Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 148

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ISSUE 148 VOLUME 22

April 7, 2022

SERVING THE CARIBBEAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES!

Tomorrow’s COVID Safety Guidelines Will be Different from Today’s – But that Doesn’t Mean Yesterday’s Were Wrong When Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Rises, We All Rise ....2

BY MICHAEL WILLIAMS THE CONVERSATION

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o one gave a second thought to the safety of dining out before the pandemic. Fast-forward to today, and it’s normal to wonder whether there is a city, state or federal policy around whether you need a mask or continued on page 8

Each new variant came with its own set of unique challenges, and policymakers had to respond accordingly.

Being a Paralegal Is a Great Career Choice! ....12

“An Economy for All: Building a ‘Black Women Best’ Legislative Agenda”

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ashington, D.C.: On March 28, the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls released, “An Economy for All: Building a ‘Black Women Best’ Legislative Agenda” a 133-page comprehensive policy framework for how to center Black women at the root of policymaking to achieve a more equitable and just future for all. The Black Women Best report argues that Black continued on page 6

PA Williams: "This is Not the Way to Spend a Billion on Buffalo" ....page 3

Call 855-768-8845

Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett: Tourism is Surging After COVID-19....5

Rep Clarke Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Beware of Immigration Fraud ....10

Kids and Learning Loss: How Do We Catch Up? ....9

Knowledge is Power when you use it!

Get the BEST Consultation!

Ask the Lawyer:

5 Money-saving Tips for First-time Homebuyers ....7

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

Eveth Green: Self-Care and Stress Inoculation ....15

Joint Tribute to Dr Hugh Julian Sealy – CCCCC and CARICOM Secretariat ....2

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SPECIAL CARIBBEAN NEWS REPORT 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 685 Third Avenue, 11th Floor 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 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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Americas at Risk of Further COVID19 Wave as Cases Surge in Other Regions, PAHO Director Warns

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ashington D.C., April 6 (PAHO): As cases of COVID19 surge in Europe and East Asia due to Omicron BA.2, the (PAHO) Director Carissa F. Etienne has urged countries to remain vigilant and urgently close vaccination gaps.

While COVID cases and deaths have dropped across much of the region, countries have reported more than 620,000 new cases each week. And in parts of North America and the Caribbean, where Omicron is becoming the predominant variant, new infections are beginning to rise.

With Omicron BA.2 already detected in 8.7% of sequences reported from South America, “time and time again, we’ve seen how the infection dynamics in Europe are mirrored here just a few weeks later,” the Director said in a media briefing today.

“We cannot ignore the risk of further COVID-19 surges,” she added. But we now “know what it takes to protect our people.”

However, with 240 million people in the Americas yet to receive a single shot of COVID-19 vaccine, vaccination gaps “will keep our region at risk during future waves.”

Director Etienne. Photo credit: PAHO

While more than 685 million people in the region have completed their COVID vaccination schedules, and 50 countries and territories have already begun to deliver booster doses, we must now “redouble our efforts to ensure that our vulnerable populations receive the doses they need,” as soon as possible, Dr. Etienne said.

The PAHO Director also urged countries to keep testing capacity in place “so we do not go into this next wave blind,” and have the full picture of Omicron BA.2 in the region.

“This means making tests easily accessible for everyone everywhere, to prevent new outbreaks and to prepare our health systems if cases surge,” she added.

Dr. Etienne also warned that some countries and territories have scaled back public health measures prematurely, highlighting that data “is our eyes and ears into this pandemic.”

“Just as we did before, we must adjust our strategies when cases rise, to save lives.”

With countries due to mark World Health Day on the 7th April under the theme “Our Planet, Our Health”, the PAHO Director also highlighted the urgent need for countries to work together towards a healthier, more sustainable future.

With an increase in temperatures, air pollution and extreme weather events, “it is undeniable that climate change has presented significant threats to our region’s health,” the Director said.

Health systems are also under threat as many hospitals were build in places vulnerable to floods, hurricanes, landslides and other extreme events.

“We are working to address this throughout the Region, but we all need to move faster,” added Dr. Etienne.

“Health system resilience is not just a necessity to overcome COVID, it is an investment for our future.” l

Joint Tribute to Dr Hugh Julian Sealy – CCCCC and CARICOM Secretariat

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he CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) join with the Government of Barbados, the CARCIOM negotiators and the broader Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) grouping in expressing its shock and sadness at the sudden passing of Dr. Hugh Sealy. Dr Sealy has been a key part of the region’s and AOSIS’s climate change negotiating machinery since 2007 where he specialized in mitigation activities and carbon markets. He served as the Member of the Executive Board of the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol from 2008-2016 and served as the Board’s Chairman in 2014.

Dr. Sealy also co-chaired negotiations on Article 6 (carbon markets) at the Conference of Parties (COP) 23 in 2017 and COP25 in 2019. Hugh also Cochaired the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market.

Dr. Sealy was a champion of CARICOM and SIDS issues, including 1.5 to Stay Alive, in the climate negotiations and an ardent defender of the special and unique circumstances of SIDS. With his pleasant and persuasive attitude and charisma, coupled with his expert knowledge, energy, passion and commitment,

Dr Sealy. Photo credit: CARICOM Press

Hugh was able to influence and shape the climate negotiations to safeguard the interest of SIDS. As a negotiator, he was principled, pragmatic and steadfast about climate justice and the need for greater climate ambition and action. As a scientist, he was a visionary; and his ideas to reclaim and reuse wastewater in Barbados to improve the water resilience of Barbados to the effects of climate change was both innovative and paradigm shifting. Dr. Sealy, up until his passing, provided invaluable technical support to the CCCCCC and CARICOM Secretariat that helped shaped CARICOM’s negotiated priorities and position as part of AOSIS. Hugh was an important part of a small but dedicated and influential group of CARICOM

negotiators who continue to punch above their weight in the Climate Change negotiations. His loss will leave a tremendous gap in the team, particularly as the Region and the world move into the postCOP26 implementation of Article 6 and as the Region commences its preparations for COP27.

Hugh was also very generous with this time and his knowledge. He could always be counted on to participate fully and give his inputs into a myriad of issues no matter how busy he was, in the interest of developing the most informed CARICOM Negotiating positions. With his strong background in climate change and water resources management, Hugh contributed greatly to national and regional endeavors to build the Region’s water resilience as well as to build the climate resilience in the health sector.

Barbados lost a loyal son, and CARICOM lost a skilled and expert climate change negotiator and a friend. The CARICOM Secretariat and the entire CCCCC family send our thoughts to his family, his colleagues from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill and the Government of Barbados and to those who knew and admired him. May he Rest in Peace. l

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3

THOUGHTS

"This is Not the Way to Spend a Billion on Buffalo"

BY JUMAANE WILLIAMS

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ime is up for the Legislature to pass an on-time budget, and the governor is working overtime — not to negotiate a budget that will work for working people, but to cut the wealthiest billionaires in western New York a check.

