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HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS COVID - 19 NAACP holds teleconference to reach out to community Residents urged to look out for one another
By Lisa Fitch, Editor in Chief, Our Weekly News
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The NAACP hosted an Emergency Tele Town Hall about coronavirus, COVID-19 and its potential impact on communities of color.
“The truth is, there are so many within this nation who are disenfranchised from receiving adequate and affordable care due to socio-economic cir cumstances,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP presi dent and CEO. “This virus will have dire consequenc es on so many, but specifically African-Americans, who suffer from higher rates of chronic illness.”
Johnson prefaced his comments by sharing his experiences as someone who lived through Hurri cane Katrina.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) agreed. “We want to make sure we’re not looking at anoth er Katrina-like response from the government,” she said, adding her support for the Coronavirus Re sponse Act passed by the U.S. House of Representa tives over the weekend.
The House worked late last Friday and into early Saturday to pass—with bi partisan support—a relief bill designed to dull the so cietal impact of the coronavirus pandemic. President Donald Trump endorsed the bill, first on Twitter Fri day night, and again in his press conference on Satur day.
H.R. 6201, the Fami lies First Coronavirus Response Act, includes the priority of paid sick leave, as well as enhanced un employment insurance, increased funds for Med icaid, and provisions to ensure food security for those affected by the global pub lic health crisis.
The act is designed to assist U.S. low-income workers who do not have paid sick leave, should their business owners close shop. Harris said that 40 percent of those persons are either Black or Latino. “We will be push ing this in the Senate and working with our friends in the House to make sure as many people get paid sick leave as possible,” Harris said. “We need to make sure that the Senate does its job and brings this to a vote without delay.”
The senator also em phasized that residents need to look out for one another.
Harris alluded to the vi olence that has arisen from some panicked residents toward “our Asian brothers and sisters.”
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams agreed. “People need to make attempts to connect more deeply and more often,” Adams said, suggesting a buddy system. “People want to still feel like some one out there still cares about them.”
Adams said that (then) current coronavirus num bers in the U.S. matched numbers Italy saw two weeks ago.
“The next few weeks are going to be critical,” Adams said, adding that he realizes the African Amer ican community does not have a lot of trust in the current administration. “I know what it’s like grow ing up poor, Black and with limited healthcare. I will keep fighting for peo ple of color and I hope I can earn your trust.”
Adams has held the surgeon general post since 2017 and stressed that he is not a politician. The former anesthesiologist and Indi ana State Health Commissioner began a campaign in September 2018 along with other public health officials to promote sea sonal flu vaccinations because the previous year’s flu epidemic resulted in the deaths of an estimated 80,000 Americans.
“Testing has not gone the way we would have liked it to have gone so far,” Adams said regarding the coronavirus. He not ed that the country is at a turning point now, as over 83 state and local labs are now working on develop ing and providing tests. “We’re prioritizing test ing for healthcare workers and those most vulnerable, those over 65 with medical conditions.”
In addition to the CDC guidelines for limiting the impact of the disease, which include social dis tancing and hand washing, Adams also mentioned that the President had authorized more than $50 billion in funding for states and localities to work against the spread of coronavirus.
Nicolette Louissant, PhD., is the executive di rector of Healthcare Ready, an organization established after Hurricane Katrina. It works with the public and private sectors to strength en healthcare systems before, during, and after disasters.
“We have to approach this from a community preparedness standpoint to work together and engage our community,” said Lou issaint, who also suggested one-on-one support like making “old-school phone calls” and delivering pre scription medications to those who need them.
