Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 143

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ISSUE 143 VOLUME 22

January 28, 2022

SERVING THE CARIBBEAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES!

Youth, Advocates See Pros and Cons in Adams’ Sprawling Public Safety Proposals

BY EILEEN GRENCH. THE CITY

M

ayor Eric Adams made a lastminute visit to Horizon Juvenile Center in The Bronx on Thursday afternoon, following reports of a hostage situation there early Tuesday morning, as teen detainees allegedly threatened staff with makeshift weapons and stole their keys.

The hastily announced trip, which was closed to journalists, was the latest big continued on page 4

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Holness Urges all Stakeholders to Exercise Patience ....2

New York, NY - January 22, 2022: Mayor Eric Adams holds Q A after hosting a gun violence roundtable at Public School 46 in the Bronx. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

U.S. Citizenship Applicants Are in Limbo Because Their Files are in Caves ....11

Free Consultations for Workers with Long-Haul COVID-19 to File Workers’ Compensation Claims

W

orkers who believe they contracted COVID-19 due to exposure at work, especially those suffering from ongoing long-haul symptoms, have rights and can file for workers’ compensation claims. There may be both cash and medical benefits that you can receive.

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continued on page 9

Immigrants and Domestic Violence ....7

Fashion Nova Gets a Dressing Down ....13

How to Rekindle Your Relationship When the Flames Go Out ....17

Celebrating the Life Of Errol Walton Barrow ....8

Brian Figeroux, Esq., Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Omicron Makes Booster Shots More Critical for Seniors ....15

CM Narcisse Celebrates with the 46th Council District at Community Inaugural Ceremony ....9

Sunsetting of the Child Tax Credit Expansion Could Leave Many Families Without Enough Food ....6

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ISLAND FOCUS: JAMAICA 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 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

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Prime Minister Urges all Stakeholders to Exercise Patience in the Pandemic Recovery Process

BY OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

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rime Minister Andrew Holness says it is essential that all stakeholders exercise patience as countries begin to recover from the pandemic.

Speaking at the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Re-Opening of the New, ReImagined Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort, and Offshore Island in the Bahamas, Prime Minister Holness said it is important to note that while the recovery has started, we have not yet recovered.

In this regard, he said; “the economy can only exist and grow in a society that is stable, that is looking out for the vulnerable, and people who have been affected, and their lives disrupted, by an event not of their making.”

In continuing, the Prime Minister said it cannot be fair for some people to recover while others are still struggling.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness said, as difficult as the last two years have been, he is very optimistic of a stronger recovery; “I believe we are going to recover stronger and better than before the pandemic.”

Noting that a recent survey by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO,) suggests that international tourist arrivals could grow by 30% to 78% in 2022 com-

PHOTO: ADRIAN WALKER. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, addresses the official opening and naming ceremony for the new headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, located at 2 Port Royal Street, downtown Kingston, on Wednesday (January 19). The new headquarters was named in honour of the late former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Hugh Lawson Shearer. (FILE)

pared to 2021, Prime Minister Holness said the Caribbean has the potential to recover even faster.

The Prime Minister said it is up to Caribbean countries to be agile and to embrace the post-COVID new normal.

He said: “We have to be nimble and constantly adjust and adapt to whatever the pandemic throws at us. What is clear, however, is that we have cast our eyes to moving beyond the pandemic. Almost two years into the pandemic, our populations know what to do to keep themselves safe. They know the protocols and they have access to vaccines. The balance of responsibility

therefore now shifts from governments to individuals and families for their own protection.”

In closing, the Prime Minister said as the world slowly emerges from the grips of the pandemic, now is the time to invest to benefit from the inevitable rebound that is to come.

He congratulated Sandals Resorts International on the re-opening of the New, Re-Imagined Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort, and Offshore Island, and encouraged their continued investment in the Caribbean and its people. l

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 630 Third Avenue, 7th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 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, 4th 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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3

THOUGHTS

Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic in the Americas Threatens Growth and Development of Children

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ashington D.C. : (PAHO) – As the COVID-19 outbreak reaches its third year in the Americas, millions of children are missing out on routine vaccinations, putting countries at risk of losing two decades of immunization progress, the Pan American Health Organization Director Carissa F. Etienne warned.

“Countries are seeing outbreaks of diseases that for years had been under control,” she said during a media briefing today, including measles in Brazil and diphtheria in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

This week, countries reported the highest number of weekly cases since the pandemic began – more than 8 million.

Deaths also increased by 37% from the previous week, reaching 18,000.

As more people of all ages are becoming infected, the PAHO Director highlighted that while hospitalizations and severe cases are more frequent among children with preexisting diseases, such as diabetes and asthma, most of these children recover.

At the same time, however, children continue to miss out on their regular doctors’ visits, and many remain out of the classroom, jeopardizing their social, mental, and physical wellbeing.

“For some children, schools are safe havens to learn, to socialize, to receive mental health support and to get a nutritious meal,” Dr. Etienne said.

The PAHO Director asked parents and caretakers to bring their children to routine medical appointments and urged countries to ensure these services are “open and available.”

“Countries must see routine immunizations for what they are: essential. These services were critical before the pandemic, and they remain central to our COVID responses, so our children don’t fall further at risk,” she said.

Dr. Etienne also called on Ministries of health, education, and social protection to work together “to bring as many of our children as possible back to school safely.”

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Millions miss out on routine care, including vaccination. Educational crisis also impacts their social, mental, and physical wellbeing.

PAHO has published detailed guidelines to facilitate the return to in-person learning, and the Director said that “by promoting mask wearing and social distancing and ensuring adequate ventilation, countries can safely reopen schools.”

When it comes to vaccinating healthy children against COVID-19, the PAHO Director highlighted that countries must first “ensure that coverage among groups at highest risk of COVID-19 disease and death is high.”

While twelve countries and territories in the Americas have already reached WHO’s 70% vaccination target, many, particularly in the Caribbean, still have low coverage among at-risk groups such as the elderly and health workers.

However, in countries where “vulnerable groups have already been protected and where additional vaccine supplies may be available, countries should consider the benefits of vaccinating children to further reduce the transmission of SARSCoV-2.”

The PAHO Director also called for countries to prioritize the collection of localized data on COVID-19.

“Now more than ever, we need data about how this virus is affecting different ages, genders, groups, and geographies,” she said. This will enable countries to identify gaps and target resources to those that need them the most.