I know there are intangible benefits to a new Buffalo Bills stadium — just as there are intangible benefits to being a Bills fan. I know keeping the Bills in Buffalo is critical, and that at least some of the stadium financing will be public. funds.

At the same time, I think we can spend a better billion on Buffalo.

A billion dollars of state investment in Buffalo could help fundamentally transform education, health care, or housing. A billion dollars aimed not at the new stadium but at the small local businesses in the surrounding blocks could revitalize a neighborhood, a community, a city.

Funding truly affordable housing creation and preservation, supporting and strengthening schools, creating youth

jobs, and establishing child care supports and infrastructure could provide immediate relief and long-term investments in affordability and growth.

Instead of gifting multimillionaires and billionaires with state funds, the governor should commit to common-sense, broadly popular legislation raising revenue from the wealthiest New Yorkers. These bills are good for Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, Albany, New York City.

Passing them is critical for our state’s financial future when the federal funding runs out. If the richest New Yorkers want the state to fund projects like a new stadium, they should at least pay their fair share.

We can’t afford to put more money into projects that over-promise and underdeliver. In recovering from that damage and building a sustainable future from Buffalo to Brooklyn, we can’t rely on the failed economic development strategies of the past. If billionaires are allowed to drive pandemic and post-pandemic policy, then the structural inequities in New York’s economy will persist.

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

Pearl Phillip Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Kenrick Williams PA Williams.Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Western New York continues to be an incredibly supportive environment for the Bills — fans show that every week. But that support doesn’t need to come at the expense of other key investments that the region needs. Buffalo, and all of New York, can have a just recovery and build a just economy. We just need political courage. l

Feature Writers Linda Nwoke Victoria Falk Contributors Jennine Estes Tarsha Gibbons Janet Howard Mary Campbell Travis Morales Chris Tobias

This Op-Ed originally ran in published by the Times Union.

Email info@myiqinc.com

Jumaane Williams is the Public Advocate and candidate for Governor of New York.

Telephone 718-771-0988

OECS Offers Condolences on the Passing of Former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

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uesday, March 29, 2022: The Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) presented its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Bridgetown, acknowledging with regret and immense sadness, the passing of former United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright.

As the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright led the State Department with distinction; she was a role model and a champion of diplomacy, multilateral action, and international cooperation. Albright was a pioneer for women globally, a fighter for

TEAM

Hon. Albright. Editorial credit: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com

freedom and democracy on behalf of all humanity, and an inspiration to many.

The Commission of the OECS joins the United States of America in paying tribute to Madeleine Albright and extends heartfelt condolences to her family and friends, and to the Government and people of the United States of America on this immense loss.l

Website www.cawnyc.com

REAL ESTATE AGENTS WANTED: APPLY NOW! It's time to make a career choice that you will LOVE. Send your resume to info@equitysmartrealty.com

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4

CIVIL RIGHTS

When Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Rises, We All Rise

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uring his final speech 54 years ago last night, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged the United States to live up to its highest ideals. “Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination,” Dr. King said. “And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge, to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.”

More than five decades later, as we remember the anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination this week, we have an opportunity to advance justice in America and help build a nation as good as its ideals.

Later this week, the Senate is expected to vote on the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the first Black woman and first former public defender to serve on our nation’s highest court. When Judge Jackson is elevated to the Supreme Court, she won’t just make history — she will be living it.

During her confirmation hearing last month, several senators spoke about what this moment means for America.

“Judge Jackson’s nomination breaks an artificially confining mold of our past and opens up a more promising, poten-

Photo: whitehouse.gov

tial-filled future for us all as Americans,” Senator Cory Booker, the first Black man to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said during the hearing’s first day. “It signals that this nation will draw more deeply from all of our talent and genius that will benefit all Americans.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar, the first woman elected to the Senate from Minnesota, remarked that Judge Jackson was “opening a door that’s long been shut to so many. And by virtue of your strong presence, your skills, your experience — you are showing so many little girls and little boys across the country that anything, and everything, is possible.”

Judge Jackson knew that was true.

When answering a question from Senator Dianne Feinstein, who was the first woman to serve as ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Judge Jackson noted the importance of her presence on the Supreme Court.

“One of the things that having diverse members of the Court does is it provides for the opportunity for role models. Since I was nominated to this position, I have received so many notes and letters and photos from little girls around the country who tell me that they are so excited for this opportunity and that they thought about the law in new ways because I am a woman, because I am a Black woman,” Judge Jackson said. “We want, I think, as a country for everyone to believe that they can do things like sit on the Supreme Court. And so having meaningful numbers of women and people of color, I think, matters.”

Despite the significance of her nomination — and despite her brilliance, her exceptional qualifications, and her stellar judicial temperament — Judge Jackson faced meritless attacks and unfair treatment by some committee members during her confirmation hearing. While we do not wish to elevate this insidious

behavior and demagoguery any further, we did write to the Senate, joined by 55 other organizations, to call it out for what it was: political pandering to extremists.

It is fitting that Judge Jackson’s committee vote is occurring on poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou’s birthday.

As Angelou wrote in one of her bestknown poems, “Still I Rise:” You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise.

As hard as some senators tried to tear her down, Judge Jackson and her passion for public service shone through. She is clearly the right person for this job and has proven that to our country.

When Judge Jackson is confirmed and rises to our nation’s highest court, we will all rise with her. Because the truth is this: Her confirmation will be historic, it will matter tremendously for the courts and for our country, and we have no doubt that she will be an outstanding justice for all of us.

Senators must meet this incredible moment in history and confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.l —Civilrights.org

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ISLAND FOCUS: JAMAICA

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Jamaica Tourism is Surging After COVID-19

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amaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has painted a picture of Jamaica’s tourism industry as a sector booming with investment and arrivals as it emerges stronger and more resilient from the fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an upbeat Sectoral Presentation to Parliament on April 5, Mr. Bartlett declared that: “By the end of 2023, the number of visitors to Jamaica is predicted to reach 4.1 million, with 1.6 million cruise passengers, 2.5 million stopover arrivals, and US$4.2 billion in revenue.”

He said the stage has been set with a number of initiatives that have been put in place with some already showing positive results. A Tourism Strategy and Action Plan (TSAP) has been devised to help boost the competitiveness of the destination and products, enhance resilience, as well as develop and deploy mechanisms to promote innovation and entrepreneurship within the sector. The TSAP is to be finalized during this financial year.

Concurrently, implementation of the Blue Ocean Strategic Framework introduced last year, will continue guiding data gathering on the shifting preferences of visitors, while providing for suitable accommodations and experiences, ensuring suitable governance arrangements, and critically, train a first-class work-

force to share world-leading goods and services with visitors.

Despite the challenges faced in the industry, Mr. Bartlett said the investment climate was booming with Jamaica experiencing its largest hotel and resort development expansion in any single year. “A total of $2 billion will be invested to bring 8,500 rooms on stream over the next five to ten years, creating some 24,000 part-time and full-time jobs and at least 12,000 jobs for construction workers,” he outlined.

