The Washington Informer - April 2, 2020

‘What’s Going On’ – the Prophetic Words of Marvin Gaye Page 8 Vol. 55, No. 25 • April 2 - 8, 2020

Mayor Bowser, District Officials Irked by Feds’ Coronavirus Funding

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @ SamPKCollins

5 The busiest subway stop at Metro Center was nearly empty during what would have been rush hours as patrons from Maryland and Virginia heeded the Stay-Home orders issued by the Governors of those states and the order for District of Columbia residents went in effect at midnight on Tuesday. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

Washington, D.C. Joins Maryland, Virginia with New Stay-At-Home Order Nationwide, Deaths Eclipse Totals from 9/11 Crisis

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir

Seventeen states across the U.S. have not found it prudent to issue orders for their residents to remain at home except in essential or extreme instances.

But with the increasing number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the District and throughout the Greater Washington Area, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a stay-at-home order for D.C. which took effect at midnight on Tuesday. The order reaffirms Bowser’s direction to residents to stay at home except to perform essential activities and joins orders already in effect by governors in both Maryland and Virginia.

“Our message remains the same: stay home,” Bowser said. “Staying at home is the best way to flatten the

curve and protect yourself, your family, and our entire community from COVID-19. Many people want to know how they can help right now, and for most people this is how – by staying home.”

The Mayor’s Order specifies that residents may only leave their residences to: engage in essential activities, including obtaining medical care that cannot be provided through telehealth and obtaining food and essential household goods; perform or access essential governmental functions; work at essential businesses; engage in essential travel; or engage in allowable recreational activities, as defined by the Mayor’s order.

Any individual who willfully violates the stay-athome order may be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon

STAY HOME Page 16

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has made constant appeals for federal assistance, all while the city has spent more than $60 million in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

All 50 states have been allocated at least $1.25 billion for emergency efforts, but the nation’s capital’s allocation was slightly more than onethird other jurisdictions U.S. senators classified as U.S. territories.

“The very idea of being treated like a territory is wrong and outrageous. We pay more taxes and have a larger pop-

ulation than several states and we’re treated like states by federal programs,” Mayor said March 25, hours after the Senate approved the $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus package.

“It’s unconscionable giving D.C. the least funding,” she continued. “With the Council, I sent a letter to Senate leadership asking them to right this wrong. We’re going to keep working and doing what we need to do locally. We’re asking the White House to step up procurement of medical supplies.”

By Sunday night, the District had reported more than

FUNDING Page 9

High School Seniors Stay Hopeful Amid Coronavirus

Hope Graduation Ceremonies Can Still Happen

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill With Maryland public schools now closed through April 24, students will miss at least another three weeks of hanging with friends, organizing student council meetings and watching baseball games and other sporting events.

In Prince George’s County, public schools CEO Monica Goldson revised the 2019-20

school calendar to end the third quarter on March 13, the last day schools were open before the state officially closed them due to the coronavirus pandemic.

After talking and hearing concerns about shortening the third quarter to only 34 days, she recommended keeping the original date of Monday, March 30.

The board voted unanimous-

STUDENTS Page 13

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Tia C. Jones, Ed Laiscell, Odell B. Ruffin, Larry Saxton, Mary Wells, Joseph Young PHOTOGRAPHERS Lafayette Barnes, IV, John E. De Freitas, Maurice Fitzgerald, Joanne Jackson, Roy Lewis, Robert Ridley, Victor Holt CIRCULATION Paul Trantham

Women the Cycle of wi hotBreak topics Domestic Violence Norton Cries Foul to D.C. PSC Takes Lead to Ensure

in they Recent Bill; Uninterrupted Utility law enforcement. She said threat,”Coronavirus she said. had come together to bring a Among the programs Marlow Fix in Next Package Services in D.C. sense of uniformity in Seeks the way wants to see implemented are

By Tia Carol Jones WI Staff Writer

When L.Y. Marlow's 23-year- domestic The Public Service Commission [PSC] ofviolence the Dis- victims and stricter restraining order policies, old daughter told heran online the father survivors areprovide treated. more rights for victim's families trict has launched resource page to ofCOVID-19 her daughter threatened “She's using her Public Healthher Emergency updates andown personal to intervene on behalf of a viclife, and thethat lifeconsumers of their child, story, personal pain to tim, a domestic violence assessto ensure have access to her safe own and relishe knew something had to be push forward,” Davis-Nickens ment unit coupled with further able utility service. The resource page provides up-todone. Out of her frustration said about Marlow. training for law enforcement date information regarding government operations, with law enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protecresponse efforts and changes in decisions. ofutility the situation, she decided to who reads Marlow's book will tion Act and mandatory counselPSCthe willSaving support the Mayor, Council and lostart Promise cam- D.C. “get it.” She said she “puts the ing for batterers. cal health officials so consumers have access to utility paign. case in such a way, the average “If we are ever going to eradiservice through including: “It seems to be aseveral viciousspecial cycle initiatives person can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must utility disconnections, waiver that won't turn my utility family reconnections, end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin.

Holmes of late fees (Pepco, Washington Gas and Verizon) loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help people begin to have Congresswoman a dia- We needEleanor to address both Norton the vic- (D-DC) expressed disappointment that the third coronavirus bill and energy suppliers’ door-to-door marketing morshared her story with the audi- logue about domestic violence. tim and the batterer,” Marlow recently signed into law treated D.C. as a territory instead atorium.

District Heights ence at the Also present at the event was said. state in Marlow the state would stabilization fund, the “The COVID-19 health emergency has disrupted Domestic Violence Symposium Mildred Muhammad, of theas aexalso like to depriving see District of $750 million.

Senate Republicans, who wrote life in [D.C.] and the Commission is committed to on May 7 at the District Heights wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise bill, intentionally the District ensuring access essential utility who services all Dis-to sixthe Municipal Center.toThe sympowasfor sentenced consecawarenesstreated among childrenas ainterritory – even though D.C. pays full federal taxes, paysShe more in fedtrict was residents and businesses. response, we have sium sponsored by the In utive life terms without parole public and private schools. eralrole taxes 22 children states, and paystomore federal taxes per launched a resource to keep our andfor his Family and Youth page Services by a consumers Maryland jury in than feels need be educatcapita than District violence. is virtually always treated stakeholders of all utility response Center of the informed city of District therelated Beltway Sniper attacks in any ed state. aboutThe domestic as a state said she Heights National Hookefforts and and the Commission actions,” 2002. said Willie L. PhilMildred Muhammad is for federal “We funding. have to Norton stop being pas-is working Up of Black Women.

House Democratic leaders andpoor Democratic lips, Commission the founder of After the with Trauma, sive-aggressive with chil- allies in Marlow has written a book, an organization that helps the Senate makeabout the District wholeviolence,” in the next coronachairman. the todren domestic “Color Me Butterfly,” responseMarlow bill. The District, whose total COVID-19 Visit PSC’s which is a survivors of domestic virus violence said. story about four generations of and their children. cases are greaterMarlow than those 28 statestoand all of the terCOVID-19 rehasinworked break domestic The book is “I lived in fear for six years. the cycle of abuse in isher family, ritoriesSix combined, believes the total likely because D.C. source violence. page inspired by her own experiences, years in fear is a long time.

It is live and is confident policies she residents closely together inthe houses and apartments in at https://dcpsc. and those of her grandmother, not an easy thing to come out is pushing for will start that a medium-sized city, rather than spread across space like org/Coronavirus. her mother and inher daughter. of,” she said. most states. process. aspx for more She said every time she reads Mildred Muhammad “This saidthird bill, “I plan to take policies to written in thethese Senate, deliberately treatformation. excerpts from her book, she still people who want to edhelp Congress andtheimplore them the to first two D.C.a differently from states, unlike can not believe the words came domestic violence victim must bills. change our laws,” coronavirus Notably, the firstMarlow two billssaid. were written from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be careful of how they by gothe into “I will not stop until thesetopoliHouse. We are particularly grateful Speaker Nanwon the 2007 National “Best the victim's life, and understand cies are cy Pelosi (D-CA) andpassed.”

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (DBooks” Award. that she may be in “survival Carol can bewereached MD) who triedTia to get the Jones corrections are demanding.

“I was just 16-years-old when mode”.

We will seek at to tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net retroactively retrieve what we have lost in my eye first blackened and my “Before you get to 'I'm goingto any new funds due D.C. in the fourth bill.” addition lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started as a verbal WI Elaine Davis-Nickens, president of the National Hook-Up of Black Women, said there is no consistency in the way domestic Prince George’s County school board unanimously approved violence issuesitsare dealt with by calendar during an emergency to change 2019-20 school meeting Friday, March 27. The last day for students previously set for June 17 will now be June 9. CEO Monica Goldson recommended the change due to the coronavirus outbreak.

State Superintendent Karen Salmon announced schools would be closed March 16-27, later saying the closure would continue through April 24. The school system plans to distribute Chromebooks to some students April 1-3. Before online instruction begins April 14, educators will receive professional development to learn and teach various online platforms. Ten more elementary schools opened this week to provide students “grab and go” meals from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. However, parents need not bring children. Instead, they will simply need to provide a student ID or report card. Due to low participation, the school system has closed three sites: J. Frank Dent and Longfields elementary schools and Benjamin Stoddert Middle School.

“

Prince George’s Schools Make Change to Year’s Calendar

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these policies to Congress and implore them to change our laws. I will not stop until these policies are passed.

“

SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY

COMPILED BY WI EDITOR D. KEVIN MCNEIR

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L.Y. Marlow

Inmates Detail Life Inside During Pandemic

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia While attention during the coronavirus pandemic has often been focused on celebrities, the well-todo, and the so-called influencers, another population finds itself receiving very little notice: those behind bars.

In telephone calls from two inmates, one in D.C. jail and the other at a Maryland correctional facility, both describe what life is like while quarantined and locked up.

To protect their privacy, we are using only the first name of the inmates, who both are serving time on assault charges.

“No, we don’t have any hand sanitizer,” said Craig, anticipating the question of whether prisons have broken a long-held rule of allowing such a product inside. Because hand sanitizer contains alcohol, it is prohibited inside most of the country’s correctional facilities.

“But,” Craig added as he broke out in comic-relief style laughter, “we have lots and lots of soap, and that’s kept everybody clean and comfortable.”

The 50-year-old noted that he’s in a pod with roughly 15 others, “and we are all symptom-free.

None of us have the coronavirus.”

Seth, an inmate in Maryland, said while there is concern, he mostly worries about family members who aren’t incarcerated.

“They are the ones on the front lines,” Seth said. “Not much can go on here, but out there, my mom and sisters have to go to the grocery store, they have to go to work. They are fully exposed.”

Public health and correctional officials have repeatedly warned that unsanitary conditions where inmates are housed in close quarters could ultimately become a haven for the virus.

States and counties have begun releasing thousands of inmates who are considered lower-level offenders and those with just weeks remaining on their sentences.

President Trump has received numerous requests to use his authority to grant passionate release to older inmates and many nonviolent offenders.

Earlier this month, a U.S. deputy

marshal at the D.C. Superior Court tested positive for the novel coronavirus, underscoring the growing concern the disease may have on the courts and, by extension, the prison system.

The marshal’s positive test means that prisoners, co-workers, and individuals associated with the court and jail may have been exposed.

“As a result [of the positive test], we immediately notified those court staff who may have had contact with the deputy marshal and had both courtrooms and the holding cells that adjoin them thoroughly cleaned and disinfected,” said U.S. Marshals Service spokeswoman Leah Gurowitz.

The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, has claimed nearly 3,700 lives in the United States, and more than 180,000 people have tested positive, as of Tuesday, March 31.

Health experts said approximately 80 percent of patients experience a mild form of the illness, which can include a fever and pneumonia, and many of these cases require little to no medical intervention. However, the elderly, particularly those with underlying conditions such as diabetes or heart and lung issues, are the most vulnerable.

“The thing is, now that we can’t have visitors, it’s pretty safe,” Craig said. “There’s no contact with the outside world. We have the officers and nurses come in and out, but that’s it.”

Pre-coronavirus days usually included visits from relatives and loved ones, exercise on the yard, card playing, and other recreation.

Now, inmates attempt to exercise social distancing while watching television.

“Our social distancing is a bit different from you on the outside,” Craig said. “You guys have a six-feet thing. We have about six inches.

We watch the news together, and we know what’s going on. Everybody seems OK, though.”

Craig and Seth both noted that hand-washing is frequent, food is covered, and those serving meals are permitted to wear gloves.

“I don’t think the Department of Corrections wants us to be sick in here, so they are probably doing all that the law will allow,” Craig said.

“The attitudes so far has been good.

AROUND THE REGION

I know it’s not the time to have a meltdown.”

Phone calls are still allowed, which help Craig and his cellmates pass the time.

“Talking to family is important. If that goes away, then there could be problems,” he said. “Look, most of us are in here because we did something stupid. But we all are hoping for a second chance. A second chance shouldn’t mean that we have a deadly virus and they say, ‘well, you can go home and die.’”

WI

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5 U.S. inmates say little notice is being given to keep them protected from COVID-19. (Photo courtesy of ACLU)

APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 5

AROUND THE REGION

black facts

APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

APRIL 2

1918 – Black artist Charles White, best known for “The Contribution of the Negro to American Democracy,” a mural at Hampton University, is born in Chicago.

1932 – World renowned Black cowboy Willie “Bill” Pickett dies at 61 in a Ponca, Oklahoma, hospital after he was kicked in the head by a horse.

1984 – John Thompson becomes the first African American head coach to win a major collegiate championship when his Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown Hoyas defeat the University of Houston 84-75 in the NCAA mens’ basketball title game.

APRIL 3

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1950 – African American historian, author and journalist Carter G. Woodson, known as the “father of Black History,” dies in his Washington, D.C., home of a heart attack at 74.

1961 – Legendary comedian and actor Eddie Murphy (top) is born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

1990 – Iconic jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan dies at her Hidden Hills, California, home of lung cancer at 66.

Washington is born in Hale’s Ford, Virginia.

1937 – Colin Powell, retired four-star general in the U.S. Army and the first African American secretary of state, is born in Harlem, New York City.

1951 – The Municipal Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., outlaws segregated restaurants in the city.

APRIL 6

1712 – The New York Slave Revolt of 1712, an upris1913 – Musician Muddy Waters, who is often cited ing in which 23 enslaved Africans killed nine whites and injured another six, begins. as the “father of modern Chicago blues,” is born in 1909 – Black explorer Matthew Henson is among a Issaquena County, Mississippi. party of six recognized as the first to reach the North 1928 – Famed poet, memoirist and civil rights Pole. activist Maya Angelou (right) is born in St. Louis.

1968 – Civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated by James Earl Ray in Memphis, Tennes- APRIL 7 1872 – William Monroe Trotter, civil rights leader see. He was 39. and editor of The Boston Guardian, is born near Chillicothe, Ohio. He died on his birthday in 1934 APRIL 5 after a fall from the roof of his Boston home.

1856 – Educator and 1915 – Legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday is born famed African American leader Booker T. in Philadelphia.

1940 – The Post Office Department issues a stamp honoring Booker T. Washington, the nation’s first stamp to commemorate an African American.

1949 – Actress Juanita Hall begins a run on Broadway as Bloody Mary in the musical “South Pacific,” a role in which she became the first African American to win a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress.

APRIL 4

APRIL 8

SARAH VAUGHAN 6 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

1946 – Bob Johnson, an entrepreneur and media magnate who founded Black Entertainment Television, is born in Hickory, Mississippi.

1974 – Baseball great Hank Aaron hits his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s then-record of 714.

WI

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His sentence wasn’t death and at his age, in that situation, he has an unusually high risk of contracting [the novel coronavirus] and dying. Home confinement saves his life. But most people think he should die anyways, so it’s a wasted point.

BEVERLEY MCINTOSH / NEW YORK CITY

His wife doesn’t want to see him. She’s never been to visit, so no just quarantine and sanitize the prison. He ain’t that special.

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Whether I believe his innocence or not … what makes him privileged to get out while others have to stay in?

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Yes, release him to strict home confinement!

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APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 7

The World According to Dominic

BY D. KEVIN MCNEIR / WI EDITOR / @DKEVINMCNEIR

‘What’s Going On’ – Musings on Marvin Gaye from a Little Black Boy

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I can remember the very first time I heard the opening notes from and words to Marvin Gaye’s masterpiece – a social commentary concept album entitled “What’s Going On” as if it were yesterday. It was the spring of 1971 when he released the album but I had been treated to previews of the soon-to-be classic many months before.

During my childhood, a proud native of the magical city of Motown (Detroit for those who don’t know Black history), the experiences I now remember which then seemed so ordinary I have since grown to understand that the memories that accompanied my journey were anything but the norm. I was granted the tremendous fortune of spending several hours each day after school and sometimes on weekends in the inner sanctum of Marvin Gaye and his family. There, as an inquisitive little boy, from the ages of 10 to 12, I often found myself jockeying for the swings and sliding board in his backyard, clinging to his every melodic word while he tickled the ivories on his pristine, all-white, Baby Grand piano in the living room or bouncing joyfully, along with his son, “Little Marvin,” and others from the Gaye clan, on the King-sized bed that stood in his bedroom – one larger than any boudoir I had ever imagined.

In those days, children were not left to their own devices as “latch-key kids.” Instead, we were shuttled to the homes of older Black women, sometimes mothers themselves, who took care of us until our parents returned in the evening from their jobs. My babysitter, a highly-respected Georgia transplant and favorite go-to caregiver in our Westside community, Mrs. Herbert Lee Hunt, lived five doors away from my family. As for the Gayes, they resided just two blocks away in our neighborhood’s larger homes along a boulevard lined with oak trees, West Outer Drive. That’s where we would often congregate after making our trek from school – a throng of little boys and girls who, adhering to the notion of strength in numbers, looked out for one another as we safely made our way home.

Marvin Gaye was the kind of Black men that little Black boys like me looked up to and wanted to be like one day. He was cool, he was kind, he always had time for us and he even let us hang out with him while he composed or rehearsed from his piano. But we had to sit along the rail to the living room as we were not allowed to track mud onto the white, shag carpeting.

When he arrived home, often wearing his favorite black leather coat – one which he even wore on the album cover for “What’s Going On” – he always asked us about our days, what we had learned and how we were feeling. We mattered to him. And so, he would ask us, “what’s going on little ones?”

As for “What’s Going On” and the other songs that were part of his album, I didn’t understand why Mr. Gaye seemed so intent on singing about injustice, suffering and hatred instead of about love which had been his forte – songs that my parents had long embraced and to which they grooved during our many family gatherings. I was too young to grasp why he cared so much about ecological issues or why it troubled him so profoundly that humanity had abandoned their role as caregivers for the planet and its many creatures who lived with the

human race. I had not yet had to face the agony that so many Black mothers and fathers in those days were forced to endure after their sons who had been sent off to Vietnam – either lost their lives for a country that treated them as disposable goods or somehow were fortunate enough to return home – but damaged, mere shells of their former selves.

And so, like any little boy, I simply celebrated every moment – moments that included friends of Mr. Gaye and who we grew to like almost as much as him: Mel Farr and Lem Barney, both members of the Detroit Lions, who laughed a lot and even sang backup on the “What’s Going On” track; the Four Tops, especially Renaldo “Obie” Benson who worked on the arrangement and persuaded Mr. Gaye to record the song himself, instead of his first choice, the Originals; the regal Kim Weston for whom my cousin, Ronnie McNeir (now a Four Top himself) then worked as her pianist – even Diana Ross, who entered with a flourish, often without her Supremes sisters and rarely had time for little children like us.

Mr. Gaye’s compositions would prove to be both prophetic and illustrative of the challenges society faces today as he reflected on mothers crying, brothers dying, and the need to find a way to bring some loving here today. He concluded that war is not the answer for only love can conquer hate. Gaye pleaded and asked us to talk with him so we could see what’s going on, what’s going on, what’s going on.

The native Washingtonian Marvin Gaye would have celebrated his 81st birthday on April 2 if he were still with us. And while he died tragically on April 1, 1984, he has left us with a precious gift – the legacy of his music – songs that encouraged us to love one another and which challenged us to be better men and women.

And yet, almost 50 years later, we are still in search of an answer to his heartfelt query, “What’s Going On?” WI

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Coronavirus Pandemic Changes District’s Election Landscape

By James Wright WI Staff Writer @jamesdcwrighter

The coronavirus outbreak has changed the way the D.C. Board of Elections will administer the June 2 primary, the special election in Ward 2 on June 16 and how candidates campaign.

The board announced an effort Friday, March 27 to encourage District voters use mail-in ballots for the upcoming contests.

“As an independent agency, the D.C. Board of Elections is charged with ensuring every voter is safe and that every vote is counted,” said Michael Bennett, chairman of the board. “[The board] is fully equipped to absorb the challenges COVID-19 poses to the voting procedure and has streamlined the process for citizens to cast their ballots by mail.”

