Houston Defender: October 14, 2021.

COVID

Dealing with symptoms after the virus.

NEWS

SYLVESTER TURNER

The mayor has pulled his support from a controversial $15 million Houston housing project.

Volume 90, issue 50 October 14, 2021

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SPORTS

CARDELL WILLIAMS

The Westfield senior quarterback is making major moves on the field.

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DN To The POINT

FIT & FINE Shayauna Richmond Occupation: Owner, PressureMade Athletics Spiritual Strength: “Prayer. Prayer.

Prayer!”

Motto: “The pressure is necessary. “

Jelani Day’s mysterious death has left his family seeking answers.

Message from the Associate Editor TIME TO LEAVE THIS ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

our own. It’s time out for simply talking about what others aren’t doing for us. We must once again exercise our agency, our ability to do for self, to find our missing and to better support those we see daily.

Waiting on other folk to respect our humanity when their four-plus centuries worth of actions plainly show they don’t, is exhausting at best, and harmful to us at worse. Whether it’s the “Missing WHERE ARE WE INVESTING white girl syndrome” that ignores our Since R. Kelly’s conviction, his music sales and Aswad Walker pain, redistricting/voter suppression streaming have skyrocketed by 500%. This begs the efforts, GOP-led election vote chalquestion, “Where are we investing our treasures?” lenges that dismiss us as “non-citizens” or HBCU R. Kelly’s abuse of children (there’s no such thing as “underaged funding dropping from $45 billion to $2 billion with women”) was the worst-kept “secret” in history. Everybody barely a peep of protest from the Congressional Black knew. For decades. But because most of Kelly’s victims were Caucus, the abuse has been non-stop. Now “they” mad because Black girls (and a few boys), nobody held him accountable.

“The Wonder Years” remake centers around a beautiful Black Including us! Now, we’re running out putting more money in family situated in 1968. But like Dr. Carol Anderson states his pocket? I’m a father of six, four of which are young ladies, in her book White Rage, white people historically lose “they” so I’ve had issues with bruhman for a good minute. But you d*mn minds and then get violent (legislatively and/or phys- shouldn’t have to be a father of daughters to see the need for us ically) whenever they perceive Blacks have gained an inch in to do everything possible to hold those who prey on our womthe game of life. It’s past time for us to leave this relationship, en and girls accountable. Giving R. Kelly a gigantic boost in whether physically (leaving unwelcoming spaces) or emotion- music sales feels like the opposite of that. Instead, let’s invest in ally (not attaching our hopes and dreams to their acceptance). Black businesses, Black children, Black voting, and Black artists Our well-being, and that of our children, depends on it. that uplift rather than degrade us. @shayauna_ Read more on Friday Quote: “Be about Shayauna at your own defendernetwork.com goals!”

If you are Fit & Fine email: fitnfine@defendernetwork.com

ACTIVATING OUR AGENCY

Paraphrasing the words of journalist/activist Jeff Johnson during a recent Rickey Smiley Morning Show appearance, it’s time out for waiting for other folk to look for our missing.

We’ve got to do it ourselves. Johnson issued a call-to-action, seeking info on any existing efforts to find missing Black people to round up funders to support their work. His point: we’ve got to move beyond complaining about “Missing white girl syndrome” and invest in finding our own missing kin. Don’t tell me we can’t do it. Our ancestors built the pyramids and made America a global power. We gave the world religion, art, science and civilization, and the first female 007. We came before Columbus. We are the seasoning that flavors everything. But in the last few centuries, we’ve served everybody’s interests but

IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER

 Check out the feature on “Long COVID” and its ongoing impact.  Mayor Turner drops support for the housing project at the center of recent allegations.  Breaking News: TSU football is in the midst of its first winning streak since 2016.

ON THE WEB

 Westfield High School’s quarterback Cardell Williams is making big moves.  US House votes to end crack / powder cocaine sentencing disparity.  The Texas abortion ban is back. What now?

October 14, 2021 |

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DN News

Mayor pulls out of $15 mil housing project Houston Public Media

Mayor Sylvester Turner has pulled his support from a controversial housing project at the center of a city-run selection process that the former housing director called a “charade” to steer millions in federal dollars to a favored developer.

The mayor’s office announced it would recommend Harvey recovery funding for two projects with a total of 360 affordable units in districts H and J for city council review. New Hope Housing at Berry is a supportive housing development providing 240 affordable units in the Northside and Northline areas, while Fairways at Westwood is a multifamily development what would provide 120 affordable apartment homes for low-income families in the Alief-Westwood area, according to the

mayor’s office.

A third project, the Huntington at Bay Area, would have created 88 affordable housing units.

“The Huntington at Bay Area development, will not be recommended for funding,” read a statement from Turner.

“While it would have created affordable housing for seniors in District E, where there has been no affordable multifamily housing constructed since 2016, and never in the Clear Lake area, the project has become too much of a distraction for the administration’s agenda and for this city.”

