Caribbean American Weekly - Issue 93

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ISSUE 93 VOLUME 18

March 26-April 1, 2020

SERVING THE CARIBBEAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES!

Coronavirus: What’s Behind the Great Toilet Roll Grab?

BY LAURA JONES, BBC NEWS

“

I didn't want to overbuy as I didn't want to be a part of the problem. So I placed an online order on Amazon for 30 rolls for £18—I thought that would definitely cover her for three months."

Josh, a 25-year-old carer from Nottingham, is one of the many UK shoppers who have been trying to get their hands on a highly sought-after commodity: toilet paper.

He looks after his mum, a disabled cancer patient, and has been trying to make sure that she has enough supplies to last for 12 weeks — the amount of time people most at risk of coronavirus have been told to stay at home.

But Josh's delivery never came. He says it was listed as out for delivery by Hermes on several different days, but eventually it just disappeared from the portal. Josh believes it was stolen.

He says that he was offered a full refund for the purchase, but found the whole situation frustrating: "Panic buying just instigates panic buying, and we need to make sure that there's enough to go round for people like my mum."

Hermes told the BBC that it doesn't receive any information on what is inside the parcels it delivers, and that nearly all of its deliveries are successful.

Lulu, a university graduate, lives with her mum who is a nurse. She had a similar experience with a delivery from ethical

Senator Bernie Sanders for President of the U.S. ....3

Photo: Shutterstock.com

continued on page 7

Jamaican Olympic Champion Campbell-Brown Honored....18

Tax Deadline Extended to July 15 ... see page 8

3 Actions ICE Should Take Now During the Coronavirus Pandemic

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BY KATIE SHEPHERD s the global death toll from coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to mount and communities take steps to stem the further spread of the virus, immigration advocates and lawyers

Rihanna Steps Up Big Time! ....15

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continued on page 10

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

INSIDE: Equity Smart Realty Homeowners’ & Buyers’ Guide

Filing For Bankruptcy Will Not Prevent Your From Going to Heaven BY 311BANKRUPTCY.COM here is a little something called life, and it does happen. Nine out of ten times, no one gets into debt

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on purpose. People get into debt for a variety of reasons: huge medical bills from an illness or injury, divorce, death, loss of a paycheck, poor money managecontinued on page 10

Why You Should Watch “Who Killed Malcolm X?” ....4

2 Caribbean Consulates Anguilla 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200 Antigua & Barbuda 305 East 47th Street, Suite 6A New York, N.Y. 10020 Tel: 212-541-4117 The Bahamas 231 East 46th Street New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-421-6420 Barbados 820 Second Avenue, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-551-4325 Belize 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1911 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-593-0999 Dominica 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400H New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-949-0853 Dominican Republic 1500 Broadway, Suite 410 New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-599-8478 Grenada 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1101 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-599-0301 Guyana 308 West 38th Street New York, N.Y. 10018 Tel: 212-947-5119 Haiti 815 Second Avenue,6th Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-697-9767 Jamaica 767 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-935-9000 Martinique 444 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-838-6887 Montserrat 845 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10022 Tel: 212-745-0200 Panama 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 20th Floor New York, N.Y. 10036 Tel: 212-840-2450 St. Kitts & Nevis 414 East 75th Street, 5th Floor New York, N.Y. 10021 Tel: 212-535-5521 St. Lucia 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, N.Y. 10007 Tel: 212-697-9360 St. Maarten 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807 New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 800-786-2278 St. Vincent & The Grenadines 801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor New York, N.Y. 10017 Tel: 212-687-4981 Trinidad & Tobago 125 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor New York, N.Y. 10038 Tel: 212-682-7272 For more Consulate information go to www.cawnyc.com/directory

CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP Trinidad & Tobago Shuts Out International Community To Stem Spread of COVID-19 ORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Trinidad and Tobago will not allow anyone other than its nationals to enter the country – except under exceptional circumstances – for the next two weeks, while bars and schools will be closed, as the country seeks to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

As of this March 16, there were four confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the twin-island republic, all of which health officials say were imported cases. And the total number of COVID-19 cases and deaths outside China, where the outbreak began, has overtaken the total number of cases in that East Asian country. The World Health Organization said today there were 81,077 confirmed cases and 3,218 deaths in China and 86,434 confirmed cases and 3,388 deaths in 151 other countries.

“We have to isolate ourselves from the supply, the source of the virus outside of Trinidad and Tobago,” Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said at a post-Cabinet press briefing where he announced the measures being taken by his government.

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“We are in a crisis. We are in an emergency.”

He said the Ministry of Health and Ministry of National Security would determine who would be exempt from the ban, as needed, but they would likely include health personnel and employees of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

“Other than that, we are basically disconnecting ourselves from the international community for the next 14 days,” Rowley said.

Among other measures taking effect are the closure of all public schools until the new term begins on April 20 – a measure which private schools are being asked to comply with; and the closure of bars for the next 14 days.

“Persons operating bars where people gather to drink and socialize, because our objective to deny the virus, connections from person to person, we are instructing that gatherings beyond 25 be avoided at all costs, except under unavoidable circumstances,” the Prime Minister said.

While restaurants can remain open, only takeaway service will be allowed as in-

Jamaica’s First Covid-19 Death Returned from NY INGSTON, Jamaica: The Government has issued a community quarantine order on the heels of the country’s first death from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the refusal by the victim’s family to quarantine themselves.

The imposition of the order for the Corn Piece settlement in the southern parish of Clarendon was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Parliament, after a 76-year-old man who

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PM Holness

travelled from New York died from COVID-19 on March 20.

PM Rowley

house dining is being banned.

Meantime, the Ministry of Health has taken the official decision to institute two parallel health care systems.

One public health system will focus on addressing confirmed cases of COVID19. The Caura Hospital and the Couva Hospital and Multi-Training Facility will be used for this purpose and the public is encouraged to access the standard public health care services via the other existing health facilities.

Additionally, Public Health Inspectors will visit various public locations within communities where large gatherings are common to advise key representatives on the necessary health care precautions.l He said that since the elderly man’s death, which came the same day he tested positive, members of his family who reside in Corn Piece have refused to comply with the requests of the public health team on the ground to remain at home.

“These persons would have been exposed to a symptomatic person and have a high risk for infection…. The persons so exposed may be incubating the virus,” the Prime Minister said, explaining the justification for the quarantine.

Holness, who expressed his sympathy for the family of the deceased man, was quick to add that the quarantine was not a “sentence”.l

Guyana President Appeals for Patience as Country Awaits Election Results

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EORGETOWN, Guyana: Three weeks after Guyanese cast ballots in general and regional elections, President David Granger has urged citizens to be patient and calm.

Following another judicial hearing in the Supreme Court, the President addressed the nation, saying that Guyana’s democracy has allowed for interested parties to approach the Supreme Court for judicial review of the electoral laws. That legal process is still ongoing he stated, noting that “we must await the ruling of the Court.”

“The electoral process is incomplete. I call upon the members of the public to respect the role of the Elections Commission and to desist from attacks on the Chairman, Commissioners and members of the Commission. The Elections Commission has the sole authority for the conduct of General and Regional elections and must be allowed to function independent of political interference, instruc-

President Granger

tion and influence,” he said.

The Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh and the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield appeared in court to respond to an injunction filed by private citizen Ulita Grace Moore, preventing the commission from moving ahead with a national recount of the votes from the March 2 polls.

President Granger, in his address, reiterated his commitment to respect Guyana’s Constitution, to protect the integrity of the Chairman and members of the Elections

Commission and to obey the rulings of the Courts.

“I am confident that these institutions, once allowed to function without interference, will provide a solution to the present situation. I have maintained that the electoral process must be credible. Free and fair elections are essential to representative democracy,” he said.

Granger again related his disappointment that the CARICOM high-level team had to to leave Guyana before the total national recount was conducted. That process, he reminded, was stymied due to the injunction brought against GECOM. “Elections are as much about the totality of votes as about the quality of relations among citizens. I urge all Guyanese, therefore, to respect each other as we work together to build a cohesive nation.

