Vol. 51 No. 1
April 23, 2020 -April 29, 2020
Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them and these will continue till they have resisted either with words or blows or words or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they suppress. —Fredrick Douglass (1849)
The Political and Healthcare System is Broken and Corrupt in America By Roger Caldwell, NNPA Newswire Contributor
In the African American community, the coronavirus is exposing systemic racism with frightening numbers. In Chicago, the Black population is 29% but 70% of the people dying from the virus are Black. In Louisiana, the Black population is 32% but 70% of the people dying from the virus are Black. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) “History is bound to repeat itself. Look at what went wrong in 1918 (Spanish Flu). Then do the opposite,” says the History Channel. President Woodrow Wilson was the American President in 1918, when 675,000 Americans died as a result of the Spanish Flu and over 20 to 50 million people died around the world. This pandemic happened 100 years ago, and a lack of leadership from the federal government helped the flu spread like wildfire. President Woodrow Wilson took no decisive measures with a coordinated federal plan and gaps were filled at the state and local level. There was a general lack of preparedness and the public health infrastructure was inadequate with no leadership and organization. Public officials lied, made up facts and 25% of the military personnel who had the flu, infected the citizens
around the country. The flu started in March 1918 and the second wave came in the fall, when the majority of Americans died. This mysterious strain of the flu happened during the end of World War I and moving lots of men and materials in crowded conditions contributed to the spread of the virus. America and nations around the globe refused to lockdown their countries and the flu spread rapidly. “The chaotic culture of the Trump White House contributed to the crisis. A lack of planning and a failure to execute, combined with the president’s focus on the news cycle and his preference for following his gut rather than the data cost time and perhaps lives,” says Eric Lipton of the NY Times. The 1918 pandemic lasted 1 year and there were 3 different waves where the majority of people died. In order for the 2020 pandemic
to end in America, the entire country must be shutdown in every state and the president must place large-scale orders for masks, protective equipment, critical hospital equipment, ventilators and community leaders educating their constituents. This is not a time for “happy talk.” The Coronavirus Task Force must enforce the quarantine with military forces and local police. China started its lockdown on January 23, 2020 and by the beginning of March, the country was starting to open back up. They were able to get infected cases to low levels, and the United States must follow the same course of action. The population practiced social distancing and the government was able to test on a wide scale. At this point, America’s testing process has failed, with testing of less than 1% of the population
completed. There is no vaccine and more healthcare workers are getting infected with the virus with no time off. Before the country can be opened, there must be widespread testing and a national database of cases to prevent the spread of the virus. With over 500,000 thousand Americans infected with the virus, and the most citizens to die in any country — over 20,000 — the political and healthcare system is broken. Instead of the pandemic slowing down, it is speeding up and rapidly growing. In the African American community, the coronavirus is exposing systemic racism with frightening numbers. In Chicago, the Black population is 29% but 70% of the people dying from the virus are Black. In Louisiana, the Black population is 32% but 70% of the people dying from the virus are Black. In other cities, like Washington, DC, Baltimore, Detroit and Dallas, there are alarming numbers that indicate health disparities are killing more Blacks. No one will save Blacks but us. However, Black leaders must sound the alarm. When America gets a cold, African American get pneumonia. There is a failure of leadership with President Donald Trump and his Vice President Mike Pence managing and running the Coronavirus Task Force. They have done a terrible job, lying to Americans, with a general lack of preparedness. There is glaring incompetency in Trump’s handling of the crisis, and the failure of testing has spread the virus. As our president continues to fabricate the truth at every daily briefing, don’t believe anything President Trump promises.
NFL Scores Win with National Response to COVID-19 By Stacy M. Brown
In the wake of the unprecedented novel coronavirus pandemic, the National Football League (NFL) — perhaps more than any other sports league and many other major corporations — has strived to rapidly respond to needs in local communities throughout the nation. In an interview with NNPA Newswire, Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, said, “The commissioner and all of us remain completely aware of the reality of what’s going on.” Commissioner Roger Goodell, and others at league headquarters, are conscious and respectful of how the virus is affecting our nation and the entire globe. The NFL’s Draft-A-Thon, a fundraising effort that takes place simultaneously with the NFL Draft on April 23, will allocate funds to six national charities and their local chapters. The charities include: The American Red Cross, the CDC Foundation, Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, the
The commissioner and all of us remain completely aware of the reality of what's going on." Commissioner Roger Goodell, and others at league headquarters, are conscious and respectful of how the virus is affecting our nation and the entire globe. (Photo: NFL) Salvation Army and United Way. In addition to the Draft-A-Thon, the NFL, along with its teams and players, have come together to support communities throughout the nation as everyone attempts to tackle the issues arising from the COVID-19 disaster. “The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) encourages all professional sports to follow the extraordinary lead of the NFL in their national
response to the devastating impact of COVID-19 across America.,” emphasized Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., President and CEO of the NNPA. “In particular, African Americans have the highest number of fatalities from COVID-19. The NNPA appreciates the responsive leadership of the NFL as this pandemic continues to spread and disproportionately impact our families and communities.”
Here’s a snapshot of what the NFL and its teams and players have done thus far: More than 70 Philadelphia Eagles employees and their families, including coach Doug Pederson and his wife Jeannie, participated in a community blood drive at Lincoln Financial Field in response to the dip in blood donations across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic. Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter recently gave about $20,000 to help coronavirus patients. Hunter’s grandmother, Joy Gayle, works as a nurse at a hospital in New York. He has been getting regular reports from her about how “crazy” things are at the hospital, including a shortage of supplies. Cleveland Browns team seamstress Becky Zielinski has led a service effort in collaboration with Mask Making Miracles, who are a local group of volunteer seamstresses who wanted to help during this crisis. Together, Becky and Mask (continued on page 6)
Publisher’s Corner Publisher of The San Bernardino AMERICAN News
Email: sbamericannews@gmail.com
Clifton Harris Editor in Chief
While Struggling Americans Await $1,200 Stimulus, Nation’s Wealthiest Reap Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Windfall By Senior Correspondent@StacyBrownMedia While struggling individuals and families look forward to a $1,200 federal stimulus check, America’s wealthy have again made off with most of the cash. The $2.3 trillion coronavirus stimulus package includes a temporary tax change for individuals who make at least $1 million a year, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. The Joint Committee’s analysis shows 43,000 taxpayers in the highest income bracket, making more than $1 million a year, could save a combined $70 billion in taxes. Almost all benefits from the tax break go to people making more than $100,000 a year. The change in tax law reportedly suspends limits on how much money individuals can deduct against how much they owe based on lost income or business revenue, according to the committee. Still, millionaires and billionaires are set to reap more than 80 percent of the benefits because of the Trump tax law change, which alters what certain business owners are allowed to deduct from their taxes. It allows many of the country’s wealthiest to avoid nearly $82 billion of tax liability in 2020. Nearly 82 percent of the benefits from the tax law change will go to people making $1 million or more annually in 2020, according to the Joint Committee. Approximately 95 percent of those who benefit from the change make $200,000 or more. The government began sending out $1,200 stimulus payments to individuals making less than $75,000, and $2,400 for couples earning no more than $150,000. An additional $500 per child under 18 was provided to families while those high school and college students over the age of 17 were left entirely out. In all, taxpayers will lose nearly $90 billion from the change to the law, which suspends a restriction introduced in President Trump’s 2017 tax bill. The change allows owners of businesses known as passthrough entities to lower their taxes by deducting as much as they want against income unrelated to the company. “It’s a scandal for Republicans to loot American taxpayers amid an economic and human tragedy,” Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse noted in a statement. “This analysis shows that while Democrats fought for unemployment insurance and small business relief, a top priority of President Trump and his allies in Congress was another massive tax cut for the wealthy.” Whitehouse and Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) sent a letter expressing their concerns to Vice President Mike Pence, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, and Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought. “We are specifically seeking information about whether any people in the Trump administration who were involved with developing the
Millionaires and billionaires are set to reap more than 80 percent of the benefits because of the Trump tax law change, which alters what certain business owners are allowed to deduct from their taxes. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) changes would also benefit from the provisions.” Several published reports said both Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner stand to reap millions as a result of the stimulus package and the change in tax law. So that Congress and the American public can better understand the provenance of these tax law changes, and assess whether any individuals within the Administration who stand to gain from these provisions were involved in their development, Whitehouse and Doggett have requested that Pence, and Vought provide the following information: All communications from January 1, 2020, to the present between the White House, Department of Treasury, or the Office of Management and Budget and any nongovernment person or entity related to sections 2303 or 2304, or the policies modified by those sections. All communications between the Department of Treasury and the White House, and between the Department of Treasury and the Office of Management and Budget, related to sections 2303 or 2304, or the policies modified by those sections, in the development of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. All studies, analyses, proposals, cost estimates, or other information considered by the White House, the Department of Treasury, or the Office of Management and Budget related to sections 2303 or 2304, or the policies modified by those sections, in the development of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. “It’s a scandal for Republicans to loot American taxpayers in the midst of an economic and human tragedy,” Whitehouse noted in his statement. “Congress should repeal this rotten, un-American giveaway and use the revenue to help workers battling through this crisis.” Doggett added that the cost of the tax break is more than total new funding for all hospitals in America and more than the total provided to all state and local governments. “Someone wrongly seized on this health emergency to reward ultrarich beneficiaries, likely including the Trump family, with a tax loophole not available to middle class families. This net operating loss loophole is a loser that should be repealed,” Doggett said.