Turning to the COVID-19 situation in

the region, in North America, cases in the United States decreased by around one million over the last week, but many of Mexico’s southern states have seen new infections triple.

Belize reported the highest rates of new infections in Central America, though infections are also accelerating in Honduras and Costa Rica.

COVID cases are also on the up in South America, with spikes in Argentina and Brazil, as well as high numbers of infections in Paraguay, the Guianas, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador.

In the Caribbean, significant surges in infections were reported in Haiti and Martinique.l

Contributors Jennine Estes Tarsha Gibbons Janet Howard Mary Campbell Travis Morales Chris Tobias Email info@myiqinc.com Telephone 718-771-0988 Website www.cawnyc.com

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DIASPORA CONCERNS Adams’ Public Safety Proposals/continued from page 1 move for a new administration that has had a plate full of youth justice issues in its first month.

From his support of gang raids and violence interrupters, to a new plan to improve youth employment and help pledged for foster and homeless teens, and now Thursday’s listening session with juvenile detention guards, Adams has touted a broad strategy he calls “intervention and prevention.”

It’s unclear what Adams, who has called for bringing back solitary confinement in adult jails, will do on juvenile lockups like Horizon and Crossroads in Brooklyn. A recent federal monitor’s report said the Mott Haven youth facility was beset by “ violence and disorder” with staffing issues made worse by the pandemic.

The Administration for Children’s Services, which took over operation of the juvenile facilities from the Department of Correction in the winter of 2019, contends that COVID has had a severe impact on staff, operations and programming at the facility.

“Commissioner [Jess] Dannhauser has initiated a review of the needs and supports for staff and the programming for young people,” said ACS spokesperson Marissa Kaufman, adding that the agency has introduced new measures like bonuses, enhanced training practices and wellness activities for staff retention.

Marcus Diego is encouraged by Adams’ calls to invest in social programs for teens and young adults.

Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

‘Reaching Young People’ Last year while campaigning, Adams stood at the site of the now-closed Spofford Juvenile Center in Hunts Point — where he says he once spent a night as a teen — and promised to “tear down the Spoffords symbolically throughout our entire city and give our young people the opportunities they deserve.”

On Monday, he laid out some of those plans mere hours before the mayhem at Horizon.

“Just as we utilize precision policing, we must utilize precision prevention — reaching young people long before they turn to guns and violence,” said the mayor.

Adams’ announcement included an expansion of the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program and more support for youth aging out of foster care, highlighting that many of the proposals in his Blueprint to End Gun Violence are preventively aimed at young people.

Some impacted teens told THE CITY they are cautiously optimistic about potential new opportunities for youth Adams floated Monday in his sweeping take on public safety. But others worry a reactionary mayor could lead to fewer civil-rights protections for young Black and Latino New Yorkers, who make up a disproportionate amount of juvenile arrests.

Alexander, an 18-year-old Brooklynite who has a now-expunged juvenile record that included a gun case, said that he is distrustful of and frustrated with Adams’ hardline approach to kids wrapped up in gang and gun charges.

“If they’re teenagers, and y’all already arresting them for a charge that they can spend, basically, like the rest of their life in jail. It’s like, you don’t really have no chance to show that they will make a change,” he said. “You’re not really giving them a chance at all.”

He said he didn’t understand why it took being arrested to get him connected with job opportunities and therapy — things he says have changed his life, and which he wishes others could have access to before any contact with law enforcement.

“Instead of sitting here trying to indict us and throw us in jail for the rest of our life, I feel like we should have more opportunities. We shouldn’t have to be arrested and catch a case to see that somebody young needs help,” Alexander added.

A Guiding Light Marcus Diego, a 24-year-old Harlemite, rejoiced at Adams’ plan to expand the Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides job opportunities, as well as Fair Futures, which bolsters support for foster children.

“Not everybody can just be motivated and say, ‘I want better for myself,’” he said. “I mean, these days, some of these young adults do need the support mentally to say ‘Hey, you know, I know there’s something better out there for me, I just need a guiding light.’”

Diego himself was in foster care and says he was helped tremendously by Fair Futures, a city program that provides life coaches for people in the foster care system and that Adams wants to expand.

Diego said he felt seen by the mayor’s mention of ending youth homelessness.

“I understand not getting the support of continued on page 5

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5

DIASPORA CONCERNS Adams’ Public Safety Proposals/continued from page 4 vouchers and having to struggle to find an apartment or for a landlord to really approve it,” he said. “Because I did sleep on many trains for the last couple of weeks and it was really bad, you know.”

Diego told THE CITY he had 145 case workers and 14 foster homes before aging out of foster care, which led to homelessness. In fall, he received a Fair Futures coach — someone he said understands the foster care system, and would always “cheer me on.”

Now, he is close to completing a degree in journalism from Lehman College and has a Harlem apartment with the help of a federal voucher program.

In November, THE CITY reported that homeless and foster youth won increased access vouchers, some of which were also increased in value.

But Diego and others were wary of the Mayor’s plans for policing — and said that the mayor adding police to certain neighborhoods sounded like “martial law”.

“Yes, I agree with having protection,” said Diego. “I disagree with having a lot of boots on every corner of New York City like that. I feel like that’s going to start causing more problems, because people don’t really trust the police, especially Black, brown or Latino [people].”

Guns on the Table Just four days into his mayoralty, Adams stood in front of a table full of guns with new Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez to announce that 17 young people had been arrested in a gang takedown.

“There will be more cases like this one, not just here in Brooklyn, but in every borough,” said Sewell.

On Monday in announcing his wideranging public safety plans, Adams reaffirmed his support for the return of socalled plainclothes police units (with clearer identification) as well as more NYPD “boots on the ground.” He also called on Albany lawmakers to repeal some Raise the Age law protections for youngsters caught with guns.

The Raise the Age laws are a series of sweeping reforms passed in 2017 that ended New York’s status as one of the last states to automatically prosecute 16and 17-year-olds as adults.

The mayor said that while he supported the broader Raise the Age reforms, 16and 17-year olds who do not tell police or prosecutors where they obtained their guns should face adult court and consequences. He also said that minors carrying a gun should be treated as if they had displayed or brandished the weapon.

Currently, a judge can keep a minor in adult court if they are arraigned on a gun charge that brandishing a weapon publicly. Prosecutors can also allege “extraordinary circumstances” to keep an older teen in adult court.

