Cronin Law Firm -April/May 2020

April/May 2020 FACING THE PANDEMIC TOGETHER CRONIN CALLER THE

By now, everyone knows about the coronavirus or COVID-19, which was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. In less than two months from the date the first infection was reported in the United States, the virus has resulted in significant changes to our daily lives. Michigan schools have closed; colleges have either sent their students home or resorted to online teaching; all professional collegiate sporting events have been canceled; the summer Olympic games have been postponed indefinitely; and food and other staples are becoming difficult to find. The list goes on and on. Because of this rapidly spreading and dangerous virus, the executive office of the governor has issued the State of Michigan’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. Considering this time in our state, nation, and world is so unprecedented, we are all fearful of the unknown. We do not know what may come of this or how long it will last. We are concerned about our health and the health of our loved ones. We are concerned about our finances and job security. One thing you do not have to worry about, though, is being alone. We are all in this together. As tragic as this pandemic is, we are facing it head-on as a community — and we at The Cronin Law Firm care deeply about our community. Considering this is a constantly evolving situation, we have dedicated this issue of our newsletter to assist you in making appropriate decisions about your personal and business health

as well as to offer legal-risk mitigation in these trying times. Our country has weathered many toilsome and trying seasons in its history, whether in times of war, social unrest, economic upset, or public health crises, and together, we will get through this critical time. We are constantly monitoring the situation, reviewing the changing legal landscape, and offering sound guidance on what steps you can take and what legal safeguards you should have in place. Please feel free to contact our team should you have any questions about your legal rights and obligations or if we can assist you in any way during these trying times. This is a tumultuous time in our history, but we will persevere. Although no one is sure how long this pandemic will last, we know with certainty, this too shall pass. In these tough and trying times, we will ensure you and your loved ones are taken care of. We are here for you, no matter the reason and no matter the season. You can be confident our firm remains steadfast at helping you and providing you the peace of mind you need, at any time and especially now. Stay home, stay safe, and feel secure knowing we are here for you! On behalf of all of us at The Cronin Law Firm, I wish you the very best, always.

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MEET CYCLING LEGEND LAEL WILCOX The Woman Who Raced 4,200 Miles in 18 Days and Won

FINDING MOTIVATION ON THOSE TOUGH DAYS Top Mental Strategies for Your Fitness Routine Since most of us are stuck at home these days, now is a time that it is especially crucial to take care of yourself physically and mentally. Whether your workout routine is embedded in your schedule or you’re still trying to make it happen, always remember that your mind is just as important as your body. On some days, you may feel like anything is possible, and on others, it may feel impossible to even get out of bed. Don’t worry, that’s totally normal! There’s no reason to feel ashamed if you’re struggling with gaining steam and motivation for your workout — especially now! Here are some mental strategies to help you get started with caring for yourself physically during this unprecedented time of forced shut-ins. STARTING YOUR WORKOUT What’s the hardest part of working out? For most people, it’s not the heavy weights or the long cardio sessions — it’s actually beginning. Sometimes, people will wake up and think that the gym or an at-home workout isn’t possible that day as they lay in bed. Some people will psych themselves out of working out because their time is limited, or they worry about how tired they’ll be after the workout (especially after or before a busy day). Instead of thinking of reasons you can’t or don’t want to work out, focus your mind only on the task of starting. Stepping into your workout space will often give you the mental push to actually work out. It’s also best to leave the all-or-nothing mindset behind — a 45- or 55-minute workout isn’t required every single session. Life happens, and even if it’s a short exercise or just a casual walk outside, your workout will actually energize you for the rest of your day. PUSHING YOURSELF TO THE LIMIT Studies have found that the most successful people share grit: the ability to work hard and endure even the most difficult times. Workouts will burn, and the motions may feel uncomfortable or even painful, so it’s crucial to have the grit to push yourself to the limit. Rather than give up, you should embrace the pain and see it as a sign you’re growing stronger. Adjust your inner vocabulary. Anything that seems “uncomfortable” should be reconsidered as “intense” but something you can work through. Of course, be careful of injury pains!