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
PAGE 2
April 23, 2020
COMMUNITY/EDUCATION/NATIONWIDE
Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor COVID-19: Postal Workers Keep Pushing Against Odds Chida Rebecca | California Black Media
As frontline workers mount up daily to battle COVID-19, each “essential employee” fights in a different way to keep our economy powered; our lives and livelihoods sustained; and our cities and towns safe. While some tend to the sick in hospitals, others brave the streets to distribute food. But what may seem as the postal worker’s simple act of delivering mail is proving to be more essential than most would expect. Every day across California, about 63,000 postal workers continue to make sure precious cargo gets to where it needs to go in the state — life-saving medications to people living with chronic illnesses, pension checks to aging adults, mail-in ballots to homebound voters, and more. And even with growing competition from Amazon, FedEx, UPS and other courier services, the United States Postal Service (USPS) still delivers more online orders than any of those businesses. Cheryl Morrow, an AfricanAmerican businesswoman in San Diego, says both of her businesses — a print newspaper that she mails and beauty products that she ships - rely on the USPS. “The USPS is a partner that I can depend on,” said Morrow, who owns the San Diego Monitor News and a hair care company called California Curl. “Other than following the new social distancing rules, their
service has remained consistent throughout this crisis. I appreciate that,” said Morrow talking about the USPS. Morrow said people don’t realize that the USPS has postmasters who are dedicated to helping business customers. They work with clients to make sure that their important mail shipments are moved and reach destinations on time. Now that researchers have confirmed that the Coronavirus can be transmitted through the air and that it can even live on your mail, postal workers on the frontlines are more concerned about their safety than ever. So far, about 30 USPS workers have died from COVID-19 and thousands have been infected, according to Mark Dimondstein, president of the Postal Workers Union, a national organization that represents more than 200,000 members. “I’ve been a postal worker for four years,” says Renee’ Adams, who is African-American and delivers mail in San Diego. Adams says the team she works with delivers approximately 20 packages an hour. Last Sunday, they had over 800 individual packages with only three postal workers in her unit on hand to make all the deliveries. “They started at 8:30 a.m. but didn’t get finished until 9 p.m.,” she said. “They were calling people to report to work, but no one would pick up the phone.”
A trusted face, a friend and sometimes a confidante, postal workers across the nation often have to step in and do more than drop mail off to customers. Although the workload is great, Renee shares that there are aspects of her job that reinforce the importance of the human connection. “I deliver to a lot a seniors,” she says. “They can’t go anywhere, and they don’t have anyone to talk to. They want to talk to us but they’re scared to come near us, and they don’t want to sign for their packages just in case we have [coronavirus]. We have to sign the receipts for them.” Postal workers, businesspeople and Californians under shelter in place orders all seem to appreciate the value and constancy of the USPS. But some politicians in Washington have been giving the mail delivery service that has enabled communications between Americans for more than 200 years a hard way to go. According to the Washington Post, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin threatened Congress that President Trump would veto the $2 trillion stimulus package that lawmakers approved earlier this month if it included a $13 billion direct grant to the USPS. A bipartisan team of congressional negotiators had already agreed to the provision. Instead, the feds offered a $10 billion loan to USPS in the final stimulus bill the
president signed. The Treasury Department has not yet approved the funds although the bill passed more than a week ago. The Post Office is not taxpayer funded, so it normally runs on revenue from postage and services," Dimondstein said, according to a Common Dreams report. "And if 40 to 50% of that dries up in this pandemic—which is what looks like it's happening, in a very quick and precipitous way—then that money has to be made up." He is demanding that Congress includes a $25 billion aid package to the USPS in the next stimulus bill. At home, Renee has two adult children, a grandbaby and a sister. Since the quarantine, one of her daughters has lost her job, while the other daughter and sister are waiting to hear back regarding recurring contract work. “I’m just happy that I can get up and go to work because I don’t know what I’d do if I had to stay home with no money coming in. I’m grateful that I have a job it’s hard at times, but I have four people depending on me,” she said. Due to COVID-19, economists estimate, some 22 million Americans have lost their jobs across the country and the unemployment rate is hovering around 18%. More than 7 million have applied for unemployment insurance just within the last month, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In California, more than 3.1 million Californians have filed for unemployment insurance since March 12, and the state unemployment rate has spiked to 5.3% from under 3% just two months ago, according to the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Renee’s frontline work helps to keep a roof over her family members’s heads until employment opportunities open up again. “But you know it’s to the point now that if you don’t show up for work, you can lose your job because you can easily be replaced,” Renee said.
Governor Newsom Announces Cross-Sector Partnerships to Support Distance Learning and Bridge the Digital Divide...continued Fund to help cover the costs of computing and hotspot devices. CDE will review requests and coordinate purchases in order to leverage economies of scale. Low-income communities, communities with high percentages of residents with limited English proficiency, and communities with high percentages of residents with limited education attainment will be prioritized. More information is available here.https:// www.cpuc.ca.gov/uploadedFiles/ CPUC_Public_Website/Content/ Utilities_and_Industries/ Communications__Telecommunicati ons_and_Broadband/ Service_Provider_Information/ California_Advan ced_Service s_Fund_(CASF)_Program/ Fact%20Sh eet%20.pdf City of Sacramento Proof of Concept The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) is partnering with the City of Sacramento for a 60-day proof of concept to be launched on May 1, 2020. Seven transit buses will be repurposed and outfitted with super hotspots providing connectivity with at least a 500foot radius. Buses will park between 4-8 hours to provide high-speed Internet services to surrounding locations while people remain in homes or congregate at safe distances while under supervision. Hotspot locations and protocols will be determined in collaboration between the City of Sacramento, Valley Vision, Sacramento Public Library, SacRT, CalSTA, and public health officials. Lessons learned from the proof of concept will be converted into a model for cities throughout California to replicate.
Concerned about accuracy and low response rates, Latino leaders ask for Congress to monitor and “save” Census 2020 Community News
Governor Newsom Announces Cross- Governor Newsom Announces Cross-Sector Sector Partnerships to Support Distance Partnerships to Support Distance Learning and Bridge the Digital Divide...continued Learning and Bridge the Digital Divide Governor announces commitments from companies, business leaders, and philanthropists to provide Internet access for hundreds of thousands of households and laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets for over 70,000 students The California Public Utilities Commission will make $30 million available to help school districts ensure that families have Internet access and computing devices for distance learning The California State Transportation Agency will partner with the City of Sacramento to convert and deploy seven transit buses to be used as super hotspots Educational News
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced new cross-sector partnerships to support the state’s distance learning efforts and help bridge the digital divide. “School may be physically closed, but class is still in session,” said Governor Newsom. “But for class to be in session, it is imperative that California addresses the inequities in access to computers, technology tools and connectivity to ensure that online learning can in fact reach all of California’s children. It’s inspiring to see parents, teachers, businesses and philanthropy step up to meet this moment and provide tools to help bridge the digital divide and get more students connected.” “I am beyond grateful for the generosity and leadership of our community leaders to help us bridge the technology gap that too many California families are facing," said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. "As a mother of four, I know well that the challenges of distance learning can take a toll – both on the child and the parent. That is why it is crucial we close the digital divide and work to ensure that every
child has what they need to reach their full potential." Approximately one in five students in California lack highspeed Internet or an appropriate computing device at home. In a parent survey two weeks ago, 50 percent of low-income families and 42 percent of families of color reported that they lacked the laptop, Chromebook, or tablet needed to access distance learning. “We are so thankful to everyone that is stepping up to help us close the digital divide. These efforts will truly make an impact in the lives of our students and an even greater impact as we work to close achievement gaps that existed before this public health crisis,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “I look forward to continuing these efforts with my “Closing the Digital Divide” task force, co-chaired by Senator Connie Leyva, because we are stronger together, and together, we can close the digital divide for all students in California.” Earlier this month, Governor Newsom issued a call to action to business, government, and (continued in next 2 columns)
community leaders to help bridge the digital divide. Leaders across sectors stepped up to heed the call.
Ann & John Doerr are donating $1,000,000. Other commitments are listed at the bottom of this press release.
Caption for picture: Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO)
Private Partnerships First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, State Board of Education President Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond led – and will continue to lead – the drive for community leaders to heed the Governor’s call to action. Companies, business leaders, and philanthropists heeded the call by committing to provide Internet access for hundreds of thousands of households and over 70,000 laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets for students. T-Mobile is donating 13,000 tablet devices, in addition to the previously-announced 100,000 hotspot devices (for which they partnered with Google.) Amazon is donating 10,000 tablet devices. Apple is actively working with 800 districts across the state, offering free coaching sessions to teachers to help them with the transition to remote learning. In addition, Apple is offering special pricing for iPads with cellular, and has given the equivalent of 9,000 iPads to ensure the most vulnerable in our state have access. Verizon is partnering with the State of California to provide 250,000 students with unlimited Internet service at a discount. The Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative is donating $1,000,000. Jack Dorsey (via #startsmall) is donating $1,000,000.
All monetary contributions will be deposited in a fund established at the CDE Foundation and used to bulk-purchase computing and hotspot devices for allocation to school districts in need, with a priority on rural and low-income communities. CPUC Broadband in Schools Initiative The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Department of Education (CDE) will partner to distribute a total of $30 million to support connectivity. The CPUC will make $25 million available from the California Teleconnect Fund for hotspots and Internet service for student households. School districts will be able to apply to receive 50 percent discounts on the cost of hotspot devices and on monthly recurring service charges until September 30, 2020. Rural, small, and medium-sized districts will be prioritized. More information is available here.https:// www.cpuc.ca.gov/uploadedFiles/ CPUC_Public_Website/Content/ Utilities_and_Industries/ C o m m u n i c a t i o n s / Consumer_Programs/Californ ia_Teleconnect_Fund_(CTF)/ Landing_Page_Snippets/ CTF%20Fa ct%20 Sheet%202019.pdf The CPUC is also proposing to make $5 million available from the California Advanced Services (continued in next 2 columns)
Full List of Private Partnerships In addition to the commitments listed above: HP Inc. is donating 5,000 Chromebooks and launching HP Refresh with dedicated resources to the state. Lenovo is donating 4,000 Chromebooks. An anonymous foundation is donating $1,000,000. Box is donating free 12-month licenses to its secure file-sharing services (up to $1,000,000) for school districts to enable administrators and teachers to collaborate. Box CEO Aaron Levie is also personally donating $100,000. Scott Cook and Signe Ostby through The Valhalla Charitable Foundation are donating $500,000. An anonymous foundation is donating $500,000 for LA County public schools. Zoom is donating $500,000. AT&T is donating $300,000 for devices and $250,000 for distance learning programs. Microsoft is donating 1,000 Surface tablets. The Stuart Foundation is donating $250,000. Todd McKinnon and Roxanne Stachon are donating $250,000. Heising-Simons Foundation is donating $200,000. Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang are donating $100,000. Silver Giving Foundation is donating $100,000. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is donating $100,000. Craig Newmark Philanthropies is donating $100,000. VIPKid is donating $50,000. PayPal Gives is donating $50,000. Learn more about the state’s ongoing COVID-19 response efforts here. Visit covid19.ca.gov or covid19.ca.gov/es for critical steps Californians can take to stay healthy, and resources available to those impacted by the outbreak.
