Vol. 50 No. 51
April 9, 2020 -April 15, 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)
COVID-19, the View Across Black America By Jon Jeter, The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Publisher’s Corner Publisher of The San Bernardino AMERICAN News
Email: sbamericannews@gmail.com
Clifton Harris Editor in Chief
NNPA Senior Correspondent Stacy Brown and Wife Shenay Test Positive for COVID-19 By Nsenga Burton, NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Editor
“…the pandemic is exacerbating problems such as homelessness and unemployment and health conditions such as diabetes. This is dramatically increasing anxiety levels for many in South Florida’s African American and Afro-Caribbean communities.” (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA Similar to Hurricane Katrina 15 years ago, the global coronavirus pandemic is shining a light on America’s racial fault lines. By whatever trope you choose to deploy—“last hired, first fired,” “When White America catches a cold, Black America has the flu,” or “Your Blues ain’t like mine” — People of Color generally, and the 42 million descendants of chattel slaves, specifically, will experience this almost Biblical scourge in ways that are very different from Whites. A nurse reports that White nurses began disappearing from her central New Jersey hospital around the first week of March, applying for vacation and leaves of absence just as the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. was beginning to skyrocket. As the hospital admitted more and more infected patients, they announced that all time-off requests would be denied, leaving mostly Black and Brown nurses to cope with the worst global health crisis in more than a century. But that’s not all. Running short of surgical masks and hand sanitizer, a nurse at the hospital recently was exposed to a patient infected with the coronavirus; her coworkers are on pins and needles, nervously awaiting her test results.
“While most facilities like the one I work at have turned away any new admissions, we’re still taking admissions,” wrote one nurse, a Latina with 15 years of experience. She surmised that hospital executives hope to profit from the growing caseload. While Washington, D.C.’s Metrorail has been largely emptied of its professional class of passengers, reductions in the city’s bus service have made it difficult for its darker and poorer customers—many of whom work in government jobs considered “essential” or the service sector and either do not have sick pay or cannot afford to take the day off—to practice social distancing on buses teeming with riders. Near the end of March, a Metrobus driver tested positive for the novel coronavirus. “It’s impossible to socially isolate in a sardine can,” said Rohan Edmonson, 40, who lives in the D.C. suburb of Silver Spring and works on Embassy Row. The buses in South Florida are considerably less crowded than usual, said one African American resident, Roger Williams. After revelers and spring breakers— mostly but not entirely White — posted photographs and videos last week of large gatherings on boats and beaches, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez
ordered the closure of all public beaches, parks, marinas, and recreational facilities. The measures are beginning to take: Williams said he rode his bicycle on a typically bustling roadway near his suburban Miami home last week and only encountered one vehicle on the road, a scene that is redolent of post-hurricane Florida. The challenge, however, is that “a lot of very low-income Miamians live in motels, and many are now being asked to leave because of the shutdown,” said Williams. This is “creating another crisis, since they will now add to the already striking numbers of homeless people on Miami’s streets.” A Haitian-born American woman who works for a major healthcare provider agreed, saying that she has found that the pandemic is exacerbating problems such as homelessness and unemployment and health conditions such as diabetes. This is dramatically increasing anxiety levels for many in South Florida’s African American and AfroCaribbean communities. At ground zero of the U.S. pandemic, New York City, only essential services are allowed to remain open: groceries, drug stores, liquor stores, hardware stores, and restaurants that offer
