Prince George's County

State Unveils Strategy for Early Childhood Learning

William J. Ford WI Staff Writer

Yetunde Ijaodola ensures the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t negatively affect her family, especially when it comes to the safety and education of her three children.

While the two youngest children are at a local day-care, her oldest child, a son in the third grade at Whitehall Elementary in Bowie, works in a quiet,

William J. Ford

WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

Jeff Brown has been a trainer and fitness enthusiast for more than 25 years. organized setting at home.

But the virtual learning environment has its challenges.

“The opportunities for socialization are limited,” said Ijaodola, who’s able to work at home for the U.S. Food Drug and Administration. “It is needed in some form of capacity in learning outside of the books.”

With school buildings closed in Prince George’s County because of the rise in COVID-19 confirmed

Brown’s passion to maintain a healthy lifestyle led him to become owner of the first franchise in the D.C. area and entire state of Maryland named after boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The 3,200-square-foot Mayweath-

5 Early childhood education remains a focus in Maryland. (Photo courtesy of state of Maryland)

cases, students may continue learning from a laptop, computer or other technology devices for the rest of the school year.

Most parents and guardians with elementary school children in Maryland are forced to be at home to help guide their children through diverse technology programs.

That’s why the state released a fiveer Boxing & Fitness center in Bowie plans to open next month or in February with six full and part-time employees.

“Prince Georges County is the ideal location to have and support a blackowned business,” Brown said in an email Dec. 15. “There [is] a wealth of opportunities here and the residents deserve services and amenities that are local and relevant to their needs and interests.”

According to the Mayweather Boxing & Fitness website, about 18 are open nationwide at locations such as Chicago, Los Angeles and Tampa, Fla. Mayweather retired in 2017 and launched the franchise a year later.

Mayweather, considered one of the best fighters of all time with a career record of 50-0, will be inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June 2021.

Some of the exercises at the Bowie gym will include “bag work,” a class that features boxing techniques used by Mayweather.

Through the advice of health officials, state and local lawmakers have instituted certain protocols to combat year strategy through 2025 in a plan called “Maryland Ready: A Path to School Readiness and Success.”

The plan, orchestrated by the state departments of Education, Health and Human Services, is geared toward early childhood education, specifically children up to eight years old.

The drive is fueled by a $26.8 million federal grant to help boost services the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Locally in Prince George’s County, Brown’s business is to open after the county’s COVID-19 restrictions are scheduled to end Jan. 16. One of them includes decreasing the indoor capacity from 50 percent to 25 percent at retail businesses, fitness centers and the MGM casino and resort at National Harbor.

The pandemic hasn’t stopped some job growth in the state of Maryland, according to preliminary data released Friday, Dec. 18 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The federal agency states Maryland added 24,100 jobs and the unemployment rate decreased to 6.8 percent in November, the lowest since the pandemic began.

The top three fields that experienced the highest gains came from the professional and business services sector at 7,200 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities increased by 6,700 jobs; and education and health services by 4,800 jobs.

Although leisure and hospitality jobs showed an increase by 3,000 jobs, the pandemic still affected thousands not only in elementary schools, but also early childhood centers, Head Start and other learning centers.

An overarching theme: make sure all families receive adequate resources at home to help teach and prepare their children for a formal school environment.

Amid COVID-19, New Business Still Coming to Maryland

5 Jeff Brown stands outside Mayweather Boxing & Fitness in Bowie. Brown plans to open the fitness center by February 2021. (Antony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

LEARNING Page 13 of business owners in Maryland.

Gov. Larry Hogan announced last week in Annapolis an economic relief package of $180 million.

Some the funding includes $50 million for hotels, motels and other hospitality businesses toward payroll expenses, rent and utilities.

About $40 million will provide a boost in temporary cash assistance slated to help 66,000 families and another $40 million to disability care providers that will help more than 17,000 people.

The other funding includes: • $30 million for restaurants. • $15 million for the Main Street program through the state Department of Community Housing and Urban Development. • $5 million to help “socially or economically damaged businesses,” with a specific focus for those located in rural counties.

“We will continue to take every action we can at the state level to help those most in need,” Hogan said.

WI

@jabariwill

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Some Will Take the Vaccine – Some Say They Will

William J. Ford for the Pfizer vaccine at https://bit. harvested cells, without permission, rized a second company, Moderna, to WI Staff Writer ly/2WtGMqd, penicillin isn’t listed. from Henrietta Lacks, a Black wom- produce and distribute a COVID-19 But the FDA has warned in extensive an being treated for cancer. The cells vaccine. Pfizer received approval one

While the COVID-19 vaccines are backgrounds documents about poten- possessed a rare and remarkable trait week prior. being administered to some health care tial side effects from the vaccine. and continued to produce for decades Black health care workers in hosworkers and staff and residents at nurs- The majority Black jurisdiction outside her body, resulting in scores pitals and clinics and even the U.S. ing homes in Maryland, the general continues to account for the highest of medical research breakthroughs for Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams population will have to wait at least a number of confirmed coronavirus which Lacks and her family were thin- received the first doses of the Pfizer half-year before taking a shot in the arm. cases in the state. Johns Hopkins ly compensated. vaccine. Health officials said a second

Some Prince George’s County University’s dashboard at https://bit. According to the Centers for dose should be taken in about three residents interviewed aren’t too keen ly/38iuNkP recorded Prince George’s Disease Control and Prevention, weeks. A second dose of the Moderna about having that medicine flow among the top 60 counties and cities COVID-19 became first identified in vaccine can take it four weeks later. through their bodies. of confirmed cases in the nation. Wuhan, China, in December 2019. “That trust comes from a histori-

