APRIL 2020
"One generation plants the trees, another gets the shade."— Chinese Proverb
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Contents
7 Stay Safe from COVID-19 Scammers Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
About Us
Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader
Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.— Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com
9 Expressing Sympathy During this New Normal 10 Making Sense
of COVID-19 and Volatile Markets By Dan Keady, TIAA Chief Financial Planning Strategist
13 Four Safe Ways to
Connect with Family and Friends While Practicing Social Distancing
15 How to Build a Women’s Health Toolkit During the COVID-19 Crisis
16 Three Ways AI and Smart Tech Can Help Us Work More Efficiently at Home 19 What the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day Means Today 21 Caregiving and COVID-19: Tips for people with vulnerable family members 22 COVID-19 Spurring Tax and Finance Changes
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Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely,
Photo Courtesy of TieFotos
Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
What you do matters. GetRuralLeaderMag.com | April 2020 @RuralLeaderMag
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Stay Safe from COVID-19 Scammers
“Just because caller ID shows your financial While you take care to limit social interactions institution is calling, do not provide information and wash your hands to prevent the spread of the such as one-time passcodes or PIN to the caller. coronavirus, you also need to take steps to protect Additionally, phony links in emails can be a major your finances and identity. Scammers are now tak- threat to your system. If you don’t know the sender, ing advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to lure a general rule of thumb is don’t click any links in victims in with new phishing scams. the email,” says Kohlweiler. “We know consumers are managing their money Here are a few tricks scammers are using in their and finances online, so it’s more important than phishing attempts: ever to raise awareness of smart security practic Names of real companies: Phishers often use es,” says Vice President of Security at Navy Federal legitimate company names and copy the look of Credit Union, Chip Kohlweiler. “Being proactive official websites and emails to fool you. Right now, and learning about your security is a great step tothey’re even sending out correspondence that looks ward keeping your accounts and information safe. like it’s from the World Health Organization, local There’s a good chance your bank or credit union governments or other trustworthy sources. has resources available for you to learn about how Be wary of unexpected emails from a “company to identify scams, which is a great place to start.” employee” looking for information. Phishing remains one of the top ways cyber Threats and urgent messages: “Urgency is a big criminals get access to your identification and red flag. While you may have an urgent need, you financial information. Using phone calls, emails should always validate it. If it’s in regards to one of and even copycat websites, scammers are creatyour accounts, call the company associated with ing content that appears official and related to the account from a number on their official webCOVID-19 - tricking you into revealing personal site, or on a recent paper statement, to confirm if information like bank account numbers, login IDs urgent action is needed,” Kohlweiler advises. and passwords. At the same time, by clicking a link, Official-looking URLs: Sometimes the URL you may also unknowingly download malware that (web address) will look right, but instead of taking infects your computer and captures your data. you to your intended website, it will lead you to GetRuralLeaderMag.com | April 2020 7
a copycat website. Check to see if the URL begins with https://, which indicates a site is secure. Most phishing scams won’t have a secure website. Never click on a URL within an email; instead, type the official URL into your browser. Wire transfer requests: In these scenarios, a scammer sends what appears to be a legitimate email requesting a wire transfer to cover title, escrow or any number of other costs. Unfortunately, money you transfer as a result of the fraudster’s email ends up in the fraudster’s bank account - and you’re not likely to get it back. If you receive such a request, call your financial institution to verify that it has made this request. “Once you know what to look for, you can start to use some best practices to avoid these scams,” adds Kohlweiler. 1. Set up your accounts for success. Using strong passwords (never the same for different sites), setting up transaction notifications and ensuring your contact information stays up to date with your financial institution are all easy ways to enhance your online security. 2. Call and verify. Be sure not to use a number provided in a suspicious email or even in the Caller ID. Use numbers on your statements or policies or from the official website. 3. Look for bad spelling. Phishing emails often
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have unnatural or incorrect grammar and misspellings. Keep an eye out for grammar and spelling mistakes. 4. Beware of links. It pays to be wary of emails you’re not expecting. If you’re suspicious of an email, don’t click on any links or buttons in the email. Hover your mouse over the link and see if the address that appears matches the link typed in the message. If it doesn’t match, don’t click on the link, as it could take you to fraudulent websites or download malicious software. 5. Read your statements.This can help you detect fraudulent transactions faster if your identity is stolen. M6. Increase your security. Consider using a password manager solution to improve your security posture. M7. Use a different computer. If you find fraudulent transactions on your account or suspect your info has been compromised, use a different computer to change your passwords. And, make sure you notify your financial institution right away. 8. Keep up with the news. Stay up to date on news of phishing attacks to protect yourself. Anti-phishing organizations, such as Anti-Phishing Working Group, provide lists of new and current phishing scams.—
Expressing Sympathy During this New Normal Experiencing the loss of a loved one is always difficult. In today’s environment of “social distancing”, we are even more challenged in finding ways to reach out and connect to those who need comfort at a time of loss. While many of us may be adapting to new everyday routines, the etiquette of expressing sympathy by and large has not changed. Here are a few helpful tips from 1-800-Flowers.com: 1. Even if you don’t know the person well, saying, “I’m sorry for your loss” is always appropriate and meaningful. It’s acknowledging what has happened in an honest and direct way. And lets the person know they have permission to experience any uncomfortable emotions. Read more tips on how to comfort someone who is grieving here. 2. If they haven’t said anything on Facebook, neither should you. But if they have posted about it, it is appropriate to comment. Read more about the do’s and don’ts on expressing condolences on social media here. 3. Due to recent regulations on large gatherings in many states due to COVID-19, many funeral
services are being postponed or livestreamed over the internet making it an extraordinarily stressful time for the immediate family. If you aren’t able to express your condolences in person at this time, deliveries of a gourmet food basket, houseplant or sympathy flowers to their home are appropriate ways to let them know you are thinking of them. Find these sympathy gifts and more for home delivery here. 4. And remember to support those who have experienced the loss of a loved one in recent months, and may be feeling a bit more aware right now; be it due to social distancing or an upcoming important date or anniversary. Rebecca Soffer, co-founder of Modern Loss provides some additional thoughts here. You can also explore complimentary sentiment ecards for Thinking of you and Sympathy to let them know you are thinking about them. For additional resources on sympathy and remembrance, click here. If you are in need of expressing your condolences and not sure what to send, 1-800-Flowers.com sympathy specialists can help by calling 1-866-538-2259.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | April 2020 9
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By Dan Keady, TIAA Chief Financial Planning Strategist
Making Sense of COVID-19 and Volatile Markets
While the health and wellbeing of family, friends and neighbors remains top of mind, it’s perfectly normal to think about savings and investments given recent market fluctuations. It’s important to remember to stay calm and keep your eye on the horizon, as this is the nature of long-term investing - you will inevitably face ups and downs. As a 100-year-old financial institution, TIAA has helped our participants through many serious events and periods of market volatility, and today is no different. Here are some answers to common questions for managing your finances and retirement plans in response to this environment. What are some steps I can take right now to ensure my finances are in the best possible place? Now is a good time to check-in on your finances, to get a clear picture of where you stand, and how that compares to your goals or expectations. Two important aspects of your check-up should revolve around your emergency fund and asset allocation: * Emergency Fund: Understand how much cash you have on hand in case of emergencies, like healthcare bills or an unexpected pay cut. While our ideal rule of thumb is to have enough savings to cover six months of living expenses, putting aside even a few hundred dollars provides cushion when you need it most. Keep the cash in a place where it is relatively safe and easy to get to quickly, like a savings account at a bank. * Asset Allocation: Take a fresh look at your portfolio to make sure your asset allocation remains in sync with your goals, the time available to achieve them and your tolerance for risk. If you are just starting out in your career and decades away from retirement, continue to put as much as you can into your retirement. Be conservative about spending - do not overuse on credit cards. And most importantly, don’t get too rattled if your 401(k) or 403(b) investments decrease given your time horizon to retirement. If you’re in or nearing retirement, you have unique concerns, and increasing the proportion of your portfolio in bonds and certain guaranteed assets may help stabilize your investment income. It’s important to work with your advisor on a strategy to ensure you can weather the turbulence and allow you to have income for many years of retirement. I have a significant amount of debt, and don’t know what to do. Regardless of the market, managing debt is one of many competing financial priorities that people navigate. It is important for debt holders to stick