Former city housing director Tom McCasland was fired last month after accusing Turner of rejecting four stronger projects that were selected by housing

officials, in favor of a particular developer at four times the cost per affordable unit. Those four projects would have created 362 affordable units at $16.2 million, according to records released by McCasland. State records also show the mayor’s former law partner, Barry Barnes, as a co-developer on the project.

In his testimony to city council on Sept. 21, McCasland accused Turner of “bankrolling a certain developer to the detriment of working families who need affordable homes.”

Turner has denied any wrongdoing, and has noted that no money has yet been allocated.

In response to McCasland’s allegations, Turner announced he would launch an internal investigation into the process.

Restore the 18th Congressional District Rally

Mayor Sylvester Turner with US Reps.

Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green.

-Vicky Pink

The state redistricting maps as drawn up by Texas Republicans would add six more districts with predominantly white voters and eliminate three minority districts. The move would also dilute our political power, and pit U.S. Reps Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green against one another to run for one seat. Houstonians upset with the maps participated in a “Restore the 18th Congressional District Rally” at Emancipation Park. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain as the Texas Senate voted to move forward with the plan.

DN

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has opened its own investigation into the process. The Texas General Land Office, which is in charge of distributing federal Harvey recovery funds, has also said it would review all previous funding requests from the city.

The council called a special meeting last week in response to McCasland’s claims but avoided questions about the mayor’s role in the Huntington deal, focusing instead on the former housing director’s handling of the city’s Housing and Community Development Department. That meeting revealed the housing department overspent on administrative costs related to the Community Development Block Grant program to the tune of about $7 million in fiscal year 2021.

View the photos from the rally at DefenderNetwork.com.

County DA seeks public pressure on releasing violent offenders Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg believes greater Houston is being shoved down a path to anarchy - a journey navigated by activist, criminal court judges who repeatedly return violent, repeat offenders to our neighborhood streets to maim, rob and kill fresh victims.

“I simply have doubled down on my resolve to make this city safer by telling people the truth about what is driving violent crime.

When you have murderers running around on multiple bonds, people who have killed other people, go back and kill the witnesses.

It’s a scary time and I’m here to warn people - we don’t have to live like this. We need an urgency,” said Ogg. Ogg says over the course of just two years both the fundamental rights of victims and

District Attorney Kim Ogg speaking about bail reform. Houston Public Media

basic accountability for those who commit crime have been eroded to the breaking point.

“Those simple, common sense concepts are somehow being thrown out the window by special interests and a philosophy that says ‘everyone should be able to do everything they want.’ We can’t have dangerous, violent predators set free on a community of innocents. It’s not fair!” said Ogg. As her long-standing request for 100 additional prosecutors remains unfilled, the County’s Chief law enforcement official slammed claims by Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Adrian Garcia who contend prosecutors, deputies, constables and the chaotic Harris County Jail have more resources than ever.

“It’s not true. Public safety at the county

level is not being appropriately funded and it does lend the question - Where is the money going?” said Ogg who has the authority to launch an investigation.

A spokesman for Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo provided data which indicates budgets for all Harris County law enforcement entities have risen each of the last five years.

“Public safety has been our number one priority. Since his first day in office, Commissioner Garcia has rolled up his sleeves and delivered a 15.3% increase to the DA’s budget and increased total law enforcement budgets by over $124 million, while delivering three straight years of property tax cuts to Harris County residents,” said Scott Spiegel, spokesman for Commissioner Garcia.

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DN News 3rd Ward group raises Houston ION district gentrification concerns

Houston Public Media

A coalition of community groups said it will continue to disrupt meetings and events until they are included in decision-making for the development of Houston’s “Ion” innovation district, over concerns that the city’s new district in the southern part of Midtown will lead to gentrification.

The Houston Coalition for Equitable Development Without Displacement has said it hoped to sign a community benefits agreement with the developer, Rice Management Co., but that the plan was crushed when Rice declined to include community groups and developed an agreement

with the city of Houston instead.

But organizers say they’re not giving up. Last week, members disrupted a panel discussion that featured the developer’s manager of strategic initiatives, Sam Dike. And Uyiosa Elegon, co-organizer of the HCEDD, said they will be at more events.

“We will be wherever contradictions arise in this,” Elegon said. “Whether that be Rice Management Company, whether that be certain city council members, whether that be the mayor himself.”

Houston City Council has yet to vote on the agreement

between Rice and the city. Mayor Sylvester Turner’s office said he is currently finalizing his review of the agreement draft and expects it to be presented to the council’s economic development committee within the next two weeks.

HCEDD wants council members to vote against the agreement, Elegon said, “if it does not include an amendment to force a community benefits agreement with this coalition of over 32 legacy and respected organizations in and around the Third Ward.”

Both the city and Rice call their agreement a Community Benefits Agreement, or CBA, but the HCEDD insists that by definition it cannot be one without the inclusion of a community group or coalition.

Instead, the group says it’s a developer agreement, and worries it will “promise very high and deliver very low,” Elegon said.

