We, a collection of sociology Ph.D. students at the University of Chicago, would like to respond to professor Kimberly Hoangs recent op-ed published in The Chicago Maroon. Our aim is neither to polemicize against the author of the piece nor provoke further controversies. Instead, we merely want to offer an alternative set of value commitments. We see this recent post as an opportunity to restate our continuous commitment to scholarship, rigorous research, and community during these tumultuous times.

The problem we see with Hoangs tough love is not so much her advice per se. Of course, it is important to continue our research, publish, and think about potentially necessary adaptations of our projects. We also do not take issue with the advice that students should seriously consider non-academic jobs. Rather, we do not agree with her framing of our most important tasks as an academic community in the current situation. Hoangs piece subscribes to an ideological vision of the academy as a competitive market, in which atomistic individuals fight for dominance of their brand. In her uptake of the meritocratic ideal, she suggests that academia selects those who apply themselves most and are worthy by measure of their intellectual brilliance. If only we increase our personal commitment and output, we might be able to weather the crisis. Even if read more generously, this rhetoric provides little in support of the true intellectual community we seek.

The problem with this view is that it ignores the many structural conditions that shape who will make it, as well as the unpredictability of success. It ignores that thriving communities of scholarship are more than marketplaces and require solidarity, mutual concern, and altruism. It also ignores, finally, the structurally precarious situation of graduate students and dresses it up as privilege. Working hard is no guarantee for success. So, we wonder, why not highlight the failures of the academic job market instead of exhorting those who cannot deal with it to exit?

In contrast, we want to emphasize a different vision. The current COVID-19 situation is already reinforcing existing inequalities. As universities come under economic pressure, they will make cuts where it is easiestthat is, with respect to those who are most vulnerable. Instead of a world where each individual just focuses on themselves and their research, we believe that communities should come together and fight to mitigate the fallout from the crisis together. We want to affirm that ours is an intellectual community that is oriented to joint progress through mutual aid and learning. Accordingly, we recommend that the next steps should be worked out together: We should understand how the current crisis and our response to it perpetuate inequality, and how we can combat it. What kind of new accessibility challenges does the virtual classroom pose? What additional difficulties result for people with mental and physical disabilities? How do we support and build cooperative social networks over distance? Then, we should think about how to collectively establish systems of support and care. For instance, graduate students of the sociology department have come up with lists of concrete suggestions of how faculty-student cooperation could look like. Graduate students have also mobilized a petition asking the University to continue wage payments to cooking and cleaning staff.

Many of us have come to this university to find and create a community in the academy. We want to build a community that helps all of us feel supported and that enables us all to succeed in our personal and professional lives. We want to build a community that understands the systemic injustices that cause certain groups of people to suffer no matter how hard they work. We want to help them succeed and overcome the structural sources of this inequality to come an inch closer to a world that can be meritocratic. This is why we do sociology. This is what we, as graduate students along with our faculty, can and should do right now.

Ultimately, Hoang would know any of this had she bothered to ask the students in her own department what they are going through. It is strange that an ethnographer by training does not engage with the subjects she is supposedly giving advice to. Aspiring ethnographers are taught how to listen. Is Hoang listening to us? We, for one, are willing to talk.

The authors are sociology Ph.D. students at the University. They have requested anonymity in light of the influence Hoang has as an instructor and administrator in their department.

Read more:
Professor Hoang, We Need Academic CommunityNot CompetitionAmid the Pandemic - The Chicago Maroon

There are things I miss about the office. I miss talking through problems face-to-face. Going on a coffee run with my coworkers. And the hum of the newsroom. (Although, the kiddos are providing some pretty interesting sound effects these days.)

But when and if you do finally go back to the office, don't expect it to look exactly how you left it.

Employers are working to implement all kinds of changes to protect their employees in this new age of social distancing.

There's likely going to be more space between desks, added partitions and sanitation stations, plus new rules on the use of common areas, meetings and where and how to keep your food.

Workspaces: Desks are going to have to be separated to allow for social distancing. Higher partitions and privacy panels will help create more protection between workers.

Friendly reminders of social distancing, like a six-foot rug or a taped-off area behind desks to show the appropriate distance to stand when asking a colleague a question, could become common.

How you move throughout the office will also change. Companies might add furniture like big bookshelves or indoor trees to help direct the flow of foot traffic and create barriers. Certain hallways or stairs could be designated as one-way to help prevent bottlenecks or workers getting too close.

Sanitization: There will be disinfectants and hand sanitizers scattered around the office, but you can also expect to see cleaning crews coming throughout the day.

Stickers detailing the last time of cleaning will help workers know that a meeting room is safe to enter.

Communal spaces: Many employers will opt to close spaces that encourage gathering, including kitchens. The risk is too high for germs to spread.

Automation: The less touching, the better. Think voice or foot-controlled technology to activate elevator buttons, or turn on lights or sensors with automatic sanitizing capabilities.

Protective wear: Companies are going to have stricter requirements for workwear, writes Alexander Alonso, chief knowledge officer for the Society for Human Resource Management, for CNN Business' Perspectives.

He added that more than half of essential businesses are currently allowing personal protective equipment (more commonly referred to as PPE) in their uniforms, including gloves and face masks.

By now, you might feel like you have a good grasp on this whole remote work thing.

You've found the most comfortable spot to work, figured out the best schedule and have finally found the best background for all your video calls.

But have you thought about your computer's security?

Experts say they have seen a surge in "phishing" attacks targeting people working from home.Clicking on a link in an email or message could lead to installing malware on your device, writes CNN's Rishi Iyengar.

The 2008 recession was nicknamed the "mancession." Today, it looks like women are bearing the brunt of the economic fallout.

