Masks Become a Creative Adventure Page 16 Vol. 55, No. 26 • April 9 - 15, 2020
Religious Leaders Make Palm Sunday a Virtual Reality By Hamil Harris WI Contributing Writer
5 A member of Allen AME Church in Southeast hands out palms April 5 to members who drove up in cars. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan asked all state residents to take a moment on Palm Sunday to pray for health care and essential employees on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as those who are sick and dying. The governor’s ecumenical call for prayer came at a time when most houses of worship remained closed at the start of the holiest week of the year for Christians, the beginning of Passover for the Jews and on the outset of Ramadan. With the global health crisis looming over virtually all facets of life, religious groups have had to
adapt to express their faith beyond brick and mortar. “This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, and Wednesday is the beginning of Passover,” Hogan told reporters in Annapolis. “Regardless of your own faith or beliefs, each and every one of us is now being asked to make sacrifices that fit that may very well help us save the lives of others.” Hogan said even though it’s unsafe to gather in physical places of worship across the state, he said Marylanders should pray in their own manner. Apparently the preferred method of worship was online, as many
PALM SUNDAY Page 30
COVID-19 Cases Surging Among Local Universities Look to Future Beyond Pandemic Blacks – But Why?
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
CDC Data Cites Underlying Conditions as Possible Cause By Sarafina Wright, WI Contributor and D. Kevin McNeir, WI Editor COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has dominated headlines since medical experts announced its life-threatening appearance in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and its rapid spread to hundreds of countries in a matter of months resulting in a global pandemic. According to John Hopkins University, the respiratory disease has claimed the lives of 10,000 Americans and more than 75,000 people around the world as of Monday, April 6. Determined to be especially deadly for the elderly, people with underlying health conditions or those who have been diagnosed as immunocompromised, a com-
bination of these three factors, with the addition of inadequate access to medical facilities, the lack of health insurance or unemployment further contribute to the deadly impact of COVID-19. In the U.S., New York City has become the epicenter for this disease attributing to more than 3,000 deaths. Behind New York are two Midwestern locations: Wayne County, Michigan (the county which includes Detroit) with 346 deaths and Cook County, Illinois (the county which includes Chicago) with 209 deaths. Both counties and the largest cities within them, Detroit and Chicago, have signif-
CORONAVIRUS Page 31
Shortly after the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a global pandemic, university officials across the country set in motion plans for a mass transition to virtual learning that would start after campus buildings shut down, students went home and faculty members were trained and equipped. Since then, students, many living hundreds of miles away from the college life with which they’ve grown familiar, have eased into the routine of 5 A photograph of Howard University. (Courtesy photo)
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Women the Cycle of wi hotBreak topics Domestic Violence Social Security Commissioner Metro Cuts Metrorail and Updates Beneficiaries on COVID-19’s Impact on Payments
Bus Hours
By Tia Carol Jones
law enforcement. She said they threat,” she said. had come together to bring a Among the programs Marlow Essential travel on Metrorail sense and Metrobus de- in the way wants to see implemented are of uniformity creased thisMarlow's week in 23-yearefforts to domestic combat the novel victims and stricter restraining order policies, When L.Y. violence (COVID-19). service will oldcoronavirus daughter told her the fatherMetrorail survivors are treated. more rights for victim's families Friday to 9 p.m. ofrun herMonday daughterthrough threatened her5 a.m.“She's usingOffiher own personal to intervene on behalf of a vicThe Department of cials highlight ridership Trains life, and the life 9ofp.m. theirwhen child, story,shrunk. her own personal pain to tim, a domestic violence assessthe Treasury (Treasury) on Saturday and Sunday will run 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. she knew something had to be push forward,” Davis-Nickens ment unit coupled with further announced on April Metrobus through Friday will opdone. Out service of her Monday frustration said about Marlow. training for law enforcement that Socialagencies, Security a Child's Life Protecerate a modified Sunday to stop servicesaid 1anyone with lawonenforcement's handlingschedule Davis-Nickens beneficiaries who ofby the11situation, she on decided to and p.m. Buses Saturday Sunday run book will tion Actareand mandatory counselwho reads will Marlow's not typically start camonlythe 27 Saving routes Promise which can be viewed at https://bit. “get it.” She said she “puts the ingrequired for batterers. to file tax returns willare ever going to eradipaign. ly/2Rhv28e. case in such a way, the average “If we notatneed an ab“It“Anyone seems tousing be a vicious Metro cycle should person travel can onlygetifit.” ab-She said the to file cate domestic violence, we must breviated return that won'tnecessary turn my end of theas day, the book will taxlook at toboth sides of the coin. solutely for family essential purposes stipureceive economic loose,” Marlow said. Marlow helporders peopleinbegin a dia-an We need to address both the viclated under stay-at-home executive effectto have impact payment. Thethe batterer,” Marlow shared her story with the audilogue about domestic tim and throughout the Metro service area,” a Metro release violence. IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 to ence at the District Heights at the event was said. stated. “Essential travel includes Also first present responders, Domestic Violence Symposium generate $1,200 economic impact to Social SeMildred Muhammad, the exMarlow would alsopayments like to see hospital staff, critical government employees, grocery onand Maypharmacy 7 at the District Heights curity beneficiaries who did not file tax returns in 2018 or wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise workers and others who must work Municipal Center. sympowho was sentenced consec- awareness among children in during the publicThe health emergency. Unless travel-to six2019. sium wasan sponsored by theyou are Treasury, Social Security, make automatic payutiveurged life to terms parole not public and privatewillschools. She ing for essential purpose, stay without at Family and Youth Services by a Maryland jury for his role to in Social ments Security beneficiaries andeducatthey will receive feels children need to be home.” Center of the city of District the Beltway Sniper attacks in ed about domestic these payments by direct depositviolence. or by paper check, just Heights and the National Hook- 2002. Mildred Muhammad “We have to stop as they is would normally receive theirbeing SocialpasSecurity benUp of Black Women. the founder of After the efits. Trauma, sive-aggressive withvisit poor chilFor updates from the IRS, www.irs.gov/coroMarlow has written a book, an organization that helps the dren about domestic violence,” navirus. “Color Me Butterfly,” which is a survivors of domestic violence Marlow said. Security Income (SSI) RecipiNote for Supplemental story about four generations of and their children. Marlow has worked to break ents: domestic violence. The book is “I lived in fear for six years. the cycle of abuse her family, “WeSixare working closely with in Treasury to address outinspired by her own experiences, years in fear is a long time. It isquestions and isabout confident therecipients policies in shean attempt standing our SSI and those of her grandmother, not an easy thing to come out is pushing for will start that to make the issuance of economic impact payments as her mother and her daughter. of,” she said. process. quick and efficient as possible. We realize people are conShe said every time she reads Mildred Muhammad said plan take these policies to cerned, and the“I IRS willtoprovide additional information at excerpts from her book, she still people who want to help a Congress and implore them to www.irs.gov/coronavirus when available. Please note that can not believe the words came domestic violence victim must change our laws,” Marlow said. will not consider economic impact payments as income from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be careful of how theywe go into “I will not stop until these polifor SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from rewon the 2007 National “Best the victim's life, and understand cies are passed.” sources for 12 months. We will continue to update Social Books” Award. that she may be in “survival Tia Carol Jones can be reached Security’s COVID-19 web page at www.socialsecurity.gov/ “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net coronavirus/ my eye first blackened and my “Before you get to 'I'm going as further details become available.” 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 The Maryland State Board of Elections voted Thursday, April consistency in the way domestic 2 to allow limited in-person voting for the June 2 primary. All violence issues are dealt with by 23 counties and Baltimore City can open between one to four early voting centers that will also allow same-day voter registration. The board still pushed for voters to mail in their results through absentee ballots they will receive with pre-paid postage to return them. However, voters can vote at a site if they didn’t receive a ballot or require special assistance. Voters can also drop off ballots inside containers outside the early voting centers. The state board previously recommended for voters to possibly just mail in their ballots for the June primary because of COVID-19. Some board members believe that will be the case in less than two months. “I think a lot of people are going to vote by mail and dropping them off,” said P.J. Hogan, board member. “People don’t want to go out of their house. They don’t want to expose themselves.” Gov. Larry Hogan must issue a final approval on the board’s decision. WI Staff Writer
“
In-Person Voting Permitted in Maryland for June 2nd Primary
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.
“
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L.Y. Marlow
AROUND THE REGION
D.C. Council Operates, Despite COVID-19 Pandemic By James Wright WI Staff Writer @jamesdcwrighter The members of the District’s legislative body continue to perform their duties, with some adjustments, despite the COVID-19 pandemic in the city. Since the outbreak of the virus and Mayor Muriel Bowser’s eventual stayat-home order, the D.C. Council hasn’t held any meetings since the March 17 session, including committee meetings or public roundtables. Those activities that are largely held at the John A. Wilson Building in Northwest have been supplanted by council members engaging with their constituents. “We have been out and about in the ward handing out food,” Council member Vincent Gray told The Informer on April 1. Gray, with a Safeway official at his side, touted his negotiations with the company to see that the stores located in his ward have the food and products that his constituents need. Gray said he has visited senior centers in his ward since the emergency’s declaration and has emphasized the importance of social distancing. “We need to get past the spike,” he said. “Everyone needs to stay at home and hunker down. We can get past this.” Council member Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) says he has been engaging his constituents, too. “My staff and I, while working re-
FALL SEMESTER from Page 1
navigating and communicating with professors on online academic platforms. Meanwhile, discussions continue to unfold among leaders at local institutions such as Howard University about the likelihood of this unprecedented experience affecting the summer and fall semesters. With a little more than a month left in the spring semester, and reports of more than 900 coronavirus cases in the District, Howard registrar’s office recently opened enrollment for an evolving summer catalogue of courses with exclusively online content for undergraduates, graduates, and professional students. “We moved freshman orientation to the virtual environment,” said Anthony Wutoh, Howard provost, after which he referenced special on-campus summer programs. “In addition to programs for freshmen, we have several for
motely, have continued working tirelessly to serve the residents of Ward 5 during this unprecedented pandemic,” McDuffie said. “We communicate daily with the mayor and District leaders and have hosted conference calls with residents, workers and small business owners. We are paying special attention to our seniors and residents with limited resources, ensuring access to food and needed services. “The impact of COVID-19 is being felt in every corner of the city,” he said. “However, history demonstrates it is more likely that this pandemic will hit the poor, communities of color and minority-owned businesses the hardest. As the government continues responding to the adverse impacts of COVID-19 on our local economy, we must ensure that resources are equitably distributed.” Council member Trayon White (D-Ward 8) sends out an e-newsletter from his office to his constituents, keeping them informed of the latest developments regarding the District’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. In the April 3 edition, he talked about the drive-thru testing available at the United Medical Center in the ward, made a plea for beds and resources for children and listed the city’s virus website for updates. “We will get through this together,” White said in his April 1 newsletter. Council members David Grosso (I-
At Large) has sent out his e-newsletter to residents throughout the city, while fellow council members Anita Bonds (DAt Large) and Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) have held telephone town hall meetings to measure residents’ response to the virus and to answer questions. The council met on April 7, its scheduled legislative meeting, for its first virtual session. Gray, who has served as the District’s mayor and chairman of the D.C. Council, said he has never seen events like those of the past month. “This is different for me but I will continue to work hard and represent
5 D.C. Council holds virtual meeting. (Courtesy photo)
the residents of Ward 7 the best way I can,” he said. Bowser said the coronavirus crisis hasn’t stopped her office or the council in preparing the fiscal 2020-2021 budget.
“The emergency bill passed by the council stated that I will present the budget on May 6,” the mayor said on March 31. “We are planning on doing that and the budget will be done then.” WI
middle and high school students that we’ve been trying to convert to virtual and online. We won’t have face-to-face instruction by the summer, and we’re trying to convert as many of these programs to virtual and online instruction as much as possible.” Last week, as Howard and other local campuses lay dormant, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser revealed the city health department’s projection that the coronavirus outbreak in the District would reach its peak — 93,000 total confirmed cases — in July. By that time, students at colleges and universities in D.C. and across the nation, confined to their homes, would be well into online summer courses. An untold number of 2020 college graduates across the country would have also still felt the sting of not wearing their cap and gown and walking across the stage in May.
FALL SEMESTER Page 32
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APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 5
AROUND THE REGION
black facts
APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB
APRIL 9
1898 – Paul Robeson, singer, actor and civil rights activist, is born in Princeton, New Jersey. 1933 – Publisher and educator Nathan Hare, the first person hired to coordinate a Black studies program at the university level in the United States, is born in Slick, Oklahoma. 1939 – Singer Marian Anderson performs Easter Sunday for 75,000 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after she is refused permission to sing before an integrated the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Constitutional Hall. 2011 – Black engineer Jerry Lawson, inventor of the video game cartridge, dies of complications from diabetes in Mountain View, Calif., at 70.
APRIL 10
1975 – Golfer Lee Elder becomes the first African American to play in the Masters.
APRIL 11
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1881 – Spelman College, one of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities, is founded in Atlanta. 1899 – Percy Julian, a pioneering African American research chemist, is born in Montgomery, Alabama. 1908 – Jane Boldin, the first Black woman to serve as a judge in the United States, is born in Poughkeepsie, New York. 1966 – Emmett Ashford becomes the first Black umpire in Major League Baseball. 1968 – President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act, which
outlawed discrimination in the sale, rental or leasing of housing.
APRIL 12
1975 – Famed singer and entertainer Josephine Baker dies of a cerebral hemorrhage in Paris at 68. 1981 – Heavyweight boxing great Joe Louis dies of cardiac arrest in a Las Vegas-area hospital at 66. 1983 – Harold Washington becomes the first African American mayor of Chicago.
APRIL 13
1873 – The Colfax Riot, the largest racial massacre in U.S. history, takes place in Colfax, Louisiana, where approximately 150 Black men are killed by whites amid a highly contested gubernatorial election. 1964 – Sidney Poitier becomes the first African American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a construction worker who helps build a chapel in “Lilies of the Field.” 1997 – Golf great Tiger Woods wins the Masters at age 21, becoming the the youngest and the first nonwhite player to win the tournament.
APRIL 14
1775 – The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, the first American abolition society, is founded in Philadelphia.
APRIL 15
TIGER WOODS 6 - APRIL 9 - 15, 2020
1889 – Social and civil activist A. Philip Randolph, who organized and led the first predominantly Black labor union, is born in Crescent City, Florida. 1896 – Booker T. Washington receives an honorary degree from Harvard University. 1915 – Walter Washington, the first mayor of Washington, D.C., is born in Dawson, Georgia. 1926 – Norma Sklarek, the first Black woman to be licensed as an architect in the United States, is born in Harlem, New York. WI
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The craziest part about this coronavirus/D.C. Wharf situation is the virus was actually first spread at a seafood market in Wuhan, China. Are we that slow to be at a seafood market repeating the same action that infected and killed so many? Wake up — it’s not 5 or 6G, it’s your careless behavior that is fueling this virus.
