The Year of Uncertainty

This year, 2021, is the year of uncertainty after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, as the new SARS Cov-2 variant[1] arises. Although the mutated coronavirus may spread faster, it does not appear any more likely to cause severe disease or death[2]. Thus, it will continue to affect our economy, our health and our way of life.

It is also the year of uncertainty for the US government after the impeachment against Pres. Trump for the second time[3]. Although his first impeachment due to abuse of power and obstruction of congress[4] was acquitted by the senate[5], his second impeachment due to his incitement of deadly insurgence at the US Capitol may incite another insurgence.

Having millions of indoctrinated followers, with the help of his disinformation campaign and conspiracy theories that interfered in the 2016 US election[6] and during the pandemic crisis, Pres. Trump incited insurgence.

Just like the disinformation and debunked conspiracy theories that happened to Former Pres. Obama as the Anti-Christ, Former Secretary of State Clinton’s Pizzagate, Bill Gates and Dr. Fauci’s Plandemic, President-elect Joe Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris might face more disinformation as Pres. Trump might do everything to retain in power or be back in power.

REFERENCES:

1. Marti Leitch, Marti. “Researchers Discover New Variant of COVID-19 Virus in Columbus, Ohio”. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. January 13, 2021. https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/mediaroom/pressreleaselisting/new-sars-cov2-variant
2. Bollinger, Robert and Ray, Stuart. “A New Strain of Coronavirus: What You Should Know”. The Johns Hopkins University. December 28, 2020. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/a-new-strain-of-coronavirus-what-you-should-know
3. Andrews, Natalie, et al. “President Trump Impeached by the House for Second Time”. The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, Inc. January 13. 2021. https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-to-face-impeachment-vote-over-capitol-riot-11610543781
4. “Articles of Impeachment AgainstDonald John Trump”. Congress of the USA, in the House of Representatives. December 18, 2019. https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hres755/BILLS-116hres755enr.pdf
5. Segers, Grace. “Senate acquits Trump on impeachment charges, rejecting calls for his removal in historic trial”. CBS Interactive Inc. February 5, 2020. https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-impeachment-trial-senate-vote-verdict-acquittal-today-2020-02-05/
6. “Report of the Select Committee on Intelligence US Senate on Russian Active Measures, campaigns and interference in the 2016 US Election”. US Senate. https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Report_Volume2.pdf
7. Davis, Charles and Frias, Lauren. “A timeline of how Trump incited his followers to storm the Capitol and attempt a coup”. Insider Inc. January 6, 2021. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-trump-in-final-weeks-incited-his-followers-to-storm-the-capitol-2021-1

Public Veneration of St. Carlo Acutis

^{Carlo Acutis’ tomb is opened for public veneration in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 1, 2020. Photos courtesy of Assisi diocese.}

This month, is the month of the Holy Rosary. The month of the 17-day celebration of St. Carlo Acutis’ beatification in Assisi from October 1-17, 2020 [1]. However, in the US, October started with a very sad news due to the COVID-19 positive test result of Pres. Trump and First Lady Melania [2] on October 1st. What a coincidence?

St. Carlo Acutis died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. When he was diagnosed of acute and untreatable leukemia, Carlo wasn’t upset. He told his mother, “I can die happy, because I haven’t wasted even a minute on things that aren’t pleasing to God.” [3]

In this challenging time, with the increase of COVID19 cases and dying people, St. Carlo Acutis has shown the beauty of optimism, hope, kindness and love for God.

REFERENCES:

1. Mares, Courtney. “Tomb of Carlo Acutis is opened for veneration ahead of beatification”. Catholic News Agency. Oct 1, 2020. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/tomb-of-carlo-acutis-is-opened-for-veneration-ahead-of-beatification-29642
2. Clark, Dartunorro, Jackson, Hallie and Helsel, Phil. “Trump, first lady test positive for Covid-19”. NBC UNIVERSAL. Oct. 1, 2020. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-first-lady-test-positive-covid-19-n1241769
3. “Who was Carlo Acutis?” Oct 1, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdoTQmFyXgE&feature=youtu.be&list=UUPLAYER_catholicnewsagency
4. Hunter-Kilmer, Meg. “With a miracle approved, beatification awaits computer programmer Carlo Acutis”. Our Sunday Visitor News. February 24, 2020. https://www.osvnews.com/2020/02/24/with-a-miracle-approved-beatification-awaits-computer-programer-carlo-acutis

Pres Trump and First Lady were Tested Positive for COVID19!

