VOA – CONNECT
EPISODE # 138
AIR DATE 09 04 2020
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/SOT/NAT))
((Open Animation))
((Banner))
The New Labor: Adapting
((SOT))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
Since the pandemic, I haven't seen any clients.
((Jean, Client))
And should I go to the front all the way?
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
All the way to the front.
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
My business will survive this. Who knows how long this
pandemic is going to go on.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
The New Labor: Displaced
((SOT))
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed Single Mother))
The food bank has been literally a great help during this
time. And at the end of the day, my kids, they're fed, they're
healthy and it didn't cost you anything.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
The New Labor: Going Online
((SOT))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
It's the audience reaction and interaction of a live
performance but there is also something very intimate about
being in your home studio.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) COVID / REMOTE HAIR SALON
((TRT: 07:29))
((Banner: A Business Adapts))
((Reporter/Camera: Gabrielle Weiss))
((Map: Garrett Park, Maryland))
((Main character: 1 female))
((Sub characters: 1 female; 1 male))
((MUSIC/NATS))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
So, I'm Maggie Sprague. My salon is Salon Bond and I've
been in business since 2006. Before the pandemic, I had a
booming business. I work in my home and I started work at
6:30 in the morning and worked until about 2:30 when I
would pick my kids up from school.
((Photos Courtesy: Maggie Sprague))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
I have a really, really nice base of ladies that come in here
and I don't know that it'll be the same again ever, because
when they come in, normally I have a few people in at once
and there is sort of this groove in the room and the
conversations start and you sort of feel like you're with your
girlfriends having cocktails, only there’s no cocktails involved
and I miss the salon terribly. I miss my clients. I love the
people that I work with.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her son))
((Maggie Sprague))
You have to read it, sweetie.
((Maggie’s Son))
I’m reading in my mind.
((Maggie Sprague))
No, you’ve got to read it out loud.
((Maggie’s Son))
No, I don’t have to.
((NATS))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
Since the pandemic, I haven't seen any clients. I spend
most of my days cooking and cleaning and folding laundry
and cleaning again and making beds and cleaning again and
yelling at my children which I've been doing a lot of. I have
three little kids. I'm trying to school them, which is not easy.
I think I’ve about given up on schooling the three-year-old.
I feel like my life has been completely taken over by my
children and they're too young to appreciate it. So, I feel
completely underappreciated like I am just the hired help
here to serve. And, you know, some days that's okay and
some days it's not.
((NATS))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
So, the last morning that I saw clients, I thought, you know,
I'm going to have to come up with some idea for my clients
to be able to touch their hair up. People are still working.
They're still doing Zoom. You're still being seen and no
woman wants to look in a video camera or a computer at
herself and see roots and feel horrible.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her client, Jean))
((Courtesy: Recorded on Zoom))
((Jean))
Hi, Maggie.
((Maggie Sprague))
Hi. Is your hair nice and wet?
((Jean)
It's wet.
((Maggie Sprague))
Okay. So maybe you could hold your kit up so I can show
you what you’re going to mix. You have gloves, you have a
brush and you have two containers. One of the, yeah, that's
it.
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
So, I came up with this idea to do custom color kits at a
reduced cost and simple instructions where I could
FaceTime my clients or Zoom with them at home and walk
them through it. So, it was a lot less scary than if you were
to go buy a box from the grocery store, not knowing what
you're putting on your head and then guessing how you put it
on. So, when I video chat with my clients, the first thing I do
is tell them how to mix the color, right, because there's two
separate things, there's the color and the developer.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her client, Jean))
((Courtesy: Recorded on Zoom))
((Jean))
Okay. So, I’ve got developer.
((Maggie Sprague))
Yeah.
((Jean))
And then color and you wrote the directions.
((Maggie Sprague))
Once you get that stirred, you can start at the back of your
head. So, you want to start sort of at the nape of your neck
painting your hairline completely.
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
I don't prefer it. I prefer to have contact with people and the
normal line of communication. But, you know, it's not
terrible. At least I get to see people. Their personalities still
come through on Zoom. And, you know, every day, I have
at least a few FaceTimes or Zoom calls with different clients
and they're so funny. It's my adult interaction for the day.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her client, Jean))
((Courtesy: Recorded on Zoom))
((Jean))
Where are all your people? Where are all your little muffins?
((Maggie Sprague))
The boys are outside and Gigi is in her room and my
husband’s been on work calls all day. Sometimes I think he
adds extra work calls so he doesn't have to come upstairs.
((Jean))
Absolutely he does. Absolutely. Don't think it, know it, he
does. He's probably playing. He’s like playing Candy Crush,
looking at Facebook and then you come in, he's like, ‘Oh
Maggie, I’m very busy.’