Picture the distance between Oregon and Virginia on a U.S. map. Now, picture crossing that distance on a bicycle. Odds are you either can’t imagine it or you conjured up a monthslong slog, but in 2016, ultra- endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox crossed that distance in just 18 days and 10 minutes — the second-fastest time in the history of the Trans Am Bike Race. As hard as it is to believe, the 4,200 mile stretch from Astoria, Oregon, to Yorktown, Virginia, is actually a racecourse. Every June, roughly 50–100 cyclists undertake the journey, pedaling through a total of 10 states. It’s an insane obstacle course of cars, mountains, and weather events that riders go through alone, without required checkpoints or designated rest periods. When Wilcox won the Trans Am in 2016, she became the first woman and the first American ever to do so. According to NPR, the victory came down to a combination of endurance and luck. In the final days of the race, she was in second place behind Steffan Streich when exhaustion sent him pedaling out of Bumpass, Virginia, in the wrong direction. When the two met on the road at 3 a.m., a panicked Streich turned around and sprinted neck and neck with Wilcox toward the finish. After a few miles, she pulled ahead and won. In response to those who said a woman could never win the Trans Am, Wilcox told NPR, “If you beat ‘em, you beat ‘em. That’s what happens. And then everybody has to change the way they think.” Perhaps the most impressive thing about Wilcox, even more than her 2016 win, is that she didn’t start cycling until she was 20 years old, when her boyfriend at the time gave her a bike. Since then, she’s competed all over the world, logging a total of 100,000 miles in 35 countries. When she’s isn’t racing, Wilcox encourages teenage girls to try cycling with scholarships and group events. In November 2019, she even starred in “I Just Want to Ride,” a 38-minute film following her quest to win the 2019 Tour Divide Race. To learn more about the film and what makes Wilcox tick, visit LaelWilcox.com.

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THERE’S STILL TIME TO PLAN In our estate planning workshop “The 7 Threats to Your Estate,” two of the threats we discuss are “your health fails” and “failing to plan when you can.” Our community is facing an alarming situation; however, there is still time to plan. Two documents that can alleviate much of the stress and concern people are having about their everyday lives are durable powers of attorney for health care and finances. If your health fails, who will make medical decisions on your behalf? Who will have the power to keep your financial house in order, and take care of your financial needs and the needs of your loved ones? If you do not have these two powers of attorney for health care and finances, there is still time to act and get prepared. The time to act is now, while you can and before your health fails. We are here for you and can help. In consideration of social distancing, we are able to conduct meetings over the phone or through video conferencing. Information can be exchanged via email and only one in-person meeting is required to finalize the documents with signatures and notarizing. • •

Discrimination/harassment and equal employment opportunity issues

Cancellation clauses in contracts

Immigration issues

THINGS TO DO DURING A QUARANTINE Stuck at home and wondering how to pass the time? Take care of some of those home projects you’ve been ignoring. Maybe you haven’t had much time for hobbies lately, so spend some time painting or completing a jigsaw puzzle. Looking for some good reads? Here are some New York Times bestsellers you should consider.

“The Mamba Mentality: How I Play” by Kobe Bryant

• “Unknown Valor: A Story of Family, Courage, and Sacrifice From Pearl Harbor to Iwo Jima” by Martha MacCallum

“Long Range” by C.J. Box

LEGAL ASPECTS OF COVID-19 Other than some recent state legislation regarding public gatherings, there is no specific law on the books specifically about the coronavirus. However, there are several employment laws and other legal ramifications of this disease that need to be considered by both employers and employees, including:

“The Numbers Game” by Danielle Steel

“The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman

• “Pearls of Wisdom: Little Pieces of Advice (That Go a Long Way)” by Barbara Bush • “Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong With the Fit52 Life” by Carrie Underwood

• • • • • •

Sick leave

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

WARN Act and plant closures

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Workers’ compensation and disability benefits The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Premises liability laws

Whistleblower protection laws

• “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari

Labor laws and agreements

• “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption” by Bryan Stevenson

Health and business insurance coverage

“The Hunting Party” by Lucy Foley

PUZZLE TIME

SPRINGTIME CACIO E PEPE

INGREDIENTS •

• •

1 tsp lemon zest

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

6 oz multigrain spaghetti

8 oz fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces

• •

1/2 tsp black pepper 1 cup baby arugula

1 tbsp olive oil

DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a large pot, cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of water before draining and put spaghetti in a covered pot to keep warm. 3. Line a 15x10-inch baking pan with foil and toss in asparagus and olive oil. 4. Cook asparagus for 5–7 minutes and sprinkle with lemon zest. 5. Add 3/4 cup of the reserved water, Parmesan cheese, and pepper to the spaghetti. Stir until creamy. 6. Toss in asparagus and arugula before serving.

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Inspired by Eating Well

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21 East Long Lake Rd., Suite 250 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 248-258-3500 www.callcroninlaw.com

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INSIDE Facing the Pandemic Together

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Top Mental Strategies for Your Fitness Routine Meet the Woman Who Biked 4,200 Miles in 18 Days There’s Still Time To Plan Springtime Cacio e Pepe

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Be Smart and Be Safe

BE SMART AND BE SAFE

It is imperative you keep yourself and others healthy. Here are some tips issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that you should follow:

• Be mindful of physical contact with others; give a smile or wave where you might normally offer a hug or handshake.

• If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a sleeve or tissue, then wash your hands immediately after.

• If you aren’t feeling well, see your doctor and stay home.

• Wash your hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with others, especially those who are sick.

• Refrain from shaking hands with others for the time being.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

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