Workers' World Today - Issue 22

July 2021 INSIDE

Biden Committed to Returning Deported Veterans... 17

Tips to Manage Your Credit During a Divorce... 9

Why You Should Let Yourself Off the Hook... 11

Issue #22

Recovery for All of Us: Mayor de Blasio Announces City Workforce Health Care Mandate

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EW YORk: Mayor Bill de Blasio, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner (DOHMH) Dr. Dave A. Chokshi and NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz today announced a new health care mandate requiring all city workers to provide one-time proof of vaccination or weekly COVID-19 tests beginning September 13th.

In advance of this bench-

i

mark, the City is mandating 45,000 City workers and contractors in residential and congregate care settings by August 16th. Both of these recent mandates are in addition to the Health Worker COVIDSafe Requirement the Mayor announced last week, requiring NYC Health + Hospitals employees and those working in Department of Health and Mental Hygiene clinical settings to provide either a onetime verification of

Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Editorial credit: CJ Hanevy / Shutterstock.com

continued on page 6

Hot Topics and News You Should Know About

What to Do If Your Workers' Compensation Benefits Stop Unexpectedly

BY CHRIS TOBIAS, UNIONLAWYER.NYC

W

orkers' compensation is a governmentmandated system that pays monetary benefits to workers who become injured or disabled during their employment. Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that offers employees compensation for injuries or disabilities sustained due to their employment. Workers' comcontinued on page 7

Gov. Cuomo:Historic Nearly $1.1 Billion in Grants ... 6

Swimming Gives Your Brain a Boost... 22

Make the Child Tax Credit Expansions Permanent ... 4

Labor-Related News - Nationally & Locally

Power of Education: A Conversation with Dr. Ruth Westheimer ... 12

5 Tips For a Successful Relationship ... 19

Delta Variant Makes It Even More Important to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine

BY JENNIFER T. GRIER, THE CONVERSATION

DCWP Commissioner: Fast Food Workers Job Protections ...15

Striking Mineworkers Bring Their Fight Back to NYC ... 8

Pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework...14

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s someone who studies immune responses to respiratory infections, I’ve watched news of the emerging coronavirus variants with concern. I wondered whether vaccination or previous infection would provide protection against

continued on page 18

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July 2021

Without unions, workers will lose many of the protections against abusive employers. Wages for all will be depressed, even as corporate profits soar. The American Dream will be destroyed for millions. And we will have a government of the corporations, by the already powerful, for the wealthy.

—Kenneth Bernstein, teacher and blogger, in a 2011 CNN.com opinion piece on the Wisconsin measure to strip public employees of collective bargaining rights

400 Faith Leaders Say: PRO Act Now!

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Contents In Solidarity: Homecare Workers Saved Us During Covid.

It's Time to Save Them Back......................................3

Faith activists recently delivered a letter to all 50 U.S. Senators calling on them to pass the PRO Act, making it easier for workers to form a union. The letter, signed by 400 faith leaders nationwide representing dozens of denominations and traditions, urges Senators to pass the Act and protect the dignity of workers.

Civil Rights: Why Congress Must Make the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit Expansions Permanent................................................4

“Because we believe in the sacred worth of both work and workers, we support the “Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO)” Act, which will strengthen and expand the right of workers to form unions, bargain collectively, and engage in collective action without fear of retaliation by their employers,” the letter states.

Union in Action Actors' Equity Association Applauds Reintroduction of the Bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act....................................................8 Money Matters Tips to Manage Your Credit During a Divorce..........................................................9

Family: The True Modern Relationship .... 11

Know Your Rights Everything You Need to Know About Real Estate Transfer Deeds.........................10 Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights Biden Administration Commits to Returning Deported Veterans..................................17

This Day In Labor History - July 26

COLUMNS Love, Health & Travel .... 19 Tips for A Successful Relationship

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) took effect today. It requires employers to offer reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities and bans discrimination against such workers - 1992

No one wants to settle for a less than perfect relationship, but all this hunting leaves behind a critical notion: successful relationships aren't found, they are developed through hard work.

Education .... 12 Under Biden’s American Families Plan, proposed in April 2021, the federal government would subsidize the costs of child care to the tune of US$225 billion annually. Lower-income families could access child care free of charge, while middle-class families would pay no more than 7% of their income.

Do you want more?

Jobs & Recession .... 13 Want to Keep Your Job? Keep These Social Media Tips in Mind

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July 2021

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In Solidarity

Homecare Workers Saved Us During Covid. It's Time to Save Them Back.

BY THOMAS RYAN

D 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

octors, nurses, and the scientists who created COVID-19 vaccines have all emerged as heroes during the pandemic. But there's another, underappreciated group that's been crucial to the country's pandemic response — those who provide home-based medical equipment, services, and care.

Without fanfare or headlines, home medical equipment providers saved thousands and improved millions of lives. And they could transform the way we care for our elderly and infirm — for the better. In order to fulfill that promise, home medical equipment providers must be paid commensurate with the value they deliver for their patients and the broader healthcare system.

The people most vulnerable to the coronavirus are the elderly. And the most vulnerable among them, tragically, have been those living in nursing homes.

By treating people at home, home medical equipment providers kept millions of seniors safe from COVID-19.

Home-based care also relieved pressure on frontline healthcare workers and clinical facilities, which have been nearly overrun several times during the pandemic.

As the pandemic begins to wane, homecare's importance will not. Rather, it will join remote work and contactless delivery as one of the staples of modern life.

The COVID-era surge in homecare is only an accelera-

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

tion of long-developing trends. First, our society is aging. Seniors are living longer, more active, and independent lives than ever before.

Second, homecare is less expensive —often considerably so — than institutional care.

So it represents a promising strategy for tackling our nation's health cost crisis.

In recent months, hospital discharge rates have started returning to pre-pandemic levels. But when seniors leave the hospital, they're increasingly going home, not to a nursing facility.

Doctors, too, are becoming more supportive. According to a 2020 survey by William Blair, the proportion of doctors preferring to send patients to home health agencies over nursing homes rose from 54 percent to 81 percent during the pandemic.

All told, more than three in four seniors view homecare as the preferred way to age, according to an AARP survey.

Families should be able care for their loved ones in the setting that works best for them — and fosters the highest

quality of life.

Unfortunately, bad policy stands in the way of this vision. While our aging population and its preference for homecare should mean that home medical equipment suppliers are thriving, nearly 40 percent of them have closed their doors over the last decade.

Why? A faulty Medicare program is unsustainably cutting their reimbursement rates.

Congress and the Biden administration must update these rates without delay. An increase that considers increased product costs and new operational requirements is long overdue. The industry needs to be able to guarantee salaries for its skilled workers.

Otherwise, we're setting seniors up for failure.

COVID-19 taught us that home may be the safest place to receive care. But policies that don't reflect the true cost of care for life-saving equipment represent a failure to heed that lesson. Without properly funded homecare, we can expect lower-quality outcomes for patients, in-

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creased hospital readmissions, and an overall increase in health costs.

The trend toward homebased health care is only going to accelerate. The underappreciated heroes who helped us through the pandemic will now pivot to helping Baby Boomers age and helping their families care for them. Homecare is good for patient wellbeing, family happiness, and government budgets.

Washington needs to find a way to make the system take care of homecare providers as much as they take care of us.p Thomas Ryan is president and CEO of the American Association for Homecare. This piece originally ran in the International Business Times.

