Monthly Community Paper | www.austinsouthasian.com | 512-828-6709 | Vol. 13 No. 05
CORONA VIRUS
Manage CARES ACT COVID Employed? Stress RELIEF Loneliness Stress is an important and natural stimulant that compels us to adapt to a new environment or lifestyle change. It causes a physiological response that helps us either flee or fight the threat or stressor.
For many Americans, the current state of the economy is creating real financial challenges and concerns. However, the federal government’s recently enacted CARES Act is intended to provide some financial relief to families and business owners who may be struggling to manage their finances, using cash disbursements, (Continued On Page 23)
But spending too much time on high alert can have damaging health effects. (Continued On Page 24)
Ramadan
By Sumaiya Malik
Ramadan has always been for Muslims, a time of contemplation, fasting, physical and mental clean-
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many people are staying in their homes to help prevent the spread of the disease.
WEDDING
Sushen Dang, 26, and his fiancee, Keerti Narang, dreamed of making their wedding an affair to remember -- but not like this.
It’s always the right time to commit to healthy habits, behaviors and steps to improve your physical and mental health. (Continued On Page 04)
liness, sharing food with other Muslims who fast, charity and reflection about the community and after life. This year is not different with one exception. (Continued On Page 11)
Instead of hundreds of guests descending on a wildlife resort for a multi-day revelry with cocktail parties and elaborate feasts, the couple got married over the video conferencing app Zoom. (Continued On Page 07)
The Picture Book World..4 Creative Visualizion.......05 Food For FrontLiners....05 Arun’s Scribblings.........06 Playtime Matters..........06 Manage Stress.............07 Rethinking Screen Time..8
June 2020 Travel Special
(Continued On Page 08)
COVID Big Zoom
NEW COVID NORMAL
Self-quarantines and stay-at-home orders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are having an impact on employment right now, and that may continue for some time. (Continued On Page 20)
inside
May 2020
Personal Information and COVID Americans are spending more time at home, which means they’re likely spending more time online. While their attention is focused on staying healthy, they shouldn’t forget to stay vigilant about cybersecurity either. The FBI recently warned that cybercriminals are taking advantage of the current environment to steal personal information and money. (Continued On Page 15)
512-828-6709
Financial Health............09 COVID 19 Scams..........10 Distance learning.........10 Malik’s Page........11,12,13 Student’s Futures.........13 Make A Difference........14 ACC............................15 HVACR........................16 Indie Meme.............17,19 Math Skills Up To Date..20 Treating Foot & Ankle...21 CARES Act Funds..........23 Creative Ways While Home Schooling...........24 Kids Corner....14,22,23,25 Entertainment.........26,27
Stay Safe
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
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আদম�মাির ২০২০ আদম�মাির কন �� পূণঃ আদম�মািরেত সংগৃহীত তেথ র উপর িভি কের িত বছর সরকােরর �ফডােরল তহিবেলর ১ ৫ �িলয়ন ডলােররও �বিশ অেথ� র যথাযথ িবতরণ পিরচালনা করা হয়। িশ�া া� েসবা িসিনয়র �স�ার এবং পাবিলক া�েপাট� সহ ���পূণ� খাত সমূেহর উ�য়ন এই তহিবেলর যথাযথ িবতরেণর উপর িনভ� রশীল। িবিভ� এলাকার �ানীয় সরকার নতন রা�া �� ল এবং জ�ির �সবা সহ িবিভ� পিরক নার কােজ আদম�মািরর পিরসংখ ােনর উপর িনভ� র কের। ব বসায় িত ান�েলা কারখানা অিফস এবং ��ার �কাথায় �তির করেত হেব তার িস�া িনেত আদম�মািরর তথ ব বহার কের।
partnered with
BANGLADESH ASSOCIATION OF GREATER AUSTIN
আদম�মািরেত অংশ�হণ করা খুবই সহজ: ২০২০ সােলর মাচ� মােসর মাঝামািঝ �থেক মািক� ন যু রাে� িত� পিরবার অনলাইেন �ফােন বা ডােকর মাধ েম ২০২০ সােলর আদম�মাির স � করার জন এক� �না�শ পােব। ফম��েত কেয়ক� াথিমক িজ�াসা করা হেয়েছ এবং ফম�� িবিভ� ভাষায় পাওয়া যােব। য সকল পিরবার�িল এি ল ১, ২০২০ এর মেধ� সাড়া িদেবন না, আদম�মাির �হণকারীরা ম ২০২০ হেত জুলাই ২০২০ এর মেধ� সই পিরবার�েলার বাসায় পিরদশন করেবন। আপনার ফম�� পূরণ করেত যিদ সাহােয র েয়াজন হয় তাহেল একজন গণনাকারীর সহায়তা িনেত পােরন।
আদম�মািরেত অংশ�হণ স ূণ িনরাপদঃ আপনার ব ি গত তথ �গাপনীয় এবং আইন �ারা সুরি�ত। আপনার তথ �কবল পিরসংখ ান �তিরর কােজ ব বহার করা �যেত পাের। আইন েয়ােগর উে�েশ বা সরকারী সুিবধার জন আপনার �যাগ তা িনধ�ারেণর জন এই তথ ব বহার করা যােব না।
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
The Picture Book World
By Shachi Kaushik
With the schools and libraries closed down across the country because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we all are missing the walk through the bookshelves in the libraries and picking a book out of the shelf. In the meantime a lot of organizations are trying to bring educational programs for our children and are hosting story times to keep us connected with books. If you are missing reading picture books, here are a few websites to check out and stay connected with books.
Garner and Amy Adams for children to bring them the magic of picture books. Every day a celebrity or a notable figure reads a children’s books.
https://www.storylineonline.net/
To see a celebrity read you a book, join the Instagram and Facebook Page #SAVEWITHSTORIES.
Another platform Storyline Online is available 24 hours a day for children and is an engaging way to connect children to the world of books. The books read by the celebrities bring stories to life and ignite children’s imagination.
This campaign is a fundraiser for food originations ‘Save the Children’ and ‘No Kid Hungry’.
Wide Open School https://wideopenschool.org/programs/ family/prek-5/live-events/
If you want to consider making a donation go on to www.savethechildren.org/savewithstories.
Wide Open School is a group of over 25 originations who have come together to help
and you can find a schedule of publishing houses and authors hosting story times. In addition, you can also join an illustrator for drawing lessons. Scholastic BookFlix https://bookflix.digital.scholastic.com/ home
#SAVEWITHSTORIES
make learning from home a fun experience and inspire children to learn more than they would in a classroom. The website offers activities to do, from virtual tours to craft activities and much more to keep your children engaged. They also offer bilingual and English Language learned recourses. An initiative started by actresses Jennifer
Storyline Online
For story times click on the Live Events tab,
Bookflix by Scholastic brings its books as eBooks to life. The website has animated books with features like read along option with narrated text, educational games, point of use vocabulary support, lesson plans and additional information various on the topic. You can find fiction and nonfiction material. Through these websites we can keep ourselves connected to the picture books.
During COVID-19, Take Simple Steps To Establish A New Normal (Continued From Page 01)
during the unusual times of COVID-19:
With the COVID-19 pandemic creating so much uncertainty and upending so many routines, experts say that focusing on the things within your control is particularly important.
1. Channel your feelings of anxiety or help-
“At this particular moment -- challenging as it may be -- it is very important for all of us as individuals to recognize that our actions can and do have a collective impact,” says Dr. Patrice A. Harris, president of the American Medical Association (AMA). “A lot of people are grieving at this moment. Tragically some are grieving loss of loved ones; but people can also grieve the loss of employment, routines or the ability to be with family and friends. Everyone should know that these feelings are normal, and they should allow themselves to experience them.” Here some simple steps from the AMA to maintain your physical and mental health
lessness into action. Practicing physical distancing and making sure to wash your hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds
are two steps that protect your health and the health of others. Create a safety action plan for you and your family. Also consider how small gestures – like offering to pick up groceries for an older or atrisk neighbor who may be anxious about leaving home -- can make a big difference. 2. Take care of yourself p h y s i c a l l y. Get as much sleep as you can, try to include fruits and vegetables into your diet, and make sure you move. With many gyms
and parks closed and physical distancing in place, it may seem harder to work out, so consider options at home, including dancing, to stay active. 3. Create new routines. With more people working from home and/or caring for schoolaged children, the daily lives we had before COVID-19 are a distant memory. But building routines -- time for work, time for meals, time for decompressing -- is critical to creating a new normal. In the world today, there are so many things we can’t control, but our schedules are something we can. 4. Take time to turn off social media and the news. It is critical at this moment to know what is happening in the world and to stay connected with family and friends, but if social media and 24-hour news are making you anxious, consume them in doses. (Continued From Page 05)
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Creative Visualization To Overcome PTSD By Murli Menon
routine event! This is not wise.
Stress levels are zooming everywhere, particularly mass fear fuelled by external events such as Corona Virus nicknamed Covid-19. Here is an antidote.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is the hidden and long term danger. The consequences of PTSD can cause incalculable damage to the collective unconscious. This can push the mind to make irrational and biased judgments leading to further distress. The need of the hour is to be calm, composed and united in the wake of this unfortunate medical emergency. There is no benefit in playing the blame game as the past cannot be changed. But we should not let this impact our present and future. When you lose you lose but don’t lose the lesson. The need of the hour is to learn from our mistakes so that history does not repeat itself at regular intervals! A simple visualization technique called Rewinded Movie can be of tremendous help for all victims of PTSD.
Stress levels are zooming everywhere, particularly mass fear fuelled by external events such as covid-19. Inner balance gets lost. The mass media is adding fuel to the fire by live telecasts and minute by minute updates. The immediate aftermath of this global event is felt by the victims’ immediate family and friends. As the victims families recount their tales, the psychological impact of the tragedy multiplies in geometric progression and within a few hours the whole populace is under severe physical, spiritual and mental stress. However, as one is not even aware of the effects of such unfortunate events on the unconscious mind, one brushes it off as a
The ZeNLP Rewinded Movie Technique
Sit in a comfortable posture in a place where you will not be disturbed. Play soft music in the background. Now, close your eyes, roll your eyeballs upwards and take three deep breaths. After taking three deep breaths, you can allow your eyeballs to move downwards and visualize a blank screen. Now imagine you are watching a movie of the traumatic event in color. You are alone in the theatre watching the event unfold on the cinemascopic screen in full color. Now, repeat this visualization, three times. Next, rewind this movie like a video player being rewinded till you are at the start of the event. Now, repeat this visualization, three times. Open your eyes. Switch off the music and repeat the whole exercise again without the music. Outcome of this ZeNLP visualization exer-
World Hindu Council Of America’s Initiative: Food For The Front Liners
Volunteers from Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) of America contributed to the fight against the Corona virus in their own way - by feeding the Fighters on
the frontlines of the fight. Called “Food for the Front Liners”, this effort is raising funds to buy food and deliver to the doctors and nurses who are directly treating the Covid-19 patients in Emergency rooms and tents outside the hospitals across Massachusetts. The idea came from one of the volunteers talking casually with one of her friends, who was a doctor who was directly involved. She said she got so hungry during the day, because the line of patients needing attention was so long, there was not even time during the day to stop to get food. It was not only her, all the people in these “Covid Tents” as they are called, do not have time to stop
for anything. As a result, they keep working, sometimes late into the afternoon, until someone stops and buys food for them. Anit Gupta delivering food to UMass Memorial, Worcester.