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
My business will survive this. One of the reasons is that I
don't have rent to pay because I manage my salon out of my
home. I do have a mortgage and my income is relevant.
We are a dual income family, but we'll survive this. The kits,
because I have such a large client base to begin with, I have
more of an audience of people to sell my kits to.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her client, Jean))
((Courtesy: Recorded on Zoom))
((Jean))
And should I go to the front all the way?
((Maggie Sprague))
Oh yeah, all the way to the front. And that's the part that's
really important, so make sure you really get it on.
((Jean))
My kids don't even recognize me. They have no idea who I
am. They're like, ‘Who are you, lady with black hair at the
roots?’ I’m like, ‘It’s your mom’.
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
Maybe, there is a future in this and who knows how long this
pandemic is going to go on? There's no vaccine and even
when there is, when there's an outbreak of the pandemic,
older people are not going to want to come in and take their
health at risk to get their hair colored but yet they still want to
look good.
((NATS))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
I am eager to get back to my normal way of working.
However, I see this as a new way of doing things. I would
love to be able to provide kits for people after the pandemic
and not just my clients. I would be happy to provide them for
anybody. It may turn into another type of business for me,
something that I do on the side that helps people when they
can’t get into the salon.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her client, Jean))
((Courtesy: Recorded on Zoom))
((Maggie Sprague))
So, Jean, I mean, this was like amazing. I'm so psyched that
you are so happy with your hair. And I hope, you know,
we're able to get back in the salon again soon but, you know,
for now, this will do the trick.
((Jean))
Oh, my God yeah. Maggie, you, for real, are a super
lifesaver. And this did make you so happy because I'm not
even joking. It's awful if you're locked up and your hair looks
awful. And you made it super easy and it was super fun and
then everyone was like, ‘Oh Jean, your hair looks really
good.’ I’m like, ‘Call Maggie. It’s Maggie, the miracle
muffin.’
((Maggie Sprague))
I love it.
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
And that's one thing I realized through this and I knew it
before but it's very apparent now. Women care about what
they look like no matter if they're 15 or 90. Everybody cares
about their appearance. Everybody wants to look good. No
one wants to look bad.
TEASE ((VO/SOT/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Making it Through
((SOT))
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
Bills can always get paid later on but you can't replace your
health. Am I struggling? Yes, but I'm not dying.
BREAK ONE
((ANIMATION EXPLAINER -- W/ GFX, CAPTIONS,
PHOTOS))
US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2020
NOMINATION CONVENTION
Presidential nominating conventions do not date all the way
back to the early days of the United States. Back then,
political parties held caucuses where small groups of party
leaders chose the candidates. It wasn’t until the 12th
presidential election in 1832 that parties held conventions to
select their candidates. There were occasional surprises
over the candidates selected at conventions. Some
conventions took a long time to name a nominee. In 1924,
the Democrats spent 16 days to take 109 votes to nominate
John Davis, who wound up losing the election to Republican
Calvin Coolidge. Modern conventions move quicker than
that. Most of the delegates are awarded to candidates
through state caucuses or primaries and the nominee is
known before the convention begins. Conventions still
deliver an occasional surprise. Nominees often name their
pick for Vice President at a convention. Because they are
televised, they attract the attention of voters trying to decide
how to vote in November. The COVID pandemic has forced
both parties to change plans for 2020 relying more on virtual
settings without large crowds of faithful party in attendance.
Who can vote in the US Presidential Election?
To vote in the US presidential election, a potential voter must
be:
a U.S. citizen,
18 years old on or before Election Day,
And meet residency requirements, which vary from state to
state.
Potential voters must also be registered to vote by their
state’s voter registration deadline.
Non-citizens, even if they are permanent residents, can not
vote in US presidential elections. Some states also restrict
voting for those with felony convictions or people who are
mentally incapacitated.
For the general presidential election, US citizens who reside
in US territories also cannot vote.
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) UNEMPLOYED SINGLE MOTHER
((TRT: 08:39))
((Banner: Getting by with Some Help))
((Reporter/Camera: Arturo Martinez))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((Main character: 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
My name is Sonia. I was working as a caregiver and I had to
stop working because of the coronavirus. Now, I find myself
being unemployed and having to care for my three children
as a single parent. The senior that I was taking care of is the
sweetest person on earth and I love her and she loves me.
Am I going to go back to her? I don't know. In these times
right now, people are scavenging to pay their bills. The last
thing they need is another bill like mine.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
Do you want water? Hold on. Here you go.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
I'm the head of this house. I am the only income that comes
in. But I've been paying with my savings. How long am I
going to last like this? I don't know. I did receive the
[federal] stimulus check and that helped. That’s one
breather. That money is already set to pay my mortgage for
this coming month. But one month at a time, that's all I can
do.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
Okay, time for homework.