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They need to start making us a believer. I would love to stay at home. I get up and go to work six days a week between hospital and dialysis centers and this pisses me off to see we are this careless. We just don’t care. Never knew seafood was so essential.
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The government set this up. They knew exactly what would happen, even though those grown folks should’ve known better. But you can’t tell me differently — they want it to spread rapidly, especially in our community. I just read Bill Gates wants to try an antidote in Africa. Yet that continent has the lowest numbers affected worldwide.
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I am completely appalled by the lack of consideration, the lack of social distancing and the pure total disregard of national guidance on what not to do while under stay-at-home orders. I said it the other day and I’ll say it again: God looks out for babies and fools. Praying for all these fools and I sure hope the seafood craving was worth all of this.
RICHARD JOHNSON / WASHINGTON, D.C.
This is all Trump’s fault.
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APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 7
The World According to Dominic BY D. KEVIN MCNEIR / WI EDITOR / @DKEVINMCNEIR
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I’ll admit that as a high school senior, now more than 40 years ago, I never thought about pledging a fraternity once I got to college. While I didn’t have any sisters or brothers, I never felt like I wanted or needed a lot of company. Actually, being alone was rather refreshing. You know, I had my own room, my own clothes, my own phone and my own car. And unlike some of my friends, I didn’t have to share them, unless I chose to. So, being a lone ranger was just fine with me – at least most of the time. My mother was a founding undergraduate member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at her alma mater, Hampton University. And one of my surrogate fathers was a major player in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He matriculated at Tuskegee where my Dad also went to college. However, as for me, their colors, shields, handshakes and secret meetings were of little interest to me. But during my freshman year at University of Michigan, while attending the ice breakers in the fall and subsequent parties as the school year went on, I began to grow more intrigued by the fraternities and sororities on the yard. I began asking questions, shooting hoops with some of the brothers already in their respective frats – even attending a couple of
the “smokers” – a meeting for prospective pledgees. Then, on January 6, 1979, after being admitted onto the line for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., my life as a pledge, a Sphinxman, began in earnest. Ninety-two days later and 15 pounds lighter, (my Mom cried when I went home for Easter saying that I looked like I was being starved), I crossed the burning sands. And boy, did I celebrate – for the entire summer and into my sophomore year. Of course, today pledging has changed – mostly for the better. The “physical” aspect of it has been removed. I cannot say more on that subject unless you’re a fellow Alpha. And the time amount that one can legitimately be on line has also been reduced significantly. Today, you make it into the fraternity or sorority in about one week’s time. I, on the other hand, pledged for three months. Still, I must say that the experiences, the memories, the crazy times and the bonds I forged with the brothers from Epsilon Chapter (University of Michigan) as well as other members of the “hood” are things and people who I will never forget. Naturally, some brothers acted more like maniacs than mentors, much to my chagrin and detriment. And there were some really close calls like a car we left on a hill without engaging the break that went down a street and into oncoming traffic before it, luck-
ily, plowed into a hedge of bushes. Then, there was the time that visiting brothers tried to kidnap me and my line brothers. In that instance, we forgot about that “Big Brother” mess and opened up a can of whoop-ass on them. Needless to say, they left us alone. A few days ago, I celebrated my 41st anniversary and sent out a note to my other seven line brothers – that is, to my “sands” – Edward, Tony, James, Kevin, Cyril, Gary and Terrance. I thanked them for the memories and the brotherly love. And it occurred to me that I have truly benefited from those friendships, unbelievable experiences and outright crazy situations that came from putting myself, my very life, into the hands of brothers like Ervin, E.K., P.O. Jimmy D., Mouse, the Daddy, B.C., C.B. and Michael White for three long months during that very cold and snowy winter in Ann Arbor. Once, I told my Dad that I had had enough and was going to drop off the line. I had to be honest and tell him some of the things that had happened to me. After I shared the truth, Daddy told me that if I dropped, he’d treat me like a pledge. So, I remained on line. Funny the things you remember when you’re reliving the joyful moments of life. Pledging Alpha really was magic. And I wouldn’t change any of it. WI
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Just as social distancing and self-isolation have become synonymous with coronavirus, shuttered businesses, layoffs and government-ordered lockdowns have left many without a paycheck. And in the coming months, experts project unemployment to exceed 20 percent. Amidst the grim reality of the battle to survive physically and financially during the COVID-19 pandemic, some well-known companies have injected hope by announcing they’re currently hiring. The retail giant Amazon announced that it plans to hire 100,000 people across the country during the pandemic to help with online deliveries. Amazon said it’s also raising minimum pay to $17 an hour. “We hope people who’ve been laid off will come work with us until they’re able to go back to the jobs they had,” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos wrote in a statement posted to his Instagram account. For the protection of employees and customers, Amazon has implemented several health and safety measures in response to the crisis. “Everything from increasing the frequency and intensity of cleaning to adjusting our practices in fulfillment centers to ensure the recommended social distancing guidelines,” Bezos wrote, adding that Amazon has ordered millions of face masks to help protect workers. The grocer, Kroger, said it’s looking to hire as many as 10,000 workers at its stores, plants and warehouses.
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PHONE: 202-526-0300 FAX: 202-526-0233 5 Walmart is among those hiring during the pandemic. (Photo courtesy Walmart)
“We’re hiring every day,” Rodney McMullen, the CEO of Kroger, told CNBC this week. “We have relationships with several different other industries where they’re directing their people to us. We have a ton of openings.” Pepsi, the global beverage company, also said they are planning to bring aboard 6,000 new full-time employees across the country. The company said the new hires would immediately receive full benefits. “Our frontline employees – the people you see stocking your favorite bags of chips or canisters of oats, the people driving those products there and the ones originally making them in plants across the country – are the backbone of PepsiCo Foods, and we appreciate their heroic efforts,” stated PepsiCo Foods North America CEO Steven Williams. Additionally, the world’s largest retailer, Walmart, announced they are hiring as many as 150,000 new
employees through the end of May. Although the Walmart jobs are temporary, company officials said the pandemic and the need for essential household goods had necessitated such hiring. “We know millions of Americans who are temporarily out of work, and at the same time, we’re currently seeing strong demand in our stores,” Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon noted in a statement. Domino’s Pizza also wants to hire as many as 10,000 workers, including pizza makers, customer service representatives, and delivery drivers. “Our corporate and franchise stores want to make sure they’re not only feeding people but also providing an opportunity to those looking for work at this time, especially those in the heavily-impacted restaurant industry,” Domino’s CEO Richard Allison said in a news release. WI
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AROUND THE REGION CAPTURE THE MOMENT The Washington Informer received donations from a local resident to turn its Little Free Library on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, S.E. into a Little Free Food Pantry for those in need during the current COVID-19 State of Emergency. Books will return when the incidences of coronavirus infections and deaths flatten in the Nation’s Capital. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
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“They got money for wars but can’t feed the poor. Say there ain’t no hope for the youth and the truth is They ain’t no hope for the future. And then they wonder why we crazy.”
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Racine Aims to Protect Consumers Amid Pandemic By James Wright WI Staff Writer @jamesdcwrighter
D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine has taken steps to make sure that city residents are protected from illegal business and employment practices while the coronavirus crisis persists. On April 3, Racine convened the COVID-19 Tele-Town HallKnow Your Rights & Listening Session. The attorney general, along with staff attorneys from his office, sought to share information about protections for workers, consumers and tenants in light of the virus. “We are here to help,” Racine said. “We want to hear from you if you see wrongdoing. We are focusing our efforts on seniors and young people, two groups who feel vulnerable at this time.” Racine has been empowered by the D.C. Council passing emergency legislation on March 17 that
deals with the repercussions of the virus. The bill gave the office of the attorney general powers to safeguard residents against abuses. Jennifer Berger, chief of the attorney general’s Office of Social Justice, said the new law strengthens her ability to protect tenants. “As a result of this bill, tenants may not be evicted while the city is in this emergency declared by the mayor,” Berger said. “In addition, during the emergency, late fees cannot be charged to tenants.” Berger said rental assistance will be available to residents if they meet certain income requirements, if their rent costs $1,250 or more per month or if they have children or elderly in their households. She said the rental assistance will be available to qualified tenants once per year. Berger also noted the D.C. Superior Court’s Landlord and Tenant Division has suspended hearing cases, primarily evictions, through May 20.
Randy Chen, the assistant attorney general for the Social Justice section, said workers in the District are eligible for paid sick leave despite the emergency and how much they receive depends on the size of the employer workforce. He noted employees can’t be terminated if they take sick leave. Ben Wiseman, director of the Office of Consumer Protection, said price gouging — the charging of excessive rates for products more than the retail price — won’t be tolerated. “Price gouging is illegal,” Wiseman said. “If a business is found to be engaging in price gouging we have the ability to revoke licenses and permits. We are also working with online retailers on this. “If you know of an instance of price gouging, please contact us.” Wiseman said stores may not stockpile products in need such as toilet paper or hand sanitizers. On another matter, he said utility companies are prohibited from
5 Attorney General Karl Racine (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
disconnecting customers while the emergency exists. Wiseman cautioned against scams that have surfaced such as COVID-19 medical insurance and services and encouraged residents to guard their personal
information when the stimulus checks come. “It is important for residents to do your due diligence and be on the lookout for these scams and others,” he said. “If you have doubts, please call us.” WI
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Prince George’s Voters Can Choose Judges in Maryland’s Primary Election By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Prince George’s County ballots for the June 2 presidential primary are providing a rare occurrence: an election to select newcomers for Circuit Court judge. Gladys Weatherspoon, 55, a defense attorney who’s been involved in at least 100 courtroom trials with her own practice in Largo, will run an independent campaign for one of the five open seats. April Ademiluyi, an attorney who practices real estate and intellectual property, will make her third bid for the position. “I firmly believe in what I can do
as a judge in Prince George’s County,” Ademiluyi, who turns 39 this month, said Monday, April 6. “I realize that the pathway I am taking I am going up against the political establishment. I’m not going to let them scare me off.” Both women face a slate of current judges — Bryon Seth Bereano, Wytonja Curry, ShaRon M. Grayson Kelsey, Jared Michael McCarthy and Cathy H. Serrette — all vetted by a lawyer’s commission and others to send their names to Gov. Larry Hogan appointed them all. They have a Facebook page titled “Committee to Elect the Sitting Judges” which shows pictures of them holding yard signs, information about domestic violence peace orders and
video of supporters including Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Maryland). Since the election and nominating processes for judges began in 1970 in Prince George’s, the majority of judges who run on a slate have been successful. Bruce Bereano, a prominent Maryland lobbyist and father to Judge Bryon Bereano, said Monday, April 6 judges go through a “gauntlet” for the vetting process. Besides the Maryland Bar Association, other similar groups screen prospective judges such as the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, whose membership mainly consists of Blacks who live or work in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. There are several other minority and specialty bar associations that interview candidates and provide recommendations to local judicial nomination commissions composed of lawyers and non-lawyers. The commissions also conduct the same review process and pass on their proposals to the governor. In addition, Bereano said, there’s diversity among the five candidates. Three of the five governor’s appointees are women. Curry and Grayson Kelsey are Black. Serrette, who seeks a second 15-year term, is Jewish, as is Bryon Bereano. Hogan appointed Bereano in 2016 to the county’s District Court. McCarthy worked as the Prince George’s County attorney in its office
Residents in Food Desert Get Helping Hand By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
A bag filled with chicken, rice, raisins, bottled water and other food ensured Corrine Bell wouldn’t have to ride a Metrobus or venture inside a grocery store for at least four days. The single mother of four children received the free food at a “grab and go” grocery giveaway in the parking lot of Seat Pleasant’s municipal building on
Thursday, April 2. She moved to the city about a year ago from the Bronx borough of New York City to be closer to her mother in Prince George’s County. “It’s hard to survive,” said Bell, who’s currently unemployed. “Being in a community that has your support makes all the difference in the world.” Because Bell resides within walking distance of the municipal complex, she didn’t need to drive like the hundreds of others with bags of groceries loaded into their trunks.
