Aaron Sanchez – Página 79

Federal Judge Certifies Class, Orders Trump Administration to Stop Denying Pandemic Relief Funds to Incarcerated Persons

OAKLAND, California, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On September 24, 2020, Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an Order certifying a nationwide class of people incarcerated in state and federal prisons, and granting the plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction requiring the U.S. Department of Treasury, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and the United States of America («Defendants») to stop withholding CARES Act stimulus funds from plaintiffs or any class member on the sole basis of their incarcerated status.

A Treasury Department Inspector General report confirms that, as of early May 2020, the IRS had determined that at least 80,000 incarcerated people were eligible for payments of over $100 million. The Judge’s order will thus result in desperately needed economic assistance of over $100 million to be delivered to members of the Class.

Congress passed the CARES Act to provide sorely needed economic assistance during the economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Incarcerated persons, and their families on the outside, are among the most economically disadvantaged people in the country. Indeed, according to one study, people who are incarcerated had a median income of only $19,185 before their incarceration, compared to $41,250 for non-incarcerated people. Low-income families are disproportionately more likely to have a relative behind bars. The same is true for Black, Latino and Native families.

The Treasury, however, has refused to issue stimulus payments authorized by Congress to eligible incarcerated persons, thereby further exacerbating the economic disadvantages they and their families suffer.

The lawsuit alleges that over 1.4 million incarcerated people have been affected by Defendants’ actions. Many rely on financial assistance from their friends or families on the outside, people who are already suffering in the current economic crisis.

The plaintiffs are Colin Scholl and Lisa Strawn. The Lieff Cabraser legal team representing them and the proposed class are Kelly M. Dermody, Yaman Salahi, and Jalle H. Dafa, joined by Eva Jefferson Paterson, Mona Tawatao, Lisa Holder, and Christina Alvernaz of the Equal Justice Society. Kelly Dermody and Eva Paterson have been appointed Co-Lead Class Counsel.

The defendants are the Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the United States Commissioner of Internal Revenue Charles Rettig, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and the United States of America.

For more information, visit lieffcabraser.com/cares-act-relief.

The case is Colin Scholl, et al., v. Steven Mnuchin, et al. The case number is 20-cv-05309-PJH.

SOURCE Equal Justice Society

Bingo in Watsonville – Aquamaids Bingo is Back at a New Location in Wattsonville, CA, Starting on September 30, 2020

WATTSONVILLE, California, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Aquamaids Bingo is pleased to announce the return of fun and exciting bingo games—with a safe and contactless twist.

Starting Wednesday, September 30, bingo fans can gather at the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds at 2601 East Lake Avenue in Watsonville, California for Hot Rod Bingo. The parking lot will open at 5 p.m., and people can…

WATTSONVILLE, California, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Aquamaids Bingo is pleased to announce the return of fun and exciting bingo games—with a safe and contactless twist.

To learn more about Aquamaids Bingo new location and to download the app please visit https://aquamaidsbingo.org/sessions/bingo-santa-cruz-fair-grounds-in-watsonville

As a spokesperson noted, like many other local businesses, Aquamaids Bingo had to shut down due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. While bingo fans have been patient and understanding about the situation, the founders of Aquamaids Bingo were also determined to bring back bingo as soon as they possibly could.

Now, thanks to the upcoming launch of Hot Rod Bingo, bingo fans can once again gather together and enjoy an evening of bingo. Hot Rod Bingo will offer the following games: 10 strips paying $750 each, two Double Action games paying $500 each, a Wonder Woman Strip that pays $2,000 on Pink and a $1,000 Consolation and $2,389 and $1,199 Strip flash.

Purchases may be made online via the Aquamaids Bingo App; the app will be available at the App Store or on Google Play prior to Hot Rod Bingo. People may also access the link at the main Aquamaids Bingo website or on their Facebook page.

