35 minute read
How to Clean Your Home After a Flood
BY CONSUMER REPORTS
If your house has flooded, once your local police or fire department says you can return, you’re in a race against mold growth to clear out debris from your home. If you have flood insurance, the very first thing to do is file a claim—you have only 60 days to send in a proof of loss form documenting the contents of your home. Though you may want to rush back to your home and start the cleanup process, take care because there can be unseen hazards. “A home or area that has been flooded should first be determined to be safe, with no structural, electrical, or other hazards,” says Enesta Jones, a spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Agency. Strong winds and flood waters can down power lines. And rushing water can erode the ground around buried utilities, potentially causing breaks in gas mains. So be sure to check for the smell of gas outside your home, as well as any dangling electrical wires, and call the gas or electric company, or the police or fire department if you find evidence of either. If you see any structural damage to the outside of the house, such as cracks or shifting of the foundation, or a tree on your house, bring in a building inspector or structural engineer, the Federal Emergency Management Agency advises. You’ll want to check for gas leaks and structural damage inside the home, too, says Don Huber, Consumer Reports’ director of product safety. If you smell gas once you’re inside, immediately turn off the main gas valve, open up all the windows, go outside, and call 911 and your gas company. If you get to the point where you realize you’re in over your head, do yourself a favor and hire some professional help. You can find a pro through a number of organizations that the EPA recommends: the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the National Environmental Health Association, the American Council for Accredited Certification, and the American Industrial Hygiene Association. Then, once you’re reasonably sure that your house is structurally sound and safe to enter, here are the steps to take to clean out your home.
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1. Wear Protection
When your home has been flooded, there’s more than just water to worry about. Flood waters ferry all the gross stuff at the bottom of storm drains, ditches, and sewer lines. When they recede, they could very well leave mud and toxic substances behind in your home. According to the EPA, coming into contact with sewage or mold can cause allergic reactions and other problems. “You have to assume that mold is growing after a flood,” says Kellogg Schwab, Ph.D., the Abel Wolman Professor in Water and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. “Mold can cause respiratory distress and can exacerbate asthma.” To protect yourself, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs. To shield your hands and face—and to avoid breathing in mold spores and toxic fumes—the EPA recommends wearing an N95 respirator, goggles tight enough to keep dust and small particles out of your eyes, and long, tight-fitting gloves made of rubber or neoprene. Keep anyone with a weak or compromised immune system out of the house because mold, cleaning chemicals, and sewage in storm runoff can make them even more sick.
2. Dry Out Your Home as Quickly as Possible
“Mold starts growing in damp places within 24 hours, and within two days, you can have visible colonies if it’s warm,” says Joan W. Bennett, Ph.D., a fungal geneticist and professor of plant biology and pathology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. The first step for getting rid of mold is to air out your house. •If you have power, turn on your air conditioner, a dehumidifier, and/or every fan you own. Keep your windows closed if you have a dehumidifier and an air conditioner to help the air circulate inside and get rid of excess moisture. Keep your windows open if you have only fans and face the exhaust toward an open window. •If you don’t have power but you own a portable generator, use it so that you can follow the strategy above. Just remember that generators emit deadly carbon monoxide; to avert carbon monoxide poisoning, never run a generator indoors. And “make sure to place the generator at least 20 feet from your home, with the exhaust facing away from your house,” advises John Galeotafiore, associate director of product testing at Consumer Reports. If your generator isn’t connected to a transfer switch in your home, use a heavygauge extension cord (around 12-gauge), to keep the generator at a safe distance from your house. •No power at all? If weather permits, open all your windows and doors to create airflow.
3. Monitor the Moisture
While you’re airing out your home, use a humidity meter, around $15 at hardware stores, to keep tabs on the moisture level. Aim for between 30 and 50 percent humidity to inhibit mold growth, the EPA advises. Floors, walls, and furniture may be dry to the touch and still harbor mold and bacterial growth. A moisture meter, $50 at hardware stores, is another good tool to have, so you can detect dampness you can’t see.
