Understanding a Virus that Causes Illness and What Steps to Take to Prevent the Spread of Novel Coronavirus 2019 Disease

The cold and flu is caused by viruses. Viruses are tiny infectious germs that when enter your body can get strong and toxic and make you sick. A virus is contagious if it can make you sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study the average person gets two or three cold/flu each year, and mostly in winter and spring season. CDC estimates that the US sees 9 million to 45 million cases of the flu each year between 140,000 – 810,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 – 61,000 deaths annually since 2010. Nevertheless, the viruses cannot last for long in the cold or dry places but its impact on people in a short period can be devastating to the health and wellness of the affected person.

Spring 2020 we are not only thinking about cold or flu viruses, but we are also bracing ourselves for a different virus with a different harmful illness-the novel coronavirus 2019 disease, and its many unknowns impacts to the people both, infected and uninfected with the virus, and the society that is fighting it.

The coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause serious illnesses and death. Coronavirus has hit the world like a big wave of tsunamis, spreading fast globally to the scale of potentially becoming a pandemic. Why it can potentially become a pandemic? A pandemic is an epidemic of disease that has spread across a large region and or worldwide and is measured by how many people are getting sick, how fast the disease is spreading-how contagious is the disease.

Contagious diseases are illnesses that spread directly from person-to-person or by contaminated surface or objects the person has contact with such as doorknobs, kitchen counters/utensils, toys, diapers, or playground equipment, pets, etc. The contagious disease may be easy or hard to contain its transmission.

One of the most devastating pandemics was the Black Death-Bubonic Plague. It is believed to have killed 75-200 million people. Unlike today this happened during the medieval times where people were not skilled and no resources or modern medicines we know today.

Though the Black Death Plague happened 1346-1353 during the medieval times, one must wonder how it spread and killed so many people in three continents-Europe, Africa, and Asia. It started in Asia and jumped continents through fleas living on rats…and rats were in homes…rats lived onboard merchant ships, etc. The fleas from the infected rats bite people and infected them seriously and fatally.

Another a remarkable pandemic that carried heavyweight of death tolls in the early 1900s was the Flu Pandemic also was known as Spanish Flu which is believed to have killed 20-50 million people in 1918.

In recent years, we have experienced a couple of them one notably that has been infecting people for over two decades now is the HIV-AIDS virus which started in the 1980s, to date, there is no cure or vaccine. HIV-AIDS virus is estimated to have killed over 75 million people since the beginning of the epidemic. About 32 million people have died for HIV, and worldwide 37.9 million people were estimated to be living with HIV at the end of 2018, according to the World Health Organization.                                

Contagious diseases like novel coronavirus 2019 disease-COVID-19 virus are very problematic to address hence to handle as it can spread into the public quickly and cause outbreaks of serious diseases. So far, very little is known about novel coronavirus, and as spring cold/flu season approaches, also, the novel coronavirus 2019 disease-COVID-19, there a lot to worry about as there is a lot to learn about it!

What is it?

COVID-19 is a recent infectious and contagious disease caused by a novel coronavirus. COVID-19 has brought the world to a state of panic and fear…fear of the unknowns…that it may become a health public crisis like we saw Wuhan, China experiencing…that our government leaders are not being straightforward in informing and educating the public. So far, the misleading information and lack of transparency are causing public mistrust and fear.

We know that the COVID-19 outbreak was first detected and reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, but it was secretly known to have been in existence from October 2019 or earlier than that! Today, March 6^th, 2020 the coronavirus has spread to 94 countries.

In the US, there are now 338 cases reported in 20 states with the 14-total death. 13 of the 14 deaths are from Washington State, 12 from the elderly nursing home and 1 with the connection source from the Grand Princess Cruise Ship: and 1 man from California. These are the only cases that are confirmed to be reported. Think about the unreported cases and or deaths too.

As of today, March 6^th, 2020 just over a month since the world learned about the novel coronavirus-COVID-19 infectious and contagious disease, there are more than 101,923 confirmed reported cases worldwide, over 3,486 deaths, and 94 countries from all 5 continents have been reported to have been infected by a novel coronavirus disease according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

 World Health Organization has argued countries to unite in sharing the necessary information and bring transparency to the public and support efforts to investigate the sources of the outbreak as a more convincing way to boost public confidence…easy public fear by updating the public with honesty, and educate the public on how to curb the spread of this virus rather than the narrow belief that the novel coronavirus 2019 disease source was caused by human-to-animal contact that occurred in Wuhan, China at a large seafood and live animals market.

What Causes it?

True, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are commonly found in many different species of animals including camel, cattle, bats, cats, etc.-possibly people got infected by being in contact with animals who were infected with coronavirus and the infected people spread it by being in close contact with another person-human-to-human transmission, hence the spread of it! But it is fair to argue that since it is a new kind of novel coronavirus there is very little the public knows about the source of causes.

