The President’s Indoor Rally; Rise In Cases Not Explained By More Testing

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in some states — and more testing isn’t the only explanation.

Find out how cases are in your community.

Today is Juneteenth. On this day in 1865, U.S. Army troops landed in Galveston, Texas to tell some of the last enslaved Americans they were free. More American businesses are recognizing the holiday this year.

President Trump was planning on holding a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma today. Instead, thousands will be gathering to see the President tomorrow — indoors. And as NPR’s Tamera Keith reports, public health officials aren’t thrilled.

Plus, Germany has been able to slow the spread of the coronavirus with the help of an army of contact tracers working around the clock. NPR’s Rob Schmitz has more.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court upheld Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA). NPR’s Code Switch spoke with one of the plaintiffs in the case about how she’s processing the news.You can find Code Switch on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and NPR One.

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Do you know how a prenuptial agreement can protect you?

With so much going on before your wedding day, it’s easy to overlook the importance of considering the creation of a prenuptial agreement.

However, if you find time to discuss this with your partner before you tie the knot, you may each come to realize that a prenup can benefit you both.

A prenuptial agreement can protect you in many ways, including the following:

  • Assets you bring into the marriage: If you’re bringing valuable assets into the marriage, such as an inheritance, you may want to keep it separate from your spouse. Doing so allows it to avoid division in the event of a divorce.
  • Protect you from debt: If your soon to be spouse is buried in debt, such as that related to credit cards, you don’t want to be responsible for paying it back should you divorce.
  • Protect children from another relationship: Just because you’re getting married doesn’t mean you don’t have a past. If you have children from a past relationship, you need to protect them. You can use a prenuptial agreement to do so, such as by outlining their inheritance rights.

Once you fully understand how a prenuptial agreement can protect you, it’s easier to discuss this with your partner and decide together if it’s the right choice for the two of you.

A prenuptial agreement isn’t right for every couple, but you’ll never know for sure until you have an honest conversation about the pros and cons. If you’re both on board, learn more about the process and how to ensure that your prenuptial agreement is valid.

 


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Author: On behalf of Katie L. Lewis of Katie L. Lewis, P.C. Family Law

Restaurants Are Closing. Again.

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration’s plan to end DACA — Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals — was “arbitrary and capricious.” The ruling is welcome news for recipients of the program, some of whom are essential workers on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.

As areas reopen, officials are working to ensure businesses are adopting safety precautions to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. Officials in Los Angeles found that half of the restaurants they surveyed violated rules and safety standards.

Plus, NPR’s Selena Simmons-Duffin with an update on which communities across the country have sufficient staff in place for contact tracing. Check out the state-by-state breakdown here.

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Which Masks Are Better; The Rich Aren’t Spending (And That’s Hurting The Economy)

While President Trump wants to celebrate an uptick in retail sales as states reopen, there’s still a long way to go before the economy is back on track. Part of the problem is that the wealthiest Americans are saving their cash rather than spending it.

More and more people are leaving their home without a face covering, but experts tell NPR’s Maria Godoy they really do help — some more than others.

There has been growing support of the Black Lives Matter movement among white Americans. But why now? Police brutality isn’t new. Gene Demby of NPR’s Code Switch podcast explains what the pandemic might have to do with it.

Listen to “Why Now, White People?” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or NPR One.

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Preparing financially for a divorce

You cannot ignore the financial side of a divorce. You need to prepare for it properly. For some couples, it can be difficult to focus on things like budgets and financial statements during such an emotional time, but it is critical.

The first step is to gather all of the documents that you will need during the divorce itself. For instance, you will want to get tax returns for at least the last five years. You also want to get proof of earnings, such as a 1099 or a W2. It can be wise to make copies of your spouse’s documents, as well, so that they can’t claim to earn less than they do.

Don’t forget about long-term financial questions. Take the time to get paperwork relating to retirement funds, investments, pension plans, life insurance policies and the like. You may not be using these financial assets yet, but they have great value and will impact your future.

Finally, start thinking about how your costs will change. If you’re going down to one income, make a new budget to reflect it. Ask questions about spousal support and child support, if applicable, and learn about your rights. Take the time to consider all of your expenses and how you may need to adjust them to make things work smoothly after you end your marriage.

