The Weekly Journal - May 15, 2020

Wednesday, April 15-21, 2020 / no. 051

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

www.theweeklyjournal.com

Working from home is now the new normal P6 High Demand for Stimulus Aid for Small Businesses P8 Non-market economic approach needed to face pandemic P10

Internet Use Spikes During Lockdown Telecommunications companies adjusting their operations accordingly

W Giovanna Garofalo

Virtual Racing Puts Motorsports as Leader of the Pack P15

ggarofalo@wjournalpr.com

@giopgarofalo

ith the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic prompting governments to maintain lockdowns to curtail infection, the telecommunications industry has reaffirmed itself as a critical and essential service provider.

Because social distancing is a priority, the

government of Puerto Rico enacted a lockdown and curfew on March 15 that was extended until May 3. With the exemption of designated essential workers—such as grocers, doctors and restaurateurs, among others—the majority of the population is confined to their homes and are making the most out of their internet access.

This sudden and collective lifestyle shift has boosted remote work, education and medical consultations, as well as leisure activities such as GO TO PAGE 4

The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, April 15, 2020 > 2

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a week in review More COVID-19 Tests Needed Department of Health (DS) Secretary Lorenzo González said that 21,000 COVID-19 diagnostic tests would be needed in order to have a better understanding of how the virus is developing on the island.

“What the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) claims is that 6,000 tests are needed for every million inhabitants. So, assuming that there are approximately 3.5 million inhabitants [in Puerto Rico], we would need about 21,000 tests to have an accurate projection,” said González Feliciano.

As of press time, the DS had carried out 8,535 tests.

U.S. Court Upholds SSI for Puerto Rican Residents

Labor Unions Demand Participation Representatives from the “Central Puertorriqueña de Trabajadores” (CPT) and the “Coordinadora Unitaria de Trabajadores del Estado” (CUTE) have requested a virtual meeting with Governor Wanda Vázquez so they may discuss the possible effects that upcoming executive orders may have on local workers.

CPT president Emilio Nieves claimed that laborers are essential to guaranteeing that the needs of the people are met and that, as such, they should be taken into consideration whenever new measures meant to safeguard the public are taken.

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

The U.S. Court of Appeals decided that anyone residing in Puerto Rico could apply for benefits stemming from the Supplemental Security Income program.

The decision comes after the federal government filed a lawsuit seeking to recover more than $28,000 in SSI benefits paid to a U.S. citizen after he moved from New York to Puerto Rico to care for his wife.

One of the man’s attorneys, New York-based Hermann Ferré, told The Associated Press that an estimated 700,000 people in Puerto Rico would qualify for SSI benefits.

President Salvador Hasbún shasbun@elvocero.com

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

Multi-Platform Digital Director Stephanie Gómez Álvarez sgomez@elvocero.com

Comptroller Félix A. Rosa frosa@elvocero.com

Traffic Director Ilia M. Pérez Centeno iperez@elvocero.com

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

Production Director Eligio Dekony edekony@elvocero.com

Editorial Director Juan Miguel Muñiz Guzmán jmuniz@elvocero.com

Assistant Editor/ Reporter Rosario Fajardo rfajardo@wjournal.com

Phone: 787-622-2300, 787-721-2300 Customer Service: 787-622-7480

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 engaging on social media and streaming movies and shows online.

As a result, telecommunications companies on the island have not only seen an increase in internet use, but have also been compelled to change their operations to cater to this growing demand while upholding the government’s rigorous emergency measures.

Enrique Ortiz de Montellano, president of Claro Puerto Rico, told THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that the company has seen a 28 percent increase in the use of mobile devices like phones and tablets, and a 30 percent rise in broadband traffic during the last month. Similarly, on April 13, AT&T reported a 25 percent growth in broadband and wireless usage at a national level compared to a similar day at the end of February.

“By the end of the year, traffic normally increases roughly 50 percent, but throughout this current year it has grown precipitously,”

People are realizing that they need the internet, that it is vital in order to function, and that they cannot rely only on a mobile device to address their need.

Ortiz de Montellano stated.

The regional Claro president explained that the company has had to adapt its usual technical operations to new focus points. Prior to the COVID-19 emergency, the capacity and direction of each antenna would regularly shift in

accordance with the different points of elevated traffic.

Urban areas like shopping centers or business zones were normally the areas with the most activity. Given that most residents are in their homes, with some of them carrying out their work and/or student responsibilities there, heavier traffic is now found in gated communities, peripheries and other residential zones. This explains the instances where some of these companies’ customers complain of a slower or weaker internet connection.

