Houston Style Magazine Vol 31 No 15

April 09 – April 15, 2020

Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication

Volume 30 | Number 15

Complimentary

CORONAVIRUS – US WEEKLY NUMBERS –

March 19, 2020

Jesse Jackson

Cases: 10,442 Deaths: 150

Once The Pandemic Passes, People Of Consequences Must Step Up

March 26, 2020 Cases: 75,233 Deaths: 1,070

April 02, 2020 Cases: 226,374 Deaths: 5,316

Dr. Kimberly McLeod

April 09, 2020

New Dean at TAMU College of Education and Human Services

Cases: 455,876 Deaths: 16,314

STAY HOMEHWORK SAFE Reports on State of Texas, Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston Counties & City of Houston Follow Us #TeamStyleMag

Twitter @HoustonStyle

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POLLARD SUPPORTS HOUSTON DAY OF PRAYER

Facebook: @HoustonStyleMagazine

EMERGENCY DECLARED: CORNAVIRUS IS AIRBORNE

Governor Greg Abbott Announces Incoming Shipments and Distribution of Texas’ PPE’s

Mary Benton – New Director

N E W S | C O M M E N TA R I E S | S P O R T S | H E A LT H | E N T E R TA I N M E N T Support Black Owned Businesses

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Publisher Francis Page, Jr. fpagejr@stylemagazine.com Associate Publisher Lisa Valadez lisa@stylemagazine.com

Managing Editor Jo-Carolyn Goode editorial@stylemagazine.com

MAYOR TURNER: Leads Houston Day Of Prayer

Social Media Editor/Videographer Reginald Dominique reggiedominique@me.com Sports Editor Brian Barefield

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NATIONAL WRITERS

Jesse Jackson jjackson@rainbowpush.org Roland Martin www.rolandmartin.com Judge Greg Mathis www.askjudgemathis.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS Vicky Pink vhpink@gmail.com

Emergency Declared: Coronavirus Is Airborne

William Ealy Williamealy1906@gmail.com Semetra Samuel semetra@artistikrebelcreative.com

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Mike Munoz artrepreneur91@gmail.com Robert Franklin editorial@stylemagazine.com

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©2020 Houston Style Magazine, a Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Company. All Right Reserved. Reproduction in whole or within part without permission is prohibited. Houston Style Magazine has a 2019 audit by Circulation Verification Council (CVC). Houston Style Magazine is a member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA), Texas Community Newspaper Association (TCNA), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Independent Free Paper of America (IFPA), Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP).

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April 09 – April 15, 2020

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COMMENTARY

Once Pandemic Passes, People of Consequence Must Step Up

By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer

In his famous letter from the Birmingham jail where he was arrested for demonstrating against segregation, Dr. King wrote, “I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. ... Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”

Surely the global devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates once more the truth of Dr. King’s insight. The pandemic grew from open markets in the poor neighborhoods of China on the other side of the world. The perils faced by the impoverished there became a deadly threat to people across the globe.

No wall can stop a pandemic. Commerce trade - demands travel and exchange. The world is inextricably linked. Trump brags about acting quickly to stop people coming in from China, but then we learn that 400,000 came into the U.S. from China despite the order.

In this country, the pandemic will leave hundreds of thousands dead and the economy in depression. It is extreme - but it is not unique. If anything, it is a warning, a fire bell in the night raising the alarm about what is to come. The effects of catastrophic climate change already savage the world. Australia and California burning; Houston and Puerto Rico pounded by storms; the Midwest flooded; drought spreading across the Middle East, rising seas threatening coastlines across the world. No wall can stop this existential threat. It will continue to wreak ever more damage even if the world finally wakes up to end its suicidal addiction to fossil fuels.

The United States is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but we are suffering more deaths and illnesses from the pandemic than any other

nation. Why have we fared so poorly in the face of this global threat? Much of the media understandably focuses on Donald Trump’s failings: his early refusal to pay attention to scientists who were warning what was coming, his chaotically mixed signals, his unwillingness or inability to define and implement a coherent federal strategy on everything from the acquisition and distribution of vital medical equipment to the imposition of stay-at-home orders across the country.

Yes, Trump has failed badly. Yet the failure is far greater than his alone. For years, the United States has short-changed its public health needs. Conservatives scorn government service, and slash government budgets - except those for the military. Establishment Democrats have joined in embracing austerity budgets, more willing to cut public provision than to impose fair taxes to pay for what we need.

Trump - under the banner of draining the swamp - has been particularly corrosive to public capacity, implanting corporate lobbyists to head agencies that they fleece, boasting about rolling back regulations and cutting employment, scorning public employees, outsourcing key capacities.

Now, in the emergency, the president and Congress pump out trillions to save the economy, to limit the damage, while scrambling to provide basic health needs. The president praises the courage of the doctors, nurses, hospital workers and others on the front lines, not acknowledging or blaming others that their lines are depleted, their equipment dated and inadequate, their supplies short.

