Category Archives: Intentional Communities

In times of turmoil, in which large populations are affected by factors mostly outside of their control, community-wide efforts of keeping the situation in check can take a long-lasting emotional and psychological toll. In this Special Feature, we look at the psychological aspects of disaster management.

Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the new coronavirus outbreak had become a pandemic, countries around the globe have been working hard at containing the viruss spread at a local level.

Lockdown measures in various countries have included closing down public buildings and institutions from restaurants to gyms to museums and asking people to remain at home and minimize or even wholly relinquish social contact with people outside their household.

Although such measures have helped slow down the spread of the new coronavirus, an increasing sense of isolation and anxiety stemming from the situation have been taking their toll on the mental health of populations around the world.

Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.

As the coronavirus pandemic rapidly sweeps across the world, it is inducing a considerable degree of fear, worry, and concern in the population at large, WHO officials have noted.

In this Special Feature, we will be looking at the psychology of disaster management and offering an overview of the impact of disaster management techniques on the mental and emotional health of populations affected by disaster. We also look at strategies that research has suggested could help mitigate this impact.

According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), disaster management can be defined as the organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.

Preparedness refers to policies and resources that different countries and organizations put in place in case of a disaster.

Response refers to the actions they take to address the impact of a disaster once it does occur.

Finally, recovery refers to the process of healing that takes place after the event. This involves long-term programs, which go beyond the provision of immediate relief, as per the IFRC.

All of these aspects of disaster management should include provisions for safeguarding physical health, access to primary care and resources, and economic support.

But there is one more issue that plans for preparedness, response, and recovery must take into account: the psychological impact of disasters.

It comes as a given that disasters whether of natural origins, such as earthquakes and floods, created by humans, such as wars, or due to a pandemic will have a profound psychological impact on communities globally.

A systematic review published in Psychological Medicine in 2008 looked at different types of disasters that occurred over almost 3 decades from 1980 to 2008. The review suggested that many people experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The evidence suggests that the burden of PTSD among populations exposed to disasters is substantial, the authors of the review conclude.

A study published in 2015 in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, indicates that the prevalence of mental health problems among people from communities affected by disasters is two to three times higher than in the general population.

Another systematic review, published in 2017 in Health Psychology Open, may explain why disasters take such a huge emotional and mental health toll on communities, despite the presence of contingency plans in countries around the world.

This review concludes that, based on existing documentation, a significant number of countries lack appropriate preparedness in terms of preventing or responding to the mental health issues that may arise following a disaster.

While most research shows that disaster mental health consequences and disorders have been taken into consideration in many countries, the review warns that the available studies about disaster mental health preparedness are few, and the number of the documents related to mental health preparedness programs, models, or tools has not increased significantly in recent years.

Among the countries most likely to be hit by natural disasters, very few Thailand and Myanmar are examples have developed mental health preparedness programs.

The researchers who conducted the 2017 review also noted a particular lack of informational material aimed at the groups that are most likely to experience mental health issues in the case of a disaster.

[W]e found a lack of information on vulnerable groups, such as children, women, people living with disabilities, and the elderly, the researchers write.

They also note that there is not enough support for the people who would become first-line workers in the case of a disaster, such as healthcare professionals.

The importance of this brief note, in particular, becomes apparent now that current studies are emphasizing the mental and emotional strain under which doctors and nurses find themselves as they frontline the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The most important factor required to prevent or mitigate the mental health impact of a disaster as it unfolds is access to accurate, helpful information.

As part of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO have repeatedly advised those from affected communities to seek information only from trusted sources [] so that you can take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones.

Reducing the amount of stigma around seeking mental health support is also an important step.

Research published in BMC Psychology in 2019 shows that first-line responders in the United Kingdom often avoid seeking mental health support because they fear being ostracized due to the stigma associated with mental health issues.

And stigma can also be relevant in other crucial ways. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO have stressed that people experiencing possible symptoms of the disease may avoid reporting their health status and seeking care because they are apprehensive that their communities may reject them.

Since the emergence of COVID-19, we have seen instances of public stigmatization among specific populations, and the rise of harmful stereotypes, WHO officials have noted.

[Stigmatization] means that people are being labeled, stereotyped, separated, and [may be experiencing] loss of status and discrimination because of a potential negative affiliation with the disease, they warn. They add:

Governments, citizens, media, key influencers, and communities have an important role to play in preventing and stopping stigma. We all need to be intentional and thoughtful when communicating on social media and other communication platforms, showing supportive behaviors around COVID-19.

Finally, in an official briefing, the United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) emphasize that individuals must seek mental health support and provide solidarity to their peers. It is also vital for governments and organizations to strengthen mental health supports at every level.