“Thus, when you point your antennas someplace else, you increase capacity to that zone, reduce capacity to another and such. You also need to continue setting up newer equipment with greater capacity for the zones that are getting congested due to traffic concentration. Once we all return to work, we will have to readjust those antennas and calibrate again according to the traffic,” Ortiz de Montellano said, adding that Claro has not faced problems with congestion or lack of service.

Enrique Ortiz de Montellano, president of Claro Puerto Rico, stated that the company has seen a 30 percent increase in broadband traffic. >File photo

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An internet connection is essential during these times. >iStock

Fewer Restrictions Under New Gov’t Ruling

Since the first executive order establishing an islandwide lockdown was enacted, telecommunications companies have been exempt from a number of limitations.

However, Executive Orders 2020-023 and 2020029 denied these companies the ability to provide clients with service at their points of sale.

Hoping to improve telecommunications services to Puerto Rico’s residents, and to prevent a systemic collapse among networks, EO 2020-033 loosened previous restrictions.

The Puerto Rico Bureau of Telecommunications (NET by its Spanish acronym) elaborated on the mechanisms that these companies must abide by so as to offer their services.

First, there will be two centers per company “strategically situated by zone,” with the zone options being: Aguadilla, Arecibo, Caguas, Ceiba, Guayama, Mayagüez, Ponce, San Juan and Vega Baja. None of these centers may be located inside a shopping mall, they must be accesible from the street. The established centers may operate Monday to Friday from

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but cannot be open to the public, the services may only be offered by appointment.

These provisions are available to the public in PDF format at http://www.jrtpr.pr.gov under ‘Statistics.’

The new executive order, which went into effect on April 13, allows telecommunications companies to offer repair, delivery, equipment replacement services and provide technology necessary to maintain communication via landline, cell phone, internet, cable TV or antennas. Alas, these services are only available to existing customers.

This restriction within the new provision could represent a problem to telecommunications providers and clients who do not have the internet capacity to carry out their duties or are unable to consume large amounts of data using social and entertainment media.

According to data collected by NET for a Dec. 2019 report, there are 3,371,969 cellphone lines on the island, which entails somewhere between 100,000 to 300,000 more devices than residents. Although this number does not distinguish cellphones from smartphones, Statista estimated in Feb. 2020 that mobile

internet user penetration in Puerto Rico stands at 78 percent.

Meanwhile, the NET report indicates that there were 3,166,303 broadband subscribers

by Dec. 2019, including business and personal accounts. Ortiz de Montellano told THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that only 48 percent of the local population has internet access in their homes. Although some people who lack broadband access in their homes can use their smartphones as hotspots for other devices, the fact that more people are working remotely as the lockdown continues, deems necessary a broadband connection in order to maintain workflow and income.

Ortiz de Montellano foresees that this growing need will result in higher consumer demand and new clientele.

“We believe that home internet usage will grow. People are realizing that they need the internet, that it is vital in order to function, and that they cannot rely only on a mobile device to address their need,” he stated.

Under the current conditions, that need may only be addressed if the government loosens the restriction on who can access these companies’ services.

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The New Normal: Working From Home

Tips for a productive experience

T Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournalpr.com

@RosarioWJournal

>Archive

he coronavirus crisis has upended the world, in more ways than one. The impacts on our health and economy are the most critical, but the rapid spread of the novel virus has also changed the way we interact and work. Self-quarantines, social distancing and working from home have become our new reality.

Journalists, such as your correspondent, have been working remotely for years. However, for other industries, the general lockdowns—not just in Puerto Rico, but all over the world—mean that many companies are now working remotely.

Consulting firms, law offices and architectural firms are among the thousands whose employees

must now work from home.

Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Tsedal Neeley, a professor at Harvard Business School, said having the right infrastructure is key to success.

“Do people have the requisite technology or access to it? Who has a laptop? Will they have the software they need to be able to do work, have conference calls, etc.?... Direct managers have to very quickly ensure that every employee has full access, so no one feels left behind,” she said.

Once the infrastructure basics have been covered, it is important for those working remotely to set an appropriate schedule, as they would on a regular work day. For your correspondent, it means waking up at the usual time; starting work at the usual time; having lunch and other breaks at the usual time; and finishing work at the usual time. “[H]ave a disciplined way of managing the day.