delivery. Grocery store shelves remain well-stocked, but cold and flu medicines are in short supply in drug stores. In Harlem, Margaret Kimberley, an author and columnist for Black Agenda Report, wrote on Facebook: “People are riding the subway, but there are so few that you really can practice social distancing even on public transportation. I’d say half of the people I see outside are wearing masks, myself included. Some are makeshift affairs, scarves tightly tied around the mouth for example. . . “To prevent people crowding onto buses,” Kimberley continued, “we are now allowed to enter through the back door. This is something poor people always did. Now everyone can ride for free… I got my hair braided yesterday, the last day before beauty shops had to close. I wasn’t alone, but there were a lot fewer people than you would see there on a normal Saturday. I went but wore my mask.” Perhaps the most jarring description from Kimberley was the gallows humor that has descended on Harlem’s Black community as many discuss the Trump administration’s plans for (continued on page 6)
Legendary “Lean On Me” Singer, Bill Withers, Dies At 81 Lifestyle News
Bill Withers photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images Bill Withers, the legendary singer who not only sang, but also wrote and a slew of songs in the 1970s that we still hear now, either as the original hits or as samples for some of today’s greatest hip-hop songs. like “Lean on Me,” “Lovely Day”, “Just the Two of Us” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” has died this week from heart complications, his family said in a statement to The Associated Press. He was 81. “Ain’t No Sunshine” gave
Withers his first gold record, earned him a Grammy, and, with later hits such as “Lean on Me” and “Use Me,” forms the a strong catalog of memorable hits that stand the test of time. Withers death comes as the public, me personally, has used his music in recent days as a form of inspiration. His song “Lovely Day” in particular speaks to the affirmation we need each day during this pandemic. Actually, the bravery of Withers to admit that he needed help with others is what allowed him to write “Lean on Me,” maybe the best-known song to friendship and family, released in 1972. The lyrics speak to how we as a people need each other, even more so right now. If you remember, some of the lyrics go like this: “Sometimes in our lives we all have pain We all have sorrow
But if we are wise We know that there’s always tomorrow Lean on me, when you’re not strong And I’ll be your friend I’ll help you carry on For it won’t be long ‘Til I’m gonna need Somebody to lean on…” “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. A solitary man with a heart driven to connect to the world at large, with his poetry and music, he spoke honestly to people and connected them to each other,” the family statement read. “As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones.” Celebrities from all over the world have been chiming in on
social media to pay their respects. “Rest in power Bill Withers,” writes Lenny Kravitz on Twitter. “Your voice, songs, and…total expression gave us love, hope, and strength. My soul always has & always will be full of your music. Your humility displayed & depth of your power as you carried us all to a better place. You’re still & always will be Bill.” “Mourning the loss of my friend and inspiration, Bill Withers,” writes John Legend. “He was such an incredible songwriter and storyteller. I’m so glad he shared his gift with the world. Life wouldn’t be the same without him.” “RIP Bill Withers!” writes Dwayne Wade “The day our daughter Kaavia James came into this world-“Lovely Day” was our song of choice for her entry into the world. Thank you Bill Withers for creating a song that will forever be apart of our lives ” Rest in Peace Bill. We will miss you.
“We’re not at the point yet where we need to be on ventilators, but if our symptoms don’t improve, then we’ll have to be admitted and isolated.” The Browns have fluid in their lungs and Stacy has an underlying condition. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Shortly before this article was published, Shenay Brown’s symptoms became more severe and she was taken by ambulance to the hospital and has been admitted. She is currently in stable condition. Please join us in prayer for the Browns and all who are suffering the effects of the virus.) The National Newspaper Publishers Association has been hit again by the coronavirus. NNPA Senior Correspondent Stacy M. Brown and his wife Shenay have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Brown recently chronicled the story of Jeffrey L. Boney, the multi-award-winning writer for the Houston Forward Times and the National Newspaper Publishers Association, who is in the intensive care unit at United Memorial Medical Center in Houston after being diagnosed on Friday, March 27, with COVID19. Brown and his wife, who both began experiencing symptoms at the beginning of the week, were diagnosed Friday, April 3, 2020 at a hospital in their home state of New Jersey. Brown says he was shocked that he has it because he and his wife have been adhering to the social distance guidelines and only left home to go to the pharmacy to
