Members of Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders Kenya distribute food to vulnerable families in the Mathare slum of Nairobi on April 25. Fredrik Lerneryd/AFP/Getty Images

The next time you react when your six-foot perimeter is violated at a grocery store or on the sidewalk, imagine how much worse it could be. For hundreds of millions of people who live in unplanned settlements, slums, and refugee camps around the world, anything approaching social distancing is a cruel impossibility.

Likewise, the next time you wash your hands, think of the 3 billion or so people who cannot do so within the safety of their own homes due to lack of running water.

If you wonder whether to call your doctor about a cough or fever, recall that Africa has less than one-tenth the number of doctors per capita as the United States and an even greater shortage of essential medical technology. (Sierra Leone has only a handful of ventilators for nearly 8 million people.)

Johns Hopkins Universitys global map tracking the coronavirus shows that it has barely reached sub-Saharan Africa yet, compared to most of the Northern Hemisphere. There are only 33,748 reported cases as of April 27, about 1 percent of all cases reported globally.

But any serious global strategy to deal with this pandemic must look at the horizon, where a brewing African catastrophe is taking shape.

If COVID-19 spreads across Africa, it would not only be a human catastrophe for the continent, but one that threatens the Northern Hemisphere with future outbreaks and further human and economic losses. What is true in the United States, where people in poor and minority neighborhoods are dying in disproportionate numbers, is true for the world as a whole: No one will be safe so long as anyone is at risk.

If the United States, Europe, and others succeed in containing the virus in the coming months, there is no way contagion throughout Africa could be contained there. A second wave rising in Africa would almost surely crash on U.S. shores. In this way, the coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the worlds interdependence; the future safety of every U.S. community therefore depends on the success of every community in Africa and elsewhere.

While giving priority to the fight here at home is essential, the time to help Africa fight the virus is now.

Its true that Africas population is younger than most, with a median age of only 19.7 years, and potentially less vulnerable. Its also true that African urban areas are generally farther apart and Africans travel from area to area less frequently than in many of the worlds most industrialized countries. And some countries, such as Nigeria, Liberia, Uganda, and others that have dealt with Ebola, have built on their hard-won achievements and put into place structures from dealing with previous contagions.

But throughout the continent there are crowded slums; challenged health systems; scarce medical resources; immune systems weakened by malnutrition, HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases; and growing but vulnerable economies. These factors make the outlook grim.

That is why the World Health Organization (WHO) and leading advocates are calling for immediate attention to Africa.

As Americans have learned to their growing sorrow, a delayed start in responding fully to the pandemic means far more unnecessary deaths and greater economic loss than is necessary.

African leaders on the other hand have generally taken swift initial public health actions to combat COVID-19.

South Africa, for example, imposed a nationwide state of disaster on March 15, at a time when there were only 61 reported cases and no deaths. This bought time for training, preparing, and protecting more health care workers; scaling up testing facilities; opening pop-up clinics and employing contact tracing and isolation in high density areas. South Africas curve has flattened for now, and the country has far fewer cases (4,793) than initially predicted.

Some nations with strong community health programs and outreach workers, such as Rwanda and Ethiopia, are providing information and support through trusted community leaders to help deploy vast networks of contact tracing and community response. Their leadership in investing in community health worker programs provides a lesson for the United States, United Kingdom, and other high-income nations that are only now scrambling to develop a workforce capable of widespread contact tracing and community support before reopening the economy.

The government of Malawi is using predictive models previously developed for identifying hot spots for food insecurity and malaria risk to target assistance on areas likely to be hit the hardest by COVID-19 (due to age, co-morbidities, population movements, and flu-like illnesses).

In such countries, fast-moving efforts may help them stay ahead of the virus long enough to put into place high-volume testing, contact tracing, and isolation, as well as temporary intensive care facilities with respiratory support. But because so many are living on the edge of poverty, lockdowns are becoming extremely challenging to maintainas farmers are unable to transport their food, markets are closed, and those reliant on daily income from the informal labor market lose their means of sustenance, people run out of critical medicines, and pregnant women struggle to find timely transport before giving birth. And the absence in many areas of indoor running water and toilets makes it difficult or impossible to obey wash your hands public service announcements.

For many African countries, a delayed but still exponential growth of COVID-19 cases seems very likely. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called COVID-19 an existential threat, and reported a 43 percent increase in new cases over one week in April. The WHO is warning that the continent could see 10 million cases. Despite their best efforts to prepare, health systems could quickly be overrun by a lack of health care workers, an inability to maintain lockdown, and a supply of personal protective equipment, test kits, and ventilators choked off by global competition.

This deadly mix must be addressed and ameliorated through massive, urgent global support. Unlike the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, which focused on three countries in West Africa, COVID-19 infections have been confirmed in 52 African nations to date, including multiple countries with ongoing conflicts and substantial populations of internally displaced persons.

The U.S. government and other wealthy nations have an opportunity to play a positiveeven transformationalrole by supporting African governments and other actors. In coordination with United Nations agencies, the World Bank, the Africa CDC and the African Union, the African Development Bank and others, Washington can help vulnerable nations battle the virus and reduce future waves of infection on its own shores.

Congress should bolster the U.S. response to the global epidemican extension of the domestic responsethrough urgent, supplemental funding. Meeting needs such as prefabricated intensive-care units, bolstering food security and availability of water, sanitation, and hygiene, and supportive care through telemedicine will immediately save lives. In addition, financing is needed for the expansion of other essential elements of health security, such as laboratory strengthening, surveillance support, and personal protective equipment, which is in such short supply globally that the U.S. government has actually resorted to attempting to source supplies from countries that are recipients of U.S. aid.

Congress should also immediately increase support to U.S. global health programs already on the ground. Over the past 17 years, the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has spent $75 billion in the African region. Together with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, it has changed the trajectory of previously existing pandemics. The incidence of new HIV infections has declined 28 percent in the hard-hit regions of East and Southern Africa since 2010, with deaths declining by 44 percent there over the same period as millions of Africans gained access to antiretroviral therapy in Africa.

These successful health platforms offer the COVID-19 response established networks of data-driven public health leaders, extensive supply chain networks, nimble nongovernmental organizations and front-line health care workers who are already pivoting to support all elements of the coronavirus response on the continent. They are already gearing up their pooled procurement mechanisms to address inequitable distribution of critical supplies. And their involvement, as well as other U.S.-sponsored programs in maternal and child health and family planning, are essential to protecting the substantial gains in HIV, tuberculosis, malaria eradication, vaccination and family planning coverage during the pandemic.

The U.S. government should also provide further support for research and development of medicines and vaccines that can save lives in the United States and beyond. Investments in international partnerships such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations will help to meet global access needs while leveraging funding from other nations. Additional support for organizations such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance can help to ensure advance-purchase commitments are in place to help shape a healthy marketplace that ensures the ability to rapidly scale up production and distribution.

The WHOdespite U.S. President Donald Trumps threat to withdraw U.S. fundingmust continue to play an essential role in supporting coordinated and evidence-based public health action across African and other nations, and Congress should strongly protect its funding.

Bill and Melinda Gates have shown that private citizens can also have a transformational impact on Africas health infrastructure, and on April 16 they announced that they will more than double their foundations contribution to the WHO. Jack Dorsey, the chief executive of Twitter and Square, pledged to donate $1 billion to relief programs related to the virus. And wealthy celebrities, such as Charlize Theron, Rihanna and Jay-Z have contributed to fight the impact of COVID-19 in Africa.

The economic costs of shortchanging the continent would be high. At the end of 2019, the five fastest-growing economies globally were in Africa; now, sub-Saharan Africas gross domestic product is expected to contract by 1.6 percent this year, plunging the region into its first recession in 25 years, according to the International Monetary Fund. South Africas economy has already slid into recession and Nigeria and Angola are expected to follow suit. Tourisma sector that accounts for $40 billion in revenue annuallycould collapse. As many as 20 million jobs could be lost in the region, according to the African Union, and foreign investment could decline by 15 percent.

Africas cities, where nearly half of the continents population lives and where 50 percent of Sub-Saharan Africas GDP is generated, could be devastated. The social costs of increasing poverty in Africa will be felt for years as children lose access to schooling and will live with the consequences of early childhood deprivation.

It is understandable that at such a challenging moment, some Americans may want their government to stay focused solely on the COVID-19 crisis at home. This approach is understandable but shortsighted. Even those traditionally skeptical of U.S. engagement abroad must recognize the cascading costs for Americans of new contagions elsewhere. The costs for the United States and the rest of the world will be significant in new waves of migration, lost investments and crippled trading partners, lack of natural resources, interrupted supply chains, and pressure for still greater economic support in the future. Already, African finance ministers are requesting $100 billion for debt relief and economic stimulus.

Most importantly, human lives, in Africa and beyond, are at stake. The virus is attacking all of humanity. Humanitys response will not only be a test of our sense of collective self-interest, but also of our collective soul.

