Can I File for Worker’s Compensation if I Contract COVID-19?

If you have contracted COVID-19 at work, you might be contemplating whether you meet all requirements for workers’ compensation benefits. 

The short answer is that it will likely be challenging to get these advantages in many states unless you are a medical services supplier or first responder who has treated a contaminated individual. The more extended answer is that it will rely upon your type of work, the conditions for your situation, and the laws in your state. In Tennessee, legislation to make COVID-19 an illness generally covered by COVID-19 failed.  Another bill entitled SB8007b did pass, designating worker’s compensation in the event of a COVID-19 diagnosis for essential workers and any infected worker if nine or more other workers at the exact location have also become infected.  

Worker’s Compensation Rules for Infectious Diseases Like COVID-19 

For the most part, worker’s compensation covers illnesses that employees contract on account of their work. While typical seasonal illnesses like the flu are not viewed as work-related ailments, COVID-19 will be dealt with distinctively, depending on the state and circumstances.   

Explicit qualification necessities for work-related infections shift from one state to another, yet, in all cases, you need to exhibit that: 

  1. Your occupation caused your disease or put you at a higher risk of infection than the overall population
  1. You contracted the ailment because of a particular behavior taking care of your business

At the point when an infection becomes far-reaching locally, on account of the COVID pandemic, it tends to be especially hard to meet both of those prerequisites. 

Missouri law states that it “doesn’t repay people since they are harmed or harmed while working. Work must be the overarching reason for why the individual contracted COVID-19.” Another expert states that “by far most of the COVID-19 cases will be ineffective because the illness is an overall danger to everybody around the world, independent of the business. People are presented to it both at work and wherever else.” 

In a couple of states, you could qualify for worker’s compensation regardless of whether your work is significantly dangerous, as long as you have solid clinical proof of work environment openness. Furthermore, as discussed below, a few states have made it simpler for specific workers to meet all requirements for benefits when they get COVID-19 during the pandemic. 

Conversely, different states like South Carolina preclude worker’s compensation inclusion when representatives contract an infectious illness from colleagues or when they would have been similarly exposed outside of work (S.C. Code § 42-11-10 (2020). 

At the point when Your Job Puts You at High Risk of Coronavirus Exposure 

First responders and medical services workers face a specific risk of being exposed to COVID-19, particularly amidst a pandemic. However, workers in different occupations—like correctional officers, transport drivers, and staple specialists—may likewise have the option to show that the idea of their work puts them at a higher risk for danger than the general population. 

A few states have decided to grant worker’s compensation benefits to individuals in other fields of employment unless the business specifically demonstrated they did not catch COVID-19 at work. 

For instance: 

A New Jersey law assumes that COVID-19 is a business-related sickness unless a worker got the illness when working away from home during the general COVID crisis. To survive (or “disprove”) the assumption, the business should show that, almost certainly, the worker was not exposed to COVID at work. The law covers an expansive scope of workers, including anybody filling fundamental roles in the general population. 

California, Minnesota, and Michigan give comparable assumptions to first responders and specific medical care workers. California likewise stretches out the premise to any representatives who get COVID-19 when their work environment has an episode of the sickness. 

In Illinois, an impermanent measure applies a comparative assumption to some medical care workers and first responders, just as essential workers who connect with the overall population or possibly 15 co-workers. Notwithstanding, the Illinois law permits managers to refute the assumption by showing that they had completely carried out legitimate wellbeing and security measures. 

Will Federal Employees Get Workers’ Comp Benefits for COVID-19? 

The Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation (DFEC), part of the U.S. Division of Labor, created a new methodology for dealing with worker’s comp claims by government representatives who say they contracted COVID-19 while playing out their work obligations. Considering that it is so hard to know precisely when or how anybody gets this illness, DFEC clarified that it would consider worker’s compensation for specific government workers. Those at higher risk of disease like law enforcement, medical specialists on call, and others whose positions require continuous face-to-face connections with the general population. These exceptional cases will have their COVID worker’s compensation claims treated in a non-traditional way. 

Assuming you document a case for COVID-19 as a high-risk government representative, DFEC will acknowledge that your occupation made you more susceptible to COVID. Even if your work is not viewed as a danger, you can also document your case. However, you will need to give proof regarding your exposure to the infection, alongside clinical evidence that business-related exercises straightforwardly caused or exacerbated your contraction of the illness. 

Notwithstanding the government’s worker’s compensation framework, another administrative program, The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, gives advantages to specific bureaucratic specialists who are forever and completely debilitated as an immediate aftereffect of a physical issue that occurred in the line of obligation. These “public wellbeing officials” incorporate firemen and cops who work for a public organization, just as individuals from approved rescue vehicle teams give crisis clinical benefits. 

