal, don’t panic. Just use your dome. Wash your hands, stop touching your face, and stay the fuck at home”
Jackson also encouraged people to donate to Feeding America, a charity that works to relieve hunger in the U.S., and Kimmel himself said he would donate, as the late night host has been making a donation to a worthwhile cause every day during quarantine.
How to stop the spread of growing conflict in your relationship.
BY Joe Kort, Ph.D.
Source: IStockock by Getty Images; Creator tommaso79
Here we are at the beginning of spring and are asked to shelter in place with partners and families 24/7, something we seldom ever do. For some, it will seem like a blessing, a time to celebrate their relationship and become even closer emotionally. For others, though, it can seem like a curse with increasing conflicts, pressure, and frustrations.
I’m hearing about such from clients and peers. I am hearing from my clients, peers, and colleagues about their struggles. It is reported that China is seeing a rise in divorce filings as couples emerge from their long quarantine. In reality, conflict doesn’t always have to mean things are bad. Handled properly, it can lead to better understanding and deeper emotional ties.
So, let’s talk a bit about how to successfully deal with conflicts.
The keys to a successful, long-term relationship are empathy, validation, and good will. If your partner says and believes that the moon is made of cream cheese, and you know that it obviously isn’t, instead of criticizing them try validating the world from “their” point of view. Try to see their thoughts through their eyes and hear it from their point of view, not yours. Don’t criticize, interrupt, interpret or judge. Be quiet and listen.
When you expect something from your partner, discuss it with them. Don’t think they’re a mind reader. This happens often, even with couples who’ve been together a long time and think, “They know me so well, I shouldn’t have to tell him what I need or want.” Assume that your partner doesn’t know what you want even if you have shared it with them repeatedly.
Here are some tips to remember when you’re trying to smooth over a conflict.
Avoid overstatement. I advise couples never to begin a sentence with, “You always say that…,” or “You never do this….” That’s making a blanket statement that excludes even the one exception to the rule you’re trying to lay down. When you’re angry it feels good to utter such sweeping judgments, but they do nothing for your relationship. Instead, qualify and leave your partner an escape hatch: “For the most part …,” or “Mostly …,” or “More than I like ….” Then you’re giving credit where it’s due, acknowledging the (admittedly few) times your partner might have said or done whatever you’re accusing them of.
Never say, “I shouldn’t have to ask.” Yes, you should! In any relationship, you must ask for what you want. In therapy this is sometimes called symbiosis, that is thinking that your partner thinks and feels just like you do and should “just know.” They may have been that intuitive during the romance stage, but that’s because of the all love hormones and because you were closely tracking each other. The purpose of all that was to bond you together, not set the entire tone for your relationship. If you expect it to, you’ll be disappointed.
Intentional dialogue
Harville Hendrix’s Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) model creates a safe container for effective communication. Called Intentional Dialogue, it breaks down the idea that your partner should see the world the way you want him to and vice versa. I use it with every set of partners. It emphasizes mirroring, validation, and empathy. Most couples engage in monologues, not dialogues, so this offers a realistic, valid way to communicate. article continues after advertisement
Mirroring. This is the first part of the Intentional Dialogue communication skill. One partner sends information, and the other receives it. The sender delivers all the information relating to one topic until they’re entirely finished, using short declarative sentences that start with the word “I.” The Receiver doesn’t interpret, diminish, or magnify what was said but simply repeats it like a parrot, and then asks, “Did I get it?” and, “Is there more?” until the sender says, “No, that’s all.” For example, your partner might say, “I’m upset you didn’t clean up after the dog after we agreed you would.” You’d then say, “I heard you say you’re upset that I didn’t clean up after the dog after we agreed I would.” Then you add, “Did I get it?” and “Is there more?
Intentional Dialogue counteracts common intimacy-blocking behaviors such as dominating the conversation, interrupting and finishing each other’s sentences, being overly critical or too close-mouthed, failing to pay close attention, and being judgmental by interpreting what you think they’re really saying, or walking away. The couple’s dialogue prevents all that and creates intentionality in their communicating with each other.
Validation. This is the second part of Intentional Dialogue. After your partner finishes what they’re saying, you validate what you heard them say—not from your point of view, but theirs. The receiver says, “What you’re saying makes sense to me. From your point of view, I can see why you’d think this way.” You are not agreeing, simply validating his point of view. For that moment, you’re looking through their eyes, not yours, and validating the way they views the world, and acknowledging that yours is not the only way to view the conflicts in your relationship.