Will we learn from the horrors of the pandemic? Will citizens learn once more the stake we all have in capable public employees, in strong and efficient administration, in well-funded public provision? Will we understand the importance of public health? Will

Donald J Trump – President we learn that we can’t protect our own health without protecting the health of the poor, the aged, the weak?

Washington is now scrambling to meet the crisis and arguing about what is needed to revive the economy. But a return to business as usual won’t get it done - and may not even be possible. We need a dramatic change in priorities and in values. Building walls offers no solution.

Now sobered by these horrors, we must join one another to create the change we need. As Dr. King taught us, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. ... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” Once the pandemic passes, people of conscience must step up.

You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this newspaper or by email at jjackson@rainbowpush.org.

Follow him on Twitter @RevJJackson.

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Mayor Turner Calls For Houston…

Day of Prayer

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

I

n times of crisis, no one wants to be along. We find comfort in leaning on each other. A sense of peace and protection comes over our bodies when we feel we are not alone. As more questions than answers fill our head we can become stressed, unglued, and lose our focus. We need to make sense of the chaos in which we find ourselves before we go insane. Prayer has always been the very thing that everyone needs to stay grounded and in control. Strong faith and a relationship with a higher power brings calm to us so that we don’t need to solve our problems. We just have to trust our faith, pray, and watch it work itself out.

“We are in the storm. And we are going to be in this storm now over the next several weeks which are going

to be a critical phase for us,” said Houston Mayor Turner.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner knows the power of prayer. He is a believer that prayer changes things.

Thus in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic he has called for a Day of Prayer in the City Houston. He has asked Houstonians to stop and pray or take a moment of silence on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at noon. Further, Mayor Turner has requested city residents to continue to pray throughout the day. In your prayer, lift up the city as officials to navigate this pandemic and plan the best way to deal with this ever-changing situation. Pray for individuals and families who are stretching their dollars, dealing with unemployment and trying to stay safe and healthy.

Bernie Sanders Out: Had Multiple Conversations with Obama Ahead of Decision to End Campaign

By Dan Merica, StyleMagazine.com/CNN ormer President Barack Obama with the conversation tells CNN. Sanders’ played an active, albeit private, decision to get out on Wednesday paves role in the Democratic presiden- the way for Joe Biden, who served as tial primary that effectively ended on Obama’s vice president for eight years, Wednesday when Vermont Sen. Bernie to become the Democratic nominee.

Obama’s eventual endorsement Sanders dropped out of the race.

Obama and Sanders spoke of Biden and fulsome entry into the cammultiple times in the last few weeks as paign, whenever it occurs, will signal a the Vermont senator determined the fu- new phase in Democrats’ efforts to defeat ture of his campaign, a source familiar President Donald Trump.

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Lift up the names of healthcare workers, police, firefighters, grocery store workers, government employees and all those working on the frontline in some fashion. Pray for the scientists and researchers trying to stop the spread of the coronavirus and develop a vaccine.

Call out the names of the many individuals fighting the virus. Lastly, pray that we contain and suppress the coronavirus so that we may save lives.

“Regardless of what denomination one may be or religious views one may have, we must come together as a city and stand on faith,” said Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard.

Of the more than 700 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, 10 have died.

And this week was predicted to be the

worst week yet since the pandemic started. Positive cases are expected to increase, as healthcare workers are already weary and personal protection supplies, hospital beds, and ventilators may run out.

“These are unprecedented times, and it will require each of us to collectively work together to overcome the challenges ahead.

Please know that every day we are discussing and implementing many policy changes and strategic plans to keep Houstonians safe,” said City Councilman Edward Pollard.

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In keeping with tradition, Obama had previously made clear he wouldn›t publicly wade into his party›s 2020 presidential primary fight but has promised to support whomever ended up as the nominee. And with Sanders out, the former President backing his one-time running mate is all but a forgone conclusion, something Trump acknowledged at the White House Wednesday.

“He’ll come out, I’m sure he’s got to come out at some point,” Trump said of Obama.”

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April 09 – April 15, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefs. . .

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Announces Incoming Shipments and Distribution of PPE

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

G

overnor Greg Abbott today held a press conference to provide an update on personal protective equipment (PPE) distribution throughout the state of Texas. The Governor also announced that Texas received 2.5 million masks in the past 24 hours, and will receive an additional 3 million masks by April 11th.

Governor Abbott provided a region-by-region breakdown of supplies that have been distributed over the past week — including masks, face shields, gloves, gowns, and coveralls. Governor Abbott also discussed the distribution process for PPE in Texas.

The Governor was joined for the press conference by Texas Department of State Health Services

Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD, and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd.

“It is vital that our health care workers and first responders on the front lines have the personal protective equipment they need to stay safe as they respond to COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott. “The Supply Chain Strike Force is working closely with the Texas Division of Emergency Management to exhaust all avenues for the purchasing and delivery of these critical supplies. We continue to make tremendous progress to distribute these resources throughout the state, and with more supplies on the way, we are strengthening our state’s ability to protect our health care workers and the patients they serve.

