Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 150

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ISSUE 150 VOLUME 22

May 5, 2022

SERVING THE CARIBBEAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES!

Democrats Need to Overturn the Filibuster! Pass Roe vs. Wade and the Voting Rights Bill

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y the evening of Sunday, May 1, the nation was shocked following a leaked document stating that the U.S. Supreme Court may overturn a 49-year-old landmark into a state-determined decision. The Roe v. Wade ruling established a constitutional right for women to choose to have an abortion but may now become banned by states. continued on page 4

Editorial credit: Anthony Ricci / Shutterstock.com

BY LINDA NWOKE, CAW EXCLUSIVE Mayor Adams Offers to Help Jamaica Stem Flow of Guns and Drugs to the Island ....8

It’s Older Americans Month: Take a Loved One to the Doctor ....14

CARICOM Leaders Meet US VP Kamala Harris In Virtual Summit

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

continued on page 2

VP Harris Editorial credit: BiksuTong / Shutterstock.com

Cash vs. Mortgage Payments ....7

COVID-19: Experts Speak on Moderna, Masks and More! ....15

Representatives Clarke, Espaillat, Chu call on DHS to Expand Immigrant Access to Public Benefits ....page 11

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eads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), President of the Dominican Republic Luis, and the CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett met virtually on April 29 with the US Vice President Kamala Harris. The purpose was to discuss sup-

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Healthy Relationship Skills Supports Men’s Mental ....17

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

What to Do When You've Lost It With Your Kid ....9

Labor Leaders, Workers and More Commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day ....19

PAHO Director: More Must be Done to Protect Nursing Workforce ....3

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SPECIAL CARIBBEAN 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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VP Harris/ continued from page 1 port for post-Covid-19 economic recovery, the climate crisis, energy security, and security cooperation.

In her remarks, VP Harris stated: “As a neighbor in the Western Hemisphere, the United States shares a common bond with the nations of the Caribbean. As neighbors, we know our partnership is key to our shared prosperity and security.

We also know that we have common challenges. And that is why I've convened this meeting: to strengthen our partnership and chart a path forward together.

As we all know, our nations have extensive people-to-people ties. Millions of Americans have Caribbean heritage.

Millions of Americans travel to the Caribbean each year for vacation, visit friends and family, and engage with the richness of that history.

From South Florida to New York and beyond, Caribbean culture has become a meaningful part of American culture.

And we are all grateful for that.

At the same time, we recognize that we find ourselves collectively in a challenging time. The pandemic has upended so many aspects of our lives and the lives of our people. And the economic recovery has been difficult and uneven for so many in this Region.

There is also an existential threat we collectively face in the climate crisis, and we are acutely aware that the world's emissions have an outsize impact on the Caribbean.

I want to be clear: The United States is committed to you, our neighbors, and we will take on these challenges together.

Convenings like this haven't happened very often. So, today, as a demonstration of our administration's commitment, I propose this be an annual meeting.

We have, of course, today, a lot to discuss. And there are three areas in particular that I will ask us to focus on — areas that I know are a priority for many of you: economic recovery, security, and climate and energy.

On the issue of economic recovery, the United States is the Caribbean's biggest economic partner. This partnership benefits the economy of the United States just as it benefits your economies. So, we will explore today how we can strengthen that economic partnership.

On the issue of security, I know many of you are particularly concerned about the trafficking of drugs and guns and the associated violence. That is why today's agenda includes a discussion of additional funding and other support the United States can offer to reduce violence in the Region.

And third, we will discuss an urgent

issue for our entire planet: the issue of the climate crisis. In particular, we will discuss ways to strengthen your climate resilience and accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.

Your input will help guide the United States' effort in the days and months ahead.”

CARICOM leaders took the opportunity to raise other issues of concern, including access to development financing, climate finance, de-risking, and the loss of correspondent banking. They expressed deep concern at the influx of guns into the Region from the United States and called for more action to stem the flow. They also looked forward to all countries of the Americas participating in the upcoming Summit of the Americas, which takes place in June in Los Angeles, USA. In conclusion, the Vice President reaffirmed America's commitment to the Caribbean Basin Initiative. The Heads of Government welcomed her proposal to meet annually and called for a Summit with President Joe Biden.l

Statement of the OECS Authority on the Situation in the BVI

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he Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has noted with great concern the evolving situation in the British Virgin Islands involving the arrest of Premier Andrew Fahie on alleged drug conspiracy charges and the release of the UK Government report on the Commission of Inquiry (COI).

Like all persons charged with a criminal offense, Andrew Fahie is entitled to the presumption of innocence, procedural fairness, and a free and a fair trial within a reasonable time.

The OECS has noted the position taken by the duly elected Government of the BVI which, while welcoming the recommendations arising from the Inquiry, rejects the intention of the British Government to impose direct rule on the BVI. It is clear to us that, in principle, it is ill advised to impose direct colonial rule and the history of such imposition in the Caribbean has never delivered the desired result.

The OECS concurs with the elected representatives of the people of the BVI that abolition of Parliament with direct rule from London represents a retrograde step in the evolution of the democratic

Former Premier Andrew Fahie Photo: bvi.gov

process that is inconsistent with the United Nations Proclamation of Human Rights to be free of colonial rule. The UN Declaration on granting independence to colonial countries and peoples — Resolution 1514 of 1960 is an international commitment to which Britain is itself bound.

The historical responsibility for strengthening governance in the BVI must rest on the shoulders of the elected representatives and the people of the BVI

themselves. That ultimately will be the guarantee of good governance and full, transparent accountability.

We strongly urge the British Government to work with and support the elected Parliament in this process of rectification.

The OECS for its part, is willing and ready to provide technical and other support required by the BVI as an Associate Member State in addressing the governance issues that need attention.l

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Photo courtesy: Brooklyn Borough President Office

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THOUGHTS

More Must be Done to Protect Nursing Workforce as COVID Cases Rise in the Americas Says PAHO

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ashington D.C., 4 May 2022 (PAHO): As COVID cases and hospitalizations once again rise in the Americas – by 12.7% since last week—the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, has called on countries to urgently increase investments to develop and retain the nursing workforce.

“Throughout the Americas, nurses bravely faced the brunt of the pandemic, and many struggled with burnout and mental health conditions,” with some moving out of area and others leaving the workforce altogether, the Director said in a media briefing today.

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare workforce, especially during the pandemic, accounting for 56% of the health staff and providing primary care services, mental health support, and protecting the wellbeing of individuals, communities, and families.

Ahead of International Nurses Day, celebrated on 12 May, the PAHO Director thanked nurses for playing a central role in caring for those with COVID-19, and for being key to rolling out 1.8 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the region.

“Today, nurses shoulder the dual burden of caring for COVID patients and catching up those who have missed routine health check-ups over the past two years,” the Director said.

But with a nursing deficit estimated at 1.8 million nurses by 2030 in the

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Pearl Phillip Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Kenrick Williams Feature Writers Linda Nwoke Victoria Falk Americas, it is crucial that we “double our investments in growing our nursing workforce, and care for existing nurses so they can continue to care for us,” she added.

The PAHO Director urged countries to implement clear policies to develop and retain the health workforce, including through adequate compensation and the development of senior leadership opportunities, as well as by elevating nurses and midwives within the government and Ministries of Health.

Supporting the mental health of nurses is also crucial, with PAHO’s COVID-19 Health care workers study showing that almost one quarter of health care workers interviewed in 2020 presented symptoms of a depressive episode.

Some countries are addressing this through the implementation of mental health services and hotlines.

PAHO is also rolling out a self-care course catered specifically to health workers, and on Friday May 6, will

launch a High-Level Commission on Mental Health and COVID-19 to take a closer look at the impact of the pandemic on mental health in the Americas.

