(WJCL) - Organizations everywhere are taking special precautions because of concerns over the Coronavirus.One of those organizations is Bluffton Self Help. Bluffton Self Help is a nonprofit that works to help neighbors in need.But at this time, their services will look a little different. Its our responsibility to prevent the spread of disease locally, but we really want to serve our community where its needed most," says Kimberly Hall, Executive Director of Bluffton Self Help.Until further notice, the clothing closet is shut down. No clothing donations will be accepted, and clothing items will not be distributed.Food items, however, will still be available during normal hours but through a modified, drive-thru style.Drive through our parking lot, drive around to the back of the building, and a volunteer or staff person will load pre-packaged groceries, essential items into their car," says Hall.Additionally, the nonprofit has set up a COVID-19 fund to support affected families. Were here for the community through mortgage/rental assistance, financial support, utility assistance, everything from that even to families who normally wouldnt access our programs here. We want to make sure were here for our community," says Hall.Typically, this nonprofit only serves clients who live and work in Bluffton.But right now, theyre extending help to neighbors beyond the town, too.We wont turn anybody away. If anybody calls us and is in need of help, we will make sure we can help them," says Hall. Right now, Bluffton Self Help is in need of paper bag donations.If youd like to donate to their COVID-19 support fund, click here.

(WJCL) - Organizations everywhere are taking special precautions because of concerns over the Coronavirus.

One of those organizations is Bluffton Self Help.

Bluffton Self Help is a nonprofit that works to help neighbors in need.

But at this time, their services will look a little different.

Its our responsibility to prevent the spread of disease locally, but we really want to serve our community where its needed most," says Kimberly Hall, Executive Director of Bluffton Self Help.

Until further notice, the clothing closet is shut down.

No clothing donations will be accepted, and clothing items will not be distributed.

Food items, however, will still be available during normal hours but through a modified, drive-thru style.

Drive through our parking lot, drive around to the back of the building, and a volunteer or staff person will load pre-packaged groceries, essential items into their car," says Hall.

Additionally, the nonprofit has set up a COVID-19 fund to support affected families.

Were here for the community through mortgage/rental assistance, financial support, utility assistance, everything from that even to families who normally wouldnt access our programs here. We want to make sure were here for our community," says Hall.

Typically, this nonprofit only serves clients who live and work in Bluffton.

But right now, theyre extending help to neighbors beyond the town, too.

We wont turn anybody away. If anybody calls us and is in need of help, we will make sure we can help them," says Hall.

Right now, Bluffton Self Help is in need of paper bag donations.

If youd like to donate to their COVID-19 support fund, click here.

Original post:
Bluffton Self Help commits to helping neighbors in need through modified services - WJCL News

The Valero gas station at 120 Watchung Ave. had a sign that announced new temporary hours, but was not open during those hours on Friday, April 3. ANDREW GARDA/STAFF

by Andrew Garda garda@montclairlocal.news

While Gov. Phil Murphys executive order closing all non-essential businesses to the public has left gas stations free to continue to operate, some have decided to shut off their pumps.

Lukoil, at 632 Valley Road in Upper Montclair, Valero, at 120 Watchung Ave., and Delta, at 2 Orange Road, are closed, though Valero had a handwritten sign that read, New Hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., hopefully temporary.

The station was not active during those business hours on Friday, April 3.

Two other Delta stations in Montclair one at 651 Bloomfield Ave. and another at 223 Harrison Ave., on the border with West Orange, remain open. The Delta on Harrison runs gas from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, while the mechanics work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Delta on Bloomfield did not answer phone calls.

The Exxon at 264 Bloomfield remains open 24 hours a day. The Shell station at 115 Bloomfield is also open but was unable to be reached for specific hours.

The 76 station at 45 Claremont Ave. will close for the next week, according to an employee at the station, and then decide what to do going forward.

New Jersey is the only remaining state to be completely full-service at the pump, with Oregon allowing self-service in counties with 40,000 or fewer residents. The ban on self-service fuel filling has been in place since 1949, when service station owners lobbied to get rid of it. It has survived in part because of concerns about safety and jobs.

There has been pressure building to change that during the COVID-19 pandemic, though.According to an article on CSPDailyNews.com, which covers news in the convenience and petroleum retail sectors, the New Jersey Gasoline-Convenience-Automotive Association recently sent a letter to Murphy asking for a temporary suspension of the self-service ban and outlining the risks a full-service employee may face even with precautions in place.