I thank all of our health care workers and first responders as well as the supply chain workers who are working tirelessly to deliver this essential equipment to Texas.”

For more COVID-19 information, please visit: www.StyleMagazine.com

Mayor Turner Appoints – Mary Benton New Director of Communications

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

M

ayor Sylvester Turner has appointed Mary Benton as the new Director of Communications effective immediately. Benton brings valuable years of experience in media relations, strategic communications, crisis communications, and social media strategy.

Benton joined the Mayor’s Office of Communications as the Press Secretary in 2018 and quickly distinguished herself as a leader and trusted adviser.

In her new role, Benton will be responsible for ensuring that all citywide communications align with the administration’s goals and objectives. She will oversee all functions of the Communications Office, including public and media relations, ceremonial documents, social media strategy, and compliance with the Texas Public Information Act.

“I am pleased that Mary Benton has agreed to take on a bigger role in my administration as the Director of Communications. Mary’s prior news media experience, and contributions as my Press Secretary, make her a valuable asset to the City,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “In trying times like these, communication is critically important.

Mary will ensure that Houstonians have the necessary information they need, whether it is during a public health

crisis or my administration’s work and priorities to move Houston forward.”

Benton worked for more than two decades as a television news anchor and reporter in Waco, Austin, and Houston, Texas. Before joining the mayor’s office, Benton held several communications and executive leadership roles in Harris County government.

A native of Harlingen, Texas, Benton earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

After leaving the television news industry in 2014, the City of Houston declared July 15 as Mary Benton Day, honoring Benton for her extensive community engagement and volunteerism with nonprofit organizations.

She was honored in 2019

by AAF-Houston as a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion and has been named an Influential Woman and Role Model in the community.

UNCF UPDATE

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

W

e hope this finds you and your family well and staying safe.

We write today to share a few updates and ask for your pledge to support. To those of you who have already pledged your support, thank you.

The COVID-19 crisis has certainly impacted all our lives and plans in unprecedented ways. As the world struggles with this global pandemic; UNCF, our students, and our schools are also responding to the new reality.

Due to COVID-19, the more than 400 academic scholarship, fellowship and internship that UNCF administers to the 10,000 plus student annually are in jeopardy. With the support of corporations, foundations and individuals nationwide the work of UNCF will continue.

For 76 years, the core of UNCF’s family has been the private HBCUs that comprise it memberships.

Through wars, economic downturns, natural disasters, and now the coronavirus, UNCF’s support for our member institutions has been unwavering. The extraordinary circumstances faced by our institutions, their students, and their shared communities, requires UNCF’s

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April 09 – April 15, 2020

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best effort and we will work continually to deliver the results they need.

We recognize that things are fluid with COVID-19; however, we still plan to host our upcoming events including the 35th Annual UNCF Walk, Run and Bike for Education, the Mayors Luncheon, and the A Mind ls ... Gala.

My thoughts are with you and your fami lies, and I pray you stay safe and well. If there is any way we can support you, please feel free to reach out via email or phone. Don’t worry-- though I am working remotely, you’ll still be able to reach me, thanks to the magic of technology! I look forward to hearing from you and to staying in touch.

Thank you for being a part of the UNCF Houston family.

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April 09 – April 15, 2020

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4/1/20 7:08 PM

RICE KINDER REPORT: 4,533 Lives Have Been Saved in Harris County by Staying at Home

By MINGMING ZHANG, KATIE WANG AND JIE WU

Based on epidemiologists’ COVID-19 models, it’s estimated that more than 13,000 lives can be saved in Harris County if stay-at-home orders are followed through April 22nd. By Andy Olin / Kinder Institute

T

he number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States has passed 10,000 and there are close to 400,000 reported cases.

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci has said as many as half of those infected with the coronavirus may not have any symptoms. There is, however, some positive news to share: Estimates show the stay-at-home orders in Houston and Harris County are preventing deaths and hospitalizations. Here’s a look at the impact.

It’s been two weeks today since the stay-at-home order went into effect in Houston and Harris County on March 24. We all have made adjustments in our daily lives that may feel costly and difficult. Many gig workers and those in the travel, retail and restaurant industries have been laid off or seen their hours dramatically reduced. With so much uncertainty surrounding this pandemic, it can be hard to believe the effects of the stringent measures we face are worth the price we are paying.

To provide some clarity in the midst of confusion, we used epidemiologists’ COVID-19 models to estimate the number of hospitalizations and deaths that can be prevented in Harris County between now and June by collective adherence to the stay-at-home order.

