La norma CARS pretende cuidar al consumidor a la hora de elegir dónde comprar, además de que ayudará a que los mercados sean más competitivos y más transparentes en sus procesos.
The CARS (Combating Auto Retail Scams) standard of the FTC , exige transparencia en el proceso de compra de un vehículo, convirtiéndose en una pieza clave para aquellos que quieren adquirir un auto, generando confianza y seguridad en el proceso de adquisición antes, durante y después de ésta.
CARS supondrá un importante ahorro, estimado en 3 mil 400 millones de dólares al año, para las personas que compran un vehículo nuevo. Y se calcula que ahorrará a los consumidores 72 millones de horas al año, así lo dijo Malini Mithal, directora asociada de la División de Prácticas Financieras de la Comisión Federal de Comercio (FTC), durante una sesión informativa realizada por Ethnic Media Services.
Mithal comentó que la gente ha reportado ser víctima de engaños y estafas al querer comprar un auto, en donde, en Many occasions, se presenta el señuelo y engaño, ejemplo de ello es cuando se publica un anuncio con un precio accesible y al momento de iniciar trámites mencionan cargos extras. El señuelo es el precio o la promoción que se utiliza para atraer hacia una compra poco clara.
Otro caso, mencionó Malini, es cuando dentro de los contratos se ponen cargos adicionales y al ser un trámite tardado y cansado, la gente no nota lo que firma o lo que está adquiriendo, tiempo después salen a flote los costos extra, servicios supuestamente adquiridos o precios más elevados.
Así, la norma CARS pretende cuidar al consumidor a la hora de elegir dónde comprar, además de que ayudará a que los mercados sean más competitivos y más transparentes en sus procesos.
En ese sentido, Mithal comentó las bases de la norma: las concesionarias no pueden mentir acerca de costos, términos de financiación, devoluciones, etcétera; además deben decir a los consumidores el precio final que ofrecen y explicar el total del costo, el cual debe ser muy claro en cuanto a los precios y gastos; asimismo, solo pueden vender aquellos servicios que el consumidor acepta y desea una vez que tiene conocimiento total del servicio o producto.
Jamie D. Brooks, abogada de la división de Prácticas Financieras de la Comisión Federal de Comercio, habló del señuelo y cambio, donde se pone un anuncio con información llamativa ofreciendo precios bajos para llamar la atención del cliente, pero en letras pequeñas dice que existe un cargo o mensualidad extra; incluso dejan un precio bajo solo para el primer pago haciendo creer que todos los pagos son bajos, estas prácticas son muy comunes.
En estos casos también se usa la combinación de idiomas, dijo, pueden estar las letras pequeñas en inglés o solo español, de este modo toda la información estará presente pero no será tomada en cuenta por el consumidor que solo conoce un idioma, esto también es fraude.
Ante ello, Brooks hizo la invitación a que los consumidores pregunten siempre el precio final del auto, sin importar si es a pagos o de contado, pues se debe conocer el proceso y el costo total, de lo contrario se puede levantar una queja en la Comisión Federal de Comercio.
Sanya Shahrasbi, abogada de la División de Prácticas Financieras de la Comisión Federal de Comercio, comentó que mucha gente adquiere “costos basura”, lo que se traduce en costos adicionales que no van a utilizar, pero que se los venden con la idea de que es una buena promoción u oportunidad en la vida, los añadidos se meten en los contratos y las personas ni siquiera se dan cuenta de lo que están adquiriendo.
En estos casos,dijo, la norma CARS protege al consumidor para no sentirse obligado a pagar cosas que no necesita, de tal manera que tenga la libertad de elegir que quiere adquirir y aquello que sabe que no utilizará, lo puede invertir en otras cosas.
Los expertos coinciden que es muy fácil caer en cualquier tipo de estafas al adquirir un auto, pero siempre es importante tomarse el tiempo necesario, leer todos los documentos y pedir que nos expliquen si algo no se entiende,y si no cumplen con el precio establecido o existe algún fraude se debe informar y levantar un reporte, de esta manera se puede investigar y prevenir a más gente.
Community Forward SF, una agencia que ayuda a personas sin vivienda, brindará asistencia a mujeres sin vivienda en los vecindarios de Tenderloin y South of Market (SoMa).
Una organización sin fines de lucro de San Francisco ha organizado esta semana una jornada de divulgación para ayudar a las mujeres sin hogar en la ciudad con la esperanza de que el gobierno de la ciudad aprecie las necesidades especiales de esta población.
Community Forward SF, una agencia que ayuda a personas sin vivienda, brindará asistencia el martes a mujeres sin vivienda en los vecindarios de Tenderloin y South of Market (SoMa).
La organización ha estado tratando de encabezar la creación de un espacio de refugio exclusivo para mujeres en San Francisco. Los refugios pueden ser lugares peligrosos y violentos para cualquier persona sin hogar, pero especialmente para las personas y mujeres más vulnerables.