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July 2021

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Civil Rights

Why Congress Must Make the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit Expansions Permanent

BY KELLY CAMPBELL CIVILRIGHTS.ORG

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ow more than ever, it is imperative for Congress to pass legislation to make permanent the child tax credit (CTC) and the earned income tax credit (EITC) expansions enacted in March 2021 through the American Rescue Plan. Tax credits can function as vital tools for financial relief to the communities who need it the most. Making these two credit expansions permanent has the ability to lift millions of people above the poverty line, helping families cover the cost of food, rent, transportation, child care, and more.

The American Rescue Plan increased the full amounts of the CTC and the EITC and expanded the pool of possible recipients.

The full amount of the CTC, $3,600 for children under 6 and $3,000 for children 6 and up, is now available to nearly all families — from those with no income to those making less than $150,000 a year.

The EITC is now available to more working people, including young adults 19- to 24years-old and working people over 65 who were previously ineligible. Working people without children living in their homes can receive nearly

triple the maximum benefit available from the credit.

These changes should not be viewed solely as emergency responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather, they are a necessary investment in families and low-income working people, especially those in communities of color. Systemic racism and decades of structural inequality in almost every area of life — including education, health care, housing, and employment — have

resulted in economic disparities that have severely threatened the lives and well-being of far too many people in the United States. We have failed as a nation to invest in the kinds of communities that will help people to live their best lives. Congress must make the expansions of the CTC and the EITC permanent.

Permanently enacting the CTC would help ensure that all families have the resources to sustain safe and healthy

lives and would lift 4.1 million children above the poverty line, over half of whom are children of color. Similarly, the current changes to the EITC would allow more than 17 million low-paid working people previously excluded from the benefit — including 2.8 million Black workers, 2.8 million Latino/a workers, and 678,000 Asian American workers — to receive financial assistance through the tax credit.

In other words, these credit expansions have made and will continue to make monumental improvements in millions of lives, including access to broadband, a heated and/or cooled home, car repairs, or even child care during summer months. The two credit expansions becoming permanent would make basic continued on page 5

July 2021

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Workers’ Matters Child Tax Credit/ continued from page 4 human needs more accessible to families and working people who often face systemic barriers to accessing goods and services that many in America may take for granted.

Here are just a few ways these tax credits can be critical in helping low-income people and families access basic needs: A single mother of two living under the federal poverty line can afford to heat the family home and provide the children with fresh fruits and vegetables.

A family with special needs children now has the financial resources to pay off debt, cover any needed repairs, and purchase learning resources for the children.

Another family relying on relatives and friends for transportation to medical appointments and to buy groceries put the EITC payment toward a family car. The wife’s 45-minute commute to work has been reduced in half.

This extra time enabled her to register for classes at the local community college.

No matter who we are, where we come from, or what’s in our wallets, most of us believe that our family’s health and wellbeing come first. This past year has put significant strain on many families, and that strain was felt even more acutely by families who were already struggling to make ends meet.

The expansions of the CTC and the EITC will provide an additional lifeline to low-income families, disproportionately families of color, to help ensure that they have the support they need to build better

Hey New Yorkers, did you know your

lives. Making these expansions permanent can provide small differences that have immense impacts on these families and low-income working people, whether it’s assistance with children, mortgage bills, or the next month’s rent.

Any inaction from Congress on making the expansions permanent after they expire under the American Rescue Plan could have drastic results. Not making these changes permanent would force these families back into poverty — an unconscionable policy choice that

would especially harm communities of color, but would ultimately harm us all. In order for the tax credit expansions to be as effective as possible, it’s critical that eligibility be expanded to include all of us, including immigrant families.

The EITC is currently unavailable for families with just one head of household without a Social Security number, and the CTC is unavailable to children without Social Security numbers. Allowing these families and individuals to receive the tax credits are important steps toward investing in our communities and ensuring everyone living without financial security receives the resources and support they deserve.

The first payment of the child tax credit starts entering bank accounts — July 15, 2021 — and will continue on the 15th day of every month until December (unless the 15th of that month falls on the weekend).p

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

Kelly Campbell is a summer 2021 legal intern at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

IDNYC

can expire?

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

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July 2021

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Workers’ Matters Recovery For All of Us / continued from page 1 immunization, or weekly proof of a negative COVID-19 test by August 2nd.

"This is what it takes to continue our recovery for all of us while fighting back the delta variant," said Mayor de Blasio.

"It’s going to take all of us to finally end the fight against COVID-19."

“These new requirements reflect our commitment to each other and the people we serve,” said Health Commis-

Dr Dave Chokshi Photo: Twitter

sioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi.

“In the tug of war between vaccines and the variants, we should continue to bet on the vaccines. But now is the time for our whole City to pull to-

gether to defeat Delta.”

“We’ve come a long way from once being the ‘epicenter of the epicenter’ of COVID-19, but this pandemic is not over yet,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “We have a moral responsibility to take every precaution possible to ensure we keep ourselves, our colleagues and loved ones safe.

Our City’s new testing requirement for city workers provides more piece of mind until more people get their safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.”

The Mayor also made an official call for the private sector to enact vaccine and test mandates at their offices, workplaces, stores, and restaurants.

Approximately 4.9 million New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

This includes over 100,000 doses from mobile vaccination sites, 280,000 doors knocked by canvassers, and 20,000 doses given in-home to anyone who needs it. There have also been more than $80,000 in Referral Bonuses given to community organizations. p

Governor Cuomo Announces Historic Nearly $1.1 Billion in Grants to Support Child Care Providers

Gov. Andrew Cuomo Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

G COVID-19 VACCINES

health, health, COMMUNITY! FAMILY community! family

for OUR

and

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, e昀ective and will help us all get back to the activities and people we love.

VISIT nyc.gov/vaccinefinder OR CALL 877-829-4692 to get your COVID-19 vaccine.

FREE, regardless of immigration or insurance status.

Health

Bill de Blasio Mayor Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc Commissioner

overnor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State will administer nearly $1.1 billion in federal funding directly to child care providers to help stabilize the industry and enable more parents to return to the workplace fulltime. The funding — available through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act - represents the largest single investment in child care in New York State history. It will provide direct support to child care programs and help replenish losses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services will manage the grant funding.

Funding applications will open Wednesday, August 4.

Today's announcement gives child care providers time to prepare and gather relevant materials needed for their application.

"Stabilizing the child care industry is critical to New York's economic rebirth," Governor Cuomo said. "Many child care providers struggled to stay open throughout the pandemic as parents stayed home with their children. This monumental investment — the largest single investment in child care in our state's history - will allow these programs to continue providing essential services and enable more parents to return to the workplace full time."p

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July 2021

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Workers’ Matters medical bills and lost wages resulting from time taken off from work to heal. Ultimately, workers' comp benefits are intended to help you recover enough to get back to work within a reasonable amount of time following an accident.

In some cases, health care providers may determine that a worker won't recover beyond a certain point and is eligible for permanency benefits.

Permanent loss of bodily function and an inability to return to work could also warrant permanent disability benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Benfits/ continued from page 1 pensation, insurance, or wage replacement is given to employees injured on the job.

Under New York State law, workers’ compensation covers employees working in forprofit businesses and excludes most independent contractors.

Points to remember •Workers' compensation is a form of insurance that pays workers who are injured or become disabled due to their job.

•Accepting workers' compensation benefits means the employee waives the right to sue their employer.

•Most compensation plans offer coverage of medical fees related to injuries incurred as a direct result of employment.

•Workers' compensation is not the same as unemployment benefits or disability insurance.

Stopping Workers’ Compensation Benefits There are many circumstances when individuals or companies may stop providing certain services. For example, neglecting to pay monthly util-

ity bills could result in the cessation of electricity and other services.

Similarly, insurance companies may be able to cease payment of workers' comp benefits under certain circumstances. However, you may be able to get the insurance company to continue providing benefits in several ways.

