IRS: Avoid being the victim of a scam, Economic impact payments: What you need to know

Check IRS.gov for the latest information: No action needed by most people at this time

IR-2020-61, March 30, 2020

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today announced that 
distribution of economic impact payments will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically,
 with no action required for most people. However, some seniors and others who typically do not file returns will 
need to submit a simple tax return to receive the stimulus payment.

Who is eligible for the economic impact payment?

Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples 
filing joint returns will receive the full payment. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount 
is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding 
$99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible.

Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive an economic impact 
 of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples. Parents also receive $500 for each qualifying child.

How will the IRS know where to send my payment?

The vast majority of people do not need to take any action. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the 
economic impact payment to those eligible.

For people who have already filed their 2019 tax returns, the IRS will use this information to calculate the 
payment amount. For those who have not yet filed their return for 2019, the IRS will use information from 
their 2018 tax filing to calculate the payment. The economic impact payment will be deposited directly into 
the same banking account reflected on the return filed.

The IRS does not have my direct deposit information. What can I do?

In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking 
information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in 
the mail.

I am not typically required to file a tax return. Can I still receive my payment?

Yes. People who typically do not file a tax return will need to file a simple tax return to receive an economic 
impact payment. Low-income taxpayers, senior citizens, Social Security recipients, some veterans and i
ndividuals with disabilities who are otherwise not required to file a tax return will not owe tax.

How can I file the tax return needed to receive my economic impact payment?

IRS.gov/coronavirus will soon provide information instructing people in these groups on how to file a 2019 
tax return with simple, but necessary, information including their filing status, number of dependents and 
direct deposit bank account information.

I have not filed my tax return for 2018 or 2019. Can I still receive an economic impact payment?

Yes. The IRS urges anyone with a tax filing obligation who has not yet filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019 to 
file as soon as they can to receive an economic impact payment. Taxpayers should include direct deposit 
 information on the return.

I need to file a tax return. How long are the economic impact payments available?

For those concerned about visiting a tax professional or local community organization in person to get help 
with a tax return, these economic impact payments will be available throughout the rest of 2020.

Where can I get more information?

The IRS will post all key information on IRS.gov/coronavirus as soon as it becomes available.

The IRS has a reduced staff in many of its offices but remains committed to helping eligible individuals receive 
their payments expeditiously. Check for updated information on IRS.gov/coronavirus rather than calling IRS 
assistors who are helping process 2019 returns.

  IRS information posted 3/31/2020

Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 31-Mar-2020

Gov.Tech - 3,27,2020, " 8 Tips for Government on Working from Home and Staying Sane"

8 Tips for Government on Working from Home and Staying Sane

BY: Dustin Haisler | March 27, 2020

1. Keep the morning routine

Keep your normal morning routine just like you are planning on going to your office, including wearing what you would normally wear. There are many conveniences of working from home but keeping your normal routine and dressing for the occasion will help you stay mentally focused on your tasks for the day.

2. Overcommunicate

We’re used to being able to reply to emails or other communication "in-person" when we walk by an office or see someone at a different meeting, but now it’s important to more effectively communicate virtually. This doesn’t mean you should overwhelm someone’s inbox with simple "OK" replies, but for example, if someone requested something from you and you need more time to work on it, reply and say: “Received, will have to you by end-of-day tomorrow.” This is also critical with citizen outreach right now, as many of our constituents are looking for more immediate answers.

3. Have a dedicated office space

If possible, have a dedicated room with a door that can serve as your office — even a closet can do the trick. If it’s not feasible to have a dedicated office, identify and claim a work area. Having a dedicated space is important so that at the end of the day, you can physically leave your work behind — wherever you decide to do it in your home. Anytime you need to engage in work, even if you have to deal with a call after hours, use your claimed space for this to keep the mental separation between work and home.

4. Establish working hours

Although many of you are currently on-call 24/7, try to establish set hours for routine work calls and meetings and do your best to stick to them. It can be easy to continue to stack up calls during the day well into the evening, but you’ll quickly burn out after a few weeks of not having set working hours.

