Workers' World Today - Issue 19

April 2021 INSIDE

The Future of People with TPS... 17

Putting Your Affairs in Order ... 23

Love Makes a Family: Celebrating Moms... 11

Issue #19

Supporting Immigrant Labor in New York After the Pandemic

BY LINDA N. SPECIAL TO WWT

Struggling Food Delivery Workers’ Secret Weapon: Support From a Powerful Union

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ccording to reports by the American Immigration Council, immigrants are central to the development of New York and contribute significantly to the State's development. They make up a fourth of the New York State's population and more of the State's labor force.

In a 2018 report, immigrants make up over 20 percent of the population, more than 4 million, comprised of over 2 million women, 2 million men,

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and less than half a million children. Data findings reveal that immigrants in the State contributed significantly to the taxes; the report shows that in

2018, immigrant-led households paid over $35 and $20 billion in federal, state, and local taxes, respectively. continued on page 6

Hot Topics and News You Should Know About

Los Deliveristas Unidos protest in Times Square. Claudia Irizarry Aponte/THE CITY

BY CLAUDIA IRIZARRY APONTE, THE CITY

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ore than 2,000 food delivery workers biked from Times Square to Foley Square on Wednesday afternoon, briefly shutting down traffic on Broadway, to demand better wages and protections from the tech giants that run delivery app platforms. continued on page 10

AG James Fights to Protect NY’s Tenants ... 4

What COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects Might I Expect?... 20

State Lawmakers Approve NY HERO Act ... 3

Labor-Related News - Nationally & Locally

Prolonged Brain Dysfunction in COVID-19 Survivors ... 24

EPA Ditches Trump-Era Contract ... 8

Support for Essential Workers Unjustly Fired

by UPS ...14

... 19

6 Ways Recent College Graduates Can Enhance Their Online Job Search

F Local 3 Business Manager Pens Open Letter to Amazon ...14

Breakup Tips 101: Breaking It Gently With Your Partner

ear has been a common emotion throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

But with vaccinations bringing hope of a return to normalcy, public confidence is making a comeback.

When recent or soon-to-be college graduates continued on page 15

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April 2021

The story of the labor movement needs to be taught in every school in this land.... America is a living testimonial to what free men and women, organized in free democratic trade unions, can do to make a better life. We ought to be proud of it.

—Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, 1977 speech before the Minnesota AFL-CIO Convention

Contents

Workers Memorial Day - April 28

In Solidarity: State Lawmakers Approve NY HERO Act....................................................................3 Coalition of Unions Launch Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Campaign.................................3 Civil Rights: Defending Rent Stabilization Laws...........................4 Money Matters Is Bankruptcy Right for You?....................................5

The Top 10 Things New Yorkers Need to Know About Ranked-Choice Voting ....26

Union in Action EPA Ditches Trump-Era Contract, Restores Workers’ Right............................................8 Education Tensions Rise at Some of NYC’s Top High Schools..........................................................12 Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights Country Conditions in Haiti, Central America Should Make TPS Designations Easy for Biden Team...................................................18

Education .... 15 Tensions Rise at Some of NYC’s Top High Schools Over ‘Zoom in a Room’

COLUMNS Love, Health & Travel .... 22 How to Travel Responsibly This Year

Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn after it closed to in-person learning just days after the start of school, October 6, 2020. Alyssa Katz/THE CITY

After months of cautionary travel and shelving vacation plans, people, especially those with families at home, are researching how they can indulge their wanderlust safely again.

Family: The True Modern Relationship .... 11 A mom can be anyone who loves without bounds. This Mother's Day, remember all the moms in your life — birth mom, adopted mom, stepmom, grandma, aunt — who stepped in and stepped up.

Metro NY 45th Annual Convention Tuesday, May 11, 10am: Bill Fletcher, Jr. will be presented with the Communicator of the Year award; followed by a panel on Race and Labor; and Metro contest winners will be announced. The event is FREE. Registration is requirehttps://bit.ly/3u8WZzV.

Do you want more?

Visit www.workersworldtoday.com

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April 2021

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In Solidarity

State Lawmakers Approve NY HERO Act

N Supports Workers’ World Today

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ecently, I was in Albany fighting and seeking support of A1261/S1947, legislation that will create a clear definition of public work and level the playing field for New York’s contractors.

District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union (DC9), the union for painters, prides itself on being a strong advocate for workers’ rights and safety. We are excited about this new publication, Workers’ World Today, which covers the issues of relevance and concern for all workers.

We are encouraged that all workers: blue and white collar will have a voice and platform.

Congratulations on your inaugural issue. We wish much success to the leaders and team of Workers’ World Today and pledge our support.p Davon Lomax Political Director, DC9

ew York lawmakers passed legislation mandating extensive new workplace health and safety protections in response to the COVID crisis.

The New York Health and Essential Rights Act, or NY HERO Act, sponsored by state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes (DBronx), calls for fines against businesses that fail to adopt and enact new standards to protect workers and stem the spread of Coronavirus or other airborne diseases.

The bill directs the Department of Labor to issue airborne infectious disease standards for businesses that will include protocols on testing, face masks, personal protective equipment, social distancing and other measures. The standards will be

TEAM Publisher Workers’ World Today, Inc Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip Contributing Writers Marilyn Silverman Charles Tabasso Victoria Falk Erin Telesford Jennine Estes, MFT Travis Morales Mary Campbell Janet Howard Linda N. Chris Tobias

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

crafted by industry-specific worker committees, and the bill also includes strong antiretaliation provisions that allow workers to call out employers without fear of reprisal.

"Every day working people have gone above and beyond to carry us through the pandemic, and for too many of them the cost has been their own health and even death," said New York State AFL-CIO

President Mario Cilento. "The least we can do as a state is help ensure that their employers take every reasonable measure necessary to keep them safe on the job. This pandemic has exposed the weaknesses in workplace safety.

The NY HERO Act changes that by ensuring workers have a safe working environment now, and just as important, for future communicable disease events.p

Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Telephone 1-866-435-3286 Email info@workersworldtoday.com Visit us at www.workersworldtoday.com

Coalition of Unions Launch Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Campaign

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n Wednesday, just ahead of Earth Day, the United Federation of Teachers, District Council 37, 32BJ SEIU, the New York City Building and Construction Trades Council, the New York City Central Labor Council, Climate Jobs NY and others launched the Carbon Free and Healthy Schools campaign. This initiative aims to make schools a model for carbon-free buildings by updating antiquated heating and cooling systems, making use of large rooftops to generate solar power, and increasing school buildings’ overall energy efficiency. The

program would also create thousands of new jobs and save schools millions of dollars in energy costs.

In a virtual event attended by labor leaders, union members, and other allies and supporters of the campaign, members of the coalition—including Gary Labarbera, President of the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater

New York and the New York State Building & Construction Trades Council, Vincent Alvarez, President of the NYC Central Labor Council, Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers, Henry Garrido, Executive Director of District Council 37, and Kyle Bragg, President of 32BJ SEIU—spoke to the urgent need for signifi-

cant and immediate improvements to New York City public schools. As a part of this campaign launch, four leading candidates for mayor of New York City pledged to support this initiative if they are elected.

Building Carbon Free and Healthy Schools requires a community effort. If you are excited about this initiative, please add your name to our pledge and join our movement to make schools – and the planet – healthier and safer for all. Please visit our campaign website: www.carbonfreehealthyschoolsnyc.org and sign our pledge.p

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April 2021

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Civil Rights

Attorney General James Fights to Protect New York’s Tenants by Defending Rent Stabilization Laws

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

EW YORK: New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement after submitting a response brief in a case defending New York’s rent stabilization laws against baseless challenges to its constitutionality: “New York’s rent stabilization laws exist to protect tenants and their families, and to ensure that affordable housing remains available for lower-income New Yorkers.

As our state's residents continue to recover from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 public health crisis, my office will continue to do everything it can to defend New York’s rent laws and protect struggling tenants so that they can stay in their

homes. Above all else, my office is committed to sheltering New Yorkers from harm and ensuring that everyone continues to have access to safe, affordable housing.”

In 2019, the New York state legislature amended the

state’s rent stabilization laws when it enacted the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA). Among other things, the HSTPA was designed to strengthen tenant protections and curb practices that property owners had

been using to rapidly raise rents, force tenants out of regulated units, and remove regulated units from the rent stabilization laws’ coverage — significantly diminishing New York City’s stock of affordable housing. Following the HSTPA’s enactment, a lawsuit was filed against the commissioner of the state’s Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) and others. Attorney General James successfully defended the commissioner in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, which held the latest iteration of the rent stabilization laws to be constitutional.

The plaintiffs then appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This brief was filed in that court.p

LANDLORDS USING CONSTRUCTION AS A FORM OF TENANT HARASSMENT IS ILLEGAL. Renters have rights, including not being intimidated or harassed by landlords.

Construction can be used as a form of tenant harassment. This can include cutting off essential services like heat, hot water, or gas and doing excessively noisy work at odd hours.

The Office of the Tenant Advocate. Enforcing tenants’ rights when landlords are wrong.

TO FILE A COMPLAINT, CALL 311 AND ASK FOR DOB’S OFFICE OF THE TENANT ADVOCATE.

WWW.NYC.GOV/BUILDINGS

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April 2021

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Workers’ Safety Immigrant Labor/ continued from page 1 The Center for Migration Studies New York (2020) also reported that of the State's immigrants' workers, over 65 percent work in essential services, and most of the undocumented labor force are crucial workers, contributing over $2 and over $1 billion in federal; State and local taxes. According to the data on immigrant workers' analysis by the American Immigration Council of the U.S. Census Bureau's 2018 American Community Survey, most work in healthcare support (49 percent), personal care and service (33 percent), and others. Among the undocumented immigrants, most (74,700) work in restaurants, construction, home health care, or as aids for the elderly (19,800), and others.