“I just don’t know right now. I want Some in the Black community The agency described it as a novel, cal place, but we also have to explain to see what is going on and see the re- remain skeptical in taking a vaccine or new, coronavirus because it’s never to people that we put protections sults from the vaccine,” said Dunston that some believe was produced too been previously seen in humans but in place,” Adams said on CNN on Melville, who owns an auto body shop quickly. animals. Friday. “We now have many people in Beltsville. They link white disdain and am- Health officials determined the vi- looking to make sure these vaccines

Faye Martin Howell of Landover bivalence to black health with two rus spread quickly throughout Amer- are safe.” would take the vaccine, except if the documented examples of white mal- ica because of human droplets from Some people still have no confiingredients include penicillin which treatment of blacks in the health care the mouth. Recommendations, and dence in the vaccine. she’s allergic to. arena. In one episode, set in the rural in some cases mandates, for Ameri- “I don’t have a lot of trust in the

“If it doesn’t have that in it, then I south, public health officials in Tus- cans to wear masks, maintain six feet government, especially with the last would be willing to take it,” said Mar- kegee, Ala. deliberately mislead Black of distance from each other and wash four years of the lies being told by you tin Howell, who serves on the county’s Democratic Central Committee. “I am willing to do whatever I can to keep myself and others safe.” According to the U.S. Food and men to believe they were being treated for syphilis in when they were, in fact, being monitored as untreated syphilis sufferers between 1932 until 1972. In another case, in 1951, doctors at hands, or use hand sanitizer when a sink isn’t available. As of Friday, Dec. 18, about 17.5 million Americans contracted the virus and more than 318,000 have died. know who,” Charlotte Spencer, 62, of Landover, said about the Trump administration’s “Operation Warp Speed” vaccination program. “I have a hard time with it, especially with 5 Charlotte Spencer, 62, a Landover resident, is apprehensive about getting inoculated against the coronavirus. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer) Drug Administration ingredient list “With the early years as the most critical period for brain development, the investments we make to support our youngest learners now provide the foundation for lifelong learning and achievement,” public schools Superintendent Karen Salmon said in a statement Dec. 16. “This strategic plan provides the foundation to build upon and leverage federal, state, local and non-governmental resources to align and strengthen the equity and delivery of programs so that each child can flourish.” The 23-page report at https://bit. ly/34fB6o7 outlines six goals such as strengthen availability and access, improve and support program quality, deepen family engagement, ensure successful transition experiences, expand and enhance workforce opportunities and improve systems for infrastructure, data and resource management. Underneath each goal are dozens of strategies and action steps that include: • Increase the number of slots in home visiting programs, including in rural areas. • Assess state and local data to identify and address equity and diverLEARNING from Page 12 Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore sity trends in various across programs and services. • Host an annual statewide Family Engagement Summit. • Create a universal application process that allows families to apply for multiple services and programs across state agencies with a single application. “A renewed commitment to Maryland’s vision is now needed from variSeveral items in the report mirror those approved by state lawmakers this year within an annual $3.8 billion education plan based on recommendations from a group nicknamed the Kirwan Commission On the same day, the FDA authoous stakeholders…” according to the document. “All of Maryland’s children deserve the best that we can provide so they can thrive, no matter the circumstances.” Several items in the report mirror those approved by state lawmakers this year within an annual $3.8 billion education plan based on recommendations from a group nicknamed the Kirwan Commission. Two of those focused on increasing enrollment in prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-old children from low-income families, and professional development for educators that include cultural competency and equity. Back in Bowie, Ijaodola continues to aid her son in virtual learning. She’s even found humor when her son’s teacher asked students “don’t be late” for a presentation to prepare them for a virtual field trip a few days later. “At first I was like, ‘Don’t be late for what? To go downstairs?’” she said, laughing. “I understand she wants the children to be on time to log in for class. When my oldest gets to be my age, he’s going to tell stories about the experience he had with [virtual learning].” WI @jabariwill that warp speed. I am in the slow in the lane. Anyone who wants to get in front of me can go right ahead.” OUTREACH EFFORTS To boost trust in taking the vaccine, Blacks such as former President Barack Obama said he would take the injection when it becomes available. Maryland two top elected officials, Gov. Larry Hogan and Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, will receive the vaccine publicly. State and health officials are working on an outreach campaign to work with local officials and community leaders that include minority and rural populations. “They’re providing input now in terms of how we should roll out our campaign and what kind of messages and we are taking that input very seriously,” said Dr. Jinlene Chan, the state’s acting deputy health secretary. “We’re not doing it alone, by any means. We’re really engaging with as many partners as we can across the state.” Three organizations – National Governors Association, COVID Collaborative and Duke-Margolis Health Policy Center – released a report this month at https://bit.ly/3mAzRGl with suggestions on meeting the challenges of distributing the vaccine. “Given the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on these populations, states should consider targeted strategies to ensure that vaccines will be equitably and effectively distributed to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other people of color) communities at high risk,” the document states. Both Pfizer and Moderna recorded more than 94 percent efficacy rates against COVID-19 among various races and genders. Chan outlined some of the side effects from both vaccines that include pain at the injection site, muscle and joint pain and fever. Once those with underlying conditions, first responders and elderly residents receive the vaccine, then Ric Gordon of Greenbelt will take it, too. “Once they get it and is ready for me, then I will take it,” said Gordon, 38, who works for the U.S. Department of Transportation and is running for a city council seat. “I just want [officials] to do not just what’s in the best interest of themselves, but what’s in the best interest of public health. We have to think broadly as one community, as one people.” WI @jabariwill WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER