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Insight News

March 30, 2020 - April 5, 2020

Vol. 47 No. 13• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

COVID-19: THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG Virologist David Ho says the number of COVID-19 cases will rise and so too will the deaths.

Story on page 5

Page 2 • March 30, 2020 - April 5, 2020 • Insight News

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COVID-19 highlights health disparities facing African-Americans

By Harry Colbert, Jr. Managing Editor harry@insightnews.com The first tracked death in the United States of COVID-19 occurred on Feb. 29 and within a month we are at well beyond 2,500 fatalities with numbers expected to skyrocket further.

Dr. Tony Fauci, the nation’s number one infectious disease expert, said on March 29 on CNN that it is possible to see between 100,000 and 200,000 COVID-19-related deaths by the end of the crisis. An alarming number of these deaths are disproportionately of Black people.

So is COVID-19’s viral make-up one that afflicts Blacks more seriously than it does people of other ethnicities or is the virus highlighting the health disparities Black Americans have endured throughout time?

Many scientists and heath activists say it is the latter.

The deaths of Black Americans are being noted throughout the nation. In Wisconsin, as of this past Friday (March 27) of the state’s 14 COVID-19 deaths, eight of the victims were Black. That’s 57 percent of all Wisconsin deaths in a state where the Black population is just 6.7 percent.

The bulk of the deaths were in concentrated in Milwaukee and ironically, just weeks prior to the outbreak, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele introduced an ordinance to advance racial equity and improve health outcomes.

“We have a moral imperative as community leaders to address racial equity head on,” said Abele in a press release touting the proposed

Bassey Offiong, 25, died of COVID-19 in Michigan after his sister said he was denied test for the virus multiple times. ordinance.

“This ordinance is not only an acknowledgement of systemic racism in Milwaukee County, it is a commitment to equity and accountability for all those who have been disparately impacted for generations,” said Milwaukee County Supervisor Marcelia Nicholson (5th Dist.) in the same release.

It’s that same type of systemic racism that is claiming Black lives in Detroit.

Michigan is being ravaged by COVID-19. As of Sunday (March 29) 132 people in the state lost lives due to the virus. Of that, “Detroit and suburban Wayne County combined account for 49 percent of all confirmed cases of coronavirus in Michigan – and

42 percent of the 132 deaths.

That’s disproportionately high to Wayne County’s share of Michigan’s population, which is about 17.5 percent,” according to a Crain’s Detroit Business report. Detroit has the nation’s highest percentage of Black residents at nearly 80 percent.

Dr. Teena Chopra, professor of infectious disease at Wayne State University, said underlying health inequities are leading to more serious cases of COVID-19 among the state’s Black population.

“Detroit is uniquely disadvantaged,” said Chopra during a March 30 interview on CNN. “Obesity, diabetes, heart disease; these all are underlying conditions that make (COVID-19) so deadly. Also,

by the time we see (COVID patients) in hospitals they are already seriously ill. That’s because they are socially disadvantaged.”

That disadvantage of possible medical bias is highlighted by the case of Bassey Offiong.

Offiong, a 25-yearold senior at Western Michigan University, who was set to graduate with a degree in chemical engineering, died when, despite showing multiple symptoms of COVID-19, he was denied testing according to his sister. Asari Offiong told the Detroit News that her brother was denied test multiple times by medical staff at a Kalamazoo, Mich. medical facility.

“We don’t have the

data yet, but anecdotally we’re seeing a bias in who’s getting tested,” said Dr. Danielle Lee, a renowned scientist who is a leading advocate for Blacks in STEM. “What I worry about is the already existing bias in healthcare delivery that already exist for Black people, for people of color, for people with accents, for people who are poor or with disability – and please don’t be a combination of two or more – well, we already know that without a pandemic the quality of care is already low and these individuals have less ability to get doctors to listen to them … emergencies like this exacerbate the existing disparities.”

That could spell disaster for Blacks in New Orleans.

Per capita, New Orleans has the largest number of COVID-19 cases. As of March 30 New Orleans had just under 1,500 positive COVID-19 cases. To juxtapose the number, on the same date there were 576 positive cases in the entire state of Minnesota. Seventyeight of the 1,500 cases in New Orleans have resulted in death.

A Fox 8 (New Orleans) report found that, “according to the state health department, a number of people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19 had underlying health conditions. Forty-one percent had diabetes, 31 percent had chronic kidney disease and 28 percent were obese.”

“Because of the demographics of our unhealthy population and in New Orleans, in particular, we do have a large number of patients who have these conditions and that is what puts the patients in a higher risk category even if they are of a younger age,” Dr. James Diaz with LSU Health School of Public Health told Fox 8.

“You don’t necessarily have to be older than 65 for example, you could be younger and have one of these coexisting medical conditions.”

Minnesota Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL-Minneapolis) said the state is in a unique position to not see the same type disparities, but only if state officials act.

“It’s a ticking timebomb,” said Hayden.

“We’ve got to be using our community resources … our pastors, our community newspapers and such … to communicate to our people the seriousness of this disease.

We’re trying to make sure we’re ahead of the curve to keep our population safe.”

iStockphoto/NNPA; joebiden.com; Wikimedia Commons

The Biden-Abrams ticket was the strongest of the options among African American voters and women of color.

Biden-Abrams ticket beats Trump-Pence

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia A Democratic ticket of Joe Biden and former Georgia Rep. Stacey Abrams would beat a Republican pairing of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, according to a progressive think tank whose polls of presidential primary contests have earned high marks for accuracy.

Way to Win, a

women-led political funding group, commissioned Data for Progress to look into a potential vice presidential pick. The organization began conducting a new poll after Biden took a commanding lead in the delegate count following a string of primary wins that began in South Carolina and have continued through Super Tuesday and Super Tuesday II. Biden’s best chance to win in November is by selecting Abrams, according to the poll, an online survey of 4,998 likely voters across the country.

Participants in the poll were provided ticket options that included Abrams and Sens.

Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

“A Biden–Abrams ticket would beat a TrumpPence ticket and perform competitively with other hypothetical tickets, while also overperforming with key groups that constitute the Democratic Party’s base,” Data for Progress founder Sean McElwee wrote in an online memo.

Biden, whose most recent primary victories include Florida, Illinois, and Arizona, enjoys a healthy delegate lead with 1,142 to the 824 picked up by his remaining opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.).

A total of 1,991 delegates are needed to clinch the nomination.

Biden has pledged to select a woman as vice president should he secure the nomination.