Today, Pres. Trump and First Lady Melania were tested positive of COVID19 or Coronavirus. For those who are still mocking and downplaying the virus, especially to my friends and relatives who are avid supporters of Pres. Trump, it’s time to realize that COVID19 is real. Despite all the mocking and downplaying of the president that have put the people at risk, especially my relatives and friends who love him, I feel sad and sorry for them. I will still pray for their recovery and their family. Please wear mask in public and follow the CDC guidelines, even if your leaders does not want you to, for your protection and family’s protection.

REFERENCE:

Clark, Dartunorro, Jackson, Hallie and Helsel, Phil. “Trump, first lady test positive for Covid-19”. NBC UNIVERSAL. Oct. 1, 2020. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-first-lady-test-positive-covid-19-n1241769

COVID-19 Recession: One of the Worst Economic Downturns in American History

Great slump: By 1933, unemployment in the USA was at 25 per cent. Photo: The Day

Sean Harris holds a sign asking for help in Sept. 4 in New Orleans. Harris had just completed training to be a hunted history tour guide in the French Quarter when the coronavirus pandemic hit. He has not been able to find a job since. Photo: Times News

 

This year, 2020, is the worst economic downturn since the great depression.  It is one of the worst economic downturns in American history.  They say it is just the beginning.  This is only the tip of the iceberg.  The worst is still to come. 

According to World Bank forecasts, the global economy will shrink by 5.2% this year. That would represent the deepest recession since the Second World War [1].

The pandemic crisis caused bankruptcy to a lot of companies like: Aldo (Shoe Retailer), 24 Hour Fitness, Gold’s Gym, California Pizza Kitchen, Chuck E. Cheese, Cirque du Soleil, Debenhams, Hertz Corp, Frontier Communications, JC Penny, Neiman Marcus, GNC, J Crew, Lane Bryant, Lord & Taylor, Lucky Brand Jeans, New York & Company, Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg,  Pier 1, Sizzler, USA Rugby, Virgin Australia and a lot more [2][3][4].

Over 42.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic [5].  Eventbrite laid off half its workforce as events worldwide are canceled.  Airbnb cut 25% of its workforce.  Uber laid off around 6,700 workers in two waves and shut 45 offices.  Rent The Runway laid off all retail employees across the country.  Compass Coffee, a Washington, D.C. Starbucks competitor, laid off 150 of its 189 employees.  General Electric laid off about 10% of its jet engine workforce, around 2,500 workers.  The University of Colorado at Boulder laid off a handful of employees, and more layoffs could be on the way.  The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, IATSE, estimated that 120,000 jobs for film workers, including technicians, artisans and other crew positions have been eliminated. [6]

As of today there are 201K deaths in the US and 971K deaths worldwide [7].  Nearly 600 front-line health care workers appear to have died of COVID-19 in the US [8].  People are dying, mourning & starving.   If only the 30-Day National Lockdown was enforced.

Scientists have been warning us about the climate change.  Extreme weather, natural disasters, and strange animal behavior are clear warnings to us that something is wrong, but some leaders are dismissing it and their staunchest followers silence it. 

This uncertain time calls for careful analysis.  Look for the numbers instead of rumors.  Follow the public health guidelines to support the heath care workers to keep them safe as they save lives, spend wisely, and vote wisely this November 3, 2020 US election.

It is not for me to judge, but imagine if everybody thought this way, imagine how resilient the economy would be, what a powerful global community we would form.