Violence in any form, at any time and in any place, particularly against innocent school children must be condemned strongly,” the Head of State said.l

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3

ELECTIONS 2020

Senator Bernie Sanders for President of the United States

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. —Hosea 4:6

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Managing Editor & Editor-in-Chief

ome people will describe him as conservative-liberal. Others will say he is the socialist-minded Brooklynborn, New –Yorker turned Vermont senator with a great sense of humor. Among other circles, he is to them, a man with the right amount of Republican ideologies balanced out with the right measure of Democratic values, a rare combination but of great necessity in the run for America’s highest leadership position. Bernie Sanders is not a newbie in the political arena, with records of over 24 years’ experience as a politician in his resume. Noted for his stance on issues of social-welfare, tax, environmental issues (mainly climate change and veterans and renewable energy), he sponsored several bills and amendments related to these issues as a Senator. Sanders is a great leader, with the rare quality of unbiased, critical thinking, likes to listen as well as debate issues, and has been described by some as a good negotiator. Among his contemporaries, he has a rating of over 80% and is well-loved as a Senator by members of his constituency despite misgivings by critics with opposing views.

Accomplishment as a Mayor He is not just all talk and no action; some of his achievements as the mayor of Burlington for eight years(1981-1989) attest to these virtues. He is acknowledged as one of the first mayors to have a foreign policy and astute money management skills. Sanders grew Burlington’s economy into an enviable entity by offering technical assistance to start-up entrepreneurs and establishing trade associations; raised taxes on business created necessary institutions like the women and youth councils and financed training for women. Burlington became one of America’s best places to live and do business.

He became recognized as one of the top 20 mayors in 1987 due to his practical ideas on affordable housing and property tax. Especially with the establishment of the first municipal housing land –trust in 1984, this award-winning project is now a model in history for others around the world.

Senatorial Accomplishment Senator Sander’s, more than seven times, has been elected to serve in the House of Representatives by the state of Vermont. As a serving member of the House of

in America through a bill he proposed in 1992.

TEAM

Publisher I.Q. INC. Pearl Phillip

Senator Bernie Sanders Editorial credit: JStone / Shutterstock.com

Representatives, he has worked and proven himself right for the job by delivering results according to his job description. For example, his unequivocal support for bills and amendments that addresses issues of social welfare specifically in the reduction of cost of college, fighting corporate welfare, increasing winter heating funds for the poor. Sander’s role in supporting energy efficiency and conservation grant program resulted in passing it into law and obtaining over $3 billion grant for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

His service on several committees resulted in the presentation of bills that favor veteran’s affairs, the climate, health-care, and Children, including issues on the scope of treatment under military care. His role in the Affordable Care Act enabled over 9 million Americans to have access to free health treatment, provision of scholarships, and loan repayment for health care workers who practice in underserved communities.

Notably, his role in the Act resulted in the expansion of the federally qualified community health centers, by obtaining funding of over $12 billion for the program that now serves more than 20 million Americans. As the chairman of a committee that oversees the Senate Veteran’s Affairs, he succeeded in stopping the cut in the Social Security and disabled veterans’ benefits, saving the lives of millions of Americans. He promoted the signing of legislation that created registries for cancer programs that is operational in all 50 states

National Impact: Link between Personal History, Accomplishments and his run for President of the United States of America Bernie Sanders is a wise, thorough, and effective leader proven by the years of results. His varied experiences in different roles spiced by political losses and gains have molded him into a man of exceptional skills and character. During his youth, he served as an organizer on issues of race, such as the Congress of Racial Equality and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which gave him clarity of the complexity of the American nation. As the man who led in Chicago, the first Act of civil rights sit-in to protest segregated housing and the man who participated in the Martin Luther King CivilRights March, this former professor of political science is more than qualified to lead America at this point. His promise of transformational change, targeted at the majority in the lowest socio-economic class, is a crucial necessity for a deeply polarised country.

America needs a man that will stand by his words, to the American people that he is for the majority, the working people of America and not for a select few, the 1%.

America needs someone who can get the American people to become involved and take an active part in their future by participating in politics without fear of retaliation through self-driven policies, someone who can get things done, by getting all involved America needs a president at this point who is not compromised by funding from gun, oil, drug, or Wall Street. America needs a president who is a true leader, willing to negotiate, and get all to a table to discuss the creation and building of a country that works for everyone. America needs Bernie Sanders for President.

Given all of the above and more, we are proud to endorse Senator Bernie Sanders for President of the United States in the November 2020 elections.l

Read more about Senator Bernie Sanders for President of the United States at www.cawnyc.com

Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Assistant Editor Marilyn Silverman Graphic & Website Designers Praim Samsoondar Anvaar Sabirov Intern Isata Batchilly Contributors Jennine Estes Erin Telesford Janet Howard Mary Campbell Tarsha Gibbons Travis Morales Email info@myiqinc.com Telephone 718-771-0988 Website www.cawnyc.com

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4

CIVIL RIGHTS

Why You Should Watch “Who Killed Malcolm X?”

BY SHAMYIAH WILLIAMS

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fter the death of Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr wrote a letter explaining his final stance on integration.

“I fear I am integrating my people into a burning house,” King states in the letter.

Although you won’t read about them in many history textbooks, Pan-Africanists are important for black history. PanAfricanists like Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey believed segregation helped many black people to expand their businesses, understand their history, and have independence from the government.

As generations grow out of touch with black history, the name Malcolm X has become distant in the ears of many black children in America.

However, Malcolm X should be recognized, understood, and celebrated like many others who are lost in the history of the oppression of African Americans.

Did you know we are still trying to understand who killed Malcolm X? Who Really Killed Malcolm X? This question has been asked so many times. And there were no answers until Netflix’s documentary reintroduced the

question again on February 7, 2020.

Abdur-Rahman Muhammad did an amazing job in the making of “Who Killed Malcolm X.” The documentary offers insights into who was involved in the murder of Malcolm X. Malcolm X was a famous member of the Nation of Islam. Yet, a public break with the organization in 1965 left him without protection for his family and himself during an unfortunate turn of events.

Many people, including leaders in the Nation of Islamdisagreed with Malcolm X’s view that independence from the white government and society would benefit the black community.

Muhammad set the tone for the documentary by giving the audience several perceptions: his own, the U.S. Government’s, the Nation of Islam’s, and historians’.

Muhammad concluded the three young men, who were blamed for killing Malcolm X, did not commit the crime.

According to Muhammad, the government, more specifically the FBI, is the main suspect in the murder of Malcolm X. The documentary also reveals how the government tricked the Nation of Islam to turn their backs on Malcolm X. They

thought Malcolm X was trying to take over The Nation Of Isalm, which he wasn’t.

The complexity of the assassination has shaken Muhammad to continue searching for the possible answer for the perplex question.

The Successfulness of The Documentary Muhammad does a fantastic job of illustrating Malcolm X’s bravery during a time when both the Nation of Islam and the racist U.S. Government wanted to get rid of Malcolm X. He splits the documentary into seven or eight episodes to analyze the profound depths of Malcolm X’s assassination.

The documentary also includes interviews with people who knew Malcolm X, who saw the assassination, who saw the rebellion in Malcolm X, who planned the assassination and who disliked Malcolm X. Muhammad goes through tremendous steps to finally explain who really killed Malcolm X: The government.

The government saw Malcolm X as a threat because he was trying to unify the black community. They feared that if the black community unified, the American economic system would decrease due to

effects on includes labor, the prison system, shopping, etc.

The idea of unifying the black community became a frightening discussion for the American Government. Even though African Americans make up less of the American population, they are still centralized under the economic system.

This documentary is powerful for black children in American to watch. It gives the reality of the Civil Rights Movement.

Black kids on Delta State’s campus should watch this documentary because it is inspiring to learn about Malcolm X. It also teaches us to be more observant of those whom we think we trust.l Shamyiah Williams is the Publishing Manager, The Delta Statement.

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5

FAMILY MATTERS

Co-Parenting Tips When In High Conflict I’m so sorry that you are feeling this way.

It’s a scary place to be.”

BY JENNINE ESTES

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ur first impression of relationships comes from our parents, whether we like it or not. The good news is that parents have a unique opportunity to help children receive love and construct safe boundaries. Now and again, however, parents struggle in their relationship with each other -- sometimes resulting in separation and divorce, other times requiring repair. What's one to do when there are kids in the mix?In the midst of high-stress situations, especially conflict between parents, the sweet souls of little humans can get lost in the mix.