Last week, we learned that the economy lost a staggering 20.5 million jobs in April and that the unemployment rate soared to 14.7%.

That's stunning.

But the situation is even more devastating for women. The unemployment rate for women increased to 15.5%, while the rate for men rose to 13%.

Here's what's going on: Women are overrepresented in jobs that can't be done remotely, like hospitality and retail, reports CNN's Anneken Tappe.

It's getting harder to find credit these days.

Banks are tightening their grip when it comes to extending credit. Credit card holders have seen their credit limits reduced or even discovered that cards have been closed involuntarily. And tapping your home's equity for a loan could also be off the table, as some banks have stopped accepting applications.

But consumers still have some options if they are struggling financially. Some lenders are offering coronavirus-specific personal loans and Congress has temporarily changed the rules for tapping a 401(k).

Keep in mind, there are risks involved when it comes to dipping into your retirement savings, so make sure you understand the long-term implications.

You might not be using your car every day to commute to and from work, but the car payments are still coming due.

If you are struggling to make your monthly payments, the first thing you need to do is speak up, according to CNN's Peter Valdes-Dapena. Don't wait until you miss a payment.

Many auto lenders are offering assistance to customers having a hard time making ends meet because of coronavirus shutdowns.

No one is wearing pants these days. Well, at least not new pants.

People did a lot of online shopping last month, as many retailers offered the type of discounts that are usually seen around Black Friday.

So what are people buying? Being comfy at home seems to be a top priority, as pajama sales soared 143%. Sales of pants declined 13%, according to Adobe Analytics.

Not surprisingly, online grocery store sales rose by 11% between March and April.

While many retailers are dropping prices to entice customers, not everything is being discounted. For instance, computer prices increased 3.1% last month.

Read the rest here:
Here's what the office could look like post pandemic - CNN

On May 7, 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that restaurants, bars and personal care services --hair salons, barbershops, day spas, nail salons and tanning facilities-- would be permitted to reopen, beginning May 15, 2020. One of those business owners who is reopening is Kevin Malof, partial owner of Bishops Quarter bar and restaurant, pictured, in Loveland. Photo provided.

By Megan Alley Sun Reporter

On May 7, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that restaurants, bars and personal care services hair salons, barbershops, day spas, nail salons and tanning facilities would be permitted to reopen, beginning May 15.

The announcement is part of DeWines continuingResponsible RestartOhioplan to reopen businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plan sets forth the following:

Starting May 1, all medically necessary procedures that do not require an overnight stay in a healthcare facility or do not require inpatient hospital admission and minimizes use of personal protective equipment could move ahead.

This includes regular doctor visits, well-care checks, well-baby visits, out-patient surgeries, imaging procedures and diagnostic tests.

Dental services and veterinary services may also move ahead if a safe environment can be established.

Starting May 4, manufacturing, distribution and construction businesses could reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees.

Also beginning on May 4, general office environments could reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees.

Starting May 12, consumer, retail and some services could reopen if these businesses can meet mandatory safety requirements for customers and employees.

According to the plan, the general safe business practices that all businesses must follow as they reopen are:

Requiring face coverings for all employees, and recommending them for clients and customers at all times.

Conducting daily health assessments or self-evaluations of employees to determine if they should work.

Maintaining hand washing and social distancing.

Cleaning and sanitizing workplaces throughout the day and at the close of business or between shifts.

Limiting capacity to meet social distancing guidelines

Clermont Chamber President Matt Van Sant provided a local response to the most recent announcement,.

The Clermont Chamber is pleased that Governor DeWine has re-opened Ohio on a limited basis for our workers andresidents, Van Sant wrote in an email. Four out of ten workers in Clermont County are from manufacturing, retail trade, and health care/social assistance. From restaurants to basic employment in our county, this move will strengthen our overall economy and make things better for our community. Our workers want to work.

DeWines plan, as it pertains to restaurants, bars and personal care services, says the following:

Restaurants and bars in the state will be permitted to reopen outdoor dining services on May 15 and dine-in services on May 21.

DeWines Restaurant Advisory Group drafted a list of guidelines and best practices for restaurant and bar owners to follow. The full list of mandatory and recommended best practices can be found atcoronavirus.ohio.gov.

Personal care services, such as hair salons, barbershops, day spas, nail salons and tanning facilities will be permitted to reopen on May 15.

DeWines Personal Services Advisory Group drafted a list of guidelines and best practices for personal care service providers to follow. The full list of mandatory and recommended best practices can be found atcoronaviurs.ohio.gov.

One of those businesses owners diving into the plan set forth by DeWine is Kevin Malof, who is a partial owner of Bishops Quarter bar and restaurant in Loveland.

Bishops Quarter is a three-level bar located just off the bike trail, and it opened in December 2018.

The bar and restaurant employs some 40 part-time and full-time staff members, made up of cooks, wait staff and administrators. Hiring was underway to staff-up for the busy summer season when state stay-at-home orders were enacted in mid-March, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

There was disappointment that we had to close, but primarily because of our employees; we were concerned about how they were going to pay the bills and sustain themselves during this crisis, in part because none of us knew how long it would be; four weeks, eight weeks, none of us knew for sure, Malof said.

Leadership at Bishops Quarter quickly pivoted its operations to try to make ends meet.

They took advantage of the Small Business Administrations Paycheck Protection Program designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll, and they began offering carryout food, and eventually, beverage service.

We had an excellent, absolutely amazing response, Malof shared. Not that were making the money that we were making as a full-service, full-time restaurant, but the support that we had initially from the local community was great.

Now, Malof and his team are getting ready to reopen under the mandatory and recommended best practices set forth under DeWines plan, a step that Malof says has brought him some relief.