4. Remove Debris
Before you get rid of contaminated debris, be sure to put on your respirator and other protective gear. Jeff Bishop, former director on the board of the IICRC, recommends using shovels or rakes to remove wet silt and debris from your home, and depositing it a safe distance away from your house. Just make sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize your clothes and shoes and clean the tools with bleach after you use them. If you have flood insurance, call your insurance company about the documentation you need to back up your claim. You may need to save pieces of carpet, flooring, and walls, and take photos of the extent of the damage. The Insurance Information Institute says some insurers may want to view your property remotely via video continued on page 27
After a Flood /
continued from page 26 chat or even use drone footage to assess damage to your entire neighborhood. If any household items, such as pieces of furniture or carpeting, have been damaged and you can’t clean and dry them within 24 to 48 hours of your house being flooded, discard them, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. Chances are these items already harbor mold and can’t be saved. If there’s any item of value that has to be discarded, take a photo of it for your insurance claim. Ask your town’s sanitation department about how to dispose of household items from your cleanup.
5. Remove Damaged Drywall
If the drywall in your home has more than 10 square feet total of water damage, the EPA recommends hiring a contractor with experience handling water damage to remove it. Any area smaller than that, however, you can deal with yourself. You’ll want to cut the drywall 15 to 24 inches above the visible water line. “Take a utility knife, score the drywall, then punch it in,” Bishop says. Check with your local sanitation department to see whether you need to take the drywall to a dump yourself, or if you can just pile it up on your curb for trash pickup. Then, if the insulation behind the drywall is damp, you’ll need to remove that, too. Nonporous materials, such as metal and glass, can simply be cleaned thoroughly with water and detergent and sanitized with a bleach and water solution. The CDC recommends 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water to remove mold on hard surfaces. Don’t seal any walls up with new insulation and drywall until everything is completely dry.
6. Remove Flooring
Even if they appear dry, ceramic tile, sheet vinyl, laminate, and solid wood floors should be removed because moisture and silt collects underneath them—and cause bacteria or mold to grow. Once you discard these, ensure that everything is clean and dry before installing new flooring. Maintain your home’s humidity at 30 to 50 percent, and use a moisture meter to check that subflooring is at or below 16 percent moisture content before installing new flooring (for wood floors, manufacturers advise that the subfloor’s moisture content should be 13 percent or less). Be patient—it might take a few weeks for your flooring to return to a reasonable moisture content, Bishop says.
7. Check Appliances and Countertops Thoroughly
Whatever you do, don’t plug in or otherwise provide power to your appliances right away, because their components could be corroded or damaged by flood waters. If an appliance, such as your washer or stove, has been submerged in flood water, Consumer Reports recommends discarding it to be safe. If you think an appliance can be saved, make sure to hire a professional repair person to inspect it before putting it back into service. “Mold doesn’t do a great job of growing on metals or ceramics,” says Bennett, the professor of Plant Biology and Pathology at Rutgers University. However, you still want to wipe down everything with bleach to sanitize and kill any possible mold. If there’s no visible mold, the CDC recommends using a solution of 1 cup of bleach to 5 gallons of water for cleaning most nonporous surfaces, such as the metal on appliances. If you see mold growth, use 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Be sure to rinse or wipe items and allow them to completely air-dry before you use them.
8. Vet the People You Hire
Bishop, the former director on the board of the IICRC, emphasizes that there are a lot of scams involving restoring flood-damaged homes after disasters, so be sure that the restoration firm you hire is certified for mold and water damage remediation. (See the list of organizations recommended by the EPA, above.) Check your local government’s website to see whether there’s a department that handles flood assistancep
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Why Your Loved One Stays In a Toxic Relationship and How You Can Help Them
BY MARY CAMPBELL
Your friend or family member is struggling with an abusive relationship. Things have been so bad on several occasions that you have been convinced they would leave their partner. But this does not happen. What's the problem? An abusive, toxic relationship is one in which one party controls or subdues the other. They do this through manipulation, humiliation, physical violence or its threat, guilt, and shame, among other mechanisms. The abuse can be emotional or physical. Looking from the outside, you may wonder why your loved one does not leave the relationship. To an outsider, leaving a toxic relationship should be easy. Not quite. Every situation is different, and no approach suits all relationships. But one thing is clear - leaving a toxic relationship is not easy. Below are reasons that may hold back a victim.