5 Seat Pleasant city employees, members of SHABACH! Ministries and volunteers, load grocery bags into vehicles during “grab and go” grocery giveaway on April 2. (Brigette Squire/ The Washington Informer)
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The event allowed people to received free food without the stress of standing in long lines at a grocery store where some people don’t adhere to social distancing recommendations due to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, residents from the 20743 zip code live in an area considered a food desert because it offers limited access to fresh fruit and vegetables and other affordable items. Seat Pleasant and the neighboring towns of Capitol Heights and Fairmount Heights would also be included. The Shoppers supermarket on Central Avenue in Seat Pleasant closed a few years ago. The parent company, United Natural Foods, sold the store along Martin Luther King Jr. Highway in Landover to Compare Foods. Within 30 minutes of the grocery giveaway in Seat Pleasant, Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-District 24) of Landover. checked off more than 100 drivers. Traffic stretched at least three blocks from Addison Road. Once a driver
5 A yard sign for Gladys Weatherspoon, a candidate for Prince George’s County Circuit Court judge, along Route 202 near White House Road in Upper Marlboro, is shown here on April 5. The sign with black background in the center shows the five incumbent judges running as a slate. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)
of law under former County Executive Rushern L. Baker III. “There’s diversity in gender and race and also ethnicity, as there should be,” Bruce Bereano said about the slate of candidates he’s pushing for others to support. “They are being challenged by two African American women. Neither of them never applied, or gone through the vetting process. This process that all five of these judges and any circuit court judge goes through is very important.” Weatherspoon, who worked in the District of Columbia’s Public Defendlooped around parts of the neighborhood and in front of city hall, that person needed to show proof of identification. “Whether it is a virus or whatever, these people are in need of a grocery store,” Benson said while checking off vehicle 135. “They don’t have a grocery store in which to shop in the 20743 zip code. We can’t emphasize that enough.” Benson partnered with the city and SHABACH! Ministries to distribute 500 bags of groceries with food to last four days to supply a family of four. SHABACH!, the nonprofit organization affiliated with First Baptist Church of Glenarden, provided food such as fresh produce from local farms and the Capital Area Food Bank. Cynthia Terry, president of the group, said Safeway donated frozen chicken quarters the day of the giveaway. “We have a mission to help people in crisis,” she said. “We want to make sure everyone is safe. We want to make sure they’re fed. During this time, this is one less headache they have to worry about.” According to 2018 U.S. Census data,
FOOD Page 37
er Office for 10 years, disagrees. “Whoever wants to be judge, you literally join all these bar associations and visit with all the bar associations,” she said. “They go and say to the governor, ‘this [person] is going to be a good judge.’ This vetting thing really becomes a popularity contest.” A prospective candidate can seek election to the bench just being an attorney. Judge races are nonpartisan, so all seven candidates will be placed on the Democratic and Republican ballots. The top five vote-getters on either ballot will appear on the November general election ballot. The winners will serve 15-year terms. Circuit court judges hear major criminal cases that involve a person charged with a felony and civil cases such as divorce and child support. Appeals in cases from the county’s district court, which handle lower-level offenses, are also heard in circuit court. Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, using social media and phone calls become two of the best options to reach voters. “Campaigning has to change,” Ademiluyi said. “We are limited to phone calls and social media. Has it made it more difficult? Absolutely. I know we need reform in our justice system in Prince George’s County and I’m just going to keep fighting for it.” Weatherspoon also remains confident in her chances for victory. “I think we’re going to win,” she said. “I think people want to see something different. I decided to just run and go to the community instead of a committee. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I’m not a politician. I’m a defense attorney.” WI
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APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 13
BUSINESS Small Businesses Struggling Amid Pandemic: Survey
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia
The overwhelming majority of America’s 30 million small-business owners — approximately 87 percent — said their businesses are hurting from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey released by personal finance website WalletHub. The survey, which follows WalletHub’s report on State Economies Most Exposed to Coronavirus, shows some of how the outbreak has affected business owners’ livelihoods and opinions on topics such as reopening the economy. Highlights of the survey include the finding that 35 percent of small-business owners say their
business can only survive for less than three months in current conditions. More than 200 small-business owners were surveyed online, and WalletHub researchers normalized the data by age, gender and income to get a sample that they said would reflect U.S. demographics. Despite the passage of the $2.3 trillion stimulus bill that sets aside $350 billion for small-business loans, 79 percent of the owners noted that minimizing coronavirus-related deaths is more critical than reopening the economy. Sixty percent of small-business owners also said that they believe restrictions placed in response to the pandemic should stay the same or be relaxed. In comparison, 68 percent said they don’t think the gov-
ernment is doing enough to help small businesses. The new stimulus bill includes a Paycheck Protection Program that will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, to enable employers to rehire recently laid-off employees through the end of June. According to the legislation, all businesses are eligible, including nonprofits and independent contractors with 500 or fewer employees. Businesses are eligible to receive up to $10 million, or a figure that will be determined by eight weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25 percent of that amount. If a business maintains its workforce, the government will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first eight weeks of payroll and certain other expenses, following loan origination. Further, all loans will have a 0.5 percent interest rate and mature in two years. Businesses won’t have to make any payments on the loans for six months and are not required to pay lender fees. Collateral or personal guarantees are required. Despite the provisions, WalletHub found that small-business owners remain uneasy. “We surveyed the small-business community, and more than 87 percent of small-business owners say their businesses are hurting due to
5 (Photo courtesy of dc.gov)
the coronavirus pandemic,” WalletHub CEO Odysseas Papadimitriou said in a news release. “There are a few clear reasons for this,” Papadimitriou noted. “For one thing, hardly any business is unaffected. It’s not like just a sector, or two of the economy has taken a downturn. Most businesses are going to zero revenue, and most businesses can’t survive long without any cash flow. Like most consumers, most businesses have too little saved and too much debt to hunker down and ride out this type of shock to the system without outside intervention.” Everyone should make a plan for what to do in the event they lose
their income, Papadimitriou added. “This whole event should really hammer home the importance of having an emergency fund,” he said. WalletHub, which has about 50 employees, has weathered the storm thus far, Papadimitriou noted. “WalletHub was born as the country was emerging from the Great Recession, and those tough times really left a lasting impression on me,” he said. “As a result, I’ve managed the company’s financials rather conservatively since then, at least without the leverage common among our competitors. So, we’re actually in a pretty good position. We are continuing to hire, as a matter of fact.” WI
Racial Gap for Jobs May Widen Due to COVID-19, Expert Says By James Wright WI Staff Writer @jamesdcwrighter The Black unemployment gap has been twice that of Whites since the U.S. Department of Labor started reporting jobs statistics in 1972, and the coronavirus crisis has some employment experts worried that chasm may widen even further. “Before the virus, the 2-to-1 unemployment gap has maintained,” Valerie Wilson, the Economic Policy Institute’s director of the Program on Race, Ethnicity and the Economy, told The Informer on April 3. “I suspect that the gap won’t get better and I fear that it may even grow.” On April 3, the Labor Department reported job losses in March of 701,000 nationally, the first net loss in joblessness in years. In contrast, the department reported a gain of 275,000 jobs.
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In addition, the last two weeks of March had 10 million first-time unemployment claims, according to the Labor Department. Experts believe that as the states and the District instituted stay-at-home orders, layoffs and furloughs subsequently took place because of shuttered businesses. On the economic front, Bank of America said on April 3 that it estimates that the nation’s economy will shrink by about $1.3 trillion. The pandemic could cost the country 47 million jobs and send the unemployment rate past 32 percent, according to projections from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. For context, the nation’s highest-ever jobless rate came during the Great Depression, at 25.4 percent. Before the pandemic began, Wilson noted that the Black unemployment rate hovered around 5.8 percent in February, still substantially higher than the white mark of 3.8 percent, the St. Louis
Federal Reserve said. Wilson said the Black unemployment level will likely increase due to industries experiencing slowdowns that tend to employ African Americans. “The leisure and hospitality industries have lost a lot of jobs and those industries tend to employ women, especially women of color and they have been hit hard by this crisis,” she said. A silver lining does exist, Wilson said. “Health care is in high demand and there are a large number of Black nurses working at health care venues,” she said. Wilson said large numbers of Black men are employed in the transportation sector that includes companies such as FedEx and UPS, in addition to the public transit area. Their jobs prospects, she said, are tied to how much economic activity takes place during the crisis. “That’s why the recent economic stimulus bill could potentially help Black workers through its direct pay-
ment to people and loans and grants for small businesses that could minimize the effects of the virus,” she said. Wilson believes that public policies such as the stimulus bill that could help Blacks can play a major role in closing the unemployment gap with whites. Olubenga Alijilore, a senior economist with the Center for American Progress, agrees. Aijilore, in an analysis of the Blackwhite unemployment gap, said “the history of structural racism has created gaps in the labor market outcomes between African American and whites.” “Due to restrictions within the U.S. labor market, African Americans have been excluded from opportunities for upward mobility, stuck in low-wage occupations that do not offer the protections of labor laws, such as collective bargaining, overtime and minimum wage,” he wrote in the analysis, which was published online Feb. 24. Aijilore said civil rights legislation,
the desegregation of government and the increase in educational attainment among Blacks should have reduced race employment discrimination but that hasn’t happened. Both he and Wilson argue that policymakers should eliminate criminal justice disparities that tend to penalize African Americans, provide opportunities for returning citizens, make workforce development programs more accessible and enforce civil rights laws, and doing those things would help close the racial employment gap. As far as the present gap, Wilson said she has her concerns. “The longer this coronavirus economic downturn goes on and ripples, the greater the chance the 2-to-1 gap will increase,” she said. “I will keep my eyes on certain industries that tend to employ Blacks and see how they are faring to get any sense whether the gap is closing.” WI
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Prince George’s Sets Up Relief Fund for CoronavirusAffected Businesses By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
Angela Melton Fray expressed some concerns about how small businesses such as her establishment would be able to survive once the coronavirus pandemic subsides. In the meantime, there were a few questions she had regarding federal loans: How will all the loans be processed through the Small Business Administration? Will smaller banks be able to lend money? Will there be less paperwork to apply for a loan, especially for the nearly $350 million federal Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses? “It’s a trying time for all of us,” said Melton Fray, who owns Dat Jerk Caribbean Chargrill at Woodmore Town Center in Glenarden and Waldorf in neighboring Charles County. “Restaurants and all other businesses are trying to figure this out and navigate through it.” However, she listened to a conference call last week hosted by Prince George’s County hosted in regard to its COVID-19 Business Relief Fund. The county will leverage $10 million from its Economic Development Incentive Fund to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations. FSC First plans to partner with local banks and other financial institutions to add another $5 million. According to the plan, applicants can apply for a loan up to $100,000 at a 3.75% fixed interest rate. Some of the required commitments to receive county funding include borrowers retain employees on their payroll during the term of the loan, must maintain the business in the county and “best effort” for 35 percent of future construction work designated for county-based small businesses. Angie Rodgers, deputy chief administrative officer of economic development in the county executive’s office, said businesses can apply from April 13 through May 13. Rodgers said businesses should also apply for money through the state and federal loan and grant programs. “Businesses should be really thinking about these funds in coordination with the state level funding and the federal level funding,” she said during a press conference last week outside the Wayne
5 Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks talks about how mall businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the coronavirus outbreak can apply for money through a multimillion-dollar relief fund allocated by the county’s Economic Development Corp. Incentive Fund. (William J. Ford/The Washington Inforer)
K. Curry Administration Building in Largo. “We want people to think about those funds in collaboration with the local funds that we have available.” Small business owners with 10 or fewer employees can apply for up grants up to $5,000 and those with 10 or more employees up to $10,000. Dat Jerk, which celebrated two years March 18 at its Glenarden location, has about 10 employees. Its Waldorf location, which opened in 2015, has 12 employees. Because of low traffic while filling only carryout orders for two weeks, Melton Fray said she decided to close both restaurants at least through next week because it didn’t help economically or keep employees safe. She maintains an optimistic disposition for the business’s future, especially with her husband, son, daughter and two sisters-in-law also part of it. “Our restaurant is our bread and butter,” said Melton Fray, who resides in Upper Marlboro. “We have to figure out if we stay closed, if it’s curbside [service only]. It also comes with the ethical side of putting staff in harm’s way. We need to see what is best for us.” In regard to small businesses, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks stressed their importance to the county. “When the coronavirus leaves — and we know that it will leave — we must have jobs for our residents to go back to,” she said. “Our family’s livelihoods are on the line. We’re going to have to work together.” WI
BUSINESS A Time Like No Other Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. I am, like everyone else, walking through this time with amazement. It feels like a dream, but it continues to go on and on and on. As we walk through this time I have marveled at the impact and response that people have to the uncertainty. It seems that the first response to crisis is to run to the grocery store and stock up. I am from Massachusetts and conditioned to believe that there are very few times that require me to run to the grocery store. Despite blizzards that come we are contained typically just a few days. In complete transparency I rarely cook so the grocery store was not usually on the list and I would believe that there is enough food in the house to get by the days necessary to stay inside. This situation is different. We are not able to forecast how long the potentially deadly virus will be stalking. We each are living through this is time in a weird isolation yet sharing in a new way. Each day we are seeking instructions about how we to move forward. We are on the edge of our seats looking for leadership and wisdom. What caught me off guard was the run on paper products, toilet paper cannot be found locally. I am still amazed at this. It seems that we do not want to be caught off guard without toilet paper. I presume that is because of the impact it would have not having it. We are preparing for the unexpected. Do we stay in position to wait until the last minute? While this is an extreme experience, we see this happen whenever there is the forecast of a snowstorm. We see bread fly off the shelves. Do we hold a culture of living on the edge? Do we have just enough? Are we not prepared for the next possibility or uncertainty or is our constant state of crisis the way we choose to live? As an estate planning attorney my experience is that many people also wait to get their affairs in order at the last minute and many don’t ever get them in order and the family and loved ones are the ones that suffer. We are receiving many calls from people seeking to get it together quickly now. I wonder if we knew in advance that there would be a virus that would have us quarantined for weeks or months we would have been stocking up on paper products and food for a period of time. Planning for certain events would seem rational. However, 50% of folks don’t plan for the next chapter of life or end of life which is guaranteed. I don’t know anyone who shouldn’t have a plan to identify who can support them if they are unable to care for themselves or a strategy for the end of life planning. This is a time that has really disturbed many to the core. In the grocery store we see people who are covered with facemasks and gloves. These precautions are thoughtful and strategic. However, that does not require us to not speak or gesture from when maintaining the social distance. In this current time many people are without due to the reaction of those who have gathered all available resources leaving others without any. This is causing many others to be victimize by scalpers and scammers. Let’s be thoughtful about our family and our loved ones and create a community where we think beyond ourselves. In this time let’s reflect and renew our systems of support. In this time lets build networks that are villages. At The Griffin Firm we have created systems using technology that maintain safety while achieving goals of creating, protecting and transferring wealth. Let’s be safe and protect our family’s legacy. Strong families make strong communities.
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APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 15
NATIONAL Masks Becoming Creative and Add Protection for All A growing number of medical experts agree that a homemade mask, even a scarf or bandana, may provide protection from either getting or transmitting the coronavirus. Recently, the White House and the Centers for Disease Control advised all Americans to wear face coverings when leaving home and venturing out into the public. However, it remains to be seen how well homemade masks and which ones may be better than others. We’ve shared some of the masks that have been spotted in the Greater Washington Area both for your viewing pleasure and for possible ideas if you’re thinking about making your own. One thing’s for certain: mask use and hand hygiene employed in concert are the best strategy for today – and tomorrow. WI
D. Kevin McNeir
Rest In Peace
Visit www.washingtoninformer.com for tributes and obituaries.
5 Earl Graves, Sr. (Courtesy photo)
16 - APRIL 9 - 15, 2020
5 Bill Withers (Courtesy photo)
5 David Driskell (Courtesy photo)
5 Ellis Marsalis, Jr. (Courtesy photo)
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NATIONAL When the Suffrage Movement Reached a New ‘Height’ 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. Dorothy Height was 8 years old when the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, and women received the right to vote. But, even as a child, Height made a mark, and she never stopped advocating for African American women and civil rights. “I am the product of many whose lives have touched mine, from the famous, distinguished, and powerful to the little known and the poor,” Height once wrote.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, on March 24, 1912, Height’s family moved to Rankin, Pennsylvania, when she was still very young. She was awarded a scholarship to New York University for her oratory skills, where she studied and earned her master’s degree. A social activist, Height began her career working as a caseworker with the New York City Welfare Department. Still, at the age of 25, she began her career as a civil rights activist when she joined the National Council of Negro Women, according to The HistoryMakers. She fought for equal rights for both African Americans and women, and in 1944 she joined the national staff of the YWCA. She remained active with the organization until 1977, and while there, she developed leadership training programs and interracial and ecumenical education programs, according to Height’s biography posted on the HistoryMakers website. In 1957, Height was named president of the National Council
of Negro Women, a position she held until 1997. During the middle of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, she organized “Wednesdays in Mississippi,” which brought together black and white women from the north and South to create a dialogue of understanding. During a chance encounter with African American leader Mary McLeod Bethune, Height was inspired to begin working with the National Council of Negro Women, according to the womenshistory.org. Through the NCNW, Height focused on ending the lynching of African Americans and restructuring the criminal justice system. In 1957, she became the fourth president of the NCNW. Under her leadership, the council supported voter registration in the South, according to womenshistory.org. The NCNW also financially aided several civil rights activists throughout the country. On Aug. 23, 1963, Height sat on the speaker’s stage at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where she was surrounded by most of the famous civil rights activists.
