Workers' World Today - Issue 21

June 2021 INSIDE

AG Rescinds Two Trump Decisions... 17

5 Things You Should Do Following a Car Accident.. 15

Saving Your Home Predators... 16

Issue #21

ENDORSED! #1 CHOICE FOR BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT! ... pages 7-9

Antonio Reynoso. Photo: Reynoso for Brooklyn Campaign

It Is Time for A Woman to Lead NYC. Read story on page 6 NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 05: United States Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorses Maya Wiley for New York City Mayor outside City Hall on June 5, 2021 in New York City.Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

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Hot Topics and News You Should Know About

Chancellor Porter: Summer of Renewal for Students... 12 Dating Versus Living Together!... 19

Women Are as Likely as Men to Accept a Gender Pay Gap ... 24

Plan to Travel More in 2021 ... 22

Celebrate Juneteenth, Press on for Freedom ... 3

Labor-Related News - Nationally & Locally

Karen Martin Discusses the of Importance Test and Trace ... 26

President Biden Signs Juneteenth National Holiday into Law

O Concerns for Workers on Amazon Prime Day ...11

Plan for Solar Energy and HVAC Systems ... 10

Celebrating PRIDE and Music for the Soul ...14

n June 19, 1865 — nearly nine decades after our Nation’s founding, and more than 2 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation — enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received word that they were free from continued on page 4

Editorial credit: archna nautiyal / Shutterstock.com

The lawyer you hire, does make a difference!

June 2021

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In Solidarity

Celebrate Juneteenth, Press on for Freedom

BY MICHAEL BLAKE

J Supports Workers’ World Today

R

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

uneteenth is not the day that the enslaved women and men of this nation were freed…it was the day that the last of the enslaved people found out in Texas.

The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1st, 1863. But, large populations of enslaved Black people, brought to remote communities in Texas and other places by planters and other slaveholders, were not informed, as it was up to the Union Soldiers to share this news. First believed to be celebrated in Galveston Texas, June 19th, 1866, our day of recognized freedom became the first organized celebration of “Jubilee Day.” Jubilee Day, or Juneteenth is the day we celebrate Freedom. We will not let anyone hold back our freedom. We will not let anyone treat us with less than the dignity that is deserved. We will not

go back, only forward in this journey for equity. Today's Juneteenth takes on even more special meaning as it follows the first Federal Holiday recognizing the day and a few days before a critical election in New York City with Black candidates seeking to make history and her story. We have more work to do to bring Equity and Justice to scale.

My passion is uplifting people, especially Black people.

There is much greatness and potential in the Black Community that is yet to be discovered. Organizations like Until

Freedom are investing in those most directly impacted by cyclical poverty, inequality, and state violence. The Black Wall Street is addressing the need for financial literacy to grow generational wealth. The Black Bank Fund supports existing Black-Owned banking in communities to ensure that Black families have access to capital and credit, so often needed to purchase a home or grow a small business. Yes, we celebrate the day. But, until we have transformational changes from Jobs to Justice, Education to Economic Development, we are not free from the systemic barriers that must be broken.

Yet, we are a resilient people.

History has shown that Black people turn pain into promise, over and over and over again.

Today, I ask that you join me in celebrating our excellence, our leadership, our hope, and our promise. OUR FREEDOM.

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

Until we are all truly free, let's press on. p

Juneteenth: Honoring Black Joy and Resilience

BY RICHARD TRUMKA

O

n June 19, we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the United States.

To the Black community: We hope tomorrow is a day full of Black joy as you celebrate your power and resilience.

To the rest of us: Over the past year, white supremacy and domestic terrorism caused the murder of Black lives. It also caused the Jan. 6

Richard Trumka.

Editorial credit: Al Teich / Shutterstock.com

insurrection, which was a great threat to our democracy.

We cannot ignore the hate in this country.

We cannot ignore it in our workplaces, either. Persistent wage disparities are a tool of

white supremacy. So is chronic unemployment and disproportionate job losses for Black workers during the pandemic.

Those are our issues. That’s what the labor movement fights against.

We fight so working people can live our lives, speak with our own voices and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

So we’ll push for legislation that empowers Black workers like the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. We’ll protect Black voting rights by sup-

porting the For the People Act (S. 1). We’ll say the names of those who were taken from us by racist violence and fight for police reform.

The historic signing by President Biden making Juneteenth a federal holiday is a recognition of Black power and a reflection of America’s ongoing journey to tell our nation’s story. But we have more work to do.p Richard Trumka is the President of AFL-CIO

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June 2021

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Civil Rights President Biden Signs Juneteenth National Holiday Into Law/continued from page 1

bondage. As those who were formerly enslaved were recognized for the first time as citizens, Black Americans came to commemorate Juneteenth with celebrations across the country, building new lives and a new tradition that we honor today. In its celebration of freedom, Juneteenth is a day that should be recognized by all Americans. And that is why I am proud to have consecrated Juneteenth as our newest national holiday.

Juneteenth is a day of profound weight and power.

A day in which we remember the moral stain and terrible toll of slavery on our country –what I’ve long called America’s original sin. A long legacy of systemic racism, inequality, and inhumanity.

But it is a day that also reminds us of our incredible capacity to heal, hope, and emerge from our darkest moments with purpose and resolve.

As I said on the 100th Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, great nations don’t ignore the most painful chap-

Editorial credit: Esc Leo / Shutterstock.com

ters of their past. Great nations confront them. We come to terms with them.

On Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to the work of equity, equality, and justice.

And, we celebrate the centuries of struggle, courage, and hope that have brought us to this time of progress and possibility. That work has been led throughout our history by abolitionists and educators, civil rights advocates and lawyers, courageous activists and trade unionists, public officials, and everyday Americans who have helped make real the ideals of our founding documents for all.

There is still more work to do. As we emerge from the

long, dark winter of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, racial equity remains at the heart of our efforts to vaccinate the Nation and beat the virus. We must recognize that Black Americans, among other people of color, have shouldered a disproportionate burden of loss — while also carrying us through disproportionately as essential workers and health care providers on the front lines of the crisis.

Psalm 30 proclaims that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Juneteenth marks both the long, hard night of slavery and discrimination, and the promise of a brighter morning to come. My Admin-

istration is committed to building an economy — and a Nation — that brings everyone along, and finally delivers our Nation’s founding promise to Black Americans. Together, we will lay the roots of real and lasting justice, so that we can become the extraordinary country that was promised to all Americans.

Juneteenth not only commemorates the past. It calls us to action today.

"Today’s historic signing by President Biden making Juneteenth a federal holiday is a recognition of Black power and a reflection of America’s ongoing journey to tell our nation’s story," said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and

AFL-CIO Civil, Human and Women’s Rights Director Clayola Brown in a statement.

"As we honor the sacred Juneteenth holiday that celebrates Black resilience and joy, America’s labor movement will continue to use our voice to lift up and learn from the Black experience. We must be a voice for all who live and work in the United States and to say out loud the names of those who were taken from us by racist violence."

"Though explicit slavery has been abolished for more than 150 years, the exploitation of Black labor continues to this day through a systemically racist economy designed to promote wage disparity in the workplace and the chronic unemployment, underemployment and economic exploitation of Black people.

America’s labor movement must remain at the tip of the spear to uproot systemic racism in all forms if we seek to fully uphold our nation’s promise of dignity for Black people."

The law went into effect immediately, making today the first federal Juneteenth holiday in American history. 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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June 2021

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Elections 2021

It Is Time for A Woman to Lead NYC

Rep AOC. Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

Rep Clarke. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

"I thought it would be extraordinary for our city to embrace a Black woman, not just any Black woman, it's Maya Wiley," Clarke said.

BY EDITORIAL TEAM

I

n the whole history of mayoral elections in New York City, there has never been a female elected as Mayor. Democratic candidate, Maya Wiley, hopes to change that this 2021 mayoral election. Wiley wants people to see beyond the fact that she is a female candidate and see her as the most qualified candidate for the position.

Concerns of News Yorkers During this pandemic, New Yorkers have been concerned about multiple issues affecting the city, including the COVID19 recovery, lack of jobs, the state of small businesses, access to affordable housing, and more. Most New Yorkers are looking for a candidate with strong leadership skills to select as the next Mayor of New York City-based on recent voter polls. Although never elected to a political office in the past, Maya Wiley hopes that her extensive career experiences demonstrate her leadership ability. Ms. Wiley is an experienced attorney and civil rights activist. She has worked with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Legal Defense Fund (NAACP) and cofounded a non-profit organization, among other things.