People who are looking up Aquamaids Bingo new location online will find them by searching:

Watsonville bingo

Santa Cruz bingo

Monterey bingo

Salinas bingo

Gilroy bingo

About Aquamaids Bingo:

For those who crave the excitement, fun and social interaction of live-action bingo, Aquamaids Bingo is the destination people are looking for. They offer traditional classic bingo games as well as many of the hottest and latest strip bingo sessions and biggest daily payouts in the Bay Area. For more information, please visit https://aquamaidsbingo.org/

Aquamaids Bingo

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville
Watsonville, Ca. 95076
(408) 988-9936

SOURCE Aquamaids Bingo

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Joins 38 U.S. Health Systems to Declare: It is Undeniable, Racism is a Public Health Crisis

CHOP and 38 other health systems in 45 states and Washington, DC have committed to addressing racism and the public health disparities caused by racism

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is a member of the <a target="_blank"…

CHOP and 38 other health systems in 45 states and Washington, DC have committed to addressing racism and the public health disparities caused by racism

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is a member of the Healthcare Anchor Network, a national collaboration of leading healthcare systems, which published the «Racism is a Public Health Crisis» statement. Our health institutions employ over half-million employees across 45 states and Washington, DC and are committed to taking concrete action to address the impact of structural racism in our communities.

Moved by the unconscionable, unjust deaths of George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and too many others, our health systems stand together with all those who have lifted their voices with a call to action.

«We, along with these prestigious hospitals, are committed to combating racism, inequality and discrimination,» said Gilbert Davis, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. «No one individual or institution can do this alone, and we are committed to listening to our neighbors of color and implementing initiatives that will help to eradicate all forms of discrimination. CHOP is committed to being intentional and we will partner with others in the community to address the social injustice and systemic racism that contribute to disparity of care across our region.»

«Racism is a public health crisis. In Black and Indigenous communities and communities of color, we see higher rates of illness and death as a result of systemic racism. We need to harness our collective strength to invest in our communities and to more intentionally hire and buy from local BIPOC communities so that all people can be healthy and thrive,» said Healthcare Anchor Network Director David Zuckerman. «We all must better understand and act to change the impacts of systemic racism on social and economic conditions and health outcomes,» added Zuckerman.

Investment in Black and Indigenous communities and communities of color is critical to overcoming health disparities. At CHOP, we are committed to implementing policy changes that promote equity and opportunity; improving primary and specialty care; helping our communities overcome chronic diseases; advocating for investments in improvements to health access, quality, and outcomes; promoting and retaining leaders of color; providing anti-racism and implicit bias training for all staff and administrators; and advocating for funding for programming for social needs, social services, and social justice.

From the statement: «Our society only truly thrives when everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live a healthy life. We are committed to moving forward together. By harnessing the collective strengths of our organizations, we will help serve our communities as agents of change.»

About CHOP
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children’s Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 564-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu

Contact: Joey McCool Ryan
(267) 426-6070
McCool@email.chop.edu

SOURCE Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Blue Shield of California Elects Kristina Leslie As First Woman to Chair Its Board of Directors

OAKLAND, California, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Blue Shield of California, a leader in diversity and gender equity, today announced Kristina (Kris) Leslie has been elected to be chair of the nonprofit health plan’s board of directors, effective Oct. 1, 2020. Leslie is the first woman to lead the board in the company’s 81-year history.

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Diversity and inclusion at Blue Shield of California

The company also announced today two new appointments to the board of directors to fill pending vacancies on Oct. 1 that will result in the 12-person board achieving gender balance. Additionally, women will now lead four of the board’s five standing committees. The tax-paying nonprofit, which has nearly 7,000 employees and $22 billion in annual revenues, is one of the largest companies in California to achieve gender balance on its board.

Blue Shield achieved pay equity for its employees across gender and ethnicity in 2018. It has a balanced representation of women and men in leadership roles (Director and above), and it was recently selected as one of America’s Best Companies for Women to Advance by Parity.org.

«We are committed to making Blue Shield a place where people of all genders, races, and backgrounds feel comfortable making it their professional home,» said Paul Markovich, president and CEO, Blue Shield of California. «I look forward to working with Kris in her new role as we strive to create a health care system worthy of our family and friends, and sustainably affordable. I want to thank Doug Busch, our outgoing chair, for his incredible support for more than a decade.»

Leslie has served on Blue Shield’s board since 2013. She has a distinguished professional career, including serving as chief financial officer of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., which has produced some of America’s best known computer-generated, animated feature films. Leslie also serves on the board of directors for CVB Financial Corp. and Justworks, Inc., and she has served on the boards of several other public and private companies including Glassdoor Inc., Orbitz Worldwide, Inc., Pico Holdings Inc., Obagi Medical Products, and Methodist Hospital of Southern California.