Según Community Forward, en una encuesta de mujeres sin hogar realizada por el California Policy Lab, un grupo de investigación asociado con la Universidad de California, 80 por ciento de las mujeres sin hogar reportaron abuso o violencia doméstica como la causa de su falta de hogar.
Cada año, hasta 6 mil mujeres e individuos no binarios se quedan sin hogar en San Francisco, dijo Community Forward SF.
“Las mujeres son a menudo invisibles entre la población sin hogar”, afirmó Sammie Rayner, directora de impacto de Community Forward SF en un comunicado publicado por la organización. “Este evento de divulgación será una oportunidad para mostrar directamente atención y ofrecer ayuda tangible a las mujeres necesitadas, al mismo tiempo que se demuestra la necesidad urgente de más servicios a los líderes cívicos y filantrópicos”.
El día también será una oportunidad para recopilar datos sobre las necesidades de las mujeres que se encuentran sin hogar, dijo la organización. Por ejemplo, Civic Center Plaza es un “punto caliente” para la trata de personas, dijo Community Forward, y las mujeres que son víctimas de esa explotación “merecen servicios diseñados para sus necesidades únicas”.
La divulgación se llevará a cabo el martes y comenzará alrededor de las 15:30 horas. Para obtener más información, visite communityforwardsf.org.
Una mujer y su hijo, al estar hablando español, fueron atacados con insultos y actitud racista por parte de otra visitante al parque de diversiones Disneyland en el sur de California. Foto: Captura de pantalla TikTok _eva4eva
Lo que debió de ser un día increíble en “el lugar más feliz en la tierra”, como muchos llaman a Disneyland, se volvió triste y desagradable para una mujer y su hijo que, al estar hablando español, fueron atacados con insultos y actitud racista por parte de otra visitante al parque de diversiones en el sur de California.
“No puedo creer que sea 2023 y estemos hundidos en el odio y la intolerancia, pero esta persona ni siquiera fue sutil ni lo ocultó. Estábamos disfrutando de su cumpleaños en Disneyland y mientras nos dirigíamos al parque, estas personas nos gritaron a mi hijo y a mí por hablar español”, así lo dio a conocer Eva Ramírez a través de un video en TikTok.
El video que rápidamente se hizo viral a través de esa y otras redes sociales, muestra a Eva mostrando a una mujer y diciendo en inglés And this person to head me speak spanish and said: ‘You’re a f*ckig mexican, ¿right?’ Repeat what you said…” (y esta persona al escucharme hablar español me dijo: ‘eres una j*dida mexicana ¿cierto?’ Repite lo que me dijiste…).
“Ella gritó varias cosas racistas antes de que yo grabara. Le dije: “Lamento que pienses así, no todos los que hablan español son mexicanos, pero como estás tan orgulloso déjame grabarte”. El individuo de la camisa negra estuvo de acuerdo con todo lo que gritaba la mujer de la camisa gris. Una vez que me escuchó decir que grabaré, se quedó callada. No se puede educar, no se puede informar, sólo se puede exponerlos”, escribió en su cuenta donde dio a conocer el incidente que ocurrió en el baño del parque de diversiones.
El video que dura 1 minuto con 57 segundos, muestra a Eva confrontando a la mujer que la atacó verbalmente, quien repetía en inglés: “Esto es América, y tú estás hablando español en América”, hasta que en un punto dice: “odio a los mexicanos, es la verdad, ahí lo tienes”.
Eva Ramírez, quien estaba acompañada de su hijo, señala en el video que ella puede hablar español a quien quiera, y que es libre de hablar español donde sea.
“Las personas pueden seguir con su día a día independientemente del idioma que escuchen hablar, pero prefieren ser groseros con un niño de dos años y su madre. Los baños más grandes en ese lugar también son para madres con niños y claramente no tienen señales de discapacidad. Por supuesto, el intento inmediato de victimizarse una vez que son atrapados en el acto”, escribió.
Disneyland no ha realizado ningún comunicado al respecto del incidente, y en el momento tampoco hizo algo al respecto.
“La seguridad de Disneyland dijo que no podían pedirles que abandonaran el parque porque era sólo una confrontación verbal y para evitar demandas de la otra parte”, precisó Eva.
“Estoy compartiendo esto porque el racismo comienza en casa. Las personas tienen acceso a varios recursos, pero aun así toman la decisión consciente de seguir siendo ignorantes. Normalmente ignoraría a alguien así, pero en presencia de mi hijo nadie le gritará ni a él ni a mí en qué idioma hablar”, puntualizó.
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the CaliFornia State Library.
Lanzan una nueva oficina para educar a los trabajadores y empresas sobre los requisitos de salario mínimo y las protecciones laborales, ello con la finalidad de hacer cumplir las leyes laborales locales.