Schedule a start and an end time. Have a rhythm.

Take a shower, get dressed, even if it’s not what you’d usually wear to work, then get started on the day’s activities. If you’re used to moving physically, make sure you build that into your day. If you’re an extrovert and accustomed to a lot of contact

and collaboration with others, make sure that still happens. Ask yourself: How will I protect myself from feeling lonely or isolated and stay healthy, productive and vibrant? Create that for yourself,” Neeley said.

The team also needs to maintain contact with each other. Whether it’s a WhatsApp chat group, regular phone calls or video conference meetings, it’s important for staff to communicate with each other on a regular basis.

“In a remote environment, frequency of contact cannot go down. If you’re used to having meetings, continue to do so. In fact, contact should probably go up for the whole team and its members. Newer employees, those working on critical projects and people who need more contact will require extra one-on-ones,” Neely added.

Top three tips

The top three things that leaders can do to create a good remote culture are focused on communication. First, Neely said communicating what is happening at the “organizational level” is very important, especially the latest developments

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cell phone to log on. Even if you are connecting using video conferencing, provide an audio option as a backup for people who for whatever reason can’t use that option.

Keep it short

People working from home will most likely be surrounded by multiple distractions (think kids homeschooling) and be more likely to lose focus because of them. Keep it short and to the point. Respecting people’s time and managing it efficiently is essential for every virtual meeting.

Break the ice

Kick off virtual meetings with a fun ice breaker or introduction. If there are new guest participants, ask them to introduce themselves. A good icebreaker is asking your team members to share a fun fact about themselves. Ice breakers and introductions add a social element to the meeting, help lighten the mood and strengthen the team’s relationship.

Have a facilitator

Due to the coronavirus crisis, working remotely is the new normal. >Archive

on clients and the company’s common goals.

Second, there will be general concern about how the company is doing financially. Address staff concerns as best as possible. Third, Neely said “inclusion and balancing airtime” during group meetings is important so that team members feel they are seen and heard.

Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, the founder and principal of the architectural firm Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón, who is among those working remotely, offers advice for these challenging times.

“Suddenly switching to working remotely in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 can be challenging both technically and emotionally.

For many people and business owners, this is the first time implementing these home tools and new strategies. For this reason, we are sharing several practices and what’s been working for us,” he said.

Here are his tips on successfully running virtual meetings:

Know the technology

Make sure that everyone knows how to work with the technology that’s going to be used to conduct the virtual meeting. Check in with the team prior to the meeting in case someone needs help setting up the meeting platform and confirm that everyone has tested the technology beforehand. This way you can avoid unnecessary anxiety, technical difficulties and potential interruptions during the meeting.

Create an agenda

Create a meeting agenda so you don’t forget important topics you need to discuss during the virtual meeting. Include a meeting structure in the agenda that outlines the purpose, objectives, and key talking points of the meeting. The agenda will help keep virtual meetings on track.

Select a facilitator to make sure the virtual meeting runs smoothly. Facilitators can be the leader of the meeting or can be assigned by the leader to guide the conversation and help stick to the meeting’s agenda. They can also moderate and answer questions during the meeting.

Avoid distractions

Avoid distractions and noises that surround you.

Find a space in your home with the least amount of distractions and use headphones. If you can’t block out all distractions, hit the mute button when you’re not talking. Muting your microphone will ensure that distracting noises around you don’t disrupt the meeting.

Keep people engaged

Suddenly switching to working remotely in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 can be challenging both technically and emotionally. For many people and business owners, this is the first time implementing these home tools and new strategies.

-Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz Aim for video

Try using video conferencing platforms like Microsoft Teams, Skype or Google Meet for virtual meetings instead of traditional phone conference calls. This can make meeting participants feel more connected and engaged with one another. All these platforms have mobile phone apps. If your computer doesn’t have a camera, you can use your

Engagement plays a huge role in any successful virtual meeting. Having a presentation always helps with team engagement and helps guide the conversation. You can also engage participants by sharing your screen, adding visuals, calling on them for their input or asking them to send questions via chat. Frequent interaction during the meeting will increase engagement and create productive virtual meetings.

Practice virtual etiquette

It’s important to act as if you were in an in-person meeting. This includes having the proper etiquette.

Do not use your phone, do not eat, do not interrupt other speakers, do not move around and do not have side conversations with others. Respecting your co-workers is part of basic virtual etiquette.

