President Trump and Task Force Gives Update for April 22nd, 2020

As a nation we are getting to a point where we are thinking of how to get past the COVID-19 pandemic. People's minds have switched from panicky reaction to long-term strategies on how to  re-open the country. You can see from the choice of topics and the way people are communicating that we are starting to assess where to go now and further build capacities in case things flare up again. Now is when discussions will happen with greater fervor on when to launch economic revival that will hopefully put the U.S. in a much higher competitive platform. It wasn't central to this briefing but implied in a few places. As the details of long-term economic strategies are created there will be additional tid bits coming out soon as plans are formalized.

A Few Notes from the Briefing:

There are some issues as it pertains to quotations and the media. So some of the time was spent correcting some of the headlines. It isn't expected that it will be worse in the fall.  I think this is correct because we now know what were dealing with, won't have as much public reaction, and people are more prepared than before. Likewise, we have better systems in place to deal with it effectively.

Discussed Georgia and the need to not open up too much too quickly. Some things are too soon. This was a strong comment so that people don't think its ok to rush back to normal and create more risk.

The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels want to show solidarity and support for the medical community that are really out there risking their lives. Troops are deployed by citizens to help them and support them. They are working on supporting the nation where they can through the airbridge and other movement of equipment and personnel.

The White House wants to support underserved African American and other minorities to restore people to full economic and physical health. There will be people working to try and enhance their position. I think this is important if we as a nation desire to have "all hands on deck" in our economic revival. The President hopes ever American can truly succeed in this country regardless of race, religion, and creed.

A tree was planted at the White House to commemorate the opening of our National Parks and Recreation area.  (Personal note) In the future, our environment will become increasing important and we will want to encourage and add to them when possible. Technology is changing, or will soon change, to the point that we can better protect the environment while still manufacture products that have market relevance. Innovation often limits waste in a way that creates a better product with less carbon footprint. We can think of better batteries and biodegradable products as examples of growing technology that can impact the environment.

It is important that states and federal government work together. The system created is designed to ease into normalcy in a way that can be reversed. It is important for leaders to not just jump into opening but to do so following the phases in order test and understand how it goes. Things could be complicated by the Flu so we have to be prepared and we are much better prepared now than before.




Extra information on the Change in Social Media: 

Facebook has some information on social mobility from Covid-19 Mobility Data Network, coordinated by Direct Relief and researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Facebook’s Data for Good program.

https://visualization.covid19mobility.org/

Health Organizations can check out Data for Good. Disease prevention maps.

https://dataforgood.fb.com/tools/disease-prevention-maps/

I have no idea how many books I've read in my lifetime but recently I added one to my list because it has a message most didn't---meaning! The author reached out and I'm happy he did. He seems like an interesting character and has a powerful message to share with people. We know that life is hard and sometimes we are dealt a pretty bad hand of cards. We can up our hand by training our brain to stop thinking about the past and focusing more on the future. Its not easy and early patterns of negative experiences might carry most of us forward into a destructive life to ourselves and others. There are those who become aware and move forward to do profound things. It may not always be an easy life but it is our own life and while we appreciate the helping hands along the way we are the ones that must pull ourselves out our own dark hole. Its your life so start living it in a positive and happy way!

Retrain your brain.....

Self-help Book Teaches How to Turn Negative Memories into Positive Lessons for a Better Life

Brian Kasperitis announces the release of ‘Your Life Sucks: Because You Are a Big Jerk!’

Brian Kasperitis

HOUSTON – Brian Kasperitis returns to the publishing scene with the release of “Your Life Sucks: Because You Are a Big Jerk!” (published by Xlibris) and also available through Barnes & Noble and Amazon, or your favorite book seller or distributor. Inspired from his own experience, this self-help book teaches how to change one’s thoughts and the level of their existence.

In the book, Kasperitis tells stories from his childhood through adulthood and portrays how each has helped him change his way of thinking and his life as a whole. “Your Life Sucks” reaches out to readers who are facing any kind of struggle in life that may be holding them back with answers that can help them rise to a higher level of positive living. Further, the author asserts that change can happen “starting today!”

“Stop acting like a jerk! Stop treating people badly. Stop treating yourself bad! Stop cussing and complaining and move on move ahead! Rather than looking back, move forward, get out in front of your life and live on a higher and better level,” Kasperitis says. “You can do this, starting today!”