La Junta de Supervisores votó este miércoles de manera unánime para lanzar una nueva oficina para educar a los trabajadores y empresas sobre los requisitos de salario mínimo y las protecciones laborales, ello con la finalidad de hacer cumplir las leyes laborales locales.
La nueva entidad se llamará Oficina de Cumplimiento de Normas Laborales, una cámara de compensación de todo el condado para obtener información precisa y actualizada sobre las leyes que afectan a los trabajadores con salarios bajos.
“La salud económica del condado depende de industrias que tienden a pagar salarios bajos, incluida la industria de servicios alimentarios, industrias de servicios y cuidado personal, mantenimiento de limpieza y operaciones de apoyo a la atención médica”, señaló Dave Pine, presidente de la Junta de Supervisores.
“Tener una Oficina interna de Cumplimiento de Normas Laborales permitirá al Condado fortalecer la protección de los trabajadores, especialmente para nuestros trabajadores más vulnerables y en riesgo”, agregó.
La resolución fue presentada conjuntamente por el presidente Pine y el supervisor Ray Mueller.
“La creación de la Oficina de Cumplimiento de Normas Laborales es un importante paso adelante en el condado de San Mateo, ya que garantiza que los propietarios de pequeñas empresas tengan la información y los recursos actualizados que necesitan para cumplir con las cambiantes leyes regulatorias estatales y locales”, destacó Müller.
De igual manera, refirió que la oficina también proporcionará a los trabajadores un socio crucial para proteger sus derechos y garantizar que los más vulnerables no sean explotados.
Al aprobar la resolución, la Junta prometió que se prestaría atención específica a los trabajadores de bajos ingresos, aquellos de poblaciones vulnerables como mujeres, personas de color, inmigrantes, que se identifican como LGBTQIA+, refugiados y personas con discapacidades.
Mueller dijo que el condado podría establecer una línea de asesoramiento para trabajadores y empresas que buscan información o asistencia con el cumplimiento de las normas laborales o problemas en el lugar de trabajo.
Cabe destacar que, 11 de las 20 ciudades en el condado de San Mateo, tienen sus propias leyes de salario mínimo establecidas localmente.
El anuncio de la nueva oficina se da tras haberse anunciado que, a partir del 1 de enero de 2024, el salario mínimo pasará de 16.50 a 17.06 dólares por hora en las áreas no incorporadas.
Se espera que la nueva oficina entre en operación el 1 de julio de 2024, con un enfoque inicial en la educación.
A study carried out by the Instituto de Política Económica, un grupo de investigación sin fines de lucro con sede en Washington, DC, encontró que las violaciones de las leyes de salario mínimo por sí solas “exceden el valor de los delitos contra la propiedad cometidos en los Estados Unidos cada año”.
Los materiales educativos y de divulgación proporcionados por la Oficina de Cumplimiento de Normas Laborales tanto para trabajadores como para empleadores estarán en diversos idiomas.
“Esto es algo por lo que nosotros en la comunidad laboral hemos estado abogando desde 2014. Esta labor de amor será un recurso increíble para nuestra comunidad y es algo que no puede llegar lo suficientemente pronto”, dijo Julie Lind, secretaria ejecutiva del Consejo Laboral Central del Condado de San Mateo.
Survey found residents are prepared for emergencies, but many face barriers, conducted in East Palo Alto by San Mateo County Health and the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District.
A detailed survey conducted in East Palo Alto by San Mateo County Health and the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District revealed that residents are prepared for emergencies, but many face barriers.
Since climate change can increase the frequency of natural disasters and contribute to increased mosquitoes due to warm weather and increased rainfall, the survey sought feedback on the prevalence of mosquitoes and other pests, extreme heat, rising sea levels and flooding, wildfires and air quality.
Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) is used by epidemiologists and local governments to plan emergency response and assess community resources, needs, and perceptions.
Compared to the general population of San Mateo County, East Palo Alto residents have lower income levels, less access to health care, and higher rates of COVID-19 infection during the pandemic than other cities in the county.
Half of residents in the survey said they had an emergency kit with supplies to prepare for a power outage, earthquake or other disaster, while 58 percent had signed up for SMC Alert, the county's emergency alert system to warn the public about impending threats and evacuation notices.
The survey delved into the details of household emergency preparedness, asking whether residents kept copies of important documents (38.9 percent), identified an out-of-town emergency contact (34.2 percent) and had an emergency communication plan for family and friends to stay in touch (32 percent).
Other questions probed preferred ways to receive emergency alerts (text messages, 44.8 percent) and barriers to communication during an emergency. Seventy-five percent reported no barriers, while 16 percent of respondents cited difficulty with English as a challenge.
The report The survey notes the significantly lower median household income for East Palo Alto residents ($96,349), compared to the county as a whole ($136,837), contributing to greater vulnerability, especially when faced with climate change.
The analysis also notes that “Like surrounding regions, East Palo Alto is also experiencing an increased number of extreme heat days in a year, which can cause heat-related illnesses or exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions among vulnerable populations, including seniors and young children.”