Be clear and follow up

Before ending a virtual meeting, let participants know what tasks they need to work on after the meeting. Make sure everyone is clear on what the calls to action and deadlines are in order to avoid any confusion. After the meeting, consider assigning tasks via email or through a planner or send a follow up survey asking participants for feedback and suggestions on what may be improved.

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Demand for Small-Business

Stimulus Aid Surges

Nationwide, 1 percent of those who applied for PPP have received funds

T Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournalpr.com

he first week of April, when the newly created Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) went into effect, more than 400 small businesses in Puerto Rico initially applied for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) program. In the second week, the number had skyrocketed to several thousand around the island.

Banco Popular, the island’s main financial institution, provided a snapshot of the phenomenon; at first receiving several hundred applications, with that number

having jumped to some 4,000. The bank initially released $2.6 million in PPP forgivable loans during the first few days after the program went into effect.

“This is a new loan with components that have not been used before to revive the economy.

The main purpose of this aid - which went into effect on April 3 - is to help retain jobs and we have seen a lot of demand from interested businesses,” said Eli Sepúlveda, executive vice president of Banco Popular’s Commercial Credit Group.

He urged more local businesses to apply for the stimulus aid, as $217 billion in PPP loans have been

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Just about 1 percent of CARES loan applicants have received their money at this point, according to a weekend Alignable. com Pulse Poll, with responses from 42,700 small businesses around the U.S. >Courtesy of Alignable

We urge every struggling small business to take advantage of these unprecedented federal resources – their viability is critically important to their employees, their community and the country.

- SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza

approved in the United States, out of the total allocation of $349 billion.

“The [PPP} money is running out very fast and this is the challenge that Puerto Rico has.

Interested businesses need to be given quick access so they can take advantage of the benefit quickly. It is estimated that a third of the money is still available,” he said.

In Puerto Rico, about 10 financial institutions can issue PPP loans, including Banco Popular, FirstBank and Oriental Bank, according to the SBA. The deadline for applying for the PPP aid is June 30.

The loans, which are 100 percent backed by SBA, are being provided to small businesses without collateral requirements, personal guarantees, SBA fees or credit-elsewhere tests. Those eligible for the program include small businesses, certain non-profits, veterans’ organizations, self-employed individuals, independent contractors and other businesses meeting size standards based on their North American Industry Classification System code.

The Paycheck Protection Program’s maximum loan amount is $10 million with a fixed 1 percent interest rate and maturity of two years.

The loans are available to cover up to eight weeks of average monthly payroll (based on 2019 figures) plus 25 percent and payments are deferred for six months (interest does accrue).

The SBA will forgive the portion of loan proceeds used for payroll costs and other designated operating expenses for up to eight weeks, provided at least 75 percent of loan proceeds are used for payroll costs. Eligible expenses for the eight-week forgiveness include payroll costs, sick leave, healthcare premiums and utilities (electricity, gas, water, transportation, phone and internet access).

The SBA also has another program to help small businesses, the Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which provides up to $2 million in assistance. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses and nonprofit organizations to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing, according to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza.

These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75 percent.

“We urge every struggling small business to take advantage of these unprecedented federal resources – their viability is critically important to their employees, their community and the country,” Carranza said.

Survey: 50 percent of small businesses nationwide have applied for help

Based on the most recent Alignable.com Pulse Poll of 42,700 small business owners around the U.S. this weekend (April 10-12), CARES Act relief checks have started to appear in bank accounts for around 1percent of those who have applied.

Compared to last week, there’s also a significant surge in applications among small business owners, as only 33 percent said they applied last week, and that number has now escalated to over 50 percent -- a promising sign for the U.S. small business economy.

Just about 1 percent of CARES loan applicants have received their money at this point, according to the Alignable.com Pulse Poll. Alignable.com, the largest small business referral network with 4.5 million-plus members, conducts regular surveys to tap the sentiments of small business owners around the nation.

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The U.S. Armed Forces received priority. However, exports of war material were not prohibited but rather controlled by the federal government. The U.S. was the arsenal for democracy as products from the U.S. were exported to allies such as the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. Through its exports of arms and food, the U.S. contributed to Soviet victories in the biggest land battles of World War II (Stalingrad, Kursk, Operation Bagration).

The parallels to the present situation are obvious. There is an urgent need to suspend the free market during the coronavirus emergency and deploy command and control mechanisms.

