NowThis is my NotThis

I was a follower before of NowThis and NowThis Politics, NOT ANYMORE.

I was really irritated the other day when I saw an edited video shared by a friend from NowThis Politics presenting Florida ‘in the way they wanted to show and highlight’ to the whole ‘social media’ world. They may say that the focus of the video is on the anti-masks people and their ‘stupid’ and ‘irresponsible’ arguments but I see more, their hidden agenda and the liberal propaganda. Too liberal for me though and incomplete, with no proper context and all angles explained so people who actually don’t live here will understand better where those ‘irresponsible’ arguments are coming from. But what can I expect? Political propaganda works better when it is incomplete and misleading. 

We live an hour away from Orlando and Tampa, both considered big cities. Around 5-6 hours from the well known Miami. But our small city, the town where we live, where most people are retired and politically conservative, is PEACEFUL and QUITE. We live around 5 minutes from the town center.

Let me say this, everyone I know here and I myself wore mask whenever and wherever it is required and needed.  However, we understand that we cant force other people to do so or copy us or what we believe is right. Which is why your health, your responsibility. We can’t control other people, only ourselves, we can only require them to follow our rules if they are inside our house. Businesses and organizations, private and public, made their own rules and people who don’t want to follow are not welcome. 

I understand the likes the said video garnered but I hope people will try to ask us, the actual people who live here, on what is our personal experience, observations and opinions about this issue. I hope people who know me will ask and want to know more context. Coming here, and learning U.S. history (and still learning more), I realized and understand why INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, the FREEDOM OF CHOICE is on top of everything here. Their Bill of Rights is a proof of that, their Second Amendment was even made to be sure that the government will always be afraid of the people/their citizens and not vice versa.

I have FB friends, who share my sentiments about issues in the Philippines but we have different opinions about what is happening here in the U.S. and that is ok. If they will read this and still respects me, thank you. I believe that we are all professionals, have the same rational tolerance with other people who don’t share the same mindset.

NowThis News is like the Democrats, the same people here who also called pro abortion as pro choice. Based on history, they were also pro slavery. Sometimes, those who look saviors are villain in disguise. We need to think and know better.

To those who are curious, I just want to share some of these information you might want to read:

1. Overall, we rate NowThis News Questionable based far left bias, promotion of liberal propaganda and five verified failed fact checks. (10/3/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 9/18/2019)

Source: NowThisNews Media Bias/Fact Check

2. In reality, this site has less in common with the Wall Street Journal, which does actual journalism, than it does with the low-level Resistance grift, which relies on social media to distribute viral, hyper-partisan content to eager left-leaning audiences. In fact, the only real difference between the Resistance grifters and NowThis is that the latter is a full-blown organization, as opposed to a single crank with a Twitter account.

Source: NowThis News is not news; it's a straight-up propaganda outlet

3. The fact-checking site Snopes told BBC Trending radio that in the past week, for example, they have debunked many more anti-Republican party stories than pro-Republican ones

Source: The rise of left-wing, anti-Trump fake news

Suggested Read: Propaganda 101

Lockdown/Stay-at-Home Order/Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) Diary

*Based on my personal experience and knowledge as an individual, a married couple, with our family and friends in our very own communities.

Yesterday, my closed friend married at their home in Pennsylvania (PA), we wanted to be there but due to the travel advisories and other factors related to COVID-19, we weren't able to go. She understood too, PA is one of the top states with most number of cases, they were told it is better to keep the number of their guests to 10 including them and the minister that will officiate their wedding.

An aunt's family visit here in Florida (on my husband side) is move to later this year, before or around Thanksgiving.

The family of our Pastor in Mississippi also planned a Florida (FL) trip this May and he and his wife are planning to visit us but it was also cancelled. Hopefully, after everything gets back to normal (or what others call the 'new normal') they can still visit us.

I'm sure people all around the world have similar experiences, cancelled plans, much awaited vacations etc. Of course, these are small things compared to a death of a person because of COVID-19, unemployment, hunger, inadequate assistance, and abused of power by the government and its officials during this trying times.