A government law sanctioned in August 2020, the “Protecting America’s First Responders Act,” makes it simpler for these specialists to get disability benefits when they contract COVID-19—and for their survivors to obtain death benefits, if the workers pass on, due to the sickness. The law assumes that COVID-19 was a physical issue supported in the line of duty, in case the representative was determined to have the infection during the 45-day time frame, after the specialist’s last day of work during 2020 and 2021 (P.L. 116-157 (S. 3607); 34 U.S.C. § 10281, 10284 (2020)). 

Does Workers’ Comp Cover COVID Exposure Due to Workplace Conditions? 

Imagine a scenario where you accept that you have been exposed to COVID-19, due to risky conditions at the workplace, rather than the idea of your occupation. For example, you may work at a transportation office or a meat handling plant that has not provided facial coverings or established social separating measures for representatives. Would you be able to get laborers’ comp benefits, assuming that you contracted COVID-19, after being exposed to a tainted associate? 

Although laws have not resolved this inquiry straightforwardly, existing rules and court conclusions demonstrate that states might adopt shifting strategies. Under New Jersey law, laborers’ comp might cover work-related sicknesses that are substantially brought about by conditions specific to their work environment, notwithstanding their occupation exchange. What’s more, New Jersey courts have held that the debilitated representatives just need to show a plausible connection between the work environment conditions and the word-related sickness. (N.J. Details. § 34:15-31 (2020); Magaw v. Middletown Bd. of Educ., 731 A.2d 1196 (N.J. Sup. Ct. Application. 1999).) 

In any case, courts in different states have held that representatives should show a connection between the unmistakable idea of their positions rather than conditions at a specific work environment (see, for instance, Demers v. St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center, 271 A.D.2d 857 (N.Y. Application. Div. 2000). 

Investigating Your Options and Getting Help 

Business owners and their insurance agencies will likely fight energetically against worker’s compensation claims for COVID-19—basically, for anybody other than representatives in especially high-risk occupations with evident proof that they have been exposed to a contaminated individual at work. 

If you file a worker’s compensation case and are denied right away, it is probably a good idea to talk with an attorney.  As the pandemic continues, worker’s compensation in this area constitutes rapidly changing case law.  For further information, please call Logan-Thompson, P.C. at  423-476-2251 or check out their website at https://www.loganthompsonlaw.com.

Churches, Pastors, and Love Offerings

Pastors and ministers of religious institutions have come under increased scrutiny
relating to cash practices, and the proper accounting as well as reporting required for each.

There was a Pastor of a good Church in the mid-Atlantic region. The Church paid its
obligations promptly each month. To look at it from the outside looking in, everything
seemed fine. The un-manifested problem however was the Pastor. He felt as if the Church
failed to properly support him (though it arguably did, based on the size and income of the
ministry).

He decided the best way to supplement his income encompassed receiving “Love
Offerings” each week that would be earmarked as such. This Pastor began to remove the
cash from the offerings. If any individual wrote a check for that “Love Offering” the
Pastor would simply remove that amount of cash from the collection, thereby leaving the
check to be deposited to the Church’s account.

One of the Elders approached the Pastor in love and expressed his concern for the actions
of the man of God. The Pastor defensively replied, “I bring it in. I should be able to take
it out.” Whether or not someone blew the whistle, or it was the result of other issues, the
IRS began their audit.

When the IRS showed up and indicted him on five counts, one of which included illegal love
offerings, the Judge and jury would not accept the Pastor’s arguments. The Pastor
discovered himself in a “prison ministry” of which he had no desire or anointing to fulfill.
He went to prison!

Legal versus Illegal

Every Pastor I know is elated when they receive the proverbial “Pentecostal Handshake,” i.e. money placed into their hands. Often these warriors of the Gospel received different types of cash as part of their operations and activities. These cash payments could consist of contributions, “love gifts,” honorariums, cash donations or donations of items or property. It is vital for ministers to understand the terms and what such payment may represent under IRS regulations.

For something to be a true “gift” and considered a nontaxable event, it must meet several
criteria that are outlined under the original Duberstein case. That with which God
desires to bless you, may curse you if not transacted properly. What you do not know can
hurt you!

Not all “Love Offerings” are taxable, but many of them are. It is when the Pastor,
minister, or Church does not know the difference that it creates conflict that may lead to
penalties or possible imprisonment. Just because a “Love Offering” is made as a
charitable contribution to a church or tax-exempt religious ministries does not constitute
it as a tax-free gift to ministers or Pastors.

