The Weekly Journal - Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Wednesday, April 6-12, 2022 - // no. 154

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

www.theweeklyjournal.com

Sexes still battle over salaries P6 Foxwoods, DraftKings partner-up For sports betting P7 JetBlue makes a bid for Sprint P9

Telehealth and telemedicine: alternatives to reduce healthcare costs in Puerto Rico Quality of healthcare improved after HHS removed regulations

T

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

The perfect wine for “bacalaítos” P15

jhernandez@wjournalpr.com

he COVID-19 pandemic forced people in every segment of the economic spectrum to device and develop new and efficient ways to continue working and going about their daily activities despite the conditions imposed by the government to curb the spread of the deadly disease. Doctors and clinicians were not an exception.

But despite these conditions imposed by the government, there were several policies and regulations

the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) relaxed or temporarily removed during the public health emergency that not only helped in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but also improved the quality of healthcare for the population, particularly for those 65 and older.

“Several regulations were removed that prompted an increase in the use of the telemedicine platform and the adoption of different telehealth and telemedicine solutions that improved the quality of care patients received GO TO PAGE 4

The Weekly Jounal > Wednesday, April 6, 2022 >

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The primary cause of the United Way of Puerto Rico is early childhood. That is why we are working with the United Ways of Poland, Romania and Hungary to support children and families displaced by the violence in Ukraine.

The efforts include the provision of resources such as transportation, shelter, food, medicines, personal hygiene products, child care supplies, such as formulas and diapers, among other aids.

Your donation is very important, no matter the distance. Donate now to this vital cause by visiting unitedwaypr.org/ukraine or call us at 2-1-1 of Puerto Rico (787-268-5353).

You can also send your donation to United Way de PR, PO Box 191914, San Juan, PR 00919

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A WEEK IN REVIEW NISSAN’S NEW CAMPAIGN, A LOVE LETTER TO THE ISLAND Nissan Puerto Rico launched its new brand campaign, inspired by the enthusiasm generated by driving a Nissan on the island and as part of its efforts to show the high value and innovation that the automotive framework offers its users. The campaign also reveals the following vehicles in its line to be renewed.

After the renovation of Kicks, Rogue, Pathfinder, Armada, and Frontier, this year will see the renewal of the legendary sports Z and the expansion of offerings for electric vehicles - with the 100% electric Ariya. The campaign, filmed completely in Puerto Rico and showing the island’s beautiful landscapes, counted on local talent and collaboration with the agency Lopito, Ileana & Howie with music by Daniel Díaz.

THE PORTAL OF TRANSPARENCY FROM COR3 NOW LIVE If you are interested in knowing the progress of the reconstruction projects after Hurricane Maria, it is already available in the Portal of Transparency at recovery.pr. The website’s tool “Route of the Reconstruction” was created to give visibility to the advances in the development of permanent works.

This was announced by Mr. Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Office (COR3). The information provided in the tool corresponds to the data supplied by Quarterly Project Reports (QPR), which are required to be submitted as part of federal compliance requirements.

Powered BY El Vocero de Puerto Rico, 1064 Ave Ponce de León 2nd floor San Juan, PR Postal Address: PO Box 15074, San Juan, PR 00902

TWO NEW STORES OPEN AT SAN PATRICIO PLAZA San Patricio Plaza announced the opening of two new shops in the mall - the pet accessory brand Lick and frozen yogurt chain Yogen Früz. Lick’s kiosk is located in the corridor opposite Walgreens, while Yogen Früz’s kiosk is located in the hallway of Bed Bath & Beyond. Lick, a brand created in the summer of 2019, is dedicated to the design and production of high-quality products for dogs, specializing mainly in bandanas. Yogen Früz is the world’s number one frozen yogurt franchise. It arrived in Puerto Rico in 2011 and stands out for its bright experience and the exquisite flavor of its products.

President Salvador Hasbún shasbun@elvocero.com

VP of Accounting Félix A. Rosa frosa@elvocero.com

Human Resources Director Arlene Rolón, PHR arolon@elvocero.com

Vp of Marketing and Business Operations Michelle Pérez Miperez@elvocero.com

VP of Production Eligio Dekony edekony@elvocero.com

VP of Editorial Content Juan Miguel Muñiz Guzmán jmuniz@elvocero.com

Multi-Platform Graphic and Technology Director Héctor L. Vázquez hvazquez@elvocero.com

Phone: 787-622-2300, 787-721-2300

Multi-Plataform Digital Director María Arce marce@elvocero.com

Customer Service: 787-622-7480

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Galva did admit that care providers had to invest to broaden their service platforms because many patients refused to go to a medical office, clinic or hospital for fear of contagion. He assured that the savings from avoiding decompensation of the patient are greater than the initial cost.

“There is no doubt that Puerto Rico is over regulated. When restrictions on telemedicine were removed, telemedicine services exploded,” said Galva before warning that, with the end of the COVID-19 health emergency, which he expects to be somewhere around midyear, regulations will be in place again.

during the peak of the pandemic,” said Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration (ASES, for its Spanish acronym) director Jorge Galva. “The pandemic was the catalyst for the advancement of telehealth and telemedicine.”

During the height of the pandemic, the federal government took steps to make easier providing and receiving care through telehealth. Still, HHS specified these were to be temporary measures under the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration and were subject to change.