Oftentimes, if your benefits stop too soon, it's best to speak with a workers' compensation attorney to help you determine your options. With the help of an attorney, you may be able to file issues with your state's

workers' compensation commission to reinstate your benefits.

Workers' Compensation Benefits Aren't Permanent It's important to keep in mind that workers' compensation benefits are intended to be temporary, with a few exceptions. The main goal of workers' comp benefits is to provide you with the financial support you need to recover and return to work following a workplace accident and subsequent injuries. Benefits could cover a variety of expenses, including

Why an Insurance Company Might Stop Paying Workers' Comp Benefits Some of the reasons why an insurance company could cut off benefits include: •A healthcare provider determines that a worker has reached a level of maximum medical improvement, which means that the worker won't recover any further and won't benefit from any additional treatment.

•The doctor designated by the insurance company determines that a recipient suffers from a pre-existing medical

condition that doesn't warrant compensation benefits.

•The employer's insurance company determines that the worker didn't suffer an injury as a result of a work-related accident.

•A healthcare provider provides a written report that indicates a worker is capable of returning to work.

Regardless of the circumstances, you may be able to file issues with your state's workers' compensation commission to appeal the decision to cut off benefits. From there, the commission will schedule a specific hearing date to discuss your case.

Consult with a Workers' Compensation Attorney If you are cut off from workers' compensation benefits and believe that you still qualify to receive them, you should speak with an experienced workers' comp attorney who can provide some additional advice on these matters. A reliable attorney will help determine if you have a case and may be able to help you seek reinstatement of benefits from an insurance company.p

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July 2021

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Union In Action

Striking Mineworkers and Supporters Bring Their Fight Back to NYC

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ore than a thousand United Mine Workers of America members and supporters have once again carried their ongoing strike against Alabama’s Warrior Met Coal to New York City. The group picketed the Manhattan offices of BlackRock, an investment management corporation that is the world’s largest asset manager, on Wednesday morning.

BlackRock is the largest shareholder in Warrior Met Coal, the Alabama company the UMWA has been on strike against since April 1. Union members and allies from Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and New York, including the NYC CLC and many local unions, joined in the show of solidarity as the strike looks to stretch into its fifth month. About 1,100 miners have been striking for better pay and benefits.

The current agreement with

Actors' Equity Association Applauds Reintroduction of the Bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act

A Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

the union was negotiated as Warrior Met emerged from the bankruptcy proceedings of the former Walter Energy, which declared bankruptcy in 2016.

Union members made numerous concessions in pay, benefits, holidays, overtime and in other areas to keep the company going and get it out of bankruptcy – concessions totalling more than $1.1 billion.

Warrior Met produces coal used in steel production in Asia, Europe and South America.

“We’re in New York City because we are simply following the money, and demanding that those who created that wealth, the miners, get their fair share of it,” said UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts p

ctors' Equity Association celebrated Congress reintroducing the bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA).

This bill would correct an unintended consequence of the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act which led to tax increases for many workers who could no longer deduct the cost of their ordinary and necessary unreimbursed business expenses.

“The overwhelming majority of Equity stage managers and actors are working-class people who work hard to make ends meet, and unlike other workers, they often have to spend 30 percent of their income on business expenses," said Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association.

"Our producers can deduct their business expenses, and

we should be able to do so too.

The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act will put more money in the pockets of working performers when they need it the most as we work toward recovery in the arts sector.”

To build support for PATPA, Equity has come together with arts and entertainment unions, working in partnership with each other to meet with Congressional offices.

Since PATPA was first introduced in June 2019, the unions have held dozens of meetings with congressional staff. Equity and SAG-AFTRA have also submitted testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee regarding the need for tax fairness for actors and stage managers.p —NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

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July 2021

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9

Money Matters

Tips to Manage Your Credit During a Divorce

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

A

lthough a divorce does not affect your credit directly, it can indirectly result in financial problems that can hurt your credit. Take for instance a situation where you lose one of two household incomes; the loss of that income can cause financial strain which results in missed payments on your loans, credit cards and various other bills. So, when you change your marital status, your credit is not affected, but it is the changes to your personal finances which are typically associated with divorce that can have a negative effect on your credit.

It is important to note that divorce does not automatically separate the credit you established with your previous spouse. What that means is that even though your debts are apportioned as part of your divorce decree, you will both still be held liable for the debt by creditors. Also, your account details, even the neg-

ative information like high credit utilization and late payments, can be reported to the credit bureaus and end up in your credit report as long as you are connected with the account. In the event that your ex-spouse promises to continue making payments on a joint account but defaults somehow, those missed payments will reflect on your credit report as well because you are equally responsible for that debt.

How to Manage Debt in a Divorce While the divorce itself is not significant to your credit status, it matters how the joint debt and credit accounts are managed. If you want to be able to maintain your financial and emotional balance, it is necessary to take the steps to manage your credit early. The following are three ways that you can manage and protect your credit in a divorce.

arate; do not wait until last minute to plan for life after divorce. If possible, before filing for divorce, you should both weigh up your joint loans, credit accounts and other bills.

Then, you can make the decision regarding who will be in charge of paying each one. In the event that you have savings accounts that are entwined, it is necessary to find out the best way to divide assets. Asset division can be done by determining the amount that each person added to the account.

Make a plan - You should create a plan before you even sep-

Split or close your accounts In other words, where possi-

ble, pay off and close all joint accounts. If it is not possible for you to do that, you can discuss converting the joint account to a personal account with your card issuer or lender. Your ex-spouse will then be removed as an authorized user or account holder.

Also make sure that your name is removed from every open account your ex-spouse plans to continue using.

Be responsible - It is important to remember that while waiting for your accounts to be completely separated, there is potential for you or your exspouse to cause damage to

each other's credit or to run up joint debt. This is something you want to avoid at all costs.

If you want your divorce process to go smoothly, and you want to maintain good credit during and after the divorce process, it is imperative that you act responsibly early on. Make it a point to make your minimum payments on time, and avoid racking up any debt that you don't plan to pay off yourself.

While a divorce can be very difficult to go through for couples, there are certain steps that you can take to make the process less stressful. If you do not take the issue of finances seriously and if you do not manage your credit well before, during and after the divorce, you may find yourself with bad credit and struggling to cope financially after the divorce. So, start taking the necessary steps to manage and protect your credit before you even file for divorce.p

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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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10

Know Your Rights

DON’T LET SOMEONE STEAL YOUR HOME.

Criminals prey on unsuspecting homeowners to illegally transfer property deeds.

Anyone can be a victim. Be on the lookout: check the status of your property with the NYC Department of Finance and sign up for alerts on any changes to your property documents.

Act now to check your deed!

Visit www.nyc.gov/deedfraud or call 311 for more information.

Everything You Need to Know About Real Estate Transfer Deeds

BY ANAND SRINIVASAN KAPLAN REAL ESTATE EDUCATION

T

he ownership of every piece of land in the United States is recorded and held at the County Recorder’s office. When ownership changes hands, this also needs to be reflected in the public records.

This process of transferring interest over a real estate asset is known as conveyance.

A transfer deed is a document that acts as the proof of conveyance. In other words, it’s the transfer of the ownership of a property. It has a property description that adheres to legal norms and identifies the current and subsequent owners. It also acknowledges the transfer between them in a language that legally specifies it as a deed.

It should be noted that a deed is different from a title. It is the vehicle through which the transfer of ownership takes place and not a legal right to the property, partial or complete.

When Is a New Deed Required?