While Maya Wiley was working as an Adviser for current New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio, he appointed her to a leadership role within the city’s Civilian Complaint Review Board. According to reports, Wiley is known in each of her various positions as someone who got results.

Ready to Be the Next Mayor of NYC Ms. Wiley is confident she can function well as the next Mayor of New York City and get New Yorkers’ results. The donations and endorsements

Maya Wiley has collected indicate there are many others who also believe that she is the best candidate to assume the position. Wiley has received major endorsements from Make the Road Action, a prominent pro-immigrant group, Labor Union 1199SEIU, the largest union, and various women’s groups. She also has the endorsement of the Working Families Party, U.S. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Hakeem Jeffries, Yvette Clarke, and Nydia Velasquez, tenants’ groups, the Jewish Vote, Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens, New York City Council Members Stephen Levin and Helen Rosenthal, entertainers, activists, and more.

“Maya’s the one who’s going to lead us forward through this pandemic and engineer the greatest comeback in New York City history,” said Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. According to Gloria Steinem, “I believe a vote for Maya is a vote for a unified, just and enjoyable future.” Maya Wiley says she is running for Mayor “…to build a recovery that lifts up all of our communities.”

During an exclusive interview with our publication, Maya Wiley discussed her run for New York City Mayor. Ms. Wiley shared her views on the immigrant community, poverty, education, and other issues pertinent to aiding the recovery of New York following the challenges that were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wiley discussed her previous career experiences and what she plans to accomplish as the next Mayor of New York City.

The Immigrant Community “For me, the issues that our immigrant brothers and sisters face are central to the things that we must fix so this is a city

Maya Wiley. Photo: Maya for Mayor Campaign

we can all live in with dignity.

That means that our people: the Caribbean Diaspora, who are our residents, our people, whether they have documentation or not, are contributing to this city, are our essential workers, are paying taxes, and deserve the full recognition of the city government for what they add to communities. For me, that includes making sure immigrants can vote in municipal elections exactly as that used to happen in our school board elections. I support that because we need to have a vote to have a voice, and anyone who is building communities in this city and being part of our solution has to have a voice.”

Right to Vote for Green Card Holders “I founded The Center for Social Inclusion, where we focused on dismantling structural racism. Having the right to vote is central to having a voice that builds power and shapes government. We must make sure all Green Card holders have a right to vote, and we make sure we are doing the proper education so that people know how to vote, where to vote, and have many options to vote.”

“Government can be more transformative and invest in our people differently. What it takes is focus, vision, partnership, and will.

This Is the Moment This is a historic opportunity in this crisis to do things differently, so this city actually works for all our people and communities of color, our immigrant communities. This amazing Diaspora actually gets the focus, investment, attention, and respect that it deserves.” Wiley acknowledged the struggles of the taxi drivers, some of whom are of

Ocasio-Cortez called Wiley her "No. 1" choice for mayor ."We have an option of a candidate who can center people, racial justice, economic justice, that didn't just come up to run for mayor but has experience and has a lifetime of dedication to this . And that candidate is Maya Wiley."

Caribbean descent, and said she would, “…create a program to help taxi drivers get out of debt.” “Taxi drivers took a huge hit during this pandemic and were taken advantage of by Medallion with their loans. Many taxi drivers are in huge debt. This plan will aid the taxi drivers. Many of the health care workers, who are of Caribbean descent, struggle to meet the cost of childcare and eldercare so they can go to work.

Wiley said her administration “…will create community care centers…” to meet their needs. There will be “$5,000 a year for our neediest families to support their families. You won’t have to have documentation to be eligible for these grants. That will be very important to our immigrant residents, who do not have papers and who struggle to care for their families.”

Making a Difference During her time working in City Hall as Advisor to Mayor Bill De Blasio, Maya Wiley led the fight to increase funding for women and minority businesses through the city’s MWBE program. She found money in the budget and brought together four different agencies to ensure that every family in the Queensbridge neighborhood of Queens, New York, had free broadband.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen the importance of providing broadband for all households. Maya Wiley said her administration would “…create 100,000 new jobs… and more affordable housing.”

“I’ve always worked on the ways that racism perpetuates poverty in our community and how to solve them.”

Education Maya Wiley told our publication that she would end all dis-

criminatory enrollment policies and increase access to funding to improve the quality of schools in Black and Brown neighborhoods. She discussed three main issues her administration will focus on to improve the education system in New York City: hiring 2,500 new teachers to decrease classroom size; providing trauma-informed care to address the total health and well-being of each student; and eliminating the outside issues affecting classroom learning and creating community schools. “What that means is a model that says we must be in partnership with our community-based organizations… that’s also going to help us ensure that we have wrap-around services for families. This model strengthens the educational attainment of our children.”

What makes Maya Wiley the best choice for the next Mayor of New York City?

Wiley says she plans to make New York City “…a more equitable city and a better place to live.” She told our publication, “I’m the only candidate in this race who actually knows what it feels like, both to grow up in a Black neighborhood, to be a mother of children in this city, and to have worked to be a changemaker as a civil rights lawyer. But also know what it is like inside City Hall, to know what it is like to make that change and push for that change through government. I am not running for Mayor because I needed a career change.

I’m running for Mayor because it’s part of my mission. It is this time, at this moment, having a Black woman, who is a mother, who is a civil rights lawyer, but also knows how government works, is, I think, what we need in this city, and that’s what makes me different from all of the other candidates.”p

June 2021

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Elections 2021

We Endorse Antonio Reynoso for Borough President of Brooklyn Caribbean American Weekly, The Immigrant’s Journal, and Workers’ World Today are proud to endorse Antonio Reynoso as the next Borough President of Brooklyn.

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rooklyn, NY : Martin Luther King Jr said: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Antonio Reynoso has proven to be a man willing to stand and fight for those without a voice, less fortunate, overlooked, and downtrodden. He has shown that he is ready to take the right stand even when it is unpopular and uncomfortable.

He is a champion for the minority and immigrant communities. Reynoso demonstrated his measure as a leader, advocate, and champion for those in need when he left New York to go to the island of Santo Domingo, which Haiti and the Dominican Republic share to show support and solidarity with Haitians who were being mistreated and denied citizenship.

Born to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, Antonio Reynoso, who considers himself a Caribbean man, commenced his political career over a decade ago, backed with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He knows how to engage with community members through his earlier experiences as a Community Organizer for NYC ACORN, before joining Councilmember Diana Reyna as Chief of Staff in 2009.

He considers himself progressive and promotes his candidacy based on his personal experiences as an offspring of immigrants. His parents are immigrants who leveraged on policies in the society to raise him. His desire

Antonio Reynoso speaks at a rally commemorating the life and legacy of George Floyd.Photo: Reynoso

to serve as the next Brooklyn Borough President is a way of paying forward. Reynoso says, “This is an opportunity to give back to a community that has given him a lot. Here in Brooklyn, we succeed by never giving up and never giving in. Right now, we need

to be tough and pull together in the aftermath of COVID to finally address our affordable housing shortage, dismantle systemic racism, save our small businesses, fix our schools, and stop overdevelopment and gentrification.

Brooklyn makes us all who we

are, and together, we’ll make Brooklyn stronger and fairer for everyone.”

Reynoso is passionate and committed to continuing to make a difference in the lives of all Brooklynites. He understands our concerns – whether it’s providing Temporary Protective Status (TPS) assistance for immigrants, quality health care, in particular mental and maternal health care, an equitable education system for our kids, job creation, and meaningful support for small business owners and budding entrepreneurs.

Reynoso is dedicated and ready to work hard from day one and every single day as Brooklyn’s next Borough President. We are proud to endorse him and ask that you vote for him as your candidate of choice during this elec-

NYC, A New Way To Vote This June!

Rank up to five candidates, instead of voting for just one!

Vote Early: June 12 - 20 Primary Election Day: June 22 Vote Learn more: voting.nyc DemNYC_RCV_Carribean_American_Weekly_10x 6.75_EN_V1.indd 1 DemNYC_RCV_Carribean_American_Weekly_10x

in the June Primary Election!