From this casual conversation was born this idea of buying food for these brave doctors and nurses and delivering it to them. A flyer was created and circulated amongst the community. Various restaurants and sandwich shops were approached, and sandwiches, chips were bought and delivered to area hospitals, starting with UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. Apeksha Tripathi M.D, from UMass Worcester says, “I was touched by their humility and by the efforts they took to express their gratitude and support for Health care workers.” Three days after this was started, we are already starting to see the results of this initia-
Worcester, and Lowell General Hospital. Anit Gupta, one of the first volunteers to deliver the food, said, “it was a very satisfying feeling to think that I could do something for our doctors and nurses, who are putting their lives at risk for us during this Covid-19 pandemic.” Katherine Fredette, R.N from UMass Hospital Emergency room, expressed her appreciation to the volunteers. She said, “We can’t express enough gratitude to the organization and its members.” Abhishek Singh, volunteer, thought it was “very rewarding to be able to help someone who was helping so many people stay healthy during these tough times.” Food delivered to Lowell General Hospital Sangeeta Singh also echoed other volunteers. She said, “It was a great feeling knowing that I could help someone who is doing so much for the community.” This is an ongoing effort to provide muchneeded nourishment to the weary healthcare workers who are risking their own safety and health to keep the public safe. Please donate generously to this initiative, so that the work can continue as long as it is needed.
tive. Food has been delivered by dedicated volunteers to UMass Memorial Hospital in
This is also an opportunity to do your part by volunteering to deliver the food to the various area hospitals. To Donate please visit: https://www.vhp-america.org/donation/
cise: Your mind has deleted the traumatic impact of the event on your unconscious mind permanently. This is equivalent of deleting a virus infected document from your hard disk into the recycle bin and emptying the contents of the recycle bin and encrypting the deleted file such that it can never be undeleted! One can realize the tremendous power of one’s mind by employing this technique. If all the traumatized individuals delete the event from one’s unconscious, the impact of the event on the collective unconscious will be erased. This is the best strategy to defeat covid-19. *Murli Menon is the author of “ZeNLP-the power to succeed” and “ZeNLP-the power to relax” and ZeNLP-learning through stories.* Email: zenlp@rediffmail.com
During COVID-19, Take Simple Steps To Establish A New Normal (Continued From Page 04) 5. Feel your feelings. It’s natural to worry and be afraid at a moment like this. It is also important to remember there are physicians, public health officials at all levels of government, as well as experts in the private sector, working tirelessly to limit the spread and impact of COVID-19. 5. Feel your feelings. It’s natural to worry and be afraid at a moment like this. It is also important to remember there are physicians, public health officials at all levels of government, as well as experts in the private sector, working tirelessly to limit the spread and impact of COVID-19. 6. Stay connected. Social media gives us a common connection point during times of isolation, but there is real opportunity at this moment to stay connected via phone calls and video chats with friends, family, and even people you haven’t heard from in a while. Physical distancing is important, but it’s still okay to socialize. 7. If you have children, talk to them in an age-appropriate way, and avoid ascribing feelings to them. Don’t say, “I know you’re scared.” Kids are observant and they’re wise. They may know things are different, but they may not be afraid. Let them know smart people are working on ways to keep us all safe. Model healthy coping. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Why Playtime Matters More Than Ever Right Now In these unprecedented and uncertain times, play is critical to physical and emotional well-being, helping both kids and adults decompress and stay positive while providing countless learning opportunities. “With families encouraged to practice social distancing and many schools closed, it’s more important than ever to keep playing together as a family,” says Anna Yudina, senior director of marketing initiatives, The Toy Association. “Play not only sparks joy, but has numerous benefits for kids and parents alike.”
tion skills.
To help families make the most of their time together, The Genius of Play, a national movement to educate parents and caregivers about play’s vital role in child development, has launched “Play Today,” a new online destination for families to stay well and play on. As part of the initiative, they are sharing play ideas and inspiration to keep kids busy and engaged.
• Play brings families together and is an opportunity to make lasting memories that will live long after the current crisis is over.
Reasons to Play Today • Play offers six key developmental benefits, helping kids hone their physical, emotional, cognitive, creative, social and communica-
• Research points to a direct correlation between play and stress reduction. In stressful times, play can bring comfort and relieve anxiety for everyone.
can ignite kids’ curiosity and spark hours of play and hands-on explo-
to connect with others. Throw a virtual dance party or take the kids
Get Inspired Free online resources are available to provide families with play inspiration. The Genius of Play’s #PlayToday hub offers indoor and virtual play ideas, expert advice, and lots of games for families of all sizes to help them make the most of their time together. To access this information, as well as at-home learning resources for social distancing and expert tips from leaders in education and child development, visit TheGeniusofPlay.org.
• Play stimulates little minds and keeps children engaged and learning even as schools remain closed. • Play provides an outlet for creativity and imagination, lifting spirits and delivering much-needed positive emotions.
How to Play • Let the kids lead the way! Encourage children to share how they want to play and to use their imaginations, plus things they have around the house, to put their ideas into action. • Use toys to dial up fun and enhance learning. From stuffed animals, action figures and dolls to construction sets and science kits, there are thousands of toys that
be active. Modeling fun physical activities can help instill the importance of movement.
ration. The American Academy of Pediatrics has acknowledged the importance of high-quality toys in early childhood to facilitate cognitive development, language interactions, symbolic and pretend play, problem-solving, social interactions and physical activity. • For the most beneficial play and to create the most fun, it’s important for parents to select toys that match their children’s interests, abilities and developmental skills. For a research-based toy and play guide, parents and caregivers can visit TheGeniusofPlay.org.
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• Use technology
on a field trip to their favorite zoo or museum. • Get active. From “Simon Says” to action hero role play to musical chairs, there are endless ways to
“With families suddenly spending more time at home, there has never been a better time to play than today,” says Yudina. (StatePoint)
CHILDREN OF GOD Villains have strong upper hands At the beginnings of all clashes. It churns the emotions of spectators, To avenge enhancing their anguish. After a while, appear the heroes, To overpower villains dangerous. Destroy them and their weapons, To save the good and innocents. Scaring the world is Satan likewise, With deadly weapon Corona Virus. Destructing people and nations at will Creating havoc, confusion and
peril. God waits but knows when to extend, His merciful and helping firm hands, Through His chosen army of angels To take control of worst situations. There is always victory finally For Truth, Virtue and Loyalty. Let us not lose hope but have faith, Children of God will continue to be on this earth. (arunsunderraj@gmail.com)
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
How To Manage Stress Through Music Mumbai Groom, Bareilly Bride, Priest
With routines upturned and health concerns top of mind, many people are feeling an extra amount of stress these days, too much of which can be bad for one’s mental and physical health. However, music has many moodboosting, stress-relieving benefits. Here are four ways to incorporate more of it into your life without even leaving the house:
right tools. By connecting a Casio keyboard with lighted keys to the Chordana Play App or using the app’s keyboard, beginners can gain a better understanding of music study. The app displays the music score and piano roll notation for built-in songs and MIDI files, allowing you to select which tracks to play with your left and right hands. With the ability to slow the tempo and transpose to a key that’s easier to play, you can practice at your own pace. Plus, a scoring system lets track your progress. • Social distancing doesn’t have to be antisocial. Connect with fellow musicians from the comfort and safety at home by hosting a virtual jam session for the added stress-relieving benefits of socializing with friends, old and new.
• Too much time spent scrolling through social media can induce anxious feelings. Allow music to provide a healthy distraction from digital devices. Carve out a block of time each day to practice your instrument. • Get a fun, easy and most importantly, stressfree introduction to music-making with the
• Expressing yourself creatively is one of the best tools for kicking stress to the curb, and making music in no exception. Once you feel comfortable with the basics, you may feel empowered to write your own melodies or even develop them fully into songs. In these unusual times, music can benefit your mood and mental health by serving as a valuable creative outlet, a means for practicing mindfulness and a great way to connect with others. (StatePoint)
In Raipur: The Big Zoom Wedding
(Continued From Page 01) The date of their nuptials, set for its auspicious astrological coordinates, fell amid a stringent national lockdown precipitated by the coronavirus. Dang appeared on the screen from his parents’ home in Mumbai, a traditional turban fashioned out of his mother’s red scarf. Narang, a makeup professional, was hundreds of miles away in Bareilly in central India, wearing her mother’s wedding lehenga skirt. The priest, based in yet another city, Raipur, chanted hymns in front of the ritual fire and asked the bride’s father to lead a “digital kanyadaan,” or giving away of his daughter. A hundred guests logged on from their homes to bless the couple, then light up a tiled-screen montage as they danced to the latest Bollywood hits. “Not even in our wildest dreams did we imagine our wedding would turn out this unique,” said Dang, a competitive intelligence analyst based in Toronto. As the pandemic upends industries around the world, India’s $70-billion wedding industry has skidded to a stop in the midst of peak marriage season. Nuptials fixed months before on dates dictated by astrological charts have been hurriedly transformed into digital ceremonies over Zoom, YouTube and Google Hangouts. Gone are expensive hotel bookings and caterers, along with related industries such as home buying. The virus has helped achieve what the government has been trying to do for years: limit unbridled wedding-time extravagance. Families in India, even the poorest ones, spare no expense to marry their sons and daughters in style, digging into savings or taking on huge debt.
Though poor by global standards, the country can claim some of the most expensive weddings ever: About a year ago, the nuptials of billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s daughter Isha Ambani hit a reported $100 million, complete with private jets for guests like Hillary Clinton, a concert from Beyonce and dances for the traditional sangeet ceremony choreographed by Bollywood celebrities. The Dang and Narang families had planned elaborate ceremonies for months, from pairing lavish dessert menus with each meal to buying plush gifts for guests. For the main rites, the groom planned a showy entrance on a quad bike rather than the ritual horse. But at the digital wedding, an element of chaos pervaded the celebrations, as unmuted microphones picked up side conversations and pets strolled on screen as people danced. “It’s the great Indian Lockdown wedding,” said Anupam Mittal, founder and chief executive officer of online matchmaker Shaadi. com, which facilitated the Dang-Narang event. “We are helping them make the best out of the situation in these times of adversity.” For startups, the pandemic requires innovation. Shaadi.com has helped coordinate several digital weddings with online makeup and mehendi (or henna) professionals, digital wedding invites and food deliveries to guests’ homes. The online matrimonial service, with about 2.5 million live profiles, plans to build a separate resource for digital nuptials. Still, Mittal can’t imagine that extravagant ceremonies will disappear. “In India, weddings are social statements,” he said. “A marriage is between the families, not just the couple.”
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Rethinking Screen Time For Kids
As families try to establish a new normal, balancing screen time for kids has become not only especially challenging, but more important than ever. “It’s only natural that children will be spending more time on digital devices than usual these days in order complete school work, attend remote classes and communicate with friends and loved ones,” says Michele Havner, director of marketing at Eturi Corp., a company with a mission to empower parents to guide their children through a balanced use of technology.