Even with the intention of protecting them, the big feelings and needs of little ones may be overlooked. You’re not the first to come looking for co parenting tips. These three mindful practices can make a difference with co-parenting, especially during times of conflict between parents.

Leave the fight outside Children are exposed to their parents’ relationship before they see any other example. Is conflict sometimes a part of that dynamic? Absolutely. Still, there is a difference between acknowledging that

conflict exists and can be worked through (or that separation is needed) and exposing children to the grittier side of their parents’ relationship. The simplest guideline is to be kind about each other in front of the kids or say nothing at all. In order to make this happen, it is important to actively make time and space to have difficult conversations away from little hearts and ears.

Help your child get heard Seeing or hearing parents fight can be scary for kids. The people who impact them most are causing some seismic shaking in their world. In some children, the resulting anxiety will manifest in their words and behavior, often in less than palatable ways. Bitterness toward

one parent or both are not uncommon; children have a hard time seeing a bigger picture and imagining another side to a conflict.For their sake, it is important to give a child a safe space to share their feelings without punishment. Sometimes the “I hate you” needs to come out to get down to “I’m scared” or “I’m lonely.”

John Gottman, Ph. D, writes in Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child about the five steps of emotion coaching, which include being aware of emotions (yours and your child’s), connecting with your child’s emotions, listening closely, providing names to the feelings, and exploring solutions. A little validation goes a long way: “I know it’s really hard for you to see us upset with each other. I want you to know we both love you and

Resource outside of the parent/child relationship A natural way to deal with relationship conflict is to reach to the nearest person and seek some comfort. Sometimes, however, that closest person is your child. It is not healthy for a parent to resource their child for validation and comfort — it should be the other way around. But that does not mean you are supposed to be alone! Find a friend, family member, or therapist who you can trust to provide some empathy and a place for you to express your anger and sadness. This not only provides you with quality connection, but it also allows your child to be just that — your child.

Co-parenting is not an easy journey, even for couples who are not in the middle of a high-conflict situation. It requires constant negotiation and creativity, and, let’s be honest, it also causes some frustration!

When those little hearts that matter most to you are in turmoil, your parent love wants to do everything you can.l Article is reprinted with the kind permission of Estes Therapy.

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DIASPORA CONCERNS

6

Clarke Leads Letter on Grocery Industry Response to Coronavirus Crisis

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rooklyn, NY: Recently, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) led Members of Congress, including Lloyd Doggett, (TX35), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-at large), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Grace Meng (NY-06) and Nydia Velazquez (NY-07) in sending a letter to America’s largest food retailers requesting information about their response to the coronavirus crisis. Specifically, the letter asks that each of these chains provide Congress with a strategy to keep the shelves stocked and pledge to not raise prices for the next 60 days on staple foods (such as produce, meat, soups and grains) and essential household goods (such as hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, paper towels and toilet paper).

Clarke said: “Even as our City shuts down life within the walls of our homes does not shut down--our human need for food doesn’t go away. My letter calls for our largest grocery stores in America to give New Yorkers and all Americans the assurances they need: stocked grocery shelves and no price-gouging on essential goods during this coronavirus pan-

demic.”

The letter states: “[O]ur constituents have experienced something unprecedented in recent American history: empty grocery shelves across our country.

While the supermarket industry has successfully restocked its shelves in the aftermath of other emergencies that increased demand for staple foods and household goods, the coronavirus crisis is unique. Unlike previous disasters such as hurricanes which impact particular regions, COVID-19 is impacting every community in America all at once.”

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The letter continues: “Americans are depending on supermarkets to deliver essential nutritional needs at an affordable cost. Fortunately, our country has an abundance of food and the probability of shortages is extraordinarily slim.

However, during this pandemic, we must be prepared for any and all unforeseen challenges. Therefore, we write to you to request a comprehensive description of how each of your companies plan to keep the shelves stocked, even in the face of potential supply chain disruptions.”l

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Fee: $50 covers course materials.

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This Equal Pay Day, We Need to Take a Wider View of Inequities

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im Churches, CEO of the American Association of University Women, issued this statement in advance of Equal Pay Day, which will be marked on March 31: “The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a seismic shift in our lives and in the U.S. economy. Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this crisis — as does our promise to work even harder on their behalf. In these challenging times, we are doubling down on our efforts to fight for the economic security of American women and their families, as we have done for the past 140 years.

"This is typically the time we mark the annual Equal Pay Day, when women symbolically catch up to men’s average earnings from the previous year. In addition to noting this date (March 31), we are taking a wider view to focus on how the pandemic is amplifying and exacerbating all of the nation’s economic inequities.

"The issues AAUW has long been fighting for are now alarmingly urgent: Low-wage workers – 54 percent of whom are women – are bearing the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic as they lose jobs by the millions. Those who’ve been working part time – again predominantly women – often don’t have basic employee benefits, including health insurance coverage. The increasing numbers of gig workers also have no benefits.

"The nation’s lack of paid sick and family leave is endangering both the physical and economic wellbeing of countless American families. Retired women — who are twice as likely as men to be living at or below the poverty line — are more vulnerable than ever. And the burden of student debt — two-thirds of which is held by women—feels especially onerous for those who are unemployed.

"We are confident that the severity of the crisis will eventually lessen, and as it does, society will turn its collective attention to rebuilding the economy.

Throughout the coming weeks, months and years, AAUW will accelerate our efforts to address the persistent and underlying inequities that are crucial for a full recovery. Together we can ensure that we end up with a better, more economically secure world for women, their families and all of society." l

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7

HOT TOPIC Great Toilet Paper Roll Grab/ continued from page 1 toilet roll company, Who Gives A Crap.

She's had a subscription with the firm for about six months. She believes that the £36 package of 48 rolls, which was clearly labelled as toilet paper, was stolen.

The Australian firm, which uses half of its profits to help build toilets in developing countries, told the BBC: "We've seen a small increase in concerns that deliveries may have been stolen, but nothing drastic. In most cases we are finding that the delivery just hasn't been completed yet."

Avant Garde Brands, which sells household products on Ebay and Wowcher, told one UK customer that it was starting to receive reports of toilet roll deliveries going missing too. It said that the coronavirus pandemic had led to an "unprecedented" spike in demand for retailers.

“Crazy” loo roll sales Shoppers are turning to online shops and more niche toilet paper companies so that they aren't caught short.

Bumboo offers subscriptions for its toilet rolls made from bamboo. For every box purchased online, it plants a tree.

Although the firm has only been trading for seven full months, managing director Fay Pottinger said that sales had gone "crazy" since the beginning of March, when "the full impact of panic buying set in.”

She told the BBC that so far this month, sales have jumped by about 325% against the last. She adds this could have been much higher, had the company not run out of stock.

U.S. firm No. 2, which also sells bamboo toilet paper, said that in the month-to-date, it had seen more than a 5,000% increase in its sales on Amazon's website before it sold out too.

Meanwhile, Who Gives A Crap's chief executive Simon Griffiths said that at the beginning of March, sales were up to five times higher than on an average February day.

He added that although consumers might be worried, "it's important to show compassion to each other right now, including to delivery drivers who are out there every day ensuring people can get basic necessities delivered to home."

“Snowball effect” of panic buying Being stuck on the toilet with only one square left is seemingly one scenario most panic buyers are trying to avoid.

Dr Cathrine Jansson-Boyd, a consumer psychologist at Anglia Ruskin University, says when people are anxious, "they need to do something practical to make it feel like they are in control".

The focus on toilet roll "likely started on the basis of some people trying to be practical in that they wanted to stock up on basics in case they could not go out. There's then been a snowball effect as consumers observed each other stockpiling — they also had to do it."

She adds that seeing photos of empty shelves online "further fuels a vicious circle."

While stockpiling might ease some consumers' anxieties around the virus, people need to remember to stay "community-minded," said Tony Richards of Essity, one of the UK's largest toilet paper producers.

He reassured consumers: "Don't panic...we can get toilet roll on the shelves. We just need time." l

NYC Census 2020 Releases New PSA Featuring Multi-Platinum, Award Winning Rapper, Cardi B

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ew York: NYC Census 2020 released a new public service announcement featuring multi-platinum, award winning rapper and native New Yorker, Cardi B, calling on New Yorkers to fill out the 2020 Census at this critical time for the City and the country. The PSA features Cardi B emphasizing how the census is safe, easy to fill out, and vital for New Yorkers to make their voices heard and their communities counted, and touting the online options for filling out the census. The PSA will run as 30 and 60 second English and Spanish language spots on TV and digitally throughout New York City.

