Sail Aid International teaming up with OC restaurant to send supplies to Haiti - 47abc - WMDT

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OCEAN CITY, Md.- The owner of The Hobbit Restaurant, Garvey Heiderman, and the founder of Sail Aid International, Sequoia Sun, teamed up Saturday afternoon in Ocean City, to pack up a boat so supplies could be delivered to Haiti.

“We’re just trying to help them have a better life because its an island that’s 6 miles off the coast and they don’t have access to a lot of things,” Sun said.

Sun founded Sail Aid International in 2017 to bring supplies such as food, medical supplies, solar panels, computers, school and art supplies, and other items to areas impacted by natural disasters and human caused impacts.

“It’s something to give back, to do good, to help people, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and there’s a lot of people there that have nothing, they have no money, no job,” Sun said.

This is the sailboats second visit to Ocean City to pick up donations from Heiderman, and he said to be a part of this mission is rewarding.

“A lot of us are in situations here where we can have some time in the Fall to give back and it’s the least we can do, I’m in a situation with the restaurant where its very easy for us to get food and get it shipped in bulk so I’m just trying to do my part,” Heiderman said.

Sun said he hopes to make it to Haiti in three weeks, with some other stops along the way.

“I’ve been doing it for 10 years and I hope to continue to do it for another 10, we’ll see how long I last doing it, it’s fulfilling and as long as it works and makes sense we’ll keep doing it,” Sun said.

“Hopefully, we can get more people on board locally or you know across the bridge in Baltimore and DC to start donating supplies,” Heiderman said.

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November 01, 2020 at 07:29AM
https://www.wmdt.com/2020/10/sail-aid-international-teaming-up-with-oc-restaurant-to-send-supplies-to-haiti/

Sail Aid International teaming up with OC restaurant to send supplies to Haiti - 47abc - WMDT

https://news.google.com/search?q=Send&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

How fast could the IRS send your second stimulus check? Depends on who you are - CNET

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How quickly could the IRS get you another check?

Sarah Tew/CNET

Though negotiators have pushed talks on another economic relief bill till after the Nov. 3 election, the need for more financial aid hasn't diminished. "People are suffering, and they need help," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on MSNBC on Friday. "We know that very well because we represent those people."

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday that new stimulus aid is "something we'll need to do right at the beginning of the year." He mentioned funding small businesses, hospitals and schools, but he didn't mention another stimulus check -- one that previous Republican and Democratic proposals have included, and which President Donald Trump supports.

If a new stimulus check is authorized at some point after the election, you can anticipate that qualifying individuals and families may receive their payments at different times.

The IRS divided eligible people into priority groups and sent out the first stimulus payment in waves, which meant that some people got paid months before others. Keep reading for a primer on which priority groups the IRS is expected to use for the second stimulus check and some potential timelines for when money could be sent out. We recently updated this story.

Read more: Nobody can take your stimulus check away, right? Not quite

When could a new stimulus check arrive? Some postelection guesses 

With talks shifting to after the election, we've mapped out some potential dates a bill could pass, and what it means for your check, depending how you'll get your money. (More on that in the next section.)

These dates, which are speculative, show you might possibly see a check if a bill becomes law in the period after the Nov. 3 election and before or after Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, including Dec. 11, the deadline for Congress to pass the next federal budget.

Read more: Inside presidential candidate Joe Biden's stimulus plan

One important note is the speed at which the first checks would arrive. In August, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said it would take about a week to process the first payments. "I can get out 50 million payments really quickly. A lot of it into people's direct accounts," he said. But that doesn't necessarily mean your stimulus money will arrive a week after a bill goes live.

Possible dates a second stimulus check could go out

	Scenario 1	Scenario 2	Scenario 3	Scenario 4
House passes final bill	Nov. 30	Dec. 11	Feb. 1	Mar. 1
Senate passes final bill	Dec. 1	Dec. 12	Feb. 2	Mar. 2
President signs	Dec. 2	Dec. 13	Feb. 3	Mar. 3
First direct deposits issued	Week of Dec. 21	Week of Dec. 28	Week of Feb. 8	Week of Mar. 8
First paper checks sent	Week of Jan. 4	Week of Jan. 11	Week of Feb. 15	Week of Mar. 15
First EIP cards sent	Week of Feb. 1	Week of Feb. 8	Week of Mar. 15	Week of Apr. 12

What do the IRS priority groups mean?

The IRS has so far sent money to at least 160 million people three ways, starting with people the federal government has direct deposit information for. Some people with more complicated personal situations are still waiting for their checks or even for catch-up payments. This creates a de facto priority order that could result in some Americans receiving their checks days or even weeks before others. 

Read more: Estimate the size of your check with our stimulus calculator

We expect the IRS will adopt roughly the same system for sending out a second stimulus check in 2020 or 2021 as it did with the first stimulus check, which was approved in March.

Direct deposit recipients: People who already have their direct deposit information on file with the IRS or who provide that info when and if registration opens again should be first in line to receive a stimulus check. An electronic transfer of funds is faster and more efficient, which is why this group largely got their first payment faster.

Now playing: Watch this: Next stimulus checks: What to expect

3:03

Social Security beneficiaries: With the first stimulus payment, many Social Security beneficiaries who had direct deposit information on file with the federal government received checks in the first week, though not always the first day.