Currently under construction are the 2,000-room Princess Resort in Hanover, nearly 2,000 rooms in the multi-faceted Hard Rock Resort development consisting of three other hotel brands; just under 1,000 rooms being built by Sandals and Beaches in St. Ann. Additionally, the hotel infrastructure will be boosted by the 1,000-room Viva Wyndham Resort north of Negril, RIU Hotel in Trelawny with approximately 700 rooms, Secrets Resort in Richmond St. Ann, with around 700 rooms and Bahia Principe undertaking a massive expansion by its parent company, Grupo Piñero, out of Spain.

Minister Bartlett expressed delight that 90 percent of planned tourism investments have remained on track, citing this as “a huge vote of confidence from our investors in Brand Jamaica.”

Hey New Yorkers, did you know your

Sunny day along the Seven Mile Beach in tropical Negril, Jamaica.

He posited that these developments in the tourism industry, “will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the economy and directly benefit thousands of Jamaicans,” adding that, “at least 12,000 construction workers, multiple building contractors, engineers, project managers, and a variety of other specialists will be needed to assure the timely completion of these projects.” Also, thousands of tourism workers must be trained in areas such as management, food and beverage services, housekeeping, tour guiding, and reception.

The development thrust also includes continuation of the upgrading of Negril in keeping with a Destination Management Plan that is to be finalized in this financial year. Mr. Bartlett said investments envisaged in 13 projects will ensure that Negril keeps pace with or even surpasses similar destinations in the region. Marquee projects include a town center and beach park, a craft market, a farmer’s market, and a fishing village.

IDNYC

On the island’s eastern end, a premier sustainable destination plan is unfolding for St. Thomas, that will allow visitors and Jamaicans alike to increasingly enjoy the unique ecosystems and cultural heritage of the parish. The Tourism Destination Development and Management Plan for St. Thomas as the new frontier, will see approximately US$205 million in public investment and more than twice that amount in private investment.

Commencing this fiscal year, the Ministry of Tourism will develop Rocky Point Beach, establish way-finding stations in Yallahs, rehabilitate the road to Bath Fountain Hotel, as well as leverage strategic partnerships to develop heritage sites such as Fort Rocky and the Morant Bay Monument while other arms of government undertake significant upgrades to the road and water pipeline networks.l —eturbonews.com

can expire?

Renew your card online to continue enjoying all the benefits of IDNYC, including discounts on prescriptions, groceries, health and fitness, and much more!

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IN THE NEWS

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Black Women Best/ continued from page 1 women are among the last to recover from economic downturns and last to benefit during times of economic growth. Therefore if our government brings Black women from the margins to the center and intentionally creates policies that pull Black women out of economic precarity and into economic prosperity, then everyone will benefit.

The report includes a number of specific policy solutions to close the gaps facing Black women including instituting a guaranteed income, closing the Medicaid gap and funding community-based organizations to combat the maternal mortality crisis, and a Federal Homes Guarantee.

“It is time to reorient our thinking and deliberately bring Black women from the margins of our society to the center and create policies to pull them out of poverty and economic precarity and into prosperity. And in doing so, everyone will benefit. That is the mission of The Black Women Best Legislative Agenda, and I am tremendously proud and deeply honored to join Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Kelly in delivering this long overdue initiative. The Black Women Best Legislative Agenda provides a measured and meaningful pathway to equity Black women deserve,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY09). “Our aspiration is to establish a clear policy agenda that will address the inequities that have historically and dis-

proportionately burdened and oppressed Black women and girls. These policy solutions will focus on creating opportunities and investments to propel Black women toward economic progress, which will undoubtedly add to our nation’s economic potential. Black women have persevered through unimaginable oppression, historical mistreatment and shameful exclusion and this is our time to finally and fairly benefit from the fruits of our ancestors' forced labor.

We are righting wrongs with The Black Women Best Legislative Agenda, and I am deeply honored to be part of this noble work on behalf of America’s Black women and girls,” Congresswoman Clarke continued.

“While the Black Women Best agenda offers several important policy proposals, at its heart is the need to center policy on equity,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “Current and historic policy

has whether intentionally or not put Black women at enormous disadvantages in such factors as health, education, housing, and overall economic stability.

Gaps have emerged between Black women and their peers in each of these.

By centering policy discussions on the needs of Black women, we can bring parity in ways that benefit everyone.”

“Black women have been intentionally left behind in our economy for generations. Today, we release the Black Women Best agenda to outline the most important legislation we can pass to finally bring Black women to the forefront of our economy,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02).

“The power of the Black Women Best agenda is that in prioritizing the economic success of Black women, we improve the economy for everyone. Black Women Best challenges white supremacy, ableism, sexism, queerphobia and xenophobia to demand better for Black women and for everyone. Black women are historically the last to recover from economic downturn. For the past two years, Black women have served on the front lines as childcare workers, home health workers, transportation workers, nurses and teachers. Black women have also been forced to leave the workforce at historic levels. As we put our economy back on track after the damage of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must center our focus on Black women. We must actively uplift Black women to support the recovery of our economy and protect against future economic crises. I am proud to join Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Clarke in releasing this agenda to empower Black women across the country with the tools to achieve economic success and prosperity.”

"In this country, Black women have never been as considered, included, or rewarded as they should," said Janelle Jones, architect of the Black Women Best framework. "The way to economic growth that provides security and stability for all is possible. And the blueprint is here — in this BWB legislative agenda."

“There’s no denying the structural inequities built into US policy, systems and institutions that directly harm Black women — too often by design,” said Kendra Bozarth, co-chair of the Black Women Best Working Group and communications director at Liberation in a Generation. “Narrative change is a key part of uprooting this harm, and the BWB framework is our North Star for rewriting the stories that shape economic policy, politics, and ultimately our livelihoods and lives.”

“Pursuing a Black Women Best legislative agenda is about pulling Black women out of economic precarity and into economic prosperity, which is only possible when all interlocking oppressive structures are dismantled,” said Azza Altiraifi, co-chair of the Black Women Best Working Group and senior policy manager at Liberation in a Generation.

“Black women hold a multitude of marginalized identities and endure compounded oppression; using intersectional policy interventions to mitigate those burdens will propel us on the path toward building a liberation economy.”

“The bill is far past due for America to make good on the many promises it's made to create a society and economy that works for Black women. This paper offers Congress actionable steps to do just that," said Insight Center President Anne Price.

“Our economy could not function without Black women, and yet we are overlooked when economic policy is crafted to benefit others. With this paper, we are offering the recommendations ourselves. All Congress has to do is act,” said Springboard to Opportunities CEO Aisha Nyandoro.

“Black Women Best is an opportunity for all of us,” said Angela Peoples, cofounder of The South. “Time and time again, we see Black women experiencing the brunt of economic challenges. If we approach policy from a perspective of ‘How do we improve outcomes for Black women?’ we will inherently improve the lives of all communities struggling. This report is a tool for all policymakers who want to lift up working families and create an equitable economy.”

"For everyone to thrive in the economy, policymakers must dismantle the structural barriers that limit Black women’s economic freedom,” said Jessica Fulton, Vice President of Policy for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies “Making Black women’s economic health a centerpiece of federal policy making will not only address generational harm but is also critical for the success of the overall economy. Now we have a scorecard to ensure policies deliver shared transformative change.”