While emergency preparedness indicators were relatively high, residents were largely unaware (74.5 percent) of utility assistance and reimbursement programs to help with air conditioning.
The share of adults without health insurance coverage in 2019 was 23.6 percent, compared with 12.1 percent in the county.
And despite data suggesting the need, few residents were aware of the free services of the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, which residents can call for help with mosquito, rodent, wasp and hornet problems.
“Our district’s work is data-driven,” said Brian Weber, district manager for Vector Control. “The data in this report will help us strategically strengthen our outreach efforts to make residents more aware of the taxpayer-funded services we provide to everyone living in the county.”
Conducted over three days in October 2022, trained field interviewers conducted a rapid needs assessment called CASPER in English and Spanish, following a methodology to ensure randomly selected and geographically representative households.
“The data is really valuable in helping local governments and community-based organizations identify gaps and opportunities for greater engagement,” said Karen Pfister, the county’s health epidemiology program manager and one of the CASPER project leaders.
*Starting in January 2024, undocumented people will be able to access full Medi-Cal services
By Pamela Cruz and Manuel Ortiz. Peninsula 360 Press.
Erica Morrison, a mother of two in Bakersfield, California, knows the importance of Medi-Cal, as it has helped her meet the medical needs of her two children, one whose formula cost her $500 a month and one with special needs who requires specialized care that she would be unable to meet by paying for herself.
“I wouldn’t have health coverage if it wasn’t for Medi-Cal. I also have a son who has special needs and he has many doctors who also receive Medi-Cal. If it weren’t for them, he wouldn’t be able to get the medications or services we need and ultimately I wouldn’t be able to pay for them on my own with my income, without Medi-Cal he wouldn’t survive,” Morrison said in an interview with Peninsula 360 Press.
For Erica Morrison, a mother of two in Bakersfield, California, Medi-Cal has helped cover the medical needs of her children, one of whom has special needs and requires specialized care that she would be unable to cover by paying for herself.
Morrison, who was once incarcerated and is now a specialist mentor for the organization Garden Paths, in Bakersfield, acknowledged that being able to count on Medi-Cal when leaving prison is very important, especially when you have someone waiting for you.
“A lot of times we are released with medications. People are released with medical needs that they were receiving while they were incarcerated and they don’t receive the same treatment when they are released. It’s like they just throw them out into the wild and say: go on your way. So, with Medi-Cal they can continue the coverage and continue the treatment or whatever medical needs they have,” he stressed.
For Sandy Close, executive director of Ethnic Media Services, an organization that held a press conference of Medi-Cal specialists with media from Kern County and others, learning that the flagship health program in the Golden State will be expanded as of January 1, 2024 to undocumented people aged 24 and older is great news.
“What’s going on with Medi-Cal? We’ve made a very rigorous effort to determine eligibility for medical beneficiaries, but that shouldn’t stop us from looking ahead to 2024 and hearing some very exciting news about the expansion of Medi-Cal and the amazing role that California is playing in the country, by developing a new way of delivering health care to communities through the expansion of medical services,” he said.
But what is Medi-Cal?
Measure‑Cal is California's version of the federal Medicaid program. Medi‑Cal offers no-cost or low-cost health coverage to eligible people who live in California.
And, starting in 2024, immigration status will not be an impediment to accessing the program, which since May 2022 has provided its services to undocumented people over 49 years of age below certain income thresholds.
This time, eligibility will depend on: being a California resident, being between 26 and 49 years old, and meeting the eligibility requirements for your income and family group.
Medi-Cal services are free, and its entire system covers doctor visits, prescription drugs, immunizations, mental health services, substance use treatment, vision care/glasses, dental care, hearing aids, transportation, in-home support services, long-term care, emergency services, and specialist visits, among others.
It should be noted that the United States government does not consider obtaining health care, food and housing benefits as part of the public charge regulation, so those who are in the process or consider one day regulating their immigration status are not in danger and can apply for Medi-Cal without fear.
Additionally, if you already have limited Medi-Cal, you do not need to fill out a new application for full-scope Medi-Cal, as you will be automatically enrolled in it on January 1, 2024. However, you may receive a Medi-Cal renewal packet in the mail. Please complete and return it as soon as possible or you may lose your Medi-Cal.
Reyna Olaguez, who is part of the organization Building Healthy Communities Kern, told Peninsula 360 Press that the importance of having and making known this type of information is crucial, since many do not trust being able to obtain, without being a public burden, full Medi-Cal coverage.
Reyna Olaguez, from the organization Building Healthy Communities Kern, pointed out the importance of having and sharing this type of information, since many people do not trust that they will be able to obtain full Medi-Cal coverage.
“It is very important that the undocumented population throughout the state of California realize that Medi-Cal has been expanded; now it is a new expansion that will grant benefits to undocumented people between the ages of 26 and 49 years old if the person's income allows it,” he said.
