Diets, Decaf & Other Dubious Deeds
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Wear a mask: You could help save 66,000 lives in the US
Something so simple can have an extraordinary impact.
The coronavirus pandemic has now claimed more than 715,800 lives worldwide, including more than 160,000 in the U.S. alone. Wearing face masks could save another 66,000 Americans from dying of the virus by December, according to a new model.
Wearing a mask is one of the simplest and easiest ways to keep friends, family and strangers safe from the novel coronavirus. "It's rare that you see something so simple, so inexpensive, so easy for everybody to participate in can have such an extraordinary impact in the U.S. and also all over the world," Dr. Christopher Murray, the director of the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), said during CNN's Global Town Hall on Aug. 6.
https://www.livescience.com/wearing-masks-save-tens-thousands-lives.html
Something so simple can have an extraordinary impact.
The coronavirus pandemic has now claimed more than 715,800 lives worldwide, including more than 160,000 in the U.S. alone. Wearing face masks could save another 66,000 Americans from dying of the virus by December, according to a new model.
Wearing a mask is one of the simplest and easiest ways to keep friends, family and strangers safe from the novel coronavirus. "It's rare that you see something so simple, so inexpensive, so easy for everybody to participate in can have such an extraordinary impact in the U.S. and also all over the world," Dr. Christopher Murray, the director of the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), said during CNN's Global Town Hall on Aug. 6.
https://www.livescience.com/wearing-masks-save-tens-thousands-lives.html
With loan money gone, restaurants are at mercy of virus
Posted Aug 09, 2020 6:00 AM
NEW YORK (AP) — The check has arrived and beleaguered restaurant owners across America are looking down on their empty wallets.
Government coronavirus loans in the spring helped eating establishments rehire laid-off employees and ride out the pandemic’s initial surge and wave of shutdown orders.
But that Paycheck Protection Program money has now been spent at many restaurants, leaving them in the same precarious position they were in during outbreak’s early days: Thousands of restaurants are being forced to close down again on mandates from state and local officials combating the virus’s resurgence, particularly in the South and West.
And even in parts of the country where the outbreak appears contained, restaurants’ revenue is far below normal because social distancing requirements — and wary diners — mean fewer tables, fewer customers and limited hours.
John Pepper used a PPP loan to pay employees and reopen four of his eight Boloco restaurants when Massachusetts lifted its shutdown order in early May. But with the money spent and business at the restaurants down as much as 70%, Pepper had to again close two locations. The staff of 125 he had before the virus outbreak is down to 50.
“A lot of this is out of our hands at this point,” Pepper says. “At this moment, I don’t see getting my full payroll back.”
Congress failed to reach an agreement on another relief bill that potentially could have provided more help for small businesses, but even with more loan or grant money, restaurants will remain at the mercy of the virus that has decimated their business.
The virus’s resurgence has prompted officials in California, Texas, Florida and other states to order restaurants shut again. In the Northeast and other parts of the country where infection rates appear more stable, no one expects limits on inside dining to be lifted anytime soon.
Restaurants generally have a low profit margin, between 5% and 6%, and they achieve that only if they have a full house virtually every day, says Sean Kennedy, executive vice president for the trade group National Restaurant Association. They also tend to have only about two weeks of cash on hand, making them highly vulnerable when their sales are down.
“They aren’t designed to have an on-off switch. They’re designed to be used seven days a week, 14 to 15 hours a day at 100% of capacity,” Kennedy says.
Gerry Cea was forced to shut his Miami restaurant, Cafe Prima Pasta, from March into May when the outbreak first began. Now, he has again closed the dining room as local officials try to contain the virus; the Miami/Dade area is one of Florida’s hit hardest by the virus.
Cea is still able to serve customers outside, but the intense South Florida heat and frequent summer rains are limiting him to about 40 diners a night instead of the hundreds he served before the pandemic hit. And Cea is mindful that the peak hurricane season is still to come.