In their briefing, which focusses on the context of the current pandemic, the OCHA note that:

And for the WHO, the management of mental health conditions counts as an essential health service and is included in the operational guidelines recently published by the agency.

For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.

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What is the psycholgy of disaster management? - Medical News Today

As the coronavirus continues to spread, epidemiologists like me are starting to field a remarkable question: Would people be better off if they just contracted the virus and got it over with? Ive heard rumblings about people avoiding physical distancing or hosting a version of chickenpox parties, where noninfected people mingle with an infected person in an effort to catch the virus.

For some, it is part of a herd immunity strategy to build population immunity by infecting younger people who seem to have mild cases of Covid-19. Others are frustrated with staying home. There are also those who hope they could better protect their loved ones, serve their communities or return to work if they could develop immunity.

While frustration, fear and solution-seeking are normal responses to this new global risk, there are seven clear reasons choosing to get intentionally infected would be a really horrible idea right now.

It is all about how much we just dont know yet.

We have not yet established that those who recover from this infection indeed develop long-term immunity. Herd immunity projections depend completely on such a sustained immune response, and we havent found out whether that even exists. We all sincerely hope it does, but we wont know for certain until we study recovered patients over time.

There are documented cases where people who appear to recover from the virus test positive again, which calls even short-term immunity into question. These apparent cases of reinfection may actually be remission and relapse, or false test results. However, researchers need more time to figure out what is happening with these patients, and the implications.

Whats more, even if it is determined that reinfection cannot occur shortly after recovery, it could still happen later if immunity is only seasonal. If reinfection is indeed possible, we need to know whether it will result in disease that is milder or more severe. While antibodies to a previous infection generally reduce risk the second time around, for some viruses, such as dengue fever, they can lead to severe and even fatal disease.

We dont know that recovered patients actually clear the virus from their bodies. Many viruses can remain in reservoirs, parts of the body where they hang out quietly, and re-emerge to cause disease later in life. For example, chickenpox can come back as shingles, and hepatitis B can lead to liver cancer years later. We now know that in some patients, detectable virus can be found in feces and even blood after apparent recovery. Does the coronavirus remain in the body, or are these just residual bits of virus?

Hospital beds and equipment are urgently needed right now for Covid-19 patients. People shouldnt kid themselves that because they are young they will not be hospitalized if infected. In the United States, the C.D.C. has estimated that about one in every five or six people aged 20 to 44 with confirmed Covid-19 has required hospitalization. Avoidable hospitalizations take valuable resources away from others who were not able to avoid infection.

While early reports focused almost exclusively on the risk of death, we do not yet fully understand the other effects of Covid-19. We do know that previously healthy people are being left with potentially long-term lung and heart damage.

As more patients recount enduring painful coughing, disorientation and difficulties breathing, people are coming to understand that the 80 percent to 85 percent of cases considered mild are not necessarily mild in its usual sense. Researchers and health care professionals use the term mild to describe Covid-19 cases not requiring hospitalization. While mild can be truly mild, it can also include pneumonia, and be brutal and scary.

Herd immunity requires a high proportion of a population to be immune (the actual percentage varies for different infections), but we want to get there slowly or, ideally, through vaccines. Right now, too many people are getting sick through non-intentional spread, burdening hospitals and leading to severe illness and death. It is far too early to think about intentional infection as a strategy.

Slowing down the spread of the coronavirus wont just save lives in the coming few months; it also gives us time to study treatments, and to expand or reconfigure hospital services for Covid-19 patients. This means that those who get sick later may benefit from better care, including effective medications. Of course, it also gives us more time to improve testing accuracy and capacity, and to develop a vaccine.

We need to keep in mind that the science is moving fast right now. It is unprecedented to see such an intensive effort internationally being put into studying one disease.

While it is hard to be patient, the best way out of this will likely be much clearer to us in a month or two than it is now. In the meantime, it is important that we dont take unnecessary risks with unknown consequences. If we can avoid infection, we need to do exactly that.

Greta Bauer is an epidemiologist and a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Western University in London, Ontario.

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Please, Don't Intentionally Infect Yourself With Coronavirus - The New York Times

Hello everybody; I wanted to drop aquick note to you and your family, and be the first to wish you an eventfulHoly Week and Happy Easter. Hopefully everyone is healthy and safe, whilemaking the best of our time together at home. While most of us are shelteringin place, lets remember those that are still working daily and are doing theirbest to help all of us get through this time of uncertainty. I know that I havecome to appreciate my friends in the medical field greatly; their selflessnessduring these days should not go unnoticed.