People who get paper checks: The IRS began to mail checks about a week later to those without direct deposit data on file. 

CNET Coronavirus Update

Keep track of the coronavirus pandemic.

EIP card recipients: Economic Impact Payment debit cards are prepaid Visa cards the IRS sent to about 4 million people starting in mid-May. If the IRS follows the same payment priority order, this group could begin to see their checks weeks after the first direct deposit transfers go out.

People with more complex situations: This category includes people who received a check after June, are still waiting to receive their stimulus payment or did not know they need to complete an extra step. Direct payments will continue through the end of 2020 for some individuals who weren't part of the previous groups. Here's what could be holding up the stimulus check delivery for some and how to contact the IRS to report a missing, lost or stolen check.

There still are people who haven't received a check

While over 150 million Americans have received their stimulus checks now, seven months after the first payments went out, the IRS is still trying to track down millions of people who may be owed money, including for dependents.

If you think this situation applies to you, you may be able to claim your missing check by Nov. 21. Some examples include people who didn't receive their allotted $500 for their dependents, some people who are involved in child-support situations and nonfilers who may be owed a stimulus check (including older adults or people who receive SSI or SSDI). Otherwise, you may need to claim a catch-up payment or error adjustment as part of your 2020 federal tax return.

There's hope that the IRS could speed up delivery of a second check, if it's authorized.

Angela Lang/CNET

If you're a US citizen abroad or live in a US territory and didn't receive a check as expected, you may also need to investigate. And a new ruling in California may bring hope for people who are incarcerated and didn't receive the first stimulus check, or who received it and were compelled to return the money.

If you're still waiting on the first round of payments, you can track the status of your stimulus check, learn how to report your no-show check to the IRS and find possible reasons why your stimulus check still hasn't arrived.

Coronavirus updates

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November 01, 2020 at 01:00AM
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-fast-could-the-irs-send-your-second-stimulus-check-depends-on-who-you-are/

How fast could the IRS send your second stimulus check? Depends on who you are - CNET

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Can the Bills send the Patriots into rebuilding mode? - Boston.com

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Sean McDermott’s Bills would like nothing more than to send the Patriots into rebuilding mode before the season is half over and take a significant step toward their first AFC East title since 1995. The Patriots have tormented the Bills for years, sweeping both division matchups for the past three years and 27 times in their history.

This season, Buffalo has been the better team with a tougher schedule.

Can the Patriots muster enough resolve — and maybe a couple of touchdowns, too — and prove that this isn’t over? The season depends on the answer.

Kick it off, Bailey, and let’s get this one started …

Three players I’ll be watching

Stefon Diggs: How’s this for a win-win trade? In March, the Vikings traded Diggs, whom they had signed to a five-year, $72 million contract extension before the 2018 season, to the Bills for a wad of draft picks — a first-rounder, No. 22 overall, plus fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2020, as well as a fourth-rounder in 2021. (The Bills also got a 2020 seventh-rounder with Diggs.)

Diggs has been everything the Bills hoped. He built rapid chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen, and through seven games ranks third in the league in receptions (48), is tied for third in targets (70), and is fourth in receiving yards (603).

But the Vikings must be satisfied with the deal, too. Coach Mike Zimmer has said that despite some salary-cap issues, the team had no plans to trade Diggs until Buffalo offered a bushel of picks — including that No. 22 selection, which the Vikings used on rookie receiver Justin Jefferson. That looks like an exceptional decision.

Jefferson, who ranks as Pro Football Focus’s top-rated rookie at any position, has played one fewer game than Diggs but has just 66 fewer receiving yards (537). The Bills should not lament the trade whatsoever — Diggs is the kind of well-rounded veteran receiver they needed and the Patriots should covet right now — but it’s rare to see a deal that involves players at the same position work out so well for both sides.

Stephon Gilmore: I’ll confess to being not that fond of the “Hey, Look Which Athlete’s House Is For Sale Now!” genre of sports-content aggregation, though I suppose I’ll take it over writing (or reading) a post about Tom and Gisele’s daily whereabouts. And I must admit, sometimes there is a clue to be found there in the Zillow listings. There seemed to be with Brady, who put his house in Brookline up for sale in August 2019 (it went unsold) and now resides at Chez Jeter in Tampa.

It certainly seems like reports that the home Gilmore and his wife own in Foxborough is on the market could foreshadow a trade for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

Gilmore has been good this year but not great, and he should have appeal on the trade market if the Patriots are in punt-the-season mode after Sunday. Keep it in mind as he chases Diggs around that this may be the last game we see him play as a Patriot. If so, he met every expectation that came with the five-year, $65 million deal he signed in March 2017.

Jakobi Meyers: Given the projected windy, rainy conditions, the Patriots shouldn’t be putting the ball in the air much anyway. But when Cam Newton does throw, who will be on the other end, with Julian Edelman (knee) and N’Keal Harry (concussion) out? Stanley Morgan is not walking through that door, people.

Meyers, who revealed this past week that he once played for Newton’s seven-on-seven youth team, had his moments against the 49ers, with four catches for 60 yards.

Grievance of the week

Has Tom Brady always been this weird, this clueless about the outside world? Or are we just noticing it more — or more willing to acknowledge it — now that he’s no longer hanging up banners as the Patriots quarterback?