Rice Management Co., which declined to comment for this story, has pointed out that the agreement makes commitments regarding economic and housing opportunities, and inclusive hiring and contracting. It was developed over months by a working group consisting of community leaders, including from Houston’s Black and Hispanic chambers of commerce and community development corporations.

Once approved by the city council, it will be a binding contract, according to Rice.

Elegon is not convinced it will make a difference.

“The history of them, of the city,” he said, “putting things on paper with the developers saying that they’ll promise things to low-income, poor Black people is that those things have never materialized or they barely ever have.”

ART ACEVEDO OUT AS MIAMI POLICE CHIEF? “The relationship between the Chief and the Police Department he leads -- as well as with the community — has deteriorated beyond repair,” said Noriega in a statement.

“Relationships between employers and employees come down to fit and leadership style and unfortunately, Chief Acevedo is not the right fit for this organization.”

Defender News Service

Billed by Miami’s mayor just months ago as the Michael Jordan and Tom Brady of policing, top cop Art Acevedo ended up being “not the right fit” for Miami.

The city manager has decided to suspend Acevedo, with the intention of firing him, after a tumultuous six-month tenure in which the new police chief fired high-ranking officers and accused influential city commissioners of running the city the way Fidel Castro ruled Cuba.

Despite Acevedo’s origins in Havana, some among Miami’s prominent Cuban-American community regarded Acevedo as an outsider.

Raised in California, he was the first Hispanic to lead the Houston police department and earned name recognition after calling for gun control and marching with protesters following George Floyd’s death. Acevedo spoke at the Democratic convention and criticized Trump, who gained enthusiastic support among Miami Cubans by taking a hard line as president against the leaders of Venezuela and Cuba.

The chief had been chosen by Mayor Francis Suarez, who despite likening Acevedo to Jordan and Brady in March did not attend any of the recent commission meetings on Acevedo to speak on his behalf.

In a farewell email to staffers, Acevedo said he would “continue to fight the good fight to rid MPD of the political interference from city hall that unfortunately continues to negatively impact this organization.”

Acevedo began clashing with the police union almost

In this Nov. 20, 2019 file photo, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo speaks during a press conference at HPD headquarters in Houston.

immediately after his April swearing-in, by taking over internal affairs and making significant changes to his command staff. He demoted four majors and fired two high-level police officers — a married couple — because they weren’t truthful about a crash involving a city-issued SUV. Last month, reports emerged that Acevedo talked to officers about a “Cuban mafia” that runs the city. He later apologized and said he didn’t know that the late Castro used the term to refer to exiles in Miami.

City Manager Art Noriega appointed Assistant Police Chief Manny Morales as interim chief, and the commission will hold a special meeting about Acevedo. Under city rules, commissioners make the final decision after receiving the notice from the city manager.

VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 50 - OCTOBER 14, 2021 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Chief Development Officer Emelda Douglas

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho

Creative Director Michael Grant

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Engagement Manager Alexandria Williams

Photographers Jimmie Aggison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright.

No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288

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DN News Stopping crack-cocaine sentencing disparity NNPA

In March U.S. House Democrats Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) joined Republican Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and Don Bacon (RNE) to introduce a bill called the “Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law (EQUAL) Act.” The law mandates that the federal crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity would end. It would also retroactively apply the change to those already convicted or sentenced.

On September 28, the U.S. House passed the bill by a vote of 361-66. Now the U.S. Senate has an opportunity to pass the bill and send it to President Biden’s desk. Doing so would put an end to one of the worst legacies of the war on drugs.

In 2009, Congressman Bobby Scott led an effort in the U.S. House to eliminate the crack/cocaine disparity in the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act. That effort eventually led to the 2010 passage of the Fair

Sentencing Act, which reduced the crack cocaine disparity from 100:1 to 18:1.

“For years, we have known that harsh drug sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine have created a racially disparate impact on Black communities.

The bipartisan EQUAL Act is the next step on the long road toward eliminating this unfair sentencing disparity,” Rep. Scott

said in a statement.

“Eliminating the crack-powder cocaine sentencing disparity is a step toward applying equal justice under the law. I will continue to work with Representative Jeffries and advocate for it in the Senate so this long overdue legislation can get to the president’s desk and signed into law,” said Congressman Armstrong, a Republican

from North Dakota.

“The EQUAL Act will help reverse engineer the tragic legacy of the failed war on drugs which has devastated lives, families and communities. Crack cocaine has historically been used in inner-city communities and powder cocaine in affluent neighborhoods and the suburbs.

That does not justify the wide disparity in sentencing. I thank the tremendous leadership of Rep. Armstrong and all my colleagues in the House who supported this legislation and are committed to burying the failed war on drugs and making the promise of equal justice for all a reality,” said Congressman Jeffries.

The moment of bipartisan progress on justice reform legislation stands in contrast with the recent failure on the George Floyd Justice reform bill which was being negotiated by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and others. Recently, the talks ended in failure.