Aside from selling the property to a new buyer, a transfer deed might be required in a few other scenarios. For instance, transfer deeds are required as proof of transfer if someone is planning to transfer property to a family member or to a business at no cost or if someone is planning to fund a living trust. Changes in the names of the title of the property may also require a transfer deed as documentation.

Transfer deeds are usually carried out between the buyer and the seller with the help of a lawyer. In either case, if you are the real estate agent for the buyer, it’s a good idea for the buyer to include you in the process as a witness. The witness is an important role should there be a conflict over the transaction in the future.

Types of Deeds There are essentially three types of transfer deeds that are based on the particulars of the deed, such as what the grantor can convey and the warranties included in the deed.

A general warranty deed is one of the most common forms of transfer deeds. It provides the greatest conveyance and protection to the buyer because it explicitly states that the property is free of liens and the seller holds no claims to its ownership. The buyer also reserves the right to sue the seller should this claim turn out to be false.

A special warranty deed guarantees less than the general warranty deed.

In this type of transfer deed, there is no guarantee against title defects or encumbrances that may have been present when the seller received the property nor does it obligate the seller to do anything further once the title is transferred. Special warranty deeds are frequently used by temporary holders of real estate assets such as corporations, trusts, or other fiduciaries who do not use or occupy the land for their own benefit.

A quitclaim deed is a particular type of special warranty transfer deed that carries no warranties at all. It merely conveys the interest that the grantor had in the property, whatever that may be. Quitclaim deeds are used to transfer rights where there is ambiguity over what those rights are in the first place. This is mostly commonly used to clear up title problems or to transfer property within a family or between spouses (especially after a divorce).

Joint Tenancy and Tenancy in Common When more than one person is purchasing a property, it is important to determine how these joint owners will take the title. There are two common types of shared ownership— joint tenants and tenants in common.

The type makes no difference in most of the rights and duties of the co-owners, but it does affect how the asset would be treated upon the death of a co-owner.

In the case of joint tenancy, when one of the co-owners dies, the share of the deceased passes automatically to the surviving joint tenants, regardless of the existence of the deceased owner’s will. In contrast to this, in the case of tenancy in common, the share in title of a dead co-owner is passed on to their heir or the people named in the deceased’s will.

Recording the Deed The last step in the conveyancing process is recording the deed, mortgage, or any other instrument in the county where the property is located.

Even though it is commonly called the county recorder’s office, land registry office, registrar or register of deeds, the name of the county office involved with recording real estate instruments varies from state to state.

This last step of recording the deed is extremely important because the continued on page 11

July 2021

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11

Family: The True Modern Relationship

Forgiveness: Why You Should Let Yourself Off the Hook

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

Y

our stress level rises when you are a slave to guilt. Nonetheless, you may feel unable to forgive yourself for your mistakes.

The pressure of not letting yourself off the hook creates depression, low self-esteem, and shame. Here's why it's time to love yourself more and put yesterday's errors to rest.

Your mistakes help you learn and grow.

Everybody is shaped by their mistakes. Without the occasional error, it's unlikely you would develop wisdom. Your blunders, however uncomfortable to experience, are life lessons that help you make smart choices the second time around. Rather than see them as shameful signals you aren't good enough, it's better to recognize their value.

Those life lessons gleaned from your mistakes sink into

your psyche. Unlike knowledge gained from books that might fade from memory, wisdom from gaffe-making sticks, and it's the disagreeable emotions you experience when you slip-up, like embarrassment and regret that aid the process.

You never want to experience the humiliation of falling asleep during a business meeting again, and will do your utmost not to overspend and beg your parents for a loan. Because of your mistakes, you're wiser and more self-sufficient.

Errors are inevitable Mistakes are inevitable components of life. No matter what you do, you'll always make them because there's always something new to learn.

You'll gain wisdom from old errors and forge fresh ones that make you even more astute. Besides, without them, you wouldn't experience the beautiful, humbling recogni-

tion of your vulnerability and lack of omnipotence.

Forgiveness can lead to love It's hard to be open-hearted and let love in until you practice self-forgiveness. While you are deep in shame and sorrow for your blunders, you carry the burden of guilt. You might reject kindness and offers of love because you imagine you aren't deserving. Forgive yourself and your heart will open to love again. You'll no-longer worry bonding with people might lead to disgrace and blame.

The shame that goes with

guilt isn't useful long term. It festers, eroding joy and self-esteem. Humans only experience shame because they have a concept of self. Less sophisticated creatures, like pets, don't fret about the past. They enjoy the moment, free from the torment of fault-recognition. You too can benefit from letting go of your perception of a shameful past and live in the present.

You've made mistakes. Who hasn't? They are part of life and encourage the growth of wisdom. Gather lessons from the past and use them to develop rather than let remorse and guilt blight your happiness. p

Real Estate Transfer Deeds / continued from page 10

owner’s interests are not fully protected unless and until the document is recorded. In addition to this, the sequence in which the deeds and other documents are recorded also determines the priority of various claims against the property.

Conclusion Transfer deeds form the legal backbone to a buyer’s or owner’s right to a property.

Poorly made transfer deeds or the absence of one could severely impact the right to property ownership. Even though these documents are generally short, as a real estate agent, it is important for you to understand their value and acknowledge their significance in the legal system.p Anand Srinivasan is the founder of Hubbion

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July 2021

12

Education

Power of Education in Transforming Lives: A Conversation with Dr. Ruth Westheimer

BY LINDA NWOKE SPECIAL TO WWT

I

t is common knowledge that America has an educational crisis; poverty, overcrowded classroom size, primary curriculum, adaptation to technology, inadequate parental involvement, obsolete policies are contributing to the raging storm. The worst-hit are the black and brown students.

Their situation has become exacerbated by the pandemic and inherent systemic inequalities, on top of the many challenges they face to acquire a decent education.

In New York State, the NY City school system remains one of the most degraded in the country, with a history of underfunding schools in communities of color, reinforcing the eternal generational poverty, limited opportunities, and reduced potentials for advancement. A situation that Chi Osse, a political activist

Dr Ruth Westheimer Editorial credit: Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock.com

and Brooklynite, explains on the Carlson Show, "You will think New York Public Schools are integrated. However, they are deeply segregated, and funding is based on performance."

Feeding a vicious cycle keeps students from having access to quality education, which makes them unable to compete equally with other students from different races. The limited and sometimes lack of educational resources in the new language of the world -

technology, robotics, artificial intelligence; overfunding school policing, and underfunded professional support such as school psychologists, career counselors, social workers that are more beneficial to the student's mental health, leads to continuous underperformance.

Other factors like the absence of relatable role models, stereotyping that leads to victimization based on skin color, and cultural insensitivity are also implicated. For instance, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that nearly 80% of teachers in public schools are white, and just over 6% are black.

Arguably, despite the constant search and effort towards addressing the problems — including various attempts and programs reviewing policies and addressing systemic inequalities, the crisis is still making a geometric progression.

However, there are exceptional cases of persons who have made it through difficult circumstances by sheer strong beliefs and determination, serving as a beckon of hope for the ones that trail from behind.

Have you ever met an individual with such a vibrant personality that literarily lights a bulb, someone with the proverbial larger-than-life personality? Such attempts describe this human dynamo called Dr. Ruth Westheimer.

Originally named Karola Ruth Siegel, Dr. Ruth Westheimer is a 'life teacher, author, media personality, and 'sex therapist 'widely known for the radio show "Dr. Ruth Show." She is a renowned TV personality, author with over 40 books, including - You're Beautiful, Roller Coaster Grandma, From You to Two, and featured in a documentary titled 'Ask Dr. Ruth.'

