LA 4.2.20 4C

se

old Cooper. ea ican-Americ in han an death roquadruple The allegeddcuffs and ha New w inmate in ci Cooper’s 1som’s decision could d en Flori t wa making ouda Today reports t Hills famil 985 conviction in lead to the overtu t. y th rn A an e u in th k d g il o li th ri E of ng of a ru has the ti say t nough Of Y eir 11-y our Love”esan Californiapnotential, some polieatir-old house guest. ral Chino da s.

The case cal watcher s say, to d Both the C ivide alifornia an and more th d nited S past appeals an a dozen lower U tates suprem courts hav . e rejected Ce courts “I take no p ooper’s osition regar nocence at about the h this time,” Newsodming Mr. Cooper’s g uilt igh-profile said in his terest. N executive oor inse free 2. When you see a photo or ad with the Observer 1.ew Get the appca for by downloading th at Y h o as rk d rder rawn intern Times’ colu Sen. Kamal at m Interactive logo scan over the whole photo with your it from Google Play or The Apple App a io n is H n al t arri Nic in have all ca lled for res -tand reality TV starholas Kristof, U.S.tablet or smartphone. forensic Store technology. esting using curr Kim Kardashian SUL ent, more The ACLU gorilla suitPHUR, La. (AP) – P se n si an ti ve groups hav d other hu mattress befbroke into a Louisiaol man rights e also urged o n a deeper in an C d alifornia st Serving Los Angeles County News ouretl officers arrested ha ves gation ate officialsos cial justice et into Cooper s Gov. Newtiso sp q u o k o for Over 35 Years es te to m Mel E launch ’s con m’s tion issu st in ThSuulphu officers saan by formerorder Friday expandviction. w Jeremie es rsday test four ed s G p co o Moran wal re v. st vious direc ume. They rry Brown kin lowed analpyieces of crime scenJe h ad in so rece D ember n looking in to an orange sts to perform DNe evidence. Brownec to homes.ived calls a ’s E to A o st es prosecutors wel; and the han re-testing on a tan rder al- bo proached bsays Moran ran in dle dies in the say Cooper T-shirt; to u was disco R In this new used in theand sheath of a hat y ch en ar ’s ges inclutdin vered hidain chet Joshua Ryen, the home with a tota murders. investigatio of hair from g re tr sistin y, meth poss lo vic wound on button Co the victims’ hannd, analysts will look his throat.tims’ 8-year-old sofn143 stab wounds. ing in the sion and wg an offic In Louisiaes at strands tack. oper’s attorn s, blood sam , H S su an e ff w B er as tigators pla er ed n th n a, a personearing a m the allegatio ar a e only surv ples and a g ey N in public ca After Coop convicte ns Cooperd’sino County are not ivor of theslash D.A reen n Angeles Co nted at the sceneorman Hile mainta b e m er .’s o su at s’ st at legally stay s jail break rprised abo office. Man . Exception sentenced to th torneys are vestigation unty Superior Couof the crime. A reins inves- al ed , u s ra y in t m ar in ci v o h ak e es al f o allowed for re a ho lidays like H tigat th biases and . so y they tire rt judge wil frequently ing about their relig discriminem alloween an found eviduse next door to thoers found, he il- complaints l oversee thd Los familsa Cooper, 61 co m It at p ’s la io d Mardi G unclear if M ence in the y’s station w in about are handled n in the w e invictims. Th , has main years. His la g an m R g ay . o ag en y ta ey Ju p ra en o th ro t. in n st n ’s eir cases or se tor Mic has a lawy last month that tied C h For some, G

by Gov. N wyers hope the resu ed his innocence , a San Ber ooper to thome and in the under presscu hael Selyem ov. Newsom ing in Group ewsom, wh over th lts of the re ure for mak nardino the case Newspapers eCalifornia , m w hel20 ’s e u Volume 35 Number

Observer of Southern Thursday, April 2, 2020 h o rd o p pro o rd ic n er -t is h is er s. so es in W b co

to ti ci eing met w him. ve their client’s innould take several mong ordered poof the murders Josh ith dismayb. roaden DNA test- chelle Oal media. His insultgscrude and racist anhdite, resigned ua Ryen an nths, will cence and bam ta eted fo rters of the The lone su comments B d rm fi lack shooti a, U,S. Rep. Maxrg In 1 rvivor nally exon ine Waters er First Lady Ming victim. erate they are disappoRinyens and Hughesfaalmily, friends and su on four co9u85, a San Diego Co and an unn “Unfortunat ted with the gov l across the state p- Lo Thomas R. Parker amed 26 and an nts of murder. At unty jury convicte s Angeles o ernor’s decis , el sa a y, fo y fo es th d r o rm ca v C ju e er ti o p er st o ed m ti ic ffi per d m io e of his arre e ep ce cord - inclu prison inm n in e , u . it b ty th el se is h ie ems the vic ead of the This guy is ves Cooper case matte st, he was no District A FBI’s in Pennsylv ding several burglaate. His lengthy crim “Prior DN ttorney Jason Arsnless and less,” Santims’ desire “The evidence w innocent,” he told. ries and the ania – did in al re as A B th d er o not help his te er e p n n Cooper, form rape of a m st la so N ar th in n ew n d te e g icl sa d st th aimed ou Y , he was fr and.” case. inor erly named in 1958 ld exoneratat Mr. Cooper sougidh in a statement. amed, theork Times.

What has k per’s guilw e him have t, agreed to cops lied t.” months onldear Pittsburgh, PenRichard Goodman, ep t a th fe al e d an eral appella l confirmed case going d nsylvania. was born Y et p During his , he was adopted an te er M an su W ec co r. d as ution and re hen he was urt Cooive argumen C LAKE FOR six monies and iew the ca’ssedecision in 2004 toooper alive - is and he spenchildhood, his par d renamed Kevin ts ased on Gov. Newvso EST ents physica is recoverin w stay his exCooper. reasonable qualeslegations of evidenbce t a good p co it h n fl m ic juvenile det o ti m re n D ’s g sc g after bei,nCalif. (AP) – Offici ar

N ll d te ti ie t ta y ec A o n st o m n ab ti is if g te s p fi io at ad u ab st er c en y se n o o in o ev in o rs d ti n le u to g g id o g struck by u t sc h ro , n se co th en im k al en ad in South centers. In a mental d to ail Co ee e ethods low another m ce. ce living in a polic ern Californ and storiesp raising California Governoes early in the term oper. Threm several attack, and in nsw round of L ag Californiah. ealth facility in Pen1982, Cooper esca u n e h in r a av w w o v eapons wer f the progre estie high expec hose suppo orn testimo ped from three attacker nsylvania b the Orange Beach Police Offi ia. e rt u ta ss er n se iv ti y, s d o e on the poli s who were efore movin n Jo Duri someone’s p County Register h cer Thomas tical Left White. Heshua Ryen said hein the solve “DNA testing shs.o g to could have been H gued that nCg his murder trial, e itially th et when th saw later testified uld immed th is p e o p F an Chida Rebecca and Tanu Henry future. o R ro eb. 19.

