Local news of city Hyattsville United States of Ame
Major Study Says Officially Misreported COVID-19 Statistics Were A False Alarm - Americans Are Scared Over Minor Risks
As reported on a podcast entitled "The Daily Daily Caller" (hosted by Derek Hunter and affliated with Daily Caller, a prominent Conservative news magazine) the jig is up on The Coronavirus. Though its impact has had a devastating effect on The American People, it has not directly impacted as much of our population as we have been led to believe.
Only 39 of the 50 US states were respondents in the said survey. The remaining eleven were reticent to report anything, with the prevailing coincidence being that their governors were Democrats. It's found that while Conservatives have been taking ordinary precautions, Liberals have demonstrated an especially stringent approach. The old maxim rightly says "it's better to be safe than to be sorry". However, it appears that the Progressives have progressed past the point of being useful in our shared crisis.
The data taken, which is touted to be a strict result of number crunching only, shows that 43% of COVID-19 fatalities come from what is merely 0.6% of the general population - i.e.; nursing home residents.
It was further stated that such controversy arose over both the detailing of the involved statistics and the handling of protocols set for the homes that Governor Cuomo of New York was forced to take down his published directives for said from the state's website. That development would suggest that there were serious issues with the collection and interpretation of Coronavirus stats all along.
It is still widely asserted by leading epidemiologists that the virus is of much greater concern to the elderly than to the younger of us - and that the status of a person's health before contracting COVID-19 is the key determining factor as to whether or not the infection becomes lethal. Also, best practices in hygiene have done their job.
For a more comprehensive review of these matters please link to the podcast here -
https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?visual=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F829536895&show_artwork=true&maxwidth=500&maxheight=750&dnt=1#
California Sues 'Criminal Minds' for Habitual Sexual Harassment
An apparent culture of endemic sexual abuse on the set of the highly-popular CBS show was brought to the attention of the state through the mass firing of a dozen production assistants. The program, which aired its last episode in February, has had a years-long issue with the alleged exploitation of its crew by its director of photography, Gregory St. Johns. It is claimed by virtually all but the accused and those named as his co-conspirators that said violations were openly committed and fully tolerated by senior executives.
The investigation by the Department of Fair Employment and Housing cites that the executive team took no measues whatsover - punitive or corrective - to stem the harassment except to dismiss its subjected employees. A bevy of indictments comes from California itself, including that of discrimination and retaliation.
When St. Johns was finally removed in light of what was uncovered, he was still given an "enhanced severance package" by ABC Studios, the Walt Disney Company subsidiary in charge. Despite St. Johns having been sued privately just prior to the state's action on the same misbehavior, he was not discharged until the initial reporting of this account was done by Variety Magazine. The Hollywood trade journal offers several exclusives on this story's developments.
Variety.com has, of course, published extensive details which involve a group e-mail notification to tip off staffers and the dumping of a whole department as payback for whistleblowing. It seems the most "Criminal Minds" shown were those in the top ranks of Disney and / or CBS.
25% of U.S. Restaurants Will Remain Closed... Forever
Said is the very bleak projection made by the leading online restaurant reservation booking platform, OpenTable. Through its own system-based statistical analysis it counts reservations as having gone down by 95% from where they were at this point last year. Of course, this State of Affairs is due almost entirely to the Covid-19 outbreak and local ordinances which restrict operation under its influence. (However, though dine-in is on a separate track than carry out, the situation is not helped by the fact that the consumer is getting accustomed to the convenience of delivery.)
By way of force the former diners are discovering "the joy of cooking" and even baking. There is currently a shortage of flour (in all its varieties) that is readily evidenced in any grocery store.
The Do-It-at-Home and / or Do-It-Yourself culture imposed by the Coronavirus has / have created new and possibly long-standing habits; due largely in part to the economic insufficiency caused by mass unemployment. Eating out is something that we do only with discretionary income, and as many have had none to spare lately, there has been none to give to an ailing industry that relies so heavily on the personal prosperity of its customer base.
Unfortunately so many popular spots, from Mom and Pop-run places, established 50 years ago, to the hot new bistros with their 4 star chefs, are taking a nosedive into oblivion. And patrons are just as sad as owners to see them go.
It goes without saying that many of the earliest protesters of the Coronavirus-based shutdowns were restauranteurs. They felt the impact of the virus well before most of the rest of us did. In addition to losing the primary basis of their revenue, through which to pay themselves and their employees, the owners of the now depressed businesses still face having to pay for all the overhead involved - from credit-bound purchases or rental of equipment to overdue lease payments for the commercial space occupied.