Coronavirus afflicts and delays the decennial count and creates obstacles for door-to-door essential work Pilar Marrero (Ethnic Media Services) “A nightmare” is how Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), defines what the coronavirus pandemic has meant to the carefully planned efforts to make the nation’s Latino community count in the 2020 Census. “We are moving forward with a new strategy and message, but deep down we know that there is no way to get to a full count without door-to-door visits” he said. “And at this point, we don’t know if the Census Bureau will be able to be on the street doing that follow-up work as planned in June (the original date would have been mid-May). I think by the end of this month the writing will be on the wall.” NALEO and other groups continue to work to “turn the boat around” — to make the transition from hundreds of in-person events and follow-ups to paid and earned media to reach the socalled “hard-to-count” Latino community vulnerable to undercounts. But the confidence that the result will be reliable is fading with each passing day. “Postponing the census until next year is an option that should be on the table,” Vargas added. “There is no reason to risk the health of the enumerators or the
public.” Congress will have to act because the statute sets two dates for delivering this data to Congress and the states. Brazil has already postponed its census. Part of the nightmare for Vargas and other Latino activists is that so far the response from this population has been, on average, too low. While Latino communities tend to be undercounted in every census, this year the situation was already complicated. And then, the coronavirus hit. The Trump administration’s handling of the last few years of preparation for the 10-year count mightily complicated things, including the decision to include a citizenship question that was finally rejected by the Supreme Court. The damage remains, however, as surveys continue to record that many Latinos still believe they will have to answer a citizenship question in the census. Experts say this inhibits community members’ participation because they fear their data would be mishandled or used for immigration enforcement or other purposes. Nationally, 48.6% of households already had answered the basic nine-question form by April 14, but the numbers were much lower, on average, in areas with high Latino populations, said Dorian Caal, a NALEO researcher and data analyst. “If we look at counties with more than 50% Latino population nationwide, the average response is only 23.1%,” he said. “For counties with 20% or more Latinos, the response is 29.8%. The truth is that the fewer Latinos in an area, the higher the response. In other words, the Latino population’s participation is still far below average.” Leaders expect Latino participa(continued on page 3)
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
PAGE 3
April 23, 2020
COMMUNITY/ GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS/ADVERTISING
13 Year Old Accomplished Day Trader provides Key Tips to Fiscally survive in a tanking market! Business/Financial News
Mr.Christon “The Truth” Jones is a 13 year old accomplished day trader, entrepreneur and an international speaker. Truth has spoken in 3 continents as a Certified Les Brown Speaker, while also writing “3” international best-selling books. As a child prodigy, Truth continues to excel at youth sports as he is also an MVP for All American Youth Football. Christon “The Truth” Jones is on a mission to help 1000 people become successful. Through his company (Return on Investment, LLC), where he primarily focuses on teaching the principles of trading while achieving upwards to 6 figures in return. During this time of uncertainty “Truth” has counseled and coached many of his
students(Median age of 30 to 50 years old) into earning $15K or more a week by trading in our current market. Truth is determined to educate the market on proper investment strategies to survive during these troubling times. Truth has been featured in multiple outlets due to his unyielding success in the industry at his age. He has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, & FOX. He has also been featured in Black Enterprise and Black Business.com. I would love to schedule an interview with your publication and our client Christon “The Truth” Jones. Please contact me at Ebony@epimediagroup.com or 6785759104.
Predicting a pandemic’s path: What models can and can’t do By Barbara Feder Ostrov, CalMatters
Every day, while we’re all stuck at home, politicians and health officials and news anchors point to graphics showing the latest statistics on the coronavirus pandemic to indicate what might happen next, in your region and around the world.Underlying those visuals are disease forecasting models —complex mathematical algorithms that predict disease spread and severity based on different scenarios. Because they can help predict the effects of different interventions, including our social distancing, coronavirus pandemic models significantly influence how governments are responding.It’s tempting to regard these models as oracles that can tell us precisely what to do and when to do it. Can they tell us when we should return to work, or when our kids can go back to school? Is Grandma safe in her nursing home or should she come home? When can businesses safely reopen?As California’s COVID-19 caseload tops 30,000, state officials are using amodel developed at Johns Hopkins Universitytoaid in their planning. If you’ve watched Gov. Gavin Newsom’s daily briefings online, some of the charts shown are based on the model’s predictions.But the models need to be fed reliable data, and some data is in short supply, especially without widespread U.S. testing for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. We still don’t know how many people have beeninfected without symptoms, for example. Other inputs, such
asincubation periods and death rates, change by the day as we learn more about this virus.“What makes modeling especially challenging are the human factors. Individual behaviors, health care infrastructure and political response each can affect the outcome of an epidemic,” said Shweta Bansal, an associate professor of biology at Georgetown University who specializes in disease modeling. “I think of models as acall to action. They can tell us what happens if we don’t act and how we can prevent the most dire consequences.”Here are five things you should know to make sense of infectious disease models: Why are there so many COVID pandemic models —and why are they all so different?There are different types of infectious disease models for different purposes. Each has limitations and each can be useful in its own way.“SEIR”models, for example, involve equations based on the number of susceptible people (S) who can be infected, the number of people exposed (E), the number of people infected (I) and the number of people recovered(R).Agent-based modelsuse massive computer power to simulate the actions of millions of hypothetical people to predict the spread of disease. Still other models examine a disease outbreak in one country and try to predict outcomes elsewhere in the world based on that data. (continued in next 2 columns)
Predicting a pandemic’s path: What models can and can’t do...continued Some models look at travel patterns in spreading disease, and still others assess how age, ethnicity and contributing illnesses may affect survival rates.Epidemiologists say it helps to have more than one model in responding to disease outbreaks because they use different inputs. Combining results from multiple models can give a more nuanced picture of an outbreak’s trajectory.“Thefact that there are so many models is a healthy sign,” said Bansal. “It’s the same with weather forecasts that rely on multiple mathematical models. But unlike a weather forecast, with a disease forecast we have the ability to change the outcome.”The White House has controversially used a model developed by the University of Washington’sInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which some disease expertshave criticizedas being based on overly optimistic assumptions about the benefits of social distancing, among other statistical issues. The Imperial College Londonmodel, which predicted as many as 22 million U.S. deaths if no action was taken, alsoapparently promptedthe Trump administration to issue tougher new social distancing guidelines.What goes into making an epidemiological model for an infectious respiratory disease?California and some other states use an SEIR model developed by Johns Hopkins University epidemiologist Dr. JustinLessler. This coronavirus pandemic model, according to the California Department of Public Health, takes into account
assumptions about how long the disease takes toincubate, how long people are infectious, how many people each patient can infect, the fatality rate, how many people need hospitalization or intensive care, and importantly for hospital planning, how many people need ventilators because they can’t breathe on their own.The model assumes that NPIs –“nonpharmaceutical interventions” such as social distancing –started in the state March 20. In fact, some counties ordered residents to shelter in place earlier, some later.California also has been faring better on a daily basis than this model’s predictions had forecasted —only 4,892 cases were reported on April 16, compared to 12,119 cases projected for that date. Assembly members set aside time at abudget hearingMondayto question the Newsom administration about the model and seek more details about its assumptions.Rodger Butler, a spokesman for the California Health and Human Services Agency, cautioned that “there is considerable uncertainty” in the model’s predictions because we still don’t know enough about how the virus behaves and, without widespread testing, how many people are infected. “We are continuously refining our model with researchers and local public health offices,” Butler said.Which raises the next question:What happens if you don’t have enough data, or the right data?This is what keeps (continued on page 4)
National Urban League Demands PPP Funding Be Directed To Legitimate Threatened Small Businesses Government News NEW YORK (April 19, 2020) -Amid reports that massive restaurant chains and businesses that continue to operate received funds intended for small businesses shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic, the National Urban League today demanded the next legislative package include specific funding pools for legitimate small businesses truly threatened by the crisis. “Struggling small businesses in the nation’s hardest-hit regions have not received a dime from the Paycheck Protection Program, intended for businesses with fewer than 500 employees, while hundreds of millions of dollars have gone to corporations that employ thousands, like Ruth’s Hospitality Group and Potbelly Corporation,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “Executives whose annual compensation is in the multi-millions skirted the intent of the program by applying through subsidiaries, depriving legitimate small businesses of the aid they desperately need to survive.” The National Urban League has been advocating in Congress for the next round of funding for the PPP, which could be approved in a matter of days, to be reserved for legitimate small businesses
that qualify under the Small Business Administration’s gross sales guidelines, and that minority-owned, rural, remote and unbanked small businesses be given priority. Because the guidance for eligibility for PPP loans does not take into account the small business size standard base on gross sales, large chains like Ruth’s and Potbelly, were eligible based on the number of employees who work at individual locations, rather than the total workforce. Further, much of the funding has gone to businesses that continue to operate, like construction firms, that have been able to retain most of their workforce. Because funding was based on the size of a company’s workforce, the worst-hit businesses that had already laid off workers were at a disadvantage. “The lifeblood of the communities we serve are the Main Street mom-and-pop establishments like barbers and beauty shops, neighborhood cafes and specialty services that may employ only a few dozen or fewer workers,” Morial said. “Those are the businesses we’re fighting to protect, and we expect Congress to protect them as well.”