• Rethink Leisure Time: According to ReelGood.com data, the month of March saw a whopping 70 percent jump in weekday streaming of kids’ movies and television shows.
not spending all their waking hours looking at screens. Leisure time will ideally include a mix of physical activity, creative projects, board games, reading and more. All that extra down time
Unfettered access to the internet and social media sites can put children at risk for a number of online threats. Parents should continue to ensure kids practice safe online habits, even as they begin to use their digital devices for more tasks throughout the day. • Striking the Balance: Many parents are struggling to balance their own work with homeschooling and online safety. Luckily, there are tools that can offer assistance, such as OurPact, a screen time monitoring and scheduling app for parents from Eturi Corp.
“Restrictions about screen may need to be rethought in many cases, but they should not be completely eliminated.” Here are a few insights and tips that can help parents create sensible, effective screen use guidelines for their children during the COVID-19 outbreak:
• Prioritize Online Safety:
While there may be more time on kids hands and fewer options of what to do with it, it’s important to emphasize alternative ways to relax and have fun so that kids are
around the house may also present some good opportunities to teach kids some practical life skills, like cooking, cleaning and budgeting.
Among the app’s many capabilities is the ability for parents to monitor and manage what kids are doing online, create daily screen time allowances, set filters on browsers
and block certain applications at certain times of day. To help parents navigate this rapidly-changing environment, the company is currently offering OurPact Premium, an upgrade to the service, for free for three months to new users. To learn more, OurPact. com. • Check in: During your own free hours, spend some time checking in with your kids to see how they are coping with the current situation, how they are spending their free time and whether they are facing any struggles with remote learning. Life has changed rapidly and significantly for families. And while this new normal includes a greater reliance on digital devices, parents can take steps to continue to ensure kids are striking a healthy balance. (StatePoint)
5 Tips On How To Combat Loneliness During Social Distancing (Continued From Page 01) Feeling lonely from time to time is natural, but this unprecedented time of social distancing could lead to increased loneliness.
build meaningful connections and limit time spent passively scrolling
munities or even fitness challenges. You can start a new hobby, learn a
• Ask those you reach out to how they’re really doing. How you connect with those in your network makes a significant difference in how lonely you feel.
There are some easy ways to feel connected to others, even when you aren’t seeing them in person. Consider these tips from Dr. Doug Nemecek, Cigna chief medical officer for behavioral health. • Use technology… but not too much. Social media is a favorite and easy way to stay connected to family and friends, but too much use can leave you feeling lonely. Cigna’s 2020 U.S. Loneliness Index found that 72 percent of very heavy social media users identify themselves as lonely. Balance technology use with disconnecting and taking time for yourself. Use real-time interactions with others, like video chats, to
around your neighborhood or to walk your dog a few blocks could improve your spirits, refreshing you for the next time you virtually connect with others.
People tend to feel less lonely when connecting on a deeper level.
social media. Read a book, take a walk or do a puzzle after screen time. It may help you feel more connected when you spend time online. • Join a virtual club or group. There are plenty of resources available to find virtual book clubs, craft com-
skill or find others who are interested in the same things as you, remotely.
Cigna’s study found that those who do not feel they have close relationships that give them emotional security and well-being have an average loneliness score of nearly 15 points higher than those that do.
Once the guidelines for social distancing are lifted, you’ll have new friends you can meet in person.
When video chatting with friends, ask them for their most honest response when you ask how they’re doing. Everyone will likely feel better for it.
• Spend time outdoors. Simply leaving your house to take a jog
• Rethink working hours. We spend approximately 90,000 hours at
work over our lifetime, so how we spend that time will play an important role in how we feel overall. Improving your work-life balance and connecting with colleagues can reduce loneliness. Your employer may also benefit from you feeling less lonely. Lonely employees are less productive, produce lower quality work and miss more days of work. So, talk to your boss about slight changes you can make to how you spend your working hours. This could help you feel less lonely and benefit your company. Being unable to spend time with others in-person will likely cause many of us to feel lonely, but there are ways to help lessen those feelings during this challenging time. (StatePoint)
9
Protecting Your Financial Health In These Uncertain Times
With expected delays in bill payments, unprecedented layoffs, hiring freezes and related hardships, many Americans are facing new financial challenges. “COVID-19 has impacted all industries and individuals from all walks of life,” says Rod Griffin, senior director of Consumer Education and Advocacy for Experian. “With all of these rapid changes, you might not be thinking about how your credit report may be impacted yet, but you likely will soon.” As you adapt to life in this unprecedented time, the experts at Experian are sharing strategies and resources for protecting your financial health and credit history. • Check your credit report. While checking your credit report regular-
ly is always a good idea, this is especially true now. You can get a free copy of your report from Experian every 30 days with a free account. In addition, you can get a free credit report from each of the three national credit reporting agencies annually by visiting annualcreditreport.com. • Maintain your score. Making credit payments on time and in-full and keeping your utilization rate (balance-to-limit ratio) as low as possible are the best ways to maintain your credit score. At a maximum, you should try to keep your credit card balances below 30 percent in total and for each individual card. For many reasons, maintaining these habits might not be possible right now. However, paying your minimum monthly payments and anything additional you can afford will go a long way. • Talk to your lenders.
Keep in mind, lenders don’t want you to fall behind on your payments any more than you do. If you’re facing trouble making monthly payments, contact your lender or creditor. They may have options for helping you cope with COVID-19-related financial hardships. For example, lenders can place your accounts in forbearance or deferment for a period of time. • Use credit as a financial tool. While debt is a problem, credit can be a financial tool that can help improve your overall financial health in the long run. As always, avoid making rash decisions when it comes to credit and your financial health. • Check out resources. Use new educational resources that can help you protect your financial health in these uncertain times. For example, Experian is hosting a series of #CreditChat conversations surrounding COVID-19 on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. ET on Twitter. The program covers important personal finance topics. The next several #CreditChats will be dedicated to items like methods and strategies for bill repayment, paying down debt, emergency financial assistance and preparing for retirement during COVID-19. You can also visit Experian’s blog post, “COVID-19 and Your Credit Report,” for updated information pertaining to how COVID-19 may impact your creditworthiness. Additionally, the “Ask Experian” blog shares immediate and evolving resources on its COVID-19 Updates page. To obtain a free Experian credit report and other free services, enroll at Experian.com. While staying safe and healthy should be everyone’s number one priority, it is also important to protect your financial health at the same time. Be sure to leverage all the resources available to you that can help you emerge from this crisis in good financial standing. (StatePoint)
Austin South Asian | May 2020
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Mortgage Relief And COVID-19 Scams: What You Need To Know
Unfortunately, during times of hardship, families are often targeted by fraud artists attempting to take advantage of those needing assistance.
• Charging you rent to stay in your home and/or potentially promising that you can purchase your home
So what can you do to protect yourself?
The COVID-19 crisis is no exception, with many scammers pretending to extend a critical lifeline to struggling homeowners through so-called “foreclosure rescue fraud.”
• Don’t disclose.
According to Freddie Mac, this scheme involves bad actors offering false promises of being able to save your home from foreclosure. Common elements of this fraud include the following:
back when your financial situation improves.
• Requiring you to sign over the title to your home.
Another common fraud involves a third party guaranteeing you a loan modification with a reduced mortgage payment.
• Asking you to sign unfamiliar documents and/or share your personal information.
as fraudsters collect an upfront fee and promise to work with your loan servicer on your behalf.
Never provide your information via phone or internet until after you have verified the caller or company’s identity. • Be suspicious.
Such scams may operate similarly as foreclosure rescue fraud,
If someone has contacted you asking for personal or sensitive information, do your homework to verify the validity of the request before providing any information.
rated list of educational websites and free printable activity books to help parents maximize their children’s time outside the classroom
An interactive learning program filled with over 2,000 engaging games and activities for 3-6 year olds, the app can be used on any
Contact your servicer (the company listed on your mortgage statement) and confirm that they called you asking for information. • Spot imposters. S cammers across the globe can make any name or number appear on your caller ID or email. Protect yourself from spoofing by letting calls go to voicemail first. If a call is important, the caller will leave a message. If you do answer and it is a robocall, don’t press any numbers. Just hang up. • Report fraud. Freddie Mac will never reach out to offer a refinancing opportunity or new loan over the phone. If you have been contacted by someone claiming to represent Freddie Mac, you can report it by visiting sf.freddiemac.com/work-
ing-with-us/fraud-prevention/feedback. While there are fraudsters out there offering false promises, know that there is real assistance on offer during this crisis, too. Contact your loan servicer to discuss your options. If Freddie Mac owns your mortgage and you are a homeowner unable to make you mortgage payments due to a decline in income resulting from COVID-19, you can learn more about available mortgage relief options by visiting MyHome.FreddieMac.com. Your family’s health is no doubt top-of-mind these days. However, it’s also important to remember that fraudsters are out in full-force, making your financial vigilance a crucial priority as well. (StatePoint)
New Ways To Keep Kids Engaged While Distance-Learning As learning goes remote, many teachers and families are doing their best to adjust. Luckily, new resources and tools are emerging to help ease this process.
Whether a parent is looking for a role-play toy for their child that loves pretending to be a chef, a desk to practice writing skills or an interactive learning system to get kids excited about reading, personalized toy recommendations will make it easier for parents to keep children engaged and learning.
For example, the “Learn Through This” campaign, an initiative of VTech Electronics North America, is expanding learning opportunities for kids at home. Here’s what to know about the campaign and how your family can access these resources:
Support for Schools
Online Resources Through the LeapFrog Learning Path, an online portal featuring free resources to keep children learning at home, parents can find valuable advice from learning experts on a variety of topics, such as preparing kids with 21st century skills and learning to read. In addition, the portal provides a suggested daily schedule, a cu-
To help parents find the right toys to meet their children’s needs, VTech and LeapFrog will be sharing video walkthroughs on their YouTube channels.
and keep them engaged.
device with no Wi-Fi required.
Families can also access an extended free trial of the LeapFrog Academy educational app, as well as reduced costs on the six-month and 12-month plans.
Learning Toys It’s not always easy to ensure toys chosen for children enrich their development and encourage learning.
As schools remain closed, many parents are getting a fuller picture of the important role teachers play and the scope of their responsibilities. To support educators faced with the challenge of recreating the classroom from home, VTech Electronics North America made a $50,000 donation to AdoptAClassroom.org’s COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund. T
he fund will be disbursed to highneeds teachers and schools impacted by COVID-19. A national, award-winning nonprofit, AdoptAClassroom.org is working directly with educators, schools and vendor partners to identify their needs and get tools in the hands of students to make sure the learning doesn’t stop. For more information about the “Learn Through This” campaign and the resources available to your family, visit learnthroughthis.com. Parents, teachers and children are facing unique challenges during this unprecedented time. But with the right balance of education and fun, children can continue to thrive and learn. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Ramadan In Time Of Social Distancing
(Continued From Page 01)
The Muslim month (April 24 to May 24) will pass keeping in mind the Covid-19 pandemic, quarantine and social distancing. The community does have modified plans along the guidelines provided by the City of Austin and through announcements from mosques and scholars, but this will be the first time when every household will keep these recommendations in mind and keep from sharing this blessed month when they are used to sharing food and opening their hearts. The world is going through Covid-19 pandemic where a single virus for which there is no vaccine available yet, is attacking the human immune system. Symptoms are debilitating and recovery is different in everyone. Most badly affected are the elderly and people with preexisting conditions, but shockingly so, there are cases in every age group even without preexisting conditions. Most people are wearing masks and staying six feet apart in public places wherever possible.