5. Schedule time to actually do work (and breaks)

When you're remote, your calendar can easily be filled with calls so it’s important to schedule blocks of time on your calendar to do your actual work. I try to schedule two times a day (morning and afternoon) to process email and get through my standard workload. You can also extend this scheduling process to breaks if you need to get outside — while maintaining a safe social distance — for 15 minutes or so.

6. Use headphones to focus

We’re all used to external ambience in our offices, so put on a pair of headphones and find some music or coffee shop ambience that will help you feel like you’re physically in the office.

7. Turn on video when you’re conferencing

I know not everyone will agree with me here, but for those of you that followed Step 1 this should be no problem. We’re all learning to use video conferencing and remote communication tools together during this time, so now is the perfect time to learn and become more comfortable with them. Plus, it will help you better connect with your fellow employees when you’re all virtual.

8. Go for walk (even if it’s on your treadmill)

Even when you’re in the office, you get up countless times to get coffee or visit another department, so now that you’re virtual, go for a walk outside (following CDC guidelines) or on your treadmill to provide a mental break and some new stimuli.

This article was printed from: https://www.govtech.com/workforce/8-Tips-for-Government-on-Working-from-Home-and-Staying-Sane.html

Gov.Tech - "How Is Covid-19 Creating Data Breaches?", 3,30,2020

How Is Covid-19 Creating Data Breaches?

BY: Dan Lohrmann | March 30, 2020

Trevor is working from home for the first time. He loves the freedom and flexibility, but doesn’t read his company’s new BYOD policy. Sadly, he misses the fact that his home PC is not protected with updated security software nor the latest operating system patches.   

Kelcie’s home PC is faster than the old work laptop that she’s been issued to use during the pandemic. She decides to use a USB stick to transfer large files back and forth between her PCs to speed things up.  After a few days, she does all her work on her home PC, using a “safe” virtual desktop app. But unbeknownst to her, there is a keylogger on her home PC.  

Emma is really worried about her mother’s health. She is constantly searching the Internet for the latest guidance and tips on how to get a covide-19 test quickly. To her surprise, she is finding the best information on new Asian and European websites. The URL links seem secure, all starting with https://, so she’s not worried.

Liam doesn’t like the applications he’s been given by his local government to work from home. His friends have much better web conferencing tools and other productivity apps. Even though it’s against policy, he decides to take advantage of several free offers that software companies have made, so he downloads new apps. He tells himself, “It’s just temporary during the pandemic.”

Ben is a student who suddenly has all his classes online. He was also just laid-off at the coffee shop, and has no extra money. He decides to use his neighbor’s WiFi to save cash, which he knows is unsecure but is pretty fast.  Along the way, he discovers that he can also snoop on his neighbors files.  

Question: What’s common across all of these situations? If you think each of them has potentially serious security concerns, you are correct.  

And these situations are just the tip of a virtual iceberg of security incidents that are being created right now as the global pandemic changes the way America (and much of the world) now works. We are facing a virtual tsunami of cyber problems related to these massive changes currently happening to people, processes and technology.

Most of these security issues are not intentional nor performed with malicious intent. Nevertheless, inadequate or dated training contributes the problems. Each of the well-meaning employees mentioned at the beginning of this piece are increasing the likelihood of a data breach with their online actions. 

Most experts believe that public and private sector organizations will need to address numerous data breaches as a result of the extraordinary move to almost ubiquitous working from home within a few days and without much time for planning.  I will try to address some of these concerns in this blog, and point to early examples to watch and resources available to help.     

Yes, But….

No doubt, contrarians will say that all this potential data breach fuss is way overblown. This coronavirus, specifically the Covid-19 virus, has no ability to hack anything. This is a health emergency, and trying to scare people, with extra FUD, while we face an international pandemic is just plain wrong. Can’t we just drop all this cyber-mumbo-jumbo and help their grandmother get connected to Zoom – or perhaps speed up client WiFi networks a bit?

