Could Pandemic Surge Make the Case for More Checks?
Stimulus Check Update: Could Pandemic Surge Make the Case for More Checks?
by Maurie Backman | Aug. 2, 2021
The pandemic is spiraling again. Could that mean Americans will get more aid?
Earlier this summer, many Americans were in celebration mode. It seemed like the worst of the pandemic was over, and the CDC had finally given vaccinated adults the green light to ditch their masks and live life normally.
But then the Delta variant emerged, and now, it's responsible for the majority of U.S. COVID-19 cases. Over the past couple of weeks, infection rates have soared on a national level, and things have gotten so bad that the CDC is now saying that all Americans, regardless of vaccination status, should once again be masking up in public (at least while they're indoors).
At this point, a lot of people are frustrated, scared, and tired of dealing with a pandemic that's been raging since early 2020. But what's alarming is the fact that some cities are already imposing restrictions to combat the spread of the new Delta variant. And if more follow suit, things on the economic front could take a serious turn for the worse. But could things get so bad that it makes the case for a fourth stimulus check?
Shutdowns could lead to hiring slowdowns and job loss
The big reason millions of Americans lost their jobs within weeks early on in the pandemic is that non-essential businesses were forced to shutter or operate at limited capacity. As such, they had to shed jobs just to stay afloat, and also, they didn't need as many hands on deck because they weren't running at full speed.
At this point, we have to hope that we don't go back to early pandemic lockdowns. But are more restrictions a possibility? Absolutely. And that could, unfortunately, cause the jobless rate to soar once again.
All of this is coming at a time when the economic situation has largely been holding steady but not necessarily improving. This past week, there were 400,000 new jobless claims filed. The previous week saw 424,000 new claims come in. This is in contrast to many weeks where claims were steadily coming in at under 400,000. If weekly jobless claims continue to rise, or don't fall, it could prompt lawmakers to rethink their stance on giving out more aid.
To continue reading, please go to the original article here: LINK
Ariel: Iraq’s Digital Currency Transition
8-21-2026
Convergence Events: Iran Militia Abandonment, Digital Currency Pivot, Midterm Contingency Protocol
Why Iran Walked Away:
The U.S. Treasury campaign Operation RIAL COLLAPSE (I made that up) ran for approximately 18 months. It was not a sanctions regime. Sanctions are public-facing and performative.
Iraq Faces A Difficult Period... Al-Zaydi: We Have More Than One Solution To The Economic Crisis, And The Budget Will Soon Be Before Parliament - 8/21/2026
Latest News Friday,August 21, 2026 Baghdad - One News - 8/21/2026 Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed that Iraq is going through a “critical” phase, given the escalating tensions in the region and the repercussions of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on trade and the economy, stressing that the government has a range of alternatives and solutions to deal with the economic pressures and maintain the country’s stability.
Good Morning Dinar Recaps,
When U.S. Debt Becomes a Currency Problem: The Dollar-Bond Relationship Enters a New Phase
The United States has crossed the $40 trillion debt threshold just as long-term Treasury yields remain elevated and the dollar weakens—raising a larger question about whether investors are beginning to view high U.S. yields as compensation for fiscal risk rather than simply an attractive return.
KTFA
Friday Night Video
FRANK26….8-21-26….BANK STORY AND TAX INFO
This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only
Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie and Omar in Iraq and guests
Playback Number: 605-313-5163 PIN: 156996#
Rob Cunningham: Treasury Secretary Bessent is the Smartest Banker on Earth
8-21-2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is the smartest banker on earth.
Stablecoins destroy the Central Banker’s scarcity deception when sound currencies and tokenized real-world assets prove – in real time – the vastness of real-world value that actually exist in abundance.
The Clarity Act and the RV Explained | Global Financial Reset
End the Fed by Dr. Scott: 8-21-2026
John Michael Chambers assembles an expert panel—Will Barney, Captain Rob Cunningham, and first-time guest Doctor Scott Young—for a deep dive into the global financial reset, the Clarity Act, the RV, and the path from tyranny to sovereignty.
Will Barney opens with a critical point: we cannot have sound money without first reclaiming our sovereign elections and government.
Bruce’s Big Call Dinar Intel Thursday Night 8-20-26
Transcribed By WiserNow Emailed To Recaps (INTEL ONLY)
Welcome everybody to the Big Call tonight – it is Thursday August 20th and you’re listening to the Big Call. So thank you for tuning in, everybody, wherever you're located, all over the globe, and we're gonna have a nice call tonight. Hopefully, we won't will not go two hours like we did Tuesday night. Hopefully, we'll shorten things up a little bit for that, but we'll still get all the information that you need out.
All right, let's move into our intel segment. You know what's interesting is, you know, we have got some intel for tonight. I finally have a timeline. I think we can work with. You know, I like a timeline. I like planning. I like seeing things as they come into fruition.
Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,
India Pushes the Rupee Further Into International Trade as Dollar Dependence Gradually Diversifies
New trade rules make it easier for Indian exporters to invoice and receive payment in rupees, adding another piece to the gradual diversification of the global payments system.