We were actually seeing movement in terms of some direction, and of course, the devil is in the details, he said, adding, What we do know, and weve been blessed in this entire period, we have had carryout, we have maintained a strict regiment of cleanliness and sanitary conditions, things we always have done as a restaurant, because restaurants are unique; its handling food and there is a substantial safety component, so we really havent changed that, except that we have been open this entire period, as a carryout, and have been able to do that in a manner of maintaining self practices that have not allowed any contamination or anyone becoming contagious.

He went on to say, In some ways, were not changing what were doing, even when we allow customers to come in, but the introduction to customers adds a secondary layer, because its incumbent upon them to help protect themselves, each other and our staff [customers] may become complacent, whereas employees know that the moment they feel ill, they would notify us.

Bishops Quarter will continue to offer carryout, and theyll start offering outdoor seating service this weekend, and dine-in indoor service beginning next weekend.

Plans for how to move forward after that are contingent on customer demand, weather and staffing availability.

While Malof and his staff will be taking the precautions to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at Bishops Quarter, they are not requiring customers to wear face coverings, which the Centers for Disease Control recommends to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

We would hope that our customers self-police each other, and themselves, and not put other people or the staff at risk, if it comes down to that, Malof said. If we believe, as things change, as that [wearing face masks] is a practice that is required or necessary to ensure safety, then well evaluate and consider that as well.

Malof said that hes had one employee who has expressed concern of safety about returning to work and interacting with large numbers of the public.

For his employees with those concerns, Malof said hes offered to move them to more behind-the-scenes positions, or offered them the flexibility of staying home, while ensuring that their positions will be held for them until they choose to return to work.

When asked about the significant path he and his employees are charting as they move ahead in the early stages to reopen Ohio businesses amid a deadly pandemic, Malof responded, We believe that we can offer an opportunity for people to come in, start experiencing restaurant business again, and yet, we realize that our success, and the success of this experiment is directly incumbent upon our customers taking the issue as seriously as everyone else is. . . . People need to be smart about this, and not put everyone else at risk.

See more here:
Local reaction to DeWines go-ahead to reopen restaurants, bars and personal care services - The Clermont Sun

Monday marked the beginning of candidate filing week in Washington state and the start of an election season that races toward an Aug. 4 primary before culminating in the Nov. 3 general election.

For candidates, this time of year is typically filled with door-knocking, in-person town halls and on-the-road campaign events.

So what happens when statewide bans on gatherings and stay home orders meant to prevent the spread of a deadly new coronavirus upset the natural order of campaigning?

The Post-Record recently talked to two Democratic candidates who declared early campaigns this year Washougal School Board member Donna Sinclair, who is running for a state legislature seat in the 18th District, and Vancouver professor Carolyn Long, who hopes to represent Washingtons 3rd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives about what its like to campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Out of the gate strong and then it all stopped

When Sinclair announced her bid for state legislature in mid-January, the World Health Organization (WHO) had already alerted world leaders to be on the lookout for cases of a novel coronavirus, but the threat posed by COVID-19 was still, in most peoples minds as well as in the words of WHO reports, a developing situation.

Inside the Sinclair campaign, talks of house parties, meet-and-greets and events at public libraries still dominated discussions in late January and early February.

We got out of the gate strong, Sinclair says. I was still working a lot, so I couldnt go to many meetings, but we were doing a lot of planning and, on the weekends, doing fundraisers.

Late February brought a successful house party fundraiser Sinclairs way, and by early March she was drawing crowds at public meet-and-greet events in Salmon Creek and at the Camas Public Library.

And then it all stopped, Sinclair says. I was teaching four classes three at Western Oregon and one at (Washington State University Vancouver) and it was midterms at WSU and finals week at Western, Sinclair recalls. On March 13, we were having a midterm at WSU.

The university had already made a decision to hold online classes after the midterms concluded. One student came to the midterm wearing a mask.

The midterm, on March 13, was my last day in class, Sinclair says.

Since then, she has left her house fewer than half a dozen times and then only for essential trips to pick up groceries or get mail from her campaigns post office box.

After more details about the coronavirus dangers emerged in mid-March and people started to consider staying home to help lower the curve, Sinclair immediately shifted gears on her campaign strategy.

A lot of people have invested money in my campaign, so I couldnt just say, Theres a pandemic. I cant campaign anymore,' she says. And I didnt want to (stop campaigning.)

Instead, Sinclair looked to the strategies she was learning about in her role as a history professor.

The first thing I did was attend three or four Zoom trainings, including one on digital campaigning through Emilys List, Sinclair says. We immediately started building our social media and digital presence.

When she hosted her first Zoom event in late March, everyone was really depressed and we talked about (COVID-19), Sinclair says. I thought, Maybe this is not the time for this.'

As she spoke to more constituents of the 18th District, Sinclair realized people were hungry for more information. So she started conducting interviews with health care experts and business leaders and put that information, as well as a list of resources, out to the public.

The situation has really caused me to evaluate how Im approaching the campaign, Sinclair says. Public health is a key issue, so Im thinking a lot about that and doing as much research as I possibly can.

She is talking to people, mostly online, about their needs during the crisis.

Im talking to a lot of people who are older and need safety, pure and simple. Theyre not so much concerned about whats going to happen next; theyre concerned about not being exposed to this virus, she says.

Sinclair also talks to a lot of local business owners, who she says are just trying to hang on.

She is looking forward to campaigning more often this summer, after her classes at WSU-V and Western Oregon have wrapped up.

Until its safe to meet in small groups again, Sinclair will keep campaigning in a way that doesnt jeopardize her own health of the health of those around her: by posting her signs around the 18th District, calling people, sharing online resources and hosting digital events.

