【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, July 27, 2022】In late March this year, the CDC dropped its coronavirus warning for cruises. It had included notices for cruise ships since March 2020, when cruise stopped sailing from U.S. waters for more than a year.

This past Monday, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stopped reporting coronavirus levels for cruise ships in U.S. waters, ending a pandemic-era program that allowed the public to monitor the spread of the virus at sea. (Photo credit: Marine Insight). This means a notice posted on the CDC website for cruise travel said the program ended this Monday. A sortable color-coded chart and spreadsheet that detailed the level of spread on ships is no longer viewable on the webpage, the agency confirmed.

“CDC has determined that the cruise industry has access to the necessary tools (e.g., cruise-specific recommendations and guidance, vaccinations, testing instruments, treatment modalities, and non-pharmaceutical interventions) to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 on board,” CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund said in an email.

In January, the public health agency turned the mandatory rules that cruise lines had to follow during much of the pandemic into recommendations for a program in which they could opt in. Those rules included testing and vaccination requirements for passengers and crew.

Nordlund said cruise lines “will determine their own specific COVID-19-related requirements for cruise travel, as well as safety measures and protocols for passengers traveling on board based on CDC recommendations for reducing the risk of COVID-19.”

Royal Caribbean requires all travelers 12 years old or older to be vaccinated and present a negative test result no more than two days before boarding. On Carnival cruises, guests 2 years old and over must present a negative test taken no more than 72 hours; guests must also be vaccinated or obtain a vaccine exemption from the company.

Earlier this month, Norwegian Cruise Line dropped its testing requirement. All guests 12 years old and over are still required to be vaccinated.

Anne Madison, a spokesperson for Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), said the association expects to receive new guidance from the CDC later this week.

“We look forward to reviewing the details, which we understand will be posted on the CDC website in the coming days,” Madison said in an email. “This is an important step forward in the CDC aligning the guidelines for cruise with those it has established for other travel, hospitality and entertainment sectors.”

As part of its program, the CDC displayed a list of the vaccination status and color status — indicating whether there are reported coronavirus cases on board — of participating cruise ships. As of Wednesday, 93 of the 94 ships reporting coronavirus data to the CDC were under observation because they met the threshold for investigation (cases in 0.3 percent of total crew and passengers).

(Source: Compiled from the web)

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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, July 26, 2022】Per County of San Diego Communications Office, as the number of human monkeypox cases increases in the region, the County continues to work with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community to develop messaging, education materials and to administer the limited number of vaccines coming to the area. (Photo credit: County of San Diego Communications Office)

The County is sponsoring two vaccination events July 28 and 29, where about 800 doses will be administered to those most at risk. Appointments are required to get a vaccine and are available by calling 2-1-1.

As it did earlier this month, the County is working with LGBTQ representatives and organizations to get the word out about the upcoming vaccination clinics. Appointments are expected to fill quickly.

Given the scarcity of the monkeypox vaccine and as guided by the California Department of Public Health, the County is focusing on delivering first doses to as many people at high risk as possible.  For the current outbreak, that includes men who have sex with men and multiple partners, as well as close contacts of reported cases. The County’s approach is in line with strategies in other large jurisdictions with monkeypox outbreaks, including New York and San Francisco.

Along with the two vaccine events, the County has sent about 900 doses to local vaccine providers such as UC San Diego, Family Health Centers of San Diego, Vista Community Clinic and San Ysidro Health. The County’s STD clinics also have some doses available for patients being seen at those clinics.

The state allocates vaccines to counties based on the number of monkeypox and syphilis cases in men reported in a region. To date, San Diego County has received about 2,200 doses and has 20 confirmed and probable cases.

“The virus is primarily spreading in gay and bisexual men who have more than one sexual partner or attend sex parties, but anyone who is exposed can get it,” said Cameron Kaiser, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer. “Having intimate contact or anonymous sex with people you meet in dating or hook-up apps increases your risk of contracting the virus. Please ask your partners about recent illnesses or rashes.”

The County is getting 80 courses of tecovirimat or TPOXX, an antiviral medication to treat people who have been infected with monkeypox. The treatment will be delivered primarily through the region’s established healthcare partners, with priority to patients who may be at risk of complications.

County health officials will continue to meet with LGBTQ representatives to determine how and where vaccines should be distributed when more doses become available as well as appropriate messaging on steps people can take to prevent infection. Based on information from the CDC, the acute shortage of vaccinations is expected to continue into 2023.

About Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a viral infection that can spread through contact with body fluids, sores on the body of someone who has monkeypox, or from shared items (e.g., clothing and bedding) that have been contaminated with fluids from sores of a person with monkeypox.

The disease can also spread between people through saliva or respiratory droplets, typically between people in a close setting. Although monkeypox is not generally considered a sexually transmitted disease, it can be transmitted during sex through skin-to-skin and other intimate contact, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, including close contact that may not be necessarily sexual.

Monkeypox Symptoms

Symptoms of monkeypox are similar to, but milder than, the signs and symptoms of smallpox, a related but extinct virus. They include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion

A rash usually develops within 1 to 3 days after the appearance of fever.  This rash can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.

Most people who develop monkeypox experience symptoms within seven to 14 days (and up to 21 days) after exposure.

Most people who become infected with monkeypox have a mild illness that improves without treatment over two to four weeks. Monkeypox is contagious and can spread to others once someone has symptoms from it and until scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed.

What People Should Do

Anyone who thinks they may have symptoms of monkeypox, including unusual rashes or lesions, should contact a healthcare provider right away or call 2-1-1 for more information.

You must have a rash, or spots, to get a monkeypox test. The monkeypox test is done on your skin with a swab at a clinic or health care provider. The swab is rubbed against spots on your skin, or parts of your rash, and then sent to a specialized lab for monkeypox testing. A preliminary lab test result is usually available within a few days.

Those waiting for results are asked to take steps to care for themselves and others. These include:

• Stay home and away from others.
• Put off travel on public transportation.
• Contact your sex partner(s) and people you have had close contact with since the start of your symptoms.
• Protect any pets.

For more information on monkeypox, visit the County’s monkeypox website.

(Source: County of San Diego Communications Office)

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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, July 27, 2022】As an ongoing effort to enhance our valuable service to We Chinese in America website readers, We Chinese in America website posts English and Chinese versions of “IRS News Release” ， “IRS Fact Sheets”， and “tax tips” directly received from IRS Media Relations Office in Washington, D.C.. We are pleased to take on this important role partnering with IRS to better inform the public.

Understanding how the IRS contacts taxpayers; Avoiding scams and how to know it’s really the IRS reaching out

FS-2022-33, July 2022

With continuing phone and in-person scams taking place across the country, the IRS wants to help taxpayers understand how and why agency representatives may contact taxpayers.

In most instances, the IRS sends a letter or written notice to a taxpayer in advance, but not always. Depending on the situation, IRS employees may first call or visit with a taxpayer.

Here’s how taxpayers can know if a person calling or visiting their home or place of business is a legitimate IRS employee or an imposter. There are special instances where an IRS revenue officer or revenue agent may visit a home or business related to an unpaid tax bill or an audit; the IRS urges people with tax issues to understand the circumstances around these visits and also help protect themselves against imposters.

Text messages: Frequently a scam

The IRS does not send text messages including shortened links, asking the taxpayer to verify some bit of personal information. These fraudulent messages often contain bogus links claiming to be IRS websites or other online tools. Other than IRS Secure Access, the IRS does not use text messages to discuss personal tax issues, such as those involving bills or refunds.

If a taxpayer receives an unsolicited SMS/text that appears to be from either the IRS or a program closely linked to the IRS, the taxpayer should take a screenshot of the text message and include the screenshot in an email to 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。 with the following information:

• Date, time and time zone they received the text message.
• Phone number that received the text message.

The IRS reminds everyone NOT to click links or open attachments in unsolicited, suspicious or unexpected text messages whether from the IRS, state tax agencies or others in the tax community.

Email: Many tax scams involve email

The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. The IRS initiates most contacts through regular mail. If a taxpayer receives an unsolicited fraudulent email that appears to be from either the IRS or a program closely linked to the IRS, report it by sending the email as an attachment to 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。. The Report Phishing and Online Scams page at IRS.gov provides complete details.

Mail and phone contacts are first steps with a tax issue

Taxpayers will generally first receive several letters from the IRS in the mail before receiving a phone call. However, there are circumstances when the IRS will call, including when a taxpayer has an overdue tax bill, a delinquent or unfiled tax return or has not made an employment tax deposit.