F p ic y se u e cat dartein er en . rt cu k h Ryen, their illed husban caseSurvive: tors succes er complica that theyCreative Chiang said to Getting and finally iately take place d in front an sf 1 ti California Black Media A few barbershops and beauty salons in California d n 0 u n am -y an ll g y d ea d M th ed Diana R ensure just uring the ca to rearr-old daugh wife Doug e prosecuti cGuire says neighbor C that DNA o ic b p an o m el te e er hriand n w th Across the country, barbers are feeling open up occasionally, observing the federal and state o r p d s’ is h n ev Je ca ai e stophairstylists P claim en he got o ging to er se ed,” gn. “Not o animal was ssica d an eg iden can e forward w her ughes ut to chec former bomybut nly is it prv help law en 11-year-ogldysocial inaldistancing ith bloodys, a wom- but testing in thisce . Policethefoan the effects of COVID-19. In the Black H community, governments’ guidelines, . She turnhed Animal Cobigger than a house roven friendothers fo rc ca cl u em n o se th d w w en th in th E h o n o d t g e e u v tr estroyed it. solve crimes was a violen ld come at en though evidence ov t. o to impact is more severe. remainbcompletely closed. loodied l o an ffi ce an rs rushed ca imal hospit no cost to th Newsom’s , trau t crim- is bold, he is er totellthe p the ble al Black-owned salons and barbershops have always “I’m just waiting for to show up and Africsomebody , d o w ec e m li tr h state.” ision in th ce, but they issue th a. eading care er an American e it w as diagnose eC at fu served as a hub for men and women to congregate and me I’m breaking the law,” laughed one s,Los HisAngeles-area panics and watching. California voters acllroy on a potentially opoper case sh Dr. Kristi Krause other mino catch up on the latest news, gossip and overall happenings barber who asked to remain anonymous. Although he He is keep e , o ss a ex la v th ri p et ec zi e er n p rities liv- C ts inarian, tell g bac – Governor oliti specSACRAMENTO the 11Gavin ing his focu -pounNewsom within the community. These “meeting places” of sorts sometimes does private bookings for a few of his clients ontinued s th trum are k into the w d (5-kilogtoday s on fairncaeslannounced on page A ram) cat to il the “Stay Home.

Save Lives.

Check In.” camd s and justic af have also proven to be extremely profitable for its owners. who are celebrities, he told California Black Media he has te r 2 M it cG re g u ai e ir n e s strength. paign urging Californians ited social that if hetosehelpviscombat But per executive orders from Gov.Gavin Newsom, never had to accept appointments from clients he did not e bobisolation es it again, th ca t othe and food insecurity among Californians over n F all non-essential businesses in California have been forced know just to keep earning money. hwho e’ll isare su e a ticktoetrifoday. age of 65 – a community that is uniquely vulnerable into temporary closure; among them, barbershops, beauty So, during this crisis, he dons a mask and gloves, goes r ja COVID-19. salons, nail technician shops and other cosmetology out and does what he has to do.

During California’s stay at home order, older Calcenters.

“This is a crazy time for everybody,” he said. “And its ifornians may need friends and neighbors to help them In one fell swoop, the COVID-19 pandemic has tough, tough time for our businesses. We just have to ride obtain basic necessities like groceries and prescriptions. caused hairstylists and barbers across the state to go from it out and see what happens.”

“The most important way for older Californians to running lucrative, bustling businesses to owing rent or Customers are equally upset. Many of them have stay safe is to stay at home,” said Governor Newsom. “No mortgage on a shuttered commercial space that is now taken to #BlackTwitter to express their frustration. older Californian should be forced to go outside to get home to an under-performing business with an uncertain “My barbershop is closed indefinitely,” tweeted Continued on page A2 groceries or their medication. It’s on all of us across the state to check in on the older adults in our lives – our friends, family and neighbors – to help them during this outbreak. Each and every one of us must reach out in a safe way to make sure our older neighbors have someone to talk to and have enough food to eat during these difficult times.”

The campaign urges all Californians to check in on their older neighbors with a call, text or physically-distanced door knock to make sure they’re ok. In addition, the state is urging local non-profits and faith-based organizations to call to check in on all of the older Californians in their networks.

The Governor also announced the creation of a

By Antonio Ray Harvey Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) has been expanded. People statewide hotline -- 833-544-2374 -- in coordination California Black Media who earned less than $30,000 in 2019 — including with the non-profit local 2-1-1 systems, so that CaliforFor people who have not yet filed their tax returns, through self-employment — may qualify, and those who nians have a one-stop shop to answer their questions and the United States Treasury Department and the Internal also have a child under age six may be eligible to claim the get assistance during this crisis. For example, the 2-1-1 Revenue Service (IRS) announced March 21 that they are Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC). system is able to help older Californians access grocery moving the 2019 income tax filing due date from April 15 California’s YCTC was introduced in 2019. Upon and medication delivery while staying at home. to July 15 this year, a three month extension. qualifications for CalEITC and having a child under the The state, in partnership with AARP, will also send After the IRS’s announcement, the state of age of six as of the end of the tax year, taxpayers could a mailer to older residents, 65 and older, with useful California postponed its tax deadlines until July 15 due qualify for up to $1,000 through this particular tax credit. resources and information to help adapt to the stay at to the COVID-19 pandemic. That update superseded Between CalEITC and YCTC, FTB anticipates home order. the California Franchise Tax Board’s (FTB) previous returning $1 billion to taxpayers this year.

“Social isolation can be difficult for older Califorannouncement that extended the period for filing and Taxpayers earning less than $55,952 may also qualify nians even in the best of times,” said Kim McCoy Wade, payment of taxes until June 15, 2020. for the federal EITC. Through a combination of CalEITC, director of the California Department of Aging. “We With the approval of the federal government’s $2 YCTC, and the federal EITC, a family can receive up to have to help aging Californians feel connected – and we trillion stimulus package, designed to ease the financial $8,053. must ensure we all have access to any needed services impact of the global Coronavirus pandemic, taxpayers In a simple breakdown, the following are the right now. This work will save lives.” can take full advantage of several breaks federal and state qualifications for CalEITC and the Young Child Tax The campaign builds on existing efforts by Caliagencies are offering.