COVID-19: NJ GOVERNOR SAYS FLATTENING CURVE WORKING, DONT STOP

COVID-19: MONTCLAIR AMBULANCE UNIT NEEDS HELP

The NJGCA represents a group of independently owned fuel retailers. Sal Risalvato, executive director of NJGCA, expressed concern that employees cannot follow the recommended six-foot distancing while fueling vehicles and have to handle money or credit cards.

There have been many instances in which motorists have insisted on pumping their own gas and have refused to allow attendants to even touch their credit cards, Risalvato stated in the article.

All open gas stations are attempting to follow the health and safety guidelines to avoid spreading COVID-19. Attendants wear gloves while working the gas pump, and many are wearing masks.

Oregon recently lifted its total ban on customers pumping gas. According to an April 1 article on CSPDailyNews.com, the move was to help ease labor issues stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak, which has resulted in employees who were unable to work due to health issues, find day care for their children, or were just too worried about exposure to contagion.

There are concerns that the virus could spread via gas pumps as well, though there have been no definitive answers as to how long it can live on various surfaces.

Murphy indicated on March 31 that the state has no plans to revisit the law at this time. He said at his Friday, April 3, press conference in East Orange: I will not commit political suicide this morning in East Orange. Im not going near who pumps the gas.

Meanwhile, with the recent stay-at-home orders across most states, gas sales have dipped along with prices. The Associated Press reported early last week that the average price in New Jersey was down nine cents from the previous week and 45 cents from the same time in 2019.

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COVID-19: While some gas stations close, Montclair still has plenty of fuel in the tank - Montclair Local

Allour lives have been changed dramatically by the coronavirus pandemic. Most of us are being sequestered at home, manyare losing jobs and some of us have had to cancelmilestone events, such as weddings and graduations. But we are not the first people to experience tough times and we won't be the last.

Weveselected 10 books, mostof which have appeared on USA TODAYs Best-Selling Books list, that readers have turned toover the years for comfort during difficult times. Some books are spiritual and religious, offering solace. Others are secular and pragmatic, offering a littletough love. All provide some insight on how to improve our current circumstances and remind us thatthough we may feel cut off from the world, we are most definitely not alone.

"Ego Is the Enemy" by Ryan Holiday(Photo: Portfolio)

The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph, by Ryan Holiday.The author uses stoicism and its ancient adherentsfigures such as Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Cato to argue that much of life is beyond our control, but not all of it. If we focus on what we can control and let go of the rest, we have an opportunity to improve.

When Bad Things Happen to Good People, by Harold Kushner.This classic, originally published in 1981, predates our best-seller list but does not preclude its popularity. Kushner, a rabbi, addresses the dichotomy of a loving God and human suffering. Kushner dedicated the book to the memory of his sonwho died at the age of 14 of an incurable disease.

More: 100 books to read while stuck at home during the coronavirus crisis

More: Coronavirus: Here's where to find free ebooks and audiobooks while self-isolating

It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered, by Lysa TerKeurst.Life does not always turn out as we planned. According to Christian author TerKeurst,sometimes when thingshappen in life that are beyond our control, we question Gods goodness. TerKeurst explains to readers how to turn their own disappointments in God into divine appointments.

"Man's Search for Meaning," by Viktor Frankl.The neurologist and psychiatrist chronicleshis life in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. He argues that one's mindset can affectone's future, and that meaning and purpose can be found in almost any circumstance.

"You'll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times" by Max Lucado(Photo: Thomas Nelson)

"You'll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times," by Max Lucado.Lucado, a pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, encourages readers thateven though it wont be painless and wont be quick, difficult times can be gotten through with the help of God.

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams. The Dalai Lama and Tutu are both spiritual men who suffered years of exile and hardship. Yet both Nobel Prize-winners were still able to find joy. The pair look back over their lives and answer the question:How do we find joy in the face of lifes inevitable suffering?

Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames, by Thich Nhat Hanh. In addition to fear and anxiety, many of us are experiencing anger. In a book that was popular after the 9/11 attacks, the Buddhist monk gives advice on transforming the negative emotion we all experience into something positive.

"Crushing" by T.D. Jakes(Photo: FaithWords)

Crushing,by T.D. Jakes.Similar to Kushner, Jakes addresses the age-old question, why do the righteous suffer and where is God when they do? Jakes, through sharing examples of his own crushing life experiences, encourages people to have hope and trust in God during difficult times.

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found a Self-Help That Actually Works, By Dan Harris.People are feeling anxious, understandably. Harris knows something about that:Thejournalist had a televised panic attack in 2004. What helped? Meditation. Harris recounts his own journey through spirituality and self-help that led him to the adoption of the age-old practice.