She wasn’t scheduled to speak, but many saw the moment as a symbolism of Height’s rightful place among other prominent leaders. Top American officials, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, were known to have taken counsel from Height. She would eventually encourage President Eisenhower to desegregate schools and President Lyndon B. Johnson to appoint African American women to positions in government. “We cannot afford to be separate. … We have to see that all of us are in the same boat,” Height said at the time. In addition to her work in the United States, Height traveled extensively. She served as a visiting professor at the University of Delhi, India, and with the Black Women’s Federation of South Africa. In 1989, she received the Citizens Medal Award from President Ronald Reagan, and in 2004, Height was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. The same year, Height was
5 Dorothy Height (Adrian Wood via Wikimedia Commons)
inducted into the Democracy Hall of Fame International. She also received an estimated 24 honorary degrees, according to womenshistory.org. “Even if you are a token, you have an important function to fulfill,” Height once said. She died April 20, 2010, at the age of 98. WI
COVID-19 NOTICE Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) is operating remotely during the pandemic, but we remain committed to the needs of DC elders 60 and older. For legal assistance call LCE Legal Hotline: 202-434-2120 For long-term care issues call LCE’s Office of the DC Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 202-434-2190 For the latest on the pandemic, visit www.cdc.gov and www.coronavirus.dc.gov
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Legal Counsel for the Elderly is an affiliate of AARP.
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APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 17
EDUCATION 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. Further, we want to share what we’ve heard about ways to safeguard yourself from the coronavirus with proven methods. 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. Feel free to share your words, your pictures, your videos, and more with The Washington Informer at mcneirdk@washingtoninformer.com.
GRAB A COOKBOOK, DOWNLOAD A RECIPE TO MAKE SELF-ISOLATION FUN
If you’re anything like my late stepfather, the best you can do in the kitchen is fry an egg or boil a hotdog. But with restaurants now shuttered and only take-out orders available, many folks are using part of their home that was once more for show than actual use: the kitchen. So, while you’re now working from home or temporarily out of school or college and back with the parents to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, you’ve probably realized that you cannot make it on eggs and bread alone. And with home economics (now referred to as family and consumer sciences) on the decline over the past few decades, as well as two-parent homes in which both work fulltime limiting the amount of daily cooking that occurs, cooking has become less frequent. Why not use this time to build up your culinary skills? More and more people are watching online tutorials, calling their folks for FaceTime encounters or weighing
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in with experts via Twitter and Instagram to either improve or learn how to cook. As a last resort, at least for some, there are a plethora of cookbooks to which you can refer. You may even consider enrolling in an online cooking class, engaging with a meal-kit service or maybe going to YouTube and watching the pros. Still, you may have to limit how complicated you want to make your menu. After all, grocery shopping has become a real challenge since we’ve been hit with the coronavirus pandemic and online shopping hasn’t always proven to be the answer with suppliers running low on the basics. But you can do it! One word of caution: fire marshals are saying they’re seen an increase in home fires since the pandemic struck. So, when you’re cooking, you need to remain in the kitchen. Making fries and a burger is not the time to attempt to multi-task. Remain focused. Give Twitter a rest for a few minutes – at least until you’re able to sit down with your plate and a hot cup of coffee or a soda.
DON’T JUST HANDWASH – BE SURE TO MOISTURIZE, TOO
“Keeping skin moisturized is important. If the skin is raw, then the soap and alcohol disinfectants do not work as well,” said a physician in pediatric infectious diseases at a Delaware hospital, DuPont Hospital for Children as cited in a recent Washington Post feature. It’s not enough to frequently wash your hands or to use hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Hygiene experts suggest one more step: moisturize. They say that as we wash our hands more and more, they tend to become dry and cracked, leading to our hands bleeding. With
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open wounds, our hands become more susceptible to infection as microbes can more easily enter through those sores or cuts. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money for an effective moisturizer. Any drugstore brand will work like Vaseline or Aquaphor – just make sure you moisturize right after you wash your hands. And remember, if your skin is starting to become dry or raw, you may be washing your hands a bit too much. One final note from the medical experts: do not rely on hand sanitizing as your first line of defense. Actually, while hand-washing can contribute to your hands becoming drier than hand sanitizing, it’s actually the most effective means of preventing infection. So, grab that Oil of Olay if you want. Or grab a cheap, off-brand jar of petroleum jelly. But keep those hands moisturized.
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there’s certainly been widespread misinformation – “fake news” if you will – that’s been making the rounds on social media. So, beware! In fact, on social media, memes have emerged as a means of issuing bad advice – sometimes fueled with a list of instructions that must be immediately followed or a series of nonsensical graphs and charts. Here are some of the false claims that are running rampant via Twitter, Facebook and Whats-App: 1) Gargling with warm water and salt or vinegar “eliminates” the coronavirus. 2) Sipping water every 15 minutes or so, can protect you from the virus. The idea is that frequent sips keeps the virus from entering the lungs. False. 3) One video says the virus cannot survive in hot temperatures, leading to some folks pointing a hair dryer at their face with the goal to heat the sinuses at 133 degrees – the “coronavirus kill temperature.” Again, false. 4) Ingest colloidal silver, often in bottled liquid with silver particles. The FDA recently warned several companies to stop selling products, including colloidal silver, which those companies suggest either cure or prevent the coronavirus. 5) Taking additional vitamins, especially the ever-popular vitamin C, or ingesting things like garlic, pepper, mint or elderberry, have been cited as foods and supplements that can protect you from the pandemic. And while they’re good to include for a more balanced diet, they have not been proven to protect people from COVID-19. WI
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Street Business School Empowers Indigent Women In an effort to raise their standard of living, thereby alleviating poverty among their families, Street Business School has empowered not less than 30 indigent women in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. The Street Business School by SI4DEV is a six-month mobile business training designed to serve the unique needs of individuals living in poverty by enabling them to be agents of change, supporting them to start sustainable business ventures such that they can have a reliable income stream long into the future, the Lagos-based publication This Day reported. Patricia Okolo, operation/publicity manager, while speaking recently on the sidelines of the graduation ceremony for first set of beneficiaries in Orozo and Lugbe-kauta communities in F.C.T., said that the aim of the program was to empower women to develop business concepts with or without finances. According to Okolo, the Street Business School started in Uganda by the BeadforLife, a nonprofit organization aiming to end extreme poverty, is now implementing programs in 14 countries in Africa, adding that SI4DEV is the first organization implementing the Street Business School in Nigeria. “We started in August 2019, with the recruitment and selection process, and was delivered in six communities in Nigeria,” she said. “Ninety-six people enrolled for the program in Bayelsa state (Yenegwe community), Abuja (Orozo and Lugbe Sauka Kahuta community), Kano state (Sabon gari 1 and Sabon gari 2) and Lagos state (Ikotun Community).” Okolo added that the program “is done in rural communities for women in order to plug the poverty gap and make them self-sufficient going into future businesses.” Noting that the 30 graduands were among the first set of beneficiaries in Nigeria, Okolo said, “This is the first batch we are having so far in Nigeria involving six communities, three states, and two locations in Abuja. A lot of them actually have business ideas but having the issue of financial constraints or actually running a business but don’t have the concept or skills of maintaining and running a business continuously.” She said that during the training, they taught the women how to generate capital either by doing minimal jobs that didn’t require much of their time, cleaning and doing other things to generate little funds and then starting one or two businesses. “This is a mobile business classroom with trainings held in the local communities,” Okolo said. “It is a LOVE + Business model that seeks to bring marginalized people around the planet into self-sufficiency. So the program has really changed their lives and we believe in the next three month they will be self sufficient and be able to help their families.” WI
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Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism to Establish Recovery Task Force The Ministry of Tourism of Jamaica is to establish a Recovery Task Force that will be charged with developing a blueprint for a post-COVID-19 tourism industry. This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister Edmund Bartlett during a digital press briefing on April 2 to provide an update on the sector. “This is very important to us, as we know that the world is going to change after COVID-19,” Bartlett said. “We know that there is going to be new paradigms that will emerge. We know also that there are going to be new markets that are going to emerge and some of the demographics that now drive the tourism experience are going to change.” Bartlett noted that focus will be placed on new innovative drives that are going to influence new products/experiences “and, more importantly, who are going to be the new tourists who are going to come postCOVID-19.” “I think that this is very important, as we also want to look at how the airlines and aviation is going to be configured in this new paradigm,” Bartlett said. “We are talking with the market, and I must tell you the market is not as pessimistic as some people think. “We are seeing that the appetite for travel has not died,” he said. “For example, bookings for May and June are still very strong. People have bought vacations sometimes a year in advance, people are members of clubs and people have rewards programs that they are benefiting from, and all of these are impacting on the way that the appetite for the industry is still holding.” WI WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
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APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 19
April Greetings from DC Department of Aging and Community Living Laura Newland Director Department of Aging and Community Living I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy as all work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. I know it’s been a trying time, and we’re all still adjusting to this new normal. Know that the Department of Aging and Community Living is still here for you. Even though we’re working a little differently these days, our commitment to you remains the same. Thanks to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s leadership during this difficult time, we’ve been able to react quickly and close all of our dining sites and senior wellness centers where many of our seniors gathered daily for lunch and conversation. We’ve converted these services to meal delivery, virtual programming on Channel 16 and through AroundTownDC.org, and regular reassurance call—minimizing potential exposure. Our Information and Referral line also remains open Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm. Please reach out to us at 202-724-5626 if you’re in need of services and supports. My team is standing by and ready to connect with you.
20 - APRIL 9 - 15, 2020
We’re also excited to provide a Call & Talk line. We’re working with staff, grantees, and community volunteers to contact seniors on a regular basis—just to chat! We normally hold more than 200 outreach events during the year, but since we can’t see you in person, DACL’s Call & Talk gives us a chance to connect directly with you. You can talk about anything! From sports to movies, from DC neighborhoods to music—whatever you feel like talking about during the call. We want to make sure you can still make meaningful connections and stay engaged, even from your home. If you’re interested in signing up for our Call & Talk line, please call us at 202-724-5626, and we’ll set up a good time for you to have a call. We can’t wait to talk with you! Following guidance from DC Health and the Center for Disease Control, I want to emphasize how critical it is for you to do everything possible to minimize your exposure to COVID-19. Please stay home as much as possible. If you need to go out, please maintain a safe social distance of at least six feet. Keep away from others who are sick and practice good hygiene—wash your hands for at least 20 seconds several times
a day and wipe down frequently used surfaces like countertops and handles. If you’ve been in an area affected by COVID-19 or in close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 in the past two weeks and you develop symptoms, call your doctor before going to a healthcare facility. Symptoms may include fever and shortness of breath and may appear 2 – 14 days after exposure. For the latest information and resources on COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
Just as the Mayor continues to remind us, we’re all in this together and we’ll get through this together. So even though we’re not holding outreach events in the community right now, our commitment is the
same—we’re here for you when times are great, and when times are not so great. Reach out to us at 202-724-5626. Be well, be safe, and let’s stay connected.
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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
EDITORIAL
For Hope Village Residents, Paying One’s Debt to Society Shouldn’t Equate to a Death Sentence
Most of us are familiar with variations of a saying which speaks to those who become entangled in illegal actions and find themselves residents of the prison industrial complex: “If you do the crime, you must serve the time.” But after the recent deaths of two inmates at the largest halfway house in the U.S., the federally-run Hope Village in Southeast, there’s been a lot of debate over whether inmates face unjust and far greater risks of contracting COVID-19 because of their living conditions and if their sentences should be commuted. Based on the information we’ve been able to attain, neither of the deaths were related to the coronavirus but given their sharing of living quarters, bathrooms and eating meals together, their relatives and others are concerned about their welfare – and with good reason. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras recently declined a motion to order the release of some inmates after both D.C. Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) voiced their concerns. Still, the judge has ordered Hope Village to provide daily reports to the court that will include who has been tested at the halfway house for COVID-19. White said three residents among the 50 at Hope Village have complained of coronavirus-like symptoms recently and Norton has sent a letter to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons asking that conditions at the facility be immediately investigated. Meanwhile, her request that “residents should be released as soon as practicable” appears to have been denied. We cannot agree with more radical views of opening the gates for everyone but we are in support of Norton’s contention that as residents are already transitioning out of the criminal justice system and as most have served the majority of their sentences, releasing them a bit earlier for their safety would be in the best interest of all concerned. With the coronavirus pandemic still on the rise, we must reconsider doing business as usual. These are clearly unusual times. Yes, justice should be served but not at the potential expense of one losing their life. This will not be the last time this subject is broached – and it should be reviewed very carefully. After all, the men who now live at Hope Village were not sentenced to death. WI
African Americans and COVID-19 Just two months ago, rumors were circulating that African Americans were immune to the coronavirus that so far has infected more than 400,000 and killed nearly 13,000 people in the U.S. alone. Most of the faces of the victims shown on the front pages of the daily newspapers, on the lead stories of most news channels and in interviews, have been predominantly of non-African Americans. Politicians, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patients have shown little diversity. But the story is quickly changing, and African Americans are proving to be disproportionately impacted more by the coronavirus, not only victims, but as front-line healthcare workers, as well. In a press conference on Tuesday with Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Karen Bass (D-CA) and members of the CBC executive committee, she warned that it is dangerous to equate the pandemic to a Black virus. By doing so, she said, it could result in a diminishing need for testing and care for a group of Americans that already disproportionately suffer from preexisting conditions that exacerbate the impact of the virus and lead to death. Black healthcare advocates have been issuing a warning for months. They’ve predicted what could be the impact of a healthcare crisis would have on black and brown communities that have poor health and, more often than not, lack access to quality full-service healthcare. President Trump was asked at his daily news conference on Tuesday, whether he was aware of the disproportionate impact of the virus on African Americans, and particularly African American men. Trump appeared legitimately concerned over the news he said he learned just two or three days prior. “These numbers are starting
TO THE EDITOR Don’t Forget The Working Man
Black Churches are Essential
I would like to know for those who are unemployed like myself — what are our options? It’s not fair that we suddenly can’t pay our bills to no fault of our own. Is the government going to stop evictions? What about other bills? This truly isn’t fair. I haven’t worked in weeks.