Practical considerations:
Does the person have a place to live? What if there are children? Will the abused take the children or leave them with the abuser? Financial considerations may also make it difficult to leave. If the abused is not financially independent, they may not be able to pay for accommodation. Is the person dependent on their abuser for immigration benefits (Green Card)?
Psychological reasons:
According to experts, psychological abuse does not happen overnight. It starts with an innocent-sounding criticism, a harmless (you think) insult here, an off-hand comment there. Over time, the insults become habitual. However, the disparaging comments are peppered with episodes of affection, making the abused believe the loving side is the abuser's real self. As a result, your friend stays in the relationship because they are trying to win back the abuser's affection. And the abuser most likely blames the abused for the situation. "If you were not so annoying, things would be okay between us," the abuser says. "If only I did not make him angry, then he wouldn't hit me," the abused thinks to herself.
Other reasons:
Threats The abuser may threaten to harm the abused, children, friends, and other family members of the abused if the victim leaves. Isolation Abusers mostly isolate their victims from family and friends, making the abused feel lonely and unsure of the love of others. The abused may opt to stay with the abuser rather than risk being alone.
So, what can you do to support your loved one?
• Give a listening ear Offer a sounding board to your loved one. Listen without judging and without apportioning blame. Your loved one has to decide to leave the toxic relationship—no one else. Encourage the abused to seek professional help but let them know you are there for them. • Share your story If you have been and successfully left an abusive relationship, share your experience with your friend. Make it clear that you're not judging them but are ready to stand by them when they are prepared to leave the abuser • Reaffirm your friend Let your friend know that you believe in them. In as many ways as you can, let them know that they are strong and can survive on their own. To a person on the outside, ending continued on page 29
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Immigrants and Domestic Violence
BY WWT STAFF WRITER
Immigrants are particularly vulnerable because many may not speak English, are often separated from family and friends, and may not understand the laws of the United States. For these reasons, immigrants are often afraid to report acts of domestic violence to the police or to seek other forms of assistance. Such fear causes many immigrants to remain in abusive relationships. Immigrants in the US. have the right to live a life free of abuse. Due to the victim’s immigration status, abusive partners have additional ways to exert power and control over their victims. If you are an immigrant or refugee in an abusive relationship, you may face unique issues that make it hard to reach out for help. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a landmark piece of legislation seeking to improve criminal legal, and community-based responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the United States. This federal law provides numerous forms of protection for noncitizen women—and men—who are the victims of domestic violence or other qualifying crimes. There are three forms of protection: “U” visas for victims of crime, “T” visas for victims of severe forms of trafficking, and “self-petitions” under the VAWA. Any victim of domestic violence — regardless of immigration or citizenship status — can seek help. An immigrant victim of domestic violence may also be eligible for immigration-related protections. If you are experiencing domestic violence in your home, you are not alone. A specialized immigration attorney should always be your first point of contact regarding immigration questions and concerns. You can also listen to Ask the Lawyer Radio Program on WVIP 93.5FM on Thursdays, 10pm-11pm, and Sundays, 11pm to 12am. The program provides excellent information and also an opportunity for a FREE, no-obligation legal consultation. The number to call is 855-768- 8845. You can also visit www.askthelawyer.us Domestic violence is against the law regardless of one’s immigration status. Be a loving family member, good friend, and caring neighbor: please share this information.p
Toxic Relationship
continued from page 28 a toxic relationship may look as easy as walking out. However, it's really complicated for the person on the inside. It takes meticulous planning. The person leaving a toxic relationship needs a safety net. She needs a plan. This is where you come in - to give substance to these plans. Encourage your loved one to seek professional help. • Don't give ultimatums Don't give your friend an ultimatum. Don't tell them, "You must leave by next month." Just be there for them and let them know that you will help them when they are ready to leave. • Don't shame Don't shame your friend in front of their abusive partner. Remember, you can't force your relative to leave the abusive relationship. You can only offer support when they are ready to go. • Take care of your emotional health Even as you care for your friend, don't neglect your emotional health. Care for yourself, as you can only care for others when you look after yourself. Set yourself boundaries as you offer emotional support to protect yourself. • Stay safe Both you and your loved one should stay safe. If the abuser is violent, make sure you don't endanger your loved one or your life. If your loved one feels unsafe in the house with the abuser, help them move to a safe place. Please encourage them to seek legal advice and counseling services.