More: 50 great books to entertain quarantined kids, whether they're newborns or high schoolers

More: Travel the world in spite of coronavirus by reading these 10 transporting travelogues

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, by Mark Manson.Dont let the title fool you: The book actually takes an empathetic look at the cold, hard fact that life is not fair for everyone. Manson does not sugarcoat with platitudes but reminds us that, in life, we need to find meaning in all moments, good or bad.

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Coronavirus reading: 10 inspirational books that offer advice on how to live in tough times - USA TODAY

Arnon Rosan manufactures giant Lego-like building blocks, which can be converted into furniture or walls for offices, classrooms, and military training operations. Theyve been used to build a life-sized ice castle in New York Citys Bryant Park and a 17-foot-tall menorah in Washington, D.C. But now his company, EverBlock Systems, is sending truckloads of plastic blocks and interlocking wall units from New York to Louisiana to build a temporary hospital for coronavirus patients.

We dont wish for disaster, certainly, Rosan says of the virus sweeping the country. But were happy to be able to respond with something that we know people need and solves the problem quickly and efficiently.

State and federal governments and health systems across the United States are scrambling to find space to treat patients as coronavirus cases have quickly overwhelmed emergency rooms and ICUs. Convention centers and arenas from Los Angeles to Philadelphia are being transformed into temporary hospitals, as are outdoor spaces, such as New York Citys Central Park.Today In:Healthcare

The one thing all these places have in common? They have enough room to set up safe and appropriate working environments for the medical staff and the equipment and supplies that are needed, says Dr. Irwin Redlener, Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University.

For his part, Rosan is busy working to fulfill an order to build 2,000 patients pods and 130 nurses stations for the field hospital under construction inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Louisiana-based Dynamic Construction Group, the primary contractor on the hospital project, tapped EverBlock on March 26 to provide its products. At that point, Rosan had a head start: there were nearly a thousand wall panels and 60,000 blocks in his companys warehouse ready to load onto the 53-foot trucks that would take them down to New Orleans. But hell need to provide a lot more. Rosan estimates the total project will require close to 6,000 panels and 150,000 blocks. In addition to 13 full-time employees, hes recently hired 9 temporary workers to help scale up production at the companys manufacturing facility and warehouse in the Bronx.

Were being asked to deliver a years worth of product in one month, says Rosan. Though his usual orders have dried up, hes already expecting EverBlocks revenues to more than double from an expected $7.5 million to more than $20 million by the end of this year. The convention center contract alone will likely come in well above $10 million, he says.

This isnt Rosans first time supplying material for disaster relief projects. His previous company Signature Systems Group, which he founded in 1999, manufactured temporary floor and roadway systems that could gain access to remote sites, such as oil rigs. Rosan says he supplied modular floors for tents used by the National Guard following Hurricanes Katrina, Ike and Sandy. He also worked on the flooring for a tent project for the World Food Programme in Haiti after the earthquake.

In 2013, he sold Signature Systems Group to a private equity firmand was looking for something new to keep busy. He declined to disclose the deal price, but said at the time of the sale, the company had around $90 million in revenue. His current company began as a side project the idea for developing the companys giant blocks came from his kids. But when customers began to realize their potential, the company took off.

People seem to just engage and resonate with this concept of Wow this oversized building block. I can build anything, he recalls.

EverBlock is delivering the walls and blocks that make up the tented structures in which patients will sleep. Each pod is an individual chamber that will have its own ventilation duct to ensure that patients with different viral loads are kept separate. Dynamic Construction is working on the ventilation, electrical and all of the other construction components needed to make the temporary hospital function.

These beds will be for patients who are not fragile. They dont need to be on a ventilator, they dont need an ICU bed, but they still need to be hospitalized, Louisianas Democratic Governor Jim Bel Edwards said earlier this week at a press conference outside the convention center. While the original plan had been to care for 1,000 patients at the facility, Edwards had to quickly double that number a few days later in response to the surge in patients. The goal now is to have 1,000 beds set up by early next week and the full 2,000 beds by April 20.

My philosophy is when these things happen, you have to react in real time, Rosan says. Thats something that were just really good at that quick rallying of resources to make it happen.

Katie Jennings, Forbes Staff, Healthcare

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Health6 hours ago 5 Ways To Cope With The Self During Isolation - Forbes Africa

MADISON (WKOW) -- During the coronavirus pandemic, it can be easy to feel like we're constantly in danger.

"Those emotional states really wear down our system and it actually weakens our immune system and we don't think the most constructively," Dr. Shilagh Mirgain, a psychologist at UW Health, said.