Among those temporary changes, healthcare providers Medicaid And During the height of were allowed more flexibility in Medicare Parity the pandemic, the the use of everyday technology Roberto Pando, president federal government for virtual visits. Providers of the Medicaid and Medicare took steps to were also allowed to deliver Advantage Product Association make providing telehealth services to Medicare (MMAPA), considers the and receiving care and Medicaid patients; situation could be further through telehealth prescription of controlled compounded by the fact that, easier. substances via telehealth were when compared to other U.S. allowed without the need for an jurisdictions, Puerto Rico is in-person medical evaluation, significantly underfunded in and the American Rescue Plan both federal programs.

Act of 2021 continued and expanded telehealth “Puerto Rico’s invests 92% less in Medicaid for funding and reimbursement, among other the elderly and disabled than any other jurisdiction changes. in the U.S., while medical costs keep raising,” According to Galva, during this period ASES Pando said. made it a priority to provide a proper contractual For Puerto Rico Medical Association president, platform for ASES’ non-clinical observer (NCO) Dr. Yussef Galib-Fiol, the possibility for more partners through an amendment to their efficient healthcare resides in changing the contracts providing: 1. Statement from ASES to system to a person-centered one, while working expand telemedicine services; 2. Equaling the to solve challenges such as the volume and reimbursements for telehealth and telemedicine complexity of cases; provider exhaustion; professionals; and; 3. A proviso for in-person recruitment and retention of medical specialists evaluation of the patient whenever telemedicine and subspecialists; communication of health data platform proved not useful. and healthcare literacy for both patients and

In fact,

There is no doubt that Puerto Rico is over regulated. When restrictions on telemedicine were removed, telemedicine services exploded.

Jorge Galva Director, Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration

providers, among others.

These challenges can be tackled if a strong and reliable financing platform can be developed.

According to Puerto Rico Hospital Association president, Jaime Plá-Cortés, a stronger financing could be achieved if the island gets equal treatment in Medicaid and Medicare budget allocations.

Acting Puerto Rico Insurance Commissioner Alexander Adams reported that the majority of the people living on the island is insured with some type of medical plan financed with funds from the federal government. More specifically, 43%, or 1.5 million beneficiaries, are insured by the Commonwealth’s Vital plan; 16% by Medicare Advantage plans; and 5% by regular Medicare plans.

“Puerto Rico’s government health system is under greater pressure due to the accelerated growth of the adult population on the island…

This represents an imminent public health challenge,” Adams said. Puerto Rico residents are also at a greater socio-economic disadvantage when compared to residents in other U.S. jurisdictions.

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The Managed Care Model to Increase Quality and Improve Patient Experience

T Zoe Landi Fontana,

The Weekly Journal

@Landi_Zoe

o lower costs and increase the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, providers must effectively utilize the managed care model. The managed care model, according to Medicaid, is “a health care delivery system organized to manage cost, utilization, and quality”.

Part of this would be to take advantage of the current employment market. Carlos Vivaldi, Chief Financial Officer at MMM Holdings, LLC. stated that they’ve been seeing the best market for employees for their generation.

“It does represent significant cost implications to the healthcare [industry]. We’ve moved more to digitization and openness in this industry, as we’ve been discussing today on working remotely and telemedicine and telehealth, we’ve definitely had to also recruit better [talent],” Vivaldi commented of the current job market for healthcare professionals.

In light of technological advancements in medicine and the rapid development of telemedicine due to the pandemic, Vivaldi believes that it is necessary to recruit different talent

In fact, In 2020, 72% of hospitals had net losses and stood at around a 52% occupancy rate.

I believe that all those initiatives that are being done [bring] additional funding that flows from health benefit providers too.

Carlos Vivaldi Chief Financial Officer, MMM

throughout the mainland United States, as well as within Puerto Rico, to ensure the highest quality care.

From the hospital perspective, José E. SolivánRivera, the Associate Executive director of the Sistema de Salud Menonita, revealed that the industry is dealing with the lowest occupancy rates in the history of hospitals in Puerto Rico.

In 2020, 72% of hospitals had net losses and stood at around a 52% occupancy rate.

“Managed care is part of the reason why hospitals have been having low occupancy rates in the last years. Hospitals have been facing the challenges of what can we do to get that relevance

back. So, some of the hospitals are [entering] into contracts with health plans [to] be seated at the table where money is discussed,” Soliván-Rivera elaborated.

According to numbers presented by SolivánRivera, 90% of hospitals’ revenues come from health plans, with over 80% contributed by federal and state sources of funding. 40% are Medicare and Medicaid Advantage, another 40% by Medicaid, 15% commercial insurance, and the rest from uninsured patients.

Coordinated care, purports Vivaldi, would allow real opportunities to improve patient care.

It’s necessary to move away from ‘controlling’ to ‘coordinating’ while working with and managing what they have, as they wait for getting the right amount of funding.

Some of the problems that the healthcare industry on the island faces are having to pay more to retain employees; increases in utilities; changes in nurses’ minimum wage which will start this year, while funding is limited to managed care organizations (MCO) that work in Puerto Rico.

“I believe that all those initiatives that are being done [bring] additional funding that flows from health benefit providers too, so all of us can have a better reimbursement and provide for those pressures we have,” Vivaldi expressed.

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Inequities in the Workplace Keep Women Under the ‘Glass Ceiling’

Gender earnings disparity rises with education Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal

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hat increases with education, persists within most occupations, and could be solved by cooperation between firms and governments?

If you guessed the gender wage gap, you are correct. The wage gap between men and women continues to create inequities as it goes unchecked.

Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 community survey report, Estudios Técnicos, Inc. (ETI), an economic advisory consulting firm, published an analysis of the gender wage gap in Puerto Rico. It was used to identify trends in income disparity accounting for occupation and educational level.

“The median wages by educational level highlights a salary discrepancy between men and women despite the fact that wages by educational level for both genders continue to increase as more schooling is achieved,” explained Lorena Franco, from ETI’s Economic Analysis and Policy Division.

most significant discrepancies in salary existing for those in the legal, technological, and diagnostic treatment sectors.

For those who believe that the wage gap exists because women purposely choose lower-paying jobs, Franco says, “that isn’t necessarily true. There is a social issue here of making these options possible, making these fields attractive, and being more inclusive.”

The wage gap still persists even when women are in higher-paying jobs, in competitive fields, and The Gap: Education And Occupation in senior roles.

As the level of education progresses, the wage Societal roles burden women as well. Franco gap between men and women increases. Men who says there is evidence proving the existence of have some college education experience a median a ‘care penalty’ that works at a disadvantage to increase in wages of $10,630. women. The ‘care penalty’ is a For women, that increase is only consequence of the pressure $7,555. Men who continue on to and expectations society has of earn a graduate degree will, on women to sacrifice more of their average, receive a pay increase of time, and professional careers, $14,156, while women will see an On average, to raise a family. Globally, their increase of $8,497. women’s salaries unpaid labor is worth $10.9 “[Within] the top five are lower than trillion, according to a 2020 occupations held by men, women men’s by 6.3%. analysis conducted by Oxfam. earn more by $930. Usually, this is because they do try to close Next Steps For Firms And the gap [by paying] a premium to have women coming to Governments these fields. However, when considering the top The provision of equal parental leave to both occupations where women are the majority in men and women is necessary to lift the social terms of numbers, men earn more by an average burden of raising a family off women. of $4,800,” Franco added, in an interview with THE “There is a need for better policies [to] close WEEKLY JOURNAL. and eliminate the gender and racial wage gap,” Considering all occupations, women’s salaries Franco affirmed. Such policies would, according to are lower than men’s by 6.3% on average, with the Franco, would include greater wage transparency,

In fact,

There is a need for better policies [to] close and eliminate the gender and racial wage gap.

-Lorena Franco Estudios Técnicos.

the collection of data at all levels to identify gaps, promoting education on the wage gap, and federal recording of data related to pertaining to gender, race, and ethnicity.

To continue closing the wage gap, policies must be put in place that will hold firms accountable.

In 2020, New Zealand implemented a law, requiring all companies to receive a certificate that has them reveal salaries for both men and women, increasing transparency surrounding compensation.

“To have a very clear background on the wage gap, particularly in Puerto Rico, an exhaustive study should be done at the occupational level.

Also, understanding roles outside of work - women in the home, it’s unpaid work. More studies should be done to identify where these gaps are at, and where there are penalties, utilizing as a reference the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) recommendations, and examples of what other countries have been doing around the world,” recommended Franco.

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Foxwoods Casino and DraftKings to usher sports betting in Puerto Rico Both companies will cater to Puerto Rico’s broad sports fan base

A

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

merican fantasy sports contest and sports betting company DraftKings and the Foxwoods Casino at the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel are partnering-up to develop a sports betting platform and experience for the people in Puerto Rico.

“Puerto Rico has a broad sports fan base.

Puerto Ricans are very much into a lot of the sports we already offer and the sports we are looking to offer –such as the local basketball league,” said Sabrina Macías, Global Communications vice president of DraftKings.

“This is an amazing opportunity to partner with the Foxwoods team and try to bring this new experience to the island.”

DraftKings general approach to every new market, according to Macías, is to look into the community and figure out what are its preferences in terms of sports and betting, and then cater to those preferences. Nevertheless, anyone accessing the company’s app will have access to everything it has to offer, –“from table tennis in Japan, to Korean baseball.”

Anika Howards, president of Foxwoods Resort Casino, said the casino has already developed “a

Sports are social and part of the Puerto Rican culture. So, in addition to betting, part of it is the social elements of bringing people together and watching the games.

Anika Howards President, Foxwoods Resort Casino

shorthand with the marketers in terms on how to create experiences” in addition to betting among their guests and anticipated both teams “will easily tap on what people in Puerto Rico wants and create experiences in property [at the casino] to bring people in.”

“Sports are social and part of the Puerto Rican culture. So, in addition to betting, part of it is the social elements of bringing people together and watching the games,” Howards said. “When you have the energy of a March Madness, or the energy of a Super Bowl, or a World Cup, and you have everybody here and you layer on the experience of being able to bet on all this different events, what best could happen then?”

More Than Just Betting

The goal is to provide the physical presence

for a guest that wants to begin his interaction with betting, explained Andro Nodarse-León, co-owner of the Fairmont ESJ, who anticipated the sports lounge could start operating by next summer, once all regulations are complied with and permits are obtained.

“But the experience doesn’t have to be constrained to the sports lounge. The guest could be hanging-out in the lobby, or maybe some people would prefer the beach club… It would be up to them,” Nodarse Leon said.

The sports lounge will be located inside the Foxwoods El San Juan Casino and will feature a massive video wall, bar and dining services, two over the counter ticket windows and six betting kiosks.

“Since establishing our relationship with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods more than a year ago, we’ve seen immense success, which can be attributed to the collaborative efforts between the organizations and shared vision for providing customers with the very best,” said Matt Kalish, President of DraftKings North America in a written statement.