She succeeds Busch, a Sacramento-based business executive who has served four, three-year terms on the board, the maximum allowed under company bylaws.

«We deeply appreciate Doug’s service to Blue Shield’s 4.4 million members, to his fellow board members and to Blue Shield’s senior team. We will continue to build on his contributions and push for affordable, high quality and accessible health care for all residents of California,» Leslie said. «I am inspired to serve as chair of the board of a company so committed to lead change, champion diversity, equity and inclusion and stand for what’s right.»

Two New Board Members

Busch and fellow board member Mohammad Qayoumi, Ph.D., a chief adviser to the President of Afghanistan and President Emeritus from San Jose State University, will complete their service on the board of directors on Sept. 30.

Colleen Johnston and Guillermo Diaz, Jr. will join the board of directors on Oct. 1.

Johnston is a retired senior executive from TD Bank Group, where she served for 10 years as chief financial officer. Diaz has served as chief information officer at Cisco and is now the CEO of Kloudspot, Inc., an artificial intelligence supported analytics platform provider.

Blue Shield has received several important, recent recognitions for its diversity and inclusion efforts that include:

Ranked #1 on the 2020 Diversity Inc. Top Regional Companies List for Diversity, with more than 40% of the employee base participating in employee resource groups
Scored 100 out of 100 on the 2020 Disability Equality Index

Blue Shield was also recognized this month as a certified Great Place to Work, with 92% of employees rating the company a great place to work overall – a nearly 10% increase from last year.

About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with over 4 million members, 6,800 employees and more than $20 billion in annual revenues. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $500 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002 to have an impact on California communities.

For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com.

Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

CONTACT:	Matthew Yi
	Blue Shield of California
	510-607-2359
	media@blueshieldca.com

Kristina Leslie, Blue Shield of California Board Chair

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SOURCE Blue Shield of California

New Report Shows Largest National Reduction in Beverage Calorie Consumption Since Launch of Landmark Beverage Agreement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Independent evaluator Keybridge LLC released its annual report today on progress toward a nationwide goal, set by the beverage industry and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, to reduce the calories and sugar Americans get from beverages. The report noted that 2019 saw the largest single-year reduction in calorie consumption and the third consecutive year of declines since the launch of the initiative.

In 2014, the American…

In 2014, the American Beverage Association (ABA), The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper (formerly Dr Pepper Snapple Group) and Healthier Generation announced the Beverage Calories Initiative (BCI), a commitment to reduce per-capita consumption of beverage calories by 20% nationally by 2025.

According to the report, consumption of calories and sugar from beverages fell by 2.4% in 2019, even as sales volumes grew. Most of the progress toward the calorie goal came from reduced consumption of full-calorie sodas. Calories from juices and sports drinks also declined in 2019. Per person volumes of of no- and low-calorie sodas held steady, representing a change from previous years when declining volumes of no- and low-calorie soft drinks had been a headwind to calorie reduction progress. Meanwhile, sales of waters grew in 2019.

Since the start of BCI, beverage calories per person have decreased 5.6% from 203.0 calories per person per day in 2014 to 191.8 in 2019. Annual reductions have accelerated over each of the last three years.

«We are pleased to see continued progress toward the 2025 beverage calorie reduction target,» said Kathy Higgins, chief executive officer at Healthier Generation. «Though we have much to learn in the coming year about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on beverage consumption patterns, Healthier Generation remains committed to its long-term work of ensuring that families across the nation have more access to beverages with little or no sugar.»

This progress, which predates the COVID epidemic, comes as the beverage industry has been driving product innovations and marketing toward lower-calorie options. In 2018, more than two-thirds of all new beverage brands introduced were either no-, low- or mid-calorie options. In 2019, more than 55% of beverages purchased were zero-calorie.

«America’s beverage companies are introducing more choices with less sugar and smaller portion sizes than ever before – you can see these changes in the beverage aisle and it’s encouraging consumers to reduce sugar in their diets,» said Katherine Lugar, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association. «These results show the power of public-private partnerships working together to help support family efforts to balance their lives.»

For 15 years, Healthier Generation has convened and facilitated industry-wide and community-based solutions in support of whole child health. In 2006, Healthier Generation, ABA, and America’s leading beverage companies entered into an agreement that reduced beverage calories shipped to the nation’s K-12 schools by more than 90%. The Beverage Calories Initiative builds upon this effort to decrease consumption of calories from beverages at both a national and local level.

