A Total of 5 Wells Fargo Employees in Charlotte Have Now Tested Positive For COVID-19

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Wells Fargo Bank has just confirmed that 5 of its Charlotte employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

The infected employees work at Wells Fargo’s Customer Information Center in University City. At this point, around 35% of the CIC employees continue to report to the office in spite of the ‘Stay at Home Order‘.

“We wish our colleagues who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 a full and speedy recovery, and we are supporting those employees and prioritizing the safety of their colleagues,” a company representative said in a statement. “We have taken significant actions to protect employees, including social distancing, staggering staff and shifts and enabling more employees to work from home.”

Mecklenburg County is now reporting 869 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 10 deaths from the virus.

According to the CDC, patients with confirmed CoVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of CoVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.

NCCDD Releases Mini Grants for COVID-19 Relief

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The NC Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) has voted to invest $75,000 to a relief fund for one-time, time-limited projects to assist in filling gaps in services or activities that people with intellectual or other developmental disabilities (I/DD) are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funds are open to NC non-profit agencies and other NC community-based organizations that provide supports to people with I/DD and their families who are affected by the statewide Coronavirus response. Funds must be used to meet the needs of people with I/DD and their families and promote engagement with peers, alleviate anxiety due to social distancing, and/or increase positive shared experiences.

  • What do people need now due to social distancing, quarantine, or self-imposed isolation?
  • How will people remain engaged with their friends and family? What will be funded?
  • Activities to remain engaged during social distancing;
  • Items that alleviate anxiety due to social distancing; and,
  • Other items needed for people experiencing social isolation

For more information on the grant, its requirements and the application, visit NCCDD’s website.

North Carolina Has America’s 7th Biggest Increase in Unemployment Due to Coronavirus

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With the U.S. experiencing an extremely high number of initial unemployment claims, WalletHub today released updated rankings for the States with the Biggest Increases in Unemployment Due to Coronavirus.

To identify which states have experienced the largest unemployment increases, the website compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across two key metrics. These metrics compare initial unemployment claim increases for the week of March 30, 2020 to both the same week in 2019 and the first week of 2020.

North Carolina was ranked as the 7th worst state and South Carolina was ranked as the 33rd worst state.

States with the Biggest Increases in Unemployment Due to Coronavirus

Overall Rank State Increase in Unemployment Claims (2020 vs. 2019)* Increase in Unemployment Claims (April vs. January 2020)**
1 Louisiana 6118.90% 6111.40%
2 New Hampshire 7186.52% 5148.41%
3 Virginia 6747.65% 4597.55%
4 Georgia 8262.24% 2175.35%
5 Mississippi 4800.32% 3847.71%
6 Michigan 5659.41% 2813.94%
7 North Carolina 4282.70% 3821.69%
8 Nevada 3877.34% 3427.61%
9 North Dakota 5816.54% 1825.00%
10 Indiana 4298.91% 2913.96%
11 South Dakota 5435.66% 1888.94%
12 Arizona 2528.53% 4120.59%
13 Hawaii 4030.89% 2808.60%
14 Maryland 4227.48% 2597.34%
15 Nebraska 4448.05% 2337.49%
16 District of Columbia 3406.38% 3100.21%
17 Tennessee 2589.69% 3665.92%
18 Florida 2553.62% 3578.76%
19 New Mexico 2944.16% 3229.91%
20 Kentucky 4122.60% 2163.48%
21 Kansas 3566.62% 2364.39%
22 Delaware 3913.40% 2055.77%
23 Maine 4044.93% 1741.91%
24 Alabama 3552.96% 2109.81%
25 Ohio 3629.53% 1983.67%
26 Vermont 3016.76% 2278.82%
27 Rhode Island 4123.47% 1332.81%
28 Utah 3123.78% 2078.92%
29 California 2454.59% 2420.29%
30 Arkansas 2610.76% 2267.70%
31 Iowa 3682.81% 1368.25%
32 Texas 2296.94% 2437.66%
33 South Carolina 3931.20% 1037.97%
34 Minnesota 3443.34% 1423.64%
35 Massachusetts 3149.12% 1374.87%
36 Washington 2707.22% 1664.04%
37 Colorado 2290.65% 1771.41%
38 Oklahoma 2425.89% 1637.14%
39 Idaho 3173.94% 915.29%
40 New Jersey 2675.36% 1295.74%
41 Missouri 3022.36% 1002.48%
42 Illinois 2163.86% 1605.92%
43 Montana 2607.85% 1186.88%
44 Pennsylvania 2449.82% 939.34%
45 New York 2639.40% 669.85%
46 Alaska 1625.03% 1466.77%
47 West Virginia 1986.28% 804.41%
48 Wisconsin 1847.15% 715.12%
49 Wyoming 1324.42% 640.18%
50 Oregon 1167.82% 743.70%
51 Connecticut 1294.74% 325.60%

