littlemissmartypants
littlemissmartypants's JournalCoronavirus, Into the Red Zone
News on Unemployment Claims!
DES Working to Immediately Expand Capacity in Response to Surge in COVID-19 Unemployment Claims
Adding Staff, Equipment and IT Infrastructure as Unemployment Claims top 370,000
$10 million in unemployment benefits delivered so far this week
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Division of Employment Security is taking immediate actions to help people who are unable to work because of COVID-19.
Approximately 370,000 North Carolinians have filed for unemployment insurance assistance since March 16, an unprecedented spike in filings as a result of the pandemic. Prior to COVID-19, DES received about 3,000 claims a week.
As of April 3, DES has sent out more than $10 million in unemployment benefits for claims related to COVID-19. That number will grow exponentially in the coming days. Claimants should be aware that it takes approximately 14 days from the time a person files a claim to receive their first payment.
DES is committed to intaking and processing every claim from workers impacted by COVID-19 in a timely and efficient manner, despite the extraordinary surge in demand. Accordingly, DES is moving aggressively to build the capacity necessary to help North Carolinians quickly get their benefits.
To better assist individuals and employers, initial steps include:
Hiring 50 new staff
Adding 100 staff from Division of Workforce Solutions Career Centers
Contracting with an additional 200-person call center
Adding computer servers to ensure capacity for large number of people filing online
Doubling printing and mail capacity to ensure timely delivery of documents
Purchasing more than 500 new computers and other equipment so employees in the office and at home can work to process claims.
Following these initial steps, the division will have more than 850 people working to process unemployment claims and get payments out the door.
“The Division of Employment Security understands that for people who have lost their jobs, the assistance can’t get there soon enough,” said Lockhart Taylor, assistant secretary for DES. “We are taking immediate action to increase our capacity in the face of this historic challenge and be there for the North Carolinians who need our help.”
Last Saturday, Governor Roy Cooper authorized DES to implement three federal unemployment programs. The first provides an additional $600 in weekly benefits. The second provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits. The third is Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which is assistance for people who are not typically eligible for state unemployment benefits. This should provide coverage to self-employed workers or independent contractors. DES needs final guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor in order to make the federal assistance available.
Individuals can file for unemployment benefits online at des.nc.gov. Those who have internet access are encouraged to check the website for updates and answers to their questions before calling the customer call center. People without internet access should call 888-737-0259 for assistance.
The most up-to-date information about eligibility and how to apply for benefits can be found on the Division of Employment Security website at des.nc.gov link here: https://des.nc.gov/
Coronavirus is not the flu, YouTube
Have you heard of #pinksocks?
https://pinksocks.life/about-us/WELCOME TO THE PINKSOCKS TRIBE!
Pinksocks Life, Inc. is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting human connection around the world by socially supporting other public charities. The pinksocks movement empowers people from all walks of life to connect with anyone, anywhere, by creating a global tribe of pinksocks-wearing people who are focused on empathy, caring, and love. The movement has been decommoditized from its beginning in 2015 – all pinksocks are gifts. Every connection made between the gift giver and recipient is based on an authentic connection, not a transaction.
We’re a community of over 100,000 happy smiley people who are united in changing the world from the ground up, with heart speak, hugs, and gifting. The pinksocks movement began in healthcare, and is now growing in all kinds of industries around the world! We’re all about working together to activate solutions to help move us forward. Politics, bureaucracies, and legacy systems have unfortunately done the polar opposite of what each of us as humans want……which is to be connected!
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Much more at the link.
❤ lmsp
If I am infected with Covid 19 ... which I am doing everything to avoid...
I have a nice peaceful suicide planned before I am left drowning in my own secretions which will most likely be bloody. I have too much experience as a medical professional, mostly with those who suffered from aspiration pneumonia, to let myself suffer that way.
As for the hair, I'm lucky that the last cut I got, my stylist went overboard and left me with barely enough to comb.
I have no children or relatives who are likely to miss me. So, I'm good to go.
Otherwise, I plan to be still standing when President Psychopath either keels over or takes his final exit by frog-march. That's what keeps me positive, the hope of seeing him suffering.
All the best to everyone. I plan to see you on the other side. I love you.
❤ lmsp
How Covid 19 kills, I'm a surgeon and why we can't save you...
Dr. Duc C. Vuong
ETA Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/doctorvuong/
How to Deal With a Psychopath...
https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/advice-from-a-therapist-5-ways-to-with-a-psychopath-at-work.htmlHow to Deal With a Psychopath...snip...
If you must deal with a psychopath, try these five strategies:
1. Keep Your Emotions in Check
No matter how frustrated or upset you feel, keep your emotions in check. Losing your cool gives a psychopath more power over you, as he'll see that he can manipulate your emotions. Present a calm demeanor at all times.
2. Don't Show That You're Intimidated
Psychopaths often use intimidation to control others. A psychopath may make subtle threats, stand over you while you're talking, or use aggressive language to get you to back down. Stand your ground in an assertive manner, and report incidents of bullying or harassment to human resources.
3. Don't Buy Into Their Stories
Psychopaths often use long-winded tales to paint themselves as victims. They often blame other people and refuse to take any responsibility for their wrongdoing. Showing sympathy for them plays into their hand, so keep discussions centered on facts only.
4. Turn the Conversation Back on Them
Pointing out a psychopath's flaws can be the best way to disarm them. So when a psychopath blames someone else, turn the conversation back on them. Say something like, "Are you doing OK today? I saw how you responded in the meeting today and I wonder if you might be stressed out."
5. Opt for Online Communication Whenever You Can
A 2016 study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that psychopaths excel at negotiating when they're communicating face-to-face. Online conversations make it difficult--if not impossible--for them to charm their way into a better deal. So consider requesting all communication occur via email if you can.
Build Your Mental Strength
If you can't escape daily interaction with a psychopath, it's especially important to work on building your mental muscles. Get proactive about taking care of yourself and managing your stress.
If you're struggling, consider talking to a mental health professional. It's difficult to stay mentally strong when you're working alongside a toxic person.
North Carolina startup gets approval for COVID-19 test that works in 15 minutes
North Carolina startup gets approval for COVID-19 test that works in 15 minutes
https://abc11.com/coronavirus-nc-test-biomedomics-rapid/6046726
By Jonah Kaplan
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 10:11PM
MORRISVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Old North State is rich in history, and a biotechology startup is adding its name to that history with one a COVID-19 breakthrough.
BioMedomics, Inc., a small research and development firm in Research Triangle Park, created one of the world's first rapid tests to detect COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The test only requires a small blood sample and can deliver results within 15 minutes.
"I think this type of test certainly is a game changer," Kent Lupino, Director of Marketing & Product Management, tells ABC11. "Antibody-based rapid tests like ours are well-suited for initially screening patients at the point-of-care, because they are fast and don't require any laboratory equipment to conduct the test."
How it works is a big part of why it's fast: instead of trying to detect the virus' genetic signature, or RNA, the BioMedomics test measures how the patient's body is reacting to the virus. In other words, it checks whether the body's immune system is reacting to the virus - or something else.
More at the link.
❤lmsp
Covid Updates
I have made the decision to discontinue the daily reports. The state has now begun to report the data by county and other factors at the state website. Now that the information is available there my work is redundant. I will post reports and press releases as pertinent but not the daily data. Check here for that and other information about Covid-19 in North Carolina:
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc
Good luck everyone.
❤ lmsp
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