She says the panic right now is just as contagious as the virus, so taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

"Monitor your own emotions and when you start to get keyed up, the first thing to do is just to calm the system," Dr. Mirgain said. "The second is to put this in perspective."

She equated this current emergency to 9/11 or the Boston marathon bombings, two terrible tragedies that we were able to overcome as a nation.

"We want to take this seriously and really engage in the kind of self-care that will keep ourselves and others safe," she said. "It isn't just a common cold or a flu."

With recent school closures, communicating the situation with your children calmly will also help prevent further harm for your family.

"Stick to the facts. You might want to limit how much your kids are exposed to media because certainly things like social media posts can be exaggerated or there can be misinformation that can scare your children unnecessarily," Dr. Mirgain said.

As large gatherings are being cancelled, she says you should try to have more family bonding time.

"You can do a hobby, spend time outside and certainly prioritize health for your kids and yourself," she said. "We want to be eating well, we want to be exercising and prioritize sleep."

She also said to watch local news and read enough to get your necessary updates but then avoid social media or constantly checking for more information on the pandemic.

If you're really struggling, you should seek help from a professional.

Many of them are going to do telehealth appointments to get the help you need without having the risk of infection.

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Managing mental health in face of coronavirus pandemic - WKOW

The precise rate of artificial-intelligence (AI) adoption in South Africa is unknown. Some reports suggest half of the countrys larger businesses are actively plugging in, while others indicate that South African companies are slower on the uptake. Regardless, the transition to a workplace in which AI has a significant role to play is under way and is having a knock-on effect on the skills required by business especially for entry-level positions.

During this transition, fewer positions will be available, and we will see a significant shift in skills requirements for entry-level positions, commented World Wide Worx managing director and fourth industrial revolution project principal, Arthur Goldstuck. This, of course, is the fundamental challenge of the 4IR.

This issue is playing out particularly vividly in the global financial services sector, which, according to a McKinsey report, is one of the leading adopters of AI and machine learning.

From banking to trading, AI is reducing the time it takes to generate reports, analyse risks and rewards, make decisions and monitor financial health. AI is used to give more accurate, personalised advice, combat fraud, automate savings, make indecipherable data intelligible for service providers and their customers, and make self-help options viable, practical and safe. These are many of the skills that financial-services graduates are traditionally trained in.

University graduates today are stepping into a world in which they will be working alongside AI, and they will need a different skill set and mindset to do so. Research is identifying a growth mindset as a key requirement in workplaces in which humans and computers work side by side. The term was coined by Stanford University professor Carol Dweck, and having a growth mindset means that you believe your talents can be developed (through hard work, effective strategies, and input from others). By contrast, if you have a fixed mindset, you believe your talents are innate gifts. People with a growth mindset tend to perform better in the modern workplace because they worry less about looking smart and put more energy into learning. They dont get as easily knocked back by criticism or failure because they are less defensive, quicker to admit errors and move on, and more likely to share and collaborate.

The good news is that although developing a growth mindset is not easy (it seems that a fixed mindset is often the default setting for our brains) it can be done. And it starts with helping individuals to become more self-aware.

To remain in a growth zone, we must identify and work with [our] triggers, says Dweck. Many managers and executives have benefited from learning to recognise when their fixed-mindset persona shows up and what it says to make them feel threatened or defensive. Most importantly, over time, they have learned to talk back to it, persuading it to collaborate with them as they pursue challenging goals.

It falls to educators from primary school through to tertiary education to make sure that we are preparing our students for the future world of work. It is our responsibility to develop not only the technical skills and competencies they need but also the self-awareness and associated mindsets that will make them more resilient and adaptive. Furthermore, we will have to co-operate more closely with industry recruiters to understand their precise needs in respect of talent. This is the premise upon which the African Institute of Financial Markets and Risk Management [AIFMRM] at the University of Cape Town was founded more than five years ago.

Against a backdrop of skills shortages, 8.3% of graduates are reportedly struggling to find jobs in the current economy; this suggests that academic institutions and the world of work and business are somewhat misaligned. Realignment is essential for the survival of academia, industry and the economy. And in the age of AI, this challenge is magnified.

The World Economic Forum estimates that automation will displace 75-million jobs worldwide by 2022, but that with sufficient economic growth, innovation, and investment especially in wise human-capital development there can be enough new job creation to offset the effects of automation.

AI cant do everything. It (currently) cannot make moral decisions or explain how it came up with a particular solution. It is essentially subordinate to its algorithm and generally doesnt act in ways that are outside of its training. It is in these functions that graduates will need to excel.