And while it is true that many will not be able to access Medi-Cal because their household income is higher, she said, organizations like the one she belongs to are already working to raise the income limit and allow more and more people to access the state program.
“There is a struggle, things don’t just happen because they happen, they happen because people raise their voices, and we started to raise the voices of communities that sometimes don’t have access to health insurance and we realized that one of those populations is our undocumented community,” she said.
In Kern County, he said, 53 percent of the people who work in the fields are undocumented, “so it is very important that these people who do such hard and important work in our community have access to health insurance.”
Olaguez called on people to speak with all family members who are candidates for Medi-Cal, such as parents, grandparents, siblings or children, and help them register, “because it is very important to have access to health insurance and focus on prevention and not when it is already too late.”
She recalled that organizations such as Building Healthy Communities Kern will be, starting in January 2024, touring various communities in the county, helping to register people who wish to apply for Medi-Cal, in addition to answering questions they may have about accessing the program.
Dee Slade and Trista Carter, CEO and vice president of African-American Network of Kern, respectively, agreed that Medi-Cal has become one of the most important programs for the African-American community, not only for those born in the United States, but also immigrants, “the other black culture.”
Trista Carter (left) and Dee Slade (right), executive vice president and president of the African-American Network of Kern, respectively, agreed that Medi-Cal has become one of the most important programs for the African-American community.
“(Medi-Cal) is very important because a lot of African American communities still need the support and care that Medi-Cal offers. But the information and education for that is not as accessible, and that’s why it’s important that we have those trusted messengers that can give and pass on that information as well. That way they can get the care that they need as well,” said Trista Carter.
For Dee Slade, “many undocumented people, even if they know the information, fear retaliation if they give too much information, because in the past, they may have heard or experienced problems filling out a form and receiving medical assistance, and then perhaps they had a bad experience because of the language.”
She stressed that another barrier is language, as those who also belong to the black culture may speak Spanish or another language, not just English. “That’s why I’m very excited to see that this is now being expanded to be more inclusive. But again, trusted messages need to somehow identify with those groups that don’t trust.”
The expansion of Medi-Cal, he said, will allow the most vulnerable to “get the help they need.”
“I’m excited that we’re including mental health, which is a priority on the agenda right now, but they will also receive prenatal care. And hopefully we won’t lose so many mothers of African-American or black culture, those immigrants who have immigrated here.”
He added that it is now important that immigration status does not matter, as former foster youth and former inmates seeking rehabilitation for substance abuse can also be candidates for Medi-Cal.
“That is not demographic or ethnic specific, and often it is not age specific either and there are many people on different spectrums of racial ethnicity. It is important that all people receive the care and support necessary to live a viable, healthy and safe life. We have African American people, people of black descent, people of African descent or other Caribbean people, and they also come here for support and to contribute to society in order to reintegrate into it,” Dee Slade explained to Peninsula 360 Press.
Juan Ávila is the operations manager of Garden Pathways, a mentoring organization that works with people who have been involved in the justice system (formerly incarcerated), as well as those at high risk of violence or who have experienced a lot of trauma in their lives, and through mentoring, helps them find employment, get involved in education, and achieve their goals, with the goal of having a better quality of life.
Juan Ávila, operations manager of Garden Pathways, a mentoring organization that works with people who have been involved in the justice system.
In 2016, Garden Pathways did not consider it necessary to work on Medi-Cal, however, after receiving a person who had been released from prison and had a very good opportunity to receive a job that would pay him well, when doing the physical exam, the doctor told him that he would not be able to let him work because he had a serious health condition, and that if he had had Medi-Cal he would have been able to receive the treatment. It was then that the organization decided to help people receive access to health care and have access to Medi-Cal.
“Now with the expansion (of Medi-Cal), which will give us the opportunity to enter jails and prisons and begin the application process, it will be much faster. When people leave, they will already have Medi-Cal activated and can go to the doctor to receive their treatments, receive counseling, mental health or their medications, if necessary,” he stressed.
Ávila explained that Kern County has a large population of immigrants and people who work in agriculture, “so in order for them to be able to do their jobs and feed the world, they have to be healthy too, so they can also help their own children and families. With the expansion for undocumented people from 26 to 49 years old, it is a good benefit, because it is the next generation that followed the one that already had Medi-Cal, but now it is complete, and they can receive vision, dental, and also mental health services, in addition to physical health.”
She also highlighted that, for organizations like Garden Pathways, Medi-Cal will provide funds that can help them continue with their services and not worry that there will be no resources in the future and continue working with communities that, “many times are forgotten and continue living on the margins, and with these expansions we will now be able to go work with them.”
During the press conference, Bill Wise of the Department of Kern County Human Services, issued an urgent appeal to those who have not renewed Medi-Cal in the last three years, as they could lose their coverage.
Bill Wise of the Kern County Department of Human Services issued an urgent appeal to those who have not renewed Medi-Cal in the past three years, as they could lose their coverage.