Increase in North Carolina Unemployment Due to Coronavirus (1=Worst, 25=Avg.):

  • 4282.70% increase in the Number of Unemployment Insurance Initial Claims – from 3,139 the week of April 1, 2019 to 137,573 the week of March 30, 2020. 11th highest increase in the U.S.
  • 3821.69% increase in the Number of Unemployment Insurance Initial Claims – from 3,508 in the first week of the year to 137,573 the week of March 30, 2020. 6th highest increase in the U.S.

 

How to get a photographic memory: mnemonic devices for memory boosting

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Various strategies, tactics, and advice on how to get a photographic memory are proposed by experts in mnemonic techniques. Our brain has no limits. Of course, it is hard to calculate the exact storage for our memories that include different kinds of information. Humanity still doesn’t know how the memory size in our mind can be measured. However, there are plenty of ways to train our intellect for an ability to encode, store, and recall an unlimited amount of information. Photographic memory is a rare ability when a person can vividly keep in mind the images even after they were taken away. Such a useful and unique skill, known as eidetic memory helps to retrieve information with ideal accuracy. But our brain mechanism is so complicated that it is hard to prove that photographic memory actually exists.

There are two quite interesting issues: how many people have photographic memory and if you are not among them, how can you train it. It is suggested only a small number of people can really recall the details after scanning the place. A lot of tests were made with children and adults. They were asked to scan the visual material for some time and then it was removed from the view. The next task was to report what details they are continuing to observe in their minds. So such experiments show that photographic memory is real, and the human brain can collect, store, and recall past events using skills of visual memory.

Techniques for fast learning and memory improvement

How to have photographic memory? Well, while some argue that reproducing visual materials is an innate ability and it is impossible to develop it, there is an opinion that you can train your mind strongly to achieve a high level of memorization details after momentarily capturing visual images. Those methods include:

  •         the method of Loci, also known as a memory palace, when a person creates a set of locations in the head and associate them with information;
  •         the memory peg offers to associate words with letters or numerical rhymes;
  •         the military method with the concept of sitting in the dark room with the paper, and a person, repeatedly turning light on and off for 15 minutes, must try to remember the content of that paper in vivid detail.

The last technique causes a lot of controversies, requires practicing at least 1 month, and the effectiveness of it is not proven. The memory peg is perfect for learning new languages and long lists of new words, so it won’t work with speeches, complicated definitions, and scientific materials. Mind palace is a universal mnemonic device that can boost your brain activity and improve memory retention. Of course, a strong focus is an integral part of building a memory palace in your head. However, using a mind map is the solution to the problem of how to get a photographic memory skill.

Mind palace works with virtual reality

Adapting the mind palace tactic, which is perfect for training strong eidetic memory, to immersive virtual reality, the team of passionate creators has developed memoryOS app that can drastically improve and facilitate the memorization process increasing memory capacity in an interactive way. Using mind palace virtual implant technology, it is possible to obtain the ability to recall a scene from your mind with precise details after scanning it only once. Consider memoryOS product in case you want to get a photographic memory.

Target Employee In Midtown Charlotte Location Tests Positive For COVID-19

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Target has just announced that one of its employees at their Midtown Charlotte location has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement, the company said the infected employee is now in quarantine and is on paid leave.

“We’re working in close partnership with local health departments. Our top priority is the health and safety of our team members and guests, and we’re taking a number of steps to move forward,” Target officials said.

Mecklenburg County is now reporting 838 active cases of COVID-19 and 10 deaths from the virus.

According to the CDC, patients with confirmed CoVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of CoVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.

Pack of Coyotes Spotted South of Uptown Charlotte (Video)

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A woman’s outdoor security cam recently captured an entire pack of wild coyotes roaming the streets near the center of Charlotte.