Later this year, Healthier Generation and ABA will release a complementary report on the BCI Communities Initiative, which evaluates progress toward the 20% beverage calorie reduction goal in five select communities across the country.

The 2019 national report is available on the Healthier Generation website at www.healthiergeneration.org/bci and the American Beverage Association website at www.ameribev.org.

About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation believes every child deserves a healthy future. For 15 years, Healthier Generation has empowered kids to develop lifelong healthy habits by ensuring the environments that surround them support their physical, social and emotional health. Driven by our passion that all young people will live healthier lives, our work has reached more than 29 million kids across the country. To learn more and help make a difference, visit HealthierGeneration.org and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

About American Beverage Association
The American Beverage Association is the national trade organization representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States. For more information, please visit www.balanceus.org and www.ameribev.org.

SOURCE Alliance for a Healthier Generation and American Beverage Association

First Alert and Actor Taylor Kinney Encourage Preparedness this Fire Prevention Month

AURORA, Illinois, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With Americans spending more time at home than ever before, it’s even more important to help ensure you are prepared in the event of a home fire. For Fire Prevention Month this October, First Alert, the most trusted brand in fire safety*, and actor Taylor Kinney share important safety reminders to help ensure your family and home are protected from the threats of smoke and fire. Together, First Alert and…

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:

«I’m excited to continue partnering with First Alert in our efforts to increase fire safety awareness,» said Kinney. «With everyone spending more time at home, it’s important to make sure everyone is prepared – and there’s no better time than Fire Prevention Month.»

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three out of five fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Even if you have smoke alarms in your home, you and your family may not be sufficiently protected.

«Now is the perfect time to enhance your home’s safety by having working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on every level and in every bedroom, and to take additional safety measures to help ensure you are prepared,» said Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First Alert.

First Alert and Kinney encourage you to be ready for the unexpected this Fire Prevention Month and protect your home with the following safety reminders:

Every level, every bedroom: For protection and peace of mind, install smoke alarms on each level of the home, including the basement, and in every bedroom, and install CO alarms on every level and near all sleeping areas.
Test and maintain: Once alarms are installed, it is important to maintain your alarms by testing them regularly. Even though testing alarms is as simple as pressing a button and waiting for the beep, a consumer survey showed that more than 60% of consumers do not test their smoke alarms monthly**. Test alarms regularly and change the batteries every six months if you have battery-powered alarms. For convenient protection and to eliminate battery replacements and late-night battery chirps for a decade, upgrade to First Alert 10-Year Sealed Battery Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
Alarms don’t last forever: Replace outdated units. If you cannot remember the last time you installed an alarm, chances are, it’s time to replace it. Alarms are on duty 24/7 and need to be replaced at least every 10 years.
Don’t forget about CO: In the fall and into the colder months of the year, the risk of CO poisoning increases dramatically. CO is an invisible, odorless gas produced by fuel-burning devices such as stoves, generators and fireplaces, and can only be detected with a CO alarm. Make sure to install CO alarms in your home.
P.A.S.S. the fire extinguishers: Beyond alarms, having fire extinguishers – and knowing how to use them – is an important part of maintaining a safe home for you and your family. According to the NFPA, the number one cause of home fires in the U.S. is unattended cooking. Place fire extinguishers in convenient locations such as the kitchen and garage, and on every level of the home. Adults in the household should learn how to properly operate a fire extinguisher using the acronym P.A.S.S. Simply pull the pin, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, squeeze the trigger and sweep from side to side.

«With more people cooking, it’s even more important to include fire extinguishers as part of a home safety plan. They should be within reach of the kitchen area,» said Wey.

Once alarms and fire extinguishers are properly installed in your home, don’t forget about your escape plan. «Alarms provide early warning in case of emergency, but it is equally important to have an escape plan in place and know what to do if an alarm sounds,» added Wey.

According to the NFPA, only 32% of American households actually developed and practiced an emergency escape plan. Involve everyone in your household when developing an emergency escape plan. Identify two exits out of each room, including windows and doors, and set a dedicated meeting spot outside. Once outside, stay outside and call 911. Be sure to practice your escape plan with the entire family at least twice a year.

