huffpost--2020-05-01--Few Companies Offer Worksharing, But It Could Come In Handy As COVID-19 Drags On

There ’ s another program that could help ― one that splits the difference between layoffs and job subsidies .
It ’ s called short-time compensation , or worksharing .
It ’ s not a new program , but Congress gave it a funding boost in the second coronavirus relief bill passed earlier this year .
It works like this : Instead of laying off a portion of its workers , a company can reduce their hours , and the unemployment insurance system pays for the missing time .
Thanks to the new law , the federal government will cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already have worksharing programs , and half the cost in states that set up new ones .
There ’ s been a sevenfold increase in the number of workers in worksharing arrangements since this time last year , according to the U.S. Labor Department , but that only amounts to 62,297 jobs .
The concept could prove useful in the coming months , however , after a new loan program for small businesses expires .
“ Rather than only having a fraction of their workforce on the payroll , the employer can have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then have the government make up a large chunk of the wages lost from fewer hours , ” said Dean Baker , a labor economist with the progressive Center for Economic and Policy Research and a visiting professor at the University of Utah .
Baker and other economists who favor short-time compensation programs have often lamented that they ’ re not terribly well-known , likely part of the reason so few workers are enrolled .
Progressive Democrats have said they want to ramp up worksharing as part of the next bill Congress passes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Independent Business said she ’ s mentioned worksharing in webinars about the various government initiatives available , but hasn ’ t received a single direct inquiry from a business owner about how to apply for it .
She said it might seem overly complicated for a small business without an HR department .
Richard Bodin owns Hudson Home , an interior design studio and showroom in Hudson , New York , with seven employees .
Since New York is one of the states that already offers worksharing , when the governor ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bodin signed his workers up .
It was a good deal for the workers , most of whom are part-time employees .
Kelly Bortoluzzi , 56 , worked at Hudson Home three days a week in a sales support position .
Her hours halved , she started receiving about $ 200 per week in unemployment benefits ― plus the extra $ 600 per week that Congress created as part of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Stability Act .
Bortoluzzi described the extra money as a “ godsend ” for her and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in trouble .
The combined benefit was more than her pay at Hudson Home , and almost as much as she made from that job plus several other part-time gigs .
Bodin initially liked the idea of bringing his workers back on payroll but now isn ’ t so sure , since the clock is ticking on the loan , and he won ’ t be able to have in-person customers until May 15 at the earliest .
For now , there ’ s not much work for his workers to do .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ off on straight unemployment , ” Bodin said .
“ I would like to keep as many people getting as much money as possible for as long as possible.
” Bortoluzzi , for her part , is glad she technically has a job , but wonders if she would be better off trying to file a regular unemployment claim that reflected the totality of her past wages from her other part-time jobs .
She hasn ’ t been able to get an answer from the New York State Department of Labor .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as someone at the bottom of the food chain , ” she said .
“ I just really thought it would be rolled out in a smarter way , and I hate that we can not have communication.
” States have a strong incentive to promote worksharing , said Till von Wachter , an economics professor at the University of California , Los Angeles .
States pay for regular unemployment benefits through a tax on businesses , and if their unemployment funds run dry , those taxes can go up .
States would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms to use federally funded worksharing benefits instead of laying people off .