We must embrace this imperative and act together systemically to find the best of traditional education, and rewire it to emerging requirements and trends in the workplace so that graduates can complement the role of AI and maximise its benefits for consumers and the economy.

Professor David Taylor is the director of the African Institute of Financial Markets and Risk Management at the University of Cape Town

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We must equip graduates to excel in tasks that are beyond the scope of AI - Mail and Guardian

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Your ability to strike a reasonable balance between family and work life demands is about to be tested like never before.

In the last few weeks, attempts to increase social distancing and address the coronavirus pandemic has led to businesses all over the world shifting to remote working. Without much preparation, many people are abruptly having to adjust to new ways of operating, leading and connecting.

Working parents have an additional burden now that universities and school systems are sending students home to conduct virtual learning and daycare providers are suspending services. You now have two environments coming togetheryour job and your home lifethat were never meant to overlap this much.

Even if youre a seasoned pro at working from home, doing it alongside a spouse or with children around is sure to present a whole new set of challenges. But before you get overwhelmed, here are five tips to help you communicate more effectively, manage the unavoidable stress of this situation and balance competing priorities.

1. Plan holistically

You may be tempted to hope for the best and take one day at a time; you plan to try to work from home and meet family needs as they come up. This is a mistake.

If you dont make the time to plan for how you will address the myriad of tasks coming your way, you will inevitably find yourself failing to meet expectations at work or working around the clock because home life required more from you than you anticipated.

Before now, you may have taken for granted the luxury of working without constantly being interrupted by the people you love. Take time to play out the various scenarios that will likely come up when working around your family, and ask yourself important questions. Do you need quiet to focus and can you get it? How often will you need to multitask while working? Can you predict the best times to take calls?

For some, it may be an option to carve out exclusive work time by sending older kids off to entertain themselves or by alternating childcare with a spouse that is also working from home. For others, you may have to be the primary (or only) caretaker of young children, which leaves limited time to work.

Face these realities up front while drafting your initial plan of attack. This will help you to better communicate your needs and not underestimate the challenges ahead.

2. Get real with your boss and teammates

While its a privilege to have the option to work from home and continue to get paid, dont let your gratitude for the situation make you lose sight of the practicality. Trying to remain at the top of your game at work while also taking care of young children is completely unrealistic.

Even older children may end up needing more attention than you expected. Consider what is being asked of your kids. Theyve had to suddenly stop all of their normal routines, from school interactions to sports to activities, and sit at home every day with you while you try to work. They will get restless.

Its time to have a candid conversation with your boss and team about your unique circumstances. Explain your commitment to helping the company navigate these unprecedented times, but also make sure you voice what obstacles you will have to manage in the background.

You dont want anyone making their own assumptions about what you can and cant do. This is especially true for working fathers as gender bias may create the incorrect perception that you have fewer responsibilities at home.

Address any parts of your job that will be impacted from working from home and confirm what tasks you can commit to or complete. This will help you and your boss to get ahead of any potential issues. Do your best, but dont overpromise.

3. Confirm changing priorities and deadlines

Your goal for the next few weeks is to successfully fulfill the essential requirements of your job while caring for your family physically and mentally.

While only meeting the minimum required at work has a negative connotation, in this case, that strategy may be your only shot at finding a sustainable balance to get through the next few weeks. Now is not the time to waste energy on initiatives that are no longer as important as they were previously or projects with changing deadlines.

Theres a good chance some new mitigating circumstance may have changed the priorities of your work. Be sure to follow up with your team and get explicit feedback on when things are due so you arent overextending yourself in order to meet a timeline that is outdated.

The same applies if you routinely ask your colleagues for support. Be thoughtful about what you actually need versus what you want and set clear deadlines. Consider things you requested previously. Are they still necessary?

Delivering for your clients will remain a high priority, but as much as you can, be sure to provide your colleagues with flexibility to manage family life.

4. Optimize your stamina

Managing your physical stamina is one of the most important things you need to do right now.

This means getting as much sleep as you can, eating high-quality food, staying hydrated and sneaking in stress management practices like meditation. These are all things that you are sure to struggle to incorporate into your schedule in the coming weeks.

Do yourself a favor and skip the late-night stress eating while binge watching the news. This will leave you grumpy and frazzled the next day and not ready to take on your workload that is even higher than usual.

If you find yourself only able to protect one self-care habit in the days to come, make it sleep. Guard your rest aggressively. It is not selfish to choose sleep over sending emails or finally watching a show with your partner.

Try to remind yourself that your entire family will benefit from being around the healthier, or at least better rested, version of you.