We have literally been locked up in here, like, locked up.
((Computer))
Let's look at the relationship between a fringing reef and a
coral reef again.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
So, they're getting their WiFi from the school. I'm trying to
cut back as much as I can from bills so that I can pay the
most important ones: mortgage. We open up the windows to
get fresh air. I always go throughout the house making sure
that the ceiling fans are off if we don't need them. And I try
to disconnect any unused plug that is just sucking electricity
for no apparent reason.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
So, my notice of unemployment insurance award and all I
see is zero. So, what does that mean? I have no idea.
Weekly benefit amount: zero. High quarter earnings: zero.
I've given up calling for every day between the hours of 8
through 11 and just calling and calling and calling and
calling.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
Five - six - one - six….
((Voicemail))
We have established a new Unemployment Insurance
Online Assistance Center. We are currently receiving more
calls than we have the capacity to answer. At the end of the
message, the phone will hang up.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
We definitely need more help from the outside because
inside, there's only so much you can do.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
The food bank has been literally a great help during this
time. And at the end of the day, my kids, they're fed, they're
healthy and it didn't cost you anything.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
We're almost there.
((Lady))
Yes. At what time did you get in line?
((Sonia Benítez))
At 8:30. How about you?
((Lady))
It was like 8:20, 8:15.
((Sonia Benítez))
Yes. Do you come here often?
((Lady))
It's my first time.
((Sonia Benítez))
First time?
((Lady))
Yes. How about you?
((Sonia Benítez))
I've been here before. Go for it. Good luck.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
So, I've been waiting here since, what, two hours-and-a-half
so far. It helps everybody right now. I see Hispanics. I see
Asians. I see Caucasians. I see everything. People in good
cars, people in not so good cars. We all have the same
need. We're all in the same boat right now. Financially we
are at our limit.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
There we go.
((Volunteer))
All the way up.
((Sonia Benítez))
Thank you.
((Sonia Benítez))
It looks like this time we're going to get meat patties, lemons,
saltines, beans.
((Volunteer))
Hi, any donations today? We all stick together so this way
we all have somewhere to go when we need. So, thank you
so very much.
((Sonia Benítez))
Thank you.
((Volunteer))
Is this a blessing?
((Sonia Benítez))
Yes, it is.
((Volunteer))
Praise the Lord.
((Sonia Benítez))
I don't know if you remember my mom. She used to come
here all the time.
((Volunteer))
Really?
((Sonia Benítez))
Yes, the white hair.
((Volunteer))
I get a lot of white hair ladies.
((Sonia Benítez))
I know.
((Volunteer))
Ok, God bless you.
((Sonia Benítez))
Thank you.
((Sonia Benítez))
Do I feel embarrassed? No. Thankful. I see all those
people there and they are just, they really are pouring their
hearts out assisting everyone.
((Volunteer))
Hallelujah.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
Alright. They give us enough, to tell you the truth, that when
I come here, I get a couple of ingredients and then I share
the other half. It feeds several homes.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
Some beans. So, I'm going to give this bag to my neighbor.
If she has enough beans, then hopefully she'll pass it down
to her friend who's also a single mom of two girls. And this is
what I'll give her. Hopefully, she'll take two and then give out
two. Oh, there's apples and oranges. Plenty for at least two
houses, if not three. Some chocolate, asparagus and baby
tomatoes. I wouldn't buy cherry tomatoes personally
because it's out of budget. It's out of my budget. Lemons.
More onions. So, all of this will get distributed to assist 12
people in three households.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
Here you go. There's more coming, ok? Here you go. They
gave a lot today.
((Neighbor))
I'll give you some money.
((Sonia Benítez))
No, it’s all good.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
The only person that goes out is me and as soon as I come
back in, the first thing I do is wash my hands. Health, it
literally is priority. I would not push for the economy to open.
No. Why would you expose yourself or somebody you
would love unless there's some sort of treatment that
guarantees that my life will not be at stake. No. I don't want
to push it. Bills can always get paid later on but you can't
replace your health. Am I struggling? Yes, but I'm not dying.
That's the worst. I mean, I'd rather lose the house. I'd rather
stand in line and food bank and everything else but I'll still be
alive with all my kids. Out there is just a lot of heartbreaks
and it makes me value what I have here at the house even
more.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
I lost my mom not too long ago. And while she was in the
hospital, I was there every day, every single day. And it's
sad to see what all these families are going through, you
know, not able to tell their families goodbye. I would just, I
would just die if my mother would have passed away and,
and not been able to hold her hand and be there with her.