Bottom line
You can't make your loved one leave a toxic relationship. However, you can love and support them. Be firm with them when they are indecisive and be there when they finally decide to walk away from the destructive relationship.p
Balancing Work and Parent Duties at Home
BY CHRIS TOBIAS
The benefits of a workfrom-home environment can be valuable for your family life. If you are a parent, then this is especially the case for maintaining the relationship with your children. However, not all workfrom-home scenarios are picture perfect as they sound, as it can be tricky to juggle the relationship between work and family life. How do you make things work and enjoy a productive home-based professional life as a parent? Here are several tips you can integrate into your work-fromhome routine.
Find Additional Sources of Help
Sometimes, the obvious thing would be to find sources of assistance to help you care for your children. If you have available relatives or close friends who are open to assisting with babysitting duties, then create an arrangement with them. The benefits to your home-work life balance will be profound, and in addition you can further grow the relationship with your family as a whole. Home day care services, mom groups, and parent clubs also exist to help you with childcare duties. While you may not always be around your kid 24 hours of the day, these services can help fill in. In addition, you can recover and rejuvenate energy for when you do have time to spend with them.
Emphasize Your Home Schedule
Even with the work coming home, you can still prioritize a schedule that still works effectively to perform your parenting duties. Look at the objectives you have in front of you and pick some of the most important ones. By doing this, you can focus your efforts on the most important items on your list, while saving enough energy for your parental responsibilities. This is because you are not wasting energy and resources on unnecessary tasks while feeling strained having to meet deadlines. For the type of tasks to focus on, think about the ones that can lead to significant progress towards a project or objective. If you are working on a marketing plan, then focus on the core idea of the plan so that you can then have a firm blueprint on what your team can work on the next day when the office opens. In other cases, you can complete the negotiations on a marketing project or get an approved budget from your team. If you can only do one thing in a day, then make sure it is an important initiative that addresses many other little action items associated with the project. By doing this, you can continue to be productive while saving time to be a parent.
Have Realistic Expectations
for Your Approach It is important to not be caught up in the need to complete everything. Family life and work life means you have to strike a good balance. It is important to recognize this and set realistic expectations for how productive you can be as a parent working from home. Once you recognize this, you can make decisions such as outsourcing some work to take less important tasks off your plate. In addition, you can make a commitment to pause work when your child is with you, or if your partner isn't around to help with parenting duties at certain times.
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Consider More Automation
There are a number of surprising tasks that can be completed more efficiently with some automation technology. Once you establish a script, you can let the system take care of the rest and help you get mundane tasks done. The time saved from doing these tasks can save you a lot of hours per week. The amount of time saved can be used to balance out work with your family time. Tasks such as bookkeeping, email scheduling, and daily reporting are among the types of tasks you can leave to automation tools. Parenthood does not mean you have to forgo work while you're at home. There may be a period of time in which you will have to adjust to your dual responsibilities and come to a reasonable system that helps you fulfill both roles. However, the rewards of a healthy work-life balance at home can be worth it for your family. In addition to improved productivity, your experiences as a parent can be more valuable. If you are transitioning into a home-based work environment as a parent, then consider these tips to help you optimize your work and family life balance.p
Love, Health & Travel
NYC Test & Trace Corps Engages Over One Million Close Contacts Through Contact Tracing Program