With the dubious and unreliable bits and tibs information, the government leaders are dropping to the public which raises more doubts about the originality of this novel coronavirus as only from the seafood and live animals market contact in China. Something also must have made the seafood and the live animals infected this time to cause the outbreaks… that seafood and the live animal market has probably been there long doing the same transactions of seafood and live animals before the novel coronavirus outbreak… And how about those people who got infected by the virus in other places in China than Wuhan, and outside China?... The people in the nursing home in Washington state in the US with no known close contact with the source of the outbreak or other infected places. Person-to-person transmission is infecting people globally and is rising in numbers daily and with an alarming speedy!

How it is spreading?

Like many infectious and contagious diseases novel coronavirus disease mostly spread directly from a person who has been infected with the virus through various ways, to another person or by a person get into contact with the infected surfaces, objects, or animals-e.g., on the surface of your pet (dog, cat, etc.) without your pet getting sick-wash hands after touching your pet).

Studies suggest that some infectious transmissions disease are caused/spread from animals-to-humans, however, rarely coronaviruses are spread from animals-to-humans and perhaps little is known about the causes and the spread of this recent novel coronavirus outbreaks… Focusing on the other possible sources to rule out hidden transmissions and share reliable and adequate information, and effective measure to address and curb the virus is paramount to the public health and safety.

Consequently, we have come a long way to improve medicines and cure diseases through scientific medical practices. The great stride that has been made towards modernization of medicines…the advancement of science and technology in medicines from the twentieth-century to present that brought medicine innovation whereby biology was a new method of human science being studied with the intent to improve human life, save human life and give the quality to man’s health…the era of medicine modernization to curb human diseases…to give pride to big ideas on the importance of science in medicines and as new discoveries are forged to better human health conditions, it also ultimately offers unlimited possibilities to those seeking fresh innovative and cutting-edge technology in medicines to address the human body and the factors that affect the human’s wellness and cause human illnesses. How could these deadly diseases continue to emerge and devastate people and society to the scale of pandemic outbreaks of this magnitude in the twenty-first century?

What are the symptoms?

The COVID-19 attacks the immune system leaving a person weak and susceptible to other disease attacks, such as pneumonia. So far elderly people and with underlying health/medical problems are the most victims impacted by a novel coronavirus.

The irony about COVID-19 is that you may not experience symptoms…which means you may be walking around with the coronavirus in your body system for a while before the virus overpowers you and infecting you, then you fall sick. Also, it is said that novel coronavirus has symptoms like that of colds and flu-fever, tiredness, aches, and pains, running nose and nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, dry cough and diarrhea. You can experience multiple symptoms and you may experience only one symptom, diarrhea. Surely, this is tricky! Just be your own best advocate of your health by being proactive in taking preventive measures to avoid catching it and or spreading.

As is in cold and flu influenza patients may not think its coronavirus and take time to get tested or buy time/wait to recover on its own, putting yourself into more risk of the severe effect of the infection from the coronavirus before seeking medical help. It’s not only hard to know when it is cold/flu influenza or a coronavirus to report it or get tested…but so far no testing is been offered to the public, not even to those close to the relatives that have fallen victims of coronavirus disease like in the Washington States. Some family members/people who have close contact with those who have been infected and are sick have not been tested after their family members got sick with the virus. Why? We are hearing that there is a shortage of testing kits/gears/resources as this early stage, today March 6^th, 2020 after over a month of witnessing other countries who have been attached more by the virus than the US but doing better in preparation and readiness to respond to the crisis of coronavirus.  We also have heard that in some cases, some people have recovered from the coronavirus without special treatment…of course, as of now, there is no cure in terms of medicine or vaccine for the novel coronavirus 2019 disease.

It is worth noting that some type of vaccines needs only one shot to protect you for the rest of your life, but other types of vaccines such as those for the cold/flu season, changes from year to year and need to be given every year during the flu season. It has been a long, long time since the medical scientists and researchers successfully come up with a vaccine that you need only one shot to protect for you for the rest of your life like those many or all we received from childhood age.

So, this spring flu season, you may need your flu shot than never and take care of novel coronavirus too since its vaccine may take time to be formulated or if it will ever be successfully formulated.

What is the incubation period?

Variable-This is also fair to say that little is known about this virus since some people have been going around without knowing they are infected, and possibly carrying the virus. Yet, for others, it has gotten into their body and tested positive and recover on their own, but some are taking longer to recover, and others have died within a short period of being diagnosed to the time they die…maybe the strain of the novel coronavirus varies and depends on the immune system of the person fighting the virus…but the rule of thumb has always been if you are elderly and with underlying medical and health issues, you will be a vulnerable and susceptible person to a variety of infections and illnesses that lower your immune system significantly, hence unable to withstand the strain of the coronavirus and cause death within a short period after contracting the virus.

What is the period of communicability?