“Puerto Rico is known for its rich and vibrant sports culture, and we look forward to being able to provide fans with a safe and legal form of sports betting through our retail and online sportsbooks.”

“We have made tremendous strides in the sports betting space in our relationship with DraftKings, who has continued to be a valuable partner, through our online and retail experiences in the state of Connecticut,” said Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Chairman Rodney Butler.

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Could metaverse do away with traditional tourism?

Many “tourists” are turning to the virtual reality experience Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

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ecause of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the last two years we have been working, meeting and shopping remotely through social media platforms, and the list of activities seems to keep on growing to include traveling, the only social interaction that would need a person to actually go somewhere.

Nevertheless, the fact is that despite the respite in the pandemic and the positive signs of industry recovery, a significant number of people are turning to the metaverse for their main tourism experience. guided by a Taíno indian. That is going to be “Travel and entertainment is why people are possible, and some can argue that, to some extent, going to prefer the metaverse,” said software it is already possible,” said Cruz. engineer and Web 3.0 specialist Pedro Cruz.

Shirley McPhaul, director of Crypto Curious, While still in its early stages, the metaverse is anticipated virtual tours of Old San Juan could even advancing at an accelerated pace, so definitions provide a more complete immersive experience, are still somewhat “fluid.” for example, by allowing the user to be a part of the The metaverse can be defined as a simulated 1598 Battle of San Juan, when the British armada digital environment that uses augmented reality took control of the city for 65 days.

(AR), virtual reality (VR) and blockchain, along “There is a great opportunity for Puerto Rico in concepts from social media, to create spaces for the next 5 to 10 years with the improvements in AR, rich user interactions mimicking VR and MR (augmented, virtual the real world. and mix realities), and projection While many consider the mapping… It would be a huge development of the metaverse opportunity for the municipal could spell doom for the tourism government of San Juan to start industry, Cruz is convinced it is an Technology looking into that,” said McPhaul. opportunity for any destination, could be used to According to Cruz, in the same particularly Puerto Rico. attract people to way a website helps to drive traffic When the software engineer was different parts to a specific business, tourism in starting in the industry he worked of the island, for the metaverse will drive people to for “Touralo,” a virtual reality example, through a specific destination. tour app that operated as a real gamification “The reason for not traveling is estate platform to show houses to strategies. money. But having experienced potential buyers or renters. the virtual destination, people “In that very same way, virtual would have the opportunity to tours of Old San Juan or El plan a vacation for whenever they Yunque could be developed with have the money,” Cruz argued. digital twins of these places for people to visit in For McPhaul, these technologies could be used the metaverse,” said Cruz, who further argued to attract people to different parts of the island, that the virtual tour experience could be the next for example, through gamification strategies (using step in tourism since “users/tourists wouldn’t be game elements in a non-gaming context). constrained by the limitations of physical reality.”

“This is already being in done in several “Imagine going to El Yunque and having a tour contexts, and it’s known as ‘rewards programs,’

In fact,

Imagine going to El Yunque and having a tour guided by a Taíno indian. That is going to be possible, and some can argue that, to some extent, it is already possible.

-Pedro Cruz Software engineer and Web 3.0 specialist

she explained. “Think of a project like Pokémon Go, where you can go all over the island, collecting badges or maybe NFTs for just getting there.”

Cruz further explains that in such a project, blockchain technology would be very useful “because it would make it harder for people to cheat”.

“You will need to be physically there to collect the NFT, and the blockchain will enable your digital property rights over the collected NFTs,” explained Cruz.

Interestingly enough, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company does have a similar offline project –the “Voy Turisteando” passport– where local tourists can visit specific sites throughout the island and collects the stickers corresponding to the specific towns visited.

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JetBlue makes offer for Spirit Airlines

Shares of Florida-based Spirit soared 22% after The New York Times first reported the JetBlue bid Tuesday. JetBlue shares fell 7%.

A Frontier-Spirit tie-up would combine DenverDavid Koenig, The Associated Press based Frontier’s route map in the western United States with Spirit’s network along the East Coast etBlue Airways has offered to buy Spirit and the Caribbean. Both are budget airlines that Airlines for about $3.6 billion and break offer rock-bottom fares and make up some of the up a plan for Spirit to merge with rival difference by charging extra for many things that budget carrier Frontier Airlines. bigger airlines include in the ticket price, including Spirit said that it received an carry-on bags and soft drinks. unsolicited bid from JetBlue. It said its JetBlue is not the same kind of so-called ultraboard will evaluate the offer and decide low-cost-carrier. Its base fares are generally higher what’s best for shareholders. than those on Frontier and Spirit, but it offers In a statement, New York-based JetBlue said amenities they don’t, including free TV and free combining with Spirit would lead internet at every seat. to lower fares by creating “the JetBlue’s strength on most compelling national lowthe East Coast, including fare challenger” to the nation’s Florida, would mean much four biggest airlines: American, more overlap with Spirit. In Delta, United and Southwest. a statement, Frontier argued Shares of FloridaFrontier used that same that would lead to less based Spirit soared argument in February to support competition, higher fares and 22% after The New its proposed acquisition of Spirit, fewer options for travelers.

York Times first saying that creating the nation’s Moreover, Frontier and reported the JetBlue fifth-biggest airline would save Spirit are small enough that bid. consumers $1 billion a year. their deal might not get JetBlue offered $33 per share close scrutiny from antitrust in cash, which it said puts a 37% regulators, although several higher value on Spirit than does leading liberal Democrats in the Frontier offer. However, Congress raised concern about Frontier’s bid would let Spirit shareholders keep the merger to the Biden administration. The Justice 48.5% of the combined airline. Frontier said Department and several states sued last year to try its cash-and-stock offer was worth $2.9 billion, to block a much more limited partnership between although a dip in Frontier’s shares has reduced its JetBlue and American Airlines — that challenge is value since February. pending.

