usatoday--2020-12-13--Scams likely to heat up after COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Sometimes , scam alerts get out there to warn consumers about an ongoing trouble spot – such as a flurry of robocalls from someone pretending to be from DTE Energy and ready to shut off your heat or someone pretending to be from Amazon or Apple support as you 're shopping online .
Other times , consumer watchdogs want to get the word out ahead of the curve .
They 're not hearing from upset consumers just yet , but they know that scammers are waiting in the wings and ready to pounce .
Enter the warnings about scams and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines could be out before Christmas – but again , we 're not talking about a wide supply .
And it 's expected that frontline health care workers will get vaccinated first .
Who 's sure to have the hard-to-get vaccines ?
Criminal networks are ready to roll out counterfeit versions of approved vaccines , much like fake Gucci bags and Nike sneakers .
We 're using more plastic : Bags , forks and containers are everywhere during the pandemic , increasing pollution What kind of vaccine scams can we expect ?
Already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposters claiming to be Social Security Administration workers in order to get sensitive information from people .
`` For example , the scammer calls saying that they are from the Social Security Administration and they ’ re calling to sign the person up to receive their vaccine , '' said Jon Miller Steiger , director of the East Central Region for the Federal Trade Commission .
The regional office , based in Cleveland , serves Ohio , Michigan , Pennsylvania , Virginia , West Virginia , Maryland , Delaware and the District of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the scammer is going to ask for important information such as your Medicare number , name , address and possibly bank account information .
`` This is a scam , '' Steiger said .
`` The Social Security Administration will not sign you up to receive a vaccine and will not ask for sensitive information by phone , email or text . ''
What are some red flags of a COVID-19 scam ?
Here 's a quick list of potential scams to avoid in the coming months , according to the FTC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you they can get you on a waiting list to get a vaccine , forget about it .
They 're going to tell you that you need to buy gift cards or hand over cash to get on that list .
Hang up ; it 's a scam .
• No one is going to be calling you about the vaccine and asking for your Social Security number , your credit card number or your bank account number in order to make sure you can get the coronavirus vaccine .
Again , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to pitch other `` products , treatments , or medicines , '' according to the FTC , that they might claim prevent the virus .
You want to check with your health care provider before paying for or receiving any COVID-19-related treatment .
We know these things to be true because they happen over and over again when a big event hits the news .
The vaccine is likely to be the hot thing in December and for much of 2021 .
Two things drive most scams : fear and greed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain fearful about getting COVID-19 .
Scammers can play with your emotions , sound convincing and get you to hand over your cash .
The sooner you get a vaccine , well , maybe the sooner you can see your grandkids .
Who needs to run a sweepstakes scam – though you know those are n't going away – when you know everybody 's on edge and you can catch them off guard with promises that the vaccine is heading their way ?
Attorney general , others warning us now Michigan Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan Department of Health and Human Services , is warning consumers to avoid `` false claims , products and services that promise to cure , treat or prevent COVID-19 .
Vaccines , treatments , test kits and clinical trials are all examples of what scammers may be offering . ''
Consumers must keep in mind that a vaccine distribution process in the U , S .
remains unclear for now .
Your best bet will be to pay attention to information from your doctor and local health department .
“ We all want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Nessel said in a statement .
`` But until a vaccine is approved for distribution by the FDA , if someone offers you a COVID-19 vaccine , do not take it ! ''
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also expects a surge in attempts by crooks to sell counterfeit versions of approved vaccines .
`` Despite widespread illness and death caused by COVID-19 , many individuals and criminal networks are continuing to exploit the pandemic for illegal financial gains , using fraudulent schemes to source , produce , export or sell fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
ICE says that as of Nov. 25 , it had seized more than $ 26 million in illicit proceeds from COVID-19-related fraud and criminal activity .
The agency has made 170 arrests , executed 148 search warrants and reviewed more than 69,000 COVID-19 domain names .
`` Working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection , more than 1,600 shipments of mislabeled , fraudulent , unauthorized or prohibited COVID-19 test kits and other related items have been seized , '' the agency said .
This year , many consumers are already getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 tests and COVID-19 studies , according to Laura Blankenship , director of marketing for the Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan & the Upper Peninsula .
One so-called COVID-19 study promised up to $ 1,220 in compensation .
An unsolicited message may claim that you may qualify for a COVID-19 study .
Kind of a new version of one of those mystery shopper deals .
Instead of getting paid to shop , though , you supposedly get paid to be a COVID-19 vaccine pin cushion .
The fraudsters know we 're hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In other cases , the con artists impersonate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization .
Again , the phishing email is likely to include a link .
By clicking on a link in these emails , Blankenship said , the consumer often would end up downloading malware , potentially compromising personal information .
The fraudsters use the same platforms that they use for romance scams , sweepstakes scams and the like .
They 're reaching out through email , text messages and through fake websites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your health – or your dating life , or the heating bill at your home – you 've got to step back and recognize that the crooks are well-versed on how to steal your identity and your money .
ContactSusan Tompor v stompor @ freepress.com .