Turning to the COVID-19 situation in the region, more than 616,000 new cases were reported in the Americas over the past week, and over 4200 deaths.

In the Caribbean, new infections increased by 15.4% and deaths increased for the third consecutive week — by 39.6%.

While deaths continued to decline in Central America, the number of new infections rose by 53.4%, with three out of seven countries reporting increases.

In North America, cases increased by 27.1% in the United States, while Canada and Mexico reported declines in new infections.

South America reported an overall case decrease of 8%, although seven countries reported an increase in new infections.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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Filibuster/ continued from page 1 Politico published a leaked but confirmed draft opinion written by Associate Justice Samuel Alito. Supported by the majority of the Republican presidents, appointed Supreme Court Justices -Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. The draft details the evidence to overturn the landmark 1973 legal ruling.

Supreme Court Justices—Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan, the three Democratic-appointed justices, are presently working on dissents, with Chief Justice John Robert's vote still unclear on his stand.

What is Roe vs. Wade?

This landmark Supreme Court case origin dates to 1969 in Texas, where abortion was ruled unconstitutional, except for when the mother's life is endangered.

A 25-year-old single woman, under the pseudonym "Jane Roe," filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas because she wanted to abort the pregnancy of her third child from an acclaimed rape.

Upon the case's rejection, she carried the pregnancy to term. But a lawsuit was filed afterward, challenging the criminal abortion laws in the state. To defend the anti-abortion law, the district attorney for Dallas County, Henry Wade, oversaw the case creating the lawsuit titled, Roe v Wade.

However, in 1973, 'Roe's appeal along-

side another 20-year-old Georgia woman, Sandra Bensing, was debated at the U.S. Supreme Court. They argued that abortion laws in Georgia and Texas were an infringement on a woman's right to privacy which is against the U.S. Constitution.

In a vote ending at seven to two, the supreme court justices ruled that governments (states) lacked the power to prohibit abortions. They ruled that the U.S. Constitution protected a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy.

How Roe vs. Wade Law affects Women's Rights The law protected a woman's right to an abortion in pregnancy's first three months (trimester). Permitted some government regulations in the second trimester of pregnancy and empowered the state to ban or restrict abortions in the last trimester. In the final trimester, it gave a woman the right to obtain an abortion despite any legal ban (only) if medically certified by doctors that it can save her health or life.

What's the Current Challenge to Roe v Wade?

The case was referred to the Supreme Court for consideration when Mississippi decided to ban abortion after 15 weeks, making abortion rights a decision for individual states rather than a national decision. The leaked first draft of Judge Samuel Alito argued that the original Roe v Wade judgment is original "egregiously

Editorial credit: Christopher Penler / Shutterstock.com

HOT TOPIC

wrong."

If the Supreme Court overturns the ruling, abortion might become illegal in almost half (22) of U.S. states. Although the decision remains pending until published by late June or early July. The overruling could almost instantly lead to stricter limits on access to abortion services in many South and Midwest states ready to impose broad abortion bans.

Over 11 states are poised to still legally allow the procedure, with examples like New York and Illinois. New York state had envisaged such a decision and had worked proactively to safeguard New Yorkers and anyone who comes to the state for the service.

According to a statement released by the New York State Senate Democratic Majority, "Unfortunately, we knew this day was coming. When we took the Senate Majority, we immediately codified Roe v. Wade into state law—allowing us to withstand any Supreme Court decision." The press release stated, "The

Senate Democratic Majority will continue to stand up for choice and women's health. The state of New York has always stood as a beacon for those seeking refuge, which will not change through the uncertain days ahead. We will remain a Destination State for any seeking abortion care."

Many argue that overturning the law has a more significant implication as other human rights issues might become subject to state decisions and, in principle, party decisions. For example, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act is still outstanding in the Senate. Both issues might likely set another filibuster in motion, similar to previous legislation. The combined bills, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, also known as the John R. Lewis Voting Act, have been previously blocked over three times with a filibuster by Republicans. continued on page 5

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HOT TOPIC Filibuster/ continued from page 4 What is the John Lewis Voting Rights bill?

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act legislation aims at establishing nationwide standards for ballot access that will nullify new restrictions introduced by republicans in the post-2020 election.

The bill, if passed, would, among other provisions, make Election Day a national holiday and establish new automatic voter registration programs. It will also introduce a minimum of 15 consecutive days of early voting and require that all voters be able to request the option of voting by mail.

However, Senate Democrats' inability to overcome the Republicans' blockade and intra-party disunity on filibuster rules truncated the bill's passing.

What is the Filibuster?

Often employed by a minority of the senators in the United States' parliament, this legislative practice uses the power of 'talk' to delay or prevent a parliamentary action. The senator(s) talk for so long that the majority will withdraw the bill or grant concessions. It is a tradition that allows unlimited debate, otherwise called filibustering, to prevent or delay action on legislation. For a filibuster to be settled, it requires 3/5 or 60 votes.

The process is an easy way of stalling legislation. Senators in the minority party

5 can object to a bill and force supporters to produce 60 votes. Such votes have proved impossible and will require the Vice President, Kamala Harris, who chairs the Senate, to swing the decision by her vote in the case of a tie.

In theory, filibusters protect the minority's view from the domination of the majority. They have been effectively used to prevent action on numerous pieces of legislation over the years—a recent talking filibuster over the John Lewis Voting Rights bill. The debate lasted over 10 hours. Lawmakers took the floor and laid arguments before casting a final vote.

The filibuster has served as a weapon for Republicans. They have used it to prevent a Democratic control of federal lawmaking. Democrats can use it to overturn the ruling over Roe vs. Wade if the Supreme Court follows through with the decision in the initial draft.

Next Steps: Democrats Should Abolish the Filibuster to Pass Both Laws Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the leaked draft, "We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled." He also argued that it should be left to the individual to decide.

"The inescapable conclusion is that a right to abortion is not deeply rooted in the Nation's history and traditions," Justice Samuel Alito writes.

If overruled, it will present a unique opportunity for Democrats to abolish the filibuster to pass the abortion rights law

and the voting rights law earlier truncated, as both are human and constitutional rights.

In support of this stand, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, representing the 9th District of New York, decries the ruling and considers it an assault on women's reproductive rights. According to her press release, "Rejecting Roe v. Wade 50 years later amounts to an all-out assault on women's reproductive rights and freedoms. It is a political act by an extreme and hostile Supreme Court. Fifty years ago, the law established that every woman had the right to control her body.

This request already existed for every man.

The Congresswoman called for an end to the debate and a need to stand up in defense. "I will not stand for this blatant political attack on women. "She says, "New Yorkers have a long and proud history of protecting and upholding women's reproductive rights. We must end the filibuster and make the Women's

Health Protection Act law. Today, more so than ever, it is incumbent upon elected officials at every level of government to ferociously protect a woman's right to choose."

The New York Senate Democratic Majority made a similar clarion call saying, "Our fight is not over. Our partners in Congress must act, and the choice must be codified into federal law."

Citizens are also encouraged to continue to advocate for themselves and join in the rally and demand for civil rights.

Brad Lander, New York City's Comptroller, called for participation," This is a moment we have feared for so long." the Comptroller said. "The Supreme Court could strike down Roe v.

Wade, making abortion care illegal overnight in some places and threatening health care access and autonomy for millions of people. We are not backing down on defending health, autonomy, and democracy. We will fight this together."l

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DIASPORA CONCERNS

Campaign to Highlight IDNYC Expansion of Benefits Kicks Off

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EW YORK: New York City Mayor Eric Adams on May 2, kicked off a campaign to highlight new benefits, including access to cultural institutions and other recreational centers, for city residents with an IDNYC. A Day of Action took place on Wednesday, May 4th, where the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) lead an interagency and multilingual citywide effort to encourage New Yorkers to enroll for an IDNYC or renew their current card.