Although Medi-Cal renewals began in March and April of this year, many still haven't completed the necessary paperwork to keep their coverage, she said. As of September, Kern County had received 33,571 renewals, but more are expected to come, Wise said.
Medi-Cal has also been and is crucial for older adults. Barbara Carter Garcia, a 63-year-old former librarian who has lived in Bakersfield for a year, told Peninsula 360 Press that, as people age, it becomes increasingly important to have medical coverage, since illnesses are a constant.
Barbara Carter Garcia, 63, who has lived in Bakersfield for a year, told Peninsula 360 Press that, with age, it is increasingly important to have medical coverage, since illnesses are a constant.
“At my age we tend to have a lot more health problems as we get older. I have a pleural adhesion in my right lung that wasn’t managed properly, and since I’ve been on Medi-Cal it’s actually healing itself with medications that they gave me quickly. Right after I signed up, they set me up with an appointment right away. I also have my glasses now, which I can see really well with now, which helps me read, which I love to read,” Barbara said.
This avid reader said she can't imagine her life without Medi-Cal.
“I couldn’t, because I would be afraid to do so. Do you think that knowing that my health was such a nightmare when it came to work? Now that I know that I am a healthy woman, I am getting healthier. I feel that I can take care of myself properly and with great care.”
To learn more about the expansion of the Medi-Cal health program, as well as the requirements, and how to renew, please click here. Click here.
El Concejo Municipal de la Ciudad de East Palo Alto nombró como su nuevo alcalde a Antonio Lopez, mientras que como su vicealcaldesa fue electa Martha Barragán.
Tras la reunión fundamental el 12 de diciembre para emitir sus votos y determinar el liderazgo para el próximo mandato, después de una cuidadosa consideración y deliberación, el Concejo Municipal anunció a quienes ocuparían los cargos.
Asimismo, aprovechó la oportunidad para conmemorar a la alcaldesa saliente Lisa Gauthier por su servicio ejemplar en 2023.
La dedicación y el liderazgo de la alcaldesa Gauthier fueron reconocidos con un mazo conmemorativo como muestra de gratitud por su compromiso con la comunidad.
“El Concejo Municipal expresa su profundo agradecimiento por las contribuciones de la alcaldesa Gauthier y espera seguir construyendo sobre los cimientos establecidos durante su mandato”, dijo en un comunicado.
De igual manera, el Concejo reconoció la importancia de esta transición de liderazgo y dijo seguir comprometido a promover la transparencia, la inclusión y la toma de decisiones impulsada por la comunidad.
“Mientras el alcalde López y el vicealcalde Barragán asumen sus nuevos roles, la ciudad de East Palo Alto espera un futuro marcado por el progreso y la prosperidad continuos”, señaló en Concejo.
Antonio López es hijo de inmigrantes mexicanos, pero nació y creció en East Palo Alto, “una ciudad excepcional por su pobreza en relación con su proximidad a los gigantes tecnológicos del mundo: Facebook, Google y similares. Al mismo tiempo, también lo es para sus primos de las ciudades del interior de California, que están enclavados en comunidades ricas y, sin embargo, no pertenecen a ellas”, escribió en su cuenta de Linkedin.
López se desempeñó como vicealcalde durante la gestión de Lisa Gauthier, además es el concejal más joven de la ciudad de East Palo Alto.
“Como el concejal más nuevo y más joven de la ciudad de East Palo Alto, estoy entusiasmado con la oportunidad de llevar mi formación educativa al ámbito político. Estoy ansioso por trabajar con funcionarios electos en todo el condado y el estado, para diseñar estrategias en las que podamos invitar a estas nuevas voces políticas a la mesa como socios iguales”, escribió.
López es graduado de la Universidad de Duke y cuenta con un título en Estudios Afroaméricanos y Afrodescendientes, Además, cuenta con una maestría en Artes Finas por la Universidad Rutgers, una maestría en filosofía por la Universidad de Oxford, y actualmente cursa un doctorado en filosofía en la universidad de Stanford.
Kern County violated free speech rights by denying them a contract. Reyna Olaguez, executive director of South Kern Sol. Photo: Capture of video in interview with Manuel Ortiz
Community organizations in the Californian Central Valley have managed to set a precedent in terms of freedom of expression, after a demand in which the California Department of Justice (DOJ) ruled that Kern County violated their free speech rights by denying them contracts for expressing their opinions.
And on December 7, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the DOJ resolution, which states that after a two-year investigation, Kern County violated the free speech rights of a coalition of community organizations and a small business by refusing to enter into and sign contracts with them for engaging in free speech activities, specifically, for showing support for defunding certain police agencies in the context of the Black Lives Matters movement.