Better yet, send over some rolls of toilet paper and some canned soup.

But that line of thinking, though perhaps well-intentioned, is seriously flawed. Just like March Madness, or the Olympics (by the way the 2020 version just got delayed a year) or Hurricane response, major events are often catalysts for cybercrime.

In our current global pandemic situation, this 21^st century reality is not just true regarding phishing scams or fake news, most people are dramatically changing their daily routine, and online life is becoming even more important as we try to communicate while implementing social distancing. The domino-effect of this emergency has led to massive changes that are leading to security vulnerabilities for people, processes and technologies.  

As NBC News says in this article about our way of life: “It may never return.”  (I actually think it will return to a major extent, but not to exactly the same place we left in February, 2020.)

More Examples Please

This CNBC video from “Mad Money” shows some of the necessary steps that are needed now for securing remote work.

To show that I am not alone in my views regarding a coming wave of data breaches during our current coronavirus emergency and after the pandemic subsides and staff head back to offices, here are some additional articles worth exploring, including some brief excerpts:

National Review: Working Remotely and Cyber Security During the COVID-19 Outbreak

 “The work from home dynamic creates a very opportunistic situation for hackers and phishers. Every home device or wireless connection is a potential entry point.  Moreover, with employees justifiably focusing on other things – their children, pets, health concerns, finances, etc. – data security is understandably not top of mind and employees' typical safeguards against cyberattacks are down. We have seen a significant rise in COVID-19-related phishing attacks, where hackers are taking advantage of individuals' fear and need for health, safety, and financial aid information. Unfortunately for businesses, a company can lose control over its data and be subject to significant legal liability due to a single email click or transmission of its data over an unsecured network. However, with appropriate planning, policies, and employee education and communication, companies can minimize risk and support their employees. …”

BankInfoSecurity.com: But Can Nation-State Hackers Be Stopped?

“Now that the World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency, hackers with apparent links to the governments of China, Iran and other nations are using the crisis to create phishing emails designed to lure victims, according to Recorded Future.”

Wall Street Journal (WSJ): Coronavirus Cybersecurity Fallout Might Not Be Felt for Weeks or Longer

 “As millions of U.S. workers frantically pivoted to remote work last week, putting new strains on their computer networks, federal officials warned that hackers smelled blood.

But the fallout from coronavirus-related breaches may not become clear for weeks, months or even longer, experts say. The expected delay highlights how confusion from the pandemic has created long-term security risks that could eat up precious resources as the economy hurtles toward a recession. …”

International Association of IT Asset Managers (IAITAM): Unprepared Companies, Gov’t Agencies Sending Workers Home in Response to Coronavirus Face “Nightmare” Data Risks

Dr. Barbara Rembiesa, president and CEO of IAITAM, said:  “We always say that you can’t manage what you don’t know about and that is going to be a truth with nightmare consequences for many companies and government agencies struggling to respond to the coronavirus situation.  The impulse to send employees home to work is understandable, but companies and agencies without business continuity (BC) plans with a strong IT Asset Management (ITAM) component are going to be sitting ducks for breaches, hacking and data that is out there in the wild beyond the control of the company.”

Hard To Find Data Breaches

Another trend that will emerge is for companies to announce data breaches that do occur at the same time that other headline news is more urgent and grabbing the public’s attention. This happened with the Equifax data breach and hurricanes a few years back. Watch out for stories such as these:

TechCrunch: Princess Cruises, hobbled by the coronavirus, admits data breach

“Princess Cruises, the cruise liner forced to halt its global operations after two of its ships confirmed on-board outbreaks of the coronavirus, has now confirmed a data breach.

The notice posted on its website, believed to have been posted in early March, said the company detected unauthorized access to a number of its email accounts over a four-month period between April and July 2019, some of which contained personal information on its employees, crew and guests.