Congresswoman Watson Coleman will be introducing a resolution later this week encouraging the use of this framework and those that complement it as a guideline to create and implement better public policies to benefit all people, specifically Black women.” l Read the report at www,cawnyc.com

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AMERICAN DREAM

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5 Money-saving Tips for First-time Homebuyers

BY WAYNE JORDAN

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re you in the market for your very first home? If so, congratulations! Buying a home is an exciting milestone in anyone's life.

However, it can also be a bit daunting, especially if you're on a tight budget.

Don't worry, this blog post will share five money-saving tips that will help you get into your dream home without breaking the bank.

Tip 1: Consider a fixer-upper If you're on a tight budget, consider buying a fixer-upper. Often, these homes are priced significantly lower than other properties in your area, which gives you more room to work with in terms of your budget. Plus, fixing up a home is a great way to learn about home ownership and add some personal touches to your new space.

Tip 2: Shop around for the best mortgage rate When you're buying a home, it's important to shop around for the best mortgage rate. This will help you save money in the long run and reduce your overall borrowing costs. Talk to a few different

lenders and compare rates before you make a decision. A fixed-rate mortgage will protect you from interest rate hikes down the road, and they tend to be much easier for first-time buyers to understand and vary little from lender to lender.

Tip 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage It's important to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start shopping for a home, so you will need to think about the financing upfront. This will give you an idea of how much money you can borrow and help you narrow down your search criteria.

However, just because you can borrow say, $300,000, does not mean you should.

Choosing a smaller and less expensive home will help you save money on things like property taxes and heating costs.

Tip 4: Consider buying a duplex or triplex If you're looking for ways to save money on housing, consider buying a duplex or triplex. These types of properties often offer lower monthly payments than traditional single-family homes. And, if you live in one unit and rent out the other unit(s), you can make a nice profit.

Tip 5: Be mindful of closing costs Closing costs can add up, so ask your real estate agent about any potential discounts or rebates available. You can always ask the seller to contribute to your share of closing costs, which will show as "seller credits" on the loan estimate form.

If you don't have the cash available to pay closing costs, a no-closing-cost option may be an alternative if your lender offers it. This saves you the trouble of having to come up with the money upfront at closing. However, it ultimately will cost you more in the long run because your lender will absorb the closing costs in a higher interest rate.

money when buying your first home.

And, once you're settled in, be creative!

There are lots of affordable ways to add some personality to your space without breaking the bank. For example, you could use temporary wallpaper, thriftstore and eBay finds, or even DIY projects. YouTube videos are a great way to learn new skills, and taking care of your own tiling, shelving, and carpentry can save you a lot of money.

We are happy to help and share our insight and experience to help you your homebuying process. Schedule an appointment today, call us at 888-6706791. l

Final words Hopefully, these tips help you save

Wayne Jordan is a real estate agent at Equity Smart Realty Inc.

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DIASPORA CONCERNS

8

COVID Safety Guidelines/ continued from page 1 proof of vaccination to eat in a restaurant.

The public policies around dining and many other activities have changed multiple times over the course of the pandemic. These rules are also often different from place to place. For millions of parents like my wife and me, the guidelines regarding children can be especially frustrating, as they seem to change constantly.

I am the former director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Health Policy and a practicing surgeon. I have followed both the development and rapid implementation of public policy in response to COVID-19, and I, like many people, have struggled to stay up to date.

Typically, meaningful changes to federal health policy happen at a glacial pace.

But the modern world has never faced a public health crisis that has changed as quickly as the pandemic. The constant back and forth of rules can be frustrating, but policy changes aren’t usually a sign of mistakes. Rather, they show that for the most part, policymakers are getting things right over and over again.

Rapid changes require rapid responses The continued evolution of the coronavirus and resultant public policy changes don’t look like a normal public health crisis. It’s happening like a hurricane.

The danger of a hurricane depends heavily on the strength and path of the storm, and these things can and do change unexpectedly. Government officials use the best evidence available to

Densely populated places like New York City will implement vastly different guidelines on vastly different timelines than rural areas, where the virus spreads very differently.

give general information or orders to take certain precautions, shelter in place or evacuate an area, all within a very narrow window of time. Sometimes evacuation orders for a town or region will be issued, only to have a hurricane strike elsewhere.

This virus has similarly changed – and continues to change – very quickly. In a little over two years, researchers have found dozens of COVID-19 variants.

Many of these have clinically important differences in their transmissibility, the severity of the illness they cause and the degree to which they are preventable and treatable with existing therapies.

When the coronavirus first emerged, health officials knew very little about it and did not have systems in place to track or predict its behavior; there was a hurricane approaching and the world had neither satellites nor weather models. But as epidemiologists and public health officials gained greater understanding of the virus, they quickly gained the ability to deploy effective countermeasures and adapt as the virus also changed.

University researchers and the pharmaceutical industry rapidly developed COVID-19 tests. Mask testing began at once. And as soon as scientists mapped the coronavirus’s genome, work began to quickly use existing mRNA vaccine technologies to develop a vaccine in record time.

Public health done fast With science and situations on the ground evolving rapidly, policymakers had no choice but to be equally as nimble. This has manifested in two unique ways.

First is the use of executive power. Both Presidents Trump and Biden – as well as a host of governors from coast to coast – have leveraged executive orders to shorten the time between the development and implementation of policies. Executive orders are also much easier to roll back or reinstate as coronavirus cases ebb and flow over time, and states in particular have relied on the ability to do this.

Second is the fast-tracking of drug and

vaccine approvals. The normal process by which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves new drugs is slow – usually around a 10-year process or so, depending on the treatment. Drug companies can use the FDA’s emergency use authorization process to speed this up slightly, but not by very much. To shorten this process even more, the FDA created a fast-track program specifically intended to accelerate the approval of treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. As a result, it took less than a year for vaccines to get emergency use authorization from the discovery of the coronavirus.

Just as a hurricane response needs to adapt to conditions on the ground and implement the best available information at a moment’s notice, so too has the pandemic response.

Different places, different policies Hurricanes are intensely local and relatively short-lived. The pandemic is like dozens of different hurricanes repeatedly hitting all over the U.S. simultaneously.

This has created a complicated web of policy that can and should be different depending on where you are and what bodies govern there.

The U.S. Congress, state governors, city mayors, departments of health and even local school boards have each needed to develop and implement policies for their own hurricanes at their own levels of control.

Despite its complexity, this approach to public policy is another example of getting it right over and over. New York City public health officials must respond to the unique situation in New York at any given time. These actions may be very different from the issues confronted by the mayor of Barstow, California – a far smaller, far more rural city. Local conditions require local solutions, all of which can evolve over time. This is very different from most other public health problems in the U.S. During flu season, for example, the correct response tends to be relatively similar from place to place.