Given the spread of COVID-19, the NYC Census 2020 campaign is focused on encouraging New Yorkers to self-respond to the census now. If New Yorkers take a few minutes to self-respond now from the safety and security of their own homes, they will avoid a knock on their door during the door-to-door enumeration period over the summer.

“Every New Yorker should listen to Cardi B and take a few minutes to fill out the Census right away, either via phone or online,” said Julie Menin, Director of NYC Census 2020. “When you take a few minutes to fill out the census, you make sure that your community in New York City is counted and that it receives its fair share of critical resources for children’s health insurance, hospitals, senior centers, and more. While the U.S. Census Bureau has delayed their field outreach by two weeks, by filling out the census now, you are ensuring that no Census Bureau workers will need to visit your home later this summer.”

“2020 is a huge opportunity to make our voices heard. This year, we have the power to decide our city’s future not just for the next four

Download Your Coronavirus Kit at www.cawnyc.com

Editorial credit: JStone / Shutterstock.com

years but for the next ten,” Cardi B says in the new PSA. “The Census is about power, money, and respect for our communities. If our city is undercounted, we risk being underrepresented, especially our communities of color.”

The census is now more accessible than ever, and it can be completed without leaving the home or coming into contact with any other person. The census determines whether New York City receives

its fair share of hundreds of billions distributed by the federal government every year for important programs and services. The census also leads to direct investments in New York City's health care system. For example, census data determines allocations for funding for CHIP and hospitals. What's more, it’s how public health officials get the foundational data that public health experts use to plan for and manage situations like COVID19.

The more New Yorkers who fill out the census, the more money the city receives for schools, hospitals, transportation, job training, and so much more. The census also determines each state’s fair share of representation in Congress, as well as how local, state, and federal legislative district lines are drawn, meaning the power of New York City’s voice in Washington, D.C., and Albany is also based on the census.

New Yorkers can fill out the census at my2020census.gov or via 15 different phone lines in English 844-330-2020, Spanish 844-468-2020 and Haitian Creole 844-477-2020. l

NY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION Are you working? Have you been injured on the job?

Was it a serious injury as defined under NY Workers’ Compensation Law? If yes, then call Figeroux & Associates for a FREE Consultation at 718-222-3155.

Why Should I Hire A Lawyer?

In addition to being eligible for workers' compensation, you may also have a claim against a party other than your employer. That is why it is so important to seek assistance from our experienced team.

Workers who know their rights and speak to a lawyer put themselves in a better position to obtain a recovery.

Find Out What Our Firm Can Do For You The Law Firm of Figeroux & Associates. Call us at 718-222-3155.

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TAX MATTERS

8

Tax Day now July 15: Treasury, IRS Extend Filing Deadline and Federal Tax Payments Regardless of Amount Owed

W

ASHINGTON: The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced on March 21 that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax.

Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline, can request a filing extension by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov.

Businesses who need additional time must file Form 7004.

The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days.

"Even with the filing deadline extended, we urge taxpayers who are owed refunds to file as soon as possible and file electronically," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get

refunds. Although we are curtailing some operations during this period, the IRS is continuing with mission-critical operations to support the nation, and that includes accepting tax returns and sending refunds. As a federal agency vital to the overall operations of our country, we ask for your personal support, your understanding – and your patience. I'm incredibly proud of our employees as we

navigate through numerous different challenges in this very rapidly changing environment."

The IRS will continue to monitor issues related to the COVID-19 virus, and updated information will be posted on a special coronavirus page on IRS.gov.

This announcement comes following the President's emergency declaration last week pursuant to the Stafford Act. The Stafford Act is a federal law designed to bring an orderly and systematic means of federal natural disaster and emergency assistance for state and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to aid citizens. It was enacted in 1988.

Treasury and IRS will issue additional guidance as needed and continue working with Congress, on a bipartisan basis, on legislation to provide further relief to the American people. l Source: irs.gov

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9

MONEY MATTERS

How to Afford a Major Medical Expense If You Don’t Have Health Insurance

BY WIFE.ORG EDITOR

L

et’s just cut to the chase. The health insurance landscape is a mess. Many Americans still don’t have health insurance and find themselves facing financial ruin when facing an unexpected medical event in their lives. For Americans who don’t receive healthcare coverage through work or for the many Americans who are selfemployed, health insurance may simply be too expensive. It may become even more unaffordable if government subsidies and Medicaid expansion goes away in the near future.

If you are one of the estimated 29 million Americans (as of 2018) without health insurance, praying for good health isn’t a good life plan. What happens if you have a heart attack, fall and break a leg, or get into a bad car accident? Even a short stay in the hospital, a minor surgery, or a visit to the ER can stick you with a six-figure bill. That bill isn’t going away. If you don’t pay, your credit score will get docked, which could haunt you long into the future when you apply for a car loan, home loan, or even look for a new job (some employers will check your credit score)! You’ll also get inun-

dated with collection calls!

So, what do you do if you have a major medical expense and no health insurance? You don’t have to give up, file for bankruptcy, or move off the grid to escape the collection calls. There are things you can do to lower your medical costs and create a reasonable payment plan.

you can pay upfront. See if you can negotiate for an even bigger discount.

1. Double Check for Mistakes According to the Medical Billing Advocates of America, 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. Do not let the hospital overcharge you! Request an itemized statement from the hospital and then carefully review your bill. Note anything that you don’t understand or that seems wrong. Call the hospital’s medical billing office and ask them to explain. If you feel that you have been wrongly charged or if you need help, hire a medical billing advocate.

3. Negotiate a Discount Even if you could pay a $10,000 medical bill, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t negotiate your bill lower. In fact, no medical bill is carved in stone. Take a deep breath, get your game face on, call your hospital’s billing department, and ask for a discount on your bill. Another great tactic is to use the Healthcare Bluebook to show that prices at nearby hospitals are cheaper than what you were charged.

If you can explain why some of the costs were outlandish, you’ll have a better chance of seeing a discount. Don’t be afraid to follow up multiple times, write emails, letters, and ask to speak to higher-ups if you are getting nowhere.

Consider that just a 10% discount on a $10,000 medical bill adds up to $1,000 in savings. This tactic is worth the effort.

2. Pay Upfront for a Discount If you happen to have enough money to cover your bills (perhaps in an emergency savings account), call the hospital’s billing department and ask for an “upfront payment” discount. Many hospitals will offer at least a 10% discount if

4. Get a No-Interest Loan Virtually every hospital and medical facility is able to offer patients no-interest loans. This isn’t ideal, but at least you can create a reasonable billing plan that won’t end up with you filing for bankruptcy. Again, don’t be afraid to negoti-

ate. It is in the hospital’s best interest to get you to pay the most possible each month, but since there’s no interest, there is no financial penalty for you to pay a smaller amount each month over a longer period of time. They want you to pay $200 a month? See if you can get it down to $100 a month. At the end of the day, they would much rather get $100 a month from you than $0, so they have an incentive to bargain.

We strongly encourage you NOT to pay your hospitable bills with your credit card. Just to reiterate – almost every hospital can offer you a no-interest loan, as opposed to credit cards, which can easily charge you 15% to 20% interest or more!!!

5. Financial Assistance Hospitals don’t like to flaunt this fact, but many of them offer financial assistance, especially to patients without health insurance. You just need to know to ask. The specific programs vary from hospital to hospital. Give the billing department a call and simply ask if they offer financial assistance. It can’t hurt to ask, and you might be able to receive a big discount!l

Creditors’ Harassments!

Lawsuits! Foreclosures!

Get the legal help you need NOW! Call 718-222-3155!

FREE BANKRUPTCY CONSULTATION Documents Required: Save Your: *Home *Business *Car

*Health *Peace of Mind/Health *Marriage/Relationship

*List of debts *Your most recent tax returns *Correspondence from creditors *Lawsuit documents *Social Security and ID *List of assets

Filing a Chapter 7, 11 or 13 bankruptcy may be your only choice!!!