ACLU Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Virginia Witness Requirement that Puts Voters at Risk During COVID-19 Pandemic County Government News LYNCHBURG, Va. — In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Virginia filed a federal lawsuit today challenging Virginia’s “witness requirement.” Under Virginia law, any voter who submits an absentee ballot by mail must open the envelope containing the ballot in front of another person, fill out the ballot, and then have that other person sign the outside of the ballot envelope before it is mailed back. The ACLU is asking the court to block the state from enforcing the witness requirement while COVID-19 emergency orders are in place and/or community transmission of COVID-19 is occurring, and order it to issue guidance instructing city and
county election officials to count otherwise validly cast absentee ballots that are missing a witness signature. The pandemic means that the witness requirement would disenfranchise tens of thousands of eligible voters in Virginia who cannot risk contact with other individuals to vote in person or obtain a witness signature on their absentee ballot. “Removing the witness requirement during the COVID-19 pandemic is a common-sense solution that protects people’s health and their right to vote during this crisis. No one should be forced to choose between staying safe and casting a ballot. It is a false choice. We can have (continued in next 2 columns)
ACLU Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Virginia Witness Requirement that Puts Voters at Risk During COVID-19 Pandemic...continued both,” said Davin Rosborough, a staff attorney with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project. The case was filed on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Virginia and several individuals. Over a quarter of Virginians age 18 and over live by themselves, and almost a third of Virginians over 65 years of age — one of the groups most vulnerable to COVID-19 — live alone. And the impact of this requirement will also fall heavily on Virginians with disabilities and black Virginians, who live alone in larger percentages than the population as a whole and who also are experiencing COVID-19 at disproportionate rates. In the midst of the pandemic and during a stay-at-home mandate, the witness requirement amounts to an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote. And its disproportionate impact on black Virginians due to its interaction with historical and ongoing discrimination violates the Voting Rights Act. Virginia’s federal office primaries are June 23. “The witness requirement is not worth [the] massive disenfranchisement of Virginia voters,” the lawsuit states. “While election integrity is an important interest, the witness rule does very little if anything — and it is certainly not narrowly tailored — to serve this interest in light of the many other
provisions of Virginia law that safeguard absentee voting and penalize those who abuse the process. The fact that Virginia is one of only 11 states that require an individual submitting an absentee ballot to have another adult witness and sign their ballot envelope further underscores the requirement’s lack of necessity.” “If the witness requirement stands, tens of thousands of Virginia voters will be unable to maintain social distancing recommendations and vote absentee,” said Eden Heilman, legal director at the ACLU of Virginia. “The governor and Virginia election officials can and must adapt voting policies to preserve our democracy and keep everyone safe.” The lawsuit, League of Women Voters of Virginia v. Virginia State Board of Elections, was filed in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg, Va. Complaint: https:// www.aclu.org/legal-document/ league-women-voters-virginia-vvirginia-state-board-electionscomplaint Statement: https:// www.aclu.org/press-releases/ aclu-files-federal-lawsuitchallenging-virginia-witnessrequirement-puts-voters-risk Case details: https:// www.aclu.org/cases/leaguewomen-voters-virginia-vvirginia-state-board-elections
Concerned about accuracy and low response rates, Latino leaders ask for Congress to monitor and “save” Census 2020...continued from page 2 tion to improve after more than 60 million paper questionnaires are sent in mid-April to people who have not responded online. Research indicates that the paper response is the one most favored by Latinos. Some small cities with high Latino populations, particularly those with nearby rural areas populated by many farmworkers and migrants, have desperately low census response numbers. Two examples in Fresno County: The city of Huron has a 6.3% response and the city of San Joaquin 4.6%. In California, whose response exceeds the national average, 49.2% of the population has filled out the census compared to the nation’s 48.6%. California has spent more than $180 million promoting the census to secure its piece of the pie. States like Texas, which spent no money on outreach, have seen a lower return — 44.2% so far. The situation in tribal areas is even dimmer because of the difficulties of carrying out the work door-to-door at a time when many tribal nations are restricting access to their lands and have a negligible online response level. Also having a negative effect is the suspension of a program called “update and leave” that reconfirms the addresses of highly mobile or remote households and where workers leave census packets in person, said Caal. Although only 5% of households were on these “update and leave” lists, some states have higher percentages of such addresses. This is the case in New Mexico (37.7%) and Alaska (32.4%). The fair distribution of more than $1.5 billion in federal spending and political representation in the nation over the next 10 years depends on an accurate census. But the Census Bureau had no plans for carrying out a census during a pandemic. Just three days after this interview with Vargas, the unthinkable happened: Census Bureau leaders
and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross asked Congress for a four-month delay in the statutory deadlines for delivering population data to the executive and legislative branches. The next day, President Trump said that perhaps this delay was “not enough” and that perhaps “we don’t have to ask Congress because it is an act of God.” For NALEO, however, while the delay is logical, it represents a serious risk to the quality of the resulting data. There is a danger that the final result will be “incomplete and inadequate,” according to a statement from the organization. Vargas called on Congress to intensify its oversight role of the face-to-face follow-up phase of the census to maintain the process’ integrity. “Congress has the authority and obligation to work with the Bureau to take the necessary steps to ensure an accurate census of all U.S. residents,” he said. The request by census leaders and the Department of Commerce would extend data collection until October 31, 2020, with the numbers delivered to the president and Congress by April 30 and July 31, 2021, respectively. President Trump´s current term in office ends January 20, 2021. But according to the experts, time is not on the side of the census. The data will become more and more imprecise the further the fieldwork moves away from the April 1 date, which is when the “picture” of the country is supposed to be taken. All answers must be related by law to who was residing at home, at school or in the country on that day, and not after. “The Constitution places the responsibility for the census in the hands of Congress,” according to a NALEO statement on April 14. “In light of that obligation, it is time for Congress to step up to the plate and intensely monitor the 2020 Census if we are going to save it.”
The San Bernardino AMERICAN News Staff Samuel Martin Sr.-Founder Clifton Harris/Editor in Chief/Investigative Reporter Mary Martin-Harris/Editor Clifton B. Harris/Audio Engineering Editor Legal /Display Advertising & Sales (909) 889-7677 The San Bernardino American News was established May 8,1969. A legally adjudicated newspaper of general circulation on September 30, 1971, case number 153913 by the Superior Court, of San Bernardino County. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News, a division of Don Roberto Group, Inc. is published every Thursday by Mary Martin-Harris and Clifton Harris P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393, Telephone (909)889-7677, Emails: msbamericannews@gmail.com sbamericannews@gmail.com The San Bernardino AMERICAN News subscription rate is $58.00 per year. The San Bernardino AMERICAN New is committed to serving its readers by presenting news, unbiased and objective, trusting in the mature judgment of the readers and, in so doing strive to achieve a united community. News releases appearing in the San Bernardino AMERICAN News do not necessarily express the policy nor the opinion of the publishers. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News reserves the right to edit or rewrite all news releases.
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
PAGE 4
April 23, 2020
HEALTH/FITNESS/SENIOR NEWS
Gov. Taps Diverse Group for COVID-19 Recovery Task Force Tanu Henry | California Black Media
Communication Habits Relationships...continued relationship. The goal is thave a healthy relationship where you and your partner feel free to be your true self. Bringing up the past Accept it. Everyone will disappoint you at some point in life. Healthy relationships are not composed of perfect people but are composed of imperfect people who accept each other’s imperfections. Imagine having a job with a manager that continually brings up the one time you were late 3 years ago. You’d likely be less productive and happy with the job. When
That
End
you move on from challenges in your relationship, actually move on. Make your partner feel like you believe in their ability to get it right this time. Did you see yourself in any of the above? The good news is, it’s never too late to learn more productive ways to communicate with your partner. Just make sure you invest real time and effort to work on your skills. Jasmine Turner is a black love advocate, professional matchmaker, and founder of Black Match Made, a nationwide matchmaking service. She’s a mix of southern charm and Chicago grit. Find her @jaslovesloveo
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month Health News
(1.) Governor Gavin Newsom, (2.)Dr. Robert Ross: President & CEO, California Endowment (3).Ken McNeely: President, Western Region, AT&T (4.) Gregory A. Adams: Chairman & CEO, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. & Hospitals (5.)Stacy Brown-Philpot: CEO, TaskRabbit (6.)April Verrett: President, SEIU 2015 (7.)Willie Adams: President, ILWU (8.) Lee Saunders: President, AFSCME (9.) Angela Glover Blackwell: Founder in Residence, PolicyLink (10.) James Manyika: Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (11.)Lloyd Dean: CEO, Dignity Health (12.) E. Toby Boyd: President, California Teachers Association “It’s been like tons, or gallons of alcohol being thrown on the open wounds of inequality and racism in this country. And as we think about how to recover, we’re going to have to think about how to make sure that we don’t go back to where we were before,” said Angela Glover Blackwell, an African-American author and policy specialist based in Oakland. Blackwell is the founder and president of the non-profit PolicyLink, a research institute and social action organization that advances racial and economic equity, according to the group’s website. “It was unacceptable then and it will be unacceptable going forward,” Blackwell continued, pointing out the “painful” economic and health disparities the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare across the United States and here in California. She was speaking Friday during Gov. Gavin Newsom’s daily COVID-19 press conference in Sacramento. During the briefing, the governor announced that he has appointed Blackwell and 79 other prominent Californians to the state Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery. The governor said he is charging the diverse group of social, political and economic leaders to analyze every sector of the state economy and put together a road map to economic recovery. Newsom says he expects the task force to come up with “short-term, medium-term and long-term ideas” to put
California on track to once again attain the level of economic prosperity the state had reached before the pandemic: 21 consecutive months of job growth; a $20 billion budget surplus in 2019; and 20 billion more stacked away in the state reserves. “I have asked and tasked some of the best and brightest minds that we could source — a disproportionate number, almost exclusively, reside right here in the state of California – some of the most well-known business leaders in the world. The great social justice lawyers reside here in the state of California. Tribal leaders. Health care leaders. Small business leaders.” Tom Steyer, the billionaire businessman, civic leader, and former US presidential candidate will co-chair the task force along with Gov. Newsom’s Chief of Staff Ann O’Leary. Other African-American task force members include Gregory A. Adams, Chairman and CEO, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., and hospitals; Willie Adams, President, International Longshore and Warehouse Union; E. Toby Boyd: President, California Teachers Association; Stacy Brown-Philpot: CEO, TaskRabbit; Dr. Robert Ross: President and CEO, The California Endowment; among others. See the full list of members. The impact of the global Coronavirus pandemic in California has been deep and farreaching, hitting the finances,
health, and way of life of people across class, race, and geographical lines, but especially so among African Americans and other people of color. At press time, the coronavirus had claimed the lives of more than one thousand Californians, and more than 28,000 more across the state had been infected by the deadly virus – with the largest concentration, more than 11,000 people, diagnosed in Los Angeles County alone. Based on racial data the state has collected so far on mortality rates, a disproportionate number of Black Californians have died from COVID-19: About 12 percent in a state where African Americans account for 6 percent of the total population of nearly 40 million people. About 95 people died of COVID-19 Thursday, the deadliest day since the onset of the pandemic, and a day before the governor announced his economic recovery task force appointments. Last week, the governor also announced that the state is officially in a “pandemic-induced recession.” “This pandemic has forced millions of Californians out of jobs – with the most vulnerable hit the hardest,” he said. “We will use a gradual, science-based and datadriven framework to guide our reopening timing while planning our economic recovery.” More than 3.1 million Californians have filed for unemployment insurance since March 12, and the state
unemployment rate has spiked to 5.3% from under 3% just two months ago. Before the onset of the pandemic, about 2,500 people applied weekly, on average, for unemployment insurance. Over the last few weeks, that weekly average has jumped to more than 200,000. “This is an amazing moment despite all the suffering,” Blackwell said. “The silver lining could be to finally understand that we cannot go forward as a nation divided as we have been between haves and have nots.” Other members the governor appointed to the task force are California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Los Angeles), Senate Minority Leader Shannon Grove (RBakersfield), Assembly Minority Leader Marie Waldron (REscondido), former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, Walt Disney Company Executive Chairman Bob Iger, former head of the Small Business Administration Aida Álvarez and dozens of other Californians from sectors, including business, labor, health care, academia and philanthropy. Gov. Newsom also appointed the state’s four living former governors as honorary members on the task force. They are Hon. Jerry Brown, Hon. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hon. Gray Davis and Hon. Pete Wilson. “We need to demonstrate for the nation that it is possible to have a recovery that is transformative, imaginative and radical,” Blackwell emphasized.