For most people, this can be very hard. Telling someone, “What you say makes sense,” can suggest that you agree with them and that you are wrong. That isn’t what this is at all. We live in a world where what makes someone right makes another wrong. Wars break out because of this mentality. IRT suggests simply suspending your point of view temporarily and letting your partner’s reality surface as well. It’s good practice to keep your reality while validating the reality of another person too.
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Empathy. This is the final part of the Intentional Dialogue—trying to imagine what your partner might be feeling, given what he is saying. Here again, you put aside whatever your feeling is, contain it, and try to imagine his point of view. What are they feeling?
After the sender is finished and the receiver has mirrored back, validated, and empathized, the partners then switch roles, but sticks to the same topic so as not to stack up issues. This allows both partners’ realities to coexist. Afterward, if this doesn’t settle their conflict, Imago Therapy implements other communication techniques. I suggest picking up Hendrix’s books to learn more.
When tensions or unspoken frustrations build up, we can become overly reactive, which ups the conflict even further.
These are a few of the tools that have proven to be helpful to couples who are trying to respond in more effective ways to manage conflict in their relationship Without response-ability, your brain will react instinctually, creating distance, rupture, and disconnection from your partner. With too strong an emotional charge, we “know better than” our partner and ultimately become righteous, responding emotionally and inappropriately. I hope, as I’m sure you do, that this time of self-isolation and sheltering in place will help teach us all to not only deal more effectively with conflicts but help us learn to treat each other with greater kindness and compassion.
Video Messages From Our
Community Doctor
an·ti·bod·y /ˈan(t)əˌbädē/
a blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen. Antibodies combine chemically with substances which the body recognizes as alien, such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign substances in the blood.
a protective mask covering the nose and mouth or nose and eyes.
CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission….
How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering: Use Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow Spread | CDC
*REMEMBER to CHECK your own SYMPTOMS and your SOURCES HERE:
CDC CORONAVIRUS SELF SHECKER: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html( Click the LIGHT BLUE rectangle)
BreatheCheckStepBack
WeGotThis
The following IS NOT TRUE.
THIS IS NOT FACTUAL:
“Doctors are reporting they now understand the behavior of the COVID 19 virus due to autopsies that they have carried out. This virus is characterized by obstructing respiratory pathways with thick mucus that solidifies and blocks the airways and lungs. So they have discovered that in order to apply a medicine you have to open and unblock these airways so that the treatment can be used to take effect however all of this takes a number of days. Their recommendations for what you can do to safeguard yourself are …
1) Drink lots of hot liquids – coffees, soups, teas, warm water. In addition take a sip of warm water every 20 minutes bc this keeps your mouth moist and washes any of the virus that’s entered your mouth into your stomach where your gastric juices will neutralize it before it can get to the lungs.
2) Gargle with an antiseptic and warm water like vinegar or salt or lemon every day if possible
3) The virus attaches itself to hair and clothes. And detergent or soap kills it but you must take bath or shower when you get in from the street. Avoid sitting down in your home and go straight to the shower. If you cannot wash your clothes daily, hang them in sunlight which also helps to neutralize the virus
4) Wash metallic surfaces very carefully bc the virus can stay viable on these for up to 9 days. Take note and be vigilant about touching hand rails, door knobs, etc. and keep these clean in home home
5) Don’t smoke
6) Wash your hands every 20 minutes with any soap that foams and do this for 20 seconds
7) Eat fruits and vegetables. Try to elevate your zinc levelS
8)Animals do not spread the virus to people. Its a person to person transmission.
9)Try to avoid getting the common flu as this already weakens your system and try to avoid eating and drinking any cold things.
10) If you feel any discomfort in your throat or a sore throat coming on, attack it immediately using the above methods. The virus enters the system through the throat but will sit in the throat for 3-4 days before it passes into your lungs.
None of these are proven facts. They are fake news
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE AT HOME. IT COULD KILL YOU!!
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE AND AZITHROMYCIN ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR
COVID-19 in an OUTPATIENT SETTING!
PLEASE UNDERSTAND… WE DO NOT HAVE A SCIENTIFICALLY-PROVEN
CURE, VACCINE OR TREATMENT PROTOCOL FOR THIS DISEASE YET.
TALK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE ASKING FOR THESE DRUGS AND DO NOT TAKE THEM WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION AND PROVIDER SUPERVISION!!!