Opportunity to Learn by Doing

To kick-off Fire Prevention Month, First Alert and Lowe’s stores nationwide are joining forces to educate the public about how to protect their families and homes from the threats of fire and CO. As part of Lowe’s DIY kids’ workshops, families can pick up a free, take home activity to learn about fire safety and build a wooden fire truck kit on Saturday, Oct. 10 while supplies last.

To learn more about how to be prepared to keep your family and home safe from smoke and fire, visit FirstAlert.com/firepreventionmonth. For more information on Lowe’s DIY fire truck kits, visit www.lowesdiy.com.

*First Alert Brand Trust Survey, February 2020 – Results are based on the responses of 1,000 adults, ages 25 and older, living in the United States who completed an online survey. Results are statistically significant at a 95 percent confidence level and can be generalized to the entire adult population in the United States within those statistical parameters. For more information or a copy of the complete survey results, contact Tim Young at LCWA: 312/565-4628 or tyoung@lcwa.com.

**First Alert Fire Prevention Research Report, May 2019 – Results are based on the responses of 1,000 adult homeowners, ages 18 and older, living in the United States who completed an online survey, May 13-16, 2019.

About BRK Brands, Inc.
BRK Brands, Inc. (Aurora, IL), is a fully owned subsidiary of Newell Brands. For more than 60 years, BRK Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of First Alert^®-branded home-safety products, the most trusted and recognized safety brand in America. BRK^® Brands designs and develops innovative safety solutions including a comprehensive line of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders to protect what matters most. Such products are also marketed under the BRK Electronics^®brand, The Professional Standard for the builder and contractor audiences. BRK Brands, Inc. products are found in more than 30 countries worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.firstalert.com, http://www.brkelectronics.com or http://www.newellbrands.com.

About Newell Brands

Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer’s®, Coleman®, Marmot®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Mapa®, Spontex® and Yankee Candle®. For hundreds of millions of consumers, Newell Brands makes life better every day, where they live, learn, work and play.

Additional information about Newell Brands is available on the company’s website, www.newellbrands.com.

©2020 BRK Brands, Inc., Aurora, IL 60504. All rights reserved.
BRK Electronics^® is a registered trademark of BRK Brands, Inc., Aurora, IL 60504.
Nasdaq^® is a registered trademark of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

Contacts: Abigail Cox or Sara Tatay
L.C. Williams & Associates
P: 312-565-3900 or 800-837-7123
acox@lcwa.com or statay@lcwa.com

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SOURCE First Alert

Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. Awards Grants To Nine Food Banks Across The U.S. To Help With COVID Response

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Board of Trustees of the Mazda Foundation (USA) Inc., has awarded $215,000 in grants to nine food banks operating in six major metropolitan areas across the United States. The grants will enable the awardees to serve an estimated 730,000 meals in the next 12 months.

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These most recent grants are in addition to donations made earlier in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, the Mazda Foundation has donated $429,000 to purchase shelf-stable food items for those most vulnerable in our communities.

«The pandemic has created enormous need in communities across the country,» said Jeff Guyton, president of Mazda North American Operations and chairman of the Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. «Addressing a fundamental need like food security is a clear expression of the Mazda Foundation’s guiding principle that what matters most is one another.»

Food banks across the country have been stretched thin by the impact of the pandemic, with demand up 60% since March. Feeding America estimates that 1 in 6 Americans are at risk of facing hunger this year.

The Mazda Foundation awarded grants to the following organizations: Bracken’s Kitchen (Garden Grove, CA); Second Harvest Food Bank (Irvine, CA); Houston Food Bank (Houston, TX); North Texas Food Bank (Plano, TX); Central Texas Food Bank (Austin, TX); Northern Illinois Food Bank (Geneva, IL); Greater Chicago Food Depository (Chicago, IL); Food Bank of North Alabama (Huntsville, AL); and Flemington Area Food Pantry (Flemington, N.J.).

About Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc.
As the corporate foundation of Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), the Mazda Foundation has donated more than $13 million to children’s organizations, educational scholarships, food banks, environmental programs, and disaster relief efforts since 1992. To learn more about the Mazda Foundation, please visit www.mazdafoundation.org.

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SOURCE Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc.

