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Kids And COVID-19; Mixed Messages On Asymptomatic Spread

George Floyd’s killing by police sparked protests around the world. Because of the coronavirus, attendance at Floyd’s Houston funeral was limited and mourners were encouraged to wear masks.

People of color have been hit hard by the coronavirus because of risk factors including chronic health conditions and less access to health care. Experts say scientists need better data on who’s getting sick and public health officials need to communicate better with communities of color.

A top official from the World Health Organization walked back a statement Monday in which she said transmission from asymptomatic carriers of the virus is “very rare.”

A small but growing number of kids have a dangerous reaction to coronavirus called multi-inflammatory syndrome, which can cause inflamed hearts, lungs and other organs.

Plus, one man built an art piece he calls a ‘Doorway To Imagination’ in his social distancing-created free time.

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New York Reopening; Hindsight On Sweden’s Lack of Lockdown

After a nearly three-month lockdown and over 20,000 coronavirus-related deaths, New York City is taking its first steps to reopen parts of its economy amid protests over police brutality.

The coronavirus is surviving the heat and humidity despite initial hopes it would not last through the summer. Experts now think the coronavirus will be here for years to come.

Sweden’s government implemented limited restrictions in an attempt to protect the country’s economy during the pandemic. Now, they’re seeing mixed results.

And for the first time in months, the massive Vatican Museums are open.

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Prepare for the act of asking for a divorce

Once you personally decide that you want to divorce your spouse, the next step is sharing your feelings with them. Even if you’re ready to get your feelings into the open, it’s easier said than done.

Since you want this conversation to go as smoothly as possible, here are some steps you can take to prepare yourself:

  • Write down what you want to say: You don’t have to go into great detail or attempt to script the entire conversation. A few talking points are more than enough. This is what you need to guide the conversation and keep yourself on track.
  • Get in the right frame of mind: For example, it’s critical that you’re ready to hold your ground. Your spouse may ask you to reconsider or attempt to talk you out of filing for divorce. When you’re in the right frame of mind, you won’t be talked out of taking action.
  • Protect yourself: Think about what could go wrong after asking your spouse for a divorce. If you’re concerned that your spouse could become violent or verbally abusive, it’s best to have this conversation in a public place or over the phone. It’s not ideal, but your safety and well-being is your top priority.

When you take these steps, you can better prepare for the act of asking for a divorce. This doesn’t mean it’ll be quick and simple, but at least you have an idea of how you want to approach the subject.

Once you share your feelings, you can then turn all your attention to the details of the divorce process.


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

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Surprising Job Gains Are Good News — But Not For Everyone

It looks like another weekend of protests across the country. And that means more people could be exposed to tear gas, pepper spray and other “chemical irritants” that trigger — among other things — coughing and sneezing. Two things people are trying to avoid during this pandemic.

Americans are skipping payments on mortgages, auto loans and other bills due to the economic impact of the pandemic. And as NPR’s Chris Arnold reports, for some, catching up is going to be painful.

Plus, the coronavirus has hit people of color especially hard. As Harvard’s David Williams writes in an article for the Washington Post, before COVID-19, Black Americans were already struggling with the health effects of everyday discrimination. The pandemic is only making it worse.

And NPR’s Short Wave team takes us to San Francisco where Hispanics and Latinxs make up 46% of all coronavirus cases ⁠— but they make up just 15% of the population.

Don’t forget to check out Short Wave on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.

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Phase III Vaccine Trials Could Start In July

It’s been 96 days since the first person in America was reported to have died of COVID-19. And for the first time, the federal government will require states to keep track of who’s getting sick and who’s dying based on their age, sex, and race and ethnicity.

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Around the world, 10 vaccine candidates have begun human trials.

COVID-19 has killed nearly 110,000 people in America. And black Americans are dying at nearly two and half times the rate of white Americans. As NPR’s Stacey Vanek Smith and Greg Rosalsky report on the economic reasons why.

Plus, WAMU reporter Jacob Fenston reports on 85-year-old Margaret Sullivan, who feels like she’s been “living in a bubble” since the start of the pandemic.

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Fauci’s New Vaccine Hopes For 2021; A Pandemic Election

Eight states and the District of Columbia went to the polls Tuesday. More mail-in ballots and fewer in-person polling places caused long delays in some places, highlighting the challenges for the November elections.