The Kinder Institute is part of the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership (NNIP), a collaborative effort by the Urban Institute and local partners to further the development and use of neighborhood information systems in local policymaking and community building. All local partner organizations from more than 30 cities have been meeting weekly to discuss how the network can help provide communities with data in response to COVID-19. We are grateful to San Antonio’s CI: Now for help in developing and disseminating the methodolo-

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gy behind the infographic.

See the full infographic [On Left]

The estimates show that social distancing measures during the 14-day period between March 24 and April 6 have saved the lives of 4,533 Houstonians and kept 48,812 people from being hospitalized locally. If we continue on this path, by April 22, we could save 13,220 lives. If the stay-at-home order is effective for 60 days, together we could save more than 22,000 lives. While it’s important to note the model isn’t meant to be a crystal-ball prediction of the exact numbers, the general pattern will hold true.

We hope this information will help Houstonians better understand the impact of our collective effort and how important it is to have the stayat-home order in place. However, we acknowledge that many of our fellow Houstonians don’t have the privilege of working from home. Many have to work on-site, including first responders and health care workers, grocery store employees, delivery drivers and those employed by essential businesses.

Some may not have a shelter at all that can effectively protect them from exposure to the new coronavirus. And others may have a home that is unsafe because of family violence or inadequate housing conditions.

Additionally, we recognize that staying home isn’t a panacea for this crisis. It is critical to take immediate steps to increase the capacity to test people for COVID-19 and quarantine those who are infected. What’s more, the region needs to work together to address the economic impact and hardship suffered by families and businesses during the pandemic.

So, for now, stay home if you can, and trust that you’re having a real, positive impact by doing so.

TAMU: Welcomes Dr. Kimberly McLeod as Dean of College of Education and Human Services

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

T

exas A&M University-Commerce welcomes Dr. Kimberly McLeod as the new dean of the College of Education and Human Services. McLeod will join the university on May 1, 2020.

McLeod has served in multiple educational roles, including public school teacher, counselor, administrator, assistant superintendent, professor, executive director and dean at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas.

Of the appointment, A&M-Commerce Provost John Humphreys said, “We are very pleased to have Dr. McLeod join us as dean of our storied College of Education and Human Services. She is an accomplished educator and dean with a substantial statewide network of colleagues and associates in education, industry and politics.”

McLeod has built numerous partnerships with leading education groups, such as the Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superinten-

dents, the Texas Caucus of Black School Board Members, and the Mexican American School Boards Association.

Through her volunteer and professional work, she has raised over $20 million in philanthropic, federal, state and local grant dollars. Additionally, as president of the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators, she created the Texas Educational Policy Institute, which established an instructional pipeline for public educators to learn effective practices related to policy and governance.

“With her broad experience in education and counseling, and a keen understanding of the Texas education system, we are confident that Dr. McLeod can be an effective academic leader for Texas A&M University-Commerce,” Humphreys said.

McLeod held several academic leadership roles at TSU over her 12-year career with the institution, including executive director of academic instruction and affairs, director of the Teaching and Learning Excellence Center, and dean

of the university’s Northwest Campus.

She also founded the National Journal for Urban Education and Practice.

An avid writer and public speaker, McLeod’s research on culturally responsive practices has been shared at national and international public institutions and conferences for over a decade. After requests from several school districts, she published her first book, “Creating Cultural Responsiveness,” in 2002. Since then, she has published 11 additional books for adult and child learners, along with 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Senator Boris Miles of Houston noted McLeod’s positive influence in the community. “While Houston is losing a giant in advocacy and leadership in education, I’m glad to see Dr. McLeod join Texas A&M University-Commerce.

She will serve the institution remarkably well.”

McLeod is excited to join the Lion family. “I look forward to working with faculty and staff, alumni, current

Dean – Dr. Kimberly McLeod students, and future students to continue delivering the best educational leadership in the state of Texas.” she said.

“Considering the importance and value of front-line employees in our healthcare system, I’m particularly focused on showcasing how A&M-Commerce programs in nursing, health and human performance, and mental health are having a positive impact on academic and field-based preparations to avoid future crises in the state of Texas.”

You can find Dr McLeod’s Edu cational Articles in Houston Style Magazine and on www.StyleMagazine.com.

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Kroger Announces Partnership with Local Restaurants

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

K

roger Houston Division today announced their partnership with several local restaurants in an effort to support local businesses.

Kroger has teamed up with local minority-owned restaurants Burns BBQ and Kim Son, offering a selection of chef-prepared meals at pop-up locations in select Houston area stores.

“One of my favorite things about Texas is the food. We are thrilled to support our local community and local businesses by offering prepared meals through this partnership.” Said Joe Kelley, Kroger President.

Offering Texas favorites such as ribs, brisket and sausage links, Burns BBQ has been featured in Texas Monthly and on TV with Anthony Bourdain.

Cory Crawford, of Burns BBQ said, “Burns Original BBQ is excited to and thankful to partner with Kroger to serve some of our world-famous dishes.”