Amid Pandemic, Small Business Owners Respond With Meaningful Transformation; Remain Resilient, PNC Survey Shows

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Amid this year’s historic coronavirus pandemic, businesses are adapting by making major changes to their operations including increased use of technology, according to the latest PNC semi-annual survey of small and mid-size business owners and executives, which concluded Sept. 8.

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Eight in 10 (79%) reported that they have made adaptations to their business in response to COVID-19, including safety changes (69%) in the form of new policies and procedures (62%) or physical modifications (57%), while others have adopted work from home policies (33%).

«Business owners have learned that the previous status quo won’t work now. The majority of businesses have reconfigured their operations and for many, these changes will be permanent,» said PNC Chief Economist Gus Faucher. «Their confidence may be shaken, but we know through the history of this survey that business owners are resilient and they know how to adapt to change.»

According to the survey, half (51%) of businesses report increased use of technology since the outbreak began. A third (33%) have increased technology to improve workforce productivity. Nearly three in 10 (29%) have added or increased the use of electronic or touchless payment systems, electronic /website-enabled sales (23%) or electronic banking/cash flow management services (21%); nearly 19% increased use of fraud/identity protection tools.

The pandemic has forced many to shake up their product lineups to better align with consumers’ new habits. A third (33%) of business owners report making product-related changes, either in the way they sell or deliver their products and services (31%) or to the types of products and services they offer (13%).

The drop in business activity over recent months forced many to take drastic measures through workforce reductions; nearly four in 10 businesses have cut workers since the start of the pandemic, although for 87% of those, the decrease is considered temporary or a furlough. In fact, a majority (58%) of the businesses who had temporary layoffs or furloughs have already begun re-hiring.

Faucher said the worst may be over and economic activity is on the rebound, but the «new normal» doesn’t mean a return to robust job and business growth that existed early in 2020.

«After job losses of more than 22 million between February and April, by far the steepest employment downturn in history, the labor market has started to recover. The economy has added back nearly one-half of those lost jobs, but job growth will slow going forward. Unemployment will remain elevated for years to come as business owners continue to deal with the impacts of the pandemic,» said Faucher.

He added that technology may be the key to business survival, and the PNC survey showed that many owners are making the necessary investments.

Other key survey findings include:

PPP a Much Needed Lifeline: Nearly all who applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan consider the funding important (97%), and nearly seven in 10 say it is extremely important. Of those who applied, nearly 90% were approved. A majority (55%) say additional government stimulus funding is important for their business, with a third (32%) indicating it is extremely important.
Economic Hopes Dim: Business leader reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic conditions caused the steepest six-month decline in optimism in the 17-year history of the survey, dropping by half from Spring 2020, to just 21% reporting optimism about the national economy. While the drop is one of the sharpest in survey history, optimism remains higher than it was during the Great Recession between 2008 and 2013, when it was in the single digits.
Election Edification: Among those business owners expressing a partisan preference in the upcoming presidential election, Donald Trump supporters believe more strongly than Joe Biden supporters (76% vs. 49%) that their candidate of choice would have a positive impact on their own business if elected to the office.

A digital package containing national and Pennsylvania regional survey results is available at http://pnc.mediaroom.com/digital-packages.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

Methodology
The PNC Economic Outlook survey was conducted by telephone from 8/1/2020 to 9/8/2020, among small and mid-sized businesses with self-reported revenue of $100,000 to $250 million. 500 interviews were conducted nationally. Sampling error for the nationwide results is +/- 4.4% at the 95% confidence level. The survey was conducted by Artemis Strategy Group (www.ArtemisSG.com), a communications strategy research firm specializing in brand positioning and policy issues. The firm, headquartered in Washington D.C., provides communications research and consulting to a range of public and private sector clients.

DISCLAIMER: This report was prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as specific advice or recommendations. Any reliance upon this information is solely and exclusively at your own risk. NOTE: The sum of percentages may not add to the total due to rounding.

CONTACT:

Alan Aldinger
(412) 370-3887
alan.aldinger@pnc.com

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SOURCE PNC Financial Services Group

Curative Researchers Initiate Research Study to Test Efficacy of Self-Collected COVID-19 Tests

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — COVID-19 testing startup Curative, Inc. today announced the launch of a…

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — COVID-19 testing startup Curative, Inc. today announced the launch of a new COVID-19 study in the City of San Antonio. The research aims to better understand how video-assisted and observed self-collected oral swab samples and nasal swab samples compare to provider-collected nasal swab samples for the detection of COVID-19. Self-collected samples reduce reliance on the supply of personal protective equipment (masks, gloves and lab coats) and prevent potential exposure of our doctors or nurses to novel Coronavirus.