Documented organized a panel discussion to discuss labor challenges faced by immigrants in New York, specifically how the pandemic has affected low-wage jobs and essential workers. The panelists, moderated by Amir Khafagy a freelance journalist covering labor issues, posed various

questions addressed by advocates working on issues that affect service workers like home aide professionals, laundry care business, and restaurant workers. The talk covered topics about the exploitation of immigrant workers during the pandemic and how they are fighting back. It started with an overview of the various ongoing campaigns in the different services.

Campaign with the Laundry Workers Center (LWC) Rosanna Aran, the Cofounder, and Treasurer of the agency shared some insights into how COVID affected workers in a profession with more than three thousand

laundromats in New York City, revealing how they discovered maltreated and underpaid workers in the field. She repeated how social factors like systemic discrimination, inequality, and income affected workers in the profession, who are often poor with little to no health care insurance in place.

She mentioned that before the pandemic, there were so many issues facing the profession.

Still, the conditions worsened and became more evident during the pandemic. There were cases where both employers and customers made things difficult for the workers, such as the non-provision of PPE despite executive orders. The refusal to follow safety proto-

New Yorkers:

Double Masking

Offers Even More Protection Against COVID-19

nyc.gov/health/coronavirus

cols, including during the pandemic, thereby exposing the workers to infections.

Further explaining that before COVID, the working condition of workers was disheartening, short-changed, worked long hours, was living with bad health and poor safety conditions including the ones created by the customers.

Members shared experiences that employers don't value protocols and angry customers did not follow instructions.

When the workers become infected and go to their homes to render services, they have no job to return to afterward when they get infected and take time off to care for themselves.

In December 2020, a public campaign was launched against the industry. Workers decided to establish an independent union in response to what they observed during the COVID pandemic. The Laundromat workers organized to get back their stolen wages and decided to form their independent union. The company engaged a consultant to stop the workers from achieving this goal and eventually retali-

ated by trying to disband the union, so they shut down the laundromat and fired everyone. Yet, the workers have continued to ask the new owners of the organization under the new name for money.

According to Rosanna, "the pandemic was an eye-opener for many workers. For the organization, it created a lot of opportunities. The organization is now fighting for many good things for the workers.

We are part of the sweatshop condition and hold legislators to account, ensuring that laws are passed to recoup the stolen wages, not just for the COVID but for all pandemics that might be yet to come."

Immigrants' worker's exploitation among home care workers Speaking for homecare workers, Yolanda Zhang of the Ain't I A Women Campaign and the Flushing Workers Center, an organization founded to unite workers in the locality to fight and demand better work conditions their trades, ethnicities, immigration status, and backgrounds. The former is a camcontinued on page 7

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April 2021

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Workers’ Safety Immigrant Labor/ continued from page 6

paign targeting Justice For Home Care Workers. It is a campaign to get the Governor to sign into law a declaration that a 24-hour workday is illegal, especially for the health and well-being of people with illnesses and injuries and the home attendants who care for them.

Using home care services as a case study, she explained that the home care work prepandemic was challenging.

With a population of over 300,000 workers in the sector, home care workers are assaulted, forced to work 24 hours shifts, and left out of immigrant workers' welfare.

Many are within 45-55 years and often contend with the problem of ageism. They also suffer health problems from the long work shifts. Most claim they have developed insomnia, high blood pressure, and occasional 'hearing of voices while sleeping,' and some have regrets. "When you are in a patient's home, you feel anxious and wondered how many more days will I have to do this … I can't even see my kids growing up"…

During the pandemic, the problems became more pronounced, starting with the long hours, the 24 hours' shifts increased and disallowed to travel outside their client's homes to manage exposure since most of them didn't have health insurance, they were toiling more and felt trapped.

Some of these workers who had no choice but to do the work, contracted COVID, "Many workers after training don't want a 24-hour work … and they had to deal with the competition within the sector because most agencies will tell them they have the 24 hours shift available, either 24 hours or no job at all," According to Yolanda, workers faced the most absurd working condition. Despite the executive order for PPE provision for the workers, most employers didn't provide these.

This fact is why immigrant workers have decided to overturn their fate." Taking after the works of Leslie Chang,

who mobilized co-workers to take action, she made a lot of noise and set precedents. She demanded the end of the 24-hour workday and clamored for a non-sequential 12-hour shift.

Yolanda clarified that the campaign is not asking the society to sympathize, "we want to revolutionize long hours of work." She learned that racism and sexual harassment are not just an attitude; for immigrants, it is expressed in the way workers are pitched against each other in the form of competition, saying that they should be thankful. Pitching the workers against each other. we need to end the competition Nelson Mar, president of Local 318 Restaurant Workers Union, who also represents workers from the Jing Fong restaurant in Manhattan's Chinatown, shared some of the experiences and efforts they have taken to protect the interest of restaurant workers. Using the Jing Fong restaurant case, Nelson Mar explained that they are fighting to prevent the closure and displacement of over 70 jobs and sources of livelihood. According to him, … "the workers are fighting for their jobs but also to keep Chinatown's only restaurant workers union alive." He explained that the restaurant served as a community center, "This is not simply about a workplace, for many this a social institution in the community." He also talked about the struggles faced by the unionized workers of the restaurant in trying to get the original landlord of the property not to sell.

Talking about the impact of the media in amplifying the issue, Mar explained in an interview with Amir Khafagy that the union's agitation over Jing Fong is a demand for justice and a labor movement for Chinese American workers. Mar explains. "Through the Jing Fong struggle, we brought national attention to the issue of the sweatshop conditions in the restaurant industry."

He explained that they need support in achieving their goals. Send an email to join the Save Jing Fong and Save Lower Manhattan by emailing Nelson at Pres.318rwu@gmail.com and following the SWEAT update on @flushingworkers and Jing Fong on Instagram @youth_against_displacement.

Minimum Wage Payment When asked if the payment of minimum wage would make a difference in the fight for labor equity, Yolanda Zhang explained that it won't make a lot of differences because home care workers lose payment beyond several hours.

"And that's why we are fighting for a regular time because overtime is not recognized and paid for." She also explained that the Governor's policy had not taken any effect because "Cuomo is not on the side of the union workers." So, people should sign the petition to demand the passage and signing of the SWEAT bill, forcing the end of the 24-hour workday for home attendants in New York State.

Some of the scheduled activities towards pushing the campaign are a protest slated for April 28 @ 11 am ET. Home care workers will be protesting with the hope to recover the loss of multimillion-dollar back wages from overtime, put a stop to 24-hour workday, and raise awareness on undervalued labor! She is also working with other labor organizers to promote the SWEAT Bill, protecting workers against wage theft. A bill that Gov. Cuomo at first vetoed in 2019 has proven to be crucial now with the increase in wage theft during the pandemic.p

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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April 2021

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Union In Action

EPA Ditches Trump-Era Contract, Restores Workers’ Rights

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n the latest victory for federal workers and our union, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has signed an agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) removing anti-worker provisions from the contract and taking steps to renegotiate a new contract that will be more worker friendly.

With the new agreement with AFGE, all language relating to the previous administration’s illegal, anti-union, anti-worker executive orders is gone.

Instead, provisions in the previously ratified 2007 contract between AFGE and EPA will now govern negotiated grievance and arbitration procedures, representational time, union office space, and employee performance evaluations until a new contract is

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

put in place.

The 2007 language, for example, allows grievance rights over employee removals and the other issues like ratings, awards, incentives and quality step increases. It allows union reps more time to help members with workplace issues like grievances and health and safety. It also allows locals to use the agency's facilities and resources.

“This is a huge victory for all of the EPA employees that

AFGE represents,” said AFGE President Everett Kelley. “This agreement eliminates antiworker contract provisions that were forced on us by the previous administration and puts us on a path to fully restore all of the workplace rights, protections, and benefits that employees are entitled to.”

Looking forward to a new contract In the coming weeks, AFGE

and the EPA will review other aspects of the previously ratified 2007 contract to determine what provisions will be enforced as part of the interim agreement, which will remain in place until the full contract is renegotiated.

We expect improvements to be negotiated on major issues like telework and performance because OPM is expected to soon release new guidance on those issues, which are likely to result in gains for employ-

ees. The union has made it clear that we do want to negotiate improvements on issues like telework.

Currently, the 2020 provisions on telework and work schedules will remain in effect – although employees will be able to remain on maximum telework in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“This interim agreement restores employees’ right to full representation at the worksite and will make it possible for employees through their union representatives to resolve any issues they encounter,” AFGE Council 238 President Gary Morton said.

“This is a huge step in the right direction, and the union won’t stop fighting until we eliminate all of the anti-labor provisions forced on us by the previous administration.” p

April 2021

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Money Matters

Is Bankruptcy Right for You?

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

A

ccording to an article

by Yahoo Finance, the pandemic-induced recession has led to a notable number of Black women to declare bankruptcy. This is according to a report by nonprofit bankruptcy, Upsolve. The report came from a bankruptcy questionnaire of 17,000 low-income users over the past year and found that COVID-19 has pushed many to seek bankruptcy protection.

Robert Lawless, a consumer bankruptcy expert and a professor at the University of Illinois, confirmed this with Yahoo Finance. He said, “Black people are overrepresented in bankruptcy, and also Black women are especially overrepresented in bankruptcy.”