3/17/2020, we will not be holding any congregational prayers at NAMCC until May 1st unless the order is changed before that date. The doors will be locked, and only essential staff will enter the premises not to exceed 10 individuals at any one time.
His word will play a role in keeping at home those who still want to overrule the mosques and ‘celebrate’ the month with congregations organized privately.
Adler’s updates about social distancing, making masks, progress
have lost their jobs or are in need.
This practice could be considered as meals for those who fast. According to Washington Post, friends are planning e-iftars. When it is time to break their fast, they will include other households through Zoom meetings. Eid congregation prayer at the end of Ramadan might also go through some revised guidelines at the end of the holy month.
It is hoped that the City of Austin and the local mosques together will be enough to keep the Muslims safe and at home. As I write this, conversations continue to happen along these lines on social media and Facebook pages where groups are reflecting about how the world has united to fight the pandemic, praying for general wellbeing and for first responders, encouraging charity within the city and beyond as a way to help while at home.
Ramadan Mosques have cancelled Taraweeh prayer for this Ramadan. Taraweeh is actually a night prayer said after the last prayer Isha to before the morning Fajr prayer. It is a common practice for Muslims to congregate in mosques or community spaces and say their prayer behind the leading scholar or Imam. This year has no plans for Taraweeh and families are saying the night prayers at home. With these announcements in place, one would hope that all concerned parties will pay heed.
But as in every community there are cases where even though people know of the suggested guidelines still disregard them. They are the ones delay a community from recovering quickly.
The Nueces Mosque website posted, “Due to COVID-19 related city and county instructions on shelterin-place and public gatherings, all Masajid will remain closed for daily and Taraweeh prayers, till further notice.
Keeping this in mind, in the second week of March, the mosques issued guidelines for people to pray at home.
We do not take this decision lightly and pray for the safety and wellbeing of all our community members.”
The scholars are posting Friday sermons on the mosque Facebook pages and on mosque websites, and this plan will continue through Ramadan. North Austin Muslim Community Center Mosque announced on their website: In compliance with the order from the city of Austin
The mosques are in communication with the local government. Mayor Steve Adler who has in the past years attended citywide iftar with organizers in the Muslim community is looked upon with high regard as someone who respects all communities.
and updates about Covid-19 are coming daily and act as a good reminder. About congregations, he said, “If you’re over 60, 65, 70, you shouldn’t be in any groups, really, if you can avoid it. No, it’s certainly not, no, no group greater than 10 people.” It must be noted that the Muslim community was the first to stop congregation prayers and gathering. For them, the guidelines of the City of Austin will be a much needed reminder about something they are already observing, ‘as the Muslim community already as part of their faith have been guided to be responsible with social distancing/ masking/hand washing so as not to spread any disease during this pandemic,’ said Dr. Shani Alam, who is well versed in Islamic teachings. Muslims do Wudu 5 times a day (wash face and hands up to elbow, rinse mouth and nose for every prayer). The cleansing process is in line with general washing hands, she reminded us. It’s a common practice in previous years for Muslims to pay a mosque (online) for a certain number of ‘Iftaris’ or meals for those who are breaking the fast. This year the community is already involved in paying for monthly food necessities for those who
Muslims hold that all scripture was revealed during Ramadan, the scrolls of Abraham, Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran having been handed down on the first, sixth, twelfth, thirteenth and twenty-fourth Ramadans, respectively. Muhammed is said to have received his first quranic revelation on Laylat al-Qadr, one of five odd-numbered nights that fall during the last ten days of Ramadan. Although Muslims were first commanded to fast in the second year of Hijra they believe that the practice of fasting is not in fact an innovation of monotheism but rather has always been necessary for believers to attain taqwa (the fear of God). They point to the fact that the pre-Islamic pagans of Mecca fasted on the tenth day of Muharram to expiate sin and avoid drought. The first and last dates of Ramadan are determined by the lunar Islamic calendar. Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. The fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. Muslims believe that Ramadan teaches them to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat). Exemptions to fasting include travel, menstruation, severe illness, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. However, many Muslims with medical conditions insist on fasting to satisfy their spiritual needs, although it is not recommended by hadith. Those unable to fast are obligated make up the missed days later. Suhoor Each day, before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called the suhoor. After stopping a short time before dawn, Muslims begin the first prayer of the day, Fajr. Iftar At sunset, families break the fast with the iftar, traditionally opening the meal by eating dates to commemorate Muhammad’s practice of breaking the fast with three dates. They then adjourn for Maghrib, the fourth of the five required daily prayers, after which the main meal is served.
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
AADI Launches The Reading Room By Sumaiya Malik Local non-profit Austin Arts and Drama Initiative launched The Reading Room, a virtual reading club hosted on Zoom in time of social distancing every other Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
We Read and What Books Do for the Human Experience,’ based on “Neil Gainman View of Cheap Seats Reading.”
After brief introductions the discussions centered around each person’s views on the article and their own best places to read, the group
Details are posted on the AADI page. As of now this is a womenonly group. AADI hopes to expand to include all adults in time.
This would provide exposure to a variety of topics and perspectives. We also decided, for the time being, to read articles rather than books so that the group could “transition comfortably into reading books.” Those who joined spoke freely and from their heart. A few members suggested they continue to read short stories as that makes this reading space more unique than those that offer novels and longer reading time.
The Reading Room is Sahar Ali’s brainchild. An avid reader, a prolific writer and a professional journalist, Sahar Ali has continuously made sound literary decisions for AADi’s presence in the world of South Asian literature. The aim of the room is to bring back South Asian women into regular reading that brings the thought process to an intellectual level. For the first meeting on Sunday, April 19, the group started out with a five-minutes essay reading from brainpickings.org called ‘Why
ing material.
Eight local Austin ladies joined in through Zoom. The group realized that meeting virtually seems to be a convenient way to connect especially for this kind of discussion from the comfort of their homes with no driving time or logistical venue issues.
shared their thoughts about how to design this space.
Lubna Ashraf was okay either way. Shani Alam was thankful for this space and shared that “reading is a privilege,” and how shocking it was that so many people in the country aren’t able to read!
“As a group we discussed the way forward,” summed up Sahar Ali, adding, “We decided to rotate among members of the group, the responsibility of selecting the read-
Salma and Ambereen shared that they have guided their children towards books they think will work well for them as over free reading what comes their way.
Alicia read multiple books at the same time in her childhood. Farida Vendal, who is a part of another book club as well suggested future reading materials. Refreshingly so, the meeting started and ended on time. Most committed to returning on May 9. Reading material will be selected by Amil Malik. Attendees were encouraged to bring their friends even from other cities as virtual reading rooms have no boundaries. Sahar Ali ended on the note that all big things were once small, leaving us to only imagine a bright future for the reading room. After all, AADI too started as a discussion between friends with a similar thought process. Look how far it has come. Next meeting: Sunday, May 9 @3:30 pm. Details on AADI Facebook page.
A Virtual World To Keep Us Entertained At Home By Sumaiya Malik
social media icon in Pakistan. She does a bunch of community work that I like.
Almost every other person one talks to is spending extra time in the virtual world of internet. Most conspicuous by their presence are the live conversations happening on Instagram.
can fiction writer
director
@cruzortizart – international contemporary artist
@thepinktreecompany – Pakistani designer @freihaaltaf – Pakistani activist/CEO/ Catwalk Event Productions/ Model
In the US, Instagram handles like @elledecor @nytimesfashion, Gweneth Paltrow, actor and business entrepreneur. And many more!
They seem to have taken off not just because people have more time, but also because people like to watch their favorite actors and media personalities as they spend their lives and not just tied to the script in their hand. I am no different.
@gwynethpaltrow – US actor / entrepreneur
Here is my list: @elarroyo_atx – Tex-Mex restaurant also known for their billboard
I complied some of the Instagram shots I took of people I am interested in. Some interestingly so appeared more than once in the past month in my live box.
bit on my feed because he is most himself and has a good sense of humor.
I have tried to just put their picture once. I realized Pakistani actor, Adnan Siddiqui, shows up quite a
He also plays the flute! Shaniera Akram, the wife of retired Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram is a
couple
@hiramaniofficial – Pakistani actor
@adnansid1 – famous Pakistani actor @soniahkamal – Pakistani Ameri-
@jaiwolfx – dj/musician/artist/ composer @betoorouke – Democratic politician @manshapasha – Pakistani actor @adnanmalik1 – Pakistani actor/
@iamshaniera – Australian Pakistani media influencer/ wife of Wasim Akram @nytimesfashion @p_terrys – quality burgers drivethrough
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Snippets – Happenings Around Town
By Sumaiya Malik @sumaiyasaidthis
postponed from it’s original April date to May 1-3 and May 8 – 10,
2020. The festival will screen six films. 6 nights of critically ac-
There will never be a month in this lifetime, like this April. Pandemics have happened before unfortunately, but none have happened with the presence of the WWW or World Wide Web.
claimed, thought provoking, curated cinema from South Asia including Documentaries, Short films and Narrative features. The digital screenings will be followed by a virtual discussion with the filmmakers - and all this in the comfort of your home. Films include Rising Rani, Orphanage, Eeb Allay Ooo, Aunty Sudha, Aunty Radha, Bombay Rose, Aamis. Details at www.indiememe.org
So when the world came to a standstill and public was asked to stay at home, virtually every public gathering was cancelled, cinemas houses closed, non-essential businesses were shut and schools went online, new avenues opened in the virtual world of internet.
Connecther Girls Impact The World Film Festival featuring women stories filmed by young film makers went online this year for free. Each story reflects plight of young women from all over the world.
Many events that were to be held with sale of tickets (to offset the cost of venue and other logistics) became available for free for the general public. Fundraising is underway to feed those who are affected by Covid-19 stay-at-home orders. Here is what happened in Austin at the time:
You can view the films and hear the founder Lila Igram at https://gitwff.org/attend/. The festival gave awards up to $2500 to each winner. Connecther is a crowd funding platform that invests in women leaders who are creating sustainable impact in their local commu-
5th annual Indie Meme Film Festival was supposed to be at AFS was
nities. Volunteers from the Austin chapter of the Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA) have collected and distributed over 2,000 handmade and machine-stitched masks and head-bands for area hospitals, clinics, police stations, fire stations, grocery stores, delivery drivers, gas stations, fast food workers, front line workers, First Responders and the offices of the Veterans Administration. Pictures on Facebook at: https:// www.facebook.com/MYNAAUSTIN/ (Project Sew Much To Do) We are so proud of our local youth! Local area mosques along with MYNA are feeding several hundred families and the elderly in rural parts of Austin, Manor Elgin, Bastrop, Pflugerville and other parts of Central Texas under Project Outreach. For donation please support https://www.launchgood. com/campaign/operation_outreach#1/
4 Ways Science Exploration Can Shape Students’ Futures The impact of scientific exploration has vastly shaped the world we live in, and in this challenging time, it has never been more relevant than it is today. As families navigate the new reality of working and learning from home, there’s an opportunity to think creatively about how children learn and explore science. Parents and educators can turn to project-based activities to combine learning with fun, help kids stay curious and occupied while also providing an avenue to put their passion for problem solving to good use. In short, science exploration can positively fuel, nourish and encourage the great minds of tomorrow. According to the 2019 3M State of Science Index, 59 percent of the world’s population believe scientific advancements will benefit future generations. Beyond paving the way toward vibrant career op-
portunities, a STEM education can shape a young person’s mind and transform their future in these fundamental ways: 1. Active learning instills confidence. Whether it’s positing a new
hypothesis or learning a new programming language, the process of
active learning required by STEM pushes students out of their comfort zone and creates an environment where taking calculated risks is encouraged. Becoming comfortable with taking risks to solve problems and learning from these
outcomes builds confidence. These skillsets can be applied to any fu-
ture challenges a student may need to navigate.
they’ll feel accomplished after finishing projects.