It’s probably closer to the latter, with fans understandably reluctant to acknowledge that he changed as he became more committed to the TB12 branding or lifestyle or whatever. When someone plays as well as he did into his 40s, it’s reasonable to give him some leeway on what he believes works for him.

But there’s no denying it now — he’s weird. Having his pal Tony Robbins — the motivational speaker/lifestyle coach with some baggage of his own — talk to Antonio Brown was odd.

Claiming he wasn’t the driving force behind bringing Brown to Tampa was odd, too. It’s apparent he’s not just Tom the QB; he’s Tom the GM, and probably Tom the Coach as well. Own the transaction, man.

But the grievance here comes from something more detrimental than being just famous-guy weird or naively enticed by motivational jibber-jabber. Brady posted something on Instagram Tuesday that was shockingly ill-informed, and he should be embarrassed.

In an Instagram story, he claimed that more people have died by suicide than from COVID-19 over the past two months. “More suicide deaths than coronavirus deaths last two months,” wrote Brady. “So wash your hands and wear your masks but don’t forget to be nice to people and look after yourself.”

Nice sentiment at the end. Shamefully ignorant one at the beginning. The claim was false, as PolitiFact, a Poynter Institute-run site dedicated to countering misinformation with the truth, pointed out. “The point is, no matter which recent months you take, COVID-19 has killed far more people than suicide has per month historically,” PolitiFact concluded.

PolitiFact marked it false. Which was a stark contrast to the last word Brady wrote on the ignorant post, in white type against a black background, larger than the other words: Truth.

Key matchup

Bills QB Josh Allen vs. Patriots edge defenders

Allen made tremendous improvement last season, his second in the NFL, after an erratic rookie season. He led the Bills to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth, doubled his touchdown passes from 10 to 20, cut his interceptions from 12 to 9, and even led the NFL in game-winning drives (5).

Much to his credit, he has made another leap forward this year. He’s thrown 16 touchdown passes to just 4 picks, and his passing yardage (2,018) should surpass his total from his rookie year (2,074) sometime in the first half Sunday.

After so many quarterback flops through the years — including first-rounders J.P. Losman and E.J. Manuel — the Bills have found their guy.

But there is reason for skepticism about his ability to throw Sunday. While Allen owns a rocket arm, the weather is supposed to be miserable, he has been more turnover-prone lately (three interceptions and a lost fumble in the last three weeks), and the Patriots have not found it difficult to befuddle him in the past. He’s completed just 48.4 percent of his passes in three games against the Patriots, with three touchdowns and five interceptions, all losses.

Allen would seem to be a bigger threat to the Patriots on the run. The 49ers exposed a quickness deficit on the edges of the Patriots defense last Sunday, mostly with a short passing game and the relentless running of Jeff Wilson.

Allen, who moves much too fast for someone his size (6 feet 5 inches, 237 pounds), has a remarkable ability to make plays on the perimeter in the running game. He has picked up 204 yards and three touchdowns this season on the ground after rushing for 1,141 yards and 17 touchdowns over his first two seasons.

John Simon, Chase Winovich, and the edge of the Patriots defense could have their hands full in trying to contain him.

Prediction

OR, WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, JOE CRIBBS?

Cam Newton, so dynamic in his first two games as a Patriot, has been dismal in his last two, throwing five interceptions, and connected for just 98 yards through the air last Sunday against a depleted 49ers secondary.

His timing and accuracy have been off, he hasn’t seen open receivers, and his mechanics have been almost Tebowian. He’s too talented and dedicated to be derailed like this, but it’s hard to believe all of the issues can be repaired immediately against a talented if injury-affected Bills pass defense (15th ranked, 236.2 yards per game).

The Patriots need to run Sunday. Run, run, and run some more. The weather is expected to be bad — not exactly conducive to repairing Newton’s problems. And the Bills, like the Patriots, are just adequate against the run (21st, 126.7 yards per game). The Chiefs ran for 245 yards against the Bills two weeks ago, the Titans plowed for 139 in a 42-16 rout in Week 5, and the Rams gained 167 yards on the ground in Week 3.

Newton (the Patriots’ leading rusher, with 244 yards and five touchdowns) must run the way he did in Week 1 against Miami (75 yards, two touchdowns). Damien Harris needs to be heavily involved. Running the ball, exerting their will, is the Patriots’ best chance. I’m just not sure it will quite be enough.

Bills 24, Patriots 20.

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The Link Lonk


October 31, 2020 at 04:00PM
https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2020/10/31/bills-patriots-unconventional-preview

Can the Bills send the Patriots into rebuilding mode? - Boston.com

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Older women voters want to send a message to Trump in November - CNN

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October 31, 2020 at 07:19AM
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/30/politics/new-hampshire-senior-women-voters/index.html

Older women voters want to send a message to Trump in November - CNN

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Israel offers to send top IDF rescue team to Turkey after deadly quake - Israel Hayom

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[unable to retrieve full-text content]Israel offers to send top IDF rescue team to Turkey after deadly quake  Israel Hayom The Link Lonk


October 31, 2020 at 03:51AM
https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/10/30/israel-offers-to-send-top-idf-rescue-team-to-turkey-after-deadly-quake/

Israel offers to send top IDF rescue team to Turkey after deadly quake - Israel Hayom

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Climate pledges from Asia send ‘extremely important’ signal: UN - Aljazeera.com

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Pledges by China, Japan and South Korea to slash carbon emissions to net zero are important signs of leadership in tackling climate change, climate chief says.