Probable-since you don’t know how long the virus might have been in your body or when you might have started spreading the virus, the probability of transmitting and spreading it may be from the time of infection to the time of recovery…chances are, like many communicable diseases, i.e., infectious diseases that are transmitted from person-to-person or by direct contact with an infected individual’s sneeze, cough, through small droplets from the nose or mouth and another person inhales the contaminated air or through touching the contaminated fluids/germs on the objects surfaces-door knobs, remote control, toys, food, etc. then touch eyes, nose or mouth with the contaminated hands is all that people should be aware of and protect themselves from possible sources that cause communicable diseases.

What worries you about novel coronavirus?

1)    The many unknowns about the novel coronavirus 2019 diseases:

·       Whether we know all the sources of this virus-thus there may be more than one source that this virus originated.

·       How widely (globally) and fast it is spreading.

·       How short time it takes to get seriously ill and die after being infected.

·       The inability of the government and public health systems to handle and curb this virus outbreaks.

·       Political leader's reactions and responses have taken over the medical responses…professionals may fail to be effective in delivering credible information or updates because of the political leaders’ interferences.

·       No convincing preparedness at the national level by the health public systems and experts-some health systems in the US has recently been underfunded or dismantled to the extent of now hindering logistics and the delivery of an effective response.

·       Will the testing and treatments are accessible and affordable to all who may fall victims to COVID-19 disease…some public leaders are saying different things to the public-sometimes, what they think the public wants to hear, and other times what the public doesn’t want to hear, hence causing mislead, fear and mistrust.

·       The people who lack health coverage may be the most vulnerable group in society under this pandemic virus threat.

·       The assumption that there may be more infected people than what is officially reported to the public-we don’t know if many people are infected and where they might be?

·       You may be infected and not know or not have any symptoms-what if may peoples are now infected but have zero symptoms?

·       Could people voluntarily go for a novel coronavirus testing?

·       Because people may be infected with a novel coronavirus and not know, what is the likelihood of spreading it?

·       What does infectious diseases expert know that the public doesn’t know?

·       What if the outbreaks match or supersede those of previous years that caused millions of people to vanish before they could curb the disease?

How can you prevent or control the spread of novel coronavirus 2019 disease?

While there is no cure or vaccines yet to prevent and curb the novel coronavirus, here are Dos and Don’ts that will shield you a bit from the risk of catching it and spreading it:

Dos:

·       Do take immediate precautions by quarantine and limit movement of people-follow guidelines for isolation: Preventing Transmission of infectious Agents in Healthcare setting 2007- Stay home when sick and seek immediate help…Go for testing ASAP when experience the known symptoms of a  novel coronavirus-Don’t wait and assume it’s just a cold/flu season!

·       Do avoid close contact with people who you suspect may be infected or sick.

·       Do take good care of your health to protect yourself and others by being vigilant about your surroundings, such as adapt daily health hygienic practices habit at home, at schools, at workplaces, and in the community.

Dos at School

Schools and Children and Adult Care Centers are the most vulnerable environment for spreading infectious and contagious diseases. With such large gatherings where they spend 8 to 12 hours a day, five days a week or more while interacting in every possible way, including touching, inhaling air in a tight/small rooms with 30 or more people, or school hallways with heavy back and forth movements can be a big challenge to keep the children and elderly safe and from spreading an infectious virus. The Dos to stop the spread of infectious diseases in such an environment is to practice thorough and effective methods of HAND WASHING! I can’t stress enough the importance of handwashing as the easiest, simplest, and effective way to prevent the infection and spread of viruses. Hands harbor germs easily and spread them quickly.

Here is how to wash hands effectively:

·       Do use soap and running water-Rub your hands vigorously for 20-30 seconds, back and front of your hands, wrists, in between your fingers and under the fingernails…Rinse your hands thoroughly -Dry your hands with a paper towel…Turn off the water using a paper towel instead of a bare hand…Use a fresh paper towel to open the door as you exit the bathroom… 

     Alcohol-based sanitizer should only be used where water and soap are unavailable, and not a substitute for water and soap handwashing…Daycare centers and adult nursing homes follow the Diaper Change Rules.

·       Do sanitizer all the surfaces where students or elderly in the nursing homes touch all the times-tables, chairs, toys, doors, playground equipment, and equipment used for various activities such as sports and music, etc.

·       Do wash hands-whenever hands come in contact with dirty, body fluids including vomiting, saliva, or running nose…Before preparing or eating food…After touching animals, meats…After meals and snacks…After using the toilet…After changing diaper…Avoid touching the facial area with unclean hands.

Dos at Home

·       Do, sanitize your home daily and frequently-in the kitchen…food contact surfaces such as kitchen counters, cutting boards, eating utensils, refrigerator, etc.…in the bathrooms-toilet surfaces, potty seats, diaper areas/diaper changing table.

·       Do learn when to “Sanitize” and when to “Disinfect”-What is the difference?

Sanitize is a less vigorous cleaning designed to remove dirty and small amounts of certain bacteria/germs. The surface that comes in contact with food, like kitchen top counters is sanitized. Soap, detergent, or abrasive cleaners may be used to sanitize. The Food and Drug Administration regulates the use of sanitizer on food contact surfaces.