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2020 Disney Dreamers Cut Short Due to Coronavirus Concerns Students from the NY-NJ area selected for the 2020 Disney Dreamers. L to R: Sydney Cobb (East Windsor, N.J), Danielle Phillip (Valley Stream, N.Y.), Myah Mitchell (Cambria Heights, N.Y.), Sadie Munoz (Maplewood, N.J.), Fatoumata Soumare (Brooklyn, N.Y.). (Todd Anderson, photographer) Actors Marsai Martin (ABC’s “Black-ish” and Arica Himmel (ABC’s “Mixed-ish”); Editor-at-large of Essence Mikki Taylor and Walt Disney World Resort VP Tracey Powell; along with Disney Dreamers Myah Mitchell from Cambria Heights, N.Y. and Joseph Adams from Marietta, Ga. They participated as Grand Marshalls for a celebratory parade signaling the beginning of the 13th annual DDA. (Gregg Newton, photographer)
By Marisol Rodríguez
Harlem Community Newspapers | March 26. 2020 10 T his year’s Disney Dreamers Acad emy (DDA) with Steve Harvey and Es sence Magazine, was cancelled on March 12, at the end of the first day of the youth motivational pro gram, due to concerns of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). A statement distributed by the DDA Public Relations Team stated: “In response to the fast-changing coronavirus situation, we made the difficult decision to cancel scheduled activities and events for this year’s Dis ney Dreamers Academy.” Unfortunately Harlem Community Newspapers did not get a chance to talk to the youth from our area, who experienced just a taste of the DDA ex perience: Fatoumata Soumare (Brooklyn, N.Y.); Myah Mitchell (Cambria Heights, N.Y.); Danielle Phillip (Valley Stream, N.Y.); Sydney Cobb (East Windsor, N.J.) and Sa die Munoz (Maplewood, N.J.).
The Disney Dreamers and their family chaper ones who joined them, had some time to meet each other before they began the 13th annual parade along the streets of Disney’s Magic King dom, officially kicking off the Disney Dream ers Academy. This year Dreamers Myah Mitchell, from Cambria Heights and Joseph Adams, from Atlanta, joined Marsai Martin, star of ABC’s “Black-ish” and Arica Himmel, a native New Yorker herself, and star of ABC’s “Mixed-ish,” along with Editor-at-large of Essence Mikki Taylor and Walt Disney World Resort VP Tracey Powell as grand marshals of the parade. For a couple of hours after the parade stu dents enjoyed time in the Magic Kingdom before the announcement of the program’s cancellation, around 8:00pm on March 12.
Disney helped to schedule travel arrange ments for students and their families traveling back the next day. While some left that morning, others stayed until Friday evening and enjoyed the Disney Theme Park Pass they all received as part of the weekend program. One parent from Atlanta commented he was tak ing his Disney Dreamer son to Animal Kingdom before the 500 mile drive back home. His son is a trained scuba diver, inter ested in marine biology and was going to spend his “Deep Dive” at the Animal Kingdom theme park.
“Deep Dives” are a key part of the weekend where the 100 students divide into smaller groups where they participate in a workshop facilitated by one or more profession als working in the career fields of their interest. This year they had 17 topics including: Jump Start, Film Production, Marine Biology, Tech nology, Music Production and Journalism.
Usher’s New Look Foundation – Celebrating 20 Years of Service N on-profit executive and educator Careshia Moore, Esq. is the Pres ident and CEO of Usher’s New Look (UNL), the youth empowerment foundation is celebrat ing 20 years of service. In her role as President and CEO of UNL, Ms. Moore provides strategic leadership to the organi zation that is committed to transforming the lives of underserved youth into passion-driven lead ers.
To commemorate its 20-year anniversa ry, Ms. Moore and her staff, along with volun teers, sponsors and UNL Board Members, pre sented the 2019 Disruptivator Summit at Atlanta’s Emory University in July 2019. The three-day event brought together hundreds of students, parents, educators and like-minded individuals interested in addressing the needs of young peo ple and helping them achieve their goals. The event also served as the launch of UNL’s 20 For 20 fundraising cam paign.
Ms. Moore is an ad vocate and educator who has a heart for inspiring others to reach their po tential. She is a mentor, leadership development expert, workshop cre ator and facilitator and a designer of educational products. As a life-long educator, Ms. Moore’s observation of the dis parities among underserved youth was the catalyst for the work in which she is currently engaged and propels her to continue to seek out innovative strategies to equip youth to compete to succeed.
Ms. Moore is active in her community through membership on boards such as Communities in Schools of Henry Coun ty and United Way Advisory Board. She is also the founder of League of Women Entrepreneurs, a networking group that seeks to empower, edu cate and elevate women in business. In recogni tion of her dedication to the community and her passion for encourag ing and inspiring others, she was named as one of Southern Journal Maga zine’s Top 14 under 40. Ms. Moore earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida.