After learning about the Fort Greene gang case on social media, Alexander wondered why the investigators wait to rack up so many charges, watching

Alexander had a juvenile gun charge and says he benefited from social services that he didn’t know about before being arrested. Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

young people become more deeply involved in crime and compile more victims.

He said that kids who carry guns need help, and more “open doors,” not indictments.

“We have to worry about the shootings, a lot of killings, then we have to worry about police killing us as well and so what break do we really have and how are we really supposed to feel safe?”

Future of the Database Maryanne Kashian, a civil rights attorney who has represented dozens of young people with alleged gang ties in court proceedings, said that for her a big worry is oversight. And the fact that the NYPD Inspector General has not yet issued a

report on the infamous gang database.

“We are very much hoping that we still get that report, and that it is an accurate reflection of the actual harms of the NYPD gang database,” she said. “We want to make sure that the city report reflects that, and also that it’s released at all in the interest of transparency.”

In July, THE CITY revealed that the city’s Department of Investigation was nearing the end of a three-year look into the NYPD’s use of its infamous gang database — used in cases such as the Fort Greene raid.

Other such investigations in Los Angeles and Chicago have turned up a number of abuses and mistakes in similar databases. There is no way to find out if you are on the NYPD’s list, and no process to appeal to remove your name if you are.

Adams has yet to name his pick for inspector general, the NYPD’s top watchdog spot .

“DOI’s investigation of NYPD’s gang database is active and ongoing,” Department of Investigation spokesperson Diane Struzzi confirmed last week, but did not provide details on when a report might be released.

“The NYPD’s Criminal Group Database has a strict set of rules and criteria, multiple levels of review, and is subject to audits to remove individuals no longer active in gang activity,” a spokesperson for the mayor said when asked about the

release.

Kaishian said she hopes that the City Council will be able to act as a watchdog as money is allocated towards the mayor’s new initiatives, noting that the body’s new speaker, Adrienne Adams (D-Queens), has chaired hearings on public safety and even the gang database itself.

“The NYPD came in and lied about what was really happening. And so she saw that firsthand,” Kashian told THE CITY. At Horizon, Eric Adams “appreciated the visit and the chance to speak with staff about their needs, including how to keep youth and staff safe,” said mayoral spokesperson Fabien Levy.

“As someone who spent time in a detention center as a young man himself, the mayor knows that if ACS is given the proper support and the tools needed, youth can thrive to incredible levels,” said Levy.

Darek Robinson, vice president of SSEU Local 371, the union which represents most of the staff at Horizon, said that the mayor did a walkthrough and expressed his support for workers.

“Morale is low, numbers are very low.

We’re gravely concerned about their safety, the safety of everyone in the building,” he told THE CITY by phone.

This story was published by on January 27, 2022 by THE CITY.

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FAMILY MATTERS

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The Sunsetting of the Child Tax Credit Expansion Could Leave Many Families Without Enough Food on the Table

BY PAUL SHAFER AND KATHERINE GUTIERREZ, THE CONVERSATION

T

he discontinuation of the Biden administration’s monthly payments of the child tax credit could leave millions of American families without enough food on the table, according to our new study in JAMA Network Open. The first missed payment on Jan. 15, 2022, left families that had come to rely on them wondering how they would make ends meet, according to many news reports.

The American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package passed in March 2021, made significant changes to the existing child tax credit. It increased the size of the credit by 50% or more, depending on a child’s age, to either $3,000 or $3,600 per year. It also made more low-income families eligible and paid half of this money out as a monthly “advance” payment.

Biden’s Build Back Better plan calls for a second year of an expanded child tax

credit disbursed monthly. But that package of measures stalled in the Senate after passing the House in November 2021. As a result, the monthly advance payments of the child tax credit that American families with children had been receiving since July 2021 were left hanging in the balance.

Nearly 60 million families with children received the first payment, which was sent out in July 2021. The payments

were widely credited with bringing about huge declines in poverty and malnutrition. Our study found that the introduction of these advance payments was associated with a 26% drop in the share of American households with children without enough food.

We used nationally representative data from over 585,000 responses to the Census Household Pulse Survey from January through August 2021 to assess

how the introduction of the child tax credit advance payments affected food insufficiency in the weeks following the first payment on July 15, 2021. Food insufficiency is a measure of whether a household has enough food to eat. It is a much narrower measure than food insecurity, which is a more comprehensive measure based on 18 questions used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Importantly, we were able to separate the effect of these payments from other types of support, like the use of food pantries, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, unemployment benefits and COVID-19 stimulus payments.

Why it matters Food insufficiency spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among families with children: It rose from 3% among all households in December 2019 to 18% in December 2020. Even after many, if not most, U.S. families received pandemic stimulus continued on page 7

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FAMILY MATTERS

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Immigrants and Domestic Violence

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mmigrants are particularly vulnerable because many may not speak English, are often separated from family and friends, and may not understand the laws of the United States. For these reasons, immigrants are often afraid to report acts of domestic violence to the police or to seek other forms of assistance. Such fear causes many immigrants to remain in abusive relationships.

Immigrants in the US. have the right to live a life free of abuse. Due to the victim’s immigration status, abusive partners have additional ways to exert power and control over their victims.

If you are an immigrant or refugee in an abusive relationship, you may face unique issues that make it hard to reach out for help. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a landmark piece of legislation seeking to improve criminal legal, and community-based responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the United States. This federal law provides numerous forms of protection for noncitizen women—and men—who are the victims of domestic violence or other qualifying crimes.

There are three forms of protection: “U” visas for victims of crime, “T” visas

for victims of severe forms of trafficking, and “self-petitions” under the VAWA. Any victim of domestic violence — regardless of immigration or citizenship status — can seek help. An immigrant victim of domestic violence may also be eligible for immigration-related protections.

If you are experiencing domestic violence in your home, you are not alone. A specialized immigration attorney should always be your first point of contact regarding immigration questions and concerns. You can also listen to Ask the

Lawyer Radio Program on WVIP 93.5FM on Thursdays, 10pm-11pm, and Sundays, 11pm to 12am. The program provides excellent information and also an opportunity for a FREE, no-obligation legal consultation. The number to call is 855-768-8845. You can also visit www.askthelawyer.us.

Domestic violence is against the law regardless of one’s immigration status.

Be a loving family member, good friend, and caring neighbor: please share this information. l

Child Tax Credit/ continued from page 6 checks and other benefits, food insufficiency still hovered around 14% in June 2021. But following the first advance payment, from July 23 to August 2, 2021, food insufficiency among households with children fell drastically, to 10%.