It could spark a bidding war

J

In fact,

The Biden administration is more likely to oppose a JetBlueSpirit deal than a Frontier-Spirit combination because it could lead to higher prices.

Colin Scarola Analyst, CFRA Research

Colin Scarola, an analyst who covers airlines for CFRA Research, said the Biden administration is more likely to oppose a JetBlue-Spirit deal than a Frontier-Spirit combination because it could lead to higher prices.

However, he views the JetBlue offer as superior, and so “Spirit will likely take the risk and accept the JetBlue bid. It’s just too much more money to pass up.”

JetBlue is three times bigger than Frontier and nearly twice the size of Spirit. It has failed before in acquisitions, having lost out in its bid for Virgin America to Alaska Airlines.

Frontier is controlled by private equity firm Indigo Partners, which once owned a major stake in Spirit.

One area where all three are similar: consumer complaints. Spirit had the highest rate of complaints to the U.S. Transportation Department last year, followed by JetBlue and Frontier.

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opinion Víctor Rodríguez

Public Affairs Specialist (Puerto Rico and the USVI), Social Security Administration

S

ocial Security wants to help you get the services you need as quickly and safely as possible. Your personal “my Social Security account” at www. ssa.gov/myaccount is your gateway to doing business with our agency online.

Whether you receive benefits now or in the future, you will want to create your personal “my Social Security” account or use the one you may already have. More than 65 million people already have an account!

Did you know you can use your personal “my Social Security” account to accomplish many tasks? You can check the status of your application or appeal, verify your earnings, estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive. At this time, individuals having a valid and unexpired driver’s license or government identification card issued by Washington DC or 46 participant states can also request a replacement social security card online. Watch our brief video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hjJqUAFSXI about the benefits of having an account.

We are committed to protecting your information and benefits and take this responsibility seriously. That’s why we ask for personal information to verify your identity in the process to create your account. We work with external partners to securely verify your identity.

We do this to protect your data while making our online services easy for you to use.

• Ready to sign up? You can now create your new “my Social Security” account through either one of these two credential partners: Login.gov or ID.me.

• Login.gov offers simple, secure, and private access to participating U.S. government agencies.

• ID.me is a single sign-on provider that meets the U.S. government’s online identity proofing and authentication requirements.

A credential includes your username, password, and two-step verification factors. A trusted credential partner helps us securely verify your identity online.

Here is a brief list of some of the things you need to know when creating or accessing your personal “my Social Security” account.

1. I have never accessed “my Social Security”, and I do not have a Login.gov or ID.me credential Visit the “my Social Security” webpage at www.ssa. gov/myaccount to get started. You will have the option to create an account with your preferred credential partner, Login.gov or ID.me. Keep in mind: • You must be 18 years of age or older and have

How to create your personal ‘My Social Security’ account

Did you know you can use your personal my Social Security account to accomplish many tasks? You can check the status of your application or appeal, verify your earnings, estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive. a social security number.

• You will be redirected to the partner’s website when you select “Sign in with Login.gov” or “Sign in with ID.me.”

• You must provide a valid email address and some additional information.

• Once you create the credential, you’ll return to the “my Social Security” webpage for the next steps.

2. I have never accessed my Social Security, but

I already have a Login.gov or ID.me credential - You can sign in with your credential on the “my Social Security” webpage at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount and follow the prompts.

3. I have accessed “my Social Security” with a Social Security username and password that I created before September 18, 2021- You should still sign in using your Social Security username and password. This is the first option on the Sign In screen secure.ssa.gov/RIL/SiView.action.

4. I have accessed “my Social Security” using my existing Login.gov or ID.me credential - You can sign in to my Social Security using either Login.gov or ID.me credential.

Please encourage your friends and family to create their personal “my Social Security account” today at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

We recently announced that local Social Security offices will restore in-person services, including for people without an appointment, on April 7, 2022.

You could also access our automated services at 1-800-772-1213 or call your local Social Security office Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. To locate the telephone number of your local field office, please input your residential zip code at www.ssa.gov/locator/.

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PARA TU FAMILIA.

PADRE, MADRE O ENCARGADO: SI TIENES UN MENOR DEPENDIENTE DE 17 AÑOS O MENOS,

¡ESTE CRÉDITO ES PARA TI! Completa la forma 1040-PR y podrás recibir hasta

$3,600

por cada menor elegible de 0 a 5 años.

$3,000

por cada menor elegible de 6 a 17 años.

El Estímulo económico por menor dependiente (Child Tax Credit 2022) se extendió a más familias en Puerto Rico.

Infórmate.

Llama hoy al Centro de Información y Referido 2-1-1 de Puerto Rico.

www.unitedwaypr.org @unitedwaypr

< The Weekly Jounal > Wednesday, April 6, 2022

BENEFICIO ECONÓMICO

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Microsoft’s Minecraft Challenge Prepares Future STEM Professionals Winners of the challenge reflect on their projects

M

Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal

@Landi_Zoe

inecraft was their canvas, and their brush - the computer.

For the past two years in Puerto Rico, Microsoft has held the Microsoft Minecraft Challenge, a competition that aims to boost technological competence, creativity, and computational thinking skills and promote the acquisition of STEAM skills (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) using the video game Minecraft.