5/24/21 2:51 PM 5/24/21

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June 2021

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Elections 2021

Brooklyn: Why I Should Be Your Next Borough President

BY ANTONIO REYNOSO

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'm running for Brooklyn Borough President because our borough faces tough challenges, and I believe that together we can overcome them and build our borough back better than before. We need a leader who is willing to champion bold, progressive solutions to the pressing challenges that face working families and residents across Brooklyn. During my time on the City Council, I have fought to secure affordable housing, passed legislation to improve relations between the NYPD and civilians, and spearheaded efforts to improve civic engagement. Brooklyn gave me everything I have, and now I'm running to build a Brooklyn for all of us.

I am the son of parents who emigrated from the Dominican Republic with next to nothing. Growing up, we relied on government assistance to survive. Food stamps, Section 8, Medicaid — my siblings and I would have never succeeded without it. Now, I’m a Councilmember and candidate for Borough President, running to root out the deeply rooted inequities in Brooklyn. I want to make sure that my success story is the rule, not the exception, that no matter what zip code our kids are born in, they have the resources to thrive and succeed.

My career in public service began over a decade ago.

“Here in Brooklyn, we succeed by never giving up and never giving in. Right now, we need to be tough and pull together in the aftermath of COVID to finally address our affordable housing shortage, dismantle systemic racism, save our small businesses, fix our schools, and stop overdevelopment and gentrification.

Brooklyn makes us all who we are; and together, we’ll make Brooklyn stronger and fairer for everyone.”

After getting my bachelor’s degree, I became a community organizer for NYC ACORN, and then joined the office of Council Member Diana Reyna as her Chief of Staff. In 2013, I ran for City Council myself, to serve the community that has given me so much.

Over the seven years that I have served on the City Coun-

cil, I have sought to advance bold, progressive legislation Citywide, while improving quality of life in my district.

As Chair of the Sanitation and Solid Waste Management Committee, I passed a sweeping overhaul of the corrupt and inefficient private sanitation industry. The Commercial Waste Zones bill that I

sponsored drastically improved the industry’s working conditions and environmental practices, and cut down on miles of dangerous and polluting truck traffic. I was a lead sponsor of Stand for Tenant Safety, a legislative package of bills to protect tenants from harassment. In addition to my strong legislative track record, I have been focused on supporting the creation and preservation of deeply affordable housing across my district and the institutions that support residents, like our childcare centers. I also passed the Right to Know Act to improve police-community relations through deescalation, furthering public safety.

As Brooklyn Borough President, I’ll take my activist spirit to Borough Hall to pull our communities together to rebuild in the aftermath of COVID. On the Council, my bill to bring outdoor dining to New York City saved 100,000 restaurant jobs and provided a critical lifeline to outer borough and minority-owned small businesses. As Borough President, I’ll bring the same kind of creativity to Borough Hall to ensure a just recovery for all.

The inequities in Brooklyn extend beyond the pandemic though. That’s why I’m committed to protecting our local businesses; empowering communities, not big developers, to lead in land use decisions; building affordable housing in every neighborhood; continu-

ing my work to create healthier communities and ending environmental racism; and bringing crime down by getting guns off our streets, reducing poverty and growing our economy for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected.

Our campaign is powered by everyday Brooklynites, and I’m proud to say that we’re not accepting donations from real estate developers or powerful special interests. We’ve also built a broad and diverse coalition, with support from: the NY Working Families Party; Congress Member Nydia Velázquez; Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; Make the Road Action; Council of School Supervisors and Administrators; United Auto Workers Region 9A; State Senators Jessica Ramos, Julia Salazar, and John Liu; Assemblymembers Marcela Mitaynes and Maritza Davila; New York Communities for Change, and many more community leaders and progressive organizations. I invite you to join us in our people-powered movement to create a Brooklyn for all of us. p

Read more about my campaign at reynosoforbrooklyn.com

Early Voting Starts on June 12, 2021. The Primary is June 22, 2021. Make Antonio Reynoso Your #1 Choice for Brooklyn Borough President.

WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER

d e m o c r at

WHEN WE RISE UP TOGETHER

WE WIN TOGETHER P a i d f o r b y R e y n o s o F o r B r o o k ly n

Why do I support Antonio Reynoso for Borough President?

Brooklyn needs a Borough President who doesn't back down, even when it’s tough. housing everywhere, fight against police brutality, and take on environmental racism. He is a true warrior for justice, he’s my friend, and I’m proud to endorse him for Borough President.”

JUMA ANE WILLIAMS P U B L I C A D V O C AT E

Build new affordable housing

End the school-toprison pipeline

Keeping our streets safe,while continuing to reform the NYPD

Give communities of color real power in development decisions

Bring back good jobs

Fight for better healthcare and cleaner air

ANTONIO IS ENDORSED BY THESE TRUSTED LEADERS & ORGANIZATIONS:

DISTRICT LEADER SHAQUANA BOYKIN

STATE SENATOR JOHN LIU

GEORGE FLOYD’S BROTHER TERRENCE FLOYD

ANTONIO REYNOSO: BUILDING A BROOKLYN FOR ALL OF US. VOTE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ON JUNE 22 OR VOTE EARLY STARTING JUNE 12

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June 2021

10

Union In Action

#GreenHealthySchools Report and Plan for Solar Energy and HVAC Systems at City’s Public Schools

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he Climate Works For All coalition of unions, community-based groups, and environmental justice activists have released a new report, “Creating Green, Healthy Schools,” with key findings and an equitable action plan for the next mayor of New York City. Using P.S. 62 on Staten Island as a replicable model, their plan calls on the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to immediately invest in the installation of solar energy (photovoltaic or PV) systems and new HVAC and air-quality monitoring systems at the city’s K-12 public schools, which make up 25 percent of city-owned buildings. Of the $3.8 billion already allocated but not spent by DCAS, $1.5 billion would cover the costs of installations at every public school, leaving $2.3 billion for projects on other public prop-

EMERGENCY MEDICAID

erties.

New York City public schools were among the institutions hit hardest by COVID. The shutdown of schools disrupted the lives of countless families, students, teachers, and parents.

What happens with public schools in the coming months and years will significantly shape recovery after COVID, especially in low-income communities of color ravaged by the pandemic.

This report offers the next mayor of New York City an action plan for how to create Green, Healthy Schools for all.

It’s the first report to show how the installation of solar energy and air control systems will enhance equity and safety in K-12 public schools, while creating good-paying jobs that help the city achieve its climate goals.

Key Findings and Highlights of this Report: •As of 2019, the City has already allocated $3.8 billion into renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. In his final months in office, Mayor de Blasio should work with city agencies to immediately install solar and HVAC systems in K12 public schools over the next ten years. The next incoming mayor must continue this effort to create Green, Healthy Schools as part of recovery after COVID.

•All New York City public schools, including existing schools, should be healthy and sustainable environments. The next mayor can and should create Green, Healthy Schools in all five boroughs, using PS 62 in Staten Island as a proven model.

•It will cost the City $460 mil-

•Public schools are among the worst climate polluters and largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the city. That’s why the installation of solar panels on public schools will allow the City to make aggressive progress toward reducing climate pollution and energy usage in buildings, and achieving the goal of 100 megawatts (MW) of solar energy on public buildings by 2025.

lion over the next four years to install solar panels on all K-12 public schools, and another $1.08 billion over the next 13 years to install HVAC systems and other necessary energy efficiency upgrades. These solar panels and HVAC systems in public schools will make it easier for the city to meet its sustainability goals of reducing greenhouse emissions by 2035 as defined in Local Law 97.

TENANT PROTECTION

•The city should start implementing energy efficiency projects by focusing on installing HVAC systems in schools. Poor air quality not only impacts student and staff health, but it also can also undermine learning by negatively affecting student attendance, comfort, and performance. p Read the full report at www.workersworldtoday.com

FOOD ASSISTANCE

SUPPORT. NOT FEAR.

COVID-19 TESTING, VACCINE AND CARE

FREE LEGAL HELP

All New Yorkers can access health care and social services regardless of immigration status, ability to pay or employment status.

Learn more at nyc.gov/immigrants or call 311.

Questions about immigration and use of public benefits?

