Lee Eric Smith
For self-employed, getting stimulus relief requires dogged pursuit
People who work for themselves – those who file 1099s at tax time instead of W-2s – breathed a sigh of relief when President Donald Trump signed a $2 trillion stimulus package that included expanded unemployment benefits that would put $600 in their pockets....
‘NOTHING IS NORMAL’: Small-town hospital soldiers ahead against pandemic
Marketia Morrow is quietly terrified.
As the Chief Nursing Officer at Alliance Healthcare System in my hometown of Holly Springs, Miss., she is in a combat zone – she can’t self-isolate. Can’t keep a six-foot distance. Can’t work from home. She faces the enemy –...
DEAD AIR: Where is the love for “The Jazz Lover?”
There is some science indicating that white noise – that staticky hiss (or hissy static?) you get while flipping through stations – helps with relaxation and sleep. That’s all well and good, but it’s NOT what I want to hear when I tune my...
Eight reasons you should start gardening now!
In the spirit of honesty, I should point out here at the very top of this column that I’m one of those people that believes EVERYONE should be growing food in their yards – coronavirus or not. To me, there is simply no more...
Coronavirus makes caring for mom with dementia even more challenging
As an 82-year-old retired school teacher with dementia, Ruth Jane Davis clearly falls into the “at-risk” category for the coronavirus.
As a 56-year-old caregiver with diabetes and asthma, so does her daughter and primary caregiver Judy Elaine Davis.
“I was telling people before we closed, laughing,...
ACTS OF FAITH: Spiritual leaders wrestle how to deal with COVID-19
Can’t go to work. Can’t go to a Grizzlies game or concert. Can’t go to a movie. Can’t even go to a library or museum.
Those would all be places where we could escape from the anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic – to at least...
LIVE NOW: Memphis clergy and spiritual leaders strategizing response to COVID 19
Earlier today, I got word of several clergy and spiritual leaders in Memphis convening for a webinar to discuss how to deal with the coronavirus in Memphis:
As COVID-19 makes its presence known throughout the US, Church Health continues to be an organization that cares...
Daycare and parenting in the age of COVID-19
I was not exactly surprised last Thursday when I got a text message from my son's daycare saying they'd be closed on Friday. It's not even been a full week, but the avalanche of closings – at that time, most notably the suspension of...
For many, worship goes online in face of coronavirus crisis
Last week, I attended the very first service at Pursuit of God's new facility on North Watkins in Frayser. Nearly 600 people attended, and the place was rocking with spirit.
I have no idea how many people were there yesterday (March 15), because I didn't...