One thing people aren’t talking about is how this coronavirus is going to affect Black churches. Everyone’s talking about small businesses but the church has bills, too. And believe it or not, the majority of churches are struggling to keep the lights on like anyone else. Save our churches!
Mobea Shanks Washington, D.C.
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to come out,” he said and suggested that his team will soon be looking more closely at the numbers to see why African Americans are so disproportionately impacted. “We’re going to get to the bottom of it,” he said, “and I don’t like it.” But the numbers are showing that African Americans have a slightly higher disproportionate incidence and rate of death due to coronavirus than other groups. And, this is documented in cities all across the country, particularly in Detroit, Chicago, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. In Chicago, African Americans represent more than 70 percent of the COVID-19-related deaths.
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This past weekend in D.C., residents were alarmed at crowds of African Americans clearly ignoring the rules of social distancing. We join those that continuously ask, “What will it take for African Americans to heed the warning that certain behaviors are undeniably death sentences? What will it take to convince more of us to put our health into our own hands and demonstrate that the quality of our personal life matters? We all want to return to life before the coronavirus struck, but not to habits that knowingly end lives too soon. WI
APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 21
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
By Julianne Malveaux
Who Gets the Ventilators?
The “big and bad” United States is seeing its world dominance recede. We are being vanquished both by a virus and by the ignorance of the “commander in chief.” We now know that there are not enough tests to detect the coronavirus, nor enough ventilators to treat all of those who are ill. Medical professionals are talking openly about the choices they will make and the fact that some people will be judged more
likely to survive than others. Through which lens will these medical professionals decide who gets a ventilator? Will age be the only lens, advantaging a 30-year-old over an 80-yearold? Will there be other filters? Will a man with children get preference over a single woman? An author over a homeless person? A white person over a person of color? Medical professionals are being asked to choose and to judge. How will their conscious or unconscious bias play a role in their judgments? The National Academy of Medicine describes itself as “an independent, non-
Guest Columnist
profit organization that works outside of government to provide unbiased and authoritative advice to decision-makers and the public” On its website, it acknowledges “evidence of racial and ethnic disparities in health care.” Will this evidence influence the distribution of ventilators? People will need these ventilators to breathe. They may need them for weeks, not days. Some will survive, and some won’t. The survival rate is a function of the bizarre avoidance our socalled leaders make decisions about this pandemic. But who will be saved? An
innocent infant or the despot who lives in the house that enslaved people built? Dr. Dorothy Irene Height was 98 when she died in 2010. She was productive until her final days. In her own words, she was “dressed and in her right mind” until the end. Would the doctor choosing who got a ventilator see the history contained in that precious Black body? Or would he make choices based on stereotypes? I know that my Black 92-year-old mama, disabled by a stroke, still gives her children strength and love, smiles and sharp reprimands (yes, the lady hit me when I used profanity in
her presence. Whose life would I trade that for? We must not forget the many ways that Black bodies were used for medical experiments, from the use of Black women’s genitalia to develop gynecology through the Tuskegee syphilis studies that lasted from 1932 through 1972. Black people’s lives have too often been white people’s experiments. It is not paranoid, but merely cautious, to wonder who will get the ventilators, and whose needs will be sidelined. Now the words
MALVEAUX Page 37
By Bill Fletcher Jr.
While You Were Paying Attention To COVID-19, Trump Slipped Something Past You That’s right, he did it again. Just like a magician, while you are looking at his left hand, he pulls a trick with his right. In this case, while almost all of the news has been focused on COVID-19, the Trump administration dropped auto fuel efficiency standards. And to add insult to injury, the administration cannot defend the move with a straight face. They have no defense that makes sense.
The only argument for this maneuver that Trump’s spokespersons seem to be able to make is that they were overturning another Obama regulation and that deregulating is good because…it is deregulating. So, let’s put this all together, because this column does not need to be very long. Approximately 99% of all credible scientists identify climate change as threatening humanity. Key to climate change is fossil fuel. Automobiles use…fossil fuel. Fuel efficiency standards have been aimed at reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases. Thus,
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the actions of the administration are, in effect, aimed at shortening the existence of human beings on planet Earth. Let’s just be as direct as possible and stop beating around the bushes. The administration made a move while the entire country has been focused on the COVID-19 plague. They know that such a move is/will be very unpopular. But, at the end of the day, they could not care less. This was another gold nugget thrown to the fossil fuel industry, a segment of corporate America that has been
very supportive of the Trump administration. We should not blame ourselves for being focused on COVID-19. If Trump had been more focused on COVID-19 we might now be looking at a very different picture of the USA. Instead we have witnessed two acts in this performance. First, regarding COVID-19, the administration cynically disregarded scientific recommendations and warnings, and downplayed the danger until it has now emerged as a plague covering virtually the entire country.
Second, the administration made use of our concerns about COVID-19 in order to slip the fuel efficiency standards reduction right past us, thereby further ignoring solid scientific recommendations and warnings and, instead, servicing his supporters. One cannot but wonder whether hanging over Trump’s bed are the immortal — and notorious — words of the French King Louis XV, offered shortly prior to the French Revolution: “After me, the flood.” WI
By Charlene Crowell
COVID-19 Financial Warning: Stay Away from Payday Loans
For the foreseeable future, “normal” life will be indefinitely suspended due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Record-breaking employment layoffs in March resulted in the Department of Labor reporting that 10.4 million consumers lost their jobs and filed for unemployment compensation. As medical experts continue to track the virus, the New York Timers reported at
22 - APRIL 9 - 15, 2020
least 214,461 known infections and at least 4,800 related deaths. Beyond these statistics, untold numbers of additional school and retail closures, and an expanding army of people working from home have also been directly affected by the virus. Consumers both young and old have passed as the virus continues to spread across the country. Its viral wrath has spawned hot spots from the Pacific Northwest’s Seattle, to the Gulf Coast’s New Orleans, the Midwest’s Detroit and the nation’s largest urban metrop-
olis, New York City. Zeroing in on the economic impacts of the crisis, people everywhere are struggling with competing needs in their lives. When living costs exceed available financial resources, tough times lead to tough decisions about how to feed families, keep a home to live in, ways to keep utilities working and a myriad of other day-to-day needs. Despite a $2 trillion federal rescue enacted with bipartisan support, checks of $1,200 promised to tax-
payers, along with an additional $500 per child will arrive too late for first of the month April payments for bills like mortgages and rental payments. Many leaders also warn that despite its size or range of areas addressed, the legislation was not enough. In a March 27 House floor statement, Rep. Maxine Waters, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, warned colleagues that their job was not yet complete. “[I] must make clear that the legislation is far from comprehensive, and that
there are issues it leaves unaddressed and areas where it falls short. … The American people need help now and this bill represents a down payment on that relief,” Waters said. A similar reaction came from AARP chief executive Jo Ann Jenkins. “Older Americans face the one-two punch of coronavirus’s health and economic consequences, and many need immediate relief and ongoing help and support to cope with the pandemic,”
CROWELL Page 37
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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
By Stacy M. Brown
What Do You Say to Someone Battling COVID-19?
It is human nature to want to say the right thing at the right time. To utter words that just might help heal. I recall working at The Times-Tribune newspaper in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the mid-2000s.
I had been assigned the City Hall beat, which meant covering the most dysfunctional city council ever assembled. Things were so bad that Times-Tribune columnist Chris Kelly had a name for the many angry citizens who attended council sessions each week. He dubbed them “The Legion of Doom.” One of the key members of the council, a swing vote for
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then-Mayor Chris Doherty, was also a high school principal and, by all indications, an all-around great guy. Rumor had it that he was having an affair with a secretary at the high school. That rumor was confirmed when the councilman’s wife carried out her version of “Demolition Derby” at the school. An education reporter was originally assigned to write the story
because of the wife’s actions — it was now so public that we couldn’t ignore it. The reporter called the councilman’s wife and said something along these lines: “Can you tell us, how do you feel about your husband’s affair?” The managing editor, assistant managing editor, and Chris Kelly were mortified by that line of questioning, and, since it had council implications, I was tabbed
to handle the story. Long story short, after that story, every time a family of a U.S. soldier got the devastating news that their loved one had lost his or her life in Iraq or Afghanistan, I was now the reporter to do the interview. “You know how to ask the right questions,” the late John Murphy,
do putting it together with A.J.’s guidance at http://loveistheanswermovement.com/the-book. The film and the book can be the answer to equip our nation to learn how to utilize the power of transformational love to break down walls and build bridges of reconciliation. When we finally come to a close of this coronavirus and all of the destruction it is leaving behind, many people will be looking for ways to be better souls. A.J. encourages us to “Learn about your community. Open your heart to the people in it. Volunteer to be part of the solution in their lives, and Empower others to do the
same.” That is the acronym for the book — L.O.V. E.! He reminds us, “Remember, this too shall pass. When we get the all-clear, do we want to return into the same broken communities, or do we want to use this time to heal our communities from the inside out? Use this time to better prepare yourself to be a bridge in your community when we are all able to reconnect in person and go about our daily routines. I challenge you to read the ‘L.O.V.E. Is The Answer’ book, watch the film, participate in our webinars, and make this difficult time a time of
BROWN Page 38
By E. Faye Williams
L.O.V.E. is the Answer
A few years ago, I met A.J. Ali. A.J. is a service-disabled veteran who served honorably in the U.S. Air Force as a journalist and media relations specialist. He was based at Vandenberg AFB in California; Comiso Air Base, a nuclear missile base in Sicily; and McClellan AFB in California. He was a member of the USAF Soccer Team. He’s an actor, TV host, director, producer and writer. He asked several friends to write
on the subject “L.O.V.E. Is The Answer” for a book. The book was meant to put principles of love into action to build a stronger police-community marriage with people of color. At that time, I was unsure what my approach would be. I just went to my computer and began writing. I sent my interpretation of what he was asking the very same day. He sent a note back and told me what I had written was perfect. What I didn’t know was that he had a lot of friends and he’d asked them to address the same subject! I’m sure you would recognize names of other writers who
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did a masterful job addressing the subject. The book was recently released, and now that we’re all basically confined to home, this is the perfect time to be introduced to “L.O.V.E. Is The Answer.” Along with the book is an award-winning film, “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer” (see the trailer for the film at www.WalkingWhileBlack.com). The book was developed pre-coronavirus, but it is so appropriate for such a time as this. You can learn more about the book and the L.O.V.E. Is The Answer movement and its writers who rose to the challenge as I tried to
WILLIAMS Page 38
By Marian Wright Edelman
Wisdom from Joseph Lowery, a Big Oak Tree of Hope
In the midst of the sadness and fear surrounding the pandemic our nation is struggling through, we have lost a civil rights giant. When Joe Lowery was about 11 years old in 1930s Alabama, a policeman hit him in the stomach with a bully stick for being in a white man’s way. He responded by trying to run home to get his
father’s gun. His father stopped him from retaliating that day, but Joe made it his mission to fight back against injustice when he grew up. He remained a courageous warrior for justice all of his life. The “Dean of the Civil Rights Movement,” Joe Lowery was a constant companion to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who led the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the march from Selma to Montgomery and a cofounder and later long-term president
of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He fought against apartheid in South Africa and for LGBTQ rights and marriage equality. He gave the moving benediction at the end of President Barack Obama’s first inauguration. When he passed away on March 27 at age 98, Obama said: “Rev. Joseph Lowery was a giant who let so many of us stand on his shoulders. … He carried the baton longer and surer than
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almost anybody. It falls to the rest of us now to pick it up and never stop moving forward until we finish what he started — that journey to justice.” Just a few weeks ago I wrote about that historic inauguration and the symbolism of Joe Lowery’s benediction. He began by quoting the wonderful Negro national anthem written by James Weldon Johnson, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.” The words he chose from the third verse
contain a promise that resonates right now as they remind us of all we’ve overcome before: God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way, Thou who has by thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path we pray… Other lines in his benedic-
EDELMAN Page 38 APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 23
HEALTH Pregnant and Panicking: COVID-19 Upending Expectant Parents’ Birth Plans By Brigette Squire WI Writer @SquireBrigette Pregnant women across the world are concerned about the coronavirus pandemic, but Black women, already three times more likely to die in childbirth, have even more reason to panic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42.8 African Americans die for ev-
ery 100,000 live births. With more than 3,000 in the U.S. now dead from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and more than 350,000 confirmed cases, this nightmare could extend past thousands of due dates. “This whole coronavirus stuff gives me crazy anxiety, but the safest place for my baby right now is in my womb,” said Irene Issacs, a first-time expectant mother in
Prince George’s County. “I’m just hoping this will all be over by the time I give birth in July.” In a report by the World Health Organization, “China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19),” 147 pregnant women contracted the virus, 8% of whom had severe symptoms and 1% who were in critical condition. Experts say those numbers will grow because the United States has not yet reached the peak contraction growth rate. Due to changes in procedures, many women are recommended to visit their doctors less often than they normally would in an effort to increase social distancing and hopefully lower risks of contracting or spreading COVID-19. “I am 18 weeks pregnant and extremely high-risk,” said Deyanta Washington, another expectant mother. “I had my first son at 23 weeks and went into labor at 22 weeks but I have yet to have an ultrasound due to the coronavirus. I am nervous and scared.” According to the CDC, pregnant women experience immunologic and physiologic changes which might make them more
susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19. The researchers don’t have much concrete date on COVID-19 but they do know that fevers in the early stages of pregnancy are associated with birth defects and some developmental conditions. Some viruses can have devastating consequences for the fetus, such as Zika, which can lead to an unusually small head, and Ebola, which can be fatal. Infectious respiratory illness, including pneumonia and tuberculosis, are generally managed in pregnancy with antibiotics, although special attention may be needed for antibiotic choices. “Pregnancy overall is uncertain, so this added layer of stress does cause some anxiety,” said Sharelle Guyton, who along with husband Kevin are expecting their second son soon. “This is our second child so we’ve been through the process, but this time around it’s more nerve-wracking to have the worries of being exposed.” Pre-screening for COVID-19 in pregnant women before scheduled
HEALTH Page 26
5 Sharelle Guyton, due to deliver her second son soon, worries about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and how it might affect the delivery process and her newborn child. (Brigette Squire/The Washington Informer)
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HEALTH
Caring for Seniors During the Coronavirus Crisis By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer At a time when the spread of the novel coronavirus has sparked concern about the care of the elderly, those who operate the Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home want people to know that the residents in their facilities are well. “It is a blessing from God that our residents are doing well,” said Steven Nash, president and CEO of Stoddard Baptist Home Foundation, which has two facilities in the District and another in Maryland housing hundreds of residents, medical professionals and staff members. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said that more than 80 nursing homes across the state now have staff members and residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, the potentially deadly respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. With that in mind, Nash stressed the importance of living up to his company’s motto in recent weeks, “Caring During COVID-19.” “We question workers every day according to CDC standards, we take their temperature of each staff member when they come to the door,” Nash said. “Even now, we are raising money to get more personal protective equipment for our employees, to get more masks and gowns as opposed to using trash bags.” As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, nursing homes are off-limits to outsiders, including family and friends. Nash said that in normal circumstances, nursing homes take precautions to limit infections, such as providing rooms where patients can reside in isolation. At the Crescent City Nursing
Home in Hyattsville, officials say they are taking additional precautions, including prohibiting visits by family and religious groups. In exchange, an official said, family members are calling their clients through FaceTime. But several people who have parents and family members living or working in nursing homes say that while they understand the rules, not being able to see their loved ones is difficult nonetheless. One man who didn’t want to be identified said his mother’s sister died this week. “I can’t go into the nursing to console my mother,” he said. An Oxon Hill man, whose 54-year-old sister died Friday in New York City, is keeping the faith. “My sister was working in a nursing home,” he said. “She had a cough, caught a fever and then she died.” Allison Prince, a Pupil Personnel Worker in Montgomery County, said that while the added stress of worrying about her mother amid the pandemic is “definitely tough,” she takes comfort in knowing the Bowie home in which her mother resides has been proactive in ensuring its residents’ safety. “The facility … was actually taking precautions before they were mandated to do it,” Prince said. Nash said they have purchased iPads to take into the residents’ rooms for virtual visits but acknowledges the system isn’t perfect for families who really miss their loved ones. “It’s a stressful situation,” he said. “The world has been turned upside down and people want to see their families.” Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home, which opened in 1902, originally housed 164 residents