As a teacher, she lectured at Ivy schools like Yale, Princeton, Columbia's Teachers College, and Hunter College. She has a general support educational fund named after her — Dr. Ruth Westheimer Scholarship Fund, which affirms her solid belief in education.

According to the ex-paramilitary sniper, Holocaust survivor, and orphan, she learned from her late father that "education is the most important aspect of life and no one can take it away from you." A lesson that remained central in her life and served as the basis for the conversation with David Bryfman, CEO of the Jewish Education Project, where she shared insights about the role of education in transforming lives, especially how curiosity fosters life experiences, Secondly, the importance of love, especially expressed by parents towards their children during childhood, is essential. Keeping positive memories alive all contributed to supporting her to overcome excruciating obstacles. Recalling memories of her early childhood, as an only child raised by loving parents, then leaving for a group home in Switzerland, as part of an effort that takes Jewish children out of Nazi-occupied countries before World War II. A separation that became the last time she saw her parents or grandparents. A journey that unfolded into earning a degree in Swiss housekeeping from taking care of younger children, mopping floors, cleaning toilets, and not being allowed to pursue a formal education in another field because girls weren't allowed to get a higher diploma in other areas.

However, she remained determined and subsequently became an accomplished academic

scholar. First, she realized her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher, studied psychology at the Sorbonne, and traveled to the United States while managing family life.

She later earned a master's in sociology from The New School in New York and got a doctorate in community and family studies from Columbia's Teachers College. While working at Planned Parenthood, she wrote her doctoral thesis on contraceptive usage and abortion histories, which resulted in making her hold a strong opinion on the issue of "family, contraception, the importance of relationships in overcoming difficulties and moving beyond."

The 93-year-old, Teachers' College alumna believes strongly in the power of personal accountability and challenging self. Responding to the personal lessons learned from the Holocaust, the constant wave of anti-Semitism, and recently unfolding anti-Asian crimes, she emphasized the message of not promoting hate despite the provocation. And also the need to stand up, kick against the hate by lending a voice, and become adequately educated on the lessons and impact of hate. "Tell the children about the importance of not hating …emphasize that everything should not happen again, stand up and be counted." She explains in response to the personal lessons from the Holocaust.

Addressing mental health issues in the community and young people, Dr. Ruth recommends learning the lessons from the past but spending time dwelling on the future.

Using the pandemic as a case point, she explains that, "All of us have had a difficult time for a year and a half…I want everyone who has had a difficult time to stop talking about the past- the separation, not being able to date, and just go out and live. Now let's look forward and make relationships. Make sure you don't constantly complain about the past."

She suggests that everyone must seize the opportunity of being alive, live with hope and optimism, embrace change, and nurture relationships that foster happiness.p

July 2021

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13

Jobs & Recession

Want to Keep Your Job? Keep These Social Media Tips in Mind Looking to make extra cash? A side hustle?

BY JANET HOWARD

S

ocial media, from Facebook to Instagram to Twitter is the place where people like to boast, whine, vent and do everything in between. And before tagging restrictions were mainstream, it was also where people found embarrassing photos of themselves drunk, passed out or in various poses of unflattering sleep.

This is why it is no surprise that people's social media footprints have become an area of examination for hiring managers and employers.

Your social media feed can say so much about you, which could reflect how you are as an employee. It is important to be cautious when posting on social media. Here are a few don'ts that you want to keep in mind, especially if you want to keep your job.

Keep posts neutral Overtly political posts are common these days but it doesn't mean that they'll make your social media presence look good. Even though employ-

ees are not the company, they represent the company to some extent and overly political posts are hazards that most companies want to keep at arm's length. Save your political posts for drinks with like-minded friends and keep them out of your news feed.

Filter your posts diligently Social media is good for a lot of things, from passing on important current

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news and information to posting about general feel-good stuff for others to enjoy. If you enjoy a healthy social life chances are you are in a lot of photos taken by friends. Turn on features that allow you to screen what tagged posts appear on your feed.

Facebook and Instagram allow users to do this fairly easily, which can help you keep unflattering photos off your feed and out of your boss' sight.

Avoid job-related posts You may be tempted to rant about your co-worker, your boss, or the overall work culture at the office. Get a journal instead. It's private and personal and comes with zero risks that that one tweet about how you hate your job will come back to haunt you.

Aside from getting fired, job-related posts, especially those that contain proprietary information or those that are untrue can open you up to lawsuits.

Get to know your company's social media guidelines Your boss is responsible for coming out with clear social media guidelines for employees. A set of the guideline is crucial so there is no ambiguity about what employees can and should not post on social media. If you're not sure if a post is allowed, go back to your company's social media guidelines.

Social media is a useful tool for networking, socialization and even for communicating with co-workers.

However, it can open you up to liabilities and put your job in jeopardy when you post inappropriate, negative, derogatory or untrue content.

Avoid all these and keep your job safe by being circumspect about what you post. p Get more career resources at at www.freeparalegal.org

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July 2021

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14

In the News

Bezos Faces Backlash for Comments on Amazon Workers

A Jeff Bezos.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

mazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos has sparked a flurry of criticism this week after thanking his workers for paying for his flight into space. RWDSU President Stuart Applebaum said the comments by Bezos were obscene.

“It’s outrageous that Jeff Bezos says his rocket ship amusement park ride was paid for his workers," said Appelbaum. "He could have done a lot more for humanity if instead he paid his workers fairly and spent the money that was necessary to protect their health and safety and their lives. There is so much more Jeff Bezos should be doing for his employees, and now to say that they’re the ones who paid for his joyride is obscene.” p

Justice for Ballet Musicians!

M

usicians at the American Ballet Theatre are fighting for their livelihoods. Ballet management is taking advantage of the pandemic to cut costs and gut the musicians' contract. It's not fair that the ballet management has accepted $17.5 million in pandemic rescue funds from the government while refusing to pay musicians their wages or health insurance. AFM Local 802 president Adam Krauthamer has reached out to Senator Chuck

Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Jerry Nadler for their support. p

Congress Must Pass Editorial Workers at Forbes the Bipartisan Win Union Vote with 90.5% Infrastructure Framework E ditorial employees at Forbes voted 67-7 to be represented by The NewsGuild of New York, TNG-CWA Local 31003 in a National Labor Relations Board election that concluded Tuesday. The more than 100person bargaining unit includes reporters, editors, designers, videographers and social media editors.

On May 18, the Forbes Union had announced that more than

80% of the editorial staff had signed union authorization cards, requesting voluntary recognition from Forbes management. Members filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board on May 24 after the company refused to recognize the union. The mail-ballot vote was held from June 29 to July 20.

“After months of organizing, we're proud of our newsroom for coming together to make Forbes a fairer and more secure workplace for staffers at all levels,” said Rachel Sandler, a wealth reporter at Forbes. “We're excited to move forward as a unit to address diversity, pay equity, editorial integrity and much more at the bargaining table.”p

Climate Jobs NY Update: New Offshore Wind PLA

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

I

n another step forward for offshore wind in our region, this week the Southeastern Massachusetts Building Trades Council and Vineyard Wind signed a project labor agreement (PLA) for the 800 MW Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm, paving the way to bring

approximately 500 familysustaining union jobs to the area.The project will bring power to more than 400,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts, save ratepayers $1.4 billion over the first 20 years of operation, and is expected to reduce carbon emission by more than 1.6 million tons per year, the equivalent of removing 325,000 cars off the road annually, according to Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey.