Call ActionNYC at 1-800-354-0365 for connections to City-funded, free and confidential immigration legal help.

June 2021

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11

Workers’ Matters

RWDSU Statement on Amazon Prime Day

Tell the Senate: Pass the PRO Act!

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ur outdated labor laws are no longer strong enough to protect us in the workplace.

High-profile corporations openly union-bust without facing consequences.

Anti-worker lawmakers have passed wagekilling and racist right to work laws in 27 states. Inequality has skyrocketed as workers have been denied a voice on the job.

The PRO Act would change that. It’s the most significant worker empowerment legislation since the Great Depression. And it’s also a civil rights and economic stimulus bill. If we can get this passed, working people will thrive for generations to come. It passed the House on March 9 with bipartisan support, and President Biden has urged Congress to send it to his desk. The Senate

head of Amazon’s Prime Day event, Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) issued the following statement: “Even as many shoppers may look forward to Amazon’s Prime Day each summer, Amazon’s workers have good reason to dread it. Amazon has been called out all over the world for its unacceptable health and safety record and its working conditions for its employees. And Prime Day only makes everything much worse for these workers.

“During Prime Day, workers across the world are forced to work mandatory overtime, oftentimes in extreme temperature conditions, and at an often unattainable pace that results in injuries. Amazon needs to start paying attention to the health and safety needs of its employees. It needs to

O

Editorial credit: dennizn / Shutterstock.com

reduce the unbearable pace of work which has resulted in countless documented physical and mental injuries – a pace of work that is only exacerbated by Prime Day. “Amazon continues to fail to understand that its human employees are people and not robots. Critically, Amazon needs to start listening to the concerns of its workers, instead of trying to crush their efforts to have a collective

voice about their own health and safety through a union.

Amazon must stop its virulent union busting and allow its workers to organize, without employer interference, so that they can address worker protections not just for Prime Day, but every day.

“Amazon needs to start addressing its workers’ needs and ensuring its workers are safe every day, and especially during Prime Day events.”p

is the final obstacle.

It's not too late to get in on the action! Here in New York State, our Senators are already supporters. But we can still ask family and friends in other states—especially Arizona and Virginia—to call their Senators and ask for their support! Let’s show the Senate that people are pro-union across the country and across party lines.p

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

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

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

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

June 2021

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12

Education

A Summer of Renewal for Our Students

BY MEISHA ROSS PORTER NYC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR

T

his year has demanded that all New York City families and students do so many things differently—they’ve had to think differently, learn differently, and connect differently with teachers, peers, and the whole school community. At the Department of Education, we know we also have to think differently as we look towards the summer. For the first time ever, we are inviting all students to join us for a free, funfilled, enriching summer program: Summer Rising.

This year, we will serve any student in grades K-12 in July and August who wants to participate, and I am excited to be partnered with the Department of Youth & Community Development to reimagine what summer can be. Our children’s days will be filled with innovative academic support, social-emotional

learning, and engaging enrichment activities. These programs will be designed by school teams in partnership with local community-based organizations and offered in hundreds of sites across all five boroughs.

After all the trauma and disruptions caused by the pandemic over the past 15 months, our children need a chance to reboot their education in fun and supportive ways as we approach the full reopening of our schools in

September. It is time to begin regaining what the pandemic took away. Summer Rising is an opportunity to do just that, creating spaces for students to learn, grow, play, and explore the City around them – from field trips to Central Park and museums to dance and art classes.

Summer Rising will also provide an enormous relief to families by keeping children safe, supported, and productive this summer. After enduring months when so many of

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our students were isolated from their teachers and peers, the opportunity to rebuild those face-to-face relationships will do so much to support their healing process and prepare them for returning to school in the fall.

All K–8 students participating in programs will have access to academic classes and enrichment programming, including field trips, arts activities and outdoor recreation.

Students will also engage in daily community building and social emotional learning activities. We know some students with disabilities may require additional supports to participate in Summer Rising, and those supports will be provided as needed.

In addition, Summer Rising is a chance for high school students to complete courses in progress, make up credits to march towards graduation, and participate in academic acceleration opportunities.

They will also be able to engage in important work expe-

rience and internship opportunities, like the Summer Youth Employment Program.

As always, health and safety remain a top priority. Summer Rising will follow the rigorous health protocols that succeeded in keeping our schools among the safest places in the city this school year. To support these efforts, parents will need to complete a testing consent form for their child so we can keep everyone healthy and safe!

Summer Rising will be the start of revitalizing the powerful joy of learning together as we head toward a strong reopening of our schools and warm homecoming for our students in the fall. I strongly urge the families of every child who can join us over the summer to sign up now.

To learn more about the options available for your child or to sign up, go to nyc.gov/summerrising. All programs are free, in-person, and have something to offer for everyone.p

June 2021

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13

Family: The True Modern Relationship

How to Raise a Healthy Eater at Every Stage of Childhood

D

aily food choices can have a profound impact on overall health and well-being. Not only do healthy dietary patterns help maintain good health, but they also reduce the risk of chronic diseases throughout all stages of life.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, and nutrition experts agree it is vital to establish healthy eating habits early and maintain them throughout childhood.

“Research shows toddlers who eat a wide variety of foods are more likely to carry those habits into adulthood, so it’s important to introduce and reinforce healthy eating habits from the time a child starts to eat solid foods,” said Courtney Hines, KinderCare Learning Centers’ registered dietitian. “In fact, the first two

years of a child’s life are often referred to as ‘the golden window’ because this is when kids are most open to trying new foods and flavors. By encouraging variety and healthy eating early in life, parents and families can dramatically reduce picky eating habits many toddlers and children develop over time while also helping their children develop balanced relationships with food they’ll carry with them into adulthood.”

Consider these tips and

tricks to try at home with kids of all ages to build healthy eating habits and excitement around trying new foods.

Babies When babies are ready for solid foods, be sure to expose them to a wide variety of whole, unprocessed foods with varying flavors and textures. Start with soft foods like mashed potatoes, avocados, cooked rice and bananas until your children are ready for firmer solids.

Toddlers Toddlers who turn up their noses at veggies or fruit may be more open-minded if they’re an active participant in mealtime prep. Ask your children to pick one new fruit or vegetable and agree that you’ll both taste it. Asking your children to describe the appearance, texture, taste and smell of the food can also be a fun way to build vocabulary.

Preschoolers Around the 2- or 3-year mark, children become interested in investigating and learning.

Engage their natural curiosity in the world around them by planting a small vegetable, fruit or herb garden for your tiny chefs to tend to ─ it can be as simple as a windowsill garden. Gardening helps children understand where healthy, nutritious foods come from.

Plus, children are more likely

to eat what they’ve grown, which means more fruit and veggies in their diets.

School-agers The kitchen is chock-full of learning opportunities for all ages. School-agers can work on their math skills as they measure ingredients for recipes.

“Cooking together also gives parents an opportunity to talk about nutrition in terms children can understand,” Hines said. “For example, carbohydrates, like bread, provide energy for our bodies and brains.

When we eat carbohydrates, our bodies store them for later.

That’s why we’re having whole-grain pancakes for breakfast, so you have the energy you need to fuel your brain and body all morning.”p(FamilyFeatures)

June 2021

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14

In the News

Digital Producers at Gannett Unionize with The NewsGuild of New York

D

igital producers on Gannett's Atlantic Digital Optimization Team (DOT) have formed a union with the NewsGuild of New York, CWA Local 31003 to advocate for themselves, their profession and the communities they serve. These employees work across a five-state region that comprises 37 websites in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.

Digital producers’ main responsibility is preparing articles and multimedia content for online readers. They design the visual flow of stories, create graphics for social media, craft headlines, optimize content for search engines and curate readers’ experience with news through social media, website management and delivering alerts and newsletters. At Gannett, producers have witnessed restructuring, layoffs and furloughs within their newsrooms, and are continually challenged to meet mounting corporate demands to boost readership and revenue with fewer and fewer resources. Those who have survived these cuts have found it harder to do their jobs and the mounting pressure has hurt retention.