Bennett said voters can request their ballot online by going to the board website, calling or sending a fax to the agency, downloading the app and by visiting the office. He said mail-in ballots will allow voters to practice physical social distancing and give them more time to vote.

Bennett said early voting will start on May 22 and will take place at One Judiciary Square, in addition to the early voting sites.

The board changes are taking place as candidates for one of the two at-large council seats as well as the Wards 2, 4, 7 and 8 positions will seek the nominations of their parties.

Absalom Jordan, campaign manager for the reelection bid of D.C. Council member Trayon White (D-Ward 8), told The Informer that his candidate has focused recent activities on

FUNDING from Page 1 400 coronavirus cases, 10 resulting in death. George Valentine, deputy director of Bowser’s legal counsel office, counted among recent casualties. This week, Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Director Christopher Rodriguez confirmed that the District’s request for a major disaster declaration had been approved with access to resources to soon follow.

Since her declaring a public health

taking care of his constituents.

“The councilmember is working to deliver meals and supplies to senior citizens and those in need,” Jordan said. “We are not canvassing.

We are however reaching out to volunteers and staff online for the campaign.”

Mike Austin, one of White’s opponents, in a statement said “in light of this unprecedented pandemic, I encourage Ward 8 voters to remain safe first and foremost, but to exercise their civic duty to vote in this crucial election.”

Ward 8 candidates Stuart Anderson, Fred Hill and Rebecca Morris said they have resorted to using online and social media tools to carry on their campaigns.

“We are holding virtual meetings and using virtual platforms to stay connected to the community,” Anderson said. “At some point, we will be phone banking, too.”

In Ward 7, Anthony Lorenzo Green, who is challenging Council member Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7), said he uses digital organizing to campaign.

“We are working to get to as many people as possible through digital, virtual and online platforms,” he said.

Council member Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4) said his focus has been on helping Ward 4 residents, especially senior citizens, parents and other impacted populations. Nevertheless, he said his campaign for a second term on the council continues.

“We are taking this public health crisis seriously, but our ward-wide campaign volunteer team has been doing this virtual constituent out-

state of emergency for the District on March 11, the mayor has remained resolute in reminding residents and businesses to limit movement and activity, going as far as closing nonessential businesses and limiting public gatherings to 10 people.

With the shuttering of nonessential businesses and the delay of property and sales tax written into emergency council legislation, the District is projected to lose $500 million in revenue by June, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) told

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DESIGNER EYEWEAR

PHONE: 202-526-0300 FAX: 202-526-0233 5 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White is seeking reelection in the June 2 primary. (Courtesy photo)

reach by phone and email to get our positive message to the voters,” Todd said.

One of Todd’s opponents, Janeese Lewis George, has been campaigning in a different mode too, according to her campaign manager Michelle Whittaker.

“We are working to connect residents to services and support,” Whittaker said. “We are telling residents to check the city’s coronavirus and unemployment web sites if they information and assistance. But we are also reaching out to voters.

“There is no door-to-door knocking. We are having online meetings and using tools such as Zoom. This is a new environment for everyone but we still have an election to win.”

WI reporters last week. In anticipation of the next round of coronavirus relief funds, Bowser said she has been in talks with Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. She also revealed her intentions to contact Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California 12th District).

Since early March, an increasing number of District residents and nonessential workers, particularly those who worked in venues that

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AROUND THE REGION

Jazz Trumpet Legend Wallace Roney Dies From COVID-19 Complications at 59

Alum of Ellington School of Arts, Howard University, Mentored by Miles Davis WI Staff Report Wallace Roney, a trumpeter and composer who embodied the harmonically restive side of post-bop throughout an illustrious four-decade career, died March 31 at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, N.J. He was 59.

The cause was complications from COVID-19, according to his fiancée, Dawn Felice Jones.

She said Roney had been admitted to the hospital last Wednesday.

Roney first rose to prominence as a sharp young steward of the modern jazz tradition, winning national awards in his early 20s and joining several high-profile bands. But it was a public benediction by his idol and mentor, Miles Davis, that catapulted him into a rare stratum of jazz celebrity.

That moment, retold in the recent film Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, took place at the 1991 Montreux Jazz Festival. Producer Quincy Jones had arranged for Davis to revisit his orchestral albums Sketches of Spain and Porgy and Bess, and Roney was enlisted to play the trumpet solos in rehearsal. Davis insisted that Roney also join him onstage, where he instinctively jumped in to handle some of the more technically demanding parts, and implicitly joined a chain of succession.

He won his lone Grammy award alongside the surviving members of the Miles Davis Quintet for a 1994 album called “A Tribute to Miles.”

At the same time, Roney was an artist of granite resolve, exacting standards and his own unswerving compass. Critic Stanley Crouch once pronounced him “one of the best bandleaders in the music,” in spite of any comparisons to Davis. “What one hears is a manipulation of the simple and the complex as well as a conception of improvising in which forms

and approaches can be reordered on the spot,” Crouch added, in a feature for The New York Times.

Wallace Roney was born on May 25, 1960, in Philadelphia.

His father, also named Wallace Roney, was a U.S. Marshal who imparted an early admiration for Miles Davis; his mother, Roberta Sherman, favored Thelonious Monk. He had perfect pitch as a child and began trumpet lessons at age 5. By 12 he was the youngest member of The Philadelphia Brass, a prominent classical brass quintet. During this time, he came under the tutelage of Clark Terry, the first of his major jazz mentors.

By his teens, Roney’s family was based in Washington, D.C., where he attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, before earning degrees from Howard University and the Berklee College of Music.

It wasn’t long before Roney was turning heads, first on the local scene and then in New York. He circulated widely as a teenager, working with an honor roll of elders. One of those, drummer Art Blakey, brought him into the Jazz Messengers, which was widely known as a finishing school for top talent. (Roney succeeded Terence Blanchard in a trumpet chair that had also recently been occupied by Wynton Marsalis.)

Roney and fellow musician Geri Allen were married in 1995 and for a time they routinely appeared in each other’s bands.

Their marriage ended in divorce and Allen died in 2017. Their children, Barbara and Wallace, Jr. are among Roney’s surviving family. Survivors also include a stepdaughter, Laila Bansaiz; Jones, his life partner of more than a decade; his grandmother, Rosezell Roney; two brothers, Antoine Roney and Michael Majett; and three sisters, Crystal Roney, Marla Majett and April Petus.

WI

5 Wallace Roney (Courtesy photo/WBGO)

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APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 11

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Prince George’s Resident: Coronavirus Testing Quick but Equally Painful

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

Health care professionals and government officials have constantly stressed some people who feel ill won’t be permitted to receive a novel coronavirus test.

Even those showing symptoms such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath won’t allow some people to be tested without a prescription from a primary care physician or health care provider.

Latina Sanders of Forestville felt ill for at least 10 days and thought she had a bad cold.

“I have body aches. Just have the

chills. It hurts when I swallow and I can’t taste anything,” said the 37-year administrative assistant at Washington Hospital Center in Northwest.

After two phone interviews with her new doctor, she came to the office and received a chest X-ray.

Sanders, who’s asthmatic, said the results showed she had pneumonia in her right lower lung, so she received a prescription and appointment scheduled to receive a COVID-19 test.

Sanders traveled to a drive-thru site Friday, March 28 at Kaiser Permanente in Largo and summarized the process: “You drive up. There’s a sign that says ‘stop here.’ You roll your window down slightly. You have to show a re-

ferral from your doctor. I didn’t know what to expect. They take a long stick with Q-tip at the end and sticks it way up your nostril. It hurt so bad.

“Then I got paperwork to follow [instructions] if you have the coronavirus and self-quarantine yourself for seven days. I’m kind of scared because I have asthma. I don’t want to get to the point of being on a ventilator.”

Sanders has two children, ages 7 and 9, but she said they have separate rooms. The only time Sanders can leave her room is preparing food for her children and the bathroom. She must wash and sanitize her hands and use disinfecting wipes to clean the toilet.

In the meantime, Sanders must stay home, relax and try and watch “some good movies.”

“It’s boring, though,” she said. “I can’t wait for this to be over.”

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said the state’s confirmed COVID-19 cases could increase. He issued an executive order Monday, March 30 for residents to stay at home, limiting movement to essential travel such as trips to grocery stores, pharmacies, transporting a family member to a doctor and a court order.

Any person who “knowingly and willfully” violates the order would be guilty of a misdemeanor and could face up to one year in jail, a $5,000 fine, or both.

“This is a rapidly escalating emer-

5 The coronavirus testing site at Fedex Field in Landover is open for scheduled appointments. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

gency situation,” Hogan said at a press conference in Annapolis. “We are no longer asking or suggesting that Marylanders stay home. We are directing them to do so.”

Hogan didn’t give a specific date to when the order would be lifted, but the document reiterates all bars, fitness centers and other nonessential businesses must remain closed until then.

The announcement comes after authorities arrested and charged a Charles County man Friday for violating a state order of gathering with 10 or more people. The county’s sher-

Video, Telephone Sessions Now the Temporary Norm

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Since Gov. Larry Hogan instituted an executive order last month prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people to help combat the coronavirus pandemic, meetings, sessions and community

forums have been relegated to video and teleconference.

Prince George’s County Memorial Library System hosted virtual children’s story time, live meditation for adults and other events this weekend on its Facebook page.

A community teleconference scheduled Wednesday, April 1, allows resi-

5 A photo of proposed project in Fort Washington (Courtesy of M-NCPPC)

12 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

dents to receive tips on healthy eating and exercising, emergency services and other information while at home because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“People need to talk to other people besides their spouse and their kids so they can know what’s going on in the community,” said school board member Belinda Queen, who helped lead the conference call. “One of the things my pastor says, ‘You can reach out and touch somebody without actually touching them.”

Last week, County Council member Monique Anderson-Walker hosted a virtual community meeting for residents to hear about proposed plans to redevelop land near Henson Creek in Fort Washington.

The session also presented a plan to launch future sessions through “Join.

Me,” a streaming service to host audio and video conferences and meetings.

During the more than one-hour discussion March 25 on the plan led by the Maryland-National Capital Park and

Planning Commission, people typed questions through a “chat” function.

The meeting was previously scheduled at Harmony Hall in Fort Washington, but gatherings of 10 or more people in Maryland are prohibited.

“I’m sorry that this meeting is not face-to-face,” Anderson-Walker said. “I do look forward to our next meeting to be in person. I hope that does happen soon, but not too soon. We want to make sure everybody is OK.” Government agencies, private businesses and local colleges and universities hold in-house meetings either through video or teleconferences.

Local schools such as Bowie State and Howard universities conduct virtual tours on their websites for perspective high school and transfer students, especially for those who live long distances from the campuses.

EAB, a national higher education strategy firm with an office in North-

VIRTUAL Page 44

iff’s office said about 60 people were present when deputies responded to the house.

Nearly 70 people tested positive for the coronavirus at a nursing home in Carroll County.

“The fact is that each and every one of us has the chance to do something to help our neighbors,” Hogan said. “Every single Marylander can be a hero just by staying home and by practicing social distancing. This will not only keep you and your families safe, but it could also save the lives of thousands of others.”

Less than an hour before Hogan announced the stay-at-home order, a coronavirus screening and testing at FedEx Field in Landover opened for those with scheduled appointments.

The site will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.

The site plans to help decrease patients at doctor’s offices, hospitals and health care facilities. Prince George’s residents can seek a telehealth appointment through the county’s Health Department and call 301-883-6627.

Statewide, those with severe symptoms, people age 65 and older and residents with underlying health conditions can go to three other testing sites opened at vehicle emission stations in Glen Bernie, Bel Air and Waldorf in neighboring Charles County.

“This is indeed the greatest public health challenge of our lifetimes and we all need to face this together,” said Fran Phillips, deputy secretary for public health at the state Department of Health. “When this crisis is over, and one day it will be over, we will look back at this time in our lives as a particularly extraordinary moment.”

WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

Metro Stations Empty as Wary Riders Stay Away

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

Most of the recent noise heard at Metrorail stations came from trains zooming on the tracks to pick a limited number of riders.

Even with 19 of Metro’s 91 stations will remain temporarily closed to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, public transportation remains essential for Carlton Boggs to travel to his job in the meat department at a Giant grocery store in Landover.

“My biggest complaint has been an inconvenience of time,” Boggs, of Forestville, said Friday, March 27, wearing blue latex gloves while waiting on an Orange Line train at Stadium Armory in Southeast. “I understand why all the precautions are being done, but I need to get to work. I need the money.”

Metro isn’t going to reap the hundreds of thousands of dollars in daily revenue from train and bus fares, but officials made changes to the agency’s travel schedule to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, also called COVID-19. In addition, keep workers safe and healthy.

With trains and buses operating for only essential trips, ridership also decreased at eights stations, including Cheverly, College Park and Morgan Boulevard in Prince George’s County.

The other 16 stations, by jurisdiction: • Northern Virginia – Arlington Cemetery, Eisenhower Avenue, Van Dorn St, Clarendon, Virginia SqGMU, East Falls Church, McLean and Greensboro.

• D.C. – Federal Center SW, Judiciary Square, Archives, Smithsonian, Federal Triangle, Mt. Vernon Square and Cleveland Park.

• Montgomery County – Grosvenor-Strathmore.

Earlier last month, officials announced the closure of Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery to prevent people from using Metro to see the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Northwest.

Last weekend, Metro operated only 26 bus routes in the region and anticipated wait time for trains to be 30 minutes.

Another reason for the closures is to help preserve cleaning supplies as shipping delays affect availability.

Metro will close some entrances at nine stations to “conserve cleaning supplies and create additional workforce flexibility.”

Seven of the shuttered stations are within a mile of other operating stations. For instance, riders can use L’Enfant Plaza or Capitol South located near Federal Center.

Riders are asked to use the south entrance (terminal B) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The north entrance (terminal C) will be closed.

Also, Metro Center in northwest D.C. will close its 12th and F streets entrance.

Metrobus passengers must also enter through the rear door to limit close contact with bus operators.

“These steps will help reduce the risk of exposure to employees and save crit-

METRO Page 44

5 Morgan Boulevard in Landover is one of 19 Metrorail stations closed during the coronavirus pandemic. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

STUDENTS from Page 1

ly during an emergency meeting Friday, March 28 to approve the new calendar.

Student board member Joshua Omolola said the change helps students to complete any missing assignments and makeup work by Monday.

Also, the complete work after March 13 could improve a student’s grade point average and enhance a high school transcript seen by colleges.

“In speaking with my peers, they understand this is an unprecedented time. Nothing like this has ever happened,” said Omolola, a senior at Parkdale High School in Riverdale.

“Dr. Goldson is laying the foundation for something that may happen in another century from now. I appreciate all that she is doing, so thank you.”

High school seniors like Omolola are feeling the effects because their high school careers are slated to end in less than two months. The school board approved for the last day of school for students to be June 9, but seniors usually complete their final exams several weeks earlier.

Goldson recently announced senior proms and graduation ceremonies are postponed. However, she offered hope when she wrote in a March 16 letter ceremonies may happen “later this summer” and the school system will look into possible venues to reschedule proms.

Four high school seniors – Jesulayomi “James” Dawodu, Sanaya Ross, Temi Osunjimi and Madeleine Brown – discussed how the virus labeled COVID-19 has forced them to complete assignments from home, college preparation and “walking across the stage.”

‘KEEP THAT HOPE’

Jesulayomi, 18, and Sanaya, 17, are athletes at Largo High School who plan to attend college after graduation.

The coronavirus outbreak forced college officials to cancel in-person visits and campus tours until further notice, which both say hampers their decisions because they remain undecided.

Jesulayomi, who throws shot put on track and field team and plays football, did visit Lycoming and Gettysburg colleges in Pennsylvania and Bowie State University.

“There’s about four or five schools that I haven’t got to visit yet because of the whole corona outbreak and shut down in certain areas,” said Jesulay-

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

omi, who wants to continue playing football. “It’s kind of hard to make a decision when you really don’t know how to feel about a certain place because you haven’t been there yet.”

Because Sanaya only toured the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, she’s sending emails and talking to recruiters about prospective campuses to continue track and field collegiately.

“It would be nice to physically go see what I’m working with,” she said.

Besides their athletic prowess, they also participate in school activities and organizations. Jesulayomi serves as a member of Largo’s student council and a group called Peer Buddies.

When Sanaya takes off her cleats, she participates as a member of the student government association.

Although they use the FaceTime app on their iPhones to chat with friends, it’s not the same.

Sanaya said some people need an “’I miss you’ hug, or ‘I love you dearly’ hug, ‘I hope you’re doing great.’”

Jesulayomi concurred.

“I’m a social bird, so I talk to everyone,” he said. “If I’m walking in the hallway and I see somebody, I’m just going to talk to them because, why not? The same people that are down, you don’t know how they’re feeling after school. The school might have been their comfort zone. I would say FaceTiming isn’t really the same as actual dapping up or hugging friends.

Face-to-face talks are better than on the phone talks.”

In terms of their academics, both said they can communicate with their teachers via email.

The school system also allows teachers to communicate with students through Google Classroom, a free, web-based service that allows teachers to post and collect assignments. Students can also post their work and ask questions.

They couldn’t predict when the coronavirus outbreak would subside, but they hope it’s sooner than later, especially if the possibility of participating in a graduation ceremony still exists. According to the PGCPS graduation schedule, Largo’s commencement has been scheduled for May 27 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.

“For every senior in high school, graduation is their moment,” Sanaya said. “It’s kind of like a ‘congratulations’ doing this for 12 years. To say it could be pushed back is quite a relief knowing all my hard work hasn’t been put down the drain.”

5 Jesulayomi “James” Dawodu (Courtesy of PGCPS)

5 Madeleine Brown (Courtesy photo)

5 Temi Osunjimi (Courtesy photo)

5 Sanaya Ross (Courtesy photo)

‘IT’S BEEN HARD’

Roughly 10 miles away at Bowie High School, two seniors also can’t wait for the coronavirus ordeal to diminish.

Madeleine Brown, 18, received word about graduation ceremonies still being a possibility while texting her friends. Bowie’s commencement was scheduled for May 28 at the Xfinity Center at the University of Maryland’s College Park campus.

“We were at least happy that it is happening,” she said. “It was just hard to think about that we worked so hard, so long … just waiting for May 28 to happen.”

Classmate Temi Osunjimi isn’t stressing out about prom.

“I really want to walk across the stage,” Temi said. “That’s what I’ve been working for the last 12 years of

STUDENTS Page 44 APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 13

BUSINESS Cremations Outpace Burials as Coronavirus Rages On

By Hamil R. Harris WI Staff Writer The novel coronavirus has now taken nearly 4,000 lives in the United States, and as holding funerals become increasingly difficult amid social distancing and restrictions on gatherings, more are considering cremations and delaying memorial services until a safer time.

Considered virtually unholy decades ago, cremation has overtaken burials in the past four years, according to data provided by the National Funeral Directors Association. Morticians and funeral home directors say the coronavirus pandemic has expedited this option’s

rise to the top, as many families are forced to prioritize economics over tradition.

This year, the association predicts cremation will become the most popular option in Maryland for the first time, The Baltimore Sun reported.

In 2009, Joseph H. Brown added a crematorium to his funeral establishment in West Baltimore so that families can witness the cremation of their loved ones. According to an official at the Cremation Society of Maryland in Catonsville, people can be cremated with or without a casket.

But the Rev. Henry P. Davis, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Highland Park, said he hasn’t seen

Exhibit A: Notice of Dissolution Of Loving Your Heart LLC To: Citibank P.O. Box 9001037 Louisville, KY Please be advised that the District of Columbia limited liability company between Joan Irabor known as Loving Your Heart, LLC, doing business at: 5212 Queen’s Stroll Place, S.E. Washington, DC 20019, is being dissolved by reason of the death of Mrs. Joan Irabor.

1. All claims against the assets of the limited liability company must be made in writing and include the claim amount, basis and origination date.

1. The deadline for submitting claims is within 120 days of this notice.

1. Any claims that are not received by the limited liability company prior to the date set forth above will not be recognized.

1. Debtors are requested to pay all outstanding obligations no later than 30 days from the date of this notice. Payments should be made to Loving your Heart LLC (Esohe Irabor).

1. All claims and payments must be sent to 5212 Drake Place, S.E. Washington, DC 20019.

Dated: March 30th 2020 Ms. Esohe Irabor For Loving Your Heart, LLC

14 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

5 The Cremation Society of Maryland operates a crematorium in Catonsville. (Hamil Harris/The Washington Informer)

an uptick in cremations.

“What we are seeing is that people are having small, intimate services and they are planning larger in the memorial services sometime in the future,” Davis said. “I am encouraging families to have a small service at the funeral home and a memorial service in the future.”

