The labor market has never been easy for older Americans, and now there is fresh evidence that the COVID-19 crisis is making it even worse.

A new report by the Retirement Equity Lab, part of the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis at New York City-based The New School, says that unemployment rates for workers 55 and older has topped those of mid-career workers for the entire length of the pandemic. Its the first time since 1973 that such a gap has existed for six months or longer.

Read: Older workers are working from home more successfully than their younger colleagues

This recession is a lot deeper than 2008, notes labor economist Teresa Ghilarducci, director of the Schwartz Center, and employers are not preserving the skills and experience that older workers have like they have in past downturns. It looks like theyre being let go first, and employers are shying away from re-hiring them.

She points to data showing that since the pandemic began earlier this year, older workers have lost jobs at a faster rate, but have been re-hired at a slower one. The trend has created an unemployment gap of 1.1 percentage points between older workers six-month average unemployment rate of 9.7% and mid-career workers rate of 8.6%. The trend is more pronounced among older workers who are black, female, or lack a college degree.

Read: This retirement benefit would go far if employers offered it, that is

Older workers have always been something of a tradeoff for employers. They typically bring more experience and job stability to the table than younger workers, who are more prone to change jobs more often. But older workers generally earn more and are more prone to health issues, something that has become more evident during the pandemic.

It may have exposed just how expensive older workers are to employers in terms of health care costs, Ghilarducci says. It also might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for employers to shed older workers, because the Trump administration is not enforcing age-discrimination laws. Administration officials did not respond to requests to comment.

She says during the so-called Great Recession, which extended from the latter stage of George W. Bushs presidency to the early stage of Barack Obamas, such laws were enforced more vigorously.

All of this is further threatening retirement security for older Americans in or approaching retirement age, many of whom were of modest meansor worseto begin with. These sobering statistics from the Social Security Administration are worth repeating.

Social Security benefits are about 33% of all elderly income.

Among elderly Social Security beneficiaries, 50% of married couples and 70% of unmarried persons receive 50% or more of their income from Social Security.

Among elderly Social Security beneficiaries, 21% of married couples and about 45% of unmarried persons rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income.

Meager as Social Security isthe average monthly check in 2021 will be $1,522, after a 1.3% cost-of-living adjustment was announced last weekat least its something that anyone over age 62 who has lost work is eligible for.

More problematic is older Americans who have lost jobs but havent reached 62the minimum Social Security ageyet. Advocates for older Americans like Ghilarducci say Congress should not only increase but extend unemployment benefits and also lower the Medicare eligibility age to 50.

When the pandemic first swept across the country earlier this year, some 22 million jobs were lost during the ensuing economic meltdown. Economists estimate that only about half of those jobs have been restored. But with winter approaching and the pandemic showing new signs of life, a new surge of cases appears to have taken hold in much of the country. There are fears that any economic recovery could be modest.

Ghilarducci offers some challenging advice for older citizens seeking work, starting with the realization that they might have to go into a totally new industry or occupation. Easier said than done.

They really should be much more flexible about the kind of jobs they would take, she says, and change their ideas about what kind of work they can do. Men may want to take jobs that older women are usually concentrated in, like care work, for example. Men in nursing homes are a real premium.

Her advice for woman is bleaker:

Older women usually have a harder time going into mens occupations, so thats out, she says bluntly. Older women may have to lower their expectations about what kind of jobs they can get, and be flexible. But its important that they stay in the labor force if they can.

Continued here:
Are employers using the pandemic as cover to shed older workers? - MarketWatch

KITCHENER -- A man who tried to help extinguish a fire in a neighbour's shed is now recovering from burns.

The fire started in a Kitchener backyard on Karn Street near Westmount Road on Thursday afternoon. It damaged a shed and part of a fence.

Grant Fairley, who lives next door, said he saw flames and ran out to try to put out the blaze. He also alerted the homeowners so they could get out safely.

Videos from witnesses showed flames and black smoke in air from the fire. They also said there was a loud bang before the fire began.

Fairley said he tried to use a fire extinguisher to stop the fire before it spread.

"The whole shed was engulfed already, it was all gone," he told CTV News. "By the time I got out, the shed was burned down."

Fairley said he suffered burns on his arms. His son alerted other neighbours so they could get to safety.

"I'm just glad everyone's OK," said Callahan Stewart, who witnessed the fire. "I'm really thankful it was put out fast and everyone's safe, which is the most important thing."

There were no other injuries.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire, but say they don't believe it is suspicious.