Its an ongoing process of evaluating the evidence and seeing whats safe and whats not, she says. Ill always err on the side of caution.

Meeting people where theyre at: online, at home

Anyone familiar with Carolyn Longs 2018 bid for Congress knows this candidate thrives in an in-person environment.

In fact, if this were a normal election year, one in which COVID-19 did not exist, Long would likely be hosting town halls and meet-and-greet events a few times a week.

The last time Long challenged incumbent U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, she talked about the importance of being in front of voters and of showing up to in-person events. In the build-up to the 2018 general election, Long could be found talking to politically active young people at Camas High, holding town halls at the Camas Public Library and meeting with supporters at places like 54?40 Brewing Company in Washougal.

The bread and butter of my campaign is really being in the community as much as possible, Long says, holding town halls and connecting with people on a personal level.

Since announcing her second bid as a Democratic candidate for the 3rd Congressional District in July 2019, the Washington State University Vancouver (WSU-V) professor has hosted over 50 town halls.

Recently, however, those town halls have had to go virtual.

Long held her fourth Facebook Live Town Hall last week and regularly hosts more personal, Coffee with Carolyn events online to reach out to supporters and voters.

Although the venue has shifted from a library or someones living room to a computer screen, Long says she is still trying to let people know she hears their concerns.

People are anxious. They have a desire for leadership in Southwest Washington, she says.

At the same time, Long says, she also sees people wanting to come together as a community during the COVID-19 crisis, independent of political beliefs.

People want to have a sense of community right now, Long says. At this moment that were in, were just trying to think about how we can give back to the community. The calls (Im making) to people right now are about how theyre doing. Politics is secondary.

When she meets with smaller groups online during her Coffee with Carolyn events, which tend to have 10 to 30 participants, Long hears mostly personal stories of how people are coping right now.

We talk about how theyre doing, how their family is doing, Long says.

Shes heard stories of neighbors helping neighbors, distillery owners producing hand sanitizer to give to frontline workers and people reconnecting with loved ones for the first time in months.

Thats rewarding, she says of hearing the personal stories of communities coming together for a common cause. And its something you dont necessarily get in a (non-COVID-19 environment).

Other stories arent as rosy, especially those involving small business owners.

Many have not been able to access the resources that Congress told them would be available to them, Long says. Some of these small businesses operate on very slim margins. (If they dont have funds coming in) for just a couple weeks, it can mean theyre never coming back.

Having grown up working for her parents produce stand on the Oregon Coast, Long says she understands the frustration and fear these small business owners are feeling.

At a recent Facebook Live town hall event, Long addressed the subject of the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

Im really sad to say that its not the first time Ive heard from a small business owner about the problems that theyve encountered with the small business loans, Long said. Business owners are actually keeping people on payroll in anticipation of a loan coming through and it hasnt and then theyre really putting themselves in jeopardy in terms of their financial stability.

Whats made the situation worse, she added, is the fact that large corporations seem to be getting funds meant to keep small businesses afloat during the COVID-19 shutdowns.

Long says her Facebook Live town halls tend to bring out more policy related questions.

Were hearing questions about health care and about preserving Social Security and Medicare at every town hall, Long says. And Ive never had more interest in my broadband-for-all proposal they never knew that so many people didnt have access to (broadband).

Although Long has transitioned easily to a more digital world, campaigning in the time of COVID-19 does have one definite drawback for a candidate who seems to thrive in face-to-face situations.

The most rewarding thing about campaigning for office is having the chance to meet people where theyre at and listen to whats on their mind, Long says. You cant beat having that human connection, that one-on-one I do miss that connection.

View post:
Campaigning in a time of COVID - Camas Washougal Post Record

This article was created by StackCommerce in partnership with Content Works, Postmedias commercial content division. While Postmedia may collect a commission on sales through the links on this page, we are not being paid by the brands mentioned.

The customer is always right is an outdated way of thinking about the people you serve. Its better to treat each business opportunity as a dynamic relationship with your customers. Shaking your head yes to every request or complaint is too simplistic a solution.

Thats why Customer Experience (CX) training is so important. Understanding the needs and desires of customers is what makes or breaks a business, yet so many companies overlook this important fact. Providing a service is important, but recognizing how a customer experiences your service is equally relevant.

So, if youre looking to grow your business to its fullest potential, youll want to understand the principles of CX inside and out.

As the Harvard Business Review phrases it, customer experience is the internal and subjective response customers have to any direct or indirect contact with a company. Direct contact occurs in a retail showroom or any location in which physical presence is required. For many businesses, indirect contact is even more relevant. Examples of indirect contact include the effects of your marketing campaigns or your companys social media representation.

Youve got a great service or product to offer. As the creator, however, its impossible to know what all of your customers experience. Everyone has a different notion of what the customer experience entails.

Knowing why someone buys your product is the first step in developing this relationship. Their motivation helps you decide how to communicate with them. How theyre going to use your product is also relevant. What if they purchased it for someone else, yet they want that person to be able to talk directly to you? How often are they using your service? Where are they buying it from?

There are communication strategies for each of these examples. Being fluent in the totality of CX makes you a stronger business at every step along the customer journey.

Conducting business today means that youre spending more and more time communicating digitally, which demands its own communication style. The last thing you want is frustrated customers that are unable to turn to you to solve problems.

You want to be able to build a strong customer corridor, in which they trust you at every step along the way. Honesty at the point of sale is just as important as being there if your product breaks down. Keeping a customer for life is the ultimate goal of every business. That begins with building a corridor they want to travel through with you.

Every business has different markers for success. The bottom line is often the only thing business leaders measure. That is only one metric in an ocean of data. A successful CX program means youll be learning from your customers and iterating when necessary to provide optimal customer service.