Princess said names, addresses, Social Security numbers and government IDs — such as passport numbers and driver license numbers — may have been accessed, along with financial and health information. …”

SiliconAngle.com: Samsung suffers data breach as coronavirus spreads through South Korea

 “A technical error resulted in a small number of users being able to access the details of another user,” Samsung said in a statement reported by The Register. “As soon as we became aware of the incident, we removed the ability to log in to the store on our website until the issue was fixed.”

How many users were affected remains a mystery. “Small number,” at least as described by Samsung, could mean millions of users given the company is the world’s largest seller of smartphones.

What is clear, however, is that those affected could see details of other Samsung users when logged into the Samsung shop.

Closing Thoughts

There are some great resources available to help during these difficult times that can help with telework and other technology and security issues during the pandemic. These resources on working remotely can help prevent data breaches and other cybersecurity incidents. [Note: I rarely reference work from my day job in this blog, but the last items is a white paper I co-authored from Security Mentor, Inc.]  Three of these top resources include:

Government Technology Magazine: Resource Guide to Coronavirus for Government Leaders

National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO): COVID-19 Planning and Response Guidance for State CIOs

Security Mentor, Inc.: Key Considerations for Quickly Transitioning to a Remote Workforce / March 2020

This article was printed from: https://www.govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-cybersecurity/how-is-covid-19-creating-data-breaches.html

US Census Bureau: Avoid Scams and Fraud

Avoiding Fraud and Scams

The U.S. Census Bureau is committed to making the 2020 Census quick, easy, and 

safe for all participants. Here are some tips to help you stay safe.

Avoiding Scams Online

Phishing is a criminal act in which someone tries to get your information by pretending to be
an entity that you trust. Phishing emails often direct you to a website that looks real but is
fake—and may be infected with malware.

It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request
your participation in the 2020 Census. Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau
 never ask for:

• Your Social Security number.
• Your bank account or credit card numbers.
• Anything on behalf of a political party.
• Money or donations.

In addition, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.

Staying Safe at Home
If someone visits your home to collect a response for the 2020 Census, you can do the
following to verify their identity:

• First, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, 
• a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.
• If you still have questions about their identity, you can call 844-330-2020 to speak
• with a Census Bureau representative.

It’s never been easier to respond from your home. 

RESPOND

Reporting Suspected Fraud

If you suspect fraud, call 844-330-2020 to speak with a Census Bureau representative. I
f it is determined that the visitor who came to your door does not work for the Census Bureau,
contact your local police department.

FBI SEES RISE IN FRAUD SCHEMES RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

FBI SEES RISE IN FRAUD SCHEMES RELATED TO THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

March 20, 2020

Scammers are leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to steal your money, your personal information, or both. Don’t let them. Protect yourself and do your research before clicking on links purporting to provide information on the virus; donating to a charity online or through social media; contributing to a crowdfunding campaign; purchasing products online; or giving up your personal information in order to receive money or other benefits. The FBI advises you to be on the lookout for the following:

Fake CDC Emails.

 Watch out for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or other organizations claiming to offer information on the virus. Do not click links or open attachments you do not recognize. Fraudsters can use links in emails to deliver malware to your computer to steal personal information or to lock your computer and demand payment. Be wary of websites and apps claiming to track COVID-19 cases worldwide. Criminals are using malicious websites to infect and lock devices until payment is received.

Phishing Emails.

 Look out for phishing emails asking you to verify your personal information in order to receive an economic stimulus check from the government. While talk of economic stimulus checks has been in the news cycle, government agencies are not sending unsolicited emails seeking your private information in order to send you money. Phishing emails may also claim to be related to:

• Charitable contributions
• General financial relief
• Airline carrier refunds
• Fake cures and vaccines
• Fake testing kits

Counterfeit Treatments or Equipment.

 Be cautious of anyone selling products that claim to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19. Be alert to counterfeit products such as sanitizing products and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including N95 respirator masks, goggles, full face shields, protective gowns, and gloves. More information on unapproved or counterfeit PPE can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh. You can also find information on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website, www.fda.gov, and the Environmental Protection Agency website, www.epa.gov. Report counterfeit products at www.ic3.gov and to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at iprcenter.gov.