Communication Habits That End Relationships Health/Fitness News
Finger Pointing
Most would say communication is key to a healthy relationship. I’d have to agree. However, not all communication supports a healthy relationship. There are some communication habits that make matters worse. Relationships don’t usually end because of the challenges. They end because of our responses to those challenges. Does your response support the growth of a relationship or its failure? If your communication style is listed below, you’re probably supporting its failure. Passive Aggression
You ever met someone who says “yes” when you both know they really mean “no”? Or you ask them an open-ended question and they respond with “ok.” Maybe they don’t even respond at all. These are all examples of passive aggressive behavior. Your partner could be passive aggressive becausethey fear speaking up. On the other hand, they could be passive-aggressive in order to punish you. Either way, passive aggressiveness ruins relationships as it rarely leads to finding a solution to the challenges your relationship is experiencing.
When you find yourself listing things your partner does wrong, you’re probably finger pointing. Remember, you can’t punish another adult. No one wants to feel like they’re in a relationship with a parent. Avoid attaching your partner to the action. Though they might have done something disappointing, it’s not necessarily who they are. Instead of saying “You’re a horrible listener.” Say “When you don’t remember our conversations, I feel like you’re not listening to me” One puts your partner in a position to defend themselves. The other gives them an opportunity to engage. Ignoring Love Languages According to Gary Chapman’s best-seller, The Five Love Languages, everyone receives love inat least 1 of 5 ways.
1. Words of Affirmation 2. Quality Time
3. Receiving Gifts 4. Acts of Service 5. Physical Touch I suggest learning your partner’s love language while sharing yours at the beginning of a relationship. When you want to show your partner how valuable they are, you communicate using their love language. On the other hand, if you ignore their love language, they might start to believe you don’t value them. Don’t guess. Don’t assume. Learn their love language and use the information to show them how important they are to you. Seeking to teach instead of learn When your partner disappoints you, you might find yourself trying to teach them to do better. However, you have to remember you’re dealing with another adult that you do not have ownership of. Seek to learn why your partner makes the decisions he or she makes. The goal is not to change someone to fit your ideal (continued in next 2 columns)
Did you know that the most common form of cancer in boys and young men ages of 15-35 is almost entirely curable if caught early? And did you know that awareness and screening are the most effective ways to fight that disease? Now that you know, how’d you like to help spread the word? April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and now’s the perfect opportunity to make sure that the men and boys in your life learn everything they can about testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is relatively rare, accounting for only about one percent of all male cancers. Caucasian males are more likely than African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics to develop the disease. But overall, it’s the most common form of cancer among boys and men between 15 and 35 years old, with an average age at diagnosis of about 33. This year, in the U.S. alone, more than 9,600 males will be diagnosed with testicular cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, and about 440 will die. And over the past few decades, the incidence rate has been steadily increasing. The good news is that testicular cancer, if caught early, has a 99 percent five-year survival rate. But the bad news is that, in
general, men and boys are far less likely than women and girls to have regular contact with a healthcare provider. That makes early diagnosis of testicular cancer—and most other potentially serious health conditions—extremely difficult. As a result, too many cancers aren’t diagnosed until it’s too late, which helps explain why cancer mortality rates for men are notably higher than for women. The most effective way to reduce the number of deaths from testicular cancer is to educate boys and young men (and those who love them) about the importance of doing regular testicular self-exams and recognizing the symptoms of the disease. A number of high-profile male athletes and celebrities have gone public about their battles with testicular cancer. World Champion figure skater, Scott Hamilton, is one of those survivors, and he says that early detection is key. “I knew something was different and didn’t do anything. For a long time. By the time I found out why, I was Stage 3 (out of 4)…You know your body. Self-examination is easy and takes very little time. Getting to cancer early is still the (continued on page 5)
Predicting a pandemic’s path: What models can and can’t do...continued from page 3 public health experts up at night.Because testing has lagged so badly in the United States, “right now we don’t know how many people are infected,” said Karin Michels, professor and chair of the epidemiology department at UCLA’s School of Public Health. “The biggest unknown (for disease models) is the denominator. How many people out of the infected are actually dying or wind up in the ICU? We have no idea at this point.”Epidemiologists want to know more about when people are no longer infectious. They hope to learn more about who, once infected, is most likely to need hospitalization or a ventilator, to prevent overwhelming hospitals. True fatality rates aren’t one-sizefits-all; they will differ by age, gender, underlying illness and access to health care, among other factors.Epidemiologists also need to better understand how many people might have been infected but not show symptoms. New antibody tests now being rolled out can help answer that question, but not quickly, and some of these tests are provinginaccurate. Some public health experts say that preventable delays in widespread testing and a perceived chaotic federal response have prevented the kind of critical data gathering needed to get a handle on outbreaks in various regions of the country —and to provide the kind of intelligence needed before reopening the country.What makes a model succeed in its predictions?Disease modelers and mathematiciansargue about thisa lot. The quality of the data that goes into a disease model is important. The range of error in the model’s predictions are important, too. If early predictions of a model don’t measure up to reality, its later predictions may not as well.The University of Washington’s coronavirus pandemic model, for example, which aimed to predict outbreaks based primarily on early data from
China and later Europe, has had such a wide range of error in its predicted death rates that some epidemiologistshave recommendedthat governments do not use it for planning. The model’s predictions of when cases will peak in various regions alsohave swungdramatically in different weeks —and rarely coincided with other models’ forecasts, prompting some experts’ concern about the model’s validity going forward. Some politicians are citing the model’s relatively optimistic forecasts as justification to open the country earlier than public health officials recommend.The model’sdevelopers saythey are continually updating their model and have adjusted it to reflect regional differences in how daily death rates peak over time, and how social distancing policies vary by region.Still, disease models are supposed to serve as a wake-up call prompting us to act. If our actions succeed in slowing infections and deaths, making the predictions inaccurate —that’s a good thing.What do public health experts wish people understood about coronavirus pandemic models?Disease models are not perfect, and they can adapt as new data becomes available. Models “can help us think through different scenarios, but they shouldn’t be used as crystal balls,” Bansal said. “If we believe that a model’s prediction of 100,000 deaths is what will happen if we don’t act, then we do everything we can to prevent those 100,000 deaths.” Also: they’re better for predicting short-term needs and outcomes, Michels said, such as how many ventilators a hospital might need next month, rather than next year:“I don’t think we can predict the fall yet. We only know the virus will still be around, so life will be complicated.”CalMatters.orgis a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
PAGE 5
April 23, 2020
LEGALS/CLASSIFIEDS/NEWS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200003799 Date Filed: 04/03/2020 Filing Expires On: 04/03/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): COUNT IT ALL JOI County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 1505 N. MIRAMONTE AVE. ONTARIO, CA 91764-1830 Mailing Address: 7643 WELLINGTON PLACE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730 Name of Individual Registrant: JOI NICHOLS Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 1505 N. MIRAMONTE AVE. ONTARIO, CA 91764 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 01/01/2020 Joi Nichols, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200003671 Date Filed: 03/25/2020 Filing Expires On: 03/25/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): JDJ KITCHEN & FLOORING REMODEL/SHANNON’S HOME REMODELING AND DESIGN County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 1673 LA PAZ AVE. ONTARIO, CA 91764 Name of Individual Registrant: SHANNON RIESTRA Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: State of Inc./Org./Reg.: Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 1673 LA PAZ AVE. ONTARIO, CA 91764 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A Shannon Riestra, Owner, declares that all information in this statement is true and correct. NOTICE - IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920. WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORT IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE.) Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper April 9,16, 23, 30, 2020.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE SAN BERNARDINO AMERICAN NEWS AND GET YOUR NEWSPAPER WEEKLY! Email: msbamericannews@gmail.com
Need to publish your legal? FBN, Name Change, Summons, Probate, Bids, Proposals, etc. Go to our website: sb-american.com to upload your legal and make payment through our Paypal account You don’t have to worry about social distancing. It’s that easy! Email: msbamericannews@gmail.com
Your Response Can Shape Your Future National News
The 2020 Census is well underway. The massive undertaking of counting everyone living in the United States and five U.S. territories requires everyone’s participation. Over 75 million households have responded already. If your household has not responded, now is the time. Even if you received a paper questionnaire in the mail, you can still respond online at 2020census.gov. Respond Now Please note: You may receive multiple mailings from the Census Bureau encouraging you to
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month...continued from page 4 best way to survive.” Men’s Health Network (MHN), an international non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health awareness messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, encourages all young men ages 15-35 to regularly perform testicular selfexams, and if they feel a lump or a bump or anything out of the ordinary, to tell someone and see a doctor immediately. Early symptoms of the disease can be mild, which often causes many to delay seeking medical attention. Ana Tomsic, MPH, CHES, VP of MHN, emphasizes the importance of early detection and education, saying, “The earlier, the better. If we are able to provide resources and education to that younger population, and reduce the stigma surrounding testicular cancer, we will be able to empower men to take charge of their health and know that when something seems wrong or off, they need to get it checked out.” Educating boys and young men about testicular cancer has other benefits as well, according to Darrell Sabbs, Community Benefits Coordinator at the Phoebe Putney Health System in Georgia. “Talking with them about testicular cancer—which we often do by talking about the impact it could have on their sex lives—opens up an opportunity for other health-related conversations, such as prostate cancer,” he says. “That helps them overcome some of the barriers to care that so many of