When “Love Offerings” are formulated properly they can be tax-exempt. Herein lies the
problem – most Churches, Pastors, and ministers do not know the difference between
demarcation lines of legal or non-legal.

What Does God Say?

God wants to bless His people, especially those serving in front-line ministry. 1 Timothy
5:17-18 declares, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor,
especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, ‘Thou shall
not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn. And, the laborer is worthy of his reward.’”
Since God desires for ministers and Pastors to be financially blessed, to whom does the
responsibility lies to see that they are blessed? Galatians 6:6 answers this question. “Let
him that is taught in the word communicate [become a partner] unto him that teaches
in all good things.” It is the responsibility of anyone, taught by the man and woman of
God, to bless those in ministry.
However, there is a command that is from the mouth of our Lord that we must heed. Jesus
declared in Matthew 22:21b that we are to “. . . Render [give] unto Caesar [the
government] those things which are Caesar’s [the government].”
God desires that ministers and Pastors be financially blessed by others, but we must do it
the right way (Rom. 13:1-2; Heb. 13:7).

The Last Word

As the ultimate organization in our field, Chitwood & Chitwood eighty one years of experience
has placed us at the highest echelon in protecting Churches, Pastors, and ministers.
We are number ONE in our field. Anyone who has begun a new Church or is considering forming a new Church-solve your compliance issues at the outset by starting Church right. It is easier to end right if you start right.

This is why every Pastor, Pastor’s Spouse, and Church Leader should attend the next
Church Management Conference where you can gain access to the valuable knowledge
as to which “Love Offerings” are legal and which are not. We will show you the proper
methods for establishing “Love Offerings” inside and outside of the Church setting.
Legal blessings are always better than those that are not! As the best in America, we
have only your best interest at heart. To register for the next conference please call 800-
344-0076 or visit us online at www.cmtc.org.

Every moment you delay places you in jeopardy of penalties and maybe criminality. Go
to www.cmtc.org and register for a Clergy Tax and Law Conference near you.
YOU CAN BE AT REST WHEN YOU LEARN FROM THE BEST!

10 Tips for Taking Care of Your Wig

With the present quality of wigs available, styling your hair has never been simpler! There are a couple of tips and tricks to keep your wig putting its best self forward. Here are our top ten tips for styling wigs.

1. Water Bottle

Use a water bottle filled with perfect, cool water to gently spritz your wig while styling. Spritzing the wig with the water bottle and utilizing your fingers to style can assist with rejuvenating limp strands or smooth frizz without washing the entire wig while likewise eliminating friction based electricity. Most short wigs are not difficult to control utilizing only your fingertips, and longer wigs can be smoothed down with the hands also.

2. Never Brush a Wet Wig

Never brush a wet wig. It is at this point that your wig is weakest and most susceptible to damage. Brushing a wet wig can permanently stretch and damage it.

When brushing your dry wig, consistently utilize a brush explicitly intended to use with wigs, as normal brushes made for regular hair can pull on and harm the wig strands. Utilize short strokes on wigs with waves or free twists, as not to pull the twist out of the strand. For smooth styles, utilize long strokes with light tension. Utilize a pick brush to tenderly style curl twists to lessen frizz and oversee fly aways.

3. Wig Care Products

Only use styling and washing products intended for wigs. Never use items intended for human hair. Most regular shampoo and conditioner designed for regular hair will weigh down your wig’s strands, causing it to appear heavy and greasy. The use of wig-friendly mousse is an extraordinary way to hold your wig’s style. Work mousse through dry, smooth styles and gently brush for delicate hold. For wavy styles, apply mousse to hands and softly scrunch the style.

4. No Heat

Try not to utilize warmed styling devices with wigs that are not explicitly marked as “heat agreeable” or 100% human hair. Heat will harm manufactured filaments and can dissolve or consume them, demolishing the wig.

5. Reestablishing Style

To restore your wig to it’s unique style, wash the wig in cool water using shampoos and conditioners intended for use with wigs, and then air dry. This will permit the strands to get back to their unique state and give you a fresh start for perpetual styling conceivable outcomes.

6. More Volume?

For volume at the roots, brush or back brush the underside of individual layers, smoothing the highest point of the strands back as you go. For a light lift, utilize a wig brush to delicately lift the roots from the cap. Softly spray with a water bottle to set the style.

7. Cutting Your Wig

Indeed, you can cut your wig. Redo your look by having an expert beautician with wig trimming experience to trim and shape your wig. Make certain to get the beautician to cut the wig while you are wearing it for a look that is custom-made to your specific face shape.