Excerpt from:
It's Time for Europe and the United States to Help Africa Fight the Coronavirus - Foreign Policy

Updated / Wednesday, 29 Apr 2020 22:47

Britain now has Europe's second-highest official death toll from the coronavirus pandemic, according to new figures that cover fatalities in all settings, including in nursing homes.

Public Health England has said that some 26,097 people died after testing positive for the virus.

It includes 765 deaths reported in the 24 hours to 5pm on Tuesday.

It is the first time data on the number of deaths in care homes and the wider community has been included in the Government's daily updates.

The new method of reporting includes an additional 3,811 deaths since the start of the outbreak.

Of these, around 70% were outside hospital settings and around 30% were in hospital.

PHE medical director Dr Yvonne Doyle said: "Every death from Covid-19 is a tragedy.

"Tracking the daily death count is vital to help us understand the impact of the disease.

"These more complete data will give us a fuller and more up-to-date picture of deaths in England and will inform the government's approach as we continue to protect the public.

"It will remain the case that ONS (Office for National Statistics) data, which publishes every week with data from 11 days ago, includes suspected cases where a test has not taken place.

"ONS figures will therefore continue to include more deaths than our daily series."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Keir Starmer earlier had a "constructive" phone call, with both leaders agreeing to continue speaking about the national UK effort to defeat Covid-19.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister spoke to Sir Keir Starmer on the phone this afternoon and updated him on the government's efforts to combat coronavirus.

"It was a constructive call and they agreed to continue speaking about the national effort to defeat the virus."

During Prime Minister's Questions today, Mr Starmer claimed that Britain's efforts to secure personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers were getting worse not better.

He asked the government to explain how long it will take to fix the issue, as he also warned the UK looks on course for one of the worst Covid-19 death rates in Europe.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab acknowledged there are "challenges on the frontline", but insisted there was a global supply shortage on PPE and the government was doing "absolutely everything we can" to improve the situation.

He was deputising for Mr Johnson after the prime minister's fiance Carrie Symonds gave birth to a baby boy.

Mr Starmer began by asking why deaths in care homes are still rising, to which the First Secretary of State replied by stating it is a "challenge that we must grip and can grip".

Mr Starmer went on: "Six weeks ago on March 17, the Government's chief scientific adviser (Sir Patrick Vallance) indicated the Government hoped to keep the overall number of deaths from coronavirus to below 20,000.

"He said that would be 'good' by which in fairness to him he meant successful in the circumstances. But we're clearly way above that number and we're only partway through this crisis and we're possibly on track to have one of the worst death rates in Europe.

"On Monday, the Prime Minister said in his short speech that many were looking at our apparent success in the UK. But does the First Secretary agree with me that far from success these latest figures are truly dreadful?"

Mr Raab replied: "This is an unprecedented pandemic, a global pandemic, and I think in fairness we shouldn't criticise either the CMO (chief medical officer) or the deputy CMO for trying to give some forecast in response to the questions that many in this chamber and many in the media are calling for."

Turning to PPE, Mr Starmer said: "I recognise the challenge the government faces on this, I recognise that getting the right piece of equipment to the right place every time is very difficult, but lives do depend on it.

"And it is ten weeks since the Health Secretary declared that there was a serious and imminent threat to life. You'd hope that by now, things would be getting better, not worse."

Mr Starmer added: "So can I ask the First Secretary, what is going on and how soon can it be fixed?"

Mr Raab replied: "I feel animated, inspired to do even better, but he needs to recognise on PPE that there is a global supply shortage and we're doing absolutely everything we can to make sure that those on the front line get the equipment that they need."

Mr Starmer went on to encourage the government to publish details about what happens in the next phase and on the exit strategy, with Mr Raab saying he could not offer a time frame.

The Labour leader said: "France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland and Wales have all published exit plans of one sort or another.

"(Mr Raab) said, 'well what are the proposals, what should they cover?'. If you look at those plans, as he's done and I've done, it's clear that there are common issues such as schools reopening, business sectors reopening.

"These are the issues that, if he wants me to put them on the table, I absolutely will."

He added: "Delay risks not only falling behind other countries, but also the successful four-nation approach so far."

Mr Raab responded: "The Scottish Government has not set out an exit strategy. I read through very carefully their 25-page document, it was eminently sensible and it was grounded in the five tests that I set out on April 16."

On testing, Mr Raab also said the Prime Minister's 250,000 tests a day target remains "an aspiration" but would not put a date on it.

Additional reporting PA

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UK has second-highest Covid-19 death toll in Europe - RTE.ie

Tony Kanaan has pretty much seen and done it all when it comes to IndyCar.

The Brazilian driver has been a fixture in the sport for 23 years and was hopeful to remain full time and continue his streak of 317 races (most all-time) going. However, economic circumstances didnt come together to make that a possibility, and instead he will run a partial schedule in 2020 at the five ovalsGateway, Indianapolis, Iowa, Richmond and Texasin the No. 14 Chevrolet for legendary team owner AJ Foyt.

Icon SportswireGetty Images

At 45 years young, Kanaan has enjoyed a stellar career that many would trade for in a minute.

In 2004, he scored three wins, 11 podiums and two poles to capture his only IndyCar championship. In the process he became the first driver to complete every lap in a season (3,305 laps889 of which he led).

Additionally, a massive weight was lifted off his shoulders after he finally claimed victory in the 2013 edition of the Indianapolis 500.

Kanaan has written a fairy tale career for himself, but he keeps his eyes forward waiting for the next green flag to wave. In the meantime, he decided to share some thoughts with Autoweek about his career, the evolution of IndyCar and more.

Autoweek: What have you been doing to keep busy during this quarantine period?

Tony Kanaan: Well, we have four kids, so we're plenty busy. There's not a day in this house from seven o'clock in the morning until it's bedtime that we're not busy. I love working out, so I train a lot. We have our home gym, which I'm extremely fortunate to have. I'm concentrating on some specific workouts to keep fit to be able to drive the race car, but also I'm training for an Ironman triathlon that I'm going to do in October. I'm training four to six hours a day between the weights and the bike and the runs. It's about being busy. So, I have a pretty busy schedule from the moment I wake up to bedtime. Now, obviously including the iRacing and stuff that I never had done in my life until a few weeks ago, I've been trying to learn as much as I can because my competitive side doesn't let me just say, 'Ah, relax. This is just for fun. This is not serious.' But, I get carried away and try to be competitive.

Icon SportswireGetty Images

AW: Youre one of the few I can ask this to, so what is more challenging: Winning an IndyCar championship or the Indianapolis 500?

TK: They're different, right? A championship, you have to be consistent through the entire year. You have to do your job. So, I would say the 500 and not because of the magnitude of the race, but it's one race. You have that day to get everything right. Right? If you don't get it right, you've got to wait another year. In the championship, you can have a bad race or two and then you can recover from that later on. To me, I would say the 500.

AW: You came into Indy car racing with the likes of Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti, among others. How does this new generation of driversOliver Askew, Colton Herta, Patricio OWard, Felix Rosenqvist, etc.compare to when you came into the sport roughly 20-plus years ago?

TK: Every generation is different, man. In my opinion, we keep improving. When I came in it was Al Unser Jr., (Alex) Zanardi, Jimmy (Vasser)those guys were on the way outthen, it was Dixon and I. They're just different. I mean, it's hard to compare generations, in my opinion, especially when you talk about, look at me, I've been around for 23 years, things have changed so much since then between cars and everything else. So to me, it's hard to judge, 'Oh, we're better. They were better.' It's just different. I think the kids have the same fire we all did, which is a good thing. In a way, they're more tech savvy, I would say. These kids text and they are up to speed on things that you go, 'What are you talking about?' When I started, we already had digital dashes but we had like three buttons in a steering wheel. Now, we have like 20, so it takes us older guys a little longer to get used to, when the kids they just come in and go, 'That's easy.' I'm like, 'Whoa, OK.'

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AW: On that end, its pretty impressive to see how technical Indy Lights has become as a training ground, delivering IndyCar-ready drivers like Askew, Herta, OWard and Rinus VeeKay. How different is that compared to your days there in 1996?

TK: Yeah, but I have to say back then, no disrespect to Indy Lights, our championships were tougher. When I talk about, remember Dixon and I, it was just different times, right? You talk about a different economy. I mean, it was really strong. So I think these guys, it emphasized even more the kids because they are extremely competitive in IndyCar coming from a level of an Indy Lights championship that is not up to the level that we raced. Again, no disrespect to the championship right now, but that's what we're trying to build. We're still trying to build that.

AW: The technology, grid size (28 drivers entered races in 1996 versus 13 in 2019) and depth of talent was closer to IndyCar level back then than it is now, is that what you're saying?

TK: Correct. Again, I'm not trying to sound like I'm disrespecting them, but that's just the reality.