2020 Census Operational Updates The U.S. Census Bureau continues to carefully monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and follow the guidance of federal, state, and local health authorities. See the latest operational adjustments and status of current
operations. Under the adjusted 2020 Census operational plan, field activities would resume after June 1, 2020. In-person activities, including enumeration, office work, and processing activities, will incorporate the most current guidance from authorities to ensure the health and safety of staff and the public. Learn More Communities Are Responding. Is Yours? With over 75 million households having completed the 2020
Census, you may be curious about how many in your community have responded. Stay up to date with our 2020 Census response rate map. While you keep tabs on local response rates, encourage others in your community to respond to the 2020 Census through your social media channels. Inspire Others Help us spread the word about the 2020 Census! Share this on social media or forward it to a friend. Share This
And, remember to Get It Checked. www.GetltChecked.com
Inland Chinese Association in Collaboration with San Bernardino Valley College and Inland State Legislators Donate Masks and Shields to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Local/National News
San Bernardino – There continues to be a shortage of personal protective equipment for our hospital personnel during these difficult times. San Bernardino County is nearing 1,000 positive cases of COVID-19, and tragically, we have lost 31 lives. Fortunately, there is not a shortage of community angels who are willing to step up and help those frontline workers who put their lives on the line for others. During these times of uncertainty, state and local leaders were quick to step up and provide support and assistance to the nurses, physicians, and staff working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Yesterday brought a piece of hope and certainty to our community and the essential workers who are sacrificing every day to protect us. The Inland Chinese Association generously donated thousands of N95 and surgical masks to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, through their president, Gary Liaou.
complete the 2020 Census. If you receive mail after you have responded, you should disregard it. It was sent before we received your response.
them experience and increases the chance that they’ll pay more attention to their own health over the lifespan.” Treating testicular cancer typically involves one or more of the following: surgery to remove the cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. Many young men who get diagnosed with testicular cancer worry that those treatments might make it impossible for them to become dads. Fortunately, that’s not true. Several recent studies suggest that while chemotherapy or radiation may decrease sperm counts during treatment, fertility typically returns within two years. Sadly, we still don’t understand what causes testicular cancer in the first place or whether there are any environmental or behavioral factors that might increase or decrease one’s risk. So as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month gets underway, I encourage all young men to take their health into their own hands. Literally. If you’re in a relationship, you and your partner can examine each other (women should be doing monthly breast exams). If you or your partner finds something that doesn’t feel right, make an appointment with a healthcare provider. For more information and resources about testicular cancer and other male-specific health issues, visit these websites http://www.testicularcancerawa renessmonth.com h t t p : / / w w w. m e n s h e a l t h resourcecenter.com
Additionally, San Bernardino Valley College donated 100 medical-grade face shields made with the 3D printers from their MakerSpace lab. Students at the local college took the lead. They utilized their resources to contribute to their community and assist in any way they could with the shortage of personal protective equipment.
While maintaining social distancing, Senator Connie Leyva and Assemblymember Eloise Reyes were joined by San Bernardino Community College District Trustee Frank Reyes, to help present the personal protective equipment. Dr. Rodney Borger, Chief of the Emergency Department,
William Gilbert, CEO of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and Dr. Webster Wong, Chair of the Pediatrics Department have demonstrated exemplary leadership and advocacy on behalf of their team to ensure that they receive the protective gear necessary.
Yesterday’s event was organized by State r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s Assemblywomen Eloise Gomez Reyes, Assemblyman Freddie Rodriguez, Assemblyman James Ramos, Senator Connie Leyva, and Mayor Frank Navarro who all took part in the planning of this event. Lunch was also provided to all the staff of the emergency department by Leno’s Rico Taco, a local small business from the city of Colton. This was a small token of appreciation for the hard work that the staff continues to do during this crisis.
The Arrowhead Regional Medical Center is a crucial part of the community. Providing personal Protective Equipment was a fitting tribute for the frontline heroes and sheroes who risk their lives for the benefit of others. The local leaders’ recognition and donation with the Inland Chinese Association and San Bernardino Community College was a fitting gesture. A huge thank you to everyone who took part in making this a successful event.
Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Assembly District 47 which includes the cities of Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino and the unincorporated areas of Muscoy and Bloomington.
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
PAGE 6
April 23, 2020
ENTERTAINMENT/LOCAL/NATIONAL NEWS
8.9 million unbanked consumers may wait 20 weeks for federal stimulus checks
Newsom: Cities blocking hotels for homeless will be ‘judged’ by history
Checks can be cut due to past-due credit or bank fees
By Matt Levin, CalMatters
By Charlene Crowell
As the COVID19 pandemic continues to unfold with surging confirmed cases and ever-rising deaths, the Department of Labor announced on April 16 that more than 22 million consumers filed new unemployment claims since late March. For these and other Americans, the federal government’s one-time financial stimulus is intended to lessen the financial stress of all households during the health crisis. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), single tax filers whose adjusted gross income was $75,000 or less can expect a one-time payment of $1,200. For married couples who filed joint tax returns, the stimulus would increase to $2,400. Retired consumers receiving either Social Security or Railroad benefits are automatically included. Consumers who electronically filed their returns and have a bank account attached to their tax refunds will be the first to gain stimulus access. Many of these checks reached bank accounts by April 15. Conversely, workers who filed paper tax returns will be among the last to receive stimulus checks. The federal law authorizing payments gives IRS
until the end of the 2020 calendar year to remit payments. According to IRS’s web, the agency plans to begin mailing paper checks the first week in May, at the rate of 5 million checks per week over 20 weeks’ time. For America’s unbanked households, a stimulus check may have been needed April 1st instead of sometime in the future. According to the FDIC’s most current national report on the nation’s unbanked, approximately 24.2 million households comprised of 48.9 million adults do not have a financial relationship with a bank. Even so, access to these federal funds can be far less than the amount issued if it is seized by financial institutions to repay overdraft transactions. Additionally, creditors holding delinquent accounts may also garnish these funds for repayment. As much of America awaits the stimulus payments, IRS’ intent to issue paper stimulus checks has attracted broad and strong pushback from the nation’s banking industry, formalized in a recent communication to the Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin. In an April 3 letter, these industry leaders said, “Checks are slow to print and mail, expensive to deliver, prone to being lost, stolen, forged and altered…Our strongest recommendation as private sector payments practitioners is that paper checks be viewed as a last resort or use of checks is avoided completely.” “We fear too, that underbanked Americans will turn to expensive check cashers or unscrupulous lenders, which will dampen
NFL Scores Win with National Response to COVID-19...continued from page 1 Making Miracles have helped produce 2,678 masks. Browns’ staff also provided support from their homes by cutting fabric for the Mask Making Miracles group. The masks were recently donated to University Hospitals (UH) medical professionals. UH is currently collecting masks from several community groups, and after collecting 100,000 masks, they will donate all remaining masks to local nursing homes and others in need. Don Shula and three former Miami Dolphins players who, like their coach, went into the restaurant business, are teaming up to provide free meals during the coronavirus crisis to first responders, healthcare workers, and needy families in South Florida. The food relief program, funded by a $250,000 grant from Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross through the Miami Dolphins Foundation, will also keep restaurant workers employed. Dairy MAX and the New Orleans Saints in partnership with GENYOUth, will contribute $50,000 to the COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Fund to support local schools with the purchase of resources needed for meal distribution and delivery, as well as protective gear for sanitation and safety. Each school can receive up to $3,000 in grant funds, administered by GENYOUth. The application and additional information can be found at www.dairymax.org. The Jacksonville Jaguars are purchasing 45,000 Jaguarsbranded protective masks for distribution later this month throughout the Jacksonville area. Sourced through a Jacksonville company, the masks will be distributed by the Jaguars to local companies still operating and interacting with the public. Also, masks will be distributed to notfor-profit groups whose mission is currently focused on local COVID-19 efforts. NFL team doctors joined the frontlines in fighting COVID-19. For health professionals, fighting this surging pandemic has become an all-hands-on-deck
call. This is why, in March, a few days after free agency opened, the NFL Physicians Society decided to suspend all football-related medical visits, including physicals for free agents and draft prospects. Instead, they are volunteering their time and expertise to support the fight at their local area hospitals. Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ wide receiver Mike Evans and his Mike Evans Family Foundation have pledged a total of $100,000 for COVID-19 relief efforts, with $50,000 going to the United Way Suncoast in support of efforts in the Tampa Bay region. The Foundation will also donate another $50,000 to Evans’ hometown of Galveston, Texas, to further aid in COVID-19 relief efforts there. In response to hunger relief needs related to the COVOID-19 health emergency, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay issued a million-dollar challenge to Colts Nation: as soon as $200,000 was raised locally for relief boxes from Gleaners Food Bank, Irsay would unlock a $1 million gift on top of that for his fellow Hoosier neighbors. “I am so proud of our community and so proud to call Indianapolis home because Hoosiers come together, whether in times of celebration or in times of great need. Today is no different,” Irsay said. “Everyone is being affected in some way by these challenging times, but many of our friends and neighbors are being hit particularly hard. But in our usual Indianapolis way, people are coming together and reaching out to help. “That’s why I challenged those who could afford to give to help make a difference in these upcoming days and weeks,” Irsay continued. “I send my deepest thanks to everyone who helped push us past $200,000 in donations to Gleaners to help feed those in immediate need, and I am pleased to add more than $1 million to that total.” Click here to see the many other ways the NFL family is responding to COVID-19.