For example, all ventilators should be bought by the federal government through the Defense Production Act (DPA), enacted during the national emergency of the Korean War. This purchase would be meant towards commandeering available resources to address the national emergency.

Ventilators should be assigned to states on the basis of need, striving to maximize the saving of lives. Again, the normal rules of allocating production on the basis of purchasing power are suspended during the emergency.

Exports would not be prohibited

but controlled. It is in the interest of the United States that the pandemic is controlled worldwide. This goes beyond the humanitarian concern because, somehow, the coronavirus could find its way back to the U.S. Thus, while priority is given to the use of critical medical supplies at home, some targeted exporting would be optimal.

Like the coordination with Britain and the Soviet Union during WWII, economic coordination with allies during the pandemic is necessary.

This is especially important because today’s economies are much more intertwined than the economies of the mid-20th century.

For example, 3M, based in Minnesota, is the quintessential American company. However, it produces N95 masks out of its facility in Singapore. Should the U.S. try to command and control the facility in Singapore? How would the government of Singapore react? How would Singapore’s neighbors react if it allowed the U.S. to get these masks without taking into account the region’s needs?

It is time for the federal government to address the coronavirus pandemic as a national emergency and engage in command and control mechanisms of critical medical supplies.

during the quarantine, has yet to be given its credit. There is still a very important “unsung hero” amongst Former Executive Director of the Puerto Rico CEO/President Insight LLC Ports Authority our ranks, and it’s about time we recognize their crucial role; I’m talking about our sanitation workers.

Sanitation workers have been first responders in every recent emergency. Only a day after Hurricane Maria devastated the island, sanitation workers had already reported to their workplaces and inspected landfill damages that the contact and reduce the risk of n unsung hero is needed immediate attention. The exposure contagion.

As adequate you someone who next day, I remember seeing green he 2019 Report Followingand through with the read this, most of you are probably has achieved and yellow garbage trucks already on Card for Puerto closure of non-compliant landfills, at home and have been for the past great things, like Rico’s Infrastructure, utilizing private capacity and available the road. The same thing happened couple weeks.

However, sometoof any otherby hero, with the recent earthquakes that prepared the federalof funds is D’ Opportunity our neighbors, family and friends but without severely impacted our island and, American Society address the impact of landfills on don’t have the luxury of staying in having songs during this pandemic, even with a 15 of Civil Engineers, natural resources (including soil, air, due to the nature of their jobs. or stories being told in their name. percent increase in residential waste, includes grades and water quality) and therefore The COVID-19 pandemic that Throughout history, they have always the hard work of sanitation workers for eight categories with an overall public health. been present, in every war, in every finally knocked on our door has has been as efficient as ever.

GPA of D-. The grades are: bridges Ports (D): Puerto Rico’s ports breakthrough and yes, in every made evident that first responders Their work is extremely essential (D+), dams (D+), waste water (D+), infrastructure is fragile. ASCE emergency. go beyond doctors and nurses.

There to avoid infection outbreaks and drinking water (D), ports (D), solid estimates the cost to repair ports The Centers for Disease Control are police officers, port security diseases that would make the waste (D-), roads (D-) and energy (F). throughout the island at close to (CDC) has advised that one of the officers, supermarket and food chain present situation even worse or In conclusion, according the Report $750 million. Before resigning as main ways of avoiding COVID-19 personnel, among others.

However, create a subsequent one. There are Card, Puerto Rico’s infrastructure is executive director of the Puerto contagion is by “social distancing”. the team that goes from house to reports that show that in 1918, when weak and at risk.

Rico Ports Authority, I left in place ForAlthough this reason, many jurisdictions, house, to hospitals, restaurants and the world was fighting the Spanish apparently some certain initiatives that would allow including Puerto Rico, have mandated other locations collecting all the Flu, major cities in the U.S. went were surprised, the content of the hundreds of millions in private lockdowns at home to minimize waste that has increased even more through a solid waste crisis that in Report Card is no secret. Puerto investment, such as a P3 concession Rico’s infrastructure is weak, lacking for San Juan Bay’s Cruise Terminals, proper maintenance and yes, was and an RFP for a MegaYacht Marina,

some cases had people walking over piles of garbage. Without sanitation workers to pick up residential and medical waste, extreme measures had to be taken, such as covering piles of garbage on the side of the road with dirt, to mitigate the health issues brought forth by a lack of waste management.

Within this chain of responders, there are people that nobody applauds or mentions because we really don’t meet them, and thus, they end up being taken for granted.

