Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 109

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ISSUE 109 VOLUME 19

Oct 15, 2020

SERVING THE CARIBBEAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES! VOTE ON NOV 3 LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

U.S. Still in First Wave, Third COVID Surge Starts

BY CAROLINE CRIST

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renewed increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations across the country could mean the predicted fall surge in COVID-19 has arrived, according to CNN. In early September, the U.S. reported its lowest numbers at around 30,00035,000 new cases per day. Now the numbers are back up around 45,000-50,000 new daily cases.

What’s the Best Way to Get Out the Vote in a Pandemic? ....22

continued on page 5

Traveling Post-COVID and Why You Need a Travel Agent ....19

Recall Widens for Diabetes Drug Metformin

BY AARON GOULD SHEININ WEBMD NEWS BRIEF

Knowledge is Power when you use it!

Get a FREE Consultation!

Ask the Lawyer:

Call 855-768-8845 McCray: Saving Lives from Domestic Violence ....20

T

he recall of extendedrelease metformin continues this month as 76 more lots have been flagged for a possible cancer-causing ingredient.

The FDA announced the latest recall, involving Marksans Pharma Limited and Sun Pharmaceutical Photo credit: FDA

continued on page 9

IMF Warns That COVID-19 Could Pressure Some TT Banks ....6

Brian Figeroux, Esq., Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association CARICOM’s Statement on European Community Blacklisting ....2

Meet Five-year-old Author Egypt Bush....16

Changes to ‘Affidavit of Support’ Makes It Harder ....11

Jamaican Descent Kerry Washington Wins! ....15

Ladies, Going Through a Divorce?

Remember These Things ....17

CARIBBEAN NEWS ROUNDUP Caribbean Consulates Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200 Antigua & Barbuda 305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117

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Guyana’s Chief Elections Officer Faces New Charges; Lawyer Says It’s a Setup!

BY CALVIN G. BROWN, WIREDJA.COM

The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-421-6420 Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325 Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-593-0999 Dominica 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400H New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853 Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-599-8478 Grenada 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301 Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119 Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767 Jamaica 767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000 Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887 Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200 Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450 St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521 St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel: 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278 St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272 For more Consulate information go to www.cawnyc.com/directory

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EORGETOWN, Guyana (October 12, 2020): C. Nigel Hughes, Attorney for Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, believes that new forgery and misconduct charges filed by the Guyana police against his client today, was done to lay the groundwork for his dismissal from the Guyana Elections Commission.

Early on Monday, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield was arrested for the third time by the Guyana police and was slapped with three charges of misconduct in public office and three charges of forgery by the Guyana Police Force as it continues what it describes as its probe into allegations of fraud at the 2020 elections.

Lowenfield, who is already before the Courts on private criminal charges filed against him by PPP Member Charles Ramson Jr., appeared in Court this afternoon to face the new charges.

The Prosecutor objected to bail for Lowenfield. However, his objection was flitted away by the Magistrate, who offered bail for $300,000 for all of the charges.

Attorney Nigel Hughes said it appeared as though the charges against his clients, the Chief Election Officer and the Deputy Chief Election Officer, are to be used to remove them from the Guyana Elections Commission.

“The intention is perhaps to have Mr. Lowenfield and the Deputy removed from their substantive positions. And so by the filing of charges, there might be a basis by which, I assume, the Elections

Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield

Commission will consider, I am assuming, an application for them to be suspended from office or not act. But as I have said, that appears to be the basis for the trend going forward,” Attorney Nigel Hughes said.

Just last week, Deputy Chief Election Officer Roxanne Myers was charged for public office misconduct and granted bail. She was charged after being held in Police custody for 72 hours. Several other senior and junior GECOM officials have also faced the Court on various charges related to fraud allegations at the 2020 elections.

All of the charges were triggered by private criminal charges, which were first filed by representatives of the PPP and, in one case, the New Movement Party.

Lowenfield will return to Court on October 23 for the continuation of this latest case.

On Friday, Coalition Election

Commissioners accused the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh, of facilitating the inquisition into officials of CECOM. Singh, however, said their allegation was baseless and, in a statement, vowed to protect the staff. “As Chairperson of GECOM and a former Police Legal Advisor, I do not have the authority to interfere into the work of the Guyana Police Force nor any other Statutory Body and will always ensure that the best interest of the members of staff of GECOM are protected,” Singh said.

APNU General Secretary and Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon expressed concern about what appears to be an apparent collusion between the GECOM Chairman and police investigators.

“It is no wonder that the Chairman of the Elections Commission has not raised her voice in concern for the welfare of these officers who work under her. The only conclusion one can arrive at is that the Chairman is complicit concerning the dismantling of the GECOM by the PPP,” Harmon said.

The Opposition Leader observed that none of the officials responsible for the now missing polls books had been questioned by police, which indicated a campaign of bullying to break up the commission and an assault on democracy.

In just under two months since the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) came to office, five GECOM officials have been charged by the police on various allegations, including misconduct in public office and fraud.l

Statement CARICOM on Blacklisting by the European Community

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he Caribbean Community (CARICOM) deplores the ongoing unilateral, arbitrary and non-transparent blacklisting strategy employed by the European Union (EU) against CARICOM Member States. The most recent inclusion of CARICOM States to the blacklist of alleged non-cooperative tax jurisdictions and jurisdictions identified as being deficient in the area of AntiMoney Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), underscores the EU’s unwillingness to take into account the substantial progress made by CARICOM Member States at compliance with global standards.

Moreover, the unquestioned use of ratings from other international bodies as a determining factor in the decision to list a jurisdiction along with the absence of meaningful prior consultation with the

CARICOM Chairman Dr Ralph Gonsalves

affected States negates the spirit of partnership and multilateralism that has characterized the relationship between CARICOM and the EU. Along with the unprecedented task of staging a postCOVID-19 economic recovery, these CARICOM States now have the added burden of being subjected to the EU’s discriminatory tactics disguised as tax

policy and governance.

Blacklisting severely affects the economic prospects of the listed states and the Community, in general, at a time when all of our Members are already faced with the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This labelling causes significant reputational risk, erodes our competitive advantage, and discourages the investment that CARICOM States desperately need to drive inclusive growth and build economic resilience.

The Caribbean Community calls upon the European Union to desist from this harmful practice of blacklisting small states, and instead pursue a mutually collaborative engagement towards our shared goals of effective tax governance and combatting money laundering and terrorism financing. l

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3

THOUGHTS

Has the Time Come for Caribbean Republics?

BY SIR RONALD SANDERS

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n November 1998, shortly after Antigua and Barbuda and Cuba established diplomatic relations, Fidel Castro and Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Lester Bird, had a memorable conversation in Havana.

The conversation is worth recalling in the context of the third announcement by a Government of Barbados that by November 2021, it intends that Barbados should be a Republic, shedding monarchical status and Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.

The conversation between Lester and Fidel, at which I was present as a member of the Antigua and Barbuda delegation, started with the revolutionary Cuban leader asking Lester (now Sir Lester) what big plans he had in mind for Antigua and Barbuda. Lester told Fidel that he was contemplating moving to make Antigua and Barbuda a Republic, relinquishing the monarch as the country’s Head of State.

Fidel’s response stopped Sir Lester and the entire Antigua and Barbuda delegation in our tracks. “Why?”, asked the legendary revolutionary. “Does she interfere with your government?”. Sir Lester explained that she did not and that, in a real sense, while Antigua and Barbuda like many other Caribbean countries was one of the Queen’s realms, her role in the government of the country was performed by a local representative and, apart from assenting to legislation which could not be withheld, was only ceremonial, having no executive authority.

“In which case”, Fidel responded, “you might consider remaining as you are.

The Queen doesn’t interfere with your government and she provides to foreign investors and others a level of confidence in the constitutional arrangements of your state”.

The surprising conversation did not go much beyond that. It was staggering to the Antigua and Barbuda delegation, but it demonstrated the practical sense of Fidel Castro, which might account, in part, for the survival of Cuba despite the punishing embargo by the United States.

That 1998 conversation between Fidel

and Sir Lester took place at least five years before Owen Arthur, as Prime Minister of Barbados, first proposed Republican status for Barbados in 2003; fourteen years before Jamaican Prime Minister, Portia Simpson suggested it in 2012; seventeen years prior to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart echoing the proposition in 2015 for Barbados; eighteen years before Andrew Holness as Prime Minister repeated it in 2016 for Jamaica; and twenty-two years before the latest announcement by the Barbados government of Prime Minister Mia Mottley on September 15, 2020 So far, none of the countries in which this proposal has been made, has gone through with it.