Getting it right over and over again I and many others have been guilty on occasion of thinking of policymakers as backpedaling when guidance changes back and forth or being inconsistent when one state makes a certain decision while another does something else. But I’ve come to appreciate that that isn’t the correct framing.

As variants emerge, targeted policies to counteract the new reality follow in quick order. Reinstating mask requirements after they have been dropped or recommending additional vaccine doses between waves may seem like 180degree course corrections. But in reality, these policy changes are the right reactions to the hurricane of COVID-19 that continues on its meandering path across the globe.

When the next change comes, I submit that you shouldn’t be frustrated or angry.

Rather, we should all applaud the fact that researchers and public health experts are getting it right over and over again.

Michael Williams is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Public Policy,

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FAMILY MATTERS

9

Kids and Learning Loss: How Do We Catch Up?

BY MANUEL HOLGUIN

B

y March 25, 2020, a few months after the first reported case of COVID-19 in the US, all public schools were closed indefinitely. "It became immediately apparent that the pandemic would have a huge impact on students and specifically students of color and students from low-income communities," said Allison Socol, Ph.D., during a briefing to discuss the impact and learning loss that students experienced during the pandemic shut down.

Most importantly, Socol and two other panelists, Hayin Kimner, Ph.D., and Louis Freedberg, an award-winning education journalist, discussed proven programs and approaches to inspire students to get back to school and recover from learning loss.

Socol spoke on what "unfinished learning" is and why the Education Trust chose not to call it "learning loss" or "learning gaps." Learning loss and gaps, as others refer to them, are the loss of academic skills and knowledge that students face when taking breaks from school or, in this case, being forced to stop attending in-person learning, such as

the last two years. They chose "unfinished learning" for two reasons; the first is to "signal that with resources and supports, students can absolutely make progress" and to "shift the focus away from blaming students and putting the responsibility on the systems." Socol, like many others, understands that the full effects of the school shutdowns due to COVID are still being studied. "The research that we're drawing on is not research about how to accelerate students learning in a global pandemic," said Socol. "But we do know a lot about what works for accelerating students learning

and helping them catch up."

The Education Trust brings to the table three evidence-based strategies to accelerate learning. The first is targeted intensive tutoring, and she demonstrated its features and how they range from more to less effective. Some examples are the effectiveness of tutors, being more effective when done by certified teachers and less effective when done by trained volunteers or peers. Another shows how the ratio of one or two students to one teacher is more effective than when the balance is 3-4:1. The second strategy is expanded learning time. An example of

this strategy is how the curriculum is most effective when aligned, individualized, and high-quality and loses effectiveness when no clear program goals are set. The final strategy is relationship building, showing how certified teachers and other staff can be more effective than outside mentors.

Louis Freedberg spoke on the strategy of project-based learning. Project-based learning is an approach in which it is believed that students acquire more profound knowledge through a functional assessment of real-world challenges.

"For me, one of the most important goals is getting kids excited about learning and being in school," said Freedberg. "For too long, the focus and the whole narrative in schools has been on testing and grades." Freedberg understands that there will always be some form of testing in schools but believes it does not entirely work and should not be the primary way of teaching children. Freedberg uses the George Lucas Educational Foundation and Edutopia as an example. Their core strategies are "project-based learning, social and emotional learning, comprehensive assessment, teacher developcontinued on page 10

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IMMIGRATION

10

Arleigh Louison is Dead. The Devastation of His Fraud Lives On.

BY MARY CAMPBELL

F

ederal law enforcement agents arrested Arleigh Louison on July 18, 2019. He was indicted in Vermont on 12 counts of making false statements and submitting over 1,800 fraudulent immigration applications to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

“A federal grand jury returned a 12count indictment against Arleigh Louison, 53, of Brooklyn, New York, charging him with running an immigration fraud scheme that included the filing of false statements with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, including over 1,800 fraudulent applications for over 1,000 petitioners within the last four years. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agents arrested Louison in Brooklyn, New York, and executed a federal search warrant at his office,” said the U.S. Department of Justice press release.

“The indictment charges that the false statements were made in connection with Form I-360 petitions for status adjustments under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In short, the indictment charges that Louison presented or caused the presentment of adjustment of

The late “Untouchable “Louison. Photo: Facebook

status petitions containing false statements to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Service Center in St. Albans, Vermont claiming that the petitioners were victims of abuse. The indictment also charges that these petitioners, who paid Louison for his services, did not discuss abuse with Louison, were not abused as described in the petitions, and did not authorize the statements made in the petitions Louison submitted to USCIS. The indictment also charges that Louison fabricated fee waiver petitions on behalf of these individuals without their knowledge.”

Problems for Victims/Clients Louison has since passed. However, he has left a carnage of victims facing deportation and a myriad of immigration

issues. What does this mean? Since Arleigh Louison was arrested for immigration fraud, the files of all his clients will be reviewed by the Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents (ICE).

Additionally, every single client will be served a Notice to Appear (NTA) and be interviewed by ICE agents with the sole purpose of seeking admission to initiate deportation proceedings. The NTA is the first step taken by the American government to remove an immigrant from the country. If you were a client of Louison, it is imperative that you consult with an AILA attorney and do not meet with ICE alone. You should also seek the advice of more than one counsel. Get a case evaluation. ASK THE LAWYER – call 855768-8845.l

Kids and Learning Loss/ continued from page 9 ment, integrated studies, and technology integration."

Another strategy to help close the learning gaps due to COVID is community schools. Hayin Kimner, Ph.D., spoke on the subject. "Community Schools do not refer to a program or a funding strategy," Kimner said. "When we're talking about Community Schools, we're talking about a whole child. It's a whole-school improvement strategy where districts and schools work together and work with their community, teachers, students, families, staff, and partnering with community agencies and local government to align their resources to improve student outcomes."

Learning from the mess of COVID, Community Schools Learning Exchange (CSLX) took what was most effective when teaching shifted to remote learning. Community schools focus on student and family relationships, collaborative and leadership staff, student-centered education, and integrated student and teacher support. In the final word, Kimner said that community learning and any of these strategies are more than a response to COVID; it's about adapting to cultures, putting connections and human relationships first, and working as a community to support children to thrive. l

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IMMIGRATION

11

USCIS Announces New Actions to Reduce Backlogs, Expand Premium Processing, and Provide Relief to Work Permit Holders

W

ASHINGTON: On March 29, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a trio of efforts to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall legal immigration system.

USCIS will set new agency-wide backlog reduction goals, expand premium processing to additional form types, and work to improve timely access to employment authorization documents.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resource constraints resulting from the prior administration, USCIS inherited a significant number of pending cases and increased processing times. Through these actions by the Biden administration, USCIS is acting to reduce these caseloads and processing times, while also ensuring that fair and efficient services are available to applicants and petitioners.

“USCIS remains committed to delivering timely and fair decisions to all we serve,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Every application we adjudicate represents the hopes and dreams of

immigrants and their families, as well as their critical immediate needs such as financial stability and humanitarian protection.”

