Pandemic spurs innovation for small- to mid-sized businesses

(BPT) - As COVID-19 continues to disrupt normal day-to-day operations of small- to mid-sized businesses and nearly half of the U.S. workforce hangs in the balance, employers are taking creative measures to reset their go-to-market strategies and offerings. By changing their operations to meet the demands of their customers, businesses can not only stay relevant but keep their staff employed and thrive in the new economy.

This pandemic offers business owners, investors and solopreneurs the opportunity to take a critical look at their overall business model, offerings and operations and reset the entire business structure, creating new opportunities to serve and prevail. This is the perfect time to explore new legal solutions to the most common business obstacles to help companies preserve and protect their brands and prosper for generations to come. There are great examples of resets happening within many industries.

With the pandemic closing summer camps throughout the country, ACA-accredited Adventure Links, a 23-year-old summer camp in Virginia, has found a way to replace its usual summer adventure camp programs with The CampCloud(TM), an experiential online alternative. The company is now offering its virtual camping programs to individuals and employers to assist employees working from home by keeping their kids engaged, learning and delighted all day from virtually anywhere. The program is being offered to other camps as a customizable, online option for their campers.

Ensuring the health and safety of employers when stay-at-home orders are lifted, and business resumes, is critical. Thanks to a team of entrepreneurs, Disinfect & Shield(TM), an FDA-registered, EPA-approved and eco-friendly disinfectant used in surgical suites for the last decade, is now available to businesses worldwide to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 and other dangerous organisms. It works by creating a permanent anti-microbial shield, preventing the virus from attaching to surfaces where it has been applied without risk to humans, animals or crops. With Disinfect & Shield(TM), employees, customers and visitors can feel safe knowing that their space has been properly disinfected and treated for optimum health and safety.

Clint Coons, founder of Anderson Business Advisors, offers 5 financing and entity creation tips to help entrepreneurs and small business owners:

* Know how to use loans: CARES Act loans have specific guidelines like having to use at least 60% of the loan within 24 weeks of receipt for payroll expenses. Concerned that money would dry up, many small business owners applied with no way of utilizing them because their business cannot reopen under the strict guidelines imposed on the industry.

* Alternate cash sources: Borrow from a 401(k) or IRA to keep businesses afloat, as it does not need to be paid back for at least 3-6 years. However, pulling money out of a retirement plan comes with some risk, such as if the business does not see profitability, then retirement funds were wasted on a failed business venture.

* Beware of increasing liabilities: Because insurance will not cover claims brought under COVID, reopening comes with risk and business owners are wondering how they will operate under strict COVID-19 related guidelines and still make a profit. Now is the time to pivot and reset.

* Consider restructuring: Set up your business in the right entity and state. Mistakes in formation or taxation can have a lasting negative impact on business growth and viability. Before starting a new business, consider the best structure for asset protection and tax minimization. For example, a limited liability company (LLC) gives business owners time to operate at a loss for the first few months and write off the loss on their individual 1040 forms against other forms of income. There are different entity funding options with protection ramifications.

* Utilize Privacy Shield Protection by creating anonymity with trusts.

COVID-19 has shown that many businesses aren't prepared for worst-case scenarios and make common mistakes that can affect their ability to grow and borrow money. If approached strategically, small- to medium-sized businesses can take this time to implement changes and help their operations succeed and thrive.

Coronavirus Numbers in New Mexico 
As of June 29, 2020

173 New Cases - State Count is at 11,982

1 new death - (Female from San Juan County)

Total Deaths 493 to date

COVID-19 STATE OF NEW MEXICO TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Covid-19 State of NM

Emergency Response Numbers

 Lori Martinez

Statewide Response Numbers

 

Coronavirus Health Hotline

1-855-600-3453

Coronavirus Information Hotline

1-833-551-0518

Crisis & Access Hotline

1-855-662-7474

Employment (Income Loss / Reduction)

1-877-664-6984

Unemployed or underemployed

1-505-827-0300

Small business or employer assistance

FOOD ASSISTANCE 

1-505-827-6683

Assistance with food for school age kids

WIC Questions on food / formula

1-505-469-0929

Seniors who need groceries

1-800-432-2080

WIC General Questions

1-866-867-3124

SNAP Benefits

1-800-283-4465

HEALTH INSURANCE

 

1-800-283-4465

Assistance obtaining health insurance

 

Affordable Health Insurance (if you do not qualify for Medicaid)

1-855-996-6449

(www.bewellnm.com)

FAMILY & MISC

1-800-691-9067

Childcare Assistance

How to Help older adults avoid fraudsters during the COVID-19 pandemic

How to help older adults avoid fraudsters during the COVID-19 pandemic

(BPT) - Crises and upheaval have a way of bringing out the best - and, sometimes the worst - in society. That's why, during this month focused on Elder Abuse Awareness and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to protect the online information of senior and vulnerable friends and loved ones.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has seen an increase in online extortion attempts as state governments have issued "stay-at-home" orders in response to the crisis. That comes at a time when The Better Business Bureau says fraudsters are targeting older populations in particular.