The following video was captured in Sedgefield, which is about 1 1/2 miles south of Center City Charlotte. The video was originally shared by Donna Ragan, who works at Charlotte’s Second Harvest Food Bank;

Coyote sightings have continued to rise around our area.

Recently around the Charlotte region, we reported about a coyote attacking a 7-year-old girl, a pack of coyotes killing a man’s 2 dogs in the front yard of his Iredell County home, and a German Shepherd therapy dog being attacked by a pack of coyotes in Weddington.

Since coyotes are not a native animal, they can be hunted year-round, even at night using flashlights – they can also be legally trapped from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28.

Some residents are now equipping their yards with flashing light coyote deterrents, and ultrasonic pest repellers, both of which work on solar power and are motion sensitive.

Officials with the animal control recommend:

▪ Keeping your yard free of any garbage or lingering food smells.

▪ Keep dogs on leashes when walking them, as coyotes are much less likely to approach if a person is nearby.

▪ Look around your backyard for the animals before you let the dogs out.

▪ If you encounter a coyote, back away slowly while yelling and waving your arms. Don’t run.

▪ Call 911 if you are being threatened by coyotes or other animals.

Have you seen any coyotes around your property? 

Online Dating Scams Surge In North Carolina During Coronavirus (Ranked 12th Worst In US)

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A new study shows online dating is surging during Coronavirus, and North Carolina residents are the No. 12 most at-risk for online romance scams.

Online daters seeking love were scammed out of $362 million in 2018, a 70% increase from the previous year.

During the pandemic, online dating platform Bumble reported a 21% increase. Hard hit states New York and San Francisco were even higher at 26% and 23% respectively. Tinder reported a 10-15% weekly increase and the hardest hit countries like Spain and Italy are up 25%.

One thing is clear, romance and catfishing scams are bound to go up even higher in 2020, especially in places where the coronavirus is more prominent.

 SocialCatfish.com — a leading resource to verify online identities — today released a study on the Most At-Risk States For Online Dating Scams using data from the FBI from 2019.

  • North Carolina ranked No. 12 in the country with 422 reported victims.  Vermont reported the fewest victims of all 50 states with just 23 cases.
  • 5 States with the Most Victims: California (2,206), Florida (1,363), Texas (1,287), New York (931), Pennsylvania (607).
  • 5 States with the Fewest Victims: Vermont (25), South Dakota (27), North Dakota (36), D.C. (36), Wyoming (44)

Here are 4 Signs You Are Being Catfished During Coronavirus:

  1. They want to move fast in the relationship. The sooner they gain your trust, the faster they can ask for money. Move at a normal pace.
  2. They don’t want to video chat with you. If someone won’t meet, or even video chat, it is likely they are not who they say they are.
  3. They ask for money. If anyone courting you online asks for money – in this case perhaps related to treating COVID-19 – this is the ultimate red flag and you should cease communication.
  4. They have poor grammar. If they claim to be from the United States yet don’t know how to write sentences or spell words, run.

To avoid becoming a victim, thoroughly fact-check and verify online identities before meeting in person or providing any information about yourself.

New Interactive Map Helps NC Residents Find Low-Cost, Free Internet Service Options

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The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Broadband Infrastructure Office has developed an interactive map to help North Carolina residents find free and low-cost internet and mobile service offerings in their area.

“North Carolina is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic with everything we’ve got,” Tracy Doaks, NCDIT secretary and state chief information officer, said. “In these uncertain times, more and more of our residents are being asked to work and learn from home, making access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet more critical than ever.”

The online map is updated daily with new offerings, which include free public Wi-Fi access points for remote learning and working. Service providers offering free or affordable options for high-speed internet can submit their offerings at https://it.nc.gov/internet.

This is part of the state’s efforts to help students and schools bridge the digital divide during the state’s response to COVID-19.

On March 30, Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 122 to help schools and local governments access state surplus property, including computers.

Executive Order 124, issued March 31, urges telecommunications, cable and internet service providers to give customers more time to pay outstanding bills and to waive fees and interest for late payments as a result of COVID-19. It also urges providers to lift any data caps if they have not done so already.

Charlotte Just Witnessed The Largest Lunar Event of The Year – The ‘Super Pink Moon’

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Last night, Charlotte witnessed the biggest moon of the year in a rare lunar occurrence named the “Pink Super Moon”.