NEW YORK, NY: The NYC Test & Trace Corps announced that its Trace program has engaged over one million close contacts of cases of COVID-19. The regular communication between the City’s contact tracers with people who’ve contracted or been exposed to COVID-19 has ensured New Yorkers effectively isolate and quarantine to stop the spread and are referred to the resources they need to safely isolate and recover, including hotel stays, food deliveries, cash assistance, testing and vaccinations. “The one million contacts we’ve engaged are one million critical opportunities our contact tracers have acted upon to connect New Yorkers exposed to COVID-19 with the vital information and resources to safely quarantine, recover and prevent further infection in their homes and communities,” said NYC Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long. “Every contact we’ve reached has helped us better understand what we can do to help the next, expanding our Take Care program’s essential services and directing our testing and vaccine resources where they’re needed most. I want to salute our contact tracers, who have worked around the clock for months on end to reach out and support their neighbors. Without them, this unparalleled, community-driven epidemiological effort would never have been possible.” Contact tracers’ efforts to identify and reach out to close contacts, or those exposed to COVID-19, begin immediately after someone tests positive. Time is of the essence, as the sooner people infected with COVID-19 provide contact information for family, friends and co-workers they’ve spent time in close proximity with, the sooner contact tracers can notify these contacts that they have been exposed. These conversations ensure that people who’ve been exposed to COVID-19 receive the resources they need to quickly quarantine and break chains of transmission. Since the program’s launch, Test & Trace’s contact tracers have been able to reach 88 percent of the over 900,000 city residents who are cases of COVID-19. These New Yorkers, in turn, have identified one million others whom they may have exposed to the virus. Trace’s massive outreach effort has provided nearly a quarter of New York City residents with much-needed information and resources throughout the pandemic. The program has helped people with COVID-19 isolate so they could recover and keep their loved ones and communities safe, and enabled those exposed to safely and comfortably quarantine to prevent further infection. “This incredible milestone further illustrates the powerful role that our City’s tracing program has played in helping to draw back the horrific impacts of this pandemic,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “We thank all of our partners — from our sister agencies, the experts who contributed to our model, the community-based organizations that support our outreach, our workforce, and more — that have made the success of our tracing program what it’s been.” “The partnership between the NYC Test & Trace Corps and the Health Department has enabled us to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, connect New Yorkers to services, and save lives,” said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “I congratulate the contact tracers on this milestone and am grateful for the tireless work they have done in our COVID-19 response.”p
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How to Love the Middle Seat
BY ROSALIND STEFANAC WEBMD HEALTH NEWS
TThe middle seat on an airplane has gotten a bad rap. It may not be as alluring as the window seat, which offers a bird’s eye view of the world below, nor does it provide the freedom of the aisle seat, where frequent trips to the lavatory are permitted. But with the right kind of attitude and a certain amount of preparedness, the middle seat can still provide a pleasant flying experience. Don't believe us? Here's how you too can fall in love with the middle seat.
Know the Rules
From refraining to recline your seat inflight to deplaning in an orderly fashion, air travel has an inordinate amount of etiquette rules. Regardless of whether you agree with these unspoken mandates, there is one stipulation about middle seats that could work in your favor. Each airplane seat is permitted one distinguished perk — the aisle has the most breathing space, the window seat has a built-in headrest, and the middle seat is allowed both armrests. So, next time you find yourself stuck in the middle, take full advantage of those armrests — you deserve it.
Chat Up Your Neighbor
When you’re stuck in a middle seat, there’s a chance that the person sitting next to you is interesting. So why not chat with them? You might meet someone fascinating or learn something new. If the exchange goes well, you could even make a new travel buddy along the way. Even better, the middle seat is the perfect place for professional networking — you never know where a new connection might be. Either way, a little friendly conversation can go a long way and the middle seat is the perfect place to start.
Bring Entertainment
Bringing your own entertainment is crucial for any flight, but especially when you're in the middle seat. If the middle seat makes you feel cramped or awkward, distraction is key. Download Netflix shows on your phone, dive into a new podcast, or bring a good book. Most important of all, make sure you come prepared. Charge your phone or pack an extra battery pack. If you’re a speedy reader, bring more than one book. With a little diversion, time will fly by — even in the middle seat.
Invest in Comfort
Most people avoid the middle seat because the lack of personal space makes it uncomfortable. However, once you invest in your travel comfort, the middle seat will become more appealing. Many of us already travel with the requisite neck pillow and eye mask, but you shouldn’t stop there. A travel blanket will keep you warm and cozy, even if you’re sandwiched between two people. A hammock footrest allows you to extend and elevate your legs in any seat and a frontal travel pillow allows you to sleep comfortably on your tray table during the flight.