This support is ending just as the omicron variant of COVID-19 is leaving many families without work, child care and, in many places, child care via inperson instruction at school.

All these factors are leading to lower income and, where school is virtual once again, creating the need for more meals at home. Other analyses of the Census Household Pulse Survey have found that most families were using the child tax credit advance payments for food and other necessities, such as housing and utilities.

What’s next We are going to look further into how the advance payments affected low-income families through the rest of 2021, analyzing which groups of Americans saw the most benefit and what happened once the advance payments expired in 2022.

The full impact of the expansion of the child tax credit for the 2021 tax year has not yet been seen either. Eligible families will get the rest of that money, equal to all six monthly payments combined, when they file their 2021 tax returns this year.l

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CARIBBEAN STAR

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Celebrating the Life Of Errol Walton Barrow

BY BARBADOS GIS

A

cclaimed as the Father of Barbados’ Independence, The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow was born in the parish of St. Lucy on January 21, 1920.

The son of the late Rev. Reginald Grant Barrow and the late Ruth nee O’Neal, Errol was the nephew of National Hero The Right Excellent Dr. Charles Duncan O’Neal, founder of the Democratic League, and the brother of Errol’s mother.

Over the 15-year period of his administration – first as Premier and then as Prime Minister – ending in 1976, he was particularly successful in securing many social changes for Barbados.

A founder-member of the Democratic Labour Party, Barrow swept to power as Premier in 1961 and held that position until 1966. He then took the island into Independence from Britain after his party won elections and he thus became Barbados’ first Prime Minister. Indeed, Barrow was twice Prime Minister, from 1966 to 1976 and again from 1986 to 1987.

Among his achievements as leader was the democratisation of the education

Prime Minister of Barbados, Errol Walton Barrow and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Eric Williams. (BGIS Library)

process and expanded free education to all levels; the introduction of a National Insurance and Social Security scheme; school meals on an improved nutritional basis; improved health services; accelerated industrial development; considerable expansion of the tourist industry; and taking Barbados into Independence in November 1966.

Mr. Barrow also made Barbados a member of the Organisation of American States and in 1968, with other regional leaders, launched the Caribbean Free Trade Area, a forerunner of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

After spending 10 years in Opposition (1976-1986), Mr. Barrow again led his party to power, winning the General

Elections by what was then the largest margin of seats in Barbados’ history, 243. Sadly, he did not live long enough to enjoy this victory. After only one year in office, he died on June 1, 1987.

He had, however, left an impressive record: First Prime Minister 1966-1976; the “Father of Independence”; supporter of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and regional unity; designer of a modern system of public budgeting; architect of the UWI Campus at Cave Hill, Barbados; creator of the Barbados Community College; co-founder of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA); inspiration for lowering the age of majority from 21 to 18; and cofounder of CARICOM.l

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IN THE NEWS

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Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse Celebrates with the 46th Council District at Community Inaugural Ceremony

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n the evening of Saturday, January 22, Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse held her Community Inaugural Celebration at South Shore High School where she was ceremonially sworn-into office by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. She was joined by hundreds of constituents and a who’s who of New York elected officials.

Mercedes was joined in attendance by colleagues in government; Mayor Eric Adams, Congress Members Yvette Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries, Attorney General Tish James, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assemblyman Nick Perry, State Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblywoman Jamie Williams and a bevy of colleagues from the New York City Council.

One would have assumed the night would have belonged to Mercedes, but the new Councilwoman made it clear this was a celebration that belonged to the

Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse being sworn-into office

by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. Photo credit: CM Narcisse Office

entire 46th Council District.

“Tonight is our celebration, it is in fact more your victory than mine. You were the foundation for our wins. You the people were the engine which powered me to victory. I can’t say thank you enough,” said Councilwoman Narcisse. “I am here today on this stage to make it abundantly

clear that I can only be successful during my tenure in the City Council with that same tenacious support which you offered me previously. We are in this together. Together we make up the great 46th Council District, and I stand here before you to declare that your cause is my cause.’

Another theme of the night for Councilwoman Narcisse was unity, and the celebration of the diversity of the 46th Council District.

“I love this district, not only because I grew up here, but because it is truly is the epitome of the gorgeous mosaic, which the late Mayor David Dinkins so eloquently described our city as. In the 46th District alone, over 25 languages are routinely spoken in this district. We have Black, white, Latin, Asian. We have Democrats and Republicans. We have diversity, and that is what made me fall in love with this district. Always remember, what unites us is far greater than what divides us. We can all achieve together.

Now let's get to work.”l

Workers’ Compensation / continued from page 1

With the pandemic into nearly two years, many hardworking New Yorkers are still experiencing long-haul COVID19 symptoms that adversely impact their health, general wellbeing, and capability to provide for themselves and their families. If you are still suffering from the lasting effects of this horrible virus, know that there is help. Get a FREE consultation to understand your rights and help you need to file a workers’ compensation claim.

Individuals with a work-related injury or illness have two years from the date of becoming injured or ill to file a workers’ compensation claim. Remember, the deadline is fast approaching for workers who contracted COVID-19 due to their employment in the early days of the pandemic, so take advantage now and call 855-768-8845 or visit www.askthelawyer.us to schedule an appointment.l

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10

IMMIGRATION

Nearly 1000 Faith leaders, Religious, and Immigrant Rights Groups Call on President Biden to Halt Inhumane Immigration Detention

W

ashington, DC: On January 19, 900 spiritual leaders and multiple faith-based and immigrant rights groups delivered a letter to the White House urging the Biden administration to immediately halt all efforts to expand immigrant detention. With the one-year anniversary of President Biden's inauguration approaching, the signatories — including Church World Service, Detention Watch Network, Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, UCC National Collaborative on Immigration, and members of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition — expressed deep disappointment in the president for failing to keep his early promises to phase out private detention contracts.

In the letter, advocates highlight two immigrant detention facilities in Pennsylvania: the reopening of Moshannon Valley Correctional Center as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center, which is almost at full capacity detaining about 500 people, and the expansion of the Berks County ICE detention center into an adult facility for women. These expansions take place as COVID-19 continues to surge across the country, under-

the use of for-profit detention and roll back ICE’s fundamentally flawed system is shameful. Detention centers represent abuse, trauma, and sometimes death.

People are losing their lives to a detention system that simply does not need to exist.