Disinfect refers to cleaning surfaces with the use of chemicals and virtually eliminating all germs. Diaper changing tables, for example, always need to be disinfected. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates the use of disinfectants.

Hints for Sanitizing/Disinfecting

In the Kitchen-for the strengths of the sanitizing solution, if you are making the solution of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) water-based on 5.25% available chlorine, use ½ tablespoon for 1 gallon of water.

In the Bathroom/Toilets-for the strength of the sanitizing solution, if you are making the solution of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) water-based on 5.25% available chlorine, use ¼ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water.

·       Do make a solution for one-time use only. Storing the mixed unused solution loses its strengths to be effective-thus, prepare your sanitizing solution daily or when you need to use it.

·       Do, when sanitizing spray the surface and wait for 2 minutes for the surface to dry or before you dry the surface with a clean towel or paper towel-you can’t go wrong with the paper towels.

·       Do use alcohol content of 70-100% to sanitize as it kills germs too…the sanitizing solution will not work effectively in surface areas that have not been washed…it is important and wise to wash the areas or objects with soap, rinse with clean water, then sanitize.

·       Do wear gloves in some areas if necessary. Gloves are one of the protective gear against exposure to the hands' skin.

·       Do check the effectiveness against bacteria, viruses, and or parasites if a commercial disinfectant/sanitizer is used in place of bleach solution…follow the manufacturer labels for directions…also check with your state and local governments about the acceptable sanitizing/disinfecting products for Child Care Centers and schools.

Dos for Community

People are social animals, and if life must be lived, person-to-person contact in the community is almost inevitable, although it can be minimized through various measures.

·       Do exercise restrain by limiting gatherings in places like movies, clubs, parks, commuting or attending festivals when there are pandemic outbreaks. Places with the mass of people are susceptible to transmission of infectious diseases. When there are epidemic or pandemic outbreaks it is crucial to limit social gatherings and exercise precautions to prevent the infectious virus.

Don’ts 

·       Don’t rely on people changing their health habits and adapt daily hygienic practices to be healthier overnight…people always recede to their old unhealthy and unhygienic practice habits.

·       Don’t take care of the infected person without proper protective measures /resources instead, protecting yourself from getting it and later spreading the virus to others by reporting/taking the infected person to the medical center.

·       Don’t rely on medical masks to prevent you from inhaling the infected air…taking multiple measures to avoid and or curb the spread of coronavirus is the smart take.

·       Don’t misinform public or create public mistrust…when the public hears blames and finger-pointing from public leaders …when lies are used to misinform the public…when public leaders' temper with the public health and safety safeguard laws and regulations that are in place to ensure preparedness and readiness to respond to an outbreak of pandemic diseases is not just irresponsible but it is dangerous to the health and safety of the public…share only what you know to be true or what you have learned about the COVID-19 virus that works or doesn’t work.

·       Don’t manipulate what is known and what is unknown, just inform openly, truthful, and effectively…in that way you not only earn people's trust but also you boost their confidence in their government’s ability to help the public. Misinformation and rumors add more problems than they intended to solve.

Moreover, better take precautions, because prevention is better than cure.

There are many ways and reasons for your health, for an emergence preparedness and readiness-whether is a natural disaster, such as a tornado, a fire outbreak, a power outage; or a flu pandemic like novel coronavirus 2019 currently upon us!

If you haven’t prepared for the emergence or planned, it is never too late to get started right at the very moment when the public health and safety are at risk of spreading the flu pandemic.

We cannot surely live in isolation for a long time or in the islands where no human contacts (animals are toxic too) but taking precautionary measures can keep you healthy and away from toxic exposure.

        

America Immigration System-An Incurable Ill or A Political Game???

               

The ongoing immigration saga at the Southern border with Mexico which has resulted holding Americans hostage by shutting down the government…now the most extended government shutdown ever in America history, and have left many federal employees without jobs while some are working without pay. The decision to shut down the government rests in the hands of the President! He cynically declared that he owns it, proud of it, and will not blame anybody for this shutdown leaving many puzzled, hurting, and some wondering how further this can go on?

For one, the portrayal of immigrants-legal and illegal as a threat to the national security and the economy is false and the biggest lie of the 21st Century!

The current ongoing hysteria talks about immigrants flocking into the country through the Southern border with Mexico is, but a political game intends to hide the truth to the American public.

A wall at the southern border should indeed remain a non-starter, and Democrats get this right this time, and they should lead the way on this issue since the presidential leadership is currently a rare commodity in Washington DC. If this wall was so crucial, why the Republicans had control of the three Houses of Government for two years, and they did not bring forward this immigration issue they now call for imminent action? Or is it because it was a campaign promise He now realizes that it has the upper hand? Is the border wall saga a new hope after the Republicans found victory in the Senate following the 2018 midterm election which wipes away their lead in Congress?