What is Bankruptcy Bankruptcy is a financial practice that allows you to officially declare that you cannot repay your debts now and do not see how it will ever be pos-

sible in the future. Declaring Bankruptcy is a big step. For some people, there are other ways to get out of debt, like debt consolidation or negotiating with your lenders. However, if your best option for getting out of debt is bankruptcy, then you should take steps to make this financial situation work in the best possible way for you. A financial profession can help you do that. In any case, before you jump into anything, you need to fully decide if bankruptcy is right for you.

First, it is important to learn as much as you can about bankruptcy. For individuals, chapter 7 and chapter 13 are the two types of bankruptcy

that can be filed. There are other options for businesses and entities. Learn the difference between the two so you can see how they work. If bankruptcy is right for you, you must be aware of your obligations and your lenders’ choices.

Eligibility Next, check out the requirements for eligibility for declaring bankruptcy. If your debts are too high and your income too low, you probably will not qualify for chapter 13 bankruptcy. On the other hand, if your income is too high and your debts too low, you probably will not qualify for chapter 7 bankruptcy. In some

cases, you may not qualify for either and this is a sign that you did not think through your other choices.

Consider all of your property and debts if you do qualify. What will happen to your home? Your car? Your retirement plans? Make sure that you understand how your property will or will not be taken. Also, it is important to begin compiling lists of your assets and debts. Remember that some debts cannot be wiped out, like child support payments.

When should you consider filing for bankruptcy?

You may also want to file bankruptcy when you are constantly borrowing money from one credit source to pay another credit source. If you need to start taking cash advances of more than $500 just to pay for living expenses.

Do you borrow to meet regular expenses like food and utility bills. You have stopped answering your phone because the only calls you re-

ceive now are from creditors.

Are there creditors that are threatening to sue you? They have even already taken some legal action against you. You will find that these all are signs that there is something terribly wrong and these are signs that you may want to consider filing a bankruptcy.

Getting Help Then it comes to the decision of what sort of bankruptcy you need to file for. The most common are chapter 7 and chapter 13. With a chapter 7, you will find that it will wipe all your debt clean, and it will also give you that immediate fresh start.

With chapter 13, you will be making payments for three to five years.

Once you have all your information compiled, you can begin the declaration process.

It is best to work with an experienced lawyer to complete this task and remember to always be completely honest.

Declaring bankruptcy is an opportunity for fresh start and new beginning. p

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

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

continued on page 11 The Law Offices of Figeroux & Associates, 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY. Visit www.311bankruptcy.com

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Workers’ Matters Powerful Union/ continued from page 1 Los Deliveristas Unidos had rallied before — but this time, the workers who spoke were joined by a powerful new ally: the city’s largest union of service workers. The union executive who spoke from the stage on behalf of SEIU 32BJ vowed: “We’re going to win together.”

The commitment from the 32BJ — the same union instrumental in winning city fast food workers an unprecedented $15 minimum wage six years ago — could be a gamechanger for the Deliveristas.

As gig workers who pick up jobs by the swipe, they are not presently eligible to join a traditional union shop. But organized labor’s advocacy, legal support and political muscle could help power them to improved wages and working conditions.

“I’m here to tell you that we have your backs. We are going to win this fight together, we were going to win this fight, just like we took on fast food,” 32BJ Union Secretary-Treasure Marty Pastreich said in Foley Square Wednesday. “And we’re gonna win. We’re going to win job protections. We’re going to win fair wages, we’re going to win together.”

Behind-the-Scenes Help The 85,000-plus-member building workers’ union has struck innovative labor deals, winning living wage requirements tied to real estate development and securing a breakthrough pay boost and benefits for workers at the Port Authority’s area airports.

Local 32BJ SEIU has been meeting with the Deliveristas

Delivery worker Sergio Ajche addresses the crowd at Foley Square.

Claudia Irizarry Aponte/THE CITY

behind the scenes for months, providing legal, legislative and other advocacy support, according to people involved.

Los Deliveristas Unidos, a collective of mostly Indigenous Guatemalan and Mexican food delivery workers, formed during the pandemic as demand for deliveries soared.

The workers banded over their increasing agitation at their status as contracted workers with few rights, small wages, and lack of access to bathrooms. The group is part of the Workers Justice Project, a Brooklyn-based day laborer advocacy organization.

The 32BJ support comes at a critical time for the workers as they assert their growing influence and seek to make the most of their elevated profile.

Since the group’s founding last year and coverage by THE CITY, the workers have won fast-track priority for COVID vaccinations. DoorDash, a

multi-billion dollar delivery platform workers rely on and often despise, pledged to help relieve their strain through measures such as access to some restaurants’ restrooms.

“I think it’s wonderful that they’re supporting us,” delivery worker Sergio Ajche said of 32BJ. “That we have this big, wellpositioned and influential organization standing with us in solidarity means a lot to us,” he told THE CITY in Spanish.

Months of Collaboration Through the Workers Justice Project, Los Deliveristas Unidos reached out to 32BJ in January, seeking support.

At the top of the list are demands echoed at Wednesday’s rally: securing a living wage, getting recognition as employees by the tech companies, gaining access to bathrooms and safe waiting areas, and getting local law enforcement to clamp down on robberies.

The deliveristas, many of whom cycle food to customers via e-bikes, also seek expansion of protected bike lanes.

The union responded and pledged support right away, Workers Justice Project executive director Ligia Guallpa told THE CITY. The groups have collaborated regularly ever since in refining the workers’ legislative agenda and goals, and check in “about once a week,” she said.

“The support from 32BJ — it’s critical, and it is a huge step for the workers,” Guallpa said.

“Not just to validate their movement, but to build solidarity with others who are fighting for the exact same thing, which is defending their rights as workers, fighting for better working conditions and representation, against big, multi-billion dollar companies who are continuously investing in rewriting every single labor protection that has existed.”

Despite their alliance with the influential 32BJ, the workers are far from forming their own union. Because the app platforms deem them independent contractors, they don’t have many of the rights enjoyed by most American workers, including the ability to unionize.

But in New York and elsewhere, other so-called gig workers have pursued other paths to improved wages and working conditions. Drivers for Uber, Lyft and other forhire vehicle platforms in New York have organized and won some improvements, including unemployment benefits.

The union has pledged support for the Deliveristas’ campaigns to pass laws, such as a measure that could allow them access to bathrooms at restaurants where they deliver. The

union also offered access to its researchers, which would help the Workers Justice Project gather information about employers and inform their strategy.

A 32BJ legal team was present at a meeting the Deliveristas had with DoorDash representatives in mid-February, according to multiple people in attendance.

“32BJ SEIU has a long history of supporting worker movements beyond our membership. We’re standing with delivery workers, just like we’ve stood with taxi workers and farm workers,” Pastreich told THE CITY in a statement.

“It’s our mission to lift up and amplify the voices of all working people.”

Remembering Francisco The throngs of Deliveristas who rallied Wednesday braved a brief afternoon rainstorm at the rally’s kickoff to bike downtown via Broadway from Times Square in their second major protest in the last six months. It marked their largest demonstration to date, Guallpa said.

The workers also rallied last month in East Harlem to honor Francisco Villalva Vitinio, a delivery worker who was shot to death on the job on March 22 in the neighborhood — allegedly by a thief who wanted to steal his e-bike, according to his family. Villalva Vitinio was 29 years old.

At Wednesday’s rally, the Deliveristas honored Villalva Vitinio and a dozen other workers who have died in the past year, most of them from COVID-19. After Washington Heights delivery worker Jonán Huerta read the names of each worker, the crowd shouted back “¡presente!”

While the collective’s ranks mostly includes workers from Guatemala and Mexico, the Deliveristas invited two new members from Mali to speak at the rally, in a sign of the group’s efforts to grow and diversify its membership.

“Food delivery is vitally important because we bring food to hungry New Yorkers: we’re bringing food to busy workers, we are bringing food to sick people in hospitals, to the elderly, and to everyone in quarantine,” said worker Ba Mamadou, who spoke “on behalf of African communities doing deliveries” in New York.

“This is a real job,” he said.p This story was published on April 22, 2021 by THE CITY.

April 2021

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Family: The True Modern Relationship

Love Makes a Family: Celebrating the Moms in Your Life on Mother's Day

W

hat makes a family?

Ask people across the country and one answer stands out: Love.

This single word is what it means to be a mother. From care and compassion to encouragement and support, every family grows stronger through the endless love a mother provides.

A mom can be anyone who loves without bounds. This Mother's Day, remember all the moms in your life — birth mom, adopted mom, stepmom, grandma, aunt — who stepped in and stepped up.

That includes the supermoms doing it all, especially this past year. Here are some ideas that are sure to touch her heart and make her smile: Colorful flowers Just like she brightens your day, you can do the same with colorful Mother's Day flowers from 1-800-Flowers.com. If

Perfect plants For the mom who loves all things green or blooming, consider sending a plant. Succulent gardens are on trend and low-maintenance, so it's easy for Mom to enjoy them month after month. Lilies and lavender are other popular picks, but feel free to get what you think she'd enjoy most. Trends aside, you know her best.

you know her favorite kind of flower, choose an arrangement featuring that variety to really show you are listening and care about her interests.

To make the gift extra special, choose a one-of-a-kind bouquets, specially created by local florists to create luxurious, hand-curated designs that will surely impress.

Gratitude collection Want a fun project that the whole family can do together?

Cut colorful construction paper into 1-inch strips and write down different things you love about Mom or why you're thankful for her. Then either loop and tape each piece together to make a decorative chain or fold into a jar so she can pull out each com-

pliment one by one.

Sweet & savory treats Whether she craves chocolatedipped strawberries, fresh fruit or meat and cheese pairings, there are indulgent food gift baskets to fit any personality. Give her a reason to enjoy something she loves without the task of purchasing and preparing it!

