Download The Voice Newspaper February 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 • ISSUE NO. 1915

Lifestyle

In love and in business

‘Why I’m freezing my eggs’: Sam’s story p38

2021, year of the HoodCelebrity y p41

ss In love and in busine

SIAN GABBIDON

WWW.VOICE-ONLINE.CO.UK

Micah Richards: tacklin racism in football p44

g

£2.50

Community urged to take vaccine Pages 14-16, 21, 28

MOHAMUD’S FAMILY SEEK JUSTICE A 24 year old Somali man, Mohamud Mohammed Hassan, died suddenly after being held in police custody. He was arrested and detained at Cardiff Bay police station and was subsequently released without charge. His family are launching a justice campaign and their legal defence team are seeking answers to many questions that they have.

FULL STORY ON PAGE 3

Tribute to the late

Caribbean visionary, nation builder, icon The Hon. Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart

Pages 23-25

14 | THE VOICE

FEBRUARY 2021

Feature

Health

How do the vaccines work?

T

HIJACKING HEALTHY CELLS: Coronavirus particles contain spike proteins that project from the surface, allowing the virus to attach itself on to human immune cells

Samantha Henry explains the science behind the battle to beat coronavirus

HE APPROVAL of P f i z e r - B i o N Te c h ’ s vaccine in December brought hope to many across the world that the COVID-19 pandemic could soon be brought to an end.

Oxford University-AstraZeneca’s vaccine was approved soon thereafter and by the second week of January, Moderna became the third vaccine to be granted approval.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock commented that “this is further great news and another weapon in our arsenal to tame this awful disease”.

The new year greeted the UK with further challenges when cases of a newly discovered variant began accelerating across the country. Since then, new variants of COVID began to emerge from various parts of the world, with the South African variant very concerning.

Many people have questioned the impact that these new variants will have on the effectiveness of the vaccines while others question the safety behind their usage.

Spike protein is the target for the leading vaccines Coronavirus particles are circular and contain spike proteins that project from their surface.

Spike proteins allow the virus to attach itself on to human immune cells, allowing both particles to fuse.

Genes from the virus can enter the human immune cells and “trick” the cells into mak-

This is great news and another weapon in our arsenal to tame this disease ing multiple copies of the virus.

COVID vaccines contain an artificial version of what is called the virus’s messenger.

Upon entering the body, the cells see the vaccine as a ‘real’ case of the virus and are instructed to make proteins for the virus including the spike protein that is very distinctive to COVID-19.

The immune system becomes activated and begins to fight the proteins that are produced by the cells. Antibodies are produced in the process and an immunological memory is created.

This means that when a true case of the virus infects the body in the future, antibodies are present and ready to attack the spike protein of the virus.

The spike protein is the target for the leading vaccines present in the UK. What effects do the new variants have on the vaccines?

The new strain of COVID that

was discovered in the UK has a single mutation (change) to the spike protein of the virus. A single change to the spike protein will have little to no impact on the vaccines.

However, if the virus was to create multiple mutations on the spike protein over time, the antibodies created by the vaccine might not be able to recognise the ‘real’ virus. This would reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines.

Mutations in viruses are normal, in fact, this explains why the influenza (flu) vaccine changes yearly.

The flu virus changes every year through a process called “antigenic drift” and to improve the accuracy of the vaccine, it is altered yearly.

New variants of COVID have been appearing at different regions across the world including Japan, Nigeria and America. South Africa’s new variant became the most concerning as it was believed to have multiple mutations to the spike protein.

However, a preliminary study showed that the vaccines were still effective against the UK and South Africa’s new COVID variants.

Are the vaccines safe?

The development of vaccines is a complex process with strict quality control measures in place. Scientists perform rigorous testing to ensure that the vaccines are safe and effective.

Some vaccines take years to be developed while the COVID

vaccines took roughly a year, which led to questions around their safety.

The time taken to create a vaccine is dependent on the urgency of the vaccine, the funding available and the complexity of the virus. COVID caused a global pandemic and lots of effort was placed on designing and producing a vaccine rapidly.