Kim Su Tran La (known affec-

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tionately as “Mama La”) founded Kim Son Restaurant in Vinh Long, Vietnam.

In 1982, Mama La re-established her Kim Son Restaurant with her husband, Son, in Houston’s Chinatown. With more than 250 recipes committed to memory, she tapped into her extensive knowledge of restaurant operation and traditional Vietnamese cooking to put her new restaurant on the map, and have since expanded to include a restaurant in Lake Charles, L’Auberge Casino Resort.

“The Kim Son Family is proud to partner with Kroger to make fresh, authentic Vietnamese food accessible to all Houstonians during this unprecedented time,” said Tri La of Kim Son. “Many of your customer-favorite dishes will be available for purchase in convenient single size servings.”

Customers can pick up the chef-prepared meals at the following stores:

April 09 – April 15, 2020

Burns BBQ Beginning April 9 from 11am

Kroger – Shepard 1035 N. Shepherd Houston, 77008

KIM SON

Beginning April 8 from 11am

Kroger - Buffalo

5150 Buffalo Speedway Houston, 77005 Kroger - West Gray Kroger, 1938 West Gray Houston, 77019

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Finding Ways to Say Goodbye in An Honorable Fashion

By TotallyRandie, HSM Feature Writer

I

t’s our new normal for the unforeseeable future, standing in lines outside of grocery stores, wearing mask and gloves are now part of our daily attire, and minds are flooded with all-things coronavirus related as it is the top news story on every channel. A large population of the world are quarantined inside doing TikTok challenges, working from home, working out, stress eating, finding new hobbies, sleeping the days away, teaching their children, and worrying if they will run out of money. People are losing jobs, 401ks, and tens of thousands are being infected every other day.

But something far worst is happening, not only are people dying from this virus, but they are also dying alone. No one is able to be at their bedside in their final moments. Loved ones are gripped even more so with grief as they are denied the opportunity to say a final goodbye due to the way COVID-19 is so easily spread. Complicating that problem is that people are still somewhat alone, even in death, due to social distancing, so proper funerals can’t be held with more than 10 people. The coronavirus is the loneliest disease this generation has ever seen.

Usually patient rooms in hospitals maybe filled with cards, flowers, and/or people. All of these are outward signs that the patient is someone that is very much loved. Patients have commented how these signs of love and wishes for better health is almost better than medicine, helping them on their road to recovery. Ironically, these same things are also signs of comfort for a patient when they are transitioning, and for loved ones left to cherish the patient’s memory.

In many hospitals around the country, thousands are leaving their mother, brother, father, sister, wife, husband, siblings, kids, family and friends.

They are dropping them off at ERs and taking a long look in each other’s eyes, as they don’t know if they will see each other again. Sadly, for many, that was their last look.

After a brave fight when a patient succumbs to any illness or tragedy, a funeral is held to honor their life and for family and friends to say a final farewell. Before major cities were practicing social distancing and under “Stay Home” orders, funerals had unlimited capacity on the number of guests to be in attendance. But that was the way it was done pre-coronavirus. Now families must decide between brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, spouses and children, and maybe friends on who will make the cut to be one of the ten people allowed to attend the funeral. Now you are basically looking at a memorial service held months down the line, if that, or a streamed funeral. How can we find ways to say goodbye in an honorable fashion? After having a life so well lived, does your loved one deserve a fitting goodbye?

Mine did. For the past +8 years I had the pleasure of being friends with Windell Lacour. Nicknamed the vampire in our circle of friends, Windell had a youthful soul coupled with youthful looks, so it was often hard for people to know his true age. Plus, like bats, the guy rarely slept. He loved life and the feeling was infectious. There was no such thing as not having a good time if you were with him. He made sure everyone around him was always good. He was an all around good guy who saw the very best in ot ers. In fact, I don’t believe there is a soul alive today that could say anything negative about him and that is rare for any person. He never judged anyone or spoke negatively about them.

If non-confrontational was a person, it would be him. If unjudgmental was a person, it would be him. He never met a stranger and gave others the benefit of doubt. Windell put others’ needs above his own. He would sleep on the floor and give you his bed. When he hosted a gathering, he would cook and clean to make sure everyone had an amazing time. He was a problem solver, a true gentleman, his brother’s keeper, and a genuine friend. I was honored to

Windell Lacour – AKA ‘The Vampire’ call him a friend, as he was more like a brother to my sisters and me, which made his death so disturbing for me.

Although we were the best of friends, we didn’t see each other often.

That didn’t matter though. Whenever we got together, we would just pick up where we left off like no time had passed. The last time I physically saw Windell was October 2019 in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana (Yes, one of the COVID-19 hot spots.) We were both busy with work, but he told me he couldn’t let me come to his city without seeing him. Despite being tired from a full day, we met up to reconnect at my hotel. “If you’re tired, we can just chill here for a few and you can sleep, we don’t have to go out,” he said. But I knew he liked to dance. I told him “this is what you do for family and you are family Windell.” He would have done the same for me and had so for many others on so many occasions. We had a great time that night, just he and I, talking about life, dancing, people watching and laughing. Never knew that would be our last time together.