The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has been consulting with the Centers for Disease Control that has now issued guidelines on appropriate funeral

practices in the wake of the Corona pandemic and the biggest change is restricting the number people that can attend a service.

Walker Posey, spokesman for the NFDA and owner of Posey Funeral Directors in South Carolina, told Fortune magazine that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s official guidelines include special instructions for how to prepare bodies of those who have died from the virus.

One of the biggest challenges

of abiding by the guidelines, he said, is avoiding contact with the body of someone who has died of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Time magazine reported that there were 56,007 cremations in Wuhan, China, where the virus was first identified, in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to Chinese officials — 1,583 more than during the same period in 2018 and 2,231 higher than in 2017.

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Organization Reaches Out to Ward 8 Residents Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Contributing Writer

As families across the country adjust to the daily lifestyle changes forced upon them during the COVID-19 pandemic, a family-focused organization aims to help Ward 8 residents weather the storm.

The Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative (FSFSC), a longtime fixture in the community, has served as a beacon for many during the early stages of the coronavirus crisis, providing hot meals and financial assistance as the city and nation slow to an economic standstill.

“We’re going to meet the financial need — that’s what we do,” said Dionne Reeder, the organization’s executive director. “So those families who are in jeopardy of los-

ing their place of living, and those families who’ve lost their employment — we’re working with them as well.”

Reeder is a key component in the organization’s execution of social work and engagement. The group hosts a bevy of family support centers in Ward 8, largely working to combat high rates of child abuse in the city.

“Yes, children were being abused — they were being neglected physically and mentally,” she said.

“But the biggest piece for Ward 8 at that time [of the organization’s founding], which is still the issue today, is that families were neglected because of poverty. Children weren’t just being abused for the sake of being abused — families were poor.”

FSFSC’s “credible messengers” team has partnered with Progres-

sive Life and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, which hires returning citizens to mentor city youth who have already been exposed to the juvenile justice system.

Their violence-interruption team also works closely with young adults in the communities who need mentoring and guidance.

“All of our programs primarily are under our family services division, because we want to make sure we have a critical component dealing with the trauma, and the psychology of it all.” Reeder said.

The group serves 13 schools through its case management program, working heavily in communities entrenched in violence

WARD 8 Page 15

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WARD 8 from Page 14 and poverty. Within these schools, FSFSC has selected 50 families to work with, aiming to ensure they are equipped with daily needs to nurture their children’s education and the family’s standard of living.

The organization continues to engage its community members despite physical limitations of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

“We are being very innovative doing FaceTime with a lot of our families who actually have devices allowing them to do FaceTime, [Google] Hangout, whatever it is where we can see the family and the children,” Reeder said. “So that’s how we’ve been engaging the family we currently serve.”

The organization continues to serve families that still have needs beyond schooling, such as meal assistance, transportation and other services.

“We are also the managers of the Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center, so we’re open and providing hot meals for lunch and those seniors that we do not want to

come out — we’re delivering their food to them,” Reeder said. “We are set up through the Department of Aging, where those families can actually receive hot meals seven days a week.”

Operating for 23 years, FSFSC fuels their unique operations strictly through grant funding.

Prior to Mayor Muriel Bowser announcing a citywide shutdown, FSFSC partnered with Humanities United, a foundation that gifted the organization with 50 laptops for their students. The contribution was timely, as the shutdown has pushed them to work virtually with their students and families.

Students are able to work from home with laptops, attending three virtual class lessons a day with FSFSC’s staff of 25 teachers who instruct through Zoom video-conferencing rooms in different subjects. Educators’ efforts with the Zoom interaction classes focus on where they see the greatest impact, which they say is currently third, fifth and seventh grade students.

“The scope of this work that we do is always to help families,” Reeder said. “It’s always to build families — whatever that family looks like.”

WI

BUSINESS

As families across the country adjust to the daily lifestyle changes forced upon them

during the COVID-19 pandemic, a family-

focused organization aims to help Ward 8 residents weather the storm.

5 FSFSC staff provide hot meals to Ward 8 residents during the citywide shutdown.

(L.Vilikazi/The Washington Informer)

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APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 15

NATIONAL Joint Statement from NABJ and JAWS on the President’s Treatment of PBS NewsHour’s White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS) stand firmly against President Trump’s unacceptable treatment of PBS Newshour’s White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor.

When Alcindor pressed Trump at a March 29 briefing about his statement that some states might not need as many medical ventilators as they had requested to treat COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) patients, Trump interrupted her several times and told her “Be nice. Don’t be threatening.”

A couple of weeks ago, he also called Alcindor’s question “nasty” when she asked him about the closing of the pandemic response unit within the National Security Council in 2018.

Alcindor has been speaking truth to power in White House briefings long before COVID-19 spread throughout the United States.

As far back as November 2018, Trump leveled verbal abuse at Alcindor along with fellow Black women journalists Abby Phillip of CNN and April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks. NABJ condemned these attacks in a statement here and JAWS condemned these attacks in a statement here. Both groups have noted the president’s pattern of using demeaning language toward women journalists of color and other journalists.

It is not the job of journalists to be “nice,” but to hold public officials accountable, a role that cannot be un-

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16 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

derstated when misinformation runs rampant at White House briefings on the deadly pandemic that threatens hundreds of thousands of lives.

“In these extraordinary times for our country, it is imperative that journalists ask the tough questions of our elected officials on behalf of a public that is in need of critical information for their lives,” said JAWS President Mira Lowe. “Berating or demeaning journalists is objectionable and uncalled for. We stand solidly behind Yamiche and other women journalists who are pressing on and doing their jobs despite the attacks on them.”

“Now more than ever our communities need facts and the truth. Yamiche and her colleagues are working hard to stand true to the principles of journalism, and to acquire and share the information that we all need to overcome this pandemic as a collective unit,” said NABJ President Dorothy Tucker. “The president’s attacks against her and others are not only

STAY HOME from Page 1

conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.

On the national front, President Donald Trump warned the U.S. on Tuesday during his press briefing to prepare for a “painful” and “tough” two-week stretch ahead as he extended nationwide distancing measures that could still equate to between 100,000 and up to 240,000 Americans die from coronavirus.

Trump’s announcement remained sober given his stance just weeks ago when he downplayed the severity of the virus and questioned its potential impact in the U.S. However, he has since reversed his position and did not minimize the most severe public health crisis the country has faced in decades during his more than twohour announcement. ay. Instead, he advised Americans that darker days are still to come.

“I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead” he said, pointing to predictions for a period during which death rates will most assuredly spike. He further warned that without community mitigation, the models predict that 1.5 million to 2.2 million Americans could die from COVID-19 complications.

In New York City, the death

5 Yamiche Alcindor (courtesy photo)

unnecessary but demeaning and inappropriate. They are a distraction during a critical time in all of our lives.

We applaud Yamiche and all journalists who are pressing forward in service to the public despite what they are facing.

We again call for the president to stop the mistreatment of journalists.”

JAWS supports the professional empow-

erment and personal growth of women in journalism and works toward a more accurate portrayal of the whole society.

NABJ is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides innovative, quality programs and services, while advocating on behalf of Black journalists worldwide.

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toll rose past 3,800 Tuesday, eclipsing the total from the 9/11 terror attacks as the Big Apple “traded Ground Zero for epicenter.” More than 900 people have died from the coronavirus in Manhattan alone prompting the opening of temporary hospitals in a convention center, on a Navy ship and in Central Park with refrigeration trucks now being used as temporary morgues. However, health experts say there’s still cause to remain optimistic as social distancing appears to be working adding that the rate of increase of New York City cases should begin to slow.

tiple proposals for future work. If people comply with the orders, it will be effective as has been proven in other countries but many, many people simply must [not] leave their homes in order to survive this thing. I’m the most disgustingly optimistic person that I know and have full confidence that the two most recent generations will make great strides in repairing decades of social, environmental, economic and religious based abuses and damage to our country and beyond.

LOCAL RESIDENTS REFLECT ON STAYAT-HOME ORDERS

The Washington Informer reached out to our online readers on Facebook and other forms of social media to ask how the recently-imposed stay-at-home orders have changed their lives and whether they feel more hopeful or pessimistic about the future. Here are a few of their responses, abbreviated due to available space.

Curtis Hardison, Southeast: Unlike the previous shutdown, which had a devastating effect on us, we were practically stocked up before corona hit but have made several strategic trips for additional supplies. We’re working from home and submitting mul-

Morgan C. Fykes, 35, Northwest: I’ve been staying home for over two weeks; it’s frustrating that it took this long for the orders to come down. I’ve gone from having four jobs in events and food and beverage to having one part-time job that I’m trying to expand. I’m more worried about staying alive than making money at the moment but it’s going to start to be a problem the longer this goes on. I’m sad that more people are going to die because we didn’t take unified action sooner but I’m hopeful that we can survive this and come out better and stronger. I will be highly disappointed if we return to “business as usual.”

Phyllicia M. Hatton, 62, Southeast: Actually, I have adapted well. I’m accustomed to working at home (home-based

STAY HOME Page 34

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NATIONAL

Obama Takes Reins Again on Social Media Amid Pandemic

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia Barack Obama has mostly been silent since leaving the White House more than three years ago.

The popular ex-president has reportedly refrained from jumping into any political fray and has exercised great restraint in not responding to negative comments directed at him by his successor, Donald Trump.

However, as America and the world battle the deadly coronavirus, Obama has taken on a social media leadership role in trying to encourage first responders and other front-line workers and the American public.

He’s using his social media platform to speak about the pandemic, offering tips and encouragement.

Obama has 112.5 million followers on Twitter, and his official Facebook page has 55 million likes. Trump has 75.3 million Twitter followers, and his official Facebook page has 3.2 million likes, making it evident that when Obama speaks, people tend to pay attention.

Recent tweets from Obama — most of them he’s linked to news articles — include “a useful summary of the current best thinking among public health experts on how we need to approach the fight against COVID-19 in the coming weeks.”

That post was retweeted about 50,000 times.

In another tweet, the 44th president wrote, “big-hearted people inventing new ways to come together, even while remaining apart.”

In another message, Obama linked to a Washington Post article that depicted how the curve of COVID-19 infections can be flattened under various simulations, and the article quickly went viral.

“Watch this,” Obama wrote, referencing the article. “It shows why we should all do the right thing and stay home to the fullest extent possible. All of us can help slow the spread of the virus, protecting the elderly, the vulnerable, and each other.”

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5 Barack Obama (Pete Souza/Official White House photo)

Obama has also tweeted about setting good examples during challenging times. He said Americans should “check-up by phone on elderly or vulnerable friends and neighbors who may need our help.”

In referencing another news article, Obama noted that “As communities have begun to recognize the importance of social distancing measures to ‘flatten the curve’ on COVID-19 transmission, here’s a sober but useful primer on what we should expect in the coming months.”

His social media engagement led one news website to lead with the headline: “Is Obama Shadow-Presidenting on Social Media?”

A source close to the former president told NBC News that Obama wants to share “public health messages that people need to be seeing and hearing and understanding.”

“First and foremost, his priority has been to push out important public health messages that he feels people need to learn and understand because this is a complicated issue, and a lot of the science is counter-intuitive,” the individual said. “So, he wants to make sure people have access to good information.”

The source also noted that Obama “wants to help lift up people who are doing good work in this time of crisis, whether that is individuals or organizations or health care workers or just everyday Americans doing extraordinary work,” NBC reported.

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africa now

COMPILED BY OSWALD T. BROWN

South Africa May Approach IMF for ‘Health Funding’ South Africa may approach the International Monetary Fund and World Bank for funding to fight the coronavirus that threatens to drag the country’s economy deeper into recession, said Finance Minister Tito Mboweni.

“This morning in a conversation with the [central] Reserve Bank and the Treasury I indicated that we should proceed and speak to the IMF and the World Bank about any facility that we can access for health purposes,” Mboweni told the Sunday Times on March 29.

South Africa entered a 21-day lockdown Friday, with people restricted to their homes and most businesses shuttered. The country up to that time had reported 1,187 cases of coronavirus and now almost certainly faces a deep recession.

On Friday, the country lost its last investment-grade credit rating when Moody’s downgraded South Africa to junk, citing persistently weak growth, fast-rising debt and the impact of an unreliable electricity supply.

“We take no ideological position in approaching the IMF and World Bank,” Mboweni told the Times.

“They are creating facilities for this environment and SA should also take advantage of those facilities in order to relieve pressure on the fiscus.”

Meanwhile, South Africans who were airlifted from Wuhan, China, on Sunday completed their 14 days of quarantine in Limpopo and tested negative for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was present to bid farewell on Sunday to the more than 100 people who stayed under quarantine at The Ranch resort near Polokwane.

“We had assured all South Africans that these citizens were all negative, they did not present any symptoms and therefore did not pose any risk of infection. However, we took extra precautions and quarantined them for a 14-day period,” Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said Saturday. “On arrival medical screening and COVID-19 tests were conducted. They all came out negative. We are very pleased to report to South Africans that these citizens conducted their second test in preparation for their exit. These have all come out negative.” WI

caribbean now Cuba Uses ‘Medical Diplomacy’ During COVID-19 Outbreak As the COVID-19 virus continues to wreak havoc across the world, Cuba is effectively using medical diplomacy while assisting some countries in waging war against the pandemic despite the economic hardships it has had to endure as a result of crippling sanctions imposed by the United States against that communist island nation for more than a half-century.

In recent weeks, Cuba has sent medical teams to Italy, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Grenada, Suriname, Jamaica, Belize and Saint Lucia. However, although The Bahamas is Cuba’s closest Caribbean neighbor, the government of The Bahamas has not yet reached out to Cuba for medical assistance. This could very well be because of the historically close ties and geographic proximity of The Bahamas to the United States. The Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands and cays extending from just off the coast of Florida to the eastern tip of Cuba, with Great Inagua — the second-largest of the 27 inhabited islands — about 55 miles from the eastern tip of Cuba.

Instead, Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis’ government imposed a stringent emergency order that includes a 24-hour curfew. Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport was closed to all flights, as of Friday, March 27 and the public was further advised that, effective March 27, all airports throughout the entire Bahamas would be closed to all air traffic. The emergency order was set to remain in effect until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, but it was widely expected that it would be extended if COVID-19 continues to be a frightening pandemic.

The United States has maintained a comprehensive economic embargo on Cuba, dating back to February 1962 when President John F. Kennedy proclaimed an embargo on trade between the United States and Cuba in response to certain actions taken by the Cuban government, almost two years after Fidel Castro led a successful Cuban Revolution and subsequently embraced communism as a political ideology. WI

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Healthy Moms

Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia

Having a child is a life-changing experience. During pregnancy, parents may worry about the mother’s health and the health of the baby.

But by understanding the warning signs of potential problems and managing chronic health issues, moms and moms-to-be may help give themselves the best chance for a healthier future.

It is more and more common for women to have chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Because women with these conditions are more likely to have health problems before or after giving birth, it is essential to stay on top of any health concerns as they arise.1 Here are some suggestions from AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia (DC) to help moms stay healthy: • Get routine health care before, during, and after pregnancy • Learn the signs and symp-

DURING PREGNANCY

toms of serious health issues so you can spot them early and get care right away • Try to keep a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, and be active. If you’re an AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollee, you can take no-cost cooking and exercise classes and get advice on healthy eating at our wellness center. We also cover WW® classes at no cost for qualifying enrollees. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com or call 202-216-2318.

• Tell your PCP and other health care providers about any medicines you take. Let them know that you’re trying to get pregnant or are currently pregnant. You may need to change to a medicine that’s safe for pregnancy.

• Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or use substances during your pregnancy.

If you’re an AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollee, we have resources to help if you need them. Call 1-800-4087511.

• If you think something’s wrong or you have signs or symptoms of a health condition, call your PCP or seek care at an urgent care clinic

• If you think you’re pregnant, schedule your first prenatal care visit.1 AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollees can get specialized care through our Bright Start® program at no cost. Call 1-877-364-6797 to learn more.

• Go to all your prenatal care visits, even if you’re feeling fine. This can help your PCP spot and treat any health problems.1 • Ask your PCP or OB/GYN about taking low-dose aspirin if you’re at risk for preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that can cause pregnancy-related death.1 • Protect yourself from infections.

Ask your provider about vaccinations such as the flu shot. Wash your hands with soap and water often. Avoid eating raw meat, fish, or eggs. Don’t touch cat litter.1 • If you have any of these, call your PCP or OB/GYN right away:2 o Vaginal bleeding, discharge, or leakage that is not normal o Pain or burning when you pee o Frequent nausea or vomiting o Sharp pelvic pain or cramping o Dizzy spells or fainting o Severe, frequent headaches

o Blurry eyesight or seeing white lights, flashes, or dots o Sudden swelling in your hands, feet, and face o Falling or taking a blow to your belly o Slow or little fetal movement o Fever over 100.4° o Contractions more than four times an hour if your pregnancy is at less than 37 weeks o Low back pain that comes and goes

pregnancy-related-death-maternal-death-and-maternal-mortality. aspx.

2.

“Warning Signs for Potential Complications During Pregnancy,” Pregnancy Central, Penn State Hershey Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, http://pennstatehershey. adam.com/content.aspx?productid=82&pid=14&gid=000235.

All images are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model

Sources: 1. “Maternal Death and Pregnancy Related Death,” March of Dimes, www.marchofdimes.org/complications/

Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/amerihealthdc. / Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/amerihealthcaritasdc. / Find us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/amerihealthcaritasdc.

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Rewards Program

I got a gift card for getting my prenatal checkup. You can too.

You can get a $25 gift card if you: • Are pregnant and within your first trimester • Are an AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia member • See a midwife or OB/GYN for your first prenatal office visit

Visit www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com/giftcard to learn more.

Note: A member cannot get more than $50 in incentives each year.

ACDC-19433327-1

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All images are used under license for illustrative purposes only.

Any individual depicted is a model.

AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

English: ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, at no cost, are available to you. Call 1-800-408-7511 (TTY/TDD: 202-216-9885 or 1-800-570-1190).

Spanish: ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-408-7511 (TTY/TDD: 202-216-9885 o 1-800-570-1190).

Amharic: ማሳሰቢያ፡ አማርኛ መናገር የሚችሉ ከሆነ፣ ከከፍያ ነጻ የሆነ የቋንቋ ድጋፍ አገልግሎት ይቀርብልዎታል፡፡ በስልክ ቁጥር 1-800-408-7511 (TTY/TDD: 202-216-9885 ወይም 1-800-570-1190) ይደውሉ.

1-800-408-7511 ‫ اﺗﺼﻞ ﺑﺮﻗﻢ‬.‫ﺎن‬‫ ﻓﺈن ﺧﺪﻣﺎت اﳌﺴﺎﻋﺪة اﻟﻠﻐﻮﻳﺔ ﺗﺘﻮاﻓﺮ ﻟﻚ ﺑﺎ‬،‫ إذا ﻛﻨﺖ ﺗﺘﺤﺪث اﻟﻠﻐﺔ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬:‫ ﻣﻠﺤﻮﻇﺔ‬: Arabic .(1-800-570-1190 ‫ أو‬TTY/TDD: 202-216-9885 ‫)رﻗﻢ ﻫﺎﺗﻒ اﻟﺼﻢ واﻟﺒﻜﻢ‬

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APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 19

HEALTH D.C. Expands COVID-19 Tests, Prioritizes Key Groups

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins District public health officials recently announced that local coronavirus testing sites have opened or will open within days at the Children’s National Hospital in Northwest, the George Washington University Hospital, the Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center in Northeast, Sibley Memorial Hospital in Northwest, MedStar Health, and United Medical Center (UMC) in Southeast.

D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services will assist in the launch of Sibley’s testing site. Meanwhile, testing of up to 300 people daily on the UMC campus will happen separately from hospital operations, and in collaboration with the D.C. Office of Forensic Science. Public health officials have also referred residents to 24/7 virtual visits with medical providers.

To help quell the spread of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, the aforementioned sites will prioritize members of the following groups

who show symptoms and have a referral: • hospitalized patients and health care workers.

• patients in long-term facilities over the age of 65 with underlying conditions.

• first responders, critical infrastructure workers.

• health care facility workers.

• children and adults younger than the age of 22 with a family member in a high-risk category.

When Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) declared a public health state of emergency on March 11, public health officials had the capacity for 15 patient tests per day. Earlier this week, that amount was estimated to reach 500, some of which can be done with robotics.

The loosening of Food and Drug Administration regulations have been credited with expanding the type of lab equipment allowed for coronavirus testing and increasing the local health care system’s capacity for a process that takes anywhere between 24 to 48 hours, in conjunction with the D.C. health department’s lab partner Quest Diagnostics.

So far, the District has spent more than $58 million for the purchase of personal protective equipment and ventilators, and Bowser said that more spending should be expected.