The clinical trial stage of vaccine development has three phases. During phase one, only small groups of individuals receive the vaccine.

If phase one is successful, the vaccine is then administered to the target group of the vaccine, such as the elderly or the immunocompromised. Phase three is the final phase of clinical trials and usually involves thousands of individuals.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was administered to around 43,000 people during clinical trials and 30,000 people for the Moderna vaccine.

Researchers assessed for adverse side effects during clinical trials and no serious safety concerns were observed. A small number of people experienced fatigue and headache was reported for the Pfizer-BioNTech trials. After the clinical trials, regulators review the vaccines and decide whether to approve the vaccines in their countries.

All the data are thoroughly assessed including preclinical, clinical and manufacturing data.

When the vaccine gets approved, it gets monitored for a period of time in order to assess for adverse effects and to track its performance on different

people over time. The COVID vaccines are like any other drug that is consumed by the body; they are never 100 per cent safe, but yet we still consume them.

Some persons are prone to having rare side effects as our bodies are all designed differently.

However, statistics have shown that the risk of developing lifethreatening conditions from vaccination is very rare.

Samantha Henry has a BSc

(Hons) in Biomedical Science.

Currently, she is a PhD research student in Molecular Microbiol-

ogy at the University of Kent. She is also a HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) Registered Biomedical Scientist with two

years of experience within NHS

pathology labs. She has worked with COVID samples.

African Union secures 300m doses of COVID-19 jabs

BOOST: Cyril Ramaphosa

ALMOST 300 MILLION COVID-19 doses have been secured by the African Union.

Cyril Ramaphosa, the Union’s chair and the president of South Africa, confirmed the news.

It is the continent’s largest such agreement yet.

The quantity has added significance, because the Union hopes to vaccinate around 780 million people and requires 1.5 billion doses.

The senior science adviser for the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told the Associated

Press that the vaccines had been secured independently of the global COVAX effort, which is aimed at redistributing COVID-19 vaccines to lower income countries.

Nicaise Ndembi said that the vaccine doses were expected by the end of March.

They will be distributed through a specific institution that was created to ensure that African nations could combine their purchasing power and obtain pandemic supplies.

The news arrives as some parts

@thevoicenewspaper

of Africa have seen increased COVID-19 rates of infection, with the continent passing the three million mark for confirmed cases in recent days.

DEMAND

A new variant, which has been found in South Africa, seems to be more contagious and has contributed to increased cases in the country. In January, the number surpassed 1.2 million.

From COVAX, officials expect

@thevoicenews

voicenews

600 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Mr Ramaphosa also highlighted the tremendous work done by the African Vaccine Acquisition task force to secure vaccine doses.

He added that South Africa had also been making its own independent efforts, too. He said: “Given the massive global demand for vaccines and the vastly greater purchasing power of wealthier countries, we are exploring all avenues to get as many vaccine doses as soon as possible.”

www.voice-online.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2021

THE VOICE | 15

Feature News

Health

‘There is danger ahead if black people don’t get jab’

CONCERNED: UK Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi is doing everything he can to make sure as many as possible within the BAME community are vaccinated against the coronavirus

Here, The Voice speaks to Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi who says that unless we unite and tackle this deadly disease together, the lives of our friends and loved ones will continue to be put at risk

T

H E GOVERNMENT has a problem. A big problem in its fight against the pandemic. And perhaps the problem is us.

Or at least some of us black Brits who don’t trust the government to put a needle in our arm, let alone a vaccine.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is concerned that there may just be enough of us refuseniks to make the coronavirus vaccine ineffective. They need 85 per cent coverage across the board to make it work and, unless their powers of persuasion improve substantially, they are going to fall short of that.

HESITANT

According to the current stats, about a fifth of Brits (20 per cent) aren’t going to take the jab, and that figure increases among black Britons. In fact,

It’s our job to argue the facts. Fact: This vaccine saves lives over 70 per cent of us are who the government describes as ‘vaccine-hesitant’.