If you are looking for accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19, the CDC has posted extensive guidance and information that is updated frequently. The best sources for authoritative information on COVID-19 are www.cdc.gov and www.coronavirus.gov. You may also consult your primary care physician for guidance.

The FBI is reminding you to always use good cyber hygiene and security measures. By remembering the following tips, you can protect yourself and help stop criminal activity:

• Do not open attachments or click links within emails from senders you don't recognize.
• Do not provide your username, password, date of birth, social security number, financial data, or other personal information in response to an email or robocall.
• Always verify the web address of legitimate websites and manually type them into your browser.
• Check for misspellings or wrong domains within a link (for example, an address that should end in a ".gov" ends in .com" instead).

If you believe you are the victim of an Internet scam or cyber crime, or if you want to report suspicious activity, please visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

 Ic3 to file a complaint

MI Attorney General: COVID-19, Scam Alert- "Federal Stimulus Payments to citizens"

Federal Stimulus Payment Scam

URGENT CONSUMER ALERT: FEDERAL STIMULUS PAYMENT SCAM

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued an urgent consumer alert urging Michiganders to be on high alert for bad actors aiming to coerce them out of their personal information in a new federal stimulus payment scam.    

Scammers are using the news that the federal government will send one-time payments to millions of people across the country as part of the federal economic relief response to COVID-19 to steal personal information. 

The Michigan Department of Attorney General has already received reports that residents are getting emails from websites appearing to be official demanding that they provide PayPal, bank account or other financial information to receive the $1200 federal stimulus payment immediately.  

If you receive a text, email or phone call from someone claiming to be from the government with a check for you—DO NOT FALL FOR IT. These fake phishing scams will likely ask you for your bank account information and insist $1,000 or more will be deposited directly into your bank account.  

Stay alert: Do not, under any circumstances, give away your personal information via text, e-mail, or phone.  

How can you be sure it’s a scam? Pay attention to these signs:   

Any request for payment.  There is no up-front payment, fee, or charge of any kind to receive the stimulus payment. You will not be asked to pay any money, including a "processing fee." Anyone claiming to be from the federal, state, or local government asking for any payment is an imposter. Do not respond to any type of contact asking for a payment of any kind. Remember: only scammers will ask you to pay to receive stimulus money. Do not fall for it!  

Any request for personal or financial information.  The government will not call or text you to verify or ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number in order to release the funds. Do not enter your personal or financial information in response to an email, text, or webpage appearing to look like the federal government. Only scammers will demand that you provide your personal information – Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, debit and credit cards, or PINs – to receive stimulus funding.   

Any offers to help you apply for the stimulus payment. There is absolutely no application process to receive the stimulus payment. Payment will be made automatically by direct bank deposit or check mailed to your home. Anyone who tells you they can help you apply for this money is a scammer.   

Any grant offers related to the stimulus payment. Bad actors may leave messages requesting personal or financial information in exchange for so-called immediate stimulus money through a grant or for confirmation of identity to receive the funding. In different variations, scammers may promise additional financing beyond the designated stimulus amount in exchange for a small payment or personal information. There is no grant money.  

Also be sure to never open attachments or links sent from anyone claiming to be from the government. Do not reply and delete the message right away.   

FOR THE MOST ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE FEDERAL STIMULUS PAYMENT AND SPECIFIC DISBURSEMENT DETAILS, ONLY VISIT THE IRS WEBSITE.  

Remember, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection webpage is always available as a resource for consumers to turn to. 