“For many of us, organizing as the Atlantic DOT Guild is about dignity, in one way or another. For me personally, it’s not just to fight for fair pay in relation to the ever-growing list of responsibilities falling on the shoulders of an increasingly weary production team; it’s also about advocating for the work we do and to underscore just how valuable it is,” said digital producer Jack McLoone. p

AFM Local 802 Celebrates 802 PRIDE and Music for the Soul

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

J

ust in time for the kickoff of Pride Month, Local 802 musicians are celebrating 802 PRIDE, the union's new LGBTQIA+ committee, a grassroots collective of culturally and ethnically-diverse LGBTQIA+ musicians. 802 PRIDE is a safe space where members can come for support, a sense of community, and better visibility and inclusion in our industry.

Local 802 is also thrilled to be providing more union gigs for its members through Music For The Soul, a special series where musicians perform concerts from their own homes that are streamed directly to NYC hospitals.

The concerts are public and can be enjoyed Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 1pm at https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem. The series is a partnership between Local 802, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. Guitarist and Local 802 member Roberta Fabiano recently performed one of these concerts (see attached photo) and said, "Our hospital workers are true

heroes and I can't ever thank them enough for all they've done and continue to do to keep our city safe and healthy. I am forever thankful for this opportunity to do whatever I can to help bring a smile and hopefully some comfort to our hospital workers and the patients who they care for."

Local 802's other ongoing series of union gigs is Music Heals, where musicians perform live at NYC vaccination sites. "Vaccination is the key to re-opening NYC quickly and safely," said Local 802 President Adam Krauthamer.

Finally, Local 802 is putting the pressure on Lincoln Center to do the right thing at its Restart Stages. The problem is that Lincoln Center -- even though it controls the money -- is refusing to act as the employer of its musicians. Instead, it’s sending out non-union contracts to our members and forcing musicians to negotiate directly with bandleaders and music directors. This shirking of responsibility means that there’s no union agreement or pay scale for Restart Stages. p

Laborers Recruit Apprentices

T

he Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) for Construction and General Building Laborers, Local Union #79, will conduct a limited recruitment from July 23, 2021 through August 5, 2021 for 200 Skilled Construction Craft Laborer apprentices.

The recruitment for JATC for Construction and General Building Laborers, Local Union #79 will be offered online from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Fri-

day, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. This is a limited-application recruitment. Only 2,000 applications will be distributed, on a first-come, first-serve basis. The recruitment will be offered for 10 business days or until 2,000 applications have been issued, whichever comes first. Visit the Department of Labor's website to learn more!p

Happy Anniversary to the Alliance of Retired Americans

T

his month the Alliance for Retired Americans is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Over the years, Alliance members have blocked efforts to privatize Social Security and Medicare, added a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, protected millions of Americans’ earned benefits, and elected hundreds of candidates who understand the needs of seniors.

Those are just a handful of our accomplishments, and we aren’t done yet.

“Together we have brought a greater understanding of multiple policy issues affecting retirees at the local, state and federal level, from Capitol Hill to the White House,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “We have grown to 4.4 million members and we

thank each of you as we continue working to strengthen retirement security for all Americans.”

“While it is important to recognize our achievements and wins, there is much more to do.

We must expand Social Security and make the wealthiest pay their fair share into the future. It’s time for Medicare to cover important medical treatments including dental, hearing and vision. And we must get Congress to take on the powerful pharmaceutical corporations that raise the prices of prescription drugs every year without fail.”p

www.workersworldtoday.com

June 2021

15

Know Your Rights

5 Things You Should Do Following a Car Accident answer any questions the officers have. Remember, always tell the truth, even if you were at fault.

BYCHRIS TOBIAS

Y

ou were driving to work one morning when you become involved in a car accident. What do you do now?

A car accident can be an emotionally taxing and overwhelming experience.

Knowing what to do in this unfortunate situation can make a significant difference in the days or weeks to come. Continue reading to learn five things you should do following a car accident.

1. Receive Necessary Medical Attention Before anything else, be sure you and any passengers receive any necessary medical attention. Allow the paramedics who arrive at the scene to look everyone over, even if they feel okay.

There are several reasons you may feel fine but still be injured. The initial adrenaline

rush from the stressful event can cause smaller aches and pains not felt right away. Paramedics are trained to look for any signs of trauma that you may miss.

Remember to get the person's car insurance information, as well as their name and contact details. Having this information on hand allows you to file a claim for damages.

who was at fault, having pictures can help prove your innocence. These images can also help you receive the appropriate claim amount for the damages to your vehicle.

2. Get the Other Person's Information So long as the accident wasn't a hit and run, you'll want to get the other person's information.

3. Take Pictures Take pictures of the crash scene with your phone, or have one of your passengers do it. If there are any questions about

4. Cooperate With Police When the police arrive at the scene, it's critical you cooperate with them. Give a detailed account of what happened and

5. Ask the Lawyer When you get home, or the following morning, you'll want to contact a lawyer. Even if the accident doesn't result in a lawsuit, your lawyer can help you navigate the insurance claims process. The claim process can be confusing at times, and having a professional on your side helps immensely. Get a FREE, no obligation consultation from the Law Firm of Figeroux. Call 855-768-8845.

Taking These Steps Is Critical It's critical to take the five steps outlined above. Doing so will ensure any necessary medical bills and car repairs are covered. It also helps provide you with all the information you need should a lawsuit result from the accident. p

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June 2021

16

Home Ownership

Saving Your Home from Foreclosure and Predators

BY ERIN TELESFORD

T

he greatest financial crisis in the United States was the last recession which spanned from December 2007 to June 2009. During this time, unemployment rates were raised by about 6.1% resulting in a loss of consumer spending and business investments. Before the recession, many Americans bought houses using mortgages they couldn’t afford, eventually causing them to fall into poverty and their homes into foreclosure. The effects of the Great Recession did not recover once the economy stabilized in 2009. According to The State of Working America, “In October 2010, 16 months after the official end of the recession, the economy still had 5.4% fewer jobs than it did before the recession started.” The unemployment levels are little to no better in 2019, and specula-

tion that another economic collapse has come into the news.

The devastation of the Great Recession implored many people to take better action with their finances and mortgages in fear of another financial crisis that could cause them to lose their homes. However, many Americans lack knowledge on the options available for them in lieu of another recession and end up needing to file for bankruptcy when financial hardship arises. Much of the recent financial problems lower-income individuals and families face are a result of their inability to afford or deal with unexpected major expenses such as job loss or medical bills. When these expenses become detrimental, one decision could be to file for bankruptcy.

According to a study published recently, 46 percent of bankruptcies were related to outstanding medical condi-

tions. The major cited reasons in this category included injury or illness, medical expenses not covered by insurance or losing at least two weeks’ worth of work because of illness. Other causes of bankruptcy include reduced income, job loss, credit debt, illness/injury, unexpected expenses and divorce. In the same time period, the percentage of filers age 55 or older more than doubled; those filers now account for about 20 percent of all bankruptcy petitioners. The study also found that 60 percent of bankruptcy filers have salaries of less than $30,000.

Bankruptcy is not a moral decision. It is a legal choice made when the debt situation is hopeless. Filing for bankruptcy can save your home and also stop wage garnishment. This can be troublesome due to the racial inequality involved with lawyers who specialize in

bankruptcy.

In an interview with Brian Figeroux, Esq., on the radio show, Ask the Lawyer, he stated that you must ”know the motives of the person giving you advice. There have been cases where people of color in America, specifically black Americans, encountered lawyers and investors who claim to want to help them save their homes when, in reality, 10 out of 10 times, they are trying to hoodwink you.”

Figeroux also warned about a New York Times article which stated that white attorneys were not giving the best advice to black clients.

According to the New York Times article, “Blacks Face Bias in Bankruptcy,” by Tara Siegel Bernard, blacks are about twice as likely as whites to wind up in the more onerous and costly form of consumer bankruptcy as they try to dig out from their debts, a new study has found.

The disparity persisted even when the researchers adjusted for income, homeownership, assets and education. The evidence suggested that lawyers were disproportionately steering blacks into a process that was not as good for them financially, in part because of biases, whether conscious or unconscious.

The vast majority of debtors file under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code, which typically allows them to erase most debts in a matter of months. It tends to have a higher success rate and is less expensive than the alternative, Chapter 13, which requires debtors to dedicate their disposable income to paying back their debts for several years.

The study of racial differences in bankruptcy filings was written by Robert M. Lawless, a bankruptcy expert and law professor, and Dov Cohen, a psychology professor, both with the University of Illinois; and Jean Braucher, a law professor at the University of Arizona.

