As the political wrangling continues on Capital Hill, both sides got in their jets, helicopters, limousines, or other modes of transportation, and headed home until November 9th.
Meanwhile, American families are left to (not only) struggle with mounting bills and reduced income, but are also learning any additional unemployment extensions, or stimulus checks are dead in the water until well after the election. In the meantime, a new daily record of new cases of coronavirus has been set, now averaging 68,767 cases per day (story here)....an all time high. While the mortality rate has indeed been reduced, the sheer number of positive cases, and the ripple effect that ensues due to quarantines, time off work, and domino-like family infections....the resulting negative economic impact on West Tennessee families is REAL, and LASTING. An estimated 8 million people across the nation have fallen into poverty since May (story here). 23 million Americans are still collecting unemployment benefits...which is a huge cut from what their previous paycheck may have been. Even so, that is only the tip of the iceberg. A much larger segment of the working population is suffering from fewer hours, reduced benefits, and a disrupted chance for advancement. Many West Tennesseans are employed by small businesses, the hardest hit segment of the business world. A new study found 34% of small businesses are struggling to even pay their rent this month (story here). When a business can't even pay their rent.....how are they going to be able to properly compensate their workers? Smart families are planning their next steps, including debt resolution or bankruptcy choices. If you already feel your financial situation is out of control...contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION for debt resolution and/or bankruptcy at (731) 423-1888. The law office of T. Verner Smith has helped thousands overcome financial problems, and can help you too. Call today! According to current projections, Tennessee (if mandates continue to be eased) is likely to suffer up to 11,500 covid-19 deaths by Christmas day.
As of Monday, Tennessee reported just under 3,000 total deaths attributed to the virus. Just 60 days ago, it was half that many. Current tracking models project the number will rise to over 6,500 by Thanksgiving, and nearly 11,500 by Christmas. If that's the case, this virus will move to the #3 killer in Tennessee this year, bested only by Cancer at 14,000, and Heart Disease at 16,000. The flu, by contrast, deals a fatal blow to just 1,600. Tennessee has moved up to the #9 spot in total cases across the US, despite being the 16th most populous state and 20th most densely populated state. Obviously something is not working. Just a few days ago, the White House quietly sent a memo to Governor Bill Lee in Nashville stating a mask mandate "must be implemented" state-wide to slow the rapid spread of the virus here. The week before, a similar memo only suggested mask wearing at indoor gatherings in Tennessee. As of now, the Governor is still leaving those decisions to individual county and city officials. If the numbers do continue to rise rapidly, will new mandates be issued in Tennessee? And if so, how will that affect West Tennessee families financially as well? As of now, it doesn’t appear any governmental help (what little they are offering) is arriving soon, and families all across West Tennessee are already struggling to pay their bills. Smart families are planning their next steps, including debt resolution or bankruptcy choices. If you already feel your financial situation is out of control...contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION for debt resolution and/or bankruptcy at (731) 423-1888. The law office of T. Verner Smith has helped thousands overcome financial problems, and can help you too. Call today! A new article published yesterday (10/13) featured the headline “Hunker Down; the Fall Covid 19 Surge is Here”.
In the article, Dr. Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine said, "We went down to the lowest point lately in early September, around 30,000-35,000 new cases a day. Now we're back up to (about) 50,000 new cases a day. And it's going to continue to rise.” The fastest rising states currently are in the Northern and Midwest, areas that have already felt colder temperatures, resulting in folks being driven indoors. As colder weather expands across the nation, so will the positive case totals. Already more than 30 states reported more cases this past week, than the week before. There is a bit of a silver lining on the cloud, however, based upon European patterns. In Europe, while positive cases in many countries have recently surpassed previous high totals – the death rate, at least for now, doesn’t seem to be following the same pattern. Regardless, CDC recommendations for quarantine remain much the same…up to 20 days for people who suffered severe cases. The result of the 20 day quarantines, or 14 day quarantines, or 10 day quarantines, depending upon exposure dates, etc----still affects all workplaces and families. The ripple effect of the negative financial impact is real. It doesn’t appear any governmental help (what little they are offering) is arriving soon, and families all across West Tennessee are struggling to pay their bills. Smart families are planning their next steps, including debt resolution or bankruptcy choices. If you already feel your financial situation is out of control...contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION for debt resolution and/or bankruptcy at (731) 423-1888. The law office of T. Verner Smith has helped thousands overcome financial problems, and can help you too. Call today! |
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