Restaurants lost more than $30 billion in sales during March and $50 billion in April, according to the National Restaurant Association. As of 2019, an estimated 9.6 million Americans worked in Food Service. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at the time reported that:
"Employment of food and beverage serving and related workers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job prospects in most dining establishments will be excellent because many workers leave the occupation each year, resulting in numerous job openings."
There will definitely be a radical shift in what that report details. There is some hope in the fact that diners from states like Arizona and Texas (where restaurants reopened several days ago) told OpenTable that they look forward to going out again... but the associated numbers are still at a very low count as compared to last year.
Attached image taken from The Full Pint at:
https://thefullpint.com/calendar/north-park-beer-co-beer-dinner-no-4/
The Plan for Our Total Recovery from The Coronavirus - Vaccination Efforts Against COVID-19
The President and leading health officials are working feverishly (no pun intended) on a plan to roll out vaccines for the virus; for as soon as it is at all possible to deploy them. The selection for U.S. use has been narrowed down to four or five serums that are still in development. 2 are yielding great promise in the eyes of researchers and may see the end of investigation by July. (China is currently testing several of at least 100 formulas in existence.) Of course, caution must be used when administering a brand new drug to a mass population - but the frustration over the delay is mounting for the Trump Administration and the International Community.
In April a consortium of 16 biopharmaceutical companies and government health agencies led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health introduced Activ, or Accelerating Covid-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines, to jumpstart those efforts.
Days ago Mr. Trump announced "Operation Warp Speed", installing GlaxoSmithKline's chief executive, Moncef Slaoui, as the head of the initiative. In addition, Gustave Perna, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Material Command, is onboard as its officer of operations. The target date for conpletion of The White House's campaign, with full national distribution of dosings to the general public, is in six months from its launch - that is, January. The National Institutes of Health set up uniform guidelines on the trials for and manufacturing of the vaccines so as to aid in expediting the process as well as to safeguard it.
There are many supporters of the goal, such as Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and vocal critics of the plan and its timetable, especially Rick Bright, a self-proclaimed whistleblower and the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), an office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He and the Trump Administration came to blows when his claim was asserted before the Congress in regard to being ignored on 2019 warnings about Covid-19.
Dr. Bright is definitely of the belief that nothing that is both an effective and safe treatment can be created so quickly. However, when addressing Congress in 2018 he stated, "No one can rival BARDA's success in expanding capacity and pushing new products to the marketplace." Other experts such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Health and Human Services Secretary, Alex Azar, see reaching a solution in 12 - 18 months. Strategic emphasis and substantial funding are still placed on long-term virus detection testing.
As for the anti-malarial drugs some have held in high esteem - chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine - there seems to be more objecton to the purported side effects than confidence in the restorative properties of them. However, President Trump, a staunch supporter of the "Right to Try" laws, allowing terminally ill patients access to experimental therapies, will likely continue to press for whatever demonstrates a change in outcomes.
Shop Still Closed? How to Get Back to Business (Legally) Under Covid-19 Restrictions
An Editorial
Though much of the country is ready to get back on track there are still many jurisdictions that aren't. The DC Metro Area is a particular example. The District of Columbia itself, Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland, and the corresponding area of Northern Virginia won't be opening for a while. We're all waiting on pins and needles for both our personal lives and the economy to return to normal.
In the meantime there are possible solutions to undertake for businesspeople whose business was deemed to be "non-essential" or restricted for other reasons. The following are suggestions for their assistance. It is advised that those considering these proposals research the issues involved (logistical and legal) first to know that the use of any proposed means is actually applicable to their own situations.
SUGGESTED WORKAROUNDS FOR CLOSED BUSINESSES:
For Restaurants - Dine-In, Family and / or Buffet Style -
Please consider / reconsider temporarily coverting your operation to a carry out with curbside / at-the-door customer pickup or a "ghost kitchen" with delivery-only service.
Buffet owners in particular should notify their state and county health departments of the intended action well ahead of time by an e-mailed letter. Photos of signs in the location's windows that say such as "'curbside pickup only" should be attached to all communications made. A courtesy copy of all sent can be forwarded to the county police's community services division. (For P.G. County the division's e-mail address is [email protected])
Restaurants like McDonald's have employed a simplified menu with just the main or most popular food choices to use at night in the later hours and in locations like Wal-Mart where their profile is smaller and customer response is limited.