2. Problem solving encourages creativity. Who says STEM can’t be creative? Problem solving forces outside-the-box thinking and hones creativity. Without creativity, innovation is impossible, making this an invaluable quality that can translate into all areas of life and work, particularly in fields using cutting-edge STEM principles.
4. Young scientists can make an impact on tomorrow’s world. Educational science programs encourage students to think about tomorrow’s challenges today. Some programs even offer exciting opportunities for students to put their ideas and theories directly into practice.
3. STEM helps students develop key life skills. From communication to decision-making to teamwork, STEM learning helps students develop practical skills inside and outside the lab. Fortunately, this learning can happen independently. Anyone can turn their home into a laboratory by visiting, youngscientistlab.com, a free resource offering science project ideas and step-by-step directions for grades K-8. Whether students collaborate or work independently,
For example, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, hosted in partnership with Discovery Education, offers students the chance to be named America’s Top Young Scientist. The national science competition for students in grades 5-8 gives young inventors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work closely with a 3M scientist, compete for a $25,000 prize, and learn new skills. (Continued On Page 21)
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Kids Corner
Make A Difference –Stay At Home – Socializing Is A Must With Family By Vidya Kumar We are deep into covid-19 pandemic where we all have to stay at home unless one is in essential service sector. Our lives have been turned upside down. We used to be so busy hardly staying at home and not spending time with the children. Now all the time we are home bound and we need to engage the kids from becoming bored with us.
Vasundhara Varadarajan
This is a good time for everyone to reset the relationships that they have with their families. One must have noticed that either the fights and disagreements have increased amongst the family members or one has learnt to give and take in a relationship or alternatively grin and bear. I personally have learnt that keep smiling even if it is forced leads to good time in the end. Also clear division of labor and vocalizing the expectations that one has for each member of the family makes it easier for everyone to have a good day. At the end of the day coming together after dinner for even half hour with some family time like just talking or playing a game is a good way to spend before going to bed. And so it continues to the next day. We all have learnt a lot during this time I suppose and it is all for the good.
The Adventures Of Randy & Square Kid
Abhiveer Annoji
CHILDREN ARTICLES
info@AustinSouthAsian.com
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Keeping Personal Information Safe During A Pandemic
(Continued From Page 01) The scams come in various forms, including fake emails from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization claiming to offer new information on the virus; emails asking users to verify personal information for an economic stimulus check from the government; and emails selling counterfeit COVID-19 related products or treatments.
tion security officer, Cigna, has a few simple steps to protect individuals and families from threats.
the difference. Pay attention to details: does it look like other valid communications you’ve received?
• Guard personal information. As a general rule, health insurers will never ask for credit card information or account passwords in an email. Report emails asking for this information to your health insurance company immediately. • Hang up and call back. Not all threats occur online. Be wary of phone calls from someone claiming to be your health insurance company asking for personal information.
Personal health information can be a target for hackers too. According to the Office of the Inspector General, personal health information (name, social security number, Medicare number) can be stolen and used to file false Medicare or other health insurance claims. If this occurs, individuals might experience a disruption in medical care should they need it. Bob Davis, deputy chief informa-
encrypts (secures) emails and can only be accessed by signing in using a pre-determined password.
• Never open email or attachments from unknown senders. Many scams occur when clicking on fraudulent links or attachments in emails.
Is the sender email address correct?
Sometimes these emails can look similar to those received from legitimate sources, such as a health insurer, making it difficult to notice
Also note, when communicating with health insurers online, it will likely be done through a secure email portal, which automatically
To check a link’s legitimacy, hover over the text to see where it will redirect.
way to communicate, so it should be no surprise that cybercriminals are turning to text messages as a way to steal information. Text messages should be approached the same way as emails. Don’t click on links or share information with unfamiliar numbers. Same goes for social media. Don’t click on suspicious advertisements or links. • Remind friends and family. Just like friends and family are reminded to stay healthy, the same should be done with cybersecurity threats.
To confirm legitimacy, simply hang up and call the customer service phone number listed on the back of the insurance card.
Remind loved ones, especially the elderly, to pay close attention to unsolicited emails and calls, and to limit the information they share over the internet.
In most cases, if information or payment is needed, individuals will receive a letter in the mail, not a phone call.
If seniors think that they may have been victim of a scam, they should contact Medicare as soon as possible at 1-800-MEDICARE.
• Monitor texts and social media. Many use cell phones as a primary
(StatePoint)
Austin Community College (ACC) Austin Community College (ACC) distributed almost one-thousand iPad kits to help students during the transition to fully-online courses in response to the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). Drive-through delivery ran from Monday, April 6, through Wednesday, April 8, at the Highland Business Center (5930 Middle Fiskville Road).
more than 700 students do not have access to the technology they need for online learning at home. Those students are eligible to check-out a college-issued iPad kit for the semester.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13f CPbOdBfATQ2RycvHI1Xs67HM tKqR0L/view?usp=sharing
ACC sent a survey to all students to learn about their technology and resource needs. The survey found
SOTS: DR. RICHARD RHODES, ACC PRESIDENT/CEO When we started this semester at the beginning of this year, none of us had this type of crisis in mind. So, whether you’re an employee, whether you’re a student — you weren’t prepared for this.
Below you will find sound and video for your use:
The new iPad kits include a keyboard, case, and charger, and each iPad is preloaded with the Google apps suite and Blackboard system.
response to Coronavirus, visit austincc.edu/coronavirus.
ACC transitioned to online classes on Monday, March 30. The college remains closed to students and the public until May 31. Classes will remain online through the summer semester. For more information on ACC’s
it, and make the most of it. I couldn’t be more proud of the ACC Riverbat family, to see them, every part of the institution coming together with the students’ success in the forefront of their minds — coming together to prepare the machines, to order the machines, to get them in here, to communicate with the students.
That’s what it’s all about — number one: having the student as the focal point.
Faculty and staff communicating, changing. It has just been a family coming together to make the best of a very difficult situation that we’ve never had to face before. Mia Miranda /ACC Elementary Education Student
What is it that we need to do as an ACC family to come around them and to make sure that we can support them, encourage them, give them hope for the future.
We do text groups and it has brought us a lot closer, which I think is very funny because we can’t see each other. We do everything together now.
Education is the great equalizer. How do we help them see that, feel
We realize that we are all in the same situation, we are all doing the
quizzes together, reading the notes over because we all need to realize that this is all happening and for our safety we need to do this. Stick it through. It is gonna be hard. Honestly, I believe all the professors are doing through the exact same thing as the students are going through. It’s hard. People don’t understand that you depend on your classes, you depend on your professors, you depend on a routine that you get down. Now that this has come up, you have to really stick to it and hopefully, you can just wing it out and get the grades that you need too. I am doing a lot of things on the internet. Being young I know I should be able to do everything by phone, computer, and tablets but it has been hard to adjust to every day seeing your professor to doing everything online.
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Top Tips For Safe HVACR Maintenance
There’s a lot of uncertainty about some aspects of life today. However, the importance of proper heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) installation and maintenance is a constant for homeowners, especially for those who have been spending a lot more time at home lately.
and should take on your own, if possible: replace air filters monthly to ensure efficient air flow; keep tabs on your outdoor unit, clearing it of debris and obstructions; seal up drafty windows and doorways.
A well-maintained system keeps heating and cooling costs low, your family safe and comfortable in all kinds of weather, and is environmentally-friendly to boot. Luckily, homeowners can safely have HVACR work done during the coronavirus outbreak if they take proper precautions. Whether you’re a first time homeowner installing a brand new system, or have lived in your current residence for years and are maintaining an older system, here’s what to know: • Look at your current energy bills to identify inefficiencies. There are certain maintenance steps you can
• Have general questions or need an HVACR consultation? Conduct
these initial conversations via telephone and videoconference instead of in-person. • Schedule preventative maintenance annually to ensure your system doesn’t stop running when you need it most. Professional technicians can check for such factors as damaged insulation around refrigerant lines or ducts with poor seals, all of which can cause your system to lose efficiency. These days, it’s especially important for this work to be taken care of properly the first time, so make sure it’s performed by a technician certified by North American Tech-
nician Excellence (NATE). NATEcertified technicians have proven their knowledge and expertise by passing specialized certification exams. To find local contractors that employ technicians with these qualifications, visit www.natex. org. • Before hiring a contractor, ask what steps the company is taking to protect its employees and potential customers. For example, Vanessa Gonzales of Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, says her technicians are equipped with gloves, eye protection and suits to wear when they’re needed, as well as supplies to sanitize their devices. Her company is also working on a touchless system for processing estimates and work orders. These considerations can allow you to have needed HVACR work performed during this time while keeping you and your family safe. • Ask anyone entering your home to wear a mask, gloves, shoe cov-
ers and to practice social distancing. You can show the technician the area they will need access, but make sure to give them six feet or more space. • First time homeowner or replacing your unit? Choose furnaces and air conditioners bearing the ENERGY STAR logo. A properly-sized and installed ENERGY STAR air conditioner uses up to 20 percent less electricity than older models. A NATE-certified technician can help you identify the right size unit for your home and install it properly. More HVACR resources, energy savings tips and advice for going green at home can be found by visiting natex.org. By doing certain tasks on your own and hiring trusted contractors to help with everything else, you can keep your HVACR system running smoothly in the months to come. (StatePoint)
Creating Educational Experiences Based On Kids’ Favorite Shows If your child is all about a particular television show, there are a number of interactive and educational ways to extend the fun beyond the screen. Here are a few ideas: • Play Pretend:
show. Technology brings it all to life with fun sounds, phrases and songs to encourage pretend play and maximize fun.
Train Trax to light up his rainbow chimney while listening to sounds and phrases from the show. With Freddie’s Firehouse, kids can go on a rescue mission, race down
Get creative by fashioning character costumes from what you have at home, then have kids pick out favorite scenes or invent their own. Stage a play or create a video acting them out.
• Draw and Paint: The next time kids sit down for arts and crafts, encourage them to draw portraits of their favorite characters or scenery from the show. Experiment with different supplies -- from crayons and colored pencils to watercolors and clay.