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More than 30 million Americans have lost their jobs and signed up for expanded unemployment benefits over the last month, while a small business loan program has likely prevented millions of additional layoffs.
There’s another program that could help ― one that splits the difference between layoffs and job subsidies. It’s called short-time compensation, or worksharing. It’s not a new program, but Congress gave it a funding boost in the second coronavirus relief bill passed earlier this year.
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It works like this: Instead of laying off a portion of its workers, a company can reduce their hours, and the unemployment insurance system pays for the missing time. Thanks to the new law, the federal government will cover the benefits in the 29 states that already have worksharing programs, and half the cost in states that set up new ones.
There’s been a sevenfold increase in the number of workers in worksharing arrangements since this time last year, according to the U.S. Labor Department, but that only amounts to 62,297 jobs. The concept could prove useful in the coming months, however, after a new loan program for small businesses expires.
“Rather than only having a fraction of their workforce on the payroll, the employer can have most people working short hours, and then have the government make up a large chunk of the wages lost from fewer hours,” said Dean Baker, a labor economist with the progressive Center for Economic and Policy Research and a visiting professor at the University of Utah.
“This way, when demand picks up, they have the workers on staff and just have to increase hours,” Baker said.
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Baker and other economists who favor short-time compensation programs have often lamented that they’re not terribly well-known, likely part of the reason so few workers are enrolled. Progressive Democrats have said they want to ramp up worksharing as part of the next bill Congress passes.
Elizabeth Milito of the National Federation of Independent Business said she’s mentioned worksharing in webinars about the various government initiatives available, but hasn’t received a single direct inquiry from a business owner about how to apply for it. She said it might seem overly complicated for a small business without an HR department.
Another reason is that worksharing is incompatible with the Paycheck Protection Program, the government’s flagship response to the coronavirus recession, which provides forgivable loans to businesses that retain employees for eight weeks.
Richard Bodin owns Hudson Home, an interior design studio and showroom in Hudson, New York, with seven employees. Since New York is one of the states that already offers worksharing, when the governor ordered nonessential businesses to close in March, Bodin signed his workers up.
“We reduced their hours and they were collecting unemployment to make up the difference,” Bodin said. (Due to the shutdown order, they weren’t actually working.)
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It was a good deal for the workers, most of whom are part-time employees. Kelly Bortoluzzi, 56, worked at Hudson Home three days a week in a sales support position. Her hours halved, she started receiving about $200 per week in unemployment benefits ― plus the extra $600 per week that Congress created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stability Act.
Bortoluzzi described the extra money as a “godsend” for her and her husband, whose business is itself in trouble. The combined benefit was more than her pay at Hudson Home, and almost as much as she made from that job plus several other part-time gigs.
But then Bodin won approval for a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program, which meant he had to bring his workers back on payroll and cancel the worksharing arrangement.
Bodin initially liked the idea of bringing his workers back on payroll but now isn’t so sure, since the clock is ticking on the loan, and he won’t be able to have in-person customers until May 15 at the earliest. For now, there’s not much work for his workers to do.
Business advocacy groups have asked Congress and the Small Business Administration to give firms leeway on the timing of the payroll loans, considering much of the country is still shut down.
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“My employees would have been better off on straight unemployment,” Bodin said. “I would like to keep as many people getting as much money as possible for as long as possible.”
Bodin said that when his PPP loan is up in June, he might try worksharing again.
Bortoluzzi, for her part, is glad she technically has a job, but wonders if she would be better off trying to file a regular unemployment claim that reflected the totality of her past wages from her other part-time jobs. She hasn’t been able to get an answer from the New York State Department of Labor.
“I don’t expect much help as someone at the bottom of the food chain,” she said. “I just really thought it would be rolled out in a smarter way, and I hate that we cannot have communication.”
At the all-time peak of enrollment in 2019, there 288,618 worksharing participants, according to the Labor Department. Most firms surveyed by the department said they had a good experience with the program.
States have a strong incentive to promote worksharing, said Till von Wachter, an economics professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. States pay for regular unemployment benefits through a tax on businesses, and if their unemployment funds run dry, those taxes can go up. States would therefore do themselves a favor by encouraging firms to use federally funded worksharing benefits instead of laying people off.
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huffpost--2020-05-01--A Timothée Chalamet Mug And More Things To Obsess Over This Weekend

We ’ ve lost track of the weeks at this point , but what we have not lost track of is the importance of giving ourselves a breather from the endless news cycle and concentrating on nice things , like Jake Gyllenhaal ’ s hair .
This week we were given the gift of song , a new way to support local businesses and more .
Check out five things to obsess over besides coronavirus , below .
An easy way to support local businesses Shopping local is a great way to support small businesses being impacted by COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shopify , wants to help you do it .
The new app , which allows shoppers to make purchases and streamline package tracking information , also has a “ shop local ” feature that helps users discover local businesses and provides information on how to support them .
Jake Gyllenhaal was one of many familiar faces who belted out Sondheim classics in honor of the iconic Broadway composer and lyricist ’ s 90th birthday on Sunday .
The actor and his delightful head of hair sang “ Move On ” from “ Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which he starred in on Broadway in 2016 .
It was , as the tweet above says , perfection .
The technical difficulties at the top of that very livestream Musical theater enthusiasts waited with bated breath for “ Take me to the World : A Sondheim 90th birthday celebration ” to start Sunday night .
And waited .
And waited .
And then , an hour after the start time , were treated to a tech disaster only possible in live theater ( or in this case , live Zoom theater ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go on ― and it was beautiful .
And while we feel for all those involved , those chaotic moments were perfect campy madness and for some of us , provided the first real laugh we ’ ve had in a long , long , time .
A steamy Timothée Chalamet mug for your coffee or tea A mouthwatering cauliflower recipe that feels like a vacation in your mouth Chef Eden Grinshpan has been sharing recipes from her life and upcoming cookbook available for pre-order , “ Eat Out Loud , ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cauliflower with preserved lemon and currant chimi is so damn good .
And easy !
I made it with regular lemons and raisins , making it substitution-friendly , too .
If we can ’ t be on vacation , we can eat things to make it feel like we ’ re on vacation , right ?
Yum .