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

IN THE NEWS Bankruptcy/continued from page 1 ment, merely living beyond one’s means, just taking their eyes off the ball and end up spending more money than they earned. When any of occur and the bills start to pile up, creditors are harassing you, and you get anxious about answering your phones and stressed out, the solution may lie in filing for bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy is a legal solution which allows one relief from the burden of certain debts. But for many Christians, the choice of filing for bankruptcy may prove to be a dilemma. Many Christians believe it’s wrong or immoral to declare bankruptcy. After all, the Bible says we should pay our debts. Filing for bankruptcy is not a sin. No one is going to go to Hell for filing bankruptcy. It’s not a salvation issue. The Bible actually says in Deuteronomy 15:1-2 ESV that, “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord’s release has been proclaimed.” Clearly, there is an agreement between the law of the Bible and that of the land. If you can pay your debts, as a good Christian, you should; if you are unable to do so, as a resident, it’s your legal right. l Learn more at www.311bankruptcy.com

10 3 Actions ICE Should Take/ continued from page 1 have sounded the alarm bells for the thousands of immigrants held in civil detention facilities.

Responses from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been mixed. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—the agency responsible for conducting naturalization ceremonies and citizenship and asylum interviews—closed their offices this week.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reportedly committed to limiting roundups of immigrants in the interior of the United States while the pandemic rages, but has failed to take any steps to release immigrants held in ICE detention facilities around the country.

Here are three steps that ICE should take nationwide to ensure the health and safety of all Americans: 1. Decrease the number of people in immigration detention to limit exposure Immigration detention could be fatal for persons whom the Centers for Disease Control and other public health experts have designated “at risk.”

Under the law, ICE can choose who they detain. There are alternatives to detention, such as telephonic check-ins and ankle monitors, that are more humane and less costly. The agency should

Washington, DC/USA – October 19, 2019: Doctors for Camp Closure march to close immigrant detention camps and family separation by US Customs and Border Protection.

Editorial credit: Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock.com

immediately exercise their legal discretion to the greatest extent possible to prevent unnecessary deaths.

2. Release information on ICE’s COVID-19 protocols ICE has released only general information to the public regarding its plans for detained individuals as the country braces for the further spread of COVID19. The lack of information has generated confusion and concern as well as litigation seeking the release of detained individuals at high risk of illness or death if they were to contract COVID-19.

For those migrants ICE refuses to release, it is critical for the public to understand what precautions are being taken to prevent further spread within ICE facilities.

Transparency around COVID-19 is a

NOTICE OF DIVORCE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF KINGS, INDEX NO. 55424/2017 – Date Purchased: November 27, 2017 – SUMMONS WITH NOTICE – Plaintiff designates Kings County as the place of trial – Basis of Venue: Plaintiff’s Residence – SHERNET KARENA RICHARDSON against TYRONE RICHARDSON – ACTION FOR DIVORCE - To the above named Defendant, YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to serve a notice of appearance on Plaintiff’s attorneys within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons is complete and in the case of your failure to appear, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the notice set forth below. Dated: February 4, 2020, Brooklyn, New York. Law Offices of FIGEROUX & ASSOCIATES, 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, New York 11242. NOTICE: The nature of this action is to dissolve the marriage between the parties on the grounds of: irretrievable breakdown of the relationship for at least six months pursuant to DRL §170(7).

The relief sought is a judgment of absolute divorce in favor of the plaintiff dissolving the marriage between the parties in this action. NOTICE OF AUTOMATIC ORDER. Pursuant to DRL §236(b)(2), the parties are bound by certain automatic orders which shall remain in full force and effect during the pendency of the action. For further details you should contact the Clerk of the Matrimonial Part, Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201 Tel.: (347) 296-1714. DRL 255 NOTICE. Please be advised that once the judgment of divorce is signed in this action, both parties must be aware that he or she will no longer be covered by the other party’s health insurance plan and that each party shall be responsible for his or her own health insurance coverage, and may be entitled to purchase health insurance on his or her own through a COBRA option, if available.

NOTICE OF GUIDELINE MAINTENANCE. Pursuant to DRL §236(B)(5-a), there is an obligation to award the guideline amount of maintenance (spousal support) on income up to $175,000 to be paid by the higher income spouse to the lower income spouse after the divorce is final according to a formula, unless the parties agree otherwise or waive this right.

matter of life or death. The agency must respond to a Freedom of Information Act request submitted on March 19 requesting information about trainings, protocols, and concrete steps being taken to prevent a further outbreak of COVID-19.

The agency must also share what steps ICE will take in the event of an outbreak.

We must hold the agency accountable for how it plans to treat some of the most vulnerable in its custody.

3. Ensure immigration attorneys have remote access to clients and bond hearings.

ICE must ensure that detained people can remotely access legal counsel through free, unmonitored phone calls, increased use of video-teleconferencing, and enhanced access to non-contact visitation. ICE must ensure that detained people can remotely access legal counsel through free, unmonitored phone calls, increased use of free video-teleconferencing, and enhanced access to non-contact visitation.

Earlier this week, immigration advocates sent a letter to the ICE Field Office in El Paso, Texas—a jurisdiction holding thousands of immigrants in detention— outlining these immediate steps the agency should take to curb the further spread of COVID-19. The letter urges ICE to exercise its broad discretion to release as many detainees as possible, particularly those who are at higher risk of infection including people who are older, have underlying health conditions, are pregnant, and who are immunocompromised.

With almost 40,000 people in detention, concerns for immigrants detained in El Paso—and elsewhere—continue to mount. Substandard conditions in detention—and the fact that it is impossible for detainees to socially distance from each other—inherently put detained immigrants at risk.

ICE claims the agency is well-equipped to handle the health crisis. However, documented complaints and numerous deaths in immigration detention show how ill-equipped ICE-run facilities are in handling healthcare issues, much less a pandemic. The heightened risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19 not only impacts the detained migrants and facility staff—communities surrounding the immigration detention centers are also impacted by the public health crisis.

The government has a responsibility to take these steps. Failure to do so may worsen the impact on everyone—regardless of their immigration status. l

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No. 24

Squatters' Rights and Adverse Possession in Real Estate

BY JANET HOWARD

U

nder New York Consolidated Laws, Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law RPA § 501; and for the purposes of this

article: Adverse possessor is a person or entity and is an “adverse possessor” of real property when the person or entity occupies real property of another person or entity with or without knowledge of the other's superior ownership rights, in a manner that would give the owner a cause of action for ejectment.

Acquisition of title is when an adverse possessor gains title to the occupied real property upon the expiration of the statute of limitations for an action to recover real property pursuant to subdivision (a) of section two hundred twelve of the civil practice law and rules, provided that the occupancy, as described in sections five hundred twelve and five hundred twenty-two of this article, has been

adverse, under claim of right, open and notorious, continuous, exclusive, and actual.

Claim of right means a reasonable basis for the belief that the property belongs to the adverse possessor or property owner, as the case may be.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, claim of right shall not be required if the owner or owners of the real property throughout the statutory period cannot be ascertained in the records of the county clerk, or the register of the county, of the county where such real property is situated, and located by reasonable means.

The best way to explain squatters' rights and adverse possession

is with an example, and it has happened in real life. First, it's important to remember that these types of real estate laws are statespecific, so you need to check the laws in your state of interest. The example here is of the most accepted laws regarding squatters' rights and adverse possession.

You have long-term objectives, and you buy a 40-acre parcel of unimproved land in a

beautiful area, but pretty remote. You found it on vacation, and you didn't anticipate going back to that area often, if at all for the next few years. You're sitting on this investment, knowing that over time it appreciates in value, so it's a nest egg for your future retirement home.

You had some neighbors in that area, but the few living there were several miles away. You did become acquainted and asked them to look in on your property from time to time. You have no idea whether they've done that or not, but you have other things in your

continued on page 3

Why Your House Is Not Selling

H

ome sales in August 2019 spiked 10.8% from 2018, marking the largest year-overyear increase for a single month since 2018, according to a Redfin report. The supply of homes for sale, however, fell 5.7% year over year, representing the biggest decline since April 2018.

So if it’s such a hot seller’s market and other properties in your city are selling fast, why isn’t your home selling fast?

While it’s true that even in a seller’s market some houses linger on the market longer than others, there may be other factors involved.

On average, if your home hasn’t gotten a contract after six showings, say real estate experts, it’s time to reexamine the property for weaknesses. Here are some reasons why your home is not selling.