with their repayment plan or pay down what they can. If the unexpected happens (e.g., unemployment, illness or other events that make it impossible to pay back your loans) contact your loan servicer immediately. They may be able to modify your repayment plan based on your income or other factors. Remember to maintain cash balances where possible and continue to save and invest for the future. If I was planning to retire this year, should I consider changing my plans? While working a few extra years is a great way to build up more of a financial cushion for retirement, a market downturn will not necessarily prohibit you from retiring as planned. First, consult with a professional to ensure your drawdown strategy makes sense based on your portfolio. If you have enough sources of guaranteed income in your portfolio to cover essential expenses, you may be able to continue with your retirement plans. Social Security is likely one source, but annuities may be another option that provides guaranteed income and keeps you from having to draw down your investment accounts. Should I invest right now? The answer to this really depends on your risk tolerance and financial portfolio, but keep in mind that attempting to time the market - by moving your money in and out of investments to try and avoid the lows and capture the performance highs in the short term - is extremely difficult in a volatile market. Even the most experienced investors get tripped up by market timing. Instead, keep your eyes on the horizon, think about the long-term and remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results. Rebalance so your portfolio remains in line with your risk tolerance, and stick with your savings plan even during volatile times - it will pay off in the long run. How do I get started? If you don’t have a financial plan yet, now is a good time to meet with a financial professional who can look at your financial situation, speak with you about your goals, and help create a plan to get there. Your TIAA advisor can evaluate whether your portfolio is built to weather market storms - or if it needs shoring up so it can continue meeting your objectives.Any guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing company. Rebalancing does not protect against loss or guarantee that an investor’s goals will be met.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | April 2020 11
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Four Safe Ways to Connect with Family and Friends While Practicing Social Distancing Bob Dylan once sang, “For the times they are a-changin’,” and that has perhaps never been more true than it is today. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new phrases like social distancing to the general population, and has also redefined both work and family life, creating a new normal. This adjustment is not an easy one, keeping most folks from daily interaction with family and friends. The good news is there are ways you can still spend time with those you care about, all while practicing the nuanced art of social distancing. Start new traditions while supporting those in need: While traditional dining out is not currently possible, it’s the perfect time to start a new tradition around mealtime. Noodles & Company now offers family meals that you can conveniently order online and pick up either via quick pick-up or the new curbside pick-up, which is available at nearly 350 locations nationwide. Additionally, you can also enjoy free delivery through April 30 when ordering directly from Noodles.com or by using the Noodles app, which makes staying at home even easier. Plus, for every family meal ordered, Noodles & Company will donate one regular entrée to a healthcare worker in an effort to give back to those who deserve it most right now. So, it’s time to get menu-browsing and pick which tasty option your family can enjoy for lunch or dinner today. Cultivating connection is now more important than ever, and the new family meals make it easy to connect with loved ones over a warm and delicious bowl of noodles, whether they’re miles away over a computer screen or across the table. No matter the distance, Noodles can help your family focus on what matters most: company. Schedule virtual activities: While it may seem easy to connect with family and friends while homebound, many have found it to be quite difficult. Instead of trying to find additional time in the day to connect with those you love, a great alternative is to leverage the existing time you once
allocated to other activities before social distancing took effect. This time can then be spent with loved ones by enjoying activities via video chat. For example, if you used to take lunchtime walks with coworkers you can now spend that time enjoying a virtual workout class together. If you used to attend happy hours or other group activities with friends or family, you can now take part in online games, courses or virtual book club meetings instead. Commit with your friends and family to stick with your favorite activities and routines and you’ll be reunited together in person before you know it. Switch up story time: If you have little ones at home, they are likely missing the loved ones they are used to frequently seeing in person. One of the easiest ways to incorporate these people into your children’s lives in a meaningful way is to reinvent the story time portion of their bedtime routine. Instead of tackling the story yourself, have a loved one read to them instead via video conference. Whether you flip the pages for your guest reader or they read a book from home across the screen, it’s a simple activity that’s sure to bring everyone closer together. Embrace traditional communication: In times like these, the communication you send with a personalized touch will resonate with loved ones the most. Writing a letter or sending a care package creates a one-of-a-kind nostalgic feeling the recipient is sure to appreciate. Plus, you don’t have to live entirely in the present. Using letters to plan for future events and vacations can be a great way to reduce stress during uncertain times and can be a promising light at the end of the tunnel. Social distancing shouldn’t mean isolation. Employ the tips above and be proactive in your efforts to connect with loved ones to strengthen the relationships that matter most.—
