Neville Livingston better known as Bunny Wailer, the last of the world’s famous musical trio, the Wailers, has passed. He was 73 and would have turned 74 in April. Bunny laid the foundation of the beginning of the Wailers. Like most famous musical groups, the trio of Bunny Livingston, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley broke up then Bob went on to achieve singular fame as Bob Marley and the Wailers. Neville and Bob were stepbrothers and grew up in the same home. More in EVERYBODY’S upcoming April edition.

   Singing Sandra 1957-2021

Singing Sandra, one the icons of calypso, has passed. She was 64. Born in East Dry River, Trinidad & Tobago in 1957, Sandra’s family on her father’s side, the John family, hailed from Gouyave, Grenada. Sandra performed frequently at the annual Fisherman’s Birthday in Gouyave. Sandra Des Vignes-Millington was the second woman to capture the National Calypso Monarch of Trinidad & Tobago. She took the title on two occasions. She was the 3^rd runner-up in EVERYBODY’S World Calypso Monarch competition held in New York and seen on Pay-Per-View in several states. She performed at other calypso events such as in New York calypso tents prod

uced by Dawad Philip’s Domingo Productions and later by EVERYBODY’S Magazine.

Singing Sandra lyrics were always uplifting. Her hits such as “Song for Healing,” “Voices from the Ghetto,” and “Ancient Rhythm” will remain classics.

“Sandra’s passing is a great loss to the calypso industry,” noted veteran arranger, Leston Paul.

Fay-Ann Lyons said, “Sandra was the embodiment of a powerful female artiste who always had a message in her music.”

“Sandra was the best calypso artist I ever worked with. She cooperated in every aspect of producing a show from transportation to rehearsals and she gave her all when on stage,” explained the publisher of EVERYBODY’S Magazine.

104-Year-Old Woman from Dominica

Escorted to the Poll site by niece to vote for Biden/Harris

Brooklyn, NY: 104-year old Thelma who was born and raised in Dominica casted her vote on Tuesday afternoon at the $104 million renovated Kings Theatre on Flatbush Avenue, an early voting site, located within the large Caribbean community. Thelma was brought to the poll and assisted by her great grandniece. On Saturday morning when early voting for the presidency of the U.S. began, the first in line to vote was Doris from San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago. Although polls in New York City opened at 10am, Doris was in line at 6am. The polls also opened at 10am on Sunday, but hundreds of voters, especially Caribbean-Americans, were there at 6am. The polls opened at 7am on Monday but voters were outside Kings as early as 4:30. Tuesday, another rainy, chilly morning in autumn, was not different; people were in line at 8am for a 12-noon opening.

     At the Kings Theatre where EVERYBODY’S Magazine has been focusing, one can hear Anglophone Caribbean voters from throughout the Caribbean saying they came to vote for the Biden/Harris ticket. Jackie who was born at Maxwell Junction in Barbados made a useless trip to Brooklyn from Queens to vote. “I don’t mind if there is a problem with where I should vote, I don’t care as long as I vote Trump out of office.” She had recently moved to Queens from Brooklyn but thinking Queens Board of Elections did not list her, she came to Brooklyn to vote only to be told she is not on the Brooklyn voters list. “I will go back to Queens to vote and I am not mad that I wasted a day. I want to know that I voted against Trump.” Jackie sentiments were supported by her longtime friend from Guyana, Sandra, who boasted she voted on Saturday after standing in line for four hours.

     Eighty-six-year-old Ruby from the Carenage, Grenada, had no problem standing in the rain on Tuesday. “This may be my last vote before I die, and I want to die a happy person knowing I voted out Trump.”

      In all the five boroughs of New York City, Caribbean-Americans are eagerly casting their votes. EVERYBODY’S has not heard a single Caribbean voter says he or she voted for Trump but many in their eagerness to get rid of President Trump are spoiling their ballots.