“With the PPP money we received, we were able to pay 48 employees but that has run out now, so we are left with very few alternatives” for funding, Cea says. He’s hoping for more help from the government, even if it’s a loan that must be repaid.
In the meantime, Cea says, “the only reason we are pretty much surviving is because we own the building,” he says.
The pandemic has devastated an industry that expected to have nearly $900 billion in sales this year. Before the outbreak, the Labor Department counted 12 million workers in restaurants and bars, and nearly two-thirds worked at small businesses with fewer than 500 workers. In April, employment in restaurants and bars of all sizes had been cut by nearly half as establishments across the country were closed.
Restaurants were among the small businesses the Paycheck Protection Program was intended to help, but some owners say it was of limited use.
The program so far has given about $42 billion in loans to restaurants, bars and lodging companies. But many restaurants burned through loans quickly because the original terms of the program required them to use the money within eight weeks in order to get loan forgiveness. Many establishments couldn’t reopen but paid staffers not to work anyway. Then when they reopened with revenue limited by social distancing, they couldn’t afford their full payrolls. Congress changed the spending requirement to 24 weeks in early June, but that was too late for many restaurants.
Article continued on next post...
Posted Aug 09, 2020 6:00 AM
NEW YORK (AP) — The check has arrived and beleaguered restaurant owners across America are looking down on their empty wallets.
Government coronavirus loans in the spring helped eating establishments rehire laid-off employees and ride out the pandemic’s initial surge and wave of shutdown orders.
But that Paycheck Protection Program money has now been spent at many restaurants, leaving them in the same precarious position they were in during outbreak’s early days: Thousands of restaurants are being forced to close down again on mandates from state and local officials combating the virus’s resurgence, particularly in the South and West.
And even in parts of the country where the outbreak appears contained, restaurants’ revenue is far below normal because social distancing requirements — and wary diners — mean fewer tables, fewer customers and limited hours.
John Pepper used a PPP loan to pay employees and reopen four of his eight Boloco restaurants when Massachusetts lifted its shutdown order in early May. But with the money spent and business at the restaurants down as much as 70%, Pepper had to again close two locations. The staff of 125 he had before the virus outbreak is down to 50.
“A lot of this is out of our hands at this point,” Pepper says. “At this moment, I don’t see getting my full payroll back.”
Congress failed to reach an agreement on another relief bill that potentially could have provided more help for small businesses, but even with more loan or grant money, restaurants will remain at the mercy of the virus that has decimated their business.
The virus’s resurgence has prompted officials in California, Texas, Florida and other states to order restaurants shut again. In the Northeast and other parts of the country where infection rates appear more stable, no one expects limits on inside dining to be lifted anytime soon.
Restaurants generally have a low profit margin, between 5% and 6%, and they achieve that only if they have a full house virtually every day, says Sean Kennedy, executive vice president for the trade group National Restaurant Association. They also tend to have only about two weeks of cash on hand, making them highly vulnerable when their sales are down.
“They aren’t designed to have an on-off switch. They’re designed to be used seven days a week, 14 to 15 hours a day at 100% of capacity,” Kennedy says.
Gerry Cea was forced to shut his Miami restaurant, Cafe Prima Pasta, from March into May when the outbreak first began. Now, he has again closed the dining room as local officials try to contain the virus; the Miami/Dade area is one of Florida’s hit hardest by the virus.
Cea is still able to serve customers outside, but the intense South Florida heat and frequent summer rains are limiting him to about 40 diners a night instead of the hundreds he served before the pandemic hit. And Cea is mindful that the peak hurricane season is still to come.
“With the PPP money we received, we were able to pay 48 employees but that has run out now, so we are left with very few alternatives” for funding, Cea says. He’s hoping for more help from the government, even if it’s a loan that must be repaid.
In the meantime, Cea says, “the only reason we are pretty much surviving is because we own the building,” he says.
The pandemic has devastated an industry that expected to have nearly $900 billion in sales this year. Before the outbreak, the Labor Department counted 12 million workers in restaurants and bars, and nearly two-thirds worked at small businesses with fewer than 500 workers. In April, employment in restaurants and bars of all sizes had been cut by nearly half as establishments across the country were closed.