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How to Build a Women’s Health Toolkit During the COVID-19 Crisis Want an appointment for your vaginal health issues? Many doctors’ offices are shutting down for anything other than emergency care or diagnosing and treating people for COVID-19. This leaves many women with lack of access to their doctors when experiencing non-urgent, but highly uncomfortable issues. Lauren Streicher, MD, OB/GYN at Northwestern University, encourages patients experiencing gynecologic issues during COVID restrictions to contact their health care provider if they have a gynecologic concern. Many clinicians can connect by phone or video and give recommendations and call in prescriptions. However, if medical care for non-urgent issues is not readily available, she suggests women prepare to care for their common health issues at home. “Even with mandates to ‘shelter in place,’ women can safely and effectively take care of many common health issues right at home,” says Streicher. “But still, it is important to know when something does require immediate medical attention.” Streicher offers the following tips to help women prepare their own at-home feminine health toolkit to address common issues and help stay healthy: Prescriptions: If possible, get a 3-month supply of prescriptions such as birth control pills. Safe sex: Stock up on condoms and keep emergency contraception on hand. In the U.S., there are two FDA-approved over-the-counter forms of emergency contraception, and the sooner you take emergency contraception, the more effectively it works. UTI: If possible, have antibiotics on hand if you get a UTI. Additionally, studies show that if you increase your daily fluid intake of water to 2-3 liters on a regular basis, you can flush out bad bacteria.
An oral vaginal probiotic like Pro-B may keep yeast and bacteria balanced every day by increasing vaginal lactobacilli and preventing the colonization of vaginal E.coli finding its way into the urinary tract. Vaginal discharge and odor: Know how to determine if it is yeast or bacterial vaginosis so you know which product to use. For example, keep pH-balancing RepHresh Gel on hand for after sex and menstruation. Pelvic floor PT: If you are going to stick to kegel exercises, make sure you are doing them correctly. Also, there are over-the-counter, at-home devices like Attain developed in conjunction with pelvic floor physical therapists that are FDA cleared for the treatment of both urinary and fecal incontinence. Painful sex: Stock up on Replens Moisturizer to help eliminate vaginal dryness and painful sex, especially for women who are breastfeeding, in cancer treatment or in menopause. Additionally, remember to have a good silicone lube on hand to use for intercourse. Vitamins: Stock up on vitamin D because it facilitates the absorption of calcium that can decrease bone loss and reduce your risk of breaking a bone. They are easy to take, especially a gummy vitamin like vitafusion. Pregnancy pain: This could be due to an ectopic pregnancy, which is potentially life-threatening and demands attention. Call your health care provider immediately. “Check out my website at DrStreicher.com. It is the go-to women’s health site for reliable, up-todate information about what to do in almost every circumstance when you are stuck at home and can’t reach your own doctor,” adds Dr. Streicher.—
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Three Ways AI and Smart Tech Can Help Us Work More Efficiently at Home As more people work from home in lieu of commuting to crowded corporate offices, people are in their homes in greater numbers than ever before balancing both job-related tasks and home responsibilities. From sticking to a set work schedule to allocating a certain area of the house as a home office, people are thinking of interesting and useful ways to better their experience when working from home. Thankfully, the tech industry’s leading players have been hard at work finding new and inventive ways to make home life more convenient. Laptops and webcams aren’t the only devices you need; from voice-control to personalized performance, the latest AI tech and smart solutions are making it possible to get more accomplished with a lot less effort, and without ever setting foot outside the front door. Here are a few solutions that may help us be more effective when home also happens to be our office: 1. Finding it hard to focus at home? Use AI speakers as your personal assistant! Shifting from a bustling office to the peace and quiet of your own home (when the kids aren’t around) can be a relaxing and refreshing change, but it can also make it difficult to stay focused. Research shows that changing out of pajamas and into smart-casual clothing and setting up a dedicated, well-lit workstation can help keep you on-task and productive. One of the most effective solutions is to allocate a certain area of the house as your home office - and it doesn’t have to be simply isolating yourself in a room for less distractions. Get creative and change the atmosphere around you using today’s tech to 16