If an establishment offers a small but well-chosen selection of pre-planned meals / platters - say 3 - 4 favored items with all the trimmings - and advertises them as specials on a sign in the window that should suffice. Remember - Have a short list of meaningful choices on a big sign printed in tall letters.
These are good sources for signs:
Uprinting.com
Fastsigns.com
Spellbrite.com
eBay at shorturl.at/jmpRS and
shorturl.at/aoyH0
Look into these and other food delivery services in your area:
GrubHub
DoorDash
Caviar (a DMV area operation affliated with DoorDash)
Postmates
Uber Eats
Bite Squad
Delivery.com
The fee structures given by those providers vary widely and can be costly for some. However, Delivery.com states that it makes no charges except as deductions from individual orders and that the amount taken is nominal. That warrants checking it out.
Instead you might decide to enlist local high school and college kids (i.e.; the friends of your own children or neighbors) to drive or bicycle within a 5 mile radius for a flat rate per delivery plus the tips. You can determine how to draw up a 1099 contract with them with the help of LegalShield.com and / or JustAnswer.com.
Due to the Stay-at-Home Orders restaurant delivery is at the highest threshold it will ever be - but as we become a more convenience-loving culture it will be necessary for your business to join the revolution in order to get a fair share of customer attention. In fact, a market research firm, Cowen & Co., says the expected rise in U.S. restaurant-specific food delivery sales from 2017 to 2022 is 77%.
For Bakers and Confectioners -
If you can continue to take advantage of your commercial kitchen do so; but if not use the one at home. If your state (like Maryland) supports cottage industries with the license to bake / create a limited range of items in a residential setup that would pass inspection, then, with use of either production site, you have the ability to offer your goods to local stores.
If not then there is still the opportunity to be a vendor through Etsy.com (with the emphasis that you are a professional). Bakers can carve a niche for themselves there by offering low carb / paleo / keto items. Those operating within set regulations for commerce should think about advertising through Delivery.com. You can also place ads featuring photos of your mouth-watering selections online in your town's edition of Patch.com.
For High-End or More Exclusive Fashion Boutiques and Shoe Stores -
If your clientelle is of a high profile or high income level and would commit to purchasing a minimum amount, you can post a larger but tasteful notice in the boutique window that states, "Private Shopping by Appointment Only". You would of course list blocks of time in which to shop in a similar format to the listing for the store's business hours. It must be re-emphasized (on the sign) that only one shopper can enter at a time.
Also, consider listing surplus stock on sites like Asos Marketplace at marketplace.asos.com, Luxury Garage Sale at luxurygaragesale.com, TheRealReal at therealreal.com and Poshmark at poshmark.com.
For Barbers and Hair Stylists -
Bring your services directly to the client. There will be some inconveniences within it but there are apps connected to service agencies for stylists and many online scheduling systems that will allow taking this approach well-enough. And most of your clients would be naturally inclined to give larger tips for the extra effort involved in meeting with them.
These are apps for hiring mobile styling professionals:
Mobilestyles.com
StyleSeat.com
BeGlammed.com
Glamsquad.com
Stylebee.com
Vensette.com
DreamDry.com
If you have a lengthy client list with their full names and phone numbers then you can use DialMyCalls.com to broadcast a simple notification to them from your salon. Then take appointments for mobile services through scheduling apps like Schedul, Schedulicity, Setmore and Schedulista. (Square Appointments is another option for users of Square's payment processing system).
An example of the recorded call script for re-engaging your customer base is this:
"Hi, Hair We Are Clients! This is your favorite stylist [or the owner, etc.], Rochelle. While Covid-19 keeps the shop closed we'll come to style you at home. Just visit [or look for] our page at [Schedulista] and book the services you want right there. It's just that simple. We'll call you back the day before to confirm your appointment. Thanks in advance."
If you're still unfortunately unable to provide the goods and services that are typical of your normal offerings, then think of other items on hand or an alternate skill set you have to market. Desirable but hard-to-source surplus material and equipment (especially that which is exclusively for business use) is easily sold on eBay if attractively priced. Those businesspeople with excellent administrative or other handy abilities can post profiles on sites like UpWork.com, Freelancer.com, Thumbtack.com, TaskRabbit.com and Care.com.
Have faith and keep looking to the day when we start again.