Pledges by China, Japan and South Korea to slash carbon emissions to net zero are “extremely important” signs of leadership in reviving global efforts to tackle climate change, the United Nations climate chief said.

Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), welcomed this week’s announcements by Japan and South Korea that they would target carbon neutrality by 2050, and China’s pledge in September to hit the goal by 2060.

“These signals of very strong commitments by countries that are very important, and that have a real impact on the level of emissions globally, are extremely important,” Espinosa said.

“And it’s also very important to recognise that they are coming at a time when we need this kind of leadership.”

Diplomats began 2020 hoping this would prove to be a pivotal year in implementing a global accord to slow climate change brokered in Paris in 2015.

But the COVID-19 pandemic threw those plans into disarray, forcing officials to postpone a major climate conference planned in Glasgow in November by a year.

‘Future for humanity’

Climate diplomacy has been further overshadowed by last year’s move by US President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris accord.

That decision takes effect the day after US presidential elections on November 3 – the earliest date the country could leave because of the way the pact was designed.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has pledged to return the United States to the Paris deal if he wins.

Espinosa said the Asian net-zero pledges had boosted hopes more countries would take bolder climate action.

“It’s really a significant contribution towards bringing the international community in line to achieving the goals under the Paris agreement,” she said.

“And that means the future for humanity in this planet.”

The Link Lonk


October 31, 2020 at 03:12AM
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/30/climate-pledges-from-asia-send-extremely-important-signal-un

Climate pledges from Asia send ‘extremely important’ signal: UN - Aljazeera.com

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It’s the first snow of the season! Send us your photos. - Boston.com

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This year has taught us to prepare for a lot of things, but snow in October? Gee, thanks 2020. 

The first snow descended upon Massachusetts on Friday and, like much of 2020, it seems to just keep coming. While most of the state has at least an inch, it’s not expected to linger into the weekend.

Some hardy New Englanders may already have their car windshield wipers up and shovels at the ready, but others may simply be marking the first signs of winter with a few photos.

With snow in the forecast, we want to know:

How do you clear your snow?

6 maps predicting Friday’s snowfall in Massachusetts: https://t.co/4MZr6WkJd2

— Boston.com (@BostonDotCom) October 29, 2020

So we want to ask you to share your Friday snow photos with us — and let us know how you’re feeling about it, too. 

Advertisement

Send us your photos of the fluffy white stuff and let us know your reaction to the season’s first snowfall by emailing community@boston.com. Please attach the photo, include your name and town, and we’ll publish your beautiful snowy white pics in an upcoming Boston.com article. If you share us your Instagram handle, we’ll also be sure to tag you when we share it to our Boston page. 

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October 31, 2020 at 03:05AM
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It’s the first snow of the season! Send us your photos. - Boston.com

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Parents' Dilemma: Should We Send Our Children Back To School? - Hawaiipublicradio

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Some Hawaii public schools have welcomed back students for in-person classes. But parents say it puts them in a difficult spot: how can they decide if it’s safe to send their kids back to campus?

  Kauai's Kapaa Elementary School teacher Laura Burton sings a song that she teaches her kindergarteners to wash their hands. Her students are back in class. They alternate when they’re learning in person -- two days in one week, three days the next.

 

Heather Sokei is another kindergarten teacher at Kapaa Elementary. "We've been back since right after fall break," she said.  

 

Her young students are also split into two groups. On any class day, she teaches about 10 kids at a time.

They sit six feet apart with masks on -- for most of the day.

 

"There's a few that, like, they put it above their face or what not but they just need a quick reminder, 'Put your mask on,' and they're good. Even recess, they are pretty good with just staying with our class," she said.

 

 

The state Department of Education is letting complex superintendents decide if schools will reopen.

It was clearly an easier choice for schools on Kauai, where the COVID-19 case count has been low.

Kauai Superintendent Paul Zina explained that he wants to bring back as many elementary school students as possible to start.“The smaller schools are able to come back to where they might go to school every other day already,” he said. “The only limit to that is the social distancing limit. So the physical facility of the school is what's in most cases, preventing us from bringing back more of the students safely.”

 

Still, it’s parents who ultimately choose if their children return to class. To say it’s not an easy choice is an understatement.

 

Ask Kauai High School english instructor Jonathan Medeiros who is both a teacher and parent.

 

He has two elementary school daughters, and his wife also teaches at an elementary school. 

 

Both parents and the children were conflicted about returning to school in-person.

 

"My daughters had mixed feelings," he said. "One of them had a couple of full on breakdowns, like did not want to go back to campus. Full-on stress breakdowns about it -- 'I want to just keep doing school on distance learning.' She was stressed out, which then of course, stresses us out."

Mediros thinks most of his daughter's stress came from the change in routine. 

"That's a stress," he said. "To continuously tell students and families that, well, it's going to be different again."

Zina explained that he's tried to notify families two to three weeks before the end of the quarter with any adjustments that are being made.

"We believe that that gives families a significant amount of time to make adjustments to their own work and other family schedules that affect them," Zina said.

The state Board of Education require schools to give parents at least a two weeks notice before moving between distance and in-person learning.  

 

It turns out, parents don’t need to decide whether to return their children to school all by themselves.

 

Emily Oster is a health economist who’s helping parents with their dilemma.