While the Throne Speech, in which the most recent Barbados announcement was made, referenced Barbados’ first Prime Minister, Errol Barrow, cautioning against “loitering on colonial premises”, there would be many who would draw a distinction between seeking independence from the colonial authority of the British (which was the context of Barrow’s remarks) and retaining Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.

Both Owen Arthur and Freundel Stuart might have retreated from the idea not because they did not believe it to be right, but because within the Barbados society, including the business community, a great value is placed on the Queen as a symbol, if nothing else, of stability and maybe even of unity above the fray of politics.

This is probably true, too, in the case of The Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, and the five other independent countries of the Eastern Caribbean where the Queen is still Head of State.

In the event, the present government of Barbados has the greatest chance of success in achieving the objective of becoming a Republic by next year. Unlike the remaining independent countries of the Caribbean of which the Queen is Head of State, the Barbados constitution allows for this significant change in constitutional status by “votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the House”. No referendum of the elec-

TEAM My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6 Publisher I.Q. INC. Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief

Pearl Phillip Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq.

Sir Sanders

torate is required. Given that the present Mottley Government controls 29 of the 30 seats in the House of Assembly, achieving the vote should be easy.

The one obstacle would be how intense, if at all, will be resistance by elements of the Barbados society and the business community against the idea, and how much it threatens to divide the country.

This was a matter that clearly influenced both Arthur and Stuart, during their premierships, not to press ahead with the idea.

Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Jamaica and the other six independent Caribbean countries require not only a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, but also a majority vote by the electorate in a referendum.

Winning referenda in the Caribbean has proven to be as difficult as pushing a boulder up a mountain. In 2009, a referendum in St Vincent and the Grenadines rejected the proposal to oust the monarchy and substitute it with a republic.

And, several referenda have failed in other Caribbean countries to alter the Constitution to allow the Privy Council to be replaced by the Caribbean Court of Justice, signifying a reluctance by the majority of the electorate for radical change.

While becoming a Republic is regarded by Caribbean intellectuals as “rounding the circle of independence”, the argument is not as much about the head of state not being a white woman living in a distant former colonial power; it is more about confidence in good governance when institutions perceived as beneficial are changed.

That argument can only be won by political parties in every Caribbean country, demonstrating that they will maintain the rule of law, civil and politi-

Assistant Editor Marilyn Silverman Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Anvaar Sabirov Interns Sharif Tyler Casey Tong Contributors Jennine Estes Erin Telesford Janet Howard Mary Campbell Tarsha Gibbons Travis Morales Email info@myiqinc.com Telephone 718-771-0988 Website www.cawnyc.com cal rights, and democratic principles, including non-discrimination particularly in race and religion.

However much ruling political parties might wish to join the Barbados government in pursuing republican status, “the matter is really in the hands of the Caribbean people” as the Queen said in 2012 when Portia Simpson declared: "I love the Queen, she is a beautiful lady, and apart from being a beautiful lady she is a wise lady and a wonderful lady. But I think time come". l Sir Ronald Sanders is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and at Massey College, University of Toronto.

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CIVIL RIGHTS

SPLC’s Whose Heritage? Reports over 100 Confederate Symbols Removed Since George Floyd’s Murder

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ONTGOMERY, Ala.: The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) announced that over 100 Confederate symbols have been removed since May 26, 2020 — the start of the protests following the police killing of George Floyd. The Whose Heritage? report’s data and map track public symbols of the Confederacy across the United States.

Since May 26, 2020, we have found a total of 102 Confederacy symbols that were removed from public spaces or renamed.

•Sixty-four (64) of those symbols are Confederate monuments. Comparatively, 58 Confederate monuments were removed between 2015 and 2019.

•Virginia has removed the highest number of Confederacy symbols (40) since George Floyd’s killing, followed by North Carolina (18) and Texas (10).

•June and July 2020 were tied at 38 removals for each month.

•Since the Charleston church shooting, a total of 171 Confederate symbols have been removed or relocated from public spaces.

The report shows that nearly 1,800

symbols of hatred and oppression.

“As long as Confederate iconography remains on public lands, our country’s dehumanization of Black people prevails. Whether these symbols remain or are removed, the SPLC firmly believes that communities should decide what they want to see in their public spaces and we will continue to support their efforts.”

Editorial credit: bgrocker / Shutterstock.com

Confederate symbols are still publicly present in the U.S., and 696 of those symbols are monuments. This encompasses government buildings, Confederate monuments and statues, plaques, schools, parks, counties, cities, military assets and streets and highways named after anyone associated with the Confederacy.

The following statement is from SPLC Chief of Staff Lecia Brooks:“The extrajudicial killing of Black people has reignited the movement to remove Confederate symbols, even in Southern states where regressive preservation laws

halted removal and circumvented the will of communities. But when a society shamelessly honors and protects white supremacists, it follows that those in power would enact unjust laws that disproportionately impact communities of color.

“The public killing of George Floyd has served as a turning point in American race relations – particularly for those who believed that systemic anti-Black racism and police violence against people of color didn’t exist. The ensuing protests forced states that had no intention of acting to rid communities of these

Background on the Whose Heritage? report: After learning that nine Black people were killed during a Bible study at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C. by a gunman that was radicalized by white supremacist websites, the SPLC began to catalogue all of the Confederate symbols in public spaces across the country.

If you know of a Confederate symbol in your area or would like to share an update, please send an email to: confederateupdates@splcenter.org.

The Whose Heritage? Action Guide helps communities take action to remove symbols of the Confederacy from public places.l

VISIT WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR THE LATEST CARIBBEAN NEWS, IMMIGRATION UPDATES, VIEWPOINTS, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE! LIKE US ON FACEBOOK @CAWNYC!

5

DIASPORA CONCERNS Third COVID Surge Starts/ continued from page 1 That increase will likely continue, Pater Hotez, MD, dean of the Baylor College of Medicine’s National School of Tropical Medicine, told CNN. “This is the fall/winter surge that everyone was worried about. And now it’s happening,” he said. “And it’s happening especially in the northern Midwest, and the Northern states are getting hit very hard — Wisconsin, Montana, the Dakotas. But it’s going to be nationally soon enough.”

During the past week, 33 states reported more coronavirus cases than the previous week, and 10 states have reported record-high hospitalizations since Friday, the news outlet reported. In Denver, the latest case counts are as high as they were back in May. In Wisconsin, public health officials reported a record-high of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths last week.

“This winter — this November, December, January, February — could be the worst time in our epidemic,” Hotez said. “Get ready to hunker down.”

More children are being diagnosed with COVID-19 as well. Between Sept. 24 to Oct. 8, 77,000 new cases were reported in children, marking a 13% increase during the 2-week period, according to a new report released Monday from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

If cases continue to increase, the U.S. faces “a whole lot of trouble,” Anthony

Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNBC on Monday.

“That’s a bad place to be when you’re going into the cooler weather of the fall and the colder weather of the winter,” he said. “We’re in a bad place now. We’ve got to turn this around.”

Fauci said in late September that the first wave of coronavirus has yet to end in the United States but that we have experienced a series of surges.

The positivity rate — or the percentage of COVID-19 tests that return positive results — is increasing in the Midwest and Northwest, Fauci added, which is an early indicator of growing outbreaks.

The Dakotas, Montana and Wisconsin are reporting the highest number of new cases per capita in the U.S. right now, CNBC reported.

Fauci encouraged ongoing health measures to “turn around” the spike in cases: wearing face masks, avoiding crowds, following social distancing guidelines, washing hands often and doing activities outdoors.

“I have a great deal of faith in the American people and their ability to realize what we’re facing is a significant problem,” Fauci said. “We’re talking about using public health measures as a vehicle or a gateway to keeping the country open, to keeping the economy going.

It is not an obstacle.”l

—WebMD News Brief

Green Light Law Vindicated!

Federal Judge Dismisses Trump’s Targeting of TTP As ‘Capricious’ and ‘Wrong’

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ew York, NY: Yesterday, [Tuesday, October 13] US District Judge Jesse M. Furman issued a decision that the Department of Homeland Security illegally ejected more than 800,000 New Yorkers from the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP), which lets vetted travelers avoid long security lines at airports and land borders. In his decision, Judge Furman went on to say that the exclusion of New York from the programs in February was arbitrary and capricious.