YOU SHOULD TRUST THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Who Is Most At Risk For Severe Cases of COVID 19
People With Certain Pre-Existing Conditions
People aged 65 years and older
People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
People with chronic lung disease or asthma ( SMOKERS!)
People who have serious heart conditions
People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment
People of ANY AGE with severe obesity or underlying medical conditions (like HYPERTENSION), particularly if NOT WELL CONTROLLED (Take your pills AS DIRECTED!), such as those with DIABETES, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk
What are Pre-Existing Conditions
10 Things You Can Do to Manage Your Health at Home
Stay Home
Monitor Your Symptoms
Get Rest and Stay Hydrated
Tell Your Healthcare Provider your COVID-19 Status Ahead of Time if You have a Medical Appointment
For Medical Emergencies, Call 911 and Make Sure to Tell Dispatch Your COVID-19 Status
Cover Your Cough and Sneezes and Continue to Practice Social Distancing
WASH YOUR HANDS
ISOLATE Yourself to a Specific Room in Your House
Don’t Share Personal Items
Clean All Surfaces That are Touched Frequently
Remember to Check Your Symptoms
10 THINGS YOU CAN DO
BREATHE CHECK STEP BACK
#WEGOTTHIS
Pneumonia is a major problem with coronavirus
What is Pneumonia and How can I recognize it?
pneu·mo·nia /n(y)o͞oˈmōnyə/ noun
Lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection, in which the air sacs fill with pus and may become solid. Inflammation may affect both lungs ( double pneumonia ), one lung ( single pneumonia ), or only certain lobes ( lobar pneumonia ).
From Cleveland Clinic:
Did you know that you can check your own symptoms?
CDC CORONAVIRUS SELF-CHECKER
Good morning☀️ Breathe….Check…Step Back…
You really need to relax
He Says Above But Find New Video Below
The Following Video is a Day to Day Look at What Happens if YOU Have COVID19
If your house is dirty, people won’t eat your potato salad,
but they will try your crawfish. Your crawfish tends to be a direct reflection
of your personality though. It can be bland, spicy, plain ole nasty, or complex.
People tend not to tell you when there’s a problem with your crawfish. They
just don’t show up when you call and say you’re boiling. What’s worse, being
judged on your cleanliness or your character?
I can tell when my wife finds toilet paper these days,
because she comes home happy. It’s been weeks since I saw toilet paper on the
shelves. At one point, the Sewerage & Water Board said pipes were clogging
because people were turning to paper towels and baby wipes as alternatives. Other
animals don’t seem to have these problems. Dogs, cats, chickens, birds, they just
seem to do their business then go about unbothered. Instead of researching
their secrets, we stalk stores. As a child, one of the most debilitating things
that could happen to your reputation was to be known to have a stinky booty. There
was just no coming back from it. We the only species on the planet that takes wiping
themselves so seriously.
A month ago, the Coronavirus was something happening on TV.
Nowadays, if you don’t know somebody who has it, you know somebody who knows
somebody. Last week, a man sneezed in line at the grocery store and it felt
like everybody stopped what they were doing and stared at him. For a nano
second there was silence. Cashiers just stood there, mouths open, holding items
over the scanner. I expected the manager to come out and instantly behead him.
The Coronavirus enters the body through the eyes, mouth, or
nose. It doesn’t knock or ask permission. Once in the body, it latches onto a healthy
cell, holds it in place, and penetrates it. It then injects a protein that
allows the virus to duplicate itself in the cell. That is rape on a molecular
level. The body’s natural reaction is to abort the impregnation. Immune cells
are summoned, and a battle ensues, as proteins and antibodies are released to
fight the virus. The encounter is cataclysmic, a lot of microscopic rumbling
and tumbling. Externally, your body registers the excitement as a fever.
Word of the day – “QUIXOTIC”
While the death toll was spiking and the country was becoming the leader in confirmed Coronavirus cases, the president was running around talking about, wouldn’t it be great if we all got together and packed the churches for Easter. Merriam-Webster’s word of the day is quixotic, an adjective that means foolishly impractical, especially in the pursuit of ideals. Somebody should share it with the president.
Yesterday, a headline appeared on my news feed. It read: Texas
Lt. Governor suggests elderly should die to save the economy from the
Coronavirus. As the Texas Lt. Governor elaborated throughout the article, it
became clear that this was an accurate headline. Texas’ Lt. Governor’s name is
Dan Patrick. What a guy. Maybe he should lead by example. If he sacrifices
himself now, he can resurrect come Easter.