8. Keeping Your Wig On While Styling

Wearing a jaw tie can assist with holding the wig set up while it is being trimmed or styled. This forestalls slippage and guarantees that you get your style looking perfectly.

9. Styling Bangs

Styling bangs on your wig requires a touch of artfulness. At the point when you put your wig on, position it somewhat underneath the normal hairline with the bangs generally pushed off of the face. To get volume in the bangs, brush them from the underside with a vertical stroke and let the bangs fall straight.

10. Decorate

Customize the vibe of your wig by adding scarves or headbands on top. Utilizing these frills can assist with adding shading and splendor around the face.

For further information, please contact the Wig Palace at 423-707-2946 or visit them one at thewigpalace.com.

Advantages of Personal Care: Four Ways to Keep Seniors Happy in Personal Care Facilities

Personal care facilities can give many advantages to residents, including a protected living environment and nonstop care. This permits seniors to get personal and health care without troubling their families. You can assist with keeping your cherished ones protected, sound, and glad by consistently making sure that the personal care facility staff is meeting all of their personal and health care needs.

Step by Step Instructions to Keep Seniors Happy in Personal Care Facilities

Remaining involved is very essential to keep seniors cheerful as they live in a personal care facility. You can do this by first helping your loved ones as they move into a personal care facility. That way, they can take note of any issues to you from the start, and you can attempt to screen them. From that point, you ought to urge your friends and family to visit as well. Both of these things can assist your senior with moving into their new home. Further, if your loved one should now depend on you for their health care needs, you should ensure they are getting the most ideal administrations by checking on them frequently.

The following are four thoughts you can use to keep your senior cheerful in a personal care facility:

1. Making the Transition Easy

Moving into a personal care facility can be upsetting all by itself. Therefore, you can help your senior by guaranteeing the move goes off without a hitch. A few seniors might feel like they can care for themselves and probably should not leave their homes. Furthermore, those with Alzheimer’s or dementia may not completely comprehend the reason why they need to move at all. Disclose to your cherished ones why moving into a personal care facility will be useful for them. Bring pictures, furniture, and different items that will cause their space to feel like home. Check whether the senior’s life partner can take the action with them.

2. Keeping an Eye on Relationships

Personal care facilities furnish seniors with the chance to construct new connections and reinforce old ones — the two of which can work on their wellbeing and happiness.

Solid connections make individuals more joyful and furthermore forestall mental and actual decay over the long haul. By living in a personal care facility, seniors can warm up to individuals their own age as well as the staff that takes care of them.

3. Partaking in Activities

An extraordinary way for seniors to make friends with others is through exercise. Ordinary exercises can likewise assist seniors in becoming fit, both intellectually and physically. Most personal care offices have exercises for the duration of the day. While not every person will participate, there will normally be exercises that everybody can do, even seniors experiencing incapacities or diseases like dementia can partake in light exercise!

Other types of exercises for seniors include:

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Bingo games
  • Paying attention to music
  • Petting a canine or feline
  • Walking
  • Reading

You can likewise ask personal care facility staff individuals to fit exercises into your loved one’s schedule. This can energize seniors who might not otherwise participate.

4. Keeping Up with Health Care

On the off chance that a senior should live in a personal care facility, odds are they have a sickness or inability that requires long haul care. To keep seniors as cheerful and sound as could be expected, these health care needs should be met by their friends and family and the nursing home staff.

Personal Satisfaction and Happiness Go Hand-in-Hand

Seniors in personal care offices can benefit extraordinarily from the assistance of personal care facility staff, different occupants and particularly relatives. By directing your loved ones as they move and routinely checking in with them, you can ensure they stay protected and content.

The best personal care facilities will pay attention to their occupants’ interests — and yours — to ensure everybody is fulfilled.

For additional data about this subject, call Mary and Martha’s Personal Care at (706) 866-7454 or visit them online at maryandmarthaspersonalcare.com

Post-Divorce Checklist

Congratulations!  Your divorce has, at long last, concluded.  No more cutoff times to meet, papers to record, and no additional time spent. In any case, there are still actions that need to be taken care of to begin this next step of your life authoritatively. So start making a Post Divorce Checklist, a plan of specific things you need to finish after your divorce is concluded: 

Audit your Divorce Decree: 

While it could be the keep going thing at the forefront of your thoughts, you should peruse—and once again read—your divorce decree to make a rundown of things you and your ex-life partner need to fulfill. A large portion of these things can be finished in under a month, if not sooner. 

Drop Shared Services and Make New Ones 

Close every one of the accounts you share with your ex-partner immediately. Shared services that stay open can leave you defenseless against overdrafts or illegitimate charges on your credit cards. Indeed, even before you close these records, it is astute to open your own accounts and begin generating your own FICO rating. 