In response to Judge Furman’s decision, Murad Awawdeh, Interim CoExecutive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, issued the following statement.

“Judge Furman’s decision conclusively reveals what we knew all along; Trump’s ejection of New York from the Trusted Traveler Program was simple political retribution. Trump and his cronies attempted to strong-arm New Yorkers into turning against their fellow neighbors, but New Yorkers didn’t fall for it then, and now we have been vindicated.

The Greenlight New York law is a

Attorney General James

proven, common-sense law that helps all of us drive on the road safely. We thank Attorney General James and every other elected official who refused to give in to this White House’s attempts to bully New York.”l The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for more than 200 groups in New York State. We envision a New York state that is stronger because all people are welcome, treated fairly, and given the chance to pursue their dreams.

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6

FOCUS: TRININDAD & TOBAGO

IMF Warns That COVID-19 Could Pressure Some TT Banks

BY CALVIN G. BROWN, WIREDJA.COM

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ASHINGTON, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says given the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, under further strong deterioration of macro financial conditions, some Trinidad and Tobago banks could breach their minimum capital requirements in 2022.

A report from the IMF following the conclusion of a Financial System Stability Assessment of the T&T economy in August, says banks could also face liquidity pressures in the event of a run on investment funds issued in their groups.

The International lending facility says financial vulnerabilities include rising household debt, sovereign exposures, potential spillovers from natural disasters (including climate-related) or sovereign shocks in the region, and contagion risks between investment funds and banks.

According to the Financial System Stability Assessment (FSSA), the T&T banking system was well capitalized

and liquid but exposed to sovereign risk and potential liquidity risks stemming from non-bank financial entities in the group on the eve of the COVID-19 crisis. Illustrative stress tests were run subsequent to the FSAP missions to quantify the possible impact on bank solvency in adverse COVID-19 economic scenarios.

The IMF says while recognizing the progress made by the authorities, including to significantly enhance the

anti-money laundering/ combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, the FSSA recommended they accelerate efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework for this regionally important financial system.

Measures should include strengthening the independence, governance, and resources of financial supervisors; implementing the new banking regulations and modern, risk-based insurance supervision; and introducing system-

wide regulation for investment funds while adopting a carefully sequenced transition to floating value investments.

Macroprudential powers should also be adopted and used to attenuate banks’ sovereign exposures among other risks.

In addition, climate risks warrant a comprehensive environmental risk assessment of the financial sector and the development of a green finance strategy.

The FSSA reflects FSAP work conducted mostly prior to the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. The FSSA focuses on Trinidad and Tobago’s medium-term financial stability challenges and policy priorities. Given the FSAP’s focus on tail risks and strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, including contingency planning and crisis management, the FSAP’s findings and recommendations remain pertinent.

The report is based on the work of joint IMF/World Bank Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) missions to Trinidad and Tobago during November 2019 and January–February 2020. The FSSA report was completed on July 31, 2020.l

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7

MONEY MATTERS

Should I File for Bankruptcy Before or After the Holidays?

BY JANET HOWARD, 311BANKRUPTCY.COM

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t may seem like there is never a good time to file for bankruptcy, but with the holidays sneaking upon us, it may seem like now is one of the worst times.

If you’re struggling financially, money can be the last thing you want to think about during a time dedicated to family and celebration.

However, filing for bankruptcy before the holiday can have its perks.

If you’re considering waiting to file for bankruptcy until after the holidays are over, here are a few reasons you may want to change your mind.

1. You don’t need to worry about overspending.

If you’re already struggling with debt, you may want to file for bankruptcy before you do your holiday shopping. By completing the paperwork before you shop, you will be limited on the amount you spend on gifts – preventing you from falling deeper into debt.

Many individuals believe that they will be able to erase their holiday expenses if they wait to file. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and more often than not

you’re left paying a credit card bill you can’t afford.

Keep yourself – and your spending – in check by filing for bankruptcy before the holidays begin.

2. You won’t stress (about money) while spending time with family.

When spending time with friends and family over the holidays, you don’t want your mind to be elsewhere. If you’re waiting until after the holidays pass to file for bankruptcy, you may find your mind wandering to what the process will look like, if you’ll be able to file, or how much your attorney will cost.

Filing for bankruptcy before the holi-

days means you can get the process started and your questions answered before your family and friends stop by. When you aren’t worrying about the bankruptcy process, you can enjoy your time with the ones that you love.

3. Your gifts and bonuses won’t chance your bankruptcy filing.

One of the best parts about the holidays is giving and receiving gifts. You may even be expecting a large bonus from your employer or a monetary gift from your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other family members.

Unfortunately, these gifts and bonuses can influence your income, potentially

making bankruptcy filing more difficult.

Because each chapter of bankruptcy has salary limitations or requirements, a gift or bonus may push you over that amount and you will no longer be able to file for that chapter.

If you file before those gifts or bonuses are given, they will not influence your income.

Filing for bankruptcy can be confusing no matter what the time is. But when it comes to the holidays, you can get it out of the way before your busy schedule begins. If you’re debating filing for bankruptcy, you may want to seriously consider finding time to submit the paperwork before the holidays begin.l

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continued on page 11 The Law Offices of Figeroux & Associates, 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY. Visit www.311bankruptcy.com VISIT WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR THE LATEST CARIBBEAN NEWS, IMMIGRATION UPDATES, VIEWPOINTS, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE!LIKE US ON FACEBOOK @CAWNYC!

8

EDUCATION

NYC Eyes Cuts to High School Programs for Students at Risk of Dropping Out

BY ALEX ZIMMERMAN, CHALKBEAT

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ov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday closed all schools in nine city zip codes with COVID flare-ups — even while his child welfare agency has yet to issue promised guidelines for monitoring kids who fail to sign on for remote learning.

Not long after the coronavirus began tearing through New York City in the spring, Karina Torres’ mother was forced to shut down the daycare she runs out of their Red Hook apartment.

But when money got tight, 17-year-old Torres helped keep her mom and two sisters afloat thanks to a city-funded internship program that pays her about $200 a week.

“I did have to help my mom with the rent and food and buying things, and that really helped out,” said Torres, a student at South Brooklyn Community High School, an alternative school serving students who have struggled at traditional high schools and are at risk of dropping out.

But Torres’ internship funding could soon dry up.

As the city stares down a gaping budget shortfall spurred by the pandemic, offi-

Brooklyn Frontiers Principal Alona Cohen said internship wages are a necessity for many students. Alex Zimmerman/Chalkbeat

cials are considering deep cuts to programs at “transfer” high schools, which are geared toward students who aren’t on track to graduate on time, and Young Adult Borough Centers, afternoon and night programs for students who can’t attend classes during the day and may be supporting families of their own.

At risk is funding for a program called “Learning to Work,” which finances paid internships for about 3,000 students, including Torres, in addition to partnerships with community organizations that are embedded in schools.

Those community organizations provide extra staff, including “advocate counselors” tasked with building relationships with students, making sure they’re coming to school every day or engaging in online learning, providing individual counseling, and even helping students plan for college or careers after high school.

A 72% Budget Cut Mulled Torres, for example, struggled with bullying before she moved to South Brooklyn Community High School and felt so much anxiety that she often couldn’t bring herself to show up. But her advocate counselor has met her at the school early to help ease her fears.

Thanks to those check-ins, “I know I can go to that person with any troubles,” Torres said. “It’s not like they’re my teacher, and I have to tiptoe around issues.”

Last fiscal year, the city spent nearly $42 million on the Learning to Work program, including $9 million to finance the internships. Officials have expanded the program to more schools in recent years, though there have been concerns about whether the funding was spread too thin, forcing cuts elsewhere.

This year, the city is planning to slash the program’s budget by 72%, to $11.7 million, according to data provided by the city’s Independent Budget Office.

The program currently serves about 17,000 students across 46 transfer schools and all 20 Young Adult Borough Centers. (The city has also cut about $9 million a year from its community schools program, a separate initiative that also infuses schools with social services and extra staff.)

An education department spokesperson, Katie O’Hanlon, said the IBO’s figures were “preliminary,” and that a final decision about any funding cuts has not yet been made.

“We are not eliminating the Learning to Work program,” O’Hanlon wrote in an email. “The funding level for this fiscal year is being evaluated in light of the pandemic-driven crisis that has caused the city to lose billions of dollars in revenue.”

‘A Living Necessity’ Cuts to the program may be attractive because some internships, including ones at nursing homes, had to be canceled during the pandemic. In those cases, schools have come up with virtual alternatives or other projects for students to complete instead while still being able to earn hours.