5 DC Medical Reserve Corps. Volunteers at the DC Armory. (Courtesy photo/Fox 5 DC)

The launch of testing sites has happened amid efforts to secure federal support on par with the coronavirus’s public health and economic impact on the District, which has a population greater than some of the states that received at least $1.25 billion, compared to the District’s $500 million, in the recently approved $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package.

In regard to the systems put in place to control who undergoes coronavirus testing first, D.C. Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt said it’s in the best interest of con-

taining the spread of COVID-19, which has killed nine people in the city and infected more than 400 others as of Monday.

“When a new testing modality becomes available, it inspires some commentary to the general public that testing will be made widely available to every individual who decides to get tested,” Nesbitt told reporters last week. “Given there’s a number of factors, we’re including the need to keep health personnel safe. That’s what we need to keep foremost in our minds.”

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Medical Reserve Corps in Line to Support Coronavirus Efforts

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins In the weeks since the District declared a state of emergency amid the coronavirus pandemic,, the DC

5 Reserve Corps braces for work. (Courtesy photo)

20 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

Medical Reserve Corps has received volunteer applications from hundreds of adults, of various backgrounds and levels of experience in the medical profession, who live in the D.C. metropolitan area.

The DC Medical Reserve Corps, in existence since the 2000s, supports the DC Department of Health in matters of public health emergency preparedness and response, much like what the District and the rest of the world is currently experiencing.

Before entering the field, volunteers train with members of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Administration and learn about various aspects of the job, but none, perhaps, deemed more important than protecting oneself.

“We learned how to put on the personal protective equipment and how to take it off. It seemed to be the one thing they’re focusing on,” said Erin Lampron, a wife and mother of three from Vienna, Virginia, who attended last weekend’s medical reserve

corps training at the DC Armory, the second of more to be scheduled.

During the training, she and dozens of other volunteers learned to execute some of their responsibilities as medical reserve corps members, including the collection of specimens during coronavirus testing. Despite the risk, health care workers and volunteers face in contracting the coronavirus, Lampron, while recalling memories of 9/11 and the D.C. sniper shootings, said she felt a sense of responsibility to assist in efforts to curb the coronavirus.

“They want to make sure we do it the right way,” Lampron told The Informer. “They taught us how to swab the nostril and take a sample. They fit us for a respirator. I thought the swab part would be very scary, but it wasn’t so bad.”

According to figures given by a D.C. Department of Health official, the DC Medical Reserve Corps currently has 3,300 members, 2,600 of whom recently applied. During

training, volunteers learn emergency preparedness techniques. From that point on, they will remain on call to assist in either medical screening, patient tracking, distribution of medical supplies and assistance during planned and unplanned events.

On Saturday morning, nearly 40 people, wearing either jeans or sweats, started along their journey as medical reserve corps members. They stood around the main auditorium of the DC Armory, in spacious clusters and several feet away from uniformed service members, as they practiced social distancing and the proper application of their respirators, gloves and gowns.

That night, just hours after training ended, the health department reported that the number of District-based coronavirus deaths reached five, with the latest death following that of George Valentine, deputy director of the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel. This month, department has reported more than 340 positive cases of the coronavirus, 38 of which had

been recorded over the weekend.

Since the District’s first positive coronavirus case, at least a dozen D.C. firefighters counted among those who contracted it. In hospitals across the region, health care workers have reportedly expressed fears that they could spread COVID-19 to loved ones and patients.

Often, Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt has spoken about the need to protect health care workers and preserve the stock of personal protective equipment, otherwise known as PPEs. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), in her appeals to the Trump administration and Congress members for equitable support, espoused the District’s need for an organized and federally funded medical supply chain.

Since declaring a public health state of emergency, the D.C. government has spent more than $53 million in combating the coronavirus,

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Coping With Coronavirus Craziness: Mental Professionals Share their Views

By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Contributing Writer

Although the threat of the coronavirus continues to loom over people’s daily lives, many African American residents across the D.C. region are fighting many other dilapidating home conditions — some which cannot take a back seat to even a deadly pathogen.

Just two weeks ago, the Department of Labor reported an astounding 3.28 million people filed for unemployment coverage in just one week. Economic hardships, illness and scarcity of resources are just a fraction of issues District residents face in some of its most impoverished neighborhoods.

“It’s really important for certain groups, especially African-American families, to see counselors as helpers and someone that is going to be helpful with the small problems,” said Lanada Williams, a licensed clinical professional counselor.

Williams urges the importance of families to normalize the idea of acknowledging and taking control of their mental health. For many African American families in D.C., the coronavirus pandemic is only another added burden to many preexisting ailments.

“Our communities were already having pandemics that were existing for them that aren’t televised or on the news — that are really multi-involved and have intersectionalities that are exacerbated by the pandemic right now, that they still have to worry about,” Williams said.

Karen Wilson, a physician who has for more than 10 years provided inhome mental health therapy, voiced

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a portion of which was used for the purchase of PPEs and ventilators.

In the launch of coronavirus sites, health care workers who have a referral and show coronavirus symptoms have priority at drive-through and walk-through testing sites opening in the District — including MedStar, Kaiser Permanente sites and one soon coming to United Medical Center at a time not disclosed by health department officials.

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5 Lanada Williams (Courtesy photo)

concern about how the epidemic may evolve within select District communities.

“This is still very new and our communities have not really recognized it as a pandemic,” Wilson said. “Our kids and young adults are still hanging outside as if it’s a normal day. If this goes further along, I do have concerns, with kids having to be in the homes, what we really will see. Will the parents become more stressed out or will the kids even become more stressed out?”

Mental health professionals working with D.C. residents identify a barrier of access to privileges for families in many impoverished communities.

The varying availability of assistance pushes health screening priorities behind more prominent life emergencies for many families.

“A lot of our families right now are just worried about eating regularly — maintaining their children,” Williams said.

Despite the overbearing weight of

structural issues within many District households, mental health professionals still suggest implementations to help lessen the load for parents or adults with children in the household.

“One of the key things is giving your family some type of structure,” Williams said. “How you schedule is really important right now. it doesn’t have to be the same every day but giving yourself structure and your child.”

Bowser also encourages exercising during the period of social distancing.

Finding peace during the national pandemic, and communicating with our families, are prime suggestions in helping to manage stress levels.

“There is a lot of anxiety around COVID-19,” Williams said. “It’s OK to sit down and to address the questions your children have — explaining why they are home from school.

It’s a very hard transition, so after you have that quiet time, leave some room to have an ongoing conversation about what’s happening.”

WI

Saturday’s medical reserve corps training happened in partnership with the D.C. Fire Department and the GW Medical Faculty Associates. Patrick Ashley, senior deputy director of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Administration, said his office will work with volunteers and place them, in what he described as support missions, at drive-thru and walk-through testing sites in various roles.

“We have at least one more train-

ing planned. There will be additional training as the response continues to evolve,” Ashley told The Informer.

“As part of the application process, we ask about their professional credentials and what missions are the most appropriate. Within their scope of practice, some learn about the medical missions and nonmedical [volunteers] support the mission in administrative and operational tasks and supporting overall.”

WI

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240-643-6737 APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 21

EDUCATION Bowser, McDuffie Announce Small Business Emergency Grants

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia A new program to help small businesses and employees who face hardship because of the coronavirus pandemic has launched in the District.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 5 Council member Kenyan McDuffie, who chairs the council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development, announced the DC Public Health Emergency Small Business Grant Program.

The program, in which Bowser and the council are investing $25 million, will offer grants to small,

local businesses, individual contractors, self-employed individuals, and nonprofits to meet their short-term financial needs.

The grant can cover employee wages and benefits, including fringe benefits associated with employment, such as health insurance, accounts payable, fixed costs, inventory, rent, and utilities.

“The public health emergency is causing real devastation to many small businesses and their workers,” McDuffie said. “The outcome of the necessary social distancing measures will be the loss of many small businesses, leaving their employees out of jobs.”

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The program is open to self-employed people and independent contractors, all of whom are eligible to receive grants of up to $25,000.

Bowser’s office noted that businesses and workers affected by the pandemic could apply online for the grants.

“We are all in this together, and we will get through it together,” Bowser said in a statement. “And when we get to the other side of this, our city will recover together.”

The emergency grant program will run through the office of John Falcicchio, the acting deputy mayor for planning and economic development.

“This program will provide the short-term financial assistance that our local businesses will need to get through these unforeseen circumstances,” Falcicchio said in a news release.

For a small business to qualify, its principal office must be physically located in the District, and the company must meet the Small Business Administration’s definition of a small business. Also, at least one of the following statements must prove true: District residents own more than 50 percent of the company; more than 50 percent of the business’ gross receipts originate in the District, or more than 50 percent of the business’ employees are District residents.

For nonprofits to qualify, the organization’s principal office must be

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Compiled by Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Stay home!

Residents should only be leaving home to buy groceries or other essential items, to pick up medicine, advised to seek medical attention, to exercise, or to get to an essential job.

If exercising outside, residents should be doing so alone or only with immediate family.

Be strategic with trips to the grocery store—residents should not be

5 Ward 5 Councilman Kenyan McDuffie (Courtesy of the D.C. Council)

located in the District. Also, the business must have registered as a nonprofit with DCRA, and the company isn’t a national or global organization whose services extend beyond the DMV region.

For independent contractors and the self-employed, they must be a D.C. resident and operate their business in the District as a sole proprietor. Additionally, they must pay self-employment taxes and are not eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits.

“We are hopeful that the federal government will also help small businesses in a meaningful way,” McDuffie said. “We also know that we can’t rely on that and that we must

act locally to soften the blow to our economy.”

The council member said he’s proud to have led his colleagues in crafting the Public Health Emergency Small Business Grant Program in the COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020.

“While recognizing there is still a long road ahead and more work to be done by the District government to support our economy, this program will begin to help some of our small businesses, nonprofits and independent contractors weather this storm,” McDuffie said.

For more information, go to coronavirus.dc.gov/dc-small-business-recovery-grants. WI

going to the store every day.

While home, there are two things you need to do: • Complete the 2020 Census • Register to vote and request a mail-in ballot, you can do both using the app VOTE4DC (learn other ways to request a mail-in ballot at vote4dc.com) Both of these tasks can be done from home and both take only a few minutes.

throughout the city while schools are closed due to the coronavirus iutbreak.

For more information, go to coronavirus.dc.gov/food.

SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED

Under the guidance of Mayor Muriel Bowser, both DCPS and the District’s public charter schools will be closed until April 24.

For the latest information on the District government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, go to coronavirus.dc.gov

MEALS AVAILABLE

Meals are available for all DCPS students every weekday at locations

STUDENT VIDEOS SOLICITED

To continue to ensure student voices in the creation of new standards, the State Board invites DCPS and public charter school students to record videos of themselves discussing their thoughts and perspective on social studies in the District.

The videos will be included as testimony during SOE’s virtual public meeting on Wednesday, April 22 and uploaded to the State Board’s YouTube site. Videos should be no longer than three minutes and should be sent to sboe@dc.gov by Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m.

Topics that students may consider as they craft video testimony:

BRIEFS Page 38

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EDUCATION

Baltimore Honors Neighbors Instrumental in Women’s Suffrage Movement

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia

This is part of an ongoing Washington Informer series about the Women’s Suffrage Movement and an initiative that includes Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes that will use the lens of history, the fabric of art and culture and the venue of the public square to shine a light into dark places, equipping all with a compass to chart the way forward.

The initiative lives in the institutional home of the Washington Informer Charities.

As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to bring the world to its collective knees, AARP has helped to inject some positive news via the organization’s regular email blasts, its newsletter and its award-winning magazine.

In a new column, the magazine explores the importance of Black women of the suffrage movement.

Late last year, two otherwise ordinary-looking homes in Baltimore secured their place in suffrage history.

The city commemorative the homes at 1532 and 1534 Druid Hill Avenue in honor of Augusta T. Chissell and Margaret G. Hawkins.

The pair were next-door neighbors who hosted suffrage club meetings in their living rooms in 1915 and 1916 at a time when the national fight for women’s suffrage was well underway.

“What we’re trying to share with people of all ages, young and old, is that we’re still standing on these shoulders,” Diana M. Bailey, executive director of the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center, told AARP. The Maryland Women’s Heritage Center sponsored the tribute, the latest in a series of markers honoring the state’s suffrage history.

As the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment nears, scholars and historians told AARP that recognizing the contributions of Black suffragists like Chissell and Hawkins is more critical than ever.

Born in 1880, Chissell developed “a robust network of grassroots organizations across Maryland, greatly shaping the fight for women’s rights,” according to the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame notes that the

work of Chissell and others has largely been forgotten.

“Especially African American suffragists, who were excluded from prominent suffrage organizations and omitted from newspaper coverage and organizational records. Early twentieth-century African American suffragists’ work was particularly important at a time when Jim Crow laws sought to undermine hard-won civil rights,” the Hall of Fame noted.

Chissell counted as an essential leader of the women’s suffrage movement in Baltimore City in the early 20th century.

She had deep roots in Baltimore’s women’s clubs that fostered leadership skills as they promoted causes, including education, health care and prohibition.

Chissell also served as an officer in Baltimore’s Progressive Women’s Suffrage Club and held a leadership position in the prominent Women’s Cooperative Civic League.

Chissell, Hawkins and activist Estelle Young lived and worked in neighborhoods now part of the Old West Baltimore Historic District.

The proximity of these organizations’ members, driven by residential segregation, made it convenient for them to hold meetings in their homes and they often gathered at

Chissell’s and Hawkins’ houses.

Chissell died in 1973.

Hawkins was born in 1877 and grew up in a family of distinguished African-American educators, whose activism spanned several generations, according to Maryland Humanities.

She was a founding member and first president of the DuBois Circle, which began as an auxiliary to the Baltimore branch of Niagara Movement, a civil rights organization.

The Circle’s members engaged in the community and social improvement projects, welcomed prominent speakers to inform members about political issues and devoted meetings to discussions about the significance of women’s suffrage.

Hawkins, who became vice presi-

Born in 1880, Chissell developed “a robust network of grassroots organizations across Maryland, greatly shaping the fight for women’s rights.”

– MARYLAND WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME.

dent of the Progressive (or Colored) Women’s Suffrage Club, also opened her home for their meetings and other civic organizations as well.

She died in 1969.

“Black women advocated for the right to vote at a time when they were highly discriminated against and Black men had become disenfranchised,” said Pearl Dowe, the Asa Griggs Candler professor of political science and African American studies at Oxford College of Emory Uni-

versity. “These women were often shut out of the suffrage movement due to the racist attitudes of white suffragettes. This did not deter Black women who formed their own organizations to advocate for the right to vote for themselves and the end of Black male disenfranchisement.

Black women collectively raising their voices and demanding action through the ballot box should be expected and will continue in the future.” WI

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This project was supported, in part by grant number 90MPPG0042 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201.

5 From left: DuBois Circle members Evelyn McClarry, Judith Smith, group president Sandye A. Wilson and Beverly Carter celebrate the unveiling of a marker honoring Baltimore suffragists on Druid Hill Avenue. (Jean Thompson via The AFRO)

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Legal Counsel for the Elderly is an affiliate of AARP.

APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 23

Plastic bags blow It takes over 500 years for a single plastic bag to decompose, leaking harmful chemicals into the environment and creating microplastics that end up in your food. So recycle and resuse plastic bags or make the switch to reusable bags.

24 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

EDITORIAL

Be Counted or Be Ignored

Wednesday, April 1 was Census Day in the U.S. but if you still haven’t responded to surveys mailed to your home, replied online or answered a call from nationally-certified canvassers at your home, there’s still time. And being counted matters – a lot.

Counting every person living in the U.S., an initiative that takes place every 10 years, is a massive undertaking and efforts begin years in advance. When you respond to the census, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.Ongoing efforts will also be made to count those who are homeless, living in senior centers or prisons – even those college students who may still be away from home and have been unable to return to their hometowns in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Blacks needs to be particularly focused and make sure they’re counted. During the last census, nine percent of African American, a rate higher than any other racial or ethnic group, were missed by the U.S. census – they were not counted – part of an estimated 1.1 million to 1.7 million missed in the national count. Perhaps they weren’t counted because they were hard to contact, living in inaccessible places. Maybe they were not counted because they were difficult to interview and had limited English proficiency. Some were left out because they were homeless or had been displaced by a natural disaster and were therefore extremely hard to locate.

Additionally, and one of the major reasons that Blacks are often not counted, is because it’s hard to persuade them – they’re angry or simply do not trust the government. Then there are either gender or age which are also factors for many not being counted. For example, Black children are twice as likely to be undercounted as children who aren’t Black. And with Black incarcerated at five times the rate of whites, prison gerrymandering can occur – with young Black men being counted as residing within a prison which inflates the population count and political representation of census tracts with prisons. The end result is that it allows even more money to miss going to the Black communities where many of those men or women, will ultimately return upon their parole.

“Blacks have been undercounted since we were counted as three-fifths of a person, 400 years ago,” said Jeri Green, a senior adviser at the Census Bureau for 20 years.

We cannot afford to let this misappropriation of justice to continue. The clock is ticking Black America. Be heard, spread the word, be counted. WI

Stay Home!

Times are difficult, we know. If anyone understands how difficult it is to obey the rules of social distancing and “stay home” orders, it’s the media – the army of professionals whose duty and responsibility it is to “go out” and get the news to deliver to the public.

For journalists who are considered essential, while performing their duties they have a responsibility to report on those they observe engaged in nonessential activities who may, in turn, harm others and thereby add to the numbers of new infections, or even deaths.

Despite the growing numbers of new COVID-19 cases and, sadly, the increase in deaths, it is clear that many Americans are not taking this pandemic seriously. Those who aren’t put the rest of us in jeopardy of having to stay home longer or risk getting sick sooner. They are the ones who continue to picnic in the parks, engage in social activities with crowds that are not members of their immediate family, or congregate in groups larger than 10 or within distances closer than six feet. Ignoring the warnings has led to new rules that must and will be enforced.

We understand why those that signed onto a letter offering a “community response” to Mayor Bowser’s recent “stay home” order, are urging her not to allow it to increase “police-general public encounters.” Over 100 individuals and community groups agree that violations “should not serve as a pretext for police or military to stop or detain individuals.”

The Mayor’s order states, however, that “any individual who willfully violates the stayat-home order may be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.”

More than the media, these public servants are essential to maintaining the health and welfare of the citizens. But they are also becoming victims of the pandemic. On Tuesday, Bowser reported that COVID-19 cases among FEMS and MPD have increased to 19 and 13, respectively. They are keenly aware of what impact indiscriminate contact with “stay home” violators can have, not only on the jails but on their lives and their families, as well.

To avoid being arrested, or face a $5,000 fine, due to an encounter with police, and worse, to avoid getting sick or dying from COVID-19, we echo the call of government leaders – Stay Home! WI

TO THE EDITOR No Trivial Matter

I must admit, at first I wasn’t taking this coronavirus thing serious, but obviously things have progressed more rapidly than what anyone can handle, including the “experts.” I pray that this thing gets under control. Too many lives are in the balance.

Shani Jackson Washington, D.C.

Readers' Mailbox

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Lend a Helping Hand

What is the local government doing to protect the people here in Washington?

Also, what’s everyone doing to help their neighbors? I would love to read a feel-good story about how people are assisting each other in these times!

Tim Caskill Washington, D.C.

The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer. com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you.

APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 25

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Julianne Malveaux

Billions for Boeing, Pennies for the People

The development of the $2.2 trillion stimulus package was extremely flawed, The Republican bullies in the Senate, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, wrote the bill with absolutely no Democratic input, then suggested that Democrats amend their legislation. The first draft of the bill, unsurprisingly, was a goody grab for corporations with much less for individuals. Ini-

tially, the Republican Senate would have given Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin a slush fund of $500 billion to assist troubled industries with absolutely no oversight.

The last version of the bill does include both monitoring and an inspector general to look for fraud and abuse. Republicans would have doled the money out to their cronies. But the Dems, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, stood their ground. The stimulus legislation is better than the 2008-2009 bailout legislation. It’s gratifying to see that

Guest Columnist

the Senate rose above partisanship to get this done.

Republicans even conceded that Mr. Trump, his grafter family, other cabinet heads and senior leaders, along with their families, cannot benefit from this stimulus legislation.

It is unfathomable that this provision has to be put in writing, but 45, a hotel owner, pushed hard for hotels and cruise ships to get bailout benefits, but some in Congress have apparently peeped 45’s hole card. It takes extreme hubris for our nation’s chief executive officer, who has used

the United States Treasury as a piggy bank, to be as self-serving as 45 is.

Good for Democrats for recognizing the pattern of double-dealings makes it clear that written prohibition of these shady practices is necessary.