       In New York State, most candidates are listed under different political parties on the ballot but a voter can only vote for the candidate once regardless to how many times the candidate is listed. So, in New York City, Biden/ Harris is listed under several political parties and so is Trump/Pence. One cannot vote for Biden under the Democratic Party line and then vote for him under the Working Families Party. That vote will be spoiled. Mayor de Blasio tweeted, “Getting ready to vote in Brooklyn. Long line but it will be worth it! Urging all progressives to vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on the Working Families Party line in New York State. Protect our @NYWFP and change our nation, all at once!” Bill de Blasio is also confusing young and immigrant voters many of whom having marked their ballot for Biden/Harris on the Democratic Party line then mark the ballot again, this time, for the presidential ticket on the Working Families line thereby spoiling their vote.

To add to the confusion, there are other candidates listed on the same ballot who are running for other offices. In other words, the ballot lists those seeking the presidency of the U.S., city and state offices, judgeships and even dog catcher.

     While a vote for Biden that is spoil by the voter may not be crucial in New York State because Biden/Harris, is projected to carry New York State by a landslide, a spoil vote for Biden in battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Florida could hurt the Biden/Harris ticket. Those states have large Caribbean populations.

     There is no question that Caribbean-American voters are participating in early voting and mail-in voting and they are voting for the Biden/Harris ticket. EVERYBODY’S survey of Caribbean-Americans completed in mid-September reveals that 94% are voting for Vice President Biden and Senator Kamala Harris.  Given that a Caribbean-American or Jamaican-American, Kamala Harris, is on the ticket, it would not be surprising if more than 94% voted for Biden/Harris.

    Due to the long lines in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio has extended early voting hours. On Tuesday, de Blasio vote in his neighborhood of Park Slope, Brooklyn. He claimed he waited in line for almost three hours.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday, polls will now open at 7am and close at 5pm.  For votes who did not do mail in voting and early voting, there’s a final chance to vote. It is Tuesday, November 3. The polls will open in New York State at 6am and close at 9pm.

    To protect the privacy of voters EVERYBODY’S mentioned in this news article, the persons, age and island of birth are accurate but we did not use their real name.

NEW YORK, NY – Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Lorelei Salas today warned New Yorkers of scams related to COVID-19 to protect consumers’ identity and money.

“It is a sad reality that scammers often take advantage of people during times of crisis,” said DCWP Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “People are especially vulnerable right now and scammers will use that to their benefit. I urge everyone to think twice and do their research before giving away any personal or banking information. During difficult times like these, people cannot afford to be scammed out of their hard-earned money, especially when it comes to their vital stimulus checks.”

Scammers have come up with numerous ways to defraud people in connection with COVID-19. These scams may be phone calls, emails, text messages, or sometimes even in person. It is important to be aware of them and know what to do if you encounter one.

Visit nyc.gov/dcwp for DCWP’s full list of COVID-19 scams, which will soon be available in multiple languages. The scams are divided into several common categories:

• Fake Government Calls/Emails/Texts. Beware of calls from scammers claiming to be from a government agency, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), NYS Department of Labor (NYSDOL), or a law enforcement agency, and asking for personal or banking information. Legitimate government agencies do not call unexpectedly asking for money, especially in the form of gift cards. Most payments can be done through their official websites. If the caller asks for personal information, make sure they can verify themselves first. If you are still unsure, hang up and call the official agency number.

• Charity Scams. Always do your research before donating to a charity organization or person setting up a GoFundMe page. Ask organizations what their registration number is—all legitimate charities must be registered with the New York Attorney General’s Charities Bureau. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money. Report charity scams by filing a complaint at charitiesnys.com. If you’d like to help New Yorkers affected by COVID-19, visit nyc.gov/helpnow.