Pricing and Location A well-priced home will sell regardless of its condition, may be a general rule of thumb — but even a properly priced home that’s in poor condition will have a tough time in a bad location, such as near an airport. That’s when it’s important to pay extra attention to updating, cleaning and curb appeal.

Bad Odors It should go without saying, but bad odors in a home from pets or smoking

will always turn off prospective buyers so you should do all you can to mitigate these smells. Hiring a professional carpet cleaner and a commercial home cleaner can help.

Light and Architecture A lack of natural light due and poor architecture, such as low ceilings and awkward room layouts that can’t be easily renovated can make homes hard to sell. These problems can be addressed by renovating yourself — but you are not likely to recover a lot of the cost.

Environmental and Structural Issues such as mold, asbestos and other toxic hazards will likely rear their ugly heads during the home inspection process, as will structural issues such as a cracked foundation or wiring and plumbing problems. It’s best to treat these issues before they wreck a potential sales by having an expert examine your home before putting it on the market.

Dated Decor, Poor Staging One of the standard rules of selling is that buyers have to be able to imagine their own furniture in a home. If you have older or dated furniture or modern furniture that might only appeal to limited tastes, buyers will often turn away.

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, so it’s wise to invest in a professional staging company to allow buyers their vision while showing off the home in a tasteful way.

Upkeep and Cooperation Selling a home is hard, stressful work, and sometimes owners who have homes on the market for a while tend to tire of the constant showings and the pressure to keep the home spotless at all times.

That said, it’s necessary to make sure your home sells as quickly as possible.

You can do everything right, but if you’re an uncooperative seller — refusing to vacate the property for showings or not securing unruly animals — you’ll make the process even harder.

Get Help Need assistance? We will be happy to meet with you and share our guidance. Schedule an appointment today.

Call us at 888-670-6791.n

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2

EQUITY SMART REALTY

When to Refinance 2% as the magic number.

According to Nerd Wallet, interest rates on a 30-year fixed mortgage peaked most recently in November 2018 at 5.09%. As of October 2019, it was down to 3.96%. This means that a homeowner who got a loan near the 5% mark might benefit from a refinance and could save more than $53,000 on interest over 30 years on a $250,000 mortgage.

T

he advertisements and phone calls sound great — get a lower interest rate and save as much as hundreds of dollars a month on your mortgage payments.

But is it too good to be true? The answer: It depends. Unfortunately, your decision should be based on a complicated mix of how much of a lower interest rate you can get, how much you will be charged in fees and the term of the new loan.

The Rate A high school education teaches us that a lower interest rate is good. How much of a reduction do you need to get in order to come out on top with a refinance? Personal finance experts tout reductions of 1% to

Payment We can all agree that saving on our monthly bills sounds great. If your refinancing goal is to lower your payment, however, you must include any lender fees that must be paid out of pocket or fees that will be rolled into the new loan in your calculations. On a $250,000 loan, refinancing from 5% to 4% can save the borrower nearly $150 a month. But this will be reduced by any out-of-pocket or financed fees. Be sure to consider all of the financial impacts that will come with refinancing the loan. It’s likely you will still save money, but you want the full picture before signing on the line.

Be wary of “no closing costs” loans.

Typically, banks recoup their costs by charging you higher interest.

Term Considering the term of your loan means thinking long term. If you took out a 30year mortgage three years ago, when you refinance into a similar 30-year loan with a lower rate today, you are extending the number of years you have to repay the loan. You are essentially resetting a 30year clock. This means you should think long and hard about your future plans. Do you have dreams of paying off your loan in a specific timeframe? If you pay extra amounts toward the principal each month, you might be able to shorten the repayment by several months, but this requires discipline. If the goal of refinancing is simply to pay less interest over time, consider also shortening the term of the loan when you refinance, perhaps switching to a 20-year or 15-year loan.

You also should only refinance if you intend to stay in the home for the longterm. Investopieda.com offers the following formula to determine how long it will take to see savings after paying closing costs: Divide your total closing costs for the refinance by your total annual payment savings to find the number of years you must remain in the home to break even.

For example, if closing costs are $6,000, and you will save $2,400 annually on payments, you will need to remain in the home for 2.5 years to break even (6,000 divided by 2,400). After that, you will see true savings.

Help Need assistance? We will be happy to meet with you and share our guidance.

Schedule an appointment today. Call us at 888-670-6791.n

Call 888-670-6791 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Downtown Brooklyn VISIT WWW.CAWNYC.COM FOR THE LATEST CARIBBEAN NEWS, IMMIGRATION UPDATES, VIEWPOINTS, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE! LIKE US ON FACEBOOK @CAWNYC!

3

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Buying a Short Sale House

I

t seems like many people have heard the term “short sale,” but few know what it really is. If the idea of pursuing a short sale house intrigues you, you’re not alone. Short sales can result in bargains for buyers, but the process takes patience.

The personal financial website, Bankrate, defines a short sale this way: A short sale is when a house is sold for less than what the homeowner owes on it, and the lender or lenders don’t get all their money back.

Short sales only occur with the lender’s permission when a home’s value has declined and the mortgage holder owes more than the home is worth. The homeowner not only has no equity, but in fact has negative equity.

Because the market is flooded with short sales, there’s a good chance you’ll run across more than a few anywhere in the U.S. But because the negotiations take time, many find the process — which typically takes four to six months — stressful to endure.

However, if you possess the right amount of fortitude, buyers can reap great rewards from a short sale.

It’s wise to remember than simply because a seller isn’t profiting from the sale doesn’t mean they’ll take the first offer that comes along. Bidding wars often erupt before an agent can present the seller with the best offer. Top dollar doesn’t always rule the day either, as terms and

financing play an important role.

While you can wind up with a great home at below market value, there are downsides to short sales. The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, also known as Freddie Mac, outlined these pitfalls to consider before deciding to bid on a short sale: Short sales may take longer to close.

Lien-holders may need to approve the short sale and that takes time, so if buyers are on a timetable, a short sale may not be ideal.

Short sale properties are often sold on an

as-is basis, meaning the sellers won’t make any repairs to the property. The buyer may also incur higher closing costs because the approving lender usually won’t pay for any extras, like inspections.

Sellers may have to pay money at closing or agree to an unsecured debt to have the sale approved. If the seller balks, the sale may still fall through.

Need assistance? We will be happy to meet with you and share our guidance.

Schedule an appointment today. Call us at 888-670-6791.n

Call Equity Smart Realty at 888-670-6791 for a FREE consultation.

Adverse Possession/ continued from page 1 of your life.

One day you open the mail, and there is a legal notice that someone has filed an action to take possession of your future piece of retirement heaven. You call an attorney right away, and that attorney refers you to one in the state where you bought the property. You are amazed to learn that the claim on your land is legitimate. You have no right to refute it, as the squatter has met the requirements to take away your land without any reimbursement to you.

Here Is What They Need to Do to Take Your Property Here are the common requirements: 1.They must take over the use and possession of the land. It can be for their residence, a business, or both.

2.Their use of the land must be open and obvious. This means that they're not hiding in a ravine or bunch of trees. They need to be in plain sight.

3.They take exclusive possession, not sharing the land. This means no communal arrangements.

4.There can be NO permission from the owners in any form. If you had knowledge of someone staying on your land and did nothing about it, you may still lose it to adverse possession.

5.Their possession of your land must be continuous for the legally specified years.

These are a lot of hoops to jump through, but it happens more than you may think. What is sad is that it's not that difficult to avoid this situation. If when you purchased this parcel you had contracted with someone, perhaps a neighbor or a real estate agent, to check your land every year or two, you could have avoided losing your retirement home.

Simply by having someone go out and travel over the entire property taking photos to document no squatters, you would have covered your legal requirements to void their claim. However, if they find someone living or doing business on the property, have them inform you immediately. You can then retain an attorney to have them evicted. These checks are well worth the investment.

When you're dreaming about that streamside retirement home years from now, take a moment to consider if you've taken the actions necessary to protect your ownership from squatters who are there because they know the law and are taking advantage of it.

Legal Requirements for an Adverse Possession Claim to Land New York law requires the land to be used for at least ten years before the adverse possessor gains title. The adverse possessors’ claim or use of the land must be incompatible with the owner's claim and use of the land.

The adverse possessor actually be using the land as if it was his or her own.