But educators and staff at the community organizations said cuts to Learning to Work come at a difficult moment because many students at alternative high schools traditionally struggle to engage with school and often live in communities that have been devastated by the coronavirus. They’ve planned a series of virtual rallies in an effort to pressure city officials to avoid cuts.

“People have lost jobs — those internships are not just a pathway to postsecondary success, but also a living necessity,” said Alona Cohen, the principal at Brooklyn Frontiers High School, a transfer school.

The internships also provide an incentive for students to show up at school, since they only get paid for internship hours on the days they are present, Cohen said.

Students have worked on advertising campaigns, for culinary programs, and even at a local space where students learn how to use laser cutters and other tools.

She said her school’s community organization is so woven into the fabric of the school — for example, helping to diffuse conflicts between students using restorative approaches — that losing the program would destroy the school’s model.

“We would have to redesign our whole school,” she said.

Dropout Hike Feared Rachel Forsyth, a director at Good Shepherd Services, which partners with several alternative high school programs and receives funding through Learning to Work, said she believes the program has helped the city bring down absenteeism.

The city is “a leader in this field and to unravel that is dangerous — what you’ll see is an increase in the dropout rate,” said Rachel Forsyth, a director at Good Shepherd Services, which partners with several alternative high school programs.

She added that the non-profit partners also help with a range of other services, such as connecting families to food resources, extra money for utilities, or even funeral costs.

“If you look at it as an equity issue, I don’t get how you make a judgement to cut from these schools,” she said.l

This story was published on October 13, 2020 by THE CITY.

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9

IN THE NEWS

CARIFESTA XV Postponed to 2022

C

ARIFESTA, the Region’s premiere cultural festival, which was scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in August next year, has been postponed to August 2022.

The Hon. Daryll Matthew, Minister of Sports, Culture, National Festivals, and the Arts of Antigua and Barbuda, announced the decision on 8 October, at a virtual meeting of the Regional Cultural Committee. The Committee comprises Directors of Culture from the twenty Member States and Associate Members of CARICOM and Members

of the Interim Festival Directorate for CARIFESTA. “I have been having discussions with our international partners, our cultural stakeholders, our Management team and the Chairman of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, as they relate to the CARIFESTA XV and the potential challenges to hosting the event. The recommendation coming out of these discussions was as heart-breaking as it was unanimous. So today, while reaffirming the commitment of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda to hosting CARIFESTA XV, I must advise you all that we have formally written to SecretaryGeneral Ambassador Irwin LaRocque on our decision to postpone CARIFESTA XV for a period of one year.” Minister Matthew announced.

He also updated the meeting that preparations had already commenced in earnest with the establishment of the CARIFESTA Secretariat and a Host Country Management Committee that had been carrying out their mandate with “enthusiasm, zeal and purpose.”l

Recall Widens for Diabetes Drug Metformin/continued from page 1 Industries products, on Oct. 5. It involves the 500mg and 700mg tablets. More than 175 different drug combinations have been recalled since late May. Consumers can see all the recalled metformin products at the FDA website. The agency says that immediate-release metformin does not appear to have the same contamination problem.

The FDA has been investigating the presence of nitrosamines, known to be a possible carcinogen, in the popular diabetes medications since December, when it was first discovered in drugs in other countries. The agency said this month they still do not know the source of nitrosamines in the medications.

The investigation, and subsequent recalls, follows similar ones for contamination of popular heartburn and blood pressure drugs, also for nitrosamines, such as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

The FDA says patients taking metformin products that have been recalled should continue taking the medication until a doctor or pharmacist gives them a replacement or a different treatment option. It could be dangerous for patients with type 2 diabetes to stop taking the medication without first talking to their doctor.

The agency has asked drug manufac-

turers to test products before batches are released into the market. The companies must tell the FDA if any product shows levels of nitrosamines above the acceptable limit.

The risks from nitrosamines is not clear. The FDA says they may increase the risk of cancer in people who are exposed to high levels over a long period of time, “but we do not anticipate that shorter term exposure at levels above the acceptable intake limit would lead to an increase in the risk of cancer.”l WebMD Health News Brief Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on October 12, 2020

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IN THE COMMUNITY

10

A New, Pandemic-ready Training for Restaurant Workers

T

he novel coronavirus has devastated New York’s restaurant industry, leaving hundreds of thousands of restaurant workers unemployed or underemployed, while presenting new challenges to those who remain on the job. At the peak of the pandemic, many restaurant workers have turned to the Restaurant Opportunity Center (ROC) New York, a service organization that has spent nearly two decades organizing and supporting the city’s restaurant workers.

ROC-NY has stepped in to provide new job training programs, relief services, and organizing efforts to help workers survive the crisis and prepare for the new normal.

For years, CWE has supported ROCNY through funding for the COLORS Hospitality Opportunities for Workers (CHOW) program, which trains workers for service and kitchen restaurant jobs.

When the pandemic hit in March, those classes could not continue, and bringing them online was not a viable option.

“How do we teach someone to cook a steak at home if they don’t have that product at home?” asked Rev. Prabhu Sigamani, director of ROC-NY. “How do you teach them to make a cocktail if all they have is water?”

Rev. Sigamani and ROC-NY have reevaluated the training that restaurant workers need during the pandemic, and how to deliver this training via online classes. The result: a new management training program with two tracks — one for workers displaced from other industries who wish to enter food service, and the other for experienced restaurant workers seeking to climb the career ladder. CWE is proud to support this new program.

Every element of the training course was developed with the pandemic in mind. Workers go deep on safe hygiene practices, including what equipment to wear, how to sanitize front and back of the house facilities, and how to maintain social distancing in the restaurant. The classes also stress compassionate customer service and help workers build emotional intelligence to meet the moment.

“Restaurant workers are serving people who are afraid of catching the virus, or who are recovering from illness or loss of a family member during the pandemic,” added Sigamani. “We teach how to provide professional service in these circumstances.”

The new management training isn’t the only program that ROC-NY is supporting for its members through the pandemic.

The organization has raised $300,000 in relief funds to distribute to restaurant workers across the country. ROC-NY is also surveying its members to find out what other help they need. Many said that they need mental health support, so ROC-NY partnered with the College of Staten Island social work department to form a support group.

ROC-NY sees its workforce development training programs as vital to its organizing goals. The classes build capacity among its membership and make its long-term organizing campaigns sustainable.

“We have to meet the immediate needs of people on the ground,” says Sigamani.

“These programs help workers provide for their families, but they get political education too. They learn their rights.

They learn how to tell their story and to tell the collective restaurant worker story.”

Restaurant workers who come out of the training program are not just ready to serve the customer, but they are also informed on how to assert their rights on the job, meet with elected officials, and

represent the organization at press conferences and events.

In addition, these workers also learn to sharpen their leadership skills. ROCUnited is led by a former New York City restaurant worker, Dr. Sekou Siby, who co-founded the organization amid the grief of 9/11.

ROC-NY plans to distribute a second round of pandemic relief funding in the coming weeks. The organization is also pushing for a Right to Return policy for restaurant workers to ensure that they will get their jobs back when their restaurants reopen.

Recently, New York City has allowed restaurants to reopen indoor dining.

While ROC-NY members are excited to get back to work, they, too, are concerned about the health risks and the impact on their bottom line. ROC-NY will make sure that they have the skills and organizing capacity to weather storms, grow economically, and build power for workers in the restaurant industry.l

Get more information and news about workers’ news and issues at our www.workersworldtoday.com

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11

IMMIGRATION

USCIS’ Changes to ‘Affidavit of Support’ Make It Harder for Americans to Sponsor Immigrant Family Members

BY WALTER EWING

T

he Department of Homeland Security has proposed a rule that would make it much more difficult for U.S. citizens and legal immigrants—especially those experiencing financial hardship—to sponsor family members for green cards.

If the rule goes into effect, the process of family-based immigration will become even more cumbersome and restrictive.

The proposed rule—published in the Federal Register on October 2—relates to the “affidavit of support.” Under a 1996 immigration reform law, anyone wanting to sponsor a family member for a green card must complete an affidavit of support demonstrating that the sponsored immigrant will not become dependent on federal public benefits.

Under the new proposed rule, sponsors would have to submit extensive financial documentation to the federal government as part of filing the affidavit of support.

This includes tax returns, credit reports,

credit scores, and bank account information.