 

REFERENCES:

1. “COVID-19 to Plunge Global Economy into Worst Recession since World War II”.  The World Bank.  June 8, 2020.  https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/06/08/covid-19-to-plunge-global-economy-into-worst-recession-since-world-war-ii
2. Shen, Lucinda.  “The 20 biggest companies that have filed for bankruptcy because of the coronavirus pandemic”.  Fortune Media.  June 29, 2020.  https://fortune.com/2020/06/29/companies-filing-bankruptcy-2020-during-coronavirus-pandemic-covid-19-economy-industries/
3. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Companies_that_filed_for_Chapter_11_bankruptcy_in_2020
4. Tucker, Hank.  “Coronavirus Bankruptcy Tracker: These Major Companies Are Failing Amid The Shutdown”.  Forbes.  May 3, 2020.  https://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2020/05/03/coronavirus-bankruptcy-tracker-these-major-companies-are-failing-amid-the-shutdown/#2b79a52e3425
5. Lambert, Lance. “Over 42.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic”.  Fortune Media.  June 4, 2020.   https://fortune.com/2020/06/04/us-unemployment-rate-numbers-claims-this-week-total-job-losses-june-4-2020-benefits-claims/
6. Voytko, Lisette.  “Coronavirus Layoffs: Boeing Lays Off 6,770 Workers Amid Pandemic”.  Forbes.  May 27, 2020.  https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2020/05/27/coronavirus-layoffs-boeing-lays-off-6770-workers-amid-pandemic/#25b30d3045bd
7. “Cases overview”.  https://g.co/kgs/MQhEs1
8. Jewett, Christina, Bailey, Melissa and Renwick, Danielle.  “Exclusive: Nearly 600 — And Counting — US Health Workers Have Died Of COVID-19”.  Kaiser Family Foundation.  June 6, 2020.  https://khn.org/news/exclusive-investigation-nearly-600-and-counting-us-health-workers-have-died-of-covid-19/
9. “World faces worst crisis since Great Depression”.  The Day.  April 22, 2020.  https://theday.co.uk/stories/world-faces-worst-crisis-since-great-depression
   
10. Ridler, Keith.  “Idaho initial and continuing unemployment claims drop again”.  Times News.  September 17, 2020.  https://magicvalley.com/business/idaho-initial-and-continuing-unemployment-claims-drop-again/article_caf91cfa-2794-5a5c-acfa-21d20ee7a5d7.html

From Bankruptcy To Presidency

Before Pres. Trump became president, he filed for business bankruptcy four times: the Trump Taj Mahal in 1991, Trump Plaza Hotel in 1992, Trump Hotels and Casinos Resorts in 2004 and Trump Entertainment Resorts in 2009 [1].  Also, Trump settled all three fraud lawsuits relating to Trump University in November 2016 for a total of $25 million after being elected president [2].

Despite the bankruptcy and lawsuits, Trump became president and still have the courage to run for the November 3, 2020 election.  Trump was not the only President who filed bankruptcy, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, William McKinley and Ulysses S. Grant also filed for bankruptcy.  William McKinley declared bankruptcy while serving as the Governor of Ohio. Less than three years later, he was elected President of the United States [3].

For entrepreneurs who are losing hope due to the pandemic crisis, especially to my friends who are struggling to save their companies and their employees, remember that Pres. Trump became president despite all the challenges, bankruptcies and lawsuits.

It is not the end of the world.  As long as you can wake up and breathe there is hope. There is always a solution.

 

REFERENCES:

1. “Examining Donald Trump’s Chapter 11 Bankruptcies”.  American Bankruptcy Institute.  https://www.abi.org/feed-item/examining-donald-trump%E2%80%99s-chapter-11-bankruptcies
2. Carroll, Rory.  “Donald Trump settles fraud lawsuits relating to Trump University for $25m”.  The Guardian.  November 18, 2016.  https://web.archive.org/web/20180531004725/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/18/donald-trump-university-settles-president-lawsuit-25-million
3. Mack, Adam.  “US Presidents Who Filed Bankruptcy – Part I”.  Mack & Associates.  https://www.kansasjustice.com/bankruptcy/blog/us-presidents-filed-bankruptcy