AW: Youve been around a minute and seen the transition of Indy car racing from the CART erapost-splitto the reunification through to what we have today. If there is one thing missing in the current IndyCar product to take it to the next level, what might that be?

Chris GraythenGetty Images

TK: Well, it's hard. When you think about how much money we used to spend, we had 1,000 horsepower, but the engines would last a race and you'd have to rebuild them. So it's easy for me to sit here and say, 'Well, we need more horsepower.' We used to change chassis every year or every two. It's insane. Times have changed. I think there's a lot of room for improvement, but you got to be careful when you say that because when you try to make it where you add tech and add power and add this and that, then you become Formula 1. Then you need a $100 million budget that people don't have. So I don't think we're missing, I just think we are adapting to times. Can an Indy car go 250 mph? 100%, tomorrow if you want to. The problem is how do you want to approach this; do we want to grow the series or do we want to have nobody racing because nobody has the money that can afford to go racing? So to me, I don't think we need to change anything. I think we need to be smart and keep the way we're doing, slowly improving. I can say, 'Yeah, you know what, we need a 1,000-horsepower (car). We need bigger cars, need to do this.' But then, what's the cost of that? We're going to increase the cost $6 million from one year to the other, then you can't do it because teams won't survive. These are different times, so I think it's not what we need to change, it's how smart are we going to be to adapt and still keep the fans entertained. Doing 240 mph to 260 mph, in my opinion, when you see in the grandstands, it's just a number. You can't really say, 'Oh my God, this is much quicker.' You know what I mean? I also don't see it saying that we're in the point that we're so competitive level-wise, the product is good that we're going to gather more fans because we add those kinds of things. Technically, we're safe, we're fast, we're competitive. It's not about that. It's about how can we gather the new fans to be more engaged to grow the series like that because this is the only way you do it. You grow the series, you'll become popular, sponsors will come, fans will attend the races and that's it. That's how the sport survives.

Q&A: IndyCar Sophomore Felix Rosenqvist

AW: There seems to be a growing sentiment from drivers that have come over to America after racing in Formula 1 or other European categories and have hailed IndyCar a proper drivers championship.

TK: Which is great because when you think about it, how many talented drivers that we probably know, like I know a handful of people, we're not going to sit here and name names that were better than other people that actually had won championships and took credit for it because they were on better teams. I understand that, you're lucky. It's like everything in life. You know, I know for a fact that there are plenty of worse writers than you and they probably have better jobs. This is just the way it is. Unfortunately, that's life. But, IndyCar kind of levels that a little bit, which is great because when you come race here, if you have talent you're going to be able to succeed. Then, at least you're going to be somebody. It's not like if you go to Formula 1 where if you don't race with the top teams, sorry, man, you're done.

AW: Lastly, if TK were the CEO of IndyCar for a day, what track would he add to the current schedule?

TK: I would add another oval. I think we went away from some of them. I need to think about, not as Tony Kanaan, but as an IndyCar CEO. So, I would have to do a deep research where we could draw a good massive group of fans to be able to attend the race. Can I give you like three options? Because I'm saying as a CEO I had to like, you know, do my studies.

AW: Sure, lets roll with it.

TK: I would go Michigan, Milwaukee or Kentucky. OK, I would just add another oval race to the schedule. Everything else, to me, is there. IndyCar is being run by Mark Miles and now Roger (Penske); I think it's the best group of executives IndyCar has had in a few decades, in my opinion.

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Read more here:
Q&A: Tony Kanaan on Personal Success and IndyCar's Evolution - Autoweek

Dream big. Strive for excellence. Reach for the stars. Together everyone accomplishes more, or TEAM. To get to the top of the mountain, it takes many small steps.

As self-storage managers, weve all heard motivational quotes and phrases meant to encourage us to set goals and achieve success. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to set personal-improvement ambitions. You need to take a critical look at your skills, abilities and motivations, and then determine where enhancements can be made.

Self-storage managers are typically given objectives to meet by their owners or supervisors. These might include reaching specific occupancy levels, exceeding a monthly sales goal or keeping expenses below budget. These are clear business aims we can strive to achieve.

But when was the last time you set a personal goal? On-the-job training teaches the basic duties and requirements of the manager position, but these programs cant teach you motivation, or a strong will to do an excellent job. A healthy work ethic needs to be an inherent trait of yours if you expect to continue improving. If you have a desire to learn and grow, its just a question of how to do it.

Do you need to learn a second language to better serve your customer base? Do you struggle with the latest computer programs? Do you need to improve your communication skills? There are many opportunities for personal and professional growth.

In the self-storage industry, places to learn include trade magazines, e-newsletters, forums, webinars and more. You can also learn from experts at industry meetings and conferences. These events give you the opportunity to make contacts and participate in workshops and seminars. Organizations such as Inside Self-Storage (ISS), the national Self Storage Association (SSA) and the many state associations offer free and paid training resources. ISS offers a wealth of information through its website, monthly magazine, online community (Self-Storage Talk) and online store. The SSA offers a Certified Self Storage Manager Certification, which requires online courses and exams to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to be a leader in your field.

To pursue more general business knowledge such as website design, search engine optimization, social media, accounting, computers or other business fundamentals, consider taking local college courses. Marketing is a great area of focus, as expanding those skills can really benefit your operation. Consider:

Here are some additional options for expanding your horizons:

You can also get involved with your local chamber of commerce and network in your community. This may provide an opportunity to hear presentations or attend seminars from local business leaders. Are there impressive owners who intrigue you? Do some excel in areas in which youd like to improve? Reach out to them and introduce yourself! E-mail and ask if they have time to talk. Let them know youd like to learn more about their area of expertise to help you improve your skills. Many leaders have been mentored by others and welcome the opportunity to pay it forward.

Even old-school techniques can help you improve your skills. Sign up for business and economic newsletters; read books, newspapers and magazines; and study successful business leaders from the past. Inspiration, great ideas or helpful suggestions can come from so many places!

When you become an expert in your field, it gives you an opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with others. Offer to help train new employees or assist with opening new sites. This can build leadership, mentoring, training and communication skills. If there are other managers within your company who can help you improve, contact them for guidance. When we share our expertise, the company becomes stronger because each member is setting higher goals.

As you expand your skills and improve your performance, you become more valuable to the company, which could lead to more compensation. It also can make you more attractive to other owners or management companies. You never know when you might be recruited by a larger company or have an opportunity for advancement to district or regional positions. Broadening your skills will also enhance your rsum in the event you change careers.

We all want a high credit score, great job, nice place to live, dependable transportation, money in the bank and a good reputation. How do we get those things? By setting goals! The same can be done when improving job skills. Identify the areas in which you want to advance, and then set objectives to achieve.

Setting high aims for yourself can be challenging. However, you must remain realistic and patient. Focus on your timeline. We cant change overnight. Most new habits take at least 30 days to form. Classes may take weeks or months to complete. Having a mentor could be a lengthy process. As long as youre committed to making your goals a reality, you can achieve so much more than you previously thought possible.

One last thought: Never settle for average, good enough or OK. Doing the bare minimum just to collect your paycheck wont help your career. When you set a high standard for yourself, itll help you achieve more. Once you reach your goals, set new ones and dream even bigger. You never know where it may lead!

Donna Edwards started in the self-storage industry in 2013. Her performance as a site manager led to an expansion of her responsibilities to include roles as a traveling trainer, site auditor and inspector for new acquisitions across the Southeast. She regularly creates content on manager training and improvement. Shes currently an office manager and freelancer helping small business owners manage and market their businesses. To reach her, e-mail kh.dl.edwards@gmail.com.

Continue reading here:
You Are the Key to Your Own Success! Why Self-Storage Managers Should Set Personal-Improvement Goals - Inside Self-Storage

BY KEENAN GRAY, THE RUNNER

The finish we had at the end of the 2019 state cross country meet showed signs of what would have been a competitive track season for distance runners. From record-breaking performances to shocking upsets, this group of young women always put on a show when it came to racing against each other.

Because the 2020 Washington high school spring sports season has been canceled (COVID-19), these teenagers wont have a chance to run this season. But they deserve to be recognized. Heres a look at the top 15 girls distance runners coming into the 2020 season.

Allie Janke competed in only two races this past fall and one of them was winning the 3A state cross country individual title and she hadnt run all season. Back in the spring, Janke was the 3A state champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter races running personal best times of 4:43.6 and 10:10.83.

Julia David-Smith has had the most success out of any runner in the state of Washington, both boy or girl, after earning All-American honors in cross country and winning the 4A state cross country title. In her sophomore track season, David-Smith won the 4A 1,600 and 3,200 meter state races while running personal best times of 4:50.35 and 10:21.15. She also ran a personal best time of 2:13.01 in the 800 meter.

Last school year was a historical season for Naomi Smith as she won the cross country, 1,600 and 3,200 meter state titles to claim the distance triple crown, becoming the first to do so since former Northwest standout Maddie Meyers back in 2012 at the 1A level. The University of Washington commit ran personal best times in track in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 meter races, running 2:20.95, 4:53.76, and 10:25.5.

