News 6 Mashup: May 4, 2020
Here are the top stories for the week of May 4, 2020, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:
Veterans May Not Receive Full Stimulus Check
Veterans who don’t normally file tax returns may be at risk of not receiving their full stimulus benefits. Stars and Stripes reported that “checks will automatically be sent to veterans who receive VA benefits but don’t typically file tax returns.” If those veterans have dependents, they must fill out an online form by May 5 to get the additional money. Americans receive $500 per dependent. Visit the IRS website to fill out the required form.
“It is disabled veterans with dependents who will miss out on funds that are owed to them, making it more difficult to support and care for their families,” said Representative Mark Takano, D-California.
US Military Responds to COVID-19
60 Minutes’ correspondent, David Martin, explored how our military is changing in response to COVID-19. Army basic trainees are wearing masks, using ample hand sanitizer, working to maintain six feet of distance, and having their temperatures taken daily. In March, 63 tested positive for the virus out of a class of 940 recruits at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. The Army took a two-week break from basic training to reestablish the basic training protocol and work to reduce transmission. Fort Jackson now has the ability to run more than 700 COVID-19 tests per day in order to pinpoint and help stop the spread of the virus among classes and units.
The military has been tasked on multiple fronts with supporting the virus response and maintaining its own readiness capabilities, while also working on what the future might bring.
Record Coronavirus Experience in Free Time Capsule
A Canadian Etsy seller, Natalie Long, has created free coronavirus time capsule workbooks designed for all ages.
“We are all struggling in this uncertain time and I wanted to share something positive,” Long said.
The printable workbook includes guided worksheets to help you capture what life was like during the pandemic. You can track facts such as trending TV shows and the cost of specific groceries, and one page is designed to help list things that you are grateful for. Long said that “she hopes customers will consider donating to a local charity or passing on a random act of kindness within their community,” in lieu of charging for the time capsule workbooks reported ABCnews.com.
America Strong: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds Salute Health Care Workers
The Department of Defense announced that the US Navy and Air Force will be collaborating on a nation-wide salute to healthcare workers. The Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds will be conducting a series of multi-city flyovers over the next two weeks.
“America Strong is a collaborative salute from the Navy and Air Force to recognize health care workers, first responders, and other essential personnel while standing in solidarity with all Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the announcement said.
General Dave Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Admiral Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations, said, “This is our way of showing that we are all in this together and that America’s spirit will prevail.”
The flyovers begin this week and will continue through mid-May. Information on when and where they will be flying will be posted on the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds websites.