Credit: fornia Volunteers and Community Emergency Response Start by paying attention to the California State · You must be at least 18 years old or have a Teams (CERT) to help older Californians and those who Controller’s summary of the tax credits. By making sense qualifying child, and earned less than $30,000 during the need food assistance. in the simplest terms, taxpayers could learn that there is previous year.

California Volunteers has launched their Neighmore tax-return money on the table for them. · You must have worked during the tax year with bor-to-Neighbor campaign, which calls on neighbors to “The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting life for income from W-2 wages, or self-employment, or salaries, be the first line of support for California’s most vulnerable people and businesses statewide,” State Controller Betty or tips, or other employee wages, subject to California residents who have been advised to stay at home during Yee said in a statement addressing filing federal returns withholding (any one of these income sources can qualify), the COVID-19 pandemic. The Neighbor-to-Neighbor and paying taxes owed. “Hopefully, this small measure of · This credit can be up to $240 (state) and $529 campaign is focused on older adults and promotes ways relief will allow people to focus on the health and safety (federal) with no children, up to $2,982 (state) and $6,557 to safely check on your neighbors, family and friends. of themselves and their families during these challenging (federal) for 3 or more children, and various other amounts To make the most vulnerable Californians more times.” for 1-2 children. resilient to disasters, Listos California has pivoted to Two tax credits specifically — one federal and the · You must file both a federal and state return if helping these communities stay safe during the pandemJerome Horton,chairperson for the Poverty Preven- other in California — are aimed at giving families and you are interested in receiving money from both sources. ic. Leading the charge statewide are Community Emertion Alliance and former president of the California businesses a lifeline.

This is actual cash (a windfall for those not familiar with gency Response Teams (CERT) comprised of volunteers Board of Equalization. (Courtesy Photo) For starters, eligibility for the California Earned Continued on page A2 with at least 20 hours of FEMA preparedness training.

These teams are conducting welfare checks on seniors, as well as distributing essential food and supplies in Sacramento, San Diego, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Napa counties to help them through the pandemic. Listos California has also partnered with trusted community-based organizations across the state and programs like Meals on Wheels and other local senior-serving non-profits to deliver services and preparedness resources. to list firearms dealers as nonessential businesses that should be subject to closure while the state seeks to limit the spread of the virus.

The lawsuit claims that the designation violates the Second Amendment, but officials cite a public health issue.

Welcome to Observer Interactive

Deeper Content. Pictures Move. Ads Talk. Live Shopping.

Man in Go Breaks in r Hides UndH e

News Observer Free!

Los Angeles

bcat Reco GovernorBo Newsom After Bein ve Launches g Hi P o Campaign lto ice Car Protect Health and Well-Being of Older Californians During COVID-19 Pandemic

Barbers and Beauticians Share COVID-19 Stories

There Could be More Income Tax Return Cash on the Table for You

It’s a Very Long Game:

Brown Family Celebrates 25 Years as Napa Valley’s Only Black-Owned Vineyard Two doctors shopped for a summer home 40 years ago. Now their children oversee more than 20 employees at the family’s vineyard and winery.

By Dan Holly Urban News Service A Division of Zenger News (March 30, 2020)-When Bassett and Marcela Brown went shopping for a summer home in 1980, the two doctors never dreamed the abandoned walnut orchard in Napa Valley would one day become the only black-owned vineyard in the heart of California wine country.

But that’s the story behind Brown Estate Vineyards, a better one than a trained MBA could craft.

Despite the property’s choice location, the winery came about almost as an afterthought for the couple, who had founded a pioneering medical practice in South Central Los Angeles in the late 1960s.

“They didn’t have any preconceived ideas about what they were going to do out here,” said their daughter Deneen Brown, the president of the family’s winemaking business. “They just fell in love with the place. It was only after meeting and talking with neighboring grape farmers that they started thinking about planting a vineyard.”

The couple fixed up the crumbling Victorian home that came with the property and eventually established a vineyard, seeing it more as a hobby than as a business, she said. It was “a way of life … less about making money or a name for yourself than it was about love for the land, craftsmanship, and a cooperative spirit,” she said.

When Deneen and her siblings Coral and David took over the vineyard in 1995, they didn’t intend to make their own wine.

“Mom and Dad did not intend for us to break into the wine business,” she said. “They were continuing to run their medical business in Southern California and expected all of us to get our MDs and join their practice … After

we’d been growing and selling grapes for about five years, we understood that our fruit was something special based on how it was being handled by the producers who were buying it. We literally had a, ‘We should bottle it and sell it ourselves!’ moment.”

But when the family did fully set their minds on starting a winery, a disaster almost ruined the business. The warehouse where the wine was stored caught fire in 2000.

Nearly all the wine was destroyed shortly after the product had debuted.

“As luck would have it, prior to the fire we’d sent two bottles of our 1998 [Zinfandel] to Robert M. Parker, Jr., widely regarded as the most influential wine critic in the world.,” the family says on the vineyard’s website. Parker’s glowing review created “tremendous enthusiasm” for the wine’s return to restaurants and store shelves and allowed the winery to be revived like “a veritable phoenix from the ashes.”

The three siblings have succeeded well beyond their expectations. Brown Estate Vineyard is a private, familyowned business and they declined to disclose financial figures, but has clearly grown and expanded. They started out making one wine, its flagship Napa Valley Zinfandel.

In 2000, they added cabernet sauvignon; in 2002 came chardonnay; Chaos Theory, a red blend, debuted in 2004.

Subsequently, they expanded their zinfandel offerings and added a few more varietals.

“We produce a lot more wine now than we did when we started,” Deneen Brown said. They now have about 20 employees.

In Napa Valley, Brown Estate Vineyards is one of a kind: the only black-owned business that grows, produces,

Siblings David, Deneen and Coral Brown, left to right, started growing grapes on the family’s property in 1995. (Photo courtesy Brown Estate Winery)

and bottles wine on one contiguous property that they Continued on page A2

2020 Census Alert: A Message from Rep. Maxine Waters LOS ANGELES – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, issued an urgent message to the community about the 2020 U.S. Census on April 1st, which is recognized across the country as Census Day. “Whether you are a student, parent, veteran, senior, or working professional, this message is for you! Your household will receive an invitation to fill out a short questionnaire from the U.S. Census Bureau in the mail.

It is imperative that you complete this form and respond to the Census Bureau online, by phone, or by mail.

“The 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of Congressional districts that are drawn in our state, and the amount of federal dollars that are allocated to California to pay for programs like Medicaid, school lunches, senior services, health clinics, public housing, veteran programs, emergency management, and highway construction.

“It is extremely important that you and your family are accurately counted. By federal law, your Census answers are strictly confidential, and cannot be used be used against you in any way, by anyone! It only takes a few minutes to complete the survey, but the impact of an undercount of our community will be felt for years.