Creative cards It might sound simple, but a card is a small gesture with meaningful impact. This is especially true if you take time to write a heartfelt note. Share a favorite memory and tell her why she's so special.

There's no better time to celebrate moms everywhere. Because there are #NoLimitsonLove, make sure you show every mother figure in your life you care this Mother's Day.p

April 2021

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Education

Tensions Rise at Some of NYC’s Top High Schools Over ‘Zoom in a Room’ for On-Campus Students

BY AMY ZIMMER CHALKBEAT

A

fter months of learning outside of a school building, students were eager to step inside Brooklyn’s Edward R. Murrow High School when it reopened in March. The scene that met them, several parents said, was bleak.

Small groups of teens sat silently in classrooms or hallways, hunched over laptops for virtual lessons, as their teachers worked from home or other classrooms, the parents described. Even during lunch, students stared at their phones rather than chatting.

Many families at this and other high schools — particularly large, sought-after ones — are asking why on-campus students are doing what they call “Zoom in a room” if so

many teachers have been vaccinated. Some are pushing administrators to commit to in-person instruction in the fall. Other parents are tracking remote teachers’ social media accounts to see if they are vaccinated and engaging in public life despite working from home. And one group of parents is even suing to ensure not only a return to five days a week of instruction but that classrooms will be conducted by inperson teachers as well.

“No one seems to be taking this seriously,” said Hannah Mason, a mother of three, whose ninth grader at Murrow and senior at Manhattan’s iSchool learn remotely even now that they’re on campus part time. “What is the plan for fully in-person instruction in the fall?”

Mason’s freshman, in particular, has been suffering, as are many first-year high school students who have spent very little time getting to know their new peers.

School leaders have said that several factors contributed to the unorthodox in-person setup.

Many schools wanted to limit student movement and exposure in the building. They also needed to figure out how to keep their array of course offerings as teachers deemed high risk for coronavirus complications received health

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‘Zoom in a room’ at Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn.

Photo provided by a Murrow student

accommodations to work from home — arrangements that extend through June. This is especially difficult at schools that have extensive specialized courses, such as five types of music or four types of literature courses. On top of that, the vast majority of teens remained fully remote — though some parents said this was because the in-person model was so unappealing.

Principals at several high schools referred Chalkbeat’s questions for this story to the education department’s press office. The education department says high school students are still receiving a solid education and have access to counselors and other important services. Even some parents acknowledge that schools are trying to bolster on-campus social connections, and the situation is slowly improving as the teens fall into new routines outside the house.

“From the beginning, we’ve emphasized that schools must have the flexibility to meet the unique needs of their communities while continually providing a high-quality education,” education department spokesperson Katie O’Hanlon said. “We are confident that every student attending in-person has access to caring educators, enriching programming, and support that can’t be replicated outside the classroom.”

But education department officials have given few details about what the next year will look like, and some parents remain worried their children will still be learning through laptops when they return to school in the fall.

Parent Sue to End ‘Zoom in a Room’ The recent lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on behalf of more than 20 parents, is seeking to force the city to reopen public schools five days a week — with teachers in front of the classroom rather than a computer screen.

The suit claims that Mayor Bill de Blasio, schools Chancellor Meisha Porter, and the city’s education department are violating students’ constitutional rights to a “sound, basic education.”

One parent who joined the lawsuit said her daughter, a former straight-A student at Manhattan’s selective Beacon High School — which is also offering virtual instruction on campus — has significantly regressed during remote learning, according to the complaint. The teen has been diagnosed with depression and tried to take her life twice during the pandemic, the lawsuit states.

Other parents who have signed on to the suit also said this year has taken a toll on their children’s mental health as well as their academics.

With some of the nation’s strictest COVID-19

precautions, the mayor has repeatedly said that schools are among the safest places for children. That, along with the fact that teachers have had vaccine priority since January, means it’s time for students and teachers to return to classrooms, said Jim Mermigis, the attorney who filed the suit.

“If the mayor is compelling city workers to come back at the beginning of May, why aren’t teachers part of this?

Aren’t teachers city workers?” asked Natalya Murakhver, an Upper West Side mom to a first- and fifth-grader who spearheaded the lawsuit through a GoFundMe campaign that raised roughly $24,000 in about a week.

Mayoral spokesperson Avery Cohen said the city will review the lawsuit and defended the city’s reopening effort.

“We have more students in classrooms than any other city in America, and all of our schools are open for in-person learning, the majority offering in-person learning five days a week,” Cohen said in a statement.

Roughly 327,000 New York City students are enrolled in classes on campus — which is about the size of the Las Vegas public school system, education officials said Friday. That still leaves more than 65% of students in the nation’s largest school system learning exclusively from home, and many remain wary of returning to buildings. The number of remote students is even higher among older students, with roughly 80% of high school students learning from home full time. Those who have returned to buildings are disproportionately white students, while Asian and Black students have elected to stay home at higher rates.

Bigger Problems at Bigger Schools Some schools are trying to make things more social even when students are learning virtually from the building. At Manhattan’s selective Clinton School, for example, the 10th graders can hang out in the

continued on page 14

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Education Tensions Rise .../ continued from page 12 gym or on the roof during school hours, and they play basketball during breaks, said mom Mikhal Dekel, whose son returned about two weeks ago.

“They can go to the cafeteria and get lunch, and the principal even walks around and gives pizzas,” she said. “So it’s overall not bad, or perhaps we have just gotten used to low standards. My son is glad he returned, and I feel that the administration is doing its best under the circumstances.”

But the Clinton School, a middle and high school with a total enrollment under 800, might have an easier time than more massive schools like Murrow, which has a total enrollment of about 3,700 in a structure built for about 2,600 students.

Murrow and the other large schools with brewing tensions are at another disadvantage.

Their experienced teaching staff, which draws many families, now means that they have higher rates of educators with medical accommodations to work remotely.

Citywide, roughly 21,000 teachers, or 21% of all teachers,

received medical accommodations this year, according to the education department. At Murrow, roughly 40% percent of staff were granted medical accommodations, the principal said at a March school leadership meeting, according to publicly available minutes.

Many could still be out next year. “Possibly 25 to 30%” of faculty might still require medical accommodations in the fall, the school’s teachers union representative said at that meeting, the minutes showed.

In light of these uncertainties, parents are trying to push for more clarity on what next year will look like. Parents at other schools, including Beacon and Manhattan’s LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts, are having similarly heated debates with their administrations.

“I have a ninth grader who has never been able to meet her teachers or peers. That’s been extremely challenging,” Beacon parent Sarah Zafrani (who asked to use her maiden name due to privacy concerns) said of school meetings.

“Lots of parents said, ‘I live far away. This makes no sense,’” said Zafrani, who was

not part of the lawsuit.

She and parents at other schools have tried to raise the question about why more teachers haven’t returned but said they’re shut down when asking about teacher vaccinations. The vaccine is not mandatory, and the education department cannot ask for vaccination records, according to a United Federation of Teachers FAQ. Information about educator vaccinations are reported to the state in aggregate numbers, per a February executive order Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued.

Education department officials did not respond to questions about whether accommodations will be available next year.

“It might be wishful thinking, but I am assuming we are back five days a week. Most teachers are,” said a teacher at LaGuardia, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity. “The vast majority want to be face to face.”

In-person students at LaGuardia are also learning remotely from the building, and the teachers don’t necessarily know who is in the building or not since most students keep

their cameras off, the teacher said.

“I’ve learned how to teach remotely pretty well. I feel connected to my students. But the parents are right that there’s not enough live instruction,” the teacher said. “I feel like I’m teaching a lot, and the kids are learning some.”

But the teacher also said some families aren’t necessarily keeping their end of the bargain in limiting children’s exposure. When asking students what they did over a recent break, one student, for instance, reported going to Disney World. Shortly after the building reopened, it was shut again because of positive cases among students, the teacher said.

This teacher also raised questions about whether concerns about depression and checkedout students are overblown.

“I think COVID is making it worse, but we don’t have any metrics on that. We won’t know what this all means until 10 years from now,” the teacher said.

Rebecca Kuhar, a plaintiff in the lawsuit and parent of a ninth grader at LaGuardia, said her son’s grades have steadily

fallen as the year has gone on.

He started out the year fully remote and signed up to return to campus in November before the systemwide shutdown amid rising coronavirus cases.

He has only spent two mornings, or a total of six hours, in the building as of last week, said Kuhar, who lives on Manhattan’s far West Side.

“He’s not engaged. He doesn’t turn in assignments,” Kuhar said. “It’s like he went from eighth grade to college, and he’s not ready for it.”

At this point, Kuhar is more concerned about what’s going to happen next year.

“I’ve given up on this year since the medical accommodations are in place through June,” she said. “But next year, I want five hours a day of qualified teachers in front of my son’s classes for 180 days, as is required by state law.”

He’s gotten about half of that — 2.5 hours of live instruction per day, primarily online, this school year.p This story was originally published

by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering public education. This story was published on April 23, 2021 by THE CITY.