Individually, we are all going to beaffected by COVID-19 in one way or another. Whether its sickness, loss ofwork, struggling to make ends meet or frustration that your local market hashorrendously long lines and are out of your selective food or personal items weare all in this together. For many the frustration is everywhere and negativitylooms. To get through these times, we need to turn this frustrating mindset ofdifficulty around. There arent problems in this world, only situations. Again,everyone is being affected by this EVERYONE! Individually, we are beingaffected differently, some health, some financial, some family, but everyone isaffected. This hard time is temporary, it will pass; I promise. Again, thereare no problems, only situations. Situations create opportunity. Let me repeatthat: Situations create opportunity. It is how you respond to this opportunitythat needs to draw your focus. If you are chasing and hoping that the normalof last month is right around the corner, or will come back any day now Imsorry that normal is not coming back Ever! And that is just fine. Wheredoes it say a new normal cant be better? Why cant our households be better?Why cant our communities be better? The opportunity you are searching for, isin the ways you are handling your current situations. Are you continuing togrow? Are we being intentional with our activities and interactions? Purposefuldays? Purposeful acts? Are we taking our problems and looking at them assituations and creating opportunities to make your life, household, and world abetter place? Are you taking advantage of this opportunity to make an impact?Creating new habits? Or are you still chasing last months idea of normal?

Personally, for us, it has been quiteinteresting to say the least. Like many, we have had to adjust to distancelearning for school, new routines and the horrible thought of no socialphysical interaction for an extended period of time. Its hard for me not toshake hands, pat someone on the back or give hugs; its something I have had toovercome. But I encourage all to spend this time wisely. Slow down. Appreciatesome of the down time. Restore your principles in the family unit. Play gamestogether. Pray together. Eat together growing up, I learned more with my feetunder the table and breaking bread than I did in any classroom. I feel we needto re-focus and restore our personal principles in our own inner circles. Dontlet this time of uncertainty weigh you down, leverage this time to takeadvantage of your situations and make the most to restore your faith, yourmindset and your love for your family. Mother Teresa once said, If you want tochange the world, go home and love your family.

Create new habits. Habits that promotegrowth, wellness and connection. Meditate on the old daily habits that werenegative or detrimental to you, your family and business. Negative habits thatwere developed way before March of 2020 and that need to stay there, in thepast. Because when this ends and it will end each of us needs to be betterthan the person we were in early March. Cultivate, nurture and grow: we need todo this daily, and this time of uncertainty can be made certain in one aspectof your life, simply by controlling your reactions to your current situation.Have faith, trust the process of new positive habits in your life and moveforward. This too shall pass

I wish you and your family a HappyEaster. Please enter Holy Week with a pure heart, pray with your family, andprepare yourselves for a joyful Easter.

NicholasA. Nick Caton is a longtime local resident and Realtor; this was submitted asa special guest column and the opinions expressed are those of the author.

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Sending Community Wishes For Safe And Joyful Easter - Escalon Times

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. With our nation in crisis, this adage has taken on new meaning for the investors, developers, and small business owners I work with, many of whom are transforming complex operations almost overnight to meet rapidly evolving demands. Fallout from the coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the most vulnerable people and laid bare our economic disparities, but it has also illuminated the power of local businesses to both serve and strengthen communities, if they are willing to be creative and redeploy their valuable assets.

Thousands of low income communities already faced fragile economies, underfunded support systems, and little investment before this current crisis. Indeed, this is the focus of work driving positive social impact in opportunity zones. Millions of families across the country have lived one everyday disaster away from financial catastrophe for years. These same vulnerable communities are poised to be hardest hit as business shutters and unemployment surges at record rates. Without creative solutions, the inequalities between affluent and low income communities will deepen, therefore jeopardizing our shared economic future in this country.

While the relief legislation passed by Congress offers us a vital lifeline, the intentional collective action of local businesses is desperately needed. By redeploying their unique assets, whether capital, manpower, property, or infrastructure, local businesses can meet urgent community needs in the short term and enable an inclusive economic recovery in the long term. If you are rolling your eyes, I understand because local businesses helping their communities seems simple in theory yet complex in practice.

The Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation based at Georgetown University has developed a network of investors and local businesses that prove this thinking can be implemented in the real world. In response to the coronavirus, they are throwing out the existing playbook and being creative with their valuable resources to meet community needs.

Hotel Revival in Baltimore is repurposing nearly every resource it has. It is providing free hotel rooms for health workers. It is offering kitchens and spaces to displaced chefs and entrepreneurs to their operations running. It built up the infrastructure to provide care packages and free lunches to service workers and those in need, already distributing more than 1,000 with Coastal Sunbelt Produce and Hungry Harvest last week alone.