 

She teamed up with Maven, a women’s healthcare company. It’s created an interactive decision making system that helps parents weigh the risk and rewards of in-person learning.

 

"Many of the most important factors have to do with what is your capacity to make these different choices," Oster said. "So in a family in which it's feasible for one the adults in the household to be home with the child, you're going to have a different approach than if that's really not an option on the table. What are really your choices gets a lot of weight. And then, there's also these questions of how worried are you about the virus? How high risk is your family?"

 

She says understanding the individual questions helps parents weigh whether to send their children back to campus. 

 

Medeiros says he’s happy about how it’s been going so far with his daughters back learning in-person.

 

"I think overall, it is a positive. They have amazing teachers, and they love being with those teachers, physically. It's been a stress on our schedule as a family.But we're figuring it out," he said.

 

Teachers Sokei and Burton also say most parents were happy to send their children back to class. 

 

But all agreed that if Kauai had a higher level of infection, their reaction might be different.

 

Oster advises parents to get clear information from their children’s schools, like the number of teachers and students on campus, for instance.

 

And find out the number of COVID cases at each school and how officials respond to any infections. They should ask what steps are taken to prevent transmission and how they’re enforced.

 

Oster's decision tool, tips and advice are available on the Maven Clinic website.

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October 30, 2020 at 11:43PM
https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/post/parents-dilemma-should-we-send-our-children-back-school

Parents' Dilemma: Should We Send Our Children Back To School? - Hawaiipublicradio

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Watch now: Places in WNY sure to send a shiver down your spine, Part 2 - Buffalo News

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October 30, 2020 at 11:28PM
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Watch now: Places in WNY sure to send a shiver down your spine, Part 2 - Buffalo News

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How fast could the IRS send your second stimulus check? That depends on who you are - CNET

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How fast could the IRS get you another check?

Sarah Tew/CNET

While economic rescue talks have moved to the back burner until after the Nov. 3 election, the need for additional federal financial aid remains just as acute for cash-strapped Americans, who say they would largely use a second check to pay down personal debt and buy essential goods. If, following the election, Congress does pass another relief bill that includes a stimulus check for qualifying individuals and families, who could expect to see their checks soon after a deal? And who might have to wait?

That depends. As it did with the first stimulus payment, the IRS is expected to organize the payment schedule by groups of people, based on how you'll receive the money. At this point, the outcome of the election -- who controls the White House and both chambers of Congress -- could move the timeline for an agreement forward or back.

But based on what we know, we can speculate who would receive a second stimulus check first, from the period after the election to after the presidential inauguration, along with an explanation of those priority groups. This story is frequently updated.

Read more: Inside presidential candidate Joe Biden's stimulus plan

When will a new stimulus check arrive? Some post-election guesses 

With talks shifting to after the election, we've mapped out some potential dates a bill could pass, and what it means for your check, depending how you'll get your money. (More on that in the next section.)

These dates, which are speculative, show you might possibly see a check if a bill becomes law in the period after the Nov. 3 election and before or after Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, including Dec. 11, the deadline for Congress to pass the next federal budget.

One important note is the speed at which the first checks would arrive. In August, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said it would take about a week to process the first payments. "I can get out 50 million payments really quickly. A lot of it into people's direct accounts," he said. But that doesn't necessarily mean your stimulus money will arrive a week after a bill goes live.

Possible dates a second stimulus check could go out

	Scenario 1	Scenario 2	Scenario 3	Scenario 4
House passes final bill	Nov. 30	Dec. 11	Feb. 1	Mar. 1
Senate passes final bill	Dec. 1	Dec. 12	Feb. 2	Mar. 2
President signs	Dec. 2	Dec. 13	Feb. 3	Mar. 3
First direct deposits issued	Week of Dec. 21	Week of Dec. 28	Week of Feb. 8	Week of Mar. 8
First paper checks sent	Week of Jan. 4	Week of Jan. 11	Week of Feb. 15	Week of Mar. 15
First EIP cards sent	Week of Feb. 1	Week of Feb. 8	Week of Mar. 15	Week of Apr. 12

What do the IRS' priority groups mean?

The IRS has so far sent money to at least 160 million people three ways, starting with people the federal government has direct deposit information for. Some people with more complicated personal situations are still waiting for their checks or even for catch-up payments. This creates a de facto priority order that could result in some Americans receiving their checks days or even weeks before others. 

Read more: Estimate the size of your check with our stimulus calculator

We expect the IRS will adopt roughly the same system for sending out a second stimulus check in 2020 or 2021 as it did with the first stimulus check, which was approved in March.

Direct deposit recipients: People who already have their direct deposit information on file with the IRS or who provide that info when and if registration opens again should be first in line to receive a stimulus check. An electronic transfer of funds is faster and more efficient, which is why this group largely got their first payment faster.

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Social Security beneficiaries: With the first stimulus payment, many Social Security beneficiaries who had direct deposit information on file with the federal government received checks in the first week, though not always the first day.

People who get paper checks: The IRS began to mail checks about a week later to those without direct deposit data on file. 

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EIP card recipients: Economic Impact Payment debit cards are prepaid Visa cards the IRS sent to about 4 million people starting in mid-May. If the IRS follows the same payment priority order, this group could begin to see their checks weeks after the first direct deposit transfers go out.