Update your Insurance Policies 

Since most couples bundle their auto, home, and life insurance coverage, call your representative to examine whether you can acquire your separate coverage. Also, these records might have your ex-life partner as a beneficiary, so make sure to update this information!. Remove your ex-life partner’s name from your medical coverage by telling your HR of the divorce. On the off chance that you have youngsters, former spouses’ protection plan covering them should have been previously examined and determined during the separation procedures. 

Make Another Estate Plan 

Make or update your will, trusts, and power of attorney orders to mirror your divorce. Moreover,  such estate planning eliminates the need for an attorney or relatives to make important decisions for you should you become unable to make them for yourself.  

Change Names on Deeds and Titles 

Quitclaim deeds are often used to move property between parties associated with a divorce. These will eliminate your ex’s name or yours from the home loan as indicated by the divorce decree. Additionally, change the titles of your vehicles to reflect new possession as indicated by the pronouncement. 

Change your name 

Assuming you need to change your name back to your previous last name, you should do so at the Social Security Office. You should bring an affirmed duplicate of the divorce decree and ID, like your driver’s license or passport. Your name should be changed back to your original surname on your divorce decree. Also, change your name on your driver’s license and passport as soon as possible.

Handling these things sooner rather than later can assist you with forestalling possible future issues. When everything is finished, you can, at long last, exhale, knowing that your post-divorce checklist is completed.  

For more information on what should be done after divorce, contact Logan-Thompson, P.C. at 423-476-2251. 

Ten Activities To Do With A Loved One In A Personal Care Facility

When a loved one lives in a personal care facility, it is important to visit regularly and show them how much they are loved. Spending time will brighten their day, and knowing loved ones are visiting provides the tenants something to look forward to. On the flip side, seniors living in a personal care facility can get lonely because they have limited contact with people outside of the nursing facility. By visiting, one can help keep them connected and remind them that they are not forgotten!

Some people may find it awkward or uncomfortable to visit a personal care facility because they do not know what to do or say. To eliminate those worries, here are some suggestions to help make the next personal care facility visit a fun and joyful experience. If visiting in person is not one’s personal preference, virtual visits are just as uplifting! Video chats and phone calls are always welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Ideas for The Next Visit to a Personal Care Facility

  1. Bring Along Games
    Bring some fun to the visit! Bring a board game, a puzzle, art project, or cards so they will have something fun to do with the older adult. A shared activity helps people bond and keeps everyone happily engaged. Young children can also bring items for “show and tell” so they can share what they are excited about with the individual at the personal care facility.
  2. Enjoy Music Together
    Music has a universal ability to boost mood, reduce agitation, and increase happiness and engagement. It is also a wonderful way to enjoy time with a family member or friend. When together, play a favorite song or set up a simple music player so they can listen anytime. Sit and listen together, have an impromptu sing-along, or listen as they reminisce over memories from younger days. If unsure about what music they enjoy, ask relatives or bring a selection of songs that came out when they were young and ask which they like the most.
  3. Reminisce Over Old Photos
    Looking at old photos or videos is a great way to spend time together and strengthen bonds. One never knows what stories or memories older adults will be inspired to share. Photos are also great conversation starters. Another fun project could include working on creating a family tree. Family trees are both fun and meaningful for individuals!
  4. Bring a Furry Friend Along
    Petting a dog or cat is a highly therapeutic activity. If a personal care facility allows one to bring your pet, and the individual is an animal lover, it is a great way to enjoy time with an animal. Research has shown that spending time with animals lowers stress levels, heart rate, and blood pressure. In the long-term, interacting with a pet can even lower cholesterol, prevent depression, and protect against heart disease and stroke.
  5. Eat a Meal or Snack Together
    People enjoy companionship when eating. Whether eating in the community dining room or going to a restaurant, sharing a meal is a way to bond with a loved one. If mealtime is not the right time for a visit, a snack is just as joyful. For example, bring a little “picnic” of crackers and cheese or something else that the individual likes.
  6. Get Some Fresh Air
    Going outside to get some fresh air is an excellent form of exercise. If there is not a suitable outside area, walking around inside the building is still a great activity and is good for one’s health.
  7. Take Them on Short Outings
    Going out can be a treat for someone living in a personal care facility. Whether they want to go to a religious service, a hair salon, a mall, or a museum, it is a great way to make the individual happy.
  8. Give a Massage or Manicure
    Many people in personal care facilities would benefit from the therapeutic effects of touch. In addition, depending on the relationship with the older adult, some pampering may be a great way to spend an afternoon. Bringing lightly scented lotion means one could give the older family member or friend a gentle hand massage. If one gets some tools, they could even have a manicure.
  9. Read Aloud
    Reading aloud is a great way to connect with someone and let them know how much they are loved without making a lot of conversation. It is ideal for bed-bound older adults and is not very responsive because of advanced health conditions or those with vision impairments.
  10. Watch a TV Show or Movie
    Watching a TV show or a movie with family and friends is a great way to share a connection without words. Activities such as this are a great way to spend time together and not be worried about conversation or awkwardness. If the individual in a personal care facility has a TV and internet/cable connection in their room, consider getting them a subscription to Netflix or Amazon Prime so they can easily watch their favorite movies.