Follow her on Twitter @ tompor .
To subscribe , please go to freep.com/specialoffer .
Read more on business and sign up for our business newsletter .

Scams likely to heat up after COVID-19 vaccine rollout
Sometimes, scam alerts get out there to warn consumers about an ongoing trouble spot – such as a flurry of robocalls from someone pretending to be from DTE Energy and ready to shut off your heat or someone pretending to be from Amazon or Apple support as you're shopping online.
Other times, consumer watchdogs want to get the word out ahead of the curve. They're not hearing from upset consumers just yet, but they know that scammers are waiting in the wings and ready to pounce.
Enter the warnings about scams and COVID-19 vaccines. Limited supplies of some vaccines could be out before Christmas – but again, we're not talking about a wide supply. And it's expected that frontline health care workers will get vaccinated first.
Who's sure to have the hard-to-get vaccines? Criminal networks are ready to roll out counterfeit versions of approved vaccines, much like fake Gucci bags and Nike sneakers.
We're using more plastic: Bags, forks and containers are everywhere during the pandemic, increasing pollution
Holiday shopping: Will COVID-19 vaccine shipments delay your gifts?
What kind of vaccine scams can we expect?
Already, consumer watchdogs are hearing reports of imposters claiming to be Social Security Administration workers in order to get sensitive information from people.
"For example, the scammer calls saying that they are from the Social Security Administration and they’re calling to sign the person up to receive their vaccine," said Jon Miller Steiger, director of the East Central Region for the Federal Trade Commission. The regional office, based in Cleveland, serves Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia.
As part of the sign-up, the scammer is going to ask for important information such as your Medicare number, name, address and possibly bank account information.
"This is a scam," Steiger said.
"The Social Security Administration will not sign you up to receive a vaccine and will not ask for sensitive information by phone, email or text."
What are some red flags of a COVID-19 scam?
Here's a quick list of potential scams to avoid in the coming months, according to the FTC and others:
If someone tells you they can get you on a waiting list to get a vaccine, forget about it. They're going to tell you that you need to buy gift cards or hand over cash to get on that list. Hang up; it's a scam.
No one is going to be calling you about the vaccine and asking for your Social Security number, your credit card number or your bank account number in order to make sure you can get the coronavirus vaccine. Again, it's a scam.
Scammers are likely to pitch other "products, treatments, or medicines," according to the FTC, that they might claim prevent the virus. You want to check with your health care provider before paying for or receiving any COVID-19-related treatment.
We know these things to be true because they happen over and over again when a big event hits the news. The vaccine is likely to be the hot thing in December and for much of 2021.
Two things drive most scams: fear and greed.
Many people, particularly the elderly, remain fearful about getting COVID-19. Scammers can play with your emotions, sound convincing and get you to hand over your cash. The sooner you get a vaccine, well, maybe the sooner you can see your grandkids.
Who needs to run a sweepstakes scam – though you know those aren't going away – when you know everybody's on edge and you can catch them off guard with promises that the vaccine is heading their way?
Attorney general, others warning us now
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, in coordination with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is warning consumers to avoid "false claims, products and services that promise to cure, treat or prevent COVID-19. Vaccines, treatments, test kits and clinical trials are all examples of what scammers may be offering."
Consumers must keep in mind that a vaccine distribution process in the U,S. remains unclear for now. Your best bet will be to pay attention to information from your doctor and local health department.
“We all want this devastating virus to go away,” Nessel said in a statement. "But until a vaccine is approved for distribution by the FDA, if someone offers you a COVID-19 vaccine, do not take it!"
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also expects a surge in attempts by crooks to sell counterfeit versions of approved vaccines.
"Despite widespread illness and death caused by COVID-19, many individuals and criminal networks are continuing to exploit the pandemic for illegal financial gains, using fraudulent schemes to source, produce, export or sell fake vaccines and related products," investigators say.
ICE says that as of Nov. 25, it had seized more than $26 million in illicit proceeds from COVID-19-related fraud and criminal activity. The agency has made 170 arrests, executed 148 search warrants and reviewed more than 69,000 COVID-19 domain names.
"Working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, more than 1,600 shipments of mislabeled, fraudulent, unauthorized or prohibited COVID-19 test kits and other related items have been seized," the agency said.
Watch out for phony testing
This year, many consumers are already getting hit by phishing emails and texts involving COVID-19 tests and COVID-19 studies, according to Laura Blankenship, director of marketing for the Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan & the Upper Peninsula.
One so-called COVID-19 study promised up to $1,220 in compensation. An unsolicited message may claim that you may qualify for a COVID-19 study.
Kind of a new version of one of those mystery shopper deals. Instead of getting paid to shop, though, you supposedly get paid to be a COVID-19 vaccine pin cushion. The fraudsters know we're hard up for cash in this up-and-down economy.
In other cases, the con artists impersonate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization. Again, the phishing email is likely to include a link.
By clicking on a link in these emails, Blankenship said, the consumer often would end up downloading malware, potentially compromising personal information.