People with more complex situations: This category includes people who received a check after June, are still waiting to receive their stimulus payment or did not know they need to complete an extra step. Direct payments will continue through the end of 2020 for some individuals who weren't part of the previous groups. Here's what could be holding up the stimulus check delivery for some and how to contact the IRS to report a missing, lost or stolen check.

There are still people who haven't received a check

While over 150 million Americans have received their stimulus checks now, seven months after the first payments went out, the IRS is still trying to track down millions of people who may be owed money, including for dependents.

If you think this situation applies to you, you may be able to claim your missing check by Nov. 21. Some examples include people who didn't receive their allotted $500 for their dependents, some people who are involved in child-support situations and nonfilers who may be owed a stimulus check (including older adults or people who receive SSI or SSDI). Otherwise, you may need to claim a catch-up payment or error adjustment as part of your 2020 federal tax return.

There's hope that the IRS could speed up delivery of a second check, if it's authorized.

Angela Lang/CNET

If you're a US citizen abroad or live in a US territory and didn't receive a check as expected, you may also need to investigate. And a new ruling in California may bring hope for people who are incarcerated and didn't receive the first stimulus check, or who received it and were compelled to return the money.

If you're still waiting on the first round of payments, you can track the status of your stimulus check, learn how to report your no-show check to the IRS and find possible reasons why your stimulus check still hasn't arrived.

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The Link Lonk


October 30, 2020 at 09:19PM
https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/how-fast-could-the-irs-send-your-second-stimulus-check-that-depends-on-who-you-are/

How fast could the IRS send your second stimulus check? That depends on who you are - CNET

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'Such Feeble Evidence': Mass. Lawyers Say State Falsely Accused Them Of Sending Drugs To Prisoners By Mail - WBUR

send.indah.link

More than a dozen Massachusetts attorneys claim they have been falsely accused by state prison staff of sending drugs to their incarcerated clients.

Since September, several attorneys have called on the state Department of Correction to change the way it handles testing the mail they send to their clients in prison. The attorneys say the DOC's drug test is not intended to be used on documents, and the results are not considered reliable.

Lawyers Accused Of Mailing Drugs

Criminal defense attorney Lisa Newman-Polk had just started her vacation in August when she got a call from one of her clients incarcerated at MCI-Concord.

"I knew it was an emergency because he was only going to call if there was an emergency," Newman-Polk said. "I answered, and he said, 'I'm in the hole [restrictive housing], because they say the mail that you just sent me has K2 on it.' And I was completely shocked and completely freaked out."

K2 is a brand name for synthetic cannabinoids, or fake pot. The drug can be smuggled into prisons by spraying it onto paper that a prisoner can then smoke. The DOC says its field tests for K2 are confirmed by a lab, and Newman-Polk said the lab test on her client's mail later showed that there were no drugs. During the several weeks it took for the confirmatory testing, she says her client was moved to a restrictive housing unit, lost his prison job and could not begin his education program.

"The fact that my client was just scooped up, kicked out of a really important college program that's important for his reentry — it's important for his mental health — and thrown into restricted housing for something he did not do, based on such feeble evidence, is wrong," Newman-Polk said.

WBUR agreed not to name Newman-Polk's client because he and his attorney fear he could face retaliation.

Illicit drugs have long been a problem in prisons so Newman-Polk said she called the DOC to explain that the mail was legitimately from her so there must have been an error. She explained this could jeopardize her client's parole. But prison officials wrote the accusations were serious, and the action taken against him was appropriate.

The DOC maintains that restricting a prisoner's movement inside a correctional facility until test results come back from a lab is not discipline. Newman-Polk says while there was no formal disciplinary hearing, her client was effectively sanctioned.

"While there is no formal hearing, the DOC is most certainly punishing our clients, who are placed in restrictive housing, removed from programming, lose their employment, and have their attorney-client relationships compromised," Newman-Polk said."Whatever label they put on it, in every way that matters, our clients are disciplined."

"The fact that my client was just scooped up, kicked out of a really important college program that's important for his reentry — it's important for his mental health — and thrown into restricted housing for something he did not do, based on such feeble evidence, is wrong."

Lisa Newman-Polk

Concerned about her client and how her legal career could be affected, Newman-Polk started talking with colleagues. She said she learned that 16 other attorneys were suspected of sending drug-tainted mail to clients at various Massachusetts prisons, and that some attorneys withdrew from those cases.

Newman-Polk and other lawyers asked the state to address the issue. Both the state's public defender agency and Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts said they've heard that several lawyers have been notified that mail they sent to incarcerated clients has tested positive for drugs.  They say attorneys can face stiff consequences for such allegations, and punishing prisoners immediately based on questionable testing is harming attorney-client relationships.

"Clients have, at times, refused our mail due to the consequences of a false positive — consequences that include being put in solitary confinement," said Vanessa Velez, deputy chief counsel with the Committee for Public Counsel Services. "This is unacceptable, and we urge the DOC to change course.”

It appears no attorney has faced criminal charges or discipline because of the prison mail testing. Defense attorney Ryan Schiff wrote to the Department of Correction, as well as the state attorney general and the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, saying that the test is a blunt tool to try to address the problem of drugs behind bars.

"If there really were a problem with a large number of lawyers sending drugs to their clients in prison, then an investigation should be done and criminal charges should be brought," Schiff said. "But that's never done, so that tells us how much faith can be placed in this preliminary test that they're using."