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Warning: Brain break ahead.
We’ve lost track of the weeks at this point, but what we have not lost track of is the importance of giving ourselves a breather from the endless news cycle and concentrating on nice things, like Jake Gyllenhaal’s hair.
Anything But Coronavirus, or ABC, is our place to disconnect, rejoice in happy moments and just relax for a minute or two.
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This week we were given the gift of song, a new way to support local businesses and more. Check out five things to obsess over besides coronavirus, below.
An easy way to support local businesses
Shopping local is a great way to support small businesses being impacted by COVID-19. Shop, an app by e-commerce company Shopify, wants to help you do it. The new app, which allows shoppers to make purchases and streamline package tracking information, also has a “shop local” feature that helps users discover local businesses and provides information on how to support them.
Jake Gyllenhaal’s hair during the Stephen Sondheim 90th birthday celebration livestream
jake gyllenhaal singing and long hair? perfection! pic.twitter.com/lUvGF4bR7g — 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐚 (@darkgyllenhaal) April 27, 2020
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Jake Gyllenhaal was one of many familiar faces who belted out Sondheim classics in honor of the iconic Broadway composer and lyricist’s 90th birthday on Sunday. The actor and his delightful head of hair sang “Move On” from “Sunday in the Park with George,” which he starred in on Broadway in 2016. It was, as the tweet above says, perfection.
The technical difficulties at the top of that very livestream
honestly watching the finest minds of the American theater screw something up this badly is very endearing — Jack Mirkinson (@jackmirkinson) April 27, 2020
Musical theater enthusiasts waited with bated breath for “Take me to the World: A Sondheim 90th birthday celebration” to start Sunday night. And waited. And waited. And then, an hour after the start time, were treated to a tech disaster only possible in live theater (or in this case, live Zoom theater). The show must ― and did go on ― and it was beautiful. And while we feel for all those involved, those chaotic moments were perfect campy madness and for some of us, provided the first real laugh we’ve had in a long, long, time.
A steamy Timothée Chalamet mug for your coffee or tea
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A mouthwatering cauliflower recipe that feels like a vacation in your mouth


huffpost--2020-05-01--Poll: Voters Don’t Know What To Think Of The Sexual Assault Allegation Against Joe Biden

Handout via Getty Images In this screengrab from Joebiden.com , Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks from his home on April 8 , 2020 in Wilmington , Delaware .
Most voters aren ’ t yet sure what to make of the sexual assault allegation levied against Joe Biden by a former Senate aide , a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds , while a plurality believe that the multiple sexual misconduct allegations against President Trump are generally credible .
Neither candidate is seen by a majority of the voting public as respectful of women .
Just 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard a lot about Tara Reade ’ s allegation that Biden assaulted her in 1993 , with 53 % saying they ’ ve heard only a little and the rest that they ’ d heard nothing at all .
The poll was taken prior to Biden ’ s interview on Friday with MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe , ” during which he flatly denied Reade ’ s allegations .
( Because survey respondents tend to be more civically engaged than the public at large , the reported level of attention is probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side . )
Three in 10 voters say they consider the allegation against Biden generally credible , with 17 % saying it ’ s not credible .
The majority , 53 % , aren ’ t sure or say they haven ’ t heard enough to say .
If the allegation is true , 29 % of voters say , it disqualifies Biden from the presidency .
Forty percent consider it relevant but not disqualifying , with 18 % dismissing it as irrelevant .
So far , there is little indication the allegation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s political standing .
Most recent public polling has shown President Donald Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn has hurt the Republican , giving Biden an advantage both nationally and in key swing states .
In March , Reade accused Biden of kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent in a Senate hallway in 1993 , when she was a staff assistant in his office .
She had previously come forward in April 2019 to say that Biden had sexually harassed and inappropriately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s behavior are more settled , and on balance , more negative .
A 54 % majority say they ’ ve heard a lot about the allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment levied against Trump during the 2016 election and in the years since , with another 38 % saying they ’ ve heard at least a little .
At least 22 women have accused Trump of some form of sexual misconduct .
An audio recording of a 2005 Trump appearance on “ Access Hollywood ” leaked shortly before the 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assaulting women .
The tape , which emerged after more than a dozen women had already accused Trump of sexual assault , led to calls from some Republicans for Trump to drop out of the presidential race .
Trump and his campaign dismissed the recording as “ locker room talk.
” Trump later said he would sue the women who had accused him of sexual assault , but never followed through on the threat .
Forty-five percent of voters say they consider the allegations against Trump generally credible , with 26 % saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 29 % saying they ’ re unsure or haven ’ t heard enough to say .
Roughly a third say that the allegations , if true , disqualify Trump from the presidency , with another 34 % saying it would be relevant but not disqualifying , and 21 % calling it irrelevant .
( The order in which the questions about Biden and Trump were asked was rotated for different respondents . )
Opinions on the accusations against Trump haven ’ t varied much over the past few years .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters called the allegations against him generally credible .
In June 2019 , after advice columnist E. Jean Carroll wrote that Trump had assaulted her in the mid- ’ 90s ― an accusation that garnered even less attention than Reade ’ s ― the number was 46 % .
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey , using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups .

In this screengrab from Joebiden.com, Democratic presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks from his home on April 8, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. Handout via Getty Images
Most voters aren’t yet sure what to make of the sexual assault allegation levied against Joe Biden by a former Senate aide, a new HuffPost/YouGov poll finds, while a plurality believe that the multiple sexual misconduct allegations against President Trump are generally credible. Neither candidate is seen by a majority of the voting public as respectful of women.
Just 21% of voters say they’ve heard a lot about Tara Reade’s allegation that Biden assaulted her in 1993, with 53% saying they’ve heard only a little and the rest that they’d heard nothing at all. The poll was taken prior to Biden’s interview on Friday with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” during which he flatly denied Reade’s allegations. (Because survey respondents tend to be more civically engaged than the public at large, the reported level of attention is probably, if anything, on the high side.)
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Three in 10 voters say they consider the allegation against Biden generally credible, with 17% saying it’s not credible. The majority, 53%, aren’t sure or say they haven’t heard enough to say. If the allegation is true, 29% of voters say, it disqualifies Biden from the presidency. Forty percent consider it relevant but not disqualifying, with 18% dismissing it as irrelevant.
So far, there is little indication the allegation will have a significant impact on Biden’s political standing. Most recent public polling has shown President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn has hurt the Republican, giving Biden an advantage both nationally and in key swing states.
In March, Reade accused Biden of kissing her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent in a Senate hallway in 1993, when she was a staff assistant in his office. She had previously come forward in April 2019 to say that Biden had sexually harassed and inappropriately touched her.
Top Biden aides at the time have said they never heard of the accusation, despite Reade’s insistence she informed them. Biden has steadfastly denied assaulting Reade.
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“It never happened,” Biden said on Friday morning during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” around the same time he released a statement suggesting “responsible news organizations should examine and evaluate the full and growing record of inconsistencies in her story.”
Media attention to Reade’s accusation began growing earlier in the week, after Business Insider reported a neighbor of Reade’s said she had told her about the incident a few years later.
Most Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters, 57%, were reserving judgment on Reade’s allegation, but only about one-quarter said it would be disqualifying if true.
Results of a new HuffPost/YouGov poll. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
Voters’ views about Trump’s behavior are more settled, and on balance, more negative. A 54% majority say they’ve heard a lot about the allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment levied against Trump during the 2016 election and in the years since, with another 38% saying they’ve heard at least a little.
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At least 22 women have accused Trump of some form of sexual misconduct. An audio recording of a 2005 Trump appearance on “Access Hollywood” leaked shortly before the 2016 presidential election featured him boasting about sexually assaulting women. The tape, which emerged after more than a dozen women had already accused Trump of sexual assault, led to calls from some Republicans for Trump to drop out of the presidential race.
“And when you’re a star, they let you do it,” Trump said on the tape. “You can do anything. Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”
Trump and his campaign dismissed the recording as “locker room talk.” Trump later said he would sue the women who had accused him of sexual assault, but never followed through on the threat.
Forty-five percent of voters say they consider the allegations against Trump generally credible, with 26% saying that they’re not credible, and 29% saying they’re unsure or haven’t heard enough to say. Roughly a third say that the allegations, if true, disqualify Trump from the presidency, with another 34% saying it would be relevant but not disqualifying, and 21% calling it irrelevant. (The order in which the questions about Biden and Trump were asked was rotated for different respondents.)
About half of Republican and Republican-leaning voters, 49%, say they don’t find the accusations against Trump to be credible. Just 12% consider them disqualifying if true.
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Results of a new HuffPost/YouGov poll. Ariel Edwards-Levy/HuffPost
Opinions on the accusations against Trump haven’t varied much over the past few years. In an October 2016 poll, 42% of voters called the allegations against him generally credible. In June 2019, after advice columnist E. Jean Carroll wrote that Trump had assaulted her in the mid-’90s ― an accusation that garnered even less attention than Reade’s ― the number was 46%.
Overall, voters currently say, 53% to 33%, that Trump does not respect women. They’re split, 39% to 36%, on whether Biden does, with roughly one-quarter unsure.
Use the widget below to further explore the results of the HuffPost/YouGov survey, using the menu at the top to select survey questions and the buttons at the bottom to filter the data by subgroups.
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The HuffPost/YouGov poll consisted of 1,000 completed interviews conducted April 28-29 among U.S. adults, including 776 registered voters, using a sample selected from YouGov’s opt-in online panel to match the demographics and other characteristics of the adult U.S. population.
HuffPost has teamed up with YouGov to conduct daily opinion polls. You can learn more about this project and take part in YouGov’s nationally representative opinion polling. More details on the polls’ methodology are available here.