Stop Stressing
In general, the middle seat seems to provoke stress in travelers. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by the tight quarters or worried about bothering your neighbors, cut yourself some slack. It’s okay to get up to use the lavatory more than once — especially on a long flight. If you need to access something in the overhead compartment, you are certainly allowed to do so. Of course, the Golden Rule should always be in effect. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. Respect your neighbor’s personal space and it’s likely they will respect yours. After all, you’re in this together.
Focus on the Future
If you fly economy, you need to accept that the middle seat is a fact of life. Whether you’re booking basic economy, traveling with a partner or friend, or using an airline without assigned seating, a middle seat could be in your near future. So why not embrace it? Any plane ride — no matter how long — is only for a finite amount of time and anything that is temporary is manageable. Instead of focusing on the middle seat, focus on where you’re headed. Hopefully, it’s somewhere exciting, adventurous, or beautiful — and that should make your undesirable seat location totally worth it.p Jersey Griggs is a Writer for The Discoverer. He is also an editor based out of Portland, Maine. When not writing or traveling, she’s likely doing something outside with her husband and pup.
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Love, Health & Travel
Working the Night Shift Linked to Heart Problems, Study Finds
BY ROSALIND STEFANAC WEBMD HEALTH NEWS
Night Shift work not only disrupts your sleep schedule, but it could also increase your risk of having an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AFib), as well as coronary heart disease, according to new research. In a large study of 283,657 employed people in the United Kingdom without AFib or heart disease when the study began, researchers found that commonly working night shifts was associated with an increased AFib risk of 12%, compared to daytime workers. The risk increased to 18% for people working night shifts for 10 or more years, and 22% if they were averaging three to eight night shifts a month. The results also showed that working the night shift for 10 or more years was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease of 37%, compared to daytime workers. What’s more, the study showed that lifetime night shift workers who reported doing 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes or more of vigorous activity, or a combination of both, had a lower risk of AFib than people who were less active. These findings furthered evidence that exercise is good for heart health. This study was published in the European Heart Journal and is the first to examine the correlation between night shifts and AFib, an abnormal heart rhythm that can make strokes more likely. Given the results, investigators hope the study will influence future guidelines around the frequency and duration of night shift work. “More observational studies in various populations are needed,” said Lu Qi, MD, of the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, one of the study’s lead authors. “In addition, clinical trials could be designed to test whether modifications of shift work may change health status.” “Long-term regular night shift work is not a healthy lifestyle … humans are not programmed to do this regularly and for long term,” said Rakesh Gopinathannair, MD, Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratories director at the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute. “This study shows that progressive increase in the burden of night shift work is associated with higher incidence of AF and cardiovascular risk.”p
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The Lingering Effects of 9/11 On Immigrants
BY LINDA NWOKE SPECIAL TO WWT
The month of September remains a significant month in the history of the United States since that fateful event of 9/11. A day that informed the design and implementation of several immigration policies to forestall possible threats of terrorism with a resultant impact by immigrants. With a laser focus on detecting and preventing terrorist activities, these policies have left a lasting legacy and remain a nightmare, especially for foreign immigrants from the Middle East. To date, most claim they have remained traumatized by some of the treatments and experiences they had. In a webinar organized by Documented and Intercept held among professionals and experts, and facilitated by Azmat Khan, the award-winning investigative journal and assistant professor at Columbia Journalism School, they explored the extent of the changes to the United States immigration system and security due to 9/11, as well as its effect among immigrants especially in New York and some parts of New Jersey.