Reducing Processing Backlogs To reduce the agency’s pending caseload, USCIS is establishing new internal cycle time goals this month. These goals are internal metrics that guide the backlog reduction efforts of the USCIS workforce and affect how long it takes the agency to process cases. As cycle times improve, processing times will follow, and applicants and petitioners will receive decisions on their cases more quickly. USCIS will increase capacity, improve technology, and expand staffing to achieve these new goals by the end of FY 2023.

Expanding Premium Processing The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that aligns premium processing regulations with the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act. The rule codifies premium processing fees and adjudication timeframes

provided by Congress.

USCIS intends to begin implementing, through a phased approach, premium processing availability of Form I-539, Form I-765 and Form I-140 in fiscal year 2022. USCIS will also adhere to the congressional requirement that the expansion of premium processing must not cause an increase in processing times for regular immigration benefit requests.

USCIS plans to begin this phased implementation process by expanding premium processing eligibility to Form I-140 filers requesting EB-1 immigrant classification as a multinational executive or manager, or EB-2 immigrant classification as a member of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability seeking a national interest waiver.

Improving Access to Employment Authorization Documents USCIS continues to make progress toward a temporary final rule currently named “Temporary Increase of the Automatic Extension Period of Employment Authorization and Documentation for Certain Renewal Applicants.”

In recent months, USCIS has begun streamlining many EAD processes, including extending validity periods for certain EADs and providing expedited work authorization renewals for healthcare and childcare workers. The temporary final rule aims to build on this progress and to ensure certain individuals will not lose their work authorization status while their applications are pending.l

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JOBS & RECESSION

12

Being a Paralegal Is a Great Career Choice! 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

Orientation is Tuesday, April 12

Join us via Zoom at 6pm

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nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

nRELATIONSHIPS

nRECIPES

SOJA win the 2022 Grammy For Best Reggae Album

SOJA Photo: sojamusic.com

BY XAVIER MURPHY JAMAICANS.COM

A

merican reggae band SOJA (Soldiers of Jah Army) has won the 2022 Grammy for Best Reggae Album with “Beauty in the Silence”. The results were posted on the Recording Academy Twitter page and during the pre-telecast at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This is the first Grammy award for the band which is based in Arlington, Virginia.

The other Best Reggae Album Grammy award nominees were Spice for her album “10”, Sean Paul for his album “Live N Livin”, Jesse David Royal for his album “Royal”, Etana for her album “Pamoja” and Gramps Morgan for his

album “Positive Vibration”. This was the first time in the history of the Reggae Album award, which was instituted 36 years ago, that two women have been nominated at the same time. Only five women have previously been nominated in the Best Reggae Album category: Judy Mowatt was nominated in 1985 becoming the first female singer nominated; Koffee, who won in 2020; Rita Marley who was nominated in 1991; Sister Carol, nominated in 1996; and Etana, nominated in 2018 for the first time.

The 64th GRAMMY Awards was broadcasted live from the the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3rd, 2022, on CBS Trevor Noah hosted the 2022 Grammy Awards.l

nSPORTS

nHOROSCOPE

Kitchen Corner

Easter Deviled Eggs

A

very easy, special touch for Easter and fun to do at baby showers as well. Do some plain white ones to keep everyone happy.

By Nancy Clancy, AllRecipes.com Ingredients 12 large eggs ¼ cup creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip®) salt and ground black pepper to taste hot sauce ¼ teaspoon dry mustard 4 drops red food coloring, or desired amount 4 drops blue food coloring, or desired amount 4 drops green food coloring, or desired amount 3 cups water, or as desired Directions Step 1 Place eggs into a large saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Let eggs boil for 3 minutes; turn off heat, cover pot, and let eggs cook in hot water for at least 20 minutes. Drain and cover eggs with cold water. Peel cooled eggs.

Step 2 Cut hard-cooked eggs in half lengthwise and remove yolks; mash yolks in a bowl with creamy salad dressing, salt, black pepper, hot sauce, and dry mustard until smooth.

Step 3 Place red, blue, and green food coloring into 3 different bowls and add about 1

cup water to each bowl. Steep 8 egg white halves in each bowl, tinting the egg whites pink, light blue, and green. If color is too pale, add more coloring to bowls. Drain colored egg whites on paper towels.

Step 4 Pipe or spoon egg yolk filling into colored egg white halves; cover and chill before serving, at least 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 87 calories; protein 6.3g; carbohydrates 1.1g; fat 6.3g; cholesterol 187.7mg; sodium 128.6mg.l Additional: 1 hr Total: 1 hr 25 mins Cook: 25 mins Servings:12 Yield: 24 deviled egg halves

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GENERATIONS

14

Your Guide to Estate Planning

care power of attorney will make any decisions on your health if you are unable to, while your financial power of attorney will be able to take care of your finances and affairs when you can't.

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

T

hough you may know that you need to plan for the future, you may not realize what that entails.

You may have heard the term estate plan and figured that you still had time to decide what you want to be done with your things. In fact many prefer not to think about it, though that can be a costly mistake for your loved ones. Hence, the importance of estate planning.

What is Estate Planning?

Estate planning encompasses a range of measures that individuals can take to ensure their assets are distributed appropriately in the event of their death or incapacitation. Writing a will that specifies who gets what after someone dies is an example of estate planning. However, while most people are familiar with the concept of leaving a will, estate planning can involve a wide range of other activities. Most estate planning is conducted with the advice and supervision of an attorney.

Because your wishes should be followed, you need to start making an estate plan. Here are some things to consider while doing so: Start with a will.Your will is a document

that states what you want to happen when you are gone. You can decide who gets which assets when you are gone. This doesn't just include your house and vehicles. It includes the money in your bank accounts, retirement accounts, and much more. You also can't forget your other assets. You may own a winter or vacation home, along with boats and vehicles that stay there.

For this reason, you shouldn't make a will on your own. Your lawyer will help to ensure that everything is done properly so your family will be taken care of when you are gone.

If you have young children, decide who you want their legal guardian to be.

Unfortunately many children lose their

parents at a young age, so you can't pretend that it won't happen to you. Instead, you have to decide who you want to take care of them if you can't. This can be a tough decision because you are going to want someone who is going to raise them the way that you would have.

It is also a lot to ask of someone, so make sure that you talk to any potential legal guardians. You don't want them to feel blindsided if you pass away, so you should make sure that they know what your plan is.

Decide on a power of attorney.You may want more than one power of attorney, which may be a good idea. Some people prefer one for their health care needs and one for their financial needs. Your health

Make a living will. If you have certain wishes (or you don't want to put your family in the position of making health care decisions), you may want to write out a living will. This will give your doctors specific instructions of things that they can and can't do with you if you can't make that decision.

Many people don't want extraordinary measures taken if the outlook doesn't look very promising. They want to be taken off of life support (or never put on it) if they are severely injured.

If you don't have a living will, your loved ones will have to make these decisions for you. They may choose to keep you alive because they can't stand to let you go.

Planning your estate isn't easy. There are many decisions to be made, including writing a will and a living will. You may also need to figure out who you want to care for your children if you are severely injured or deceased. These are all serious decisions and you shouldn't take it lightly.

