With the coronavirus pandemic causing financial hardships for many individuals and families, you may benefit from one of SDG&E’s assistance programs. You can apply online for these bill discount programs, which can save 30% or more off your utility bill. Many people who previously couldn’t take advantage of these income-based programs may now qualify due to lost wages – even if they’re receiving unemployment benefits. These programs include: 

1. California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): Provides a 30% or more discount on your electricity and gas bills. Qualification is based on participation in certain public assistance programs or household income as of today. Apply at sdge.com/CARE. 
2. Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA): If a customer doesn’t qualify for CARE, they may qualify for FERA, which provides income-qualified households of three or more with a reduced electric rate (18% discount) on their monthly bill. Learn more at sdge.com/FERA. 
3. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): A federally funded program that provides up to $1,000 to help low-income households with their energy bills. Find details on sdge.com/LIHEAP.  

 
If you’re having a hard time paying your utility bill, call SDG&E’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-411-7343 to learn about flexible payment arrangements or other options available to you. Visit sdge.com/coronavirus for updates on the coronavirus pandemic and how SDG&E is helping, and learn more about SDG&E’s assistance programs at sdge.com/assistance. 

From LifeNews.com

A new Gallup poll shows more pro-life Americans refuse to vote for pro-abortion candidates and pro-life Americans are also more likely than pro-abortion Americans to say a candidate’s position on abortion is crucial to their vote.

That enthusiasm gap will be a problem for pro-abortion presidential candidate Joe Biden as he takes on President Donald Trump, who enjoys the support of pro-life groups after building a lengthy pro-life record in the White House.

According to Gallup, “24% of U.S. adults who say they will vote only for a candidate who shares their views on the issue is, along with last year, significantly higher than most other years in the trend.”

In fact that 25% figure is the second highest figure since Gallup began asking the question in 1996, making it clear abortion has become a non-negotiable issue for one quarter of all American voters.

But abortion is more pertinent for pro-life voters and Gallup finds pro-life Americans increasingly refuse to vote for candidates who support killing babies in abortion:

The latest findings, from Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs poll conducted May 1-13, show the continuation of a trend seen since 2001 whereby Americans who consider themselves to be pro-life are more likely than those who identify as pro-choice to say abortion is a threshold issue.

While these groups have placed varying degrees of importance on the abortion issue in the past, the gap in their views has widened. Currently, 30% of those in the pro-life camp and 19% in the pro-choice camp say they are single-issue voters when it comes to abortion.

Those who consider themselves pro-life are significantly more likely than their pro-choice counterparts to say they will vote only for a candidate who shares their views on abortion.

​Catholic League president Bill Donohue tells LifeNews.com that the poll does not bode well for Joe Biden.

“Trump is pro-life and Biden is pro-abortion,” he said. “The key issue, of course, is whether abortion is the taking of an innocent human life or not. Gallup reported last year that 96% of 5,500 biologists surveyed said that life begins at fertilization. This is Trump’s position as well. Biden says it is his too, but he adamantly refuses to endorse it as a matter of public policy.”

“I’m prepared to accept at the moment of conception there’s human life and being,” Biden said in 2015, “but I’m not prepared to say that to other God-fearing, non-God-fearing people that have a different view.”

Donohue said: “It is preposterous to say that the issue of when life begins can be dissolved to a mere “view.” Science does not take a “view” on this subject: it declares, on the basis of empirical evidence, that life begins at conception. Similarly, science offers proof—it is not a “view”—that the earth is round.”

“On the subject of abortion, Biden is on the wrong side of the public (including Independents), the wrong side of science, the wrong side of history, and the wrong side of morality,” he concluded.

​

Right now, due to COVID-19, many San Diegans are having a difficult time. SDG&E offers programs that can help those in need of assistance. Whether you rent or own, you could be eligible to receive no-cost energy-efficient home improvements that can make your home more comfortable and save you money now and for years to come.
Just reach out to SDG&E’s authorized contractor, Synergy, at 888-272-8394 or  Sandiego.office@synergycompanies.org. Synergy can enroll you in the program, contact-free, if you qualify. Once it’s safe, the contractor will come to your home and may provide at no-cost:

1. New, energy-efficient lighting
2. Repair or replacement of doors
3. Replacement of qualified appliances*
4. Insulation, weather stripping and caulking

* Existing appliances (refrigerators and washers) must meet age requirements to qualify for replacement. Co-pay may be required for landlords who own appliances and pay tenant utility bill.
​

​With the coronavirus pandemic causing financial hardships for many individuals and families, you may benefit from one of SDG&E’s assistance programs. You can apply online for these bill discount programs, which can save 30% or more off your utility bill. Many people who previously couldn’t take advantage of these income-based programs may now qualify due to lost wages – even if they’re receiving unemployment benefits. These programs include:

1. California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): Provides a 30% or more discount on your electricity and gas bills. Qualification is based on participation in certain public assistance programs or household income as of today. Apply at sdge.com/CARE.

2. Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA): If a customer doesn’t qualify for CARE, they may qualify for FERA, which provides income-qualified households of three or more with a reduced electric rate (18% discount) on their monthly bill. Learn more at sdge.com/FERA.

3. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): A federally-funded program that provides up to $1,000 to help low-income households with their energy bills. Find details on sdge.com/LIHEAP. 

If you’re struggling to pay your utility bill, call SDG&E’s  Customer Contact Center at 1-800-411-7343 to learn about flexible payment arrangements or other options available to you. Visit sdge.com/coronavirus for updates on the coronavirus pandemic and how SDG&E is helping, and learn more about SDG&E’s assistance programs at sdge.com/assistance.





​

By Micaiah Bilger - LifeNews.com

At least two possible coronavirus vaccines that are on a fast track for development use cell lines from aborted babies.

Despite a strong outcry from pro-life and Catholic leaders and despite ethical alternatives being available, a number of research teams still are using the cells from aborted babies in their work, Newsweek reports.

These include Janssen Research & Development USA, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, and the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, which could be the first to make a coronavirus vaccine available in the United States, according to the report.

Both research groups are on a Trump administration short-list for funding to develop a coronavirus vaccine by January 2021, the report states.

Other researchers also using cell lines from aborted babies include CanSino Biologics, Inc. and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology and the University of Pittsburgh, Science reports.

Some are using a cell line from a baby who was aborted sometime around 1972, while others are using one from a baby who was aborted in 1985, according to the report.

As the report explains:

Decades-old fetal cell lines are already used to make a number of common vaccines, including against chickenpox, shingles, Hepatitis A and Rubella. A cell line is the term used to describe a culture of animal cells, in this case taken from fetuses, that can be cultivated repeatedly in a lab. The relatively common technique sees viruses grown in the cells, as the bugs aren’t alive and need a host to replicate.

​According to Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who was not involved in the protests, this results in vaccines created using this method containing residual or “very, small, small, small quantities of trace DNA” from the original fetuses.

University of Pittsburgh researcher Andrea Gambotto said the cell lines from aborted babies are more useful than ethically-derived sources.

“Cultured [nonhuman] animal cells can produce the same proteins, but they would be decorated with different sugar molecules, which—in the case of vaccines—runs the risk of failing to evoke a robust and specific immune response,” Gambotto said.

But other scientists disagree. Earlier this year, the Charlotte Lozier Institute identified 60 potential treatments for the virus that are being investigated using materials that do not come from aborted babies.
Respected researchers Drs. James L. Sherley, MD, PhD and David A. Prentice, PhD recently reviewed the vaccines in development for the coronavirus and published a list identifying which are being made ethically and unethically. They found at least 10 companies that are not using cell lines from aborted babies in their vaccines.

Pro-life leaders also have highlighted how ethical alternatives to cell lines from aborted babies are available, including pluripotent stem cells and tissue from placentas, umbilical cords and amniotic fluid. In 2018, the Trump administration created a $20 million grant to invest in these ethical research alternatives.

Catholic and pro-life organizations have been advocating against research using aborted baby body parts for years. During the coronavirus crisis, they have renewed calls to scientists to abide by basic ethical standards in their efforts to save lives.
​
According to the Catholic News Agency, a Canadian Catholic archbishop recently took his pro-life advocacy a step further by donating thousands of dollars to an ethical vaccine research project at the University of British Columbia.

Earlier this spring, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sent a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure vaccines are being produced ethically.

“… we think it’s very important at this moment to let the voice not only of the Church but other concerned citizens to voice that we want to—we all want a vaccine, we realize that’s important for our public health, but we also want a vaccine that has no ethical problems in the way it’s developed,” said Archbishop Joseph Naumann, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, earlier this spring.

​SOURCE:  LifeNews.com









​

Temperatures are rising. Check out these energy efficient tips for keeping cool at home, as well as information for summer and wildfire safety. 

Energy tips

1. Block heat from the sun: During the hottest hours of the day, cover windows to block the sun’s heat. Opening windows in the evening can help your home cool back down.
2. Use ceiling fans: Ceiling fans are an efficient way to cool your home.
3. Maintain your air conditioner: Follow manufacturer instructions for maintaining your air conditioning unit to ensure it’s operating efficiently. Change the filter every 1-2 months.
4. Turn down your water heater by a few degrees: Many water heaters are set higher than the temperature we actually use. Reducing this by a few degrees can reduce your energy costs.
5. DIY Project/Weatherproof your home: Weather strip and caulk drafty windows and doors to keep cool air in and warm air out.

If you’re on a Time-of-Use pricing plan, remember that shifting some energy use outside the hours of 4-9 p.m. can also result in savings on your energy bill. Regardless of your payment plan, if you’re worried about spikes in your energy bill during the summer, consider  signing up for SDG&E’s Level Pay program. It averages your costs throughout the year, making your energy bill more predictable and easier to budget for. Learn more at sdge.com/lpp.