DSS and MOIA will have multilingual staff and volunteers available to help New Yorkers at train stations and other points in the city.

“An IDNYC unlocks benefits many New Yorkers don’t even realize they have access to, and thanks to the expansion of services we’re announcing, New Yorkers will be able to do even more across New York City effective immediately,” said Mayor Adams. “All New Yorkers will utilize the benefits of this card, regardless of immigration status, that will allow them to enjoy the benefits of so many of the city’s many cultural institutions and recreational centers.”

“With over 1 million enrollees, IDNYC

Mayor Adams Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

is an innovative and inclusive program that provides access to a wide variety of benefits and cultural resources across the city,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom.

“IDNYC provides a valuable service to New Yorkers, and I am happy to see the list of partners continue to grow, and excited for this push for usage of the IDNYC program.”

IDNYC — managed by DSS in close collaboration with MOIA — is the largest and most successful municipal ID program in the country, providing all New Yorkers with a broadly accepted government-issued photo identification, regardless of background or immigration

status. New Yorkers with an IDNYC card expiring in less than 60 days, or whose card has been expired for less than six months, can now renew their IDNYC through an online portal or by appointment at an enrollment center.

IDNYC benefits all city residents, including undocumented immigrants, New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, the formerly incarcerated, and others who may have difficulty obtaining other government-issued photo IDs. New Yorkers may renew their cards up to 90 days before expiration, and up to one year after it expires. Due to reduced capacities at IDNYC enrollment centers

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during the COVID-19 pandemic, the IDNYC program expanded the renewal period for all cardholders whose cards expired in 2020 — expanding the renewal period through December 31, 2022.

“We are delighted to launch our IDNYC renewal effort as we continue to honor and strengthen New York City’s inclusive legacy,” said DSS Commissioner Gary Jenkins. “The program has provided more than 1 million New Yorkers with proof of identification, which is vital for vulnerable New Yorkers looking to access the city resources and supports to which they are entitled. As I renew my IDNYC card today, I urge all New Yorkers to join me and enroll in this program as we build a more equitable, diverse, and accessible city for every New Yorker, regardless of background.”

“The IDNYC card has been instrumental in helping vulnerable communities get access to city resources and enjoy great benefits, like discounts on food and cultural attractions,” said MOIA Commissioner Manuel Castro. “MOIA is proud to continue to work with DSS on the IDNYC renewal effort to ensure communities continue to use their card as a passport across the city.”l

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AMERICAN DREAM

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Buying a House? Cash vs. Mortgage Payments

BY WAYNE JORDAN

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here are two main ways to finance a house: take a mortgage or pay cash upfront. Both approaches have their pros and cons, but only one is right for you. Learn why to pay cash for a house vs. get mortgage pre-approval to make the right choice for your needs in the long term.

Why Pay Cash for a House?

By paying cash for a house, you get all of the advantages of home ownership without going into debt. This is the chief advantage of paying cash: you own your home outright and can start to save what you would have spent on monthly mortgage payments. Over the 15- or 30-year lifetime of a mortgage, you will save tens of thousands of dollars in interest payments alone.

There's also a mindset benefit to paying cash: When you aren't indebted to the bank, you are secure in the fact that no one can take your house from you. You can take pride in knowing you are able to leave your property to your heirs as a legacy.

Individuals who are selling a large home and buying something smaller will

be able to reinvest a portion of their payment in another property, then save the rest. Thrifty individuals who've managed to save all the money for a home can likewise avoid taking out a mortgage.

In a tight real estate market where there are bidding wars over properties, paying cash for a home can offer you an advantage over buyers who must get mortgage pre-approval. Since you can move forward quickly, a motivated seller may select your offer over others.

If you're in the business of flipping houses, paying cash can make sense. You will be able to purchase and renovate properties quickly, sell a home, then take the proceeds and buy your next fixerupper.

Why Take a Mortgage?

For many people, mortgage financing is their only path to home ownership. By paying a small amount upfront and getting a mortgage for the rest of the asking price, individuals can become home owners and start building equity.

Yet even if you have enough money saved up to pay cash for a house, it may not be the smartest use of your money.

When interest rates are low, it may be best to put your money in the market--so

you can make more of it--and take out a mortgage.

It's financially risky to tie up a large portion of your liquid assets (i.e. cash) in something like a house. If you would need to borrow to cover something like a medical emergency because you don't have a sizable emergency fund, it's wise to take a mortgage and save your money for the unexpected.

Mortgages also come with tax breaks, such as the option to deduct real estate taxes. If you've paid cash for your house, you're not able to realize these tax breaks.

Mortgages have one more benefit, assuming your property increases in value. When it's time to sell your home, the return on investment is larger when

you've financed your home than when you've paid in cash.

No matter how you finance it, home ownership is the ultimate dream for many people — and there's no "one size fits all" approach to it. Knowing why to pay cash for a home vs. take out a mortgage, you can determine what makes sense for you—and then start saving for your down payment or your all-cash purchase.

We are happy to help and share our insight and experience to help you with the real estate investing process.

Schedule an appointment today. Call 888-670-6791.l Wayne Jordan is a licensed real estate agent with Equity Smart Realty Inc

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ISLAND FOCUS: JAMAICA

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Mayor Adams Offers to Help Jamaica Stem Flow of Guns and Drugs to the Island

BY WIREDJA NEWS TEAM

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EW YORK, Jamaica, Queens, May 2, 2022: Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, has offered to partner with the government of Jamaica to stem the flow of guns and drugs that continues to create mayhem both in the city of New York and in Jamaica.

“As Mayor of the Great City of New York, which is home to almost a million Jamaicans, I am concerned about the flow of guns and ammunition as well as drugs from New York City to Jamaica and the impact that it is having on the country as it relates to loss of life."

"Some of the guns that are causing deaths in Jamaica, are the same that are manufactured here in the United States and are shipped to Jamaica and the region which are also causing the same deaths in my city."

Mayor Adams was addressing Sunday night’s New York launch of Jamaica-60 independence celebrations in New York City, at the Hyatt Regency JFK Resort World Casino.

He told the over 300 Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica headed by Prime

Hon. Andrew Holness Prime Minister of Jamaica

Minister Andrew Holness that “we will partner with your government Mr. Prime Minister, together, to be responsible for changing the culture of the flow of guns and drugs that is destroying the public safety of both our countries in a real way,” Mayor Adams declared to a thunderous applause.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I am your partner, I am excited that you are visiting my City and I'm excited about the partnership,” the New York Mayor said.

He said it was clear that New York City was what he called the heart and soul of the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, as it boasted the largest Jamaican population in America.

Mayor Adams spoke of the unbelievable contribution of the Jamaican diaspora to the City, which New York cannot ignore or do without. As Mayor, I want to thank the Jamaicans for their contribution at every level of commerce, public safety, health, innovation, and education.

And having the Jamaicans here, is a signal that we are going to strengthen those bonds that exist between us and look at the areas of education, expanding trade and increasing business between the City of New York and Jamaica,” Mayor Adams concluded.

In launching the Jamaica-60 Independence anniversary in New York, Prime Minister Holness called on Jamaicans at home and abroad to come together to make Jamaica the Greatest Country on Earth.

“The Government will be bringing together all our Jamaicans so that we can look at what we have achieved over the past 60 years and to have Jamaicans recommit themselves to make Jamaica

advance towards economic independence as we go forward.”