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the fullest. If you find yourself struggling, why not ask your AI speaker - like the LG XBOOM AIThinQ - to play some white noise, café sounds, or whatever type of music helps you to concentrate. Take advantage of services like Spotify to set up playlists and stations that create the right soundtrack for your working day, and for when you’re off the clock. Noise-cancelling headphones can also prove to be useful for those who prefer to work in silence, while smart lighting systems can help maintain a sense of work-life balance by switching to bright during office hours, and to dim for the all-important coffee break and after-work movie. Voice-controllable AI speakers like the LG XBOOM AIThinQ especially come in handy when you have your hands full - both figuratively and literally. When you’re busy grabbing a snack or writing up a report, just ask your AI speaker: “Can you turn on the air conditioner for me?” or “How long do I have until the conference call?” Even without being asked, your AI speaker can remind you of important deadlines or meetings to keep you on top of everything even from home. 2. What about the kids? Keep them busy with AI-recommended programs and features! Working at home with children can be difficult. Focusing on a pressing report can be a struggle while trying to attend to your children, not to mention the laundry, dishes and dust all vying for your urgent attention. Before the stress becomes too much, consider this more peaceful scenario: You’re making great progress on your work as your smart appliances deal with the dishes, laundry and dusty floors. You take a quick peek in the
living room and there are the kids, sitting quietly in front of the TV, enjoying fun, age-appropriate entertainment that you didn’t even have to search for. AI-infused TVs like the LG OLED ThinQ AI TV can deliver tailored recommendations based on viewers’ age and their previous viewing choices. What’s more, you won’t even have to worry about the remote getting lost or broken, since voice control and LG’s platform-wide search function make finding great content easy for everyone. Your children may have responsibilities of their own, which can be difficult for them to do when there’s a TV in the room. Helping your kids focus on homework or reading, the latest smart TVs can transform into a virtual gallery displaying a restful landscape, beautiful artwork or roaring fireplace, which adds a new dimension to your living room and elevates the ambience to help you and your children be more productive. 3. Scrambling to keep tidy and get your work done? Connect your AI-powered appliances for ultimate smart control! Working at the office isn’t easy with project deadlines, client meetings and constant phone calls. But working at home isn’t all fun and games either, dealing with all this and household chores that keep piling on. It’s easy to feel like you have to be a multitasking machine to stay on top of everything, but when you can control your appliances with the single click of a button or a simple voice command, multitasking really isn’t all that hard. Today’s smart technology can connect everything in the home, from your lights and TVs to the thermostat and robot vacuum. Virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant let you con-
trol them all with just your voice, as do convenient smartphone apps. For instance, with the LG ThinQ app, you can remotely control, schedule and monitor a whole range of LG appliances - such as the washer, dryer, robotic vacuum and air conditioner with a touch of a finger or simple voice command. Simply check how long is left on your wash cycle with your phone and receive alerts when the cycle is complete. The LG ThinQ app even informs you when it’s time to empty your robot vacuum and lets you set its daily cleaning schedule, and lets you adjust and monitor the temperature of every room with your LG smart air conditioner. This level of control enables you to quickly take care of several chores on your to-do list and still have time to spare before that conference call begins. And for added peace of mind, LG smart appliances can also tell you when it’s time to clean filters, order more detergent and even if you left your refrigerator door open. Keep calm and stay smart: Working from home can be difficult to manage, but with tech companies introducing a range of innovative solutions to make life indoors more efficient, there’s plenty of room in the home for both productivity and relaxation. With the latest smart home technologies at your disposal, that report is as good as done. To learn how AI can help you work smarter at home, visit https://www.lg.com/us/lg-thinq. Please follow your state and local government directions to stay at home and practice smart social distancing.—
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Four Outdoor Cleaning Tips That Could Help Save You Thousands 18
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What the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day Means Today To say these are challenging times is a vast understatement. In the course of just weeks, everyone’s lives have been completely disrupted, routines have been upended and the world is still reeling as everybody struggles to figure out what it all means - both in terms of their daily life, and for the future. But one thing hasn’t changed - everyone still lives on planet Earth. This makes it even more important today for everyone to be pulling together. The 50th anniversary of Earth Day this spring gives the world an opportunity to recognize the importance of everyone combining their efforts and working toward a better future - for the planet and for all its inhabitants. Now is the time to think globally, and to take action to ensure the health of the planet and its people. One thing has become clear: What happens in one part of the world affects everyone else. This is true when it comes to health crises, and it’s also true for environmental health. On Earth Day, take time to think about how each action an individual takes can impact the world as a whole. For example, with the unfolding of the current health crisis, people worldwide have decreased their travel and commuting, and those changes have begun to show visible environmental impacts. Air quality has drastically improved in areas that were among the first to shut down, such as China, Italy - and now in Los Angeles. While shutting everything down is clearly not desirable nor practical, it simply shows that actions can have clear consequences. Here are three actions individual consumers and companies can take today that will help protect our planet moving forward. 