“Our community is counting on you to do your part and ensure that everyone is counted in the 2020 Census.

For more information, please visit www.2020census.gov or call my Los Angeles office at 323-757-8900.”

A2

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, April 2, 2020

World & Nation

25 Years Napa Valley’s Only Black-Owned Vineyard Continued from page A1

own. Brown is not sure why more African Americans are not involved in the winery business but believes cost is a factor. “ ‘I’m going to start a winery,’ is more than a notion,” she said.

According to a University of California study, the cost of establishing a vineyard in Napa Valley, where Brown Estates is located, is more than $37,000 per acre for the first three years. Experts say it will be at least that long before the winery begins to make a profit. So even a small 10-acre vineyard would need an investment of more than $1 million to get started.

The valley itself is small, just 30 miles long and five miles wide. According to Napa Valley Vintners, a trade association, 95% of the valley’s 475 wineries are family owned.

The learning curve is steep, too.

“The lessons learned in one vintage do very little to

prepare you for the challenges you will face in the next,” said David Brown, whose title is winegrower, in a Q&A on the winery’s website. “As with so many things in life, success comes from being able to accurately predict what is coming next, which is something I am still trying to figure out how to do.”

Deneen Brown admits her family has been lucky.

“Our entrance into this space was in many ways accidental and largely on our parents’ shoulders,” she said.

But she said hard work and determination have carried the business through. They have courted customers through wine tastings and special events, and the winery is especially active on social media.

“We are focused on doing our thing with integrity and humility,” she said. “Our learning curve as far as growing and evolving the business has been 25 years and counting. … It’s a very long game.”

Volkswagen Suspends Production in Europe

The company noted that the suspension of production would begin on March 19, and it’s anticipating that it would last for 10 working days.

California’s Napa Valley is home to approximately 475 wineries, 95% of which are family owned. (Deb Harkness/Flickr)

Getting Creative to

Survive COVID-19 Continued from page A1

Anthony Wheeler. “This is the worst result of #covid19.”

Justin Henderson, another Twitter user, wrote, “The barbershop i go to is closed indefinitely and the company I work for wants us to use video chat for every virtual meeting. If this goes on for more than 2 more weeks, I may no longer be recognizable.”

Bridget Winton, a respected San Diego-based hairstylist and salon owner is among the 33,570 cosmetologists in California trying to rebound from the coronavirus effects.

“I’m glad that I have a couple of options to make money,” she said. “I have a direct franchise business offering health, wellness and beauty products that consumers still need even if they don’t come in. For me, it’s a nice little backup. It’s not as much money as I could be making if I’m in the trenches full time, but its steady money.”

Winton, who’s been in the industry for over 30 years says she learned early on the importance of creating multiple streams of income within her company. By turning her salon into a “one-stop-shop,” she has been able to meet many of her clients’ total body needs.

“I’m a full-service salon. I do facials, body treatments, body contouring, skin restoration, along with scalp treatment and hair services,” she said.

When coronavirus began its rapid spread, Winton started to visit which of her “streams” she’d focus on to maintain a flow of revenue. The services that required her

to touch the skin would have to stop.

“At first, when all of this happened, I was able to get a few people in and do some hair treatments, but if anybody came to me for skin rejuvenation or body treatments, I wasn’t doing them because I’m opening the pores of their skin and it was just too easy to pass on any germs,” she said.

Fortunately, for Winton and other independent businesspeople in the cosmetology industry, they now have a safety net if they need it. Last week, the U.S. Congress passed the CARES act to help individuals and businesses the Coronavirus pandemic has affected. President Trump signed it into law on Friday. The state of California has also extended unemployment benefits to freelancers and “gig workers,” including all barbers and beauticians.

That means they can now apply to receive a weekly paycheck that ranges between $40 and $450 dollars, depending on their average weekly income, and an additional $600 a week from the federal government.

For now, Winton keeps working on restructuring her businesses to meet her new reality. For starters, she has launched a newsletter to stay connected and keep her clients informed.

“I’m going to be taking my business online and set it up where I can interact with people one at a time, and use that time wisely to educate my clients. I’m in the process of updating my website and cleaning that up,” she said.

“In close consultation with our works councils and within the Group network, we have therefore decided at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to shut down production at all three sites. This is the only right decision to take, not least so as not to expose our workers to any unnecessary health risk,” Thomas Sedran, Chairman of the VWCV. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) is taking action in response to the coronavirus pandemic and will be suspending vehicle production.

The company noted that the suspension of production would begin on March 19, and it’s anticipating that it would last for 10 working days.

Production at plants in Spain, Slovakia, Poland, Germany and Italy are all affected.

The company said the reason for the suspension is because of the uncertain sales environment for light

commercial vehicles, the suppliers’ volatile supply chains and to protect the health of all employees: “The coronavirus pandemic is naturally having an impact on our entire business: on supply chains, on our production operation, on sales and on our distribution and service partners,” Thomas Sedran, Chairman of the VWCV brand’s Board of Management, stated in a news release.

“In close consultation with our works councils and within the Group network, we have therefore decided at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to shut down production at all three sites. This is the only right decision to take, not least so as not to expose our workers to any unnecessary health risk.”

St. Louis Publisher Praises Establishment of NNPA Task Force and Resource Center

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent The establishment of the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) Coronavirus Task Force and Resource Center is both timely and necessary, and publishers, partners, sponsors, and others should quickly rally around the concept, according to one distinguished NNPA publisher.

“It’s extremely important because the Task Force will use the credible sources available to provide vital information to the Black community,” stated Dr. Donald M. Suggs, the publisher and executive editor of the St. Louis American, Missouri’s largest African American-owned newspaper.

Suggs, who holds degrees from Indiana University and Washington University, said a recent article published in the St. Louis American drove home the point that African Americans must be better informed.

He noted that the NNPA Task Force and Resource Center is positioned to inform the Black community.

“We just had this explosion on our social media platforms and website when we published the story of the first Black woman to die from the virus – she was a nurse,” said Dr. Suggs.

“The story blew up because there’s been so much misinformation in our community and the myth that Black people can’t get the coronavirus. This was a nurse,” continued Dr. Suggs.

Judy Wilson-Griffin, an African American nurse who worked at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, was the first person in the St. Louis region to succumb to COVID-19.

While St. Louis County Executive Sam Page identified her only as a county woman, the St. Louis American provided more information, including identifying her while noting that Wilson-Griffin had multiple health complications before contracting the virus.

Her diagnosis was confirmed 48 hours after being tested for the virus.