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5 A nurse at Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home attends to an elderly resident. (Courtesy photo/Stoddard Nursing Home)
and more than 200 staffers. The company now has 259 residents and a staff of more than 300 at its three facilities, including Marigold Assisted Living in Prince George’s County. Nash said the staff is doing a great job under trying circumstances. “My biggest shout out is to the front-line staff, the [registered nurses], the social workers, the housekeeping staff,” he said. “We pray every day and this is the glue that is holding us together. Our message to the community is that we love every one of our residents and we want to care for them as well as our staff at this time.” Stoddard Baptist Home is collecting financial donations to purchase the following items: Paper plates Disposable cups Disposable utensils Sanitizer wipes Powder-free synthetic exam gloves Surgical face masks iPads (for residents to connect with family members who cannot visit) WI
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LIFESTYLE ‘Squeegee Kids’ Helping to Feed Residents During Coronavirus Pandemic By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia As recent as January, Baltimore City police reported that they were receiving about eight calls each day from residents complaining about “squeegee kids,” or youths attempt-
ing to wash motorists’ windshields to earn a buck. Complaints range from menacing to fear of property damage and injuries that could result from aggressive attempts by the children. But thanks to a program instituted through Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young’s Office of Children & Family
Available in paperback and e-book formats on Amazon.com. From Southeast Washington’s premier author Ronald R. Hanna
Success, the squeegee kids are a welcome sight and distraction from the coronavirus pandemic. Many have been hired to give out meals to the needy, particularly families who depend on school lunches as all education facilities have shuttered indefinitely as the crisis rages on. “We want them to get into something that’s very productive,” Young said. “We know they have entrepreneurial skills because of what they’re doing. But we want them to change that energy into something more productive.” The squeegee kids receive $50 each day — or $250 per week — for delivering the food. Based on a recent estimate, they’ve already handed out about 10,000 meals. The Family League has spearheaded the lunch giveaways for families at eight Baltimore housing authority sites. “The Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success leads emergency meal distribution for Baltimore’s youth and families during the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Tisha Edwards, the office’s executive director. “The kids [have done] an amazing job, and they were grateful to have a chance to help. In the coming weeks, we’ll continue to look for ways for these young people to support our emergency response efforts,” When they’re not delivering food, the workers trek door-to-door to let people know about where they can find meals. They are also reminding
HEALTH from Page 24 doctor’s appointments is recommended to encourage isolation of infected individuals. Other recommended precautions for pregnant women include obtaining copies of their health records in advance to have a record of their prenatal care, preparing for the worst-case scenarios such as their partner not being in the delivery room, making sure a birth plan is written for their medical professional, and considering a C-section to prevent fetal contact to the virus. “I would be mortified if my husband can not be in the delivery room with me,” Issacs said. The CDC recommends that infected pregnant women who give birth be separated from their newborns until they are no longer infectious, but that doesn’t mean that they will not be caring for their child.
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5 A squeegee kid gets a pep talk from Baltimore Mayor Jack Young before meal distribution begins at Westport Homes. (Courtesy of the Mayor’s Office)
the public to wash their hands and practice social distancing. Officials have said the change in attitudes toward the squeegee kids has been noticeable. One official told local television news reporters that they are “seeing a lot of people saying, ‘thank you.’” “A lot of the youth who squeegee are out on the corners because there is a financial need they’re trying to meet. So, we want to support them in meeting that financial need in a productive way,” Ed Hawkins, a program official, told CBS News’ Baltimore affiliate. “I want to see everybody live a long life,” said Tony Brown, a squeegee worker. Squeegee Alternative Plan participants are enrolled in a one-year pro-
gram in which they receive a mentor, job training, and an opportunity to earn an income. “The city’s Squeegee Alternative Plan is where we work with youth who squeegee to develop social capital and access to safer, more sustainable ways of earning income,” Edwards said. A vital element of the plan is pairing youth with opportunities to generate income while developing personal growth and job skills, Edwards added. “Providing meals to families at our public housing communities during this time of extraordinary need gave 13 youth both a modest stipend and an opportunity for meaningful engagement,” she said. WI
“Newborns stay in isolation with Mom if the mom is stable enough to care for baby and baby is term/ stable/not requiring NICU care,” said labor and delivery nurse Ashley Rose. “Mom is required to wear a mask and is taught good hand-washing. Breastfeeding is allowed. This is the recommendation by the World Health Organization.” Breastfeeding is one of the many ways that a mother can care and protect their infants from many illnesses. Very rarely is it recommended to stop breastfeeding a newborn, especially during a pandemic where formula can be scarce and less effective in building immunity. “I plan to breastfeed for bonding and to help build immunity for the baby,” Guyton said. “It just feels so strange and uncertain. I’m doing my best to stay positive by minimizing negative media.” Outside of the immediate postpartum setting, CDC recommends
that a mother with influenza continue breastfeeding or feeding expressed breast milk to her infant while taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus to her infant. Breastfeeding is no easy feat, as many women struggle to get the skill down pat. Several organizations such as the Developing Families Center in northeast D.C. offer classes to help teach mothers latching techniques, though some have been forced to offer virtual sessions only amid the coronavirus pandemic. “We offer continuous, uninterrupted care for women and their families during the most important childbearing and early child-rearing years,” said Zenash Tameret of the Developing Families Center. “Unfortunately our programs are shut down due to COVID-19.” To find a virtual breastfeeding class, go to multicare.org/pregnancy-breastfeeding-support. WI
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Local Educators Use Television as Instructional Tool During Pandemic By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
For the time being, schoolchildren across the D.C. metropolitan area are relegated to their homes, where they have been tasked with virtually communicating with their instructors and completing homework packets for a significant portion of their academic year, and sometimes under the auspices of stressed parents and guardians. Doing so during a global pandemic has posed quite a challenge in local households where siblings share one computer and a hodgepodge of adult responsibilities. In other situations, families haven’t been able to access the technology needed to maintain continuity in scholastic development. Members of the Washington Teachers’ Union, in response to these conditions, have spent more than two weeks preparing 30-minute lessons — about various topics and for students of every grade level — that air on Fox 5 and Fox Five Plus every morning during the school week and will continue throughout the duration of this public health state of emergency. Some participants in the “Learning Doesn’t Stop” televised lessons, like school librarian K.C. Boyd, said they’ve done so out of a sense of duty to all young people. “It’s about knowing that a lot of children are affected,” said Boyd, a library media specialist of more than two decades who serves students at Jefferson Middle School Academy. Last week, Boyd, who also conducts online lessons via her YouTube and Instagram Live accounts, read aloud “Sulwe,” a children’s book by Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o that tackles the issue of colorism, and encourages self-love, all while strengthening word recognition skills among second and third graders. “Children from Wards 7 and 8 need to hear a read-aloud,” Boyd said. “Some of them don’t have access to Wi-Fi and traditional hardware, but they have cellphones and could watch it on the television. I was adamant about participating. Despite not having technology or hardware, we needed to figure out a way to teach them, either through Fox News or social media. The children can’t lie dormant
while we’re out for this pandemic.” Boyd counts among a lineup of well-regarded DCPS instructors, including Teacher of the Year Ashley Kearney and National History Teacher of the Year Alysha Butler, who had been scheduled to appear on “Learning Doesn’t Stop.” The rollout of these televised lessons happened amid reports in Los Angeles that 55,000 students haven’t maintained an online presence or been in contact with their teachers since March 16, when the coronavirus pandemic forced closures across the Los Angeles Unified School District and the state of California. Without the proper access to online academic platforms during the pandemic, the likely effects of idleness that some children might experience are similar to what some education experts call summer setback, defined as memory loss and decline in scholastic achievement from lack of academic enrichment during summer break. Upon his students’ virtual return from spring break on March 24, D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee announced that his office had been in collaboration with WTU for the production of educational content that would air on the television. On what had been marked as the first day of Distance Learning, officials also revealed that DCPS central office had a stock of computers to dole out, primarily to high school students taking advanced placement courses. More than a week later, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the distribution of 16,000 laptops and 10,000 Wi-Fi hot spots as part of the newly launched DC Education Equity Fund, and the Empowered Learners Initiative. For one DCPS library specialist, the effects of the global pandemic demonstrated the need for various educational platforms that can meet the needs of an economically diverse student population, specifically those lacking a solid WiFi connection or a working computer. As a participant in the “Learning Doesn’t Stop” broadcasts, the educator said she hopes, at some point in the future, to guide students in critically analyzing the news so they could decipher between credible information and that which has been designed to mislead viewers. “Teachers will see that there’s a lot
of opportunity available in this kind of instruction,” said the librarian, who requested anonymity. “Library specialists are trained to use these resources in our daily work. We have a lot of digital resources for learning. Hopefully we’ll continue doing that work. “We know that we’re competing for time, but the television gives us a way [to reach young people],” she said. “They’re watching television and being reminded about what they need to do as students.” WI
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LIFESTYLE
5 K.C. Boyd, a library media specialist for D.C. Public School, reads aloud Lupita Niyongo’o’s “Sulwe” on the Washington Teachers Union streaming resource, “Learning Doesn’t Stop: Lessons on TV.” (Courtesy photo/KCBoyd Youtube grab)
APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 27
LIFESTYLE
wi book review “It’s Not All Downhill from Here” By Terry McMillan c.2020, Ballantine Books $28 350 pages
By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Getting old ain’t for sissies. Aging is not for the weak, whiners, or wimps, not for ‘fraidycats or those with no confidence, and aging is absolutely not for the inflexible. But then again, as in the new novel by Terry McMillan, “It’s Not All Downhill from Here,” either. The last thing Loretha Curry wanted was another “surprise” birthday party. Good heavens, she was going to be 68 on New Year’s Eve and she told her husband, Carl, that she didn’t want the fuss again this year. He would listen to her wishes, but her girlfriends? They never would. Yet, they did. Korynthia, Poochie, Lucky and Sadie stepped back and let Carl handle a special treat: a weekend at Loretha’s favorite hotel in Palm Springs, just the two of them. It was exactly what she needed to take her mind off everything: her mother had been moved into assisted living, her sister Odessa was some kind of witch, her daughter Jalecia was heaven-knows-where and probably high on something, her granddaughter Cinnamon was a “space cadet,” and Loretha was just plain tired. A weekend away with Carl would be perfect. But before it had even started, her birthday weekend ended in a way that Loretha could never have imagined, with a loss both unfathomable and unfair. When it was all over and everybody went home, she could barely remember what hour it was. She closed her businesses because she had no energy to run them. Staying at home, alone and staring at four walls, wasn’t an option, though. Jalecia moved in with Loretha’s ex-sister-in-law, who was always calling for money. Cinnamon announced that she was pregnant with twins and could she have one of Loretha’s rentals? Then Korynthia insisted that Loretha join her dance class, some young man showed up and announced that he was Carl’s long-lost son, and Poochie started planning an all-girls cruise week. And life goes on after a bad event: uphill sometimes, and sometimes not … FaceTime isn’t cuttin’ it. Skype’s not enough. You can get by with phone calls and texts but it isn’t the same: you need your friends, just as in “It’s Not All Downhill from Here.” And yet, don’t think that this is just another “girlfriends” book. Yes, absolutely, it’s a story about women’s friendships, but author Terry McMillan also explores what it’s like to grow older, when a body’s of a certain age but the mind forgets that’s so. Readers who’ve glued together the pieces of a life shattered know all about this, and what it’s like to do it again tomorrow, if the need arises. McMillan’s characters possess just the right amount of wisdom for that, which will appeal not so much to her younger readers as, perhaps, to the age group that originally loved “Waiting to Exhale.” “It’s Not All Downhill from Here” actually comes at the right time: it reminds readers that even in Novel-Land, things can get messy and you’ll be OK. Find it for your next book-group virtual-meet. Read it, and share with your Sissies. WI
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horoscopes
APRIL 9 - 15, 2020
ARIES This week you are focused on self-direction. You are the captain of your own ship ready to explore uncharted waters. Strong emotions may be expressed about fairness and justice. But beneath the surface is the question of how you are judging yourself. Let go of the tallies and scorekeeping. Allow your true feelings to shine through. Lucky Numbers: 14, 25, 40 TAURUS This week, the approaching full moon in Libra signals the need to take care of your health and well-being. Give yourself time for extra rest. Have a pajama day where you stay home and give your mind and body a break. Lucky Numbers: 8, 17, 20 GEMINI This week you may feel like you’re at an emotional crossroads. Some people in your life have been enormously supportive while others may be fair-weather friends. This week you could make a decision about one of those friends. Lucky Numbers: 7, 15, 22 CANCER Your sensitive, peace-loving nature is challenged this week. Hasty actions lead to errors in judgments or appointments are completely forgotten. Recognize this aspect is temporary. There are many distractions now and people around you feel stressed. By working together and discussing feelings you can find the support and caring to share and receive with your friends. Lucky Numbers: 19, 30, 43 LEO Relationships and communication are the focus this week. Changes in the life of your significant other could materially affect your career. Your sweetheart may have a job offer in another city or they may agree to start a business with you. There could be a pregnancy. This aspect can also indicate there are changes where you work. It’s good to stay flexible and alert about what’s happening within your industry and at home. Lucky Numbers: 4, 25, 31 VIRGO This week consider making a commitment to a spiritual practice such as meditation or yoga. Uranus suggests doing something different than you’ve done before. You may feel challenged to reform old ways or to throw off self-imposed obligations from the past. It’s good to explore something brand-new. Don’t be afraid to take an unconventional route when it comes to spirituality. Lucky Numbers: 9, 14, 15 LIBRA There is a lot of pressure on you to complete projects or perhaps you are doing a presentation in front of the class. If you’re feeling unprepared, it’s time to focus your energy and see what the block is. Remember procrastination is just a sign that the plan you have isn’t that good. Rework your plans and your procrastination will disappear. Lucky Numbers: 2, 12, 33 SCORPIO There’s an emphasis this week on rest and recuperation for you. Do not give over your schedule entirely to work and obligations. There are responsibilities and obligations to be talked about. A family member may need help with their own relationship or perhaps issues with their kids. They feel the need to lean on someone and that person might be you. And while you are their rock of Gibraltar, make sure that this is mutual, that the support doesn’t just go one way. Lucky Numbers: 10, 17, 26 SAGITTARIUS The energy this week pulls friendship, romance, and home altogether. A friendship may turn romantic leading you to both think about the future. And you may have someone to bring home to introduce to your family. A little risk-taking doesn’t hurt. This energy could lead you to a romantic relationship beyond what you’ve had before. Take chances in love today. Lucky Numbers: 7, 8, 31 CAPRICORN send out resumes, post your CV on a job-hunting site or reach out to former colleagues on business websites such as LinkedIn. Your powers to attract a great job are the strongest they have been this year. Over the next few weeks, you could bring in a job offer ready for you to negotiate. If you’re staying in your current position, you are easily noticed by managers. You can ask for a meeting to talk about your career trajectory. Lucky Numbers: 14, 16, 29 AQUARIUS You may be thinking of changing your living arrangements dramatically. Selling the house and living in an RV or buying a piece of property and building your own homestead may be on your mind. While this aspect is short and intense it is good for planting seeds taking you in a new direction. Start by looking around and seeing what you can let go of in the way of stuff. Lightening the load will help with any change in the future. Lucky Numbers: 6, 14, 32 PISCES The Universe is speaking loud and clear through signs and messages coming to you from all directions. When you know the question, the answers are obvious. It’s a good idea today to sit down and write out your questions, focusing on the positive. Avoid questions like, “Why does this always happen to me?” Instead, a better question would be, “What would my job look like if I was working half as much time and making twice as much money?” Answers may come to you through song lyrics, lines from movies, memories of things people have said, etc. Lucky Numbers: 1, 11, 13
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Bowie State Adds More Talent to Championshipcaliber Squad By Daniel Kucin Jr. WI Contributing Writer danielkucin88 Bowie State University (BSU) announced its 2020 football recruiting class consisting of 18 local players from the DMV while bolstering more depth to a team that went on to an undefeated regular season last year. The Bulldogs were 7-0 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference play leading to a second consecutive CIAA championship win, defeating Fayetteville State University by the score of 23-7 in Salem, Virginia, on Nov. 16. The only loss that the Bulldogs (11-1) suffered last year was in the opening round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs where Bowie fell to Carson-Newman University 17-9 at home on Nov. 23. Bowie State University Head Coach Damon Wilson believes he has the right pieces to work with moving forward into the offseason. “I’m really excited about this signing class that my staff was able to assemble. I feel as though we were able to get our needs met as well as some of our wants,” said Wilson about his 2020 recruiting class. “This recruiting class consists of a number of student-athletes that are coming from winning programs and have strong academic backgrounds. I look forward to these young men coming into our family and pushing for playing opportunities early,” he said. Of those players, a few stood out including McKinley Tech High School (Washington, D.C.)