As I recall our friendship and the memories fill my head, tears roll steadily down my face. I didn’t wipe

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my face. I was having an ugly cry. An ugly cry for my beautiful friend who I could not honor in death the way he honored our friendship in life. He didn’t deserve to die like this. No one does.

For someone so full of life and loved by so many people to die young and alone just seemed cruel. He deserved to die an old man, surrounded by family and friends with bounce music playing in the background, so he could bounce his shoulder for us one last time. In those final moments, I would have kissed him on his forehead, held his hand, and told him “love & light Windell, see you in paradise.” Instead I, along with thousands of others, are all waiting on how we are going to say goodbye to another victim of this deadly disease that doesn’t discriminate against age, gender, or race.

Readers if you know someone that has died from COVID-19 we at, Houston Style Magazine, grieve with you. We are wiping away your tears, holding your hand, and allowing you to lean on our shoulder. We are helping you stand when you can’t find the strength to do so.

April 09 – April 15, 2020

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State of Emergency Declared: Coronavirus Is Airborne Black America Sounds Alarm As Experts Reveal Cornavirus Is Airborne

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By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

NPA NEWSWIRE — Medical experts have also sounded the alarm that the virus could well be transmitted through the air. “Currently available research supports the possibility that (COVID-19) could be spread via bioaerosols generated directly by patients’ exhalation,” Harvey Fineberg, who heads a standing committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats, wrote in an April 1, 2020 letter to Kelvin Droegemeier, the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) .

Medical experts have sounded the alarm that the virus could well be transmitted through the air.

While many medical doctors maintain that the novel coronavirus is transmitted through droplets from coughs or sneezes, more and more

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medical experts and officials who work primarily with infectious respiratory illnesses and aerosols are convinced that the disease is airborne.

Today, as a result of recent medical research and data, The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. has issued a solemn national public warning and alert to nearly 50 million African Americans.

“Black America is now in a state of emergency as a result of the disproportionately deadly impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our families and communities across the United States,” Chavis stated. “The coronavirus is now airborne. That means that the coronavirus can be in air that we breath.”

“Black Americans should stay at home and only leave home for critical life-essential reasons,” Chavis emphasized. “In fact, all Americans should stay at home to mitigate the spread of the

April 09 – April 15, 2020

coronavirus pandemic. But I must emphasize that because before the spread of the coronavirus, Black Americans were already disproportionately burdened with multiple preexisting health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, our communities are more vulnerable to the impact of the coronavirus, including higher rates of fatalities.”

A Pro Publica report revealed that African Americans made up almost half of Milwaukee County’s 945 cases and 81 percent of its 27 deaths in a county whose population is only 26 percent Black.

Milwaukee is one of the few places in the United States that is tracking the racial breakdown of people who have been infected by the novel coronavirus, offering a glimpse at the disproportionate destruction it is inflicting on Black communities nationwide.

In Michigan, where the state’s population is 14 percent Black, African Americans made up 35 percent of cases and 40 percent of deaths as of Friday, April 3.

Detroit, where a majority of residents are Black, has emerged as a hot spot with a high death toll. As has New Orleans, according to Pro Publica.

Louisiana has not published case breakdowns by race, but 40 percent of the state’s deaths have happened in Orleans Parish, where the majority of residents

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are Black.

Illinois and North Carolina are two of the few areas publishing statistics on COVID-19 cases by race, and their data shows a disproportionate number of African Americans were infected, according to the report.

“We know in the US that there are great discrepancies in not only the diagnosis but the treatment that African Americans and other minorities are afforded,” stated Dr. Ebony Hilton, associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the University of Virginia Health Systems.

“So, I want to make sure that in this pandemic, that Black and brown people are treated in the same way and that these tests are made available in the same pattern as for white people,” Dr. Hilton said.

A spokeswoman for the WHO told NNPA Newswire that the organization is focused solely on treatment and trials.

“As far as treatment for COVID-19 is concerned, so far, we have no evidence that any particular drug is effective, but researchers around the world are working hard on this. More than 20 vaccines are in development globally, and several therapeutics are in clinical trials,” stated WHO spokeswoman Ashley Baldwin.

Can’t Take The Memories: Roughneck’s Season Cut Short

By Brian Barefield, Sports Editor

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he sports world has suffered some major setbacks during this coronavirus pandemic. For the first time since 1939, there will be no men’s champion in NCAA postseason, also a first for women since the NCAA began hosting that tournament in 1981-82.

There also won’t be any spring sports (baseball, track & field, softball, etc.) in high school or college athletics this year. It affects the high school seniors the most because those who participate in spring sports lost their senior seasons to showcase their talents that could have earned them a college scholarship.

