Summer is here: More work opportunities  

It is already summer here in the US.

Well not officially, but Memorial Day is often called the start date of summer. This holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, is a federal holiday that commemorates and honors the sacrifices of the brave men and women of the US military who died while in service.

This year, it was held last Monday, May 30, and with the beautiful weather that we had that weekend, people had more reasons to celebrate the holiday with their friends and families.

As I mentioned, summer is already here. Looks like it, feels like it, and sounds like it. This is a welcome relief from all the dreariness, gloom, and freezing temperatures during winter. The nice weather is a good time to eat out, travel, or if you prefer to stay home you could do some gardening, yard work, or house repairs.

Summer is also a very good opportunity for immigrants to earn very good money. This is the time that resorts and hotels need seasonal workers, farms are looking for field workers, building and housing contractors need construction workers, landscapers, and skilled workers.

With the shortage of workers presently experienced by almost every industry in the US, there is always going to be a job available. If you plan to take advantage of this opportunity, make sure that you are authorized to work and are in valid immigration status.

Speaking of worker shortage, I hope the Biden administration will come up with more concrete and speedy solutions to this national crisis. Among the hardest-hit industries, healthcare is the one suffering the most. Hospitals are slowing down their operations, closing some of their units or even shutting down all their services together.

Previously, the shortage was more predominant in nursing and allied professions, but now we are also needing more doctors in all specialties. There is even a lack of food servers, ambulance drivers, laboratory workers, and even non-paid volunteers!

* * *

You must have heard the news about a Texas elementary school where 19 schoolchildren and two teachers were killed by an 18-year-old gunman. This latest incident is only one of the many mass shootings the US in recent years. Everyone feels vulnerable and no space is safe anymore. Schools, churches, theaters, open air concerts, supermarkets and hospitals have all been sites of these mass killings.

This is a complex issue with probably more complex answers. There are competing interests at work often clouded by irrational arguments and overly emotional sentiments.

There is no clear solution to this crisis, only verbal wrangling and political posturing by both parties. This inaction is a sure guarantee that another shooting will occur somewhere sometime soon.