“My cabinet, my administration will look like the country, and I commit that I will, in fact, appoint a, pick a woman to be vice president,”

Biden stated during the most recent Democratic Debate in Washington, D.C. “There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be my vice president.”

The survey noted that a Biden-Warren ticket did perform slightly better among young voters, a pairing of Biden and Abrams was a close second and tied with a Biden-Klobuchar ticket among independent voters.

The Biden-Abrams ticket was the strongest of the options among African-

American voters and women of color. The Ways to Win memo noted that other hypothetical tickets raise significant concerns about control of the Senate.

“There are even risks for Biden picking Warren to run as his vice president,” the group noted in the memo. “The governor of Massachusetts is Charlie Baker, a Republican, who will have the power to appoint a replacement for Warren until a special election takes place.”

To view the poll and memo, visit www. dataforprogress.org/memos.

Juxtaposition Arts CEO and cofounder DeAnna Cummings headed to McKnight Foundation DeAnna Cummings, one of Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA)’s three cofounders and current CEO and co-director will be transitioning to the role of program director of Arts at the McKnight Foundation.

Starting June 1, Cummings will lead McKnight’s Arts program, which supports working artists to create vibrant communities.

“DeAnna has been a local leader across sectors for

decades, and McKnight has been a longtime advocate and funder of JXTA,” said Pamela Wheelock, McKnight’s interim president. “We are delighted

by DeAnna’s decision to join McKnight and eager to see

her talent and vision add to our strong Arts program.”

This year marks JXTA’s 25th anniversary.

DeAnna Cummings

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Insight News • March 30, 2020 - April 5, 2020 • Page 3 WINNER: 2020 T YPOGRAPHY & DESIGN, 1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY (PORTRAIT & PERSONALIT Y), 1ST PLACE, WEBSITE, 3RD PLACE

Insight News March 30, 2020 - April 5, 2020

Vol. 47 No. 13• The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • insightnews.com

Executive order directs Minnesotans to limit movement to slow the spread of COVID-19

Stay at home order issued for Minnesotans To slow the spread of COVID-19 across the state, Gov. Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-20 directing Minnesotans to stay at home and limit movements outside of their home beyond essential needs.

This order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27 and ends at 5 p.m. April 10.

“We must take bold action to save the lives of Minnesotans,” said Walz.

“Having served as a Command Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard, I know the importance of having a plan.

While the virus will still be here when this order ends, this action will slow the spread of COVID-19 and give Minnesota time to ready for battle.”

Modeling released by the Minnesota Department of Health and University of Minnesota predicts that more than 70,000 Minnesotans could die from COVID-19 if no action was taken. The governor’s twoweek order to stay home is forecasted to significantly slow the spread of COVID-19 and allow the state time to make key preparations for the pandemic.

These preparations include building hospital capacity, increasing access to life-saving equipment like ventilators, increasing testing, planning for how to care for vulnerable populations, and assessing public health data to determine which community mitigation strategies are most effective.

“We will work with our world-renowned health care sector, cutting-edge manufacturers, innovative business community, and strong-spirited Minnesotans across the state to tackle this virus head on,” said Walz.

“These are trying times. But we are Minnesotans. We see challenges – and we tackle them. No matter how daunting the challenge; no matter how dark the times; Minnesota has always risen up – by coming together. If we unite as One Minnesota, we will save lives.”

Attorney General Keith Ellison

Minnesota attorney general warns about COVID-19 phishing attacks

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a two-week “stay at home” executive order to run March 27 through April 10.

Minnesotans may leave their residences to perform activities such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies, walking, hiking, running, biking, hunting, or fishing, getting groceries, gasoline, or carry-out, returning to a home from outside this state, caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household, moving between emergency shelters if you are without a home, relocating to a different location if your home has been unsafe due to domestic violence, sanitation, or essential operations reasons and activities by members within the boundaries of their tribal reservation.

“Our top priority is the health and safety of Minnesotans,” said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. “As the mom of a first-grader and the daughter of a parent with underlying health conditions, I know that the coming weeks will be difficult for many Minnesota families, but social distancing is the most important action we can take as a community to limit the spread of COVID-19

and

care for each other.”

Flanagan’s brother is one of the nation’s COVID-19 death victims.

“Public health and health care workers around the state are working incredibly hard to protect Minnesotans from this outbreak, and we need all Minnesotans to do their part to slow the spread,” Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. “These new measures will buy us muchneeded time to secure additional resources and line up additional protections for our most vulnerable Minnesotans.”

Workers who work in critical sectors during this time are exempt from the stay at home order. This includes, but is not limited to, jobs in healthcare and public health, law enforcement, public safety, and first responders, emergency shelters, congregate living facilities, drop-in centers, child care, food and agriculture, news media, energy, water and wastewater and critical manufacturing.

The Governor also today issued executive orders extending the closure of bars,

restaurants, and other public accommodations set forth in Executive Orders 20-04 and 2008 until May 1, 2020 at 5 p.m. and authorizing the commissioner of Education to implement a distance learning period for Minnesota’s students beginning on March 30 through May 4.

“As attorney general and a member of the Executive Council, I fully support Governor Walz’s ‘Stay at Home’ executive order,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “As Minnesota’s chief legal officer, I am confident the governor’s authority to issue it is firmly rooted in Minnesota law. The legislature granted the governor the authority and duty under state law to protect Minnesotans in a peacetime emergency.

Minnesota, we know how to get through hard times together.

This is another of those times.

We can choose to let it bring out the worst in us or the best in us. Let’s choose the best in us.”

Minnesota is one of 19 states to have issued stay at home orders in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

Attorney General Keith Ellison warned Minnesotans about a reported spike in phishing attacks related to COVID-19, and offered advice about how to spot, avoid and report them.

“We’re all concerned right now about our own health and the health of our loves ones and our communities. We’re also concerned about affording our lives. It’s disgusting to think about, but scammers are trying to take advantage of our very real concerns in order to rip us off and line their own pockets,” Ellison said. “Just like we can protect ourselves and each other by social distancing, we can protect ourselves and each other by keeping our distance from scammers. I’m putting out these tips so that everyone can recognize the signs of a phishing attacks and stay far away from them.

“It’s more important every day that Minnesotans consume information about the COVID-19 pandemic only from trusted resources like the Minnesota Department

of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — not from scammers with ‘urgent’ updates or ‘miracle’ cures. They should take advice about their own health, including testing and treatment related to COVID-19, only from their healthcare professional or a publichealth professional,” Attorney General Ellison continued.