“It is right that as we celebrate 60-years we take stock of ourselves as to how we have administered our affairs and to assess our stewardship,” Holness said.

The Prime pointed out that Jamaicans should use the time leading up to the anniversary of its 60th year of independence to reflect on the country’s achievements and shortcomings. However, after the celebrations, as a country we should recommit ourselves to do better and to reignite ourselves to receive our inheritance.

The launch was also addressed by United States Senate Majority Leader Senator Charles Schumer of New York, Minister of Sports and Culture Olivia Grange and Jamaica’s Consul General to New York Ms. Alsion Wilson.

The Official Jamaica-60 launch included a wide array of Jamaican foods, music and cultural displays and the venue, Hyatt Regency Casino grand ballroom was transformed into a Jamaica away from home, with entertainment by Jamaica’s vintage artistes Johnny Osbourne and the Derrick Barnett band.l

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FAMILY MATTERS

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What to Do When You've Lost It With Your Kid When in doubt, ask your child to explain or express feelings about what happened. Ask about the events leading up to the confrontation and what happened afterward. You might be surprised to hear a kid's point of view.

BY MARY CAMPBELL

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ids are hard work. They will bring you to your highest highs and drop you to your lowest lows. Your kids mean everything to you, and that's why they can so easily mess with you emotionally.

Sometimes you are going to lose it. If you are a parent who has never lost your mind, mood, or temper over your child, you are superhuman. You are also a liar!

If you've let go of control and screamed at your child or said things you weren't proud of, all is not lost. Your relationship is not damaged forever, but you should take some steps to make sure your child knows that everything is okay. Here are some steps to take when you lose it with your kid.

Don't be too hard on yourself There is nothing to be gained from beating yourself up over a parenting mistake.

One lesson kids need to learn is that everyone goes over the edge now and then, even parents. You are still a good person, and you are still a good parent.

You are not a failure and you are just as capable as the parents next door who seem to be perfect.

Take responsibility Own up to your mistake and claim it.

Don't let your child think that your lack of control is anyone's fault but your own.

Yes, your child's behaviors contributed to the situation. But you are ultimately responsible for your own choices. Losing control and yelling was your decision, not your kid's. Admit that out loud to your child and make it clear that adults' choices are not the fault of children.

Apologize There was a time in history when an adult would never dream of apologizing to a child because the adult felt it would signal

a loss of authority or power. This is not the case. Being able to apologize to your child is a valuable teaching tool that will help your child tremendously with the challenges of life.

Be empathetic Your child is one of the most important people who will ever be part of your life.

Your child is not your enemy, and it's important to remember that even when you're feeling angry. Take some time to consider how your child may be interpreting the situation, and how your child may be feeling. Try to experience the situation from that point of view.

Model good coping skills The next time you are in a confrontation with your child or anyone else, especially if your child is present, intentionally model good communication and coping skills. Thinking about what you're doing will help you make better decisions, and your child will learn from seeing you react appropriately.

Every parent makes mistakes, and it's okay if you lose your temper now and then. If you find yourself wanting to physically hurt your child or if your behavior becomes abusive, get help immediately. But losing your cool now and then is something you can overcome and even turn into an advantage in your relationship with your kid.

You aren't perfect, and neither are your children. Teach them how to work together with you to make the situation better for everyone.

Happy Mother’s Day!l

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IMMIGRATION

10

Racism, Discrimination, and Xenophobia, the Real Republican Invasion

BY MARIBEL HASTINGS AND DAVID TORRES, AMERICA’S VOICE

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he Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, believes that the anticipated increase in the flow of migrants at the border when the so-called Title 42 policy is eliminated is an “invasion” and, to that end, has forecast the possibility that military intervention by the state, without violating federal law, may be justified. But according to the dictionary, “invasion” is defined as “entering a place by force in order to occupy it,” or “introducing oneself into matters or functions unrelated to you, without right or justification.”

With Abbott’s simplistic and anti-immigrant affirmations it can easily be inferred that this governor doesn’t have the foggiest idea about geopolitics, and especially does not understand how to differentiate analytical categories to approach a concrete regional problem, as is the U.S.-Mexico border. Above all, the Texas leader does not approach discerning that, upon irresponsibly invoking “articles of war,” he must justify before the law that the “invader” has a military strategy—that is, with weapons—which, of course, is false, as the only thing immigrants want is to seek asylum, and hope is their only “weapon.”

Whether this happens or not remains to be seen, but an action of this type has all the characteristics of culminating in a court battle. Even beyond this, the intentions of Abbott and other Republicans is to exploit the perception that a growing

presence of migrants at the border line— many of whom are waiting for the elimination of Title 42 to seek asylum in the United States—constitutes an “invasion,” with the goal of influencing public opinion and riling up their anti-immigrant base.

Of course, that is nothing new. For several years we have read about the existence of paramilitary groups who assigned themselves the duty of “patrolling” the southern border, suited up in military protective gear, carrying high-caliber weapons, driving all-terrain vehicles and—especially—with that threatening, Hollywood-style look on their faces, to intimidate whoever dares come close. Groups like the Minutemen jumped onto the news scene some years ago, with their officially unregulated actions at the southern border.

Essentially, the fact that his words may influence those anti-immigrants who will no doubt literally take up arms to “defend” the border does not seem to

matter to Abbott. We already saw their presence in 2019 when an unbalanced person, incited by the hate speech that Abbott and other anti-immigrants espoused, fired in a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, killing 22 people and wounding dozens more. The victims were mostly Hispanic. The attacker, a white man, was accused (among other things) of committing hate crimes.

It is a fact the incendiary rhetoric generates violence, but this matters little to Republican figures like Abbott. They are only focused on exploiting the migration issue, not looking for solutions to what is not working in the immigration system.

But if they want to talk about real invasions, let’s mention a recent one: the bloody seizure of the federal Capitol on January 6, 2021 by Donald Trump fanatics, who intended to block certification of Joe Biden’s victory as President of the United States. That did constitute a violent invasion that resulted in deaths and injuries. And it was provoked by incendi-

ary rhetoric from Trump himself, and his lieutenants, who, to this day, continue to minimize what the entire world witnessed: a racist, angry mob that was trying to topple the state, convinced that the election had been “stolen” from Trump, something that the ex-president continues to affirm.

More invasions? Grenada, Panama, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Central America, Haiti, Mexico, and a million more. Get it?

For that reason, it’s unbelievable that the same Republicans who are talking about an “invasion” by undocumented people are the very ones who have obstructed all attempts at regularizing the status of the millions of human beings who are already among us, because that way they can continue to exploit immigrants’ hard work in essential areas of our economy without providing them with labor protections. That’s capitalism in its highest expression, a supply and demand that does not bother them—until election time. Then, as defenders of law and order, they are “more Catholic than the Pope.”

Speaking of law and order, Republicans also complain about drug trafficking at the border and inside the country, blaming only Mexico. But we all know that drug trafficking, which has taken hundreds of thousands of lives in Mexico, is provoked by the consumption of drugs in the United States.

Faced with this reality that constantly blows up in their faces, they only make excuses that re-victimize the society that consumes mind-altering drugs, since at no point did it occur to them to end this multimillion dollar international business, whose profits also extend tentacles into U.S. territory. As the saying goes, “it takes two to tango.”

In sum, the word “invasion” is easily used by anti-immigrants. Immigrants don’t abandon their countries for nothing. They make the trip north looking for a better life. Their “weapon” is their work, which is exploited with poverty wages, without benefits or protections.

Right now, immigration reform that would regularize the status of those who already live among us, and establish mechanisms so that those who want to work can do so without needing to cross the border without documents, is ironically blocked by the same Republicans who accuse migrants of “invading us.”