From her freshman to sophomore season, Ella Nelson dropped her 1,600 meter time by 20 seconds and was last years runner-up at the 4A state meet. Nelson also ran a season best time of 2:15.99 in the 800 meter and finished in third place at state in the 3,200 meter running a time of 10:45.98.

After winning the 4A state cross country title her freshman year, Ella Borsheim continued her success in the spring where she placed second and third at the 4A state track meet in the 800 and 1,600 meter races, running 2:12.93, a second off her personal best, and 4:57.01, a personal best. She also ran the 3,200 meter in a personal best mark of 11:00.23.

Aviry Stratton placed fourth after having placed 19th as a junior at the 4A state cross country meet in the fall, running a season best time of 18:26.7. During track, Stratton was sixth in the 1,600 meter, running 5:04.49 and fifth in the 3,200 meter, running 10:55.26. Earlier, the Southern Utah University commit ran personal best times of 4:56.15 for the 1,600 and 10:38.39 in the 3,200.

Meri Dunford can do it all, both on the track and the basketball court. The three-sport athlete was the runner-up last spring in the 1,600 meter 3A state final as she ran a personal best time of 4:54.99, over 10 seconds faster from her sophomore season time. She also was third in the 3,200 meter state final and ran a personal best time of 10:52.21.

Erinn Hill will go down as one of the most decorated athletes in North Centrals cross country history. Hill, who will run for the University of Wisconsin-Madison next fall, made her third state track meet appearance in 2019, placing fourth in the 1,600 meter running 5:01.94 and second in the 3,200 meter running a season best time of 10:42.73.

Geraldin Correa has tremendous speed and her ability to out-kick her opponents is scary for anyone who races her. It was a tough ending for Correa last track season as she wasnt able to get out of the state preliminary rounds in the 400 and 800 meter races, but the Lewis & Clark State College commit has personal best times of 57.94 in the 400 meter, 2:12.89 in the 800 meter, and 5:01.34 in the 1,600 meter.

On the national level, Kate Jendrezak is one of the best mid-distance runners around. The future UCLA Bruin entered her senior season as a three-peat 3A state champion in the 800 meter with a personal best time of 2:09.71.

Sarah Mirkin was a main factor in Holy Names 3A state team title for track last spring with her great performances in the 800 and 1,600 meter races. Mirkin was third in the 800 meter running 2:14.78, a second off her personal best, and fifth in the 1,600 meter running a personal best time of 5:03.33.

MaryAlice Mitchell won the 2A 800 meter state final as a freshman in a personal best time of 2:14.08 after starting the year out at 2:28.3 in her first meet. She was also fourth in the 1,600 meter in another personal best time of 5:03.7.

It had been the start of a historical year for Leah Holmgren as she went on to win the 2A state cross country individual title this past fall running a time of 18:16.4, leading the Bulldogs to their first-ever cross country state team title. The future Idaho Vandal was sixth in the 1,600 meter and fifth in the 3,200 meter at the 2019 2A state track meet, running personal best times of 5:03.85 and 10:57.38.

Lauren Larson was among a small group of athletes at all classifications to place in the top three at the state meet in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 meter races. Larson was second in the 800 and 3,200 meter, running times of 2:14.47 and 10:54.11, and third in the 1,600 meter, running a time of 5:03.04 at the 2019 2A state meet.

Lili Hargreaves was the leader of Redmonds first-ever state girls cross country championship this last fall. Last spring, Hargreaves ran personal best times at the 4A state meet. She ran 5:05.42 and placed eighth in the 1,600 meter and she ran 10:53.79 and placed fourth in the 3,200 meter.

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Top 15 girls distance runners in Washington high school track and field in 2020 - scorebooklive.com

"Setting up Zoom or Slack or Google Meet or any other tool ... that is the easy part," said Shane Pearlman, co-founder and CEO of Modern Tribe, a fully remote digital agency and products company. "Then comes the hard part of creating a meaningful stream of work and protecting your sanity."

We checked in with several work-from-home veterans to get their best tips and practices.

One warning we keep hearing: Don't let work encroach upon every part of your home.

"The best thing is to have an office that is where you work, and leave it all behind at the end of the day and don't bring it with you into the living room and work until midnight," said Angela Wooden, a quality assurance specialist who has worked from home with her husband for 15 years.

If you don't have an entire room to dedicate to a home office, silo off part of a room or create a workspace as your temporary office that you can leave your work in at the end of the day.

It can be a big change for managers who are used to seeing their workers busy at their desks to suddenly have no idea what their employees are doing at any given minute.

But it's in their best interest to get over it and trust their employees are using their time wisely.

"Focus on managing the process and deliverables and not micromanaging the team," said Kim Houlne, founder and chief executive of Working Solutions, a contact center outsourcing company in Dallas that has been fully remote since its launch 24 years ago.

"If you are micromanaging the team, you are wasting your time." Houlne said.

Having a designated work start and stop time can help keep you on track and prevent 12-hour work days. And make sure your family and friends know when they can and can't interrupt you.

It's tempting for others to see you at home and want to hang out or give you a call to catch up. But you wouldn't take an hour-long personal call at the office and you shouldn't start getting into the habit of doing it now.

"It is really important to make it clear to other people, including friends and family, about the hours you are working," said Wooden.

When a team starts a new project, make sure everyone has the same clear definition of what success looks like. With people working apart and sometimes in different time zones, taps on the shoulder or office drop-ins aren't possible.

"It took me years when projects would fail and we'd go into post-mortem to figure out what the heck happened. Turns out, everyone had a different definition of success. Everyone thought the win was different," said Pearlman.

"When you are working remotely you have to communicate, communicate and communicate a little more," said Houlne. "What you thought they heard they probably didn't hear."

Now is the time for everyone to be very clear when it comes to setting goals and expectations and providing regular and transparent updates.

At app automation company Zapier, CEO Wade Foster holds one-on-one check-ins with his team every Monday to go over work priorities, discuss any problems and talk about anything else that might come up. On Fridays, everyone provides a written update that details the worker's priorities and progress that's posted for everyone in the company to see.

You didn't work for eight hours straight in the office so don't feel guilty about taking breaks when working from home. In fact, be sure to schedule in breaks to make sure you are coming up for air -- it will help keep you sane and productive.

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These folks have always worked from home full-time. Here's what they say you should know - CNN

Tell me: When was the last time you really stepped away from work and took some time just for yourself? Shut out all the noise -- the email, the Slacks, the texts, the Twitter notifications, the constant worry about that big project -- and just took a moment for yourself to regroup and refocus?

I'll wait.

Here's the thing: Workplace burnout doesn't solely happen when you're putting in long hours at the office. It's also a risk when you're working from home, camped out at your kitchen table in your sweats.

In fact, the risk could be even greater given our current situation.

One expert told me the suddenness with which so many of us were forced to start working from home -- while also losing our childcare in many cases -- combined with a global pandemic that seems to have no end in sight, means the risk of burnout has intensified.

Not great news. We've got enough on our plates to worry about.

So here are the signs of burnout and what you can do about it.

Work-life imbalance. When you were going into an office every day there was a clear distinction between your work life and personal time. But now that you don't have a commute to mark the beginning and end of your day and your office could now be in your kitchen, you can end up working all the time if you're not careful.

How to fight it: Set your work hours, communicate them with your boss and colleagues and then stick to them. (Yes, there will be times when you will work late, but try to make that the exception, not the rule.) It can also help to create a signal that it's time for you to switch gears to personal time: Some people change into more comfortable clothes, go outside and hit Wiffle balls, while others go for a run or workout.

Lack of control. Employees who feel that they lack control over their schedules, interactions and time management are at risk of burning out.

How to fight it: Create a schedule that designates time for work, family and yourself -- and then be sure to stick to it.

Missing social connections. Even if you're in a crowded house, your family members might not offer the same support your colleagues did when it comes to issues with work.

How to fight it: You have to be more deliberate with your social interactions when working from home. It takes a little more effort, but continue to reach out to your co-workers: Slack them, set up a quick video check-in and lean on them the way you would at work.

Hospitals across the globe are getting an assist from virtual reality to help fill staffing shortages.

This allows doctors and nurses with expertise in other fields, like knee surgery or neurology, but little or no experience in treating infectious diseases, to help with Covid-19 patients.

Well, that didn't take long.

It took less than two weeks for the government's $350 billion forgivable small business loan program to be fully tapped out.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created under the $2 trillion stimulus package and offers loan guarantees for small businesses as the economy remains on hold.

The first-come, first-served program officially launched on April 3rd and was plagued by problems from the start. A lack of guidance from the government left banks and small business owners confused.

The quick depletion wasn't unexpected: Lenders had tens of thousands of small businesses waiting to apply before the program launched.