As cities close dine in services at restaurants and bars, Think Food Group has turned the otherwise dormant kitchens of its popular restaurants into community kitchens, serving hundreds of affordable or free to go meals daily for those in need. Local Initiatives Support Corporation, one of the largest social enterprises in the nation, has partnered with Verizon to give grants to small businesses facing immediate financial threat. It is focused on entrepreneurs of color, businesses owned by women, and enterprises in historically underserved areas that do not have access to capital.

This intentional and collective thinking about how to redeploy what local businesses have to help their communities is exactly what is required to meet the urgent need of this moment and place our country on a path to inclusive economic recovery. This will look different across the spectrum. Small businesses are also among the hardest hit and may need to address their own urgent needs before focusing on community impact. Thoughtful collaboration with communities can also take lots of time and effort.

The idea is to be creative and leverage partnerships to maximize what is possible. Local businesses must not be immobilized by uncertainty. They should lean into it and start small, but also think expansively about who else to involve. They might be surprised to discover unexpected partners. They should think about returns with a long term lens, act on immediate needs, and share what is working so everyone can be more effective.

While the crisis our nation confronts is challenging, it is also a powerful opportunity for visionary leadership to prevail and for local businesses to reimagine community impact. They can be creative and think about the unique resources or manpower they can redeploy to meet an immediate need for their fellow neighbors and contribute to an inclusive economic recovery. Our shared economic future in this country depends on it.

Jennifer Collins is a fellow in residence with the Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation based at Georgetown University in Washington.

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How local business can drive the coronavirus economic recovery | TheHill - The Hill

Just Transition Advisory Committee members made clear in a town hall meeting in Craig last month that the communities who weather a transition from coal to alternative industries are those that take control of the process themselves. The committee wont be providing the plan for economic viability, but rather the support for the community to organize itself and define a vision and strategy.

The Committee was established as a result of House Bill 1314. The bills primary goal is to provide transition assistance to workers and communities impacted by Colorados move away from coal-based electrical generation by 2030.

If Just Transition is going to be an effective partner with Craig and Hayden and other communities facing this transition, it will first be because those communities are leading the way and driving the process internally, said Wade Buchanan, Director of the Office of Just Transition housed under the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Craig City Councilor Ryan Hess fears that a common problem in rural America is a dependency upon outside resources to fix things and a lack of experience within communities to diversify the economy until its an emergency.

I think well hide and wait to see what the state and federal government do before we take local action, Hess said. We cant wait until we hear a plan we dont like to be angry; we need to come up with a plan locally right now. Brainstorming how to take our out-of-place workers and repurpose them locally is more beneficial than brainstorming who can come save us.

Still, some communities naturally transition more easily than others.

Mark Haggerty of Headwaters Economics who leads the teams research in tax policy, rural economic development and community planning around energy and economic transitions was quick to point out that communities who transition successfully have a distinct set of advantages that not every place has. Outside of major airports, universities and national parks, there are precious few examples of places that have successfully transitioned.

The ability of a community to come together around a common vision and a strategy to implement that vision is critical, and thats really difficult for a lot of these coal communities to come around to, he said. Theres an immediate reaction to want to defend what you have because the future is scarier.

The strategy and vision has to come locally. If there isnt one, theres nothing that the state or the committee is going to do to help. Once you have that strategy and vision in place, theres a lot that the state can do to help.

Developing big industry ideas without an investment in people and local institutions as well as policy reform could see Moffat County build the proverbial bridge to nowhere.

Hess sees things similarly with a vision that there should be a focal person whose day-to-day task is looking for grant money, making sure that economic development efforts are all in alignment and whose role is to bring thought groups together.

We cant take on ideas and delegate them to a bunch of people who already have full-time jobs; we need one person who wakes up in the morning whose mission in life is to find economic stability and then growth, Hess said.

Reinventing the industry that can drive Moffat Countys economic engine as well as unemployment and the loss of a strong skilled work force have been a focus of the conversation related to Just Transition, but driving fiscal policy change is a critical component of long term success, too.

Experts who have seen similar transitions both successful and unsuccessful in other communities recognize that the viability of towns like Craig depend on the health of critical infrastructure, which is a unique struggle when transitioning from coal-based industry. Big mines and power plants have paid the bills for a long time, and a transition to renewable energy simply doesnt provide the same kind of financial returns.

An important piece in Colorado is reviewing the incentives around renewable energy. If you replace a coal-fired power plant with a solar or wind energy facility of the same size, youre going to get substantially less revenue from it and its because the state has made a conscious decision to incentivize renewable energy and the way that they incentivize it is by giving them property tax breaks, said Haggerty So the state has essentially given local government money away to meet a state priority and it doesnt work for these communities. We have to change that. If the state wants to incentivize it, great. But dont take it out of local governments budgets.