April 2021

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In the News

Dozens Rally in Support of Essential Workers Unjustly Fired by UPS

D

ozens of supporters including fellow NYC union members, elected officials and candidates

stood with members of Teamsters Local 804 at the UPS facility in Springfield Gardens, supporting ten parttime workers unjustly fired by UPS, including two pregnant women who need healthcare coverage. These essential workers were fired for not working "voluntary" overtime, despite Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council UPS profiting off their labor while these same workers risked their health making sure the public had access to essential goods during the pandemic. Shame on UPSp

Condé Nast Unions Present “The Power of a Strike”

A

panel featuring Jane McAlevey, the author of No Shortcuts, in conversation with members of the New Yorker and Ars Technica Unions, on organizing tactics that workers use to build

power in the workplace. Moderated by Susan DeCarava, President of the NewsGuild of New York. Presented by the unionized workers of Condé Nast, members of the NewsGuild of New York.p

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

New Dedicated Vaccination Site for Entertainment Industry Workers

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

A

new dedicated vaccination site in Times Square for film, television, and theater workers is set to help NYC jumpstart our arts and entertainment industry and bring back union jobs. The announcement, which extended the scope of the previously announced dedicated site to include the city’s film and television industries, was made by Mayor de Blasio on Monday, with the NYC CLC, AFM Local 802, SAGAFTRA, Actors' Equity, IATSE, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, elected officials and perform-

ers including Lin Manuel Miranda and others all on hand for the event.

Appointments will be available for members of the performing arts & entertainment community who are working, living or attending school in New York City. In addition to the Broadway area vaccination site, the city will use a mobile vaccination unit for Off Broadway theater employees, and will establish pop-up testing sites near Broadway venues. p

Local 3 Business Manager Teamsters 237 President: Pens Open Letter to Amazon School Safety Agent Workers in Bessemer, AL Legislation Only Leaves

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

L

ocal Union No. 3, IBEW Business Manager Erikson addressed an open letter to Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama. It was sent recently to RWDSU leadership and President Stuart Appelbaum and was relayed to the workers voting to organize the first union shop in company history. Their ballots are currently being counted by the NLRB (click here for an explainer of the process from Kim Kelly for More Perfect Union).

"Your fight gives others hope," wrote Erikson. "It has been a long time since the Labor Movement has so fully supported an organizing campaign in the South. I’m talking about the boycotts and strike at J.P. Stephens in the late 1970s. We marched here in New York City on their corporate headquarters and stood in solidarity with those brave working men and women and they were successful in their fight. I urge you and your brothers and sisters now not to blink. Your employer has money to burn to discourage your efforts.

Your strength is in your unity, labor is not a commodity, and it is time to change the direction of how America’s workers have been taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers for way too long. God Speed." p

Room for Disaster

T

eamsters Local 237 President Gregory Floyd, writes: "As public schools are now returning to in-person learning, the defects of the New York City Council’s legislation to transfer authority of School Safety Agents (SSAs) from the NYPD to the Department of Education, and greatly reduce their safety duties and programs, has become even more obvious and troubling. Added to this, there are some current elected officials—and many candidates vying to replace them—proposing the total elimination of the safety agents from the schools."

"Clearly, there are potentially disastrous consequences of the Council’s actions and the Mayor’s budget. And consider this: The legislation would take effect in 2022. There will be a new Mayor, two-thirds of the City Council will be new, and students, who have not been to school for full-time, in-

person learning, will return in full force. In view of all these factors, we determined to continue the struggle. The lives of 1 million school children and the livelihoods of 5,038 School Safety Agents are at stake.

They should be considered above political pandering and a misguided reaction to the realities of the world we live in today."

Visit NYCSchoolSafetyCoalition.com to learn more and sign the petition!p

www.workersworldtoday.com

April 2021

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Jobs & Recession Online Job Search .../ continued from page 1 begin to seek employment, many inevitably turn to jobsearch and networking platforms on the internet.

The platforms include some that are college-based – such as Handshake, Symplicity GradLeaders and 12twenty – as well as networking platforms like LinkedIn and PeopleGrove. With COVID-19 having moved job searches more and more into the virtual realm, these platforms are playing an increasingly crucial role in the quest for employment.

From my vantage point as a veteran college-based career services counselor, I have also observed that many students and recent graduates don’t make the most of what these platforms have to offer.

With that in mind – and in light of reports of bleak employment prospects for new college graduates – here are six tips for recent or soon-to-be college graduates who hope to make the most of their virtual job searches.

1. Use multiple platforms Start with the platform that has a partnership with your college. The reason is because campus-based platforms, such as Symplicity or Handshake, often list jobs that are not available on other sites.

At the same time, I recommend that college students set up profiles with one or more of the “big board” employment job posting sites, such as Indeed, CareerBuilder, SimplyHired, ZipRecruiter or Glassdoor. Among other things, these sites allow job seekers to create job search agents that push email notifications whenever new jobs that match search criteria are posted.

2. Apply frequently Students who are new to the job search may not be applying for enough positions. I’ve recently worked with several students who have become discouraged when they applied to a few jobs and didn’t get the response they wanted.

While the number of positions a college job seeker should apply to will vary by industry, I suggest that an ap-

plicant should apply to at least two or three positions a day.

The reason I say this is because employment experts, such as Biron Clark, founder of CareerSidekick.com, estimate that only 2%-3% of employment applications result in an interview. For that reason alone, job seekers have to step up their search and networking efforts in order to increase their odds.

3. Set small daily goals Real and perceived economic challenges created by the pandemic have led to a great deal of anxiety for job seekers. Studies have shown that extended periods of unemployment – and the risk of unemployment and underemployment – can be distressing.

Many college students with whom I have worked have expressed feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed about their employment prospects.

Some have even stopped searching for a job altogether.

To guard against giving up, I recommend that college students and recent graduates focus on small steps and daily goals. In addition to applying to a few positions a day, these goals can include conducting research regarding possible careers or networking with at least one person daily.

4. Track your progress Create a spreadsheet to keep track of your job applications.

I believe a spreadsheet can be a motivational tool to ensure

daily job hunt activity. I’ve even created a sample spreadsheet that I share with the students and alumni with whom I work. The columns on my sample spreadsheet include categories such as “Date of Application,” “Date of Screening Interview,” “Thank You Note Sent?” and “Salary Offer.”

A more sophisticated spreadsheet might include columns for when the time comes to choose between offers, such as length of commute or average rent in the city where the job is located.

5. Tap into alumni networks Surveys indicate that up to 80% of people secure employment opportunities through networking and personal connections. For that reason, connections with alumni and others with ties to a particular school can be the key to a successful job search.

Many colleges and universities have programs to help students and alumni make connections. Some of these are closed networks exclusively for current students and vericontinued on page 16

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April 2021

16

Home Ownership

Saving for a Mortgage Down Payment? 4 Tips to Help You

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or most people, the idea of saving more money each month is enough of a burden without having to think about investing in a home. A down payment, however, will require a lot more saving know-how and a lot more in liquid assets in order to be able to buy. If you're trying to find ways to save a bit more each month, here are some sure-fire tips for raising the extra funds: Re-consider Your Commute Outside of rent, there are few things that will cost as much money as owning your own vehicle, so instead of holding on to yours, you may want to consider putting it up for sale.

While a vehicle costs a lot in gas, there are also costs for maintenance, insurance and parking that quickly add up.

By foregoing this expense, you can easily save significantly!

Stick to Your Budget It might sound like a silly tip, but actually sticking to your budget can make a big difference in how much you'll save.

While most people have a few rules to live by, writing down every receipt and monitoring the things you overspend on can make a marked impact on your surplus when all's said and done.

Cut Down on Coffee & Lunch With the hustle of everyday life, many people run out for coffee or lunch every day and forget that these costs add up

over time. Instead of spending $5 or $10 here and there, take your coffee to go and make your lunches at the start of each week day.. It may not seem like much, but this can easily add up to hundreds in just a short time.

Change Your Phone Plan Many people think that all of the conveniences that come along with a smart phone are a necessity, but data can come at a high price and it may not be worth paying. Instead of paying a high monthly phone bill, talk to your provider about

what deals they can offer you and what you can cut back on. It may seem small at first, but it will add up to a lot by the year's end.

It can seem insurmountable to try and save up enough for a down payment, but the little things that you spend on each day can easily add up. If you're currently on the market for a home and are considering your saving options, you may want to contact one of our mortgage professionals for more information at 888670-6791.p

Online Job Search .../ continued from page 15

fied alumni, often through service providers such as PeopleGrove and Graduway. Others are through LinkedIn, including specific universityaffiliated LinkedIn groups and the popular LinkedIn Alumni Tool. This tool allows job seekers to research and connect with alumni from their alma mater based on search criteria that include geographic location, current employer, job function and industry, academic major and skills.

While networking strategies can feel like a lot of work, they are proven. Sometimes the progress is incremental. For instance, networking can lead to informational interviews, which are opportunities for job seekers to get insights from someone already working in a field or at a company of interest.

I have seen the power of networking and these informational interviews firsthand. A 2020 graduate from the school where I work landed a position as an area manager with a major logistics company in Orlando after we connected him with an alum who works for the same organization. The alum offered him an informational interview and made an internal employee referral. A formal job interview and, ultimately, a job offer soon followed.

6. Take advantage of career services As a career services professional, I would be remiss if I failed to point out that almost every college and university has some sort of career center to help students find jobs. The vast majority offer services to alumni for life for free or for a small fee.

Evidence shows that visits to these centers are worthwhile.

According to a 2016 Gallup poll, college graduates who use their college career center are more likely to obtain fulltime employment – 67%, compared with 59% for graduates who did not visit career services. p Jason Eckert Executive Director of Career Services, University of Dayton

April 2021

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Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights

Supreme Court Considers the Future for Thousands of People With TPS

BY KAROLINA WALTERS

T

he U.S. Supreme Court heard argument this week on the question of whether certain people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and who have developed strong connections with their communities that have made them eligible for more permanent status, may get their green card. The outcome of the case, Sanchez v. Mayorkas, has serious implications for thousands of people granted TPS protection in the United States.

TPS is a form of humanitarian protection granted to people in the United States who cannot return to their home countries because of armed conflict, natural disaster, or similar extraordinary conditions.

The U.S. government must first designate a country for TPS before nationals of the

country can qualify. Currently, the United States has designed 12 countries for TPS: Burma, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.