There is some good news. Congress seems to be very close to adding more funds to the program.

If you are still waiting for your check to arrive from Uncle Sam -- don't panic.

Around 60 million Americans still haven't received their payments yet, according to CNN's Katie Lobosco.

The government sent out checks to roughly 80 million people last week, starting with those who filed their federal taxes in 2018 or 2019 and were due a refund and authorized direct deposit.

Being stuck inside your home for the majority of the day is tough. And when your home is small (raises hand), it can feel as if every day the walls are moving in.

But don't worry. There are easy things you can do to make your "cozy" space more livable during the lockdown.

For $65, you can get a 20-minute virtual farm tour for up to six participants, and $100 will get you a 10-minute animal cameo on a corporate meeting with unlimited people.

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WFH burnout is real. How to avoid it. - CNN

THERES long been a need to make a call on the future of state-owned enterprises such as SAA, says the writer. Karen Sandison African News Agency (ANA)

By Busi Mavuso 3h ago

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The R500 billion injection into the economy to deal with the health-care fallout and look after the most disadvantaged is more than 10 times what the country spent in preparing to host the Fifa World Cup 10 years ago.

Its understandable that there will be some questions about how implementable large parts of the stimulus will be, with the states performance over the past decade, in its own words, amounting to a wasted opportunity.

These measures come against the backdrop of an economy still in lockdown, and likely to remain so in some form until September.

As much as we welcome the fiscal intervention, we need to understand that we are chasing a growing hole. Its size will be determined by the length and depth of the lockdown.

The stimulus focuses on job retention and creation in a climate that is going to become more difficult, with projections of 1 million job losses. Theres opportunity in the global shift in supply lines that could aid local production. At its centre, there is a clear focus on saving jobs and putting money in peoples hands. Theres no restarting an economy if people dont have disposable income.

The success of the stimulus hinges on the countrys ability to deal with the structural reforms that weve pushed for over the past two years since the change in political leadership.

At the top of the list of priorities is the future of our state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The president has called for the overhauling of these entities, which, in my mind, means a complete change of how they are structured and perhaps even more importantly how we reduce our exposure to some of the biggest companies in the country and the continent.

These institutions have neither provided dividends nor aided the states ability to deal with the socio-economic ills that it inherited over the past decade. Theres long been a need to make a call on their future, all 740 of them, particularly those that cant say that they are structurally important for the betterment of the economy.

Miscommunication around the status of SAA this past week is concerning.

This is no time for indecisiveness, particularly for a company that has incurred more than R28bn in losses over the past 14 years.

The commitment to structural reform and a decisiveness in dealing with questions such as SAA will be integral as the National Treasury speaks to international funding agencies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Action has to accompany calls for the overhaul of SOEs and the other structural reforms in the areas of energy and telecoms to name two.

There is much riding on the measures announced this week, and while there are rightfully concerns about the deterioration in our debt metrics, the state quite simply had to react to the unfolding economic meltdown.

Monetary policy has played its part in reducing borrowing costs, and after the cuts in interest rates by 200 basis points, it was time for the president and his Treasury to fire off their big bazooka. And fire it off they did. Now we have to trust that it has the right impact on an economy that is set to contract by as much as 10 percent this year, by some estimates.

There is zero room for error and credibility is key. The Treasury has stepped up to the plate but now has to flesh out the details to keep markets onside - and it must do so quickly.

Busi Mavuso is chief executive of Business Leadership South Africa.

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OPINION: Success of stimulus depends on reforms - IOL

April 24, 2020 11:00 ET | Source: Hemp, Inc.

Las Vegas, NV, April 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE --Hemp, Inc.(OTC PINK: HEMP) a global leader in the industrial hemp industry with bi-coastal processing centers, including the largest multipurpose industrial hemp processing facility in the western hemisphere, announced today that it was included in coverage by one of the worlds largest medical marijuana resources,Marijuana Break, in an article entitled, Cannabis Businesses During the Coronavirus.

The article posits that while the world is currently being gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic and economies are struggling, the cannabis and hemp-derived CBD sectors have managed to remain virtually recession-proof. The article explains that many U.S. States and Canada have deemed that dispensaries and licensed producers may stay open as essential businesses. It also mentions that other sectors including hemp production, the supply chain, and ancillary businesses are resilient in the face of COVID-19 related obstacles.

Bruce Perlowin, CEO of Hemp, Inc., contributed commentary to the article. Perlowin noted that stocks for most industries and commodities have taken a hit amidst the pandemic, adding that it is something we all have to be understanding of and wise about. He then added that he is meeting these circumstances with optimism, citing the fact that, Cannabis retailers have been deemed as essential businesses to remain operational as we all quarantine, the long lines these essential businesses incur and the huge spike in the purchases of THC and hemp-derived CBD products are all a testament to how critically important the industry is to health and wellness. In terms of life after this pandemic, it is likely that the post-virus recovery will be a green one, rooted here at home. This makes for a great opportunity for US hemp farmers and the hemp industry to come together and support rehabilitating our economy and country.

The 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp and the crop was removed from the definition of marijuana under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Although it is still heavily regulated, qualified hemp businesses would be entitled to stimulus relief as businesses in most other industries.

During this COVID-19 outbreak, the hemp industry must stay optimistic and focused on maintaining steady growth and momentum for our industry. We are essential and should continue to lean into that, said Perlowin. The current demand for CBD as well as the growth in demand for industrial hemp means that our industry has the opportunity to leverage this, thrive, and lead.

According to a June 2019 market research report published byMarketsandMarkets, the industrial hemp market is projected to grow from $4.6 billion in 2019 to $26.6 billion by 2025, recording a compound annual growth rate of 34.0% during the forecast period.

To see 1-minute videos of Hemp, Inc.s current activities, go to Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook pagewhere he posts daily on all of Hemp, Inc.s activities around the country.

To read Marijuana Breaks article featuring Hemp, Inc.s commentary,click here.

WHAT IS HEMP, INC.?

What is Hemp, Inc.? With a deep-rooted social and environmental mission at its core, Hemp, Inc. seeks to build a business constituency for the American small farmer, the American veteran, and other groups experiencing the ever-increasing disparity between tapering income and soaring expenses. As a leader in the industrial hemp industry with ownership of the largest commercial multi-purpose industrial hemp processing facility in North America, Hemp, Inc. believes there can be tangible benefits reaped from adhering to a corporate social responsibility plan.

HEMP, INC.S TEN DIVISIONS

Hemp, Inc. has been helping to build the industrial hemp infrastructure that was basically non-existent in America. There are now ten divisions:

Division One The Industrial Hemp Infrastructure

Division Two The Hemp Farming Infrastructure

Division Three The Hemp Extraction & Pre-Roll Blending Infrastructure

Division Four The Hemp Educational Infrastructure

Division Five The Hemp Marketing Infrastructure

Division Six Accessories, Products and Services

Division Seven Research and Development

Division Eight Industrial Hemp Investments and Joint Ventures

Division Nine Industrial Hemp Consulting

Division Ten Educational Entertainment

Division OneThe Industrial Hemp Infrastructure

The Industrial Hemp Infrastructure(Division One)currently consists of two hemp processing facilities across the country, with two more under development, which will include an in-house third party testing laboratory. The largest of the two is its multi-purpose industrial hemp processing facility and milling operation inSpring Hope, North Carolina. Its the largest industrial hemp processing center in the western hemisphere and has grown to become one of the pre-eminent centers of the industrial hemp industry. The 85,000 square foot facility sits on 9-acres.It is environmentally sustainable and was built from the ground up in hopes of Making America Hemp Again." With a patent pending manufacturing process, the North Carolina facility is operating full time to process millions of pounds of our unique kenaf-hemp blend, to manufacture all-greennatural loss circulation material (LCMs), calledDrillWall that is to be sold to the oil and gas drilling industry, along with an all-green natural oil spill absorbent, a second industrial kenaf-hemp product calledSpill-Be-Gone.

In addition to the companysindustrial hemp processing facility in Spring Hope, North Carolina, Hemp, Inc. also has one of the most sophisticated local processing centers (LPC) in Medford, Oregon which focuses on hemp harvesting, drying, curing, trimming, bagging, storing, and in some cases selling high CBD hemp for local farmers and the Companys own hemp grows in that area, and post processing for the CBD industry. The Companys main focus is the King of Hemp pre-rolls and high CBD smokeable buds a new phenomenon of smoking hemp which has caught the marketplace by storm.

Hemp, Inc., through its joint venture associates has access to 4,500 acres of land in Golden Valley, Arizona (100 miles from Las Vegas, 20 miles north of Kingman, AZ). Out of the 4,500 acres of land, 500 acres are designated for the Veterans Village Kins Community (VVKC) for Arizona. Hemp, Inc. is preparing 80+ acres, of the 500 acres, for hemp cultivation. The company aims to boost the economies of these towns by offering affordable hemp processing services, which incentivizes local growers to add hemp to their crop rotation. The company is continuing to scout new locations for local processing centers in Florida, Kentucky, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, and several other states.