It is Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi’s job to persuade us to get the jab. When we spoke, we asked him directly: “Why are people of colour more likely to refuse the vaccine?”

“There’s a complexity of reasons,” Mr Zahawi said.

“Some people have religious reasons, some people have family reasons – we don’t do vaccines, our family doesn’t do vaccines – and there is a real concern among many

people about what the effects might be.

“There’s a lot of misrepresentation about it online and it’s our job to argue the facts. Fact: This vaccine saves lives.”

But the sceptics are arguing with that.

UNETHICAL

Their facts include how unethical medical practices have misused black people in the past which leads them to draw the conclusion that they are trying to kill us.

We put it to the minister that right now the government is losing the battle of convincing many black Brits about who they should trust to save their lives.

“That’s why we need news organisations like The Voice to help us reach those people who are still worried by all the things they read about on

social media. I’ve read all the reasons why you shouldn’t take the vaccine and they’re simply not true,” he said.

“Everything from ‘it’s got pork in it’ to ‘it’s part of a plan

by Bill Gates to put chips into every single person on the planet’.

“The vaccine is none of those things. It’s to save lives. Fact: This vaccine protects you and your loved ones.”

In every family there’s at least one sceptic and that’s the

challenge that the vaccine minister is having to face.

Of course, in normal times, it would be no big deal.

SCEPTICS

The sceptics would hold court at the dinner table or on the street corner and we would go about our business regardless.

But in these COVID times, with more than 1,000 people in Britain dying each day, the Government argues that kind of loose talk is dangerous.

“There is a real danger ahead for the black community if people aren’t vaccinated,” added Mr Zahawi.

“We hope to achieve our target of 85 per cent of the population taking the vaccine this autumn. But if the remaining 15 per cent are mainly from BAME communities there is a real risk of the virus mutating and just affecting that community with devastating consequences. Nobody wants to see that happen.”

Looking after you: Your health matters, your life matters

By Dr Jacky McLeod ARE YOU one of the 15 million people in the UK who is living with a long-term condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or arthritis?

It is common to feel that health care professionals are ‘the experts’ and the ones best placed to manage these conditions for you.

However, managing long-term health conditions is a partnership and health care professionals are there to help you to look after you.

There are many times when I have checked a patient’s blood pressure and it is still very high. Although I am ‘the doctor’, the advice that I give and the medication I prescribe will do absolutely nothing – unless the patient takes it!

The power is all in your hands.

Think about it, this year you will

probably spend at most three hours in consultation with a healthcare professional. That means the other 8,757 hours are yours to look after you! Your health matters, your life matters.

Looking after you starts when you decide to do your best to stay healthy and become an active partner in managing any long-term conditions you have. That means you will take the time to learn about your condition. Ask questions and explore trusted sources like patient.info or nhs.uk for helpful information.

If you prefer to watch a video or hear someone’s experience visithealthtalk.org/

or connect with a friend or support group. Listen to someone who has accepted the condition, adjusted to it and is living their best life. Here are a few pointers: • Follow the advice of your health professional, decide on a few key lifestyle changes you are willing to make, for example agreeing a target weight and working towards it, or to stopping smoking.

• Check that you understand what your medication is for, how much to take and when to take it – then take your medication regularly as prescribed. It’s not easy, so you might need to set a reminder on your phone or a sticker on your mirror to help you.

• Establish a reliable process for your repeat prescriptions, plan ahead so you don’t run out of medication.

• Why not invest in a recommended home blood pressure monitor?

You are worth it! You can then check your own blood pressure regularly, record your readings and discuss the results at your follow-up appointment. It’s one way to become more confident in looking after you.

• Get to know the signs and symptoms of change in your health condition and agree an action plan with your GP or practice nurse so you become familiar with what to do if your condition changes.

• Over time, build relationships with key members of the primary care team, including your pharmacist, receptionist or practice manager.

• Speak to someone in confidence.