Feedback takes time to implement, but you want it from day one, from your customers as well as your employees. A successful CX means that your representatives are along for the journey as well. Effective dialogues between all aspects of a business with its customers create the conditions for a successful company.

Want to sharpen your CX knowledge? Online Training & Certification: Customer Experience 101 provides you with the basics of CX so that you can put these practical skills to immediate use. By learning how to empathize with what your customers experience and provide them with the service they deserve, the likelihood that youll retain them increases exponentially.

The course is taught by Jaakko Mnnist, founder of the mammoth entrepreneurial digital community in Finland, Yrittj.io. He is also the author of the book The Journey How to Create the Happiest Customers in the World. The course features 11 lessons and three and a half hours of content, with access to additional resources, such as quizzes, templates, ebooks, and one-on-one coaching services.

Online Training & Certification: Customer Experience 101 is on sale now for just $59. Join today, and youll save 90 per cent off of the original price.

Prices subject to change.

Follow this link:
Grow your business by following this overlooked principle - Financial Post

Ironically, what may be the biggest obstacle between Warren and a chance to change how the economy works is her history of doing just that. Several of the people who have Bidens ear are former Obama aides who felt like Warren was pursuing her own agenda during her days setting up the CFPB, or during the days when she was using her Senate perch for moves like torpedoing a pick for an undersecretary of the Treasury because of his Wall Street background. Some key people around Biden are on edge about the thought of having to constantly be looking over at the vice presidents office, wondering what shes working on.

Warren has spoken privately about feeling chastened by the 2020 primaries. She put it all out there. She knows she lost. She knows Biden won, someone close to Warren told me. She knows were in a time of crisis, and her priority moving forward is helping make him successful.

Read: The story Elizabeth Warren isnt telling

When I asked Warren about the ex-Obama aides misgivings, she gave me a long answer that started with: Im a team player. I want to get things done. She ticked through her work setting up the CFPB as a success for Americans overall and for the Obama administrationand said that as a senator, she was doing her constitutional duty in a separate branch of government. I know that can sometimes be a bumpy relationship, she said. That is my job. She ended by repeating: I am a team player because I want to get things done.

Warren couldnt go to her brothers funeral after he died in April. She couldnt do much beyond cry by herself, 1,600 miles away in Boston, holding the phone that shed been calling Don on every day, twice a day, to check in. To lose someone when you have to wonder what were their last days like? Were they afraid? Were they cold? Were they lonely? That is a kind of grief that is new to all of us. My brothers wont get over this. They just wont. None of us will.

About 36 hours after Don died, Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts told me, Warren was on a Zoom call with her, Khanna, and Representative Deb Haaland of New Mexico, strategizing about the Essential Workers Bill of Rights. Her brother didnt come up directly, though Pressley, whos also been working with her on racial-data collection, said he was clearly on her mind.

She knows that her loss, that she deeply feels, is sad and tragicbut that there are millions of families that are grappling with that same loss, Pressley said. Even when she deeply feels something, shes projecting that out.

Its a crass but real thought that has come up among some Democratic operatives in the past two weeks: Imagine Warren debating Mike Pence. The vice-presidential debate is currently scheduled for October 7, at which point its possible that 200,000 or more Americans will have died of COVID-19. She would be in the position to look at the vice president, who was put in charge of the coronavirus response, and talk to him about families like hers that will never be whole again.

The rest is here:
It Really Could Be Warren - The Atlantic

If society is to effectively stave off resurgences of Covid-19 infections, masks are not an option but a universal necessity, experts say. (Dan Gaken)

Is wearing a mask in public too much to ask for as Palm Coast and Flagler reopen? Does it infringe on individuals liberties? Masks have now been a significant part of that dialogue as we move to reopening, and how that impacts those numbers, Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland says of the next phase in the coronavirus emergency.

The issue took up a long portion of the weekly virtual town hall anchored by Holland on Wednesday. The answer from the experts on the paneltwo physicians, the Flagler Health Departments chief and Palm Coasts fire chiefwas an unequivocal No.(See: How and When to Wear a Mask, and How Not To.

And one physician went as far as proposing that local government should exercise its authority to write ordinances requiring the wearing of masks in certain public places, while a fire chief said shoppers should take matters in their own hand and pressure store owners or managers to institute and enforce mask-wearing rules.

I understand the civil liberties point of view with it for sure, said Dr. Vincent DeGennaro Jr., an epidemiologist, global health specialist and the chief executive officer at Abacus Pharma International in Miami. Hed called in by phone. I think we sacrifice a lot of our civil liberties in many different ways. He cited severe restrictions when flying, vaccine requirements for children in schools, the mandated wearing of seatbelts, prohibitions on drunk driving. Theres a lot of things that would impinge on your civil liberties in the name of public health. So I think theres plenty of legal precedent. I dont think its a slippery slope at all.

The more important point, DeGennaro said of wearing masks, is that it reduces the transmission of the coronavirus. Youre not wearing the mask for yourself. Youre wearing the mask for the people around you, he said. I just took what, three planes and two trains in the last week, and I feel very confident that I dont have anything, because not only was I wearing a mask, but every other single person was wearing a mask. So its really going to drop the transmission rate. And most importantly, if we could come out of our holes, go back to work and restart the economy, and the only sacrifice we had to make is wear a mask and wash our hands, isnt that a trade-off youd make? Id urge that if the county had this authority, to mandate masks in public settings where theres going to be more than two people, be it a store and other things, because its not right that someone who is vulnerable has to risk their life to go shopping because someone else wants to be defiant. You could issue tickets just like you do with seat belts. Like I said, theres plenty of legal precedent for this, and I think if were going to open up, were going to have some form of that.