The IRS does not leave pre-recorded, urgent or threatening voice messages. Additionally, the IRS (and its authorized private collection agencies) will never:

• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card or gift card. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments.
• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
• Demand that taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

All tax payments should only be made payable to the U.S. Treasury and checks should never be made payable to third parties. For anyone who doesn't owe taxes and has no reason to think they do: Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately. For more information, see IRS warning: Scammers work year-round; stay vigilant.

In-person visits: What to know

IRS revenue officers generally make unannounced visits to a taxpayer’s home or place of business to discuss taxes owed or tax returns due. Keep in mind this important point: Taxpayers would have first been notified by mail of their balance due or missing return. A limited exception involves revenue officer contacts while working a small number of “alert” cases, designed to help businesses from falling behind on withheld employment taxes before a balance due notice is created or mailed. Revenue officers are IRS civil enforcement employees whose role involves education, investigation and when necessary, appropriate enforcement steps to collect a tax debt. A revenue officer will help a taxpayer understand their tax obligations as well as the consequences for not meeting the obligations.

IRS revenue agents will at times visit an individual, business or non-profit who is being audited. That taxpayer would have first been notified by mail about the audit and set an agreed-upon appointment time with the revenue agent. Also, after mailing an initial appointment letter to a taxpayer, an auditor may call to confirm and discuss items pertaining to the scheduled audit appointment.

When visited by someone from the IRS, the taxpayer should always ask for credentials or identification. IRS representatives can always provide two forms of official credentials: IRS-issued credentials (also called a pocket commission) and a HSPD-12 card. The HSPD-12 card is a governmentwide standard form of identification for federal employees.

For more information, visit How to know it’s really the IRS calling or knocking on your door on IRS.gov, and the IRS Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

Helpful information on resolving tax issues

The IRS reminds individuals, businesses and non-profits with outstanding tax issues that there are a number of easy ways to get assistance and help them meet their tax obligations. The IRS encourages people to visit a special section on IRS.gov focused on payment options. These include paying taxes through an Online Account with IRS Direct Pay or paying by debit card, credit card or digital wallet. The IRS has options for people who can't pay their taxes, including applying for a payment plan on IRS.gov. Recently the IRS announced expanded voice bot options to help eligible taxpayers easily verify their identity to set up or modify a payment plan while avoiding long wait times.

Remember that the IRS will not:

• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
• Demand a taxpayer pay taxes without the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say they owe. Taxpayers should also be advised of their rights as a taxpayer.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
• Threaten to bring in local police, immigration officers or other law-enforcement to have taxpayers arrested for not paying. The IRS also cannot revoke a driver’s license, business license or immigration status. Threats like these are common tactics scam artists use to trick victims into buying into their schemes.

Taxpayers who have filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court may receive a call from an Appeals officer to discuss their tax dispute and options for resolution. During the call, the Appeals officer will provide their name, their badge number and their contact information including their phone number, e-fax, and e-mail address. The Appeals Officer will also know the docket number, as well as specifics regarding the case.

Appeals employees will never ask for credit card or banking information. If an Appeals officer cannot reach a taxpayer by phone, they may leave a general voicemail message. When an Appeals employee leaves a voicemail, they will include self-identifying information such as their name, title, badge number, and contact information.

Also, during this call, Appeals employees may ask taxpayers to submit additional documentation regarding their petition directly to the Independent Office of Appeals via mail, fax, or to an email address ending with @irs.gov.

Also note, taxpayers can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights. They can offer taxpayers help if their tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, they’ve tried and been unable to resolve the issue with the IRS, or they believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should. Visit www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or call 1-877-777-4778 for more information.

Source: IRS Fact Sheets

Internal Resource Service

Media Relation Office

Washington, D. C

Media Contact: 202 317 4000

Public Contact: 800 829 1040

www.IRS.GOV/NewsRoom

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【《We Chinese in America》Media Editor Tang Zhao, July 26, 2022】Per County of San Diego Communications Office, a homeless outreach effort in the Waterfront Park is changing lives through direct, same day assistance. The County’s Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities teamed up with Sheriff’s deputies, Sheriff’s resource teams and other County support teams to walk the park and engage with unsheltered individuals. County public health nurses were also standing by to help. (Photo credit :Getty Images)

Events like this one are critical in reaching people where they are and connecting them to resources immediately.

(Source: County of San Diego Communications Office)

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