For further information regarding this topic, please contact Mary and Martha’s Personal Care at (706) 866-7454 or visit them online at maryandmarthaspersonalcare.com.

Giving During Covid

Your church might have reduced face-to-face administrations and exercises in light of the COVID-19 epidemic.  Nevertheless, there is no halting your church’s finances, contracts, and other monetary commitments. 

Astute church pioneers will need to be proactive and do everything they can to help their parishioners stay associated with the church, overcome this monetary crisis, and feel welcome to keep up with monetary assistance for the church. 

No activity or practice will guarantee the monetary steadiness of your church.  Nevertheless, deliberately setting up sufficient components will give a solid structure to manageable financial giving. 

Here are a few thoughts. 

1. CARES Act
The Paycheck Protection Program of the U.S. Government’s Coronavirus Relief Package offers credits to private companies (counting churches) to assist with keeping laborers utilized during this crisis. Here is the kicker: The credits do not need to be reimbursed as long as your church follows intently some patently straightforward rules.

2. Internet giving
In the event that your congregation has not yet gotten into on the web and computerized giving, the COVID-19 emergency gives a phenomenal impetus to do as such. In case you are as of now offering computerized giving, consider extending the alternatives. What administrations do your giving-administration organization offer that could furnish your gatherers with considerably more freedoms to give? The guideline is this: The simpler you make it for individuals to give, the more probable they will be to give. 

3. Incorporate “offering” through virtual services
Many churches are — shrewdly — going to virtual and live streaming services while limitations on movement and social events are in place. Strikingly, “offering” a piece of assistance is regularly discarded in the advanced form. This is a mistake. During the virtual service, incorporate an “offering second ” where you recount a story, clarify a service, or spotlight the mission of the church, and then welcome people to give a donation. Then, remind individuals how they can give. Utilize their focus by letting them know the church’s location to send checks, a website for internet giving, or a phone number where they can message or telephone in a gift and give them an opportunity to react, maybe by playing uncommon music. 

Don’t pressure people to give. Recognize that certain individuals who have lost positions essentially can not bear to give at the moment. Tell them that is alright and stay away from the “alarm card.” The frenzy card might get individuals to give only once, and not continue in the long term. Furthermore, over the long haul, it harms trust in the service and the giving of monetary contributions. 

4. Correspondence

Correspondence is perhaps the primary approach to church giving and not simply via those delicate suggestions to keep the donations streaming. Indeed, asking for monetary help should represent a small portion of the correspondence you send. Why? For some believers, Sunday service is their essential association with a church.  Communications through an assortment of media help members remember the church. When people feel appreciated, they are bound to react more positively to a solicitation for help. 

5. Snail Mail Requests

Advanced giving alternatives are a requirement for the 21st-century church.  However, a significant number of our more seasoned individuals are not technically inclined. Luckily, the U.S. Postal Service is still in business and will mail envelopes to any place you address them. An elegantly composed letter requesting that devotees make an ordinary or an exceptional gift will go far. 

Keep the letter energetic! Talk about the magnificent service that is occurring in the church and how the staff and members are proceeding with God’s main goal, even in troublesome conditions. Feature whatever web-based service prospects there are occurring within the church. Make it simple for them to give by including a post-marked, stamped envelope, so they can easily send in their checks. What’s more, in light of the fact that numerous seniors do utilize PCs and cell phones, audit your church’s computerized giving alternatives, as well. 

6. One-On-One Inquiring

The most probable individuals to give in a period of emergency are the ones who have the monetary ability to give as well as a solid obligation to the church. Who are these individuals? You should know: They are the ones who as of now give liberally. 

During this crisis, converse with the best ten or twenty providers and ask them for a unique commitment to assist with getting the church through the emergencies. As the head of the church, the minister or elder ought to in a perfect world be the person who makes the solicitation. 