When courts look at adverse possession claims, they apply a four-factor test. To qualify as adverse possession, the trespasser’s occupation of the land must be: •hostile •actual •open and notorious, and •exclusive and continuous for a certain period of time.

Need Help?

If you have this real estate issue, please do not take the law in your own hands. Get a FREE consultation. Ask the Lawyer. Call 855-768-8845.n

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4

HOME OWNERSHIP

Determining Home Values

What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?

H

real estate agent, as defined by Cambridge Dictionary, is a person whose business is to arrange the selling or renting of houses, land, offices, or buildings for their owners. While that is a technically accurate definition of a real estate agent, it doesn’t give an accurate description of what a real estate agent does every day.

Each day is unique and different for a real estate agent; while this can be an appealing aspect of the real estate profession, it can also offer unique challenges or opportunities, depending on the agent’s skill set. So, just what does a real estate agent do in a typical day?

ow much is a home worth?

The simple answer is that a home is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. But most valuations begin with the basics to create a baseline price: the age of a home, its square footage, lot size, neighborhood and previously assessed value.

Obtaining a quick, ballpark figure is relatively easy to figure online with the help of home value estimators. These calculators work with data you can input, such as square footage, and use that to compare to similar homes nearby that have sold recently.

To obtain more specific valuations, real estate agents perform comparative market analysis, or “comps,” that involve more in-depth research than an online estimator can offer.

Because agents have access to databases that include more specifics on properties in a neighborhood that have sold over the past 90 days, they can arrive at an average baseline of a property’s value.

Home prices are also based on appraisals performed by professionals and usually hired by lenders to ensure a property is selling at or above market value before lending on it.

A

No two homes are exactly alike, even though they may appear similar. Agents consult owners to factor in any upgrades, renovations or customizations that may increase a home’s worth.

Expensive appliance or additions don’t show up in sales records, so smart agents investigate to provide sellers and buyers a custom valuation based on these variables.

Arriving at property values is a mix of these objective and subjective factors that normally result in a formula for real estate agents to determine home prices. But “normal” is often not the

case in the housing market.

Imbalances between supply and demand, or vice versa, and such challenges as escalating foreclosures can present challenges to valuations.

Because sellers always believe their homes are worth more than a valuation, a higher sale price could result in it remaining on the market for too long and lead to stigma and suspicion.

Going low to attract attention and generate bids may work in a hot seller’s market, according to Realtor.com, but underpricing tends to lead buyers to believe a home is worth only its list price.

Finding the “right” price can be tricky business. Diligent agents will come up with different prices, according to the website The Mortgage Reports. Different brokers, with different perspectives, may well suggest different values. The important issue for property owners is to understand why a broker suggests a particular price the site reports. After all, a home that sits on the market too long benefits no one, least of all an agent whose income depends largely upon commissions.

There are a variety of other practices that realtors use to increase values and attract buyer interest, so enlisting the help of these professionals is always solid, practical advice.

Even if you’re not interested in selling, having a grasp on what your home is worth is always a smart move.

Free Consultation Need assistance? We will be happy to meet with you and share our guid-

Go to our website www.equitysmartrealty.com The website for smart homeowners!

Managing Your Real Estate Business There are a number of administrative tasks that are at the core of a well-run real estate business. A good real estate agent: lKeeps up with local and regional market activity and industry news lResearches active, pending, and sold listings and reviews the daily MLS Hot Sheet or Activity Report lCompletes, submits, and files paperwork, such as real estate documents, agreements, and records with the proper state agencies lPlans and coordinates appointments, open houses, showings, and meetings with clients and other real estate agents lDevelops marketing plans for listings and creates fliers, newsletters, and other promotional collateral lResponds to incoming emails and phone calls lUpdate websites, social media profiles, and blogs Many successful real estate agents have an assistant or office manager to assist with the day-to-day activities, allowing the salesperson or broker to focus on more direct revenue-generating activities.

You’re Not Just Selling Homes; You’re Selling Yourself Attracting clients is crucial to a real estate agent’s success. Below are some tips to attracting new clients: lMarket yourself. Competition is fierce. You need to develop your niche in the local real estate market and be known as the expert in the type of work you enjoy. This will help differentiate yourself through effective marketing. Websites, postcards, television and radio spots, billboards, fliers, and blogs are all channels that can be utilized in effective real estate agent marketing plans. lLead generation. Generate leads through networking and relationship development.

This starts with people you know, such as friends, family, business associates, and so on. There is little that is more valuable to a real estate agent then a thriving database of leads. lEveryone is a prospect. Basically, everyone you meet is a prospective client, because everyone rents, buys, or sells a home at some point. A real estate agent’s day is often consumed by cultivating leads, as well as meeting and following up with potential buyers and sellers.

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Rihanna Has Spent Over $5 Million To Combat the Coronavirus, And She's Officially My New Hero

BY MORGAN SLOSS, BUZZ FEED

R

ihanna is unquestionably one of the most accomplished women of her generation. She's a nine-time Grammy winner, successful actress, and the owner of the fantastically popular Fenty Beauty makeup line and SAVAGE X FENTY lingerie line.

In addition to all her usual contributions to society, Rihanna has now earned her spot as one of the most philanthropic celebs out there. The Clara Lionel Foundation she founded (which is named

after her grandparents) is donating $5 million to fight the coronavirus. That's incredible!

The money is going towards protective gear, medical supplies, and access to food in several countries including the U.S., Haiti, Malawi, and Barbados.

Contributions are also being made specifically to support native communities.

The coronavirus has become a serious pandemic affecting nearly every continent. As the number of confirmed cases continues to rise, it's heartwarming to see

Kitchen Corner

BY LELA, ALLRECIPES.COM "Want a roll that stays soft for days? Try these fluffy, soft rolls made with butter and love. This is my Grandma's recipe. The rolls are quick to rise due to the two packages of yeast. A special thanks to Baking Nana for writing the directions that are clear and easy to follow."

Rihanna's foundation provide essentials in this difficult time.

And as if that wasn't enough, Rihanna has also pledged to personally cover the costs of ventilators in her native country Barbados. The cost will be BBD $1.4 million or roughly $700,000 US dollars.

This is huge!

Plus, Rihanna has donated medical supplies to protect the staff of New York hospitals! New York has become the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. so her generosity will help keep more doctors and nurses safe.

Ingredients •3/4 cup milk •1/4 cup butter •1/4 cup white sugar •1 teaspoon salt •4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast •1 teaspoon white sugar •1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) •3 1/2 cups bread flour, divided, or as needed •1 egg, lightly beaten •1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, or more as needed, for dusting Directions 1. Pour milk into a glass 2-cup measuring cup and heat in the microwave until it starts to boil and climb the sides, about 1 minute.

Add butter, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt to the scalded milk; set aside to cool until it gets below 110 degrees F (45 degrees C).

2. Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water in a large bowl.

Let stand until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 10 minutes.

3. Pour milk mixture into the yeast mixture; add 2 cups bread flour and egg. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until smooth. Add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, until the dough is smooth and a little tacky.

Photo: shutterstock.com

RiRi is obviously so much more than a pop star. She's a generous superwoman using her powers for good. Plus, it's refreshing to see a boss babe remember where she's from. Her donations will inevitably save lives around the world, and that's something I won't forget. l 4.Turn dough out onto a sheet of flourdusted waxed paper and lightly knead to pull dough together; shape into a ball.

Place dough in a large, lightly-oiled bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.

5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide dough into thirds. Break each third into six evenly sized balls and arrange onto prepared baking sheet.

Cover balls with a towel to rise further for another 30 minutes.

6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

7. Bake in preheated oven until browned, about 15 minutes. l Prep 30 minutes Cook 15 minutes Ready in 1 hour and 55 minutes

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17

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

Five Ways to Protect Your Finances When You Move In Together savings? Don’t be afraid to dig deeper.

Ask them about their attitude toward money. Are they a spender or a saver? Do they budget? What are their short-term and long-term financial goals?

This conversation may be awkward, but it will highlight any big red flags before you make the big move. It will also help you negotiate who is going to pay for what when you know how much income, debt, and other financial obligations each partner brings to the table.

BY WIFE.ORG EDITOR

B

ack in the day, it was scandalous for couples to live together before they walked down the aisle. These days, living together before marriage, or deciding not to get married at all is the new normal. According to the National Center for Family and Marriage Research, 66% of women cohabitate with their partner before getting married.