Thus far, Hemp, Inc.s Local Processing Center (LPC) in Oregon has employed over 200 employeesduring its 2018 harvest season and over 300 employees during its 2019 harvest season to further support the infrastructure necessary for local and large scale farmers operating in the industrial hemp space.

Division One Products:

DrillWall (a loss circulation material)

Spill-Be-Gone (an oil spill cleanup product)

Hemp bioplastics

Division TwoThe Hemp Farming Infrastructure

The Hemp Farming Infrastructure(Division Two)consists of hundreds of acres of hemp and kenaf growing in multiple locations, farm equipment, cloning rooms, clones and seeds, grow rooms, greenhouses, hemp drying facilities and a huge amount of peripheral farming tools and equipment. The progress Hemp, Inc. has made in its agricultural endeavors, over the course of four years, has been amazing. The year 2020 marks the fifth year that Hemp, Inc. has been growing hemp.(To see Hemp, Inc.s agricultural progress from2016through 2019, visit Bruce Perlowins personal Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/kingofpotand scroll through posts from2016to the present. Visitwww.hempincpresents.comto see the videos of Hemp, Inc.s grows in multiple locations.)

Hemp, Inc. also has two Small Family Hemp Farm models. The Small Family Hemp Farm in North Carolina is situated on 12 acres and consists of a cloning room, a greenhouse, and enough land to grow 2,000-3,000 high CBD hemp plants.(This model farm can be seen on Bruce Perlowin's Facebook page, in the Aug. 22nd - 26th, 2018 posts.)The model shows farmers how to grow high CBD hemp plants, operate a greenhouse and turn a barn into a cloning room to earn up to $100,000+ a year. This shows an example of how the Small Family Hemp Farm can be duplicated and reappear on the American landscape. After all, the original small family farms in America were able to survive economically by growing hemp as their main cash crop and the first five presidents of the United States were all hemp farmers.

Hemp, Inc.s other Small Family Hemp Farm is located Dolan Springs, Arizona. This Small Family Hemp Farm is referred to as The Orchard since it has a sizable organic orchard. There are: 2 acres on which hemp will be grown on; a cloning room; cold storage; and greenhouses that are currently being installed.

This year, according to Perlowin, the company is preparing to grow on up to 342 acres of land in Oregon, 300 acres in Arizona, hundreds of acres in North Carolina(a combination of hemp and kenaf), and an undetermined amount in other states. He says collective sales from all of these grows will be extremely significant in terms of pre-rolls, high CBD buds, distillate, isolate and biomass. This year, we anticipate the main function of the company to be sales and marketing as we will have completed the infrastructure to support sales and marketing. Right now, I believe we have the largest footprint of bio-diverse hemp products with vertical integration in the hemp industry in America today. We are always looking for joint ventures where we have or can expand our footprint, commented Perlowin.

Moreover, A to Z services for the farmers are available - from harvesting to drying, curing, bucking, machine trimming, hand trimming, bagging, storing, nitrogen sparging, and selling creating a one stop shop for the small to large family farms.

Division Two Products:

The King of Hemp Pre-Roll Blends

High premium CBD buds from the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon, North Carolina and Arizona

Hemp, Inc. is also hosting the Hempathon at the Veteran Village Kins Community in Arizona. Contestants are growing 1 acre of hemp in a contest with other growers from around the country. Hemp, Inc. is providing land, water, security, and live streaming video coverage for participants. The Hempathon entry fee is $5,000 and a 50/50 revenue split. Several awards and prizes will be given to the winners. Those interested in signing up for the Hempathon should contact Stacey Theisat stheis@hempinc.com.

Division ThreeThe Hemp Extraction & Pre-Roll Blending Infrastructure

The Hemp CBD Oil Extraction & Pre-Roll Blending Infrastructure(Division Three)originally consisted of a Supercritical C02 Extractor. After operating for over a year it has been determined that Hemp, Inc. will not be involved in the extraction industry and has changed its direction to focus primarily on the King of Hemp pre-rolls and The King of Hemp high CBD smokeable flower. The CBD oil that was extracted from the 2018 hemp grows in North Carolina has been made into pure crystalline CBD isolate which will add to our King of Hemp branded line of pre-rolls to take to the marketplace and a pre-roll fortified with pure crystalline CBD isolate.

In lieu of building its own extraction laboratories, Hemp, Inc. plans to utilize the facilities of other labs in the industry to manufacture its own line of CBD oil products while they continue to build and expand the infrastructure for pre-rolls and high CBD smokeable buds. The Company will hire or joint venture with other, already existing, labs to manufacture CBD, CBG, CBC, CBN, and other products in its future cannabinoid line. With 150 different cannabinoids, over 300 terpenes, and more of each being discovered almost monthly, the product range and possibilities in this area are endless.

Division FourThe Hemp Educational Infrastructure

The Hemp Educational Infrastructure(Division Four)includes Hemp, Inc.'sHemp Universitywhich focuses on educating and empoweringHemp farmers and entrepreneurswith knowledge, processing, infrastructure and support. Theeducational seminars, through the Hemp University, are held periodically and teach farmers and landowners how to create a profitable income stream by maximizing the per-acre crop revenue. Through this division, Hemp, Inc. has trained well over 500 farmers in its first two years by doing a total of nine Hemp University seminars in North Carolina and Oregon, thus far, which include:

The New Leaf Symposium and Golden Grow Awards Gala- January 26, 2020 (Jacksonville, Oregon)

The New Leaf Symposiumsfocus was Regeneration" to celebrate optimism and resilience in the industry, the power of the plant, and faith in the hemp-producing community. The event sold out with over 180 attendees. The feedback from attendees wasoverwhelmingly positiveand the speakers were hailed as the best yet. The educational symposium concluded with the Golden Grow Awards Gala. The Golden Grow Awards Gala honored Oregon's top cultivars and put Oregons best farmers head-to-head for some of the most prestigious hemp-industry accolades.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 1/28/20for a short video on this symposium.)

The Pre-Harvest Symposium September 8, 2019 (Oregon)

The Pre-Harvest Symposiumworkshop at Southern Oregon University was expertly designed for both farmers and entrepreneurs of all experience levels, focused on harvesting, processing and profit channels within the hemp industry.The third edition of the Southern Oregon Hemp University brought an abundance of insight into innovations within the realm of harvesting and processing to the forefront. Additionally, the symposium touched on traditional practices in agriculture.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 9/9/19for a short video on this symposium.)

Pre-Plant Support Workshop May 4, 2019 (Oregon)

The Pre-Plant Support Workshopwas an incredible success that filled the entire venue to capacity with attendees. In total, there were close to 200 attendees, including 20 vendors in attendance. The workshop was designed to help hemp farmers or those who are interested in the hemp industry learn the best pre-planting practices prior to the planting season.The Hemp University Pre-Planting Support Workshop was an interactive and informative workshop that covered the various details hemp farmers should know prior to planting in the 2019 season and beyond.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 5/9/19for a short video on this workshop.)

The Hemp University Educational Seminar- March 23, 2019 (Oregon)

This was the first Hemp University held on the West Coast. The seminar provided attendees with a full day of networking, education, and support.The seminar helped others in the area who were interested in the hemp industry learn more about the Industrial Hemp Revolution and how this movement can not only transform Southern Oregons economy, but also revive family farms and small businesses in the surrounding areas.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 3/28/19for a short video on this seminar.)

Growing Hemp for Profit March 10, 2018 (North Carolina)The Hemp Universitys first educationalsymposiumevent of 2018 entitledGrowing Hemp for Profittook place on Saturday, March 10, 2018. Attendees learned from the Universitys industrial hemp experts as they shared their lessons from their experiences in growing industrial hemp.Growing Hemp for Profit,which took place from 8:30am to 5 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn in Charlotte, North Carolina.(See Bruce Perlowinspersonal Facebook post on 3/17/18for a short video on this symposium.)

Hemp Money Event: Economics, Lessons & Planning for 2018 December 2, 2017 (North Carolina)

The fifth most vital and anticipated educational symposium of the year was Hemp Money Event: Economics, Lessons & Planning for 2018. This symposium was held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 from 8:30am to 5:00pm at the Shrine Club (320 Airport Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804). Attendees learned the economics of growing industrial hemp for fiber, seeds, and CBD; learned about other master POD growers experiences and lessons; and, learned how to prepare for the 2018 industrial hemp growing season with a well-defined blueprint for success.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 12/23/17for a short video on this symposium.)