The fraudsters use the same platforms that they use for romance scams, sweepstakes scams and the like. They're reaching out through email, text messages and through fake websites.
No matter how anxious you are about your health – or your dating life, or the heating bill at your home – you've got to step back and recognize that the crooks are well-versed on how to steal your identity and your money.


usatoday--2020-12-13--Opinion: Pac-12 should cancel its conference title game and declare USC the champion

In a season that ’ s been shaken by more than 120 canceled or postponed football games , the Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conferences recently demonstrated leadership and flexibility by rewriting rules or changing schedules to benefit their best football teams – Ohio State , Notre Dame and Clemson .
And why not ?
Unusual times call for unusual measures .
But the Pac-12 is a different animal and now is faced with a different kind of pandemic predicament after Southern California ( 5-0 ) finished the regular season as the league ’ s only undefeated team .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night , 43-38 , and Colorado ( 4-1 ) lost at home to Utah , 38-21 .
Should the league change its own rules , decree USC to be the Pac-12 champion and cancel the league championship game scheduled for Friday ?
Or should it proceed with a title game that is starting to look like a sham because of more COVID-19 chaos ?
It would look like a sham because USC , as winner of the league ’ s South Division , would play the winner of the league ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – an opponent that will have gotten much more time to rest and prepare and arguably didn ’ t deserve to be there .
That opponent would appear to be Washington ( 3-1 ) after its game Saturday at Oregon was canceled because of the Huskies ' COVID-19 outbreak .
But Washington ’ s COVID issues could linger into next week , possibly preventing the Huskies from playing for the title Friday and putting second-place Oregon ( 3-2 ) in the title game instead .
The Pac-12 already confirmed to USA TODAY Sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't play , Oregon would take its place .
If USC could n't play , Colorado would takes its place .
Think about that .
The league is willing to let alternates play for the championship even though they did n't earn it and got into the game on a fluke .
It 's yet another reason USC should be declared champion now , preserving the integrity of the league 's title .
Other reasons to do so include : ►Both Washington and Oregon would have had two weeks off before playing USC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a short week of preparation for a Friday game .
►Even if Washington could play , the Huskies would have won the North Division by default , benefiting from avoiding Oregon and getting sick at the right time .
►If Oregon were to beat USC in such a title game , the Pac-12 will have ended up with a fluke champion while its highest-profile team – Southern Cal – got knocked out of contention for a top bowl .
If the Pac-12 were to cancel the title game , the league ostensibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with Fox , the game ’ s broadcaster .
That is why the conference is willing to stage this game with alternates if necessary – and why it almost certainly wo n't cancel .
Delaying the game a week also is not a good idea , since it would push it to Christmas weekend , when other leagues will be preparing for or playing in bowl games .
The bigger question is what the Pac-12 should do in this case , regardless of money .
Even though the league will schedule consolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it does n't mean it has to put its championship on the line in these circumstances .
If it canceled the title game , Washington and Oregon wouldn ’ t have much to complain about anyway .
Not only is Washington ’ s readiness in question because of COVID , so is its argument for deserving a shot .
The Huskies backed into the North title , haven ’ t played a road game all year and lost last week against Stanford , 31-26 .
Other leagues already have shown a willingness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their top programs .
In the ACC , athletic directors recently voted to shorten the regular season for its top two teams , No .
2 Notre Dame and No .
3 Clemson , clearing the way for them to meet in the league championship game Dec. 19 .
In the Big Ten , the league amended its own rules this week to advance No .
4 Ohio State into the championship game next weekend against No .
14 Northwestern , despite the fact that the Buckeyes ( 5-0 ) hadn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now it ’ s the Pac-12 ’ s turn .
The league can stick to protocol and avoid losing money by staging a dubious , unnecessary game to the detriment of its marquee team .
Or it can pull the plug and stand behind a deserving champion .

Opinion: Pac-12 should cancel its conference title game and declare USC the champion
In a season that’s been shaken by more than 120 canceled or postponed football games, the Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conferences recently demonstrated leadership and flexibility by rewriting rules or changing schedules to benefit their best football teams – Ohio State, Notre Dame and Clemson.
And why not? Unusual times call for unusual measures.
But the Pac-12 is a different animal and now is faced with a different kind of pandemic predicament after Southern California (5-0) finished the regular season as the league’s only undefeated team. The Trojans beat UCLA in the final minute Saturday night, 43-38, and Colorado (4-1) lost at home to Utah, 38-21.
Should the league change its own rules, decree USC to be the Pac-12 champion and cancel the league championship game scheduled for Friday? Or should it proceed with a title game that is starting to look like a sham because of more COVID-19 chaos?
It would look like a sham because USC, as winner of the league’s South Division, would play the winner of the league’s North Division on Friday for the title – an opponent that will have gotten much more time to rest and prepare and arguably didn’t deserve to be there.
That opponent would appear to be Washington (3-1) after its game Saturday at Oregon was canceled because of the Huskies' COVID-19 outbreak. But Washington’s COVID issues could linger into next week, possibly preventing the Huskies from playing for the title Friday and putting second-place Oregon (3-2) in the title game instead.