According to Craig City Manager Peter Brixius, efforts are underway in Moffat County to gather public information, explore new industries and get input from local businesses, though there is not a formally organized group or communication channel as of yet.

Since the announcement in January, the state has been tremendous in the amount of attention this part of the state has received, said Craig City Manager, Peter Brixius. Senator Rankin has especially been involved with the community and has tried to initiate various meetings with a good cross-section of the pubic and private partners and educational institutions. We are trying to define what our priorities would be if there are allocated resources.

By all accounts, this is an urgent issue, but its not immediate.

We expect that coal is on its way out in the whole region, but the only timeline we really have is the one that Tri-State has given us, and were five years out from the first closure, Buchanan said. This first year is really about both the state and the communities trying to come together to develop the framework we need to put in place.

Memorial Regional Health is a critical infrastructure in Moffat County and with the introduction of COVID-19 to an already stressed system, the importance of industry that can sustain community healthcare is even more important today.

Healthcare is part of the backbone and fiber of a community. Were going to need to be here no matter what, said Jennifer Riley, Vice President of Operations at MRH.

Tax base erosion and the erosion of a strong employer base will mean a bigger switch from commercially insured to uninsured or Medicare/Medicaid.

What a benefit it is to have time and to know whats coming and to be prepared for it and to plan for it, Buchanan said. Lets not squander that.

Its not all gloom and doom.

There are potentially advantages for communities based on their costs and quality of life to attract different kinds of businesses, Haggerty said. They will need infrastructure broadband, access to markets, skilled labor force. And that doesnt happen over night. If you have an intentional policy to get there with support from the state, you can start putting those pieces together.

Its not just Colorado thats experiencing the transition. Colorado has some advantages that other states such as Montana and Wyoming dont have, Haggerty said. Colorados economy is not dependent on coal. Youve got the political capital and attention of the legislature and the governor.

Haggerty believes that its not too big an ask for the state to provide some short-term assistance in terms of planning support so that communities have the time and the resources to gather information and learn from their peers.

If I had my magic wand, there would be someone in the area that networked across county and state governments and their goals would be: economic growth and development, preparing for economic correction, transition from one economy to the next and create ways to find full-time skilled jobs, Hess said.

Transition?

The coal transition has galvanized a rhetoric and a commitment thats kind of unique. These communities have quite a bit of resources at their disposal if they know how to ask for it, he said. And its usually not a lack of money thats the problem. Its a lack of strategy and vision.

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Success of Just Transition in community's hands - Craig Daily Press

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A Waukesha man on March 10 stabbed four of his family members, killing two of them, includinghis wife,in a violent outburst linked to his obsessiveconcern overthe growing coronavirus pandemic, according to a criminal complaint.

Adam Roth, 36, wascharged Wednesday in Waukesha County Circuit Courtwith two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, one count of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and one count of mistreatment of animals/causing death by use of a dangerous weapon.

The two victims who died from their injuries were Adam Roth's wife, Dominique Roth, 34, and his sister-in-law Deidre Popanda, 26, according to a news release from the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.

Desiree Popanda, 36, and Gilane Popanda, 62, suffered"significant injuries" in the stabbing, according toTown of Waukesha Fire Chief Dan Buchholtz, and were transported to area hospitals.

According to the complaint:

Gilane Popanda said her son-in-law, Adam Roth, had been "acting obsessive" over the coronavirus for several weeks leading up to the incident.

At 5 a.m. March 10, she said he woke everyonein the houseup to tell them he loved them and was sorry for everything he had said and done to them.

Gilane said her daughter, Dominique, and Adam were in the kitchen eating later that day when he began stabbing her. When Gilane and her other daughters,Desiree andDeidre, told him to stop, he "turned on everybody," includingDesiree's 9-year-old son. The child escaped with his mom and ran to a neighbor's house.

Around 6:45 p.m. March 10, a caller told dispatchers"her brother-in-law was going crazy and was trying to stab her sisters."

When a deputy arrived on-scene, he spoke withDesiree and Gilane Popanda, who were outside "covered in blood," and later transported to the hospital.

When the deputy entered the home, he immediately heard screaming.

The deputysaid Adam Roth had a large knife in his hand and was also"covered in blood." After the deputy pointed his rifle atRoth and told him twice to drop his weapon, Roth obeyed and said, "All right, I am done now."

When police found Dominique Roth, she said "Why did he do this?"and "Please help me" before succumbing to 19 stab wounds.

Police found Deidre Popanda and a family dog dead on scene.

Whena detective interviewed Roth at the hospital the day after the stabbing, Roth said "it (coronavirus)was coming andI had to save them."

Roth made his initial appearance in court via Zoom video April 8. Hiscash bond was set at $500,000, according to online court records.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 17.