Some of these families are just going at it by themselves.
You drop them off at the hospital and that is it. You don't get
to say goodbye. A video chat, what is that? That is so cold,
so impersonal. It really is almost inhumane. But that's the,
that's where they're living and you don't want to be part of
that. As long as anybody around you doesn't have any
contact with this disease at this point, I mean, with this virus
at this point, it's a blessing. It is. You just, you don't want to
know anybody that goes through this because it is painful.
((NATS))
((Banner: California has since lifted some of its lockdown
restrictions, but Sonia remains without a job. She stopped
trying to get unemployment benefits as she thinks she
doesn’t qualify.))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
The Band Plays On
((SOT))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
I am home, trying to offer performances online and also
learning to teach violin lessons online.
((NATS/MUSIC))
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) ISOLATED VIOLINIST
((TRT: 05:53))
((April, 2020))
((Banner: Taking it Online))
((Reporter: Arturo Martinez))
((Camera: Margaret Batjer, Arturo Martinez))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((Main character: 1 female))
((NATS))
((Banner: Most of the images in this video were filmed by
the performer herself.))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Hi, my name is Margaret Batjer. I’m Concert Master of the
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
I've been home due to the COVID-19 virus. Normally, I am
in downtown Los Angeles almost all week and most
weekends,
((Courtesy: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra))
rehearsing for concerts, playing concerts and teaching.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
But I am home these weeks,
((Courtesy: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra))
trying to offer performances online and also learning to teach
violin lessons online.
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
I'm going to be recording some solo Bach tonight and it's a
family affair because of the quarantine. No one could come
to professionally record any of myself or any of my
colleagues and my daughter here is helping. She's going to
be doing the video and my husband will record the audio.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
This week, I'm working to record
((Courtesy: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra))
a program for In Focus, which is our chamber music series.
Our LACO audiences, who reached out to me in many
different ways, are all very sad to not be going to our
concerts. And so, like many other artistic organizations,
we're trying to keep in touch with them and offer them some
relief from the fear and the boredom and the unknown.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Courtesy: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Good evening and welcome to an In Focus concert
presented by LACO At Home. In these extraordinary times,
these broadcasts are, what give our musicians and hopefully
you, a lot of comfort and I do hope that you enjoy this
evening's presentation of In Focus from our homes to yours.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((YouTube Logo))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Offering performances online has its own set of challenges.
It's different than performing live. I do miss the audience
reaction and interaction of a live performance but there is
also something very intimate about being in your home
studio and making music for strangers. It could be a 100, it
could be a 1000.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
This is where I sit and do most of my teaching now, which is
odd to say, but with Skype lessons being the only possibility
for me to be able to help my students, this is where I have to
do it, is sitting at a computer.
((NATS: Margaret Batjer and Students))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Is everybody doing okay?
((Student))
Yeah.
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Yeah? It's old. It's getting old, isn't it, this isolation?
((Student))
Oh, yeah.
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
It's getting a little depressing.
((Student))
I had a really great chamber group this year, but we're not
able to meet anymore. And like end of the year recitals and
things like that being cancelled, so, it's very unexpected.
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
It's very tough and my heart breaks for all of you, but we
have to do the best we can under these really difficult
circumstances.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
One of the hardest things for me to get used to during this
quarantine is sitting here at this desk with the computer. It's
so counter-intuitive to being an artist and a musician.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Albert.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
This is one of the challenges.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Albert.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Music is such a hands-on kind of experience for the student
and the teacher and it's difficult when the sound is coming
through an electronic computer or iPad, it's not a realistic
sound, but the students are hungry and they're feeling
isolated. So, their hour or two hours a week with me,
hopefully keeps them challenged and keeps them inspired to
continue to grow as young musicians.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Bravo. Very, very fine.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
I can only think about what it's going to be like the first time I
get to walk back on the stage in our new normal and be able
to make music again.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Courtesy: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
What's going to be when all of this ends? Will there still be
the orchestras? Can I financially survive? Will our economy
be at a place where all of us can still do what we love to do,
which is make music? Will people come to our concerts?
Will they be too afraid to go into a hall where you have to sit
shoulder to shoulder? Those are all big questions and I
think it's been tough for everybody, not just me.
((MUSIC))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
BREAK THREE
((ANIMATION EXPLAINER -- W/ GFX, CAPTIONS,
PHOTOS))
US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2020
WHO ARE YOUTH VOTERS?
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
SHOW ENDS
EPISODE # 138
AIR DATE 09 04 2020
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/SOT/NAT))
((Open Animation))
((Banner))
The New Labor: Adapting
((SOT))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
Since the pandemic, I haven't seen any clients.