huffpost--2020-05-18--Karl Rove Slams Obama's Commencement Speeches: 'A Political Drive-By Shooting'

Obama ’ s remarks , which did not reference the Trump administration by name , went viral over the weekend @ @ @ @ @ fully , finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re doing , ” the former president said during his first of his @ @ @ @ @ A lot of them aren ’ t even pretending to be in charge.
” Obama @ @ @ @ @ ” with “ fancy titles ” who have “ screwed up ” the country with @ @ @ @ @ address .

Obama’s remarks, which did not reference the Trump administration by name, went viral over the weekend.
“This pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing,” the former president said during his first of his two commencement speeches. “A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge.”
Obama denounced the “so-called grown-ups” with “fancy titles” who have “screwed up” the country with their actions in his second address.


huffpost--2020-05-18--Without Future Plans, We're Living In An 'Infinite Present'

Wake up , eat , stare at a screen , exercise , eat , repeat .
For those of us still working from home or furloughed during the coronavirus pandemic , it ’ s starting to feel like Groundhog Day .
While some states are reopening ( or are on the road to reopening ) , we still don ’ t know when , or if , life will return to normal .
As a result , planning for the future feels impossible .
The fate of holidays , weddings and even family meals remain uncertain .
All we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re living in an “ infinite present ” .
This was a phrase shared on Twitter by journalist Helen Rosner , who heard it during a therapy session .
The infinite present , her therapist explained , is upon us because we have “ no future plans , no anticipation of travel or shows or events or celebrations .
It ’ s an endless today , never tomorrow.
” It soon became clear that the idea resonated with people in lockdown around the world , as the tweet gained more than 79k @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s literally how I ’ ve been feeling this entire time , but didn ’ t know how to describe it , ” one person commented .
“ I feel guilty if I look forward to the future and tell myself to stop thinking about it.
” It ’ s completely normal to feel flat without plans for the future , psychotherapist Lucy Beresford tells HuffPost UK , so don ’ t panic if the phrase “ infinite present ” feels a little too relatable right now .
Visualizing the future usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivation , so it ’ s understandable that for some people , this new way of living can become “ totally numbing.
” “ Without stimulation , we can start to feel as though our life has no meaning , ” she says .
“ Repetitiveness runs the risk of making us lose interest in life , because our brains love new things to explore and figure out.
” We often hear that focusing on the present by practising mindfulness is a good way to combat stress and anxiety .
But is mindfulness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t started to feel painfully boring ?
“ Being in the present is still important because ‘ future-tripping ’ [ worrying about things that haven ’ t happened yet ] can make us feel anxious or helpless , ” says Beresford .
“ Staying in ‘ the now ’ is a really good tool , just not all the time .
Otherwise you miss out on the joys of reflection and anticipation.
” As with all things in life , balance is preferable .
You may not be able to plan for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying gratitude forecasting , which involves thinking about all the things you will be grateful for when they return .
The anticipation of something ― like a holiday or family gathering ― can often be as enjoyable as the real thing , says Beresford , “ some people would argue , even more so.
” We can still anticipate joy in lockdown ― just think smaller .
Sex , an ice cream , your favorite dinner , a weekend nap , the smell of your morning coffee or an evening of no Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking by journaling about your present day to make it feel less repetitive .
This might mean scheduling a family call , following an online gym class , or planning to watch something specific on TV , rather than mindlessly turning on Netflix , Beresford suggests .
Creating small , short-term goals will also help .
“ It could be tackling a new recipe , cleaning out the spare room , weeding the window-box , or signing up to be a phone buddy for a care-home , ” she says .
“ Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and plan what you can do for others at this time .
”