According to the Old Farmers’ Almanac, the ‘Super Pink Moon’ reached the perfection of its peak on April 7th at 10:35 pm EDT.

Here are some of the best shots from last night:

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Biggest super moon of the year the "Pink Supermoon"

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Closed for business. Open for photography.

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Its name comes from native North American wildflowers that bloom in early springtime: Phlox subulata, known as “moss pink,” according to the Almanac.

A supermoon is the point of the moon’s orbit when it’s at its closest to Earth – its perigee – when it appears up to 14% larger and about 30% brighter than normal.

Charlotte’s Unsung Heroes Continue To Work So The Rest of Us Can Stay Safe – Let’s Bless Them

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The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused untold amounts of pain and suffering around the world.

Here in Charlotte, we have seen the highest number of active cases and deaths in the Carolinas. Mecklenburg County is now reporting a total of 810 active cases and 8 deaths from COVID-19.

Our city has just entered its 3rd week of a mandatory ‘Stay at Home Order’ in an attempt to limit the spread. While most of us are either working from home, or temporarily laid off, many in Charlotte are still being required to report to work to provide the rest of us with food, utilities, healthcare, and other basic necessities. Most of them are putting themselves in harms way every day without any hazard pay, allowing the rest of us to stay home and stay healthy.

Yesterday I asked the unsung heroes among the Charlotte Stories community to send me their names, pictures, and Paypal/Venmo/Cash App Ids so that we could all have the chance to bless them.

Here are those who responded in the order that I received them in my inbox – please bless any or all of them as generously as you are able:

Madeline Cohen – Food Lion – Venmo @madsmadsmads

This is my boyfriend and myself, Madeline. My Venmo is @madsmadsmads

Nessrene Doudar – Levine Children’s Hospital – Venmo @Nessrene-Doudar

I am a nurse at the Levine’s Children’s Hosptial. My Venmo is @Nessrene-Doudar.

Kristen Premo – Perdue Farms – Cash App $KristenPremo

My name is Kristen Premo. I work for Perdue Farms in Concord NC. Our plant is a cook plant. We have been and will be working through this whole pandemic.
Cash App $KristenPremo

Taylor Parton – AAA – Cash App $WilliamParton

My name is Taylor Parton, I’ve been towing for about 8 years. I work for AAA in uptown Charlotte! Everyday I put myself in harms way by saving people off of the highways. My hours have been cut due to the stay home order. We practice safety during this pandemic!
Cash app $WilliamParton

John Miller – Atrium Health – Venmo @John-Miller-126

My name is John Miller. I am a medical equipment technician at Atrium Health at 1000 blythe blvd in Charlotte NC. This whole situation is definitely been a game changer. It’s been tiring but I wouldn’t trade my job for anything. I am very grateful to have a job and I love helping people, so in that case, nothing has changed. People need help now more then ever. So I will always answer the bell. Thanks
Venmo is @John-Miller-126

Sarah Ford – Food Lion – Venmo @SarahMFord 

My name is Sarah Ford and I work at Food Lion. I am an office associate dealing with money and customer service, but I also work as a cashier and stocker. This pandemic has hit grocery stores like a truck. Customers are really super understanding and grateful, or rude and hateful. I’m hoping they start to realize without everyone out here doing what we’re doing, that they wouldn’t have their stocked up pantries while they’re at home with their families. We aren’t here for ourselves, we’re here so everyone else can have what they need.
My Venmo is @SarahMFord 

Louis Luciano – Aldi – Cash App $lucianolouis

My name is Louis Luciano and I work for Aldi Distribution in Salisbury, NC. The picture I have attached is of me after just a few hours in the freezer. The ice that forms on my mask is from working in -20 degrees.

While this is my job and I’m used to these conditions, the pandemic we are currently dealing with causes longer hours as we keep up with demand and as I come into contact with products packaged and shipped from around the world, the risk of me coming into contact with the virus increases.