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DN Education

HOUSTON,

Houston educators share pandemic teaching methods

By Laura Onyeneho

Teachers have had to make a major transition from remote learning to in-person learning on school campuses. Remote learning gave educators a small glimpse into the lives of their students that they wouldn’t have seen in a classroom. They witnessed the digital divide and the lack of internet access that disproportionately affected Black and Hispanic children. Teachers also facilitated self-led learning and watched students take charge at their own pace and level.

Not only did educators have to pivot quickly to accommodate the academic needs of students during the COVID-19 lockdown, but now they are faced with a whole new approach and outlook on their teaching methods from pre-COVID until now.

Donnie Walker, a fifth-grade history teacher at Wheatley High School says teaching remotely during lockdown was anything but easy. He considered himself to be a traditional teacher and struggled with the use of technology as well as being confined to a desk and computer screen.

He eventually got over the learning curve, only to be met with the challenge of how to instruct his students in a fun and productive way.

“I’m teaching a subject that most kids aren’t interested in, and then on top that there were so many technological resources for educators to learn,” Walker said. “So after a couple of trial and errors, I chose two resources that help my classes become more interactive and it was easier for me to hold them accountable for doing their work on time.”

The resources were called Pear Deck, an interactive presentation tool, and Microsoft Teams,

a video conference software provided by HISD. Walker says Pear Deck operates similarly to a shared document on a Google Drive. He could share a PowerPoint activity and students could make changes and edit on the sheet while he monitors the progress of his students. Walker uses Microsoft Teams as a way to communicate with his students and creates breakout sessions after each lesson.

“Through this experience, I learned that the students don’t need to be pacified as much.

You just have to build a connection with them and learn what their interests are,” Walker explained. “These kids are savvy. I had to be taken out of my comfort zone to fully understand the value that technology can bring to my classes.”

Aldine ISD Instructional Specialist, Victoria Omotayo was an HISD 3rd grade general studies teacher during the lockdown. Like Walker, Omotayo utilized the technological resources provided by the school district. Her virtual lessons included social and emotional behavior exercises to encourage the students during the abrupt transitional period.

“Three days a week, I started my class with S.E.L which is ‘social emotional learning.’ This was our way of staying connected with students, asking them thoughtful questions and letting them know they weren’t alone,” she said. “Now that I transitioned into an instructional specialist role at Aldine ISD, I’m focusing more on the emotional support for my teachers. This experience has caused a lot of trauma and hardship on educators who were overworked and underpaid in some instances.”

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

Survivors face ongoing health challenges

By ReShonda Tate

By the numbers

2/3

Vaccinated respondents concerned about long COVID *Harris Poll

30%

Recovered COVID patients still experiencing symptoms after 6 months *University of Washington

When Tangela Davidson recovered from a sixweek battle with COVID, she thought the worst was behind her. But when she walked in on her husband cooking one day, and her son marveled about how great the food smelled, Davidson realized that she couldn’t smell a thing.

“It was strange, so I instantly went to my perfume bottles and started sniffing and realized I smelled nothing,” she said.

For Jackie Blakely, it was a burning sensation after recovering from COVID. “I was walking around my house one day, then it just felt like I was walking on hot coals,” she said.

What Blakely and Davidson experienced were symptoms of Long COVID, which is defined as health problems that last four or more weeks after first getting infected with the coronavirus.

Many people think of the negative health impacts of COVID-19 as coming during the active infection, but the aftereffects of the virus can be serious as well, resulting in long-term health issues that may affect daily function.

“It’s very easy to think that COVID just has two outcomes — living or dying. But there is something in between, which is Long COVID, and it can be devastating,” said Dr. Luis Ostrosky, Chief of Infectious Diseases at The UT Health COVID Center of Excellence in Houston.

Ostrosky works at one of the more than 80 clinics nationwide that are now specializing in treating Long COVID Syndrome.

What is Long Covid?

COVID Dealing with symptoms after the virus.

The majority of people who have had COVID, recover within a couple of weeks. But for a growing number of people, symptoms are continuing months later. Health experts call that Long COVID, and its sufferers are often called long-haulers. Long COVID is a poorly defined, poorly understood condition that occurs when COVID-19 patients’ symptoms won’t go away for weeks or months, or new ones emerge just when they think they’re all better. People who experience Long COVID often have symptoms that are continuations of the initial infection. Some never experience major symptoms while having the virus but can develop new symptoms after recovery. It’s unclear what the disease’s trajectory is — or even how many people are affected.

“We have millions of people in the United States whose lives are changed,” said Megan Ranney, a professor at the Brown School of Public Health, which recently launched an initiative to study the impact of Long COVID. “Some of them are permanently disabled, some are partially disabled, some are able to go about their work but are different because they’re fatigued or can’t smell.”