The federal government bills this new rule as a means of saving U.S. taxpayer dollars by keeping immigrants out of federal public benefit programs. But the reality is that most non-citizens aren’t eligible for most public benefits to begin with.

Current law already requires the sponsor to provide financial support, if necessary, to maintain the sponsored immigrant’s income at a minimum of 125% of the federal poverty line. The sponsor must also reimburse the federal government for any means-tested public benefits the immigrant uses while the affidavit of support is in effect.

Under the new proposed rule, a sponsor also would have to find a “co-sponsor” if they used any amount of federal or state means-tested public benefits during the previous three years—regardless of their actual income at the present time.

The proposed rule only has a 30-day comment period that closes on November 2.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services maintains that the new rule “protects American taxpayers” by ensuring that immigrants “applying for permanent benefits don’t rely on public resources.”

In reality, most green card holders are ineligible for federal means-tested public benefits until they’ve been permanent residents of the United States for five years. The new rule is being justified based on a largely nonexistent situation.

This new rule is not a cost-saving measure. Rather, it is yet another attack by the Trump administration on the familybased immigration system. Its purpose is simply to create new obstacles to familybased immigration—which has been the

foundation of the modern U.S. immigration system for more than half a century.

The new rule would also punish Americans who have lower incomes or who have had any financial difficulties in the past three years. This could compound the suffering of millions of Americans who have experienced financial hardship during the coronavirus pandemic by making it harder for them to bring their loved ones to this country.

The United States is in the worst economic crisis in decades. It is unfair to create a policy that punishes Americans who had to temporarily rely on food stamps or other means-tested benefits in 2020.

Such a policy could have the paradoxical effect of forcing some families to rely on public benefits because they are unable to sponsor family members (spouses, for instance) who could contribute to the family’s income and ability to thrive.l Walter A. Ewing, Ph.D., is an Editor and Writer at the American Immigration Council.

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FAMILY MATTERS

12

Bill Would Clamp Down on Cops Collecting DNA From Kids

BY EILEEN GRENCH, THE CITY

A

bill that would curb the secretive collecting of kids’ DNA by cops is set to hit the City Council Thursday.

The measure aims to “prohibit any member of the NYPD from collecting a DNA sample from a minor prior to the lawful arrest of such minor without the consent of the minor’s parent, legal guardian or attorney,” according to a summary obtained by THE CITY. Councilmember Donovan Richards (DQueens), a co-sponsor of the bill, called the unhindered practice of gathering such material from young suspects “genetic stop-and-frisk.”

“I see this as a major step in opening up the conversation of how do we reimagine policing in our city,” Donovan told THE CITY. As THE CITY has reported, young people detained at police precincts often face long hours in custody and interrogation.

New York City police officers are allowed to collect kids’ DNA both overtly and through surreptitious methods, like from a used straw or a bag of chips

New York City police officers are allowed to collect kids’ DNA both overtly and through surreptitious methods, like from a used straw or a bag of chips — items often offered by cops to young detainees.

— items often offered by cops to young detainees.

And although police are required to notify parents when a child is in custody, lawyers and other advocates say that’s not always the case. One example: the Halloween night detention of teen trickor-treaters in Carroll Gardens last year.

The new legislation, co-sponsored by Councilmember Diana Ayala (DManhattan, The Bronx), would still allow for the collection of DNA from crime scenes and victims of crimes.

“This is about young men like me who

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are growing up in a neighborhood who are criminalized for their entire life because of these systems that are put in place that are not only discriminatory and biased,” said Richards, “but also depicts ... young Black and brown minors as criminals.”

‘Secretive Methods’ Assailed A demographic breakdown of the city DNA database has yet to be released, but over 90% of minors arrested in New York City between October 2018 and October 2019 were Black or Latino,

according to a recent report.

Lisa Freeman of The Legal Aid Society, the city’s largest public defender organization, called the legislation a strong step forward.

“For far too long, the NYPD has engaged in secretive methods to take DNA from children without even securing consent from their parent,” she said.

The move by city lawmakers comes just months after a contentious February hearing at City Hall, spurred by reports that children as young as 12 had been added to the database without consent.

At the time, NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison staunchly defended the practice, saying that “the use of DNA to solve and prosecute crimes is one vital way we advance justice.”

The NYPD declined to comment Tuesday night on the new bill.

While state regulations do not allow for the collection and storage of DNA from children — or anyone without a conviction — for its own database, New York City has been allowed to operate largely unencumbered by oversight.

This has led to a growing database of more than 30,000 DNA profiles — 5% of which belong to children.

Meanwhile, as reported by THE CITY in late August, at least one family court judge ruled that they do not have the power to intervene in DNA storage, even if the child is never charged in adult court.

A Call for Stronger Action The February Council hearing led to a pledge by Police Commissioner Dermot Shea to conduct an internal audit.

Just before the hearing, a group of the city’s own forensic scientists sent an email to the City Council, calling on an end to surreptitious collection of genetic material.

In March, The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which runs the database, gave the NYPD a list of nearly 20,000 names to evaluate by the new year.

As of September, over 4,000 profiles had been evaluated for deletion from the database, nearly half of which were recommended for removal. It is still unclear how many of those people were minors.

The Council bill to be introduced Thursday doesn’t go far enough, said Freeman.

“To fully correct the injustices born of these offensive tactics, we call on the City Council to pass legislation immediately outlawing all surreptitious DNA collection and eradicating the city’s rogue DNA index,” she said.

The medical examiner’s office did not immediately reply to a request for comment.l This story was published on October 13, 2020 by THE CITY.

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FAMILY MATTERS

13

What If I Don’t Agree With My Co-Parent?

BY CHRISTINE CARTER Dear Christine, What should I do if my husband and I don’t agree about family rules? For example, I really want to establish your no-phones-in-the-car rule, but my husband won’t enforce it. He often lets our kids use their phones when he is driving (or pretends not to notice that their phones are out). And when we are all in the car as a family, it’s too hard for me to be the one insisting that the kids get off their phones when they know that he will allow it. Please help.

—Sabotaged Spouse I know just how darn frustrating it can be when a spouse or co-parent doesn’t want to get on board with one of my fantastic (and science-based!) parenting ideas.

This is a hard issue.

We know it is much better for kids when parents cooperate—when we are all “on the same page” and we “present a united front.” There are mountains of research that demonstrate that conflict between parents is bad for kids, and collaboration is good for them. We all get

it…right? And yet many of us struggle to get co-parents on our page. It’s so frustrating to not be able to control other people! Especially when we are right!

I’m only sort of kidding. I certainly have given a lot of thought to what best parenting practices are, and the strength of my convictions is pretty mammoth.

How can I back down when I feel so strongly? And my husband is also very strong-willed (and not a big reader of research or parenting books).

So, again, it’s hard. And also: We must carry on.

The first step is acceptance. We can’t change our co-parents, tempting as that might be to try and do. Trying to change a grown human is a fool’s errand. Not because people don’t change—they do— but because we can’t force change in other people. The only truly effective option is to practice what we preach ourselves, and hope it rubs off on our co-parents. (Besides my husband, I also co-parent with my first husband and his wife, my daughters’ stepmom. Fortunately, we are pretty naturally on the same page!)

What has happened for me, and what I hope happens for you, is that the other parents in my life notice that the way that

I parent works, and they can see that what I’m doing is rewarding for everyone. The kids respond, so my co-parents tend to be more motivated to mimic what I’m doing.

However, I’m also prone to overhelping my co-parents, which kills their motivation. When we overhelp, we subconsciously send the message that we believe that they can’t do it without us.

This can make them feel like they’re being criticized or like they need fixing, and that can hurt. People don’t appreciate it when their spouse (or former spouse or former spouse’s new spouse) don’t accept them as they are. Often, overhelping others gives us a false sense of power that can distract us from our own problems. As Anne Lamott says, “Help is the sunny side of control.”

Fortunately, we can still help each other parent more authoritatively by supporting three basic psychological needs related to self-motivation: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

We can support autonomy by backing off a little. Let them make their own decisions about how they’ll parent, even when they parent differently from you.

This means practicing acceptance, as

they are probably already parenting differently, whether or not we “let them.”

We can ask questions that help them build a vision for success and help them focus on the outcomes that they want.

What does good parenting look like to them? How are they hoping to feel? And what will they need to do to succeed?

Where will they need to ask for help?

We can encourage their competence by helping them build the skills they need.