5. Communicate, communicate, communicate

You need even more support from your partner while living in closer proximity with them but with greater physical isolation from your work team. Yet a failure to communicate effectively could bring unnecessary tension.

Dont make any assumptions about how you will balance childcare or other home tasks. And dont hesitate to speak up when an established relationship norm no longer works in this new setting. For example, after putting the kids to bed you may need to skip your habit of watching Netflix together because you need more alone time now that youre both home and working around each other all day.

Whatever it is that you need, share your thoughts and concerns early. If you wait until you are truly frustrated, youre more likely to become demanding or blame your partner for failing to help with a desire they didnt even know you had. Its critical that you discuss each of your needs, wants and expectations frequently.

Navigating change is hard. Go easy on yourself if you start to feel you are falling short. This lifestyle change wont be easy, but long after you get through this tumultuous time, you will be proud of your ability to adapt and persevere.

Kourtney Whitehead is a career expert and author of Working Whole. You can learn more about her work atSimply Service.

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5 Tips To Balance Remote Working While Your Family Is Also At Home - Forbes

Prayer, to me, is about service and becoming a more efficient, creative instrument of The Divine. Here is my personal testimony.

In my experience, prayer and Self-knowledge go intrinsically hand in hand, forming the bedrock of a rich, sustainable, inner life. Honed through many trials and tribulations, prayer is an integral part of my spiritual and creative practice, hard-wired into the sound of silence, the expansion of inner space and the movement and prompting of the creative spirit. Connecting to the realm of prayer reminds me to breathe in the clear, clean mountain air, drink directly from The Source and allow the noise of the busy world to drop away.

I use the power of prayer as a vehicle of praise and gratitude, an intentional way to help others and as a practical portal to access higher levels of consciousness and the world of infinite supply through which we can manifest all manner of possible things. Life is a mystery. We never know when, why or how a divine spark of creativity will strike or where an initial creative impulse will lead

On 5th January 2020, the American-Iranian conflict was raging, as were the Australian Bushfires. At the end of a condolence call to my friend in Adelaide, I said We must pray for rain and offered up a prayer to see if I could write something. that would speak to the moment. The words came swiftly:

Prayer for Peace to Rain

Pray for the rain to come again

To quench the flames and soothe the pain

Pray to unite our world entire

To stave off war and quell the fire

May healing rain and fury cease

Pray for our planet, pray for peace

Reflecting on the prayer, led to a clear, spiritual call to action, to mount and choreograph a Vigil for Our Planet around the torchlit, healing waters of The Roman Baths in Bath where I live. What better place to hold this timely, spiritual gathering than in a historic site, with a sacred spring in the heart of a beloved World Heritage City? The event would be in aid of the Australian Bushfire appeal. I hesitated to take on such a major undertaking, but it was the words of Greta Thunberg Our planet is burning that compelled me to commit and do all I possibly could to realise this wonderful vision.

The Vigil for Our Planet was duly dedicated to our children and our childrens children a call to action to people of all faiths and none to stand together as one. Date and time: 8th March, International Womens Day, 8.00-9.00 pm.

Organising the event was a deep act of faith and it was prayer that gave me the courage and strength to dare to walk forward into the unknown, trusting that my hand was held in the unseen world and that I was being guided in my mission at each step. The project was blessed with a groundswell of generosity and warm-hearted community support from my friends, sponsors, volunteers, musicians, performers and ongoing prayer throughout from the Benedictines at Prinknash Abbey in Gloucestershire.

On the night. we were a reflective, prayerful gathering of around eighty people, quietly holding the light in the magical setting of The Roman Baths. The programme of words, music and silence included a Maori water prayer, Prayer for Peace to Rain set to music and sung by a local duo, Sinnober, and the work of two Australian poets, one a member of the Aboriginal community and another who evacuated his home due to the bushfires in New South Wales. At a practical level, the vigil raised over 1,000 in donations, proceeds going to the World Wildlife Fund and the British Red Cross.

I invite you to stand with me in praying for peace to rain and holding the vision of a global Vigil for Our Planet. Who will carry the torch next? Every single vigil, however small, will help to build the dream and help create a better, brighter world for ourselves, our loved ones and the treasured generations yet to come.

Lizzie Davies

Lizzie Davies is a committed change agent and innovator who has been actively involved in promoting peace through the arts for over twenty five years. She is a writer and performance poet and the originator of the Candala, an illuminated art form to light up our world. A trauma survivor, she is passionate about the power of beauty and the creative spirit to overcome unimaginable loss and suffering and has just completed writing a self-help book on her unique practice of resilience training.

http://www.prayerforpeacetoran.com http://www.thecandalaproject.com

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Prayer for Peace to Rain - Thrive Global

The drop in foot traffic and a reluctance to go out will leave shops and restaurants empty.