If you’re experiencing particular challenges, the team are there to help and can put you in touch with other

professionals, like counsellors, therapists and voluntary groups who can provide support, respond to issues and improve your quality of life.

During the pandemic your GP practice is still open, but routine care is being delivered in different ways to protect both patients and staff.

EMOTIONAL

Most consultations are typically carried out virtually by phone, videocall or online in the first instance, although a face-to-face appointment may still be agreed with your doctor and scheduled to be carried out safely.

Taking care of your emotional and social life is just as important as the physical, so be kind to yourself, keep active and connect with others, and download the Ask NHS app.

Dr Jacky McLeod has been a south London GP for 30 years

34 | THE VOICE

FEBRUARY 2021

News feature

MOMENTS OF JOY: While we’re isolated, we can use technology to connect with our friends and loved ones – but it’s also important to disconnect and enjoy the outdoors to keep your own mental health in check

‘BE KIND TO EACH OTHER’

In tough times, even small acts of kindness make the world of difference, says Dr Jacky McLeod

2

020 WAS a year like no other, so Dr Jacky is encouraging us to bring hope and help in 2021 by trying out small acts of kindness.

Evidence shows that as we help others our stress level reduces, our mental health improves and we can boost our own wellbeing.

So, being kind to others not only makes them feel supported and cared for, but can also make us feel good, too.

That’s why in these challenging times, acts of kindness are needed, now more than ever.

It can be easier than you think to brighten someone’s day, here are some tips to try out this week:

• Decide to share a slideshow of memories with an old friend, or family member • Why not plan to meet with

Connect with someone: • Make some time to phone that friend you haven’t spoken to for a while • Reach out to someone you know who might be lonely or having to self-isolate • Call someone to find out how they are doing – just listening can be really supportive • Take a virtual tea-break with a colleague, to help work-life balance

As we help others our stress reduces and our mental health improves friends each week, over a game of virtual dominoes • Arrange a big match or movie night and watch at the same time as a friend • Regular dancing is good for

@thevoicenewspaper

you! For a sharper mind, active body and healthier weight, share your playlist, agree a time slot and dance away!

Offer your time or your talent: • Offer support to vulnerable neighbours – be specific: ask if you can collect their shopping, urgent supplies or medication

@thevoicenews

• Offer to send someone a takeaway or a meal • Are you a musician, writer, artist or great cook? Why not share your talent online with others? Or maybe help someone develop their gift by teaching via video call?

• Donate to your local food bank or a charity that is close to your heart.

Encourage someone: • Tell a family member or friend how much you love and appreciate them • Tell a young person you know that you are proud of them

voicenews

• Praise someone for their achievements, it will spur you on to your own success • Love your local business, leave a rave review online, share their social media pages • Send a thoughtful text to inspire someone you know is struggling • Post a note through your neighbour’s letterbox or send someone a card • Laughter is a great medicine, so why not share your personal LOL story or video?

Most important of all – be kind to yourself!

www.voice-online.co.uk

Lifestyle ‘Why I’m freezing my eggs’: Sam’s story p38

2021, year of the HoodCelebrityy p41

In love and in business

SIAN GABBIDON

Micah Richards: tackling racism in football p44

38 | THE VOICE FEBRUARY 2021

Lifestyle

Health

BUSINESS, BABIES – OR BOTH?

Career-driven sports presenter Samantha Johnson tells Lifestyle of her courageous fertility journey

IN CONTROL: Currently living in Turkey working as a sports anchor for TRT World, Samantha Johnson knew she wanted to protect her future by freezing her eggs now; bottom left, Samantha in hospital; bottom right, Samantha was able to see the process unfold in an ultrasound scan

BY CHANTELLE KIMBERLEY

S

AMANTHA JOHNSON has opened up about her decision to put starting a family on hold and the struggles black women face every day in pursuit of their business ambition over.

The successful TV personality, originally from Birmingham is currently residing in Istanbul, Turkey since moving there in 2015.

She is currently the sports anchor for TRT World.