Do they want you to teach them what you’ve learned? What you are reading about in this book? What you are practicing?

No? Then take a deep breath and back off.

Finally, we can foster relatedness by building a sense of family. How can you find security in doing something together? Can you create common goals and common values? How can you make it fun to do together?

In the end, Sabotaged Spouse, the best thing you can do is to keep your own side of the street clean. When you feel frustrated that your spouse isn’t doing it right—or you fear that he’s undermining you—take a deep breath and turn your attention back to yourself, and to the things that are within your control. It is never too late for you to be the parent you want to be.l Christine Carter is a sociologist and coach who answers questions about marriage, parenting, family and life.

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nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

Jamaican Descent Actress Kerry Washington Wins Her First Emmy Award

nSPORTS

nHOROSCOPE

Kitchen Corner

Chef John's Chicken a la King brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add shallots; cook and stir just until shallots soften, 3 or 4 minutes.

BY STEPHANIE K, JAMAICANS.COM

A

merican actress Kerry Washington, perhaps best known for her role as “Olivia Pope” on the television series “Scandal,” has won her first Emmy. She received the honor for her work as executive producer on the ABC television network’s Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: “All In The Family” And “Good Times” at the 2020 Creative Arts Emmys on September 15, 2020. The show received the award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live).

Washington celebrated her win on Instagram, posting that she was “So proud of @simpsonstreet and this incredible cast and crew.” She launched Simpson Street, her production company, in 2016. She was nominated for four Emmys in 2020: three for her role as executive producer and one for lead actress. Her other producer nominations were for her work on “American Son” in the Outstanding Television Movie category and “Little Fires Everywhere” in the Outstanding Limited Series category.

Washington, 43, was also nominated in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category for her role as “Mia Warren” in “Little Fires Everywhere.” She took to Instagram to thank everyone who watched the programs and “who fell in love with these characters and identified with these stories,” along with everyone who worked on the shows and put their efforts toward “making something brilliant and important.”

Kerry Washington, whose mother Dr. Valerie Washington is from Jamaica, is very proud of her island heritage, stating “I bow down to my lineage, to my heritage, to my history and to my belonging.” She was honored with an Artistic Achievement Award at Jamaica’s 57th Independence Black Tie Gala and received international recognition for her role as “Olivia Pope.” She was presented with a Congressional Proclamation from

Washington Editorial credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

the United States House of Representatives member Yvette D. Clarke and has long been a favorite of Jamaicans on the island and in the Diaspora. She was honored by Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who invited her to visit the island for a family vacation. He went on to note that Jamaicans have been recognized for their work in cinematography, movies, and drama, and have provided the country with “great brand value.” Washington’s recognition was an indication of that, he added.

Washington’s career breakthrough came in 2004 when she appeared as Della Bea Robinson, the wife of musician Ray Charles, in “Ray,” a role for which she won “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture” at the NAACP Image Awards in 2005. Over even seasons of the TV drama series “Scandal,” Washington received two Primetime Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe nomination, a SAG nomination, and two NAACP Image Awards. She is currently brand ambassador and creative consultant for Neutrogena. In 2013 she was ranked second on People magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People list. l

Chicken à la King is one of my favorite classic comfort foods. This recipe is easy to adapt—you can make it thicker or thinner by changing the amount of roux and having a little extra stock on hand.

Usually I make this with leftovers from a large roasted chicken. Serve over pasta, toast, rice, or mashed potatoes.

—Chef John, Allrecipes.com Ingredients Ingredients 6 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ pound sliced mushrooms 2 large shallots, minced 1 cup diced sweet bell peppers Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste ⅓ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup dry sherry 3 ½ cups chicken stock or broth 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg 1 pinch cayenne pepper 2 teaspoons fresh thyme 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley ⅓ cup creme fraiche or heavy cream 4 cups cubed roasted chicken Chopped fresh chives for garnish Directions Instructions Checklist Step 1 Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and salt.

Saute until mushrooms release their moisture. Continue cooking until moisture evaporates and mushrooms begin to

Step 2 Reduce heat to medium. Stir in flour to coat the mushrooms; cook until flour begins to turn golden, about 5 minutes, to form roux. Add peppers; cook and stir about 1 minute. Pour in sherry wine; allow to sizzle about 30 seconds. Stir in stock. Raise heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. When it starts to bubble, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until slightly thickened, 10 to 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Add nutmeg and cayenne pepper.

Step 3 Stir in thyme, parsley, cream, and chicken. Reduce heat to low and cook until chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes. Check seasonings and adjust as needed. Top each serving with some chopped fresh chives.

Chef's Notes: If you prefer your chicken a la king on the thicker side, increase the amount of flour in the roux from 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup.

Tips There is no substitute for the dry sherry in this, except maybe a little splash of mild, sweeter vinegar.

This recipe yields 4 small or 2 large servings.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 583 calories; protein 43.7g 87% DV; carbohydrates 20.8g 7% DV; fat 36.2g 56% DV; cholesterol 178.6mg 60% DV; sodium 832.7mg 33% DV.l Prep: 15 mins Cook: 30 mins Total: 45 mins Servings: 4 Yield: 4 servings

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16

BOOKS

Five year-old-author Writes 3 Books During the Pandemic

N

EW YORK CITY: 5-year-old author and artist Egypt Bush is a New Yorker with Trinidadian heritage. Due to the pandemic, her weekly trips to the library for bedtime storybooks stopped. After reading the same books over and over, Egypt's dad asked her to come up with her own bedtime stories.

Not one to back down from a challenge, this talented little girl with a vivid imagination came up with Egypt's Everyday Superheroes series. Her stories: Superhero Town, Superhero Family, and Superhero School, were so beautiful and inspiring that her parents wanted kids worldwide to read them.

These books are just the first in a series of books that Egypt cannot wait to share with everyone. "I hope they enjoy reading my books," said Egypt Bush. "I want them all to be superheroes."

Egypt may be little, but she did something big and amazing that will inspire generations to come.

In the first book in Egypt's Everyday Superheroes: Superhero town, through colorful illustrations, Egypt gives readers a look at coronavirus through her little eyes. In this empowering book, we see everyday people turning into superheroes

during this pandemic.

Egypt is back in an all-new adventure in the second book in her Everyday Superheroes series. Superhero Family is a fun, imaginative story about unexpected heroes in your everyday world.

The third book in the series introduces readers once again to Egypt, a curious little girl. This beautifully colored illustrative book delivers a fun and exciting tool

to teach children about different school subjects and careers.

To complete her series, she recently released a coloring and activity book that is based on the characters of her books.

All four books are currently available on Amazon and Kindle. For more information about Egypt and her books, follow her social media channels @beingegypt on Instagram and Facebook.l

Available at Amazon.com

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LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

17

Ladies, Are You Going Through a Divorce? Remember These Things if you have documentation. If he’s sending you threatening emails, print them out. If he leaves nasty voicemails, make a copy. Nobody ever leaves a divorce hearing feeling like they had too much evidence. Keep detailed records and don’t leave anything out.

BY VERONICA DOBSON, 311.DIVORCE.COM

D

ivorce can be one of the worst things you experience. You’ll go through a wave of emotions daily and wonder how this could happen to you. Now that it is happening though, you’ll be better off by being ready for what’s ahead. This advice is hard-won, but it’s worth a read for every woman going through a divorce.

Expect that he may start dating quickly Newly divorced men often start dating a lot quicker than women. With all the apps and websites out there to facilitate meeting people, it’s likely your ex will be back on the dating scene quickly. Don’t be surprised. Even if it hurts, dating new people is inevitable. Instead of being shocked, discuss it early. This will allow you each to approach the situation with less emotion. You can use this time to set clear boundaries around when a new significant other can meet family, including the kids.

Don’t show you’re jealous/angry/upset Even if you can’t stand your ex, you’re likely to feel betrayed when they start

dating a new woman. Unless the new squeeze is coming around your children, there is little you can do about it. If you find yourself jealous or angry, remember that you got divorced for a reason. Even if you feel this way, don’t show your ex you care about their dating life. Keep in mind, all the annoying things about your ex are now, luckily, some other woman’s problem.

Don’t think, “He’ll never do that.”

Divorce brings out the worst in people.

This holds true for your ex. The man you knew when you were married is not the same man you’re divorcing. To prepare for the worst, get a lawyer who knows the divorce laws in your state. Preparing

for a divorce doesn’t make you confrontational, it makes you smart.