The DOC's Drug Testing Practices

The  DOC uses a field test called "NARK II," which is designed to quickly react to the chemical compounds of illicit drugs. But some experts say the test is not reliable if it's being used to detect drugs placed in paper.

Forensic chemistry consultant Heather Harris, an assistant forensics professor at Arcadia University, trains students and agencies how to use the NARK II test. Harris said the test was meant to be presumptive and determine if there is probable cause to believe illicit drugs are present. She said it is not designed to screen for the presence of drugs on mail.

"It's a wholly inappropriate use of that test," Harris said. "They're not intended to react with papers and dyes and inks, so in this context of trying to determine if there is a drug within a document, they're not reliable."

Harris also said testing for synthetic cannabinoids is problematic, as the drug is a variety of chemical compounds that is always changing.

The NARK II tests are made by the forensics company Sirchie, which warns on its website that the tests are presumptive and any positive results should be confirmed by a lab.

A screenshot shows a warning issued by forensics company Sirchie that its "presumptive" tests for synthetic cannabinoids "MUST BE CONFIRMED BY AN APPROVED ANALYTICAL LABORATORY!" (Screenshot via sirchie.com)

Two months ago, New York prison authorities suspended use of the NARK II tests and all disciplinary hearings based on the testing. Advocates are asking that Massachusetts do the same.

Massachusetts prison authorities say they follow the test manufacturer's recommendation to confirm any positive result with a lab test.

"It would be a far better use of the department's time and resources to be expanding access to evidence-based substance use treatment to incarcerated individuals who want and need it — and not just treatment for opioid addiction," said Elizabeth Matos, Executive Director of Prisoners Legal Services of Massachusetts. "Synthetic marijuana or K2 is extremely dangerous and addictive and has caused a number of overdoses in prisons and jails here in the commonwealth."

The DOC says all incoming mail is inspected and some may be field tested if it appears to contain contraband. The Department says some mail represents as being from an attorney when it is not.  In inspecting mail for testing, the DOC says it looks for things such as an unusual color/texture of the paper or violations of  postage policies. The DOC says its mail regulations are in writing 103 CMR 481.

As for attorney Newman-Polk, she said now that her client's test was negative and there was no disciplinary hearing, he is catching up on his college program and working on requirements to be released on parole.

This segment aired on October 30, 2020.

The Link Lonk


October 30, 2020 at 04:50PM
https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/10/30/massachusetts-attorneys-false-accusation-claims-drugs-clients

'Such Feeble Evidence': Mass. Lawyers Say State Falsely Accused Them Of Sending Drugs To Prisoners By Mail - WBUR

https://news.google.com/search?q=Send&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

Where Cruise Ships Are Sent to Die - The New York Times

send.indah.link

Along the meandering industrial peninsula of Aliaga on Turkey’s Aegean coast, the contents of gutted vessels lay strewn on the dusty roadside, scattered among clusters of orange lifeboats that tower so high they obscure the dramatic scene unfolding in the shipyard below.

There, five mammoth cruise ships sit crammed into a muddied cove, as hundreds of workers chip away at their hulls and bows, exposing the intricate anatomies of the boats that once carried thousands of people around the world. Now, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate the cruise industry, companies are downsizing their fleets and selling the ships for scrap.

“We’ve never seen anything like this,” said Kamil Onal, chairman of the Ship Recyclers’ Association of Turkey. “Before the pandemic we mainly dismantled cargo ships, but now this has become the fate for cruise ships after months of sitting idle without passengers.”

Among the ships being recycled at Aliaga, are three Carnival cruise liners — Inspiration, Imagination and Fantasy, which had just been refurbished in 2019. The world’s largest cruise company reported a loss of $2.9 billion in the quarter ending on Aug. 31 and announced that it would remove 13 of its older, less efficient ships from its global fleet.

Image

Lifeboats from recycled ships dot the landscape in the boatyard. Credit...Bradley Secker for The New York Times

The ship-breaking operation is evidence of how deeply the coronavirus pandemic has damaged the $150 billion global cruise industry. After widely publicized outbreaks on ships worldwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no-sail order effective March 14 for all United States cruises, leaving nearly 350 vessels idled in open waters or in ports.

The order is set to expire on Oct. 31, after the White House intervened to keep it from being extended until February. But the C.D.C. recommends that travelers defer all cruise travel worldwide.

“Cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including Covid-19, and outbreaks of Covid-19 have been reported on several cruise ships,” the agency said.

The outbreaks took place on boats that had resumed operations in Europe, with heightened health protocols and a requirement for testing, and included eight people on board the Costa Diadema who tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this month.

Costa Cruises, which is part of Carnival Corporation, said the incident showed how its safety protocols had been effective, allowing them to detect and safely manage positive cases before embarkation and during the cruise. All major cruise lines with a capacity to carry more than 250 passengers have committed to requiring a negative test before boarding, once the no-sail order is lifted, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s trade group.

The ships to be taken apart include the Carnival Fantasy, Inspiration and Imagination. Credit...Bradley Secker for The New York Times

Taken apart, piece by piece

A cacophony of screeching metal, banging and clunking engulfs the shipyard as the ships are ripped apart deck by deck, with stateroom walls torn away and the amenities — gyms, theaters, discos — broken into pieces and carted away.