Nevertheless, a regarded and believed head member of the church might also substitute. Even better, they could make the solicitation together! 

7. Request “Front-Stacked” Contributions

Each December as far back as you can recollect, many reliable individuals within the church have gladly and dependably made a considerable year-end gift. That is extraordinary! Yet, could the Joneses give their donation this spring all things being equal, during a time when your church dearly needs it? Welcome parishioners to make their contributions early. 

For further questions on how to keep parishioners giving during the COVID-19 crisis, please contact Chitwood and Chitwood at 423-892-4882 or find them online at chitwoods.com.

Divorce in the State of Tennessee and COVID-19

There is no question that the COVID-19 epidemic has led to unprecedented stress among married couples.  Reasons for divorce during this crisis can include:

  1. Quarantining together leading to the uncovering of previously unresolved relationship issues.  
  2. Conflicts over whether to vaccinate or not to vaccinate.
  3. Unequal distribution of household responsibilities including, but not limited to, childcare and housework.
  4. Money problems caused by lack of employment during the pandemic.

All states make allowances for a no-fault divorce. However, other states, such as Tennessee, allow their citizens to seek a fault-based divorce, where one spouse alleges that the other’s unacceptable conduct led to the effective end of the marital relationship.

The following are reasons for a fault-based divorce in Tennessee that the pandemic might cause.  

  1. Desertion: If one spouse willfully or maliciously deserts the other spouse without a reasonable cause, they can request this ground for divorce. Be prepared to provide evidence showing 1) the amount of time desertion occurred 2) the complete cutoff of communication.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, desertion appears to be occurring quite frequently when the stresses become overwhelming and spouses see no other way out of a seemingly untenable situation.  
  1. Attempted Murder of the Other Spouse: The attempted murder must be malicious and deliberate for it to be grounds for a divorce, for example, poisoning the other spouse.  While extreme, COVID-19 is creating the perfect storm for murder or attempted murder within marriage to occur.  With people being forced to spend extended time together in close quarters, tempers can run high, and previously unprecedented violent behavior can occur.  
  1. Refusal to move: Courts will allow a divorce to a spouse residing in Tennessee if the other spouse intentionally refuses to move to the state for two years. The spouse asking for the divorce must also show that they did not cohabitate as spouses for two years. The spouse must also show that the couple does not have minor children together.  This type of divorce occurs more frequently during the COVID-19 epidemic because individuals have to take jobs within other states.  Some spouses cannot or will not move with their spouses, leading to the breakdown of marital relationships.
  1.  Cruel and inhuman treatment: This category includes a wide range of conduct and mistreatment. It can be verbal and physical assaults, domestic violence, failure to provide a suitable living condition, and more.  Spouses during the COVID-19 pandemic often find themselves literally at each other’s throats, unwilling or unable to deal with one another any further.  This can lead to unusual behavior and ultimately the breakdown of the marital relationship.
  1. Alcohol or drug abuse: Habitual drunkenness or abuse of narcotic drugs of one spouse that the other remained unaware of before getting married. With so many people out of work or stuck at home with children, alcohol and drug abuse is running rampant in American homes.  As a result, many marriages are suffering and ultimately disintegrating.
  1. Indignities: For a divorce to be granted on indignities, one must provide evidence that one’s spouse has consistently acted with rudeness, hate, abuse, and neglect to render one’s married life untenable.  Many couples, finding themselves together for seemingly endless periods of time because of the COVID-19 epidemic, are often faced with personality traits of their spouse that they previously overlooked.  This can lead to unkindness and indignities occurring between spouses, resulting in marriages ending.
  1. Abandonment occurs when one spouse has abandoned the other out of their home and refuses to support the ousted spouse.  Additionally, when faced with the various spousal issues detailed above, many spouses are also often simply leaving and starting life over elsewhere.  In both cases, divorce is a viable alternative.  

If your marriage is facing unprecedented issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and you have questions regarding filing for divorce, contact Logan-Thompson, P.C at 423-476-2251 or find their website online at loganthompsonlaw.com. 

Wigs vs Hair Extensions

COVID-19 has caused a great deal of hair loss among many people who have suffered from it. As a result, a debate has risen between the use of hair extensions versus traditional wigs. Let us take a look at the various pros and cons.

Pros of Hair Extensions

  • They look natural and often behave like natural hair
  • One can swim with hair extensions and they do not need to be removed before other strenuous activities
  • The hair can last up to a year if cared for properly.