1. Choose ENERGY STAR certified appliances and other products for use in your home. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR label are independently certified to save energy, and to help protect the climate. Each day, 800,000 Americans make their individual energy choices count by choosing ENERGY STAR certified products for their homes. Those individual choices add up to a dramatic impact when they’re combined. 2. Switch to green power and renewable power sources as much as possible. Now it’s more important than ever to conserve our resources and prevent
needless waste. Wind power provides the largest renewable generation capacity in the United States today, creating enough electricity to offset the energy consumption of 25 million average American homes. And there’s currently enough solar power installed in the U.S. to power over 5.4 million average American homes. Imagine what even more investment in renewable energy from people all over the country could do. 3. Opt for electric vehicles plus energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR certified vehicle chargers. With today’s advances in electric vehicles, consumers can take advantage of even more options, including longer driving ranges and quicker charging times than ever before. Matching a new electric car with an energy-efficient ENERGY STAR certified charger provides even more environmental benefits. This is just one more example of making a choice that works in solidarity toward the common goal of a healthier planet. ENERGY STAR and the Green Power Partnerships program are all working toward these goals. Several organizations are taking steps to pave the way to a clean energy future - and inspiring others to act - including Best Buy, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Dell, Hewlett-Packard Company, Johnson & Johnson, MetLife, Google, Target, Microsoft and Samsung Electronics. These companies are partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency to sell energy-efficient products, improve the energy performance of their buildings, offset greenhouse gas emissions and support expansion of renewable energy. Each individual’s effort adds up to great results, worldwide. The sum total of everyone working together to conserve our resources and make the most of what we have will make all the difference. Thinking globally moving into the future will help ensure that the planet and its people not only survive, but thrive. Protecting our planet starts with all of us. To learn more about ways to make a difference and to mark the anniversary of Earth Day, visit energystar.gov/EarthDay.—
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Caregiving and COVID-19: Tips for people with vulnerable family members COVID-19 has dramatically shifted daily life for many people around the world. Nobody is immune, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions are at higher risk of getting very sick from the Coronavirus. To protect vulnerable individuals, many nursing homes or assisted living facilities are banning outside visitors temporarily in hopes of limiting residents’ exposure to someone who may be infected with the virus. Additionally, many individuals who need care and are currently living in their own homes are feeling isolated and anxious about how to stay healthy and safe. Caregiving is now taking center stage. With already more than 40 million unpaid family caregivers helping loved ones in the U.S., experts expect the virus to increase the number of people providing short-term or long-term care to an older or aging loved one. AARP offers guidance to family caregivers with vulnerable family members, especially those who might be new to caregiving because of Coronavirus and its impacts on older populations. Make it a team effort. While there may be one primary family caregiver, identify other family members, friends and neighbors who can check in or help with shopping and important errands. It’s important that the person you’re caring for doesn’t leave their home and stays out of public places. Create a list with contact information of friends, family and services in your community that can help you perform key caregiving tasks. For example, find out if services such as Meals on Wheels can help deliver meals, or if there are other local services to help with food or medication delivery. Inventory essential items. It’s important to figure out what you have so you can determine what you need. Inventory how much food, medication and basic supplies the person you’re caring for has currently. Then make a list of what you need and how often you need to replenish it. Many older individuals often keep minimal extras on hand because they are on a strict budget and are used to regular grocery or medication refills. If possible, help them have a two-week supply of food, water, house cleaning supplies, and medical equipment.