Post-Attack Immigration Changes and Consequences
Arguably, some of the notable changes enforced in response to the attack included creating specific departments and institutions such as The Department of Homeland Security and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement service. Their activities became more pronounced, as evidenced by the increased raids, arrests, and detention of many immigrants. In New York City, Queens and Brooklyn became a danger zone for immigrants, especially from the Middle East, male and who were Muslim. Many people were tortured while in detention at various jails and prisons after an arrest. Mohammed Razvi, the Council of Peoples Organization (COPO) leader, one of the experts on the panel, explained that post 9/11, people began to live in fear. The 'Little Pakistan' community in NYC became a ghost town, and many people left because members of the community felt they became targets. "Community members mother, daughter, sisters were worried that their husbands Accountability & Responsibility project. She explained that there are programs that inappropriately affect immigrants, denying them their benefit, especially if they are on the government's watch list. Such programs place unsuspecting people on specific markers; thus, when they seek any help, their applications are denied or placed under the category of 'not eligible to benefit,' and only a background check will reveal if they are eligible. As attorneys, they can start an appeal, which though filed, does not guarantee approval. "We are sometimes forced to
and sons were picked up … the sad part was that no information or communication was given." He said. He explained the fear was unbelievable, and no one felt safe, including those who lived in the U.S. all their lives. Everyone felt they were a target. The Federal government's policy that required the registration of over 85,000 Muslims, including Pakistanis, caused an exodus from the city,"…as much as 20,000 people fled …people traveled from Brooklyn to Ontario, Canada." Another significant fallout was the lack of justice for those who experienced discrimination, most of whom didn't seek help, confirmed by Naz Ahmad, an attorney with the Creating Law Enforcement take a particular track …being able to appeal these things depends on what benefits are being applied for the person ", she explained. Unfortunately, most immigrants are unable to find out if they are on the watchlist. "… Nobody is ever going to tell you if you are on a watchlist if you are not a U.S. citizen or a Green Card holder." However, since the attack, a leak that occurred some years ago revealed the 'no-fly list/terrorist watchlist' says Murtaza Hussain, a national security and foreign policy intercept reporter. He also shared that investigative reports show that people are coerced to work against community members in exchange for their rights. "Rights were denied to people, and to get it back, you have to work for them – you become a tool in the hands of FBI, and you have to do what they tell you." That situation resulted in feelings of betrayal, loss of trust, and friendship. In a familiar case Asad Dandia, the co-founder of Muslims Giving Back, found himself. Sharing some of the ways he felt when he realized that he had been betrayed by someone close to him, who was working as an informant to a federal agency, acting as a spy - informing them of the group's activities." The SWAT abducted a friend of mine, and they asked him to spy on us…he refused at first, and they made things difficult for him. He decided to do it for some time but changed his mind. He has now left for the U.K." He explained that the FBI chose people to infiltrate the organization. "They get people to spy on your organization or get 15 years' incarceration…they use such methods to shut down communities." He also recalled feeling guilty, especially in another case where a close acquaintance turned spy had been introduced to many people within his close network, which led to them becoming targets by association. Emotions that Murtaza Hussain revealed he observed with members of the community that he supports, the actions have a very harmful and toxic social effect. "People became afraid to remain friends because they (FBI) pressured people to become an informant, "adding that it increased hate crimes. "At that time, I changed my name from Muhammed Razvi and started going as 'Mo' because I was afraid." Immigrants caught in the web of acting as spies within their community or an organization that works with selected communities feel trapped and compelled due to their circumstances being used against them, often linked to their citizenship and immigration status. Thus, they exploit their vulnerabilities and use it against them, especially among those with peculiar circumstances. According to Naz Ahmad, some of the clients she has represented disclose that they felt manipulated and isolated because of their role."… It is not just that you are depriving them of benefits. You make them feel alone and isolated, using someone's immigration status and sometimes their children to get them to cooperate."
What Next?
No doubt, 9/11 will remain a memorable day and event in American history and for generations to come, and the American government remains committed to doing all it can to protect the lives and properties on its territory. However, in doing so, it is important they remember that there are American people in spirit even if they do not look, sound, or act so based on circumstances beyond their control. Such people should not pay the price for those that are anti-American but share similar characteristics with them. While perpetrators must be deterred and held accountable for wrongs, innocent persons should be protected and humanly treated. To this end, the press and legal practitioners remain essential in calling out inhumane behaviors and publicizing them to deter dehumanizing behaviors in the name of enforcing the law. "Have the press talk about the issue to increase the pressure by calling out every negative behavior," Muhammed added.p