It is irresponsible and unpatriotic to cause government shutdown by using immigrants and American people as a bargaining tool! The Republicans have committed a political crime…a political corruption that is designed to divide the nation…to make American people take sides, and the worse part, to keep His base/supporters standing by Him at the expense of most Americans who oppose the wall funding!

Let’s face it, the allegations that there is a wave of illegal immigrants forcing their way into the country via southern borders is a one-man-made threat designed to create fear and adverse reactions from the public and to give Him room to keep spreading His lies to forge His divisive policies and self-interests.

The claim that immigrants are hurting Americans, they are taking your jobs, they are criminals, and they cost millions of Americans taxpayers money on social welfare, free healthcare and or education, are all but bogus claims. An informed and educated leader of this nation knows that such an argument is false, one-sided and only narrow-minded people are capable of holding such grudges because the well-researched data shows the truth that never deceives. Before you fall into this toxic rhetoric’s of the conservative-reactionary of the Republican party, take a deep pause, seek the truth, and self-educate to be on the side of well informed to make a wise reaction, judgement, and or constructive discussions and decisions even when you engage into conversations with your counterparts on the social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and alike!

First, factually proven and worth the embrace is that America and immigrants are inseparable-you have never had one without the other! America is a heritage of people of all colors, shapes, sizes, cultures, religions and socio-economic backgrounds. Let’s not forget that the greatness of America was found and rooted in the dependence of its diversity.

Former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell defined America coherently as, “America is a nation of nations, made up of people from every land, of every race and practicing every faith. Our diversity is not a source of weakness; it is a source of strength, it is a source of success”.

There is a disconnect about the truth regarding immigrants in the US, both legal and illegal immigrants-how American public understand immigrants in general and the economic and or national security impact of the immigrants in the United States.

It is intriguing to admit, given all the hysteria debates about illegal immigrants caravan wanting to enter the US from the Southern border, that, according to Pew Research Center’s estimate, the number of illegal immigrants living in the USA was lower in 2016 than any time since 2004. This is due to a massive decline in number of new illegal immigrants coming to the country from Mexico although the number of illegal immigrants from Central America-El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala has increased causing the famous “Immigrants caravan invasion” talks orchestrated by President Trump and now holding Americans in hostage with the government shutdown due to wall funding dispute with Democrats.

Also, most unnoticed or uncommonly stated is that a growing share of illegal immigrants were not people who had entered the country illegally but had arrived legally and overstayed their visas. It should also be noted that there is an ongoing problem of nearly a million backloads filed immigration cases currently waiting to be processed! As these immigrants wait for their immigration status to be processed, they are subjected to unfair scrutiny and discriminations as their cases take many years to complete.

According to a more recent data from the federal government, there was a small increase in border apprehensions in 2018. There were about 467,000 apprehensions at the Southern border year 2018 than in any year since 2012. Even with that record, still, the number of arrests in 2018 remained far below the more than 1 million usually captured per year.

As President Trump and Democrats stand their grounds about ways to end the government shutdown, it is worth it exposing how Americans see or view illegal immigrants, as well as their stands towards president’s proposal about the expansion of the border wall and what political leaders should compromise to open that partial government shutdown that is holding Americans hostage.

Facts:

· Less than half of Americans know that most immigrants in the US are here legally. Majority of immigrants in the US are here in the country legally, and therefore they have legal status and rights that allow them to work or receive some social benefits-health care, education, etc. just like their fellow Americans.

· Both Republicans and Democrats voters immensely disagree that illegal immigration is a major problem facing America today-neither data nor history prove that immigration is a big problem in America today. The problem with America immigration today is that the America immigration system is broken and needs immediate reforms.

· According to the Pew Research, nearly 34 million legal immigrants live in the US. Many live and work in the country after receiving legal permanent residence (also known as Green Card), while others receive temporary visas available to students. In addition, 1 million illegal immigrants have temporary permission to live and work in the US through the DACA-Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Temporary Protected Status-a temporary status given to eligible nationals of designated countries who are present in the US (citizens from some countries affected by political conflicts or natural disasters) allowed to live and work in the US for limited period of times. So, using DACA for the exchange with the border wall that costs billions of Americans taxpayer money is not economically viable-it’s a lousy deal for the deal makers!

· Majority of the American public, including some Republicans Law-Makers from the southern border states, opposes the wall building at the Southern border with Mexico. The funding amount of 5.7 million dollars is not worth it; it is financially irresponsible, morally wrong, and practically useless. 58% of Americans opposed the expansion of the wall at the southern US-Mexico border. Only 40% of Americans support the wall building according to a January 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center.

· As it stands today, many Americans disapprove the government shutdown, and the way shutdown negotiations are handled. While a little over a third of Americans (36%) approval of the Trump’s/Republicans feels about the wall building negotiations, public views and considers Democrats are handling the Trump government shutdown talks amicably better and positively that favor American people who are hurting by the government shutdown.