Michigan Congressman Justin Amash, an independent who used to be Republican, tweeted, “This bipartisan deal is a raw deal for the people. It does far too little for those who need the most help while providing hundreds of billions in corporate welfare, massively growing government, inhibiting economic

adaptation, and widening the gap between the rich and the poor.” The legislation is nearly 900 pages long.

And it’s got lots of fine print. For example, $17 billion in loan funds are set aside for “businesses deemed critical to maintaining national security.

While Boeing isn’t mentioned by name, the Washington Post quoted a confidential source who says this money is partly set aside for Boeing.

This is the same Boeing that manufactured faulty, crashing planes. And

MALVEAUX Page 45

By Marian Wright Edelman

Providing Help, Hope to Our Children in This Time of Crisis As COVID-19 spreads across our nation more communities and families need help and hope every day.

Today Congress passed a $2 trillion relief package that was a critical step toward easing some the burdens of this crisis for millions of children and families.

It will provide low- and middle-income earners one time cash payments of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child; more support for

low-income renters, protections against foreclosures and evictions, grants for homelessness assistance, and temporary shelter and services for homeless youths; food assistance as more families qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); child care assistance for essential personnel responding to the outbreak and some help to other child care providers; support for local school systems and higher education institutions so they can continue to provide high-quality education; more services to prevent child maltreatment and help victims of family

Guest Columnist

violence; and more unemployment insurance benefits.

But the bill still falls short of meeting the needs of all children and families, especially the most vulnerable, and making sure all families can access these supports regardless of immigration status. The Children’s Defense Fund® will keep fighting for the relief all American families deserve and all of us must pitch in.

Beyond financial relief, children also will continue to need love, support, and clear, age-appropriate reassurances about what is happening and how all of the changes to

daily life are designed to help keep as many people as possible safe. Some leaders have begun holding special press conferences just for children.

On March 16, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg led the way in her country, answering questions like, “Can I visit my grandparents?”

“Can I have a birthday party?” “How long does it take to make a vaccine?” and “What can I do to help?” and reassuring them that all of their feelings are valid: “I know that for many children this is scary. It is OK to be scared when so many things happen at the same time.”

Two days later, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern held an event for children covering topics like how the virus is spread and how soap works. On March 17 Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear started his daily briefing with a special video for children explaining ideas like social distancing, how children can stay close to friends and family without visiting them in person, how they can make sure they’re getting facts from trusted sources, and what they can do when they feel stressed, fol-

EDELMAN Page 45

By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.

Coronavirus Makes It Clearer Than Ever: Health Care is a Human Right

Who is going to pay for this?

For months that question was used as a weapon against supporters of Medicare for All. Now, it is on everyone’s mind as they worry about the costs of the testing and treatment for the coronavirus. The virus is highly contagious. We need everyone with symptoms to get tested and all with the virus to get treatment. If anyone

26 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

hesitates because they fear they can’t afford the cost, they put the rest of us at risk.

No one should be worried about the costs of treatment.

Those costs, however, are going to be staggering, particularly if the fears of the administration’s leading expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, are realized and a million or more may become infected with the disease. Hospitalization and treatment will cost hundreds of billions. The average cost of hospitalization for pneumonia patients is

about $20,000, but many coronavirus patients tend to need to stay on ventilators longer and fight off more complications than pneumonia patients.

Across the country, Americans are terrified at the potential costs if they get sick. Twenty-seven million Americans have no health insurance at all. Four in 10 working Americans have a high-deductible plan that forces them to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket before they get benefit from the premiums taken

out of their paychecks each week.

A 2009 Harvard Medical School study estimated that every year an estimated 45,000 people in the U.S. die because of lack of health care coverage. Many suffer because they put off necessary treatment because they can’t afford it. Now, as Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Cal., put it, “The reality is, there are a lot of people that are thinking, ‘I don’t want a couple-thousand-dollar bill to get tested or get treated.”

The rescue bill just passed by Congress covers the costs of testing.

Trump promised that any cost of treatment also would be covered, but the insurance lobby immediately corrected him. Since then, under immense pressure, Cigna and Humana have joined CVS Aetna insurance in agreeing to waive patient cost-sharing on treatment for those insured.

Hopefully, this will reassure people enough that they won’t avoid getting tested and treated, posing the threat to all. But this won’t be charity. Some

JACKSON Page 45

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Marc H. Morial

Governors, Mayors Fill Coronavirus Leadership Vacuum Left by Trump

“We’re all competing against each other. This should have been a coordinated effort by the federal government, and the national defense authorization that the president has to essentially push this manufacturing really hasn’t gone into effect in any way. And, so, yes,

we’re competing against each other. We’re competing against other countries. It’s a … Wild West, I would say, out there.” — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker When I was mayor of New Orleans, I was called upon to lead my city through troubled times.

I confronted a crisis of violent crime, I worked to keep my city safe during natural disasters. I

often relied on support from the governor and the president.

One of the worst national crises in American history struck during my mayoral tenure, on Sept. 11, 2001. As president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I was proud to support the president. I led the effort to create a National Safety and Security Plan for American Cities, including the recommendation for

Guest Columnist

a Department of Homeland Security and the federalization of airport security screens.

Now, the coronavirus pandemic has turned these traditional relationships between local, state and federal leadership upside down. President Trump appears more concerned about his reelection prospects than the rampant spread of a deadly disease, forcing the nation’s gov-

ernors and mayors into unprecedented roles.

On a conference call with governors, who pleaded with President Trump for help in acquiring lifesaving medical supplies like ventilators, the president told them to find the equipment themselves — even as the federal government was outbidding the

China. Had Dr. Linda Quick remained in China, she might have been able to give the administration an early warning. She is not being allowed to speak to the public on the issue about what she knew and when did she know it.

She might have been able to tell the appropriate persons about the emergence of the virus in China late last year. Now, Trump finds every way he can to blame China for not having the information our then-public health person in China could have warned us. This man takes the responsibility for nothing. He’s been in his job as president for over 30 months —

but his go-to excuse is to blame President Obama!

At this time, Trump doesn’t seem to care about the tragedy that the delayed information about COVID-19 is causing is getting people back to work. His responses are in direct conflict with what health experts are advising since there is no concrete information on containment of the virus.

We already see that when several Asian nations tried that approach, they experienced a resurgence of the virus; but, Trump wants to open up our country by Easter no matter what! While he interferes

MORIAL Page 46

By E. Faye Williams

Setting the Record Straight

Every time I hear Donald Trump blame President Barack Obama for everything bad, while he takes credit for everything good, I want to scream, but instead, I thought I would do a bit of research. As my friend Dick Gregory would remind me, “Write and speak so your grandmother can understand you.” Let me give that a try.

Before President Obama and his team left the White House, they

took the time to brief Trump’s team on everything — including handling pandemics. After all, they had successfully taken us through Ebola. Here’s what I found. Officials took the time to brief Trump’s incoming administration on a scenario remarkably like the one we are facing now about a possible pandemic.

Trump’s team was told about potential challenges. Among them were shortages of ventilators, anti-viral drugs and other medical essentials.

The Obama team pressed the importance of pandemic preparedness to the persons who

would come into the job once the Obama team left the administration. How did the Trump team show its appreciation? They dismantled the National Security Council section that would have helped them in handling a global pandemic such as the one we are facing. How did Trump respond to a question about this?

“I don’t know anything about it” and called the reporter’s question “nasty.”

The story doesn’t end here.

Trump’s administration eliminated a key American public health position in China intended to help detect disease outbreaks in

Askia-At-Large

WILLIAMS Page 46

By Askia Muhammad

COVID-19: Cuba Si! USA No!

In this time, when danger not seen in a century is once again stalking the entire planet, people and nations reveal their true characters by their actions.

I choose to lift up the example of the heroic Cuban people, who, despite 60 years of a cruel and unjust embargo imposed by the United States, are sending

medical teams — doctors, nurses, equipment and Alpha Interferon, a possible COVID-19 cure — to embattled nations like Italy, Iran and Venezuela to offer humanitarian assistance to the needy in the pandemic’s epicenter.

I condemn the cruel response of the United States of America, which seeks to block needy nations from accepting Cuban medical aid, then gleefully boasts that because of crippling U.S. sanctions prohibiting even the impor-

tation of medical supplies to Iran, because of U.S. sanctions more Iranians will die! Cruel. Heartless.

Inhumane. Some Israelis even celebrated the news that the corona virus had spread so quickly and killed so many Iranians. Who cheers when a natural disaster kills people, except a demon? Israel Defense Forces even destroyed a makeshift Palestinian treatment facility.

Funny thing though, some Trumpistas in this country were

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told to intentionally contract the virus, and then intentionally spread it to Jews, according to Raw Story.

To the contrary: The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has told his followers to show the world by their beneficent actions, kindness and charity, that they are followers of the Good Samaritan. I believe that all American Christians should also want to be like the Good Samaritan.

Despite anything said other-

wise, President Donald J. Trump and his Babylonian supporters are the evil opposite of The Samaritan. They only care about Trump remaining in power, no matter the cost, even to the lives of people in this country.

They think the country’s economic well-being is more important than the health of the people.

They would put millions at risk by flaunting medical advice about

ASKIA Page 46 APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 27

LIFESTYLE A CONTINUING SERIES

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir As Americans try to cope with the shutdown of classrooms and college campuses, restaurants in which they can no longer congregate or sporting events and concerts that have been put on indefinite hold, citizens of all ages find themselves seeking new ways to enjoy life and entertain themselves.

And given the creative spirit that exists within us all, we thought we’d try to identify a few suggestions for coping with the directive of self-isolation in a society that has long sought ways to be in community.

What follows certainly cannot begin to be considered an exhaustive list. We solicit your ideas and strategies as well and hope to include them in our upcoming editions. Are you celebrating a graduation or an anniversary soon? Did you read a book for a grandchild on Zoom or Skype because, for now, you can no longer have them sit next to your or on your lap? Want to share cooking tips, sing an original song or offer a few words of encouragement?

Feel free to share your words, your pictures, your videos, and more with The Washington Informer at mcneirdk@washingtoninformer.com.

TO WEAR OR NOT TO WEAR A MASK? THAT’S THE QUESTION

The debate rages on from Paris to Prince George’s County. Should you or shouldn’t you wear a face mask during the coronavirus pandemic?

That’s what White House and Cen-

28 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

ters for Disease Control and Prevention officials are discussing, says Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert.

President Trump suggested wearing a scarf, a bandana or some other covering when you leave home to cover your mouth and nose during Monday’s White House briefing.

Meanwhile, WHO stands by recommendation to not wear masks if you are not sick or not caring for someone who is sick.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams on Tuesday said if you’re going to wear a face covering, do not touch your face, save the medical face masks for health officials and continue to correctly practice social distancing. The recommendation he provided has changed, he said, as more information about the coronavirus becomes available.

While the World Health Organization on Monday stood by its recommendation only to wear a mask if you are sick or caring for someone who is sick, a growing number of officials and health experts argue that people should wear masks to help prevent spread of the virus.

“We are not going to be wearing masks forever, but it could be for a short period of time after we get back into gear. I could see something like that happening for a period of time,” President Trump said during Monday’s White House briefing.

The idea of recommending broad use of masks in the U.S. is under “very active discussion” at the White House, Fauci said. “The thing that has inhibited that a bit is to make sure we don’t take away the supply of masks from the health care workers

who need them. But when we get in a situation where we have enough masks, I believe there will be some very serious consideration about more broadening this recommendation of using masks.

We’re not there yet, but I think we’re close to coming to some determination. Because if, in fact, a person who may or may not be infected wants to prevent infecting somebody else, the best way to do that is with a mask. Perhaps that’s the way to go.”

FAMILY PETS UNLIKELY TO SPREAD COVID-19

New methods of caring for our pets now include dropping off your kitten or grumpy, droopy-eared mutt but for those like me who consider my “Baby Girl” to be a member of the family, the coronavirus pandemic has led to questions about whether my pet can contract the virus.

Here are some answers to many questions posed across the nation from the College of Veterinarian Medicine at the University of Chicago – Urbana Champaign. (Updated March 31).

Can dogs get the new coronavirus (COVID-19)?

At this time, experts believe it is very unlikely. The World Health Organization currently advises that there is no evidence to suggest that dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. The OIE states there is no evidence that dogs play a role in the spread of this disease or that they become sick. The CDC also seconds that opinion, stating that, “At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19.”

Although pets cannot become sick from COVID-19, could they serve as a conduit of infection between people?

Yes. It is possible that a person with COVID-19 could sneeze or otherwise contaminate their pet, and then another individual could touch that animal and contract the disease. Veterinary experts believe the risk for transmission would be low.

COVID-19 survives longer on hard, inanimate surfaces (e.g., glass, metal) than on soft surfaces (e.g., fur, cardboard). Nevertheless, animals living

with sick individuals should be kept away from other people and animals (quarantined at home), just as people who live with sick individuals must avoid contact with others.

If I am diagnosed with COVID-19, how do I protect my pet?

Since your pet is at minimal risk of COVID-19 infection there are no specific steps needed to protect them from infection. However, pets can have the virus ON THEM if they are in an environment with a large quantity of the virus and could serve to be a source of the virus for other people, including family members. Therefore, to protect other people and yourself, the CDC recommends that you restrict contact with pets if you are sick with COVID-19, just as you would restrict your contact with other people. Avoid snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food.

If you must interact with your pet, wash your hands before and after, and wear a face mask.

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

Are you having problems curbing

your children’s anxiety or fears about the coronavirus? Are they beginning to ask questions that you are unsure how to best answer? Here’s an insightful article that appeared recently on www.pbs.org written by Deborah Farmer Kris. We believe the journalist said it better than we ever could.

Earlier this week, I overheard my kids engaged in a round of “I heard” and “Did you know?” while they were getting ready for bed.

“I heard that Margaret’s dad has it,” said my six-year-old.

“Did you know that it’s the worst sickness ever?” added my eight-yearold.

Neither statement is accurate, but they were revealing: I had thought my initial conversations with my kids about COVID-19 had been good enough. But with adults, kids at school and the news all hyper-focused on this coronavirus outbreak, my reassuring voice needed to be a little louder.

A favorite Mister Rogers’ quote ran through my mind: “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary.”

First, I shared age-appropriate facts and corrected misinformation. Because my kids are young, I kept it simple. “You know what it’s like to have a cold or the flu — how sometimes you get a cough or have a fever?

This is kind of like that. Most people who catch this sickness stay home, rest and get all better. And we have wonderful doctors and nurses who can help people when they need it.”

Second, I reassured them that they are safe, which is the most important message my kids can hear from me. I know that they take their emotional cues from my tone. “You don’t need to worry. Right now, lots of amazing grown-ups are working hard to keep people healthy. Luckily, we already know a lot about how to keep healthy!”

Third, I emphasized simple things our family can do to be “germ busters” — for all types of germs that are out there! As Harvard’s Dr. Richard Weissbourd once shared with me, kids and adults alike are “more distressed when we feel helpless and passive, and more comfortable when we are taking action.” The hygiene routines that slow the spread of the COVID-19 are the same habits that help keep us healthy all year round.

HERE ARE FOUR WAYS WE CAN HELP YOUNG KIDS BUILD GERM-BUSTING HABITS. Wash Your Hands

Make it a family routine before every meal and snack to wash hands.

If you do it together, you can model for them how to use soap, rub your hands together and rinse. For a timer, try slowly singing the ABCs together while you scrub. In Curious George, the Man with the Yellow Hat has a

UPDATE Page 29

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LIFESTYLE

UPDATE from Page 28 cold. He teaches George how germs can move from person to person and that’s important to wash your hands and avoid sharing utensils. Good hand washers, like Daniel Tiger, are germ busters!

Catch that Cough When kids cough or sneeze, they tend to do it right into their hands — and then they use those hands to touch everything in sight! Instead, we can cough and sneeze into our elbow.

Make it a game with kids. Can they catch the cough in their elbow? In the beginning, cheer when they do: “You caught it! That’s what germ busters do!” If they accidentally “catch it in their hands,” they can simply wash their hands with soap and water and start the game again.

stay home and rest our bodies; we can be germ busters by not spreading germs or going to school sick. And as parents, we can keep ourselves and our kids home if we have a fever or other symptoms.

Practice Healthy Habits Remind kids that sleep, exercise and eating healthy foods are good, everyday ways to strengthen our bodies. We will all get sick sometimes! They have probably already had at least one cold this season. But we can be responsible germ busters when we practice handwashing, cough-catching, resting and basic healthy living.

WI

“Rest is Best” Daniel Tiger reminds us that “When you’re sick, rest is best!” This is a good episode to show kids and a great song to sing when they are feeling under the weather.

Tell them: When we are sick, we can

Safeway Launches Fundraiser to Fight Hunger During Coronavirus Crisis WI Staff Report Safeway’s Eastern Division and Safeway Foundation are helping to fight hunger amid the global coronavirus crisis that has affected millions of Americans.

With people out of work and free school meals and meals for seniors harder to access, Safeway and Safeway Foundation has joined parent company Albertsons Companies and Albertsons Companies Foundation to announce a pledge of $3 million and the launch of the “Help Feed Families During this Crisis” campaign April 1-30 in Safeway stores in Maryland, Virginia, D.C. and Delaware.

“There has never been a more important time to help our neighbors than right now,” said Safeway Eastern President Tom Lofland. “Safeway has always been on the frontline of hunger relief, and our customers always

stand with us. We are asking our communities to join us in this effort to ensure that the COVID-19 crisis doesn’t also become a hunger crisis.”

Hunger relief programs are stretched to capacity due to necessary measures schools, businesses, and governments have taken to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Donations will be collected at store check stands. Funds will remain local so donors can help fight hunger in their communities in the following ways: • Keep food banks stocked so they can respond to increased demand.

• Support emergency meal distribution programs at schools.

• Support senior centers and other programs that provide meals and food to seniors.

• Help families access federal food programs.

“During a crisis, Feeding Amer-

ica turns to partners like Albertsons Cos. and Safeway to help our neighbors in need, especially seniors and families who are impacted by school closures,” said Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. “For as long as this pandemic impacts our communities, we will continue to work with our partners to help people facing hunger get the food they need.” WI

5 B

If I could do one thing, I’d make sure we stay healthy.

If you could do one thing for your community, what would it be? More walk-in clinics? More funding for health services closer to home? Completing the 2020 Census is a safe and easy way to inform billions in funding for hundreds of services and programs in your community.

Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

Complete the census at:

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

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LIFESTYLE

Family Celebrates 25 Years as Napa Valley’s Only Black-Owned Vineyard

By Dan Holly Urban News Service 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

30 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

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 ‘weshould-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 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, family-owned 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 Blackowned business that grows, produces, and bottles wine on one contiguous property that they 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.”

WI

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Washington Gas – Supporting Our Customers during the COVID-19 Pandemic Submitted by Washington Gas At Washington Gas, we recognize the stress and strain that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is presenting to our community and to our country.

All of us are feeling the impact of this unprecedented public health situation. During these challenging times, we want to remove any added stress that comes with this uncertainty.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to provide the best possible service during this evolving public health emergency. We will continue to be there for you, providing the natural gas service you rely on every day.

Thank you for being a valued customer of Washington Gas. Together, we will make it through this crisis.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CUSTOMERS Disconnections Suspended and Late Fees Waived

Washington Gas is suspending disconnections and waiving late fees on customer bills until we get past this crisis. These actions are automatically in place and do not need to be requested.

Walk-In Offices Closed

Please note that our Walk-in offices on H Street and in Anacostia will remain closed during this public health emergency.

Calling Us -- Help Us to Serve You

Customer service remains a priority at Washington Gas, but the COVID-19 crisis is requiring us to make some adjustments.

Customers may experience longer than normal hold times, so we ask that you only call us if absolutely necessary.

In addition, we are limiting customer service calls to two areas at this time: responding to emergency calls and service turn-on requests. We are deferring routine service visits at this time.

Emergency Calls – Available 24 hours a day/7 days a week

We remain available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to emergency calls. If you think you smell gas or are experiencing a natural gas-related emergency, please call 911 and then call us at 1-844-WASHGAS (927-4427).

Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF)

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS

Managing Your Account and Paying your Bill Online is Quick and Easy

Most billing-related inquiries can managed online through at www. washingtongas.com/ebill where you can easily pay your bill and access the latest information on your account and view the latest updates 24/7. We encourage all customers to sign up for our free, E-bill service, which is also accessible at www.eservice.washgas.com.

Washington Gas and The Salvation Army created the Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) to help families in need pay their heating bills.

Additional Payment Options and Payment Assistance While disconnections are currently suspended and late fees waived, we are aware that you are concerned about the future and the possibility of a large bill. We offer several payment arrangements designed to meet your needs.

In-Person Payment Available at 7-Eleven

• You can also make quick and easy cash payments at any local 7-Eleven store. There is no charge for this payment option.

Utility assistance is available regardless of the type of fuel used to heat a home.