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We’re here to guide you through the coronavirus lockdown. Sign up to the Life newsletter for daily tips, advice, how-tos and escapism.
Wake up, eat, stare at a screen, exercise, eat, repeat. For those of us still working from home or furloughed during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day.
Advertisement
The government may have published a tentative roadmap for exiting lockdown, but we still don’t know when, or if, life will return to normal. As a result, planning for the future feels impossible. The fate of holidays, weddings and even family meals remain uncertain. All we have is the here and now – we’re living in an “infinite present”.
This was a phrase shared on Twitter by American journalist Helen Rosner, who heard it during a therapy session. The infinite present, her therapist explained, is upon us because we have “no future plans, no anticipation of travel or shows or events or celebrations. It’s an endless today, never tomorrow”.
It soon became clear that the idea resonated with people in lockdown around the world, as the tweet gained more than 79k likes and 12k comments.
Advertisement
Today in therapy we talked about how (for those of us currently healthy and taking isolation seriously) right now we live in an infinite present. No future plans, no anticipation of travel or shows or events or celebrations. It’s an endless today, never tomorrow. — Helen Rosner (@hels) May 13, 2020
“That’s literally how I’ve been feeling this entire time, but didn’t know how to describe it,” one person commented. “I feel guilty if I look forward to the future and tell myself to stop thinking about it.”
Another person added: “A friend recently described the date as April 53rd. I thought that captured the moment perfectly.”
It’s completely normal to feel flat without plans for the future, psychotherapist Lucy Beresford tells HuffPost UK, so don’t panic if the phrase “infinite present” feels a little too relatable right now. Visualising the future usually acts as a spur for excitement or motivation, so it’s understandable that for some people, this new way of living can become “totally numbing”.
“Without stimulation, we can start to feel as though our life has no meaning,” she says. “Repetitiveness runs the risk of making us lose interest in life, because our brains love new things to explore and figure out.”
Advertisement
Tatiana_Stulbo via Getty Images
We often hear that focusing on the present by practising mindfulness is a good way to combat stress and anxiety. But is mindfulness still useful if your present hasn’t started to feel painfully boring?
“Being in the present is still important because ‘future-tripping’ [worrying about things that haven’t happened yet] can make us feel anxious or helpless,” says Beresford. “Staying in ‘the now’ is a really good tool, just not all the time. Otherwise you miss out on the joys of reflection and anticipation.”
As with all things in life, balance is preferable. You may not be able to plan for the future, but you might benefit from trying gratitude forecasting, which involves thinking about all the things you will be grateful for when they return.
The anticipation of something – like a holiday or family gathering – can often be as enjoyable as the real thing, says Beresford, “some people would argue, even more so”. We can still anticipate joy in lockdown – just think smaller. Sex, an ice cream, your favourite dinner, a weekend lie in, the smell of your morning coffee or an evening of no Zoom calls.
You can complement this future thinking by diarising your present day to make it feel less repetitive. This might mean scheduling a family call, following an online gym class, or planning to watch something specific on TV, rather than mindlessly turning on Netflix, Beresford suggests.
Advertisement
Creating small, short-term goals will also help. “It could be tackling a new recipe, cleaning out the spare room, weeding the window-box, or signing up to be a phone buddy for a care-home,” she says. “Think of ways to get outside yourself, and plan what you can do for others at this time.”


huffpost--2020-05-18--Trump Has A Surprising Response To Golfer Rory McIlroy's Criticism

The president then boasted about the country ’ s economy before the coronavirus outbreak , offered condolences for those who have died and emphasized how much he wants to see the resumption of sports .
“ I know so many of the tour players and they ’ re really fantastic people , ” he said of pro golfers .
“ I can ’ t think of anyone I don ’ t like .
I can ’ t say that necessarily in life , but when you meet these tour players , they ’ re just great people .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McIlroy , in an interview last week promoting a match for COVID-19 relief , expressed regret that he had played golf with Trump in 2017 , which many fans assumed meant he agreed with the president ’ s views .
He said Trump acted graciously , but said he likely wouldn ’ t hit the links with him again .
He also blasted the president ’ s response to the pandemic .
“ We ’ re in the midst of something that ’ s pretty serious right now and the fact that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it a campaign rally and say they we administer the most tests in world like it is a contest — there ’ s some stuff that ’ s just terrible , ’ ’ McIlroy said .
“ It ’ s not the way a leader should act .
And there is a sort of diplomacy that you need to show , and I just don ’ t think he ’ s showing that — especially in these times.
’ ’ Trump ’ s interaction with Tirico also was noteworthy because Trump reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thank you very much , Mike and it was great playing golf with you guys — I remember that very well and we had a good time , ” Trump said Sunday , in the clip below .