Reyna Olaguez, executive director of South Kern Sol, an organization in the Central Valley, recalled during an interview with Manuel Ortiz during the Peninsula 360 Radio program, in collaboration with Marcos Gutierrez of “Hecho en California,” that while the DOJ resolution is good, those who were really harmed by the lack of these contracts were the residents of Kern County themselves, especially the most vulnerable, among whom are farm and construction workers who do not speak English.
Olaguez, who is also a political scientist, said that in October 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was sweeping the world, organizations, including the one she represents, agreed that, since there are several communities in Kern County that neither speak English nor Spanish, it was very important to present the local public health director with a proposal for support, in which they could bring accurate information about the SARS-CoV-2 virus to those who needed it in a language they could understand.
“We proposed to the Kern County public health director that we could help provide information to the community about what was happening with the pandemic, because it was very new and this happened in October 2020,” he said.
The proposal was very well received and they were even asked to start immediately, for which it was necessary to generate a contract between the parties.
“They told us: 'Yes, please start the work. This came as a godsend because I didn't know I could count on you to help me do this important work. The Department of Public Health couldn't do it alone.' They were super grateful that we proposed this to them. The contract was going to be for a million dollars and we were going to hire six organizations to do the work,” she said.
Olaguez pointed out that the organizations were different, as some reached out to the Afro-descendant community, another to indigenous communities, and one to people from India.
Although the whole atmosphere between the organizations was very good and they were making progress on how to cover the information and everything related, the contract still needed to be signed.
“The collaboration with all the organizations was very nice, but the contract still needed to be signed by the Kern County supervisors, and the policy here is very conservative, the supervisors sometimes don't look favorably on the organizations that try to help the community that needs it the most,” she said.
The time came for the Board of Supervisors to vote in favor of the proposal, and that's when everything fell apart.
“One of the supervisors said that he had a problem with that contract because some of the organizations had shared messages during the time of the Black Lives Matter Movement, that the police did not need so much money, so that is why they took away the contract from us, and this caught the attention of the Attorney General of the State of California and the Department of Justice, and they launched an investigation that lasted two years,” he added.
“Just last Thursday they announced that Kern County did discriminate against our constitutional rights because we do have the right to share what we feel with our voice, but they punished us because we shared something that we felt and they took away our contract that was super important,” she added.
Reyna Olaguez highlighted that, by denying the contracts, “they also denied the most vulnerable community from receiving critical education about COVID at a very critical time regarding the pandemic. It was also when everything was just happening, everything was new for everyone and the community was not receiving the necessary information about the pandemic.”
It is worth noting that Kern County has cities like Bakersfield and Taft, where many indigenous people live who do not speak English.
The Durango, Mexico native also said that, although a contract had not been signed, the organizations were asked to begin work as soon as possible, so they began training 40 people who would act as promoters who would disseminate the information.
“We started working, but after 20 days they told us that they had cancelled the contract, that we should stop all work, that we were not going to continue with the contract.”
However, he pointed out that the work was carried out months later thanks to foundations that heard what happened and decided to help them, not with the million dollars, but with 50 thousand dollars for each organization in order to achieve the objective within six months.
Following the investigation and resolution, an agreement was reached with Kern County, which will not give money to the organizations, but will have to work with them so that situations like this do not happen again.
According to the resolution issued by DOJ, the parties worked together to negotiate and agree on a comprehensive plan; judgment The stipulation provides that the county will take corrective action over the course of a minimum three-year monitoring period, which will be overseen by the Department of Justice and an outside free speech expert jointly selected by the parties.
Under the stipulated judgment, Kern County will be required, among other things, to adopt and disseminate a countywide Free Speech Policy, designate a Grievance Coordinator, develop and provide annual training to members of the Board of Supervisors and other county staff on the Free Speech Policy.
Olaguez clarified that the organizations will request the creation of an equity fund for Kern County, so that organizations can apply when it is necessary to do community outreach in different languages.
Reyna was clear: “Of the residents who died from COVID in Kern County, there were 2,267, and I believe that if we had started this campaign earlier, perhaps we would have saved some of these lives, because of all of them, 1,370 were Latino, 151 were African-American, and 1,596 were men, and that's the thing, more men died than women. I think we could have saved some lives and that's why we're happy with the results of the investigation.”
The menorah was smashed into pieces that were thrown onto the sidewalk and into the water, and anti-Semitic graffiti was left on the base where it once stood. Photo: X @SFJCRC
The Oakland Police Department is investigating the destruction of an 11-foot-tall menorah in Lake Merritt early Wednesday morning as a hate crime.
According to police, officers were dispatched to the area of 12th Street and Lake Merritt Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. after someone alerted authorities about the vandalism.
Anyone with information is asked to call Oakland police at (510) 238-3728. Police did not provide any additional information.
The vandalism comes during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and amid heightened tensions in the United States and internationally following Hamas's Oct. 7 invasion of Israel and Israel's subsequent and ongoing siege and invasion of the Gaza Strip, from where the Hamas attack was launched.
State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, on Wednesday afternoon condemned the destruction of the menorah as an act of cowardice.
