2020-07 July

Do you like to sing?

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A free sing-along group meets on zoom Thursdays 7:30-9:00.  We used to meet in person at the Chai House.  We have a couple of songbooks to help us remember the words which you can order on Amazon if you like the group.  What we do is the leader is unmuted, and the rest of us sing along at home.  It’s less satisfying than being together but does give that boost that singing familiar music does for the soul.  If you are interested, please contact Nancy_Tepperman@yahoo.com, and she will put you on the email list.  You can find Nancy’s phone number in the Dispatch if you prefer to call.

President … Ken Schieck

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National AARP is sharing current Covid-19 information every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. PDT; phone # is 855-274-9507.

Many thanks again to Thelma Bridges and her telephone committee; they have contacted all our members every week checking to see if they are safe and have all the items they need.  A device as simple as a telephone can assist us in keeping our AARP bonds with each other.

Thanks to Paul and Sharon Levine, who hosted our first Zoom general meeting on Tuesday, June 16; there were about 25 attendees, including officers. Please consider joining the next general meeting on Tuesday, July 21.

As of the beginning of July, National AARP has cancelled all in-person AARP events until the end of the year, including in-person general meetings.

We will continue to hold our meetings using Zoom or other technologies until further notice.

In these uncertain times, it is good to have ‘Glad Tidings’ brought up on a monthly basis in the Dispatch; thanks to Maribel Santos and Lynda Martinez who provided reflections last month.

Community Service … Leona Fails

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The Psychological Tricks of Covid-19 Scammers:  While we are isolated by the virus, more people are vulnerable to deception.  The AARP Bulletin lists 4 ways to turn the tables on scammers:

1. Cut them off.

2. End suspicious online friendships.

3. Cultivate your real friendships who can be sounding boards on unusual offers.

4. Do your homework.

Visit aarp.org/scams to learn about the latest coronavirus scams.

AARP July Meeting … Paul Levine

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Since the Campbell Community Center is not permitting large gatherings in July, we are planning to hold an online meeting using Zoom on Tuesday, July 21, at 10:00 AM.  Email and telephone Instructions will be provided prior to the meeting.

The entertainer for our meeting is magician Phil Ackerly.  Phil has created over 5,000 shows all over the country, including Off-Broadway and at Hollywood’s Magic Castle.

In 2019, he won Best Stage Magician in two separate competitions by the Oakland Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians.  And every year he produces a fundraiser show for the South Bay Blue Star Moms, raising money to send care packages to the troops during the holiday season.

Phil Ackerly always presents a fun show, each one different and more amazing than the previous. We can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeves for us on July 21st.

Reasons to Smile … Angie Jaggars

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Birds in a Birdbath:  It is to be expected, but there’s something very gentle about birds bathing. And in public! Oh, the scandal.

Blimps:  An unlikely mode of transportation, but the sight of one overhead will immediately cause even the most jaded to look up in awe at the weird giant balloon hopefully signifying major entertainment ahead.

Legislative News … Daniel Nnorth and Claudia Schott

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Thirty-seven percent of the nation’s fatalities from Covid-19 occurred among residents and staff in long-term care facilities.  In 15 states, long-term care accounted for more than half of all Covid-19 deaths.  This has become a terrifying time for the 1.3 million Americans living in these facilities and their families.  Congress and the Administration must take urgent action to protect the health and safety of residents, staff and the surrounding community.  This is a matter of life and death.

This is why we need to contact our Federal Representatives:  Senators Feinstein and Harris, as well as Representatives Rho Khanna, Anna Eshoo, and Zoe Lofgren, to ask them support and vote in favor of the ACCESS ACT (HR 6487/S 3517).  This bill will allow the staff of nursing homes to have access to telehealth services and obtain technologies to allow virtual visits during the public health emergency relating to an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), and for other purposes.

Also, the Nursing Home Covid-19 Protection & Prevention Act (HR 6972/S 3768), by our CA Representative Anna Eshoo, is important in that it provides better access for families and ensures better care for patients in nursing homes.  Please thank Rep. Eshoo for her leadership and offer your support.  Please also call your Member of Congress (if it is not Rep. Eshoo) to urge their support, along with Senators Feinstein and Harris.

There are now 12 Covid-19 symptoms to watch out for (the list grows):  fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, (new) loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

President Trump will continue to support Covid-19 testing sites.  Many states have decided to “pause” their reopening plans in light of the spikes in coronavirus cases.  And Texas has become the new epicenter for Covid-19.  So, stay healthy; wear your mask!

Let’s Laugh at Covid-19 … Sheila Bailey and Lynda Martinez

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… Sheila Bailey

For the first time in history:  We can save the human race by laying in front of the TV and doing nothing.  Let’s not screw this up!

I washed my hands so many times, I found the answers to my 8th grade Social Studies test.

This quarantine has me realizing why my dog gets so excited about something moving outside and going for walks or car rides.  I think I just barked at a squirrel.

… Lynda Martinez

Appropriate analogy: “The curve is flattening so we can start lifting restrictions now” = “The parachute has slowed our rate of descent, so we can take it off now”.

For the second part of this quarantine do we have to stay with the same family or will they relocate us?  Asking for myself.

Putting a drink in each room of my house today and calling it a pub crawl.

Enjoy your day.  You don’t have anything else to do.