Easy to read and with personal, enlightening anecdotes, “Your Life Sucks” does not introduce sophisticated methods to succeed in changing one’s life but highlights on how one can learn lessons from every person they associate with.

YOUR LIFE SUCKS: Because You Are a Big Jerk!

By Brian Kasperitis

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 146 pages | ISBN 9781796039320

E-Book | 146 pages | ISBN 9781796039313

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Click here to get your copy now:  https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001233536

About the Author

Brian Kasperitis was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He presently lives in Kingwood, Texas, with his daughter, Megan, and his granddaughter, Brianna Dee. Kasperitis began working as a professional musician at an early age, touring and playing in an orchestra. He holds an associate degree in music, bachelor’s degree in music education, and in elementary education, and a master’s degree in educational leadership. Today, he is an author, teacher, college professor, workshop presenter, professional trumpet player, singer and entertainer. Readers can follow Kasperitis on Facebook and YouTube.

Governor Whitmer Discusses CORONAVIRUS and Opening of State & CNN Interview

There is a briefing that came out......mostly on waves. There will be some loosing of the rules and these will be based on facts and data. Data is indicating it is time to re-evaluate aspects of the Stay Home order.



CNN Interview

Governor Whitmer discusses the need for Swabs and some potential rules for PPE and social distancing in workplaces until the disease passes. There is some indicated on how business sectors will be open and under what circumstances. She needs additional swabs in the supply chain. I think they are in the supply chain Que already.

Brings up issue of risks for second wave. Science will be our guide here.

Discussion on protests.....(I stay neutral on such issues😶).

President Trump Update April 21,2020. PPP Funding Passes Senate

The President discusses many of the changes coming forward and the current funding of PPP. That money is necessary to keep payroll going and ensure many of these businesses don't close down. There was also some discussion on temporary limiting of immigration until we know where we are at in terms of reopening the economy. We are continuing to update and build capacity for this country, stockpile, and other countries.

Much of the conversation revolves around infrastructure development. While he didn't specifically state this it is something interesting to think about. Our nation is working off of older platforms of the Industrial Age is slow, clunky, expensive (i.e. our chronic budget shortages). Updating our infrastructure to the Digital Economy, Big Data and Advanced Manufacturing will make a big difference in our long-term global competitiveness.

Just thinking along this line a little.......there will likely be a blend of Industrial and Digital infrastructure. Specifically, balancing the export oriented economic infrastructure like roads, railroads, ports, etc... with updated information networks can make a huge difference in the creation and development of superior product lines. Creativity and innovation is a result of fast transference of information but then is manufactured and sent along traditional infrastructure systems.

A couple of notes from the Press Briefing:

• Senate Passed $382 billion PPP 75 billion for hospitals and 25 billion for COVID-19 Testing. It is now moved onto Congress.
• The loan has been extremely popular and there appears to be some plan to offer more money in the future.
• Phase 4 appears to be infrastructure to help improve roads, bridges, and Broadband and much more.
• $600 billion dollars total have been put into small business.
• Some discussion on energy independence.
• Temporary suspension of immigrant labor until American worker has found jobs. 60 days and then it will be re-evaluated. Only green card requests and not temporary workers.
• -Some movement on anti-body tests. It takes a little time with two different types of responses.
• -When the FDA talks about clinical trials, randomized trials, and studies I get goose bumps. It will be some time until we really understand how the disease works.

Bipartisan Congress Members Want to Replenish PPP-Can We Go Further?

The PPP program was very popular with business and it looks posed to receive additional funds. It helps to keep small businesses. I would challenge our government to not only keep small businesses open but also create a mechanism for Millenials and others who want to open their own business when the COVID crisis passes. Our future rests on pushing the young to take their rightful place in America's legacy. It isn't only about keeping existing doors open but expanding the small business base; particularly small manufacturing opportunities.

As a resident of Delta County I can see there are opportunities to match our national manufacturing needs with local infrastructure (rail, plane, shipping) to not only further develop local natural resources but also create opportunities for manufacturing.

The press release is below.....