intended stimulus effects,” added the bankers. But according to FDIC, the number one reason (52.7%) unbanked consumers cited for not having a bank relationship was a lack of sufficient money to maintain it. Other key reasons for remaining unbanked are a distrust of banks, and account fees believed to be too high. For Black Americans, a threeyear decline in the number of unbanked households did nothing to remove the dubious distinction of having the nation’s highest rate of unbanked compared to other races and ethnicities. Black Americans still lead the nation in the percentage of the nation’s unbanked at 16.9%, followed by Latinos at 14%. By comparison, whites comprise only 3% of the unbanked. At all income levels, FDIC’s report states that Blacks and Latinos are the most likely consumers to lack access to mainstream credit. When FDIC added the number of underbanked consumers – those who maintain a bank account but also use alternative financial services – the South was the most impacted region with nearly 29% affected consumers, followed by the West at 24%. If America is indeed one nation, one of the important lessons to be gleaned from the COVID19 pandemic is that communities of color are marginalized in multiple ways through a diminished access to: health, wealth, income inequality, credit, homeownership, business opportunities and more. More than a one-time stimulus check, here’s hoping that all levels of government will finally face and reckon with the effects
of maintaining a permanent underclass. Black Americans’ unique journey from slavery, to the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and forward to today, has been characterized with unfulfilled promises despite our contributions and sacrifices. Nor should Black America forget that we were intentionally omitted from federal, state, and local economic recovery efforts like the New Deal that expanded the middle class for white Americans. Historically, we have lost revenues and resulting wealth that benefited from taxpayer investments. In an April 8th comment letter to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Center for Responsible Lending reminded the federal regulator currently reviewing the proposed re-write of the Community Reinvestment Act. “Regrettably, today’s racial wealth gap and lending disparities are in large part the result of decades of government policies and practices that enabled the redlining of communities of color for most of the 20th century… Not only did this redlining segregate residential neighborhoods across the United States, but it granted whites the ability to build wealth through homeownership while denying equal opportunities for families of color to build similar home equity over the same period.” Without question, Blacks have borne the burdens of America’s ills; it is past time to partake of its bounty. Here’s hoping the nation’s response to the pandemic will result in changes that are permanently inclusive and equitable.
West Valley Water District Waives Late Fees During State Of Emergency, Temporarily Lifts Hiring Freeze To Increase Financial Accountability Local News
RIALTO, CA – The West Valley Water District (WVWD) Board of Directors approved a resolution waiving late fees for water services during the local state of emergency due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. WVWD Board President Channing Hawkins said, “We know many families and small businesses throughout our community that are experiencing challenges. This measure waiving late fees is a good start and I look forward to additional efforts that will help people make it through these difficult times. Whether we’re waiving fees or adding critical staff, we’re going to continue to do all that we can to ensure that we can provide the best and fairest services for ratepayers.” The board-approved resolution extends waiving of late fees and the halting of disconnections of water services by the Water District until the state of emergency is lifted or until a separate action is taken by the WVWD Board of Directors. The resolution also specifies that customers shall not be required to show proof of financial hardship. WVWD was one of the first public or private water systems in California to voluntarily suspend water disconnections for nonpayment and did so prior to Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order (N-42-20) to do so. The executive order, issued on April 2 2020, restricts water shutoffs to home and small businesses for the duration of California’s COVID-19 declared state of emergency. Most importantly, although the order applies a moratorium on water shutoffs due to nonpayment, the order does in no way change the legal obligation for ratepayers to pay for their water services in full. In light of California’s 2,418 percent increase in weekly unemployment claims for the
period ending April 4 2020 compared to the same time last year and WVWD’s continued drive to increase financial accountability, the board also approved the partial lifting of its hiring freeze to fill a vacant accountant position. The accountant position will be responsible for financial record keeping and auditing of ratepayer funds and will report to the chief financial officer. The accountant will also maintain the Water District’s ledgers, prepare journal entries, reconcile accounts, process monthly disbursements and deposits and prepare financial reports for annual audits. Earlier this year, the WVWD Board of Directors approved a temporary hiring freeze of personnel to reevaluate recruitment and hiring practices. Since this freeze, the Water District hired an interim human resources manager and transferred all recruitment, transfers, salary increases and performance evaluation powers to the human resources department. The action to temporarily lift the hiring freeze and hire a new accountant demonstrates the organization’s commitment towards increasing financial accountability of ratepayer funds by the WVWD Board of Directors. The decision also displays the board’s full confidence in the interim human resources manager and his ability to adhere to protocol and secure qualified employees for open positions. The Water District remains closed to the public during the state of emergency but customer service representatives are available by phone to assist with ratepayer questions and concerns. For more information or questions regarding WVWD services and COVID-19 response, please call (909) 875-1804 or email customerservice@wvwd.org.
A row of hotels and motels near Oakland airport on March 25. Gov. Gavin Newsom is encouraging cities to convert hotels into emergency housing to protect the homeless from COVID-19. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters
As California scrambles to protect more than 150,000 homeless residents from contracting and spreading novel coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom had some harsh words Saturday for cities he accused of blocking the conversion of hotels and motels for emergency housing.After toutingthe 10,974 vacant hotel rooms the state has acquired so far in a partnership with the federal government — roughly 4,200 of which are now occupied with homeless residents —Newsom charged some municipalities that have resisted the initiative with letting “not-inmy-backyard” politics interfere with a public health imperative.“I just want to encourage those cities that are blocking efforts like this to consider themselves in the context of others...to consider their actions in the context and annals of history,” said Newsom, speaking outside a Motel 6 in Silicon Valley that will be repurposed for the homeless. “They’ll judge themselves, not just be judged by others, by the extent they help the least among us.”While Newsom declined to name specific problematic cities and praised others he said were eager to participate, his remarks suggest that the state’s unprecedented effort to convert hotel rooms to homeless housing has run up against a barrier beyond even themassive logistical hurdlesof acquiring and staffing the hotels: political and legal challenges from local elected officials reluctant to allow COVID-19 positive and symptomatic homeless to be housed in their communities.Resistance to the hotel initiative has surfaced most publicly in Southern California. The cities ofLaguna WoodsandLaguna Hillsin Orange County, andLawndale and Bell Gardensin Los Angeles County, have mounted legal challenges to hotels that inked emergency deals
with county governments.State, county and local governments across California havelong foughtover where homeless housing should be located, with few neighborhoods volunteering to devote land and resources to a population many residents associate with crime, mental illness and declining property values. As the state prioritizes hotel rooms for the homeless who have tested positive for the virus or are symptomatic, a potent cocktailof fear is developing in some neighborhoods, say homelessness advocates.“What is at stake right now takes this outside the realm of a conversation aboutNIMBYism,” said Shayla Myers, attorney for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. “I think Gavin Newsom made the moral argument.”A spokesman for the League of California Cities, which represents municipal interests in the Capitol, declined to comment on Newsom’s remarks.Myers says that while she applauds Newsom’s rhetoric, homelessness advocates wish the governor would exercise more of the emergency powers granted to him during the pandemic to commandeer hotels or override zoning rules and other state and local laws cities use to mount legal challenges.“The governor of the state of California has extraordinary authority in this moment of time to take concrete steps to address this emergency,” Myers said. “He is not using that authority to protect unhoused residents of this state.”Beyond the admonishments to reluctant cities, Newsom on Saturday announced a partnership with Motel 6 that could include 5,000 more rooms in 47 motels across the state. While the state has negotiated a lease template with Motel 6, counties will ultimately determine whether to utilize the rooms
Gang Member Arrested for Possession of an Assault Weapon Local News
RIALTO,CA-This morning the Rialto Police Department served search warrants at two Rialto residences. The Inland Valley SWAT (IVS) served search warrants in the 1200 block of W. Grove St. and the 300 block of N. Linden Ave., resulting in the arrest of Jeron Durrah for multiple felonies. Officers were investigating information that gang members at both locations were in possession of automatic weapons. During the service of the search warrants, officers located one assault weapon, a
high-capacity magazine and arrested Jeron Durrah for being in possession of those items. Durrah is a known gang member and both residences are believed to have been regularly frequented by gang associates. Jeron Durrah was booked into the West Valley Detention Center with a bail set for $100,000.00. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Officer Mike Martinez (909) 421-8003.
Our Values, Mission, & Vision Statement Our Values: Treat all people with care, respect, honor, and dignity. Tell it as it is with love, truth and integrity. Promote the interests of advertisers and sponsors along their strategic interest for the betterment of the community and beyond. Speak truth to power. Our Mission: To continuously improve communication between all people of the world. Our Vision: To be the best community newspaper in our region and the nation. Provider of: A voice for the poor, the underserved, those that are marginalized, Positive and edifying news about people, places and businesses. Keep San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties informed about global trends while retaining the consciousness of local events and processes. Memberships and Associations: The San Bernardino American Newspaper is a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association, National Newspaper Association and addociated with California Black Media.