You do not have to be customers to receive assistance.

A family of four earning up to $75,050 could be eligible.

ANYONE seeking to RECEIVE FUNDS through WAFF can fill out the application at

SalvationArmyNCA.org/gethelp

Telephone Payment Option • By phone 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427) using your checking account information or debit / credit card free of charge.

through May 31.

Payment Assistance

If you or someone you know reside in the District of Columbia is having difficulty paying a natural gas bill, please contact the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) at 311 or online to determine eligibility for the following programs.

Although eligibility for most programs depends on household size and total household income, other factors may apply depending on the program. If you reside in Prince George’s County and require

assistance paying your natural gas bill, please call the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services at 301-909-7000.

WAFF

Washington Gas and The Salvation Army created the Washington

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Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) to help families in need pay their heating bills. Utility assistance is available regardless of the type of fuel used to heat a home. That means residents do not have to be customers to receive assistance and, in gener-

al, a family of four earning up to $75,050 could be eligible.

Anyone seeking to receive funds from WAFF can fill out the application at http://salvationarmynca.org/gethelp/ through May 31.

APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 31

LIFESTYLE Bereaved Families, Funeral Homes Face Unprecedented Restrictions Coronavirus Changes the Policies and Practices for Burials and Final Gatherings

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins This weekend, during a funeral where no more than 10 socially distant people at a time will be allowed to enter the chapel, family and friends will say their final good-byes to Marquis Osborne, a young man who lost his life to gun violence earlier this month at the age of 21.

Later, only a handful of family members – some of whom will most likely be wearing facemasks and other

protective gear – will make the drive to Osborne’s resting place.

Such has been life for many of the bereaved as they make funeral arrangements in the middle of a public health state of emergency that has disallowed large gatherings and intimacy routinely reflective of what occurs among those grieving the loss of loved ones.

For Osborne’s father, Melvin Campbell, making such adjustments, though cumbersome, proved to be the only means of allowing people the ideal time and space to memorialize his son.

“It’s just what I thought on my

own,” said Campbell, a Southeast resident and Gulf War veteran who recalled seeing firsthand the effects of diseases unleashed on his comrades and others.

On Tuesday, he and several others briefly threw caution to the wind during a candlelight vigil in the D.C. area that attracted several dozen family and friends. However, the upcoming funeral which Campbell said some family elders with underlying health conditions will miss out of concern for their own well-being, would require guidance from the professionals.

“The funeral home we chose had a history of dealing with this type of thing,” Campbell said. “They were forthright about the CDC guidelines.

Lung Cancer?

Asbestos exposure in industrial, construction, manufacturing jobs, or the military may be the cause. Family in the home were also exposed.

Call 1-866-795-3684 or email cancer@breakinginjurynews.com. $30 billion is set aside for asbestos victims with cancer. Valuable settlement monies may not require filing a lawsuit.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 0018-2020 DCHA 2020 PHYSICAL NEEDS ASSESMENT The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires a systematic review all of the major physical components of property to prepare a comprehensive Physical Needs Assessment (PNA) and Energy Audit of its portfolio.

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Monday, March 30, 2020 on DCHA’s website at www.dchousing.org under Business and Solicitations.

SEALED PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Friday, May 01, 2020 at 11:00 AM. Contact Lolita Washington, Contract Specialist by email at lwashing@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.

32 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

5 R.N. Horton’s Funeral Home has not seen an uptick in funerals but has had to make changes to the number of guests in attendance. (Courtesy photo/RNH Funeral Services)

I don’t want to prolong anyone’s grief.

I want people to be able to have their memories, their grief still fresh in them and be able to express themselves.”

As of Sunday night, the DC Department of Health has recorded more than 400 positive coronavirus cases.

The nearly 10 coronavirus-related deaths that have been documented include the demise of George Valentine, deputy director of the Office of Legal Counsel. Since the beginning of an outbreak that has halted all social and economic activities in the Greater Washington Area, Mayor Bowser and her gubernatorial colleagues in both Maryland and Virginia have repeatedly urged residents to remain in their homes in order to curb the virus’ spread.

While the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner didn’t reveal how the coronavirus pandemic has changed protocol around the handling of bodies or the number of bodies received since March 11, when Bowser declared a public health state of emergency, officials disclosed that they can accommodate up to 274 cadavers at their facilities.

Any amount beyond that will require the assistance of the Federal Emergency Medical Agency, the National Guard or other relevant entities.

While some families, including Marquis Osborne’s, have relented to the directives of local authorities, some funeral directors in the area said bereaved families have chosen to postpone homegoing ceremonies until May or June when they anticipate the nation will return to some state of normalcy. At some funeral homes, this has put a strain on refrigeration space and raised concerns about how the District will support their services as more people are expected to succumb to the virus in the coming weeks and months.

Owners of legacy establishments,

like Horton’s Funeral Home on Kennedy Street in Northwest, said they’ve prioritized safe use of personal protective equipment and reinforced measures often followed by embalmers, and the body removal and cosmetology teams, especially since the policy concerning the testing of human remains for coronavirus seems nebulous.

In an attempt to follow social distancing protocol, funeral home officials now say they allow a maximum of three family members in their offices to make funeral arrangements. They’ve also facilitated virtual meetings. This has continued to be the case over the last week, when Horton’s, as one of few essential businesses still open in the District, hosted at least a dozen small homegoing services, including that of a nine year old.

Because of the need for a clergyperson and organist, such gatherings, much to the chagrin of grieving families, could only accommodate a maximum of eight people.

“We don’t know what’s going on with this virus but we have to take the recommendation of the health profession,” said Randolph Horton, president and CEO of Horton’s Funeral Home and its accompanying cemetery in Calvert County, Maryland.

“It hurts but people are starting to understand. Cemeteries [have] varying restrictions: from limiting access to no family access at all, videotaping the committal as a family keepsake,” Horton added.

“Some cemeteries are only allowing us to take five family members, staff members and a preacher,” he said.

“One cemetery locked the gate. It was just the body, funeral director and staff and preacher. Some cemeteries are using their staff as pallbearers. One cemetery let the cars get through the gate but no one could get out of their cars.”

WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LIFESTYLE

Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, Civil Rights Icon, Dies at 98

By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer

Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, a witty preacher who co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Martin Luther King Jr. and was known as the “dean of the civil rights movement,” died March 27. He was 98.

Lowery spent most of his life in pulpits across the country, preaching a gospel of social justice that inspired generations to challenge racist Jim Crow laws and integrate the segregated South.

“Rev. Joseph Lowery was a giant who let so many of us stand on his shoulders,” former President Barack Obama tweeted. “With boundless generosity, patience, and moral courage, he encouraged a new generation of activists and leaders. Michelle and I remember him fondly today, and our love and prayers are with his family.”

On Jan. 20, 2009, Lowery offered a stirring benediction during Obama’s inauguration as the 44th president of the United States, with his every word a literary testimony to the toil and struggle that an era of activist preachers employed to usher in a new political day.

“God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who has brought us thus far along the way,

5 Rev. Joseph E. Lowery (Courtesy photo)

thou who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray,” said Lowery, who began his benediction with the lyrics of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often recognized as the Black national anthem.

“We truly give thanks for the glorious experience we’ve shared this day,” Lowery said on that historic day. “We pray now, O Lord, for your blessing upon thy servant, Barack Obama, the 44th president of these United States, his family and his administration.”

As a founding member of the SCLC, Lowery was part of a spiritual band of brothers that included Ralph Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth, Wyatt Tee Walker, Hosea Williams and James Bevel, who preceded him in death, and others such as the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., C.T. Vivian and Andrew Young.

As a student at Florida State, this writer first met Lowery at Bethel Baptist Church in Tallahassee during the funeral of Rev. CK Steele, a founding member of the SCLC. From that moment forward, he often gave me his prepared remarks whenever he saw me.

As a reporter for the Sheridan Broadcasting Network and the Washington Afro American, I often pushed to the pulpit after a Lowery speech for a sound bite and his printed messages, and he never let me down.

Lowery was born Oct. 6, 1921, in Huntsville, Alabama, to Leroy and Dora Lowery. He attended middle school in Chicago while staying with relatives, but he returned to Huntsville to graduate from William Hooper Council High School.

He attended the Knoxville College and Alabama A&M College and eventually graduated from Paine College. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and later earned a doctorate in divinity degree from Chicago Ecumenical Institute.

In 1950, Lowery married Evelyn Gibson, a civil rights activist and leader in her own right. She was the sister of the late activist Harry Gibson and elder member of the Northern Illinois conference of the United Methodist Church in the Chicago area. The couple worked closely until her death in 2013.

They had three daughters, Yvonne

Kennedy, Karen Lowery and Cheryl Lowery-Osborne. Lowery also had two sons, Joseph Jr. and LeRoy III, from a previous marriage.

Ordained as a United Methodist minister, Lowery became pastor of the Warren Street Methodist Church in Mobile, Alabama, from 1952 to 1961. After Rosa Parks’ arrest in 1955, he helped lead the Montgomery bus boycott. He also led the Alabama Civic Affairs Asso-

ciation, an organization devoted to the desegregation of buses and public places.

Two years later, he and King founded the SCLC, of which Lowery later served as president for two decades. The group was instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In 1997, at what was then the Jericho City of Praise in Landover, Maryland, Lowery passed the man-

tle of leadership to Martin Luther King III during a six-hour event that brought out many political leaders and legends.

“We are here to crown a new king,” Lowery said to King at the time. “I am proud to engage in this symbolic passing of the torch.

I don’t have a jealous bone in my body. I want you to do well. God has been good to me. Take hold!”

WI

VIP Invitation to attend the 2021

EVERYONE IS WELCOME! FREE ADMISSION

A Celebration of Resilience and Greatness!

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of the 2020 African American History & Culture Showcase.

However, there are 2 other major events of national importance taking place this year in which “everyone” can safely participate: 1) - The 2020 Census count is now underway and you can complete the Census online, by mail or telephone. Either method you choose is safe health-wise and in compliance with the social distancing government mandate.

2) - The national election on November 3rd, 2020. In many states residents are now able to use mail-in ballots for national elections thereby eliminating the need to vote in person.

We encourage your participation in both of these critical events and look forward to seeing you next year in Philadelphia, April 3rd & 4th, 2021.

Pennsylvania Convention Center • 12th & Arch Street, Philadelphia www.blackhistoryshowcase.org An initiative of:

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Produced by:

APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 33

LIFESTYLE

Customers Rail over Refunds for Coronavirus-Affected Events

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia In February, Michael Bond purchased tickets to a concert scheduled to take place in April at the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, Virginia.

As is the case in all his concert and travel purchases, Bond also bought insurance with Allianz Global Assistance, the industry’s premier coverage provider.

Then the coronavirus struck.

“The Birchmere postponed the concert until August, but we have other commitments with our grandchildren,” Bond said.

When Bond reached out to Allianz, he was told that “the fine print in the insurance agreement” negates any refund.

“You should have known about the coronavirus, it was in China,” Bond said an Allianz representative told him.

The Bond family isn’t alone, and neither are D.C. residents.

At City Winery in Philadelphia, a family of five also purchased tickets in February for a Sheila E. concert scheduled for April 17.

The family had been visiting the City of Brotherly Love and checked their schedules and realized that they’d

STAY HOME from Page 16 business), however, I sorely miss face to face and hugs and worshipping with church family. I don’t have much of a challenge with being with me and always have something to do and catch up with loved ones via phone. I’ve learned to keep the pantry filled at all times from my parents. Living and growing up in the mountains as my mother did, you make it a habit to be prepared. The experts say we have a way to go but I’m always optimistic given God’s grace, abiding love and faithfulness even though we may not all live to see a new earthly existence.

However, I’m preparing and looking forward to greater opportunities in my relationships, personally, professionally and financially.

Antoinette Moore Ross, 60, Southeast: Luckily, I’ve been a teleworker for many years now, so staying at home doesn’t bother me so much. I hope people will comply with the new orders but I still

34 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

5 (Photo courtesy Keith Griner, Live for Live Music)

indeed be able to return to the area for the concert. They proceeded to purchase tickets that totaled roughly $300.

Recently, the family received this email message from City Winery Box Office Manager Justin Dye: “Please be advised that due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) safety precautions, the Sheila E. performance has been postponed. As soon as we get a new date locked in, we will be reach-

ing out to you with options that will be available.”

When the family responded that they were facing financial difficulties because of the pandemic, the response was equally unsettling.

“Thank you for reaching out to the Philadelphia Concierge Team, your email is important to us,” was the automatic reply received by Ben Griffith, who originally planned to make a sec-

ond trip into the city from Ohio to see Sheila E. “As we closely monitor the current situation, our team is communicating to the best of our ability,” the email from City Winery noted. “Our staff is limited and working around the clock to ensure everyone’s safety and to provide the most up to date information we can regarding the status of upcoming shows and events.”

see many folks out and about. I’m praying for the best but I’m also bracing for the worst. I’ve already lost classmates and family friends from COVID-19. The unknown is horrible to me.

of rest are way out of sync. And while I’m optimistic, some things will never be done the same as a result of this crisis.

worked in China; we have to do everything to flatten the curve.

I’m optimistic about the future – pandemics have occurred before and mankind will survive. There will undoubtedly be medical advances made and hopefully after this period of isolation, people will begin to appreciate each other more.

Vera Abbott, 86, Southwest: I will not complain, I appreciate my wonderful family and friends and I pray for God to keep you and yours healthy, safe and sound during the worst health crisis I’ve witnessed during my lifetime. As a retiree, I’m comfortable staying at home.

Emma P. Ward, 75, Southwest: Stay at home has affected me tremendously because as a substitute teacher, I’m unable to interact with students. I have had an opportunity to read more and am enjoying Chicken Soup for the Soul.” Decluttering is foremost like finding my son’s first pair of shoes – he’s now 40. Now, I’m taking time to focus and plan for things I’ve always wanted to do including more sleep – my hours

Robert R. Roberts, 70, Silver Spring: As far as staying at home, professionally [as a Black Press photographer], I’m like dead in the water. There’s little or nothing to do but take pictures around the house or read a few books that I’ve always wanted. The good part is to do some work around the house especially outdoors. Everyone is following the orders about staying home and keeping their distance. Am I optimistic? Not really. I have no faith in the Trump Administration to help our nation. I think we’ll pull through but it’s going to take a long time.

Elizabeth Primas, 71, Northeast: Working from home isn’t a problem since I use technology for my job. But I’m cooking and eating more so I’ve gained some weight and also doing some spring cleaning. The new orders

Christopher McLaughlin, 44, Southeast: The stay-at-home order has affected me professionally because the hair business in D.C. was already at a slow crawl before the virus hit. With the new orders, it has been devastating and no one is working at all. I think the orders will only prove effective if people take this virus serious and stay home, point blank, period.

I’m kind of optimistic about the future because they say you have to tear down the old to make way for the new. On the other hand, I’m pessimistic because the leadership of this country has become a joke.

WI

“We called, we emailed. There’s been nothing,” said Griffith, who purchased tickets in February as a treat to his family, which includes his two daughters, both aspiring drummers.

“They don’t want to give us our money back,” Griffith said. “You’d think in the interest of their business, and because this pandemic is causing problems for so many people financially, they’d give you your money back.

It’s not like they went through with the show. It’s our money, and frankly, we can use it to buy food or something else that might be needed.”

Eileen McNamara Lash, of Fredonia, New York, told The New York Times that she spent days on the phone trying to get refunds for another event.

“I just put the phone down on speaker and just let it go for a couple of hours,” she said. “At one point, it actually died on me, and that’s why I had to disconnect and then start over the next night.”

City Winery CEO Michael Dorf did not return requests for comment.

Throughout the nation, concerts, events and even Broadway shows have been canceled or postponed. Some have complied with refund requests, while others have balked.

When the NCAA canceled its famed March Madness tournament, the organization said refunds, except applicable fees, would be issued within 30 dates of the cancellation.

On Broadway, where all shows have shut down indefinitely, the refund process has been described as painless.

Kristina Aquilina, who had two tickets to “Come From Away,” walked into the box office of the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater and was told that Telecharge, the vendor from which she had bought the tickets, had already granted her a refund, according to the New York Times.

Notices posted by the Shubert Organization, the largest landlord on Broadway, revealed that most purchases would be refunded automatically to the buyer’s credit card.

If the ticketholder purchased through a source separate from Telecharge, the box office, the discount TKTS booth, or the nonprofit Theater Development Fund, that person would have to go directly to the vendor.

StubHub, a marketplace for third-party ticket sellers, sent an email offering customers that purchased tick-

CANCELLED Page 44

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LIFESTYLE

wi book review “The Last Negroes at Harvard”

By Kent Garrett with Jeanne Ellsworth c.2020, HMH Books $27 320 pages

By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Remember, remember … ?

Skipping school, good teachers, hard lessons, practical jokes, smelly lockers, remember? If you don’t, your oldest friends probably do. As in the new book “The Last Negroes at Harvard” by Kent Garrett with Jeanne Ellsworth, they were there alongside you when everything happened, remember?

For many years, Kent Garrett claimed that he “rarely thought about Harvard.” Yes, it was his alma mater, but there was more to him than his graduation from an Ivy League school. He had a career and later, a dairy farm to run.

Being one of a handful of “Negro” graduates from an esteemed college was a small part of who Garrett was.

But then he discovered that a Harvard upperclassman died, and he began to do what he said he didn’t: he thought about Harvard.

Garrett was just 17 the fall of 1959, when his family drove him to Harvard and helped him carry his belongings to a room he’d share with another boy, one who happened also to be a “Negro.” There were, as Garrett later learned, 18 “Negroes” in the class of 1963, scattered among various dorms. Eventually, he met most of them, and they gathered daily to eat lunch; they also socialized together because, although Harvard strove to avoid racism, social segregation off-campus was still generally mandatory.

As they moved into their dorms that fall, Americans were just learning that the Soviet Union was capable of launching missiles from submarines. A war in a country halfway across the world had its first two casualties. Mike Wallace had done a TV report on Black Muslims and Malcolm X, shocking white America.

The freshmen who hoped they’d survive at Harvard became sophomores, then juniors, then seniors.

In their college careers, the “Negroes” saw protests and sit-ins, violence and calls for peace. They met people who’d influence history, and others who’d die too early. And by the time they graduated, 18 men had learned that they were not “Negroes” anymore …

It’s really hard not to love “The Last Negroes at Harvard” right from the get-go. Author Kent Garrett tells his story with a gee-whiz, down-to-earth demeanor that makes friends with a reader quickly. It’s a warm tale that can be confusing in its overload of names and nicknames, but Garrett’s portrayals of his classmates lets readers know that these young men were nevertheless unique individuals with ideals, strengths and promise.

But this book isn’t only about 18 Black men. It’s also a snapshot of a burgeoning civil rights movement, and a country that’s evolving. We get a peek of life on the edge of change, when college-age men wore ties to dinner. We watch as protests arrived in Boston, “the Pill” was whispered about, segregation eased in the North, sit-ins became a thing, and language changed, too.

Know that this is not merely a book of nostalgia for older folk: it’s also for younger readers heading for college, or for lovers of social history. Sit down with this book, and be delighted. “The Last Negroes at Harvard” is one you’ll remember. WI

horoscopes

APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

ARIES This may be an intense week for Aries. You may have an intense desire to complete an important project or feel pressure from others to let it go and to release items you’ve been holding onto. This is a good day for decluttering, giving things away or selling off excess goods. Lucky Numbers: 2, 31, 35 TAURUS The week concludes with Jupiter in Capricorn connecting with Pluto in your house of education and travel. You may have an overwhelming desire to grow through experiencing new places and meeting interesting people. It’s good to explore how others manifest lifestyles where they can live anywhere in the world they choose. At the same time, this aspect gives a tremendous drive for completing tests, educational reports, or making a school presentation. Lucky Numbers: 12, 20, 22 GEMINI April 4 has Venus, now in your sign of Gemini, syncing with Saturn in Aquarius. There are days for fun and there are days to take care of your obligations. Today is for the latter. Look at what you can do for others and put your own needs aside. Find your spiritual alignment by following a virtuous path. This may mean eating your vegetables, being kind to strangers and donating a bit of your time. This will make you feel fantastic. Lucky Numbers: 2, 6, 33 CANCER Cancers who are looking for love may feel obsessed with the idea of finding that person, their soulmate. You may breakthrough procrastination and put yourself on online dating sites or connect with matchmakers — all of which are a good idea with this aspect. Lucky Numbers: 13, 15, 29 LEO As the week begins, the sun, your ruling planet, continues to light up your house of spirituality. It’s a reminder you are an eternal soul having a physical experience. Add a little magic into your day by lighting a candle, saying a prayer or reverently doing a few yoga sun salutations. This will add richness to your life, and you will see synchronicity happen as a result. Lucky Numbers: 11, 15, 27 VIRGO Virgos are a wonderful gift to the world, as you are practical and hard-working. For the next few days, instead of just working consider what would be fun to do. And then commit every ounce of energy you have into enjoying yourself. Jupiter allows you to see things on the positive side. And Pluto can take the energy over the top for a memorable experience. What can you do today that will make a memory?