Read more from the original source:
Neighbour suffers burns trying to put out shed fire - CTV Toronto

The USS Constitution Museum has acquired more than 150 documents, including correspondence from President George Washingtons secretary of war and the leader of the Haitian Revolution, that shed light on the warships early years and the young United States first international conflict.

The collection acquired at auction had been in private hands for more than 225 years and were unveiled during a celebration of the ships 223rd birthday earlier this week.

I have been looking for collections for this museum for over 30 years and have never seen anything like it, museum President and CEO Anne Grimes Rand said in a statement. The USS Constitution Museum is actively pursuing its mission in tough times by acquiring these documents that shed light on previously unknown aspects of the construction, outfitting and first movements of USS Constitution.

The cost of the documents was not disclosed, but they were paid for by a group of museum supporters known as the Commodores, she said.

We rallied them and we were able to bid aggressively and we landed the collection, she said.

The museum is the nonprofit that preserves the history of the ship known as Old Ironsides, which is an active-duty U.S. Navy vessel berthed in the citys Charlestown neighborhood.

The USS Constitution is the worlds oldest commissioned warship afloat. It was undefeated in battle and earned its nickname during the War of 1812, when British cannonballs bounced off its wooden hull.

The papers cover several topics, including the construction of the U.S. Navys first six frigates, which include the Constitution, and strategic plans for the undeclared Quasi-War with France from 1798 until 1800.

The collection belonged to Capt. James Sever, first commander of USS Congress, another frigate constructed at the same time as Constitution. It had been in his family since.

Sever supervised construction of Congress and was deployed with the ship to the Caribbean to protect U.S. merchant ships from French privateers. Old Ironsides served alongside Congress in the conflict.

The collection includes handwritten correspondence and papers from the Constitutions commander, Capt. Silas Talbot; Henry Knox, secretary of war under Washington, who oversaw the appropriations for the construction of the Constitution and its sister frigates; and Toussaint Louverture, the formerly enslaved leader of the Haitian Revolution, who corresponded with U.S. Navy commanders about U.S. support of his government.

The documents will be archived at the museum and shared publicly via email newsletters and social media posts at first. They also will be digitized and made available on the museums website.

This is the best birthday present for the ship and museum we could have imagined, Rand said.

More:
Papers shed light on early years of 'Old Ironsides,' Navy - telegraphherald.com

Despite a recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the nation in the past two months, there may not be as large a correlation between the new cases and schools reopening in the fall, according to newly released studies.

International researchers found that there is no consistent relationship between the spread of the virus and the opening of in-person K-12 learning in a pair of newly released studies.

According to NPR, a third study in the United States also found that there is no elevated risk of contracting COVID-19 for childcare workers who returned to the classroom.

The report found that there could potentially be more of a risk to children, mentally and physically, by keeping schools closed.

One doctor cited in the report found that there has been an uptick in mental health problems,hunger, obesity due to inactivity, missing routine medical care, and the risk of child abuse, as well as the loss of proper education.

In a Brown University study of approximately 227,000 children in all 50 states, the infection rate was at approximately 0.14 percent among students and 0.25 percent among staff members. In high-risk areas of the U.S., the student rates were under 0.5 percent.

I hope that more schools and districts will see these data, and others, and perhaps start to think about how reopening might work. We do not want to be cavalier or put people at risk. But by not opening, we are putting people at risk, too, Brown University economist Emily Ostertold The Atlantic.

There have been no reported COVID-19 outbreaks in reopened schools, though some have been forced to temporarily transition away from hybrid or in-person learning and back to remote education as a precaution due to positive cases.

"Children under the age of 10 generally are at quite a low risk of acquiring a symptomatic disease, Dr. Rainu Kaushal of Weill Cornell Medicine said in the report. And theyrarely transmit it either. It's a happy coincidence that the youngest children face lower risk and are also the ones who have the hardest time with virtual learning.

Another researcher added, I would like to see the students, especially the younger students, get back. I feel more encouraged that that can happen in a safe and thoughtful way.

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COVID-19: New Studies Shed Light On Connection Between Reopening Schools, Virus Cases - Daily Voice

The U.S.S. Constitution Museum has acquired more than 150 documents, including correspondence from President George Washingtons secretary of war and the leader of the Haitian Revolution, that shed light on the warships early years and the young United States' first international conflict.

The collection acquired at auction had been in private hands for more than 225 years and will be unveiled during a Facebook Live celebration of the ships 223rd birthday Wednesday.

It is the largest acquisition the Boston-based U.S.S. Constitution Museum has made in nearly a decade.

I have been looking for collections for this museum for over 30 years and have never seen anything like it, museum President and CEO Anne Grimes Rand said in a statement. The U.S.S. Constitution Museum is actively pursuing its mission in tough times by acquiring these documents that shed light on previously unknown aspects of the construction, outfitting, and first movements of U.S.S. Constitution.

The cost of the documents was not disclosed, but they were paid for by a group of museum supporters known as the Commodores, she said.

We rallied them and we were able to bid aggressively and we landed the collection, she said.

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The museum is the nonprofit that preserves the history of the ship known as Old Ironsides, which is still an active-duty U.S. Navy vessel berthed in the citys Charlestown neighborhood.

The U.S.S Constitution is the worlds oldest commissioned warship afloat. It was undefeated in battle and earned its nickname during the War of 1812, when British cannonballs bounced off its wooden hull.

The papers cover several topics, including the construction of the U.S. Navys first six frigates, which include the Constitution, and strategic plans for the undeclared Quasi-War with France from 1798 until 1800.

The collection belonged to Capt. James Sever, first commander of U.S.S. Congress, another frigate constructed at the same time as Constitution. It had been in his family ever since.

Sever supervised construction of Congress and was deployed with the ship to the Caribbean to protect U.S. merchant ships from French privateers. Old Ironsides served alongside Congress in the conflict.

The collection includes handwritten correspondence and papers from the Constitutions commander, Capt. Silas Talbot; Henry Knox, secretary of war under Washington, who oversaw the appropriations for the construction of the Constitution and its sister frigates; and Toussaint Louverture, the formerly enslaved leader of the Haitian Revolution, who corresponded with U.S. Navy commanders about U.S. support of his government.

The documents will be archived at the museum and shared publicly via email newsletters and social media posts at first. They will also be digitized and made available on the museums website.

This is the best birthday present for the ship and museum we could have imagined, Rand said.

Read more from the original source:
Museum to unveil papers that shed light on early years of 'Old Ironsides,' Navy - NavyTimes.com

Getting real. Kristin Cavallari has never been one to hold back, and thats not about to change anytime soon. The Denver native, 33, opened up in a new interview while promoting her latest cookbook and talked about everything from her high school feuds to her recent divorce from Jay Cutler.

Its interesting because whenever someones announcing theyre getting a divorce, like, we didnt make that decision last night and then all of a sudden put it out there, she recalled on the Monday, October 19, episode of Bleav Podcast Networks On the List podcast with Brett Gursky. It had been coming for a long time. And so by that point, it was almost, like, a sense of relief I was just relieved to get it out there and start this next phase of my life. But its still very sad and very up and down.

Cavallari and Cutler, who married in 2013, announced they were divorcing in April. They share three children, Camden, 8, Jaxon, 6, and Saylor, 4.

Its been a roller-coaster. I mean, its sad when you close a chapter of your life, and Jay and I were together for 10 years and we have three kids together, the Uncommon James founder said. I will always love Jay in some capacity and so its tough.

Now, the True Comfort author is living in Nashville and is focused on being a mom, running a business and being happy. Although she was recently spotted kissing comedian Jeff Dye, that doesnt mean shes going to be entering anything serious anytime soon.

My kids will always be first, but beyond my kids, Im making myself a priority right now. I dont want anything Im not ready to jump into a relationship, Im not, Cavallari shared about whether she will begin dating anytime soon. Im taking care of me and Im figuring out ultimately what Im going to want in life, and Im going through the motions and the process of figuring that all out.

Scroll through the gallery below for more revelations from the new episode.

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Kristin Cavallari Sheds Light on Dating After Divorce, Her Relationship With Lauren Conrad and More - Us Weekly

VALDOSTA Blue pajamas. I wasnt feeling well and he came over to take care of me. I trusted him and he raped me.

Leggings and a hairband. They matched. He liked the leggings. Told me they looked good on me. I felt so honored to have his attention. Except he was not the nice guy I thought he was. It all happened so fast. I was so scared.

My prom dress. Dont know if that needs much more explanation

These messages and several others hang alongside articles of clothing matching the descriptions, lining Valdosta State Universitys walkway, serving as a chilling reminder of the ongoing battle against sexual assault.

The project is called What were you wearing? Survivor Art Installation.

Signs along the walkway explain this installation provides a tangible response to one of our cultures most pervasive rape myths.

A partnership with The Haven Battered Womens Shelter and Sexual Assault Clinic and VSU, the project displays anonymous, recreated stories from student survivors.

The display is just one part of what the university is doing throughout the month of October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

We are offering support and promoting awareness around domestic violence, saidRebecca Murphy,VSU associate director for health promotions and wellness. We want to help people understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.

She alongside other VSU staff stood in the universitys pedestrian walkway giving out informative literature and purple ribbons the ribbon chosen as a representation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The Haven was on campus to provide information about its programs and support groups. The nonprofit organization serves Lowndes, Brooks, Colquitt, Echols, Berrien, Cook, Lanier, Clinch and Atkinson counties.

Its a two-fold organization that has two emergency facilities: the Battered Womens Shelter for victims of family violence and the Rape Crisis Center for victims of sexual assault.

Ashley Rhys, licensed marriage and family therapist for The Haven, explained domestic violence affects everyone, regardless of race, age or financial standing.

Its so important because theres a lot of students that are in abusive and toxic relationships, Rhys said. A lot of kids dont know this is here for them.

The Haven is more than just a refuge: it provides everything from exams to legal services along with free and confidential support groups.

The two groups are the Sexual Assault Support Group, where survivors come together to motivate and encourage each other, and the Circle of Healing Support Group, which allows healing, support and motivation for domestic violence survivors. Both are currently meeting via Zoom.

The Sexual Assault Support Group will meet 5 p.m., Nov. 18, and Dec. 23, with Zoom link 825 0387 1990. Circle of Healing will meet 6 p.m., Nov. 24, and Dec. 23 with Zoom link 831 0296 0811.

Additional information on any of these services can be found online at valdostahaven.org. Crisis lines are (229) 244-1765 and (800) 33HAVEN.

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

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'What were you wearing?': VSU, Haven shed light on sexual assault - Valdosta Daily Times

A fire broke out in the power coach of an air-conditioned (AC) local train in Mumbai on Thursday night. The incident occurred at 1.40 am in Mahalaxmi railway car-shed. No passenger or railway staff suffered any injuries, said officials.

The railway authorities and fire brigade doused the fire by 3.10 am on Friday morning.

The control wiring of the shunting desk and the electronic cabinet got burnt in the fire. There was no damage in any passenger area, said a senior railway official.

Short circuit is suspected to be the reason according to railway officials. The Western Railway has ordered an investigation. It added that the incident will have no repercussions on the local train services.

Also Read: 12 hours on, 250 Mumbai firefighters struggle to put out blaze at city mall

The reason for the fire will be investigated. There will be no repercussions on AC train services. said Sumit Thakur, chief public relation officer, Western Railway

Read the original here:
Fire in parked AC train in a car shed in Mumbai, investigation ordered - Hindustan Times

FAYETTEVILLE In their bye week some veterans of struggling Arkansas Razorbacks teams past were asked after Tuesdays practice to reflect on the difference in their present and future.

The Hogs wallowed 2-10, 2-10 overall/ 0-8, 0-8 in the SEC during the Chad Morris regime of 2018 and 2019.

Through an entirely SEC schedule with three of the four teams ranked No. 4, No. 16 and No. 13 when they played them and the Ole Miss team they defeated last Saturday amassing 647 yards on Alabama the week before, the Sam Pittman coached Hogs stand 2-2.

They should be 3-1, the college football world acknowledges of the egregious officiating error in Auburn, Ala. voiding an Arkansas fumble recovery and enabling then 13th-ranked Auburn kicking a 30-28 game-winning field goal.

Last years Hogs likely would have stayed season burned by such an unjustly devastating close but no cigar.

This years Hogs followed by intercepting six passes and beating Ole Miss at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Earlier they upset then No. 16 Mississippi State in Starkville and opened leading No. 4 Georgia midway through the third quarter.

Could anybody on the previous two Arkansas teams expect that?

"This is what we expected," Arkansas junior receiver Mike Woods said. "We should have never been 2-10.

We never expect to be the laughingstock. Were supposed to beat these teams. This is what we expect. Thats our mindset going into this year."

A mindset they cherish.

"Its just fun to win, Woods said. "Nobodys feeling bad. Nobodys arguing. When you lose all season, thats when stuff like that gets magnified. But when youre winning, its good."

Growing up in Fayetteville, senior left offensive guard Ty Clary remembers some banner Razorbacks teams under Houston Nutt and Bobby Petrino then lettering for three totaled 1-23 in the SEC.

"Going through the struggles the team went through, it (this season) is so exciting," Clary said. "Especially for my class, some of the guys I came in with. Everybodys so happy with the wins weve already gotten. But now its like, We have to get more. You want more. No ones satisfied."