A survey conducted as part of their research found that bankruptcy lawyers were much more likely to steer black debtors into a Chapter 13 than white filers even when they had identical financial situations. The lawyers, the survey found, were also more likely to view blacks as having “good values” when they expressed a preference for Chapter 13.

As communities of color, we have to be aware of what is happening. Persons are coming into our communities, offering to purchase our homes for cash. These persons are not trying to help you. Your property is an investment. It is the path to wealth-building and transferring wealth from one generation to another. Do not be fooled.

Figeroux's real estate office, Equity Smart Realty, Inc., was created because he “saw how our people suffered” from these types of scams and wants to be truthful with the black community in order to prevent the wrongful foreclosure of our community’s houses through bankruptcy consultation.

For a free bankruptcy or save your home from foreclosure consultation with the Law Firm of Figeroux and Associates, call 855-768-8845.p

June 2021

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17

Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights

AG Rescinds Two Trump Decisions, Restoring Protection to Many Asylum Seekers

BY GIANNA BORROTO

A

ttorney General Merrick Garland announced on June 16 that he is restoring a vital lifeline to survivors of genderbased violence, gang violence, and violence on account of family relationships. Garland issued two decisions overruling Trump-era Attorneys General Jeff Sessions and William Barr’s rulings disqualify many such individuals from asylum in the United States.

Garland’s rulings vacate Matter of A-B- and Matter of LE-A-. These two controversial decisions were part of an onslaught of policies designed to curtail access to asylum. The two Trump administration decisions particularly impacted immigrants from Central America, who often flee their home countries due to domestic violence and gang-related harm. The rulings were vacated based on pending rule-

making.

To establish eligibility for asylum, a person must have a reasonable fear of persecution on account of a protected ground. These grounds include race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

At issue in Matter of A-B- and Matter of L-E-A- was the “particular social group” ground.

“Particular social group” is not defined by statute or regulation, so the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), courts of appeals, and Supreme Court have shaped the requirements for establishing a successful claim. This has led to confusing and at times contradictory rulings that make the asylum process nearly impossible to navigate without an attorney.

The two Trump-era decisions muddied an already complex area of asylum law.

In Matter of A-B-, then-Attor-

Editorial credit: Alexandros Michailidis / Shutterstock.com

ney General Sessions overruled an important BIA decision which had helped cement asylum eligibility for certain survivors of domestic violence. Sessions stated in Matter of A-B- that asylum claims “pertaining to domestic violence or gang violence perpetrated by non-governmental actors” would generally “not qualify for asylum.”

Though this was non-binding commentary outside of the ruling in the case, some immigration judges saw the decision as foreclosing asylum for those fleeing persecution because of domestic violence or gang-related harm.

In Matter of L-E-A-, then-Attorney General Barr attempted to further restrict asylum claims based on family relationships, which can include claims made by victims of child abuse.

Both Matter of A-B- and Matter of L-E-A- resulted in wrongful asylum denials and deportations to countries where peoples’ lives were in grave danger. Most affected were women, children, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and survivors of domestic and gang-related violence, whose asylum claims often fell under the particular social group protected ground.

Garland’s decision to vacate Matter of A-B- and Matter of LE-A- represents an important about-face from Trump-era policies and removes a barrier to asylum for many who need protection. Though the decision does not set forth new asylum standards and only reverts the law to the pre-Trump era, the move shows implicit support for the decades-long fight of domestic violence survivors to obtain crucial protection in the United States.

The legal system remains stacked against immigrants and asylum seekers, especially because asylum seekers are not guaranteed an attorney in their immigration court. The Biden administration’s call for rulemaking on the meaning of “particular social group,” which will include a chance for the public to comment, is a welcome step toward a more fair, just, and accessible asylum system for those in need of protection.p

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June 2021

18

Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights

DACA Has Allowed Me to Pursue Education, But We Need A Permanent Solution Now

BY AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL STAFF

M

y name is Hali Calzadillas-Andujo and I’m originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. I first came to the United States with my mother and siblings when I was eight years old. I didn’t even know what it meant, really, except that I was rejoining my father. I came to Santa Fe, New Mexico and have been here ever since.

Growing up here was difficult. I saw my parents working hard. I worked in jobs that were physically exhausting in order to help my family.

That’s what I thought my future was going to be. Neither of my parents finished elementary school, and my siblings didn’t finish high school.

I didn’t see myself finishing high school. I thought I was always going to be working these jobs and living in uncertainty.

When I was in high school, I remember the teachers singling me out and treating me differently because of my status. They didn’t bother talking to me about college or scholarships; I didn’t have any access to that information.

Even when the government created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative in 2012, I didn’t think it was for me. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. It seemed like it was a program for people who were more educated or had more money than my family did.

I got DACA when I was 19 years old. My first job after I received the work permit was back at my high school, tutoring other students. I finally started to see college as a real possibility, and that I deserved those things. I felt like I had a place here and belonged.

The path after DACA wasn’t all easy. I saved money for

Photo: Immigration Impact

two years to pay for tuition for college, because even though I should have been eligible for financial aid, my university wouldn’t process my application due to my immigration status. Eventually I was able to get a degree and better-paying jobs. I became a Department of Justice-accredited representative. Now I represent other im-

migrants in applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

But DACA can be like a golden cage.

It has given me a lot of opportunities. I went to college and am pursuing a master’s in education to go into school administration. I’ve travelled throughout the United

States—all things I never thought I could do before. But I also can’t leave. I haven’t seen my parents in over three years since they moved back to Mexico.

After nine years of DACA, we need to move forward with a path to citizenship for myself and for the millions of other immigrants like me living in the United States.p

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June 2021

19

Love, Health & Travel

Dating Versus Living Together

BY MARY CAMPBELL

A

t some time in their life, everyone is single, even if for a short time, and once another person becomes part of your life the new relationship always takes a certain amount of work. While many things you go through when single may be the same for most people, there are some differences when it comes to people who have lost their spouse due to death.

Surprisingly some of the same emotions people experience when divorced are the same as someone who has lost their loved one to death. Many experience anger, a terrible sense of being lost, and other raw emotions.

Whatever the circumstances a person has been through will dictate how they feel and act when first starting to date.

You've heard the word "baggage" before and everyone brings some of it with them.

Depending on what their past is should make a difference in

how patient you should be with your new partner.

So how do most people start a relationship today? In today's society, a growing number of people are simply skipping the dating stage of courtship and moving right into the living together state.

This could be a big mistake that can end up being very costly. Some go from a few dates or possible a few dates before deciding to combine their households.

In many cases, young people take this move in order to combine expenses and have more money. This almost never works out! It takes time to get to know a person very well and moving in with them after a few weeks is not the best way to go about it.

Courting is very much a part of what helps couples get to know each other and it lets each party see what types of fun, foods, and lifestyles each like. There is nothing worse than letting a chemical attraction draw you into a relationship where you find you have

absolutely nothing in common.

The dictionary quotes courting as a "wooing of one person by another". Wikipedia states courtship is the time taken to see if the relationship warrants going further, such as an engagement.

There is more to a relation-

ship than sex and it's important to get to know one another in every way. What are their likes, what are their religious beliefs, and why did their last relationship end? Conversation is a huge part of getting to know someone on a deep level. Once you truly get to

know them, the attraction you felt for them deepens even more.

Living together too early tends to make people not treat you with as much respect.

Usually, there are no more "dates", or fun things to do because you simply stay in and watch TV. This may be fun but does not help create that conversational mood you need to continue learning about each other.

You need to enjoy the courtship while getting to know each other. Separate places leave you with an easier way to get out of the relationship should you choose to do so and a safer atmosphere if the person you've been dating is not the person you thought they were living apart.

Remember you don't owe anyone anything but kindness in this world and it's important to move into a new relationship at a slow but steady pace.

Date first and you will have more control over how the relationship progresses.p

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June 2021

20

Love, Health & Travel

Over Half of Adults Unvaccinated for COVID-19 Fear Needles – Here’s What’s Proven to Help

BY AMY BAXTER THE CONVERSATION

I

f you’re among the 25% of Americans averse to needles, you’re probably not surprised by the COVID-19 immunization stall. Even for those who want immunity, bribes with beer or lottery tickets may not be enough to override anxiety made worse by pervasive images of needles in the media.