«As the pandemic continues, it’s imperative that we find and promote scalable, reliable, and convenient testing methods,» said Fred Turner, CEO of Curative. «Asymptomatic people living in the San Antonio area have an opportunity to make a real difference in the future of COVID-19 testing by participating in this study. The more we can use self-collected tests, we minimize resources required, expand testing capabilities, and ultimately track and treat as needed.»

Curative is seeking participants for this study. To qualify for the study, participants must have no COVID-related symptoms that meet the CDC guidelines as evaluated by a healthcare practitioner.

Symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or cough. Those that take part in the research may have to do a self-collected oral and nasal swab, blood sample, clinician collected nasal and nasopharyngeal (NP) swab.

San Antonio Assistant City Manager Dr. Colleen Bridger stated, «The City of San Antonio is dedicated to ensuring the health of our residents, and this study of potential asymptomatic cases is key to furthering the fight against this pandemic. We would like to thank our strategic partner Curative for taking the lead on this initiative.»

The study will be conducted at the Freeman Coliseum (3201 E. Houston St. San Antonio, TX 78219) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday Sept. 25 and.26, and Oct. 2 and 3. COVID-19 tests outside of the survey are also available throughout the San Antonio area.

To register for the COVID-19 study or to test for COVID-19 at Freeman Coliseum, go to sanantonio.curativeinc.com.

Curative expands access to testing through next generation testing with mobile vans and kiosks across Texas, including remote areas. It also recently opened a new CLIA-certified laboratory facility based in Pflugerville, Texas to increase both availability and processing capacity for the state by 10,000 tests per day, using the company’s FDA authorized oral fluid COVID-19 test. The test is painless and simple to use with turnaround times within 48 hours.

Since its founding in January, Curative has become one of the leading COVID-19 testing providers. The company has tested over 4 million samples across the U.S. and tests approximately 70,000 samples per day. Curative also operates the country’s largest COVID-19 testing site at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles.

About Curative
Curative Inc. was founded to develop tests for sepsis in January 2020 and pivoted to COVID-19 in early March 2020 upon realizing the urgent need for test development and production in the United States. Curative is currently operational within a CLIA-certified lab in Los Angeles, CA and Washington, D.C. Founded by Fred Turner and comprised of a team of doctors, scientists, engineers, and health industry experts, Curative is rapidly scaling its simple-to-use oral fluid COVID-19 tests to reach the groups most in need of testing. For more details on Curative, please visit www.curativeinc.com.

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SOURCE Curative, Inc.

Everything You Need To Know About PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL’s Festival 2020 Returning Virtually!

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — People en Español’s Festival, traditionally held in New York annually, returns virtually this year, kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month. The prized cultural event will bring multiple generations of Latinos together during the virtually interactive weekend. With participation from singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan, actress Julissa Calderón, actress and entrepreneur…

This year’s programming will feature eye-opening conversations with leaders and celebrities, music performances, and engaging conversations to inspire the Latino community. This year’s Festival theme, «El Momento Es Ahora: ¡Vota Por Un Futuro Mejor!» («The Time Is Now: Latino Vote For A Better Future»), will highlight the national Hispanic community’s contributions to popular culture and molding the future of America. People en Español’s Festival will be a platform to motivate the Hispanic community and inspire them to go out and vote during a critical upcoming election year in 2020. Journalist and host Pamela Silva, among others, will have in-depth conversations on the value of the Hispanic voter and exercising one’s right to vote, particularly for young Latinos.

«As the number-one Hispanic brand, it is our responsibility to not only inform our audience but also to inspire and motivate them. In addition to entertaining, we are honored to have this function as a platform to celebrate our culture, communities, and leaders,» said People en Español’s Publisher, Monique Manso. «There has never been a more important time than now for Latinos to use their voices and contributions for this country and for future generations. It is our duty to use this time to learn from our past accomplishments while paving the way for the future — especially as we brace ourselves to make a strong impact on the 2020 election.»