The Biden Administration must shut down immigration detention facilities, end detention contracts, and release people from detention immediately.”

scoring the urgent need to free people from the fundamentally flawed detention system immediately. The letter signatories urge the Biden administration to reverse course and invest in communitybased alternatives to detention and restore access to asylum.

Rev. Deborah Lee, Executive Director, Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, said: “One common theme in our diverse religious traditions is the value of human freedom: the right to live freely, to not face deprivation of movement and confinement. Immigration detention is not morally acceptable or necessary in any

form. We know effective communitybased alternatives to detention exist.

People can navigate their immigration proceedings while living at home, maintaining their employment, and receiving support from their family and wider community. We ask the administration to stand with the faith community to find ways to reduce all forms of captivity in favor of non-carceral solutions.”

Marcela Hernandez, Organizing Director of Detention Watch Network, said: “Biden’s continued actions to expand the immigration detention system despite the administration’s ongoing promises to end

Elissa Diaz, Advocacy Manager at Church World Service and Co-Chair of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, said: "The values of President Biden's faith tradition are common across faith traditions represented in the Interfaith Immigration Coalition: to welcome the immigrant in our midst, to love our neighbors, and to proclaim freedom for the oppressed.

President Biden's decision to expand immigrant detention not only goes against these values of our faith, but also the promises he made to immigrants just one year ago. We urge the President to reverse course, return to the core callings of his faith, and put an end to his efforts to expand immigrant detention." l

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11

IMMIGRATION

U.S. Citizenship Applicants Are in Limbo Because Their Immigration Files Are Locked in Caves Underground

BY WALTER EWING

T

housands of applicants for U.S. citizenship have been waiting for well over a year for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process their applications.

But the problem isn’t the usual bureaucratic red tape. In this case, thousands of paper-based immigration records (known as “A-Files”) are locked in man-made caves that USCIS says it can’t access.

According to USCIS—which is responsible for processing citizenship applications—the A-Files of these citizenship applicants are stuck in the Federal Records Centers (FRCs) in Kansas City, Missouri. These facilities were built underground and are managed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

The FRCs are now difficult to access because of COVID restrictions. But this wouldn’t even be an issue if the immigration agency had transitioned to electronic records long ago.

The NARA website says that the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has categorized the COVID “transmission risk” at the FRCs as “high.” The FRCs were completely closed until recently. They are now open again but are operating at no more than 25 percent of normal staffing levels.

USCIS cannot process anyone’s citizenship application without access to their complete A-File. Because of COVID restrictions, USCIS says that the A-Files stored in the Kansas City FRCs are not readily obtainable. As a result, USCIS is not adjudicating those citizenship applications. In fact, any immigration-related application that requires an

A-File currently stored in the Kansas City FRCs is now subject to enormous processing delays.

Based on reports from immigration lawyers, the affected applicants filed their citizenship applications with USCIS between March and June of 2020. Before the pandemic, citizenship applications took between 6 and 9 months to process, on average. The current delays caused by the problems at the FRCs have more than doubled those processing times.

On November 17, Rep. Ted Budd (RNC) sent a letter to President Biden and the head of NARA asking that the FRCs

in Kansas City be fully reopened at 100 percent staffing capacity. In the letter, Budd notes that the Kansas City FRCs provided USCIS with roughly 62,000 Afiles per month prior to the pandemic. As of mid-November, however, the FRCs were providing the agency with only 11,000 A-files per month.

USCIS says that, as of January 2022, it has more than 350,000 requests for AFiles pending with NARA (only some of which are related to citizenship applications).

The agency wouldn’t have this problem if not for the fact that it insists on maintaining paper files and even requires most immigration benefit applications to still be submitted on paper. It is long past time for the federal government to transition more fully to digitized records in immigration cases.

Immigrants nearing the end of their long journey to U.S. citizenship—who want to fully commit to American ideals and principles—should not be shut out of the system because the government has failed to create and maintain a proper system of records.l

You may be eligible for COVID-19 Treatment People who have tested positive for COVID-19 may be able to receive outpatient treatment to help symptoms and avoid hospitalization. Treatment works best if you begin it soon after you start feeling symptoms, so get tested right away.

Monoclonal antibody treatment is a one-time IV or injection to help fight COVID-19 while your immune system produces its own antibodies.

Oral antiviral pills are taken for five days and helps stop the virus and keeps it from replicating, which reduces the amount of virus in your body.

There are currently two authorized pills - paxlovid and molunpiravir.

Both monoclonal antibody and oral antiviral treatments can reduce your risk of becoming sick from COVID-19 and avoid hospitalization.

COVID-19 treatments are not a substitute for vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots remain the best protection against getting severely sick due to COVID-19.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, or if you have tested positive, talk to your doctor, or call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319).

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12

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Goal for 2022: Become a Paralegal attorneys, opposing counsel, vendors, staff members, clients, and others. The work is varied, and each day brings new challenges.

BY THE CHAMBER COALITION

A

career as a paralegal (also known as a legal assistant) can be a wonderfully fulfilling profession. Paralegals perform legal, regulatory, and business-related research for lawyers working at their organization.

Most of the time, paralegals work for law offices, non-profits, corporations' legal departments, or courts. These professionals also provide legal support services to attorneys. They assist lawyers in filing motions, memoranda, pleadings, and briefs in various court systems and accompany lawyers to see clients and go to court. Here are five great things about being a paralegal: 1. Rise in Pay Paralegal compensation has risen steadily in the past decade. As paralegals perform a broader and more complex range of tasks (paralegals even represent clients in court in certain countries and administrative tribunals), their earnings continue to rise. The average paralegal salary hovers at around $50,000 per year, but paralegals often make more through bonuses. Overtime hours can also add significant cash to a paralegal's paycheck.

2. Explosive Employment Outlook The paralegal field is one of the fastestgrowing professions on the globe. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, predicts the employment of paralegals and legal assistants by over 25 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations. Among the factors driving this growth is client demand for cheaper, more efficient delivery of legal services. Since hourly rates charged by attorneys are typically double or triple the rates of paralegals for the same task, law firm economics mandates the increased use of paralegals to minimize costs. As a result, a paralegal career is one of the hottest non-lawyer jobs in the legal industry.

3. Easy Career Entry Unlike lawyers who must complete seven years of formal education and pass the bar exam to practice law, you can become a paralegal in as little as a few months of study.