While I worry about bringing the virus home to my wife and three children, I am proud to be a part of a company that is working hard to provide the community with the things they need as we all commit to social distancing and flattening the curve. My cash app ID is $lucianolouis

Sherika Wilson – Veteran’s Affairs – Cash App $sqw1978

My name is Sherika Wilson an RN with the Veteran’s Affairs. I am a Charlotte native that has been in nursing for almost 17y and just like anyone else have never encountered anything like this. It has put a strain on my relationships at work because I have been exposed in the community to the virus but still have to report for duty and wear a mask daily until my 14d is up. I also have to be cautious of my interactions with my loved ones as well. I am asymptomatic at this point but there is fear associated with it daily of the unknown. So when we say stay home like for real y’all stay home. Cash App is $sqw1978

Denise Ludden – Postmates and Uber – Venmo @Denise-ludden

I work for postmates and uber. I am a mother of three kids. This pandemic has slowed my deliveries and pick up and drops off tremendously so barely able to make ends meet. Venmo is @denise-ludden

Cassie Levigne – CMC Main – Venmo @clevigne12

My name is Cassie. Im a nurse on the progressive care unit at CMC main. Ive been there almost 3 years and have never seen the hospital quite like this. Everyday is different but were trying to get through this all together. #NurseStrong

Venmo @clevigne12

Gus Cottros – Pet Supplies Plus – PayPal @guscottros12

My name is Gus Cottros and I am a manager of a franchised pet store. We are considered essential. My biggest fear is that there are still a good bit of people venturing out. Some are buying non essential  items. I’m not a paranoid person but I’m starting to get that way. Our company did decide to give us all who still work a $1 raise throughout the pandemic. Some of our employees are out of work. Some of us are working twice as hard. Business has slowed down to normal or less. The first two weeks were crazy! We are all tired!n

 I also have to ride public transportation to get to work. It is now free to ride but it is on a Sunday schedule which makes it difficult for me to get to work. Not to mention how scary that can be with all the others riding. – My PayPal account is Paypal.me/guscottros12

Robin Sexton-Stallings – MedSpeed – Paypal email is glstallings@hotmail.com 

My mom is not computer savvy but her name is Robin Sexton-Stallings and she is an essential worker delivering samples from hospital to hospital for MedSpeed, including the COVID-19 samples and she works extremely hard every day, but only makes $12/an hour, despite being with the company for a few years now. Regardless, her income has been crucial as my dad was out of work most of last year. She is also diabetic and we are worried that her job will cause her to be more exposed despite being vulnerable. Through getting out of the low cars they use and carrying the heavy bags of samples and test equipment from site to site, she even incurred a workplace injury and now has a frozen shoulder that she got some physical therapy treatment for through a workman’s comp case that she won. She is also an artist, with me, at c3 lab, where we are being asked to still pay our rent despite the space being shut down. Her Instagram is @raraworks. Her PayPal is glstallings@hotmail.com

Katherine Holyfield – Foxcroft Wine – Venmo @katherine-Holyfield 

My name is Katherine Holyfield. I work at Foxcroft Wine Co. Which has been a small business of Charlotte for nearly 15 years. The South Park and Dilworth locations are still open during these tough times but we’ve had to close the waverly and Greenville stores. FCWC is still serving food and wine and offering many discounts and deals to serve people as well as curb side pick up. I’m so thankful to work for them during this pandemic.
My Venmo is @katherine-Holyfield

Cherish Jordan – Instacart – Cashapp – $CherishJordan

I was actually laid off from my job due to the pandemic of the Corona Virus. I am now doing Instacart to support myself and also as a nice gesture to help those who cannot leave their homes due to the pandemic. There’s a good and bad way this has affected me. For one, a good thing is I am counted as essential and make money to help with bills. The bad part would be that I am out of a 9-5 job and have to struggle a bit. The good thing is that I am alive and healthy. I always make sure I pray for God’s hedge of protection and I also pray for the families and workers who are having to deal with this pandemic. Cashapp: $CherishJordan

Casey Dickson – Novant Health – Venmo @Caseydickson

I work as a CNA at Novant Health in PMC hospital while attending RN school. Im also a volunteer firefighter for the city of Tega Cay. I work directly in the COVID-19 unit with most of my patients positive. I started my job 3 days before the pandemic hit so if I get sick I get unpaid leave and I’ve been considering going to work anyway because I just can’t do that again.

I know my situation isn’t that bad and I am grateful that I have a job right now but any help to buy more scrubs, scrub caps, or other kinds of ppe would be so appreciated. Venmo @Caseydickson

Thank you to all the other hero’s who didn’t respond!

Thank you for continuing to put yourself in harms way to keep our community running!