The Oakland Police Department is investigating the destruction of an 11-foot-tall menorah located in Lake Merritt early Wednesday morning, Dec. 13 as a hate crime. Photo: X @SFJCRC
“The menorah at Lake Merritt is a long-standing symbol and celebration of our East Bay Jewish community,” Skinner said. “Destroying a symbol of hope and light is a despicable act and is especially painful on this sixth day of Hanukkah.”
The menorah was smashed into pieces, thrown onto the sidewalk and into the water, and anti-Semitic graffiti was left at the base where it once stood.
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Bay Area, via its X (formerly Twitter) account, noted that “The malicious destruction of a public menorah at Lake Merritt #Oakland, accompanied by hate-filled graffiti, is just the latest example of rampant anti-Semitism tearing apart the Bay Area. There is no room for debate; this cruel act unequivocally deserves condemnation.”
“This is devastating for the local Jewish community, which lights the Hanukkah menorahs as a public celebration of this holiday that commemorates Jewish survival,” he added, accompanied by a video showing what was left of the menorah.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao issued a statement condemning the act.
“I am outraged by this desecration and act of vandalism. The Lake Merritt menorah is an ancient and important symbol for Oakland’s Jewish community and it breaks my heart that it has been vandalized,” he said.
“I want to make it very clear that what happened is not just an attack on the Jewish community of Oakland, but on our entire city and our shared values. We stand together against hate, against anti-Semitism and against intolerance in all its forms. And when someone commits a crime like this, they are attacking the foundation of our city,” he continued.
“As Mayor, I know I speak for all Oaklanders when I say we condemn these acts. I have asked Interim Chief Allison to investigate this incident as a hate crime. My office is in close contact with Rabbi Labkowski and the Police Department, and we will continue to work collaboratively to hold those responsible and support our fellow Oaklanders,” she concluded.
By Wednesday evening, after the sun had set, hundreds of people of all backgrounds and religions gathered at the site and relit the menorah as a sign of unity.
En una reciente sesión de las Naciones Unidas, Estados Unidos utilizó su derecho de veto para bloquear una resolución que pedía un alto el fuego humanitario inmediato en Gaza, medida apoyada por la mayoría de los miembros del Consejo. El resultado final de la votación fue de 13 votos a favor, una abstención del Reino Unido y un voto en contra de Estados Unidos.
La decisión suscitó duras críticas de otros miembros del Consejo, que la calificaron de lamentable. Se expresó preocupación por la escalada de víctimas civiles y destrucción en Gaza, consecuencia del bombardeo sostenido de Israel durante más de dos meses.
El embajador adjunto de Estados Unidos, Robert A. Wood, impulsor del voto negativo, justificó la decisión por considerar la resolución “desequilibrada”. Wood acusó al Consejo de no condenar el ataque del 7 de octubre de Hamás contra Israel, que se cobró unas 1.200 vidas, en su mayoría civiles. Además, subrayó el descuido del Consejo al reconocer el derecho de Israel a defenderse. Wood argumentó que detener la acción militar facultaría a Hamás para mantener el control en Gaza, afirmando que “sólo plantaría las semillas para la próxima guerra”.
Wood expresó su escepticismo sobre el compromiso de Hamás con una paz duradera y una solución de dos Estados en el debate previo a la votación. Afirmó que, aunque Estados Unidos apoya una paz duradera para israelíes y palestinos, no respalda los llamamientos a un alto el fuego inmediato.
Reconociendo el trágico ataque del 7 de octubre de Hamás contra civiles israelíes, es crucial señalar que la resolución de la ONU se centraba en detener los bombardeos contra civiles en Gaza. La caracterización de la resolución como desequilibrada por parte del embajador Wood plantea interrogantes, especialmente en relación con la actual crisis humanitaria en Gaza.
A diferencia de los trágicos acontecimientos del 7 de octubre, en los dos meses siguientes se produjeron más de 17.000 muertes en Gaza, principalmente entre mujeres y niños que no tenían ninguna relación con Hamás. Más allá de la pérdida de vidas, los bombardeos han devastado recursos esenciales en Gaza, como el agua potable, la electricidad y numerosos hospitales.
La abundancia de las redes sociales ha puesto en primer plano imágenes desgarradoras: niños heridos que intentan rescatar a sus padres de entre los escombros e historias desgarradoras de profesionales sanitarios obligados a abandonar a recién nacidos tras los bombardeos de hospitales.
Abogar por un alto el fuego y el fin de los ataques contra civiles no niega la búsqueda de justicia por el atentado del 7 de octubre. Es crucial separar a los culpables de los inocentes, garantizando que los no implicados en la tragedia no carguen injustamente con sus consecuencias. En estos tiempos difíciles, es esencial adoptar un enfoque equilibrado y compasivo para atender las urgentes necesidades humanitarias de Gaza, al tiempo que se busca una solución justa al conflicto en general.