Ms. Moore is mar ried to her husband of 16 years, and they are the proud parents of one son and one daughter. The Moore family recently co-authored a children’s book, Mikaela the Koala.
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CON EDISON EXPANDS EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC DURING CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY I n its continuing effort to protect customers and employees from the coronavirus (COVID-19), Con Edison has halted all meter reading and installation of smart meters.
The decision builds on steps the company took previ- ously to support pub- lic health and safety. Con Edison is al- ways ready to re- spond to every emer- gency. The energy company’s managers and crews are com- mitted to keeping New York safe and the service reliable. “Nothing is more important than health and safety,” said Tim Cawley, the presi- dent of Con Edison. “We want to protect everyone while pro- viding the safe, reli- able service our cus- tomers need. While many of our work activities have been put on hold, we are focusing on system infrastructure work that ensures safety and reliability.”
Con Edison will enter a customer’s home only for emer- gencies, safety-relat- ed inspections and customer-requested service connections and enhancements. Con Edison em- ployees who need to enter a home for one of these reasons will carry proper identifi- cation. Our workers are following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and New York State and City guidelines.
The workers will ask if anyone in the household is ill and discuss how they may carry out their tasks with everyone’s safety and comfort in mind. If you have an appointment with us, please let us know if you or anyone in your premises is quarantined by calling 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). All company em- ployees and con- tractors are advised to follow social dis- tancing guidelines. Other steps Con Edison has taken in- clude:
· Stopping shutoffs of electric, natural gas or steam service due to non-payment resulting from the health crisis.
· Waiving new late-payment charges for all customers and suspending the fee charged to a custom- er who is unable to grant access to their property. We will continue to shut off service when there is a safety issue.
· Temporarily shutting down cus- tomer service walkin centers in the five boroughs and West- chester County. Res- idential customers can choose one of the other convenient ways to pay their bill, including online at My Account, by mail with a check or money order, or by phone at 1-888-925- 5016.
· Pausing energy efficiency service visits to homes and businesses in New York City and West- chester County.
Con Edison is also having administra- tive employees work from home, field personnel conduct pre-job briefings in smaller groups, and dividing work- ers into teams. The company instructs employees to fol- low the CDC guide- lines, including hand washing and social distancing.
To get the most recent information about help Con Ed- ison is providing to our customers vis- it our Coronavirus webpage.
NEW YORKERS: STAY HOME TO STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS
New Yorkers working together and staying home can slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in New York City. When you go out for essential needs, work or to get fresh air, keep distance between yourself and others and take the following precautions.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS IF YOU ARE SICK
• Keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others. • Wash your hands with soap and water often. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing. • Do not touch your face with unwashed hands. • Monitor your health more closely than usual for cold or flu symptoms. • Stay home. • If you have a cough, shortness of
breath, fever, sore throat and do not feel better after 3-4 days, consult with your doctor. • If you need help getting medical care, call 311. • NYC will provide care regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.
PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE
• Stay home if you have lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer or a weakened immune system. • Stay home and call, video chat or text with family or friends who have one of these conditions.
REDUCE OVERCROWDING
• Stay home. • Telecommute if possible. If you do go out:
• Stagger work hours away from peak travel times. • Walk or bike. • Do not gather in crowds.
Quanrantine Fillers – Books to read during Coronavirus shut in
Hunker down. That’s what you’ll be doing for the immediate future: trying to stay well or get well or just waiting. You’ve had enough TV and the pantry’s as clean as it’ll ever get, so maybe it’s time to find something to read. Why not try one of these great books..... FICTION If you’re a fan of unusual thrillers, look for “Please See Us” by Caitlin Mullen. It’s the story of two dead women who have not yet been found in their marshy grave. But they know what’s going on, and they know they won’t be alone for long. Oh, and they know who killed them. Also, thriller fans, get “Journey of the Pharaohs” by the late Clive Cussler and Graham Brown. If you’ve ever read a Cussler book, you know what you’re in for!
“The Love Story of Missy Charmichael” by Beth Morrey is a sweetheart of a book. It’s about w seventy-nine-year-old woman who’s largely alone; her children are scattered or estranged and she’s old enough to believe that reflection on her past is all she has left. And then she meets a dog....