Cons of Hair Extensions

  • Hair extensions are extremely costly-in the Chattanooga hair extensions can cost up to $1,050 for the hair extensions, up to $450 for custom coloring, and possibly another $300 every 6-8 weeks for maintenance.
  • Hair extensions cannot easily be changed without great expense and time.
  • One’s real hair can be damaged by the extensions. Examples of damage include split ends and further hair loss.

Pros of Wigs

  • Wigs can be purchased in different colors and styles. One can literally have a new hairdo every week.
  • Wigs do not typically damage one’s natural hair.
  • Manufactured wigs can be very affordable. In the Chattanooga area, top of the line manufactured wigs can be purchased for as little as $450 and can last up to a year.

Cons of Wigs

  • Wigs can irritate the scalp in hot weather conditions.
  • If not washed regularly, wigs can start to look older and frayed.
  • Wigs should be removed before swimming, dance class, or other similar activities.

For a relatively inexpensive new look, wigs can offer a viable solution at a fraction of the price to hair extensions. While pros and cons exist for both options, wigs definitely offer a flexible and affordable alternative.

To check out wigs in the Chattanooga area, stop by Wig Palace at 5716 Ringgold Rd Suite 102 in East Ridge, or check out their selection online at thewigpalace.com.

Things to Consider When Buying a Wig in Anticipation of or Following Chemotherapy

Individuals who are confronted with losing their hair from chemotherapy or radiation therapy frequently select one wig and afterward substitute wearing the wig(s) with caps and scarves. Keep in mind, hair will grow back, despite the fact that its thickness, surface, and shading may not be equivalent to its condition before treatment.

How should I deal with the anticipation of losing my hair?

Ensure you know whether your treatment really leads to hair loss. Not all chemo causes hair loss.

On the off chance that your hair is long, consider having it trimmed short so that changing to a wig or other head covering will be less noticeable.

Hair by and large drops out two to three weeks after the first chemo treatment.

When it begins dropping out, consider having your head shaved (utilize an electric razor to keep away from cuts). This can cause you to feel more in charge and holds you back from awakening to discover irritated hair all around your head.

You might see that some hair might start to develop back between medicines, only to ultimately drop out once more.

Hair ordinarily develops back around a half year after finishing chemotherapy. Your new hair might be curlier or straighter, thicker or better—or even another shading. Normally this change is only in the present moment; with time your hair will probably return to the manner in which it appeared before treatment.

Where would I be able to purchase a wig?

Search the Internet for wig stores. In case you are stressed over privacy, inquire as to whether the store has one-on-one help accessible for cancer patients who are picking a wig. Some might even have a private area for trying on wigs.

Selecting a wig prior to beginning treatment

Take photographs of your present hair style.

Save a lock of hair from the top front of your head, where the hair is lightest, on the off chance that you need to coordinate with your wig to recreate your current look.

Utilize normal light—outside or almost a window—to choose whether a wig coordinates with the pattern.

Measure your head with your hair wet or slicked down.

Ensure your wig is customizable, as your head may ultimately seem quite a bit smaller once your hair has fallen out.

Selecting a Shade

The decision of shading is an individual one. However, be courageous! Presently is your opportunity to explore a new look without paying for a long, costly salon color session. You may choose to attempt a wig in another shading and find yourself extremely satisfied with the outcome.

Styling your wig

Prior to styling, consistently fold the entirety of the hair behind your ears.

If necessary, have a stylist trim the bangs and style the wig to make it look more natural.

Prior to styling long straight wigs, shower delicately with a wig conditioner and utilize a wig brush, beginning with the finishes first.

Use scarf groups and other hair embellishments as you would with your own hair.

Really focusing on your wig

Only wash your wig with shampoo made exclusively for wigs.

Wigs that are worn every day ought to be washed each ten to fourteen days, and all the more regularly in case you are utilizing a great deal of hair spray and styling cream.

After washing the wig, allow the wig to dry on a compact wig stand­ so that air can circle through it­ without washing out the conditioner. Wig conditioner is also helpful for wigs. It ensures the fiber and expands the existence of the wig.

Remember that wigs, particularly those that are synthetic, may take eight to twelve hours to dry.

Wigs ought to consistently be put away on a stand; not in a plastic pack or in a container.

No more “terrible hair days!”

While losing your hair might be terrifying, numerous individuals might appreciate attempting styles and tones in a wig that they could not have ever set out to attempt with their own hair. A few individuals purchase more than one wig and change wigs to suit their temperament, their outfit, or an event.

Wigs consistently look great; there are not any more awful hair days. Indeed, numerous individuals keep on wearing their wig(s) after their hair comes back, particularly when they don’t have the time to consistently style their hair.

For further information on this topic, please call Wig Palace at (423) 894-0157 or visit them online at thewigpalace.com.