If you’re slinging mud, be ready to get dirty – You may think you have a lot of grievances against your ex, but he will have plenty to say about you too. If it can’t be avoided, just remember to try and be calm when he starts trash talking.

Getting angry, yelling, or acting on your emotions will only give him more evidence for his complaints. Take the high road, as hard as it is. It will benefit you in the long run.

Record everything Any complaints you want to have part of the divorce record will carry more weight

Don’t isolate yourself When you get divorced, you’re losing one of your go-to hang out buddies. Even if you and your ex weren’t getting along, they were still a constant presence in your life. When they move out, you may feel alone. Don’t further these feelings by choosing to isolate yourself. Call your friends and make coffee and movie dates.

Sign up for a class at your recreation center or find a divorce support group. Get out of the house as often as you can.

Seeing friends will remind you there is a great world to explore as a single lady.

Divorce can be nasty so it’s important to protect and take care of yourself. By knowing what to expect and how to be ready you can ease some of the stress.

Stay vigilant and ahead of the curve to work through this trying time. l

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GENERATIONS

18

New Understanding of How Immune Systems Differ by Sex and Change with Age

I

t’s no secret that our immune system function declines as we age, which can make older adults more susceptible to a variety of viral and bacterial pathogens including COVID-19. But the role of sex in immune system aging is not well understood. An NIA-supported study took a closer look at how the timing and degree of aging-related changes in the immune system varies among men and women and identified how particular immunity characteristics diverge as we grow older.

Building upon their previous studies of how aging affects immunity, a team led by scientists at The Jackson Laboratory, Farmington, Connecticut, looked deeper into the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms behind sex differences in immunity at different stages of life. Their findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.

The team surveyed the blood-based immune cells of 172 healthy adult volunteers (81 men and 91 women) between the ages of 22 and 93, with an eye toward balancing gender, body mass index, frailty scores, and other health attributes to form three age-based groups: young (less than 41 years old), middle-aged (between 41 and 64), and older (over 65.)

They also performed genetic analyses to

track how the expression of different genes affected immune function over time.

Both sexes experienced alterations in the frequency and activity of different immune cell types with age such as declines in various types of white blood cells, including T cells (named because they mature in the thymus gland), monocytes (formed in the bone marrow), and cytotoxic cells (which kill damaged, infected, or cancerous cells). T-cell loss

is particularly important as they are the cells responsible for identifying a foreign pathogen and directing the body’s adaptive immune response to mount a protective immune response. Recent studies have shown that T-cell decline is associated with increased severity of COVID19 infections, especially in older patients.

Another important finding related to the frequency of B cells; a type of white blood cell vital to producing antibodies in response to pathogens. Women showed little age-related changes in B cells, but older men’s B cells showed a major loss in chromatin accessibility, which relates to how DNA strands are wound and organized, indicating a decline in the B-cell function. These changes were persistently more pronounced in men than women in otherwise well-matched study groups.

The team studied shifts in immune system patterns over different life stages and found two distinct periods of rapid genomic change: one occurring in the late 30s to early 40s was found in both sexes, and another that occurred later in life that was found to be different between the sexes. Men usually experienced this phase in their early 60s whereas women underwent these changes later in life in their late 60s to early 70s.

Moreover, the degree of change was less in women. This five-year gap corresponds closely to the average lifespan difference between women (81.6 years) and men (76.9 years) in the United States, the researchers noted, and occurred roughly 12 to 15 years before the end of the average lifespan.

Differences in immune system cells between men and women were most apparent after age 65. Older females had more active B and T cells, which are part of the body’s adaptive immune system that acts slower than the immediate response to injury or disease, but then results in the generation of long-term resistance to particular pathogens.

Conversely, older men had more activity in the innate immune system — the body’s nonspecific but more rapid-reaction defense force.

These findings regarding how and when immune system changes differ by men and women could be potentially useful to help better customize clinical care based on sex and life stage, the researchers reported. Results could also help inform future research on developing potential treatments to boost immune system function in older individuals. l —National Institute on Aging

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TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

19

Traveling Post-COVID and Why You Need a Travel Agent

BY VICTORIA FALK

A

mother and her six children were recently kicked off a flight following a family vacation because her 2-year-old daughter refused to keep a mask on her face. During publicized news interviews, the mom stated, "She never wore masks this entire few months. I would never make her wear a mask. She's a baby.", referring to her 2year-old daughter. The latter would not keep a mask on her face flying from Orlando, Florida to Newark, New Jersey.

She said her children were confused, scared, and crying as they had to get off their flight.

A Travel Agent booking the vacation may have spared the mom and her children the pain and humiliation of being forced to get off their flight. A Travel Agent could have informed the mom that it's mandatory for everyone, age two and up, to wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth, throughout their journey in the airport, for the duration of the flight, after landing in their destination city, until they exit the airport. A Travel Agent could have warned this mom that her or any of her children's refusal to wear a face mask, covering the nose and mouth, as required by the airlines and Centers for Disease Control, could result in them

being removed from the airplane as they were.

Generally, it is recommended, for a variety of reasons, to use a Travel Agent.

However, since the world has been experiencing a pandemic, it is even more necessary to use a Travel Agent. "Why do I need a Travel Agent when I can book the trip myself?" ask many people.

Well, Travel Agents do more than book trips. A good Travel Agent is an advisor and a consultant and takes the stress out of the process. If you have not booked travel in a while, it can be nerve-wracking trying to figure out the new changes and travel requirements. Do not lose time, money, peace of mind, and travel arrangements, because you have made

mistakes that will affect your trip.

Instead, consult with a Travel Agent who can update you on coronavirus advisories, face-covering requirements, change/cancel and refund policies and local and international travel requirements.

Despite the changes and new requirements, people are still traveling. Business travel has remained steady during the pandemic because entrepreneurs do not want to rely on online introductions.

While more people are meeting online due to the power of the internet and social media, many entrepreneurs still prefer to do this face-to-face when signing contracts and closing business deals.

People who love to travel are taking advantage of the current super low prices and great travel deals available now. But they are nervous about booking these getaways on their own because they want to know, "What's the catch?", as a friend and travel customer asked me recently.

He enlisted my services as a Travel Agent for fear of booking a trip that was not good quality or one that had hidden fees.

As we approach the busiest travel season of the year, the holiday season, many people consider their travel plans.

Months of social distancing and constant reports of the rising death toll due to Covid-19 makes family time and fun

with friends even more important this year. Savvy travelers are contacting their Travel Agents now to book their holiday travel. While they ask about travel arrangements for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, they are also discussing plans for family reunions and birthday celebrations. Many people have to reconnect with family, friends, and other loved ones and are keeping some Travel Agents busy.

Thus, there is still an opportunity for those who have considered becoming Travel Agents, mostly since this can be done entirely online, from home. Several groups of travel professionals and others have a vested interest in the travel industry's success around the world, coming together to rebuild travel. Do not delay.

Successful people understand the benefits of timing and positioning. Learn more about the benefits of becoming a Travel Agent and position yourself today.

Travel Agents experience the thrill of helping others. Plus, they can earn extra income while enjoying lifestyle and travel perks.

Register for the 4-week online Travel Agent Certificate program today. Go to www.nacc.nyc/travelagent to see dates and registration. Call (718) 722-9217 for assistance.l

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CONVERSATIONS

20

Saving Lives from Domestic Violence

BY CHIRLANE McCRAY

O

ne survivor used the word “red” in telephone calls with her best friend when she and her children were in trouble. A family living with an abuser placed a photo in a window visible from the street – when the photo was not visible it meant they were in trouble.

Another survivor signaled for help with a special knock on the wall shared with a next-door neighbor.

As a domestic violence survivor said in “When Staying Home Isn’t Safe,” one of my recent ThriveNYC podcast episodes, “If you can’t be strong, be brave. Go get help.” In her case, she left her partner after the smacks turned into punches.

Survivors break through isolation in many ways, as the above anecdotes show.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is marked every October, but COVID-19 has changed everything this year. There have been surges in suspected and reported domestic violence nationwide since the pandemic, with a 19% uptick in calls to New York’s domestic violence hotline since April compared to last year. A New England Journal of Medicine article called domestic violence during COVID19 “a pandemic within a pandemic” because of a cascade of relationship stressors—crowded housing, unemployment, illness, isolation, remote schooling

and work.

In this moment of protests for racial equality and a higher profile for social justice movements, now is the time for all New Yorkers to become allies in the fight to end domestic violence, which touches 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men.