The Hemp Oil Event: The Art and Science of CBD Oil September 30, 2017 (North Carolina)

The Hemp Oil Event (The Art & Science of CBD Oil) was The Hemp Universitys fourth symposium in North Carolina, held on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 8:30am to 5:00pm at the Peachtree Hills Country Club, 3512 Peachtree Hills Road, Spring Hope, NC 27882.The symposium brought attendees up to speed on all business and scientific aspects of Industrial Hemp CBD cannabinoids by disseminating current, reliable information that continues to shape the revolutionary CBD market. Attendees also got a chance to go to Hemp, Inc.s, then, 70,000 square foot multipurpose industrial hemp decortication facility for the first live public demonstration of its Supercritical CO2 Extraction System using North Carolina-grown CBD industrial hemp. Representatives from NuAxon Bioscience were also on-site to allow those interested in purchasing their own CBD extraction system.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 9/30/17for a short video on this symposium.)

The Art and Science of CBD Greenhouse Growing June 24, 2017 (North Carolina)

The3rd Hemp Universityeducational symposium held on June 24, 2017 focused on The Art and Science of CBD Greenhouse Growing.The educational symposium was held at Louisburg College in Louisburg, North Carolina.A team of experts engaged attendees through the greenhouse and indoor growing process from cultivation to harvest and from processing to distribution. Dr. Robert Bruck, Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and Distinguished Professor of Environmental Science at Louisburg College, was The Hemp Universitys special guest who lectured on soil microbiology during the symposium.Attendees were able to spend half of the course at Hemp, Inc.s, then, 70,000 square-foot Industrial Hemp Hub, in a 3,000 square-foot cloning room.There, attendees had the opportunity to experience a more hands-on learning approach.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 6/30/17for a short video on this symposium.)

Farming Hemp for Profit April 29, 2017(North Carolina)

Hemp, Inc.s second, sold out, educationalsymposium(Farming HEMP for Profit), through its Hemp University, was a phenomenal success. Thesymposiumtook place on Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 8:30am 5:00pm, at the Hampton Inn & Suites located at 3920 Arrow Drive, Raleigh, NC27612 and drew over 100 attendees. The one-day educational symposium and tour of Hemp, Inc.s, then, 70,000 square-foot multipurpose industrial hemp facility was an opportunity for landowners and farmers to learn how to apply real business building tactics with a specific step-by-step blueprint on how to grow, sell and profit from farming industrial hemp.This event accomplished its mission to help landowners and farmers add a new viable and profitable income stream by maximizing the per-acre crop revenue.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook post on 4/30/17for a short video on this symposium.)

Farming Hemp for Profit March 18, 2017 (North Carolina)

This was Hemp, Inc.s firstHemp University symposium. The symposium was a sold out event and was a huge success with 100 attendees who rated the quality of information presented as excellent.The symposium took place on Saturday, March 18, 2017, from 8:00am 5:00pm, at Hemp, Inc.s wholly owned subsidiary,Industrial Hemp Manufacturing, LLC, located at 1436 Highway 581 North, Spring Hope, North Carolina, 27882.The one-day educational symposium was an opportunity for landowners and farmers to receive a specific step-by-step blueprint on how to grow, sell and profit from farming industrial hemp by using real business tactics and principles, presented by industry experts.(See Bruce Perlowins personalFacebook posts on 3/18-19 and 3/21-26, 2019 for a short videos on this symposium.)

To listen to past Hemp University workshops, please visithemp-university.teachable.com. Also visithttps://www.hempincpresents.comto see highlights from Hemp, Inc.s inaugural Hemp University held in North Carolina, which sold out in two weeks.

The Hemp Universitys twelveonline educational masterclassesare $10 each and each masterclass is under an hour in length. The online courses include lectures from industry leaders who have educated attendees at the Hemp University workshops in Oregon. These online masterclasses provide farmers who were either not able to attend the first Hemp University or who would like to revisit certain topics presented by the event speakers.

Those interested in being part of our online courses, including experts in any aspect of the industrial hemp industry, should contact Chris Tinney on (855) 554-6834 or via email at (ctinney@hempinc.com).

Since The Hemp Universitys initial launch with the educational symposium, the number of attendees has grown tremendously and it has been an overwhelming success, each time.The interactive, hands-on learning approach is invaluable. By learning inan interactive cohort format, students gain the necessary skills they need to immediately implement them on their farm or in their organization. Its the perfect mix of quality instruction, relevant educational content and a high level of commitment, to ensure the educational success of each attendee, said Perlowin.

Thus far, The Hemp University has helped transformthe livelihoods of North Carolina and Oregon farmers transitioning from tobacco and other crops to industrial hemp by providing them with the tools and support needed to gain a foothold in this burgeoning industry.

Division FiveThe Hemp Marketing Infrastructure

While marketing is a critical facet of any business operation for increasing revenues, Hemp, Inc. believes there must be a keen focus on the infrastructure first. The demand for CBD and hemp products is massive, some even say the demand is insatiable. In order to supply that type of volume/demand, there has to be a strong foundation or infrastructure in place. While Hemp, Inc. is poised to grow a rock solid Hemp Marketing Infrastructure, CEO Perlowin reminds us that this infrastructure has to be able to support a meteoric industry growth.The cannabidiol (CBD) market is on track to grow to $23.7 billion through 2023, according to theBrightfield Group. The firm also estimated the smokeable hemp market to be valued at $11.5 million in 2018, a growth of 250% from 2017. This is why we focus on infrastructure, at the moment, more so than specific marketing activities, says Perlowin. Specific marketing activities isnt the issue. The ability to grow, process and produce what the marketplace is demanding is the issue and hence the reason we focused on creating the infrastructure first.

Late January, 2020 the first King of Hemp Store had a soft launch in Kingman, Arizona with a grand opening, red ribbon, lots of media coverage planned for early March 2020. This 5,000 square foot Wells Fargo bank building is in the heart of Old Town Kingman next to historic Route 66 and will showcase everything hemp, including Hemp Blues hemp denim jeans (www.hempblue.com).

The company has also recently joint-ventured with the retail store Hemp Healthcare, in Dolan Springs, Arizona, to sell high-end cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp-based products. Hemp Healthcare is home to an array of renowned CBD and hemp products, including Hemp, Inc.s cosmetic and wellness line that includes shampoos, conditioners, lotions, candles and more. The retail storefront is conveniently located off Highway 93 in Arizona, in a highly trafficked tourist area. Specifically located on Pierce Ferry Road, Hemp Healthcare is next to Dolan Station a location that welcomes numerous tour buses daily with visitors from around the world that stop there on trips to the Grand Canyon. On some days, up to 40 tour buses stop at this location, filled to the brim with tourists on their way to the Sky Walk at the western realm of the Grand Canyon.

A second health care store will be opened in 2020 at Gateway Station in Dolan Springs, Arizona on Highway 93 about a quarter of mile before the turn off to go the Sky Walk at the western realm of the Grand Canyon. Like Dolan Station, Gateway Station will have numerous tour buses. The store is set to sell shampoos, conditioners, lotions, candles and more.

Division SixAccessories, Products and Services

Division Six focuses on the sale of hemp industry accessories such as the sale of extractors,harvesters, storage bags, containers,fertilizer, soil amendments, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, balers, greenhouses, and greenhouse equipment; the drying, trimming, curing, storing and brokering for other farmers harvesting hemp; and ultimately anything else a hemp farmer may need to be successful.

What we found is that people are always looking for hundreds of items. New harvesting equipment, irrigation equipment of all kinds, soil amendments, organic soil fertilizers, organic pest control products, new extraction technologies and more, said Perlowin. As we expand this Division, we will strive to become the Amazon of the hemp industry.

According to Perlowin, Hemp, Inc. is currently building out a new section of its website that will list all of the products. This information will be available in the next 30 days.

Division SevenResearch and Development

While Research and Development has been an integral part of Hemp, Inc. since day one, a more formal research and development project is planned after significant revenues are created. This division will then start and expand rapidly. The Company originally planned for Puerto Rico to be a research and development hub, but found the barrier to entrance was much too great and has therefore changed its position to focus its research and development division on states where hemp is already legal. Hemp, Inc. is proud to have been a pioneer and leader in the early stages of the hemp industry in America with our strategy to build infrastructure even before legalization occurred in a state such as what was done in North Carolina and Arizona.

According to Hemp, Inc.s CEO, Bruce Perlowin, Currently, it is now economically more advantageous to operate in a state that already has several years of legalization behind it and thus, further down the road, making it easier for hemp companies to thrive as we have done in North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada and especially Oregon. Weve hit a grand slam in Oregon, so to speak, in our growing operations for 2 consecutive years. We may revisit Puerto Rico once they have straightened out their legal red tape, and their rules and regulations.