30 - APRIL 9 - 15, 2020
standout linebacker Malique Miller – a force to be reckoned with last season, racking up 69 tackles, nine sacks, forcing five fumbles and recovering one fumble as well. Miller also played on both sides of the ball, showing off his versatility. The 6-foot3, 215-pound playmaker also rushed for 319 yards and four touchdowns. Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School linebacker Rodney Gain- o u s , III anchored the undefeated Pumas defensive unit to championship glory last season. He amassed more than 100 tackles while averaging nearly nine tackles per game. Putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks was one of his specialties as he accounted for eight sacks and Gainous forced two fumbles. One of his most impressive performances last year was on
“I’m really excited about this signing class that my staff was able to assemble. I feel as though we were able to get our needs met as well as some of our wants.” – DAMON WILSON
5 Bowie State University Head Coach Damon Wilson reloads his reigning championship football squad with talent from the DMV. (Daniel Kucin, Jr./The Washington Informer)
Nov. 15 against Suitland High School when he had 18 tackles, two sacks and blocked a field goal attempt. Another Puma selected to play for the Bulldogs next year is Kamrin Porter, who played in seven games for Wise and accumulated 10 tackles. Laurel High School was represented well with two players slated to suit up for the Bulldogs: Jaheem Williams and Eric Washington. Former Quince Orchard High School Tahjon Moore helped lead his defense to a 12-1 season with 25 tackles, reaching the quarterback twice during his senior campaign for the Cougars. Rounding out some notable players who should make an impact for the Bulldogs in due time are: defensive end Jalen Allen (Woodson High School), offensive lineman Brandon Dent (St. John’s College High School), defensive end Marcel Gabriel (Theodore Roosevelt High School), offensive lineman Clyde Haley Jr. (Archbishop Carroll High
School), linebacker Ryan Jones (Friendship Collegiate Academy), defensive lineman Tracey Pulliam (Friendship Collegiate Academy), running back Kyle Parker (Charles H. Flowers High School) and tight end John Simmons (Friendly High School). With a championship-caliber team at his disposal once again, Wilson took the time to speak about how important it is for him and his staff to recruit in the area after achieving so much success with the football program over the years. “As a staff, our goal has always been to win the DMV when it comes to recruiting,” Wilson said. “We are at a place now that students are excited about being a Bulldog and understand what our goals and expectations are; our student-athletes have done a great job promoting our program to their peers.” to their thpe==dtheir tpeeeers and recruiting the type of players that fit our standards.” WI
congregations have embraced holding services on Zoom, YouTube and Facebook Live. Hopton Mair, pastor of the Mt. Olivet Apostolic Church in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, preached from his telephone on Sunday about the power of prayer. “We had a conference line and the message was based from 2 Chronicles 7:14,” Mair said. “I encourage the people to know that God knows by our name and he will never leave us.” The Archdiocese of Washington has suspended actual services in parishes across the area, with special masses available on television and online. The same is going on with many Jewish synagogues. On Sunday, Imam Yahya Muhammad, of the Al-Islam Mosque on New Jersey Avenue in Northwest, was at home praying in Bowie, Maryland. “This is a time to get back to Koran and to the Bible. The Holy Koran stated that sport and play is a past time of this world,” Muhammad said in an interview. “The Christians have to get back to the laws and the commandments. On Friday, Muslims make prayer in their only dwelling at the same time with the same spirit.” Muhammad said that the six-letter word “corona” — and with the numerical value of each of its letters’ spot in the alphabet totaling 66 — represents 666, the number of the beast, and now is the time to return to basic principles. “We have to go back to fasting and the Muslim should go back to eating one meal a day at the same time,” Muhammad said. “Ramadan will start April 23-24 at the sighting of the new moon. It is time for Muslims to reflect, to unify and to build a new world of righteousness.” Rabbi Eli Backman, of the Chabad Jewish Center at the University of Maryland College Park, said that since the onset of the pandemic, he has communicated with many students via phone and Zoom. “The basic point is that in life we relate to God through knowledge and through belief,” Backman said. “Knowledge means I know what something is. I understand it. I can fully and logically get behind it. Belief means I don’t understand it, but I feel it in my heart. I engage with it on a deeper level of self but one that I cannot always describe and explain to others. “Both are necessary, on a good and
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We spoke with several residents living in the Detroit area – a region which now faces COVID-19 reaching its peak in a matter of days and where Black infections and death have exceeded 40 percent of the population despite only making up 12 percent of Michigan’s population. You can listen to our conversation on our website, www.washingtoninformer.com. But here’s what Michigan’s Black residents continue to face. Of the state’s 417 coronavirus deaths, 40 percent are Black, 26 percent are white, 30 percent unknown and 4 percent are mixed race or other, according to data released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Further, of the nearly 11,000 who tested positive for the coronavirus, 35 percent are Black, 25 percent are white and 34 percent are unknown. An additional 6 percent represent other races. These numbers
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represent the first time the first time the state released data on the racial makeup of coronavirus patients. The disclosure raises serious questions about why Black people have been disproportionately impacted. One quarter of the deaths and confirmed infections are in Detroit, where 80 percent of the population is Black. Other communities in the state, suburban regions which also have large Black populations, have also been struck hard by COVID-19 including: Ecorse, Highland Park, Oak Park, River Rouge and Southfield. “There is no question that the COVID-19 outbreak is having a more significant effect on marginalized and poorer communities, particularly communities of color,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan’s chief medical executive, in an interview with Metro Times. He also pointed to recent studies which show that cities with higher concentrations of poverty remain susceptible to higher infection and fatality rates. In addition, low-income people tend to use public transportation, work jobs that do not provide paid sick days and reside in large apartment complexes. “While COVID-19 can infect anyone regardless of race or class, African Americans have historically been more likely to have higher rates of chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer in the U.S. We know that people with these underlying medical conditions are more likely to become severely ill from COVID-19,” he said. WI
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icant Black populations. Further and even more disturbing remains the fact that African Americans represent a sizable share of COVID-19 cases and deaths despite being just a fraction of the total population. This disparity has emerged not only in the Midwest but also in southern cities that have significant Black populations including Washington, D.C. and Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina and Milwaukee. And while the numbers, when released, indicate that Blacks are increasingly becoming the hardest hit in the U.S, few answers have been provided as to why. Dr. Angela Emmons Brule, an emergency physician in the District, says several reasons serve as a potential explanation for the rising number of cases among African Americans. “The limited lack of access to basic necessities such as insurance is one of the reasons why COVID-19 is a threat and doing such harm to our Black and brown communities,” Emmons Brule said. “Most concerning in our communities is a tremendous amount of chronic illness and preexisting pro morbidities medical and mental that place each of us and our loved ones at high risk.” Looking at the more prevalent chronic underlying conditions within the Black community including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, Lupus, lung and heart disease and sickle cell, increase one’s risk to not only be infected by COVID-19 but also dying from it. Emmons says it’s particularly alarming for African Americans who collectively suffers from these ailments at a much higher percentage than any other ethnic group. There are also environmental and socio-economic factors that factor into the alarming data. In the District, like many other urban communities that have seen a steady uptick of COVID-19 cases, stay-at-home orders have been issued for residents to mitigate the spread of the virus. However, these orders don’t extend to grocery or gas station workers, public transportation, sanitation, restaurants, stores like Walmart and Target or first responders all deemed as essential. Many of these people have no choice but to go to work due to fear of losing their job or not being able to pay their bills. Consequently, they are exposed more frequently to the disease and therefore more susceptible to becoming infected. For many low-wage workers, particularly the majority of whom count among
the uninsured or underinsured, a health emergency of the magnitude of COVID-19 can lead to disastrous outcomes. “This pathogen that’s invisible to the naked eye has put a shining light on the stark disparities that exist between Black and brown communities around the globe,” Emmons Brule said. “It has highlighted just how vulnerable we are at a time like this when a pandemic rages at our front door.”
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FALL SEMESTER from Page 5 As the movement to all-virtual online summer courses becomes more of a reality, questions linger about if incoming freshmen eager for an authentic college experience will suffer a similar fate this August. In this dilemma lies the sign of what some people in higher education predict will be the transformation of an industry that has financially crippled students and universities alike. Some expensive colleges and universities, with campus life no longer being the determinant in a student’s decision to attend, may soon lose their appeal among cash-strapped parents eyeing online courses at community and state colleges and universities. While few colleges have finalized arrangements for the fall, an increasing number have pivoted to the summer. In advance of the upcoming months, some faculty members at Morgan State University in Baltimore have helped peers grow familiar with the online platform Canvas. Patrica Williams Lessane, Morgan State’s associate vice president for academic affairs, told The Informer that the university has made calculated decisions about summer coursework to better meet students’ remote learning needs, specifically as it relates to the timely advancement of one’s degree. These developments come as officials continue to discuss Morgan’s master fall schedule in the event that, it too, will have to move the virtual realm, all while mulling the possibility of a virtual fall convocation and other events reflective of the incoming freshman class’s unique experience. “We’re planning to make sure our summer sessions are filled with high-demand courses that students would need for graduation, and the first-year students would want to get a jump-start on,” Lessane said. “We’re looking at how these courses will look and we want to make sure our students have as many options, including, where
PALM SUNDAY from Page 30 regular day, I think, question and understand my relationship with God,” he said. “I see all that God provides me in my life. I see how God takes care of me amongst the billion of other things God is busy with. This makes the relationship a logical and sensible one. “Then there are days when things go wrong, and I can’t or, better yet, I don’t want to understand them,” Backman said. “Nonetheless, I still have a relationship with God on a
possible, cross-listing courses and or scheduling trans-disciplinary courses that would better suit our students.” At the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), Lawrence Potter Jr., chief academic officer and provost, in conjunction with other officials, has developed an academic continuity plan to guide various university departments during the coronavirus pandemic. Aspects of that document included connecting students and faculty with technology, assisting faculty in the transition to the online realm, and expanding training and consultations for faculty through the Center for the Advancement of Learning, and academic advising for students through the Division of Student Development and Success. In advance of summer and fall registration, the university also lifted financial holds precluding people from choosing their courses. Though UDC officials haven’t yet come to a decision about moving summer courses online, Potter said that the instructor techno-
logical training makes it easier to carry out any decision. “Given that we’re in virtual mode, I’ve asked deans to monitor and revise schedules to make a decision by early April about whether we’ll fully go online for the summer,” Potter told The Informer. “These courses will be offered by certified faculty, who’ve been able to teach. That’s an important part of this equation. That puts us in a good position, and allows us the flexibility to be intentional about the types of courses we’re offering and ensuring the certified online teachers are instructing our students in the summer.” As the first couple weeks of Howard’s virtual learning has revealed, college students and their elders differ when it comes to managing academic expectations in new, stressful situations. After a virtual town hall on the matter, the university, at the request of students, agreed to issue pass/fail grades in place of letter grades for the spring semester, unless otherwise asked by an individual student. This happened around the same time that Howard University, a congressionally chartered non-military institution, received an allocation of $13 million in the recently approved coronavirus stimulus package, much to the chagrin of at least one Republican lawmaker who had since been admonished on social media and colleagues. While Wutoh noted the $13 million as the federal government’s recognition of Howard’s significance as a producer of top-notch scholars, the school’s inability to access Title III funds called into question how higher education institutions — historically Black colleges and universities in particular — stay afloat during the pandemic. “This crisis has started having a significantly negative impact on the economy and African Americans, and people of color in general,” Wutoh said. “That’s why it’s even more important that we support HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions.” WI
deep, believing level. This is how the Jewish people have dealt with crisis and adversity for years. This is how we have to live today. We might not understand but we believe, we still look for that connection and it helps me through the tough moment I am going through.” But not all interaction has been virtual, however. At Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in southeast D.C., a trio of church officials passed out palms on Sunday to any church member who drove into the parking lot.