· Nearly half of Republicans say US taxpayers would ultimately pay for the building of the wall, while overall, seven-in-ten US adults said the US would eventually pay for the construction of the southern border wall with Mexico but see the wall as unnecessary and unworthy their taxes money.

· Democrats are divided over whether party leaders should cooperate with Trump or Trump should work with Democrats leaders in the new 116th Congress over the next two years!

· According to September 2018 survey by Pew Research Center nine-in-ten Republicans (91%) say Trump stands up for his beliefs, while 52% of Democrats doubt other personal qualities, such as being a strong leader, being well-informed and being trustworthy.

The majority of American public are unaware or don’t know a lot about legal and or illegal immigrants, and therefore when leaders misinform and or lies about immigrants, they are amplifying fear with the intent to cause adverse reactions towards immigrants, and in turn, immigrants are usually subjected to discriminations, abusive acts, and humiliations.

President Donald Trump and his administration have been the proponent of the immigrants’ assaults rhetoric to forge for his divisive and discrimination policies. He introduced Zero Tolerance Immigration Policy in April 2018. The Zero Tolerance Immigration policy is designed to deter, catch, detain and prosecute all individuals who illegally attempts to enter the Us from the southern border. The separate of families-children separated from their parents and imprisoned them in a wire mesh compartment, and subject them to inhumane treatment-showing them sleeping on the small mats and covered with thermal blankets on the floor, poor sanitation, and medical attention; and two Guatemalans children even died while detained.

These hush and inhumane policy practices of Trump administration are used as a tool to deter the illegal immigrants from attempting to cross the southern border with Mexico even though the majority of them are woman and children who can not pose any danger to the national security. These people are seeking refuge and asylum of which is their rights when they are facing a threat or violence, in their native countries as it is the case with the people arriving at the southern borders from Central America.

This increase of the illegal immigrants at the southern border is also due to more restrictions that have been practiced by the Trump immigration policy at the “legal-ports-of- entry” that their asylum status has been delayed and or denied without the process and or merit.

The Trump’s Zero Tolerance Immigration Policy has been viewed as another immoral act that defies American values, and all that humanity stands for, it is an abuse of human rights! When mothers with their children in their arms dare to trod through the wildness and into the unchartered territory in search of better life, that was the last resort they have. And having to embark on such long and dangerous journey and uncertain future ahead of you; having to endure unknown only to be faced with humiliation and inhumane treatment-snatching away their babies from their arms is not only cruel but also evil and deplorable policy that demands condemnation and must cease.

Now, the America Broken Immigration System

America immigration system is broken! And because of its brokenness, it causes many ills, and has become a political game, because there has never been a will from the politicians to cure the immigration ills once and for all! But make no mistake, it is by design that the immigration system is as it is today-to exploit and then harass and humiliate! For there is no big problem or ills that such a superpower country as America is, is too big to solve!

Now, let’s dig deeper-The the fact that you are an immigrant whether legal immigrant or illegal immigrant you are faced with different sets of treatment standards, and always sub-standards-from workplace, to whatever else you pursue! Let’s call a spade a spade…the anti-immigration/anti-immigrants hysteria repeatedly flared during elections and with every new President at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC is a proof that they (politicians) time after time used immigration policy to gain your vote or wants you to take sides!

American Immigration policy is a “political game”! It is well documented and known that America exists and thrives on the diversity-the representation of an intimate snapshot of unique, different and various people, culture and heritage integrate into a “melting pot” society of America. And without this rich mixture of races, cultures, and religions, America would not be the nation that it is today, founded on the beliefs that freedom and equality is the right that should be enjoyed by all Americans whereby intense, different cultures should coexist peacefully but also thrive to become America the great nation of all.

Now having this principle understanding of our America, that the story of America we know today did not emerge from the vacuum! That America has been a destination of immigrants since its discovery as a new land in the western hemisphere. From the time of Pilgrims, Huguenots of the colonial era, to today’s Muslims flee their native places for rights to be and do what they want, and or the Central Americans mothers and children escaping violence and poverty; and here domestically the struggle and the fight against discrimination by the color of your skin or the gender identity; a desire for decent wage and equal pay among racial and gender. Generally, a struggle for a better life of which millions have forsaken their native places for the often dangerous and challenging journey to America, only to be exploited by the system they expected help from to navigate into this new land- destination America; why the politicians continue tormenting the immigrants as if they never and or are not contributing to making America the greatest country ever?

Let us also principally acknowledge that exploitation of immigrants has been going on for many many years because of the broken immigration system. Many experts on immigration don’t see immigrants as a problem or threat to the national security or destruction to the economy. Instead, they sight the broken immigration system which is used by the politicians to forge their political views and unpopular policies that intend to exploit further, intimidate and humiliate. This manifest itself from the way the Immigration and Nationalization Services process the requests for applications for either permanent residence, famously know as Green-Card permit, and or the application for citizenship. There are several categories for immigrants fillings to adjust their status to a permanent residence or citizenship including the asylum seeker process.