My husband's work is part of the essential workers category, he still go to work everyday. In our neighborhood, we are the only young couple our age, all of our neighbors (who are very sweet and kind to us) are retired and senior citizens. Because of this reason, we know that we have the responsibility to be extra careful and not interact with them if we are feeling any symptoms at all. Even without symptoms, I continuously remind my husband to take care of his health and keep his distance at work (if there is a co worker who is showing symptoms). Thank God, we are all in good health.

My family in the Philippines are in total lockdown, they can only go out if they need to buy food and medicine, only one person per household can go out. My mom's store in Cavite is closed for more than a month now. She and her family in Oriental Mindoro are in good condition but we are all worried because the lockdown was extended until May 15.

We understand the reason for this extension but sadly after the lockdown, people will be overwhelmed by the bills lined up, with no income for those who are no work, no pay and those who were required to close their small businesses like my mom.

We are more blessed than others. We try to help in our own little ways. Our heart ache to those who both fear dying either from the virus or hunger.

I support herd immunity especially in poor countries with more young population like India and the Philippines. I think the government can focus protecting the vulnerable: senior citizens, children, sick, disable, and anyone with weak immune system. They should allow people who want and need to get back to work, reminding them to be extra careful if they have someone at home who is part of the vulnerable population. Individual responsibility is very important and it is said to be flattening the COVID-19 curve in Sweden.

The main fear is that hospitals won't be able to handle the situation, even though 80% of cases are  mild and most of them can stay at home until they get well.

I should be working now as a teaching aide/assistant in a nearby technical college if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.

This lockdown/stay-at-home/ECQ is no one's fault but China (Chinese Communist Party/Communist Party of China) and their lies.

China should pay a financial cost for its Coronavirus lies. China committed a crime against the world that resulted in economic hardships all over the world. China should be legally liable for the pandemic damage it has done. But how? How to make China pay?

As we pray that we remain safe and all our loved ones, we also pray for all the COVID-19 patients, medical workers, frontliners, and essential workers all over the world.

I hope all leaders all over the world can effectively handle their own local situations, copying other proven and effective strategies they can from other countries.

I wish that a vaccine will be available soon but if not, may the government find a way that everyone can survive too financially even if it means ending these different versions of lockdown/stay-at-home order/ECQ soon.

May all the government officials/leaders/public servants listen to the people they serve and not abuse the emergency powers given to them according to the law during these trying times.

May they execute the law fairly and not bend it to their own will.

Adult Literacy Services

As I am waiting for my working permit and other documents, I busied myself with my experimental cooking and other household chores. Depending on my mood, I read, write, watch online, bike etc. I didn't get bored for a while. I had always been a homebody and there are just so many books waiting to be read. Movies and Asian dramas to watch. But then I thought I can be more productive than my usual routine, to contribute in some way to my new community.

Last month, I started checking volunteer opportunities online near our current location in Central Florida. One of the links directed me to the Citrus County Libraries website.

I sent a message via their website and also sent an email to the contact person listed there. There are different kinds of volunteer opportunities but as a teacher, the Adult Literacy Program caught my interest.

I immediately received a reply and was given instructions to fill up the volunteer forms and register in the website's calendar for the New Tutor Training on April 11 & 12, 2019 starting from 9 AM- 3:30 PM at Lakes Region Library in Inverness, Florida.

I was so excited and was literally counting the days. Praying we don't need to get down to Miami for my husband's job on the week of the training. Answered prayer. Yes!

I enjoyed the interactive discussions I had with Julie, Helen and Rowena in our two days training facilitated by Susan, April and Cherie.

I hope that adults who needed help in their reading comprehension, getting their high school diploma and those who want to learn or practice their English will know about this program.

This program is open to anyone and it is FREE. The services under this program are mostly one on one tutoring but there are also classes for those who enjoy learning with a group.

The only thing needed to start is the willingness to learn.

These are the locations of libraries here in Citrus County.

If anyone read this and know someone, please tell them.

To those who are also interested to know more like me, you can visit these websites:
Florida Literacy Coalition
ProLiteracy
LDA
NCES
Literacy Action
VALF