In addition to the Vineyard Wind 1 building plans, the joint efforts will increase recruitment and training opportunities for underserved communities.p

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U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm Official Portrait 2021

O

n Monday, July 19, the IBEW hosted a webinar with nearly 700 IBEW officers, local union business managers, staff, and rankand-file members to hear from U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm about the Biden Administration's push for a bipartisan infrastructure bill. This bill is a chance to rebuild our country and create millions of good-paying union jobs across the country. The IBEW's input on this is a direct result of the strong relationship with President Biden and the work members put in last year toward electing a pro-union president and vice president.

The bipartisan infrastructure plan will: •Modernize our electrical grid •Invest over $14 billion in the electric vehicle (EV) industry and install 500,000 EV charging stations •Boost domestic manufacturing, and grow high-speed broadband in rural and underserved communities.

•Make the largest federal investment in public transit and passenger rail, broadband, and American manufacturing in history.

The IBEW has created a new website IBEWAction.org making it easy for all of us to take action. You do not have to be an IBEW member to use this website. You can easily send a letter to your members of Congress urging them to support this infrastructure plan. The IBEW’s action toolkit also includes shareable items for social media, talking points to share with friends and family, jobsite flyers, a sample “letter to the editor" for local publications, and more. We need everyone to engage in this effort as this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to better our country.

Write Congress. Tell them to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework.p

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July 2021

15

In The News

Fast Food Worker Just Cause Job Protections Effective July 4

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EW YORK, NY: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Acting Commissioner Sandra Abeles announced that the groundbreaking just cause law for fast food workers goes into effect on July 4 and that resources for employers and employees are now available. Under the new law, fast food employers cannot fire or lay off workers, or reduce their hours by more than 15 percent without just cause or a legitimate economic reason. The just cause law adds critical new job protections for fast food workers in addition to the existing fair scheduling protections under the City’s Fair Workweek Law. “For too long, fast food workers—a predominately minority and female workforce—have been treated as if they were disposable and yet they have been there for us on the frontlines throughout the pandemic,” said DCWP Acting Commissioner Sandra Abeles.

“These workers deserve better and no worker should be left jobless for unjust reasons – ever. This vital law will bring additional stability to the lives of these low-wage workers and ensure they can’t be fired on a whim.”

Under the new just cause law, fast food employers: •Cannot fire or reduce hours without just cause. Employers must give workers who passed their probation period retraining and an opportunity to improve and can only fire

underperforming workers after giving them multiple disciplinary warnings in a year or for egregious misconduct.

•Cannot lay off current workers except for economic reasons. Layoffs must be in reverse order of seniority, with the longest-serving workers laid off last.

•Must give a written explanation for firing, reduction of hours, or layoff.

•Must give laid-off or current workers priority to work newly available shifts. Employers must advertise open shifts on posters in the restaurant and by text or email. Employers can only hire new workers if no laid-off or current NYC workers accept the shifts by the posted deadline.

The just cause protections go into effect on July 4 and workers can immediately enforce their rights in court through a private right of action. DCWP will begin enforcing the just cause law on September 2. Beginning in January 2022, work-

ers also can request to resolve their complaints through binding arbitration by a DCWP administered panel of arbitrators.

Under the Fair Workweek Law, which went into effect in November 2017, fast food employers in New York City must also give workers regular, predictable general schedules, two weeks’ advance notice of their work schedules covering specific dates, premium pay of between $10-$75 for schedule changes, and the opportunity to work newly available shifts before hiring new workers.

Fast food employers also cannot schedule workers for a morning shift the day after a night shift unless workers consent in writing and are paid a $100 premium to work the shift. Similarly, fast food employers must obtain workers’ written consent before adding any time to their work schedules with less than two weeks’ notice and may not penalize them for declining to work.

Under the Law, retail employ-

ers must also give workers advanced notice of work schedules and may not schedule workers for on-call shifts or change workers’ schedules with inadequate notice.

Fast food employers must post the new NYC Fast Food Workers’ Rights Notice in English and any language that is the primary language of at least five percent of the workers if available on the DCWP website. Employers and employees can visit nyc.gov/workers or call 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside NYC) for the new Notice, which will soon be available in 16 languages, as well as an overview of the law, information about the required progressive discipline policy, templates, and soon-to-be added FAQs about the law.

Starting this month, DCWP will be conducting a series of educational walks and roundtables to educate workers and employers about the new protections.p

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July 2021

16

Home Ownership

Make Health a Priority When Remodeling

W

hen you tackle a remodeling project, there are many unknowns, including what types of materials you might uncover.

Hazardous materials must be addressed, and possibly removed, if exposed during a remodeling project. There are also some materials that should be removed to create a healthier home environment.

Whether materials “must be” or “should be” removed depends on several factors. It is always wise to consult with trained professionals, such as members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, when you encounter hazardous materials.

The complete removal of all hazardous materials is the preferred approach, but budget is often a hindrance. Thoroughly exploring your options may reveal a lower level of acceptable and more affordable mitigation.

Demolition Most common residential hazardous materials are not hazardous if they remain in a

not handled properly.

•Dust, which can be hazardous to some individuals who are sensitive or have breathing-related issues. Dust barriers and negative air enclosures can help minimize, but not eliminate, dust contamination to the rest of the home. Commercial dust “scrubber” filtering systems can significantly reduce dust contamination. dormant or undisturbed location. Typically, they become hazardous during the demolition phase when they are ground, cut, bumped, scraped or disturbed in some way, causing the materials to become airborne and inhaled.

Examples of common hazardous materials include: •Lead-based paint, which can be found on be anything that is painted or varnished such as windows, millwork, cabinets, siding, walls and other surfaces.

•Lead water lines, which are primarily hazardous after water sits in the lines for some time prior to consumption, although contamination still occurs dur-

ing normal flow rates.

•Asbestos, which was once commonly used in a wide range of materials such as pipe or duct insulation; flooring tiles or sheet goods; ceiling tiles and plaster; wall and attic insulation; and plaster used as a binder.

•Silica, which is exceptionally dangerous during saw cutting processes where dust is created.

•Mold, which is not hazardous until the spores are disturbed, become airborne and are inhaled or ingested. Any visible or detectable mold should be removed, and the surfaces cleaned or removed. High concentrations of mold should be addressed by trained professionals, as it can be hazardous if

Installation Once the existing hazardous materials are appropriately addressed, new materials will be placed in your home to replace or enhance the project. Due to strong demand by homeowners, you’re likely to find many options for healthy products.

For example, prefinished materials (that can be painted, stained or varnished off-site) aid in the reduction of on-site fumes and vapors.

Other products to look for when you’re remodeling with health in mind include: •Low volatile organic compounds, which limit the amount

of off-gassing of the materials used in the manufacturing process. Typically, these are paints, stains, varnishes, carpeting and vinyl products.

•Renewable products, which can be replenished quickly.

•Heat recovery ventilation systems that exchange the thermal qualities of the interior air with fresh air brought into the home.

•Air purification systems, which may involve ozone, pleated filters, high-micron filters, electrostatic filters or UV light systems, among others.

•Dehumidification systems designed to keep the relative humidity levels in a safe range to prevent mold growth.

•Exhaust fans in baths, kitchens, lower levels and workshops, installed to discharge smells, smoke, fumes and humidity.

•Radon systems designed to exhaust radon gases to the exterior.

Find more advice to navigate a health-conscious home remodel at remodelingdoneright.com.p (FamilyFeatures)

July 2021

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17

Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights

Biden Administration Commits to Returning Deported Veterans

BY AARON REICHLIN-MELNICK

S

ince the founding of the United States, immigrants have served in the U.S. military. In recognition of the sacrifices involved in military service, the federal government has provided an expedited path to citizenship for immigrant servicemembers for years—but it isn’t automatic and not all who serve qualify.

