Second Stimulus Checks Could Be Sent As Early As August

Hopefully they come to an agreement and pass another stimulus bill by August 7th. That's the current expectation anyways. Would consider that good news. At least we will know soon enough as Congress is in recess now but will be back between July 20th and August 7th. If they fail to pass anything in that 15 day window, they won't be back until Sept 7th. With cases on the rise and states slowing down or stopping re-opening procedures it seems they should be more motivated to pass something now, then they were say 4-6 weeks ago.

Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texans in most counties to wear masks in public

Certainly makes sense. The CDC didn't do themselves any favors lying to the American public for the first few weeks of the outbreak though, so I can at least understand the confusion and mistrust some have with the CDC on this.

That said, the messaging has been on point and logically obvious for months now, like you said. For a while it wasn't easy for everyone to buy masks online and it took a while for everyone to understand how easy it is to make a face covering at home.

But at this point there is little excuse to not have one and wear it when you can't socially distance responsibly. Its the only tool we have against the spread, so its a solid compromise to 100% quarantine lock down measures.

PentagonWall Wrote:

Where do you stand on the mask issue? Do you think wearing one should be enforced for the public like some states/counties are now doing?

I think it makes sense to where face masks everywhere where you can't reasonable social distance. That would be inside gas stations, grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants and fast food places, and certain parts of workplaces if your office or business is trying to go back to normal. I think that covers a majority of essential places most people are going right now.

I will admit to feeling confused and changing my mind a few times on wearing a mask in certain situations, mostly because of the initial double speak from health officials. And then, being in Texas, the relative low numbers in cases compared to other hot spots, (at least until recently). And the fact I don't get out and about that much anyways. So I went back and forth in my head a few times if I needed to not go into XYZ gas station because I forgot my mask at home. That sort of thing.

I do think enforcement is super tricky nationwide. I don't support fining people for not wearing masks, and I also think its a near impossible task to police people not wearing face masks in all 'necessary' situations, especially when health officials and people in general can't decide 100% on when they should and should not be used.

One example and question I have - why do children under 10 not have to wear them in certain states? Is there a medical logic to this or is this just accepting that young children won't comply? That's just one example among many of discrepancies states and cities seemingly arbitrarily set.

I think it makes all the sense in the world for businesses to require workers and customers to all wear masks inside their establishment until social distancing is possible, and to try and enforce this rule at the door. I do support that.

Lastly, it does appear the spread of COVID-19 is far less an issue outside during the day in general. So if and when I am exercising outside or just going for a walk, as long as I stay at least 6 feet away from others, I do not feel the need to ever wear a mask when outside, or in my car by myself, or of course at home. Some are taking mask wearing to a degree beyond logic.

Yeah I'm expecting another round for sure. But I am not so sure it will be checks like last time, with no strings attached. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it came in the form of incentives for going back to work. Or a check with stipulations, like you have to spend it on job training or something like that. I just have seen those kinds of proposals from Republicans the last few months floating around.

Of course it could just be another round of checks, just like last time. How much and who qualifies will be interesting to follow.. can't imagine it will be more than last time but maybe the Republicans will surprise. Who knows.

I fear expanded unemployment ending July 31st and am worried that won't get extended at all with this next round of stimulus from Congress (which could very well be the final stimulus we see from them in response to Covid-19 this year). As nice as another one time $1200 check would be for many of us, it's not nearly the help that many have gotten (or are still struggling to try to get) with $600/wk + state benefits from unemployment.

Any help helps though. Let's hope progress is made, and made soon.

The CDC recommends everyone wear a mask when in public, but there is no nationwide mandate. So states, cities and local govts are tasked with using their own discretion on mask wearing requirements. And keep in mind mandates and suggestions are subject to change at a moment's notice anywhere in the country, as more data comes out about COVID-19.

Two good resources for seeing if your state requires a face mask when in public are:

Are face masks required where you live? Here are the rules for all 50 states

What U.S. States Require Masks In Public?

The second link shows a map of the US, so it's a little easier to look at. But the first link goes more in depth with cities per state. As of this posting, there are 15 states (and DC) that require face masks statewide when in public, to varying degrees. Then you have 8 states that require masks, but only for employees. Then the rest of the states, slightly more than half, don't require them at all but just suggest/strongly suggest them, but many of those suggestions are only for 'parts of the state'.

States also make distinctions for not having to wear them when exercising, or in some states children under 10 don't have to wear them in public (like Virginia). Honestly the variance is too much to list in this forum.

And if that weren't confusing enough, cities vary greatly on their level of requirement too. Major cities in Florida, Michigan, California and all across the US are requiring them city wide. But just as many or more are not.

So requirements vary by state. Then can get more strict by county. Then even more strict by city or town. Not to mention stricter still by business. Some businesses won't let you in at all without a mask.

Be sure and check with your local city and county websites on face mask requirements, and check regularly. If you just wear a mask when out in public at all times, you'd be sure to always be in compliance, especially when going into businesses or when you can't be a safe distance away from others outside.

Check your junk mail — 4 million Americans are getting their stimulus payments as prepaid debit cards, not checks

So how exactly do you go about requesting a paper check if you did throw it away by accident? Haven't researched that yet. Do you do it through the portal or do you have to call in? Or some other way?

Thanks @MichaelTheGamer.

I do agree with you that misinformation is dangerous and spreads far too quickly, especially when it comes to something like stimulus checks where someone was 'promised' money and now feels like they are getting jerked around about it.

I should point out that while I do agree with your overall message here, your math is not quite accurate. There are only ~330 million US citizens and at this point there has been ~152 million stimulus checks issued. And not everyone in the US qualified for a stimulus. Anyone being claimed as a dependent over 16 years old didn't qualify, and nor did those that made over $99K as an individual, or $198K as a couple.

So my point is, your message is right that we should avoid sharing misinformation and pointing fingers out of anger, and drawing conclusions with no proof of any kind. But as of now, we are definitely over the 50% mark of people getting their stimulus checks. So a technical majority has gotten paid already. Its unclear exactly what the number is, but it is over 50%.

Still millions are waiting, and even worse, its those in the worst situations, with the least amount of money and/or options. Those on Social Security, SSI, SSDI, other disability programs and those that don't otherwise make enough for the IRS to have their banking information on file, as they normally don't have to file. Not to mention the likely few million that fell through the cracks with glitches or computer errors, where there checks got lost in the mail, sent back because a number was entered incorrectly or any number of reasons or issues that had their checks delayed unnecessarily for weeks or months.

Those people do have a right to be upset. But I will say this to join in on your message here -- Trump or the IRS or any other faction or group of the govt in charge of getting you the stimulus is not delaying your payment out of spite or any other hateful reason. This is just what happens when you try to send money to 200+ million people in a way that has never been done on this scale or at this speed before. This just shows how unprepared the IRS was at tackling such a task, and hopefully they learn from this if and when a 2nd stimulus check is approved in the next month or two they will be much better prepared.