"Our elderly population are the wisest and most treasured members of our communities," says DJ Johnson, Charles Schwab's Senior Vice President of Corporate Risk Management. "However, they're at a higher level of risk, not only due to possible physical complications with the virus, but also by being targeted by online scammers who have increased their efforts to defraud this susceptible group. As the senior population is confronted with challenging decisions, whether about visiting stores for groceries or isolating themselves from loved ones, criminals can prey on vulnerability from several fronts."

Scammers have deployed several methods intended to trick individuals into sending money, disclosing personal information or downloading malicious software. At Schwab, teams are trained to pay attention to behavioral cues that might be the result of an attempted scam.

Awareness of scams targeting seniors is key

While fraud can come in many forms, here are a few specific schemes that can be more targeted at the senior population:

Emergency scams: Schemers misrepresent themselves as a family member requesting money for care, or requesting supplies to "stay afloat."

Social Security: Scammers pose as someone from the Social Security Administration requesting payment or personal information to prevent benefits from being suspended or reduced.

Investment scams: Fraudsters promote investments in companies that claim to prevent, detect or provide a cure for COVID-19.

So now, more than ever, it's important to stay informed in order to detect signs of fraud. Added isolation can increase vulnerability to falling victim to a scam.

Tips:

* Consult with family members and friends prior to acting on a request for funds.

* Assign a trusted contact.

* The Social Security Administration is not suspending benefits and will never request payment to receive them.

* Perform extra due diligence when making investment choices. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Fake websites

People are turning to the internet for up-to-date information about COVID-19 and to purchase goods that either cannot be found in stores or as an alternative to shopping in person.

To take advantage of this, fraudsters set up websites to offer goods or services, such as protective gear (gloves and face masks), cleaning products, vaccines, testing kits and home delivery services. They then use these sites to collect payment and personal information with no intention of delivering the goods and services. This data is used by the fraudsters, or sold to other criminals on the dark web.

Tips:

* Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or coronavirus.gov, or contact your physician for information regarding COVID-19.

* Avoid visiting pages offering cures or vaccines.

* Go directly to websites by entering a trusted URL address into your browser.

* Avoid using phone numbers for companies found through general web searches.

* Read site reviews regarding product delivery and purchases. The reviews may indicate if a site is selling counterfeit products.

Phishing

Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails or texts purporting to be from reputable sources to persuade individuals to reveal personal information, such as login credentials.

Tips:

* Be suspicious of any email or text that requests your personal information.

* Hover over links to check validity, or visit websites directly by entering a known URL address into your internet browser before logging in or accessing material.

* Help ensure a website is secure before entering personal information.

* Do not click or download suspicious or unknown attachments, and be wary of attachments even from people you know.

Impersonations

Impersonation fraud schemes are used by impostors to obtain personal information and request fraudulent payments. The scam may begin with a phone call, email, computer pop-ups, text or other communication. Fraudsters are employing pandemic-related robocalls, claiming to be associated with charities, insurance companies or businesses offering products or cures. Some calls even offer cleaning services for your home. Impostors may pretend to be government officials and try to capitalize on the extended tax-filing date and proposed economic-stimulus checks.

Tips:

* Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers.

* Hang up if you do answer a call that's unusual. Don't press any buttons because this could lead to more calls.

* Don't supply personal, account or payment information, especially if you feel you're being pressured.

* Never send money in response to a robocall or social media message.

For information on more ways to educate and protect yourself and your elderly family members from cybercrimes, visit schwab.com/schwabsafe/security-knowledge-center.

Donate Plasma - Fight Covid-19

Calling all COVID-19 survivors: Now you could help others defeat it.

(BPT) - Time is of the essence.

If you or someone you know has recovered from COVID-19, the vital antibodies in your blood plasma could be used to help another patient fight off the disease or to create a medicine to potentially treat it.

Please join us to unite against COVID-19 by donating your plasma.

Notable voices including Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson, Helen Mirren, Awkwafina, Ryan Tedder, Dr. Ken Jeong, and Daniel Dae Kim, are supporting a broad coalition of the world's leading medical and research institutions, blood centers, life science companies, technology companies, philanthropic organizations and COVID-19 survivor groups. This coalition has launched "The Fight Is In Us" campaign to drive awareness and recruit COVID-19 survivors to donate their blood plasma to potentially help save lives. The public-private partnership that resulted in "The Fight Is In Us" is a massive global public health undertaking, fueled by a shared responsibility to make a difference.

"COVID-19 continues to impact our communities and the time is now to donate plasma and to potentially help stop the disease in its tracks," said Dwayne Johnson. "I'm humbled to join forces with The Fight Is In Us team to raise awareness of the urgent need for COVID-19 survivors to donate their strength."