Phishing is a scam where thieves attempt to steal personal or financial account information by sending deceptive electronic messages that trick unsuspecting consumers into disclosing personal information. The bait may be an email, instant message, or pop-up window from what appears to be a trusted institution or company – for example, a government agency, financial institution, or internet service provider, among others. The consumer is encouraged to provide account information or other personal

ELLISON 4

County jail inmate numbers down one-fourth in a week Efforts to release jail inmates who are not a danger to public safety cut the Hennepin County jail population by 26 percent in one week, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced.

As part of the effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office prosecutors have been working to release individuals awaiting a court appearance and being held in jail who have no record of violence and are charged with relatively minor felonies. The result is that the average daily population in the Hennepin County jail dropped from 815 on March 16 to 602 on March 20, Freeman said.

“Our first priority, while making these decisions, is community safety and the concerns of crime victims,” Freeman said.

The Juvenile Prosecution Division is undertaking the same type of review.

The county attorney’s

Hennepin County Jail office also has been working with the Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation, which oversees the county workhouse for those who have been convicted of a crime and are spending up to a year there as part of their sentence. The two departments are working to move as many as possible into electronic home monitoring.

For instance, a significant number of inmates leave every morning to go to their jobs. They are required to return to the workhouse at night and sleep in a cell.

Freeman said it would make sense to fit them with an electronic bracelet so they could return home after work.

“If this virus is so serious that we are emptying

government buildings, sports arenas and restaurants in order to halt the spread, it only makes sense to release people who are unlikely to pose a threat to the public,” Freeman said. “Taking these steps will protect the health of those working in the facilities, the health of the prisoners and ultimately, the health of all the residents in the county.”

However, nothing has changed in regard to people committing crimes. All police agencies are arresting people creditably accused of committing crimes and the charging standards at the county attorney’s office are unchanged from what they were before the COVID-19 crisis, Freeman said.

Moreover, as recently stated by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, prosecutors will be actively charging individuals who defraud others through coronavirus scams.

Crime victims can contact the victim/witness line at (612) 348-4003 with questions about their case.

130 people experiencing homelessness moved to alternative accommodations in response to COVID-19 Providing alternative accommodations for people experiencing homelessness who are at especially high-risk of COVID-19 (including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) has been a top priority for Hennepin County.

This past week staff moved 130 people out of congregate shelter settings into alternative living arrangements at area hotels. On March 17 the Hennepin County Board approved $3 million to secure alternative accommodations for

high-risk individuals, as well as separate spaces for people who may become sick or have tested positive for COVID-19.

Several people with flu-like symptoms have been identified and moved to separate living spaces and one

News

Greater Twin Cities United Way distributes $200,000 to provide emergency support for 75,000 people

PAGE 4

has been tested for COVID-19.

According to Hennepin County, as of March 23 there were no documented positive cases of COVID-19 within the Hennepin County shelter system.

iStockphoto/NNPA

The Supreme Court’s justices have unanimously decided to send the case back to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

Supreme Court sides with Comcast in discrimination dispute against Byron Allen

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia In a decision issued online March 23 over entrepreneur and media mogul Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios Networks in a discrimination lawsuit against Comcast, the Supreme Court’s justices unanimously decided to send the case back to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The lower court will now determine whether or not is should reconsider Allen’s claims in his $20 billion suit.

In an op-ed for BlackPressUSA.com, Maurita Coley, president and CEO of the Multicultural Media, Telecom, and Internet Council (MMTC) explains, “The lawsuit arose out of Comcast’s decision several years ago not to carry several Allen-owned television channels, such as Pets.TV and Recipe.TV. Comcast has argued its rejection of Allen’s channels was purely a business decision, reflecting what it viewed as

the channels’ limited audience appeal. Allen then promptly filed a $20 billion lawsuit against Comcast, alleging that the company’s refusal to contract with Allen’s company was racially motivated, in violation of Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866.

“District Court Judge Terry Hatter – a well-respected African American judge with an apparently strong record on civil rights – dismissed the case three times, finding that Allen had not established a plausible argument that Comcast would have contracted with his company ‘but for’ Allen’s race.

“Allen appealed to the 9th Circuit, which remanded Judge Hatter’s dismissal with a new guideline to the lower court that a plaintiff can state a viable claim under Section 1981 if discriminatory intent plays any role in a defendant’s decision not to contract, regardless of whether race discrimination was a “but for” cause of that decision. Comcast petitioned the Supreme Court to review the 9th Circuit’s decision, and the Supreme Court agreed.”

ALLEN 4

News

DNR adjusting and canceling some public events, open houses and meetings

PAGE 6

Page 4 • March 30, 2020 - April 5, 2020 • Insight News

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Nine individuals will be supported by a $50,000 stipend, workspace, and tailored curriculum to focus on turning their bold ideas into impact businesses

Finnovation Lab accepting applications for social impact entrepreneurs Finnovation Lab announced a third cohort of the Finnovation Fellowship Program, with applications being accepted April 1 through May 15.

The nine-month program provides early-stage social entrepreneurs with a $50,000 living stipend, $3,000 health care stipend, dedicated workspace, tailored curriculum and access to an ecosystem of advisors and mentors.

Finnovation Lab is seeking individuals with a tie to Minnesota who have bold ideas for sustainable, systems-level change. The fellowship supports entrepreneurs with a passion for generating lasting social impact through innovative business models, including traditional corporations, benefit corporations or nonprofit enterprises. Areas of impact include education, health, environment, hunger, poverty-alleviation, or any field that creates positive change across the region. Applicants should have identified and have a deep understanding of a social or environmental issue they want to solve and be committed to developing an idea for how to tackle the

(Left to right) Finnovation awardees La’Shante Grigsby (Ju+Co Café), Mohamed Malim (Epimonia), Alysha Price (The Price Dynamic), Lyndsey Calvin (Ascension Medical Devices), Shannon TL Kearns (Uprising Theatre Company), Judd Grutman (Vonzella), Jules Porter (Seraph 7 Studios), and Katie Myhre (RED Market). issue through entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurs who are already operating their businesses are not a good fit for this program.

“With each new batch of applicants, it gets harder to select a final group of fellows,” said Connie Rutledge, CEO

at Finnovation Lab. “We’ve seen a lot of incredible ideas to address social problems through unconventional methods,

and we’re excited to have the opportunity to foster growth for the leaders behind those ideas.”