Its one thing, to restrict the process when immigrants apply for the adjustment of their immigration status, and another, when their cases remain unsolved/unsettled, sometimes for a decade or two, claiming “overwhelming backloads” of applications.

The immigration system as it is today prey on the immigrants when they collect all the application fees (which are not cheap), almost majority of immigrants spend a minimum of $5,000 and up to $10,000-$15,000 for forms and layers to process their applications to adjust their immigration status! And then, the process takes a decade or so to complete.

In the meantime, that person, that family waiting for their status to be adjusted has/have to survive! So, they get hired of course, at a minimum or below the minimum wage. They do all kinds of available work because they have no luxury to chose what type of work will accept or not accept for the little pay they are forced to take whether you are skilled or unskilled. And yes, here is where it really get into an exploitation scheme, “the jobs that Americans won’t do, but Immigrants do”!!!

According to the Pew Research Center, the US industries, departments and occupations that have high share of illegal immigrants workers include-agriculture/farming-it is estimated about half of the nation’s workers in agriculture are illegal immigrants; construction, leisure/hospitality, business services and other services (child care and senior care), manufacturing, and or contract labor.

It is not necessarily that they are illegal immigrants and unskilled and therefore they have to do the low-wage-pay jobs, but, they have been squeezed by the immigration system to accept it while waiting for years for their status to be adjusted. Some illegal immigrants may not have the applications in the process, or may as well be unskilled, however, what they do, in the farms to make it possible for the foods you consume daily…or build the roads you drive to and from…or the homes you seek comfort after a long day of hustling…the clean rooms and beds you sleep in when you check into the hotel during your corporate meeting…or your on vacation or honeymoon after your dream wedding…and or the airports workers who facilitate your travels…and many other places-some very sensitive and delicate like caring for your seniors (old and disabled) or your infants and your other children of whom at times even a blood-family members couldn’t care for their own as a stranger could!

Without the immigrants working in those places and on those jobs so-called, “job Americans won’t do,” those places and or those employers could not survive! What immigrants have to toil and endure, the low-pay, the poor working conditions, zero employees benefits; in some instances, they work for weeks even months only later to be told they won’t get paid and of course, you are fired and you can’t do anything! You can’t complain to the authority because you have no rights. If this isn’t a designed exploitation scheme, tell me what it is!

Even though Immigrant endures countless abuses and inhumane treatments in search of survival and better/decent life, they are hard working people. And by the way, the majority of immigrants do pay taxes, they don’t get welfare benefits if they don’t have legal/lawful immigration status, and they contribute to the economy of this nation immensely according to the economic experts. If there is a better life in America for the immigrants who have no legal rights to defend or protect themselves, if the system continues to threaten, intimidate, silence, and of course the cycle of exploitation goes on, but still they endure all, it doesn’t make it right! Immigrants are resilient people, but also they have needs just like all of us and helping them to adjust their immigration status rightfully, and quicker will mean acknowledging them and accounting them as members of American society and fair contributors of the society.

The border wall funding saga is a proof how immigration system is broken and how politicians use immigrants for their political games! President Trump’s demand for border wall has nothing to be proud of! It defies the America values. The wall will be a symbol of divisiveness and discrimination that continue to exist in America.

The border wall is a perfect incurable ill in America immigration politics today. It disregards the rule of law, the respect of the US Constitution and it fosters the violation of human rights. And, not paying Americans their wages or freezing their jobs indefinitely is irresponsible, negligence, and abuse of power of the Presidency’s office. People empowered the President to work with them, to listen, learn, and lead them not to play political games and make people’s lives miserable and uncertain about tomorrow and or what future holds for them after the government shutdown ceased.

The claim by the President and supported by his Republican party that there is a humanitarian crisis at the southern border and that the wall will solve it is a political game that has become an incurable ill! The immigration crisis at the border is a manmade-make-believe crisis that instead of addressing the broken immigration system that delays many immigrants status adjustment applications and denies asylum seekers their rights to enter the country through the legal ports of entry it promotes cruelty, and the wall facilitates that cruelty!

Indeed, the immigration crisis at the southern border is a humanitarian nature that could well be handled by following the humanitarian laws in place as well as ensure that the legal ports of entry are operating under the established laws and regulations. Deregulating the laws and introducing counterproductive rules, and policies such as zero tolerance Immigration Policies are what is wrong with the American Immigration system…it is the incurable ills and the continuation of political games on immigration and immigrants.

The imminent need for Immigration Policy Reform cannot continue hiding in the open-sight! Comprehension immigration policy reform, not the wall is MUST and paramount if the leaders of both parties, Republicans and Democrats are honest and willing to solve this long and overdue America immigration ills that is bringing so much shame and suffering to the nation, affects all Americans, not just legal or illegal immigrants.

Humanity in leadership not only matters, but it is also necessary, and it is required more so during times of political crisis as is now. The quality of the actions of the Presidency’s office rests not on one-man but the entire political system that ensures the proper conduct and the preservation of the integrity the presidency’s office and the integrity of American people.