The Pac-12 already confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Saturday night that if Washington couldn't play, Oregon would take its place. If USC couldn't play, Colorado would takes its place.
Think about that. The league is willing to let alternates play for the championship even though they didn't earn it and got into the game on a fluke. It's yet another reason USC should be declared champion now, preserving the integrity of the league's title.
Other reasons to do so include:
►Both Washington and Oregon would have had two weeks off before playing USC, while the Trojans would be faced with a short week of preparation for a Friday game.
►Even if Washington could play, the Huskies would have won the North Division by default, benefiting from avoiding Oregon and getting sick at the right time.
►If Washington couldn’t play Friday, USC would face a twice-beaten, second-place team participating in Washington’s place (Oregon).
►If Oregon were to beat USC in such a title game, the Pac-12 will have ended up with a fluke champion while its highest-profile team – Southern Cal – got knocked out of contention for a top bowl.
If the Pac-12 were to cancel the title game, the league ostensibly would take a financial hit in its deal with Fox, the game’s broadcaster. That is why the conference is willing to stage this game with alternates if necessary – and why it almost certainly won't cancel.
Delaying the game a week also is not a good idea, since it would push it to Christmas weekend, when other leagues will be preparing for or playing in bowl games.
The bigger question is what the Pac-12 should do in this case, regardless of money. Even though the league will schedule consolation games for other Pac-12 teams next weekend, it doesn't mean it has to put its championship on the line in these circumstances.
If it canceled the title game, Washington and Oregon wouldn’t have much to complain about anyway. Not only is Washington’s readiness in question because of COVID, so is its argument for deserving a shot. The Huskies backed into the North title, haven’t played a road game all year and lost last week against Stanford, 31-26.
Other leagues already have shown a willingness to reform this rumpled season to boost their top programs.
In the ACC, athletic directors recently voted to shorten the regular season for its top two teams, No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 3 Clemson, clearing the way for them to meet in the league championship game Dec. 19.
In the Big Ten, the league amended its own rules this week to advance No. 4 Ohio State into the championship game next weekend against No. 14 Northwestern, despite the fact that the Buckeyes (5-0) hadn’t played the minimum six games to qualify.
Now it’s the Pac-12’s turn. The league can stick to protocol and avoid losing money by staging a dubious, unnecessary game to the detriment of its marquee team. Or it can pull the plug and stand behind a deserving champion.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. E-mail: bschrotenb@usatoday.com


usatoday--2020-12-13--Community support, Black Lives Matter movement have helped local Black-owned businesses

WESTCHESTER , N.Y. – At the start of 2020 , Vivian C. Mackenzie had big plans for her small business .
Mackenzie , the owner of Kathleen ’ s Tea Room in Peekskill , New York – known for its afternoon tea service featuring scones and finger sandwiches – was planning to celebrate her 10th year in business with a new product : a make-at-home scone mix .
She also was hoping to increase her revenue by 3 % with new marketing efforts and catering for corporate events .
Instead , as the coronavirus pandemic raged on and indoor dining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let four employees go .
Her revenue was down 90 % .
The make-at-home scone idea , essentially a new business , also had to be shelved .
While the pandemic played a part , MacKenzie said another struggle she faced was a lack of access to the necessary financing she needed to do labeling , testing and packaging .
We 're using way more plastic : Bags , forks and containers are everywhere during the pandemic , increasing pollution '' I think it 's because Black small business owners tend not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses do , '' she said .
`` I was not able to get a loan until COVID and it did n't matter that I had profits hand over fist every year.
” The pandemic has had a devastating effect on small businesses across the country , but it has been especially brutal for Black-owned firms .
The number of Black business owners in the U.S. fell by 41 % from February to April , compared to 17 % of their white counterparts , according to a report by the National Bureau of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Reserve Bank of New York released a study which showed that Black-owned firms were also more likely to be located in COVID-19 hot spots , meaning these businesses were dealing with the `` double jeopardy '' of the health and economic crises .
But new numbers released by the Census Bureau might point to signs of a revival .
The data suggest an uptick in Black-owned businesses in October , surpassing February numbers by 5.4 % , according to a preliminary analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 0.4 % in the same period .
Some local businesses are attributing the increase to the support they have received as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement .
Dave King , who with his mother Patricia owns Caribreeze Vegan Delight , a Jamaican plant-based restaurant in Spring Valley , N.Y. , said business has never been better .
Although indoor dining had been shut down – the restaurant only seats nine so that was n't an issue – takeout orders doubled from the previous year .
“ Our business really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about coronavirus and meat processing plants and wanted to be safe and stay away from meat , ” he said .
“ Then in the aftermath of George Floyd , people wanted to support Black businesses when they started talking about Black Lives Matter .
My orders went up by five times .
We were kind of slow on business and the pandemic is what saved us.
” Many online directories of Black-owned businesses , including one started by the singer Beyoncé , have emerged in recent months .
Vanessa L. Seide said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Very Lovely Soles , a Bedford Hills , N.Y.-based online shoe company specializing in flats .