If you are thinking of shacking up with your someone special, it’s important to lay out ground rules before you bust out the packing tape and moving boxes. One of the most important topics to discuss is money.

Marriage conveys a certain amount of financial protection to both spouses.

They each become entitled to a portion of their shared marital property. Those protections don’t exist when you merely cohabitate with your partner, which makes it all the more important to iron out financial details before you say, “I do,” to living together.

Here are five tips to ensure that

finances won’t disturb your new domestic bliss.

Talk About Money Most of us have been raised to think that discussing money is impolite. That can make it difficult or awkward to come

I’m done!

clean about our finances with our partner.

However, it is imperative that you are both on the same financial page before you make a big decision like moving in together. First, you should each be aware of the others’ finances. What is your partner’s income? What are their debts and

Create a Relationship Agreement You don’t need to have a relationship agreement quite as detailed and nuanced as Sheldon and Amy from The Big Bang Theory, but it will be extremely helpful to put an agreement into writing on what each partner’s responsibilities will be when you move in together.

Use your relationship agreement to determine how you’ll split costs. Will you each pay half of the mortgage or rent each month, or will you use a percentage system based on each person’s income? continued on the next page

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SPORTS & BOOKS

18

Jamaican Olympic Champion Veronica Campbell-Brown Honored By Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame

Reading for Spring

O

ne of the fastest sprinters to ever compete in the NCAA Veronica Campbell-Brown's legacy remains forever present in Arkansas Razorback track and field history. A fourtime All-American during her tenure as a Razorback, Campbell-Brown was most known for her 200-meter performance, an event in which she captured the 2004 NCAA indoor title in 22.43 seconds (No. 2 all-time best in NCAA history).

In addition to her success on the national circuit, Campbell-Brown was a threetime SEC Champion. Following her time at Arkansas, she went on to find continued success on the professional circuit, racing to eight Olympic medals (including two 200 golds) and 11 IAAF World Championship titles while representing Jamaica. She scored big in the 2005 and 2007 IIAF World Championships, with silver and gold medals in the 100-meter, 200 meter and 4-by-100-meter relays.

She went on to compete in the 2000 Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in the 4-by-100-meter relay. She then won back-to-back gold medal titles in the 200-meter at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic

S Games, as well as a gold in the 4-by-100meter relay and a bronze in the 100meter in 2004. At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Campbell-Brown won her sixth Olympic medal, a bronze, in the 100 meters. She also attended the 2015 World Championships in the 4x100m relay in Beijing, China.

In February 2018, Veronica and her husband, Omar, welcomed their daugh-

Protect Your Finances/ continued from page 17 Who will pay for the utilities? How about grocery costs, furniture, repairs, and eating out?

Writing a relationship agreement may seem overly formal, but it’s important to work these things out in the beginning instead of fighting about them later.

Be Careful About Mingling Finances You may be in love, but that doesn’t mean you should risk your stellar credit rating on your new partner. When you first move in with your partner, there’s no need to add them to your checking account or share a credit card. Just think about the damage they could do if they go on a spending spree, or if they wipe out your checking account after a big fight or a breakup.

Some couples decide to open a joint checking account and each will put money in it every month for shared bills like the rent or mortgage. If you decide to go this route, we encourage you to still maintain your own personal checking and savings accounts.

Discuss Joint Property What if you or your partner wants to buy a house? What if one of you already owns a home? Should you pay rent to your boyfriend or try to get on the deed?

These are tricky questions. If your partner buys a house and doesn’t put you on

the deed, then they can sell it whenever they like and keep all the money from the sale regardless of whether or not you thought you were building equity by helping them pay the mortgage each month. On the other hand, if you put your partner on the deed of your home and sell the house, they will be entitled to half the profits even if you paid the entire down payment and made all the mortgage payments alone!

Be very careful about adding your partner to your deed, especially if you are paying the majority of the housing costs.

Even the best relationships can fizzle, and that could end up being a big financial loss. Here again, a partnership agreement can help you define an ownership and equity arrangement in the house that you both feel is fair.

ter, Avianna, into the world. She sat out the remainder of 2018 and has possibly set her sights on the 2020 Olympics.

Away from the track, she is a UNESCO Sport Ambassador and heads the VCB Foundation, which offers mentorship and financial assistance to young women in Jamaica.l Source: arksportshalloffame.com Write a No-Nup You’ve almost certainly heard about the pre-nup that couples sign before they get married, but have you heard of a no-nup?

These days, more older couples are cohabitating together and bringing significant assets into the relationship.

Things can get tricky when a couple buys property together and mixes their finances. A no-nup works just like a prenup. It lays out how property will be divided if a couple should decide to break up.

It may seem silly to create a no-nup for a relationship when you are not even married, but it can actually save you a huge amount of hassle if your relationship doesn’t work out. A no-nup can help you determine how much equity in the home each couple owns, who gets the pet dog after a breakup, and even how child custody will work if you have children together.

It is a good idea for both partners to work with their own attorneys when devising a no-nup.

It’s easy to get swept up by the excitement of moving in with someone you love, and it may seem unromantic to talk about things like partnership agreements and no-nups. But if you don’t do some commonsense planning before the big move, you could be creating an unstable financial foundation for your new life together. l

et in a neighbourhood known as “Little Jamaica,” Frying Plantain follows one young girl from elementary school to high school graduation as she navigates the tensions between mothers and daughters, second-generation immigrants and first-generation cultural expectations, and Black identity and predominantly white society.

Kara Davis is a girl caught in the middle — of her North American identity and her desire to be a “true” Jamaican, of her mother and grandmother’s rages and life lessons, of having to avoid being thought of as too “faas” or too “quiet” or too “bold” or too “soft.” Set in a neighbourhood known as “Little Jamaica,” Kara moves from girlhood to the threshold of adulthood, from elementary school to high school graduation, in these twelve interconnected stories. We see her on a visit to Jamaica, startled by the sight of a severed pig’s head in her great-aunt’s freezer; in junior high, the victim of a devastating prank by her closest friends; and as a teenager in and out of her grandmother’s house, trying to cope with the ongoing battles between her unyielding grandparents.

A rich and unforgettable portrait of growing up between worlds, Frying Plantain shows how, in one charged moment, friendship and love can turn to enmity and hate, well-meaning protection can become control, and teasing play can turn to something much darker.l - Goodreads.com

About the Author Zalika Reid-Benta is a Canadian writer, whose debut short story collection Frying Plaintain was a longlisted nominee for the 2019 Giller Prize. Zalika is also the winner of the 2019 ByBlacks People’s Choice Awards for Best Author.

She currently works as the program manager at Diaspora Dialogues, a Torontobased organization for emerging writers of color.

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19

HEALTH

Coronavirus: Managing Anxiety and Stress

T

he outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people and communities to handle, especially as new information continues to be released at seemingly breakneck speeds. This stress can be difficult for people to handle.

Maybe you have an older adult in your life with pre-existing medical conditions that could make them more at risk to catch coronavirus. Maybe your workplace recently shut down due to bans on public crowds and you’re worried about where your next paycheck is coming from. We all handle stress differently, and there is not a one-size fits-all solution to overcoming these emotionally challenging times. Fortunately, there are plenty of beset practices you can follow to make illness-induced stress easier to manage.

Who is Stressed?

There are certain segments of the population who may be more susceptible to stress than others. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), here are some examples of our country’s most vulnerable populations: • People who have preexisting mental health conditions including problems

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Contact: with substance use • Children • People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders What Reactions Might They Have?

According to SAMHSA, there are a wide range of emotions that come with dealing with stress. They include: • Fear and worry about your own health status and that of your loved ones who may have been exposed to COVID19.

• Changes in sleep or eating patterns.

• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.

• Worsening of chronic health problems.

• Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

How to Handle Stress People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment plans during an emergency and monitor for any new symptoms. SAMHSA recommends connecting with family, friends and others in your community to overcome stress. Other actions to take include avoiding excessive exposure to media coverage of COVID-19 and taking good care of both your body and mind.

This can include regular exercise and meditation, as well as eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding alcohol and drugs. If you think you may be dealing with some form of depression, reach out to your doctor immediately for a consultation and potential treatment.l

Stacy Young Board Certified Holistic Health Coach Tel: 917-459-8431 Stacy@HealthCoachStacyNYC.com

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