Long-term symptoms of COVID-19 can affect several organ systems in the body, but the most concerning are those that affect the lungs, heart and brain. Doctors say it is important to be evaluated by a physician if new side effects or persistent symptoms occur so that they can assess which organs could be affected. “Patients who had COVID are at an increased risk to develop pulmonary fibrosis,

MOST AT RISK OF LONG COVID-19 • Blacks • People over 40 • Women • Individuals with underlying health conditions MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS • Nerve and muscle pain • Persistent fatigue • Breathing difficulties • Heart palpitations • Loss of smell and taste • Gastrointestinal distress • Sleep disorders • Dizziness • Numbness in limbs • Anxiety • Brain fog marked by confusion, memory loss, and inability to concentrate.

How Long Covid is disproportionately affecting Black people.

heart failure, renal failure or blood clots and pulmonary embolism in the future,” said Dr. Fidaa Shaib, associate professor of medicine in the section of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

The CDC and states do not track Long COVID cases, so there are no hard numbers, but numerous studies indicate the problem runs rampant.

Early research indicates between 10 and 30 % of people who get COVID-19 may face long-term issues. More than 42 million Americans are known to have tested positive for COVID, and the real total is most likely much higher. So even at the lowend estimate of 10 %, that means millions of people in the U.S. and the world are “long-haulers,” facing chronic symptoms that can impair their ability to work, exercise, or lead a normal life.

There are several theories on what causes Long COVID. One is that they’re caused by fragments or reserves of the virus that linger in the body.

Another possible cause is persistent inflammation or damage wrought by the initial infection, affecting blood vessels, nerve pathways, or other areas of the body. The dominant theory is that Long COVID is an autoimmune disease triggered by infection by an unfamiliar virus, in which victims’ revved-up immune systems continue to attack healthy tissue after the initial infection is gone. Or it could be a combination of these factors. Whatever the cause, Long COVID mirrors other mysterious, chronic illnesses triggered by viral and bacterial infections.

Baylor College of Medicine is providing care through the Post COVID Care Clinic, where patients can receive treatment for the lingering symptoms or new side effects after having the virus.

Do vaccines help prevent it?

COVID-19 vaccines are still highly effective at protecting people from getting really sick or dying, and are still quite good at keeping most people from even catching the virus or getting mildly ill.

But breakthrough infections can happen, especially with the Delta variant. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that unvaccinated people can develop Long Baylor Post COVID symptoms, Covid Care even from mild cases.

Clinic “We need to behave 713-798-2400 as though there is the same chance as always of developing Long COVID from a mild-to-asymptomatic infection because once you have it you can’t unring that bell and you’re looking at months to years of illness,” said David Putrino, who studies Long COVID at Mount Sinai.

Immunologists say some people may experience Long COVID because the virus is still hiding in the body. In others, it may be that their immune systems overreact to the virus — a so-called autoimmune response.

Even if breakthrough infections can lead to Long COVID, others say there are also plenty of other reasons vaccinated people should continue to keep being careful to avoid catching the virus.

Evidence is emerging that vaccination significantly reduces the chances of lingering symptoms, but that some vaccinated people who get breakthrough infections do in fact become long-haulers.

Doctors who treat Long COVID patients say the costs of both of their future care and lost productivity could be staggering.

“I don’t think anyone truly understands the magnitude of this,” said Denyse Lutchmansingh, who oversees the Post-COVID-19 Recovery Program at Yale–New Haven Hospital. “The majority of my patients are in the prime of their work lives, and they’re debilitated.”

Doctors have seen patients as young as 18 who “can’t form sentences.”

Return to normal

Some patients largely return to their old selves within three or four months. Many show meaningful improvement but have lingering issues. But some remain significantly impaired after a year or more, and struggle to hold jobs.

Treatment generally involves managing symptoms through physical therapy, cognitive exercises, and other treatments.

Experts warn that we’ve only begun to reckon with the social and financial costs. “We’re going to need resources for many years to come to deal with these patients,” said Putrino.

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DN InFocus A SURVIVOR’S STORY

Josie Jones tries to rebuild her life after COVID

Josie Jones

By ReShonda Tate

Josie Jones regularly talked on the phone with her cousin, Lequita Burkes. But during one of those conversations in late January, Lequita instantly noticed something was wrong.

“She said I was talking crazy,” Jones said.

“She called the EMT to come to my house to check on me. They took me to the ER, and it’s weird because I remember saying, ‘Here’s my ID and my insurance card because I’m about to pass out.’ And then, I don’t remember anything else until March.”

Like thousands of Americans, Jones had contracted COVID. She doesn’t know from where, but as a diabetic, the virus immediately began ravaging her body. Things were so bad that Jones had to be placed into a medically induced coma.

“My cousin, Lequita approved all of the procedures the doctors requested. I was on a trach. I coded a couple of times and the doctors wanted Lequita to sign a DNR (do-not-resuscitate order) because my condition got so bad,” Jones said. “The doctors had given up and told her there was nothing else they could do for me. They were ready to send me to a hospice where I could end my days. But Lequita wouldn’t give up and summoned her prayer warriors.”

Their prayers worked and Jones was released from the hospital in mid-June.

Though she is now home, Jones’ COVID battle is far from over.