This year’s edition had participants design their ideal school, taking advantage of the region’s natural resources and keeping in mind the capricious nature of the Caribbean weather. Students presented proposals for attractive and practical schools equipped with accessible recreational areas and classrooms.

Competing against over 100 other students, twelfth-grader Sebastian Martinez Rivera and seventh-grader Anier Alberto Cruz Soto stood out from the rest. THE WEEKLY JOURNAL caught up with this year’s winners to talk about their projects and future aspirations.

I’m really grateful to be in this project, it [helped] me a lot. It’s not about the prize, it’s more about what you learn from doing it.

Sebastian Martínez Rivera, Twelfth Grade.

Anier Alberto Cruz Soto

and implementing a closed design, Anier made sure that water and wind wouldn’t severely impact the structure. Additionally, it has many columns and supports, and spaces for people to take refuge and access food and water.

“I really like school projects. Being able to do a competition to make my own creations in Minecraft really helped. I really want to keep making creations in Minecraft and see where it leads me. I want to create things for the future, use renewable energies for some things in the future as an electrical engineer,” Anier added.

“I’m really grateful to be in this project, it [helped] me a lot. It’s not about the prize, it’s more about what you learn from doing it,” said Anier.

Sebastian Martínez Rivera, Twelfth Grader

“I consider school to be the most important part of anyone’s life,” asserted Sebastian.

Under a ‘sound mind and sound body with design’ Anier Alberto Cruz Soto, Seventh Grader approach, as the twelfth-grader articulated, the Anier was inspired by his belief that the students project uses eco-friendly and renewable resources, of Puerto Rico should have a such as recycled concrete and good school where they could natural stones, to form an learn and have fun, a bright earthquake and hurricanespace that evokes liveliness resistant school. and creativity. His design “I placed a lot of open space. featured the French language In case there is an earthquake, (Anier regards teaching a third students and faculty have a Anier and Sebastian language as a necessity) and space to get together and be were chosen from spaces to cultivate and prepare away from any falling structures. over 100 other vegetables and food.

Also, [there are] plenty of students.

“In my opinion, yeah it was emergency exits. With all these hard because I had to think things in mind, it would be safe about my construction and for students and faculty alike,” everything. I had to [make] it Sebastian said of the safety eco-friendly and against natural disasters. Making features in his design. details on the inside took a lot of effort and time.

Sebastian took the elements of his own school It took my mind on a big trip,” said Anier, of the that he liked and applied them to the Minecraft challenges of the project. school. “I’m from an arts school, so I like how they The seventh-grader said he doesn’t feel safe in his incorporate different things about art. Students have own school. Thinking of improvements he would like that kind of freedom and creativity. I took aspects to see led him to ideas for his design. Using concrete of my school to make them better, make them my

In fact,

Anier Alberto Cruz Soto, Seventh Grade.

own,” he explained.

The hardest part for him was getting started, figuring out the general layout and structure.

Nevertheless, looking back he says, “I honestly had a great experience working with this. I had my difficulties - struggled at some parts. I learned a lot, besides the technical parts, I learned how to persevere in the face of adversity. There are challenges in the game and in life. Remind [ourselves] that if we put our mind to it, we can achieve any of our goals.”

Graduating this year, Sebastian plans on studying biology, with an interest in going to medical school later in life. As for the present, he is a creative. “I like reading, writing, watching movies. Taking into consideration all the viewpoints that surround me. Playing video games, tinkering around with technology. I like to be a well-rounded person,” he commented.

Participating in, and winning, the Minecraft challenge left Sebastian with the following conviction: “Any of us can change the world, it just takes our own initiative.”

13

/ Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Young Filmmaker Pays Tribute to a Story Seldom Told The film takes place during the 1937 Ponce Massacre

P

Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal

@Landi_Zoe

uerto Rican filmmaker Gadiel J. Maya Vélez won first place in the local competition of the International University Academic Film Festival (FACIUNI) for his film “La Insidia”, set in the historical context of the 1937 Ponce Massacre. The film will be evaluated in the international phase of the competition next.

The story, set in black and white, tells the story of a young nationalist, arrested after witnessing the massacre take place. Within the film’s nearly nine-minute duration, the young protagonist (played by Maya Vélez, who is also the screenwriter and director) falls victim to the insidiousness of despotism.

Patience

After a year of rejections from a handful of Filmmaker Gadiel J. Maya Vélez. festivals, Maya Vélez began to doubt himself and his art. FACIUNI wasn’t the first festival to which Maya Vélez submitted “La Insidia”. In fact, it was his the Ponce Massacre until attending a class on documentary-making. A university student at the third year attempting to enter the festival. time, he was shocked that mention of the historical “I’m not achieving anything, I should just give event wasn’t included in his early schooling. up, this is not my calling,” were just some of the “Since I [heard of] the Ponce thoughts running through the Massacre, I’ve been intrigued. director’s mind.

We are supposed to be aware “When I got the email that of and appreciate our story.

I was selected, but not only One of the first short films I did selected, but the local winner was called Borikén, on the Taíno in Puerto Rico - it was such a revolution. These are things beautiful moment for me. A The Ponce Massacre that I promised to myself, if I moment of self-appreciation occurred on March have the opportunity, I want to and self-healing. It was me 21, 1937 in the tell these stories to my people,” telling myself, there’s a chance, southern town of said Maya Vélez. there’s more than a chance Ponce.