It’s really those Republicans who have “invaded” their party, converting it into a collective dominated by xenophobes and racists, embroiled in a war against diversity—which has been the hallmark of this social experiment we call the United States. l

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IMMIGRATION

11

Representatives Clarke, Espaillat, Chu Call on DHS to Expand Immigrant Access to Public Benefits

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ASHINGTON, D.C.: On April 26, Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Judy Chu (CA-27) led 40+ of their colleagues in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to provide a public comment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on the Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility.

DHS recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to replace the Trumpera 2019 Public Charge Rule—which expanded the list of public benefits that immigrants were prohibited from using—with a rule that would not penalize non-citizens for accessing the public benefits that are available to them.

“First, we want to express our support for the Department's effort to repair the damage caused by the harmful Trump Administration’s public charge rule, which disproportionately harmed communities of color,” the members wrote.

“We strongly agree that ‘the 2019 public charge rule was not consistent with our nation’s values’ […] And while we

applaud the Biden Administration’s prompt efforts to end this Trump-era policy, our communities are still experiencing the consequences of the Trump Administration’s actions.”

The members advocate for the inclusion of further provisions to ensure immigrant’s continued access to public benefits—through the clarification of exemptions and definitions to eliminate any confusion that may deter noncitizens from applying for benefits.

“Data reveals that there is little awareness of this policy reversal among individuals in immigrant and mixed-status families,” the members added. “We urge DHS to provide funding to trusted community organizations that can conduct outreach and education to immigrants and their families in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.”

This clarification—along with public outreach—would stop hundreds of families from abstaining from the critical support they may need, such as housing or nutrition assistance. Unfortunately, the pandemic illustrated the impact of this public charge rule clearly, when hundreds

Rep Clarke Photo credit: Congresswoman Clarke’s Office

of Latinx and AAPI families did not apply for potentially life-saving assistance due to fears that it would negatively impact their immigration status or their family members.

In addition to Reps. Clarke, Espaillat, and Chu, this letter was also signed by Representatives Alexandria OcasioCortez (NY-14), Juan Vargas (CA-15), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Suzanne

Bonamici (OR-01), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Rashida Tlaib (MI13), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Jimmy Gomez (CA34), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Dina Titus (NV-01), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Ayanna Presley (MA-07), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY16), Bobby L. Rush (IL-01), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL04), and Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18).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 Monday, May 9

Join us via Zoom at 6pm

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nHEALTH

nENTERTAINMENT

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nHOROSCOPE

Jamaican Casting Begins For Feature Film of Reggae Legend Bob Marley’s Life

Kitchen Corner

Strawberry Bellini

Young talent: girls •7 – 10 years •11 – 13 years Strong female lead: black female •Late 20’s – Early 30’s •Singing Ability is a Plus Young mixed-race male •8 – 13 years •14 – 25 years •Singing Ability / Ability to play soccer a plus

Marley Editorial credit: Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock.com

BY STAFF WRITER, JAMAICANS.COM

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he Marley family is pleased to announce that Jamaican casting sessions are beginning for the new feature film of Reggae legend Bob Marley’s life. The biopic is being produced by U.S. studio Paramount Pictures.

Cedella Marley, who has been named as a producer on the project – along with Rita Marley, Ziggy Marley, and Stephen Marley – said the family was wholeheartedly invested as partners on the project.

“We view this project as a continuation of the tremendous and unending mission of sharing our father’s commitment to the truth and to spreading love and oneness as he did during his time with us, and we’re very excited to be in this phase,” she said.

Addressing the Jamaican casting sessions, she said it was a crucial element in the overall success of the film. “As much as Bob Marley is a global icon with a universal message, his roots are entrenched

in Jamaica. His connection to Jamaica, beginning as a young boy in the hills of St Ann, remains an inspiration and a dream. We are devoting our attention to ensuring it is authentic with significant Jamaican participation.”

“I remember my father as a man of love and peace above all else. We are humbled that the world continues to value him in the way that this movie will portray,” says Bob’s eldest son Ziggy Marley.

“The film allows his works to reach new generations and should be seen as offering the world fresh hope in what has been a bleak period. I am happy that our Jamaican brothers and sisters similarly embrace this project.”

The producers stated that a Jamaican casting director had been retained and that the search for talent would encompass the following: Young talent: boys •5 – 8 years •9 – 12 years

Local musicians + actors •Outgoing Personality/Acting Ability is a plus Aspiring talent should send a Headshot plus a Full-Length Photo and a Brief description of any singing or acting experience to: castyourrole@gmail.com. Selected individuals will be invited to a special Casting Call at the Bob Marley Museum. Both Ziggy and Cedella will be integrally involved in the casting and selection process and expect to be interacting directly with hopefuls.

The as-yet-untitled biopic is scheduled for release in 2024. Reinaldo Marcus Green, who directed the award-winning “King Richard” is slated to direct. The previous Marley film, in 2012, was distributed by Universal Studios and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kevin McDonald.l

A

nice drink for Mother's Day, a brunch, or a shower.

By Helen, AllRecipes.com

Ingredients 3 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced ¼ cup confectioners' sugar 1 tablespoon brandy 1 ½ cups chilled sparkling wine 3 large strawberries Directions Step 1 Blend 3 cups strawberries, confectioners' sugar, and brandy together in a blender until smooth. Chill in refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Step 2 Divide the strawberry mixture among 3 champagne flutes; top each with about 1/2 cup sparkling wine; stir. Garnish each glass with 1 strawberry.

Servings: 3 cocktails Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 298 calories; protein 1.3g; carbohydrates 37.5g; fat 0.5g; sodium 13.1mg.l

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14

GENERATIONS

It’s Older Americans Month: Take a Loved One to the Doctor

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any of us disregard the importance of regular checkups.

Some of us avoid doctor visits out of fear and others simply because it’s not part of our routine. When your loved one puts off seeing the doctor, a small health problem can become a more serious one. And some of the most serious health issues don’t always have obvious symptoms.

You may be the one person who can convince your loved one to go to the doctor. Give it a try. It’s important for people of all ages to see a doctor regularly.

People age 50 and over should see a doctor at least once a year.

African-Americans face a higher risk of some serious health conditions, including diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, asthma and obesity.

This guide provides advice regarding how to talk to your loved one about going to the doctor, being prepared for your appointment and other useful resources.

The Basic Steps Step 1: Talk to your loved one, then make the appointment You might need to turn on your powers of persuasion to get your loved one to agree to see a doctor. Many people have a long

list of reasons for avoiding doctors’ visits.

Don’t fight every point. Just ask them to do it for you and the rest of the family.

Tell them you want to enjoy their company for many years to come, and this is one quick, easy step in helping to make that happen.

Step 2: Gather information before the appointment Preparing a little in advance will help your loved one get a lot more out of the doctor visit. Here are some suggestions of information to gather before you go see the doctor. Remember: The most important thing is going to the doctor, so don’t worry if you cannot get all of this information together before the visit.

•Questions: Help your loved one take control of his or her health by making sure the doctor addresses all of your questions thoroughly. The best way to do this?

Write the questions down in advance.

•Medications: Take your loved one's medications to the doctor visit so the doctor can see the dose and frequency of each drug.

•Health history: Write down diseases, surgeries, and family history of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and take the list to the doctor visit.

Step 3: Review a staying healthy checklist You may want to review the age-appropriate list for your loved one and take it along with you on your visit.

Step 4: Head for the doctor Your loved one may not want you to join him or her in the examination room. Do not insist on doing so but do try to ensure that you and your loved one get all of your questions answered before the appointment ends. If the doctor seems to be rushing through the appointment, be polite but firm in asking for more time for your loved one. Remember: Your loved one is the paying customer. Do not leave the doctor’s office until ALL of your questions are answered! A staff nurse or physician assistant may also be helpful in answering questions.