MilitiaMan & Crew: Direct From The Crew: August 20th Analysis
8-21-2026
The Crew: Samson, PompeyPeter, Petra, Daytrader, Sunkissed, GIGI and Militia Man
No drama. No intrigue. No songs and dances. Just straight, factual news that I read and interpret to the best of my ability after being an avid Dinar investor and insanely obsessed Dinarian for over 15 years.
Follow MM on X == https://x.com/Slashn
Coffee with MarkZ, joined by Mr. Cottrell. 08/21/2026
Some highlights by PDK-Not verbatim
MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and its best to watch the video so that you get everything in context. Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions
MZ: Ping-Pong stories on the zeros, budget, and a few world events before Mr. Cottrell takes questions. Lucas from the Gurus is going to anchor things and join afterwards.
Note: All intel should be considered as "Rumors" until we receive official announcements ...and “Rates and Dates” could change anytime until we get to the banks/redemption centers.
RV Excerpts from the Restored Republic via a GCR Update as of Fri. 21 Aug. 2026
Compiled Fri. 21 Aug. 2026 12:01 am EST by Judy Byington
On Mon. 24 Aug. 2026 the ISO 20022 messaging (that defines how banks transmit payment information), completes its transition across all major banking rails. For the first time in history SWIFT, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England, BRICS, IMF and all high value cross-border payment systems will speak the same transaction language. …Tier4b ISO20022 on Telegram Tues. 18 Aug. 2026
Independent Sources Reveal: Iraq's 2027 Budget Is Set At 200 Trillion Dinars, With The Exchange Rate Fixed At 1320.
August 20, 2026Last updated: August 20, 2026 Al-Mustaqilla - According to informed sources speaking to Al-Mustaqilla on Thursday, the Iraqi government is moving towards adopting a dollar exchange rate of 1320 Iraqi dinars within the 2027 budget project, with no current intention to change the adopted exchange rate.
Good Morning Dinar Recaps,
The Dollar-Debt Disconnect: Why Higher Treasury Yields Are No Longer Supporting the Dollar
U.S. borrowing costs remain elevated as Treasury intervention loses momentum, oil approaches $95 and investors reassess the relationship between American debt, interest rates and the dollar.
TNT:
Tishwash: The Washington Post: Iraq under al-Zaidi's leadership is on a path of positive change
In an article published in The Washington Post on Thursday, Tim Constantine reviewed the key achievements of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi during his first 100 days in office.
The article, titled "What Has Iraq's Prime Minister Accomplished in His First 100 Days?", stated: "When a new US president is sworn in, the media often rushes to make grand predictions about what can be accomplished in the first 100 days. The momentum generated by the national election, the enthusiasm surrounding the arrival of a new president, and the political capital he brings all raise expectations for the initial start.
KTFA
Thursday Night Video
FRANK26….8-20-26….THE FRENCH…THE END
This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only
Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie and Omar in Iraq and guests
Playback Number: 605-313-5163 PIN: 156996#
Al-Hashemi: Iraq Is The Biggest Loser From The Tightening Of The US Blockade On Iran
Money and business Economy News – Baghdad Economist Ziad al-Hashemi warned on Thursday of the repercussions of any US tightening of the economic blockade on Iran, stressing that Iraq may be one of the most affected regionally because of its dependence on Iranian gas and commodities.
"The surrounding countries of Iran, led by Iraq, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Armenia, will be under direct American pressure to review their trade and financial relations with Tehran and avoid collisions with the United States," he said.
Shattering the Myth That Higher Taxes Can Fix the $40 Trillion National Debt
Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Simon Black / Sovereign Man) August 20, 2026
In June of 1944, American soldiers were storming the beaches of Normandy, single-handedly leading the fight to defeat the Nazis.
Back home, Americans gave everything they had. Some 85 million bought war bonds. The top income tax rate hit 94%, the highest in US history. Even ordinary people paid more and more income tax to support the war effort.
The Treasury Just Admitted It... The Bond Market Is Broken
Peter Schiff: 8-20-2026
Peter Schiff breaks down the Treasury's panic move to rescue the bond market, the $40 trillion debt milestone, and gold's $185 reversal day.
The Treasury just doubled its bond buybacks. Peter Schiff says that's the government admitting the bond market is broken.
On the same day the national debt topped $40 trillion, the Treasury announced it is doubling its long-term bond buybacks from $2 billion to $4 billion... buying the bonds everybody else is selling, and funding it by issuing more short-term debt.
Ariel: This Needs to be Said on Record
8-20-2026
When You Run Across Those Who Are Unsure (Show Them This)
You’re holding a piece of paper that was called worthless by the same international banking structure that called the Iraqi Dinar “speculative” and the Vietnamese Dong “non-investment-grade.” The same structure that told everyone their mortgages were secure in 2007. The same structure that said the petrodollar was eternal.
TNT:
Tishwash: The governor of Kirkuk clarifies the implications of his statements regarding Article 140 and affirms: The relationship between Kurds and Turkmen is historical.
Kirkuk Governor Mohammed Samaan clarified the implications of his recent statements regarding Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, stressing that his remarks did not target any specific group, but rather highlighted the legal obstacles surrounding land ownership in the province, most of which is owned by Kurdish and Turkmen citizens.
Samaan explained that the ongoing legal disputes over the ownership of those lands are hindering the governorate's efforts to distribute residential plots to employees, noting that Article 140 has not yet succeeded in finding radical solutions to this issue.