4. Intellectual Challenge Paralegal work is intellectually challenging and involves a range of high-level skills. The most successful paralegals are problem-solvers and innovative thinkers.

Paralegals must become subject matter experts in their specialty areas and master legal procedure, research, drafting, and other skills. They must stay on top of ever-changing laws and new legal trends and developments while interfacing with

5. Rising Prestige As paralegals perform more complex and challenging work, paralegal prestige is rising. Paralegals are no longer simply lawyer's assistants; they assume corporate management roles, leadership roles in law firms, and entrepreneurial roles in independent paralegal businesses. Over the years, paralegals have transcended the image of glorified legal secretaries to become respected legal team members.

Ready to Take the Leap?

A career as a paralegal can be rewarding professionally and personally and offers a unique opportunity to help others; options vary, depending on the paralegal's practice area. Paralegals in the public interest sector help poor and disadvantaged segments of the population with legal issues ranging from protection from domestic abuse to assistance preparing wills. Ready to take the leap, the next step? Call us at 718-722-9217 or visit www.freeparalegal.org to complete your registration which includes payment.l

Need Assistance? Call 718-722-9217.

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nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

nSPORTS

nHOROSCOPE

Kitchen Corner Online Retailer, Fashion Nova, Gets a Warm Bok Choy, Beet and Feta Salad Dressing Down for Hiding Negative Reviews

BY COLLEEN TRESSLER DIVISION OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS EDUCATION, FTC

S

hopping for clothes online can be fun and convenient, but it lacks the in-person experience of trying them on, touching the fabrics, and checking for quality. That’s why so many online shoppers turn to honest customer reviews for help. But when an online retailer cherry picks only the positive reviews for posting, the result is anything but honest.

If a company suggests that the reviews on its website reflect the views of all buyers who submitted reviews, it’s against the law for the company to NOT post negative reviews. According to the FTC, online retailer Fashion Nova did just that.

The FTC says that Fashion Nova broke the law when it failed to post hundreds of thousands of negative reviews that people submitted.

What does this mean for you and other online fashionistas? Well, for one thing, Fashion Nova must not make any further misrepresentations about customer reviews or other endorsements.

Here are some things to consider the next time you’re using online reviews to buy clothing – or anything else: •Think about the source of the reviews

S

traying from bok choy's usual Asian flair, this lovely bright pink salad has a rich feta flavor with a fresh clean finish. The bok choy provides a nice crunch while the beets keep the tones earthy, with the feta and garlic to sharpen the flavor.

By Snarkitty, AllRecipes.com

you’re reading. What do you know about the reviewers – or the site they’ve posted on – that makes them trustworthy?

•Compare reviews from a variety of wellknown sources, not just the seller’s site.

•Start with websites recognized for having credible and impartial expert reviews.l

Ingredients 4 small beets, trimmed, leaving 1 inch of stems attached 4 cloves garlic, chopped, divided 1 teaspoon olive oil 3 heads baby bok choy, chopped 2 tablespoons peanut oil 1 ½ teaspoons butter ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese Directions Step 1 Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place the beets, 1/4 of the chopped garlic, and the olive oil on a

piece of heavy aluminum foil; fold the foil around the beets into a sealed packet.

Step 2 Roast beets in the preheated oven until easily pierced with a fork, 40 minutes to 1 hour. Let beets cool just until they can be handled, then rub with a paper towel to remove skins. Chop into 1/2-inch cubes; set aside.

Step 3 Heat the peanut oil and butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir bok choy and the remaining garlic together until bok choy is slightly softened but still crunchy, about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat; stir in the beets and the feta. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts 212 calories; protein 5.5g; carbohydrates 12.5g; fat 16.5g; cholesterol 20.2mg; sodium 333.7mg.l

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14

LIFESTYLE

How to Have a Stress-Free Morning opt for home deliveries. If morning house cleaning stresses you, consider hiring a cleaner for a few hours a week.

Family members could do more chores, too, if you delegate. Also, you can put off unimportant tasks when you're under pressure.

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

S

tarting the morning under pressure sets the mood for the day, leaving you anxious and tense. Although people know it's unhelpful to begin the day bogged down by tension, they continue regardless. But they can end the morning feeling terrific with a few simple tweaks.

Morning stress comes from many sources. Identifying triggers will help you change and inject positivity into each day. When you are stressed, note what is happening. Maybe you're anxious because you need to hurry, or you're worried about things you need to do. Or you may find distractions hard to handle and are disorganized.

When you recognize what stresses you, you can make positive lifestyle changes.

They might involve altering your morning routine to match your schedule and planning how best to approach the day.

Adapt your schedule Most people engage in a strict schedule in the morning. If completing one task takes longer than expected, they have insufficient time for another. Poor time

Get organized One key to a stress-free morning is organization. Identify what you must do at the start of the day, and you won't dither and waste time. If you face multiple tasks, list priorities before you begin them. management creates frustration and stress.

Steal back lost time in the morning by doing as many tasks as possible in the evenings. Make packed lunches for the next day before you go to bed, for instance, and lay out your work clothes in advance. Gather anything you need to take when you leave the house in the morning, too.

Create less stress If stressful chores need doing before work, carry them out differently. Rather than dashing to the shop, order online and

Enjoy me-time Get up 15 minutes earlier than usual and enjoy some precious time with yourself.

You'll have time to gather your wits, meditate, journal about your feelings, or take longer in the shower. Your morning mindset creates ripples that infect the hours to follow, and a few minutes more first thing could be all you need to instill calm.

Your mornings will be stress-free if you rise earlier and plan what you need to do.

Use time well and create calmness rather than getting strung out and frazzled.l

Are you looking to get into the health & wellness business?

Contact:

Stacy Young Board Certified Holistic Health Coach Tel: 917-459-8431

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HEALTH

15

Omicron Makes Booster Shots More Critical for Medically Vulnerable Seniors The CDC recently reported that vaccine effectiveness against hospitalizations from COVID-19 goes from 38% up to 90% with a third booster dose. The CDC is now calling having received a booster shot as being “up to date” on COVID-19 vaccination.

BY LAURIE ARCHBALD-PANNONE THE CONVERSATION

P

eople are understandably worn out, tired of thinking about COVID-19 and wanting to get back to a true normal.

This so-called “pandemic fatigue” is real. But it’s also contributing to lapses in COVID-19 precautions and to more people getting infected with the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

It is become starkly clear that this pandemic is not behind us yet. Since late December 2021, COVID-19 infections have been surging, exceeding the rates seen at any other point in the pandemic.