“There’s a lot of rumors and I knew that we had a special role to play,” argued Dr. Suggs. “That’s why the NNPA

Task Force is so important. We have to have special, validated information. Our community has a disproportionate amount of exposure to disease and the NNPA collectively is in position to make certain that they are aware of the

kind of information that’s out there and relevant to the Black community.”

He continued: “The problem with social media is that there’s too much misinformation. People need to have a trusted source of where they get their information. In the Black community, you have other diseases like breast cancer and prostate cancer, and our experience is different from others, so what you would recommend to African Americans isn’t what you’d recommend to everyone else.

“We know that African Americans routinely aren’t included in clinical studies, so we need to have information available to us, and the NNPA needs to share that information with influential members of the community and the community in general.

“The Task Force will get to the people who are best informed to get that vital information, and we will be able to share the best and most accurate information available.”

As of this writing, health officials have confirmed more than 120,204 cases of the coronavirus in the United States, with at least 1,997 deaths. Globally, there are nearly 650,926 confirmed cases and more than 30,642 deaths.

“We have not seen this before, and there’s still so much uncertainty,” said Dr. Suggs. “We know that so many with preexisting conditions and seniors are susceptible to the virus, but I know I’ve not seen anything like this. Not even AIDS represented this kind of threat to people’s well-being and a threat to the economy.”

Continued Dr. Suggs: “Look at what’s happened over the past few days with the number of cases and deaths rapidly increasing. What’s going on in Florida? There are a lot of older people there, and then you have those kids on the beach during Spring Break, and they will go home and spread the virus. This is a challenge.

“This changes from day-to-day, and we all have to take this very seriously. It’s a moving target that we’re trying to address. We have to talk to those who are informed, particularly from a Black perspective, and that’s what this NNPA Task Force will do.”

Income Tax Return Cash on the Table

Continued from page A1

this credit) and is intended to equalize the playing field for wage earners in the under $30,000 category.

You can submit retroactive claims for this credit for up to the last four years. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax help for those uncomfortable with submitting tax filings and earn less than $54,000 a year.

Responding to the economic challenges of the Coronavirus crisis, the federal government passed legislation that will provide up to a $1,200 payment for single individuals, $2,400 for married couples and various tax credits to businesses.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) March 19 as a third-phase effort to address the economic fallout the COVID-19 pandemic has caused.

Jerome E. Horton, a former California state legislator and ex-member of the California Board of Equalization, who is now Chairperson for the Poverty Prevention Alliance, said the piece of legislation is a “good beginning.”

“You can actually get $1,200 per individual, and

for a family, it doubles,” Horton told California Black Media. “The important thing about the tax credit is that individuals would have had to file their 2018 tax returns.

So it’s important to encourage everyone to file.”

The legislation authorizes the IRS to issue to individuals with incomes of up to $75,000 a one-time $1,200 payment, phasing out at a rate of 5 percent for every $100 in income above $75,000.

The payment is thus phased out entirely for an individual making $99,000. Married couples with combined incomes of up to $150,000 would receive $2,400, subject to the same phaseout guidelines that apply to individuals.

So, for married couples, the payments would be phased out at $198,000. The provision also provides an additional $500 per child, also subject to a similar incremental phaseout.

The most important key to this tax credit for families and businesses is that emphasis is put on filing the 2018 tax returns, Horton said. They must be filed and the parties filing do not have to worry about previous hardships that prevented them from doing it.

“If you didn’t file because you didn’t think that you owed any taxes or the government didn’t take any taxes out of your check, please go ahead and file,” Horton said. “The individuals who wanted to stay off the radar, should file anyway,” he said, “so that they can take advantage of this stimulus.”

Individuals with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking abilities need help filling out tax returns qualify. All income-eligible Californians who need help filing a Personal Income Tax (PIT) return can find it through the VITA program at sites statewide until July 15.

All VITA volunteers are IRS-certified and can be trusted not to charge money for their services.

This tax season, the FTB expects to process 20 million PIT returns, and the IRS expects to process more than 150 million PIT returns.

Horton stresses that taxpayers should file for the tax break brought on by the stimulus and file with confidence.

“My understanding is that Congress is planning to do another $4 trillion stimulus package down the road,” Horton said. “They are considering it depending on how (the first stimulus) works itself out. But then, you must file your tax returns,” he said.

News Observer Los Angeles

Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation on July 2, 1991, Los Angeles Superior Court Decree, Case No. BS007262, Government Code 6023.

Bulk Mailing Permit 724 Bakersfield, CA 93385

Published every Thursday by The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc. Member: National Newspaper Publishers Assc.

Associated Press, Better Business Bureau, GLAAACC President: Ellen Coley Operations Manager: Jon Coley Editor: James Luckey Credo - The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accounts to every person, regardless of race, color, or creed full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as any one is held back.

The Observer Group Newspapers reserves the right to publish views and opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management are soleley the product of the responsible individuals who submit commentaries published in these newspapers. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the Observer Newspapers reflect the opinions of the contributor and do not constitute the opinion or endorsement by The Observer Newspapers or its staff. The Observer Group Newspapers assumes no responsibility for photographs, articles, letters, press releases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editiing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publication unless otherwise specified.

The Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc.: Los Angeles News Observer, Bakersfield News Observer, The Valley’s News Observer Los Angeles News Observer 12655 W. Jefferson Blvd.

4th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90066 Mailing Address: 309 Phone (661) 324-9466 FAX (661) 324-9472 General Info: observernews@gmail.com Advertising: observeradvertising@gmail.com Online: www.ognsc.com

Thursday, April 2, 2020

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A3

Features

How the Coronavirus Crisis is Forcing School Districts to Bridge the Digital Divide Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media Two weeks ago, Gov. Newsom announced that Californians should not count on schools reopening before summer break. Most school districts had already announced that their campuses would be closed for two to four weeks to support the containment of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Prior to most schools “terminating classroom instruction”, Newsom issued an executive order ensuring that teachers would be paid during school closures and that districts would receive their regular funding as long as the school district districts delivered “high quality educational opportunities through distance learning or independent study.”

Distance learning as defined by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is “simply when the teacher and the student are in two different locations.”

Over 8000 educators statewide participated in a webinar conducted by Thurmond to go over guidance the California Department of Education issued to all school districts detailing how they can provide distance learning opportunities for students including those with disabilities and English learners.

As school districts assess the Coronavirus crisis, most have been preparing as if they will not reopen classrooms for the rest of the school year. They are developing distance learning plans, trying to duplicate online the lessons they originally prepared to deliver in their classrooms.

Online distance learning is feasible because, when California adopted the Common Core State Standards, students had to be computer literate and know how to type in order to take state tests. Low tech school districts and charter schools transitioned to using high tech learning tools and bought devices like Chromebooks and iPads, loaded textbooks on them and required students to use them to complete assignments.