Curriculum is focused

on leadership development, business planning and modeling, and systems-level analysis for social change using design thinking methodology. The Fellowship Program is often the first time participants can focus their energy on diving deeper into exploring the problem and a potential solution – learning, experimenting, and turning their idea into a reality.

“Seeing our fellows turn their innovative ideas into fully operating and impactful businesses is truly inspirational,” said Jacquie Berglund, Founder of Finnovation Lab. “With each new cohort of fellows, we are more energized to continue on with our mission of being a force for good.”

The Fellowship Program, which will run midSeptember 2020 through midJune 2021, is made possible through generous support from the Bush Foundation.

More details about Finnovation Lab and the Fellowship Program, including application information and eligibility requirements, is available at www.Finn-Lab. com.

Greater Twin Cities United Way distributes $200,000 to provide emergency support for 75,000 people Greater Twin Cities United Way (United Way) is distributing $200,000 in a first round of immediate grants from the Greater Twin Cities COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

Thirty-one of United Way’s existing housing and food security nonprofit partners will receive funding.

The funds will be used to address critical community needs, including food, shelter, childcare, sanitation and hygiene supplies, and financial assistance for approximately 75,000 people across the region.

“Our greatest concern is the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people already experiencing the

Ellison From 3 information, including financial information, and/or to click on a link that will install malware on the consumer’s computer.

greatest disparities,” said John Wilgers, president & CEO, Greater Twin Cities United Way. “That concern guides our strategy for targeting resources in this time of crisis.”

The grants are funded as part of the Greater Twin Cities COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund that United Way launched earlier this month. To donate to the fund, go to www.gtcuw.org or text GTCUWCOVID19 to 51555. One hundred percent of the donations will go directly into the community.

“Nonprofits are essential to mitigating the immediate and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on our communities, and many don’t

have the financial flexibility or buffers to sustain during a crisis of this magnitude,” said Acooa Ellis, senior vice president of Community Impact, Greater Twin Cities United Way. “We are uniquely positioned to support our nonprofit partners with the help of generous donors.”

United Way coauthored a joint letter to the governor’s office and legislative leaders with specific legislative actions to support nonprofits on the front lines so they can provide uninterrupted, critical services to communities across Minnesota. To reinforce action, United Way invites the community to endorse the letter.

Significant funding for essential nonprofit human

services is provided by the government. Most contracts are based on fee-for-service or per capita basis, meaning overhead costs are embedded in pricing.

Therefore, reductions in services due to the pandemic will create major fluctuations in cash flow and directly limit a nonprofit organization’s ability to serve the community over the long term.

A survey from Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and Propel Nonprofits found 72 percent of Minnesota nonprofits have less than six months of cash on hand. Further, 40 percent don’t have an operating reserve. Of those that do, the operating reserve is zero to five percent of their annual operating budget.

There has been an increase in phishing attacks in response to COVID-19.

Scammers are exploiting people’s heightened concern at this moment with phishing attacks that are increasingly realistic. Phishing scammers may purport to be government

leaders or health officials and claim to have important information about how to reduce the spread of COVID-19. They may claim to have access to tests, vaccines, or miracle cures.

State of Minnesota IT Services has observed COVID-19 phishing-related

scams including a fake COVID-19 tracking map that was distributing malware, COVID-19 smartphone apps distributing malware, scam websites and impersonations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

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Acooa Ellis, senior vice president of Community Impact, Greater Twin Cities United Way These new phishing scams use updated versions of the same tricks such as email addresses containing lookalike domains, such as emails ending in @cdc-gov.org instead of the legitimate @cdc.gov.

Ellison recommends to check email addresses and domains carefully before opening emails, look for misspellings, poor grammar, or unusual or unprofessional language in the email and do not assume that an email is legitimate because it includes the organization’s or business’s logo. Scammers often use them to fool you into thinking the email is legitimate.

Be skeptical of requests to verify your identity with sensitive personal information – especially if a site has not asked for the information in the past. The World Health Organization and the Centers for

Allen From 2 The Supreme Court filing, Comcast Corp vs.

NAAAOM, was the result of an appeal by Comcast of the 9th Circuit’s decision.

Comcast argued that the Section 1981 ban can only be interpreted as requiring “but for” causation. It argued that everyone must have “the same right” as white citizens “to make and enforce contracts.”

Comcast assured the justices that reasons that have nothing to do with race, such as a lack of bandwidth, and its decision to focus on news and sports content, were the basis of their decision not to carry ESN’s channels. Moreover, Comcast noted it had, for many years, carried numerous other Black-owned networks.| ESN countered that Comcast’s position would prohibit a plaintiff who alleges that race was a motivating factor for the refusal to contract from conducting fact-finding discovery on the claim, no matter how strong the evidence of racism, unless the plaintiff could meet the stringent requirement of plausibly alleging that race was the “but-for” cause of the refusal to contract.

Disease Control and prevention will never ask you for personal informational by email.

Companies you do business with already know your account number and will never ask you to provide it to them. The Social Security Administration, Medicare, or your financial institution will never ask you for personal information by email.

Ellison said if you have any doubt whether a communication is legitimate, call or email those businesses or individuals directly at the publicly-listed phone number to ask if it came from them.

More trusted tips for spotting and avoiding phishing attacks are available at the Attorney General’s website and the Federal Trade Commission.

Ellison is asking Minnesotans file a complaint about any scams they come in contact with to his office.

That, ESN reasonably insists, is an extremely high and difficult hurdle because “the defendant typically is the only party with access to evidence of the defendant’s motives.”

Comcast released the following statement saying, “We are pleased the Supreme Court unanimously restored certainty on the standard to bring and prove civil rights claims. The well-established framework that has protected civil rights for decades continues. The nation’s civil rights laws have not changed with this ruling; they remain the same as before the case was filed.

“We now hope that on remand, the 9th Circuit will agree that the District Court properly applied the law in dismissing Mr. Allen’s case three separate times for failing to state any claim.

“We are proud of our record on diversity and will not rest on this record. We will continue to look for ways to add even more innovative and diverse programming that appeals to our diverse viewership and continue our diversity and inclusion efforts across the company.”

NNPA attempted to contact Byron Allen’s attorneys for a statement. However, at the time of this writing, neither Allen nor his attorneys have provided any comments.