((Jean, Client))
And should I go to the front all the way?
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
All the way to the front.
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
My business will survive this. Who knows how long this
pandemic is going to go on.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
The New Labor: Displaced
((SOT))
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed Single Mother))
The food bank has been literally a great help during this
time. And at the end of the day, my kids, they're fed, they're
healthy and it didn't cost you anything.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
The New Labor: Going Online
((SOT))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
It's the audience reaction and interaction of a live
performance but there is also something very intimate about
being in your home studio.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) COVID / REMOTE HAIR SALON
((TRT: 07:29))
((Banner: A Business Adapts))
((Reporter/Camera: Gabrielle Weiss))
((Map: Garrett Park, Maryland))
((Main character: 1 female))
((Sub characters: 1 female; 1 male))
((MUSIC/NATS))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
So, I'm Maggie Sprague. My salon is Salon Bond and I've
been in business since 2006. Before the pandemic, I had a
booming business. I work in my home and I started work at
6:30 in the morning and worked until about 2:30 when I
would pick my kids up from school.
((Photos Courtesy: Maggie Sprague))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
I have a really, really nice base of ladies that come in here
and I don't know that it'll be the same again ever, because
when they come in, normally I have a few people in at once
and there is sort of this groove in the room and the
conversations start and you sort of feel like you're with your
girlfriends having cocktails, only there’s no cocktails involved
and I miss the salon terribly. I miss my clients. I love the
people that I work with.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her son))
((Maggie Sprague))
You have to read it, sweetie.
((Maggie’s Son))
I’m reading in my mind.
((Maggie Sprague))
No, you’ve got to read it out loud.
((Maggie’s Son))
No, I don’t have to.
((NATS))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
Since the pandemic, I haven't seen any clients. I spend
most of my days cooking and cleaning and folding laundry
and cleaning again and making beds and cleaning again and
yelling at my children which I've been doing a lot of. I have
three little kids. I'm trying to school them, which is not easy.
I think I’ve about given up on schooling the three-year-old.
I feel like my life has been completely taken over by my
children and they're too young to appreciate it. So, I feel
completely underappreciated like I am just the hired help
here to serve. And, you know, some days that's okay and
some days it's not.
((NATS))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
So, the last morning that I saw clients, I thought, you know,
I'm going to have to come up with some idea for my clients
to be able to touch their hair up. People are still working.
They're still doing Zoom. You're still being seen and no
woman wants to look in a video camera or a computer at
herself and see roots and feel horrible.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her client, Jean))
((Courtesy: Recorded on Zoom))
((Jean))
Hi, Maggie.
((Maggie Sprague))
Hi. Is your hair nice and wet?
((Jean)
It's wet.
((Maggie Sprague))
Okay. So maybe you could hold your kit up so I can show
you what you’re going to mix. You have gloves, you have a
brush and you have two containers. One of the, yeah, that's
it.
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
So, I came up with this idea to do custom color kits at a
reduced cost and simple instructions where I could
FaceTime my clients or Zoom with them at home and walk
them through it. So, it was a lot less scary than if you were
to go buy a box from the grocery store, not knowing what
you're putting on your head and then guessing how you put it
on. So, when I video chat with my clients, the first thing I do
is tell them how to mix the color, right, because there's two
separate things, there's the color and the developer.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her client, Jean))
((Courtesy: Recorded on Zoom))
((Jean))
Okay. So, I’ve got developer.
((Maggie Sprague))
Yeah.
((Jean))
And then color and you wrote the directions.
((Maggie Sprague))
Once you get that stirred, you can start at the back of your
head. So, you want to start sort of at the nape of your neck
painting your hairline completely.
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
I don't prefer it. I prefer to have contact with people and the
normal line of communication. But, you know, it's not
terrible. At least I get to see people. Their personalities still
come through on Zoom. And, you know, every day, I have
at least a few FaceTimes or Zoom calls with different clients
and they're so funny. It's my adult interaction for the day.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her client, Jean))
((Courtesy: Recorded on Zoom))
((Jean))
Where are all your people? Where are all your little muffins?
((Maggie Sprague))
The boys are outside and Gigi is in her room and my
husband’s been on work calls all day. Sometimes I think he
adds extra work calls so he doesn't have to come upstairs.
((Jean))
Absolutely he does. Absolutely. Don't think it, know it, he
does. He's probably playing. He’s like playing Candy Crush,
looking at Facebook and then you come in, he's like, ‘Oh
Maggie, I’m very busy.’
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
My business will survive this. One of the reasons is that I
don't have rent to pay because I manage my salon out of my
home. I do have a mortgage and my income is relevant.