The fan of historical fiction will love having “Westering Women” by Sandra Dallas on the sofa. It’s the story of a young seamstress and her small daughter, both of whom travel with a caravan of other women to answer the call for “eligible women” out west in the 1800s. Adventure, love, action, can you resist? NON-FICTION Music fans will love hunkering down with “The Beatles from A to Zed” by Peter Asher. It’s an easybreezy book on the Fab Four, but indirectly – which means you’ll get some little-discussed, little-known tales that fans will need to know. Here’s another book that’s perfect for the music fan: “She Can Really Lay It Down” by Rachel Frankel, a book about music’s female rebels and rockers. Or look for “1973: Rock at the Crossroads” by Andrew Grant Jackson, a book that’s part history, part music history, and all perfect nostalgia.
For the reader who loves a good true-medicine tale, try “The Open Heart Club” by Gabriel Brownstein. Written by a man whose life was saved by cardiac surgery when he was just a small child, this book looks at heart surgery in the distant past and what’s being done to cure the heart now. Another book to look for, whether you’re thinking it’s time to quit smoking, you’re fascinated about why anyone would start, or you’re just plain in need of something different is “The Cigarette: A Political History” by Sarah Milov.
For parents or parentsto-be, how about something different: “Designing Babies” by Robert L. Klitzman, M.D. is a guidebook of sorts, filled with choices that potential Moms and Dads can make when taking that big step toward parenthood – but it’s also a book about how tomorrow’s generations are being affected by technology today. Also, try “9 Months In, 9 Months Out” by Vanessa Lobue, which is a scientific look at pregnancy and being a parent, written by a scientist. The reader who hates the fact that Church has to be missed will enjoy having “The Knights of Columbus: An Illustrated History” by Andrew T. Walther and Maureen H. Walther around. It’s a large, beautiful retrospective on the “K of C,” its contributions, and many of the leaders who influenced the Knights through the decades.
Hang on to hope that this will be over soon, but reading “Nomad: Designing a Home for Escape and Adventure” by Emma Reddington. This heavy, beautiful book is filled with ideas for the person who wants to convert a bus, van, or boat into a permanent living space that’s movable. You can dream, can’t you? While you’re reading that one, keep “Making a Life” by Melanie Falick nearby; it’s a book on crafting, art, and subsisting on that which you create.
Depending on the view from your bed or sofa, “On Flowers” by Amy Merrick might be something to lift your spirits. It’s filled with photos, and its words reflect an appreciation for all things colorful. The book to read after that: “White Feathers: The Nesting Lives of Tree Swallows” by Bernd Heinrich, and learn about your feathered friends.
Another book to find, one that’s perfect for environmentalists, is “Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther” by Craig Pittman. Filled with humor, action, and a pretty kitty, it’s great for animal lovers, too. And this: “Running with Sherman” by Christopher McDougall is a story of a donkey and you know you want it. If you’re thinking that now’s the time to consider a good break and a new business, “Discipline Strategy” by Timothy L. Coomer, PhD is a worthwhile read and a good place to start. It’s about decision-making, goal-setting, and doing the best work you can offer to your customers.
Sports fans, there’s no doubt that you’re feeling bereft without your favorite team on TV, so why not pick up a sports book instead? One like “Games of Deception” by Andrew Maraniss. It’s the tale of Nazi Germany, World War, and the United States’ first Olympic basketball team. Another book for the sports fan is “The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of André the Giant:” by Bertrand Hėbert and Pat LaPrade. It’s a tale of wrestling, and the real man who made it fun to watch.
If this quarantine is compounded by loss, look for “Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief” by David Kessler. It’s a book for healing that takes things just one step beyond old, conventional grieving.
If you’re already tired of the same old meals, look for “Meals, Music, and Muses: Recipes from My African American Kitchen” by Alexander Smalls. There’s really only one thing you can say about it: yum.
TRUE CRIME True crime fans will want to have “Highway of Tears” by Jessica McDiarmid in their laps while being quarantined. It’s a deep look into a tragedy: along a highway in British Columbia, officials have discovered dozens of murdered Indigenous women and girls through the decades. How this happened, what is being done about it, it’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. Also look for “The Lost Brothers” by Jack El-Hai, a missing-boys mystery that’s nearly seven decades old but still a very active case.