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Insight News • March 30, 2020 - April 5, 2020 • Page 5

Insight 2 Health

COVID-19: The tip of the iceberg

As of March 25, more than 19,500 people worldwide have died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) trustee David Ho of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University, says that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Ho, an expert on viral epidemics, has spent decades researching HIV/AIDS, having begun his career in Los Angeles, “ground zero” of the first outbreak, in the early 1980s. On March 18, Ho sat down with members of the Caltech community to discuss the novel coronavirus and the future of our society in the light of this global pandemic.

Walk us through the spread of the virus in the United States.

What does the country look like right now?

Let me just give you a picture of what I see here in New York. About two weeks ago, we had our initial case, and now in New York City newly diagnosed confirmed cases are tripling every two days. In our New York Presbyterian Hospital, approximately 25 percent of the swab samples that are submitted for testing are positive. In the suburban communities outside of New York, approximately 10 percent of the swabs submitted are positive. So, the virus is everywhere. And in New York, we know that we are in the exponential growth phase of the epidemic.

Looking back at what has transpired throughout the world, we saw the first wave hit China; the second wave hit South Korea, Italy, and Iran and then, trailed by only about a week or so, France, Germany, Spain, and the U.S. We all know that China went through a period of great devastation. It has over 80,000 cases. Italy is rapidly catching up, with over

how have they been dealing with the virus?

What is disturbing isthat virus shedding, as detected in the mouth or nose, is very, very common and could be there prior to onset of symptoms. That’s why transmission could occur from asymptomatic individuals. And virus shedding could continue for days up to three weeks after a person recovers.

31,000 cases. We suspect that in the U.S. this will rapidly sweep from the coastal regions and it will hit middle America. It is already there, but we will see exponential growth very, very soon. Then of course we are all worried about what would happen when this epidemic strikes places like Africa and India where the health care system is less developed.

Can you tell us about the pathology of the disease?

COVID-19 typically causes fever and a dry cough.

One may have aches in the body – the muscles – and if it’’ severe enough, there would be shortness of breath due to pneumonia.

Gastrointestinal symptoms can occur and are an indication of more severe disease. It’’ not very common to have a runny nose or the sniffles, and a sore throat is not common either.

The incubation period from exposure to onset of symptoms is between four and six days; and if you want to cover 95–98 percent of the

What in particular makes this virus so dangerous?

What is disturbing is that virus shedding, as detected in the mouth or nose, is very, very common and could be there prior to onset of symptoms.

That’s why transmission could occur from asymptomatic individuals. And virus shedding could continue for days up to three weeks after a person recovers. That is extremely worrisome for the spread of this virus. Furthermore, the stability of this virus is worrisome as well. If you put it in aerosol form and keep it in the air, the half-life is several hours; if you drop it on surfaces of copper or cardboard, it could survive about a day. But if it’s on steel or plastic surfaces, you could still detect infectious virus after 72 hours, although the infectivity decreases with time.

the biology of the virus?

The virus is highly related to another coronavirus called SARS coronavirus.

That was another outbreak that occurred worldwide 17-18 years ago, and largely in China and Asia.

The two viruses are about 80 percent identical. We know the origin of SARS was from a bat through an intermediary animal called the civet cat.

Another virus called Middle Eastern Respiratory Virus, MERS, also originated in bats and infected camels, and camels passed it to humans. For COVID-19, we believe the original host must be a bat species, because that animal carries a virus that’s 97 percent identical to what we’re seeing now.

Because of the SARS outbreak and the MERS outbreak, and research done on those two pathogens, we actually know quite a bit about coronaviruses.

What do we know about

The outbreak began in China;

cases it is between three and 10 days. It’s pretty rare to have an incubation period outside of that range.

This epidemic was first identified in a few cases with pneumonia in December 2019. In retrospect, there were scattered cases in November according to Chinese officials. I would say that initially there were missteps and lack of transparency that contributed to the explosive outbreak in the city of Wuhan in the central province of Hubei.

That epidemic in central China accounts for 85 percent of the confirmed cases in China. It led Beijing officials to quarantine the entire province of 50 million people. The epidemic peaked in early February with 4,000 newly diagnosed cases each

day. But since the lockdown and the various draconian measures applied, the number of new cases each day has been declining by half every week, and remarkably it’s now down to about 20 per day. The rest of China’s other provinces also applied very harsh measures and they indeed successfully flattened the curve outside of Hubei province.

We know what they’ve done is not sustainable and the question is: What is China going to do now if it relaxes the infection control measures?

Some of the recovered patients are still shedding virus and now China is surrounded by sick neighbors. Surely if they open

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Page 6 • March 30, 2020 - April 5, 2020 • Insight News

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Northside artist brings together past and future with mural project

By Davion Moore Residents of North Minneapolis are telling their own narrative.

The Northside Oral History project is a project that consists of two phases. The first phase involved working with 4000 More Creative to collect the stories of 90 community elders willing to share their perspective on North Minneapolis, as it has changed throughout the years.

The elders discuss the issues they’ve encountered, as well as stories of triumph and success.

Each of their stories was collected and heard in a special exhibit.

The project continues with the second phase, which involves individuals and organizations bringing these stories to life in a creative way.

Phase 2 includes four winners (one of which being McFarlane Media), who, in their own way, will highlight these stories and give the elders even more

recognition for their informative and essential stories. Another of the winners is a well-known, highly respected artist, who moved to North Minneapolis from Arkansas at the age of seven with his mother and siblings. He is called “North Minneapolis’ Resident Artist” by the community, and his “Welcome to North Minneapolis” mural captures the attention of all who visit the area. That artist is Charles Caldwell.

Caldwell showed exceptional talent at a young age. At 14, he was creating in different mediums such as oils, wood carvings, pencil drawings and portraits. Nearly two years later, he was earning a living selling his art.

For his project, Caldwell is working on a mural titled “Our Past is Our Future,” which will be a retrospective of his beginnings in North Minneapolis all the way up to now. The project will look at the changes in the community, as well as highlight the beauty of

This Charles Caldwell mural at West Broadway Avenue and Interstate 94 welcomes visitors and residents to North Minneapolis. the area.

One source of inspiration comes from a

visioning session that Caldwell held earlier this year. During this session, 50 people created

vision boards in correlation with their stories and perspectives of North Minneapolis. Some of

the common themes included stability, unity, ownership and family. These factors play an important part of our lives and our communities, and through Caldwell’s mural, as well as the other projects, we are reminded of their importance.

In the Northside Oral History Project, the 90 stories that were collected all show glimpses of how things such as racism and other traumas can affect us. However, there are also stories of resilience. With the help of community elders and their stories, we can gain a clearer perspective on what it takes to heal the area and can work towards creating the North Minneapolis the residents desire. And, the “Our Past is Our Future” mural will give a glimpse of that.

Caldwell hopes that through this project the community continues to grow (and get better) and that North Minneapolis’s beauty is captured.

State parks, recreation areas and public lands remain open

DNR adjusting and canceling some public events, open houses and meetings With contact stations closed, visitors will pay through self-pay and informational kiosks located at each facility.

Visitors are also encouraged to purchase daily and annual park passes online before they visit.

Currently, state parks naturalist programs are canceled. Staff from the parks division are trying to determine which programs are compatible with social distancing and will resume naturalist programing to the extent possible. State park bathrooms, vault toilets and shower buildings that are currently open will remain open, with increased cleaning protocols.

Public urged to use online and telephone options The DNR encourages the public to use social distancing options for doing business with the agency, such as buying or renewing licenses

online, calling rather than stopping by your local DNR office, using online or telephone reservation systems, and using email or phone to request information from the DNR’s Information Center.

The DNR has adopted state Department of Health social distancing guidelines, such as maintaining six to 10 foot distances, at front-counter operations with the public.

Postponed events include all safety education training, including firearms safety training, deer open houses and elk input meetings in northwest Minnesota.

For more information contact the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR (646-6367).

Email the center at info.dnr@ state.mn.us. Hours are 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.

– 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

COVID-19 Tip

infection in New York City and outside of New York City.

From 5

How long before the U.S. sees test availability similar to what South Korea has implemented?

The PCR testing, which is the one that’s approved, is now ramping up very, very rapidly in state and local labs as well as in academic medical centers and in the commercial sector. Their production will grow tremendously. Roche has a machine that will run 1,000 samples at a time. If you go to a commercial lab, they take a swab, they package it, they quite often send it to another facility somewhere else. The turnaround time is typically 72 hours.

In that period, it’s very, very hard to manage patients and their contacts. It’s a nightmare for the healthcare worker.

We need point-of-care tests. Those kinds of tests are available for HIV and for many other diseases; you use a finger stick, drop the blood on a small device, and have a readout in 15 minutes. These tests measure antibody response to the virus and are extremely useful. Yet we don’t have a single test licensed in the U.S. In China, in South Korea, and in Europe, those tests are used. The manufacturer for this rapid test is producing a million a day. It’s there. But in the name of protecting the

public, the FDA has moved very, very slowly. That delay, in my view, has caused more harm than good.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with guidance from state health officials, is postponing, adjusting, and canceling a variety of public events, including open houses, safety education training, state park naturalist programs and other meetings.

State parks, recreation areas, campgrounds, and other public lands remain open to the public.

“Now is a great time to get outdoors,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen.

“Parks are a great place to do some social distancing and enjoy the health benefits of nature.”

However, to ensure we meet state health guidance, visitors will experience some changes in services available.

State park visitor centers, contact stations and other ancillary buildings will be closed until further notice.

up their borders, infection will come in the same way it came into the U.S. The world is waiting to see what China is going to do.

Now in terms of the U.S., we obviously are undergoing exponential growth.

The 10,400 confirmed cases is a gross underestimate. The lack of testing is embarrassing. It’s an outright failure in leadership.

What are the tests we need to detect coronavirus infection?

Everybody’s talking about testing and that’s actually referring to PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing, looking for viral RNA to determine whether a person is infected.

But there’s still no talk of antibody testing to determine which people have had it and are immune, and that is another crucial tool we need to combat this epidemic. Many research labs throughout the country – I’m sure at Caltech too – could be running antibody tests right now to survey the population and tell us what the real penetrance of this pathogen is in our communities. We are, on a research basis, embarking on that to understand the degree of

Can you elaborate on point-of-care testing?

It’s almost like a home pregnancy test or home HIV test. These tests have been around for a long time. The test that I’m specifically referring to, coming out of China, South Korea, and approved in Europe, is an antibody test. You put a drop of blood on a plastic slide, add another drop of the buffer that comes with the test, and you let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, you look at the bands. You’re negative if you have just one band, or you’re positive if you have more than one band. The test also tells you type of antibody.

There’s a type of antibody called IgG (immunoglobulin G) and another type called IgM (immunoglobulin M).

Typically, when a person is infected, the IgM response is earlier and the IgG response is later. The two bands indicate the course of the infection.

This kind of test is available all over the world for HIV. The technology is there, the tests are there. But they’re not FDA approved. While I think they are fairly close to being approved, we have let several weeks go by and to me that’s tragic.

Will be

this

coronavirus seasonal?

Everyone is asking whether this virus is here to stay. Initially, just based on what China did with SARS long ago, there was hope that warmer weather and more sunlight would help kill the virus in our environment and therefore lower the probability of transmission.

But now this virus has gained such a strong foothold in the human population. It’s already 25 times larger than SARS and it’s already embedded in the Southern hemisphere.

If you look at Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, there are cases there already, and community transmission is occurring. As the weather changes, perhaps the Northern hemisphere will gain an advantage. But the epidemic in the Southern hemisphere is going to accelerate.

The long-term outcome may resemble influenza so that we have seasonal bouts, with the virus bouncing back

Postponed DNR events include all safety education training, including firearms safety training, deer open houses and elk input meetings in northwest Minnesota.

and forth between the Northern and Southern hemispheres. This is of course just speculation, but that’s what we see with influenza.

Why does COVID-19 have less impact on children and more impact on the elderly?

Well, the latter part is easy. Older people generally do less well with all sorts of respiratory infections, including influenza and SARS. So that’s just the typical scenario we see. The children, however, are a mystery. As you know, children typically get flu or other respiratory viruses very quickly and bring them home to infect the parents. But in this particular case, the number of children infected in China, after extensive studies, don’t seem to indicate that this is the case for this coronavirus.

Some people seem to show mild symptoms while others have a more severe experience. Has the virus already mutated?

RNA viruses all replicate with low fidelity.

Mutations occur at pretty similar rates and these viruses typically don’t have proofreading functions.

In contrast, we replicate our DNA with high fidelity and we have a proofreading function to fix the errors. So, every time they replicate, there’s a fixed rate of mutation. This virus is mutating but it has mutated very little so far. There are differences but probably they are functionally not important, so that’s not the explanation for why you see different disease courses among the infected.

For HIV it’s the same thing. Ten people could be infected by the same strain but you have very different outcomes. With HIV, genetics and environmental factors play a role. Some of the genetics has been worked out; we know that there are certain tissue types that would protect and others that would harm. I suspect it’s the same here.