We are a dual income family, but we'll survive this. The kits,
because I have such a large client base to begin with, I have
more of an audience of people to sell my kits to.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her client, Jean))
((Courtesy: Recorded on Zoom))
((Jean))
And should I go to the front all the way?
((Maggie Sprague))
Oh yeah, all the way to the front. And that's the part that's
really important, so make sure you really get it on.
((Jean))
My kids don't even recognize me. They have no idea who I
am. They're like, ‘Who are you, lady with black hair at the
roots?’ I’m like, ‘It’s your mom’.
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
Maybe, there is a future in this and who knows how long this
pandemic is going to go on? There's no vaccine and even
when there is, when there's an outbreak of the pandemic,
older people are not going to want to come in and take their
health at risk to get their hair colored but yet they still want to
look good.
((NATS))
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
I am eager to get back to my normal way of working.
However, I see this as a new way of doing things. I would
love to be able to provide kits for people after the pandemic
and not just my clients. I would be happy to provide them for
anybody. It may turn into another type of business for me,
something that I do on the side that helps people when they
can’t get into the salon.
((NATS: Maggie Sprague and her client, Jean))
((Courtesy: Recorded on Zoom))
((Maggie Sprague))
So, Jean, I mean, this was like amazing. I'm so psyched that
you are so happy with your hair. And I hope, you know,
we're able to get back in the salon again soon but, you know,
for now, this will do the trick.
((Jean))
Oh, my God yeah. Maggie, you, for real, are a super
lifesaver. And this did make you so happy because I'm not
even joking. It's awful if you're locked up and your hair looks
awful. And you made it super easy and it was super fun and
then everyone was like, ‘Oh Jean, your hair looks really
good.’ I’m like, ‘Call Maggie. It’s Maggie, the miracle
muffin.’
((Maggie Sprague))
I love it.
((Maggie Sprague, Owner, Salon Bond))
And that's one thing I realized through this and I knew it
before but it's very apparent now. Women care about what
they look like no matter if they're 15 or 90. Everybody cares
about their appearance. Everybody wants to look good. No
one wants to look bad.
TEASE ((VO/SOT/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Making it Through
((SOT))
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
Bills can always get paid later on but you can't replace your
health. Am I struggling? Yes, but I'm not dying.
BREAK ONE
((ANIMATION EXPLAINER -- W/ GFX, CAPTIONS,
PHOTOS))
US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2020
NOMINATION CONVENTION
Presidential nominating conventions do not date all the way
back to the early days of the United States. Back then,
political parties held caucuses where small groups of party
leaders chose the candidates. It wasn’t until the 12th
presidential election in 1832 that parties held conventions to
select their candidates. There were occasional surprises
over the candidates selected at conventions. Some
conventions took a long time to name a nominee. In 1924,
the Democrats spent 16 days to take 109 votes to nominate
John Davis, who wound up losing the election to Republican
Calvin Coolidge. Modern conventions move quicker than
that. Most of the delegates are awarded to candidates
through state caucuses or primaries and the nominee is
known before the convention begins. Conventions still
deliver an occasional surprise. Nominees often name their
pick for Vice President at a convention. Because they are
televised, they attract the attention of voters trying to decide
how to vote in November. The COVID pandemic has forced
both parties to change plans for 2020 relying more on virtual
settings without large crowds of faithful party in attendance.
Who can vote in the US Presidential Election?
To vote in the US presidential election, a potential voter must
be:
a U.S. citizen,
18 years old on or before Election Day,
And meet residency requirements, which vary from state to
state.
Potential voters must also be registered to vote by their
state’s voter registration deadline.
Non-citizens, even if they are permanent residents, can not
vote in US presidential elections. Some states also restrict
voting for those with felony convictions or people who are
mentally incapacitated.
For the general presidential election, US citizens who reside
in US territories also cannot vote.
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) UNEMPLOYED SINGLE MOTHER
((TRT: 08:39))
((Banner: Getting by with Some Help))
((Reporter/Camera: Arturo Martinez))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((Main character: 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
My name is Sonia. I was working as a caregiver and I had to
stop working because of the coronavirus. Now, I find myself
being unemployed and having to care for my three children
as a single parent. The senior that I was taking care of is the
sweetest person on earth and I love her and she loves me.
Am I going to go back to her? I don't know. In these times
right now, people are scavenging to pay their bills. The last
thing they need is another bill like mine.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
Do you want water? Hold on. Here you go.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
I'm the head of this house. I am the only income that comes
in. But I've been paying with my savings. How long am I
going to last like this? I don't know. I did receive the
[federal] stimulus check and that helped. That’s one
breather. That money is already set to pay my mortgage for
this coming month. But one month at a time, that's all I can
do.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
Okay, time for homework.