“My voice is not 100%. I’m not on oxygen during the day, but I do have to do oxygen at night when I sleep. I have three masses on my spleen, so I had to see an oncologist.

My right lung is paralyzed. They put me on dialysis for my kidneys in the hospital. And

Josie has to relearn how to walk.

Josie was hospitalized from Jan. to March with COVID

I feel very, very, very blessed, I think of all the people who died and I know it’s only by God’s grace that I’m still here.” JOSIE JONES those numbers haven’t improved yet. And then it affected my liver. I also lost the ability to walk. So, I’ve been having to do physical therapy to relearn how to walk,” she said.

Ten months after she first contracted COVID, Jones is looking forward to getting some normalcy back in her life, though she has no idea when that will be.

“My memory is not 100% and I do not remember a lot of what happened to me, but I was blessed to have my cousin who was my voice throughout this entire thing,” Jones said. “I haven’t driven a car since January and I cannot wait to do that. I have been on medical leave since February 1, 2021 so I am ready to go back to work, but

Thinning hair, a symptom of Long COVID, has caused Josie to have to cut off her locs.

my doctor won’t approve me going back to work until I go through pulmonary therapy to strengthen my lungs.”

And while it may not be as major, Jones also watched as her hair started thinning, forcing her to cut her beloved locs.

“My locs, which I have been growing for the past five years, are now falling out and it’s to the point that my hair is so thin, what locs I have left are too thin to keep,” she said.

But in spite of everything, Jones is still counting her blessings.

“I feel very, very, very blessed,” Jones said. “I think of all the people who died and I know it’s only by God’s grace that I’m still here.”

October 14, 2021 |

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12 | October 14, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Health

Debra Smith, 57, sorts through her unpaid medical bills in her living room. AP/Mark Zaleski

Advocates, lawmakers push hospitals to help more with bills Associated Press

Swamped with medical bills? The hospital that treated you may be able to help.

Whether you learn about this before those bills wind up in debt collections is another matter.

Medical bills often represent large, unexpected shocks that can crash personal budgets. Roughly one in 7 U.S. residents with a credit record has medical debt in collections, according to the nonprofit Urban Institute.

Hospitals have ways to keep more people from joining those ranks.

Ways hospitals can assist

 Income-based discounts  Payment plans  Help finding health insurance  Waiving a bill  Writing the bill off as charity care People frequently miss notices in their bills about assistance or have trouble plowing through the paperwork to qualify, patient counselors say. They say hospitals need to do more to ensure patients know about available help.

“We need a whole new mindset,” said Elisabeth Benjamin, a vice president with the nonprofit Community Service Society of New York. “A hospital’s a charity ... (it) should be figuring out why a patient isn’t

able to pay a bill.”

The Affordable Care Act requires nonprofit hospitals to tell patients about financial help, but it leaves the details for how that gets done or the extent of the assistance largely up to them. Patient counselors see little consistency. Hospitals say they often notify patients several times about available help. They’ve also eased income limits for assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some have smoothed out cumbersome applications.

But it can be hard to identify everyone who needs help, said Rick Gundling, a senior vice president with the Healthcare Financial Management Association, which consults with hospitals.

“I think many times when the patient doesn’t have the money, they retreat or they don’t ask for help, when the hospital can help,” Gundling said.

Assisting people in the middle of a medical crisis can be difficult. Patients often have no idea when they receive care what it will ultimately cost and how much help they will need. A slew of insurance notices and bills that arrive later can sow more confusion.

Hospitals frequently post notices about financial help on emergency rooms walls or in bills sent to patient homes. But those can be overlooked or forgotten.

“People never read the whole bill. They’re scary and overwhelming,” said Benjamin, who would like to see hospitals include a one-page financial aid form with their bills.

Other advocates say information about financial assistance should be included on paper that’s a different color and more noticeable. They also want hospitals to check back in with patients to see if they need help once a bill becomes overdue.

Jared Walker, who runs a nonprofit called Dollar For that helps people with medical debt, posted a TikTok video in January that shows how to search for financial assistance on hospital websites. It has since been viewed more than 20 million times.

“Hospitals aren’t shouting from the rooftops that you can apply for charity care, that’s for damn sure,” said Walker.

Some hospitals — and state lawmakers — are trying to make improvements. Several states have laws that require hospitals to offer a range of free or discounted care, usually based on income, according to the National Consumer Law Center.

Debra Smith worries she may be denied future medical care because of her bills.

The 57-year-old figures she has more than $10,000 in unpaid medical bills from a string of hospital stays over the past year, even though she has coverage through Medicare. She hasn’t been able to make

much progress paying them off.

Health problems prevent Smith from working. Living expenses and prescriptions consume most of the $2,300 a month she gets from a pension and Social Security.

She found the hospital’s application for financial help online, but she never completed it. That form asks for copies of bank statements, utility and credit card bills, car payments and other paperwork. To Smith, it felt like they wanted reasons to reject her.