Lucky Numbers: 12, 32, 52 LIBRA The week ends with Jupiter in Capricorn joining Pluto in your house of home and family. If you have a business at home, you’ll probably be focused on success. However, for the rest of you Libras, family members may be stressed and trying to control each other. And while Jupiter meeting Pluto is generally optimistic, this aspect can bring conflicts. Better use of this energy is to join forces to achieve a greater goal.

Lucky Numbers: 6, 38, 54 SCORPIO The week wraps up with Jupiter in Capricorn syncing with Pluto in your house of communication. This is an intense aspect that has been building for some time and now culminates this week. If you’ve been writing a novel or screenplay it’s very good to spend time focused on completing this project. Reach out to others to see if they’re interested in seeing your work. If you want to buy a business, this is a perfect aspect for doing due diligence. After careful inspection, you can feel comfortable signing the contract.

Lucky Numbers: 20, 30, 36 SAGITTARIUS The week ends with Jupiter in Capricorn connecting with Pluto in your house of money and possessions. Optimistic Jupiter now sits with obsessive Pluto. You may be focused on making money to the exclusion of all other things. Consider listing all the ways money can come to you. Focus your creative mind on avenues that can bring you success. Lucky Numbers: 11, 14, 30 CAPRICORN You may feel a little tired today as you try to finish up some last-minute projects for yourself and others. If you’ve overdone it this last week, you may be nursing some sore muscles. It’s good to treat yourself with some tender loving care and have a massage or perhaps a dip in a hot tub. Lucky Numbers: 7, 12, 46 AQUARIUS The week begins with Mars entering your sign of Aquarius, and giving you a burst of energy and vitality that could stay with you for several weeks. This energy also attracts relationship opportunities.

You have the option to get into a partnership or deep your current relationship. This is a good time to change your look so you can feel more confident in yourself. Lucky Numbers: 9, 13, 22 PISCES You may have been feeling this aspect for many weeks. Time for big thinking. This is the energy that caused Bill Gates to aspire to put a computer on every person’s desk in the world. Having a bigger goal activates the prosperity energy in the universe. An abundance of opportunities can flow to you in the next few weeks. Lucky Numbers: 3, 6, 47

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 35

SPORTS For more photos, visit www.washingtoninformer.com

Redskins Sign CB Kendall Fuller, G Wes Schweitzer

WI Staff Report

The Washington Redskins announced last month that they have signed cornerback Kendall Fuller and guard Wes Schweitzer. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Fuller is a four-year NFL veteran who entered the league as a thirdround selection (84th overall) by the Redskins in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Fuller has started in 31 of the 55 regular season games he has appeared in with the Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs. He has recorded 225 tackles (172 solo), six interceptions, 26 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

As a member of the Chiefs, he appeared in five postseason games with four starts and notched 18 tackles (13 solo), one interception and three passes defensed. He registered four tackles (three solo) with one interception and two passes defensed to help guide the Chiefs to a victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. In Fuller’s last season with Washington in 2017, he appeared in all 16 games with six starts and finished the season with 60 tackles (42 solo), including two for a loss, 10 passes defensed and four interceptions, which is his career-high for a single season.

At age 22, he became the youngest member of the Redskins to record at least four interceptions in a single season since Sean Taylor registered four interceptions in 2004 at the age of 21.

Fuller played collegiately at Virginia Tech and was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2013 along with earning Second Team All-American honors in 2014.

Fuller, 25, attended Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, Md. He was born in Baltimore on Feb. 13, 1995.

Schweitzer is entering his fifth NFL season after originally being se-

36 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

lected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round (195th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 46 regular season games with 36 starts.

For his 2018 campaign, he made 13 starts blocking for an offense that averaged 389.1 yards and 6.16 yards per play, the sixth-best mark in the NFL. In 2017, Schweitzer started all 16 games and blocked for an offense that averaged 364.8 yards and 5.93 yards per play, the third-best mark in the NFL.

In postseason play, he has started the two games in which he has appeared.

Schweitzer played collegiately at San Jose State where he appeared in 38 career games. During his senior season, he was named one of four co-captains and was a four-time academic all-conference honoree.

Schweitzer, 26, attended Chaparral High in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was born Sept. 11, 1993.

THOMAS DAVIS SR. / LINEBACKER

CORNELIUS LUCAS / TACKLE

KEVIN PIERRE-LOUIS / LINEBACKER

JON BOSTIC / LINEBACKER

REDSKINS FREE AGENCY TRACKER

WES SCHWEITZER / SIGNED RECENTLY GUARD

NATE ORCHARD / DEFENSIVE END

Courtesy Washington Redskins/ WI Staff

KENDALL FULLER / SIGNED RECENTLY CORNERBACK

According to reports, the Redskins are set to bring in former Atlanta Falcons guard Wes Schweitzer.

J.D. MCKISSIC / RUNNING BACK

According to reports, defensive back Kendall Fuller is set to join the Redskins on a multi-year deal. Fuller began his NFL career in Washington as a 2016 third-round pick.

SEAN DAVIS / FREE SAFETY

According to reports, free safety Sean Davis is expected to join the Redskins on a one-year deal.

According to reports, veteran linebacker Thomas Davis Sr. is set to join the Redskins on a multi-year deal.

According to reports, the Redskins are set to bring in linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis on a one-year deal.

According to reports, the Redskins are set to bring in tackle Cornelius Lucas from the Chicago Bears

The Redskins have reportedly decided to bring Jon Bostic back on a two-year extension.

According to reports, defensive end Nate Orchard is returning to the Redskins on a one-year deal. WI

According to reports, the Redskins are set to bring in former Detroit Lions running back J.D. McKissic.

LOGAN THOMAS / TIGHT END

According to reports, the Redskins are set to bring in Logan Thomas from the Detroit Lions.

Mystics Magic We salute the championship efforts of the Washington Mystics and anticipate their celebratory parade and new season in the very near future.

(File photos John E De Freitas)

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

SPORTS

5 Players celebrate with fans after winning the championship game. (File photo John E De Freitas)

Victory: A Washington Nationals Flashback 2019

3 Houston players in white and national team being introduced to the fans prior to the World Series game. (File photo John E De Freitas) 6 Nats coach salutes some of his players. (File photo John E De Freitas)

5 Players from the bench swarm the field after winning a championship game. (File photo John E De Freitas)

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APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 37

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FUNDING from Page 9 hosted social gatherings, have been relegated to their homes – some now without a job or means of income.

Early on, Events DC cancelled public events scheduled to take place at the Washington Convention Center in Northwest and the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Southeast as well as both the D.C. Armory and R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center located in Southeast.

Requests for comment from Events DC remained unanswered as of press time.

Additionally, tourists have had to forgo junkets to the Smithsonian Institutes, the annual Cherry Blossom festival and other attractions that occur on the National Mall or along the Tidal Basin.

The Washington Informer unsuccessfully attempted to gather comment from Events DC about the economic impact of the public health of emergency on what has dubbed the face of conventions, sports, entertainment, and cultural events in the nation’s capital.

In the housing and rental sector, landlords with mortgages who are dependent on tenant payments said they’re concerned about feeling the pinch, despite the availability of microgrants and other safety measures available to business owners and self-employed District residents.

Dianah Shaw, a property manager and real estate broker for almost 20 years, says she’s been in discussions with renters, homebuyers and sellers who express uncertainty similar to that felt by many among D.C.’s small business owners. Even with reserves on hand, she said she hopes tenants are prepared to make payments at least for the month of April.

“I haven’t put out a notice to my tenants yet about their position and ability to pay rent,” she said. “We

BRIEFS from Page 22 • Cultural relevancy of the current social studies standards.

• Application of topics (e.g., checks and balances) which have been discussed in social studies/civics classes to the current civic landscape.

• Relevancy of topics discussed in social studies/civics classes to topics discussed in other classes.

• Social studies topics that interest and resonate with you.

• Topics that should be changed, added, and/or removed from the current social studies standards.

Since early March, an increasing number of District residents and nonessential workers — particularly those who worked in venues that hosted social gatherings, large and small — have been relegated to their homes, some without a job or means of income. are all overwhelmed with the notices from the government, food industry, grocers, retailers, banks, vendors and creditors, just to name a few. But most tenants communicate and let me know if something is wrong.”

“My gut feeling is as they haven’t reached out to me, they’ll be good for this month. In terms of my buyers and sellers, most buyers are standing still [because] they don’t know what the future holds. Same thing with sellers. There’s not much activity.”

Even as Congress has immersed in coronavirus relief discussions, the Food and Drug Administration loosened regulations around the types of suitable equipment for coronavirus testing. D.C. Department of Forensic Science [DFS] Director Dr. Jenifer Smith said such changes would eventually allow for the completion of 500 daily samples, compared to 10 per day allowed just one month ago.

Within the next few days, DFS will work in conjunction with United Medical Center in Southeast to provide drive-through and walk-through testing for people who fit the follow-

LOTTERY ENROLLMENT EXTENDED

The new My School DC Lottery deadline is May 27, 2020, one month after DC Public Schools and public charter schools are expected to reopen.

Schools are responding to their modified operating status by adjusting enrollment processes to address the limitations faced by families during this public health emergency. Families matched to a school or offered a space from a school’s waitlist will be contacted directly by the school with their enrollment and residency verification procedures.

ing criteria and have a referral from their healthcare provider: hospitalized patients and healthcare workers, patients in long-term care facilities over the age of 65 and with underlying conditions, first responders and critical infrastructure workers showing coronavirus symptoms and people showing mild symptoms.

Similar accommodations have been put in place at Children’s National Medical Center in Northwest for youth and young adults under the age 22 who exhibit coronavirus symptoms or have been exposed to family members with underlying conditions.

George Washington Hospital, Sibley Hospital, MedStar and the Kaiser Permanente Capitol Hill Medical Center have similar plans in the works. District health officials said that collection and testing of specimen, a process requiring 24 to 48 hours, will be conducted by their lab partner Quest Diagnostics.

In response to concerns about the limited access to coronavirus testing, Department of Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt said restrictions have set to quell residents’ fervor for testing. For her and other public health officials, keeping hospitals and other medical facilities as safe as possible counts as a major priority, especially since the pandemic is expected to worsen before it gets better.

“Given we had not had support from the federal government, we created a District site in partnership with a local health system sourcing supplies in partnership with the Department of Forensic Science,” she said. “We may utilize other federal assets that would have been available to us but in a different capacity. We’re working as quickly as we can but we need to source some additional supplies.” WI

The lottery received 25,198 applicants for pre-K through 12th grade for the 2020-21 school year. Of the 25,198 students who applied by the deadlines, 67 percent were matched (being offered a seat) at a school they selected, an increase from 64 percent the prior year.

The My School DC hotline remains fully operational, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., to support families as they navigate their lottery results and school enrollment procedures.

The hotline can be reached at 202888-6336 or at info.myschooldc@ dc.gov. WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Don’t Look Back

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. — Psalm 103:8 During this global pandemic (plague), when most of us are in solitude or even quarantined, we must all bow down and worship God, praise God, remain vigilant, hear from God, utilize this time to write books, songs and poems, to clear out junk and clutter in our lives. None of our lives will be the same when this is all over. The hand of God is waving, cleaning this land, like he did in the biblical days of Sodom and Gomorrah.

That story reminds us how much our Lord and Savior hates sin. In the story, two angels appeared as travelers along the road on the way to visit Abraham, but they decided they would visit Sodom and Gomorrah instead, so they could see the sin and destruction of the people for themselves.

A third angel visited Abraham and told him God sent him to destroy

the cities because of the sin of the people.

The third angel informed Abraham he knew God would destroy the cities because of the evil ways of their people. Abraham, a friend of God, begged Him to please spare the cities.

First, Abraham asked the Lord to spare the cities if he could find 50 righteous people who lived there. The Lord said yes. Abraham obviously thought that question was answered too easily, so he kept reducing the number down, until finally, God agreed that if Abraham could find even 10 righteous people, he would spare the city, When the two angels, disguised as men, arrived at the home of Lot and his family, Lot hosted these two men, serving them dinner.

Remember the saying, be careful when you entertain strangers, you might be entertaining angels.

After dinner, men of the city formed a circle around Lot’s home and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight?

Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them.” (Genesis 19:5, NIV) It was a custom back then to protect any guests who visit your home. Lot decided he would offer the homosexual men his two virgin daughters instead. The townsmen didn’t like that offer one bit.

Angry, they wanted men, so they

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

rushed to break down the door.

After the angels caused blindness over the men, they began to lead Lot, his wife and two daughters out of the city. The angels guided Lot and his family to a tiny village called Zoar. As they ran quickly, the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah. The towns and all of the buildings and the people were destroyed. The angels told the family, “Do not look back.” Lot’s wife disobeyed the angels and looked back, and when she did, she was turned into a pillar of salt.

Today, we find ourselves in a similar predicament to that of the times of Sodom and Gomorrah. Evil is all around us too. Sin is running rampant — folks lying like they’re telling the truth, pornography, illegal drugs, illicit sex, missing girls and domestic violence like never before. Don’t look back, my brothers and sister, keep your eyes on Jesus. We have been called to be holy people, set apart, not influenced by our wicked culture. Sin always have and always will have consequences. We must take sin and God’s wrath seriously.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” WI

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.

5101 14th Street, NW / Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089

1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005

“A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org

EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS MCCOLLUM & ASSOCIATES, LLC ADA, Age Discrimination, Benefits, Civil Rights, COBRA, Contracts, Deaf Law, Defamation, Disability Law, Discipline, Discrimination, FMLA, FLSA, FOIA, Family Responsibility, Harassment, HIPPA, OSHA, National Origin Discrimination, Non-Compete, Race Discrimination, Rehabilitation Act, Retaliation, Severance Agreements, Sexual Harassment, Torts, Whistleblowing, Wage-and-Hour, Wrongful Discharge SERVING MARYLAND, DC, & NORTH CAROLINA

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jmccollum@jmlaw.net

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

Reverend John W. Davis Pastor

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion - 10 a.m. 4th Sunday Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.)

Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

(301) 864-6070

Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m.

Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday “Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com

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APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 39

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724

700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849

Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 AM 7 10:00 AM Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 PM Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”

Blessed Word of Life Church

Service and Times Worship Sundays: 7:30 & 11:00 AM 5th Sundays: 9:30 AM 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 PM www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ

Church of Living Waters

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor 4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464 Service and Times Sunday Service: 8:30am& 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., / Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE - Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 / Fax: (202) 889-2198 - www.acamec.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 8:00am and 11:00 AM Sunday Church School - 9:15am & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30 AM 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study: 10:00 AM Tuesday Topical Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Children’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Thursday Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service: 6:30 PM Saturday Adult Bible Study: 10:00 AM “The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

Third Street Church of God

Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors

Rev. Dr. Alice Greene Interim Pastor

Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax

3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) / (202) 562-4219 (Fax)

5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555 Services and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship: 7:45 AM Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 AM Tuesday: 7:00pm/Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday , 12:30 PM Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: Prayer/Praise/Bible Study-7:30 PM Baptism & Communion Service: 4th Sunday – 10:30 AM

1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office / 202-638-1803 fax

Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion Service: First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org E-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Campbell AME Church Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 AM Bible Study Wednesday: 12:00 Noon Wednesday: 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 PM “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address : Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020

Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher 421 Alabama Ave. SE Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-746-0113 Fax: 301-843-2445 Service and Times Sunday School: 10:15 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11;15 AM Children’s Church: 11:15 AM Tuesday Bible Study: 6:30 PM Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: gr8luv4u2@gmail.com

40 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) Sunday School: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantdc.org

“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org / E-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net

Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM “Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org

Crusader Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor 800 I Street, NE - Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 - Fax No. 202-548-0703 Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:45 AM Men’s Monday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00 PM Women’s Ministry Bible Study: 3rd Friday -7:00 PM Computer Classes: Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org / “God is Love”

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax

Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6:00 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church / Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org / emailus@gmchc.org

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661 Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Church School: 9:20 AM Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 PM Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!”

Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

St Marks Baptist Come Worship with us...

Dr. Raymond T. Matthews Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Services and Times Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service: 6:45 PM Thur. Bible Study: 7:15 PM

Twelfth Street Christian Church Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW - Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion every Sunday: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 10:00 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 12 Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday: 6:30 PM Motto: “Discover Something Wonderful” Website: 12thscc.org / Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com

Mount Carmel Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Paris L Smith, Sr. Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00 PM Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00 PM Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10 AM themcbc.org

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RELIGION Shabbath Commandment Church Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor 7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471 Service and Times Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 AM Service 11:00 AM Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Motto: “A Church Keeping It Real for Real.”

Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com

Zion Baptist Church Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor 4850 Blagdon Ave, NW - Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773 Service and Times 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 10:15 a.m. – Worship Service Wed. Noon: Dea. Robert Owens Bible Study 7 PM Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Sunday, Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission: Zion shall: Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, And Exalt our Savior. (Acts 2: 41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

St. Luke Baptist Church Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 PM Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

All Nations Baptist Church Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 Service and Times Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education / School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

Israel Baptist Church

Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor 2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Baptismal Service: 1st Sunday – 9:30 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday – 11:00 AM Prayer Meeting & Bible Study: Wednesday -7:30 PM “Where Jesus is the King”

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office / (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven!

623 Florida Ave.. NW - WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 / Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 / Fax (202) 483-4009

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM Baptism/Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30 PM Prayer Service: Tuesdays – 8:00 PM www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church Rev. Richard B. Black Pastor

Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288

1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 - lincolnpark@lpumcdc.org www.lpumcdc.org

5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:45 AM Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 PM Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM Bible Study: Tuesday at 10:30 AM

Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM Holy Communion: First Sunday 10:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30 PM Motto: "Faith On The Hill"

Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 PM Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 PM Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 PM Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged.

The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

New Commandment Baptist Church

Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 - Fax: 202-544-2964

8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240

13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 AM and 10:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 AM & 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon & 6:30 PM Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 PM Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 PM

Service and Times Early Morning Message: 7:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 9:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Prayer, Praise and Testimony: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Reverend Peter R. Blue Sr. Pastor

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

2001 Brooks Drive District Heights MD. 20744 240.838.7074

621 Alabama Ave., S.E.- Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 - F: (202) 561-1112

Service and Times Sunday Worship Experience: 10:15am Sunday School: 9:00am Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Morning Noontime Bible Study: Tuesday @ 12:00pm Prayer Meeting/Bible Study: Tuesday @7:00pm Theme: "Building On A Firm Foundation"

Service and Times Sunday Service: 10:00 AM Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 AM 1st Sunday Baptism: 10:00 AM 2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10:00 AM Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting: 7:45 PM

Email: revprbstmbc@gmail.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

Motto: “Where God is First and Where Friendly People Worship”

“Real Worship for Real People” Website: www.easterncommunity.org Email: ecc@easterncommunity.org

“A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”

Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958

Shiloh Baptist Church

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church Dr. Joseph D. Turner / Senior Pastor 2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Early Worship Service: 8:00 AM Worship Service: 11:00 AM New Member’s Class: 9:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday, 11:00 AM Church School: 9:45 AM Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: 7:00 PM Saturday Bible Study: 11:00 AM Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00 AM “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

Peace Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class: 8:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Service: 12:00 PM “The Loving Church of the living lord “

4504 Gault Place, N.E. / Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service : 11:00 AM The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Prayer & Praise Services: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: 7:30 PM Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries: 10:30 AM A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

Christ Embassy DC

Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator 6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Friday Evening Service: 7:00 PM ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org Christ.embassy.dc@hotmail.com

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 PM Prayer Service Bible Study

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor

9th & P Street, N.W. - W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4288

602 N Street NW - Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 Fax: (202) 289-4595

2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30AM & 10:30 AM Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 PM. Wednesday 12 Noon

www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org

Service and Times First Sunday Worship Service (one service): 10:00 AM Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sunday Worship service: 7:45 AM and 10:55 AM Sunday Church School/Bible Study: 9:30 AM Thursday Prayer Service: 6:30 PM

All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.

Email: sbc@shilohbaptist.org Website: shilohbaptist.org

Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 AM Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 PM Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 PM Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 PM Noonday Prayer Every Thursday

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor

Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor

Rev. Reginald M. Green Interim Pastor

Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

St. Matthews Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church

King Emmanuel Baptist Church

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Service and Times Sunday School for All Ages: 8:00 AM Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “

Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.

APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 41

LEGAL NOTICES Declaration of Nationality In God We Trust Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ robinson, ladiviosia gerell© ”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ ROBINSON, LADIVIOSIA GERELL© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “ LADIVIOSIA GERELL ROBINSON© ”, &, Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ hutch, latasha sharea© ”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ HUTCH, LATASHA SHAREA© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “ LATASHA SHAREA HUTCH© ”, &, Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ robinson, nodia comoniech© ”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ ROBINSON, NODIA COMONIECH© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “ NODIA COMONIECH ROBINSON© ”, &, Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ robinson, zarita alora© ”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ ROBINSON, ZARITA ALORA© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “ ZARITA ALORA ROBINSON© ”, collectively having reached the age of majority hereby duly affirms to declare our intention to be as our pedigree subscribes, as: Moorish American Nationals , but not citizens of the United States. We declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to the Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The united states of America, Republic ( Major ), The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, International Law, etc.. In harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and all Natural laws governing homo sapiens, we hereby Declare and Proclaim our nationality as: Moorish American Nationals. I am that I am: “ robinson, ladiviosia gerell© ”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ robinson-ali, ladiviosia gerell© ”. I am that I am: “ hutch, latasha sharea© ”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ hutch-ali, latasha sharea© ”. I am that I am: “ robinson, nodia comoniech© ”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ robinson-ali, nodia comoniech©

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2020 ADM 227

2018 ADM 001323

Cordell H. Hayes, Sr. aka Cordell Homer Hayes, Sr. Decedent

Alean Yon Estate of

Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. The Griffin Firm, PLLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Joigie S. Hayes, whose address is 7503 12th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Cordell H. Hayes, Sr. aka Cordell Homer Hayes, Sr. who died on February 12, 2019 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/19/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/19/2020, or be forever barred.

Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 3/19/2020 Joigie S. Hayes Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

/ Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ robinson-ali, zarita alora© ”. Notice of Merging of Legal

Washington Informer

Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all LADIVIOSIA GERELL ROBINSON© ”, to the depositor: “ hutch-ali, latasha sharea© ”, nom deguerre: “ robinson, ladiviosia gerell© ”. Notice of Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: ‘’ HUTCH, LATASHA SHAREA© ‘’, corp.sole Dba.: “ LATASHA SHAREA HUTCH© ”, to the depositor: “ hutch-ali, latasha sharea© ”, nom deguerre: “ hutch, latasha sharea© ”. Notice of Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: “ ROBINSON, NODIA COMONIECH© ”, corp.sole Dba.:

This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: ‘’ ROBINSON, ZARITA ALORA© ‘’, corp.sole Dba.: “ ZARITA ALORA ROBINSON© ”, to the depositor: “ robinson-ali, zarita alora© ”, nom deguerre: “ robinson, zarita alora© ”. All property , of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of each individual Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : “ Anointed Church of Ase Ali Trust© ”, a Unincorporated private foreign divine trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank , nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Any and All Attorneys with a License from the BAR Association are explicitly prohibited from administrating ‘’ Anointed Church of Ase Ali Trust© ‘’ property without handwritten consent from each and every trustee, after said Attorneys have furnished their Foreign Agent Registration Statement to trustees Pursuant to Public Law 75-583. All Rights Reserved. PN2020-1013-LGR-DN

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Wanda Robinson for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives.

Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative Date of first publication: 3/26/2020 Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. 1308 Ninth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Petitioner/Attorney: TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

2020 ADM 000189

Stephen Abrecht aka Stephen Baxter Abrecht Decedent

Tyrone F. Brown aka Tyrone Francis Brown Decedent

David C. Majors, Esq. 1420 Spring Hill Rd. Suite 600 McLean, VA 22102 Attorney

Kerri M. Castellini, Esq. Price Benowitz LLP 409 Seventh Street, NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney

Date of first publication: 3/19/2020 Jane Linda Shenk Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Blondie B. Brown, whose address is 1385 Barnaby Terrace, SE, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Tyrone F. Brown aka Tyrone Francis Brown who died on December 22, 2019 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/19/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/19/2020, or be forever barred.

Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 3/19/2020 Blondie B. Brown Personal Representative

October 15, 2019 Date of Death Romelia Leah Johnson Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

David Johnson whose address is 11807 Earnshaw Court, Brandywine, MD 20613 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Romelia Leah Johnson, deceased, by the Orphans (Register of Wills) Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on February 14, 2020.

Service of process may be made upon Anthony M. Bond, 4817 36th Street, NW #501, Washington, DC 20008 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate.

32 Galveston Place, SW, Washington, DC. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 3/26/2020

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2020 ADM 000228 Pauline B. Shell Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Veronica E. Randall / Denise A. Shell, whose addresses are 9104 Fairgreen Ct., Upper Marlboro Md. 20772/ 4318 4th St., NW, Washington DC 20011, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Pauline B. Shell who died on 12/26/2005 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision.

All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/26/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/26/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 3/26/2020 Veronica E. Randall Denise A. Shell Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

TRUE TEST COPY

Washington Informer

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

42 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

2020 FEP 000026

Washington Informer

2020 ADM 000147

Janet Linda Sherik, whose address is 3821 Livingston Street, NW, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Stephen Abrecht aka Stephen Baxter Abrecht who died on December 6, 2019 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/19/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/19/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

LEGAL NOTICES

David Johnson Personal Representative

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

“ NODIA COMONIECH ROBINSON© ”, to the depositor: “ robinson-ali, nodia comoniech© ”, nom deguerre: ‘’ robinson, nodia comoniech© ”. Notice of Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title :

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

TRUE TEST COPY

”. I am that I am: “ robinson, zarita alora© ”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality

rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: “ ROBINSON, LADIVIOSIA GERELL© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “

LEGAL NOTICES

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2019 ADM 000209 Samuel Cornell Pledger Decedent Jennifer C. Concino, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW # 700 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Jennifer C. Concino, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., #700, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Samuel Cornell Pledger who died on August 22, 2018 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 10/2/2020. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/2/2020, or be forever barred.

Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 4/2/2020 Jennifer C. Concino, Esq. Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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STUDENTS from Page 13

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44 - APRIL 2 - 8, 2020

my life.”

Both expressed frustration on how the coronavirus affected the final two months of their senior years.

Madeleine headed to Baltimore on March 12 as a member of Bowie’s Future Business Leaders of America for a two-day trip to participate in a statewide conference in which hundreds of students planned to attend.

But Gov. Larry Hogan announced that day that public gatherings of 200 or more people were now prohibited, so Madeleine and other students already in Baltimore had to leave and the rest of the event was canceled.

“My partner and I worked really hard to prepare a graphic design presentation,” Madeleine said. “I worked on that project for months.”

March 13 was the last day Maryland public schools were open.

Like the Largo seniors, Madeleine and Temi can text and FaceTime their friends daily. But they realize not seeing them in person hurts even more.

The school closure meant no more FBLA meetings, art club or National Honor Society events for Madeleine.

Temi, who turns 18 on April 7, enjoyed the Bowie Pep Team in the fall for football season, but she will miss lacrosse season and film projects. She’s a member of the school’s Bulldog Bull 10 TV media club and Caring Colors, an LGBTQ safe space organization.

“It’s been hard. I cried a couple of times,” she said of being away from her friends. “Club group chats have been done to check up on everybody.

I check up on my friends almost every hour.”

Temi must also keep tabs on her assignments such as two Advanced Placement classes. Her math teacher isn’t connected to Google Classroom for her pre-college algebra class because colleges “will not have Google C Classroom to tell you to do your assignments. You have to go out and do it.”

She hasn’t decided on a college, but will probably stay within the state to major in education and pursue a minor in visual arts.

Madeleine, who plans to attend George Washington University in Northwest in the fall to study graphic design, has received assignments from nearly all her teachers. Her coursework includes AP psychology, pre-calculus, chemistry and English.

“I need to finish high school strong, even with all this craziness,” she said. “I believe in God and I know that we will all get through this.”

WI

CANCELLED from Page 34 ets to now-canceled events a “coupon worth 120 percent of your original order to go to the live event of your choice within the next 12 months.”

“Alternatively, you can choose to receive a full refund for the original order amount (including service and delivery fees) to the original payment method,” the company said.

However, officials at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, were among the more challenging.

“We have a strict no-refund policy on badges,” South by Southwest officials noted in a statement.

The badges cost as much as $1,725, and the company said it would consider offering a deferral of the badge until next year or two years after that.

The Ultra Music Festival that takes place in Miami told ticket-holders that

METRO from Page 13 ical cleaning supplies for the remaining stations,” according to a Metro news release.

WUSA-TV (Channel 9) reported Friday a fourth Metro worker contracted the virus, resulting in the temporary closure Thursday of the Tenleytown and Van Ness stations in Northwest.

Those stations reopened Friday.

Metro’s constant message during this pandemic: “Please follow urgent guidance from state and local officials:

VIRTUAL from Page 12 west, provided tips on holding meetings with travel restrictions due to the coronavirus. Some of them include interspersing surveys or polls to make the meeting more interactive and consider breakout sessions for participants to interact and work together.

The Prince George’s school board used Zoom to host an emergency meeting Friday, March 27 that allowed those people to sign on to hear and see each board member.

Zoom published a blog March 20 at https://bit.ly/39ryWBk to provide tips on how to “keep party crashers” from interrupting a meeting.

The Prince George’s library linked its followers to participate in an online curator’s tour Saturday, March 28 hosted by the Strathmore to hear and learn about quilt making techniques.

One of the artists, Linda Syverson, talked about her work called “The Intrigue of Interaction” through the Zoom platform. It became featured in a show this year at the Strathmore, a popular arts center in Bethesda, Montgomery County.

they would not issue refunds to the canceled event.

There is now hope that Ultra officials will change their minds after Miami-Dade officials declared that all venues must close.

“We completely understand how extremely frustrating this is because so many of you are looking forward to coming to Ultra, having already made travel arrangements,” Ultra officials wrote in a statement posted on its website. “This is, however, an unprecedented issue which is not being taken lightly, and we must continue to defer to the authorities for guidance. Ultimately, there is no higher priority for us than the health, safety, and physical well-being of each of you, together with everyone else involved in the production of the event. All ticket purchasers will be contacted by email regarding the next steps.” WI Stay at home.”

That didn’t stop Mildred Henson of Southeast from riding Metrorail Friday to bring groceries and other items to her daughter in District Heights, Maryland.

“I came out to get some fresh air, [but] I’m ready to go back to work,” said Henson, who works as a prep cook at Nationals Park. “There’s nobody here [inside Stadium Armory]. No crowds. I’m enjoying myself.”

WI “It’s all in trying to tell a story without saying a word,” Syverson said.

For those without modern technology, people used their cell or house phones to listen on a telephone town hall Thursday, March 26.

The county’s Office of Community Relations hosted the event to review census information, trash collection, and updates on the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, and how residents can utilize the county’s “311 on the Go!” service.

Bulky trash collection for items such as hot water heaters and furniture remain suspended.

In addition, requests for new trash and recycling toters are also postponed until further notice because of the coronavirus. People can still request a new one through 311 and placed on a waiting list to receive one.

“We can’t see your faces, but we can feel your spirit,” said Jennifer Hawkins, manager of the 311 service. “With your feedback, we will ensure that we will continue to improve the 311 on the Go! program to meet the needs of the citizens of our great county.”

WI

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MALVEAUX from Page 26

hospital costs. It will pay for developing the necessary drugs. It will pay for the costs of covering seniors under Medicare. It will pay for the costs incurred by those without insurance or with employer-based insurance. Yet, in part because of this, the insurance companies and drug companies will keep racking up record profits.

At this point, the overriding imperative is that every person in the U.S. understand that they should get the testing and treatment they need. All should be reassured that their costs will be covered. Congress went part of the way with the last rescue package.

It should finish the job, preferably by having Medicare pay for all the costs directly.

But we shouldn’t be satisfied with single-payer coverage just during a massive pandemic. This crisis exposes dramatically the foolishness of pretending that health care is a private marketplace. Health care is a human right.

This pandemic gives ample evidence of why we need to move to a Medicare for All system where high-quality health care is guaranteed to all. WI

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health care analysts think the insurance industry could benefit from the pandemic because people generally are putting off visits to doctors and hospitals as much as possible.

In any case, insurers admit that if the costs soar they will factor it into the cost of plans next year. As Peter Lee, the head of Covered California, an independent state agency, noted, insurers are likely to seek rates next year that are double their additional costs from the virus. If costs go up 20 percent, rates could jump as much as 40 percent. That could mean, Lee warned, “that many of the 170 million Americans in the commercial market may lose their coverage and go without needed care.”

The insurers will sustain their profits; it’s the patients who will suffer.

The government is investing billions of dollars to develop a vaccine for the virus, and to develop other drugs that can help treat it. Yet, because the government turns over any drug developed to the private pharmaceutical

companies, Health Secretary Alex Azar — a former lobbyist for the drug companies — said he couldn’t guarantee that the treatments would be affordable. Already, as the Intercept reported, bankers are goading drug companies to prepare to raise prices to benefit from the expected demand.

The U.S. spends about twice as much per capita for its patchwork health care system than most industrialized countries. Why were we caught with such shortages of masks, ventilators or hospital beds?

A central reason is that about $500 billion of what we spend on health care each year doesn’t go to health care. It is wasted on costly bureaucracies needed to bill the maze of private insurers or track down patients for their co-pays.

It goes to hundreds of billions in profits for insurance companies and drug companies. It goes to excessive CEO salaries rising to $80 million or so a year.

In the end, the federal government will and should step up to cover the costs of all testing and treatment for the pandemic. It will have to reimburse states to cover soaring Medicaid and

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JACKSON from Page 26

O God, Thou knowest that we cannot read, understand, or retain all we think we need to know right now.

Remember for us and understand for us what we do need to know.

O God, Thou knowest we are bone weary and worn down by the news of the day.

Be Thou our strength, energy, and perseverance.

O God, Thou knowest that our internal nerve and voice quaver unconfidently amidst all those who speak with certainty.

Let us help you develop the communication skills to compete and win!

Dennis

lowed up this week by another video just for preschool children. He also had advice for parents: “As long as you are well, hug your children. Hug them often. It’s going to help you as much as it helps them.”

Public officials everywhere should be holding these kinds of press conferences for children right now to give them the reassurance and sense of security they so desperately need in these frightening times. And parents, grandparents, and other adults must continue to do all we can to be the anchors our children need in

Be Thou our confidence and clarity and anchor.

O God, Thou knowest how scattered are our thoughts and activities that tire us out and drain our energy.

Be Thou our focus and order our words and steps to meet our children’s needs.

O God, Thou knowest our dreams and hopes for the children of America and of the world and the many child dreams and hopes at risk right now.

Be Thou our and their dreamkeeper and grant them hope and help in our times.

Thank you, God, for hearing our cries as You heard Hagar’s long ago. WI

these perilous times.

I end with a prayer:

You Can Say It Like A Pro!

: Sade

EDELMAN from Page 26

Bobby Scott, AOC and others) to shine a bright light on this inequality, and to either modify the legislation or develop legislation to address some of these inequalities.

On March 23, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) introduced HR 6379, the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, that provides protections for workers and families mostly because the stimulus package does not. And there is a rush to pass the stimulus quickly as more and more people are out of work.

Stimulate the economy if you will, but don’t ignore the people on the bottom. If we are injecting $2.2 trillion into our lagging economy, make sure that some of it trickles down the poor. WI

Photo

they’ve imperiously said they will take assistance only on their terms.

Some think the federal government should take an equity stake in companies that get bailout funds.

Boeing’s CEO said he wasn’t interested in such a deal. If the feds wanted to play hardball, they’d force Boeing into bankruptcy, since bankruptcy doesn’t mean the cessation of operations, it means the restructuring of debt.

Meanwhile, there’s no helpful fine print for ordinary people. Sure, people will get $1,200 checks, plus $500 per child. That’s better than nothing, but compared to Boeing’s billions, it’s pennies. The ability to get unem-

ployment insurance for extra weeks will also be helpful for those who lose their jobs. More food stamp funds will be available. But there is some confusion over whether gig works will get the benefit. Instead, it seems that those who have good jobs will get great benefits, while those who have part-time jobs, gig jobs, or are unemployed won’t get much. As Congressman Amash says, this stimulus package will widen the wealth gap.

Inequality is at the very foundation of our economic system, so it isn’t surprising that the coronavirus stimulus package reflects the biases that are hard-wired into our system.

We need committed, vocal, progressive members of Congress (Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, Ayana Pressly,

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states who were trying to purchase it.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker told President Trump that his state lost out to the federal government three times on purchases of critical supplies.

President Trump laughed.

As the president has faltered, governors and mayors have risen — most notably, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose state has been the hardest-hit. Cuomo’s orderly, informative briefings — with everyone present observing recommended social distancing — stand in stark contrast to President Trump’s rambling, contradictory briefings marked by misinformation and angry attacks on journalists.

A few days after President Trump stunned the public by saying “I don’t take responsibility at all” for the nation’s lag in

WILLIAMS from Page 27

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with what medical experts are saying, he wants to have the country and the economy “raring to go

by Easter!” Further, he says, “It’s (the country) is not built to shut down. Our people are full of vim and vigor and energy. They don’t want to be locked in a house or an apartment or some space.”

ASKIA from Page 27 safe, social distancing. They’re afraid that the radical shutdown of the marketplace will create a financial cure (recession/depression), that’s worse than death from the disease. Some even suggest that older Americans would be willing to absorb COVID-19 and die, so the economy can recover sooner. That’s pure B.S. It reminds me of an explanation of the different views of slavery held by house slaves and field slaves. “If the master’s house caught on fire,” Brother Malcolm X explained, “the house slave would help put the fire out, but the field slave would pray for a strong wind.” Let members of the Trump, and Pence, and McConnell families be the first to volunteer to save the economy. I’m praying for the wind.

But judging by the lengths this now “wartime president” went in order to avoid military service

testing, Cuomo firmly took responsibility for closure of nonessential businesses.

“If someone wants to blame someone, blame me,” he said.

“There is no one else responsible for this decision.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was far ahead of the curve on ordering school closures and banning large gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — before a single case of coronavirus had been identified in her state — announced the creation of special task forces and developed a plan for free testing and treatment.

By the time President Trump finally called a national emergency on March 13, the nation’s mayors had been fighting the battle in their towns and cities, unassisted, for weeks. Even as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis resists a statewide shelter-in-place

order, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez — who has tested positive himself — canceled large gatherings and closed bars and restaurants.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, whose city was one of the first to be struck, was quick to ban utilities from cutting services and ordered a moratorium on residential evictions for non-payment of rent.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, an outspoken critic of President Trump’s crisis response, was among the first in the nation to issue a widespread stay-at-home order.

Now President Trump, in defiance of medical experts, wants to end the social distancing efforts that are our only hope to contain the virus. It will, once again, fall to the governors and the mayors to provide the sensible leadership that the president will not. WI

Something is wrong with our laws about presidents when they can be recorded with over 16,000 lies in less that one term in office and still be in office with no consequences! How can a sane person lead the American people to believe that even as the virus spreads rapidly, we should drop all precautions and rush back out to save the economy?

This is a time many of us wish we could just skip ahead to November, vote and bring sanity back to our country! In the meantime, continue exercising care by listening to the health experts, washing your hands frequently, practicing social distancing, being kind and helpful to others and praying that you aren’t guilty of spreading the virus. WI

when he was fighting age, not like now, commanding age, I don’t see any noblesse oblige coming from that crowd. They are in fact, unfit to lead.

At this time of world crisis, the U.S. is not extending a helping hand, not even in this country.

Rather than investing in more efforts to battle COVID-19, the Trump regime declared Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a “narco-terrorist” and posted a $15 million reward for his capture, dead or alive. Maduro, on the other hand, responded to the pandemic in his country by suspending rent payments, handing out bonuses and ensuring job security by pledging to pay employees’ wages.

But the worm, may have turned, so to speak. Iran has joined China in calling for an investigation of Chinese charges that the United States is the originator of the novel coronavirus which is now marching around

the world. Trump even refers to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus,” but the Chinese insist that is the “typical way” in which U.S. officials blame China and Iran as just a way to “evade responsibility” themselves, according to a recent Newsweek report.

All Trump cares about is staying on top, period. He and his Little Big Horn-minded acolytes will lie, rob, cheat, steal, and even kill thousands to hold on to power.

Still, I think Trump and all his wannabes will certainly get what’s coming to them. We all will. “…Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne, but that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim unknown, Standeth God, within the shadow, keeping watch above his own,” James Russell Lowell wrote in 1852.

One day, we will all know the truth. COVID-19: Cuba Si! USA No! WI

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Culture Spring Fun

March 20 – April 12, 2020

National Cherry Blossom Festival Now Coming To You Virtually

VIRTUAL FESTIVAL Produced with support

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Watch vibrant and colorful videos showcasing performers originally scheduled as part of the 2020 Festival, activities, educational experiences, and more.

Children of all ages can complete Festival-type arts and craft actitivies, games and puzzles, and more.

For more ways to celebrate the spirit of the Festival while at home, look for our At-Home Guide at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org. produced with The Washington Post.

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APRIL 2 - 8, 2020 47

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