Restaurants were among the small businesses the Paycheck Protection Program was intended to help, but some owners say it was of limited use.
The program so far has given about $42 billion in loans to restaurants, bars and lodging companies. But many restaurants burned through loans quickly because the original terms of the program required them to use the money within eight weeks in order to get loan forgiveness. Many establishments couldn’t reopen but paid staffers not to work anyway. Then when they reopened with revenue limited by social distancing, they couldn’t afford their full payrolls. Congress changed the spending requirement to 24 weeks in early June, but that was too late for many restaurants.
Article continued on next post...
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It’s not yet known what small business help will be in any upcoming relief package, although Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has mentioned the possibility that small businesses with big revenue declines could get a second PPP loan.
But restaurants need a long-term solution that addresses their particular needs, Kennedy says. For example, allowing families that get food stamp assistance to use their benefits in restaurants.
“We’re going to be limping along or shutting down altogether” without long-term help, Kennedy says.
Stephanie Williams still hasn’t fully reopened two of her Bennu Coffee shops in Austin, Texas, and continues to operate with curbside service and delivery only; a third location that opened over the weekend does have socially distanced seating. Williams has spent the PPP money she got in early May — she had recalled furloughed workers but with revenue at one store down by half and the other by nearly two-thirds, Williams had to let 20 staffers go again.
“We assumed at the end of eight weeks, this will be over. But here in Texas, things are drastically worse than when we shut down in March,” Williams says. Like other states where the virus is resurgent, Texas saw cases increase after it ended shutdown orders in early May.
Even in areas where the virus appears stable and restaurants can have inside dining, they’re struggling. Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, a Columbus, Ohio, restaurant and brewery, has had to close its dining room and return to takeout and delivery, having used its PPP money and not having enough revenue due to social distancing.
“What the PPP did was put us in a position where we brought people back before we had enough business to support them,” co-founder Bob Szuter says. He’s trying to figure out new ways to bring in revenue, focusing more on the brewery side of the business until it’s safe to have a full dining room.
Jason Brauner’s restaurant, Bourbon Bistro, exhausted its PPP loan, is operating at 50% of capacity and not making enough to cover its expenses. Brauner is worried that the virus’s resurgence will force the Louisville, Kentucky, establishment to close; he had shut completely for two weeks in March before switching to curbside service and then gradually reopened. He’s paid his full staff throughout.
Brauner is hoping to get a grant from the city and he’d welcome another PPP loan. A separate economic injury disaster loan from the SBA give him some breathing room, but also presents a dilemma. Like many restaurant owners, Brauner worries about carrying long-term debt when the future is uncertain.
“I’m almost tempted to give it back,” he says. “We just have to see how it all plays out.”
It’s not yet known what small business help will be in any upcoming relief package, although Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has mentioned the possibility that small businesses with big revenue declines could get a second PPP loan.
But restaurants need a long-term solution that addresses their particular needs, Kennedy says. For example, allowing families that get food stamp assistance to use their benefits in restaurants.
“We’re going to be limping along or shutting down altogether” without long-term help, Kennedy says.
Stephanie Williams still hasn’t fully reopened two of her Bennu Coffee shops in Austin, Texas, and continues to operate with curbside service and delivery only; a third location that opened over the weekend does have socially distanced seating. Williams has spent the PPP money she got in early May — she had recalled furloughed workers but with revenue at one store down by half and the other by nearly two-thirds, Williams had to let 20 staffers go again.
“We assumed at the end of eight weeks, this will be over. But here in Texas, things are drastically worse than when we shut down in March,” Williams says. Like other states where the virus is resurgent, Texas saw cases increase after it ended shutdown orders in early May.
Even in areas where the virus appears stable and restaurants can have inside dining, they’re struggling. Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, a Columbus, Ohio, restaurant and brewery, has had to close its dining room and return to takeout and delivery, having used its PPP money and not having enough revenue due to social distancing.