The people who are becoming most sick – needing hospitalization or even dying from infection – are the unvaccinated.

But new data suggests that older adults who have received two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine but who have not yet received a booster shot are also getting sick and having poor outcomes. The omicron variant, which spreads very easily, is putting a spotlight on how critical it is for these seniors to get a booster shot – especially older adults living in close quarters with others.

As a geriatrician at the University of Virginia, I see patients who are over 65 years old. Many of them have experienced someone close to them becoming ill or even dying from COVID-19 infection in the past two years.

Having witnessed this directly, most of my patients continue to practice safety measures to minimize risk of infection, like wearing masks, limiting their exposure to large crowds and practicing social distancing. They want to be able to safely visit with their families and friends. A

booster shot has now become an important part of protecting them against infection and poor outcomes.

The case for boosters In September 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed booster shots for people 65 years old and up, as well as some other high-risk groups. But since that time, the need for booster shots for all vaccine-eligible people has become more clear.

A need for renewed focus on boosters Some of my patients live independently and have full access to schedule an appointment for their booster and drive themselves to a pharmacy to receive it.

Others are not as mobile. Some are homebound or live in a long-term care facility, assisted-living facility or memory care unit. In these cases, my patients can only get vaccinated if the vaccine comes to them.

In December 2020 and January 2021, when the first COVID-19 vaccines were becoming available, there was a massive push to get vulnerable elderly people living in long-term care vaccinated. They were considered “Phase 1 priority.”

Teams of public health officials and pharmacy staff came to vaccinate these residents as quickly as possible. And the continued on page 16

STEP UP TO STOP THE SPREAD, NYC! GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED GET TESTED if you have symptoms, were exposed, or traveled

MASK UP

to protect yourself and those around you

STAY HOME

For more information, visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine or call 877-VAX-4NYC.

if you are feeling sick

Health

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16

HEALTH

Consumer Alert: New Yorkers Urged to Be Aware of At Home Covid-19 Testing Scams

N

ew York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) today warned about scammers taking advantage of the free COVID-19 test government program to steal personal information for unscrupulous purposes. Due to the high demand, scammers may start using techniques that typically arise with a free government event such as: falsely claiming to be online providers of the tests; sending fake emails and texts that contain harmful links designed to steal your personal information; and using robocalls to pitch testing information.

“The arrival of the COVID-19 free at home tests is one more tool in the fight to end this brutal pandemic, but unfortunately, it also creates new opportunities for unscrupulous scammers to attempt to lure people into unintentionally providing their personal information,” said Acting Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “As the free at-home test program is rolled out, New Yorkers can thwart the scammers by keeping their personal, financial and health informa-

tion safe and questioning any requests for a social security number, credit card, health insurance or other personally identifiable information from anyone not affiliated with a trusted health or government entity.”

"The availability of free COVID-19 test kits from the federal government will help millions of Americans to have multiple tests on-hand as we continue to monitor and navigate the winter surge," said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. "I urge New Yorkers to be vigilant in safeguarding their identity while they are protecting their health and always verify

that a source is legitimate before providing personal information."

Consumers should also be aware that the ONLY website for the free at-home test kits is https://www.covidtests.gov/ .This link will direct you to a United States Postal Service page to complete the free at home test kit request form. The form only asks for your name and address. It does not require you enter a social security number, credit card number, health insurance number or any other personally identifiable information.

The service is free. l

Boosters/ continued from page 15 efforts were successful. Nearly 90% of the people living in these types of congregate settings received a COVID-19 vaccine.

But the recent numbers show that those herculean efforts may need to be replicated in order to reach these community members for booster shots. As of late January 2022, nearly 90% of people ages 65 and up have received two COVID-19 shots – but about a third of those, or more than 15 million older adults, haven’t received their COVID-19 booster.

In many cases, booster shots will need to be taken to those who are unable to access them. The CDC’s website emphasizes the need for continuing to protect people who are “disproportionately affected by COVID19,” particularly those living in long-term care, or LTC, settings. “All LTC settings that request assistance accessing COVID-19 vaccines for their residents and staff will receive the support they need.”

If you or someone you care for is living in a care facility, you can find out how to request on-site vaccination or access to a pharmacy location. Local health departments, pharmacies and hospitals may have teams established to vaccinate facility residents and staff on-site.

If health care providers can get the vast majority of vulnerable people up to date on vaccinations, perhaps it can help turn a corner in the pandemic so that we don’t have to do it all over again in 2023.l

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17

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

How to Rekindle Your Relationship When the Flames Go Out

BY MARY CAMPBELL

A

re you sad and disappointed about your relationship? Perhaps it used to be full of fun, romance, and passion, but the flames have died down, and you want to ignite them again.

The described phenomena are common and often fixable. Good intentions and a willing partner are all you need.

Reignite pillow talk How good is communication between you and your partner? If you are unhappy, the chances are it's not terrific.

Regular, healthy conversations are the first step to a happy relationship. Partners often fall out because they don't listen well. They have separate agendas and struggle to get their views across, too. As a result, they don't hear each other well.

When couples meet, they enjoy pillow talk, and there's space for intimate chats about emotions and dreams, and they have high hopes for the current relationship. Later, couples stop sharing innermost thoughts and restrict conversations to mundane subjects like household chores. No wonder the magic fades.

There's no fuel to keep the fire alight.

You'll connect better if you instigate

personal conversations. Change regular small talk and deepen it. Rather than ask your partner if their day went well and settle for a "yes" or "no" response, boost your awareness of their experience. Even if you think you understand them, try harder to put yourself in their shoes, and suggest they give you similar support.

Fan the flames of connection with intimate talk, and it will help keep your relationship alive.

Plan and visualize your future together Recognize what you and your partner want and whether your ideals match to

get back on track. You probably began your union on common ground and knew you shared expectations. When communication went awry, you stopped discussing your hopes for a shared future together.

It's not too late to make amends. Talk about joint ideals and the direction you want to go and you'll be closer. If your aims aren't similar, at least you'll see where you stand and can decide what to do next.

Date like new lovers do You're not as curious as you were at the start of your relationship. Nor are you as

adventurous about going out and spending quality time together. The magic you felt when you began dating has gone, but there's a good chance you can bring it back. Get vulnerable and dig for the treasure you've missed as you take turns to ask questions.