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HEALTH

15

Caring for Yourself: Self-Care and Stress Inoculation

BY VICTORIA FALK

T

he Chamber Coalition, which comprises the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), the African American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC), and the Hispanic American International Chamber of Commerce (HAICC), celebrated Women's Month by holding a Bootcamp focusing on Women's Leadership & Wellness. One of the topics was Caring for Yourself: Self-Care and Stress Innoculation. Ms. Eveth Green, Family Nurse Practitioner with Advantage Care, was the presenter. She explained that self-care is essential and looks different for each of us. The Covid19 pandemic brought about a whole new level of stress and anxiety. "We're still seeing, two years later, the lingering physical and emotional impact of the pandemic," said Ms. Green, "…a lot of patients coming in with a lot of anxiety and a lot of dread still." Reportedly, some patients are making medical appointments for supposed medical ailments.

However, upon further examination, it was discovered that their ailments were due to emotional stress and social issues.

Therefore, "we at Advantage Care are thinking about 'the whole you' approach," reported Green.

There has reportedly been an increase in hypertension, anxiety, and depression.

According to Green, the World Health Organization recorded a 25% increase in anxiety and depression in the first year of Covid. Green explained that "…tells us that these things have already been around and are just now really compounded by the effects of the pandemic."

Green confided that "as a leader and woman, there were so many moments of stress" in her life. As a leader, she was responsible for ensuring everything was

in place for her team. "It was a very emotional, high-stressed time, even two years later," recalls Ms. Green.

She stated that her priority was figuring out how to keep her patients safe, staff safe, and family safe."

Overwhelmed by issues similar to what Green stated, with no outlet for their stress, many frontline workers resorted to suicide during the pandemic. Studies showed a significant increase in suicide among frontline healthcare workers due to the "adverse physiological effects of Covid-19 on healthcare workers."

Regular mental health screenings were advised to evaluate stress, depression,

and anxiety.

But there are indeed signs of burnout that one can and should pay attention to.

Some signs of burnout Green shared include: "Fatigue, lack of motivation, poor selfhygiene, and being more easily irritated."

She stressed the importance of listening to your body and said that even if you can't pinpoint exactly what is wrong, you know when something is off. "Our bodies are very good at letting us know something is wrong," said Green. She said to seek professional help when "You cannot perform your daily activities, have thoughts of suicide, bouts of depression; feel hopeless, have difficulty sleeping, or find yourself having difficulty getting out of bed."

Women's struggle is real, and some women choose to suffer in silence because they feel guilty about having negative feelings about being in a caregiver role. She encourages these women to "give themselves grace."

"There is no shame in admitting you need help. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to stop again and pause and say I deserve to be my best. Speak to your pricontinued on page 16

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16

TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

Travel & Adventure Show Saw Successful New York City Debut and Announces 2023 Dates

N

ew YORK CITY, April 4, 2022: New Yorkers are ready to travel again as shown by the Travel & Adventure Show which debuted its fifth live event in 2022 in New York on March 18-20 welcoming over 14,000 travelsavvy consumers, over 200 exhibitors, over 250 media attendees and nearly 2,200 trade delegates manning hundreds of exhibits from around the globe. The show gave attendees an opportunity to engage with destination representatives, tour operators and travel companies offering up travel ideas and inspiration as travel rebounds. Attendees were even invited to take advantage of special deals and promotions on the spot to make their dream vacation a reality.

Following on the success of this weekend, Travel & Adventure Shows has officially announced the show will return in 2023 to the Jacob Javits Center from January 27 - 29. The next event promises to be bigger, with more exhibitors, more attendees, and more opportunities to be inspired to travel.

“As the travel industry emerges from perhaps its most challenging years in history, we could not be more excited to have helped lead so many storied travel brands, destinations and suppliers back to a proactive environment,” stated John Golicz, CEO of Unicomm, LLC, the event’s producer. “Our New York debut was our fifth live show in five consecutive weekends, and we were overwhelmed by the reception we received by a very eager crowd of New York travel enthusiasts. We’ve already secured January 27-29 at the Javits to bring the show back even bigger and better with a larger showroom, more exhibitors, speakers and additional interactive opportunities for attendees.”

The New York Travel & Adventure Show kicked off with a Travel Trade Summit on Friday, March 18th which invited travel industry experts, tour operators and travel agents for a day of informative panels, sessions and discussions before an unveiling of the expo floor. Hosted in partnership with Travel Market Report, the Summit offered a myriad of industry-specific content taking place across four separate stages giving attendees a choice of three keynote and eight breakout sessions. A VIP Networking Reception was held on the Show Floor Friday evening, as exhibitors and trade members spent a couple hours discussing ongoing travel plans and trends right on the show floor. Overall, over 500 members of the travel trade and media came to the 1st annual Travel Trade Summit at the New York Travel & Adventure Show.

Then Saturday and Sunday the Show opened to consumers for an exciting two days of travel seminars, exciting trip giveaways and special on-the-spot deals that many consumers took advantage of.

Photo courtesy: The Travel & Adventure Show

Over the course of the two days, roughly 14,000 consumers attended the first ever New York Travel & Adventure Show and for next year’s event the organizers are anticipating even greater numbers as the pandemic recedes and travel reaches new heights.

Show sponsors included Major Sponsor Cruise Planners, The Islands of the Bahamas and Royal Caribbean were supporting sponsors, Croatia National Tourist Board was the event’s featured exhibitor as well as an international destination sponsor for the Travel Trade Summit. The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism was also an international DMO sponsor for the Travel Trade Summit, as well as a supporting sponsor of the event. Bronze sponsors for the Travel Trade Summit included the Israel Ministry of Tourism and ProColombia, and Fort Myers Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods was the official cocktail reception sponsor. The Florida Keys & Key West sponsored the green screen photo booth.

Over 40 live consumer-focused travel seminars allowed what would-be-travelers to re-hone their skills, learn about what has changed in travel since the pandemic, what destinations are in demand and even how to take better travel photographs. Our four dozen speakers filled the four on-floor stages featuring top travel celebrity personalities including: actor, director and award-winning travel writer, Andrew McCarthy; CBS News

travel editor and Emmy award-winning investigative reporter, Peter Greenberg; Editorial Director of the Frommer’s Guides, Pauline Frommer; Emmy awardwinning host of Samantha Brown’s Places to Love, Samantha Brown; bestselling author of “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” Patricia Schultz; and “The Points Guy,” Brian Kelly, all spent time discussing the new travel normal in front of hundreds of eager travelers.

“As New Yorkers welcome back tourists to their city, many are also eagerly planning for trips that they’ve put off, so the energy from our attendees was palpable and invigorating. They are ready for their next adventure so what better way to decide where to go next than with the chance to personally discuss their travel plans with the people from destinations from all over the world, all in one place,” said Jonathan Golicz, Vice President of Unicomm, LLC. Recognizing that while travel is important to people and industries around the world, it is also a privilege and helping people in a fundamental way is the most important thing one can do, Travel & Adventure Shows CEO John Golicz welcomed a representative from the office of the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York to announce that all proceeds from the Travel Trade Summit would be donated to assist the refugees of Ukraine ensuring they receive critical humanitarian assistance. l

Interested in becoming a Certified Travel Agent? Visit www.nacc.nyc/travelagent to learn more.