“What the PPP did was put us in a position where we brought people back before we had enough business to support them,” co-founder Bob Szuter says. He’s trying to figure out new ways to bring in revenue, focusing more on the brewery side of the business until it’s safe to have a full dining room.
Jason Brauner’s restaurant, Bourbon Bistro, exhausted its PPP loan, is operating at 50% of capacity and not making enough to cover its expenses. Brauner is worried that the virus’s resurgence will force the Louisville, Kentucky, establishment to close; he had shut completely for two weeks in March before switching to curbside service and then gradually reopened. He’s paid his full staff throughout.
Brauner is hoping to get a grant from the city and he’d welcome another PPP loan. A separate economic injury disaster loan from the SBA give him some breathing room, but also presents a dilemma. Like many restaurant owners, Brauner worries about carrying long-term debt when the future is uncertain.
“I’m almost tempted to give it back,” he says. “We just have to see how it all plays out.”
Philadelphia wants to ensure that all its K-12 students have internet access, so they have what they need to learn remotely during the pandemic, especially as the city’s schools will remain closed to in-person classes this fall.
Since the coronavirus forced the school closures this spring, the city has been working with foundations and partners to mobilize funding that will provide broadband internet access for 35,000 kids—and this week they’ve unveiled a program that will make it happen.
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/free-internet-coming-for-35000-low-income-philly-families/
Since the coronavirus forced the school closures this spring, the city has been working with foundations and partners to mobilize funding that will provide broadband internet access for 35,000 kids—and this week they’ve unveiled a program that will make it happen.
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/free-internet-coming-for-35000-low-income-philly-families/
This is one of 50 finalists in the Reader’s Digest “50 Nicest Places in America” contest for 2020. A crowd-sourced effort to uncover places in all 50 states where kindness and generosity are reigning supreme amidst a climate of coronavirus and cultural upheaval, you can now vote for your favorite ‘Nicest Place’ by visiting the Reader’s Digest website.
You will not go hungry in the Bronx. New York City’s northernmost borough is home to 1.4 million people—and it’s the most racially diverse place in the country, according to the U.S. Census. But if there’s one thing that brings people together, it’s pizza—and pizza was the unifier for families in Riverdale, who started bringing hundreds of the famous pies to strangers throughout New York’s quarantine.
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/from-pizza-to-fresh-veggies-people-in-the-bronx-will-feed-you/
You will not go hungry in the Bronx. New York City’s northernmost borough is home to 1.4 million people—and it’s the most racially diverse place in the country, according to the U.S. Census. But if there’s one thing that brings people together, it’s pizza—and pizza was the unifier for families in Riverdale, who started bringing hundreds of the famous pies to strangers throughout New York’s quarantine.
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/from-pizza-to-fresh-veggies-people-in-the-bronx-will-feed-you/
Food service personnel & folks working in nursing homes along with all the other depts that make these places function sort of get left out of the "frontline worker" status. I don't quite understand that. We may not be as at risk but we are still risking our lives every day to show up & do our jobs. Every day when we walk through the doors we risk being exposed by anyone. We are exposed to these workers who are in contact with COVID patients as well. Our nursing staff got pizza. Our food service dept got candy.
Food service seems to be at the bottom of the ladder in the eyes of most people but I tell you what...it's damn hard work. Many look down their noses & have the attitude "they're just food service." Until they want something. Then you're "awesome." Most businesses rely on some sort of food service to get them through the day. So when people talk about frontline workers...don't forget about the people feeding you...cleaning up after you...filling prescriptions...drawing blood...ministry services...maintenance crews...security personnel...we are all one.
Food service seems to be at the bottom of the ladder in the eyes of most people but I tell you what...it's damn hard work. Many look down their noses & have the attitude "they're just food service." Until they want something. Then you're "awesome." Most businesses rely on some sort of food service to get them through the day. So when people talk about frontline workers...don't forget about the people feeding you...cleaning up after you...filling prescriptions...drawing blood...ministry services...maintenance crews...security personnel...we are all one.
