Are You a Procrastinator?

Do you usually turn in your work ahead of time or are you one of those people who usually waits a couple days or so before starting their work? If you usually wait, that’s called procrastination, which is literally the act of putting off your obligations.

Coronavirus in the U.S.

The novel coronavirus originating in China has traveled into the United States. Last week, there were up to 12 cases of the virus reported in the U.S.
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Have you been following the news about the novel coronavirus? Do you know what it is and how it started? In December 2019, the novel coronavirus began to take effect and spread amongst the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

©Miguel Candela

Although this is the first time scientists have ever seen this form of coronavirus, the coronaviruses are said to have been around since the 1960’s. The novel coronavirus is one of many coronaviruses. According to a MedicalNewsToday report by Maria Cohut, “Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that target and affect mammals’ respiratory systems. According to their specific characteristics, there are four main “ranks” (genera) of coronaviruses, which are called alpha, bet, delta, and gamma.” Before the novel coronavirus only the alpha and beta genres could be transmitted to humans from animals. In previous years there has been two global outbreaks from the coronaviruses. Although, between December 2019 and now, the novel coronavirus has spread widely causing at least 910 global deaths. Just last week there were at least 12 cases of the novel coronavirus reported in the U.S. The virus has been reported at least once in each of the following states: Washington, Illinois, Arizona, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, California, and Texas. In almost every single one of these cases the patients were all people who had either recently traveled to or from Wuhan, or people who had been in contact with someone who had recently traveled to or from Wuhan. In attempts to protect Americans from the coronavirus threat the CDC, Centers for Disease Control Prevention, has put up restrictions for any US citizen that spent time in China’s Hubei province around the time of the novel coronavirus outbreak. According to a CNN report by Scottie Andrew, “Upon their return [to the United States], those citizens will be subject to a mandatory quarantine of up to 14 days, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said January 31.”

©BBC

The CDC has been urging citizens to be knowledgeable of the symptoms of this novel coronavirus, while they have also been urging citizens to “follow the flu season protocol” for prevention. In other words, wash your hands regularly, avoid other sick people, and avoid too many public situations if possible. It is also encouraged for US citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to China.

Have You Updated Your I.D.?

By October 1, 2020 all United States citizens will need to have updated their Identification cards in order to fly.  

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Have you heard about the new Identification cards? These new identification cards are called “REAL IDs.” It is said that by October 1, 2020, any American that uses airplanes as a mode of transportation will need a REAL ID. The new ID card was put in effect by the REAL ID Act that was passed in 2005. According to an article published by Upgraded Points, LLC., the REAL ID Act was “formulated in the wake of September 11 and passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act was passed to ‘set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.’” Now, nearly 15 years later, the act will finally be fully implemented beginning October 1. After October 1, 2020, these new cards will be needed to travel throughout the United States for anybody 18 and over. The REAL IDs will also be needed to visit military bases or any other secured federal facilities. Citizens will have to apply for these REAL IDs, while making sure they have all the right and required documents to obtain the REAL ID. The office of the Secretary of State has put together a REAL ID checklist in order to help citizens through the application process. What sets the REAL IDs aside from a regular ID is that in most states the REAL IDs have either a gold or black star on the front of the card. The gold or black stars on the IDs show as a sign of compliance with the law. You'll still need a passport to fly internationally but as far as inside the country you’ll need this new REAL ID or another form of a TSA-Approved ID.  According to a Transportation Security Administration blog, if you don’t have a REAL ID after October 1, TSA will accept “a valid passport, state-issued enhanced driver’s license or U.S. military ID.” If you show up and you do not have a REAL ID or another TSA-approved ID you will not be permitted through the security checkpoint, which means you won’t be able to fly. The REAL IDs are available now, so all citizens should make sure to have one by October 1, 2020. Though it is highly recommended that all citizens begin the process of obtaining these REAL IDs.