Once you become infected with the virus, can you get it again?

There are a few anecdotes from China about re-infection but, if you look at those reports carefully, they’re not well-documented. It could be that folks just continued to shed virus from the initial infection. Only one study was formally done and it is not a

human study. It’s a macaque study. They infected macaques with this virus, then waited until the monkeys recovered and tried to re-infect them.

They could not. This just came out in the past few days. That bodes well for human immunity.

We have now looked at a lot of serum from convalescent individuals and those serum samples have antibodies against the so-called spike protein of the virus. That’s the protein that sits on the surface of the virus particle. By tightly binding, the antibody could neutralize the virus. Once an infected person develops antibodies, there should be protective immunity for quite some time. That’s why we need to buy time for immunity to develop in the population.

After a person recovers from the virus, how long are they still contagious?

That’s a very important question. We’re not sure; one individual in China was shown to have persistent virus shedding for over a month.

But typically, we’re looking at a three-week period from onset of symptoms.

What should we be doing to limit the spread of this epidemic?

The social distancing and good hygiene strategies have been successfully applied, in South Korea for example, to bring their epidemic down.

They’re the only other country that has flattened the curve – slowed down the number of new infections to not overwhelm the healthcare system – and gradually brought this epidemic under control. There are many places that have done a pretty good job of not allowing the epidemic to explode, such as Taiwan and Hong Kong. These are places that had quite a bit of experience in fighting SARS, 17 years ago.

Are you optimistic that these measures combined with research will be enough to combat the coronavirus?

I personally believe we will blunt this epidemic, but I think we wasted a good four to six weeks largely because of lack of testing and lack of a certain preparedness. But I think we could still make a difference and bring it under control with very harsh measures.

But again, are these measures sustainable? We’ve

got to expect that businesses must reopen and schools must teach again. Whether it’s travel or sports or live entertainment, we’re going to have to return to some semblance of normalcy.

But what are the measures that are effective and sustainable?

That’s a question we as a society have to deal with.

We need to buy time so that gradually the population will have a degree of immunity.

Most importantly, we need to buy time to allow science to deliver solutions.

We’re going to have to develop drugs, antibodies, and vaccines.

I think the mobilization by the scientific community, from my perspective, is amazing. So many people have mobilized and jumped on this and are contributing, from discovering small-molecule drugs that could block various enzymes of this virus to coming up with antibodies that could neutralize the virus. Researchers have already come up with a few promising chemicals that could be a good start to drug development. There are already a few neutralizing antibodies isolated from infected individuals; my own group is in the midst of doing all that.

And, of course, people are working on vaccines. A lot of companies are working on vaccines and those vaccines are at various stages. A couple are within weeks of entering human testing and that’s quite, quite remarkable. There is one thing about vaccines, though: Some of the experiments previously done on SARS suggested that when animals developed antibodies and then were given the virus, they had greater lung injury due to the presence of the antibodies.

The scientific community would have to resolve that issue quickly and its resolution would either halt the current approaches or unleash them to move full speed ahead. We certainly will take a part in doing that. I think we have the real possibility that COVID-19 may become a fact of life until science comes through as it has done for past epidemics.

This is going to take some time. But I’m very confident that the science will rise to the task and provide a solution. But it’s not going to be a few months as our president suggests. It’s going to be much longer than that. I would say 18 months, or 24 months. I think we are all facing tough challenges ahead.

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Insight News • March 30, 2020 - April 5, 2020 • Page 7

iStockphoto/NNPA

Keep thoughts of isolation at bay by reconnecting with friends and loved ones and making use of what’s available in real time and online. #QuarantineAndChill and enjoy the time you have with those you love.

#QuarantineAndChill: Things to do during the COVID-19 crisis

By Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D. NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Editor COVID-19, Coronavirus or “Rona” as some are calling it has changed the way society typically functions.

Some cities have imposed mandatory quarantines while others are encouraging self-control and self-quarantining. Many are complying with official requests for social distancing and eliminating contact with those outside of the household.

Folks are trying to manage how to teach their children at home and fulfill employment obligations while not losing their minds during this new normal marked by disappointments like canceled proms and graduations, rogue relatives refusing to follow the rules and constant news coverage of those who are sick and have passed away.

Despite these challenges there is a silver lining. Just when you were lamenting over failing to follow through on giving up social media for Lent, lots of people are coming together on social media to offer wonderful activities for those at home.

Free celebrity performances on Instagram Celebrities are offering outstanding free programming. John Legend was joined by model and partner Chrissy Teigen for a CONVID-19 benefit concert from his living room that played on Instagram. If you didn’t catch John Legend, musical acts as diverse as Luke Bryan, JoJo, Miley Cyrus, D-Nice and Common are offering online concerts via Instagram. All you need is an Instagram account to watch and you’re good to go.

If those folks don’t do it for you, then check out NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts series, intimate video performances, recorded live at the desk of “All Songs Considered,” host Bob Boilen. Rising rap star Chika’s performance just dropped and shows her skills and playful side. Other popular performances include The Roots featuring trombonist Jeff Bradshaw and Bilal, Rev. Sekou and The Seal Breakers, Lizzo, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah and Omara Portuondo.

Speaking of Instagram, can you say Debbie Allen? The iconic dancer, choreographer

and director offered up a free dance class this past week to lift the spirits of those feeling isolated during the crisis.

Thousands checked in and had a blast based on the comments.

Not to worry, if you missed it, she’s offering the dance class every Wednesday at 3 p.m. CST during the COVID-19 crisis. How much would it normally cost to take a dance class from Debbie Allen?

Who knows but now you can dance with Allen for free and in the comfort of your home?

Allen is also offering a kids class Saturday on Instagram at 1 p.m.

CST. Things

for the kids If the Debbie Allen kids dance class is not for you, then check out some of the following things your kids might enjoy. Many zoos and museums are putting exhibits online during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens is livestreaming several animals and exhibits on its Facebook page.

Cosmickids.com offers yoga, programming and lesson plans to teach yoga and mindfulness to children.

Although, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is closed due to coronavirus, it has an app that features highlighted objects from their collection, multimedia and augmented reality and stories exploring their 12 inaugural exhibitions.

If arts and crafts are your thing, Michael’s has lots of do-it-yourself projects for children that are easily made with materials around the house. If you’re jonesing for the touch and feel of cotton, then you can order online and pick-up curbside at participating Michael’s stores.