• Toys and Games: Look for toys and games based on your children’s favorite programming. For example, the new Go! Go! Cory Carson toy line from VTech, based on the hit animated preschool series available on Netflix, lets kids create their own adventures with vehicles based on the show’s characters, and playsets inspired by popular scenes from the
are toys that talk, sing songs and offer role-play fun and adventure all around Bumperton Hills. For more information, visit vtechkids. com/corycarson.
Then create a gallery for kids to display their artwork. And, visit Netflix Jr.’s YouTube channel for some fun D.I.Y. activities inspired by Go! Go! Cory Carson. The toys, available exclusively at Target, include DJ Train Trax & the Roll Train, a fun playset that gives kids the opportunity to groove along to music, help the characters dance on stage and even roll DJ
the slide to answer calls or explore all the activities that the firehouse has to offer. And of course, don’t forget the characters themselves. Cory and his little sister Chrissy
• Story Hour: It’s never too early to foster a love of reading, and you can help by selecting books associated with your child’s favorite television series. Spend time reading together (don’t forget the silly voices and character impressions to make it more engaging) and when your child is ready to do so, have them read these same books to you. By creating new educational experiences for kids based on their favorite shows and characters, you can feel good knowing you’re making the most of your child’s screen time. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
5th Annual Indie Meme Film Festival Goes Virtual
18
Austin South Asian | May 2020
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
MAY 1-3, 8-10, 2020
All screenings are in the comfort of your home and all films have ENGLISH SUBTITLES www.indiememe.org/imff-2020
FRIDAY MAY 01
FRIDAY MAY 08
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
6:45 PM -8:15PM CORAL WOMAN
AUNTY SUDHA AUNTY RADHA (India | Documentary | 58 mins | Hindi)
(India | Documentary | 52 min | English, Tamil) Texas Premiere
Texas Premiere
Two sisters, Sudha and Radha, 86 and 93, have a near-magical existence in their village home in North India, along with their entourage of domestic help. Z oom QA with filmmaker Tanuja Chandra
An inspiring story of a woman and her efforts to address the threat to coral reefs from bleaching, pollution and global warming.
Zoom QA with filmmaker Priya Thuvassery
8:45 PM - 9:45 PM S HORTS PROGRAM-II Forbidden Tikka Masala The Timekeeper
Kathakaar
(US | 15m | Hindi, English) A coming-of-old-age story of a vegetarian finding a new lease on life after eating chicken.
(Pakistan | 15m 5s| Urdu) Exploring Kathak dance; its past and present in Pakistan.
(India | 5m | Marathi) Sustaining passion for analog clocks in an era of digital totality.
SATURDAY MAY 02
6:30 PM - 9:10 PM TALE OF RISING RANI
7:00 PM - 8:15 PM S HORTS PROGRAM-III The Booth
(India | Fiction | Drama | 2hr 2min | Hindi)
North American Premiere
An inspiring story of a young girl named Rani who broke all societal norms and paved the way for her loved ones.
Zoom QA with filmmaker Prakash Saini
9:30 PM - 10:20 PM S HORTS PROGRAM-I Glitch
Maya
(India | 13m 54s | Hindi, English) 12-year-old Karan discovers a time-machine in his bathtub.
(India | 19m | Hindi, English) A young independent woman living in Mumbai with her mother, who suffers from incontinence.
SATURDAY MAY 09
Bouma (India | 14m 27s | Bengali) A young wife married to a nagging husband gets to make a decision.
Cobalt Blue
(India | 14m 58s | Hindi) (Burma | 27m | Burmese) Forbidden romance in a female Family spending their last night frisking booth. before moving to another town.
Meal (India | 11m 10s | Bengali) Amidst communal tension, a dysfunctional family sits together for a meal.
9:00 PM - 11:15 PM AAMIS
(India | Fiction | Drama, Horror | 1hr 47 min | Assamese)
Texas Premiere
Two chaste lovers bow down to social taboos and repress their feelings, but doing so pushes them towards a horrific crime.
Zoom QA with filmmaker Bhaskar Hazarika
SUNDAY MAY 03
7:00 PM - 9:15 PM THE ORPHANAGE
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM EEB ALLAY OOO
Texas Premiere
Texas Premiere
(Denmark, Afghanistan | Fiction | Drama |1hr 30min | Dari, Russian, Hindi)
SUNDAY MAY 10
Set in the late 1980s, 15 year old Qodrat was brought to the Soviet Orphanage. He is a big Bollywood fan and he daydreams himself into some of his favorite movie scenes. But in Kabul the political situation is changing. Qodrat and all the children want to defend their home. Inspired by true events. Zoom QA with filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat
(India | Fiction | 1 hr 38 min | Hindi))
CHILDREN ARTICLES
A satire of dispiriting and dehumanising modern-day working conditions, this scathing and amusing feature adopts its narrative from an inspired real-life source. Zoom QA with filmmaker Prateek Vats CLOSING NIGHT - JURY AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Children Email At
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Keeping Math Skills Up-To-Date While School Is Closed The transition from in-person to online learning isn’t easy, particularly when it comes to mathematics, a subject where many students benefit from classroom learning and individualized attention from their teacher. With closures affecting schools and universities for the foreseeable future, sustaining one’s math skills is very important, as research has shown that academic gains can quickly be lost without practice -on average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of learning in math over a typical summer, according to the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
During the COVID-19 crisis, consider accessing the following free
distance-learning tools from Casio
America, Inc., which are designed to support educators, parents and
students K-12 and beyond:
• Tools for calculation, graphing, geometry, statistics and more can be accessed at ClassPad.net, an allin-one web-based platform with an interactive menu that enables students and teachers to draw geometry figures freehand and input calculations as they would on real scratch paper. Users can also plot data points and add text labels, expressions and pictures to graphs or geometry diagrams. • Emulator calculator software recreating the functionality of scientific and graphic calculators, including Casio’s PRIZM fx-CG50 and fx-CG500, is supported in Windows and Mac operating systems.
• Downloadable math activities created by teachers for students in grade levels kindergarten through college can help students practice their math skills and learn new techniques for their continuing education. For access to these resources, as well as online support, visit CasioEducation.com/remote-learning. Formal class may not currently be in session, but that doesn’t mean the learning needs to be put on hold. Leveraging available resources can help students maintain their math skills so that when schools reopen, students can enjoy a successful return to the classroom. (StatePoint)
Unemployed Due To Coronavirus? Find Available Benefits
(Continued From Page 01)
During this period of uncertainty, finding ways to pay bills or keep medical benefits are top concerns for many. Here are some tips from Janine Nowatzky, managing director of Inside Rx.
Or learn more by visiting www. usa.gov/unemployment. How much money will I get? It will vary by state. But remember, under the CARES Act, you will be able to get an additional $600 a week for up to six months.
It’s scary to think about getting through this pandemic without health insurance. What benefits you’re able to keep all depends on who you work for. The first step is to ask your employer. They may allow you to
What is unemployment insurance and how do I sign up?
• Have to be paid now to continue getting insurance Your employer may also offer health care coverage through COBRA, but that can be very expensive. A limited number of states have also opened enrollment to their own Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance exchanges.
Unemployment insurance is a program between your state and the federal government that provides money when you’ve lost your job.
You may be able to sign up for a health insurance plan – even without a life-changing event, which is the usual exception to the standard open enrollment periods.
With the federal government’s passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, you can receive an enhanced benefit. It authorizes:
What about prescription medications?
• Self-employed and gig workers to receive benefits • An extra $600 a week for up to six months
The program’s start date was set to Jan. 27.
continue your health coverage for a short period of absence.
• An extra 13 weeks of benefits beyond what your state currently provides
So if you lost your job due to COVID-19-related reasons between the end of January and now, then you should be able to receive the additional benefit.
If your employer is allowing you to keep your insurance, be sure to clarify if your missed premium payments will be:
Each state’s rules are different. Review your state’s unemployment insurance program to learn about how to apply for benefits.
• Deducted when you come back to work
What about health insurance?
• Covered partially or fully by your employer
It’s so important to keep taking your medications to stay as strong and healthy as possible. If you weren’t able to get health insurance with prescription benefits,
there are prescription drug savings programs like Inside Rx that can help. The program offers access to thousands of brand and generic medications for you, your family, and your pets at a fraction of the cost, helping you save an average of 40 to 80 percent. You can fill your prescription at over 60,000 pharmacies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Or, you can continue to socially distance and stay safe by getting your medications delivered right to your home through the Express Scripts Pharmacy with no delivery fees. While losing one’s primary source of income is stressful and scary, taking advantage of available benefits can help you and your family stay healthy. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Treating Foot And Ankle Conditions During The COVID-19 Crisis
During this unprecedented time, it’s still important to take care of your overall wellness, and your feet are no exception. Healthy feet and ankles are crucial for balance, mobility and a healthy body.
Not sure whether your condition requires an in-person appointment? According to Dr. Sachs and the experts at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, the following conditions can be
• Heel and arch pain, generalized foot pain
should visit your doctor for the following conditions and situations:
• Achilles tendinitis
• Post-operative care
• Metatarsalgia
• Injuries (sprains or trauma, anything that requires an x-ray for suspected bone fractures)
However, it’s important to identify which issues can be taken care of via telemedicine and which should be done in person.
• Infections • Ingrown toenails • Wounds
It’s also important to take steps on your own to keep feet healthy. “Foot and ankle surgeons are here to help keep you healthy via telemedicine visits for non-urgent care and in the office for urgent or serious issues,” says Dr. Brett Sachs, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon and Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
• Foot ulcers • Calf pain with warmth, redness, or swelling, which could possibly be a blood clot
seen by foot and ankle surgeons via telemedicine:
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• Skin rashes and athlete’s foot • Planter warts • Big toe pain • Arthritis • Gout However, Dr. Sachs notes that you
It’s important to know that if you do have to make an in-person appointment, foot and ankle surgeons are taking many steps to protect patients. These measures include taking patients temperatures and performing a comprehensive screening process, having patients and staff wear masks or face coverings, limiting patients and family in the waiting room, limiting patient appointments to prevent overlap, practicing social distancing where possi-
4 Ways Science Exploration Can Shape Students’ Futures (Continued From Page 13) Last year’s winner, aspiring microbiologist, Kara Fan, 14, invented a first aid liquid bandage using nano-silver technology to reduce the risk of superbug infections caused by antibiotic overuse. Fan is a great example of what can happen when science skills are applied to making a positive difference in the world. “I entered the challenge because I wanted to show my invention of the nanosilver liquid bandage to more people. I think it is important for more people to be aware of the antibiotic-resistance bacteria crisis and do something about it,” says Fan, who worked with her 3M mentor for several months to refine her invention. Now open, this year’s challenge asks students to identify a problem in one of six categories—health, safety, mobility, environment, energy consumption, or community—and come up with a unique innovation to improve lives for the future. To learn more, and for important dates and deadlines, visit YoungScientistLab.com/challenge.
ble, and performing extensive deep cleaning of all patient rooms and common areas throughout the day. A bit of preventive care can also support healthy feet. Here are a few tips from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons you can follow while at home: • Stay active. Do sit-ups, pushups, planks, squats and leg lifts or check out virtual fitness classes online. You can still get outside for fresh air without putting yourself at risk. Go for a walk, run or hike while practicing social distancing. If you feel better staying inside, take scheduled breaks to get up and walk around your home. • If you suffer from foot pain, such as a neuroma, avoid wearing narrow shoes and also avoid walking on hard surfaces barefoot, even in the house. • Do eccentric strengthening exercises like calf raises on a step to prevent or treat Achilles tendinitis. • Examine your feet regularly for bumps, lumps or other changes. • Wear comfortable, sensible shoes, especially for exercise. Continue using padding, insoles or whatever special footwear you’ve been prescribed. To find a foot and ankle surgeon near you or to find more foot and ankle health tips, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. “While the COVID-19 crisis is understandably top-of-mind for many right now, taking steps to protect your overall health is vital,” says Dr. Sachs.