Bergman: Keep PPP Open for Business

Washington - Today, Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-01) led a bipartisan letter with Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02) and 13 additional Members of Congress asking the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury to continue accepting new loan applications and approving new lenders in anticipation of renewed funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP has provided more than 1.6 million Coronavirus-impacted small businesses with payroll assistance. However, the program used all available funds by April 15th. Rep. Bergman stated, “Millions of lenders and borrowers were not able to participate in the first round of PPP due to high demand. As I urge my colleagues to overcome partisan gridlock and replenish this critical Coronavirus relief program, it is important PPP remain prepared and keep its doors open to our hardworking small businesses and lenders.”

City of Gladstone Virtual Commission Meeting Scheduled April 27, 2020 6PM EST

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the meeting of the City of Gladstone City Commission scheduled for

April 27, 2020 starting at 6:00 pm at City Hall, 1100 Delta Avenue, Michigan will be conducted virtually (online and/or by phone), due to health concerns surrounding Coronavirus/COVID-19 under the Governor of Michigan’s Executive Orders 2020-42.

The Commission meeting may be viewed online at:

 https://www.youtube.com/user/cityofgladstonecc/videos

Instructions for Public Comment Periods

Public comment and public hearing comments submitted by 4:00 PM April 27, 2020 by email, fax, regular postal mail or dropped off to the City Drop Box shall be submitted into the record at the meeting:

Public Comment

Attn: City Clerk Kim Berry

1100 Delta Avenue

Gladstone, MI. 49837

906-428-3122 Fax

kberry@gladstonemi.org

Public comment periods will also be handled by telephone conferencing.  A dedicated phone line has been established to accept phone calls from the public.  Your call will be answered in the order received; please stay on the line you will be told what caller number you are.  If you hang up you will lose your position in the system and have to redial. 

When the Mayor opens the public comment periods the public is encouraged to call:

906-428-6062

The Mayor will announce when the public comment periods are closed and the meeting will continue. 

The Gladstone City Commission Rules of Procedures regarding public comment periods are still in effect and can be found at:  http://www.gladstonemi.org/government/commissions_and_boards/city_commission.php

To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Any citizen requesting accommodation to participate in this meeting, and/or to obtain this notice in alternate formats, please contact the City Clerk, (906) 428-2311 x 7, prior to the meeting.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact:

Kim Berry, City Clerk

906-428-2311 x 7

kberry@gladstonemi.org

Posted: 04-17-2020

'Check on MIVet' Helps Michigan Veterans, Guard and Reserve Members Thrive

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) is launching a new initiative called “Check on MIVet” designed to get veterans, Michigan National Guard and Reserve members connected to the benefits and services they earned for their service.

Through the initiative, anyone concerned about a veteran, Guard or Reserve member can simply fill out an online form requesting that a representative from MVAA or one of our partner organizations check in on them through a phone call. Guard and Reserve members are eligible for many of the same benefits and services as their active component counterparts.

“The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is committed to providing the best resources for support, care, advocacy and service to veterans, Guard and Reserve members and their families who live and work in our communities,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “The ‘Check on MIVet’ program is another means of ensuring the path to these resources is clear.”

Check on MIVet is not a mental health line or a “wellness” check; veterans experiencing a crisis should call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.

Rather, the initiative aims to ensure veterans receive the employment, healthcare, quality of life and other benefits they need to thrive. As Michigan’s central coordinating agency for Michigan’s approximately 600,000 veterans and their families, MVAA is available 24/7 through its 1-800-MICH-VET hotline to answer veterans’ questions and connect them to benefits and services.

“Michigan is committed to serving our veterans through all phases of their lives, whether that means helping them obtain education benefits, find a job, secure long-term care or get connected to the federal and state benefits they earned for their service,” said MVAA Director Zaneta Adams. “Through ‘Check on MIVet,’ MVAA can be that resource that veterans need to stay connected – not just to their benefits, but to a person on the other end of the phone who cares about their well-being.”

The MVAA can also help veterans with emergency needs during these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic – and throughout the year. This assistance includes grants for eligible veterans through the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund for emergent issues such as a temporary inability to pay the mortgage or utility bills.

To access the Check on MIVet form, visit bit.ly/34EvO4B – or go to the top of the MVAA website, michiganveterans.com, and click on the “Check on MIVet” banner.

The forms can be submitted electronically, by email to MVAAResourceCenter@michigan.gov or the information can be relayed to a technician with the MVAA’s Veteran Resource Service Center at 1-800-MICH-VET.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.