On April 19, the government argued that TPS holders may not be granted a green card, or lawful permanent residency, if they entered the United States unlawfully. The Justice Department attorney echoed the government’s longstanding position, saying these individuals should not get a green card because they did not go through a process known as inspection and admission at the border.

This argument ignores that entering unlawfully does not make someone ineligible for TPS and those who are eligible must go through a comprehensive and demanding application process and a yearly registration process to receive

and maintain TPS status.

Lawyers for the TPS holders argued that the immigration statute recognizes that the grant of TPS accounts for the inspection and admission process.

The ability to gain permanent status would give muchneeded certainty for TPS holders. TPS designation only lasts for at most 18 months, after which the government must decide whether to renew the designation.

Although many TPS designations have been renewed repeatedly, TPS holders are constantly in a state of uncertainty about their future in the United States. For example, the Trump administration—ultimately unsuccessfully— sought to terminate the TPS designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan.

The government also told the Court that certain TPS holders should not be eligible for a

green card because the benefits of TPS—the right to live and work in the United States—are meant to be “temporary.”

But as Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh noted while questioning the government during the oral argument, a defining characteristic of TPS “[i]s that it’s not temporary.” The practical reality is that most TPS holders have been living lawfully in the United States for decades.

An amicus brief submitted by the American Immigration Lawyers Association and its co-signatories reports that 80% of TPS holders have been living in the United States for more than 20 years.

During this time, many have married, had children, and been authorized to work. The brief provides examples of TPS holders, including those who are the sole breadwinners for U.S. citizen families. Others continued on page 18

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April 2021

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Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights Future of People With TPS / continued from page 17 came to the United States as children and are now adults who have known no other home. The brief also highlights TPS holders who have been of service to U.S. society during the COVID-19 pandemic in the health care, farming, manufacturing, and transportation sectors.

Sanchez v. Mayorkas involves complex legal arguments that rely on specific interpretations of the immigration statute and it is unclear where the Supreme Court justices will ultimately land.

More importantly, the Supreme Court’s decision in this case will determine the fate of thousands of immigrants who have established strong ties and are committed to this country. They will either have the opportunity to build a permanent life for themselves here—or will be forced to live in a state of constant uncertainty about their future.p

Read more at immigrationreform.nyc

Country Conditions in Haiti, Central America Should Make TPS Designations Easy for Biden Team

BY AMERICA’S VOICE

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ashington, DC: As days, weeks, and months go by with no movement from the Biden Administration on whether or not it will keep it’s promise to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, conditions in Haiti and across Central America continue to deteriorate — conditions for which TPS was plainly created to help alleviate and stabilize.

Last week, the Prime Minister of Haiti resigned amid escalating crime and political violence. Also last week, a “Mass for the freedom of Haiti” was interrupted with violence that resulted in four kidnappings. Kidnappings, which subsequently draw families further into debt and poverty due to ransoms, have become a common occurrence

Editorial credit: Vic Hinterlang / Shutterstock.com

as political instability rages on amid a backdrop of widespread poverty, gang violence, and violence against women.

Roughly 1,200 miles away in the Northern Triangle region, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua are struggling with separate push factors, including political corruption, the implications of devastating Hurricanes Eta and Iota last fall, and the Coro-

navirus pandemic — all of which have exacerbated already existing extreme hunger and poverty in the region.

Douglas Rivlin, Director of Communications at America’s Voice responded: TPS was created to support countries in the exact situations we are seeing in countries who are practically next door. It’s a no brainer that the Biden administration should

be using TPS as a tool at their disposal to protect immigrants and stabilize the region. TPS would grant safety to those already here in the U.S. who fled dangerous conditions and would help stabilize the countries’ economies through remittances. It’s a win for all involved.

It’s time for President Biden to deliver on promises he made on the campaign trail to protect immigrant communities. Instead, his administration is actively deporting people back to Haiti, continues to uphold barriers to asylum and has not fully engaged plans to help stabilize regions of the Northern Triangle. TPS could and should be part of the administration’s regional response and ongoing foreign policy solutions for neighbors right here in the hemisphere.p

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April 2021

19

Love, Health & Travel

Breakup Tips 101: Breaking It Gently with Your Partner

BY CHRISTINE LAMB

W

e all experience low points in our life.

But one of the lowest points we can possibly encounter is when we realize that our relationship is not going anywhere and that breaking up with someone we used to love and have beautiful memories together is imminent.

Breaking up is never easy.

But someone's got to do it for whatever reason or for whomever's sake it is. Needless to say, there are ways to cushion the hard and harsh blows of the entire break-up process.

Get It Straight With Your Partner First Your partner has to be the first to know that you are breaking up with him or her before anyone else. If you were on the other end of the line, would you want to be the last to

know? Exactly, right? It will indeed hurt your partner more if he or she finds out from someone else, or worse, from social media.

If You Have To Do It, Do It Personally You can't break up through text messages. Do it personally. Don't send your partner an email saying, "we're over''.

And don't go posting cryptic messages on your social media account, either. If you cannot tell these breakup words to your partner personally, then you cannot expect the breaking up process to go smoothly. Remember, breaking up is a very sensitive issue, something that you need to sort out between yourselves first, not between you and the whole world. It is also something that is best sorted out face-to-face. So, choose a private area to do your breakup speech, one that is as far away from the prying

eyes of the public as possible.

Be Firm But Gentle You have to be firm with your decision. Granting you believe it is for the best, don't give your soon-to-be-ex false hopes that someday you may still end up together. When you close the door, don't leave any windows open - it makes it easier for both of you to move on. Be firm but be gentle at the same time. Know that this is a very difficult thing for your partner to absorb, and even for you. Neither will take this well initially.

Don't Be On The Defensive Don't make the mistake of being defensive and putting all the blame on your partner.

This only brings about a violent reaction, and you do not want this to add to your problems at the moment. It should help a lot to remain silent when your partner gets ver-

bally abusive, or to keep your voice low and soft, and simply explain to your partner why you believe breaking up is for the best.

Keep It Short Your breakup speech should not last more than half an hour. If it does, you put yourself at risk of taking your partner back in your arms again.

Keep your points short but well taken. Allow your partner to explain his or her side of the story, not because you are considering that things may still work out, but because it will help you come to appreciate

each other better and not harbor ill feelings towards one another.

Nobody in his or her right mind looks forward to breaking up with eager anticipation.

It is definitely not something you will wish to your best friend, and especially to yourself, but if it is inevitable, consider it as a learning experience, then, a reason for you to grow and become a wiser and more mature individual. Use these lessons learned from your previous relationship to make your future relationship last longer. p

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April 2021

20

Love, Health & Travel

What COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects Might I Expect?

BY MATTHEW WOODRUFF THE CONVERSATION

I

f you have not received your COVID-19 vaccination yet, chances are that your number is coming up soon. What can you expect when you get your shot? It’s not a day at the park for many, but others feel nothing. It’s impossible for experts to predict who’s going to feel fine and who’s not. In the vast majority of cases, any side effect you feel will be over within a few days, and there is no reason for concern.

But it is important that the medical and scientific communities talk about the temporary side effects from these vaccines – and that the public know that there is a very small percentage of adverse reactions.

I am an immunologist who studies the fundamentals of immune responses to vaccina-

of immune overreaction.

tion, so part of that responsibility falls on me.

Receiving these vaccines will likely make a lot of people feel crappy for a few days. That’s a far better prospect than long-term illness or death. In case you may wonder why it makes anyone feel bad at all, I’ll explain.

Immunology’s ‘dirty little secret’ In 1989, immunologist Charles Janeway published an article summarizing the state of the field of immunology. Until that point, immunologists had proposed that immune responses were initiated when the immune system encountered anything foreign – bacteria, viruses, and parasites – that it determined to be “nonself.”

Janeway suspected that there was more to the story and famously laid out what he referred to as “the immunolo-

gist’s dirty little secret”: Your immune system doesn’t respond just to all foreign things. It responds to foreign things that it perceives to be dangerous.

Now, 30 years later, immunologists know that your immune system uses a complex set of sensors to understand not only whether or not something is foreign, but also what kind of threat, if any, a microbe might pose. It can tell the difference between viruses – like SARS-CoV-2 – and par-

asites, like tapeworms, and activate specialized arms of your immune system to deal with those specific threats accordingly. It can even monitor the level of tissue damage caused by an invader and ramp up your immune response to match.

Sensing the type of threat posed by a microbe, and the level of intensity of that threat, allows your immune system to select the right set of responses, wield them precisely, and avoid the very real danger

Vaccine adjuvants bring the danger we need Vaccines work by introducing a safe version of a pathogen to a patient’s immune system.

Your immune system remembers its past encounters and responds more efficiently if it sees the same pathogen again.

However, it generates memory only if the vaccine packs enough danger signals to kick off a solid immune response.

As a result, your immune system’s need to sense danger before responding is at once extremely important and highly problematic. The requirement for danger means that your immune system is programmed not to respond unless a clear threat is identified. It also means that if I’m developing a vaccine, I have to convince your immune system

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continued on page 21

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April 2021

21

Love, Health & Travel COVID-19 Side Effects continued from page 20 that the vaccine itself is a threat worth taking seriously.

Scientists can accomplish this in a number of ways. One is to inject a weakened – what immunologists call attenuated – or even killed version of a pathogen. This approach has the benefit of presenting a pathogen almost identical to the “real” pathogen, triggering many of the same danger signals and often resulting in strong long-term immunity, as is seen in polio vaccination. It can also be risky – if you haven’t weakened the pathogen enough and roll out the vaccine too fast, there is a possibility of unintentionally infecting a large number of vaccine recipients.