We have literally been locked up in here, like, locked up.
((Computer))
Let's look at the relationship between a fringing reef and a
coral reef again.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
So, they're getting their WiFi from the school. I'm trying to
cut back as much as I can from bills so that I can pay the
most important ones: mortgage. We open up the windows to
get fresh air. I always go throughout the house making sure
that the ceiling fans are off if we don't need them. And I try
to disconnect any unused plug that is just sucking electricity
for no apparent reason.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
So, my notice of unemployment insurance award and all I
see is zero. So, what does that mean? I have no idea.
Weekly benefit amount: zero. High quarter earnings: zero.
I've given up calling for every day between the hours of 8
through 11 and just calling and calling and calling and
calling.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
Five - six - one - six….
((Voicemail))
We have established a new Unemployment Insurance
Online Assistance Center. We are currently receiving more
calls than we have the capacity to answer. At the end of the
message, the phone will hang up.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
We definitely need more help from the outside because
inside, there's only so much you can do.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
The food bank has been literally a great help during this
time. And at the end of the day, my kids, they're fed, they're
healthy and it didn't cost you anything.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
We're almost there.
((Lady))
Yes. At what time did you get in line?
((Sonia Benítez))
At 8:30. How about you?
((Lady))
It was like 8:20, 8:15.
((Sonia Benítez))
Yes. Do you come here often?
((Lady))
It's my first time.
((Sonia Benítez))
First time?
((Lady))
Yes. How about you?
((Sonia Benítez))
I've been here before. Go for it. Good luck.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
So, I've been waiting here since, what, two hours-and-a-half
so far. It helps everybody right now. I see Hispanics. I see
Asians. I see Caucasians. I see everything. People in good
cars, people in not so good cars. We all have the same
need. We're all in the same boat right now. Financially we
are at our limit.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
There we go.
((Volunteer))
All the way up.
((Sonia Benítez))
Thank you.
((Sonia Benítez))
It looks like this time we're going to get meat patties, lemons,
saltines, beans.
((Volunteer))
Hi, any donations today? We all stick together so this way
we all have somewhere to go when we need. So, thank you
so very much.
((Sonia Benítez))
Thank you.
((Volunteer))
Is this a blessing?
((Sonia Benítez))
Yes, it is.
((Volunteer))
Praise the Lord.
((Sonia Benítez))
I don't know if you remember my mom. She used to come
here all the time.
((Volunteer))
Really?
((Sonia Benítez))
Yes, the white hair.
((Volunteer))
I get a lot of white hair ladies.
((Sonia Benítez))
I know.
((Volunteer))
Ok, God bless you.
((Sonia Benítez))
Thank you.
((Sonia Benítez))
Do I feel embarrassed? No. Thankful. I see all those
people there and they are just, they really are pouring their
hearts out assisting everyone.
((Volunteer))
Hallelujah.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
Alright. They give us enough, to tell you the truth, that when
I come here, I get a couple of ingredients and then I share
the other half. It feeds several homes.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
Some beans. So, I'm going to give this bag to my neighbor.
If she has enough beans, then hopefully she'll pass it down
to her friend who's also a single mom of two girls. And this is
what I'll give her. Hopefully, she'll take two and then give out
two. Oh, there's apples and oranges. Plenty for at least two
houses, if not three. Some chocolate, asparagus and baby
tomatoes. I wouldn't buy cherry tomatoes personally
because it's out of budget. It's out of my budget. Lemons.
More onions. So, all of this will get distributed to assist 12
people in three households.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez))
Here you go. There's more coming, ok? Here you go. They
gave a lot today.
((Neighbor))
I'll give you some money.
((Sonia Benítez))
No, it’s all good.
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
The only person that goes out is me and as soon as I come
back in, the first thing I do is wash my hands. Health, it
literally is priority. I would not push for the economy to open.
No. Why would you expose yourself or somebody you
would love unless there's some sort of treatment that
guarantees that my life will not be at stake. No. I don't want
to push it. Bills can always get paid later on but you can't
replace your health. Am I struggling? Yes, but I'm not dying.
That's the worst. I mean, I'd rather lose the house. I'd rather
stand in line and food bank and everything else but I'll still be
alive with all my kids. Out there is just a lot of heartbreaks
and it makes me value what I have here at the house even
more.
((NATS))
((Sonia Benítez, Unemployed single mother))
I lost my mom not too long ago. And while she was in the
hospital, I was there every day, every single day. And it's
sad to see what all these families are going through, you
know, not able to tell their families goodbye. I would just, I
would just die if my mother would have passed away and,
and not been able to hold her hand and be there with her.