Stars from various Netflix productions – David Castañeda (The Umbrella Academy), Julissa Calderón (Gentefied) and Julio Macías (On My Block; Selena: The Series) – will be discussing what it means to be Latino in Hollywood today. As we strive for more inclusive and diverse representation on screen, these actors allow those watching to see themselves reflected in television and films in a way they haven’t seen before. Additionally, Netflix will debut never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage from the upcoming Selena: The Series.

Amazon Prime, The Clorox Brand, Facebook Watch’s Red Table Talk: The Estefans, Netflix, and Prime Video join as sponsors for the event.

«Clorox is delighted to partner with People En Español during their ‘Festival en Casa’ to celebrate Hispanic culture, community and entertainment,» said Magnus Jonsson, Vice President of Cleaning at The Clorox Brand. » As a leader in public health we are dedicated to creating a cleaner and safer future where we all can thrive, so we are especially proud to sponsor ‘Healthy Families are Happy Families,‘ a discussion around emotional and physical wellbeing during these uncertain times.»

As Meredith Corporation’s largest consumer-facing virtual experience, Festival People en Español will honor history and culture through live content and remarkable experiences curated by our editors. The final event programming and talent lineup will be announced in the coming weeks. Performers will include Adrian Vadim, Lenier, Ingrid Contreras, Gian Marco, Drizmali Lyanno, and Aymee Nuviola. Join the conversation @peopleenespanol.

This is a free event. To join us at Festival, please quickly register by clicking here.

ABOUT PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL
PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL was launched in 1996 as a special issue and today has become the top-selling Hispanic magazine in the United States. Published nine times a year, PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL reaches an audience of 7 million every month with its editorial mix of Hispanic and popular entertainment, fashion and beauty trends and compelling human interest stories. PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL delivers original editorial content that captures the values, contributions and impact of today’s Hispanics in the United States. The brand’s social media footprint includes 1.4 million followers on Twitter, over 4.2 million «Likes» on Facebook and 3 million followers on Instagram. For daily news, photos, exclusive behind-the-scenes video and celebrity scoops, visit www.peopleenespanol.com and follow PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL on Twitter at @peopleenespanol. Related link: http://www.peopleenespanol.com

ABOUT THE CLOROX BRAND
The Clorox Brand (NYSE: CLX) is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with about 8,800 employees worldwide and fiscal year 2020 sales of $6.7 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Pine-Sol® cleaners; Liquid-Plumr® clog removers; Poett® home care products; Fresh Step® cat litter; Glad® bags and wraps; Kingsford® charcoal; Hidden Valley® dressings and sauces; Brita® water-filtration products; Burt’s Bees® natural personal care products; and RenewLife®, Rainbow Light®, Natural Vitality Calm™, NeoCell® and Stop Aging Now® vitamins, minerals and supplements. The company also markets industry-leading products and technologies for professional customers, including those sold under the CloroxPro™ and Clorox Healthcare® brand names. More than 80% of the company’s sales are generated from brands that hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories.

The Clorox Brand is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. The company has been broadly recognized for its corporate responsibility efforts, named to the 2020 Axios Harris Poll 100 reputation rankings, Barron’s 2020 100 Most Sustainable Companies list, and the Human Rights Campaign’s 2020 Corporate Equality Index, among others. In support of its communities, The Clorox Company and its foundations contributed more than $25 million in combined cash grants, product donations and cause marketing in fiscal year 2020. For more information, visit TheCloroxCompany.com, including the Good Growth blog, and follow the company on Twitter at @CloroxCo.

ABOUT FACEBOOK WATCH’S RED TABLE TALK: THE ESTEFANS
Red Table Talk: The Estefans, premiering on Facebook Watch this October, features music icon and Grammy winner Gloria Estefan, her daughter and rising musician Emily Estefan and her niece and Daytime Emmy Award-winning Lili Estefan – three generations of women coming together for a new series of candid conversations with family, celebrity friends and more. No topic is off-limits as the women bring their own opinions and life experiences to the iconic table and to their communities.

Red Table Talk: The Estefans is produced by Westbrook Studios, with Jada Pinkett Smith, Gloria Estefan, Ellen Rakieten & Miguel Melendez serving as executive producers.

ABOUT NETFLIX
Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with 193 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

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SOURCE Meredith Corporation