The “digital divide” between students with access to computers and internet at home and those without access has long been a public-policy debating point, but the disruption to learning caused by the Coronavirus crisis demands that something be done about it now.

Districts serving large low-income and minority student populations must bridge the digital divide if

their distance learning efforts are going to succeed. While students have access to a digital device at school, many don’t have one at home. Or if they do, they may not have access to broadband internet.

Across California, an estimated 230,888 Black Californians (12 percent of Black households) do not have an internet subscription compared to 7.4 percent for White households. And 217,860 Black Californians (10.2 percent of Black households) do not own a computer compared to 7.2 percent of White households, according to research conducted by California Black Media and included in the organization’s “Counting Black California” report.

In 378 of the hardest-to-count census tracts in the state, where large percentages of African Americans live an average of 64 percent of the households don’t have access to the internet. These households include over 67,300 Black residents, according to the same report.

In cases where children in the lowest-income homes have a home computer, they might have to share it with a parent who now has to work from home or school age brothers and sisters trying to complete school assignments as well.

Complicating the transition to distance learning for school districts is the fact that many teachers can’t just switch to online teaching overnight. They need training.

However, unlike school districts in other states that have closed down and are not offering instruction to students, that is not an option considered by California school districts. Instead, school districts across the state are identifying what they need to do to provide distance learning and are finding ways to deliver it.

Natomas Unified is located in northwestern Sacramento.

It was named the second most diverse school district in the nation in a New York Times study. They declared that they would transition to a distance learning model just a day after Newsom’s statement about schools not reopening.

According to Superintendent Chris Evans, they started preparing weeks before making the decision. “If we were going to do something virtually, I wanted to make sure there is equity in students having access to digital devices, other than a phone,” Evans said.

They surveyed who needed computers and internet access and worked out an arrangement with Verizon to

provide unlimited Wi-Fi access for three to four months.

A key element to their plan was being able to sign a memorandum of understanding with their teachers union on contract modifications to facilitate teachers’ participation in distance learning.

Currently, between 6,000 and 7,000 Chromebooks are being distributed to students and teachers to start pilottesting lessons for two weeks before they move forward on teaching curriculum online for the rest of the year — or until they are able to physically open their classrooms.

Just as ready to engage in providing distance learning to its students is Fortune School of Education. It is a group of seven public charter schools in Sacramento and San Bernardino with a student population that is over 90 percent minority and 85 percent low income.

Margaret Fortune, Founder and CEO of Fortune School said “I had literally just briefed my team that we need to make a distance learning plan that will be built to last for the rest of the school year,” when Newsom said schools might not open until summer.

Fortune has already distributed hundreds of Chromebooks to families that needed them and are implementing their distance learning program using Google Classroom as their learning management system and Google Hangouts to host face-to-face meetings with scholars and teachers.

Micah Ali, President of the Compton Unified School District Board of Education, said he felt, “Confident, poised, and ready to deliver instruction, virtual learning, no matter how long.”

School districts like Compton Unified and Stockton Unified that provide 1:1 access to a digital device and have arrangements with internet providers to provide free or low cost Wi-Fi are able to bridge the digital divide as they plan to deliver distance learning to the low income and minority students they serve.

And, school districts like San Lorenzo Unified and Inglewood Unified that don’t have 1:1 student access to a digital device, are figuring out how to provide a computer and internet access to students who need them so that they can implement their distance learning programs.

Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified, the state’s two largest school districts, are asking the Legislature to approve an additional $500 for every child in the state to

Fortune school staff hand out chrome books and free lunch to parents that need them March 23, 2020. (Courtesy Photo)

help pay for the transition to full online learning.

In that letter, the superintendents, Austin Beutner - Los Angeles Unified and Cindy Marten - San Diego Unified said, “Pick your metaphor: This is the moon shot, the Manhattan Project, the Normandy landing, and the Marshall Plan, and the clock is ticking.”

Rep. Waters Discusses Coronavirus Relief the orderlies, and the [LPNs], and all who are putting their lives on the line. We appreciate you. We thank you.

Be as safe and secure as you possibly can. We honor you for the work that you’re doing. That’s why I went back to Washington to vote, because if they can go every day and

(Saturday, March 28, 2020)-Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, joined MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid to discuss the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the state of California and Congress’ response to the crisis, including the House passage of the historic $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congresswoman Waters played an integral role in drafting.

During the interview, Congresswoman Waters applauded provisions of the CARES Act, particularly the relief measures for small businesses and workers. She expressed her commitment to continuing to push for the bold and progressive proposals that were included in her Committee’s comprehensive coronavirus response plan that

would provide $2000 per month for every adult and $1000 per month for every child; ban evictions, foreclosures, and repossessions nationwide; and suspend all consumer credit payments for car notes, student loans, and credit cards.

“We have people who work every day and [make] minimum wage. When they get laid off or fired, they don’t have any cushion. They don’t have anywhere to turn….

We’ve got to do more,” said Congresswoman Waters.

Congresswoman Waters also discussed her efforts to assist seniors and families in her District who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. She closed by thanking medical professionals and those who are serving on the front lines of the crisis.

“I want to shout out the nurses, and the doctors, and

service those who are sick and put themselves at risk, I had to go and take that vote.”

Scan over the photo to this story using your “Observer Interactive “ App to watch a video of her full interview.

COVID-19 Changes Our Lives Food 4-Less Cashier Emma returns change to a customer she and others now have protective glass at her register. (Earl Heath Photo)

By Earl Heath Contributing Writer Kids are out of school, mothers are home, fathers are home and some of them are home together. Most stores and restaurants are closed and the ones that are open its like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Workers are wearing mask and gloves. It all due to the corona virus or COVID-19. It’s been the most deadliest virus to hit the world in a while.

The CVS store on Vine Street set up a plastic shield hanging from above and is draped around it’s checkout counter for prevention. Patrons would pass money under the clear plastic. “It’s a different world” said one man wearing a medical mask standing in line six feet behind the lady in front of him. “There are a lot of things that will be done different.”

Many grocery stores including Food-4-Less have all cashiers wearing gloves. They also have put up plastic shields between their workers and customers for protection when checking out. You encounter lines set up six feet apart to enhance social distances.

When you look down Martin Luther King Blvd in Los Angeles there is little movement with fewer cars, bus’s and fewer people. Hollywood Blvd. looks like a ghost town.

This is due to a stay at home order by Governor Newsome and Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti.

Our unemployment state wide and on a national level has taken a major hit. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, appearing on NBC’s Today Show, said what businesses and analysts already know, “We may as well be in a recession.”