Recovered individuals in communities across the United States hold an important key to accelerating progress in the development of potential treatment options for COVID-19. COVID-19 survivors are urged to recognize the fight within themselves and pay it forward by donating plasma to potentially help someone else in their own fight.

One vital resource, two valuable approaches:

Donating blood plasma is a safe process that has been used for more than one hundred years to help save lives. Thousands of people safely and painlessly donate every day. The coalition partners are working on two approaches for treating COVID-19, both of which urgently require collection of convalescent plasma from survivors.

* Direct transfusion - Blood donor centers throughout the country are currently collecting convalescent plasma from COVID-19 survivors that is being directly infused into current patients as part of the Expanded Access Program for convalescent plasma. This program is being administered by Mayo Clinic with authorization from the Food & Drug Administration. The safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma are being evaluated through multiple clinical trials in different populations.

* Hyperimmune globulin (H-Ig) medicine - Convalescent plasma is being collected for the development of a potential treatment that is currently being manufactured and will be studied in clinical trials this summer. Through the manufacturing process, the plasma is pooled, concentrated and purified, resulting in a vial of medicine with consistent levels of antibodies that could make H-Ig easier for hospitals to store and administer to patients. Coalition members developing an H-Ig include the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance (CSL Behring, Takeda, ADMA Biologics, Biopharma Plasma, Biotest, BPL, GC Pharma, LFB, Octapharma and Sanquin) and Grifols.

Racing against time:

The coalition is reaching out to people in the United States who have recovered from COVID-19 to realize the unique strength they have and donate their blood plasma in a race against time.

* Within survivors' two-month recovery period - COVID-19 survivors who are willing to donate must do so within two months of their recovery to increase the chance that their blood plasma contains a sufficient concentration of antibodies.

* In anticipation of seasonal increases in COVID-19 cases - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health experts warn against a second surge of cases this fall in the Northern Hemisphere, making the search for a treatment particularly urgent.

How you can help:

COVID-19 survivors should visit TheFightIsInUs.org to understand if they may be eligible to donate and find a nearby blood or plasma donor center using a simple self-screening tool. With more than 1,600 locations, the coalition aims to make the blood and plasma donation process easy for COVID-19 survivors. Uber Health is providing free, roundtrip Uber rides to and from the donor centers for those who are eligible to donate.

We urge all healthy individuals - whether they have recovered from COVID-19 or not - to donate blood or plasma. Blood and plasma donations benefit thousands of people every day through transfusions or processed into life-saving therapies that treat serious and rare diseases.

If you or someone you know has beat COVID-19, please consider donating your plasma today to potentially share your inner strength with those who need it: www.TheFightIsInUs.org.

Face Coverings: Will This Be Our New Normal in NM?

                                                                   by Lori Martinez 

It occurred to me very recently that each day when I’m running errands and going about my day, I am getting out of my car and putting my face mask on and its more automatic than ever. I’m not thinking about it or complaining about it, I’m just doing it.

As I enter a place like Wal-mart, I look all around and see all kinds of people following their version of everyone elses rules. Sure, Big Box may require you to wear face coverings, but not everyone is doing it, not everyone is enforcing it.

You see a mother wearing a mask, but the three kids in her shopping cart are not. You see an entire family, all wearing masks, walking together in robotic fashion, the paranoid mother warning her kids not to touch anything. You see the elderly people driving walmart electric carts, most wearing their masks incorrectly. Once in awhile you recognize a face underneath the mask and you say hello to a person surprised you know them.

Rewind to the beginning of the year. Who would have known that face masks and face coverings would be part of our new normal? Beginning May 16, 2020 New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham is requiring that anyone out and about in public in New Mexico be required to wear a face covering, with the only exceptions being eating, drinking, exercising and medical related situations.

The CDC also recommends that everyone wear face coverings when outside of their homes, whether you feel well or not. There is evidence that people without any symptoms can have Covid 19 and spread the disease. This is especially true for the younger generation, known as the “super spreaders”. They could have Covid-19 and have absolutely no symptoms.

Face coverings prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading Covid-19 through respiratory droplets if they talk, cough, sneeze or simply breathe. So, by wearing a face covering, you are doing your part not to spread Covid-19 if you happen to be afflicted. Using a face mask can be restrictive and uncomfortable, but if it adds any layer of protection for us, it is well worth doing.

I’ve seen many well meaning people wear face coverings incorrectly. They cover their nose but not the mouth, or the mouth but not the nose. Some wear surgical masks upside down, or wear coverings so loose there are big gaps showing. The face mask should be worn so there are no gaps for droplets, etc to escape. Mouth and nose areas should be fully covered. The face covering should be tied or secured so it does not fall off or become undone. Don’t tie it or fasten it so tight that you have trouble breathing.