“ Once things started opening up , I think people started supporting small businesses first and then with the Black Lives Matter movement , they came out to support Black businesses .
So I was fortunate to get support in both of those aspects , ” she said .
`` This lady in the city posted my information on her website and I had 20 orders that one day .
I have never had that happen before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % compared to last year.
” Chris Bibbins had to shut down his business , Hill Top Barbershop in Spring Valley , N.Y. from March until June .
It ’ s open now , but business has been down by more than half .
“ With the pandemic , a lot of people just do n't want to come out to get a haircut , you know , and I use all the precautions .
We have separated the stations , we use hand sanitizer , we disinfect the place .
Every time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we sprayed a chair down , we disinfected , ” he said .
“ I mean , what else can you do if the people just do n't want to come to the barber shop ?
” Bibbins , who works for the highway department in the Town of Ramapo , N.Y. , said he is behind on rent payments on the property .
“ Thank goodness I have another job .
I would n't be able to survive , ” he said .
“ I am barely staying afloat here .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bibbins said he has not sought a loan .
“ I do n't want to break myself with any other type of debt , so I stayed away from it , ” he said .
“ When you think about how businesses start , and how they grow , personal capital , personal assets are so important to both the foundation of a small business and also its ability to secure capital , ” said Claire Kramer Mills , assistant vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York .
“ Very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a financial disadvantage .
On top of that , there are profound differences in banking relationships.
” Vivian MacKenzie was able to get a loan through the Payment Protection Plan , which Congress established to aid small businesses as part of the $ 2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act .
It helped her to keep Kathleen 's Tea Room open , but she said getting access to capital had always been a struggle .
`` I do n't think a lot of business owners know that they need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a smaller bank versus going to some of the bigger banks where you 're just a number , '' MacKenzie said .
Seide , founder of Very Lovely Soles , said that after seven years in the business , she was getting ready to close shop at the start of the year .
“ I couldn ’ t compete with Amazon and other big-name companies , ” said Seide , who went into business for herself after 13 years at Nine West .
She sourced materials from Italy and manufactured her shoes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was going to sell my inventory and not have the shoe collection anymore.
” Now , Seide said she plans to go full force and is getting ready to reorder some of her shoes .
That would be in keeping with data from the Census Bureau , which show that after the number of active Black-owned businesses nationally had dropped to 634,874 in April ( a 41 % decrease since February ) , it jumped back up to 1,133,727 in October , even surpassing February numbers which stood at 1,075,778 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Mills .
`` When you look at the aggregate numbers , you can tell a happy story that looks like they had come back .
That means that either businesses that were on hold were reopened or new ones were started .
But are people starting business side hustles because they lost their full-time job and ca n't find employment ?
And for African American-owned businesses , it 's disproportionately likely to be a solo gig.
” Mills said the new data suggest there ’ s a pivot going on around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifted during the pandemic and what they 're going to look like after the pandemic .
In Peekskill , Macknezie said she has received support from customers who want to support Black businesses .
`` Whether it 's Black-owned or not , it 's just important to support your local businesses .
These are the businesses that are here , your butchers , your dress shop owners , your bakers , these are the businesses that have been here and supported the communities , '' she said .
`` And we really want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of this . ''
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy covers women and power for the USA Today Network Northeast.Click here for her latest stories .
Follow her on Twitter at @ SwapnaVenugopal or email her at svenugop @ lohud.com

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Community support, Black Lives Matter movement have helped local Black-owned businesses
Show Caption Hide Caption Vivian McKenzie - Kathleen's Tea Room Vivian McKenzie talks about her business Kathleen's Tea Room, while at the Main Street in Peekskill location Dec. 4, 2020. Frank Becerra Jr., fbecerra@lohud.com
WESTCHESTER, N.Y. – At the start of 2020, Vivian C. Mackenzie had big plans for her small business.
Mackenzie, the owner of Kathleen’s Tea Room in Peekskill, New York – known for its afternoon tea service featuring scones and finger sandwiches – was planning to celebrate her 10th year in business with a new product: a make-at-home scone mix.
She also was hoping to increase her revenue by 3% with new marketing efforts and catering for corporate events.
Instead, as the coronavirus pandemic raged on and indoor dining was shut down, Mackenzie had to let four employees go. Her revenue was down 90%.
The make-at-home scone idea, essentially a new business, also had to be shelved.
While the pandemic played a part, MacKenzie said another struggle she faced was a lack of access to the necessary financing she needed to do labeling, testing and packaging.
Holiday shopping: Will COVID-19 vaccine shipments delay your holiday gifts?
We're using way more plastic: Bags, forks and containers are everywhere during the pandemic, increasing pollution
"I think it's because Black small business owners tend not to have access to the capital that other businesses do," she said. "I was not able to get a loan until COVID and it didn't matter that I had profits hand over fist every year.”
The pandemic has had a devastating effect on small businesses across the country, but it has been especially brutal for Black-owned firms. The number of Black business owners in the U.S. fell by 41% from February to April, compared to 17% of their white counterparts, according to a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
In August, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York released a study which showed that Black-owned firms were also more likely to be located in COVID-19 hot spots, meaning these businesses were dealing with the "double jeopardy" of the health and economic crises.