Here’s one to whet your True Crime whistle: “Assassinations: The Plots, Politics, and powers Behind History-Changing Murders” by Nick Redfern. The title says it all... except “you’ll like it.” Another book you’ll like: “The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia” by Emma Copley Eisenberg, the story of a crime that impacted an entire geographical area.
If you’ve always wondered what it might be like to be in a high government crime-fighting position, then you’ll want to read “The Unexpected Spy” by Tracy Walder with Jessica Anya Blau. It’s the story of Walder’s years with the FBI, the CIA, and the life of one woman inside the world of taking down terrorists.
And if you’ve always wondered how crime-fighters do their work, then look for “American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI” by Kate Winkler Dawson. It’s a book about the man who helped set the stage for the way forensics is done, even today – and that includes the things he got all wrong.
BIOGRAPHIES Biography fans take note: “The Less People Know About Us” by Axton Betz-Hamilton is one you’ll want to read. It’s a tale of stolen identity and betrayal, family turmoil, and a perpetrator you won’t believe. Another bio to find: “My Time Among the Whites” by Jennine Capó Crucet, who writes of being a Latinx woman in a world that’s mostly Caucasian.
It’s always time to hunker-hunker down with some burning love, and “Elvis Through the Ages” by Boze Hadleigh is the book you want. Filled with pictures, quotations, and tales of The King, it’s great if you’re so lonely, baby. Here’s another book about a king (to-be): “King Charles: The Man, the Monarch, and the Future of Britain” by Robert Jobson is all about William’s father, the man who’s next in line to the British throne. WOMEN’S STUDIES Who doesn’t want the most fabulous life ever? If that describes you but you think you’re “too old,” then read “A Woman Makes a Plan” by Maye Musk. It’s a book of advice, but also a bio by a woman who’s had an interesting life and is willing to share it. Hint: speaking of share, it’s a great story to share across the ages.
If you’re the type of person who likes light, short reading, try “The American Women’s Almanac: 500 Years of Making History” by Deborah G. Felder. This book is full of short biographies of women who changed history, and how they did it. Read it yourself – and share it with your teenager.
Managing Screen Time While Kids Are Home From School
(Statepoint)
With many kids out of school and spending more time at home, finding ways to fill the time is essential. As most parents know, it can be tempting to allow children to pass some of the extra hours using digital devices, however, research shows that managing screen time is vital for developing minds.
When used in moderation and under parental supervision, devices of course can be incredibly powerful learning and communication tools, and in many cases, they will be vital to kids’ continued academic progress while campuses are closed. However, people aren’t meant to spend all their time in front of screens, especially kids. Excessive screen time can lead to:
• Impaired mental and physical well-being.
• A loss of quality sleep. • Impeded impulse control -- for kids, impulse control is already hard enough!
• Poor communication skills (nonverbal cues are learned in face-to-face interaction, not through device-to-device communication).
• Addictive behaviors, and even violent tendencies. • Vision problems. • An increased risk of obesity.
With all that said, here are a few ways to manage your children’s screen time:
• Create a routine. Post a schedule each morning in a place that’s easy for kids to see. Include such items as doing chores, reading books, practicing an instrument, creating artwork, playing in the backyard and any other activity that will help ensure chunks of the day are spent away from screens doing something productive.
• Talk. Be extra proactive about starting conversations with your kids. Check in with them about progress on assigned homework. Ask them how they are feeling. Children are used to being surrounded by fellow students and teach
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ers all day, so be sure to give them opportunities to practice social skills.
• Use tech tools. Every parent knows the struggle of limiting device use. But new tech tools can help you make rules that stick. One such tool is a parental control app called OurPact. To start, parents sign up for a free account. After pairing their child’s devices, they’re able to manage them remotely through at-a-touch blocking or automated schedules. Customizable, flexible and easy to use, it’s great for setting bedtime schedules, ensuring devices are being used safely and properly, and enjoying ping-free family meals. It works on Wi-Fi and all cellular connections, meaning you can manage access all the time. To learn more or download, visit OurPact.com.
You may be spending more time together as a family these days, which makes this a key opportunity to be a good role model when it comes to proper device use. For example, if you don’t want your child to use their device in the middle of dinner, hold yourself to the same rule.