Sophie Carson contributed to this report.

Contact Hannah Kirby at hannah.kirby@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HannahHopeKirby.

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A Waukesha man murdered his wife and sister-in-law to 'save' them from the coronavirus, complaint says - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

There has been much talk in the appraisal profession about the adoption of a specific appraisal issue by former Vice President Joe Biden as part of his platform seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. Specifically, Mr. Bidens inclusion of a policy to tackle racial bias that leads to homes in communities of color being assessed by appraisers below their fair value has appraisers wondering what, exactly, they are doing that could be perceived as systemically devaluing homes in minority communities. After all, USPAP specifically prohibits any kind of explicit or implicit bias from affecting an appraisers opinion of value.

In a recent letter to Mr. Biden, ASA worked to bridge the gap in the conversation, both by acknowledging that USPAP and its enforcement by state licensing agencies is sufficient protection from overt acts of bias against communities of color, but also addressing a concern expressed in multiple conversations that something in the appraisal process has the effect of carrying forward historic bad acts such as redlining that disadvantaged communities of color in the first place.

In the letter, ASA makes it clear that [t]he cornerstone of USPAP is its requirement that an appraiser must be objective, impartial, and neutral in determining an opinion of value in connection with any appraisal assignment. This bedrock, and its enforcement, demonstrate clearly there is no need to establish a national standard specifically focused on appraisals in minority communities. A standard which addresses this issue already exists.

ASA goes on to discuss how a potential overreliance on the Sales Comparison approach by the mortgage lending community and a nearly exclusive use of a retrospective approach to developing an opinion of value could lead to unintended outcomes that perpetuate historical acts of bias in housing finance. By encouraging lenders to more fully and appropriately incorporate the Cost Approach and Income Approach into the process, and allowing appraisers to apply appropriate weight to the findings that each approach shows, there is more opportunity for single family and multiple dwelling homes in communities of color to reflect values to those in similar, non-minority neighborhoods. ASA does caution, however, not to push for intentional overvaluation where no evidence exists to support higher home values.

The letter closed with this summation of ASAs point: [T]hat comprehensive use of all the approaches to value, and reviewing and analyzing future trends, could begin to overcome historical factors that led to depressed home values in minority communities in the first place.

When asked about ASAs letter, International President Douglas Krieser, ASA FRICS noted There are a range of experiences with the homebuying process, including when the home is appraised. While we believe and would expect that no one is intentionally depressing home values simply because of someones race or ethnicity, we are sensitive to anything in the appraisal process that can unintentionally disadvantage communities of color. We welcome a full conversation around the issue, and hope that open minds from all corners can figure out if theres a problem and, if there is, developing solutions that are well-thought out and based upon the excellent Standards already in place.

To read ASAs letter, click here.

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Seeking All Perspectives, ASA Writes Letter to Biden on Appraisal Impact in Minority Communities - Appraisal Buzz

Now, more than ever, it is important to be cognizant of brand messaging and how it may be perceived by the public. Concerns about COVID-19 have us operating at a higher level of awareness, and it's vital to keep this top of mind while continuing to execute successful marketing campaigns.

While influencers are a wonderful way to connect brands with viewers, more importantly, they add a human touch to what could otherwise be seen as opportunistic advertising in a tense social climate. Let's go over three ways to practice mindful influencer marketing during a crisis.

1. Rely On Trusted Influencer Partners

Uncertainty is currently a big theme in many of our lives, but coming back to what we know can be reassuring and comfortable. The same idea can be applied to influencer marketing: By partnering with known brand collaborators, you can give viewers something familiar to lean on. Because a large portion of the population is practicing (an often mandated) social distancing at home, social media content use has begun to increase dramatically (paywall) meaning many people are likely checking in with their favorite creators a lot more often.

To use this increased viewership productively, work with creators who have a true and authentic track record with your brand. This means that creators will be able to speak about your brand intelligently and with a strong personal testimony the keys to promoting mindful brand messaging.

2. Keep Messaging Brief And Personal

As much as we'd like to keep things business as usual, they're pretty far from it, which is why evergreen brand messaging is a good starting point but needs a bit of tweaking. Consumers do not want to feel sold to right now, and most of them will see straight through any attempts to do so. On top of that, many feel the need to be more conservative with their spending. These are two limiting factors when it comes to consideration and conversion.

So how do you find a happy medium? By keeping things to the point: No fluff. No exaggerated claims. Just direct and honest communication. Instead of complicated talking points and impersonal brand advocacy, a brief explanation of your brand's value proposition combined with personal testimony from trusted influencer partners can help mitigate viewers' skepticism.

3. Understand What Consumers Need Most

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, seek to understand what consumers actually need specifically, what product or element of your brand will be most helpful to them during a time of crisis. Whether it's providing advice about finding child care, online learning services, meal kit delivery, mental health services, etc., there are ways you can serve communities by simply making them aware of what's available to them.

It is important to be intentional when considering what consumers need, and who better to understand this than the creators that an audience has chosen to follow and look to for insights. Creators know their viewers like one big extended family, and they can act as a positive liaison between your brand and your audience at a time when consumers might otherwise be apprehensive about brand messages.

Wrapping Up

Mindfulness has become a bit of a buzzword in the marketing community, but its importance is staggering in our current state of affairs. Influencers can provide a way to connect with consumers during a time of need, but in a way that personalizes their experience with your brand. Keeping messaging brief and personal arms them with the tools for success at all points of the marketing funnel. They are able to effectively communicate with their viewers and, in turn, help your brand understand what consumers need most. The road ahead may be rocky, but you can rest assured knowing that you've humanized your brand experience even if only a little.

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Three Ways To Be Mindful With Your Influencer Marketing In A Crisis - Forbes

Change and transition are constant and infinite. When our social norms are negatively impacted, we tend to initially react with fear and a mindset of scarcity to the situation and circumstances rather than be proactive and challenge our beliefs and thoughts to take ourselves through a cognitive and abundant process for positive and lasting results.

Rather than allowing ourselves to become intimidated and suppressed from reactive behavior and limiting beliefs, we have an opportunity to stop, pause, think and open our hearts and minds to connect to others while evolving through change. This is a mind shift from living in isolation, frustration and anger from past experiences and anxiety and fear from future unknowns to that of being present and having courage, confidence and discipline and being accountable for our intentions, thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, actions and, ultimately, the outcomes and consequences.

Take a moment to reflect on the possibilities you have to create value, growth and opportunity in times when life and work are disrupted with constant uncertainty and change. These six communication insights can help.

Six Communication Insights For Creating Value, Growth And Opportunity

1. Intentions And Gratitude. Begin with setting positive intentions each day and recognizing and expressing appreciation and gratitude for the value that is being added in the present time. Spend 2-5 minutes before your feet touch the floor in a quiet state, breathing deeply while setting your daily intentions. Begin and end each day with three statements of gratitude. As simple as it seems, these two mental exercises will afford your well-being and life more empowerment and clarity and reconnect you to the purposeful you.

2. Expressions And Shares. Be intentional and purposeful when using the power of verbal, written, physical and environmental language. Writing things down opens the conduit of heart-mind action and connection. Journaling, posting online in blogs and social media and even handwriting a note, letter or email to share and express your vision, intentions or thoughts connects us through an intimate experience, whether virtual or physical. Make it thoughtful and purposeful. Use the power of video connection. Our phones, computers and online apps and tools give us a forum to link, click, dial in and connect to each other, live and in-person, at least virtually.

Use the infinite power of nature to inspire and ignite creativity and joy. Combine walking and talking. Take a brisk, five-minute walk. Clip your favorite flower and foliage to place in a cup or vase to bring the outdoors inside to a colleague or friend. If youre able, host a leadership development exercise outdoors, incorporating the power of nature itself into your curriculum.

3. Creativity And Development. Lets use this moment to indulge and engage in opening our hearts, minds, bodies and souls to the gift of learning and growing. Exploration, discovery, observation, invention, listening, reading, testing these are actions we need to give ourselves permission to do daily, to the extent we schedule ourselves and prioritize time to expend our energy in this space where continuous learning and growth affords us an expansion of wisdom and value to be shared.

4. Vulnerability, Courage, Humility And Discipline. All greatness comes from these four attributes that are naturally internal and eternal to all humans. Great leaders master these attributes to achieve and experience success. Not living in fear of rejection, failure and other limiting beliefs is the purest and most powerful form of vulnerability. Finding the courage, humility and discipline to strike the match to ignite the energy that creates the momentum and builds the energy to take us into that state of abundance and value is the start. Be present with your well-being, and for the sake of others well-being, as able and willing. Even in times of challenge, assuming positive intentions and holding productive dialogue to work through and eradicate limitations, miscommunications and distortions establish a trusting and productive foundation for quality relationships.

5. Service And Sharing. All this would be null and void if we did not share and extend our highest and best selves to our family, friends, co-workers, colleagues, peers, teammates, organizations and communities. Knowing your purpose and purposing the best of into creating value, growth and opportunity for others exponentially extend a lasting and positive experience.