The president then boasted about the country’s economy before the coronavirus outbreak, offered condolences for those who have died and emphasized how much he wants to see the resumption of sports.
“I know so many of the tour players and they’re really fantastic people,” he said of pro golfers. “I can’t think of anyone I don’t like. I can’t say that necessarily in life, but when you meet these tour players, they’re just great people. It’s something very special.”
The top-ranked McIlroy, in an interview last week promoting a match for COVID-19 relief, expressed regret that he had played golf with Trump in 2017, which many fans assumed meant he agreed with the president’s views. He said Trump acted graciously, but said he likely wouldn’t hit the links with him again. He also blasted the president’s response to the pandemic.
“We’re in the midst of something that’s pretty serious right now and the fact that he’s trying to politicize it and make it a campaign rally and say they we administer the most tests in world like it is a contest — there’s some stuff that’s just terrible,’’ McIlroy said. “It’s not the way a leader should act. And there is a sort of diplomacy that you need to show, and I just don’t think he’s showing that — especially in these times.’’
Trump’s interaction with Tirico also was noteworthy because Trump reportedly cheated when they played together.
“Thank you very much, Mike and it was great playing golf with you guys — I remember that very well and we had a good time,” Trump said Sunday, in the clip below.


huffpost--2020-05-18--Naomi Campbell Boosts Flight Hygiene With New Addition To Hazmat Suit

“ In all honesty , this is not a funny time .
It ’ s not a humorous time .
@ @ @ @ @ this for laughs , ” she said .
“ This is how I feel comfortable @ @ @ @ @ to travel .
I ’ m trying to keep it at a minimum .
If @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m going like this.
” Campbell ’ s hyper-vigilant flight routine , @ @ @ @ @ doing for the better part of 20 years , has received flak in the past @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not ridiculous , ” Campbell said in the footage .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ to in her most recent post , however , Campbell told People in March that @ @ @ @ @ to London .

“In all honesty, this is not a funny time. It’s not a humorous time. I’m not doing this for laughs,” she said. “This is how I feel comfortable traveling. If I have to travel. I’m trying to keep it at a minimum. If I do have to go, I’m going like this.”
Campbell’s hyper-vigilant flight routine, which she’s been doing for the better part of 20 years, has received flak in the past.
“Now, I’m not ridiculous,” Campbell said in the footage.
It’s unclear where she was traveling to in her most recent post, however, Campbell told People in March that she was considering going back to London.


huffpost--2020-05-18--'Ultra-Rare' Blue Bee Rediscovered By Researchers In Florida

Florida Museum of Natural History postdoctoral researcher Chase Kimmel found the metallic insect ― a blue calamintha bee ― this spring , marking the first time the insect had been observed since 2016 , the museum said in a media release .
Kimmel ’ s discovery is a major step toward the conservation of the little-known species , which is listed by Florida ’ s State Wildlife Action Plan as a species of greatest conservation need .
The blue calamintha bee was rediscovered in central Florida in March 2020 .
Before that , it was last observed in 2016 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we may not find the bee at all so that first moment when we spotted it in the field was really exciting , ” Kimmel said .
“ We observed a shiny little blue bee grabbing ( an Ashe ’ s calamint flower ) and rubbing its head on the top portion of the flower 2-3 times , ” he told USA Today .
“ We were pretty shocked to see it.
” Kimmel has since found the bee in three of the four locations it had previously been identified and six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the species .
The blue calamintha is thought to live only in the Lake Wales Ridge region of central Florida .
This biodiversity hotspot is one of the country ’ s fastest-disappearing ecosystems , and is home to a blooming plant known as Ashe ’ s calamint ― another threatened species , which the bees depend on for food .
After capturing a bee , researchers place it in a plastic bag with a hole to photograph its head before releasing it .
Pollen left in the bag is analyzed to determine which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uses its unusual facial hairs to collect pollen from flowers on these plants , the museum release said .
As a solitary bee , it works alone , creating individual nests instead of hives .
Researchers have yet to find a nest , but they hope to reveal how these insects do so as part of their research .
This research , funded by a grant administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission , could help determine whether the bee qualifies for protection under the Endangered Species Act .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has thrown a wrench into the works .
While Kimmel has been living in the region since March , suspension of museum volunteer operations and travel has left the project with limited resources and scaled back the extensive fieldwork .