However, the work these men and women do, be it on the streets, in their trucks, transfer stations or landfills, is as important as the work of the many other professionals who are facing an invisible enemy every day in order to protect us from further harm. Although it is important that we take measures when disposing of waste, employers should also enact plans to keep these workers active, healthy and doing their job.

I believe that knowing the past prepares you for the future, so it’s time to sing a song to these heroes that are very much a part of our frontlines.

Vicente Feliciano

President of Advantage Business Consulting Member of the Puerto Rico Economic Task Force on Coronavirus

U

The Economics of a National Emergency

sually, the free market delivers the best results.

Not so during an emergency. Thus, there is a need for governments in liberal democracies to switch to some of the command and control mechanisms prevalent in nonmarket economies.

For example, during normal times, the best outcome is achieved if the federal government, the state of New York and Ms. Mary Smith bid for the right to buy a car. Car manufacturers would deliver to the highest bidder. Cars would be allocated depending on a combination of ability to pay and the consumer’s desire to buy a car.

Supply and demand would play out.

Not so during an emergency.

During World War II, the federal government could not be bothered with outbidding the state of New York or Ms. Smith. It basically ordered Detroit to stop producing cars and instead manufacture tanks, trucks and jeeps for the war.

Instead of a bidding process, the federal government assigned a fixed percentage profit margin to manufacturers.

As the economy went into high gear, spurred by the demands of war, and in spite of Rosie the Riveter joining the labor force, there was upward pressure on salaries.

Allowing salaries to reach its market level equilibrium would have increased the cost of the war for the government. Thus, a salary freeze 19 was enacted.

The allocation of production was performed by the government.

Anthony Maceira

By Anthony Maceira

A T

D’Sanitation OpportunityWorkers to Build a Puerto Rico areBetter Unsung Heroes

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< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, April 15, 2020

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Socializing

During a Pandemic “The future is now. It’s time to grow up and be strong.

Tomorrow may well be too late.” Neil LaBute

B

Hallee Patterson

eing home these last few weeks has caused me to reflect on my past and how all the science fiction books I’ve read are now getting closer to reality – which brings me to my favorite television cartoon “The

Jetsons”, The Jetson family lives a utopian life in 2062.

In that time, people live in homes high up in the sky because the earth is so polluted. “124 years-ago the planet’s atmospheric temperature peaked,” Jane Jetson, George’s wife, explains to NASA. “Earth’s remaining ice melted and we lost 22 percent of our remaining land mass worldwide.”

Do Jane’s comments have a chilling effect on you today?

Jane, along with daughter Judy and son Elroy, seem to spend much of their time at home. Even their dog, Astro, walks on an electric treadmill alone and away from people. The Jetsons own robots that vacuum much like a Roomba. For device. me, the most memorable futuristic appliance is To have a successful virtual gathering you the phone Jane speaks into every morning, with need to have structure. her mask in place, changing the Here are some general steps background of her apartment to take: to reflect any place in the world, 1. If you are the host, send just as you can do today on out your invitation with the time Zoom. A big part of current and date. technology that the Jetsons “The Jetsons” 2. Tell invitees: totally missed is emailing and showed us a life in a. What they need to texting. Perhaps by 2062 those the future where participate - laptop, tablet or forms of communication will no smartphone longer exist. humankind is able b. The purpose: dinner, In 2020, we are togetherto adapt after facing cocktails, book club, general apart. We must stay home hardship. chatting confined. How do we adapt? c. Whether they need to sign We are learning about Zoom, up or download anything in Skype, Google Hangouts and order to join in FaceTime so that we may be 3. Ensure that everyone has done a dry run with our friends and family. On top of it all, social and knows how to access the chat. networking options aren’t confined to a single

In fact,

4. Ask friends if they can reach out to share their experiences.

6. When it comes to lighting, the primary source of light must be in front of you, not behind you.

7. Wear a top that has a saturated color or is dark so your face is illuminated.

8. Place laptop, or your device, a full arm’s length away. The camera should include the image of your food, tabletop, torso and head.

Interacting while you are eating is part of the virtual experience.

The Jetsons cartoon showed us a life in the future where humankind is able to adapt after facing hardship. We are now dealing with fears of the future, the recognition of climate change and natural disasters beyond measure. However, we are resilient and we are already revamping our lives to move forward into a “Brave New World.”