KUT’s Ashley Lopez reports, since naturalization ceremonies have been halted due to the pandemic, thousands who were due to become U.S. citizens over the last few weeks are now in limbo.

Public health workers are encountering resistance, online harassment and even violent threats as they conduct contact tracing and other containment strategies in their local communities. NPR’s Will Stone has more.

Plus, a visit to the Six Feet Away Museum in Jacksonville, Florida, and an update on a coronavirus vaccine.

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Do you get better at marriage with more attempts?

You got married when you were 20. You were young and in love — a fairly classic situation. However, like many young marriages, it turned out to be a mistake. A few years later, you got divorced.

You have now gotten married for a second time. You’re older. You’re more experienced. You have been through all of this. Are you now “better” at marriage and less likely to split up again?

While every individual can make an argument for their own case, when you look at the statistics, it’s clear that this is not what usually happens. According to some studies, about half of first marriages end in divorce. By second marriages, it jumps to around two-thirds. And for third marriages? At 74%, the vast majority of them lead to a divorce.

Why is this? Again, everyone may have their own reasons. Some suggest that they’re just more comfortable with divorce now, having done it once. It doesn’t feel as confusing or intimidating, and they know they can get through it and move on with a happy life. In other cases, the relationships just get too complicated. Maybe you have children from your first marriage, for instance, and so you still have to see your ex. After a time, that can lead to stress for your new spouse and it could bring about a second divorce.

No matter what your individual situation looks like, just make sure you know what your rights are. Divorce happens, you do have options, and you need to know exactly how to move forward with this process.

 


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

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The Coronavirus In America: One More Racial Inequity

The more we learn about the coronavirus, the clearer it becomes that it’s disproportionately affecting communities of color. And as protests continue across the country, some health experts worry that the hardest hit areas could be in for another wave of cases.

By almost every economic measure, black Americans have a harder time getting a leg up. As the pandemic has sent the country’s economy into the worst downturn in generations, it’s only gotten worse. More from NPR’s Scott Horsley and the team at NPR’s Planet Money.

Despite all of this, there is a bit of good news. Some communities across the country are reporting a decrease in COVID-19 cases. NPR’s Rob Stein breaks down the national outlook. [LINK TK]

Plus, advice on how to combat anxiety, avoid insomnia and get some rest.

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You can find more sleep tips on NPR’s Life Kit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.

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Protesting In A Pandemic; The Fight Over Mail-In Voting

The coronavirus pandemic has collided with protests all over the country over police brutality and the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and many other black Americans.

Now public health officials are concerned for the health of protesters. Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms even encouraged protesters in her city to get tested.

NPR’s Pam Fessler reports the legal fight between Democrats and Republicans over mail-in voting has intensified ever since the pandemic hit.

Listen to Short Wave‘s episode about what we will ⁠— and won’t ⁠— remember about the pandemic on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and NPR One.

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Asking for a prenuptial agreement? Don’t make these mistakes

Your wedding day is inching closer and you’ve yet to discuss the creation of a prenuptial agreement with your fiance. While it’s a challenging topic to tackle, it’s the responsible thing to do.

It’s easy to make a mistake when asking for a prenuptial agreement. After all, this isn’t something with which you have a lot of experience (if you even have any).

When asking for a prenuptial agreement, here are three mistakes you want to avoid:

  • Forcing your partner to cooperate: Not only will this result in bad blood, but it may invalidate the prenuptial agreement in the event of a future divorce. Don’t make your partner feel that they have to sign a prenuptial agreement. It should be something you mutually agree upon.
  • Ignoring their feelings: You need to focus just as much on your partner’s feelings and concerns as your own. This is the only way for the two of you to get on the same page.
  • Waiting too long: You have a lot on your plate as you prepare for your wedding. If you wait too long, you may find yourself making rash decisions that could affect you in the future. Give yourself as much time as possible to create a prenuptial agreement.

There’s a lot that goes into asking for and creating a prenuptial agreement. Once you and your partner discuss the details and have a plan for moving forward, you can get started.

You’re not required to create a prenuptial agreement before you tie the knot, but there are many benefits of doing so. It’s something you should at least consider.


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