As a physician specializing in pain management, I study the impact of pain on vaccination. Research-proven adult interventions for pain, fainting, panic and fear can make vaccination more tolerable. At a minimum, understanding the reasons needle fear has become common might make the embarrassment easier to bear.

Why needle anxiety has increased Needle fear has increased dra-

matically since a landmark 1995 study by J.G. Hamilton reported that 10% of adults and 25% of children feared needles. In that paper, adult patients who remembered when their fear began described a stressful needle experience around age 5.

The childhood experiences of the patients usually related to an unexpected illness; at the time the Hamilton participants were in preschool, vaccines were scheduled only until age 2. For most people born after 1980, however, booster injections given between ages 4 to 6 years became a routine part of the vaccine experience. The timing of boosters maximizes and prolongs immunity, but unfortunately falls within the age window when phobias form.

A 2012 Canadian study of 1,024 children found that 63% of those born in 2000 or later now fear needles. In a 2017 study, my colleagues and I

confirmed this increase in prevalence: Half of preschoolers who got all their boosters on one day – often four or five injections at once – were still severely afraid of needles as preteens.

Unsurprisingly, needle fear affects how willing teens and adults are to get vaccinated. A 2016 study found needle fear to be the most common reason teens didn’t get a second HPV vaccine. Health care workers are no exception: A 2018 study found that 27% of hospital em-

ployees dodged flu vaccines due to needle fear. And most recently, an April 2021 national survey of 600 not-yetCOVID-19-vaccinated U.S. adults found that 52% reported moderate to severe needle fear.

Potential solutions for adults For children, evidence shows that addressing their fear and pain while distracting them from the procedure is most effective in reducing distress.

While adults are not just big

children, combining these concepts with findings from available adult injection studies suggest a few potential interventions. For the many who want a vaccine but need some support, here’s what we know: 1. Pain reduction Relieving injection pain may reduce needle fear by giving patients a feeling of control.

For example, a group of patients in New Zealand were repeatedly missing their continued on page 21

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Love, Health & Travel Fear Needles / continued from page 20 monthly antibiotic injections for rheumatic heart disease.

Their doctors created a special clinic, offering either anesthetics, a vibrating cold device or both during the shot. The interventions in 107 adults reduced pain and fear by 50% after three months. Six months later, half the patients still used the interventions, and the special “missed dose” clinic was no longer needed.

Specifically for vaccination, applying a vibrating cold device to the injection site a minute prior to injection, then pressing just above the site during injection, relieved pain and improved satisfaction for adults, and was most effective for those with needle fear. A horseshoe-shaped plastic device using sharp prongs to confuse the nerves also reduced injection pain but increased anxiety, possibly due to discomfort from the prongs themselves.

Cold spray doesn’t help reduce vaccination pain for children, but has been shown to be more effective than topical

anesthetics for adult injections.

2. Psychological therapy Exposure-based therapy involves asking a patient to rank anxiety caused by parts of a procedure, like seeing a picture of a tourniquet or thinking about sharp things, and gradually exposing them to these parts in a controlled environment. Free self-guided resources are available for fears ranging from flying to spiders.

However, none of the three studies testing this approach on adult needle fear showed long-term fear reduction.

One of the studies that taught techniques to reduce fainting, however, was considered a success. Fainting, or vasovagal syncope, and needle fear are often conflated. While passing out due to injections is more common with anxiety, it is often a genetic response. Tensing the stomach muscles increases the volume of blood the heart can pump, keeping blood in the brain to prevent lightheadedness during needle procedures.

3. Distraction Surprisingly, there are no stud-

ies on adults using distraction for injections. Two studies, however, have found that pretending to cough reduces pain from blood draws.

Dropping F-bombs could also help: A recent study found that swearing reduced pain by onethird compared to saying nonsense words. Distraction with virtual reality games or videos has been shown to be more effective in children, although there have been mixed results in adults.

Mentally engaging tasks may also help. A visual finding task

given to children during intramuscular shots has been shown to reduce pain and fear, with 97% rating the experience more pleasant than previous blood draws. Adults may need a more complicated task, but a similar intervention could work for them as well.

Use multiple interventions and go in with a plan To reduce needle fear, research suggests the more interventions, the better. A 2018 study summarizing research on vaccine pain concluded that patient-operated cold and vibration devices combined with distraction techniques were most effective. Canada has implemented a practical national needle fear intervention for their vaccine rollout, emphasizing preparing ahead to help make vaccine day more comfortable.

Adults who don’t like needles are in the majority. Taking control of your vaccination experience may be the best way to combat needle anxiety.p

Amy Baxter is a Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Augusta University

GET BACK TO FAMILY

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and will help us all get back to the people and activities we have missed.

Get 琀e facts.

Get facts. Get Get 琀e vax. vax To get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines, visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine.

Visit nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) to find a vaccination site to get your COVID-19 vaccine.

Health

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June 2021

22

Love, Health & Travel

Plan to Travel More in 2021

BY VICTORIA FALK

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ummer has begun, and many people are hoping for better days after the lockdown in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With more persons vaccinated and the opening up of businesses and resorts with health and safety precautions in place, it’s time to make that dream trip or vacation a reality. A word of advice, delay travel until you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC's recommendations for unvaccinated people. People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization can travel safely within the United States. CDC will update these recommendations as more people are vaccinated, as rates of COVID19 change, and as additional scientific evidence becomes available. This guidance applies to travel within the United States and U.S. territories.

Here are a few tips on how you can accomplish your travel goals for summer 2021: Focus on the benefits of travel.

Travel makes people happier, healthier, and more productive. Trips add to the person’s lifestyle and help improve work-life balance.

Imagine yourself there. Write down your travel goals and be specific.

Don’t just say you want to travel more. Write down where you want to go, when, and what activities you’d like to do when you get there. Play out the fantasy of that fabulous vacation in your head. If you can visualize yourself having fun in that location, you are more likely to make it there.

Do your research. Gather information about your dream vacation. Please find out how much it costs to stay at a quality hotel/resort and prepare your budget. Find out what special activities and events will be taking place when you plan to visit.

Start a vacation fund. Save for this fantastic vacation now so you’ll have money on hand when you see incredible travel deals. The best travel deals are time-limited, so if you’re not fi-

nancially prepared when the values appear, then you will miss out. Save money continuously so you’ll be able to take advantage of those 2-for- theprice- of- 1 cruise deals and other great offers that are available this time of year.

Get an accountability partner. Tell at least one other person about your travel plans so you’ll have someone who’ll remind you, “You, said this is the year you would definitely take a great vacation. What happened?”

Even better, find an accountability partner with similar travel goals so they will have a vested interest in getting you to travel. p For all your travel needs, contact Victoria Falk, award-winning CEO of Passionate Travel at 1-800-890-7492.

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June 2021

23

Generations

After COVID, Research on Social Isolation and Loneliness is Needed More Than Ever

BY ELIZABETH NECKA, DIVISION OF BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL RESEARCH, NIA

W

ith nearly 70% of Americans over the age of 65 now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, many older Americans are once again safely hugging their (fully vaccinated) loved ones and returning to regular activities after more than a year’s hiatus. We’re all glad to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but in addition to the tragic loss of life, COVID-19 magnified the already-dire problem of social isolation and loneliness among older adults.

National Institute on Aging (NIA) has a robust history of promoting research to help understand how we can reduce loneliness and enhance social connection among older adults to improve physical and mental health outcomes.

The pandemic underscored

that rigorous research on the health impact of social isolation and loneliness — and the development of interventions to prevent or address these conditions — are needed now more than ever.

How to get involved in the science of social isolation This is an opportune moment for scientists, caregivers, and clinicians from across multiple disciplines to get more involved in this important field!

The recent National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report on Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults is a great place to start. It includes a summary of how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life and details recommendations and opportunities for clinical settings to reduce adverse health impacts. Also take a look at our recent Facebook Live Q&A where NIA’s Drs. Janine Sim-

mons and Elena Fazio discussed insights and resources and answered questions from the public.

Some promising behavioral and social interventions to overcome loneliness exist. But to reach a growing older adult population with a shrinking caregiving workforce, we must focus on the action mechanisms of promising interventions to advance health equity while helping middleaged adults maintain or grow social connections as they grow older.