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New virtual ‘Covid Art Museum’

on Instagram

Three publicist friends in Barcelona are collecting the work of anonymous artists in quarantine

T

Juan A. Hernández

jhernandez@wjournalpr.com

he Covid Art Museum (CAM) was begun in Barcelona, Spain, to publicize the artistic works that are being created as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the beginning of this emergency, thousands upon thousands of messages, memes, animations and videos have flooded the internet showcasing, not only the creativity of their authors, but their deepest concerns. Once the lockdown and quarantine were established in Spain, this kind of artwork increased in circulation all over the internet.

“We asked ourselves, what is going to happen with all these pieces of art the people have created from their homes? So, we thought about a digital museum to collect all this ‘Covid art,’” said Irene Llorca, one of the three people responsible for the museum.

The Covid Art Museum (CAM) can be found on Instagram @CovidArtMuseum, and it is the the first of its kind.

Through their work, artists from different countries express the concerns of the population while facing COVID-19. Hygiene and social distancing are part of the themes brought forth by the museum curators. The museum includes illustrations, videos, paintings, photographs, sculptures and animations.

According to Llorca, international response has been very positive and is increasing daily.

“We are getting between 30 to 50 works every day. Something that helped us a lot was our call through the Latin American platform “Arteinformado,” which increased participation,” Llorca said.

From all the artwork received, curators choose

“The museum will serve as archive for Covid Art and will exhibit how artists expressed themselves during the pandemic.”

- Irene Llorca

those made while in quarantine, in any medium and reflecting the situation.

Although the founders of the CAM anticipate a time when new pieces will cease to be created, they are convinced the museum will evolve.

“The museum will serve as an archive for Covid Art and will exhibit how artists expressed themselves during the pandemic,” Llorca said.

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Missing the tulips in Amsterdam, but looking forward to seeing them again >Courtesy

“Live life today like there is no coffee tomorrow.” - The Little Book of Hygge >Archive

Life Under Lockdown: A Time for Self-Reflection Managing stress in difficult times

W Rosario Fajardo

rfajardo@wjournalpr.com

@RosarioWJournal

e are living in tumultuous times and, sadly, Puerto Rico has had more than its share.

To name a few: an economic depression that has lasted more than 12 years; massive destruction in 2017 caused by a hurricane named Maria; the January earthquakes. Now, it’s coronavirus.

A lot of uncertainty remains about Puerto Rico’s present and future. The lockdown and curfew is continuing for another two weeks. Many people have been laid off or furloughed, as many businesses are struggling.

No wonder many of us are feeling anxious, stressed and burned out.

With this in mind, your correspondent turned to one of her favorite pastimes—reading—and rediscovered treasure, “The Little Book of Hygge,”

by Meil Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen.

Hygge (usually pronounced hoo-gah) is how the Danes view the world. The term cannot be translated into one word, but is often described

as feeling a quiet, cozy contentment. “It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world,” according to Wiking.

My own interpretation of hygge is “relaxing and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.”

Scandinavians are perhaps the polar opposites of Puerto Ricans, but hygge is culturally inclusive and works just as well in the tropics as in Northern Europe.

The basic tenets are quite simple and include: Presence: Be here now. Accept today’s challenges, but enjoy the moment as well, even if it means our new normal is difficult. Enjoy silence. Meditate. Pray.

Pleasure: Coffee and hygge go hand in hand.

You deserve a treat. Add chocolate, cookies and cakes to this list. Take a bath. Listen to soft classical music. Dance!

Gratitude: Be thankful for your blessings.

Take it in. This might be as good as it gets, and understand that we are all in this together.

Harmony: Enjoy your time with family and friends—especially during the lockdown. Be at peace. Stay on an even keel. Take care of your physical and mental health.

Comfort: Get comfy. (Thank God for loungewear!)Take a break from your worries. Take deep breaths. It’s all about relaxation.

Truce: No drama allowed during these times.

Keep calm and carry on.

Shelter: Your home is a safe haven, a place of peace and security.

The coronavirus epidemic and its impact in our lives is out of our control. In these times, the philosophy of hygge can help us to find the positives in our lives, enjoy the blessings that we have and help us to prepare mindfully for the future.

Look forward to the end of the lockdown and curfew. Look forward to the return of normality and accept the challenges that are on the horizon.

Since April is National Poetry Month, I leave you with this:

Untitled by Kitty O’Meara (March 2020)

And the people stayed home.

And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still.

And listened more deeply.

Some meditated, some prayed, some danced.

Some met their shadows.

And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed.