Now is a wonderful time to breakout the boardgames like Sorry, Monopoly, Life, Clue, Jenga, Escape Room in a Box and Black Card Revoked, which not only entertain kids of all ages but also offer fun for adults. Not to fret adults, there’s also Spades Plus (virtual), virtual chess games, Words with Friends and several online tonk and bid whist sites, so you can get back to making blind bids and running Bostons on folks in no time at all.

For parents who have slacked off on watching media with their kids, now is the perfect time to practice media literacy by sitting down and playing video games with your kids so you can see what they’re doing and talk about it in a critically engaged, and fun way. You may

just understand why you should think thrice before allowing your kids to play “Grand Theft Auto” or “World of Warcraft.”

You can also show them some of your favorite video games which parents may discover they like just as much. Finally, for those who are having anxiety over teaching their younger children academic lessons, check out ABCMouse. com, which is offering a free 30day trial.

Binge-A-Thons COVID-19 has created the perfect opportunity to binge on television series and film genres that you love.

Blaxploitation films are often available on demand for free via most cable provider. Choose your favorite director like Spike Lee, Gina Prince Bythewood, Ryan Coogler, John Singleton or Ava Duvernay and watch their films until your heart is content. You might also like television shows from the 1970s and 1980s, many of which are also available on demand.

If you want to Netflix and chill, check out outstanding programming you may not have had an opportunity to watch yet like “Raising Dion,” “Dear White People,” “Dolemite Is My Name,” “Jezebel” and “Queen Sono.” Netflix’s highly anticipated series “Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame C.J. Walker” was released March 20. Inspired by the life of Madame C.J. Walker, the first self-made woman millionaire, the series stars Academy Award-winner Octavia Butler, Blair Underwood, Tiffany Haddish, Carmen Ejogo, Garrett Morris and Kevin Carroll.

If you’re tired of “Netflix and chilling,” then check out Lena Waithe’s new series “Twenties,” season 2 of “Boomerang” or Tyler Perry’s “Sistas,” all on BET. For the Black foodies out there, watch Kardea Brown make Gullah inspired recipes on “Delicious Miss Brown” (Food Network) or “Caribbean Pot “(Black Life TV) featuring the food of Chef Phil La Rosa.

After eating that delicious food, get up and get moving to the plethora of free workout videos available on YouTube. Follow your favorite YouTube fitness stars Jenelle Salazar (@getbodiedbyJ), Lita Lewis (@followthelita) for workout routines for various fitness levels. You may now have time to finally try Zumba or subscribe to a fitness site like Daily Burn, which is

offering a 60-day free trial.

TV One’s “Unsung” series always satisfies dropping tea about entertainers you grew up with in the 1990s. Don’t forget to watch HBO’s “Watchmen.”

As the kids would say, COVID-19 is gonna COVID-19, so we may as well make the best of our time #AloneTogether.

Outside of holidays, when do

folks really have this much potential time to spend together?

Keep thoughts of isolation at bay by reconnecting with friends and loved ones and making use of what’s available in real time and online. #QuarantineAndChill and enjoy the time you have with those you love.

Nsenga K Burton,

Ph.D., is founder & editorin-chief of The Burton Wire.

Burton is also a professor of film and television at Emory University and co-editor of the book, “Black Women’s Mental Health: Balancing Strength and Vulnerability.” Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual or @ TheBurtonWire.

Page 8 • March 30, 2020 - April 5, 2020 • Insight News

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In wake of canceled performances and educational classes, CTC makes staffing reductions

Children’s Theatre Company creates online programming Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is launching three online programs through their social media channels while performances and classes are cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

CTC also took steps to reduce expenses including furloughing of staff, reducing hours and implementing pay reductions.

CTC is launching three online engagement programs called Mindfulness Mondays, Write On! Wednesdays, and Suggestion Saturdays.

Mindfulness Mondays will include both stress-reducing exercises for emotional intelligence, self-regulation and empathy developed through the Creative Play program and thought prompts and exercises that reflect awareness, equity and social justice. Write On! Wednesdays, which will begin on Facebook, asks parents to send their children’s original plays and stories to CTC. The following Wednesday, one script will be chosen to be performed by members of the theater’s resident acting company and performing apprentices and released via video on Facebook.

Finally, Suggestion Saturdays is a day when CTC’s Artistic Director Peter Brosius will pose an artistic process question to our online audience. These programs will be joined by additional online programs rolling out over the next few weeks. CTC’s Off Book online magazine will continue to feature additional ways to engage children at home with creative activities.

Performance cancellations and staffing reductions On March 13, CTC announced the cancellation of the remaining 28 performances of “Spamtown, USA” and performances of “The Rainbow Fish,” and winter Theatre Arts Training classes through April 5. CTC is making additional

CTC’s presentation of “The Rainbow Fish” is just one of the productions canceled by the theater due to COVID-19. changes in response to the CDC guidelines for large group gatherings of less than 50 people for eight weeks that include canceling Spring Theatre Arts Training classes. The theater company is exploring options for postponing its production of “Annie.” CTC’s Theatre Arts Training summer camps and programming will continue as currently scheduled.

As a result of these cancellations CTC has made changes in staffing levels. CTC

has furloughed 65 percent of full or part-time regular union and non-union employees and reduced hours for another 8.5 percent of full or part-time regular staff. The remaining 26.5 percent of non-union fulltime staff took pay reductions in the range of 2-20 percent on a graduated scale based on salary levels.

All part-time staff have also been furloughed.

CTC will continue paying its portion of employees benefit premiums, including

health care, for the duration of the time employees are on furlough or have reduced hours.

“We are heartbroken to be in this situation due to the coronavirus pandemic. We have to do everything we can to protect our ability to impact the lives of young people and their families in the future.” stated Managing Director Kimberly Motes.

“Regrettably, our financial position necessitates us taking very difficult steps now in order to be able to reemerge and

continue to serve the children and families of Minnesota.”

“Each of us, and everyone on this planet is being challenged and tested now like never before. It is so hard, the sacrifices so great, the uncertainty so unnerving,” stated Brosius. “But there is something we know; we will come out of this and we will continue to dedicate ourselves to the critical work we do of educating, challenging, and inspiring young people. We will be their allies

and their advocates because we know they need to be respected, the complexity of their lives needs to be acknowledged, and they need to be given wings to fly. That is what we do and we do it so well. Our community needs this, our nation needs this and most importantly our young people need this.”

Those wishing to donate to the CTC can do so online at www.childrenstheatre. org.

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:

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