The Comprehensive Immigration Policy Reform, Not Wall or Party-Politics

If the majority of Americans don’t support the wall at the southern border with Mexico; if the majority of Americans want Dreamers (DACA) to stay and adjust their status towards legal and US citizenship, why the leaders we put into power not listening and responding accordingly?

Twice the Comprehensive Immigration Reforms was tabled in the Senate: 2006- Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, 62–36 and 2013-Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, 68–32; 2006 under the Republican President George Bush and 2013 under the Democrat President Barak Obama. Both times, it was the Republican House of Representatives refused to take actions, to address the Senators’ proposals on the House floor.

Now it’s a time for the people-the American public to demand actions from the 116th Congress. American people are tired of being played by politicians by taking our votes for granted. All that were proposed and discussed in the two previous Comprehensive Immigration Policy Reforms should be tabled again to address all immigration problems once and for all!

The immigrants both legal and illegal are only asking the politicians to see immigrants as human beings worth your consideration. Bring the Comprehensive Immigration Policy Reforms back to the table and solve these American immigration ills sooner than later.

If all the previous Comprehensive Immigration Policy Reforms failed because of the Republican Congress refused to take actions, the 116th Democrats Congress MUST reintroduce and pass the much need immigration policy reforms; because President Trump too, declined to lead instead opted to hold Americans hostage by shutting down the government and disrupt thousands of American families’ lives by playing political games with the unpopular wall.

The current political administration tells and shows about what America immigration politics and American leadership can be! Trump forcing policies that are deserving American people and its institutions is a disturbing political betrayal. He is a reminder to the whole world how democracy can be conned and hijacked and used /manipulated by the few people who harbor radical beliefs and ideas that elicit fear and anxiety among the public, especially among the people of colors, immigrants, and even among the children as they witness adults not leading by examples.

Time is now for Congress to take actions and easy the public anxiety that Trump and his Republicans are cultivating.

COUNTDOWN TO NOV. 6^TH- ONLY 17 DAYS TO MISTERM ELECTION!

Review the Dos and Don’ts of a Voter!

The Dos:

·        Know why your vote matters in this election and cast your vote.

·        Already registered to vote and meet all the voter ID requirement-what you need to bring to vote-photo ID vs. Non-photo ID, know your polling Station, familiarize with voting procedures and rules, types of voting-early voting, in-person voting, Vote in other Language, and voters registration deadlines.

·       Check or update your Voter Registration-Check names and address-how, when, and why to avoid anything that may jeopardize you voting rights and ultimately your vote.

·       Decide whom to vote for-research you candidate to know what they stand for (their positions on the issues) so that you can evaluate good and right candidate to vote for. Who is likely to unite us, than to divide us. Who is likely to bring opportunities you can be part of it-opportunities that impact and improve your livelihood.

·       Vote for candidates that support issues that matters to you, issues that are the reason for your struggle with housing, education, Health Care, Discrimination in the workplace (equal pay and pay increase), violence against women (sexual abuse and gender bias). In doing so, you are demanding solutions; you are using your voting power to change the status quo that neither represents you nor working for you-your ideas and values.

The Don’ts:

·       Don’t register to vote and not vote.

·       Don’t say you are undecided-make decision to vote.

·       Don't give any excuse-Like I am too busy; I have no time, Lines are too long, Polling Stations are too far, I don't have a proper or Qualifying ID. When you don't vote you lower or limit the chances of improving the issues that are at stake in every election, issues that affect your daily livelihood. When you don't vote, your problems remain unsolved and may get worse.

·       Don’t know the issues? Use all the means at your disposal to find out what the candidates stand for-check their websites, their social medias pages-Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, ask your co-worker, your friends, your neighbor; use your Smart Phone to ask questions and find answers-ask, Siri or Alexa!

·      Don’t waste your Right nor your Vote.

In the end, on Nov. 6^th, 2018 election, all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the US Senate will be in contests. For Donald J. Trump administration, this midterm election is the vote of Confidence or No-Confidence on his leadership and the direction he is taking this nation.

For you, us, we the people, is how you or we want to be governed and treated. This election is upon us to weigh the pros and cons of Donald J. Trump’s leadership and exercise our right and duty towards shaping the direction of the country.

If you feel you are not treated equal, it should remind you about-are you a slave or a citizen? It should tell you about your right to vote and be represented rightfully. Just as people from the time immemorial have rejected the government that control its people by divisiveness policies, by instilling fears on its people, and by violating the basic civil and human rights-people were and are still inspired by the ideas about the rights of man with this powerful words Thomas Jefferson wrote on the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that "All men are created equal” that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

We have, therefore, come too far to give up our Rights or to be denied our Rights and who we are as Americans. As a democratic government, let us all come together and vote our voices! The people collective power brings change-election gives power to the people. People have fought for the right to vote, don’t waste your right nor your vote.                                    

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