I ended up cancelling my Pogo.com account today. They will be retiring most of the games on their site & the new HD games would be fine except that a lot them require gems that have to be purchased. So you pay $14.99 every 3 mo for a membership plus you have to pay to play a lot of the individual games.
They have one damn Bingo game & I don't like it. They got rid of the mini's and the mini mall so I can't enjoy that anymore. You can't buy much with the tokens they award you in game play and many like I said require purchasing gems to keep playing. One of the gem offers is $200 for 2,000 gems. That's ridiculous. I'm not letting them milk me out of money when I could just as easily go and get myself an acct on Origin & purchase the Sims 4 game I want with the extension packs.
They have one damn Bingo game & I don't like it. They got rid of the mini's and the mini mall so I can't enjoy that anymore. You can't buy much with the tokens they award you in game play and many like I said require purchasing gems to keep playing. One of the gem offers is $200 for 2,000 gems. That's ridiculous. I'm not letting them milk me out of money when I could just as easily go and get myself an acct on Origin & purchase the Sims 4 game I want with the extension packs.
I just found an online article that I feel describes what I've been experiencing more and more.
Why The Older You Get, The More You Hate Everyone (And Why That's OK)
You know how you're always talking about how you hate everyone? The thing is, the older you get, the more real this is.
True story: I don't really have friends anymore. I'm super close with my family; my siblings and two of my cousins are my best friends. If you find yourself in a similar situation, you may be wondering why the older you get, the more you hate everyone (or, rather, why more people get on your nerves). I’m here to tell you a personal tale.
https://www.elitedaily.com/life/i-hate-people/1420157
Why The Older You Get, The More You Hate Everyone (And Why That's OK)
You know how you're always talking about how you hate everyone? The thing is, the older you get, the more real this is.
True story: I don't really have friends anymore. I'm super close with my family; my siblings and two of my cousins are my best friends. If you find yourself in a similar situation, you may be wondering why the older you get, the more you hate everyone (or, rather, why more people get on your nerves). I’m here to tell you a personal tale.
https://www.elitedaily.com/life/i-hate-people/1420157
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
I used to be a Sims freak years ago!
See! I knew there was a reason I liked you! *Grins*
A kid at work told me today about a website named Steam where you can download games. I think he said they have Mist & I've always wanted to try playing that one. Maybe this coming weekend.
We had a very busy day in the cafeteria today. I also got my work schedule for tomorrow changed twice. LOL! One of the ladies got a storage shed of hers broke into & they took years worth of family items she got in the divorce that she was taking to her new home. She was supposed to go testify tomorrow so they changed me to be the evening cook. Then I guess they cancelled it so now I'm back to frying chicken tomorrow. Hope I don't forget & go in & start the cook shift. LOL!
They didn't have anything I was in the mood for today so I made grilled cheese & french fries for myself. This evening I snagged a piece of cherry vanilla cream pie & it's on my last brownie & it's delicious.
We had a very busy day in the cafeteria today. I also got my work schedule for tomorrow changed twice. LOL! One of the ladies got a storage shed of hers broke into & they took years worth of family items she got in the divorce that she was taking to her new home. She was supposed to go testify tomorrow so they changed me to be the evening cook. Then I guess they cancelled it so now I'm back to frying chicken tomorrow. Hope I don't forget & go in & start the cook shift. LOL!
They didn't have anything I was in the mood for today so I made grilled cheese & french fries for myself. This evening I snagged a piece of cherry vanilla cream pie & it's on my last brownie & it's delicious.
I see a thread about romance on here. Yuck! LOL!! I feel like a little girl right now with the mentality that boys are yucky. I don't know if that will pass eventually or if because of menopause it's gonna stick. 
I spent my whole life hoping for love & then it came & disappointed me. I don't know if I could stomach another relationship. Maybe someday. Maybe not.
I spent my whole life hoping for love & then it came & disappointed me. I don't know if I could stomach another relationship. Maybe someday. Maybe not.