But new numbers released by the Census Bureau might point to signs of a revival. The data suggest an uptick in Black-owned businesses in October, surpassing February numbers by 5.4%, according to a preliminary analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. In comparison, white-owned businesses saw an uptick of 0.4% in the same period.
Some local businesses are attributing the increase to the support they have received as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Dave King, who with his mother Patricia owns Caribreeze Vegan Delight, a Jamaican plant-based restaurant in Spring Valley, N.Y., said business has never been better.
Although indoor dining had been shut down – the restaurant only seats nine so that wasn't an issue – takeout orders doubled from the previous year.
“Our business really picked up initially because people were worried about coronavirus and meat processing plants and wanted to be safe and stay away from meat,” he said. “Then in the aftermath of George Floyd, people wanted to support Black businesses when they started talking about Black Lives Matter. My orders went up by five times. We were kind of slow on business and the pandemic is what saved us.”
Many online directories of Black-owned businesses, including one started by the singer Beyoncé, have emerged in recent months.
Vanessa L. Seide said the pandemic also saved her company, Very Lovely Soles, a Bedford Hills, N.Y.-based online shoe company specializing in flats.
“Once things started opening up, I think people started supporting small businesses first and then with the Black Lives Matter movement, they came out to support Black businesses. So I was fortunate to get support in both of those aspects,” she said. "This lady in the city posted my information on her website and I had 20 orders that one day. I have never had that happen before. My overall sales are up 35% compared to last year.”
Black owned business owner has seen an increase in 2020 business Vanessa Seide, owner of Very Lovely Soles, has seen an increase in sales in 2020, which she attributes partly to support for Black owned businesses. Seth Harrison/lohud, The Journal News/lohud
Black businesses still struggle
Chris Bibbins had to shut down his business, Hill Top Barbershop in Spring Valley, N.Y. from March until June.
It’s open now, but business has been down by more than half.
“With the pandemic, a lot of people just don't want to come out to get a haircut, you know, and I use all the precautions. We have separated the stations, we use hand sanitizer, we disinfect the place. Every time someone gets out of a chair, we sprayed a chair down, we disinfected,” he said. “I mean, what else can you do if the people just don't want to come to the barber shop?”
Bibbins, who works for the highway department in the Town of Ramapo, N.Y., said he is behind on rent payments on the property.
“Thank goodness I have another job. I wouldn't be able to survive,” he said. “I am barely staying afloat here. It's getting tough.”
So far, Bibbins said he has not sought a loan.
“I don't want to break myself with any other type of debt, so I stayed away from it,” he said.
“When you think about how businesses start, and how they grow, personal capital, personal assets are so important to both the foundation of a small business and also its ability to secure capital,” said Claire Kramer Mills, assistant vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
“Very often, Black-owned businesses are starting with a financial disadvantage. On top of that, there are profound differences in banking relationships.”
Chris Bibbins, owner of Hill Top Barbershop in Spring Valley, talks about his business Chris Bibbins, owner of Hill Top Barbershop in Spring Valley, talks about how his business was affected by the pandemic John Meore, jmeore@lohud.com
Payment Protection Plan helps
Vivian MacKenzie was able to get a loan through the Payment Protection Plan, which Congress established to aid small businesses as part of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. It helped her to keep Kathleen's Tea Room open, but she said getting access to capital had always been a struggle.
"I don't think a lot of business owners know that they need to really build a relationship with their banker at a smaller bank versus going to some of the bigger banks where you're just a number," MacKenzie said.
Seide, founder of Very Lovely Soles, said that after seven years in the business, she was getting ready to close shop at the start of the year.
“I couldn’t compete with Amazon and other big-name companies,” said Seide, who went into business for herself after 13 years at Nine West. She sourced materials from Italy and manufactured her shoes at a factory in China. “I was going to sell my inventory and not have the shoe collection anymore.”
Now, Seide said she plans to go full force and is getting ready to reorder some of her shoes.
That would be in keeping with data from the Census Bureau, which show that after the number of active Black-owned businesses nationally had dropped to 634,874 in April (a 41% decrease since February), it jumped back up to 1,133,727 in October, even surpassing February numbers which stood at 1,075,778.
“The devil is in the details," said Mills. "When you look at the aggregate numbers, you can tell a happy story that looks like they had come back. That means that either businesses that were on hold were reopened or new ones were started. But are people starting business side hustles because they lost their full-time job and can't find employment? And for African American-owned businesses, it's disproportionately likely to be a solo gig.”
Mills said the new data suggest there’s a pivot going on around consumer preferences, especially how they've shifted during the pandemic and what they're going to look like after the pandemic.
In Peekskill, Macknezie said she has received support from customers who want to support Black businesses.
"Whether it's Black-owned or not, it's just important to support your local businesses. These are the businesses that are here, your butchers, your dress shop owners, your bakers, these are the businesses that have been here and supported the communities," she said. "And we really want them to still be in business at the end of this."