Division EightIndustrial Hemp Investments and Joint Ventures

Hemp, Inc. recently established the eighth division(Industrial Hemp Investments and Joint Ventures). Since the passing of the 2018 hemp bill, Hemp, Inc. has been flooded with inquiries of people who want to invest in the hemp industry but dont know where to start. As the Avant-guard of the industrial hemp industry, Hemp, Inc. has put together numerous joint venture investment opportunities for the medium to large-scale investor. Those who are interested should emailir@hempinc.com. Multi-million dollar investors, and in some cases billionaires and billion dollar hedge funds, are aggressively trying to get into the hemp industry since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. Our joint venture agreements are that they put up the money and we put up the expertise in a 50/50 revenue share(after all the initial investment money is paid back first). This will save the large-scale hemp investor often two years and dozens of multi-million dollar mistakes that they WILL often make without an expert in the hemp industry. This is where Hemp, Inc.s vast network of experts and resources in the industrial hemp industry come into play because this is something we can easily provide to those interested in entering this industry.

Division NineIndustrial Hemp Consulting

Hemp, Inc.s Industrial Hemp and Medical Marijuana Consulting Company (IHMMCC) was recently restructured as its ninth division and is now Division Nine - Industrial Hemp Consulting. With an influx of public companies wanting to expand into the industrial hemp industry, Hemp, Inc. has been inundated with potential consulting agreements.To keep up, Hemp, Inc. revamped its consulting division to work hands-on with each company to provide its years of expertise.According to Perlowin, there is definitely a sense of a Community of Companies whereby a lot of companies are working together to pool their resources, marketing connections and strategies in order to grow simultaneously.

Typically, companies seeking in depth consulting services from Hemp, Inc. pay mostly in stock since cash flow is oftentimes tight during the developmental stage of start-up companies in this industry. Through Hemp, Inc.s Division Nine Industrial Hemp Consulting, a wide range of services are forged from the experiences of creating the first publicly trading company in the cannabis sector (Medical Marijuana, Inc.) and having well over a decade of experience in the industrial hemp industrys public sector. Perlowin, Hemp, Inc.s chief executive officer, also has over five decades in the industry.

Division TenEducational Entertainment

Hemp, Inc.s newest division, Entertainment, will cover everything from investing in the movieThe Adventures of the King of Pot(http://www.kingofpotthemovie.com/) and other historical movies, books and documentaries representing our industry up to the current docuseries being made onThe Modern Day History of Hemp. Those interested in investing in any one of these ventures should contact the divisions Project Manager, Chris Tinney, at 855-554-6834 or via email,ctinney@hempinc.com.

VETERAN VILLAGE KINS COMMUNITIES

To see the livestream feed for the Veterans Village Kins Community Arizona, visitwww.hempinc.com/arizonaand click on View Live Feed.

The companys 500-acre strategic growing partner Veteran Village Kins Community in Golden Valley, Arizona, is designed to grow hemp and produce CBD products to benefit veterans as well as generate revenue for Hemp, Inc., the Veteran Village and individual veterans living in the community.

The Veteran Village Kins Community in Arizona has completed its final site plan blueprints for its 500-acre site in Golden Valley, Arizona(20 miles north of Kingman, AZ and 90 minutes from Las Vegas, NV). The site plan was submitted to the Mohave County Building Department for final review. The Company is also in the final stages of completing the necessary infrastructure to support an off-grid, renewable, energy system.

As soon as all the live streaming video cameras are up and operational, the world can actually see the way the Veteran Village Kins Community is designed and watch it being built. According to Perlowin, the basic framework or overall plan of the Veteran Village Kins Communities is to create a holistic healing and learning center that is designed to educate and heal veterans with PTSD, alcoholism, meth addiction, opioid addiction, and other psychological conditions while at the same time training them on the numerous aspects of being part of the emerging multi-billion dollar hemp industry. To see the first live streaming video, clickhere.

The Company will also build hemp-growing communities for other groups such as Abused Women & Children Village Kins Communities, the Orphaned Children Village Kins Communities, Homeless Village Kins Communities, and the Healers Village Kins Communities (the healers are professionals who are knowledgeable in the modalities to treat these traumatized groups). These particular communities are all synergistically aligned to work simultaneously supporting each other.

For example, the Healers heal the traumatized veterans and women & children; the women support orphan children, and orphan children want to see people living in homes and not homeless. Thus, a portion of the hemp grown in each community goes to create and support another community, giving everybody a sense of giving back and helping others as they help themselves. This circles back to the healers who also work to heal the veterans and the other traumatized groups. This is the economic foundation on how the sale of the hemp products operates as a quantum economic matrix or an example of symbiotic economics which is more complex than this brief description allows.

Dwight Jory, the Project Manager for the Veteran Village Kins Community Arizona, Inc., said, We are very happy with the progress. Our Kins Community is really beginning to come together. In anticipation of planting to begin during the spring, 300 acres have been fenced, 16 overnight trailer park sites are under construction, and six 4040-ft organic vegetable gardens have been planted and are currently producing food and kenaf, according to Jory. These organic gardens double as experimental growing modules using an entire array of different growing technologies to see which modalities grow the best in a desert environment. As for the 6 geodesic domes mentioned in an earlier press release, 1 is structurally complete with only the electrical and plumbing to be completed. The rest are on site awaiting final site plan approval.

We are now accepting volunteers who have expressed an interest in helping to build the first Kins Community for our veterans, said Jory. Those interested in making the first hemp growing CBD-producing Veteran Village Kins Community become a reality should contact Ms. Sandra Williams via email (swilliams@hempinc.com).

One thousand trees, on 36 of the 500-acres, have also been planted, with an additional 1,000 trees on order. The Veteran Village Kins Community will include a 100,000-square foot GMP compliant, central processing plant, a state-of-the-art testing laboratory, and various health and wellness centers to support veterans who may have psychological, emotional or health issues.

Read more:
Hemp, Inc. Featured in Marijuana Break's Coverage on Hemp and COVID-19 - GlobeNewswire

Many of us are novices when it comes to working from home full-time.

I've learned that I have to be more direct when I am communicating with my coworkers and bosses. That writing down my daily schedule keeps me and my family more on track (and sane). That Slack can be extremely helpful, but also a huge time suck. And that there can never be too many snacks and stickers on hand to occupy a toddler when I am on a call.

I also miss my work friends more than I would have thought.

While it's taking me some time to adjust to this new work life, at some companies, remote work is all they know.

Be overly explicit. Give lots of detail when it comes to setting expectations, giving progress updates and requesting help. You may feel like you are being overly clear, but you probably aren't. Set regular check-ins to assess workloads and assignment progress.

Set a schedule. Routines can help in the face of uncertainty. They also keep your family functioning smoothly and prevent you from working around the clock. Set your work hours and try to stick with them -- that means making sure family members know they can't just drop in for a chat, and avoiding getting distracted by the latest Netflix offering.

Listen up, managers: Whatever you do, don't micromanage from a distance. It's not going to work. If you provide clear priorities and expectations with your team and make yourself available to help with any issues that crop up, you also have trust your employees to manage their workloads.

And now is the time to be extra flexible. Do you really care if an employee works from 7-10 pm because they're also playing the role of teacher to their kids during the day? As long as the work is getting done.

Now that we've covered some of the best secrets of working from home -- let's talk about staying healthy through all of this.

There are a lot of unhealthy traps that come with working from home, like the constant snack grazing or the lack of exercise.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

For the millions of people in the sandwich generation (meaning they're caring for their kids and their aging parents), this pandemic has pushed stress levels off the charts.

And since middle-aged women in the US do the majority of caregiving for their children and their parents, as author and journalist Ada Calhoun told CNN, they are particularly feeling the pressure of this situation.

This paragraph in particular stuck out to me: "So it's now on Gen X women to keep their parents from dying while learning how to homeschool, while either working from home or dealing with a job loss and profound financial insecurity, and no social network aside from what we can cobble together online. It's a perfect storm of pressure."

Also at a breaking point: Many of the nation's small businesses. With the economy at a standstill, small businesses need cash injections -- and fast.

Congress passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill at the end of March that allocated $349 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program that offered loans to small businesses. That ran dry in less than two weeks.

But with the new funding comes more confusion. Some small business owners who applied under the first round still aren't sure where their application stands.

Four of them shared their stories with CNN's Jeanne Sahadi. One explained how applying for a loan was "one of the most frustrating things I've ever done in my life," while a cafe owner in Minneapolis, who used his own personal savings to cover payroll, details the struggle in trying to decide whether to ask his staff to report to work next week.

Sometimes, I can almost hear my mom telling me to sit up straight as I hover over my laptop, shoulders hunched, typing furiously.

I know I am supposed to be sitting in an ergonomic chair with my feet on the floor, but that doesn't always happen. Fine, it rarely happens.

But your posture plays an important role in your health. Stephanie Mansour reports that regular workout routines aimed to improve posture can lead to less pain in your neck, shoulders, middle back, lower back and pelvis.

And here's the good news: Adding just 20 minutes a day, three times a week can help.

First comes love. Then come the postponed wedding. Then comes ... a year's worth of free beer?

The company will give 250 winners a $300 debit card, which can be used to buy two 24-pack cases of beer per month.

Cheers!

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These workers are always all remote. Here are their best tips - CNN