While federal, state and local governments will need to step in with financial help and other policy measures, there also are some small ways that individuals, if they have the means, can help their favorite small businesses stay afloat through the crisis.

Purchasing a gift card to your favorite shop, theater or restaurant is an immediate way to put cash into the business, said Amanda Ballantyne, national director of The Main Street Alliance.

That's exactly what Luz Urrutia, CEO of the Opportunity Fund, a nonprofit microlender, has done. "I just bought gift cards to every one of the [local] restaurants that I love. They get their cash today. And I'll be able to use it later."

Molly Moon runs several ice cream shops in Seattle, which already has been hard hit by coronavirus. Moon, who employs 120 people, said she's now considering "extremely reduced hours ... It's breaking my heart."

For healthy customers running errands, she encourages them in good humor to "stock up on pints for the hard times." For those who stay home, Moon invites them to buy gift cards and store merchandise on her company web site.

When it comes to shopping locally, health guidance from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control "is literally disrupting business as usual," said Abigail Ellman, a director at the Cooper Square Committee, a nonprofit working to prevent the displacement of residents and small businesses on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

Right now, Ellman noted, businesses are worried about how to make rent and payroll. Customers alone can't cure that strain, but she said "they need you to shop there. Support your local pharmacies and restaurants and businesses."

Taproom No. 307, a craft beer restaurant in New York City, is usually packed on Friday nights, and is really busy around St. Patrick's Day.

As of this week, the place has been practically empty. "People are afraid," said co-owner Roberta Souza.

It doesn't help that the restaurant is a place patrons come to watch live sports and most have now been canceled.

To entice customers who would rather stay home, Souza is offering a 20% discount on takeout.

In Seattle's Chinatown, restaurants are offering different types of deals to attract customers, said Monisha Singh, who runs the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area, a nonprofit providing marketing, street cleaning and other services to local shops and restaurants.

Some are offering incentives for first-time users that order delivery through services like Uber Eats and Postmates, Singh said. They're also offering curbside pickup for takeout orders.

And in a bid to help neighboring businesses in the area, some restaurants in Chinatown are offering a 20% discount to customers who show them a receipt from their purchases at another small business, Singh added.

Many independently owned restaurants and food businesses that haven't previously done so are now getting on to delivery platforms like Uber Eats or Postmates, as Moon is doing.

How you pay may be a concern. If you're sick or in a self-quarantine or if you're elderly and at risk, you might use your credit card to pay over the phone, including the tip for the delivery person, and ask them to leave the bag of food outside your door, said Dr. Robyn Gershon, an epidemiology professor at New York University's School of Public Health.

"But if you are fine and not in a 14-day quarantine, there's no reason not to open your door and hand the delivery person a tip."

If you do go to a restaurant or bar, or when you order takeout, consider being a little extra generous on the tips for wait staff and delivery people, since their income will drop due to fewer patrons.

A bigger tip may not directly contribute to a restaurant's bottom line, but it does help others and it contributes to the spirit of goodwill and appreciation in the community, which can help with everyone's mood.

Excerpt from:
How to help your favorite small businesses survive the coronavirus crisis - CNN

In the last week, Houston therapist Kara Smith has had to field several questions about COVID-19.

One client asked if everyone who contracts the virus dies; another asked if she will suspend her practice. A third asked if the virus can be passed to pets.

I am seeing a wide range of reactions to this pandemic, said Smith, a licensed clinical social worker. As stories arise, such as the cancellation of the Rodeo and the remainder of the NBA season, clients anxiety levels are rising. Many clients are worried about losing their jobs, especially those in the supply chain, oil and gas, or travel and leisure industries.

But people who do not normally seek mental health services are feeling an uptick in anxiety as well, partly due to a sudden sense of loneliness and isolation, as working from home and social distancing become more prevalent.

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Mental health, self-care practices one can do alone from home

For your body:

Eat more nutritional foods

Drink less caffeine

Eat less sugar

Exercise

For your mind:

Deep breathing

Mindfulness

Journaling your thoughts, body sensations and emotions

Play games

Do a crossword puzzle

Read a book

Limit exposure to coronavirus media to one or two times per day

Yoga

Learn something new

Discover new music

For your spirit:

Read religious, spiritual or metaphysical literature

Watch a religious, spiritual or metaphysical video or listen to a podcast

See if your place of worship will offer online streaming or religious services

Connect with nature (go outside, care for a houseplant, look out the window at nature)

Spend time with your pets

Meditation

Reach out to someone outside your household at least once a day. It is important for us to stay connected to others during this time.