STEM learning can shape students’ futures, and ultimately make communities safer and healthier. Be active, be bold, and explore opportunities outside the classroom that will instill a lifelong love of STEM learning.
“Because so many health problems stem from the feet, paying attention to them is essential for your comfort, safety and overall wellness.”
(StatePoint)
(StatePoint)
22
Austin South Asian | May 2020 THEME: ACTORS AND ACTRESSES ACROSS
DOWN
1. “Flowers in the ____” 6. Emergency responders 9. Peacock’s pride 13. Life force in Sanskrit 14. Doctor Dolittle, e.g. 15. The Beast’s problem 16. Happen again 17. Freudian topic 18. In a fitting way 19. *Hopkins’ Lecter to ____’s Starling 21. *McGillis’ Charlie to ____’s Maverick 23. Unagi 24. Undesirable row 25. Stuff in a tray? 28. The Tramp’s love interest 30. Hairy vertebrate 35. “Best ____ schemes o’ mice an’ men” 37. Be inclined 39. City in Belgium 40. Debussy’s “Clair de ____” 41. D’Artagnan’s weapon, pl. 43. Speed on water 44. “This ____ ____,” on a box 46. The Chapin School, e.g. 47. € 48. Post-roller coaster ride state 50. The Coen brothers’ “True ____” 52. ____ Diego 53. Deuce topper 55. Lamb’s mother 57. *Clark’s Rhett to ____’s Scarlett 60. *John’s Danny to ____’s Sandy 63. Continually annoy 64. Matterhorn, e.g. 66. Cooler clime conifer 68. Do like phoenix 69. Tiger’s peg 70. “My Own Private _____” 71. Thou ____, or you have 72. Bajillion years 73. Article of faith
1. 2020 Easter mo. 2. Not kosher 3. Meal in a shell 4. Occupied, two words 5. El Chapo’s organization 6. “What ____ Happened to Baby Jane?” 7. *Billy’s Harry to ____’s Sally 8. Investor’s asset 9. ____-Guarani languages 10. Liberal pursuits 11. Archipelago unit 12. Bovine hangout 15. Posterior, anatomically speaking 20. Fill with optimism 22. Basketball target 24. Two heads are better than one, e.g. 25. *Keaton’s Annie to ____’s Alvy 26. Sweating room 27. Hinduism follower 29. *Knightley’s Swann to ____’s Sparrow 31. *Cameron’s Fiona to ____’s Shrek 32. List of options, pl. 33. Ancient Greeks’ assembly area 34. Pretend, two words 36. ____ ex machina 38. Doe, e.g. 42. Sales pitch 45. Smallest at the clothing store 49. Second person of be 51. Lighted by twilight 54. Related on mother’s side 56. Avoid, as in taxes 57. Designer Bradley 58. Osiris’ wife 59. One third of a three-piece suit 60. Welcoming sign 61. A Flock of Seagulls’ hit, 2 words 62. Soreness 63. “____, humbug!” 65. *Kate’s Rose to ____’s Jack 67. “Some Like It ____”
SUDOKU Sudoku
Please email your sudoku answers to info@austinsouthasian.com. Name and photo of the inviduvidual with first correct answer will be published in June 2020 issue.
To Advertise In ASA Call 512-828-6709
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
6 Steps To Get Your CARES Act Funds Fast Millions of U.S. residents will receive government stimulus payments (also known as Economic Impact Payments) under the CARES Act. Payments to eligible recipients will arrive by either direct deposit or a paper check.
stimulus payment deposit. Use mobile and online banking to check your account balances from home so you know when the stimulus payment is deposited. Set a deposit alert on your checking or savings
5. Look before you leave. Make sure to verify if your local bank branch is open, as they may have reduced hours or services. In the case of Wells Fargo, customers can go to the Wells Fargo branch lo-
How To Make The CARES Act Part Of Your Financial Plan (Continued From Page 01)
• Estimate the value of your economic impact check and plan how you will use the money. The Internal Revenue Service may send up to $1,200 to individual taxpayers and $2,400 to married couples, plus another $500 for each qualifying child.
1. Determine if you qualify for a government stimulus payment. Your eligibility is determined by the federal government. To learn more about eligibility and payment amounts, visit IRS.gov/coronavirus under the “Economic Impact Payments” link.
3. Set alerts for your government
fraud. (StatePoint)
expanded unemployment benefits, and different loans and tax credits. In addition to reading up on CARES Act programs, experts say there are several ways to make sure you get as much financial support from the bill as possible. Here are three things to think about:
Here are some helpful tips from Wells Fargo that may help you access your funds as soon as possible.
2. Learn how you’ll receive your stimulus payment. If you filed a federal tax return in 2019 or 2018 and typically receive your tax refund through direct deposit, your government stimulus payment will likely arrive the same way. If you did not file a tax return or have not given the IRS your direct deposit account information in the last two years, you’ll likely receive a U.S. Treasury check in the mail
Check out IRS.gov for more tips to help avoid becoming a victim of
account to be notified once you receive a direct deposit. 4. Know where you can deposit a paper check. If you have a checking or savings account, you may be able to make a mobile deposit if your bank has a mobile app, or make a deposit at an ATM. Make sure to check your bank’s applicable daily and monthly mobile deposit limits.
cator for the latest information on closures, hours and services by visiting wellsfargo.com/locator/. Customers can also visit Wells Fargo’s COVID-19 resources and support page for additional information at wellsfargo.com/coronavirus. 6. Beware of scams. If you receive a suspicious email or text message, don’t respond, click on links, or open attachments.
APRIL 2020 Sudoku Answer Mr.Yudhveer Bagga
Tools such as The Washington Post’s stimulus check calculator can help you determine the amount you may receive. Then you can decide what to do with your check: e.g., pay your bills, buy essential goods, save it or even invest it. • Check your eligibility for unemployment benefits. The CARES Act created a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program to provide benefits to people who lost their jobs, had their hours reduced or are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19. You may qualify for these benefits even if you are self-employed or an independent contractor. Unemployment benefits have also been increased by $600 a week and extended to up to 39 weeks of coverage. The Department of Labor’s website (www.dol.gov/coronavirus) has more information on these changes, as well as guidance on applying for unemployment. • If you own a small business, consider applying for a federal loan. The CARES Act set aside hundreds of billions of dollars for the Small Business Administration and the Treasury Department to provide financial relief to business owners and their employees. Loan options include the Paycheck Protection Program to help businesses keep workers on their payrolls and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan to help cover a temporary dip in revenue. Visit the SBA’s website (www.sba.gov/fundingprograms/loans/coronavirus-relief-options) to learn more and apply. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professional can help you understand these programs and make sound decisions about how to use your stimulus funds. A CFP professional can also provide competent, ethical advice on maintaining your financial well-being during this period of uncertainty. And, this advice can be provided remotely via phone calls, emails and video conferencing technology. To find a CFP professional near you, visit www.letsmakeaplan.org. With thoughtful planning, you can make the most of these and other financial resources to weather the economic storm. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Creative Ways To Go Beyond The Curriculum While Home Schooling Today many parents are seeking ways to keep their kids engaged and learning beyond the schoolwork remotely assigned by teachers.
ing organized with 16 ink shades to
Many of the team members at Pilot Pen are parents, too. Below, they share some fun and creative ways you can use the power of the written word to help create special moments for kids while imparting valuable lessons.
These practical life skills can help kids develop confidence and independence, while providing quality time together.
Share Life Skills Adjusting to this new normal has found parents wearing even more hats than usual. Many are simultaneously tackling work responsibilities, navigating home schooling and taking care of chores. Make the most of this time by showing kids how to be more organized. It’s a valuable lesson they can learn by watching you. The Pilot team recommends teaching kids to keep a daily schedule using erasable FriXion ColorSticks, which allow for color coding activities and stay-
children life skills. Sorting laundry can be a fun color-matching game for toddlers, while older kids can learn valuable kitchen skills with a family recipe challenge.
Focus on Family
choose from. The unique, thermosensitive ink means there’s no need to worry about mistakes -- simply erase and revise. Adding a creative twist to daily tasks is also a great way to teach
Having children connect with loved ones can have significant benefits. Start a multi-generational gratitude journal together to create a tangible reminder of what’s truly important. Add context to your kids’ history lessons by sharing and writing down real stories of relatives’ lives
during key historical periods. This can help children grasp the lasting importance of these events, while enhancing their sense of family pride. The Pilot team recommends G2 gel ink pens, which come in more than 25 smooth-writing shades to bring color to family stories or color-code the family tree to see one person’s impact through the generations. Take the time to video chat with relatives and get them involved in the project. You can make the most of the present while creating a lasting memory of your family’s unique legacy. Experiment With Creativity For parents looking for creative activities outside the curriculum, consider exploring cursive writing, lettering or drawing. These activities stimulate the brain in ways digital devices cannot and
increase kids’ ability to retain information, giving them a sense of accomplishment. Use Pilot’s new ultra-vibrant Juice Paint Markers for imaginative projects or to personalize household items. Ideal for a variety of surfaces like paper, wood, glass, plastic, fabric and stone, it’s a great opportunity to customize everything from canvas shoes to reusable water bottles while giving kids a hands-on lesson on surface porosity (Juice Paint can be easily wiped clean from non-porous surfaces!). Who says you can’t mix art with science? To learn more and for more inspiration, visit PowertothePen.com and instagram.com/ pilotpenusa. Adjusting to this new normal is challenging. However, there are many creative ways families can go above and beyond the school curriculum to learn, explore and stay both positive and productive. (StatePoint)
Coping With Stress During Uncertain Times (ontinued From Page 01)
anything up for them at the store.
They will appreciate hearing from
Prolonged, unwanted and unmanageable stresses like the ones so many people are facing during the pandemic can take a toll, causing anxiety, irritability, nervousness, sleeplessness and digestive upsets. Stress can also aggravate or even trigger chronic diseases. Here are some easy, natural ways to cope: 1. Write a gratitude list. Grab a blank piece of paper and write down a list of things that you are grateful for. This has been proven to drastically improve one’s mood and completely change their perspective. You might even consider making this a daily habit and keeping a journal. 2. Do a random act of kindness. Consider donating to an organization feeding those in need or asking an elderly neighbor if you can pick
Give a colleague a compliment. It feels good to do good.
you, and reconnecting can put you both in a much better mood.
3. Reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Think about that person you used to be close to but just haven’t had the time to catch up with. Go ahead and give them a call or arrange to video chat!
4. Go for a walk. Step outside and enjoy the fresh air. Going for a walk can help to clear your head. 5. Meditate. You don’t need to invest a lot of time. Meditating for even just five to 10 minutes can reduce stress and anxiety.