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND NEW YORK’S PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS ANNOUNCE EXPANDED REMOTE LEARNING DURING STATEWIDE SCHOOL CLOSURE
The New York State Education Department and New York’s nine public televi sion stations announced today that expanded educational resources
and “Learn-at-Home” program ming is now available for all of New York’s students in response to school closings across the state. In
addition, NYSED has launched a dedicated website featuring remote
continuity of learning resources to provide districts and teachers with
increased options.
Students from prekindergar
ten through 12th Grade will have
access to PBS educational pro
gramming every weekday starting
Monday, March 23 rd on-air. These
efforts will help ensure that all stu dents can “Learn-at-Home”, whether they have a computer or broadband at home.
“As we adapt to the ever-evolv ing situation around COVID-19, we’re seeing heroic efforts by ed ucators and parents to ensure that children have equitable access to home-learning,” Board of Regents
“Our partners at PBS have once again stepped up to provide easily accessible, high-quality education al resources for New York students and I encourage educators and par ents to make use of these additional resources.”
“PBS has a long history of supporting teachers, parents and, most of all, children through its excellent educational programming and we’re proud to support and rec ommend these resources during the unprecedented school closures,” Interim Commissioner Shannon Tahoe said. “It’s crucial that we limit learning loss during this time as much as possible and these free instruction and learning resources offer ideas and inspiration for par ents and educators across the state.” “Online learning is not an op tion for a lot of kids at home because they lack access to broadband or a laptop,” said Bill McColgan, Chair of the Association of Pub lic Broadcasting Stations of New York. “That’s why we are ensuring that all kids can access this at-home learning via our free, over-the-air broadcasts.”
PBS to Broadcast Education
al Content for Pre-K Through 12 th
Grade
All nine public television sta tions in New York are providing “Learn-at-Home” enrichment for
students through their broadcast stations and increased online edu cational resources.
Pre-K and young learners can still watch familiar shows like Sesame Street. Elementary student broadcast schedules include trust ed programs like Wild Kratts, Peg + Cat, and Cyberchase. Middle school and high school program ming include shows like Nova, History Detectives, and Shakespeare Uncovered. As always, many addi tional programs are also available to stream on the free PBS Video and PBS KIDS Video apps.
Since every PBS station in New York has multiple digital channels, programming will be available for young children (PreK to 4th Grade) and older children (5th to 12th Grade) on different digital chan nels. They can be viewed for free over-the-air with a television anten na or on cable.
“PBS ensures that its content is not only engaging, but aligned to state and national learning stan dards, so parents can feel comfortable knowing it’s going to reinforce what has been taught,” said Rachel Friedman, a Suffolk County teach er. “I am so glad that PBS is providing this so quickly in this crisis.” Parents and educators should check local listings for their local public television stations for addi tional information on schedules and channel lineup. You can find your local PBS station by using the PBS Station Finder.
Local stations will also provide more specific educational informa tion and resources developed in conjunction with local school districts, BOCES, parents, and teachers. New York’s educators and parents can continue to access free educa tional resources that supplement and augment learning on the web site, PBSLearningMedia.org. PBS LearningMedia provides original digital content and supplemental viewing guides for on-air program ming that assist in learning. New special collections have been creat ed for each grade level to make it easy for parents and teachers to se lect appropriate content if they are new to using the service. Webinars and online support materials have already been taking place and will continue to help educators make use of PBS LearningMedia as a dis tance learning tool.
For more information, please visit your local station: WNED – Buffalo WXXI – Rochester WCNY – Syracuse WSKG – Binghamton WPBS – Watertown Mountain Lake PBS – Platts burgh
WMHT – Albany/Troy WNET – New York City WLIW – Long Island Remote Instruction and Conti nuity of Learning Resources Website
NYSED’s remote Continui ty of Learning Resources website is live now and includes options and examples of technology and non-technology-based resources for districts and schools, as they develop distance learning plans for students during closure due to the Novel Coronavirus.
Among many other resources, this new site features lists of digital content to enhance distance learn ing in a dozen subject areas including early learning, English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies and Special Education. Educators will also find digital tools to assist in communicating with students and families and creating engag ing instructional opportunities for students.
NYSED’s site also provides non-technological suggestions for schools and parents to consider when planning for continuity of learning. There are many ways stu dents can continue learning that do not require access to a computing device.