For now there is no taste among local officials to mandate the wearing of masks in public, and no taste among local law enforcement to enforce such an order, if it were in place. But DeGennaros proposal is not quite radical. On April 20, Connecticut enacted an order requiring all persons age 2 and older to wear masks when using public transportation and taxis, in public places where the six-foot separation cant be maintained, and for customers and employees of essential businesses. Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island all have similar rules, with variations.

But mask-wearing is becoming emblematic of the shift in the debate over Covid-19from fighting the virus to arguing over freedoms as communities reopen. Its easy for many to plaster slogans like were in this together on their Facebook page, but for some, its harder to translate that to action when it matters.

Protests by fringe groups aside, an overwhelming majority of Americans still favored stay-at-home orders in mid- to-late late April, and a poll this week has 70 percent of Americans wanting President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence wearing masks when they travel. Trump has consistently undermined his public health experts, refusing to wear a mask. Pence rarely does so. Another poll showed that 55 percent of Americans who left their home last week wore masks.

But minorities are using the wearing of masksor the refusal to wear a askas a marker delimiting their personal freedoms and right to take what risks they choose, misconstruing the purpose and science behind the masks.

Dr. Stephen Bickel, the medical director at the Flagler and Volusia health departments, had been a skeptic on mask-wearing in the earlier weeks of the emergency. Like a convert, hes now a pro-mask fanatic, he said Wednesday.

Here are the reasons, he said, framing his answer in his characteristic but accessible language of a science journal abstract: A, if you look at the countries that have been highly successful combatting this, mostly in Asia, theyve adopted near-universal mask wearing. I dont think thats an accident. Secondly, as we look to open up the community, which we know is necessary, theres clearly a risk of this thing surging more, at least expanding to some degree. So we want to pick the least intrusive measures that we can adopt to prevent the spread, and mask wearing is very high on the list. There are models that have been constructed showing that if 60 percent of the people wear masks at any one moment, and the masks are 60 percent effective, that alone is enough to get the R0, which is the spread coefficient, down to 1, which is basically at that point the spread stops multiplying. It just stays level. Then you throw in any other measure and its additives. So it just seems to me, its kind of a slam dunk policy to adopt. You cant force it on people, I understand that. We have our interest in civil liberties. But in terms of just promoting it and people realizing theyre doing this to support their community, to protect their fellow residents, I think its just something that we should embrace as a highly effective, minimally intrusive way to really keep this thing under control, an additive to all the other measures that were going to adopt.

Bob Snyder, the director of the Flagler Health Department, said wearing masks locally should be universal, especially for indoor public settings, like grocery stores, like restaurants, pharmacies. It can be a surgical mask. It can also be a bandana, a scarf, just any cloth material, something, he said. That this is a solid strategy for reducing the transmission of Covid-19.

But local officials know the limitations theyre up againstthe me-first attitude that prevails among certain groups.

The reality of the situation is this, Palm Coast Fire Chief Jerry Forte said. People will do what they want, and everybody believes to a certain urgency what this Covid virus is. So if theres a young individual who is healthy and they feel they dont want to wear a mask, we are not going to force them to [wear] a mask. Theres no way we could do that. The actions of those not wearing a mask may be of little consequence to themselves, but [to] the vulnerable population in the city, its a very big deal.

Those who are most vulnerable are 65 and over, and those who have an underlying condition: 84 percent of Floridas more than 1,800 people killed by the virus are 65 and older.

Shoppers, Forte said, have the ability to go to the proprietor of the store, the store manager, and urge them to change their culture and their behavior, allowing people to come in with a mask on. If we cant push it from a legislative point of view, certainly the people that are going to these stores can urge these changes at the shoppers level.

Wednesdays full Palm Coast Town Hall on Covid-19. The discussion about masks begins around minute 33.

Here is the original post:
Mask-Wearing Is Not About Personal Liberty but Communal Health, Palm Coast Town Hall Experts Say - FlaglerLive.com

ROME According to an internal Vatican analysis recently presented to Pope Francis for a meeting with his department heads, declines in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic will cause the Vaticans annual deficit to balloon somewhere between 30 and 175 percent, depending on which of three scenarios, ranging from best to worst case, is realized.

Under the worst-case scenario, which assumes shortfalls between 50 and 80 percent and only limited success at containing costs, the 2020 deficit would be 146 million Euro, or $158 million. For a sense of scale, the total projected income for the year is $160 million, which means the Vatican would be spending twice as much as it brings in.

As a footnote, something many observers have said for a long time is worth repeating: In the grand scheme of things, $158 million just isnt that much money, especially when you put it in the context of other major Catholic entities. The University of Notre Dame in the States, for example, has an annual budget of $1.3 billion. The fact that such a comparatively modest sum could trigger an existential crisis is one measure of how much the Vaticans financial operation needs aggiornamento, meaning updating.

According to a report in the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero, as an initial response to the shortfalls Pope Francis has been advised to order department heads to cut corners, freeze hiring, and avoid travel and conferences. Such measures wont solve the problem, but they would help slow the bleeding.

A meeting between Pope Francis and Vatican department heads in November 2017. (Credit: Vatican News/CNS.)

Theres little surprising about any of this.

Its often assumed that the Vatican is losing money because its museums and other public attractions are closed, but in reality thats a blow to the Vatican City State rather than the Holy See or the Roman Curia, meaning the Churchs central government. In terms of the Holy See, its main sources of income are investments, which are suffering due to market declines; earnings from real estate holdings, which are down because of market slumps; and contributions from Catholic dioceses, which will be lower as their own resources contract.

Proceeds from the annual Peters Pence collection, which has been delayed until Oct. 4, almost certainly will fall too, in part because people simply have less money to give, and in part because of the funds association with a recent scandal involving a $225 million land deal in London. Technically Peters Pence is not part of the Vaticans balance sheets, though income has been used for years to offset the Vaticans annual deficit.

In fact, the situation may be even worse than the worst case scenario suggests.

Projections in the internal analysis presume just modest drop-offs in the Peters Pence contribution to the Vatican, and only time will tell if thats wishful thinking.

Whats also not addressed is the possible impact of the next review by Moneyval, the Council of Europes anti-money laundering watchdog, scheduled for this spring but delayed. On background, observers say Moneyval was alarmed by the abrupt departure in November of the Vaticans own anti-money laundering guru, Swiss lawyer Ren Brlhart, and should it place the Vatican on a blacklist, the Holy See could be frozen out of international markets or face significantly higher transaction costs.

Ironically, this crisis actually may help the popes attempts at reform. Change now is inevitable, no matter what sort of resistance the fabled old guard may put up, because the Vatican finds itself looking down the barrel of a $158 million gun.

Yet the devil is always in the details, so the question is what sort of reform. In that regard, two points are of special interest in the analysis submitted by the Secretariat for the Economy.

The first involves investments. The analysis recommends that Pope Francis direct heads of Vatican dicasteries (the technical term for a department) to move their liquid assets currently in other financial institutions to the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See (APSA), sometimes dubbed the Vaticans central bank. Also under consideration is directing dicasteries to move assets to APSA currently deposited in the Institute for the Works of Religion, the so-called Vatican bank.

A sign designating the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, the Vaticans central bank. (Credit: Stock image.)

The reasons for doing so, presumably, would be two-fold.

First, APSA is responsible for the Vaticans payroll, and since almost half of its expenditures go to personnel not just salaries, but also pension contributions the idea is to direct assets to the area of greatest immediate need.

Second, by concentrating those assets in one place, a more rational and profitable investment plan for assets not required for day-to-day operations could be fashioned. One large investor is in a better position to negotiate returns than several smaller players acting on their own.

In this regard, the internal analysis recommends the creation of a single center of specialized service, where the financial resources available for investment of all entities would converge.

In other words, its talking about something like the Vatican Asset Management office proposed by Australian Cardinal George Pell in the summer of 2014, at the peak of his Vatican influence and before he faced the charges of sexual abuse which Australias High Court ultimately dismissed.

Heres how Pell described the idea in a July 2014 interview with me for the Boston Globe: Over time, the asset management office will come to manage the Vaticans reserves, meaning monies not needed for day-to-day operations The ambition is that by putting the various funds together, well have a bigger base sum and be able to get a better return.

The idea was dropped as Pells Vatican star began to dim, but its apparently getting a new lease on life. (As an aside, one can only imagine the satisfaction Pell may feel at seeing himself vindicated not only on the abuse charges but his financial analysis.)

The key question, however, is who would control this new fund.

The most likely candidate would be APSA, but it has a troubled history. Its former president, Italian Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, faced accusations of misappropriation during his time as the bishop of Savona. Early in Franciss papacy, a longtime accountant at APSA, Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, was arrested by Italian authorities for participating in a financial scheme worthy of a James Bond novel.

In general, APSA long has had a reputation as the most opaque of the Vaticans financial centers. In 2018, the Vatican bank issued an annual report independently audited by Deloitte, one of the worlds big four accounting firms, which ran to 139 pages. APSA issues no annual report, and even the skeletal annual Vatican report, which used to provide some basic numbers, hasnt been issued since 2015.

Pope Francis tapped his own man to take over at APSA, Bishop Nunzio Galantino, in June 2018, who has a reputation for personal integrity. Yet the extent to which he appreciates the depth of the challenges is an open question; last year, Galantino dismissed talk of financial difficulties at the Vatican, telling reporters theres no crack or default here.

Bishop Nunzio Galantino with Pope Francis in 2018. (Credit: Vatican News.)

Even then, before the coronavirus, the Vatican was still running an annual deficit of around $55 million and faced mounting unfunded pension liabilities.

As a result, whom the pope chooses to put in charge of a new investment center, and what sort of team that person assembles, will go a long way towards indicating whether the inevitable restructuring is also real reform.

The other interesting piece concerns human resources.

Theres a need to ensure flexibility in the salary system in order to be able to reward competence and merit, and to be able to face critical periods like the present with adequate instruments, the internal analysis says.

At the same time, greater opportunities must be furnished to personnel, ensuring standardized formational programs and a professional mobility that allows each employee (beginning with managers and leaders of the offices) to understand and learn different tasks, within the limits of their own competencies, and to assume different responsibilities in the arc of time.

Then, a rather surprising coda to the thought: A structural reform would be desirable, the report says, but the actual circumstances dont seem favorable.

To decode all that, its a diplomatic way of making two points Vatican insiders have known for a long time.

First, the Vatican has a bloated payroll relative to its resources. It cant sustain those expenditures, not only because of salaries (which are relatively low) but pension obligations. Most observers think it needs to trim about a third of its current workforce.

Second, if that happens, remaining employees will have to be nimbler and able to work outside their present silos, perhaps working for a variety of entities where they have particular skills. That means a serious investment in professional formation.

Though its been largely forgotten amid the coronavirus, it was only two months ago that one of the more curious PR reversals in Vatican history unfolded: On a Friday, the Vatican Press Office announced the creation of a new human resources office within the Secretariat of State. Yet the very next day, the Press Office said the office is actually just an idea, and the pope will decide in his own good time what to do.

There were various theories to explain the flip-flop which may help account for the internal analysiss otherwise odd assertion that current circumstances dont favor structural reform but the fact remains that a meaningful HR operation is a make-or-break component of serious reform.

There, too, the question will be whos put in charge and what sort of team theyre able to assemble.

Finally, on the actual circumstances impeding structural reform: The raw reality is, Pope Francis doesnt want to fire people, particularly lower-level Vatican officials and manual laborers. Especially now, the situation of families without work due to the coronavirus weighs on him, and hed vastly prefer to trim payroll through retirement and attrition rather than direct action. That may be merciful, but its also frustrating for bean counters looking at a mismatch between income and expenses.

One of the sanpietrini, meaning laborers within the Vaticans Basilica of St. Peter. (Credit: Paul Haring/CNS.)

Bottom line: Like any company, or any family, facing deep and mounting debt, the Vatican cant go on like it has. Change is coming. The drama pivots on what sort of change it will be and on that front, and with apologies for the Econ 101 pun, demand for answers at the moment significantly exceeds supply.

Follow John Allen on Twitter at@JohnLAllenJr.

Visit link:
Down the barrel of $158 million gun, Vatican reform is coming but what kind? - Crux: Covering all things Catholic

The reopenings follow on the heels of Gov. Doug Burgums smart restart guidelines allowing previously closed business to reopen, though on a limited basis. The facilities will operate at reduced capacity in order to keep traffic down and comply with state guidelines.

Choice Health and Fitness will be open to members only and will not offer guest passes. The YMCA will screen members as they enter, including touch free temperature checks and a brief survey. The YMCA is also recommending staff and members wear masks in group areas.

While we are excited to reopen Choice Health and Fitness on May 18, we are being cautious to provide a safe environment for our customers and employees, said Mike Orr, general manager of the center. Reopening the facility under the N.D. smart restart guidelines for fitness centers requires many changes to our policies and procedures.

Under the guidelines, classes for large groups, such as basketball, will be closed, along with pools and steam rooms, cycling and locker rooms, and other areas where people gather in larger numbers.

Choice has a few programs to offer in fitness areas, where members can use free weights and do cardio exercises. Group training classes will be allowed, but are limited to about five members per class, in order for people to maintain social distance. The same goes for youth athletic development classes.

Much is the same at the YMCA, though the racquetball courts will be open and full-time child care will be available as well.

Our overall goal is to be smart about reopening, said Jill Nelson, spokesperson for the Grand Forks Park District. We will be strongly encouraging our members to be actively involved in the safety procedures we are implementing. The safety and health of our community is our top priority.

In pursuit of that goal at Choice Health and Fitness, children younger than 8 will not be permitted into the building, and kids aged 11 to 14 need to be supervised by a parent.

One welcome piece of news is members at Choice wont be billed for the months of April and May, and membership credits and extensions may be available. The YMCA has expanded its scholarship options for members who may have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Members should contact the facilities for billing information. Regular billing at both facilities will begin on June 1.

Choice and the YMCA will be open from Monday through Saturday, though the hours of operation will be changed to allow staff to clean and disinfect the fitness centers. Information about schedules, and what classes and areas are available can be found at the websites and Facebook pages of both facilities.

Read the rest here:
Choice Health and Fitness, YMCA get set to reopen - Grand Forks Herald

This is a great time to go for a bike ride. Aside from being a great way to get around, bicycling can improve physical, mental and social health and has environmental and economic benefits.

Going for a bike ride is a good way to meet physical activity goals. For most people, bicycling would help meet the minimum recommendation of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per day. At faster speeds, cycling is an excellent exercise to improve fitness.

For kids, riding a bike is a fun way to be active and teaches important movement skills like coordination and balance. Not only is bicycling a great way to be active, it can be a form of independent transportation for children before they can drive.

Riding outdoors can promote enhanced feelings of energy and diminished fatigue, anxiety, anger and sadness compared to similar activity conducted indoors. Additionally, some research suggests that outdoor activity, including bicycling, may improve attention, learning and productivity in adults and children.

Bicycling is often done with others, whether that is a family bike ride or training with a cycling group. This strengthens social connections and allows people to share in the enjoyment of being active. Even if you ride alone, you are far less isolated from other people and your environment compared to driving a car. These connections to the community are an important part of health and happiness.

Replacing car trips with cycling is good for the environment, too. Every mile you drive releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the environment. Additionally, spending more time sitting in your car can also have negative effects on your mental and physical health. Biking has no such effects on the environment and has important health benefits including improved fitness, weight control and greater feelings of wellbeing.

As an added bonus, driving less will mean using less gas. Even though gas prices are lower now than in recent years, every mile you dont drive saves money. Plus, it costs far less to purchase and maintain a bike than it does a car, so it makes economic sense to ride your bike instead of drive when possible. Most people commute less than five miles to work and nearly half of all car trips are less than two miles. Both are reasonable distances to bike. Even if you have longer distances to travel, you could probably replace some car trips with active transportation.

Obviously, biking everywhere isnt practical. It requires access to safe bike lanes and sidewalks that connect peoples homes to work, school and other destinations. Sadly, this infrastructure doesnt exist in most communities, which were built to support cars, not people. Whether or not we bike for exercise or transportation ourselves, we should all act as advocates for changes in the community that will make active transportation more realistic for everyone.

Something as simple as a family bike ride around the neighborhood or cycling for fitness can have important health, environmental and economic benefits. Whenever and wherever you ride, keep in mind that common sense says you should always obey all traffic laws and wear a helmet.

Finally, if you havent been out on two wheels for some time, dont worry its just like riding a bike!

Brian Parr, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science at USC Aiken where he teaches courses in exercise physiology, nutrition and health behavior. You can learn more about this and other health and fitness topics at http://drparrsays.com or on Twitter @drparrsays.

Read this article:
HEALTH AND FITNESS: Go ride your bike | Features - Aiken Standard