If you are in the appointment, take notes for your loved one. If not, urge him or her to write down the doctor’s answers to the questions and any special instructions on lifestyle and diet changes.

If the doctor conveys concern about a potential serious health condition, remain calm. Gather as much information as you can from the doctor, and never agree to any drastic actions — such as scheduling

a surgery — without seeking a second opinion from another doctor.

Step 5: Talk it over and plan how to follow up Based on the doctor visit, your loved one may need to start new medications, begin a daily exercise routine, or change his or her diet. Such changes may seem small, but they can feel burdensome to some people, for example, by implying that the patient has been misbehaving for years!

Be sensitive to your loved one and commit as much time as you can to helping them make any transitions that will improve their health.

One easy way you can continue to help is by having a daily phone call with your loved one — just a few minutes — to check in and ask how everything’s going.l —createthegood.aarp.org

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HEALTH

15

COVID-19: Experts Await Data on Moderna’s Vaccine for Kids; Criticize the Lifting of Mask Mandate

BY JENNY MANRIQUE

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he medical community is celebrating drug maker Moderna’s recent announcement that it is seeking FDA approval for its Covid-19 vaccination for younger kids, though experts add they are “anxiously” awaiting further data on its efficacy and safety.

“We have seen that our youngest of the patients are getting sick and hospitalized with COVID… even previously healthy kids can develop complications and the multi-system inflammatory syndrome,” said Dr. Manisha Newaskar, Pediatric Pulmonologist at Stanford Children’s Health during a press briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services on April 29th.

“The data still needs full review, but we have to educate our young families and encourage them to get our young ones vaccinated.” The vaccine will require two doses one month apart, and is expected to be authorized by June.

Parents have been hesitant about shots

for their kids due to the risk of myocarditis that experts explain is lower as we go down the age range.

“Schools may have a role to play in getting the vaccine out there,” said Dr. Ben Neuman, Professor of Biology and Chief Virologist of the Global Health Research Complex, Texas A&M University.

“There are 500 deaths per year of bacterial meningitis, and that is one of the things that schools would normally require vaccination against…COVID-19 is around 350 deaths in the same age group in roughly the span of the year.

This needs to be one of the vaccines to make school work.”

Moderna previously asked the FDA to authorize its vaccine for six to 11-yearolds and 12 to 17-year-olds, and expects to submit data on efficacy by May 9.

The news came along with another development of the biotechnology company: a bivalent vaccine that seeks to provide stronger, longer-lasting protection against new variants.

“Each year we update our influenza vaccine and it's now a quadrivalent vaccine. It has four different antigens in it.

So, the thinking of the vaccine scientists is to do something quite similar with COVID,” explained Dr. William Schaffner, Professor of Preventive Medicine in the Department of Health Policy and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

“Expanding the antigens in the vaccines, we get broader coverage against this array of variants going forward.”

The speed of the different strengths of variants to appear, mutate and go extinct requires a fast development of multivariant vaccines. The BA2 Omicron variant, which emerged in late November in the United States, is almost gone but has been replaced by a subvariant that is even more contagious: the BA.2.12.1 “We need to advocate the FDA to update the vaccines more quickly considering that we're just tweaking the spike protein a little bit,” said Dr. Eric FeiglDing, Co-Founder and Board Member of continued on page 16

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HEALTH

16 “We don’t just stop wearing helmets, unbuckle our seatbelts, and allow drunk driving because hospital beds are not full.”

Mask Mandate/ continued from page 17

the World Health Network, and Chief of COVID Task Force at the New England Complex Systems Institute. “We should be able to do a phase two (of approval), and then allow these brand new phases to adapt the vaccines pretty quickly…”

Experts also weighed in on the removal of mask mandates on public transportation which several U.S transit systems, including airlines, have already adopted.

“We don't just stop wearing helmets, unbuckle our seatbelts, and allow drunk driving because hospital beds are not full. I think the CDC is forgetting the prevention (strategies) in trying to push for a return to normal,” added Dr. FeiglDing who highlighted the fact that even for people who are boosted, the protection against hospitalization and death is 90-95%, but the protection against infection is only about 45%.

“Adults now are going out to gatherings, parties, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, even more than before when they

Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, co-founder of the World Health Network and chief of the COVID Task Force at the New England Complex Systems Institute were cautious…. The likelihood of transmission is higher, and someone may have immunocompromised children at home or family members who could actually have a severe outcome (of the infection).”

Dr. Schaffner agreed that the measure might increase the vulnerability of already fragile people and suggested that people make decisions for themselves about the time to leave the mask at home.

“Are you older? Do you have an underlying illness, heart disease or lung disease?

Are you immune-compromised? Are you a person that's providing care for someone? Continue to be very careful.”

The speakers emphasized that vaccination is safe and that boosters are essential to strengthen immunity against COVID19 and its long-term effects such as headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbance, stomach aches, chest tightness, and loss of appetite among others. l

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17

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

Building Healthy Relationship Skills Supports Men’s Mental Health

BY JOHN L. OLIFFE, GABRIELA GONZALEZ MONTANER, MARY THERESA KELLY THE CONVERSATION

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ealthy relationships positively influence men’s well-being. Men who are partnered or married live longer lives than single men, and they have better mental health than women and unpartnered men. Marriage appears to offer a protective influence on men’s health, reducing loneliness, depression and suicidality, and is associated with less substance and alcohol use.

Despite these benefits, male suicide continues to be a global crisis. As men’s health researchers, our focus has been on men’s suicidality. Much of this work is motivated by the fact that men complete suicide at three to four times the rate of women, and are known to use more lethal methods (guns, asphyxiation) to end their life.

While major depression is a contributing factor to suicidality, a recent review concluded that being unmarried, single, divorced or widowed are also strong predictors of suicidality among men.

Men who adhere to traditional aspects of masculinity — emotional stoicism, needing to be in control, fear of being

seen as weak for seeking help — are more likely to self-isolate, resort to anger or aggression, or self-harm when they experience distress. The links between men’s mental illness, suicidality and intimate relationships are particularly concerning when considering the high rates of divorce and separation in countries including Canada, Australia and Britain.

To investigate the intersection of men’s health and intimate relationships, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews over Zoom with 49 men and 30 service providers who work with male clients. We collected men’s first-person experiences of an intimate partner break-

up, as well as providers’ perspectives of relationship challenges and how masculinity influences men’s coping in strained relationships.

The impact of relationship loss Interestingly, men enjoyed interviewing from home in familiar surroundings and openly shared detailed stories about their relationship break-ups. They also reported anxiety, depression and suicidality in the aftermath of a relationship ending.

We found that relationship loss exacerbated pre-existing mental health issues for some men, and for others, it catalyzed the onset of mental health challenges.

Men in long- and short-term partnerships talked about the challenges they faced during the course of their relationships: domestic conflict, parenting stressors, infidelity, illness or job loss. The also discussed how these issues made it difficult for them to effectively negotiate with a partner to maintain and grow their relationship, or amicably separate.

Gendered aspects of traditional masculinity, such as autonomous problem solving, maintaining control over life events and being seen as a confident family man, were tested and undone by distressed relationships.

The men described their distressed states, fragile mental health and potential for breaking down in the wake of breaking up. Many participants commented on how they struggled with the emotional work involved in sustaining a long-term relationship.