Medical center spokesman Mike Alday said he couldn’t comment on a specific patient’s situation. But he did say the medical center has to confirm a patient’s financial need before providing help, and the information it requests is standard among hospitals.

Alday said the medical center makes financial counselors available and offers discounts and payment plans if patients don’t complete financial aid applications. It would give someone with a $1,500 outstanding balance 18 months to pay it off. That amounts to monthly payments of around $83.

Smith figures she can handle about $10 a month, which she said the hospital rejected.

“I know the hospitals needs their money but ... I am in need too,” she said. “I don’t want anything for free, but under the circumstances a little understanding would be nice.”

October 14, 2021 |

| 13

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Entertainment Houston AfriFEST brings Africa to the Bayou City

By Laura Onyeneho

Houston remains one of the most diverse cities in the country, and it will be at the center of another epic cultural event paying homage to the African continent.

The 8th annual Houston AfriFEST hosted by the Nigerian American Multicultural Council takes place October 16, 2021 at Houston Baptist University from noon until 6 p.m.

The event will feature traditional and modern day music, dances, art and entertainment from numerous African countries. Nearly 70 vendors from all across the greater Houston area will be there to sell popular continental African cuisines, clothes and accessories. There will be an African arena where attendees can view the cultural exhibitions of different African countries and a ‘kid-zone,’ a space for children to enjoy arts and crafts activities, face-painting, African drumming sessions and an African Safari.

“Houston recently experienced the Nigerian Independence Day festivities. We are continuing the momentum by inviting the everyone to celebrate the diverse cultures of the African continent and its people,” said Yemi Koyejo, President of NAMC Houston.

Yemi Koyejo, President of NAMC Houston

Live drumming performance. Photo credit NAMC Houston

“We have grown exponentially since our first Houston AfriFEST event. Now we host about 4,000 attendees at a location that is secure, easily accessible for parking, and is centrally located in the Houston area.”

Uche Anigboh, the administrative manager of NAMC Houston, says that

there are many cultural events centered around African culture in Houston, but AfriFEST focuses on collaborating with others from different African organizations and countries to add a “unique flavour” to the event.

“This event is to show our community

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Uche Anigboh, administrative manager of NAMC Houston

that we might all come from different countries, but we have similar experiences being African in America,” said Anigboh.

“We also have to be cognizant that we are also Black in America and this event is here to welcome our African-American brothers and sisters in solidarity. That absolutely can’t be neglected.”

To find more information visit https:// www.namchouston.org/.

Laura Onyeneho covers the city’s education system as it relates to Black children for the Defender Network as a Report For America Corps member. Email her at laura@defendernetwork.com

14 | October 14, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Texas Southern running back and Aldine product Jacorey Howard scored on rushing touchdowns of 11, 1 and 4 yards while running for 40 yards on six carries during the win over Southern.

Prairie View junior women’s soccer player Andrea Nugent has won her fourth SWAC Defensive Player of the Week honor this season.

Sports Briefs David Culley taking heat

First-year Texans coach David Culley is taking quite a bit of heat after his team’s rough start, especially after a David couple of games Culley where his use of timeouts and the team’s inability to get plays called in time have called his leadership into question. Culley is owning his part. “We’re 1-4. That’s not what we expected. I’ve got to do a better job of making sure on those kind of decisions that I put our football team in the best situation to win.”

The TSU football team drench head coach Clarence McKinney after 35-31 win over Southern. Mikol Kindle

TIGERS LOOKING TO KEEP RIDING SUDDEN WINNING TREND

By Terrance Harris

It was a raucous celebration in the locker room at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington as the Texas Southern Tigers relished in their SWAC victory – a 35-31 nail-biter over Southern – that ended a 13-game on the field losing streak in conference play.

But the Gatorade was flowing way before then.

“It was amazing,” said TSU third-year coach Clarence McKinney, who just a week earlier had notched his first on field victory as the Tigers head coach. “I think the celebration started before we got to the locker room. As soon as the clock hit zero, we started the celebration. It’s been a long time coming.”

Indeed, it has been for a program that has been down for several years. But suddenly, the Tigers are looking at a twogame winning streak that began with a 69-0 stomping of NAIA Northern American during homecoming and continued this past weekend with the win over the Jaguars that was decided on running back Jacorey Howard’s four-yard touchdown run with 39 seconds remaining.

The Tigers (2-3 overall, 1-1 SWAC) hope to keep the momentum going against

West Division opponent Grambling State (2-4, 1-2). TSU hadn’t strung together consecutive wins since 2016 when they won three-straight games.

While McKinney is excited for what tasting victory can do for his program, he is mindful that there is still much work to be done.

“We are not satisfied,” said McKinney, whose team won a couple of games via forfeit during the abbreviated spring SWAC season. “Our goal isn’t to win one game in the SWAC. Our goal is to win the West and we feel like we still have an opportunity to be in the conversation.

“Nothing has really changed for us. We are putting our heads down and we are going back to work and we are trying to figure out what it’s going to take for us to win this week.”