Given how easy it is for the federal government to detain and deport immigrants in the United States, many former servicemembers—often those suffering the consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder tied to their service—have been deported. But now, thanks to an announcement by the Biden administration, many of these veterans may get a second chance and will be allowed to reenter the United States.

Although the exact number of deported veterans is unknown, on average nearly two dozen were deported each year from 2013 to 2018.

Under the policy announced

by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the Biden administration is committing to “bringing back military service members, veterans, and their immediate family members who were unjustly removed.”

The decision to extend the

benefits and protections to the family members of veterans is important because many veterans have a family member who is undocumented or at risk of deportation. Advocates and veterans groups have argued that the United States should not deport close family of active duty troops or veterans. This new policy change will hopefully provide them some protection.

Veterans who then have an encounter with the criminal

justice system become at risk of deportation. Those who struggle with substance abuse, for example, and are convicted for a related offense are especially vulnerable.

Secretary Mayorkas also ordered DHS to conduct a full review of all enforcement policies to ensure that veterans receive as many opportunities as possible to remain in the United States. The agency will work to “protect and expand” naturalization opportunities for veterans and their families. It will also remove barriers to citizenship that the previous administration put in place.

Under the Trump administration, immigrants who joined the military as part of an Obama-era program known as MAVNI (“Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest”) to recruit specialists with in-demand skills were frequently blocked from

access to expedited naturalization. Nearly 4,000 immigrants who joined the military through MAVNI had their lives thrown in limbo when Trump tried to end the program. Biden’s recent announcement will hopefully give those individuals some relief.

In addition to immigration relief, the Veterans Administration (VA) will also be working to ensure that deported veterans can access VA benefits for which they may be entitled. The VA also plans to help deported veterans and their families get vaccinated.

Though there are few details on how DHS will bring back deported veterans, the new policy is a welcome one.

Those who put their lives on the line to serve the United States should not fear being banished from the country to which they have pledged their allegiance.p

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July 2021

18

Love, Health & Travel Delta Variant/ continued from page 1 SARS-CoV-2 strains, especially the new, highly transmissible delta variant, which has rapidly spread to at least 70 countries.

A person can develop immunity – the ability to resist infection – in two ways: either after being infected with a virus or by getting vaccinated. However, immune protection isn’t always equal. Vaccine immunity and natural immunity for SARS–CoV–2 can differ in terms of the strength of the immune response or the length of time that the protection lasts.

Additionally, not everyone will get the same level of immunity from infection, while immune responses to the vaccines are very consistent.

The difference in immune response between vaccination and infection seems to be even greater when dealing with new variants. In early July, two new studies were published that show COVID-19 vaccines, though slightly less effective than they are against the older strains of the virus, still seem to provide excellent immune response against the new vari-

tion. As many as 9% of infected people do not have detectable antibodies, and up to 7% don’t have T cells that recognize the virus 30 days after infection.

ants. Researchers looked at how antibodies bind to new variants of the coronavirus and found that people who were previously infected with coronavirus might be susceptible to the new strains, while people who were vaccinated were more likely to be protected.

COVID-19 vaccines offer a safe and reliable path to immunity against both the older strains of coronavirus and against emerging strains, especially the new delta variant.

Immunity after infection is unpredictable Immunity comes from the immune system’s ability to remember an infection. Using this immune memory, the body will know how to fight off an infection if it encounters the pathogen again. Antibodies are proteins that can bind to a virus and prevent infection.

T cells direct the removal of infected cells and viruses already bound by antibodies. These two are some of the main players that contribute to immunity.

After a SARS-CoV-2 infection, a person’s antibody and T cell responses can provide protection against reinfection.

Roughly 84% to 91% of people who developed antibodies against the original strains of coronavirus were unlikely to be infected again for six months, even after a mild infection. People who had no symptoms during the infection are also likely to develop immunity, though they tend to make fewer antibodies than those who felt ill. So for some people, natural immunity may be strong and long-lasting.

One big problem is that not everyone will develop immunity after a SARS-CoV-2 infec-

For people who do develop immunity, the strength and duration of the protection can vary a lot. Up to 5% of people may lose their immune protection within a few months.

Without a strong immune defense, these people are susceptible to reinfection by the coronavirus. Some have had second bouts of COVID-19 as soon as one month after their first infection; and, though it occurs rarely, some people have been hospitalized or have even died after reinfection.

A growing problem is that people who were previously infected by strains present earlier in the pandemic may be more susceptible to reinfection from the delta variant. One recent study found that 12 months after infection, 88% of people still had antibodies that could block infection of cultured cells with by the original coronavirus variant – but fewer than 50% had antibodies that could block the delta vari-

ant.

To top this all off, a person who is infected may also be able to transmit the coronavirus, even without feeling sick. The new variants are especially problematic in this case, as they are more easily transmitted than the original strains.

Vaccination leads to reliable protection COVID-19 vaccines generate both antibody and T cell responses – and these responses are much stronger and more consistent than immunity after natural infection. One study found that six months after receiving their first dose of the Moderna vaccine, 100% of people tested had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. This is the longest period that has been reported in published studies so far. In a study looking at the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, antibody levels were also much higher in vaccinated people than in those who had recovered from infection.

Even better, a study in Israel showed that the Pfizer vaccine blocked 90% of infections after

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19

Love, Health & Travel

5 Tips for a Successful Relationship

BY MARY CAMPBELL

S

triving for a successful relationship is common, but actually having one is less so. This may be attributable to increased access to potential partners via dating apps as well as heavy social media use, which can give a false impression of the prevalence of happy couples. In the end, these factors lead to more people searching endlessly for the "right partner" or for their "soul mate."

No one wants to settle for a less than perfect relationship, but all this hunting leaves behind a critical notion: successful relationships aren't found, they are developed through hard work.

With this in mind, here are five tips for a successful relationship: Don't expect perfection Successful relationships are not synonymous with perfect relationships, because perfection doesn't exist. If you expect

perfection in your relationship, you will end up disappointed.

Knowing where to set the bar is key to happiness, and ultimately success, between you and your partner.

If you hold your partner to an unrealistic expectation, they will always feel they are failing you. Unfortunately, this may quickly lead to them stopping all efforts because they know they will never be good enough in your eyes. On the other hand, if you reward their efforts, even if those efforts aren't perfect, your partner will be encouraged to keep trying.

No one wants to fail. This isn't the same as settling, however. Not everyone is a potential partner, but the partner you eventually choose shouldn't be held to an unrealistic standard. Everybody's human.

Consider what characteristics matter When it comes to picking a partner, you need to really consider what matters. This is potentially very different from

what you find attractive, so be careful. For example, you may find a career-driven person very attractive because they have the potential to make a lot of money. They are hardworking and passionate about what they do. However, if you want to have children and your goal is to spend a lot of time together as a family, the career-driven aspect of this

person may not square with your vision of a successful relationship.

It's important to extrapolate these initial characteristics about your partner to see how they might fit in with the life you value. It's easier to consider your ideal future and then work backward on what characteristics would help bring that about. Remember

that you won't be able to change a person's key characteristics, no matter how much they love you. It's best to choose a partner whose values will mesh with yours.

Expect to work at it Just because you choose a great partner does not mean continued on page 20

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Love, Health & Travel Successful Relationship / continued from page 19 you won't have to work at the relationship. Hard work is simply part of a successful relationship. In fact, people inherently take less pleasure in things when they are too easy.

It is this hard work that you put into your relationship that will make you more satisfied with your relationship in the long run.

Putting in work means constantly considering what your partner needs, which will change over the years. Likewise, your partner will need to adjust to your changing needs as well. This is best exemplified by having a first child, when life changes drastically from when you were first a couple.