A safer approach is to use individual components of the pathogen, harmless by themselves but capable of training your immune system to recognize the real thing. However, these pieces of the pathogen don’t often contain the danger signals necessary to stimulate a strong memory response. As

a result, they need to be supplemented with synthetic danger signals, which immunologists refer to as “adjuvants.”

Adjuvants are safe, but designed to inflame To make vaccines more effective, entire labs have been dedicated to the testing and development of new adjuvants. All are designed with the same basic purpose – to kick the immune system into action in a way that maximizes the effectiveness and longevity of the response.

To do this, we take advantage of the same sensors that your immune system uses to sense damage in an active infection. That means that while they will stimulate an effective immune response, they will do so by producing temporary inflammatory effects.

At a cellular level, the vaccine triggers inflammation at the injection site. Blood vessels in the area become a little more “leaky” to help recruit immune cells into the muscle tissue, causing the area to become red and swell. All of

this kicks off a full-blown immune response in a lymph node somewhere nearby that will play out over the course of weeks.

In terms of symptoms, this can result in redness and swelling at the injection site, stiffness and soreness in the muscle, tenderness and swelling of the local lymph nodes and, if the vaccine is potent enough, even fever (and that associated generally crappy feeling).

This is the balance of vaccine design – maximizing protection and benefits while minimizing the uncomfortable, but necessary, side effects. That’s not to say that serious side effects don’t occur – they do – but they are exceedingly rare.

Two of the most discussed se-

rious side effects, anaphalaxis (a severe allergic reaction) and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (nerve damage due to inflammation), occur at a frequency of less than 1 in 500,000 doses.

Vaccination against SARSCoV-2 Early data suggest that the Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are highly effective – upwards of 90%. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is also highly effective, although it was not developed using mRNA technology. All three are capable of stimulating robust immune responses, complete with sufficient danger signaling, to prevent severe COVID-19 in greater than 9 out of 10 patients. That’s a high number

under any circumstances, and suggests that these vaccines are potent.

In an early release of the phase 3 trial data, more than 2% of the Moderna vaccine recipients experienced what they categorized as severe temporary side effects, such as fatigue and headache. However, more mild side effects are common – particularly after the second dose. These are signs that the vaccine is doing what it was designed to do – train your immune system to respond against something it might otherwise ignore so that you’ll be protected later. It does not mean that the vaccine gave you COVID-19.

It all comes down to this: By getting vaccinated, you protect yourself, your loved ones and your community from a highly transmissible and deadly disease. It may cost you a few days of feeling sick.p Matthew Woodruff Matthew Woodruff is an Instructor, Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University.

This article is updated from a previous version, which was published originally Dec. 3, 2020.

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April 2021

22

Love, Health & Travel

How to Vacation Responsibly This Year

A

fter months of cautionary travel and shelving vacation plans, people, especially those with families at home, are researching how they can indulge their wanderlust safely again. The goal is to enjoy a vacation in a responsible manner, creating memories while keeping yourself and others safe.

Heading to Coastal Mississippi: The Secret Coast is a good option as its location in the Southern United States brings warm weather throughout the year, plus access to the Gulf and plentiful opportunity to explore outdoors. Many people are choosing to discover this destination based on the Coastal Mississippi Promise of Health and Safety, which pledges that visitors can expect all hospitality partners to follow recommendations from leading health agencies and regional health care authorities to ensure everyone's safety.

"While we welcome visitors to explore Coastal Mississippi and safely create lasting memories, we encourage travelers to make informed decisions

rules and keeping everyone safe.

when planning their vacations," says Milton Segarra, CEO of Coastal Mississippi.

In addition to visiting a destination that prioritizes public health, it's wise to take additional steps to keep your travel group and others safe. To help you do that, here are some of the most effective ways to vacation responsibly: Mask up Everyone 2 years and older should wear masks while in public, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation. This includes when you're on vacation, so pack extra masks and plan on wearing them indoors - such as at shops or attractions - as well as outdoors if you're

within six feet of another person not in your household.

You might even consider ordering special masks that commemorate your group trip rather than the traditional Tshirt. They make for great vacation photographs!

Know and follow local restrictions Although the federal government has provided best overall practices for staying safe during the pandemic, specific regulations may vary depending on where you travel. Take the time to research your destination and what specific protocols they may require. Then talk with your travel group ahead of time so you can all be proactive in following these

Sanitize frequently Keep hands clean by washing regularly and avoid touching your face. Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds, or about the length of time to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.

When soap and water aren't available, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a good option. In addition to hands, consider sanitizing surfaces before use, such as the tray table if flying on your vacation. It may have been sanitized already, but this gives you peace of mind and limits germ-spread even more.

it's clean, so spend some time researching what different accommodations are doing to keep guests safe. Then, book what feels right for you, whether that be a sprawling resort, private bed and breakfast, or unique boutique hotel.

Book tickets early for attractions Many attractions are altering procedures and rules to keep wellness top of mind. Call and ask about what they're doing to keep everyone safe and if there are new occupancy limits. You may want to book tickets early because fewer are being sold so fewer people are in a particular attraction at once.

Enjoy outdoor spaces When planning your itinerary, consider ideas that are outdoors. Fresh air and space to social distance is safer and can make your vacation more enjoyable.

Explore accommodations You want to be comfortable where you stay and confident

Stay home if you feel sick Finally, if you feel sick, stay home. Many accommodations and attractions will refund your money or offer vouchers for use in the future. That way you can go when you're feeling well and can fully enjoy your trip while also helping to limit the spread of illness. p

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April 2021

23

Generations

Putting Your Affairs in Order

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

M

oving into the phase of life of a senior citizen calls for thinking about things that you might have put off before.

This includes many of life’s philosophical questions and looking back on life and thinking about what you did well and what you regret. But aside from those reflective questions, there are some basic things you should do now to “put your affairs in order” so that in the event you come to that final day of your life, your children and those charged with such affairs know what to do.

It seems almost morbid to “put your affairs in order” early in your retirement life when you are healthy and active, and there is no apparent threat that the end is near. But these are not decisions that should be put off until your health begins to decline when you are significantly older.

These are decisions that call for a mature and thoughtful review by a senior citizen fully

in command of his or her faculties.

That means that putting your affairs in order is something to do now and not procrastinate.

After all, when you started a family, you didn’t wait until the children were grown to buy life insurance or think about their education. You took care of that when they were still crawling around in diapers because that is what mature adults do. Now is the time to be a mature adult about end-of-life paperwork, so those affairs are in order and ready for when needed.

The kinds of end-of-life issues that should be decided, paid for, and settled now and by you include: •The settlement of life insurance and who has the authority to close it out.

•Is your will up-to-date and correct? This should be reviewed from time to time if your assets change or other details need to be altered.

•Are your medical directives decided and signed?

This includes your decision

about whether you wish to have your life prolonged if you are on artificial life support after a catastrophic illness or injury. This is called a DNR or “Do Not Resuscitate” order, and what you decide will be the law to medical teams who are caring for you during those final days.

•Don’t leave this decision to loved ones to agonize over when they are already in emotional distress. Be the adult, make those decisions now, and make sure your children and loved ones know your choices.

•Are the proper legal documents for the disposition of business assets and how you wish to see other legal affairs handled documented correctly and in good legal order?

A final review by your lawyers will give you peace of mind that these documents will not be susceptible to legal action after you are gone.

•Do you have your funeral arrangements decided?

You should decide where you will be buried, whether cremation is preferred, and other details of the ceremony.

If there are particular hymns you want to have sung at your funeral, a church or minister you want to see handle the ceremony or other important details to you, document those so your loved ones can observe your wishes.

Many prepay for the burial plot and casket in advance.

This is an act of love if you do this and take that burden off your loved ones' minds.

sions you will make, the most important one will be making sure all of these documents can be found and that you have carefully trained a trusted friend or relative in finding and executing these documents. The last thing you want to have happened is for your children to have to hunt through boxes of old papers to find life insurance papers, your will, or other essential end-of-life documents.

Create good legible copies that are legally correct and secure them where they are safe and easy to locate. Please go through them with your executor or who will be responsible for them so they know exactly how your will and other affairs should be administered. And make sure everybody has copies, including all of your children and everyone who is mentioned in the will.

In this way, there will be no questions when the time comes, and everyone will know what to do.p

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April 2021

24

Conversations

Prolonged Brain Dysfunction in COVID-19 Survivors: A Pandemic In Its Own Right?

BY CHRIS ROBINSON THE CONVERSATION

O

ne in three survivors of COVID-19, those more commonly referred to as COVID-19 longhaulers, suffered from neurologic or psychiatric disability six months after infection, a recent landmark study of more than 200,000 postCOVID-19 patients showed.

Researchers looked at 236,379 British patients diagnosed with COVID-19 over six months, analyzing neurologic and psychiatric complications during that time period. They compared those individuals to others who had experienced similar respiratory illnesses that were not COVID-19.

They found a significant increase in several medical conditions among the COVID-19 group, including memory loss, nerve disorders, anxiety, depression, substance abuse

and insomnia. Additionally, the symptoms were present among all age groups and in patients who were asymptomatic, isolating in home quarantine, and those admitted to hospitals.

The results of this study speak to the seriousness of long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection. Numerous reports of brain fog, posttraumatic stress disorder, heart disease, lung disease and gastrointestinal disease have peppered the media and puzzled scientists over the past 12 months, begging the question: What effect does COVID-19 have on the body long after the acute symptoms have resolved?

I am an assistant professor of neurology and neurosurgery and can’t help but wonder what we have learned from past experience with other viruses. One thing in particular stands out: COVID-19 consequences will be with us for quite some time.