6. Use homeopathy. Homeopathic medicines offer a simple, low-risk solution as they do not suppress the cause of stress itself, but provide enough relief to help you face it and react appropriately. “Solutions are not always simple. Stress pills, or anxiolytics, relieve tension and some physical symptoms of stress, but unfortunately, they have unwanted side effects, like drowsiness, and can be habitforming,” says Dr. Ken Redcross, author of “Bond: The 4 Cornerstones of a Lasting and Caring Relationship with Your Doctor,” and founder of Redcross Concierge. “However, homeopathic medicines provide an easy, lower-risk treatment option.” Consider
using
Sedalia
from
Boiron to relieve nervousness, hypersensitivity and fatigue due to everyday stress, and Quietude to address occasional sleeplessness or restless sleep. Claims for these products are based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. They are not FDA evaluated. To learn more, visit shop.BoironUSA.com. While a certain amount of stress is normal and natural, too much of it for too long can have harmful health impacts. To cope safely, take natural steps to relieve tension and worry. (StatePoint)
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Madurai Meenakshi Temple
Meenakshi Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva. The temple is at the center of the ancient temple city of Madurai mentioned in the Tamil Sangam literature, with the goddess temple mentioned in 6th century CE texts.
mythology, saints or scholars. Each group or sets of panels in each storey present an episode from regional or pan-Hindu legend. The four tallest gopurams on the outer walls
temple, Ayyanar in the east, Vinayagar in the south, Kariamalperumal in the west and Kali in the north. He also built a Mahamandapam. Kulasekara Pandya was also a poet and he
Vembaturara Ananda Nambi built the early version of the three-tiered gopuram in 1227. Like other gopurams, it too was destroyed in the 14th century and later rebuilt. This gopuram is found between Meenakshi shrine and the Kilikuttu (parrot) mandapam. Some inscriptions refer to it as Vembathurar gopuram.
The shrines of Meenakshi temple are embedded inside three walled enclosures and each of these have four gateways, the outer tower growing larger and reaching higher to the corresponding inner one. The temple has 14 gopurams, the tallest of which is southern tower, rises to over 170 ft (52 m) and was rebuilt in the late 16th century. The oldest gopuram is the eastern one (I on plan), built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan during 1216-1238. Each gopuram is a multi-storeyed structure, covered with sculpture painted in bright hues. The outer gopurams are high pyramidal tower serving as a landmark sign for arriving pilgrims, while the inner gopuram are smaller and serve as the entrance gateways to various shrines. The temple complex has 4 nine-storey gopurams (outer, raja), 1 seven-storey gopuram (Chittirai), 5 five-storey gopurams, 2 three-storey, and 2 one-storey gold-gilded sanctum towers. Of these five are gateways to the Sundareshvara shrine, three to the Meenakshi shrine. The towers are covered with stucco images, some of whom are deity figures and others are figures from Hindu
alone depict nearly 4,000 mythological stories.
composed a poem on Meenakshi named Ambikai Malai.
Some of the major gopurams of the Meenakshi temple complex are:
Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I built a gopura in 1231, then called Avanivendaraman, later rebuilt, expanded and named as Sundara Pandya Thirukkopuram.
Portions of the three-storeyed gopura at the entrance of Sundareswarar Shrine and the central portion of the Goddess Meenakshi Shrine are some of the earliest surviving parts of the temple. These were constructed by king Kulasekara Pandya (1190-1216 CE). The traditional texts call him a poet-saint king, additionally credit him with a poem called Ambikai Malai, as well as shrines each for Natarajar and Surya near the main
Chitra gopuram (W), also known as Muttalakkum Vayil, was built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II (1238-1251). This gopuram is named after the frescoes and reliefs that depict secular and religious themes of Hindu culture. Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II also added a pillared corri-
AKBAR AND BIRBAL STORIES
Birbal arrived late for a function and the emperor was displeased. “My child was crying and I had to placate him,” explained the courtier.
“Milk the cow and give to him,” said Akbar to his servants.
“Does it take so long to calm down a child?” asked the emperor. “It appears you know nothing about child rearing. Now you pretend to be a child and I shall act as your father and I will show you how you should have dealt with your child. Go on. Ask me for whatever he asked of you.” “I want a cow,” said Birbal. Akbar ordered a cow to be brought to the
dor to the Sundareswara shrine, and the Sundara Pandyan Mandapam. It was rebuilt after the 14th-century damage, its granite structure was renovated by Kumara Krishnappar after 1595.
The cow was milked and the milk was offered to Birbal. He drank a little and then handed the bowl back to Akbar.
palace. “I want its milk. I want its milk,” said Birbal, imitating the voice of a small child.
wailed Birbal.
“Now put the rest of it back into the cow, put it back, put in back, put it back...”
The emperor was flabbergasted and quietly left the room.
The gopuram east to the Sundareshwara shrine is 5 storeyed. It was completed about 1372 by Vasuvappan after the Vijayanagara rulers reopened the temple complex after remaining in ruins and dormant for about five decades. The gopuram west to the Sundareshwara shrine is also 5 storeyed, and was completed around 1374 by Mallapan. According to the inscriptions found on the foundation of the gateways, Visvappa Nayakkar built the Nayaka gopuram in the second prakara around 1530, while Palahai gopuram was built about the same time by Mallappan. Both the gopuram have similar style and architecture, likely built by a collaborating group of same artists. Kadaka Gopuram in Meenakshi’s shrine was built by Tumpichi Nayakkar around the mid 16th century, but different texts give different dates. It is five-storeyed, was walled up and closed through 1963 for unclear reasons. This gopura was reopened after the renovations completed in 1963. The gopuram near the Ganesha shrine (Mukkuruni Vinayakar), also called the Nadukkattu gopuram or Idaikattu gopuram, was built by the Siramalai Sevvanthimurti Chetti family. It is called Nadukkattu because it is between the shrines of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. They also rebuilt and renovated the Idabhakkuri gopuram, a five-storey tower on the northern segment of the Adi street. The nine-storey southern gopura, the highest tower, was also built by Siramalai Sevvanthimurti Chetti family, a wealthy Hindu who lived near Thiruchirapalli. It was completed in the second half of the 16th century.
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
INDIA AND COVID-19 VACCINE
cines against the virus that causes Covid-19.
(Courtesy: By Soutik Biswas - India correspondent ,BBC•April 27, 2020) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last fortnight that India and the US were working together to develop vaccines against the coronavirus. Mr Pompeo’s remark didn’t entirely come as a surprise. The two countries have run an internationally recognised joint vaccine development programme for more than three decades. They have worked on stopping dengue, enteric diseases, influenza and TB in their tracks. Trials of a dengue vaccine are planned in the near future. India is among the largest manufacturer of generic drugs and vaccines in the world. It is home to half a dozen major vaccine makers and a host of smaller ones, making doses against polio, meningitis, pneumonia, rotavirus, BCG, measles, mumps and rubella, among other diseases. Now half a dozen Indian firms are developing vac-
One of them is Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine maker by number of doses produced and sold globally. The 53-year-old company makes 1.5 billion doses every year, mainly from its two facilities in the western city of Pune. (It has two other small plants in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.) Around 7,000 people work for the firm. The company supplies some 20 vaccines to 165 countries. Some 80% of its vaccines are exported and, at an average of 50 cents a dose, they are some of the cheapest in the world. Now the firm has stitched up collaboration with Codagenix, an American biotech company, to develop a “live attenuated” vaccine, among the more than 80 reportedly in development all over the world. This vaccine is created by reducing the virulence - or removing the harmful properties - of a pathogen but keeping it alive. (They cause no or very mild disease because the pathogen is weakened under laboratory conditions.) “We are planning a set of animal trials [on mice and primates] of this vaccine in April. By September, we should be able to begin human trials,” Adar Poonawalla, chief executive officer of Serum Institute of India, told me over the phone.
To Advertise 512-828-6709 GATES FOUNDATION AND COVID-19
Bill Gates says his charity is giving the coronavirus pandemic its “total attention.” The 67-year-old billionaire Mi-
crosoft c o founder, who h a s been a vocal advocate of coron a virus p r e paredness and research, spoke in an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday about the Bill & Me-
linda Gates Foundation shifting its priorities. “This has the foundation’s total attention,” he told the publication. “Even our non-health-related work, like higher education and K-12, is completely switched around to look at how you facilitate online learning.” A representative for the charity told The Verge that the foundation “remains committed to its core areas of focus including reducing infectious disease, eliminating extreme poverty, and improving US public education.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all areas of our work and the ripple effects will be felt for years to come,” the foundation added. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has an endowment of $46.8 billion. Gates has been warning about the risk of a pandemic for years, saying a global health crisis could wipe out 30 million people in less than a year. He told the Financial Times earlier this month that COVID-19 was the “biggest event that people will experience in their entire lives”
and that a viral outbreak similar to this one could happen “every 20 years or so.” His foundation, which has committed billions of dollars to the research of other infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, has already pledged over $250 million in response to COVID-19. According to the foundation, the funds are being used to help poor communities prepare for the virus and are helping accelerate the detection and containment of the virus. (Coutesy:Business Insider.com)
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Austin South Asian | May 2020
Shah Rukh Khan On Working With Aishwarya Rai: ‘It’s A Shame The Most Beautiful Woman In The World Was My Sister’
Aishwarya Rai and Shah Rukh Khan, two of the biggest A-listers in Bollywood, have featured in quite a few films together but never had a love story with a happy ending.
She played my twin sister and people even told me that we look
Shah Rukh Khan said, “Everything was in place but I left her and when
The fact that Shah Rukh regrets the most is that he got to play her brother in their first film together, Josh, 20 years ago. Shah Rukh had once expressed his disappointment over such failed opportunities when he got to share the screen space with her but the two never played the lead couple. He had said in jest at an award ceremony while presenting the trophy to Aishwarya, “I have been very unlucky with Aishwarya. Its a shame that in our first film (Josh), Aishwarya, the most beautiful woman in the world, in the universe and even beyond on all the planets, was my sister.
alike. I am still living in this misunderstanding that though I played her brother, I at least look like her.” Talking about their second film, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas,
I returned, she had left me. I have been very lucky that I never got the opportunity where she could love me, I could love her (on screen).”
Recalling his love story with Aishwarya in their third film, he said, “Mohabbatein me ye bhootni thi (She was a ghost in Mohabbatein).” Aishwarya had a short role in the film which had Shah Rukh and Amitabh Bachchan in lead roles and served as a launch pad for six youngsters - Uday Chopra, Shamita Shetty, Preeti Jhangiani, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jugal Hansraj and Kim Sharma. He went on to say, “I was trying
a lot to do a normal film with her where we could get out of these brother-sister things.” He even said, “We have now become parents and meet outside our children’s school when we pick up our kids.” He apologised her for not attending her daughter Aaradhya’s birthday party but mentioned that his younger son AbRam had attended the bash and thought Amitabh Bachchan was his grandfather too. “I am sorry my son made your father-in-law my papa, I have a working problem with her (Aishwarya).” Aishwarya and Shah Rukh were last seen together in 2016 film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. While Aishwarya had a pivotal role in the film, Shah Rukh had a guest appearance in the role of her exhusband.
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Austin South Asian | May 2020