Major League Baseball had to cancel the rest of their spring training and delay the start of their season. The NBA halted its season with no official start day to resume activities which means the post-season is in jeopardy.

Olympic officials have delayed the 2020 Summer Games in Japan until 2021 to give athletes time to train once this pandemic is over.

But the coronavirus effect sent shockwaves through the city of Houston on March 12, 2020, with the cancellation of the XFL football season. The league issued a statement through their

official Twitter page that read:

“Currently, the XFL will not be playing its regular season games.

However, all players will be paid their base salaries and benefits for the 2020 regular season. The XFL is committed to playing a full season in 2021 and future years.”

And just like that, the Houston Roughnecks perfect season was over.

Just when the city had fully embraced another football team outside of the Texans, it was over. One thing that this pandemic won’t be able to take away is all the memories the Roughnecks gave

fans during their 5-0 run.

Who remembers the time that the Roughnecks were down 14-0 in Week 5 against the Seattle Dragons and quarterback P.J. Walker threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to RB/WR Nick Holley to start a 25-9 scoring run and Houston won 32-25?

What about a week prior when the Roughnecks were holding on to a seven-point lead against the Dallas Renegades with Dallas in position to score from the three-yard line and linebacker DeMarquis Gates forced and recovered a fumble to stall the drive and Houston won the game 27-20?

Should I mention that Walker led the league in passing yards (1,338) and passing touchdowns (15)? What about the outstanding season wide receiver Cam Phillips had by leading all receivers in receptions (31), receiving yards (455), and receiving TD (9)?

I would be doing the Houston fans a disservice if I failed to mention that two players in the Roughnecks defensive backfield, Deatrick Nichols (3) and Cody Brown (2), led the league in interceptions. Or that the aforementioned Gates had 32 tackles on the

season to put him in the top 10 in that category.

Houston Style Magazine Sports would like to thank XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck, Houston Roughnecks Team President Brian Michael Cooper, and head coach June Jones for the opportunity to cover the 2020 XFL Champion, Houston Roughnecks.

Style Points: Three players from the Roughnecks have signed NFL contracts.

Quarterback P.J. Walker – Carolina Panthers Defensive Back Deatrick Nichols – New Orleans Saints Linebacker DeMarquis Gates – Minnesota Vikings

If I could do one thing, I’d have a daycare closer to work.

If you could do one thing for your community, what would it be? More daycare centers? More funding for Head Start? Completing the 2020 Census is a safe and easy way to inform how billions of dollars in funding flow into your community for hundreds of services.

Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

Complete the census at:

2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.

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NON-Bleed Size: 9.75” x 6”

How To Sanitize Your Car Sanitizing Your Car To Reduce The Spread

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

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GUIDANCE FOR FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS Food has not been identified as a likely source of COVID-19 infection at this time; however, food businesses can play an important role in both protecting their employees and their customers from coronavirus infection by following the below personal and environmental hygiene practices.

VISIT WWW.HCPHTX.ORG OCEE 03/13/2020

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Stay home when you are sick with fever, coughing, and sneezing

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Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds upon first arriving to work, after using the restroom, before and after eating and frequently throughout the day. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

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Provide alcohol based (60%) hand sanitizers for use for both employees and customers by placing them at convenient/accessible locations

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Use sanitizing solution (i.e., one teaspoon of unscented household bleach in a gallon of cool water) to frequently sanitize commonly touched surfaces and objects such as electronics, door knobs, faucet handles, counter tops, cash machine key pads, dining tables frequently throughout the day. Change the sanitizing solution at least once every four hours

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Consider temporarily limiting self-serve operations. Examples of such operations include; salad bars, buffets and dispensers. Replace utensils frequently (approximately hourly) during peak use hours for self-serve style operations

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Ensure dishwasher and/or three-compartment sinks are used properly and have the appropriate level of sanitizer for final rinse (50-100 PPM chlorine-based sanitizer, follow product label for other approved sanitizers)

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Ensure sneeze guards are in place where required

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If you have food employees at higher risk for coronavirus with underlying health conditions, such as people 60 or older, people with underlying health conditions (heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes) or those with weakened immune systems or those who are pregnant: consider temporarily assigning them to non-public-contact duties

If you are a food business owner or a food worker and have questions related to your operation, please reach out to your Health Investigator or call 713-274-6300 to speak with office staff. For the latest information, please visit the following site: www.hcphtx.org\COVID-19

April 09 – April 15, 2020

ven as people around the country are avoiding large public gatherings, they still must get in their cars several times each day for necessary trips to work or the grocery store. People are taking precautions in public, such as using hand sanitizer or wiping down carts. But what about avoiding dangerous germs and bacteria that lurk in many common areas inside your car?

According to a recent survey by CarRentals.com, 32 percent of people clean the inside of their vehicles only once a year, while another 12 percent say they never clean the inside of their car. Germs and bacteria build up on high-touch surfaces such as steering wheels, door handles and seat belts without regular cleaning.