- there’s a new chapter that I just reached,” he said of the The Film’s Aesthetics moment of being chosen as the “Guerrilla film-making…you island’s winner. kind of learn by yourself. That’s essentially where I started. Taking bits and pieces obtained from college, then the things I discovered Historical Background by myself or with a book or YouTube video, an On March 21, 1937, a peaceful nationalist group article. That’s essentially where I’m coming from,” organized a legal march in the town of Ponce. U. Maya Vélez said of his film education.

S. appointed Governor General Blanton Winship “La Insidia” was influenced by great filmmakers ordered the police force to intervene. They abruptly halted the march, flanked the nationalists like Akira Kurosawa and Luis Buñuel, apparent in Maya Vélez’s choice of camera placements to on both sides, then open fired. Twenty-one people died and hundreds more were wounded. Following elucidate power dynamics and social class.

The undeniable elegance of black and white in the massacre, police spun the facts into a fake Maya Vélez’s film gives an elemental understanding narrative, alleging that it was the nationalists who of the characters’ political views, captures the era had attacked them of the Ponce Massacre, and, as the filmmaker said, Speaking with Maya Vélez, he expressed to “I just aesthetically love black and white in films”.

THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that he hadn’t heard of

In fact,

When I got the email that I was selected, but not only selected, but the local winner in Puerto Rico, it was such a beautiful moment for me. A moment of selfappreciation and self-healing.

Gadiel Maya Vélez filmmaker

Behind the film’s subtle tonal variations, Maya Vélez explained that “We always depict our lives in black and white. Bad or good. Evil or good. And talking about inner purity, Blanco is dressed all in white, but he is the most evil person in the short film. Raúl, the nationalist, [has a] pitch-black shirt with a white cross. In terms of clothing, he’s the darkest character there, but he is the most closely human to us.”

A Modern-Day Reading

“La Insidia” is also a social commentary on the current state of the island.

“In Puerto Rico, the people who follow the independent movement are seen as inferiors not publicly told, but socially aware of it… People who are in favor of statehood or people who are against it - they are viewed as different social classes. You always hear, if someone says they are in favor of independence, mostly through elderly people, you hear them say ‘You don’t understand, you don’t know what you’re saying,’” continued the filmmaker.

Ideas for future films include the story of Lolita Lebrón, a woman who Maya Vélez considers would be a good role model for his younger sister. “I wish my legacy to be - even if I inspire just my sister - to show her she has the right to fight and accomplish things - that’s my main purpose,” said Maya Vélez.

Still from La Insidia

14

/ Wednesday, April 6, 2022

What Elon Musk at Twitter might mean for users The business magnate could reshape the social media platform

Musk’s free speech rights.

What Does Musk Plan To Do At Twitter?

Musk has described himself as a “free speech absolutist” and has made clear that he doesn’t think Twitter is living up to free speech principles Matt O’Brien and Tali Arbel, The Associated Press — an opinion shared by followers of Donald esla CEO Elon Musk now has a 9% Trump and several stake in Twitter and a seat on right-wing political its corporate board of directors, figures who’ve had their raising questions about how the accounts suspended for billionaire business magnate could violating Twitter content reshape the social media platform. rules.

He is now Twitter’s biggest But what’s really shareholder and has the ear of top managers. driving Musk’s Twitter Does Musk Have A History With Twitter?

Adrian Zamora involvement isn’t clear.

Indeed he does. Musk’s 80.5 million Twitter Twitter spokesperson His preoccupations followers make him one of the most popular figures with the service include on the platform, rivaling pop stars like Ariana Grande arguing to make Twitter’s and Lady Gaga. But his prolific tweeting sometimes algorithm viewable by the public, widening the gets him into trouble when, for availability of “verified” Twitter instance, he uses it to promote accounts, and blasting a profile his business ventures, rally Tesla photo initiative involving nonloyalists, question pandemic fungible tokens, or NFTs. measures and pick fights with Musk has also called “crypto those with whom he disagrees. spam bots,” which search tweets In one famous example, Musk’s preoccupations for cryptocurrency related Musk apologized to a British with the service keywords then pose as customer cave explorer who alleged the include arguing support to empty user crypto Tesla CEO had branded him a to make Twitter’s wallets, the “most annoying pedophile by referring to him as algorithm viewable problem on Twitter.” “pedo guy” in an angry — and by the public and “We don’t know what subsequently deleted — tweet. blasting a profile photo his goals are,” said Jennifer The explorer filed a defamation initiative involving nonGrygiel, a Syracuse University suit, although a Los Angeles jury fungible tokens. communications professor later cleared Musk. and an expert on social media.

He’s also been locked in a “Maybe Elon Musk secretly long-running dispute with the wants to blow (Twitter) up …

U.S. Securities and Exchange maybe he wants to destroy it.”

Commission over his Twitter activity. Musk and Tesla in 2018 agreed to pay $40 million in civil fines and for Musk to have his tweets approved by a corporate What Can Musk Actually lawyer after he tweeted about having the money to Do As A Board Member? take Tesla private at $420 per share — which didn’t Musk’s role as both a board member and Twitter’s happen but caused Tesla’s stock price to jump. His largest shareholder certainly gives him an outsized lawyer has contended that the SEC is infringing on voice in the company’s future. He’s been publicly

T

praised this week by the CEO and other board members, a sign that Twitter leadership is likely to take his ideas seriously.