Intense emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt and regret, were triggered by the loss of partners, and manifested in varying degrees of anxiety, depression, and for some men, suicidality. Several men detailed the experience of panic attacks that lead to hospitalization in the wake of a break-up. continued on page 18

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18

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS Men’s Mental Health/ continued from page 17

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To cope with emotional distress, many men relied on alcohol, “Herculean” amounts of cannabis, excessive exercising, frenzied dating, marathon gaming and other emotion-blunting strategies.

However, we also learned that with time, most men sought out friends and family for support and searched for books, podcasts and online resources to alleviate distress and better understand relationship dynamics.

Some men reached out beyond their own networks and joined parenting or divorce groups, and found activities with male peers helped improve their mental health. Many attended professional therapy to address longstanding mental health issues or experience the benefits of professional therapeutic rapport for the first time.

Relationship skills Because the influence of intimate partner relationships on men’s health — and on others in their life — is so pivotal, the question of relationship skills arises. We performed a scoping review — an assessment of the scope of available research — of relationship skills training for men.

It concluded that existing programs tend to be corrective in nature, designed to change men’s behaviour in the context of

family or intimate partner violence.

There are few settings, courses or programs upstream of domestic violence that teach men relationship skills from the perspective of healthy masculinity. It may be timely to develop relationship skills training and interventions to support men in coping with the stressors inherent in intimate relationships to benefit their health, and those around them.

Given the positive influence of healthy relationships on men’s mental health, making strength-based relationship skills resources a priority, beyond programs

that address abuse, could have clear benefits for men’s well-being.l John L. Oliffe is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Men's Health Promotion, University of British Columbia Gabriela Gonzalez Montaner is a Project Coordinator, Men's Health Research Program, University of British Columbia Mary Theresa Kelly is a Research Contractor, Men's Health Research, University of British Columbia

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19

CONVERSATIONS

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ew York City workers, labor leaders, elected officials, clergy and community members gathered today at City Hall Park to mark Workers’ Memorial Day, honoring dozens of workers who have died or suffered illness or injuries while on the job in our City over the past year. The annual commemoration was organized by the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and the New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH).

At least 46 workers have died on the job in New York City since last year’s commemoration. Once again, construction was the most dangerous industry, with at least 15 known fatalities. The second most dangerous occupation was delivery workers, with at least 12 known fatalities.

Nationally, one of the leading causes of death on the job is workplace violence, accounting for one out of every seven workplace deaths. Here in New York City, since April 28th, 2021 at least 13 New Yorkers have lost their lives as a result of workplace violence, with victims across a wide range of occupations and backgrounds including delivery workers, drivers, an attorney, retail work-

ers, a DJ, a can collector, a mechanic, and police officers.

At the commemoration, NYC Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor Chair Carmen De La Rosa spoke about the need for legislation that will mandate NYC employers to report all workplace fatalities to the City. Currently, there is no primary or official source from which this information can be collected. In compiling our list for Workers’ Memorial Day the NYC CLC and NYCOSH are forced to rely on media reports, information from our affiliates and community organizations, and word of mouth.

“Today, all over the world, workers are commemorating those who have died or suffered injuries or illnesses (including COVID-19) while on the job,” said Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa (CD-10). “Workers' Memorial Day, April 28, is the anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, a landmark moment for workers rights in this country. Since its inception in 1989, the AFL-CIO declared Workers' Memorial Day a day to recognize the sacrifices made by all essential workers on the front lines, and a moment to renew our fight for strong safety and health protections for all working people. I have introduced

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

NYC Workers, Labor Leaders and Electeds Commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day

legislation to address the lack of reporting on workplace fatalities that occur in this city, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in labor to advance the rights and protections of all workers.”

“All of our City’s workers have the right to a safe workplace, and to return home unharmed at the end of the day,” said NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-

CIO President Vincent Alvarez.

“Each year on Workers’ Memorial Day we gather not only to remember and honor those we have lost, but to renew our fight for strong health and safety protections for all working New Yorkers. We’re grateful to Councilmember De La Rosa for her partnership in calling for strong reporting requirements that will help us hold employers accountable for dangerous conditions in the workplace.”

“Every worker who dies on the job is one worker too many. We need to thoroughly investigate each and every incident to see what can be done to prevent more fatalities among New York’s working people.

Councilmember De La Rosa’s legislation—which she and Senator Jessica Ramos championed during her time in the Assembly for construction workers— will help us investigate these incidents by providing information that could prevent these fatalities in the future,” said Charlene Obernauer, Executive Director of NYCOSH. l

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20

FOOD, TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE

Caribbean Vodka Made from Breadfruit Wins Award

BY STAFF WRITER, JAMAICANS.COM

T

odd Manley, the co-founder of Mutiny Island Vodka, is celebrating the gold medal his breadfruit vodka received at the prestigious 2022 San Francisco Spirits Competition. The gold medal at the annual competition is presented to “exceptional spirits that set the standard” in their category. Mutiny Island Vodka is made in St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands and is the first vodka in the world to be distilled from breadfruit.

Manley is an award-winning chef and the owner of several restaurants in Christiansted, including Toast and 40 Strand. He is passionate about using only the best and most authentic ingredients and believes that success starts with these ingredients. He wanted to find a way to give back to his adopted home on the island of St. Croix and discovered breadfruit, an ingredient that has a long island history and has proved its versatility as a food source. Breadfruit’s story began in Tahiti, and it was brought to the Caribbean where it has been key to providing food for the people of St. Croix and all the islands in the region. It also has ties to the most famous mutiny in history, that of the HMS Bounty. Manley

US and on 15 Caribbean islands. It is also available in the lounges of American Airlines and NRP Applebee’s. Online orders are accepted as well. Visitors to St. Croix can take a personal tour of the Sion Farm Distillery. The tour includes dining, vodka tasting, and cocktails.

The annual San Francisco Spirits Competition received over 3,500 entries in the vodka category, and Mutiny Island Vodka was found to be worthy of joining other topquality vodkas by industry experts. More than 30 judges participating in a blind taste Photo: Jamaicans.com test were impressed with the partnered with the award-winning master smooth “mouth feel” and island flora distiller Chris Richeson, and they worked notes of the breadfruit-based vodka. to create the perfect distillation. In 2017 According to Manley, breadfruit providthey developed their luxury island vodka ed the Sion Farm Distillery where the in honor of the fruit’s history. Mutiny vodka is made with a kind of vodka they Island Vodka has a unique, clean taste believed would “be true to the island.” and a luxurious smooth quality that Breadfruit has a rich history and legacy reflects its island origins. in the region and his handcrafted vodka Mutiny Island Vodka, the first vodka to retains the character of St. Croix and the be produced on this island, is currently fruit it is made from, he added.l available in 14 states in the continental

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21

NYC POLITICS

Candidates for New York’s Next Governor: Who’s Still Running to Run This State?

BY RACHEL HOLLIDAY SMITH THE CITY

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ew York had a decade of Andrew Cuomo. And we’re just getting used to Kathy Hochul. Who will voters choose to lead the state next?

Cuomo’s replacement, his lieutenant governor, Hochul, hopes to turn her short stint as chief executive into a proper four-year term via the 2022 election.

She announced her run even before being sworn in on Aug. 24, and her campaign has raised a lot of money. But Hochul still has some major political vulnerabilities to overcome.

Her original lieutenant governor, Brian Benjamin, was indicted by federal prosecutors and resigned in mid-April. Due to election law timing, he was stuck on the ballot with Hochul until Albany lawmakers passed a bill in early May that allowed him to be removed.

She chose a replacement soon after: Hudson Valley Rep. Antonio Delgado.

She is also facing pushback from her own party as they stymie her political agenda in Albany.

And she will be far from the only

Democrat vying for the job, even after her top opponent — Attorney General Letitia James, whose office’s investigation led to Cuomo’s resignation — suspended her campaign Dec. 9.