Get medications in order. If you don’t already have one, create a list of medications, medical contacts, and important information like allergies for easy access. If there are upcoming non-emergency, routine medical appointments, reschedule those or, if possible, switch to a virtual visit to receive telemedicine. Ask your pharmacist or health care provider if you’re able to have an extra 30-day supply of essential medications on hand. Don’t forget to stock up on over-the-counter medications like cough suppressants and fever-reducing drugs like acetaminophen. Stay connected. With current social distancing recommendations, strict isolation will impact many older individuals. To keep connections strong, set up communication using a variety of technology such as FaceTime or Skype, smart speakers, or simply phone and text. Use these to stay connected with your caregiving team as well as your older or aging family members. If your loved one lives in a long-term care facility, see if they have accommodations for online visits and how they plan to communicate with families. If they can’t support visits via technology, send in cards, letters, magazines, puzzles or other items you know your loved one would be grateful to receive. Talk with your facility management about the safest way to deliver items. Maintain personal safety and self-care. In order to help slow the spread of Coronavirus, limit physical contact with others, stay in as much as you can and continue to follow guidelines from the CDC. While you are likely very focused on the person you’re caring for, it is essential to also care for yourself. For high-risk individuals, such as those with dementia and underlying health conditions, consider having the primary caregiver self-isolate with the care recipient. Then, have a back-up plan if the primary caregiver becomes ill. It’s best to be proactive and not have to use plan B, rather than being caught off guard without options. For more information about caregiving and important considerations in light of COVID-19, visit aarp.org/caregiving and aarp.org/coronavirus.—
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COVID-19 Spurring Tax and Finance Changes
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is changing our lives in many ways, including how we file our income taxes. The IRS has announced some changes that impact your 2019 income tax return. On March 27, Congress approved a $2 trillion emergency economic aid package to help Americans withstand the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes the measures outlined below. Robert Fishbein, vice president in Prudential’s Tax Department, shares what you need to know: Do I still need to file my tax return by April 15? No. The IRS postponed the income tax filing deadline to July 15, allowing taxpayers more time to prepare their tax returns, since COVID-19 may make that more difficult. If I owe, do I need to pay all my income tax due by April 15? No. Under normal circumstances, if you apply for an extension to file your tax return, you still must pay your tax liability in full by April 15. However, since the IRS postponed the April 15 due date to July 15, you do not have to pay the income tax due until July 15. Also, no penalty and interest will be assessed during that time. The government is trying to make sure that people have more liquidity in the short term to manage financial costs associated with COVID-19. What if I am self-employed and pay self-employ22
RuralLeaderMag.com | April 2020
ment tax? The postponement applies to self-employment tax as well as income tax. You do not have to pay any self-employment tax due until July 15. What if I pay estimated tax? If you pay estimated tax, your first required payment for 2020 is due April 15 under ordinary circumstances. However, the April 15 payment due date for estimated tax has also been postponed to July 15. What if I am expecting a refund? If you are expecting a refund, you should probably still file your income tax return as soon as you can. Filing sooner rather than later will start the process of getting your overpaid tax back to you so you can use it as needed. When is the last day I can make an IRA contribution? Because the due date of your income tax return was postponed to July 15, you have until July 15 to make an IRA contribution for 2019. The IRA contribution deadline is tied to the due date of your income tax return, and the government purposefully postponed that date to allow you more time to decide whether to make an IRA contribution for 2019. Does the IRS tax filing and payment postponement apply to state and local income tax obligations? No. Each state can establish its own rules and
may or may not follow the IRS approach. What else? Congress has passed and the President has signed into law the CARES Act, which is intended to provide more financial flexibility to manage COVID-19-related costs. There are several tax and retirement provisions of interest, such as: 1. Recovery checks of up to $1,200 for a single taxpayer and $2,400 for a married couple. Note these amounts are phased out and not available for high-income taxpayers. 2. Suspending required distributions from IRAs and retirement plans for 2020. 3. Waiving the 10% early withdrawal penalty tax for distributions up to $100,000 from IRAs and retirement accounts for COVID-19-related reasons. 4. Allowing the payment of income tax over three years for amounts withdrawn from IRAs and retirement accounts for COVID-19-related reasons. 5. Allowing a three-year period for recontribu-
tion of the funds withdrawn from IRAs and retirement accounts for COVID-19-related reasons. 6. Allowing a $300 deduction for charitable cash contributions, whether or not the individual itemizes deductions. 7. Allowing reimbursement for menstrual care products and previously disallowed over-thecounter drugs under Flexible Savings Accounts and Health Savings Accounts. The IRS change and CARES Act provide needed relief for many people. If you have questions, make sure to talk with your personal tax advisor. Prudential Financial, its affiliates, and its financial professionals do not render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your particular circumstances.—
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RuralLeaderMag.com | April 2020