That will likely fall squarely on the shoulders of freshman dual-threat quarterback Andrew Body, who has ignited a spark in the Tigers’ offense since taking over for Jalen Brown the week of the Rice game. His ability to make things happen with his arm as well as his legs have kept opposing defenses on their heels.

In the win over Southern, Body com-

pleted 28-of-35 passes for 338 yards, while rushing for 85 yards on 13 carries.

“When they made a quarterback change, that changed a little bit of the dynamics of their offense,” said Southern coach Jason Rollins. “With more of a dual-threat guy, you have to defend the whole field and the plus-one runs that he also does. So it was a good plan by them and he also executed it well.”

But forever the coach, McKinney sees the dynamic Body adds to his offense, but he also sees the things the true freshman can do better. Body ranks fifth in the SWAC in passing after completing 65% of his passes for 715 yards, one interception and no touchdowns. He also has run for 214 yards and two touchdowns on 39 attempts in the four games in which he’s played.

“He brings an element to the game that a lot of quarterbacks don’t really have,” McKinney said. “He has the ability … he’s a true dual-threat quarterback. He just doesn’t have experience. But he is having a lot of fun playing, and as he learns… our team is growing more and more confident in his ability.”

Prairie View getting defensive

Panthers head coach Eric Dooley is known for his offensive mind, but it has been his defense putting Eric in the work this Dooley season. The Panthers rank third in the SWAC in overall defense (269.8 yards per game), scoring defense (22.2 points allowed per game) and passing defense (171.2 yards per game, eight touchdowns and four interceptions). The Panthers also rank second in conference against the run (98.6 yards per game). “Our defense has been playing extremely well and I take my hat off to our defensive staff. [Defensive coordinator Henry Miller] really has those guys playing.”

Tyrod Taylor still sidelined

It looks like Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor will remain on injured reserve for at Tyrod least another Taylor week with the hamstring injury that has hindered him since the second half of the second game of the season. The Texans travel to Indianapolis this weekend.

“I don’t think so, not sure yet,” Culley said this week of Taylor’s availability against the Colts.

October 14, 2021 |

| 15

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports WESTFIELD SENIOR QB

CARDELL WILLIAMS MAKES MOVES

By Jodie B. Jiles

ABOUT CARDELL WILLIAMS Twitter & IG: @staywokee2 Player He Studies: Lamar Jackson Favorite Artist: NBA Youngboy, Lil Baby and Lil Durk Favorite Subject: Math Awards: Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore, 1st Team All-District as a junior Shoutouts: “All my teammates, coaches and all the fans in the stands.”

Photos by Jimmie Aggison

After Westfield defeated its two biggest challengers of the regular season, North Shore and Spring, the Mustangs have risen to become one of the hottest undefeated teams in the city this year.

While normally it has been the defense that stands out for Westfield, the offense is the one clicking on all cylinders, averaging just over 40 points a game.

Westfield senior quarterback Cardell Williams, a University of Tulsa commit, has evolved his level of play as a three-year-lettermen, and his game shows Williams has progressed.

At 6’2” 180 lbs., Williams is a game managing, dual-threat who can score with his arm and legs. With three years of starting experience on one of the highest levels of competition, Williams’ ability to analyze defenses and make plays in and out of the pocket is impressive. One concern is that he will turn the ball over at times trying to do too much after a play has broken down

NORTH FOREST JUNIOR RUNNING BACK KEITH WILLIS JR., THE BULLDOZER

By Jodie B. Jiles

If football is a game of inches, North Forest junior running back Keith Willis Jr. takes the yard when he lowers his shoulders on rushing attempts.

Despite not having any scholarship offers yet, Willis has been on a tear these past three weeks, helping the Bulldogs defeat Yates, Kashmere and Wheatley. In North Forest’s

most recent 53-28 blowout win against Wheatley, Willis rushed for over 100 yards and five touchdowns.

The Defender spoke with Willis after the Bulldogs’ victory over Wheatley to discuss his style of play, major influences, leadership and more.

For Full Article and Photo Gallery Visit: www.defendernetwork.com

- one of the hardest lessons for a competitor to learn.

When Westfield head coach Matt Meekins was asked about what Williams adds to the roster, Meekins stated, “Cardell, being a seasoned veteran in his third year as a starter, has started at quarterback for 30 games and is seasoned. A lot of the system we run is the same, but Cardell and DaJohn (Palomo) allow it to run fast.” Meekins continued.

The Defender spoke with Williams postgame to discuss his style of play, the win against Spring, his Tulsa commitment and potential state championship run.

STYLE OF PLAY I’m a pro-style quarterback that sometime pulls out a dual threat move.

“W” AGAINST SPRING The keys to success are to lock in and trust each other TULSA COMMITMENT I believe they believed in me. They offered me when they wanted me and they wanted me bad. So, I committed.

CHAMPIONSHIP RUN We just need to keep working and stay humble every day. We have to work at practice and not get above ourselves.

16 | October 14, 2021 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

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