Some of these families are just going at it by themselves.
You drop them off at the hospital and that is it. You don't get
to say goodbye. A video chat, what is that? That is so cold,
so impersonal. It really is almost inhumane. But that's the,
that's where they're living and you don't want to be part of
that. As long as anybody around you doesn't have any
contact with this disease at this point, I mean, with this virus
at this point, it's a blessing. It is. You just, you don't want to
know anybody that goes through this because it is painful.
((NATS))
((Banner: California has since lifted some of its lockdown
restrictions, but Sonia remains without a job. She stopped
trying to get unemployment benefits as she thinks she
doesn’t qualify.))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
The Band Plays On
((SOT))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
I am home, trying to offer performances online and also
learning to teach violin lessons online.
((NATS/MUSIC))
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) ISOLATED VIOLINIST
((TRT: 05:53))
((April, 2020))
((Banner: Taking it Online))
((Reporter: Arturo Martinez))
((Camera: Margaret Batjer, Arturo Martinez))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((Main character: 1 female))
((NATS))
((Banner: Most of the images in this video were filmed by
the performer herself.))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Hi, my name is Margaret Batjer. I’m Concert Master of the
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
I've been home due to the COVID-19 virus. Normally, I am
in downtown Los Angeles almost all week and most
weekends,
((Courtesy: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra))
rehearsing for concerts, playing concerts and teaching.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
But I am home these weeks,
((Courtesy: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra))
trying to offer performances online and also learning to teach
violin lessons online.
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
I'm going to be recording some solo Bach tonight and it's a
family affair because of the quarantine. No one could come
to professionally record any of myself or any of my
colleagues and my daughter here is helping. She's going to
be doing the video and my husband will record the audio.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
This week, I'm working to record
((Courtesy: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra))
a program for In Focus, which is our chamber music series.
Our LACO audiences, who reached out to me in many
different ways, are all very sad to not be going to our
concerts. And so, like many other artistic organizations,
we're trying to keep in touch with them and offer them some
relief from the fear and the boredom and the unknown.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Courtesy: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Good evening and welcome to an In Focus concert
presented by LACO At Home. In these extraordinary times,
these broadcasts are, what give our musicians and hopefully
you, a lot of comfort and I do hope that you enjoy this
evening's presentation of In Focus from our homes to yours.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((YouTube Logo))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Offering performances online has its own set of challenges.
It's different than performing live. I do miss the audience
reaction and interaction of a live performance but there is
also something very intimate about being in your home
studio and making music for strangers. It could be a 100, it
could be a 1000.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
This is where I sit and do most of my teaching now, which is
odd to say, but with Skype lessons being the only possibility
for me to be able to help my students, this is where I have to
do it, is sitting at a computer.
((NATS: Margaret Batjer and Students))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Is everybody doing okay?
((Student))
Yeah.
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Yeah? It's old. It's getting old, isn't it, this isolation?
((Student))
Oh, yeah.
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
It's getting a little depressing.
((Student))
I had a really great chamber group this year, but we're not
able to meet anymore. And like end of the year recitals and
things like that being cancelled, so, it's very unexpected.
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
It's very tough and my heart breaks for all of you, but we
have to do the best we can under these really difficult
circumstances.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
One of the hardest things for me to get used to during this
quarantine is sitting here at this desk with the computer. It's
so counter-intuitive to being an artist and a musician.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Albert.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
This is one of the challenges.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Albert.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Music is such a hands-on kind of experience for the student
and the teacher and it's difficult when the sound is coming
through an electronic computer or iPad, it's not a realistic
sound, but the students are hungry and they're feeling
isolated. So, their hour or two hours a week with me,
hopefully keeps them challenged and keeps them inspired to
continue to grow as young musicians.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
Bravo. Very, very fine.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
I can only think about what it's going to be like the first time I
get to walk back on the stage in our new normal and be able
to make music again.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Courtesy: Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra))
((Margaret Batjer, Concert Master, Los Angeles Chamber
Orchestra))
What's going to be when all of this ends? Will there still be
the orchestras? Can I financially survive? Will our economy
be at a place where all of us can still do what we love to do,
which is make music? Will people come to our concerts?
Will they be too afraid to go into a hall where you have to sit
shoulder to shoulder? Those are all big questions and I
think it's been tough for everybody, not just me.
((MUSIC))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
BREAK THREE
((ANIMATION EXPLAINER -- W/ GFX, CAPTIONS,
PHOTOS))
US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2020
WHO ARE YOUTH VOTERS?
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
SHOW ENDS