“It is a blessing to be out here,” said church trustee Ron Hall, holding a palm in his hand and wearing a face mask. “We still have to get out and support one another.” And on Easter Sunday, Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church will pass out 1,000 Giant gift cards. “This Easter, instead of people coming to church, we want to bring church to the people,” said Rev. Grainger Browning, adding that members will drive up to the church in cars to receive the gift cards. WI
Some expensive colleges and universities, with campus life no longer being the determinant in a student’s decision to attend, may soon lose their appeal among cash-strapped parents eyeing online courses at community and state colleges and universities.
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RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT
Trials and Tribulations? Count It All Joy!
As we live through a different kind of Holy Week, we find ourselves unable to gather in our places of worship; just know, we are the church! Millions are accustomed to praising and worshipping to remember the sacrifice He made for us. He was crucified for our sins, let us crucify our flesh as Jesus did on Calvary’s cross. We must stay inside our homes, feeling like the three Hebrew boys, who were thrown into a fiery furnace. The king looked and saw that Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego were walking around amid the fiery furnace, he was amazed. It was as though nothing was happening. The king also saw a fourth person who looked like the Son of God in there with them! The only thing that got burned was the ropes that had them bound. They were free! Saints, we, too, can walk through this fire, this invisible enemy that’s here among us. Walk on through the fire my children, God be with each and every one of us. As Christians reflect on the Passion of Jesus Christ who died for our sins on Good Friday, the good news is that He rose, early on Resurrection Sunday morning, Easter
to some. He died for my sins and yours. This is no time for playing church — allow yourselves deep reflection to see the salvation of the Lord. As you ponder His goodness and mercy, make a new vow to the Lord to serve Him until He calls you home. Have you found yourself in a situation when you have to wonder, “What in the world is THIS all about Lord?” I sure have, and this coronavirus is one of those things! People dying in huge numbers around the world, every day, every hour, every minute. This time, it is not just our usual trials and tribulations. We’re amid a plague, with an invisible enemy. Anyone who has not accepted Christ as your personal Savior during this COVID-19 storm, will find yourselves living in fear and you will tremble. The song “Were You There” says, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Were you there when the sun refused to shine? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when he rose up from the dead? Sometimes I feel like shouting ‘Glory, glory, glory!’”
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Scripture tells us “to count it all joy” and in James 1:2-3, it says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” As we know, to have the ability to count it all joy in the midst of our storms, is so much easier said than done. You ask, “Lord, why do you want us to endure these trials and tribulations; and why should we be told to count them all joy? 1 Peter 1:7 says, “where the testing of our faith is compared, is like comparing it to the quality and purity of gold.” The Book of James also tells us to have a purpose. When you do, no matter what comes your way, you will dodge every bullet. When trials and tribulations came my way, all I could do was talk with Jesus. I said, “Lord Jesus, I’m in trouble right now, I need you to order my steps!” My steps surely were ordered, and miracles happened. God kept me, like He did for the three Hebrew boys. Even during times like this pandemic that’s traveling around the world, and as death is everywhere, count it ALL joy. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good, to them who love God and are the called according to His purpose!” WI
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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 9 - 15, 2020 33
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
34 - APRIL 9 - 15, 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
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
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 9 - 15, 2020 35
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES Declaration of Nationality In God We Trust
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2018 ADM 001323
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
Alean Yon Estate of NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE 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
LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2020 FEP 000026 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 David Johnson Personal Representative
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 harmo-
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
ny with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ robinson-ali, nodia comoniech© ”. I am that I am: “ robinson, zarita alora© ”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality
Washington Informer
/ Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ robinson-ali, zarita alora© ”. Notice of Merging of Legal rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: “ ROBINSON, LADIVIOSIA GERELL© ”, corp.sole Dba.: “ 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.: “ NODIA COMONIECH ROBINSON© ”, to the depositor: “ robinson-ali, nodia comoniech© ”, nom deguerre: ‘’ robinson, nodia comoniech© ”. 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, 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
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 000228
2019 ADM 000209
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 Washington Informer
36 - APRIL 9 - 15, 2020
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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: “
CL ASSIFIEDS
Samuel Cornell Pledger Decedent Jennifer C. Concino, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW # 700 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney
LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2020 ADM 000200 Valentine Partee Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
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.
Patricia A. Partee, whose address is 716 Church Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Valentine Partee who died on February 17, 2020 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 10/9/2020. 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 10/9/2020, 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
Date of first publication: 4/9/2020
Jennifer C. Concino, Esq. Personal Representative
Patricia A. Partee Personal Representative
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the poverty rate for the three municipalities with 20743 zip codes stood at 10.7% in Capitol Heights, 13.6% Fairmount Heights 17.8% in Seat Pleasant. “During this tragic time of this pandemic we are experiencing, people are suffering and struggling,” said Seat Pleasant Mayor Eugene W. Grant. “This resource is a great way to serve the community.” In the meantime, seniors such as Katrina Robinson of Seat Pleasant will enjoy the fruit and try the rice provided in her grocery bag. Robinson rarely steps out the house because she has transposition of the great arteries, a congenital heart defect in which the arteries that carry blood are reversed. “I have congenital heart failure. While we are going through this virus, nobody coming in and nobody going out,” said Robinson, who retired nearly seven years ago from a human resources position for the federal government. “My mayor does a great job taking care
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Jenkins said. “Those needs are only set to grow in the weeks and months ahead.” What can really make a difference between life’s success and failure is not just what leaders do but also what they didn’t do when they had the chance. The recent legislative package was silent on interest rates, as well as forgiveness of federal student loans, negative credit reports or bans on private evictions for late rental payments. As the cost of living has risen faster and higher than most consumer incomes for more than a decade, the likelihood of a savings account large enough to cover household expenses for a month or more is slim to none. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency tasked with protecting consumers from unscrupulous lenders has been conspicuously subdued. Instead of forceful and
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“Black Lives Matter” take on a more pointed meaning. This coronavirus illustrates our nation’s fault lines by class race and gender. The coronavirus also refutes the notion of our nation’s exceptionalism. The United States just ain’t all that, despite our “greatest” rhetoric. We are stumbling compared to other countries — Italy, China, Spain — who have attempted, generously, to show us the way forward. One of the populations I’ve heard
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very little about is incarcerated people. How do you socially distance when you are confined, with another person, in a small cell? Given our collective disdain for the incarcerated, will an incarcerated person with coronavirus have a chance? Incarcerated people aren’t the only people at risk. All marginalized people are, in one way or another, at risk. Ventilators cost between $25,000 and $50,000 and even more when there is competition to obtain them. Will hospitals with limited resources be able to obtain ventilators? Those who are income-challenged are more likely to go
to hospitals that are under-resourced. Lower-income people are at greater risk and have less access to quality health care. The coronavirus will hit princes and paupers, members of Congress and members of the clergy, computer whizzes and those who don’t have computers. We may all be at risk from the coronavirus, but class, race and gender will likely determine who has the best chance at recovery. We can’t call ourselves “great” unless we are fair. Will everyone have a chance to recover from this virus? WI
timely agency alerts via multi-media communications warning consumers about opportunistic scam artists, CFPB has offered a modest tip sheet on how consumers — not government — can protect themselves. Fortunately, as the viral saga unfolds, some news outlets are reporting on the potential harms of consumers turning to payday and car-title loans. A joint response by five federal regulars - Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) — came on March 26 in a statement that encouraged banks, savings and loans, and credit unions to offer “responsible small-dollar loans” to consumers and small businesses during the pandemic. According to the regulators, “re-
sponsible small-dollar loans can play an important role in meeting customers’ credit needs because of temporary cash-flow imbalances, unexpected expenses, or income disruptions during periods of economic stress or disaster recoveries.” Without any specifics defining “reasonable small-dollar loans,” the regulators’ statement could be an inducement to join triple-digit lenders’ financial exploitation. For Black America and other communities of color, predatory short-term loans of $500 or less began decades ago when payday and car-title storefronts took prominent residence in our neighborhoods across the country. Loans that were marketed as quick fixes for millions of consumers morphed into long-term financial nightmares that deepened debt with every renewal. In many cases, the interest paid on these loans was often double or triple the amount of principal borrowed. A coalition of civil and consumer rights organizations released a joint statement warning of the possible spike in high-cost lending by the nation’s depository institutions — banks, credit unions and savings and loans. “This is the worst possible time for banks to make predatory payday loans,” said the statement from Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund, the Center for Responsible Lending, Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, NAACP and the National Consumer Law Center. “Around the time of the last recession, a handful of banks issued ‘deposit advances’ that put borrowers in an average of 19 loans a year at over 200% annual interest,” the organizations wrote. “These bank payday loans disproportionately harmed the financially vulnerable and badly damaged banks’ reputations. Since 2013 when regulatory guidance warned against this form of credit, banks have mostly stayed away. We trust that they will continue to do so as they do not want to repeat mistakes of the past.” WI
of our seniors in Seat Pleasant. Providing the groceries was just another thing to help people out.”
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Health officials have said the coronavirus pandemic can especially affect those 60 and older, which spurred Linda Lewis to arrange for Blue Dolphin Seafood Bar and Grill to deliver food at least 20 miles away. Lewis, who resides at Cameron Grove in Upper Marlboro, organized the delivery of nearly three dozen meals that included fried shrimp, broiled or fried flounder, string beans and other delicatessens for a $25 discount. Lewis said her late husband, Harvey T. Lewis, “loved” Blue Dolphin, a restaurant in Crofton in neighboring Anne Arundel County, and knew co-owner Brian McCann. “What’s being done for the seniors is just fantastic,” Lewis said. “Can’t go out anywhere and some seniors don’t drive, so bringing good food here is great for our seniors.” WI
APRIL 9 - 15, 2020 37
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then-assistant managing editor, told me. “You seem to know what to say. If Murphy were alive today, I would tell him that the coronavirus diagnosis that my wife Shenay and I received this week has rendered me with not a whole lot to say. I would say to him also that I’m leaning on the encouragement of family, friends, and colleagues – many of them understandably don’t know what to say. Some do. I’m grateful for the tons of texts, emails, videos, and social media posts of support. Whether it’s one word, a like on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, or a full paragraph of someone expressing their thoughts, my wife and I are grateful. Norman Rich, the do-it-all editor and content manager for the National Newspaper Publishers Association and BlackPressUSA. com, suggested I share with our readers some of the encouraging messages I’ve received. Most of the messages were “I’m
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learning and growth.” While we’re confined to home, this would be a good time to invite friends to participate in Zoom calls with you and to participate
EDELMAN from Page 23 tion also resonate deeply now. Our nation was undergoing another financial crisis at the time and Rev. Lowery prayed for true leadership to help those who needed it most: “Because
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praying for you,” and many had the emoji for prayer or praying. One of the best was a close friend who lives in Pennsylvania. He decided to leave a voice message that I retrieved from Facebook. “Stacy, I’m sorry this has happened to you and Shenay. Anything — and I do mean anything — that I can do. You know you can count on me. I’ll even send an Uber with some ointment!” The prayers and well wishes are great to have. Here’s a sample of others: “I can send you the antigen.” “Take Vitamin C and some Zinc.” “Breathe in some steamed orange peels and sea salt.” “You need supplies while they last?” “This is crazy, and I hope you feel better.” “What did the doctor say? Want me to talk to her?” “I know a guy in the State Department, want me to call him for you?” “Pace yourself. Don’t be anx-
ious.” “Tylenol, bro, Tylenol.” “Listen, use natural healing. Don’t let the doctors kill you.” “The strongest weapon is patience.” “The most effective tonic is laughter.” “Don’t worry, have a lovely day.” “Stacy and Shenay, hang in there. I’m praying for you. Let’s Go Mets.” “You will get through this.” “I’ll drive all the way there. Just say the word.” All of the words are encouraging. I’m happy to say that all of my family, friends, colleagues and others have known exactly what to say to me, and at the right time. If you’re reading this on a website or on a social media post, feel free to leave a comment or to share wishes for someone you know that is also dealing with this virus one day at a time. Because of you all, I’m sure Shenay and I will beat this thing, and we will be in an even better position to help someone else. WI
in podcasts and webinars that are conducted by A.J. and the contributors. I urge you to better prepare yourself to be a bridge in your community when we’re all able to reconnect in person with others. A.J. knows we will return to a
totally different world when the coronavirus finally ends, and he won’t mind a bit if you contact him at one of these numbers to assist in preparing you for being that bridge in your community: 323577-5976 or 443-463-5009. WI
we know You’ve got the whole world in Your hand, we pray for not only our nation, but for the community of nations. Our faith does not shrink, though pressed by the flood of mortal ills. For we know that, Lord, You are able, and You’re willing to work through faithful leadership to restore stability, mend our brokenness, heal our wounds…” He prayed that we would all be willing “to turn to each other and not on each other.” And he prayed: “Help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance. And as we leave this mountaintop, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek Your will. … We go now to walk together, children, pledging that we won’t get wea-
ry in the difficult days ahead. We know You will not leave us alone. With Your hands of power and Your heart of love, help us then now, Lord, to work for that day when nations shall not lift up sword against nations; when tanks will be beaten into tractors; when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid; when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.” Rev. Joe Lowery’s words can continue to help sustain us. As we desperately wait and continuously work for a new day, let this be another moment when people will turn to each other instead of on each other; when we will make choices on the side of love, not hate; when we will not get weary in the difficult days ahead; and when we will remember that we are never alone. I am so grateful for this great leader’s courageous life and legacy. WI
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