He too needs to learn our word of the day.
Suddenly rats are roaming Bourbon street at night, starving, looking for food. With their adapted habitats shut down and food supply moved to storage, they’ve become another desperate portion of the population. The city has responded to this disenfranchised mass by increasing traps on the street and throwing more bait into the catch basins. By design, the traps are simple and apparent, but the bait is much more interesting and effective. Once eaten, one of its first effects is to zap the rat of energy, leaving it tired and lazy, unmotivated to move. A toxin is then released that causes a rise in stomach acid. The rat registers this as gas. Calcium levels then spike in the bloodstream. Organ failure, then death ensues. It’s devastating. The importation of this foreign substance into the rat community has destroyed generations and wreaked havoc, sort of like crack did to poor communities of color.
Will this Mardi Gras be known as the one where we all got together and gave each other the Coronavirus?
When the sun ducked behind the clouds Saturday, it was a nice day out. Spring has always been a transitional season, warm winds blowing in, preparing the planet for Summer. The whole world seems to be in transition now, waiting to see what news of the virus will blow in next. But even though you may be jobless, broke, or just cooped up with slower than usual internet, always know it could be worse.
Every zombie apocalypse starts with one virus or another. All it takes is for one viral strand to break the wrong way and we could be dealing with a different type of social distancing. But hey, maybe then we won’t be so concerned about wiping ourselves.
By Josh Lederman and Sahil Kapur
WASHINGTON — As the coronavirus crisis ravages the U.S. economy, millions of Americans are about to receive help from Congress in the form of direct cash payments.
President Donald Trump signed into law a massive $2 trillion emergency economic package on Friday that includes direct cash payments and unemployment benefits, among other provisions, for people across the country.
But who’s eligible to get a check or direct deposit, and for
how much? Here are some questions and answers about who qualifies for cash from
the federal government:
Q: How much will I get?
Depends on how much you make.
If you made less than $75,000 in 2019, you will be eligible for the full payment of $1,200. Couples who filed jointly and made less than $150,000 will get $2,400. An individual who filed as “head of household” and earned $112,500 or less gets $1,200.
Who qualifies to receive money from the Senate coronavirus relief plan?
March 26, 202004:32
For every child in the household, you will receive an
additional $500.
If you made more than $75,000, your payment will be reduced
by $5 for every $100 of income that exceeds the limits. So if you made $80,000
in 2019, you will receive $950. The payment decreases to zero for an individual
making $99,000 or more or a couple making $198,000 or more.
If you’re a family of four, you’ll be eligible for a maximum
of $3,400.
Q: When is the money coming?
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday the checks
will be sent out “within three weeks” to people for whom the IRS has
information. You don’t need to sign up or fill out a form to receive a payment
if you’ve been working and paying taxes since 2018.
The Treasury Department will also run a “public
awareness campaign” with information about the program, including for
people who didn’t file a tax return for 2018 or 2019.
Q: Will there be multiple payments?
No, this legislation only authorizes one-time payments. But
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested on CNN that Congress could revisit the
issue: “We think we’ll get more direct payments in another bill.”
Q: Where do I sign up?
You don’t. There’s no sign up. The payments will be
automatic for people who have filed a tax return or gotten Social Security
benefits recently. The IRS asks people not to call with questions, but to keep
checking this website
where they will post updates about the program once they are available.
Q: How will the money be sent?
If you’ve gotten a tax refund in the last two years by
direct deposit, that’s where the money will be sent. If not, the IRS can mail a
check to your “last known address,” and it has 15 days to notify you
of the method and amount of the payment. They’ll send a phone number and
appropriate point of contact so you can tell them if you didn’t receive it.
If you’ve moved recently, it may be a good idea to notify
the IRS as soon as possible. The IRS also suggests that if you haven’t yet
filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019, do it as soon as you can, so that the
government has your up-to-date information on file.
Q: How does the gov’t calculate how much I earned?
Have you filed your taxes for 2019 already? If so, the checks
will automatically be based on your 2019 return. Look for your “adjusted
gross income” (Line 7 on your Form 1040 tax return in 2018, or line 8B on
a 2019 return.) If you haven’t filed your 2019 taxes yet, it’ll be based on
your 2018 return.
Q: I’m on Social Security, or don’t make enough to file a tax return. Will I get a check?
Yes. Even if you didn’t file a tax return for 2018 or 2019
or pay taxes in those years, you will be eligible if you received a Form
SSA-1099 for the year 2019. That’s a form that the Social Security
Administration sends each year to people who receive Social Security benefits,
including retirement and disability.
Q: I’m a disabled vet but don’t pay taxes. Do I qualify?
Yes, although some of the details still need to be worked
out. The IRS is expected to set up a system so that disabled veterans don’t fall
through the cracks.
Q: I’m a college student. Do I get a check?
If your parents claim you as a dependent on their taxes,
you’re ineligible. But if you’ve been working and filing taxes independently in
recent years, you may qualify.
Q: I made too much money in 2019 to qualify. But now I’ve been laid off. Am I out of luck?
Not necessarily, but you’ll have to wait.
If you made too much to qualify in your last tax filing, you
probably won’t be eligible for the cash benefit immediately. But you can apply
for it when you file your 2020 tax return if your income drops below below $99,000
threshold for individuals (which doubles for couples) this year.
The IRS is expected to create a system to ensure help for
people who fall into this category.
Q: I’m not an American citizen. Do I qualify?
Yes — as long as you’re living and working in the U.S. with
a valid Social Security number. That includes green card holders, and it
generally includes those on work visas, such as an H-1B and H-2A. But it
generally excludes visitors and people who are in the U.S. illegally.
Q: Are the cash payments taxable?
Nope.
Q: Do I have to pay the money back?
No. The money isn’t a loan, but a credit. You are not
required to pay the government back.
Q: I live in Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory. Is that a problem?
Not at all. There’s a special provision ensuring that people
living in U.S. territories, even ones that have a different tax system, are
still eligible.
Q: What if I’m homeless or recently got out of prison? Will I get help?
As long as you have a Social Security number, you should be
eligible to apply for the relief payments under the new system created by the
IRS.
Q: I owe back taxes. Will the IRS snatch my check?
No, your payment won’t be affected if you owe past due taxes
to federal or state governments.
Q: I’m behind on child support payments. Does that affect me?
Yes, that’s a problem. The IRS may reduce the amount you receive if you
have past due child support payments that have been reported by states to the
Treasury Department.
Stimulus package: Small business owner loans, self-employed unemployment benefits, 401k penalties waived and more in coronavirus relief CARES Act | Fortune
By Kate Rockwood
At a whopping 57 million, self-employed people make up a huge piece of the country’s economic puzzle. But during a global pandemic, when business starts drying up, those who work for themselves are among the most vulnerable.
Take the example of a freelance photographer who makes a living taking photos for corporate events, professional portfolios, or marketing materials. With social distancing and entire states on lockdown, group gatherings are a thing of the past, and headshots are not likely to be topping most companies’ to-do lists. While a larger company may be able to shoulder the financial burden of an idle workforce by dipping into reserves, that’s not often true when you work for yourself.
If your business is already taking a hit, it’s good to know your options—including what’s in the stimulus package and how to protect your assets and livelihood during this crisis.
How many self-employed people can collect unemploymentbenefits
Usually most self-employed people or independent contractors aren’t eligible for unemployment except in some cases in which someone has set up business as an S-corp. But things have changed. On Friday, President Trump signed into lawthe $2 trillion stimulus package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities Act (CARES), that includes expanding unemployment insurance to self-employed workers and independent contractors. The bill extends unemployment benefits for 13 more weeks and also includes an additional $600 a week on top of state unemployment benefits for up to four months. The rate of state pay may be less for self-employed, independent contractors, and freelance workers.
Not everyone who is self-employed will qualify for unemployment, but it does make it an option for many more people. Also eligible for unemployment: anyone who becomes sick and is ordered to be quarantined.
To apply for unemployment benefits, visit your state’s unemployment website. The information you will need includes your Social Security number, your driver’s license or state ID, and Social Security numbers of any dependents you are claiming.
How to get a small-business loanfrom the U.S. government
Taking on more debt as a bridge to a better financial future might make sense, but it pays to be cautious, says Michael Morton, a financial adviser with Morton Financial in Harvard, Mass. “What will you do if you borrow some money to make it through a month, but your situation doesn’t change in a month and you need more? The worst thing you can do is risk your future for a short-term situation,” he says. Ask yourself tough questions about how you would pay back a loan and whether your business can rebound, he says.