With her dream job in the bag, Samantha expresses that it was not down to her career why she

put off having children; it was simply down to the fact that she just wasn’t ready.

“It was not my number one priority and I wanted to focus on my career.

“I wanted what I wanted for me – I know how selfish that sounds,” she said.

AMBITIOUS

“It’s not that I don’t want a family, it’s just never really been at the forefront – I’ve always been very ambitious.

“I like the idea of the fairytale, but there was something blocking me and I just wasn’t ready for it. I wanted my career, especially being a black woman – I wanted to give it 100 per cent.”

Little is known by many about

“We have to take care of ourselves. If you’re a black woman, go to the best gynaecologist” egg freezing, and it is not often a subject spoken about openly.

“If there’s one thing I’ve noticed, it’s not really spoken about,” she said.

“They’re not giving this to us as an option.

“Unless you’re a middle class white woman with a load of money then you’re in that bracket, but anyone else, or if you’ve got underlying health i s s u e s , then it’s not flagged up and it should be front and centre.”

Urged to freeze her eggs, Samantha admitted that

@thevoicenewspaper

she only started to consider egg freezing when she was prompted by her gynaecologist who explained that at the age of 36, her eggs would start to decrease with age.

“If it wasn’t for her saying it so loudly I wouldn’t have taken it so seriously or think of it as an option”.

Having decided to go ahead with the procedure after a moment of clarity, Samantha began to do her own research.

“COVID makes you think about what you really want – I love my life the way it is now.

AUTHORITIES

“I had to ask myself what it is I want – I would love to have a partner who has my back and wants to build together.

“It’s hard to rely on the authorities in the UK. Statistics show that black women are more likely to die during childbirth than white women, that’s why we have to take care of ourselves. If you’re a black woman go to the best gynaecologist.”

Johnson decided not to have the procedure done in Turkey as you are only allowed to go ahead with the procedure if you are married, so opted to head to Cyprus in November 2020, where she began the process at the Dunya IVF Clinic.

Recalling the emotional process, Samantha talks of hitting

@thevoicenews

a brick wall and wanting to give up.

“I had been injecting for 10 days, and the sixth day I hit a wall – injecting in the same place everyday and trying to find an area, I was done with it!

“Your brain’s telling you that you know you have to do it because that’s the process, but at the same time it’s saying, ‘Why are you stabbing yourself?’

“I got my friend to do it the first time for me. The irony of it all was that I was at work presenting – a surreal moment.”

COVID-19 made the process an even more anxious time, reliant on a negative test result to fly to Cyprus for the retrieval lead to high emotions.

“Bearing in mind I was half way through the process... imagine spending all of this money, putting your body through so much and then not being able to go ahead – I cried, it was a tough moment and very emotional.”

Samantha was grateful for all the support she received from her friends and family who helped her remain positive.

“You can’t go into it feeling deflated or defeated,” she said.

“My self-care routine really helped, I was working out everyday – doing things to keep my spirits up, affirmations and let-

voicenews

ting my body do what it needed to do. You have to be kind to yourself, you can’t go into this negatively, it is an intense procedure.”

Samantha felt very blessed, privileged and lucky to have had a smooth process.

“I understand the frustration of doing a cycle and then something could happen and that sets you back.”

The procedure was done under local anaesthetic and Samantha admits to feeling scared at that moment – but was not in too much discomfort.

Some of the more noticeable side effects of the drugs were the fluctuation in hormones, some more troublesome than others.

SENSITIVE

“Everything gets super sensitive and I was super horny, my boobs got bigger and more curvy.”

However, the process was a success and Samantha, in total retrieved 22 viable eggs.

After a great result, Samantha urges more women her age to look into egg freezing and to start the process.

“I did it because I know I wanted peace of mind, for me it was, that’s done now – I needed that.