pick up prescriptions and the grocery store. An admitted germaphobe, Brown says the last time he remembers being in close proximity to others was during a meeting for the Black press held by the U.S. Senate on March 11. “A lot of Senators were there. The room was pretty small, and we were in close proximity to each other,” says Brown. “Most were doing elbow bumps, but I remember being shocked that Senator Cory Booker actually shook my hand with all of the talk about Coronavirus,” he adds. Brown has notified Senator Booker’s office of his diagnosis. Stacy and Shenay live at home with their three children: Talia, 21, Paris, 13 and Stacy Olivia, 8. They have two other adult children who live out of town. “The kids have been great, leaving food at the door. They don’t have any symptoms and of course I don’t want them to get it. I don’t want them to have to face what my wife and I are facing.” Stacy and his wife, who were already social distancing within the home, are now officially living in separate parts of the house. Stacy is in the basement while his wife lives on the top floor. His children leave food, medication (continued on page 3)
NEWS BREAK
A potential coronavirus vaccine funded by Bill Gates is set to begin testing in people, with the first patient expected to get it today by Andrew Dunn (April 6, 2020)Healthy volunteers in Philadelphia and Kansas City, Missouri, will begin to test an experimental coronavirus vaccine starting this week. The small Pennsylvania-based biotech Inovio Pharmaceuticals received regulatory clearance to begin testing. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, along with other nonprofits, have poured funding into Inovio's vaccine project. The biotech expects to have early safety data by late summer and is aiming to produce 1 million doses by the end of 2020. A small Pennsylvania biotech company is planning to start injecting healthy volunteers with a potential coronavirus vaccine, after receiving regulatory
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clearance to start clinical testing. Researchers plan to dose the first person Monday. The experimental vaccine was developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals, with the effort receiving funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. Inovio's candidate, called INO(continued on page 4)
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PAGE 2
April 9, 2020
COMMUNITY/EDUCATION/NATIONWIDE
A 13-Year-Old Boy is Using 3D Printer to Make Masks to Donate
Who Gets the Ventilators? By Julianne Malveaux, NNPA Newswire Contributor
By The Skanner News Published: 05 April 2020
Charles Randolph with one of the face masks he has made on a 3-D printer.Photo Courtesy of WJLA A 13-year-old Virginia boy is using his parents’ 3D printer to create masks to donate, reports ABC television affiliate WJLA. Charles Randolph, like most kids, is trying his best to stay active while being confined to the house as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Many young people are just trying to adjust with transitioning to online learning while also dealing with their new teachers
a.k.a parents. Charles is no different, but with everything going on, the teen came across an opportunity to do more than play games and complete online class work while away from school. The teen’s great uncle needs a heart transplant and with the coronavirus spreading, Charles began to think about the fact that his uncle might need a mask since he’s considered high risk.
National Civil Rights Museum to Host Virtual Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Death Community Education News
Masks and other supplies like gloves are scarce during this time, many people are finding it difficult to locate one, especially one that has a complex filtration system to keep the virus out. So Charles decided to do something about it. “My mom has me on a super strict schedule. It’s not the best thing in the world but, two hours of homework every day, don’t enjoy that often, but you know. I saw in the news that high-risk patients [are] people with existing diseases like heart problems and asthma , I thought this would help him,” he said. This, meaning the masks Charles began creating with his parents’ 3D printer. He first learned about 3D technology when he was younger and up until this point, only used the device to make toys and other small items using a template he gathered off of a website. “My dad and mom signed me up for enrichment classes when I was younger. You use a slicer
National Civil Rights Museum to Host Virtual Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Death...continued their stories and thoughts about Dr. King’s legacy and ideas for positive social change. Moderated comments can also be shared during the virtual broadcast on April 4. For more information, visit April4th.org. About the National Civil Rights Museum
Since March 28, the Museum has shared digital elements to highlight the final year in the life and works of Dr. King – from his delivery of the “Beyond Vietnam” speech, to the “Mountaintop” speech hours prior to his assassination, and subsequent reactions
Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment. MEMPHIS, TN – (April 2, 2020) — The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel will present a virtual commemoration in honor of Dr. King’s life and legacy on April 4, the 52nd anniversary of his death. Since the pandemic surge, the museum has retooled its original event to produce digital content and a virtual broadcast entitled, “Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment.” The program airs at 5:00pm Central Saturday, April 4, on the museum’s website, YouTube, Facebook, Livestream platforms. Each year the Museum commemorates the tragic event that occurred on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in 1968. This year, the virtual commemoration on April 4 will include some of the best segments of MLK50 and past ceremonies with remarks from civil rights icons Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Rev. James Lawson, and Dr. Omid Safi, Islamic Studies Duke University. Performances include selections from the MLK50 Legacy Choir and spoken word by Ed Mabrey. The broadcast will culminate with an excerpt of The Mountaintop speech and a moment of silence and reflection at 6:01pm, the time Dr. King was shot. “We should always stop and reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King on April 4, but this year it is needed more than ever as we try to navigate through this public health crisis,” said Museum President Terri Lee Freeman. “Dr. King’s message of economic equity is so relevant. We are seeing the devastation this crisis is taking not just on the health of our communities but on the economic wellbeing of our neighbors. We are seeing just how fragile the financial safety net is for far too many people. Celebrating King’s acceptance of humanity, but disdain of inequity and injustice, is very important in 2020,” she said. At 10:00am on April 4, Museum Educator, Dory Lerner, will read the children’s book, Martin’s Big Words, engage in learning activities, and answer parents and
kids questions about Dr. King. Since March 28, the Museum has shared digital elements to highlight the final year in the life and works of Dr. King – from his delivery of the “Beyond Vietnam” speech, to the “Mountaintop” speech hours prior to his assassination, and subsequent reactions. Key new components include: MUSIC VIDEO – A remote gathering of musical artists from all over the country performing Dr. King’s favorite song, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” POETRY CHALLENGE – Poets are invited to submit their original poem in tribute to Dr. King by April 4 via social media using the hashtag #RememberingMLK and tagging @ncrmuseum so their poems may be shared on the museum’s social channels. MLK POV – In the week leading up to April 4, museum historians, Dr. Noelle Trent and Ryan Jones, will share their points-of-view in video chats about pivotal events in the movement, adding backstories from their perspective and research. LAST 7 DAYS TIMELINE – A digital timeline of the last week of Dr. King’s life illustrates the work he was doing in to support of the striking Memphis sanitation workers and the city’s climate in 1968. Starting from March 28 when King marched for the sanitation workers in Memphis to his death on April 4, the sequence of events includes his final hours at the Lorraine Motel. FROM THE VAULT – From the museum’s collections, images of never-before-seen condolence letters sent to the Lorraine Motel following King’s death will be shared in the museum’s collections blog, “From the Vault,” and social media channels. RISE – A special performance of Collage Dance Collective’s “RISE,” a dance tribute to Dr. King. Visitors to the museum’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn social channels that tag @ncrmuseum will be able to share (continued in next 2 columns)
which takes the product that you got off Thingiverse and it turns it into code that the 3D printer can read. This is the first real, useful thing that I’ve made. It may not be 100 percent of a filtration system but it works,” Charles said. The entire process costs him about a dollar per mask and takes just 90 minutes to make. While the mask wouldn’t be useful for doctors or nurses with direct exposure daily, for the everyday person, it is extremely helpful. Charles is donating the masks to anyone who may need them, being sure to send one to his uncle first. The teen says he feels good about his creation and hopes he can continue to be helpful and utilize his resources. “I feel pretty good. I’m pretty quiet, chill. Yeah, I feel pretty good about this. I’m just waiting for another idea to pop up in my head,” Charles said. Thank you Charles for everything you’re doing. We can’t wait to see what you create next.
The NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM, located at the historic Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, gives a comprehensive overview of the American Civil Rights Movement from slavery to the present. Since the Museum opened in 1991, millions of visitors from around the world have come, including more than 90,000 student visits annually. The Museum is steadfast in its mission to chronicle the American civil rights movement and tell the
story of the ongoing struggle for human rights. It educates and serves as a catalyst to inspire action to create positive social change. A Smithsonian Affiliate and an internationally acclaimed cultural institution, the Museum is recognized as a 2019 National Medal Award recipient by the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS), the top national honor for museums and libraries. It is a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Top 5% U.S. Museum, USA Today’s Top 10 Best American Iconic Attractions; Top 10 Best Historical Spots in the U.S. by TLC’s Family Travel; Must See by the Age of 15 by Budget Travel and Kids; Top 10, American Treasures by USA Today; and Best Memphis Attraction by The Commercial Appeal and the Memphis Business Journal.
Mompreneur Launches Education And Lifestyle Brand For African American Kids Ages 10 And Under Creating diversity in the animated early childhood development space and supplementing the curriculum taught in traditional schools. Community Education News
Nationwide (BlackNews.com) - Elite Kids is an education and lifestyle brand for babies, tots, and kids ages 10 and under. The company stands out as one of the only brands for children that center around black and brown characters. Elite Kids, however, is not only creating diversity in the animated early childhood development space, but it also supplements the curriculum taught in traditional schools. Their curriculum includes traditional academic content and life skills. All video content is free and hosted on YouTube. Products such as flashcards can be purchased on their website. CEO, Kewanta Brooks, merged her experiences as a classroom teacher and parent to create Elite Kids. Mrs. Brooks, along with the Elite Kids crew, teach academic content and life skills such as phonics, reading, STEM, and history, as well as, how to read a map, how to apologize, and so much more. "My experiences as a classroom teacher and parent merged to create Elite Kids," said Kewanta Brooks. "I wanted to create
brilliant and kind kid characters that look like my children and my students. It is important for our children to see characters with varying shades of brown skin, that have coiled hair, and who are amazingly brilliant." Their mission statement is to educate and empower, to be coworkers with parents and equip them with tools to educate children who are homeschooled and who are in traditional school settings, and to encourage and promote excellence, magic, and joy. Learn more at https:// www.elitekids.xyz For a good cause Elite Kids' mission to educate, empower, and promote excellence does not stop with their customers. As a company, they are dedicated to giving back to the community. That's why a portion of every sale goes to support their Elite for Good projects and causes. Kewanta believes it is the company's responsibility to do their part to uplift and inspire the community.
Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist. Her latest project MALVEAUX! On UDCTV is available on youtube.com. For booking, wholesale inquiries or for more info visit www.juliannemalveaux.com The “big and bad” United States is seeing its world dominance recede. We are being vanquished both by a virus and by the ignorance of the “Commander in Chief.” We now know that there are not enough tests to detect the coronavirus, nor enough ventilators to treat all of those who are ill. Medical professionals are talking openly about the choices they will make and the fact that some people will be judged more likely to survive than others. Through which lens will these medical professionals decide who gets a ventilator? Will age be the only lens, advantaging a 30-yearold over an 80-year-old? Will there be other filters? Will a man with children get preference over a single woman? An author over a homeless person? A white person over a person of color? Medical professionals are being asked to choose and to judge. How will their conscious or unconscious bias play a role in their judgments? The National Academy of Medicine describes itself as “an independent, nonprofit organization that works outside of government to provide unbiased and authoritative advice to decision-makers and the public” On its website, it acknowledges “evidence of racial and ethnic disparities in health care.” Will this evidence influence the distribution of ventilators? People will need these ventilators to breathe. They may need them for weeks, not days. Some will survive, and some won’t. The survival rate is a function of the bizarre avoidance our so-called leaders make decisions about this pandemic. But who will be saved? An innocent infant or the despot who lives in the house that enslaved people built? Dr. Dorothy Irene Height was 98 when she died in 2010. She was productive until her final days. In her own words, she was “dressed and in her right mind” until the end. Would the doctor choosing who got a ventilator see the history contained in that precious black body? Or would he make choices based on stereotypes? I know that by Black 92-year-old mama, disabled by a stroke, still gives her children strength and love, smiles, and sharp reprimands (yes, the lady hit me when I used profanity in her presence. Whose life would I trade that for?)