Senior linebacker Hayden Henry of Little Rock and Pulaski Academy knew Razorbacks tradition from his family, father Mark Henry, played for Ken Hatfields Razorbacks 1989 Southwest Conference champions, and older brother and current NFL star Hunter Henry won the 2016 Mackey Award as a tight end for Bret Bielemas 8-5 Razorbacks.

Knowing all that made it harder to swallow the past three years.

"I just think everyones so fed up you know of being Arkansas: The bottom feeder," Henry said. "I think its been great getting to win some games to realize that Wow, we have talent on this team. We have guys that can play at a really high level."

Odom as coordinator gets deserved acclaim but the cornerbacks also praise cornerbacks coach Sam Carter and the defensive linemen praise D-line coach Derrick Leblanc, and Henry praised linebackers coach Rion Rhoades.

"Coach Rhoades, he's a great teacher," Henry said. That's what you are when you're a coach. You're a professor, and we're his students. He's tough on us and I love that. I don't want a coach that's going to go out to practice and baby me every day. He pushes us like no other."

So far as the teams linebacker supersub, Henry has seen Arkansas linebacker Bumper Pool pushed to be SEC Defensive Player of the Week and Bronko Nagurski Award Player of the Week for his 20 tackles against Mississippi State.

Then, with Henry subbing for injured weakside linebacker Pool and excelling in his own right compiling eight tackles and a pass breakup against Ole Miss, Henry marveled watching postgame TV. Only then did he realize senior middle linebacker that aside from the game-sealing 23-yard interception touchdown return, middle linebacker Grant Morgan made 19 tackles.

Greenwoods Morgan is this weeks SEC Defensive Player of the Week and also the Chuck Bednarik Player of the Week.

"I didn't know how well he played because I was out there with him," Henry said. "You know, you lose track of the plays, and then I go on ESPN after the game and he's got 19 tackles and a sack and a pick-6, and I'm just like, 'Good Lord! I mean, this is unbelievable!

Does this team worry the bye week halts momentum before the next game Oct. 31 at nationally No. 7 Texas A&M?

"I think the open date came at a great time." Mike Woods replied. "People have been trying to put us on a high horse and stuff like that, but it gives us some time to come back down to earth and take some time off. Get our bodies right. Get some people back and just focus."

Read more here:
Hogs look to shed wallowing ways - Times Record

Apparently, pigs feel better with the right lighting in sheds. Thats why, as part of their Enlightened Pigs project, Slaughterhouse Westford in IJsselstein and pig farm De Hoeve BV in Valkenswaard are looking into how lighting can best be utilized to improve the well-being of their animals.

Pig farm De Hoeve BV has undertaken several projects in the field of sustainability. For example, in 2017 the Dutch company started a project to create an optimal climate in the sheds. This research not only measures the temperature of the sheds, but also the CO2 and oxygen content and the presence of ammonia and fine particulates. Pig farmers are able to create better conditions for the animals with this data. The project fits in with the plans of the Dutch government, which wants the Netherlands to lead the way in sustainable circular agriculture by 2030. This includes recycling waste, but also animal-friendly livestock farming.

It is already common knowledge that lighting affects peoples productivity and mood. In contrast, the influence of lighting on animal welfare has been researched only to a limited extent. The companies want to find out in their project how factors such as the intensity and color of light play a role in animal welfare, the environment, and ultimately the operational results.

The companies want to develop a lighting technique that is ideal for animals. This lighting concept should eventually be included in the standard monitoring system. Among other things, this system measures the temperature and air quality in the stalls and then adjusts it for the most optimum climate possible.

The companies are working together with the Animal Production Systems Group chair at the Dutch Wageningen University & Research (WUR). This study group focuses on sustainable livestock farming and animal welfare. The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is funding the research.

Lighting systems used in this research are sourced from Signify, formerly Philips Lighting. Signify also supplies smart sensors for adjusting the lighting.

Pig farm De Hoeve BV has undertaken several projects in the field of sustainability. For example, in 2017 the company started a project to create an optimal climate in sheds. This research not only measured the temperature of the stalls, but also the CO2 and oxygen content and the presence of ammonia and fine particulates. With this data, the pig farmers are able to create better conditions for their animals.

The Monovergister project was launched in 2016. The goal of that project was to establish an energy-neutral pig farm. Energy can be generated with manure from the pigs by using the mono-digester. Fresh manure is used daily for this, which also limits the amount of methane that is produced.

Read this article:
Adaptive lighting in sheds improves pigs' welfare - Innovation Origins