Source: Kara Smith, Houston licensed clinical social worker

What are people the most afraid of? Other people, Smith said.

The most difficult thing for most of my clients to do is to trust that other people are protecting us as much as we are protecting ourselves, she said. As we hear stories about people who were asked to self-quarantine going to crowded places, the ability to trust those around us to do the right thing decreases.

These heightened feelings are normal, and its important to understand the difference between anxiety, obsessive compulsive patterns and coronavirus news-induced feelings of panic.

Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale is the co-director of the Houston OCD program and president of the Peace of Mind Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the goal of helping people who suffer from various types of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Certainly during this time, we see a lot more increased fear responses and anxiety, McIngvale said. What were seeing are more patients who arent normally at our clinic. Were really seeing anxiety and panic take over and be part of the general population at this point.

Anxiety levels spike in a general population during times of uncertainty, like when theres a hurricane in the Gulf. But with a virus like COVID-19, which is spread person-to-person and takes days to show symptoms, there is an extra level of fear. Constant news updates, mile-long lines at grocery stores and supply shortages can contribute to a collective feeling of urgency or panic.

Theres this added level of responsibility that if Im not cautious enough, I can catch it, spread it and itll be my fault, McIngvale said. Youre going to definitely see that people are making decisions based on risk.

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Measures to slow the spread of coronavirus have extended much further than wash your hands for 20 seconds. Most large gatherings have been canceled, and companies are encouraging their employees to work from home if theyre capable. This weekend, the House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which mandates employers provide paid sick time to employees who qualify.

Americans crave communion with others, and self-isolation can play into a greater feeling of anxiety, and in some cases, depression.

As people isolate more and socialize less, they are more prone to feelings of loneliness and restlessness, if not anxiety and depression, Smith said. If people are asked to remain at home for days, it may also bring up trauma memories of Hurricane Harvey, leaving people feeling trapped, isolated and helpless.

The best thing to do is take better care of ourselves in body, mind and spirit, Smith said.

McIngvale and Smith both recommend limiting exposure to coronavirus media to one or two times per day because constant exposure can increase feelings of anxiety and panic.

Also, find a credible source, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or a trusted media source,, and only get information from there. Pay attention to recommendations and guidelines, but try to avoid the rest if youre feeling uneasy.

Finally, use the appropriate amount of caution, but dont overdo it.

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When anxiety is taking over, we start to see 20-second recommended hand washes turn into multiple hand washes and an inability to leave the kitchen because theyre stuck washing their hands, McIngvale said. When is it a normal response or when is it (obsessive compulsive) or anxiety taking over?

Social distancing can also affect people who rely on in-person communities, such as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, to stay accountable in their recovery from drugs and alcohol. A good alternative is In The Rooms, an online support group website with video meetings.

Many therapists, including Smith, offer video therapy appointments in lieu of in-person visits. Its important to stay accountable and on top of your mental health even if youre under quarantine, McIngvale said. At area hospitals, telemedicine apps are being used in as many consultations as possible, especially those not related to coronavirus.

Anxiety and a little bit of uneasiness are normal during this time, McIngvale said. But most people should return to functioning. If its consistent and affecting your life, seek help before it causes any major disruption.

julie.garcia@chron.com

Twitter.com/reporterjulie

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Julie Garcia is a features reporter at the Houston Chronicle focusing on health, fitness and outdoors.

Originally from Port Neches, Texas, Julie has worked as a community journalist in South Texas cities since 2010. In Beaumont and Port Arthur, she wrote feature stories and breaking news before moving to the Victoria Advocate as an assistant sports editor writing about high school sports and outdoors. Most recently, she worked at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times in areas spanning city and county government, new business, affordable housing, breaking news and health care. In 2015, she covered the Memorial Day floods in Wimberley, Texas, and in 2017, she was a lead reporter covering Hurricane Harvey as it affected the Coastal Bend region. These experiences have pushed her toward exploring environmental journalism and climate change.

A textbook water sign, Julie is an advocate for people feeling their feelings and wants to help people tell their stories. When not at work, shes probably riding around in her Jeep looking at all the tall buildings.

Have a story to tell? Email her at Julie.Garcia@chron.com. For everything else, check her on Twitter @reporterjulie.

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How to keep your mental health in check during the coronavirus pandemic - Houston Chronicle