But he’s still just one member of a 12-person board that Twitter says has “an important advisory and feedback role” but no responsibility over day-to-day operations and decisions. That means Musk won’t have the authority to add an “edit button” or to restore Donald Trump’s suspended account.

“Our policy decisions are not determined by the board or shareholders, and we have no plans to reverse any policy decisions,” said Twitter spokesperson Adrian Zamora.

Our policy decisions are not determined by the board or shareholders, and we have no plans to reverse any policy decisions.

In fact,

What Do Shareholders Think?

Several Wall Street analysts said they were encouraged by Musk’s new role at Twitter. “This is a guy that does push for change, that does, I think, refuse to have failure on his resume. A perfect guy you need on the board of directors for them,” said CFRA Research analyst Angelo Zino. That’s true, Zino said, even if “what exactly his ideas are, who the heck knows.”

Other investors aren’t so sure. Meredith Benton, founder of the investment consulting firm Whistle Stop Capital, has been pushing for shareholders at both Twitter and Tesla to back stronger policies affecting workplace harassment and discrimination.

She describes Musk’s new role as a concerning development for Twitter investors, especially given accusations by California regulators that Tesla has been discriminating against Black employees at its San Francisco Bay Area factory.

“Twitter’s greatest current challenge is to navigate successfully through the societal implications of its platform’s use,” Benton said. “Elon Musk with his air of reckless bravado presents a risk of undermining thoughtful and strategic management of these topics.”

15

/ Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Would you like some wine with your ‘bacalaíto’?

Natural wines are approachable, refreshing and less formal Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

W

hen Giovanni Pagano came to Puerto Rico trying to escape the cold and isolated streets of a New York City still suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, he felt he had reached paradise. But despite the Giovanni Pagano, owner of Scuola de Vino, in Santurce. warm weather, the beautiful scenery and exquisite >The Weekly Journal food… something was missing. are a little bit scared, or maybe a little insulted, by “I was staying in Aguadilla, in a beautiful house these flavors. Still, we’ve had some people coming with a great view of the ocean. It was paradise. in and saying ‘I only drink Ribera del Duero,’ and And when I tasted the food, it reminded me of two weeks later they come back and buy frizzante,” the coast of Italy. I remember I tried something he said with satisfaction. like fried grouper on top of a bed of vegetables…

Giovanni contends that, while natural wines may ‘Freschissimo!’ But the food needed something and seem “too different, too adventurous for people of the only option at the little restaurant was Medalla certain sensibilities,” they quickly get hooked. (local beer),” Giovanni recalled, emphasizing how A couple of months ago, Giovanni opened the much he missed the wine Italians associate with “Scuola di Vino” on Ponce de León Avenue, in fried seafood.

Santurce, and started peddling his “Don’t get me wrong. The wines and chatting with whomever Medalla is very refreshing, but it ventures into the school. doesn’t penetrate into the flavor The curriculum at the “Scuola of the fish. So, I thought to myself, di Vino” is framed on one basic the local cuisine needs wines… principle: drinking wine should Frizzante is a more lemony, more fresh, more be a fun experience.

And the sparkling wine with acidic,” Giovanni said. customers get that from the very a smaller bubble moment they step into “di scuola.” than “spumante,” An Eclectic Pairing Some of the labels available such as champagne, The Italian importer admits to the would-be connoisseur are and is more these kinds of wines, particularly “Tropicale,” “Toro,” “Mosca” and affordable. the frizzante, would be more “Chupa Cabra,” among others. appealing to “the younger crowd Intent on broadening the Puerto who seem to prefer their fruity, Rican palate, Giovanni decided poppy flavors.” to provide a new catalog of artisanal natural wines.

Frizzante is a sparkling wine with a smaller Not that natural wines are unknown to Puerto bubble than “spumante,” such as champagne, and Ricans –Prosecco wines are well known here– but is more affordable. Not surprisingly, it is his best he was looking to expand on the possibilities and seller. experiences when drinking wine. And natural wines, “It goes well with fried calamari… you have aside from a personal preference, provided the the texture, a little oil… you need the acidity, the casually surprising element Giovanni aspires to lemony flavor. It is the same thing with ‘tostones’… you have the crunchiness, the little oil, so you need develop among Puerto Ricans.

In fact,

the acidity,” boldly stated Giovanni, who went as far as saying that a frizzante would pair well with “bacalaítos” (codfish fritters) and even with “alcapurria (green banana or yuca fritters).”

“More mature people prefer the classics and

Origins The term “natural wine” refers to a generalized movement among winemakers for the production of wine using simple or traditional methods.

Indigeno Rosso. >The Weekly Journal

More mature people prefer the classics and are a little bit scared, or maybe a little insulted, by these flavors.

-Giovanni Pagano Owner, Scuola di Vino

Although there is no a uniform definition of natural wine, it is usually produced without the use of pesticides or herbicides and with few or no additives. Typically, natural wine is produced on a small scale using traditional rather than industrial techniques and fermented with native yeast.

The natural wine movement originated in France and spread throughout the world, particularly Italy, which has a rich wine making tradition.

“We have people who learned in France and are coming back to Italy, buying land and training a lot of different people, and it is now spreading,” Giovanni said. “Within the movement you start to have specific differentiations between makers –some add a little sulfur [sulfites] and there are the hardcore natural winemakers that don’t put anything in their wines.

“I’m convinced the new generation of wine drinkers want more fruity flavors, they want to have fun, and these wines are approachable, refreshing, less formal… and for those concerned about health, they have no preservatives, low sugar and are not chemically engineered,” said Giovanni.

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