NYSED will continue to update and add resources to this dedicated website as they become available.
HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS WELLNESS COMMENTARY: Dear Black People: Coronavirus Will Kill You
By Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Editor
Coronavirus or Covid-19 or “rona” as some are calling it will kill you. You may have seen some of the con spiracy theories, myths or outright lies floating around the internet stating that black folks cannot get coronavirus. You may have the false belief that those with “melanin poppin’” cannot get this deadly virus or if they get it, will not die from it. Stop the madness. Actor Idris Elba, NBA stars on multiple teams and black folks in your every day life have it. You may have heard the sad case of retired nurse Pat Frieson, 61, who became the first casualty of the virus in Il linois. What looked like an asthma attack has now been classified as corona virus. Frieson has a sister in the same hospital also suffering from the same symptoms and now fight ing for her life. Ms. Frieson and her sister are black.
Ives Green. a 58-yearold runner, and award-win ning Special Olympics athlete, became the first
person in Louisiana to die from coronavirus. He lived in a facility for people with developmental disabilities and had limited exposure to people from outside of the facility. His family is still trying to figure out how someone seemingly in great health, contracted coronavirus. Mr. Green is black.
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You may have heard of Dr. James Pruden, 71, an emergency room doctor in Paterson, NJ, who is now in critical condition after testing positive for corona virus. He is a trained first responder who is in charge of the hospital’s emergen cy preparedness unit and lead the hospital through the swine flu outbreak in 2009. Dr. Pruden is now fighting for his life and he is black.
Melanin is not Vibra nium and America isn’t Wakanda even in the Mar vel Universe, so why some black people, who are often disproportionately impact ed by medical conditions for a myriad of reasons, believe they are immune to coronavirus is beyond me? For those who think Idris Elba isn’t “black, black,” the British-born brother’s parents are from Sierra-Le one and Ghana meaning he is African in addition to being a black Brit which makes him unequivocably “black, black.”
For the record, people in 19 African countries have tested positive for coronavirus and for sure they are “black black.”
To make it plain, I’m not talking about skin color, I’m talking about identity. If you are Afri can living anywhere in the world including the continent, black Ameri can, mixed race, biracial, Hotep, Greek, GDI, hood, bougie, religious, atheist or any category of black, there isn’t a magical pill or pigment that’s going to stop you from getting coronavirus if you come in contact with someone who has it.
Even if you don’t think you have it, you very well could have it and knowing ly or unknowingly spread the virus that may not be fatal to you but could be fatal to others. It is called being asymptomatic. Mer riam-Webster’s dictionary uses asymptomatic in the following sentence to give people a better understand ing of the meaning of the word:
“Those measures could work slowing the spread of the virus, which is also be lieved to be spread by asymptomatic people.” My point is coronavi rus will kill you and other black people so wash your hands and stay away from others outside of your home as much as possible, especially older folks. Lis ten to those in power you can trust. If restaurants, gymnasiums and other businesses are closed, stay away from them. Some restaurants are still deliv ering and responsible gym owners are posting at-home workouts for their clientele on the web. I’ve also heard folks saying only two per cent of the U.S. population will get it. For the geniuses out there, that amounts to 6 million people which is not a small number.
As for all of the con spiracy theories, the rapid spread of coronavirus hap pens when your President hires a science denier as head of Health and Human Services who promptly cuts the CDC’s budget on managing infectious dis eases by 80 percent and is still trying to make more cuts to said budget.
Oh, and suppressing important information and holding press conferences about coronavirus that are evasive and filled with misinformation and flat out lies. Just because your xe nophobic President calls it the Chinese virus, doesn’t mean it only impacts the Chinese. Oh, and there are black Chinese people too but that’s another article (see Jamaica).
If you haven’t before, now is the time to practice self-care. There is no con spiracy and black people can and are dying from this virus. Coronavirus is real and those of us who have been historically denied competent and compas sionate healthcare should be the most vigilant in ad hering to guidelines and mandates to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, especially to our most vul nerable populations.
This article was writ ten by Nsenga K Burton, Ph.D., founder & edi tor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. An expert in inter sectionality and media industries, Dr. 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 @TheBur tonWire.