“This is a unique situation,” Powell added. “People are being asked to close their business, to stay home from work, and to not engage in certain economic activity, and so they are pulling back. At a certain point, we will get the virus under control and confidence will return.”

Yes the world around us has changed. We don’t know when or if it will return like it was. From the Shores of Santa Monica, to the great state of Texas and the mountains that surround Atlanta, the roads of North Carolina and Virginia, to the awesome land of Connecticut I wish everyone to stay safe and sound.

One CVS store has encased checkout registers for employees protection. Self-Check-out does not have this. (Earl Heath Photo)

A4

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Entertainment

Thursday, April 2, 2020

The Day the Music Died

NEW ORLEANS — Drive-through COVID-19 testing is now open in New Orleans.

Mardi Gras Coronavirus Tests New Orleans Why New Orleans has become a hot spot is uncertain, although medical experts and government officials openly speculate that the annual Mardi Gras celebration in late February was a factor. It draws more than a million tourists and locals to city streets each year.

By KEVIN McGILL and REBECCA SANTANA Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ There were the great fires of 1788 and 1794 and the multiple yellow fever outbreaks of the 1800s. Hurricane Betsy hit in 1965, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the memories linger in New Orleans like remnants of a bad dream.

Now the city is one of the nation's hot spots for coronavirus. As of Friday, New Orleans and neighboring Jefferson Parish had recorded more than 80 of the state's 119 COVID-19 deaths and more than 1,700 of the state's 2,700-plus known cases. The numbers have been climbing fast, in part because increased testing is revealing more people to have the disease.

Why New Orleans has become a hot spot is uncertain, although medical experts and government officials openly speculate that the annual Mardi Gras celebration in late February was a factor. It draws more than a million tourists and locals to city streets each year.

Gov. John Bel Edwards has repeatedly warned that the state's health care system could be overwhelmed by early April. Louisiana is preparing for 2,000 to 4,000 patients above normal for this time of year, said Joseph Kanter, an assistant state health officer.

Morial Convention Center, which sheltered Katrina refugees in sweltering squalor, is about to become an emergency hospital for a potential overflow of virus patients, which will once again test emergency preparedness in a city where rescue efforts were widely viewed as inadequate in 2005. The rush is on to corral protective masks and gowns for medical personnel and to gather lifesaving ventilators.

Meanwhile, an economy largely built on the opposite of social distancing _ tourism, crowded restaurants, music at bars and nightclubs _ is being sacrificed to stay-home orders, business shutdowns and bans of gatherings of more than 10 people. Live music, which reverberates through the city's history, is, for now, history itself.

Bartenders, waiters and hotel staffers are out of work.

And the city's heralded musicians, who could at least travel the world looking for gigs after Katrina, have nowhere to go in a pandemic.

“I've been playing music all my life, since I was a teenager,'' said 78-year-old John Moore, better known as session guitar virtuoso, singer and band leader Deacon John.

“I've never been unemployed. But now, all of a sudden, WHOP! The day the music died.''

“It does feel like what we cherish about this city is being taken away from us,'' said George Ingmire, a longtime

DJ at the city's famed roots music station WWOZ. “The reason that some of us came here and never left ... and those that are from here and take deep pride in ... That's all unavailable right now. That's really heartbreaking.''

The city's vulnerabilities include its poverty and lowwage jobs.

“I worry very much that a lot of people in our city are operating ... on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis,'' said John Clarke, a professor at Tulane University's business school.

He said the New Orleans economy lacks big companies that are often better positioned than smaller enterprises to weather financial ups and downs. The industries that New Orleans has in abundance _ hospitality, gambling, tourism _ have basically “come to a full stop.”

A high poverty rate could also crimp the city's ability to combat the disease. Drive-up testing, which allows symptomatic people to get tested while lessening their possible exposure, isn't always an option for the poor. According to the Data Center, a New Orleans-based think tank, nearly 1 in 5 households do not have access to a car.

Preexisting conditions, a risk for those who get COVID-19, are another problem in south Louisiana, Kanter said.

“We know that our population has more other diseas-

es, underlying, than perhaps other parts of the country do.

We have a lot of diabetes, heart disease, renal disease and liver disease here. That puts us at risk for worst outcomes very difficult to model for these,'' Kanter said.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such afever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority of people recover.

Meanwhile, medical workers are conserving protective masks and gowns by re-using them. A nurse at a suburban New Orleans hospital, who was not authorized to speak to reporters and spoke on condition of anonymity, said staffers have discussed using plastic rain ponchos, like the ones French Quarter tourists buy at souvenir shops on rainy days, as protective gowns.

“People are handling it well and soldiering on,'' the nurse said. “But there's a lot of people worried about catching it and giving it to your family and all that stuff ... We want to help but we don't want to be sacrificial lambs.”

‘On My Block’ Cast Seeks Truth in Playing Inner-City Teens

By AMANDA LEE MYERS Associated Press WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (AP) – Cast members of Netflix's “On My Block'' say they feel honored to be able to represent teenagers who've long seen themselves portrayed as stereotypes.

The show in its third season tells the story of a group of black and Latino teens navigating high school and the realities of growing up in inner-city Los Angeles.

Critics have praised the comedy-drama for its nuance and care in depicting the four bright, street-savvy friends.

In a recent interview, the stars of the show said they feel a level of responsibility in the truth of their portrayals.

That responsibility can be “terrifying,'' said actress Jessica Marie Garcia, who plays an annoying but lovable busybody who just wants to be part of the cool kids.

“We want to make sure that we do it right and that we don't let them down,'' Garcia said. “It's so rare that you get to see a cast like us in the same show that it's like, we just want to do it right and make them proud.”

Her co-star Bret Gray, who plays a super nerd, said he thinks they're doing a pretty good job because their fans wouldn't hold back if they weren't.

This image released by Netflix shows, from left, Jessica Marie Garcia, Sierra Capri, Brett Gray, Diego Tinoco and Jason Genao from the series "On My Block." The series is an honest portrayal of the realities young adults face growing up in inner-city Los Angeles, and critics have praised the comedy-drama's depiction of four bright, street-savvy friends with nuance and care. (Netflix via AP)

“They are not afraid to tell us,'' he said. “They would let us know, like, `You guys are not doing this,''' he said.

“Since we know that, you know, they care so much that it's an honest feedback and the feedback is positive and that we are doing them justice. So it feels good.”

The cast also hopes the show reaches more than just teens who can identify with the show's story lines.

“There's huge parts of the country that don't know how we grow up and what our lives are like,'' Garcia said.

“So I think it's really important to humanize what you may have seen stereotypes of in the past. I think that's huge.”

For actor Diego Tinoco, who plays a reticent gang initiate, he hopes the show teaches the importance of resilience.