Caring for Yourself/ continued from page 15 mary care physician, connect with someone, said Green.

Green noted that 2 out of 3 women are caregivers, and 70% of the global workforce is women.

Women already "…wear so many different hats," she stated, and during the pandemic, if you were a mother, you became a teacher, a caregiver. You became isolated from working from home."

Green discussed the importance of "pausing" to do self-care. She defines self-care as showing up for yourself – doing for yourself. It is making a conscious decision "…to tap into the moral and spiritual support, eating properly, enjoying time with friends and family."

Green warned that caregivers have a natural tendency to put themselves last.

However, she stressed the importance of knowing that you deserve to be your best self. "You really have to be filled up yourself. If you don't have emotions for yourself, how are you showing up for others?" she asked.

Self-care doesn't have to be huge to be effective. Green stressed the importance of self-care, even if it is "5 to 10 minutes before you go to bed to take care of yourself. It may be a phone call or a virtual visit to your healthcare provider." She wants people to know that taking care of themselves is not 'selfish' and that they deserve to take care of themselves. "Even when there is no one else, there is still help. There are still resources and help out there you can leverage – even when you are alone." l

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17

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

You Can Learn to Enjoy Being Alone

BY MARY CAMPBELL

4) Refresh your mindset and appreciate people Paradoxically, being alone might be helpful if you have become so familiar with people you take them for granted, or vice versa. You can enjoy being with people because you feel refreshed. They might also appreciate you more after you've been apart for a while.

S

olitude may be uncomfortable, but you can discover how to love spending time by yourself. Once you know the benefits of being alone, you'll wonder why you didn't strive for more solo time earlier.

Five joys of being alone These five joys of being by yourself stem from absolute alone time. Listening to podcasts, TV watching, video game playing, and partaking in other digital distractions isn't as helpful as complete solitude.

To be alone, spend time by yourself without switching on devices.

1) Find solutions Most of your aha moments arise when you are alone. Typically, people have new ideas during simple solo activities like taking a shower or lawn mowing. Or they might engage in lightbulb moments while they meditate or stroll amid nature.

If you need a solution to a problem, engaging in solo time can help. Without distractions to steal attention, you're free to work on difficulties or let thoughts stream. Problem-solving is simple when you are alone compared to times spent in the company of others.

2) Increase self-awareness Being alone will work wonders if you plan to embark on personal development.

You can focus on growth projects, consider what you learn, and assimilate information. You can examine self-talk when you're by yourself and think about what you want in a distraction-free environment.

3) Relax You can relax when you are alone.

There's no one to satisfy when you are by yourself. You can take deep, calming breaths and watch the world go by without engaging with anyone or anything.

5) Boost creativity Most individuals find their creativity drops unless the environment is distraction-free. If the scenario rings true, you will work on creative projects better when alone.

Being alone can aid creativity, whether with a paintbrush or words. Alone time while you engage in artistry is the equivalent of dancing while no one's watching.

You aren't embarrassed and don't aim to please, so you're likely to have unique ideas and ways of expressing yourself.

You might dislike being alone at present, but think of the advantages. If you are by yourself, you can enjoy enhanced creativity, relaxation, and time for personal development. Solo time may also strengthen your relationships and aid problem-solving. Just recognizing what you can gain from solitude may be enough to help you embrace it.l

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18

CONVERSATIONS

Two Years On - What We've Learned About the COVID-19 Virus and Vaccines

BY MANUEL HOLGUIN

M

ore than two years into the pandemic, things finally seem to be moving in a somewhat promising direction; despite the spike in COVID cases this past January, numbers across the nation have decreased. So, to address questions that the public might have, Ethnic Media Services and the CDC held a briefing. Two subject-matter experts from the CDC, Dr. John Brooks, MD, Senior Science Advisor, CDC Emergency COVID-19 Response, and Dr. Shannon Stokley, Dr. Public Health, Co-lead, Vaccine Task Force, CDC Emergency COVID-19 Response, led the briefing. Both spoke on where the country stands and how we can reach a point where COVID is no longer controlling people's lives.

Dr. Brooks spoke on the dramatic decrease in COVID cases throughout the country. New York City reported a day with zero cases at the beginning of March and had a seven-day average of reported cases in the mid-twenties.

Numbers not seen in New York City since August of the previous year. This significant swing comes after a stellar spike in January, when the seven-day

average reached more than 600. A report Dr. Brooks called "encouraging."

"In some areas, we are now recording small increases, even as cases continue to fall in others," said Dr. Brooks, referring to the BA.2 sublineage of the Omicron variant that has been reported in the U.S. and around the world in increasing numbers. During the briefing that Friday, March 25, Dr. Brooks advised reporters that BA.2 represented 35% of all the variants in the nation. However, the CDC website informed that the BA.2 variant was responsible for more than half of all cases at 54.9% by the next day. So far, the reports show that although the variant BA.2 has higher transmission than its predecessor, it does not cause any more harm, and vaccines are effective against it.

Though the number of confirmed cases increases, hospitalizations and covid

confirmed deaths decrease. "I would like to emphasize that if cases rise, from the Omicron variant or any other variant, we have the tools – vaccines, tests, and therapeutics – to be prepared," assured Dr. Brooks.

Dr. Stokley delivered only more reassurance of the ground gained over the past two years: "We've made tremendous progress over the last year and a half with more than 559 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered." Dr. Stokley emphasized that these numbers are higher than the amounts of vaccines given out during flu season. 89.6% of New York's population has received at least one dose, and 76.2% are fully vaccinated.

But as many states throughout the nation begin to lift restrictions set during the pandemic, many parents wonder when their children under the age of five will be able to receive their vaccine. The CDC has reported more than 400 deaths of children between zero and four years old. "I imagine that many of you are parents who may be worried about ensuring your children are protected against COVID-19," said Dr. Stokley, a parent with the same concerns. Still, before vaccines are available to this age group, "they must go through a rigorous process

to determine safety and efficacy, in keeping with all other recommended vaccines." Once one of the many manufacturers working on the vaccine determines it is safe for children in this age group, they will apply to the FDA, which will assess its safety and effectiveness before being authorized to use.

Despite the silver lining that everyone would have wanted a year – or even just a few months into the pandemic – skepticism still exists about vaccines and boosters, especially after people who have received all the doses recommended by the CDC still come down with COVID. But Dr. Stokley had a message for those skeptics: "What we're really concerned about is preventing hospitalization, preventing death, and these vaccines are very good at preventing these severe outcomes. You may still get an infection even after receiving the vaccine, but usually, the symptoms are mild." She points out that the statistics of those who are boosted are 21 times less likely to die from COVID. "Our goal is to get to a point where COVID-19 is no longer disrupting our daily lives," said Dr. Stokely.

"Vaccination and our proven prevention measures are how we reach this point."l

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