Working at your relationship means not becoming complacent or expectant. It means continuously trying to make your partner happy and acknowledging their efforts when they do the same for you.

No imaginary partners Don't compare your partner to some imaginary ideal. This is

both common and dangerous.

You may start to compare your partner's efforts and actions to a person who doesn't exist but who always does the right thing. This is just another version of expecting perfection.

No one is perfect. An imaginary person, who you may convince yourself is actually out there somewhere, becomes a way for you to undermine your partner. They may do the same to you. This will feel like failure to both of you.

For a successful relationship, set reasonable and attainable expectations for your partner and talk to them when you feel

they've missed the mark. Rely on communication and positivity rather than comparing them to someone who doesn't exist.

Don't leave too soon Hard work takes time, so don't expect to put in work and have everything immediately pay off. If your partner is someone who possesses the characteristics and values you have carefully considered, give them time to reciprocate the hard work. You are building a successful relationship one brick at a time, and that doesn't happen in a day.

Rather than defaulting to leaving when things don't go well, turn to more open communication with your partner.

Also, consider the expectations you are setting and ask yourself if they are reasonable. If they are, explain to your partner how they can do a better job. Then, give them the time to actually do it.

Successful relationships will have ups and downs over time. If you expect this and you expect to work at your relationship, you have a very good chance at enjoying a successful relationship.p

Delta Variant / continued from page 18 both doses – even with new variants present in the population. And a decrease in infections means people are less likely to transmit the virus to the people around them.

For those who have already been infected with the coronavirus, there is still a big benefit to getting vaccinated. A study with the original COVID-19 virus showed that vaccination after infection produces roughly 100 times more antibodies than infection alone, and 100% of people who were vaccinated after infection had protective antibodies against the delta variant.

The COVID-19 vaccines aren’t perfect, but they produce strong antibody and T cell responses that offer a safer and more reliable means of protection than natural immunity – especially with new variants on the loose.p This is an updated version of an article originally published on May 25, 2021.

Jennifer T. Grier is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Immunology, University of South Carolina

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Conversations

Swimming Gives Your Brain a Boost

BY SEENA MATTHEW THE CONVERSATION

I

t’s no secret that aerobic exercise can help stave off some of the ravages of aging. But a growing body of research suggests that swimming might provide a unique boost to brain health.

Regular swimming has been shown to improve memory, cognitive function, immune response and mood.

Swimming may also help repair damage from stress and forge new neural connections in the brain.

But scientists are still trying to unravel how and why swimming, in particular, produces these brain-enhancing effects.

As a neurobiologist trained in brain physiology, a fitness enthusiast and a mom, I spend hours at the local pool during the summer. It’s not unusual to see children gleefully splashing and swimming while their parents sunbathe at a distance – and I’ve been one of those parents observing from the poolside plenty of times. But if more adults recognized the cognitive and mental health benefits of swimming, they might be more inclined to jump in the pool alongside their kids.

New and improved brain cells andconnections Until the 1960s, scientists believed that the number of neurons and synaptic connections in the human brain were finite and that, once damaged, these brain cells could not be replaced. But that idea was debunked as researchers began to see ample evidence for the birth of neurons, or neurogenesis, in adult brains of humans and other animals.

Now, there is clear evidence that aerobic exercise can contribute to neurogenesis and play a key role in helping to reverse or repair damage to neurons and their connections in both mammals and fish.

Research shows that one of the key ways these changes occur in response to exercise is through increased levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The neural plasticity, or ability of the brain to change, that this protein stimulates has been shown to boost cognitive function, including learning and memory.

Studies in people have found a strong relationship between concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor circulating in the brain and an increase in the size of the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for learning and memory. Increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor have also been

shown to sharpen cognitive performance and to help reduce anxiety and depression. In contrast, researchers have observed mood disorders in patients with lower concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Aerobic exercise also promotes the release of specific chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. One of these is serotonin, which – when present at increased levels – is known to reduce depression and anxiety and improve mood.

In studies in fish, scientists have observed changes in genes responsible for increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels as well as enhanced development of the dendritic spines – protrusions on the dendrites, or elongated portions of nerve cells – after eight weeks of exercise compared with controls. This complements studies in mammals where brain-derived neurotrophic factor is known to increase neuronal spine density. These changes have been shown to contribute to improved memory, mood and enhanced cognition in mammals. The greater spine density helps neurons build new connections and send more signals to other nerve cells. With the repetition of signals, connections can become stronger.

But what’s special about swimming?

Researchers don’t yet know what swimming’s secret sauce might be. But they’re getting closer to understanding it.

Swimming has long been recognized for its cardiovascular benefits. Because swimming involves all of the major muscle groups, the heart has to work hard, which increases blood flow throughout the body. This leads to the creation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. The greater blood flow can also lead to a large release of endorphins – hormones that act as a natural pain reducer throughout the body.

This surge brings about the sense of euphoria that often follows exercise.

Most of the research to understand how swimming affects the brain has been done in rats. Rats are a good lab model because of their genetic and anatomic similarity to humans.

In one study in rats, swimming was shown to stimulate brain pathways that suppress inflammation in the hippocampus and inhibit apoptosis, or cell death. The study also showed that swimming can help support neuron survival and reduce the cognitive impacts of aging. Although researchers do not yet have a way to visualize apoptosis and neuronal survival in people, they do observe similar cognitive outcomes.

One of the more enticing questions is how, specifically, swimming enhances short- and long-term memory. To pinpoint how long the beneficial effects may last, researchers trained rats to swim for 60 minutes daily for five days per week. The team then tested the rats’ memory by having them swim through a radial arm water maze containing six arms, including one with a hidden plat-

form.

Rats got six attempts to swim freely and find the hidden platform. After just seven days of swim training, researchers saw improvements in both short- and long-term memories, based on a reduction in the errors rats made each day. The researchers suggested that this boost in cognitive function could provide a basis for using swimming as a way to repair learning and memory damage caused by neuropsychiatric diseases in humans.

Although the leap from studies in rats to humans is substantial, research in people is producing similar results that suggest a clear cognitive benefit from swimming across all ages. For instance, in one study looking at the impact of swimming on mental acuity in the elderly, researchers concluded that swimmers had improved mental speed and attention compared with nonswimmers. However, this study is limited in its research design, since participants were not randomized and thus those who were swimmers prior to the study may have had an unfair edge.

Another study compared cognition between land-based athletes and swimmers in the young adult age range. While water immersion itself did not make a difference, the researchers found that 20 minutes of moderate-intensity breaststroke swimming improved cognitive function in both groups.

Kids get a boost from swimming too The brain-enhancing benefits from swimming appear to also boost learning in children.

Another research group recently looked at the link between physical activity and how children learn new vocabulary words. Researchers taught children age 6-12 the names of unfamiliar objects. Then they tested their accuracy at recognizing those words after doing three activities: coloring (resting activity), swimming (aerobic activity) and a CrossFit-like exercise (anaerobic activity) for three minutes.

They found that children’s accuracy was much higher for words learned following swimming compared with coloring and CrossFit, which resulted in the same level of recall. This shows a clear cognitive benefit from swimming versus anaerobic exercise, though the study does not compare swimming with other aerobic exercises. These findings imply that swimming for even short periods of time is highly beneficial to young, developing brains.

The details of the time or laps required, the style of swim and what cognitive adaptations and pathways are activated by swimming are still being worked out. But neuroscientists are getting much closer to putting all the clues together.

For centuries, people have been in search of a fountain of youth. Swimming just might be the closest we can get.p

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