When you carefully consider your finances from all of these different angles, you set yourself up for success in the future. Be sure you know what steps to take to make that future as bright and stable as possible.


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Author: On behalf of Katie L. Lewis of Katie L. Lewis, P.C. Family Law

Isolation Causes Loneliness. What Else Can It Do To Our Bodies?

There’s a cost to staying home, too. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a neuroscientist and social psychologist at Brigham Young University, explains the toll that social isolation can take.

It’s been exactly three months since President Trump issued the first national guidelines for social distancing, including pausing nursing home visitors.

NPR’s Ashley Westerman recently checked in on her 100-year-old grandfather. Paul Westerman’s wife of 76 years is in hospice care. He’s alone, except for the nurses in his veteran’s home.

Plus NPR’s Chris Arnold checks in on a Boston hair stylist going back to work.

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Child custody during the coronavirus pandemic

Sharing custody of children during the pandemic can be difficult. Parents may have questions about what is in the best interest of their children and whether or not meeting that interest would violate a court order. Although the exact answer depends on the details of each case, the following basic information can help you navigate this difficult situation.

 

Parents may be concerned that time with the other parent poses a dangerous risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus. This is particularly true for those who may be exposed to the virus at a higher rate than the general public, such as ER doctors. In fact, an ER doctor recently lost custody of her daughter when her ex-husband filed an emergency petition with the court requesting full custody of the child. He argued that the change was, at least at the moment, in the child’s best interest. The court agreed. The judge stated he took various factors into consideration when making his decision, including a recent increase in confirmed cases in the area the mother serves as a physician. He also emphasized the fact the change was temporary.  

Parents that are not getting the agreed upon time with their child are wise to keep a record of missed dates. Keep track of the time you were supposed to have with your child and why it did not happen. Retain these records and use them after the national emergency ends to see if the court will allow you additional time in the future to balance out the time that was missed during the pandemic.


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Author: On behalf of Katie L. Lewis, P.C. Family Law

There Is No ‘Second Wave.’ The U.S. Is Still Stuck In The First One

Nationwide, numbers were never trending downward in any big way. Now in some states that are reopening, they are going up. Oregon and Arizona are two of those places. Each state is taking a different approach.

Testing is more available than ever before. Some cities are urging people who don’t feel sick to get a test, just as a precaution. But WPLN’s Blake Farmer reports some insurance companies won’t pay for the cost of a test unless it’s “medically necessary.”

Due to the pandemic, a lot of states are making it easier to vote by mail. NPR’s Miles Parks says this new process could mean waiting a lot longer for elections results come November.

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Family home, child custody and raising your children

As you prepare for divorce, you’ll have many questions regarding your family home, child custody and the impact on your children.

If you’re fighting for physical custody of your children or your ex-spouse is okay with this, it’s up to you to provide a safe and steady place for them to live. And for that reason, you may want to stay in the family home.

Here are some questions you should address:

  • Who has the right to the family home? There is no simple answer to this question, as it depends on the circumstances of your divorce. For instance, if you have physical custody of your children and stay in the family home, you’ll give up other assets in exchange.
  • Can you keep up with your family home? It sounds like a good way to provide your children with stability, but if you can’t keep up with your family home you should consider moving on. Staying put can result in financial distress.
  • Do your children want to stay in the home? You have to make the final decision, but there’s nothing wrong with getting input from your children. Maybe they don’t enjoy their current school district and would rather get a fresh start somewhere else. This may be the right time to take action.

Divorce will affect you in many ways, including where you live and how you raise your children.

As you prepare for the process, take all these details into consideration. Doing so will position you to protect your legal rights and position you and your children for future success.


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Author: On behalf of Katie L. Lewis of Katie L. Lewis, P.C. Family Law

What We Don’t Know About Potential Vaccines; Protest Safety

All week we’ve been hearing about rising cases in states around the country. The stock market reacted on Thursday, in part after Federal Reserve officials predicted the unemployment rate will still be above 9% at the end of the year.

There’s a lot we don’t know about the White House’s public-private partnership to develop a vaccine, Operation Warp Speed. NPR’s Sydney Lupkin reports on a winnowing field of vaccine candidates.

And during a pandemic, the most vulnerable newborns require even more protection.

Plus, NPR’s Maria Godoy shares tips to minimize the risks of COVID-19 for yourself and others if you’ve been out protesting.

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