6. Cognition. Lets continue to challenge our own beliefs and thoughts first. Recognize and acknowledge our own limiting beliefs and distortions that trigger our reactiveness. Refrain from criticism, shaming and blaming. Be intentional and assume positive intent of others. Actively engage in investigation, identification, discovery and exploration of meaning and understanding before labeling and confirming a belief or thought. Ensure the decisions you are making stand true and align to your personal values and purpose. When taking action, be responsible and accountable for your behavior and the consequences to come from your part. Retrain yourself to stop, pause, be cognitive and then move into productive action. Enjoy the process. Practice the process by sharing your experience of change and transition with others. This is cognition at its best where we are able to continuously learn and grow while connected to others and making a difference, day by day.

It is important to note there is no perfection in communication, and time is of the essence. The threading of these attributes affords joy and delight in our experiences. At its best, humanity is designed to be evolutionary and experiential. Be grateful for the good and learn from the challenges. Try not to dwell in the muck, where you will remain stuck and miserable.

So why not begin the shift in mindset and mastery of aligning ourselves with our true and best selves, imperfectly and abundantly creating value, growth and opportunity for ourselves, others, our organizations, communities and in the world? Join the transformation and experience the abundance of connection, even in socially disruptive times.

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Six Communication Insights For Creating Value In Times Of Disruption - Forbes

The Jacksonville Bar Association is seeking nominations for the annual Jacksonville Daily Record Lawyer of the Year award.

Nominees must be a member in good standing of the JBA, exemplify the standards and characteristics of the associations values, and practice with professionalism and integrity.

Candidates also must display outstanding commitment and service to the community.

The 2019 recipient was Kathy Para, who retired from Jacksonville Area Legal Aid after a decade as pro bono coordinator and pro bono director, recruiting attorneys to represent low-income clients who otherwise would have faced often life-changing legal issues without benefit of counsel.

Mike Freed, a shareholder in Gunsters Jacksonville office and founder of Freed to Run, was recognized as Lawyer of the Year in 2018.

For the past three years, Freed has run six marathons in six days from the state Supreme Court in Tallahassee to the Duval County Courthouse.

For the past two years, he was joined by relay teams from the business and legal communities that pledge donations and run a marathon leg alongside Freed.

The event raises money for the North Florida Medical Legal Partnership endowment at JALA that helps local pediatric patients and their families by providing free civil legal aid.

With a 125% match from Baptist Health Foundation, Freed to Run has raised more than $1 million toward the $2.25 million goal.

The 2020 award will be presented May 6 during the JBAs annual Law Day meeting.

Nominations can be made by linking to the form at jaxdailyrecord.com/loty2020 or by email to [emailprotected] before 5 p.m. April 24.

The JBA Law Day poster contest exhibit traditionally is installed near the staircase at the Duval County Courthouse, but with it closed to comply with the COVID-19 social distancing directive from the state Supreme Court, this years contest is on the internet.

Posters drawn by students at West Riverside Elementary School to represent the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution are displayed on the JBA website.

Visit jaxbar.org/postercontest2020 to see the virtual entries.

Votes may be cast by JBA members and the public.

The young artist whose poster receives the most votes will be recognized May 6 at the JBA Law Day meeting.

Duval County Tax Collector Jim Overton says a common inquiry is how to renew a vehicle registration now that all the branch offices are closed.

Overton said there are four choices:

Renew online at duvaltaxcollect.net.

Mail your renewal form and payment to Duval County Tax Collector, 231 E. Forsyth St., Room 440, Jacksonville, 32202.

Call (904) 255-5700 and renew by phone.

Visit the website and request a call back.

After learning of an incident that occurred after a member of the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office apprehended a suspect, State Attorney Melissa Nelson issued the following statement:

Unfortunately, despite having to deal with all of these challenging circumstances, I have become aware of at least one incident in which a defendant, while being detained and ultimately arrested, informed the officer that she was infected with the COVID-19 virus, and then intentionally coughed into the officers face.

In light of this inexcusable criminal conduct, the purpose of this memorandum is to make clear that the State Attorneys Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit shall have a Zero-Tolerance Policy for any intentional COVID-19-related criminal conduct that either harms or threatens to harm any law enforcement officer or first responder, Nelson said in the memorandum.

According to State Attorneys Office spokesman David Chapman, the charge could be corruption against a public servant.

Thats a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison if actual harm occurs; or a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison if its merely a threat of unlawful harm.

Because of the duties that law enforcement and first responders are required to perform, they are at considerable risk of being infected by the COVID-19 virus. Just like health care practitioners, law enforcement and first responders on a daily basis are faced with the reality that they are likely to come into contact with an infected individual. In addition to the potential health hazards related to contracting the COVID-19 virus, law enforcement officers and first responders are also experiencing considerable stress due to these increased pressures and obligations both inside and outside of work, Nelson said in the memorandum.

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The Marbut Report: Nominations open for Lawyer of the Year - Jacksonville Daily Record