Learning from history Past virus outbreaks, such as the 1918 flu pandemic and the SARS epidemic of 2003, have provided examples of the challenges to expect with COVID-19. And, the long-term effects of other viral infections help provide insight.

Several other viruses, including a large majority of those that cause common upper and

lower respiratory infections, have been shown to produce such chronic symptoms as anxiety, depression, memory problems and fatigue. Experts believe that these symptoms are likely due to long-term effects on the immune system. Viruses trick the body into producing a persistent inflammatory response resistant to treatment.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is one such illness. Researchers believe this condition results from continuous activation of the immune system long after the initial infection has resolved.

In contrast to other viral infections, the COVID19 survivors in the study reported persistent symptoms lasting more than six months, with no significant improvement over time. The abundance of psychiatric symptoms was also notable and likely attributable to both infection and pandemic-related experience.

These findings are leading researchers to hypothesize several mechanisms following acute COVID-19 infection that may lead to long-haul COVID-19. With the known historical context of chronic symptoms following other viruses, doctors and researchers may have a glimpse into the future of COVID-19 with the potential to create therapies to alleviate patients’ persistent symptoms.

When does COVID-19 really end?

COVID-19 is now known to be a disease that affects all organ systems, including the brain, lungs, heart, kidneys and intestines.

Several theories exist as to the cause of chronic, lingering symptoms. Hypotheses include direct organ damage from the virus, continual activation of the immune system after acute infection and persistent lasting virus particles that find safe harbor within the body.

To date, autopsy studies have not confirmed the presence or overabundance of COVID-19 particles in the brain, making the immune theories the most likely cause of brain dysfunction.

Some recovered COVID-19 patients detail significant improvement or resolution of long symptoms following inoculation with the COVID-19 vaccine. Others report improvement following a short course of steroids. The most plausible explanation for the direct effects of long COVID-19 on the brain are due to its bodywide connections and the fact that COVID-19 is

a multi-organ disease.

These findings may point to a direct immune related cause of long COVID-19, though no real answers yet exist to define the true cause and duration of the disease.

The post-COVID-19 world In February, the National Institutes of Health announced a new initiative to study long COVID-19, now collectively defined as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2. The NIH created a fund of US$1.15 billion to study this new disease.

The aims of the study include the cause of long-term symptoms, the number of people affected by the disease and vulnerabilities leading to long COVID-19.

In my view, public health officials should continue to be open and transparent when discussing the short- and longterm effects of COVID-19. Society as a whole needs the best information possible to understand its effects and resolve the problem.

COVID-19 remains and will continue to be one of the largest socioeconomic problems across the world as we begin to recognize the true long-term impacts of the disease. Both the scientific and research communities should continue to be diligent in the fight long after the acute infections are gone. It appears that the chronic effects of the disease will be with us for some time to come.p Chris Robinson is an Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Florida

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April 2021

26

NYC Elections 2021

The Top 10 Things New Yorkers Need to Know About Ranked-Choice Voting

BY VICTORIA FALK

T

he June 2021 primary elections will be the first time New Yorkers will experience ranked-choice voting. New York is joining other less populated states, such as Vermont, Maine, and Alaska, which have already begun utilizing the ranked-choice voting system in their elections.

"Ranked-choice voting was passed in 2019, by the will of the voters," stated Rebecca C. Lewis during a public forum held on February 25, 2021, on ranked-choice voting. On Election Day, November 5, 2019, question one on the New York City Ballot pertained to rank-choice voting. A large majority of voters supported the implementation of the ranked choice voting system.

According to the online encyclopedia, Ballotpedia.org, 73.61% of voters said "Yes" in favor of ranked-choice voting, while 26.39% of the voters responded "No." They include New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, amongst those who favor ranked-choice voting.

"This has the opportunity to strengthen the people's vote, getting more people to come out, saving money, ending negative campaigns, it seems like a win-win to me," stated Williams, according to Ballotpedia. The Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus of the New York City Council is reportedly opposed to rank-choice voting.

Despite most voters in favor of ranked-choice voting, the world has changed in various ways since the elections in 2019. Since that time, as we face a global pandemic that has sparked a health and economic crisis, limited attention has been given to rankedchoice voting. The upcoming primary elections set for June 22, 2021, are of high priority for many New Yorkers looking for candidates with strong leadership ability to help the city rebuild. Thus, it is necessary to aid the public by taking deliberate action to ensure that people are informed regarding the new voting system that will be implemented as New Yorkers select the next Mayor of New York City.

Community-based organizations, ethnic media groups, churches, and others, are doing what they can to educate the public about the ranked-choice voting system to aid in the upcoming elections. This public education includes preventing pitfalls and supporting positive outcomes for New York City voters.

City & State New York held a 5-part online series to educate New Yorkers on the ranked-choice voting system.

These public forums included guests such as community leaders, community media, New York politicians, and contenders for New York City Mayor's race to discuss ranked-choice voting. New York's Path to Ranked – Choice Voting: Manhattan Forum, City and State Public Forum, was held on February 25, 2021. During that public forum, some of the contributors to the discussion about ranked-choice voting included: Political Consultant Sean Dugar, New York State Assemblywoman Carmen de la Rosa, LGBT Activist, Allen Roskoff, former President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Hazel Dukes, New York State Senator, Brian Benjamin, and Rebecca C. Lewis, of City and State, who moderated the conversation. Despite the efforts made during the public forum to explain ranked-choice voting to New Yorkers, some of the participants in the public forum had their questions, controversy, and confusion about ranked-choice voting that was revealed during the discussion.

How do you educate voters on a new system of voting during a global pandemic?

During the public forum on ranked-choice voting held on February 25, 2021, Political Consultant Sean Dugar stated,

"We need to do training in senior citizens' homes to make sure individuals are included." Carmen de la Rosa, who is running for City Council District, added, "Ethnic media needs to be better utilized." She addressed concerns that people who do not speak English may not be getting adequate information about the new voting system.

However, legendary LGBT Activist Allen Roskoff shared his concerns during the public forum on ranked-choice voting. "There will be a lot of people out there who are not attached to social media, who are elderly and homebound.

Efforts to educate the public are limited due to the pandemic, language barriers, and people being homebound," stated Roskoff. "This is an experiment…and we need to make sure this is helping disenfranchised people. Even with the best education, we still won't be able to reach everyone," added Roskoff.

Who is responsible for educating the community on ranked-choice voting? During the public forum on ranked-choice voting, New York State Senator Brian Benjamin stated, "It's not the candidates' responsibility to teach voters about ranked-choice voting." Although it may or may not be the candidates' responsibility, there seem to be apparent benefits for those candidates who choose to speak to voters about the ranked choice voting system.

Carmen de la Rosa discussed how speaking to public members and answering their questions has been helping her connect with voters. Political Consultant, Sean Dugar, had this to say, "Everyone is equally responsible for educating voters on ranked-choice voting: including community organizations, long-established organizations that have wide and deep roots. It bene-

fits candidates to educate voters on ranked-choice voting.

Voters tend to favor the candidate who explained it to them."

While some community leaders are stepping up to help explain ranked-choice voting to New Yorkers, some critics want to do away with this new system altogether or postpone implementing a future election. Hazel Dukes, former President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), had strong feelings regarding the ranked choice voting system. "People don't want to hear about rankedchoice voting. People are concerned about stimulus checks and vaccinations. How can I get a vaccine? When can I send my children back to school? It's too late to be having this conversation about ranked-choice voting," stated Hazel Dukes during the February 25, 2021, public forum on ranked-choice voting presented by City & State New York. Like some other critics of ranked-choice voting, Dukes expressed concern that there has not been adequate time for New Yorkers to understand ranked-choice voting.

Rank Choice Voting is the Law However, political consultant and strategist Brian Figeroux, Esq. of IQ Inc Consulting, stated, "You can't just scrap a law. Where were these community leaders and their organizations before ranked-choice voting became a law? If they opposed ranked-choice voting, they should have been fighting then. Now that ranked-choice voting is here, we must find community leaders who are knowledgeable about the system to educate our community." "It is the law," stated Bertha Lewis, community leader and President of The Black Institute, regarding ranked-choice voting, during an exclusive interview with People, Power, and Politics Radio Show. Ms. Lewis spoke enthusiastically about rankedchoice voting as she explained, "Ranked-choice voting empowers the voter.

You are not forced to select

only one candidate when there may be two or more candidates you like. Ranked-choice voting allows you to rank your choices in order of who you like most. But if you want to vote for only one candidate, you can do that too, and your vote will still count."

Top 10 things New Yorkers need to know about rankedchoice voting Despite the varying opinions about ranked-choice voting, the ranked-choice voting system will indeed be implemented for the first time in New York during the June 22, 2021, primary elections. Thus, here are the top 10 things New Yorkers need to know about ranked-choice voting, as explained in the online encyclopedia, Ballotpedia.org, and by Ms. Bertha Lewis, during the exclusive interview with People, Power, and Politics Radio Show.

1. Ranked-choice voting is the law.

2. Unlike previous elections in New York, where voters selected only one candidate for office, voters can rank-up to 5 candidates for a given office by preference on their ballot.

3. If, for whatever reason, voters decide to select only one candidate for a given office, then they can choose just one candidate, and their ballot will still count.

4. Ranked-choice voting will only apply to primary and special elections in New York City.

5. It will take about 2 ½ weeks after votes are in to get the results.

6. The first candidate who has the majority of first-preference votes is declared the winner.

7. The majority of votes is considered 50% plus 1.

8. If no candidate wins an outright majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated.

9. The process of elimination continues until there are two candidates left.

10. When there are only two candidates left, the candidate with the majority of the votes will be declared the winner.p

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