Cuomo himself has been dropping major hints that he may try to return to public office. And because he was never impeached, he is legally allowed to run for governor again.

Even before Cuomo resigned this August, several of his fellow party members said they were considering a run, including city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) is also running.

Meanwhile, Republicans have been suiting up for a fight for months, if not years, and are fundraising and mobilizing. U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of Long Island and former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino are among the GOP candidates who have filed 2022 campaigns with the state, records show.

Officially, more than a dozen campaigns have registered with the state Board of Elections to fundraise towards a run for governor in 2022. Other contenders, including former Mayor Bill de

Governor Kathy Hochul Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Blasio, have already bowed out.

The Democrats Kathy Hochul: She will serve as New York’s governor through the 2022 election, at least until Jan. 1, 2023. Her latest role in government, becoming the first woman to hold the state’s top job, is the pinnacle of years working in public service, mostly in Western New York. As THE CITY reported in this piece about her career, Hochul served as Erie County clerk, then briefly represented Buffalo in Congress in 2011 after winning a special

election. She ran with Cuomo for lieutenant governor in 2014 and 2018, though it was recently revealed that Cuomo had wanted to kick her off the 2022 ticket. She launched her election bid as she took office to replace Cuomo, and had raised more than $21 million as of January 2022.

Paul Nichols: Nichols is a Jamaica, Queens-based attorney who most recently served as chief counsel for State Sen. Leroy Comrie. Nichols has worked in continued on page 22

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NYC POLITICS Who’s Running/ continued from page 21

Rep Tom Suozzi Editorial credit: House.gov The Big Maybe Former Governor Andrew Cuomo Editorial credit: David McGlynn / Shutterstock.com

state government for more than a decade, he told THE CITY. He is running on a platform promoting affordable housing, easing the wealth gap and incentivizing New Yorkers to move to other parts of the state “to ease the concentration of population within downstate,” his campaign site says.

Tom Suozzi: Suozzi has represented parts of Queens and the North Shore of Long Island since 2017 in the House.

Previous to that, he served as Nassau County executive from 2002 to 2009 and began his career in politics as mayor of Glen Cove, L.I. Suozzi announced his candidacy in late November, telling Newsday he will campaign as a “common-sense Democrat.” He chose to run over an opportunity to become deputy mayor under Eric Adams, a friend and ally for years. In mid-February, Suozzi revealed his running mate is Diana Reyna, former deputy borough president under Adams and a former City Council member from Brooklyn.

Jumaane Williams: As New York City’s public advocate, he’s spoken about a run for governor for months. Williams announced in late September that he was forming an exploratory committee for a potential race. In November, he announced his gubernatorial campaign.

Williams has served as public advocate since 2019. Previous to that, he served as City Council member for Flatbush, Brooklyn between 2010 and 2019. He ran and lost to Hochul in his 2018 bid for Lieutenant Governor.

The Republicans Republican hopefuls have been more proactive in launching runs. Among them: Rob Astorino: He served as county executive in Westchester between 2010 and 2017 and got his professional start in talk radio and television. He was the Republican nominee for governor in 2014, garnering 40% of the vote against Cuomo and then-lieutenant Hochul, who together won with 54%. Astorino registered his 2022 campaign with the state BOE in May, records show.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Listen to interviews with the candidates at www.pppradio.nyc Read their stories and get updates at www.cawnyc.com Mike Carpinelli: He currently serves as sheriff of Lewis County and has spent his career in law enforcement in Kingston and Rochester. He is “President Trump’s favorite sheriff,” his campaign website reads, and has spoken out against mask mandates and New York’s gun control laws. He launched his campaign in August 2020, state BOE records show.

Derrick Gibson: He’s a former construction and automotive business owner from Forest Hills, Queens, who has turned to podcasting and political activism. Gibson calls himself a “true conservative” who was “on the front lines for President Donald Trump at all the ‘Stop the Steal’ rallies,” his campaign site reads. The Daily Beast has reported Gibson invited a member of the far-right group the Proud Boys onto his podcast this summer. He registered his 2022 campaign with the state in February 2020.

Andrew Giuliani: The son of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is a golfer turned Trump administration official who later became a television pundit for Newsmax.

He launched his campaign in May of this year, BOE records show. Despite his famous surname, Giuliani’s chances to win the election are long: In a straw poll this summer, he garnered no votes from state Republican leadership.

Harry Wilson: Wilson is a former hedge fund executive who “retired” at age 36 before joining the Obama administration’s auto industry task force, which helped reorganize General Motors and Chrysler in 2009. In 2010, he ran unsuccessfully for state comptroller, then founded a company that specializes in corporate restructuring. He was raised upstate, but now lives in Westchester County with his family. In announcing his campaign, he said he would contribute $12 million of his own money to the effort.

Lee Zeldin: He’s the current Congressional representative for eastern Long Island, a former state senator and member of the U.S. Army Reserves.

Zeldin has long been an ally of Donald Trump and was one of 147 Republicans who voted to overturn the 2020 election results. Zeldin is the money leader among the GOP candidates, with $3.2 million on hand as of July, the latest campaign finance records show. He also has the early backing of GOP county leaders in the state and is their “presumed nominee,” POLITICO New York reported. He launched his campaign committee in April of this year, BOE records show.

Third Party Hopefuls Howie Hawkins: The Green Party leader is once again running for governor after trying three times before. The Syracuse politician has run for public office at least 25 times in his career, according to Syracuse.com.

Larry Sharpe: The libertarian businessman and former Marine is trying again for governor after a previous run in 2018.

He registered his campaign with the state BOE in March 2022.

The Big Maybe Cuomo himself is not barred from running for his old job again. Without being impeached, he is still allowed to hold office in New York State — and he left office with about $18 million in an active campaign account.

In early 2022, Cuomo began making public appearances again, and released television ads addressing the allegations against him while touting his accomplishments.

He told a church congregation in Brooklyn in early March, “God isn’t finished with me yet.” Less than a week later, he told reporters, “I am open to all options.”

Several other people have started campaign committees registered with the

state, records show, but little could be found about their campaigns or platforms. They are: Nicolae Albert Bunea, Joseph Anderson, Elaine Bailey, John Jay Hathaway, Abbey S. Laurel-Smith, Tiwana Monique Lewis, Dr. Kris Alan Lord, Negrito Paul Noel, Muhammad Saleh and Gregory Alan Vernon.

Lieutenant Governors Don’t forget, in New York, candidates for lieutenant governor can run in the primary, and win, independently from a gubernatorial running mate. That means people on separate tickets could end up serving together, as it happened in 1982 with Mario Cuomo, who became governor, and Alfred DelBello, who ran for lieutenant governor with gubernatorial candidate Ed Koch, the mayor of New York City at the time.

This year, since former lieutenant governor Brian Benjamin resigned after his indictment, Gov. Hochul appointed a new deputy and running mate, Rep. Antonio Delgado from the Hudson Valley. Competitors for the seat are hoping that the crisis has made the Hochul ticket vulnerable enough to eek out a win.

As of May 2022, there are at least five lieutenant governor candidates, according to state BOE records: •Ana María Archila, activist with Make the Road, is running with Jumaane Williams.

•Antonio Delgado, Congressional representative from the Hudson Valley, is running with Hochul.

•Alison Esposito, an NYPD Deputy Inspector, is running with Lee Zeldin.

•Quanda Francis, former mayoral candidate and tech entrepreneur, is running independently.

•Diana Reyna, former deputy borough president in Brooklyn, is running with Tom Suozzi.l This story was published on May 4, 2022 by THE CITY.

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