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
Page 7
April 23, 2020
LIFESTYLE NEWS/ADVERTISING/RELIGION
MC Hammer Celebrates 35 Years Married! Lifestyle News
Born Stanley Kirk Burrell in Oakland, California, on March 30, 1962, MC Hammer has been around the block more than once and has seen a thing a two. He’s had over 30 million dollars, sold over 50 million albums, he’s been on top and he’s been at the bottom. He’s now a businessman, tech entrepreneur and start up investor and pitch man. But through it all, there has been one constant, his wife Stephanie. The couple have been married since 1985, before he came out with his groundbreaking first album, “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em.” She’s seen it all right there with him, but their marriage almost didn’t happen. As a matter of fact, Hammer was being set up to marry the legendary Whitney Houston (yes, THAT Whitney Houston). Hammer says that while at Super Bowl XXV, where Houston gave her memorable rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, the late singer’s father, John, attempted to play match maker for the two stars. “Whitney’s dad pulled me and Whitney in a room and said you know Hammer, you should really consider marrying Whitney. And, I said, I’d love to but I’m already married.” Hammer continued, saying, “I love my wife dearly but, I always laughed about that.
(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images) Always a big fan of Whitney. I loved Whitney and miss her dearly.” At the time, Hammer had just celebrated his five-year wedding anniversary. Now, the couple will be celebrating 35 years married! Wow! So what’s the key? One simple
answer is, no matter what you see in the videos or on screen, Hammer puts family first. Hammer simply says, “You have wealth when you have a family. Family is all that I need.” Praying for them, listening to them and taking his wife and family with him on his travels is apart of Hammer’s
routine of building a close, tightknit family. And don’t let the flashy-ness fool you. “When he’s home, he’s a little more reserved,” Stephanie says. The couple has five children together, and Stephanie says he’s a hands-on dad. “There’s nothing that comes across in the family that he’s not involved in,” she says. “People have to understand that I started working when I was 8 years old for the Oakland Raiders until I was 18. So way before I became MC Hammer, I was generating revenue and had four houses and two Porsches. Therefore, making money has never been a challenge for me becauseI’m a hard worker and creator. I don’t operate from a losing mentality.” Hammer says he’s in a good place now. “Some people ask me sometimes, would I go back and change things?” he says. “They are flabbergasted by my answer. My real, true answer is I wouldn’t change one thing. I really believe in the butterfly effect. Meaning that if I change one thing, everything else changes. I lose the kids I have now. I lose the relationships I have now. I lose the peace I have now. So I’m very happy with my decision.”
Black Lives Disproportionately Affected By Virus As Governors Continue To Ban Hydroxychloroquine By Rev. Clenard H. Childress, Jr.
Witness for Justice #991
Facing a Crisis of Health and Inequality Brooks Berndt Minister for Environmental Justice In the past few weeks, it has become apparent that the present moment necessitates a war on inequality as much as a war on the coronavirus. Members of the working class bear disproportionate dangers from virus exposure – whether they are riding the subway to work, serving as nurses lacking recommended protective gear, or working in unsafe factory conditions. What we are currently witnessing is part of a long-standing dynamic of injustice: environmental classism. Back in 1845, Frederick Engels used the phrase “social murder” to describe how the factory and housing conditions of the working class led to injury and death, aptly describing a lethal power that can only be attributed to the structure of a society and not individual behavior. To understand present inequalities, one has to understand a history of accumulated injustices. Consider, for example, the plight of Louisiana’s St. John the Baptist Parish, which suffers the highest death rate for Covid-19 for a county with the population of over 5,000 in the U.S. St. John the Baptist and other neighboring parishes have been making the environmental headlines for decades as the region known as “cancer alley.” Environmental scientist Wilma Subra notes that the leading corporate polluter in St. John the Baptist “has been releasing toxic chemicals into the air for 50 years.”
She adds, “All the community have some type of respiratory impact, some more than others. But they’re already very vulnerable.” As a result of accumulated environmental injustices, the coronavirus – with its particularly devastating attack on the lungs – has arrived to St. John the Baptist Parish with a staggering force. As noted in a recent report from the United Church of Christ on 100 super polluters across the nation, “cancer alley” is home to eleven of these super polluters and four of the top ten. The community surrounding the leading polluter in St. John the Baptist is comprised of 80% people of color and 45% people with low income. The parish is ultimately a microcosm of inequality in the United States. Like a doctor gathering the medical history of a patient, inequality in our nation cannot be understood without understanding the widespread symptoms and chronic problems that preceded it. In the Christian tradition, we talk about “the good news.” The often-unacknowledged implication is that “good news” follows a “bad news” situation. For the early followers of Jesus, that meant the inequality and violence of the Roman Empire. For our society today to finally arrive at the good news, we will first have to fully face the bad news that brought us to this moment.
“I Tell You… If You Go to HELL You Want Have Nobody to Blame but Yourself!” By: Lou Yeboah
Lou Yeboah
Nationwide (BlackNews.com) - Rev. Dr. Martin L. King said in his sermon, Stride Towards Freedom, "May the problem of race in America soon make hearts burn so that prophets will rise up saying, "Thus saith the Lord," and cry out as Amos said, Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream." It is said that a crisis reveals the true character of a person and the integrity of a system. The present crisis clearly exposes Democrat Governors Andrew Cuomo (New York) and Philip Murphy (New Jersey). Their callous and inhumane decision to ban or restrict Hydroxychloroquine has resulted in great detriment and death to African Americans and Latinos. All African Americans and all Latinos should be asking the question why would our Governors ban in Cuomo's case or restrict in Murphy's case the FDA approved drug that has proven to help so many people? Why isn't Black and Latino clergy, the NAACP and the National Action Network publicly demanding this clearly racist policy to desist? Why would any Governor do such a thing? Why would anyone be silent on such a bigoted response to such a critical crisis? The voices of "Prophets" as well as all
humanitarians should call these leaders out for their self-serving bigoted acts and demand an apology along with "reparations" for every person denied treatment. Some sources are reporting that the use of Hydroxychloroquine has brought about miraculous results, and the testimonies abound, yet these Governors knowing the demographic the Coronavirus is disproportionately affecting, choose to ban or restrict its use. This decision is criminal, and both should be held accountable by the families directly affected! President Trump not only has approved it's use, but has encouraged ravished cities to employ its use in the sake of saving lives. President Trump has repeatedly exhorted the use and Dr. Mehmet OZ, the famous TV doctor, stated in an interview with Sean Hannity "that the success of Hydroxychloroquine is no longer anecdotal but now proven to effective" and can't explain why a governor would ban it. Dr. Vladimir Zelenko from New York state also posted a video explaining his success with hydroxychloroquine and Zinc. His treatment resulted in the shortness of breath issue being
resolved in 4 to 6 hours. Dr. Zelenko in his study had zero deaths, zero hospitalizations and zero intubations! The preliminary death rate for Hispanic people in New York City is about 22 people per 100,000; the rate for Black people is 20 per 100,000; the rate for white people is 10 per 100,000; and the rate for Asian people is 8 per 100,000. Black people represent 28 percent of deaths, but make up 22 percent of the population. In New York City, Latinos represent 34 percent of the people who have died of the coronavirus but make up 29 percent of the city's population. In new Jersey, African Americans make up 15% of the population but 24% of the deaths. Murphy said, "Communities of color are sadly more disproportionately represented in the fatalities," Murphy said. "In peacetime, in normal times, you've got certain communities that are invariably left behind, and invariably they're communities of color." So the fact that African American are invariably left behind I guess its ok to keep them behind and from medicinal cures that would save their lives? Despicable! In the state of Michigan, African American Representative Karen
Whitsett, a Democrat representing Detroit, thanked President Trump for touting hydroxychloroquine as treatment for the coronavirus and for saving her life. I looked on her Facebook page and saw she has taken pictures with Corey Booker, Joe Biden and Barack Obama. Ms Karen Whitsett would be considered partisan, but apparently objective in praising the President. Crisis brings out the best in us. Interesting she didn't thank her Governor or Mayor, but the President Donald Trump for his insistence to use Hydroxychloroquine to save lives in the cities, which are predominantly African American. Democrats are fighting to not use Hydroxychloroquine that would save "Black Lives That Matter" and the Republican President is fighting to use Hydroxychloroquine that evidence suggests would save "Black Lives That Matter." It's clear that the crisis shows who the racists are. African Americans, when are you going to wake the heaven up? Rev. Dr. Clenard H. Childress, Jr. is the founder of BlackGenocide.org - a movement designed to reach the AfroAmerican community with the truth about abortion.
You see, you’ve been warned, you’ve been talked to, the Holy Spirit has been tugging at your heart, and yet in still, you continue to indulge in sin. What sorrow awaits you. [Luke 11:44; Romans 2:5]. Listen, God has made it very clear that the, “Consequence of Sin is Death,” but “The Gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus.” [Romans 6:23]. The only reason you are not in Hell today is because of God’s grace and mercy. But be not deceived, God’s warning is clear. You play with fire, you will get burnt. Make no mistake about it! [Galatians 6:7]. Jesus made it crystal clear to both saint and sinner alike, that any person who chooses even one sin to be more important to them than Him, will be doomed to the place of Hell. I tell you, to know God and to choose to think, act, or behave outside of the Word, Will, and Way of God is very dangerous. If God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment [2 Peter 2:4] what do you think He will do to you if you keep on sinning? I tell you, if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is
better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where worm do not die, and the fire is not quenched. [Mark 9:43-48]. “Come NOW, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” [Isaiah 1:18]. I pray that the Holy Ghost will use this message to grip your soul – and make you come to your senses. Because if you do not stop sinning, one of the greatest torments in Hell for you will be every sermon you heard, every conversation spoken to you concerning repentance and every plea that was made asking you to receive Christ as your Savior, will be repeated in your mind over and over throughout eternity. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” [Isaiah 55:6-7]. “Now I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life...” [Deuteronomy 30:19]. Because Hell is real and people are going there.
PAGE 8
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
NEWS/ AD VER TISING ADVER VERTISING
April 23, 2020