Like so many social ills, domestic violence cuts across all demographic lines, exacerbated by factors like racism, homophobia, citizenship status, and poverty.

We can all do much more than wear purple on October 22, a day historically dedicated to raising domestic violence awareness.

Be an “upstander” not a bystander.

Learn the signs of domestic violence and abuse by going to our NYC Hope web-

site, and memorize and share the phone number of the domestic violence hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) to connect to services.

The ThriveNYC helpline at 1-888NYC-Well is also available 24/7 to talk, text, or chat with trained counselors in almost every language. It is a free and completely confidential place to talk about whatever is on your mind. The city’s Family Justice Centers (a one-stop shop for survivor services) closed temporarily because of the pandemic but services are available by telephone.

Still active is the city’s network of services and assistance for survivors: shelters, food delivery, legal assistance, reimbursement for tele-health mental health services. Links to those services are on

the city’s domestic violence support page.

These strange, unprecedented few months have been a time to learn what we can do better. Survivors have told city officials that during the COVID-19 crisis they urgently need survivor-led spaces for peer-to-peer support. So for the first time ever, the city is supporting a series of public, virtual Survivor Town Halls in every borough, with two planned for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

One is on October 15 in Manhattan and one is October 28 in Brooklyn.

Notably, the town halls are organized with grassroots organizations like the Voices of Women Organizing Project, the lead initiative of the Battered Women’s Resource Center.

These 90-minute Zoom calls are an opportunity for networking, story-telling, and resource-sharing with fellow survivors and representatives of such key city agencies as the Administration for Children’s Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Among topics to be discussed are financial survival, being undocumented, family court, mental health, and staying safe online.

Cecile Noel, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-based Violence (ENDGBV), continued on page 21

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21

CONVERSATIONS

5 Signs That You May Be In An Abusive Relationship

BY ASIA D. SMITH

D

omestic Violence is a violation to a person at the core of their being. It betrays love, destroys trust, inflicts irrevocable damage, and often leaves a jaded perception of love in its wake. Many individuals that have been harmed by an intimate partner feel afraid, embarrassed, blame themselves, and believe they are unable to reveal their pain to family members, friends, or others; even when they are in dire need of assistance.

Contrary to the very perilous myth, domestic violence is not gender based.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Due to society’s general apathetic response when it comes to the abuse of men (despite the severity), domestic violence is often dismissed when men seek assistance from law enforcement and social services agencies. Men are threatened, physically, emotionally, verbally, psychologically abused, and in many instances seriously injured by the person that bears their last name; the one they have vowed to love, promised to protect, provide for, and never harm; by the person they share a child/children with.

As an anti-violence advocate, I realize the hidden yet prevalent, destructive problem of battered men must go beyond refuting misconceptions, to aiding men in understanding the brutality of their experiences, and that domestic violence is caused solely by an individual who elects violent, abusive behaviors as their methods of ‘communication’.

Domestic violence is an incredibly dangerous crime, and behaviors can be very difficult to detect; especially for victims.

It can be as subtle as an unkind word or as blatant as a slap across the face.

Insecurities are masked, and what appears in the beginning stages as attentive, generous, and concerned; becomes possessive, extremely jealous, and controlling.

It is important to evaluate relationships daily, and take inventory of situations that may have given you pause. You might be experiencing domestic violence if your partner: Monitors your phone calls, emails, text messages, social media accounts; micromanages your time; make you account for every minute of your time (when you run errands, visit friends, commute to work); Is overly critical; insulting; humiliates you (public or private); makes threats; blackmails you to expose private / sensitive personal information; Acts insanely jealous; possessive; constantly accusing you of being unfaithful; smothers you/ ‘clingy’; shows up unannounced (home, job, gym); stalks you; calls excessively; Is hypersensitive; has unpredictable, rad-

Saving Lives from Domestic Violence/ continued from page 20

“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” – Elie Wiesel

ical mood changes; explosive temper; denies/minimizes the abuse/ blames you for the violent behavior (your fault); and Threatens you with weapons; hit; kick; shove; slap; strangle; spit; or otherwise hurts you, your children, pets; cause visible injuries (bruises, cuts, burns); destroys /vandalize property (cell phone, car, home).

Your partner might offer reasonable explanations, apologize, promise to change, attend counseling, or make spiritual commitments; however, it is crucial to understand that domestic violence is

cyclical, becoming more frequent and severe over time.

Despite many valiant efforts, victims cannot stop their partner's abusive behavior, and ultimatums don’t make people change. Abuse isn’t a couple’s issue, but rather the choice of the abuser.

Know your strength. Know your limitations. l Asia D. Smith is the Founder / CEO, Purple REIGN Social Services. Visit www.purplereignss.org

emphasizes that allies must listen to what survivors need and be respectful of their choices, which might include staying with the person who has abused them.

There is always hope and there is always help. We need every New Yorker to join us in this battle for equality, dignity, and life. In a time of rampant uncertainty, isolation and fear, we are stronger by standing together. As the marches and social justice protests across the country have shown, we can share a different vision for how we treat one another, even in our own homes and our most intimate relationships.l Chirlane McCray is First Lady of New York City. On Twitter @NYCFirstLady.

This Op-Ed originally appeared in the Gotham Gazette

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22

ELECTIONS 2020

What’s the Best Way to Get Out the Vote in a Pandemic? to open the door to a stranger or answer a call from a number they do not recognize.

BY LISA GARCÍA BEDOLLA THE CONVERSATION

I

dentifying supporters and getting them to the polls are key parts of any political campaign. The pandemic, however, creates new challenges for candidates trying to convey their messages and mobilize voters.

Decades of political science research have made clear that mobilizing in person, either on the doorstep or on the phone, is the most effective way of moving voters to the polls. A well-run doorto-door campaign can be expected to increase turnout by 7 to 9 percentage points; an effective phone campaign can be expected to lead to a 3% to 5% increase in voter turnout.

However, even before the pandemic, it was getting harder and harder to reach voters in person or on the phone. When I began studying voter mobilization in 2005, it was common for door-to-door get-out-the-vote efforts to reach half of the people they tried to contact.

By the 2018 election, I found that few of the organizations I worked with reliably reached more than 15% of the people they hoped to connect with. It is getting more and more difficult to get voters

A shift from away from personal connection That is part of the reason why over the past few election cycles, campaigns have shifted to other forms of contact, including mail and texting. The type of mailing that gets the most people to the polls threatens to tell recipients’ neighbors whether or not they voted. They use phrases like “After the election … you and your neighbors will all know who voted and who did not.” That type of message can increase turnout by as much as 3 percentage points.

Texting is similarly effective. A reminder text has been shown to increase turnout among habitual voters by about 3 percentage points. Campaigns have developed texting systems that let volunteers reach broader audiences more easily than traditional texting. Canvassers send texts directly and recipients can reply, interacting with the canvasser via text in real time.

Studies suggest this form of text outreach can have an even greater impact on turnout among those who choose to

engage with a canvasser. Yet, as these outreach methods have become less novel, response rates have plummeted, creating the same challenges we see with in-person methods in terms of being able to have direct contact with voters.

Even before the pandemic hit, candidates and campaigns were struggling to find ways to reach voters. The pandemic has only made it more difficult.

Getting friends and neighbors involved In response, campaigns are moving toward asking people to contact people they know to garner support and turn those supporters out. Organizations like Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote ask people to commit to turning out three to five of their friends. These friend-tofriend approaches are seen as a way to cut through the noise, allowing voters to be contacted by people they trust and who will know whether or not they follow through on their commitments.

It’s not yet clear how effective they will be, but these network-based approaches are expected to succeed for the same reasons why scholars believe social pressure works: They create a sense of accountability among voters, knowing that some-

one is paying attention to whether or not they vote. They also build on people’s existing political discussion networks, which are key to voter engagement.

However, strategies and tactics that work on regular voters may not be as effective for people who are less likely to vote. About 40% of eligible voters in the United States did not vote in the 2016 election. So it is important that campaigns and organizations mobilizing voters make sure their outreach strategies are effective for previous nonvoters as well.

The pandemic has fostered a flurry of new tools and devices designed to turn out voters, such as Outvote and Outreach Circle. Among other things, these platforms allow people to upload their contacts and commit to contacting individuals with whom they already have a connection. The likely lesson from these efforts will be that the most effective messengers are people’s close friends and family. l Lisa García Bedolla is the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate Division, Professor of Education, University of California, Berkeley

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