By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
Assuming the Senate passes and President Donald Trump signs it into law, the Families first Coronavirus Response Act would provide some relief to local families and businesses. The act “sunsets” at the end of 2020.
The original text:
www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201/text
The legislation was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives March 14.
Many local businesses are already closed and all schools are closed. What about workers now required to be at home because schools are closed? What about adults workers who worked for a business now closed? What about workers who are now unemployed? What about food security? What about those who may fall ill?
Homebound Workers
What is being done for a working parent that is now required to stay home with children because they are out of school? The bill temporarily guarantees 10 paid sick days (80 hours) to full-time workers, prorated for part-time workers. Employers with fewer than 500 employees are required to provide paid sick days to all workers at their regular rate of pay for their own illness and at two-thirds pay to care for a family member.
The Emergency Paid Leave Act of 2020 applies to: those sick with coronavirus, taking care of a sick or quarantined family member, or caregiving because a virus-related closing of a school or other care facility for a child or another unable to provide self-care. This would be paid electronically or by mail for 30-day periods (up to three) for which the eligible individual has filed an application. The amount would be equal to 2/3 of an individual’s monthly earnings, reduced by the amount of paid leave received. The upper limit is $4,000. It is not taxable. The Social Security commissioner is to accept applications online, by phone and by mail.
Food Security:
Although most local schools will continue serving “grab and go” breakfasts and lunch to students, if that program should end, the bill may cover “food security” for low-income families. The bill calls for the Secretary of Agriculture, through the states’ supplemental allotments to households receiving Food & Nutrition Act of 2008, not less than values of meals at the free rate over the course of 5 school days of each eligible child. The state agency may provide assistance through the EBT card system. The WIC program and the SNAP programs will be temporarily expanded to cover poor or jobless workers and to provide emergency food allotments for families suddenly in need of food.
Unemployed:
The Emergency Unemployment Insurance Stabilization & Access Act of 2020 sends funds from the federal government to state unemployment insurance (UI) funds so states can meet the increased demand for UI benefits as a result of layoffs related to the coronavirus. The Secretary of Labor must transfer at least 50 percent of these funds no later than 30 days after the legislation goes into law. The application process must include at least two of these three: in person, by phone or online.
Employers:
Employers can claim a quarterly tax credit against payroll taxes for payments for sick days and family and medical leave up to an amount that does not exceed the business’ total payroll taxes paid in that quarter. Self-employed workers, including independent contractors and gig economy workers, can claim a credit against their self-employment taxes. Payments from general taxes will go to Social Security trust funds equal to the revenue lost to payroll tax credits to insure the solvency of the trust funds and Social Security’s ability to pay workers retirement benefits are not affected.
COVID-19 Testing
Diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is free. Health insurance companies are required to cover diagnostic testing and are not allowed to impose any cost-sharing on those tested. Patients do not need to get prior authorization to get tested. State Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and CHIP programs are required to pay 100 percent of the costs of diagnostic tests. The federal government will reimburse costs for these tests and for testing people with no insurance. The federal government has not offered to cover the costs of care for individuals diagnosed with the disease.
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PSA is U.S.
co-champions
NEW LONDON — The final buzzer sounded, and the scoreboard showed a win for Putnam Science Academy in its final game of the season. And yet, Mekhi Gray just wasn’t quite sure how to react.
Minutes before the start of their Prep National Championship semifinal game on March 12, the Mustangs found out that there would be no final. Concerns over the coronavirus led the tournament director to decide that the semis would be it, meaning PSA’s eventual 79-71 win over Northfield Mount Hermon gave the Mustangs a piece of a second national championship in three years.
They were officially crowned co-national champions with Brewster Academy (N.H.) shortly after the game.
“At first, it didn’t really feel like a championship,” said Gray, who finished scoreless but had 10 big points and played great defense in the quarterfinals. “But then, everyone was celebrating and, yeah, co-champions, but we’re still national champs and it really does feel great. This is pretty amazing.”
Among the loudest of celebrators was D’Maurian Williams, who good-naturedly interrupted every postgame interview he could by screaming about being national champions. There was no confusion for him.
“Man, we champs, man, champs, man, champs, man! Yeah!” he shouted to the delight of teammates. “We’re national champs, you know I’ve got my guys with me. It was nothing crazy…just another day in Putnam…you know, another day in Putnam!”