That being said, there are a lot of low and no-interest loans popping up right now. Check with your bank and credit union to see what they’re offering. The AmericanBanking Association is keeping a list of programs being made available by banks around the country.
A line of credit also might be smart to put in place even if you don’t need the cash now. And unlike a term loan, you have to repay only what you draw from the line. “Don’t use the loan if you don’t have to, and don’t use it to buy consumer items. But if you need it to keep your business afloat, you’ll appreciate having ‘money in the bank,’” says Tara Unverzagt, a certified financial planner and founder of South Bay Financial Partners in Torrance, Calif.
Finally, the CARES Act includes $349 million for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee loans through its 7(a) loan program. The SBA is also offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans for qualifying small businesses. These are low-interest loans with terms potentially as long as 30 years for small businesses and nonprofits. You can apply for an SBA loan through its site. Be prepared to provide the following information:
Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T), completed and signed by each principal or owner
Schedule of Liabilities listing all fixed debts (SBA Form 2202)
You may also need to provide profit and loss statements, recent tax returns, and balance sheets.
How to drum up more business
It’s understandable that you might be feeling discouraged—even panicked—about the future. But there are things you can do to try to drum up more business and protect your finances.
Network, network, network: “The worst thing you can do right now is stop communicating,” says Chris Russell, a certified financial planner and founder of Tempus Pecunia in San Diego. “Talk to your clients, talk to your audience. Put out the word on Facebook that you’re still open for business.” Put a banner on your website to let people know you’re still up and running and any changes you’ve made to make your business more applicable in light of COVID-19. Reach out to folks in your industry since many are putting together sites like this one with opportunities and resources for freelance artists.
Offer free advice: Obviously, the ideal would be to get paid for your work, but offering free advice or services to people in need is a good way to stay busy, keep your name out in the world, expose yourself to a larger audience, and hopefully earn some goodwill in the future when business picks up again.
Improve your business: When you’re self-employed, you usually don’t have much time to spend on fine-tuning your business. Now is a good time to make changes. Think about ways to operate more efficiently. Review your marketing materials and see what needs updating. Think about your technology and social media accounts. And consider the future and what updates you’ll need to make to your business to address the new way of life after a pandemic, Morton says. Although cutting your expenses is important, Unverzagt warns not to cut things that can make you money like marketing tools and essential staff.
Get a side gig: Consider a side hustle like online tutoring or making deliveries. Or take an aspect of your own business and shape it into something people need now. “Advertise locally and drum up some extra cash for things people are craving during this time of being shut in and distanced from others,” Morton says.
How to handle your student loans
The U.S. Department of Education is allowing those with a federal student loan to suspend paying their loans for 60 days without accruing interest. Whether you suspend your loan or not, all loans will also have a 0% interest rate for at least 60 days. To suspend your loan, you’ll have to call your loan provider. To find your provider, log into your My Federal Student Aid account.
A better option might be to switch to an income-based repayment plan. These plans are based on a percentage of your discretionary income. You’ll pay more interest over the life of the loan, but if your income has taken a big hit, it can help your monthly payments be a lot more manageable.
If you have a private student loan, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Many private lenders are mirroring the federal student loan offers. Reach out to your provider to see what it can do for you.
How to handle your emergency fund and retirement accounts
This is an emergency, so yes, break glass on your emergency fund. That doesn’t mean you have to tap your emergency fund today, Morton says, but it’s fine to access those funds once you’ve made some big cuts to your expenses. As for your retirement accounts, though, “if you have enough cash flow and liquidity to meet your needs, they should be off-limits,” Russell says.
The government’s coronavirus stimulus package includes a provision that waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty for up to $100,000 for COVID-19 hardships. But if that doesn’t happen, taking that 10% hit isn’t a good idea. “Find a low-interest loan or borrow from your 401(k) instead, especially if you have to pay income taxes on the distribution too. Otherwise, you end up with so little for the trouble,” Unverzagt says.
Pneumonia is a major problem with coronavirus
What is Pneumonia and How can I recognize it?
pneu·mo·nia /n(y)o͞oˈmōnyə/ noun
Lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection, in which the air sacs fill with pus and may become solid. Inflammation may affect both lungs ( double pneumonia ), one lung ( single pneumonia ), or only certain lobes ( lobar pneumonia ).
From Cleveland Clinic:
Did you know that you can check your own symptoms?