“If you’re going to do it, go into it with a positive frame of mind.”

www.voice-online.co.uk

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position on this year’s order of merit, normal at the Royal Mail. This meant joining number one Lisa Ashton in I hadn’t been ETERAN DARTS player the December showpiece. able to practice, but when I played the challenge Deta Hedman has defied She told the Voice tour the of Sport: week before the odds yet again when ‘‘I surprised myself, and got some good I really did! The wins, it gave me my belief back.” she toppled superstar Fallon Sherrock and qualified for the PDC World Darts Championshi p 2021 – at the tender age of 60.

Jamaica-born Hedman described her latest win as ‘‘unbelievable ’’ as she becomes the second oldest debweek, before I played the utant and the sixth woman Challenge to com- Tour Despite her achievements and that’s what set me up pete on the sport’s grandest , that really, include over 200 stage. it gave me the belief. ranking titles, qualiHedman upset the odds fying means that Hedman and nar“I hadn’t been throwing and her rowly pipped Sherrock well and and brother to second I’d been working Al become the first sibmore days than lings to play at the tournament, as he

qualified in 2003. Hedman added: “It’s crazy isnt it? Even at my tender age I’m still getting records.

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Coronavirus restrictions mean it is unclear exactly where and when the World Darts Championshi p will take place, or if fans will be allowed in.

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“It doesn’t feel real yet, but when I see my name up there in the draw and against an opponent, it will sink in.

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NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Maurice Henry looks to shake things up on the grid

FULL SPEED AHEAD: Maurice Henry may be just 15, but he already has an impressive reputation in the world of circuit racing

By Rodney Hinds

T

MOTIVATED: Maurice Henry says he wants to achieve big things in his motor sport career

HE MOTOR SPORT grapevine suggests that the name Maurice Henry is worth noting.

Seven times Formula One world champion, Sir Lewis Hamilton, had to start somewhere, and that is the case for the highly talented Maurice.

Maurice has been driving since he was aged eight in go karts and has now moved into junior rally. Time again during his fledgling career the 15-year-old has proved himself by winning races.

His career took another positive turn recently when he competed for the Ginetta junior scholarship with 65 other young men and came out on top.

The prestigious scholarship is valued at £85,000 for one year.

After that, his parents and sponsors will need to find £120,000 for the second year.

Maurice would like to follow in Sir Lewis’ tyre treads, but admits that there is much work to be done before that.

The articulate teenager told the Voice of Sport: “We’ve made a lot happen from a little while I’ve been winning championships in karting.

“In the next stage of my career, finance will be a factor because we are now in elite motor sport and costs are very high.”

Maurice has been self-taught

since he left karting behind. He learns from watching, via various on-board footage, what other drivers are doing in terms of key skills such as braking and gear changes. This student of motor sport is fully focused every time the Formula One circus travels around the world, too.

“When you watch the races every driver provides something

“I would love to be an F1 champion – I’m ready to do the work”

different. You pick up on things like their mental preparation and you look at what they are doing on the grid before a race starts.

“My ambitions are high. I would love to be an F1 world champion, it would be amazing.

I’m ready to do the work.

“There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes. People don’t appreciate the amount of effort that Lewis and other drivers put in to continue to be the very best.’’

Proud dad, Cecil, has been there every step of the way as his son literally goes through the gears. He said: “It’s been quite a tough journey trying to keep up with Maurice’s progress as things have moved quite quickly.

“When we would watch F1 together he would ask me things, quite technical stuff that would make great sense.

“Karting I was able to fund as we were able to develop his driving. Moving forward, things won’t happen without serious backers. The scholarship was essential to use it as a launch pad into circuit racing.

“We are hoping that likes of Lewis get to read articles like this one. That’s not to a view to say ‘Lewis give us some money’, more a case of can you give us some guidance, exposure or support?

“It would be an endorsement that could attract sponsors.’’

One day there is every chance that Maurice might meet his sporting hero. When that day comes, just what would he say to Sir Lewis?

“I’d let him know what an inspiration he is to me. He’s the one that has helped me drive myself forward and the ability to aim for higher things.’’

Visit www.mauricehenry.com to keep up with his progress