Nearly 2,000 workers have been employed to strip the five cruise ships of machinery, electronic equipment, glass, wood and other materials that can be reused or repurposed.

“Everything is taken out piece by piece, from the light bulb to the piano and swimming pool to the golf course,” said Mr. Onal, looking out his office window at a group of workers cutting metal scraps from the ships. “It’s a momentous task that will take up to eight months for each ship and they will continue until there is nothing left.”

He pointed to a single square of steel bobbing up and down in the water — the remains of an engine room in a cargo ship. “That’s what the cruise ships will look like toward the end,” he said.

Items from recycled ships surround the port area, waiting to be sold. Credit...Bradley Secker for The New York Times

After an intensive review, the Carnival Cruise Line group said it had selected two ship-recycling facilities in Turkey to dismantle its ships because of their track records of compliance with national and international environmental agreements, including the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. Mr. Onal said there was also a financial incentive because the Turkish recycling firms made a better offer than other global ship recycling facilities, but neither party would disclose how much the shipyard paid.

The shipyard will then sell off the more than 1.1. million tons of steel it expects to remove from the ships by the end of the year.

“Our highest responsibility and top priorities are compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the communities we visit and our crew,” Bill Burke, chief maritime officer for Carnival Corporation, said in an email. “That commitment extends to our cruise ships, starting from the moment a ship becomes part of our fleet and continuing all the way through to its retirement.”

Last year, Carnival Corporation and its Princess subsidiary paid a $20 million fine for illegal dumping and other environmental violations.

The contents of the dismantled ships are in high demand among antiques brokers and private collectors in the area, who have been placing bids on the most valuable items.

“Don’t take notice of how the ships look now on the outside,” said Noyan Yurttas, co-owner of the Iskele Marine, a nautical antiques store opposite the shipyard. He was referring to the giant gashes torn out of the ships’ hull. “It’s a treasure chest in there.”

Noyan Yurtas stands in the doorway of his antique store, which sells a range of salvaged items from cruise ships that have been dismantled. Credit...Bradley Secker for The New York Times

Hotels and corporations have bought most of the furniture from the ships, including tables, chairs and room fittings, Mr. Yurttas said, but antiques brokers have their sights set on the baroque lighting fixtures and wardrobes that weigh nearly 100 pounds.

“These are not regular ships; they are luxurious floating museums with many precious items inside,” he said with an excited smile as he sat in his store full of shiny bronze nautical antiques, including clocks, ornate light fixtures and maps. Other brokers in the area have collected articles like life jackets, lamps, sinks and art for people interested in purchasing cruise memorabilia.

“We have mainly seen local collectors and customers this year because of the pandemic, but normally tourists come here from all over the world to buy the items from the ships,” Mr. Yurttas said.

‘Like a pack of wolves’

Photos and videos of the ships’ dismantling have been circulating on social media, and for cruise enthusiasts it has been hard to watch, even from a distance. At 30 years old, the Carnival Fantasy is the oldest vessel in the Carnival Cruise line fleet, and was popular among older people for its smaller scale and familiarity.

“I was heartbroken to see the ships sold off and scrapped like that,” said Maggie Hetherington, 74, a retired nurse from Norwich in southeast England who has taken several cruises on the Fantasy and its sister ship Inspiration. “They look like they’ve been attacked by a pack of wolves.”

Ms. Hetherington said she understood the economic considerations of the cruise companies but believes there will still be a demand for older ships once the pandemic is over.

“Not everyone is into the big new high-tech ships, as impressive as they may be,” she said. “The Fantasy’s décor may be a little dated, but there is something appealing about walking into a smaller ship, hanging your hat and knowing your way around,” she added. “There’s also the element of nostalgia.”

Derek Watson, 69, an avid cruiser from Liverpool in northern England took his first Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy. He said that such iconic ships should be phased out gradually and fans of the vessels should be allowed to take tours or book final excursions before they are scrapped.

“It’s just sad that these ships are being dismantled before having one last hurrah,” Mr. Watson said. “It’s hard to stay optimistic and get excited about future cruises when so many are being retired at the same time.”

When exactly those future cruises will sail is hard to predict. Royal Caribbean Cruises, another of the industry’s biggest companies and which also sent two ships to be recycled in Aliaga this year, has teamed up with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and a panel of medical experts to establish safety measures that would allow cruising to return.

The shipyard’s owners expect a brisk business in recycling the cruise ships, as almost all crusing remain shut down.Credit...Bradley Secker for The New York Times

Last month, the panel submitted a list of 74 detailed recommendations to the C.D.C., including testing, capacity reduction, face coverings and enhanced sanitation procedures. The cruise executives said they were confident that cruises could resume safely if all the health and safety protocols were applied.

But the cases aboard the Costa Diadema cropped up despite testing after passengers took shore excursions on the Greek Islands. The guests were asymptomatic and tested positive upon re-entry into Italy.

And the optimistic outlook from executives as they prepare to bounce back from the crisis is at odds with the backdrop of destruction and debris at the Aliaga shipyard. Mr. Onal said they were expecting more cruise ships to arrive over the next few months.

“There’s a lot of interest, it’s going to be a busy year ahead,” he said.

The Link Lonk


October 30, 2020 at 06:36PM
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/30/travel/cruise-ships-scrapped.html

Where Cruise Ships Are Sent to Die - The New York Times

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