To report a scam, file a complaint, or get additional information, contact the Consumer Protection team:

Consumer Protection 
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

AARP Michigan : Seven Ways to Cope With Anxiety During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Seven Ways to Cope With Anxiety During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Uncertainty and fear are major triggers. Here's how to cope

by Christina Ianzito, AARP, March 16, 2020 | Comments: 15




WESTEND61 / GETTY IMAGES

You head to your local grocery store and the shelves are empty of canned and frozen foods. Your usual social activities have been canceled, and the news is a constant stream of alarming stories about how the spreading coronavirus is upending life as we know it. Add to that the fact that older adults are particularly vulnerable to complications from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and you have a perfect storm for anxiety.

"This has been a big anxiety trigger for a lot of people,” says Stewart Shankman, a chief psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University, of the coronavirus outbreak. But he and other mental health experts note that it's important to learn how to handle anxious thoughts and get help if necessary — in part because anxiety can impede the body's ability to fight infection.

"Anxiety suppresses the immune system,” says Jane Timmons-Mitchell, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. “So anything we can do to not be anxious is helpful."

These ideas from the experts may help keep your anxiety under control.

Limit news consumption
It's important to know the facts and what you can do to protect yourself and to take all precautions — but it's not going to help stress levels to obsessively watch the news, says Shankman.

"The biggest source of anxiety is uncertainty,” he says, “not knowing what's going to happen, when it's going to happen, how long this is going to last. And we don't know. So, trying to know, trying to resolve that uncertainty, is counterproductive. It's going to make you more anxious.”

Shankman says that he's not suggesting denial. Rather, it's “sort of accepting this is the current situation and not letting it interfere with your life."
Practice calming techniques

Different people relax in different ways, but if you feel particularly anxious you might try deep breathing, taking a warm bath, or sitting with your pet, says Neda Gould, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins Medical School. “Alternatively, try mindfulness: bringing attention to the experience and kind of allowing it to be there, and not judging it and knowing that it will pass.” If you need mindful or meditative guidance, try free apps such as Calm; Breethe; UCLA Mindful, an app developed by the University of California, Los Angeles, Mindful Awareness Research Center; and Mindfulness Coach, from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Need help?

Contact the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255

Move your body

"If people are able to just do a little bit of exercise, just walk around or stretch — just to sort of calm the tension in your body,” it will help, says Shankman. “If you calm the tension in your body, you calm the tension in your mind.”


Connect with loved ones
Call, email or video chat with family members, especially if you are feeling isolated or you know that they are. You may find that they have more time to talk than they usually do because so many people are home from school and work, Timmons-Mitchell points out. “There might be some grandchildren that you don't get to communicate with a lot, but now maybe they could because those people aren't as busy."


Listen to music, find activities that bring joy

With symphonies, opera houses, ballets, and theaters shutting down or losing their audiences to quarantine measures, many are bringing their offerings online: The Berlin Philharmonic, for instance, gave a free live-streamed concert on March 12, while playing to an empty concert hall; it's offering free access to its archived concerts through March 31. The Philadelphia Orchestra is offering its recent live performance of “BeethovenNOW: Symphonies 5 & 6” online, as well. “Watching a concert like that is going to help somebody feel better, and probably less anxious,” says Timmons-Mitchell.

Get stuff done

Tackle a hobby you've wanted to explore, or a project you never seem to have time for. Maybe you have some watercolor painting supplies in a closet or a big box of old photos that you've been meaning to transform into a keepsake album. Accomplishing tasks such as cleaning clothes closets or garages can be rewarding while diverting your attention from anxious thoughts.
Find ways to laugh

Humor is a wonderful coping mechanism in times of crisis. Turn to sources you find funny, whether they're movies or TV shows, or certain friends whom you know will brighten your mood.

If you feel like your anxiety is getting extreme, interfering with your daily functioning, for example, ask for help. Reach out to your doctor, and a trusted confidant.

If you're starting to have thoughts about self-harm get help immediately, says Timmons-Mitchell, who suggests calling the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255. “They have a lot of tools at their disposal, and they're trained to provide really good services,” she says. “People shouldn't feel hesitant to call them because they want to hear from you."