• Fake COVID-19 Treatment and Testing
  • “Anti-COVID-19” Products and Medicines: Do not use products or medicines promoted as “anti-COVID-19” unless approved by a health care provider. These may be dangerous and fatal. There are currently no products proven to treat or prevent COVID-19. The only preventive measures for COVID-19 currently approved are social distancing and hand washing. Learn more about prevention and care from NYC Department of Health at on.nyc.gov/2yI55Ib.
  • Home Test Kits: Ignore any online offers for vaccinations and home test kits for COVID-19. Report any you come across to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. If someone unexpectedly knocks on your door claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), or NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to conduct a “COVID-19 test” – dial 911.

• Personal Protective Equipment Scams
  • Beware of fake calls to your business requesting money for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The caller may state that a manager had placed an order for PPE for the company and a money order is needed to be sent prior to delivery. Make sure to always check in with a manager or person in charge before sending any money.
  • If you are making an online purchase for PPE, such as face masks, always buy from reputable stores and websites.

• Phishing Scams. Phishing emails, text messages, or social media posts often contain a link or ask you to provide personal information that can be used to commit fraud or identity theft.
  • Always verify the email address or link before clicking or responding.
  • If the caller claims to be from a government agency, make sure they can verify themselves first. If you are suspicious, go to the official website the sender claims to be from or call the official number to confirm the legitimacy of the email. If it seems like a scam, delete the email and file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at fcc.gov/complaints.

• Unknown Callers and Robocalls. Scammers may call you or use illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam COVID-19 treatments to work-at-home schemes.
  • Beware of calls threatening to disconnect gas and electric services unless you pay immediately. The caller may use sophisticated phone systems that display the energy company’s name on the caller ID. This is a scam. When in doubt, you should hang up and call the customer service number located on your bill.
  • If an unfamiliar number ever calls you, don’t pick up. Answering and pressing any keys may lead to more scam calls.

• Fake Money Deals. If a deal is too good to be true, it usually is. Beware of these ‘great deals’:
  • Debt Relief Scams: If you receive a call claiming to offer debt relief, do not engage. The caller may say they can offer you a 50 percent settlement to help pay your debt and to contact them to take advantage of the offer. Hang up immediately and avoid answering any unknown calls. If you are facing financial hardship due to COVID-19, you can request debt collection agencies to stop contacting you about your existing debt. Download Cease Debt Collection Communication Letter: Instructions and Template. DCWP also encourages anyone struggling with debt to make an appointment for free financial counseling by phone. Learn more at nyc.gov/TalkMoney.
  • Counterfeit Coupons: Beware of fake coupon deals circulating on social media. The coupon link may take you to a third-party site and ask for your personal information in order to receive the coupon. Legitimate businesses do not ask for any banking information in exchange for a coupon deal. Always go to the official business website to see if they are offering any coupons.
  • Tax Loans: It is important to be careful when selecting a tax professional. While most preparers provide honest and high-quality service, some may mislead people into taking credits or deductions they aren’t entitled to claim. By promising a “bigger” refund, they will increase their fees and taxpayers will end up losing their money instead of gaining. Eligible New Yorkers can use NYC Free Tax Prep for trusted and professional filing. Learn more at nyc.gov/taxprep.

• Puppy Scams. With people obeying stay-at-home orders, many are looking into getting a pet. It is important that you research the website before making any purchases. Fraudulent pet sites may advertise animals that don’t exist and are never shipped. It is best practice to not buy a pet without seeing it in person. Be cautious of sending money through Western Union, MoneyGram, or a cash app like Zelle or a gift card. These payment methods offer no recourse and no way to get your money back if you are the victim of a fraud. Report any pet scams you come across to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint.

• Student Loan Scams. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, federal student loan payments are automatically suspended, without interest or penalties, until September 30. Student loan holders with loans covered by the Act do not have to take any action to have them suspended. If you are contacted by someone claiming they can get you into the program faster or for free, it is a scam. If you are unsure whether your loan is covered by the Act, contact the loan servicer directly and ask. For more information and tips, read Student Loan Debt Tips During COVID-19 (available in multiple languages).