“Push through the difficult times,'' he said. “(Don't) let your circumstances define who you are as a person. I think it's a universal message not only on our show, but just with everybody in their own life. Each and every single one of us are going through our own dilemma, our own problems and stuff, and it's just never get to give up.”

The third season of “On My Block'' came out on Netflix last week.

Sports

Thursday, April 2, 2020

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A5

During Uneasy Times Local Athletes Lend Support

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Recently the coronavirus virus has changed all our lives in an unprecedented way. Los Angeles Rams players Jared Goff and Andrew Whitworth are stepping up to help people all in the greater Los Angeles area.

Last week the Rams Goff and Whitworth each donated $250,000 to the Los Angeles Food Bank to help fund two million meals for Angelenos in need.

“There are so many people in need right now and we want to do everything we can to help our Los Angeles community,” Goff said in a news release. “My hope is that we can inspire others to support organizations like the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and United Way’s Pandemic

Relief Fund as we come together to face this crisis.”

The closing of California schools has led to the need for meals throughout the city and county. Whitworth knows tragedy first hand he was at LSU during hurricane Katrina. As a student he and some LSU players drove around campus loading up a trailer with donations for hurricane victims.

“We filled up two 18-foot trailers within two days,” Whitworth said. “Then we donated our time when we had a chance. It was the least we could do in a situation to uplift our state, be there for it and not worry about ourselves.”

The actions by Whitworth and Goff are just the kinds of things the city and country need now.

Rams lineman Adam Whitworth works out. He and teammate Jared Goff have donated 2 million meals for those in need. (Earl Heath Photo)

The Sports World Continues to Make a Difference

During this Country’s Challenging Times

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com Though many Americans look at sports as a diversion from what’s going on in real life in our society. The unprecedented impact of this COVId-19, in our country, has caught many of us off guard and ill-prepared for this pandemic. This Coronavirus has impacted the lives of everyone in this country, including several of our prominent athletes and sports personalities.

A variety of sports personalities have been inflected with this potentially fatal virus. Personalities such as NBA Reporter Doris Burke, Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant, Boston Celtics Marcus Smart and Former Jacksonville Jaguar Tony Boselli have all been recently diagnosed with this virus that has changed life in America. Though much of the country has been shut down with only employees deemed essential employees continue to work.

In the wake of this harmful pandemic that has infected our country and changed the lives of every citizen, multiple players, teams, and athletes have chosen to support their fellow Americans in their various communities in the spirit of giving back. We previously mentioned the donations of Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert, Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Love and New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson.

Admirably Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees have also chosen to follow suit.

Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Jared Goff and their veteran Offensive Tackle Andrew Whitworth will each donate $250,000 to their long-term partner L.A. Regional Food Bank, to fund two million meals for those in need.

“The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is on a mission to help fight the negative impacts of the coronavirus and I am humbled to team up with them to provide 1 million meals to our hurting community.” Giving back to the community isn’t anything new for Whitworth, as he’s been doing this since he’s been here in Los Angeles. Whether it’s donating his time and resources to elementary schools or efforts like this, Big-Whit always makes his presence felt in the community.

After recently agreeing to purchase the Forum for a reported $400 million, the Los Angeles Clippers Chairman

Steve Ballmer has open up his wallet once again. This time he and his wife Connie, through The Ballmer Group, agree to pledge $25 million dollars to multiple healthcare systems to halt the growth of this insidious pandemic in multiple states. Southeastern Michigan, where Ballmer is from, Los Angeles, CA., where he’s NBA team is based and Seattle, WA., where they currently reside will be receiving a portion of this funding.

According to UW Medicines Dr. Paul Ramsey, “Testing is the most immediate priority right now as we try to reduce community spread of COVID-19.” Ramsey continued on to tell the LA Times Andrew Greif, “Private philanthropy, like Connie and Steve Ballmer’s extraordinary gift, is critical to expanding testing at the speed and scale required to save lives. We are incredibly grateful for their leadership during this crisis.”

When Drew Brees arrived in New Orleans years ago, he made it a point to support those who have suffered losses of their homes and lifestyle after Hurricane Katrina ravished New Orleans, LA years ago. This entrenched him into the community’s fabric. He then became legendary in the city by leading the Saints to their first franchise Super Bowl victory a free years later. In his recent interview with TMZ, Drew Brees mentions that with “so much need and so many challenges.” His $5 Million donation is meant to “put people’s minds at ease.” Once again Drew not only talks the talks but walks the walk.

American educator, novelist and poet Paul Eldridge summarized these actions best when he said: “A man is most accurately judged by how he treats those who are not in a position either to retaliate or to reciprocate.” These actions are just the examples of graciousness we like to highlight and promote via www.whatsgoodinsports.com.

Kindly share your thoughts and any other contributions from members of the sports community, that we may have overlooked by reaching out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport or forward any links to info@ whatsgoodinsports.com. Additionally, be sure to subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on most podcasting platforms, Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. As always, Thank You for making our voice, your choice!

Steve and Connie Ballmer, of The Ballmer Group, pledges $25 Million to Health Care Systems in 3 states to fight COVID-19 (Courtesy Photo)

Stephon Marbury Trying to Lend Big Assist for NY

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Stephon Marbury is trying to lend the biggest assist of his life. The former New York Knicks guard and Coney Island native is attempting to put together a deal that would deliver 10 million N95 masks to New York City, however he has run into issues coordinating a deal between a Chinese company and the city officials.

New York City and state is the epicenter of the CORVID-19 virus were more than 52,000 cases in also around 7,300 people were reportedly in hospitals. Hospital workers and health officials were complaining about the shortage of PPE’s personal protection equipment that include mask.

Marbury told the New York Post that he arranged for a supplier in China to sell the masks for $2.75 each, nearly two-thirds less than their standard price tag.

“At the end of the day, I am from Brooklyn,” Marbury told the Post from Beijing, where he coaches the Chinese

Basketball Association’s Royal Fighters. “This is something that is close and dear to my heart as far as being able to help New York.”

Marbury added: “I have family there in Coney Island, a lot of family who are affected by this, so I know how important it is for people to have masks during this time.”

Marbury reached out to Brooklyn borough president Eric Adams to help coordinate the sale.

But Adams told the Post that he was initially informed by city and state officials that they did not need the masks.

When the Post contacted state Department of Health officials, however, they said state officials “want to talk to Stephon.” The department was put in touch with Adam’s office to continue talks.

Marbury played 13 seasons, in the NBA including five with the Knicks, before joining the CBA, where he played from 2010 to 2018. He was a fan favorite during that time.

He then became a coach last year.

Stephon Marbury (Photo Credit: Black Enterprise twitter page)

A6

Local

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, April 2, 2020