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy covers women and power for the USA Today Network Northeast. Click here for her latest stories. Follow her on Twitter at @SwapnaVenugopal or email her at svenugop@lohud.com


usatoday--2020-12-13--'Very unique' 2020 World Series of Poker Main Event gets underway with major modifications

It would be difficult to identify a major competition as poorly suited to pandemic conditions as the World Series of Poker Main Event .
In a typical year , you ’ re talking about 7,000 people packed into a convention center hall , sitting nearly elbow-to-elbow , passing chips and cards back and forth , playing for hours and hours every day for nearly two weeks until somebody finally wins a life-changing amount of money .
“ I think we came to realize almost immediately in mid-March that live poker tournaments , which are a definition of social gathering , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Ty Stewart , the World Series of Poker ’ s executive director .
But a year without crowning a Main Event champion was almost unthinkable .
Beyond being the biggest prize in poker , it ’ s an event that penetrates mainstream American culture whether it ’ s Matt Damon ’ s character in the 1998 movie `` Rounders '' thinking about going heads-up with Johnny Chan or an accountant named Chris Moneymaker showing up in 2003 and beating all the pros on ESPN to win $ 2.5 million .
Since then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every summer from all over the world , willing to put up $ 10,000 for their shot in the only kind of competition where poker pros , folks who play a weekly neighborhood game or celebrities like Tobey Maguire and Michael Phelps start off with the same chance to win .
“ I look at this like , hey , the NBA found a way to have a championship , the NFL found a way to have a season .
Even college football eventually came around , ” Phil Hellmuth , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record 15 WSOP bracelets , said in a phone interview this week .
“ So I ’ d hate to see a World Series board where there was no champion in 2020.
” With some major modifications to the format , a champion will be crowned this year after all .
Beginning Sunday , the WSOP has built a hybrid model for the tournament where players will play online for a projected two days until the field has been whittled down to nine for the final table .
At that point , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Dec. 28 , go through a COVID-19 testing process and play in person in a bubble-type environment until there ’ s just one left .
The same process is already underway in Europe , where the online stage is over and the final table will begin on Tuesday in the Czech Republic .
The two winners will then play heads-up in Las Vegas on Dec. 30 for the title of world champion and an extra $ 1 million .
The reaction to the format , Stewart said , was “ initially mixed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive ” because the big-name players ultimately understand how important it is for the growth of the sport to remain in the public view .
And like past years , ESPN will cover the tournament with a heavy emphasis on the final table and the heads-up championship match while also showing some key hands from the online portion in something of an e-sports format .
“ We felt like it ’ s our responsibility to not have an asterisk in 2020 into the history of the World Series of Poker , ” Stewart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that and players applaud the fact we 're in this for the long haul and we ’ re trying to provide opportunities and interest in the game and the Main Event is really the only event that creates national interest and international interest.
” It won ’ t be clear until the tournament begins how many players actually signed up this year .
Stewart said there were 674 entries on the international side .
Most likely , it will be a fraction of the 8,569 who played last year .
Part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play the Main Event this year , you have to be physically located in New Jersey or Nevada due to state regulations of online gaming .
The digital platform , Stewart said , is equipped with geotracking software that ensures players are logged onto a phone or computer within those state borders .
`` We expect some players may be sitting in parking lots or hotels or their home for the first time , and that makes it a very unique Main Event , ” he said .
It also changes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Hellmuth , who has career earnings of more than $ 15 million in WSOP tournaments alone , experience in being able to read opponents can be a pretty big advantage in the late stages of a long event .
He said before 2020 , he hadn ’ t played online poker in five years but has developed a better sense in recent months of picking up tells on the timing of when opponents raise or push all-in .
`` I think that it ’ s still a lot of the same principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s 50 , 60 players left in a tournament and people are getting nervous and they 're tired , ” he said .
“ It 's the end of a day and hopefully I can see what they ’ re doing more clearly whereas online there ’ s a little bit more cloak .
They can cloak their face , cloak their nervousness.
” In some ways , it ’ s kind of a full-circle moment for poker , which has always had to evolve to grow .
At the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invited seven of the top players to the Horseshoe casino , the winner was determined by a player vote after a series of cash games .
It wasn ’ t until 1982 that the Main Event topped 100 entrants .
The first million dollar prize was 1991 , and the first time television viewers saw the cards via the “ pocket cam ” was 2002 .
Moneymaker ’ s win sparked a boom of interest in the game worldwide , making it more accessible to people who weren ’ t professional gamblers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in how people could play online for money .
Now , because of COVID-19 , we ’ ll have a World Series champion where the bulk of the tournament was played virtually .
“ What we ’ re doing is just completing ( our seasons ) like the other sports leagues and I think it ’ s going to be a legitimate champion , ” Hellmuth said .
“ You look at what happened in the NBA , they had their tournament in a bubble and it was kind of like what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now we have our tournament with two days of online poker and more people are spending more time online during the pandemic .
So I love it and I think it ’ s good for poker .