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An exceptionally rare blue bee that scientists thought might be extinct was rediscovered in Florida in March.
Florida Museum of Natural History postdoctoral researcher Chase Kimmel found the metallic insect ― a blue calamintha bee ― this spring, marking the first time the insect had been observed since 2016, the museum said in a media release.
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Kimmel’s discovery is a major step toward the conservation of the little-known species, which is listed by Florida’s State Wildlife Action Plan as a species of greatest conservation need.
The blue calamintha bee was rediscovered in central Florida in March 2020. Before that, it was last observed in 2016. Florida Museum Photo by Chase Kimmel
“I was open to the possibility that we may not find the bee at all so that first moment when we spotted it in the field was really exciting,” Kimmel said.
“We observed a shiny little blue bee grabbing (an Ashe’s calamint flower) and rubbing its head on the top portion of the flower 2-3 times,” he told USA Today. “We were pretty shocked to see it.”
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Kimmel has since found the bee in three of the four locations it had previously been identified and six additional places ― a positive sign for the species.
The blue calamintha is thought to live only in the Lake Wales Ridge region of central Florida. This biodiversity hotspot is one of the country’s fastest-disappearing ecosystems, and is home to a blooming plant known as Ashe’s calamint ― another threatened species, which the bees depend on for food.
After capturing a bee, researchers place it in a plastic bag with a hole to photograph its head before releasing it. Pollen left in the bag is analyzed to determine which flowers the bee visited. Florida Museum Photo by Chase Kimmel
The species uses its unusual facial hairs to collect pollen from flowers on these plants, the museum release said. As a solitary bee, it works alone, creating individual nests instead of hives. Researchers have yet to find a nest, but they hope to reveal how these insects do so as part of their research.
Kimmel and his adviser, Jaret Daniels, are part of a two-year research project studying the bees.
This research, funded by a grant administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, could help determine whether the bee qualifies for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
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However, the museum said, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into the works. While Kimmel has been living in the region since March, suspension of museum volunteer operations and travel has left the project with limited resources and scaled back the extensive fieldwork.


huffpost--2020-04-08--Stephen Colbert Really Needs A Haircut, And He's Not Alone

Stephen Colbert has a habit of saying what ’ s in all of our heads .
Now , during the coronavirus epidemic , he ’ s exposing the truth about what ’ s on all of our heads : hair that ’ s gotten too long .
Colbert , who has been filming his late night show from places like his bathtub and backyard since the coronavirus outbreak halted in-studio production in March , shared his quite frankly impressive mane on Twitter on Tuesday alongside the caption , “ I might ned a haircut # HeatMiser ” We must say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison .
It ’ s something on many of our minds right now , as shelter-in-place orders extend and hair salons , which are deemed nonessential , remain closed .
We are left with a few options : be lucky enough to live with someone who knows how to cut hair , be brave enough to give ourselves a chop , or , as is the case with Colbert , let that baby fly .
Frizz-ery loves company , and Colbert ’ s followers were quick to share their own growing pains .

Stephen Colbert has a habit of saying what’s in all of our heads. Now, during the coronavirus epidemic, he’s exposing the truth about what’s on all of our heads: hair that’s gotten too long.
Colbert, who has been filming his late night show from places like his bathtub and backyard since the coronavirus outbreak halted in-studio production in March, shared his quite frankly impressive mane on Twitter on Tuesday alongside the caption, “I might ned a haircut #HeatMiser”
We must say, it’s a pretty spot-on comparison.
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It’s something on many of our minds right now, as shelter-in-place orders extend and hair salons, which are deemed nonessential, remain closed. We are left with a few options: be lucky enough to live with someone who knows how to cut hair, be brave enough to give ourselves a chop, or, as is the case with Colbert, let that baby fly.
Frizz-ery loves company, and Colbert’s followers were quick to share their own growing pains.
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I hear ya pic.twitter.com/7HSZrypdDj — Nathan Fletcher (@nathanfletcher) April 8, 2020
Can I join your quarantine hair club?? pic.twitter.com/Xew8nK5jOr — Andrew Tader (@T8derade) April 7, 2020