Perhaps you think you have nothing more to learn about your partner, but they have hidden depths. Update each other about ways either of you've changed. You could also share childhood memories and talk about what it was like growing up where you lived as a kid.

Rather than follow your usual routine as a couple, consider what you used to love but stopped doing. Maybe you used to visit fairgrounds, see live bands, or dance? Similarly, picnics, walking handin-hand, and eating out need not be longforgotten pleasures.

Remember For a better, healthier relationship, increase communication. Find out more about each other and get closer. If you listen well, fewer misunderstandings will arise. Also, remember why you got together. Sharing good times, and learning more about each other, will relight the embers of your relationship.l

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18

CONVERSATIONS

Is the Omicron Variant Mother Nature’s Way of Vaccinating the Masses and Curbing the Pandemic?

BY PRAKASH NAGARKATTI & MITZI NAGARKATTI, THE CONVERSATION

I

n the short time since the omicron variant was identified in South Africa in November 2021, researchers have quickly learned that it has three unique characteristics: It spreads efficiently and quickly, it generally causes milder disease than previous variants and it may confer strong protection against other variants such as delta.

This has many people wondering whether omicron could act as a vaccine of sorts, inoculating enough people to effectively bring about herd immunity – the threshold at which enough of the population is immune to the virus to stop its spread – and end the COVID-19 pandemic.

As immunology researchers at the University of South Carolina who are working on inflammatory and infectious diseases, including COVID-19, we find the characteristics of omicron in the pandemic setting particularly intriguing. And it is these characteristics that can help answer that question.

Some 4.73 billion people across the

globe – about 61.6% of the world’s population – have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In the United States, 63.4% of the population is fully vaccinated with two doses as of late January 2022, while only 39.9% of Americans have received the booster dose. Such low levels of vaccination resulting from vaccine hesitancy and the complexities of the global vaccine supply chain cast doubt on reaching herd immunity through vaccination anytime soon.

How does omicron mimic a vaccine?

All vaccines work on the principle of training the immune system to fight against an infectious agent. Each vaccine, regardless of how it is made, exposes the human or animal host to the critical molecules used by the infectious agent – in this case, the SARS-CoV-2 virus – to gain entry into the host’s cells.

Some vaccines expose the host only to select portions of the virus. For example, the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines use a molecule called messenger RNA, or mRNA, to encode and produce a fragment of the “spike protein” – the knobby protrusion that is expressed on

the outside of SARS-CoV-2 viruses – inside a person’s body. These spike proteins are the key way that the coronavirus invades cells, so the mRNA vaccines are designed to mimic that protein and trigger an immune response against it.

In contrast, some vaccines against other infections, such as chickenpox and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), expose the host to a “live attenuated” form of the virus. These vaccines use small amounts of a weakened form of the live virus. They mimic a natural infection, trigger a strong immune response and afford lasting resistance to infection.

In some respects, omicron mimics these live attenuated vaccines because it causes milder infection and trains the body to trigger a strong immune response against the delta variant, as shown in a recent study that is not yet peer-reviewed from South Africa.

Deliberate infection with omicron is not the answer While omicron may share certain characteristics with a vaccine, it should not be considered a viable alternative to the existing vaccines. For one, COVID-19 infection can result in severe illness, hospitalization or death, especially in vulnerable individuals with underlying conditions. It can also cause long-term health effects in some people, called long COVID. In contrast, vaccines currently available against COVID-19 have been tested for safety and efficacy.

The high transmission of omicron combined with ongoing vaccination efforts could help attain herd immunity soon and end the most acute phase of the pandemic. However, there is little chance of it eradicating COVID-19, since all signs point to the likelihood that the virus will become endemic – meaning SARS-CoV2 will be in circulation but will likely not be as disruptive to society.

Thus far, smallpox is the only infectious disease that has been eradicated globally, which shows how difficult it is to fully eliminate a disease. However, it is easier to control an infection effectively. One example is polio, which has been reduced or eliminated in most countries through vaccination.

What happens when the body meets a virus or vaccine Both viral infections or the mimicking of a virus through vaccination activate a critical component of the immune system, called B cells, in the body. These cells produce antibodies that bind to the virus, preventing it from infecting cells. These antibodies act much like anti-ballistic missiles that shoot down an incoming virus missile. However, once a virus manages to get inside the body’s cells, antibodies are less effective.

That’s where another key player in the immune system, called killer T cells, come in. These cells can recognize and

destroy a cell as soon as it is infected, thereby preventing the virus from multiplying and spreading further. Think of this as an anti-ballistic missile that detects and destroys the factory where missiles are manufactured.

Immunologists believe that antibodies against COVID-19 prevent an individual from catching the infection, while the killer T cells are crucial in preventing severe disease. Despite its numerous mutations, omicron can trigger a strong killer T cell response. This may explain why the COVID-19 vaccines – by triggering the T cells – have provided strong enough immunity against omicron to, in most cases, prevent hospitalization and death.

But, critically, the first wave of antibodies and killer T cells produced during infection or vaccination last for only a few months. This is why recurrent infections of COVID-19 have occurred even in the vaccinated population, and it’s also why booster shots are needed. In contrast, some vaccines – like the one against smallpox – have been shown to trigger immunity that lasts for several years.

Memory immune response So what exactly triggers strong and lasting immunity? The lifelong immunity seen in certain infections such as smallpox can be explained by a phenomenon called “immunological memory.”

After the B cells and killer T cells first encounter the virus, some of them get converted into what are called memory cells, which are known to live for several decades. As their name suggests, when memory cells “see” a virus again after initial exposure, they recognize it, divide rapidly and mount a robust antibody and killer T cell response, thereby preventing reinfection.

For this reason, memory cells are critical for establishing strong, long-lasting immunity. This is evidenced from studies with smallpox in which people that were infected or vaccinated were found to have the antibody response even after 88 years! Why some infections or vaccines trigger long-lasting memory and others do not is under active investigation.

Because COVID-19 is only two years old, we researchers don’t know yet how long the memory B and T cells last.

Based on recurrent infections, it looks like longer-term immunity does not last very long, but that could also in part be due to the evolution of new variants.

All of these considerations leave room for hope that when new variants of SARS-CoV-2 inevitably arise, omicron will have left the population better equipped to fight them. So the COVID19 vaccines combined with the omicron variant could feasibly move the world to a new stage in the pandemic – one where the virus doesn’t dominate our lives and where hospitalization and death are far less common.l

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