”

'Very unique' 2020 World Series of Poker Main Event gets underway with major modifications
Show Caption Hide Caption Is breaking a sport? One of the best in its history weighs in Sports Pulse: We talk to b-boy legend “Crazy Legs” about the sport being introduced to the Olympics SportsPulse, USA TODAY
It would be difficult to identify a major competition as poorly suited to pandemic conditions as the World Series of Poker Main Event.
In a typical year, you’re talking about 7,000 people packed into a convention center hall, sitting nearly elbow-to-elbow, passing chips and cards back and forth, playing for hours and hours every day for nearly two weeks until somebody finally wins a life-changing amount of money.
“I think we came to realize almost immediately in mid-March that live poker tournaments, which are a definition of social gathering, were going to be challenge,” said Ty Stewart, the World Series of Poker’s executive director.
But a year without crowning a Main Event champion was almost unthinkable. Beyond being the biggest prize in poker, it’s an event that penetrates mainstream American culture whether it’s Matt Damon’s character in the 1998 movie "Rounders" thinking about going heads-up with Johnny Chan or an accountant named Chris Moneymaker showing up in 2003 and beating all the pros on ESPN to win $2.5 million.
Since then, people have come to Las Vegas every summer from all over the world, willing to put up $10,000 for their shot in the only kind of competition where poker pros, folks who play a weekly neighborhood game or celebrities like Tobey Maguire and Michael Phelps start off with the same chance to win.
“I look at this like, hey, the NBA found a way to have a championship, the NFL found a way to have a season. Even college football eventually came around,” Phil Hellmuth, a former Main Event champion and winner of a record 15 WSOP bracelets, said in a phone interview this week. “So I’d hate to see a World Series board where there was no champion in 2020.”
With some major modifications to the format, a champion will be crowned this year after all. Beginning Sunday, the WSOP has built a hybrid model for the tournament where players will play online for a projected two days until the field has been whittled down to nine for the final table. At that point, the remaining players will gather at the Rio on Dec. 28, go through a COVID-19 testing process and play in person in a bubble-type environment until there’s just one left.
The same process is already underway in Europe, where the online stage is over and the final table will begin on Tuesday in the Czech Republic. The two winners will then play heads-up in Las Vegas on Dec. 30 for the title of world champion and an extra $1 million.
The reaction to the format, Stewart said, was “initially mixed but now it’s turning toward positive” because the big-name players ultimately understand how important it is for the growth of the sport to remain in the public view. And like past years, ESPN will cover the tournament with a heavy emphasis on the final table and the heads-up championship match while also showing some key hands from the online portion in something of an e-sports format.
“We felt like it’s our responsibility to not have an asterisk in 2020 into the history of the World Series of Poker,” Stewart said. “I think people understand that and players applaud the fact we're in this for the long haul and we’re trying to provide opportunities and interest in the game and the Main Event is really the only event that creates national interest and international interest.”
It won’t be clear until the tournament begins how many players actually signed up this year. Stewart said there were 674 entries on the international side. Most likely, it will be a fraction of the 8,569 who played last year.
Part of the reason for that is, in order to play the Main Event this year, you have to be physically located in New Jersey or Nevada due to state regulations of online gaming. The digital platform, Stewart said, is equipped with geotracking software that ensures players are logged onto a phone or computer within those state borders.
"We expect some players may be sitting in parking lots or hotels or their home for the first time, and that makes it a very unique Main Event,” he said.
It also changes the nature of the competition. For someone like Hellmuth, who has career earnings of more than $15 million in WSOP tournaments alone, experience in being able to read opponents can be a pretty big advantage in the late stages of a long event. He said before 2020, he hadn’t played online poker in five years but has developed a better sense in recent months of picking up tells on the timing of when opponents raise or push all-in.
"I think that it’s still a lot of the same principles apply, but I like it when there’s 50, 60 players left in a tournament and people are getting nervous and they're tired,” he said. “It's the end of a day and hopefully I can see what they’re doing more clearly whereas online there’s a little bit more cloak. They can cloak their face, cloak their nervousness.”
In some ways, it’s kind of a full-circle moment for poker, which has always had to evolve to grow. At the first WSOP in 1970, where Jack Binion invited seven of the top players to the Horseshoe casino, the winner was determined by a player vote after a series of cash games. It wasn’t until 1982 that the Main Event topped 100 entrants. The first million dollar prize was 1991, and the first time television viewers saw the cards via the “pocket cam” was 2002.
Moneymaker’s win sparked a boom of interest in the game worldwide, making it more accessible to people who weren’t professional gamblers and launching innovations (followed by regulations) in how people could play online for money.
Now, because of COVID-19, we’ll have a World Series champion where the bulk of the tournament was played virtually.
“What we’re doing is just completing (our seasons) like the other sports leagues and I think it’s going to be a legitimate champion,” Hellmuth said. “You look at what happened in the NBA, they had their tournament in a bubble and it was kind of like what was happening in the rest of the world. Now we have our tournament with two days of online poker and more people are spending more time online during the pandemic. So I love it and I think it’s good for poker.”