And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.

/ Wednesday, April 15, 2020

15

Virtual Racing puts

NASCAR, IndyCar Ahead Part of the appeal is the ability to watch the drivers in action on home-based simulators that can cost up to six figures.

G

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

et this: Some 1 million people have tuned in to watch professional racers play a video game on national television.

Seriously.

The mind-boggling success of virtual racing over the past month has put motorsports out front in the race to create competition while sports are shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly every series now has regular virtual racing for its competitors, and a lot of it is on national television — and online for fans who prefer to watch that way. Drivers are gaining newfound fame, even sponsorship.

“I think we are honestly still in the early stages of figuring out how to make this work as good as we can,” said IndyCar driver Conor Daly. “You have four different areas where your brand can build — Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter ... maybe I’ll continue to develop a YouTube channel, who knows? There’s stuff that I think you’ll end up doing during this time that will, no matter what, help you in the long run, and that’s just what we’re trying to do for when we do go back to racing.

“Maybe we’ve built a bigger fan base, we’ve built a bigger brand for our sponsors and the people that do support us.”

All of which would be welcome news for motorsports, which has faded since its heyday amid attendance and sponsorship declines. For now, virtual racing will have to do.

NASCAR was able to push out its iRacing Series that already had tremendous infrastructure from an existing league for serious gamers. There was a draft with real teams such as Joe Gibbs Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske selecting gamers to represent them.All NASCAR had to do was grab its product, swap the amateur racers with its stars, and Fox Sports said it would broadcast the races.

Viewership in two of the last three Fox races were the most watched in e-sports history, and the cable networks have all scrambled to create their own

In this June 10, 2016, file photo, drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., left, and Jimmie Johnson talk before qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.

“Maybe we’ve built a bigger fan base, we’ve built a bigger brand for our sponsors and the people that do support us.”

- Indy Car driver Conor Daly

virtual racing content.

“All of the race teams are trying everything they can to keep their sponsors and keep their employees,” said Dale Earnhardt Jr., the retired NASCAR star who is a longtime virtual racing fanatic, owner of an Xfinity Series team and NBC Sports analyst.

IndyCar will race Saturday at a virtual Michigan International Speedway, a beloved track that long ago fell off the open-wheel racing schedule. The race will be aired on NBC Sports with Earnhardt Jr. making his IndyCar virtual debut.

It will also be the debut in the series for Marco Andretti, who didn’t compete in IndyCar’s first two events on road courses, along with his real-life teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay. The entry list for Michigan cites a whopping 31 drivers.

Part of the appeal is the ability to watch the drivers in action on home-based simulators that

can cost up to six figures. Drivers are smartly using online social feeds to give viewers an inside look and listen — ringside seats to the bad-mouthing, cursing and comedic talents of the racers.

It’s a rare chance for a fan to follow the emotions of a driver in real time — and a rarity for television producers.

“The drivers are the star and the more we can get the driver engagement, the driver as part of the story, it makes for a better race,” said Sam Flood, executive producer of NBC Sports and NBCSN. “Most sports, hockey players trash talk on the ice, and NASCAR you can shake your fist out the window, throw up a middle finger or do something to salute one of your competitors, but you really can’t talk to them while the race is going on,” Flood said.

“Football players can stand over a quarterback and say something. So it’s fun now that in these races the drivers are able to get at it a little bit verbally, which is something we’d love to see more of.”

NASCAR is turning off the simulators this weekend in an Easter break.

There is still plenty of virtual racing to be found, on TV and online, with real stars: ESPN this week partnered with Torque Esports for a virtual racing series to air an all-star series featuring former Formula One champions Emerson Fittipaldi, Jacques Villeneuve, and Jenson Button, as well as Indianapolis 500 winners Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti, Helio Castroneves, Gil de Ferran and Tony Kanaan.

Tú TAM BIÉN

TÚ TAMBIÉN estás entre los muchos que luchamos contra el virus: pacientes, profesionales de salud, servidores públicos, empleados esenciales, personal de apoyo... y también los que por sólo quedarse en la casa y distanciarse están evitando el contagio.

TÚ TAMBIÉN estás haciendo algo heróico para controlar esta pandemia. No importa qué tan pequeño lo veas, el efecto de tus acciones es enorme y afectará favorablemente las vidas de todos.

TÚ TAMBIÉN eres parte de esta lucha, y tú también ayudarás a ganarla!

>La verdad no tiene precio