CDC CORONAVIRUS SELF-CHECKER
Good morning☀️ Breathe….Check…Step Back…
2 Videos Dr. Griggs wants you to relax
He Says Above But Find New Video Below
The Following Video is a Day to Day Look at What Happens if YOU Have COVID19
by Seth J. Gillihan Ph.D.
These thinking errors are contributing to the spread of COVID-19.
Source: G. Lombardo/Adobe Stock
As the new coronavirus spreads throughout the world, public health officials have issued strong warnings about the danger we face. For example, Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel recently warned that the death toll in the United States could be as high as 2.2 million.
But the degree of illness and death from this global pandemic depends largely on how committed we are to slowing its spread. One of the most powerful tools available to us is limiting contact between those who have it and those who don’t—in other words, social distancing. According to Emanuel, these measures could prevent as many as 2 million deaths.
Many of us have watched in disbelief and horror as others have defied experts’ urging to social distance. We might wonder what could possibly motivate people to act in ways that raise the risk not only for themselves but for the most vulnerable among us. “What are they thinking?” we might ask in disbelief.
That is exactly the right question. Once we know what a person is thinking, their behavior generally makes sense. People do things for reasons, and actions follow from beliefs. But when the behavior is clearly misguided or foolish, something has clearly gone wrong in the thought process. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) we call these types of thoughts “thinking errors.”
The following five types of thinking errors can lead a person not to practice social distancing. (It should go without saying that these errors don’t apply to those who remain in public because of their jobs, like our heroic nurses, doctors, postal workers, and grocery workers. I am filled with gratitude for all of you.)
Overgeneralizing
When we overgeneralize, we assume that a past experience applies to every situation. Based on this logic, the COVID-19 crisis can’t be any worse than previous outbreaks like SARS and H1N1. But past experience is only as useful as it is relevant, and generalizing from other viruses ignores the unique features of this coronavirus—like the ease of transmission and the ability for asymptomatic people to spread it. The better approach would be to bring a “beginner’s mind,” as though it’s the first time we’ve faced this particular disease, which in fact it is.
Minimizing
Many beliefs about the coronavirus downplay the seriousness of the crisis:
“It’s basically like the flu.” This one gets repeated a lot, though it’s clearly false—for example, the mortality rate for coronavirus appears to be much higher.
“It only affects old people.” This one is doubly perplexing. First, it’s not true; the young are also at risk. But even if it were true, why should we take comfort in that? Aren’t the most vulnerable among us worth protecting, even at some inconvenience to ourselves?
“80% of people have mild symptoms.” It’s true that not everyone who contracts the coronavirus will end up on a ventilator. However, even a case that’s classified as “mild” can still be extremely unpleasant. You might think of a mild case of COVID-19 as being like an “easy marathon”—it’s still not a nice experience.
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Emotional Reasoning
Our emotions can give us clues about what’s true, but they’re very unreliable. For example, we might assume something bad is going to happen because we feel afraid, but in reality it was a false alarm.
A person might make the reverse inference for COVID-19, believing that “it can’t be a big deal because I’m not worried about it.” But as the saying goes, “Reality doesn’t care about your feelings,” and being unafraid doesn’t change the facts about this virus.
Fortune Telling
Some people seem to believe they can see into the future (perhaps based on overgeneralizing from the past) and are sure this will end up being much ado about nothing. I’ve heard people cite their experience in previous outbreaks, confident that they know what’s going to happen this time around.
These kinds of prophecies can be especially appealing when they offer reassurance that everything will be okay (see emotional reasoning). However, none of us has a crystal ball. We have to rely on the predictions of people who know a lot more than we do about this virus and how best to contain it.
Entitlement
Finally, the belief that “I’m entitled to do what I want” can also lead one to not practice social distancing. Some seem to argue that it’s un-American to practice social distancing, though coming together to defeat a common enemy seems pretty patriotic. Or a person might believe that not social distancing is like taking off their seat belt—a personal choice that only affects them. But it’s more like taking off your seat belt and the seat belts of those most at risk—like your grandparents, for example.
If you recognize any of these beliefs in yourself, start to question the evidence for them: What data support your belief? Is there anything you might have ignored? Is it worth updating your belief and changing your behavior, based on a fuller awareness of the situation?
If you do realize you’ve made thinking errors, it doesn’t mean you’re a terrible person. (That would be another type of thinking error.) It just means you’re human. It’s a truly human gift to be able to question what our minds tell us, and change our beliefs accordingly. Align your beliefs with the facts as best as we know them, and let truth guide your actions.