Here are some of the other dirty details of the survey: • There are roughly 700 different strains of bacteria living in the average vehicle, including Staphylococcus (“Staph”), which can lead to complications such as skin infections and food poisoning.

• The average steering wheel is four times dirtier than a public toilet seat.

• If you wonder about all the germs in the interior of rental cars, it is even worse with rideshare services.

Rideshare cars are 33 percent germier than rental cars.

• Although it is not part of the car, gas stations are a cesspool of bacteria.

The average pump handle is 6,428 times dirtier than public elevator buttons.

• During this time of increased sanitizing precautions, it is just as important to clean the common touchpoints inside our vehicles to combat potential exposure to bacteria carrying COVID-19 and other infections.

Local car care experts with Mr. Transmission and Milex Complete Auto Carecan discuss the most common ar-

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eas of exposure to bacteria in a vehicle and show the best ways to sanitize the interior of your car.

Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for Properly Sanitizing th Inside of Your Car: DO: Carry a packet of disinfecting wipes and frequently clean common touchpoints such as the steering wheel, door handles, seat belts and buckles, keys and fobs, window button, radio and climate control buttons, and more.

DON’T: Eat in the car. Although we often eat on the go, even the smalles particle left in the car can become a breeding ground for bacteria, particularly in a warm, enclosed environment.

DO: Use a sanitizing wipe or alcohol to clean the most commonly touched areas inside your vehicle. They are rife with bacteria and you will likely be surprised by the amount of dirt the wipes will pick up. Soap and water will work as well.

DON’T: Use any kind of bleach or hydrogen peroxide on your vehicle’s interior.

Both will kill germs but can damage the vinyl and plastics used in most modern cars. Do not use any ammonia-based cleaning products, as the ammonia breaks down the vinyl on the dashboard, making it sticky when subjected to heat and light.

DO: Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer and use it every time you enter the car. This is an especially important practice after touching a pump handle and buttons at a gas station.

DON’T: Keep a large pump bottle of hand sanitizer in the car. Warmer temperatures in the spring and summer months may cause the alcohol in the sanitizer to “boil”, causing the bottle to expand.

This may result in a crack or leakage of the plastic container.

KweliTV Launches on Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex

By StyleMagazine.com, Newswire

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weliTV, an ad-free subscription video on demand service that celebrates independent black stories from across the globe, is now available on Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex.

X1 and Flex customers can subscribe to and access kweliTV’s award-winning indie films, documentaries and kids programming over the Internet by saying “kwelitv” into the Xfinity Voice Remote or find kweliTV’s programming within X1’s “Black Film & TV” collection on Xfinity on Demand. kweliTV can be added to Xfinity customers’ service via X1 or Flex for $5.99 per month.

“We’re elated that kweliTV’s compelling, indie programming is now on Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Flex,” said DeShuna Spencer, Founder and CEO of kweliTV. “This launch allows us to amplify the stories of our 250+

promising and award-winning independent—mostly black—filmmakers from the U.S. and abroad as well as access a broader audience looking for more content that features authentic black storytelling.”

“Xfinity is proud to offer kweliTV on X1 and Flex and among our growing library of streaming options that highlight black culture within our Black Film & TV collection,” said Keesha Boyd, Executive Director of Multicultural Consumer Services at Comcast.

kweliTV’s 350+ titles showcase the rich history and diverse culture of the global black community with new award-winning and film festival-vetted films and documentaries added the first of every month.

For more information, visit: www.kweli.tv.

City Of Houston Day of Prayer THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020

By CNN/StyleMagazine.com, Newswire

hrough our mayor, Sylvester Turner, and city council, we are working tirelessly during this COVID-19 pandemic. These are unprecedented times, and it will require each of us to collectively work together to overcome the challenges ahead. Please know that every day we are discussing and implementing many policy changes and strategic plans to keep Houstonians safe.

Along with following guidelines recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention on the national level, as well as the Stay Home, Work Safe order on the local level, we need to also lean on the powerful prayer of a Higher Power. Regardless of what denomination one may be or religious views one may have, we must come together as a city and stand on faith.

In times of crisis, it is important for us to recognize prayer works.

As such, the city of Houston will have a Day of Prayer on Thursday, April 9, 2020. We ask that, as a city, we collec-

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Edward J Pollard and Family.

tively stop and pray, or take a moment of silence, wherever you may be, at 12:00 pm. We also ask that in your own time, people continue to pray throughout the day – to pray for our city, our families, our health, our essential workers, our circumstances, and most of all to pray that we contain and suppress the coronavirus so that we may save lives.

We ask that you please disseminate this information and participate with us in a Day of Prayer on April 9, 2020 at 12:00 pm.

April 09 – April 15, 2020

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Texans Helping Texans Bringing us together during uncertain times.

To learn more go to heb.com/texanshelpingtexans 16

April 09 – April 15, 2020

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