More on Managing Stress
How to treat chronic anxiety
Control your anxiety to prevent panic attacks
Families worried about loved ones in nursing homes during coronavirus pandemic


 AARP - Resources for Seniors

Video Conference Software~ WIRED, Tips for Using "Zoom, "How to become a Video conferencing powerhouse"

Many of our businesses, families, and faith communities have gone to a video conferencing format. Here are some tips posted in a great article on "Wired" about Zoom. This has become one of the most popular with it's "Free" version.

There are a number of other platforms such as "Hangouts, Blue Jean" and others. 

Parents, Please read/review the privacy section prior to downloading the app for your minors/teenagers.

 Many of the apps gain access to photos/ videos, contacts, email, and search history on the device.

Check this article out and share with your IT personnel:

As the pandemic pushes work online, Zoom is the new office. Follow these tips to get the most out of those video meet-ups.

WIRED Magazine: Zoom

Common Sense Media - Free Online Activities and events for Kids during Coronavirus Shutdowns

Common Sense Media- Resources for children,  See below for more details.

Free Online Activities and Events for Kids During Coronavirus Shutdowns Although schools, gyms, art classes, music lessons—and, seemingly, life as we know it—are canceled, families can keep entertained and keep learning with live events and activities online. We've compiled a list of activities ranging from drawing lessons to museum tours happening online. The best part? They're free. If you, like many of us parents here at Common Sense, are scrambling to find ways to keep your kids engaged with good media, check out our list! Common Sense Media - Free online activities

Find an activity today

We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families.

Federal Trade Commission: Working from Home Safety Tips

Online security tips for working from home

March 18, 2020

by 

Lisa Weintraub Schifferle

Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education

Teleworking during the Coronavirus outbreak? While working from home can help slow the spread of the virus, it brings new challenges: juggling work while kids are home from school; learning new software and conferencing programs, and managing paper files at home. As you’re getting your work-at-home systems set up, here are some tips for protecting your devices and personal information.

• Start with cybersecurity basics. Keep your security software up to date. Use passwords on all your devices and apps. Make sure the passwords are long, strong and unique: at least 12 characters that are a mix of numbers, symbols and capital and lowercase letters.
• Secure your home network. Start with your router. Turn on encryption (WPA2 or WPA3). Encryption scrambles information sent over your network so outsiders can’t read it. WPA2 and WPA3 are the most up-to-date encryption standards to protect information sent over a wireless network. No WPA3 or WPA2 options on your router? Try updating your router software, then check again to see if WPA2 or WPA3 are available. If not, consider replacing your router. For more guidance, read Securing Your Wireless Network and Secure Remote Access.
• Keep an eye on your laptop. If you’re using a laptop, make sure it is password-protected, locked and secure. Never leave it unattended – like in a vehicle or at a public charging station.
• Securely store sensitive files. When there’s a legitimate business need to transfer confidential information from office to home, keep it out of sight and under lock and key. If you don’t have a file cabinet at home, use a locked room. For more tips, read about physical security.
• Dispose of sensitive data securely. Don’t just throw it in the trash or recycling bin. Shred-it. Paperwork you no longer need can be a treasure to identity thieves if it includes personal information about customers or employees.
• Follow your employer’s security practices. Your home is now an extension of your office. So, follow the protocols that your employer has implemented.

Want to learn more? Read our small business cybersecurity materials and online security articles. If you’re able to work from home, thanks for helping slow the spread of the Coronavirus.

March 23rd, 2020, Whitmer Administration: School Food Service Considered Critical Infrastructure, Should Continue

Whitmer Administration: School Food Service Considered Critical Infrastructure, Should Continue

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2020

Whitmer Administration: School Food Service Considered Critical Infrastructure, Should Continue

LANSING -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office issued the following statement today from Press Secretary Tiffany Brown on the governor's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order:

"Gov. Whitmer is committed to ensuring that Michigan students have access to the food they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the governor's executive order, K-12 school food services are considered critical infrastructure and should continue. The governor deeply appreciates the vital work that our frontline school employees are doing every day to ensure that our kids have the food they need while the order is in effect."