PSA, which won the national championship outright in 2018, scored the first basket of the game, then played catch-up for most of the rest of the half, trailing by as many as 10 points (27-17) roughly midway through. The Mustangs (36-4) fought back behind Hassan Diarra to tie the game 38-all at halftime.
Diarra, who had 11 points in the first half, finished with a game-high 29 to go along with six rebounds and six assists. He also went 10-for-10 from the free throw line and became the only player in school history to be part of two national championship teams. Also this season, Diarra, who will play next year at Texas A&M, became PSA’s all-time scoring leader, finishing with 1,469 points.
“It’s been amazing playing here at Putnam Science Academy,” he said. “I’ve got to thank coach (Espinosa), my teammates. It’s just a blessing. I can’t express to you how happy I am.”
PSA opened the second half on a 7-0 run, getting buckets from Terrell Ard Jr. (10 points, seven rebounds), Vlad Goldin (10 points, five rebounds, two blocks), and Williams (five points, four rebounds). The lead got to 59-49 with about 10:30 to go, and PSA kept Northfield Mount Hermon at bay the rest of the way.
“This feels great,” said Johnnie Williams, who scored eight points including a big 3-pointer with four minutes to go and who also authored one of the most amazing stories of resilience this season at PSA after going from non-factor to key contributor. “We worked our tails off for this. It’s, it’s unbelievable.”
PSA topped Mt. Zion Prep 74-68 in quarterfinal play behind Johnnie Williams’ 12 points and Gray’s 10. Diarra had 15 points, Josh Gray nine points and nine rebounds, Ard Jr. eight points and five rebounds, and D’Maurian Williams chipped in with six points, four rebounds, and four assists in that win.
Thirty-six wins in 40 games might give the impression that things were easy for the Mustangs. That is far from the truth. All season long, coach Tom Espinosa referred to this group as one of the most challenging he’s ever had. There were individual and team ups and downs, highs and lows, both on and off the court.
“Lot of ups and downs,” Ard Jr. said. “But guys got through it, we fought through it. We kept playing every day and kept focusing. And now look at us.”
Guys like Ard Jr., Gray, Johnnie Williams, Josh Gray, Marty Silvera, all saw their minutes and roles fluctuate at times because of those ups and downs.
“At the end of the day, guys fought through it,” Espinosa said. “Guys who were low really stepped up to make this run happen. Mekhi, D’Maurian, Johnnie…they really did. Guys stuck together and we got to this point.
“I’m really happy for the kids. We’re co-national champions, and they will remember this.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs. The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 963-0000.
March 5
Kara Racine, 27, School Street, Putnam; insufficient insurance, failure to have headlights lit.
March 7
Jesse Dessert, 41, Bailey Hill Road, Killingly; failure to display plate, operating unregistered motor vehicle, insufficient insurance, misuse of registration.
Derek Brooks, 35, Center Street, Putnam; second-degree threatening, disorderly conduct, second-degree unlawful restraint, interfering with an emergency call, third-degree assault.
March 8
Jonathan Pease, 53, Black Point Road, Scarborough, Maine; creating a public disturbance.
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caption:
Queen and King
Westview Health Care Center’s Queen and King of Mardi Gras include: Anne and John Navarro. Standing, from left: Vicki Ericson, Jim Harkins and Louise Taylor. Courtesy photo.
DAYVILLE — The Mardi Gras celebration at Westview Health Care Center regaled the health care center’s citizens with festivities and fanfare Feb. 25.
Musician Jim Harkins provided the live soundtrack. Purple, gold, and green decorations adorned the walls, tabletops, and guests. Westview’s considerable collection of costumes was on display as each attendee modeled looks straight off of the Bourbon Street runway. Every patient and resident was able to select their own outfit consisting of various crowns, robes, masks, hats and beads. Lots and lots of beads. Recreation Director Louise Taylor and Assistant Recreation Director Vicki Ericson dressed as harlequins.
The all-important “King Cake” was enjoyed by all. The man and woman who found the baby Jesus statue inside their slice of cake were named the King and Queen of Westview Mardi Gras. This year’s winners were Anne and John Navarro, a married couple.
“Here at Westview, we celebrate life each and every day,” said David T. Panteleakos, administrator.
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