NIA funded two projects through a recent set of FOAs: •PAR-21-144 and PAR-21-145 “Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery.” These FOAs are already supporting investigations into how social connections and support impact brain aging, cognitive health, and resilience.

Other priority research opportunities at NIA include: •NOT-AG-21-015: Studies examining how COVID-19-associated social isolation and loneliness impact the health and well-being of midlife and older adult populations.

•NOT-AG-18-056: Observational studies as well as intervention research to identify quality of life and health outcomes for people with dementia, with particular interest in those who are socially isolated.

Contact us to connect, collaborate Understanding and enhancing social connections are vital to ensuring older Americans’ health and well-being. If you’re interested in being part of this effort, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your research ideas and hope you will consider an application addressing the topics mentioned above. p(NIA)

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June 2021

24

Conversations

Women Are as Likely as Men to Accept a Gender Pay Gap If They Benefit From It Three times at different stages of the experiment participants voted to either be paid $1 for every correct answer or to give the group that was at a disadvantage a leg up. If the second payment option won the majority vote, the disadvantaged participants would get $1.25 per right answer, while those who benefited from the biased test would receive just 85 cents.

BY MARLON WILLIAMS THE CONVERSATION

W

omen are just as inclined as men to vote against a policy to reduce a gender pay gap if they are personally benefiting from the status quo. This is one of the main findings of my new study, which was published in January 2021 in the journal Applied Economics Letters.

I conducted a series of laboratory experiments in which I recruited participants to do a 30-question quiz. The participants knew from the start that they would be paid based on the number of questions they answered correctly.

In roughly half of the sessions, the quiz was written in a way to give men an advantage. I achieved this by choosing questions that were mainly on topics that surveys show men tend to be more interested in

than women, such as sports and certain movie genres. The quiz for the other half of the sessions were designed in a similar way to give women an advantage.

In the version with a male bias, men answered an average of 21 questions correctly, while women answered only 13 right. This was meant to mimic the current real-world situation in which men, on average, earn more than women. The questions were carefully chosen so that the quiz that favored women had mirrored results: the average woman answered 21 correctly, the average man just 13.

In all three votes, which had similar results, I found that women were actually more likely than men to vote against the policy that would have led to a narrowing of the pay gap when they earned more money in the quiz. On average, 96.8% of women’s votes were against the proposed corrective payment policy when they were more likely to correctly answer the questions, compared with 90.5% of the men’s votes when they had the edge.

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In addition, when women were at a disadvantage, they were more likely to vote in favor of the corrective policy, with 79.5% supporting it versus 73% for the men.

While social science laboratory experiments like mine cannot fully capture every nuance, I believe my qualitative results are similar to what we would find in the real world.

Why it matters Debate over the gender pay gap can become quite heated.

The latest data from Pew Research Center show women make 84 cents on the dollar of what men earn—a gap that hasn’t changed much in recent years.

And surveys have found that men are more likely to oppose measures to correct this gap and even question whether the gap exists in the first place. A 2019 SurveyMonkey poll showed that 46% of men believe the gender pay gap “is made up to serve a political purpose” rather than a “legitimate issue.”

My research suggests women might feel the same if the positions were reversed. Additionally, it suggests that men would also likely be equally vociferous in calling for a narrowing of the gap if they found themselves in a world where they were holding the short end of the stick.

Ideally, I hope this research will lead people to reexamine the positions they hold on issues like this one and consider how self-interest may be driving their arguments. Maybe it can lead to more understanding and increase the focus in these debates on the available evidence.

What’s next In my current and future work, I seek to experimentally determine people’s willingness to sacrifice personal financial gains in favor of an outcome that they see as serving the common good. This involves, for example, testing how much income the average employee or executive is willing to sacrifice to reduce income inequality.p Marlon Williams is an Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Dayton

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June 2021

26

Conversations

The Importance of Test and Trace

BY VICTORIA FALK

T

he NYC Test & Trace Corps is a public health initiative to fight the threat of COVID-19. The Corps is a group of doctors, public health professionals, and community advocates working to reverse the COVID-19 outbreak and protect our city. NYC Health + Hospitals lead the Corps' work in close collaboration with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and other city agencies.

New Yorkers have faced multiple challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rightfully, much attention has been given to our frontline and essential workers; we applaud them for all they have done to aid our city during this worldwide crisis.

Our publication had the pleasure of interviewing one of the city's unsung heroes, Ms. Karen Martin, Commu-

nity Engagement Specialist, at NYC Test and Trace. During an exclusive interview with Karen Martin, she shared the importance of contact tracing, free resources available to New Yorkers, and other pertinent information for the community to know for the sake of helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Ms. Martin, a proud Jamaican who migrated to the United States, does not want the Caribbean/immigrant community to feel leery regarding getting tested for COVID-19, the contact and tracing procedures, or gaining access to services. "Our purpose is to encourage everyone to get tested and, if you're positive, to isolate or quarantine.

That's it. The NYC Test & Trace Corps will not ask about anyone's immigration status.

Immigration status is not an issue. We don't speak about immigration status at all, and we observe HIPPA laws.

Whatever you say to me sticks

NYC, YOU’RE RIGHT, YOU SHOULD KNOW!

with me. Plus, the Corps database is not linked to any law enforcement databases. Any information the NYC Test & Trace Corps obtains will be stored securely and used by authorized staff for the limited purpose of protecting public health," she emphasized.

In addition, Ms. Martin assured our publication that people need not be concerned if they struggle with English.

"We have over 40 languages, plus we have access to Language Line, where we can have an interpreter join us on a visit," shared Karen Martin.

Karen Martin explained to the day-to-day activities of a Contact Tracer. She said, "Once someone is tested and they test positive, we reach out to the person who tested positive and start a trace. We encourage you to give us information about the persons you came in contact with. Our tracing is all done while observing HIPPA laws. We ask questions to jog your memory.

The goal is to reach as many people as possible that you were in contact with and encourage testing and quarantine." The outreach begins by telephone, but as Ms. Martin explained, "If we call and nobody answers, we go to the door and keep coming until you are reached. Contact tracing is so important to stop the spread of the virus."

The work goes beyond contacting and tracing those people who tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. In addition, people who test positive are informed of and

How do you SIGN UP to get a COVID-19 VACCINE?

connected to services to aid them during their time of need. Karen Martin told our publication, some of the free services available to New Yorkers that includes: free hotel stay when people cannot safely isolate themselves at home, free cell phones for people who don't have one so they can stay connected throughout the contact and trace process, free meals delivered to the house, medication delivered to the home by the pharmacist, and help with getting letters to give to employers for the Family Medical Leave Act to show that you are isolating due to COVID-19.

The NYC Test & Trace Corps is fighting COVID-19 through free testing and other resources. PLEASE answer the phone if you get a call from "NYS Contact Tracing." Answering the phone will keep your loved ones and community safe. Please visit the website: testandtrace.nyc to learn more.p

Hea l th

-

COV I D1 9 VACC I NES I GNUP

New Yorkers are eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

THIS IS HOW: # 1 MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR WALK-IN FOR A VACCINE

Go to nyc.gov/vaccine昀nder or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) to schedule an appointment or check nyc.gov/vcc for a list of sites offering vaccines without an appointment.

2 BRING EVERYTHING YOU NEED

#

Check nyc.gov/covidvaccine to prepare what you need for your appointment.

3 GET VACCINATED

#

Roll up your sleeve and get vaccinated! Get your vaccination card before you leave and make an appointment for your second dose, if needed.

Learn more at nyc.gov/covidvaccine.

NYCDOH_YoureRight_CarribAmerWeekly_10x6.75_V1_EN.indd 3 NYCDOH_YoureRight_CarribAmerWeekly_10x6.75_V1_EN.indd

Health

5/13/21 3:24 PM 5/13/21

GET YOURSELF ON THE PATH TO U.S. CITIZENSHIP TODAY!

This Citizenship Program does not apply to anyone who has ever been arrested since getting their Green Card.

RANK #1 Maya Wiley!

Elizabeth Warren U.S. Senator MA

EARLY VOTING JUNE 12–20 ELECTION DAY JUNE 22 Polls are open from 6am–9pm on election day

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