Monthly Archives: April 2020

Lockdown Protest

Economy,

On May 2nd at 5pm here will be a scheduled protest against the economic lockdown of Chicago.  Many people want Illinois to be re-opened.  For those who are healthy and wish to work the situation is frustrating as they are being prevented from doing so by city and state local governments.  They are using the Bill of Rights to exert their right to protest the shutdown. 

All those who attend the protest will be required to wear masks and keep 6+ feet distance from each other.  The march will take place on Randolph and Dearborn at 10am on Saturday, May 2nd.

Video Conferencing City Council Meeting

Infrastructure,

In an unprecedented move, the Chicago City Council held a meeting using Zoom video conferencing.  This is the first time this has ever been done.  In “attendance” were 48 aldermen and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the latter who chaired the meeting from her City Hall office.  In addition, people from the public were invited to submit comments by phone or email.

On the agenda was one topic – an official amendment to the City Council’s rules  of how such meetings are conducted, thus permitting the use of virtual attendance.  The meeting lasted less than an hour.

Very little was discussed except to set the next City Council meeting for April 22.  However the Mayor was urged by members of the public to shut down the Chicago River scrapyard, General Iron Industries.

Covid-19: Protecting Local Medical Workers

Wellness,

Chicago’s Loretto Hospital could be getting a lot more protective equipment for its staff thanks to contents in a warehouse that has been sitting empty for the last few years.  The warehouse – located on Southwest Side, Chicago – is filled with face shields, gloves, gowns and masks. While some of the items are expired, they are all in their original packages and according to CDC guidelines are thus usable should they be 100% usable.

Therefore, according to Emergency Department Manager at the hospital, Crystal Carey the items will be accepted.  She added that all donations will be “graciously accepted” in order that the hospital will be able to provide the same care as all other hospitals in the region.

Chicago’s Loretto Hospital could be getting a lot more protective equipment for its staff thanks to contents in a warehouse that has been sitting empty for the last few years.  The warehouse – located on Southwest Side, Chicago – is filled with face shields, gloves, gowns and masks. While some of the items are expired, they are all in their original packages and according to CDC guidelines are thus usable should they be 100% usable.

Therefore, according to Emergency Department Manager at the hospital, Crystal Carey the items will be accepted.  She added that all donations will be “graciously accepted” in order that the hospital will be able to provide the same care as all other hospitals in the region.

All items donated and used will be in pristine quality.

Surviving COVID-19, Financially

Lifestyle,

A stimulus package was approved by the US Senate on the amount of $2 trillion to counteract the negative affects the worldwide COVID-19 has had on people’s lives.  As part of the package, most Americans will be entitled to $1,200 (those who were working before this started) which amounts to approximately $3,000 on average per family.

However those who make over $75,000 will not be entitled to the entire payment and those who make $99,000 an up will not get any money.  In addition, unemployment will be extended from 26 to 39 weeks for most individuals.

For companies that choose to use Uptake (a predictive maintenance software) it will be free.  This is especially good for those businesses currently deemed ‘essential’ such as vehicles used for food transportation as well as medical, supplies, etc.  This will be very helpful medical institutes to facilitate their distribution of essential items around local communities.

In addition, Sittercity  has now waived its fee for three months to those who work as first responders and health care staff working in the continuing ‘shelter-in-place’ order in Illinois.  These individuals are really on the front lines of Chicago’s outbreak.

Local Aid for Small Businesses

Economy, , ,

Given the financial trauma that has resulted from the shutting down of economies worldwide, some local Small Business Administration bodies throughout America are offering aid.  In an attempt to curtail the economic deceleration that has resulted from coronavirus, assistance loans up to $2 million and being provided to those most impacted. In this video Kate Rogers of CNBC, reports.

Women’s History Month

Women, , , ,

While there does seem to be incredible chaos in the world right now, there is still cause for celebration.  Last month was Women’s History Month and we are coming up to the centenary milestone of women’s right to vote – ratified in America on August 18 2020.  There’s a lot to be happy about.

We take this opportunity to look at three of the amazing women in our very own communities: T. “Ayo” Alston, Siobhan Summers and Katy Winge.

T. “Ayo” Ashton  is today known for the Ayodele Drum and Dance Community that she established in 2009 This educational body was made for women to help them with their own self-confidence and to in turn, create strength in their local communities.

Born in Brooklyn, Ashton first found her love for Orisha culture and West African dance as an adolescent and since then she has focused her journey on exploring art, development techniques and growing in these areas.  Some of the artists she has worked with include: Baba Chuck Davis, Dierdre Dawkins, M’Bemba Bangoura and Mouminatou Camara.

Supervising producer at Chicago’s video production firm Bottle Rocket Media, Siobhan Summers started her career on Oprah Winfrey’s show in the production team.  Since then she has developed her skills to successfully create meaningful tales with powerful messages.  This involves the supervision of all productions from A-Z.  Her love of storytelling creates interpersonal connections that she has helped grow among her local community.

Katy Winge was the very first female analyst hired to cover the Nuggets for Altitude TV.  Getting to that role was not easy.  She began her career as a sports anchor, producer and reporter for KTTC/FOX 47 and at some point faced a fork in the road – carry on with her role or take a break and pursue a Masters degree in Journalism.  She opted for the latter and studied at Northwestern University, IL.  Even though she was advised by many to continue in her role as getting experience would be preferable to getting an education for career development, she went with her “gut” and does not regret that decision at all.  She explains that she got so much out of the education, including the people she met, the things she learned and the network she created which all played a big role in where she is today.

Today she tells everyone to “go with their gut” which obviously is different for everyone.  We all need to find our own journey.

So, in these trying times, let’s look at what we’ve achieved and how much more there is to do, no matter what situation we currently find ourselves in.