 Summer Safety

1. Don’t chain or overload power strips: We know spending more time at home, especially when it’s hot, can lead to the need to plug in many devices. Be mindful of how many devices you plug in and never chain power strips together. Both can result in fire danger.
2. Use air conditioners safely: Avoid plugging air conditioners into extension cords or power strips. Always keep the area around your air conditioning unit clear of anything that could easily catch fire.
3. Clean clothes dryer vents and lint filters thoroughly: Cleaning dryer vents and lint filters not only help your machine run more efficiently, it also mitigates fire danger; a buildup of lint inside your dryer can be a fire risk.

Following home safety tips for fire prevention is a great first step to keep your home and family safe. Remember to prepare an emergency plan if a fire or other emergency happens in your area. You can find checklists to help make sure you and your loved ones are prepared at sdge.com/checklists.

SDG&E is committed to helping you stay safe and informed throughout the year. For more information on summer safety, efficiency tips and available programs to help with your summer energy costs, visit sdge.com/summer.

​

Got this email today from the Center for Family - 
​
"The UN Secretary General allowed the second highest UN human rights staffer to remain in her post for five years despite evidence she falsified her credentials to get the job and take the $2 million in salary. Kate Gilmore just left the UN with benefits now chairs the board of trustees at International Planned Parenthood Federation, where she is attacking U.S. pro-life foreign policy." Source
​
SO - she's a liar and a cheat - AND a thief (when you take a salary that you don't deserve because you lied about your credentials, that's stealing) - and Planned Parenthood Federation welcomed her with open arms. Go figure...

The California LifeLine Program is a state program that provides discounted home phone and cell phone services to eligible households. These discounts can help you lower the cost of your phone bill. Only one discount per household is allowed (except for teletypewriter users and for Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program participants). Each household must choose to get the discount either on a home phone or on a cell phone, but not on both. To learn more, visit Californialifeline.com or cpuc.ca.gov. You can also call 1-866-272-0349 (English) or 1-866-272-0350 (Spanish).

Federal Assistance is available too. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers help with utility bill payment, home weatherization and other assistance. Learn more at 211sandiego.org.
​#sdge
​

By Susan Yoshihara, Ph.D.

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 28 (C-Fam) The humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders launched online medical abortion guidelines that its partner group acknowledges will be used for do-it-yourself abortions.

Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), says it “has teamed up with” HowToUseAbortionPill.org to create an online video guide on how to use pills to abort an unborn child up to 22 weeks. In a cartoon-based guide, MSF shows how to “push out the pregnancy,” in “a process that is similar to miscarriage.” MSF says its “goal is to ensure that everyone” can get the information “no matter who you are, where you are.”

“The fact that Doctors Without Borders is a recognizable, reputable group also might make people more comfortable with the procedure,” an unidentified representative of HowToUseAbortionPill.org said in an interview with Vice. “We do not see this piece as an instructional guide for self-managed abortion,” she said of the video. “However, we know that much of our online content…is used for self-managed abortion.”

HowToUseAbortionPill.org alerts users to the fact that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has made it illegal to sell the abortion drug mifepristone online or in pharmacies, that five U.S. states have made self-induced abortions illegal, and 18 states prohibit telemedicine abortions. The website calls itself “an online community run by dedicated individuals who believe that all women, regardless of where they live, should have access to a safe abortion option.” There is no information giving the names of its staff, an address, or who funds the website.

The HowToUseAbortionPill.org program manager said that, “because the how-to videos are available to the general public in multiple languages,” the MSF guide, ostensibly meant for health professionals in humanitarian settings, “can double as a complete guide to doing your own abortion, outside of medical supervision.”

Doctors Without Borders/MSF is a critic of the U.S. Mexico City Policy that bans taxpayer funds for promoting or performing overseas abortion. The group says it does not take U.S. funds, and that it is not affected by the policy.

“You don’t need any advanced technology or specialized medical interventions in order to provide medication abortion safely,” the MSF website says. “All you need” are information, medications, and  “mutual respect and trust,” and for that reason, abortions have increased “for millions of women and girls around the world—and especially in low-resource and humanitarian settings.”

Children born prematurely at 22 weeks have survived outside the womb. Doctors Without Borders/MSF warns humanitarians in the video guide that if the child makes noise or moves after the abortion, it could be upsetting for the woman who has aborted the child. It says that the woman may want to hold the aborted “pregnancy,” take it home, and even give it a burial.

MSF does not list abortion among its humanitarian services on its website, but says it is part of its maternal health program, arguing that “unsafe abortion” is the fifth leading case of maternal mortality after postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis, complications from delivery, and hypertensive disorders. “Of all these, unsafe abortion is the only one that is completely avoidable,” the MSF website says. It does not say list avoiding abortion as a way to avoid maternal deaths.

SOURCE:  c-fam.org/friday_fax/doctors-without-borders-teams-up-with-do-it-yourself-abortion-group/