We must not forget the many ways that Black bodies were used for medical experiments, from the use of Black women’s genitalia to develop gynecology through the Tuskegee syphilis studies that lasted from 1932 through 1972. Black people’s lives have too often been white people’s experiments. It is not paranoid, but merely cautious, to wonder who will get the ventilators, and whose needs will be sidelined. Now the words “Black Lives Matter” take on a more pointed meaning. This coronavirus illustrates our nation’s faultlines by class race and gender. The coronavirus also refutes the notion of our nation’s exceptionalism. The United States just ain’t all that, despite our “greatest” rhetoric. We are stumbling compared to other countries – Italy, China, Spain – who have attempted, generously, to show us the way forward. One of the populations I’ve heard very little about is incarcerated people. How do you socially distance when you are confined, with another person, in a small cell? Given our collective disdain for the incarcerated, will an incarcerated person with coronavirus have a chance? Incarcerated people aren’t the only people at risk. All marginalized people are, in one way or another, at risk. Ventilators cost between $25,000 and $50,000 and even more when there is competition to obtain them. Will hospitals with limited resources be able to obtain ventilators? Those who are incomechallenged are more likely to go to hospitals that are underresourced. Lower-income people are at greater risk and have less access to quality health care. The coronavirus will hit princes and paupers, members of Congress and members of the clergy, computer whizzes and those who don’t have computers. We may all be at risk from the coronavirus, but class, race, and gender will likely determine who has the best chance at recovery. We can’t call ourselves “great” unless we are fair. Will everyone have a chance to recover from this virus? Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist. Her latest project MALVEAUX! On UDCTV is available on youtube.com. For booking, wholesale inquiries or for more info visit www.juliannemalveaux.com
Homicide Detectives arrested Terrance Bright for the murder of Reo Moore in Hesperia High Desert Community News On Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 6:53 a.m. Hesperia deputies responded to several 911 calls reporting a man being run over multiple times by a subject driving a minivan. The driver of the minivan, identified as Terrance Bright, fled west bound on Main Street before deputies arrived. Deputies and medical aid arrived and found the victim unresponsive. The victim, Reo Moore, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Dispatch received a call of an attempted carjacking at a gas station on Main Street and the suspect and vehicle description matched that of Terrance Bright and the minivan. Responding deputies located the van traveling west on Main Street and initiated a traffic stop. Bright failed to yield and entered the northbound I-15 freeway. Several minutes later, near Roy Rogers Drive, he stopped and was detained without incident. Detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division -
Homicide Detail responded and are conducting the investigation. Detectives learned that early Wednesday morning Terrance Bright argued with his brother and stole his brother’s minivan. Bright then went to Reo Moore’s home where they argued and got into a physical fight. Moore was able to run from the apartment and into the parking area where Bright got into the stolen minivan and struck Moore multiple times with the vehicle. Bright fled the area and was later arrested by Hesperia deputies. Terrance Bright was arrested for Murder and booked at West Valley Detention Center where he is being held without bail. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information, or anyone who witnessed the incident, is asked to contact Detective Floyd Stone, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
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PAGE 3
April 9, 2020
COMMUNITY/ GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS/ADVERTISING
Your Taxes, Cash Flow and the COVID-19 Crisis: An Interview With BOE Chair Malia Cohen California Black Media Staff
A little over one year ago, members of the California Board of Equalization (BOE) unanimously selected Malia M. Cohen, former President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, to chair the 141year-old state agency. Cohen made history when she became the first AfricanAmerican woman elected to the Board of Equalization in November of 2018. She is also the first Black woman to serve as Chair of the Board of Equalization, the Agency responsible for administering California’s $70 billion property tax system. In her role, Cohen represents nearly 10 million constituents residing in 23 counties in Northern and Central California, extending from Del Norte County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south. She’s the youngest constitutional officer serving in California. Our interview with Cohen is one of several we will have with state officials from all backgrounds. What they share with us will help keep African Americans in California up to speed with important news coming out of government that has direct impact on our lives, money, health and civil rights. Our goal is to help close the information gap that exists between our community and other groups throughout our state. California Black Media (CBM): The coronavirus pandemic is clearly impacting the economy. Just how bad is it? Malia Cohen (MC): It's bad. The pandemic has turned all of our lives upside down. Just this week, the governor announced that over 1.6 million Californians have filed for unemployment because of the pandemic. Many more will file in the weeks to come. State and local governments will lose revenue needed to maintain vital services. It is a true financial crisis. CBM: How are our elected leaders responding to this financial crisis? MC: Our African-American elected leaders in California's
Congressional delegation — Senator Kamala Harris and Congresswomen Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, and Karen Bass — have been working overtime to provide financial assistance. We are fortunate to have our own Congresswoman Maxine Waters serving as Chair of the House Financial Services Committee and Congresswoman Karen Bass serving as the Chair of Congressional Legislative Black Caucus. In the coming days, I look forward to working with these remarkable African American leaders to provide direct communication about financial relief for our community. One way will be through telephone town halls and community press communications just like this.
portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail." CBM: What about folks who usually don't file tax returns, and can they get a check? MC: According to the IRS, the website irs.gov/coronavirus is going to publish information about how to file for these coronavirus economic impact checks even if you have not filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019. CBM: Do you have any other suggestions for persons who need relief?
MC: Congress also approved payments of up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples, and $500 for each qualifying child. These funds will be sent to everyone who filed federal income taxes for either 2018 or 2019, and has an income under $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples. These checks will be reduced by $5 for every $100 above the $75,000 and $150,000 thresholds. Single filers with incomes over $99,000 and $198,000 for couples are not eligible.
MC: Yes. Please remember to file for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Young Child Tax Credit if you or your family are eligible. Here's how to file. If you have taxable earned income under $30,000, you can file and receive up to $240 if you have no children. If you have one child, the credit could be as high as $1,605. If you have three or more children, the credit rises to $2,982. In California, a taxpayer files Franchise Tax Board Form 3514 California Earned Income Tax Credit along with your state income tax return. To get a copy of Form 3514, go to the Franchise Tax Board website, ftb.ca.gov. Click on "Forms" in the top right of the website. Then, under "Get forms, instructions, and publications" click "Online." On the next page, where it says "Form Number and/ or Keywords" type in 3514. That will take you to the form for filing the California Earned Income Tax Credit. Also, you may qualify for the federal IRS Earned Income Tax Credit. To qualify, you must file an income tax return with the IRS (Form 1040), and also be within income guidelines. If you have children, you attached "Schedule EIC" to your Form 1040. To get more information, go the IRS website, irs.gov, click on "Credits and Deductions" at the top of the page. Then click on "Earned Income Credit (EITC)."
CBM: How are the checks going to be distributed?
CBM: What about financial assistance for small businesses?
MC: They are going to be sent out via direct deposit to bank accounts.
MC: Congress just passed a $349 billion paycheck protection program which provides loans to small businesses to help them keep their workers on payroll. This is one way to help businesses so that they do not have to lay off their employees. Every eligible small business should consider taking advantage of this program.
CBM: What can be done to assist persons who are suffering financially as a result of the pandemic? MC: Action has already been taken to delay the date for filing and payment of income taxes to the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board. The traditional tax day deadline of April 15 has been extended to July 15. Individual taxpayers seeking information about their own filing requirements can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and businesses can call 1-800-829-4933. For the California Franchise Tax Board, taxpayers can call 1-800-852-5711. CBM: What help is coming for a person who just needs money to live on?
CBM: What if the IRS does not have my direct deposit information, or if I have moved? MC: According the IRS website, "In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based
CBM: Where can people get information about this program? MC: Go to the website treasury.gov/cares and click on "Assistance for Small Business." CBM: What if I run a small business and can't get together my California Sales Tax filing because of the Governor's stay at home order? MC: Businesses affected by the Coronavirus can request relief of interest or penalties or request an extension for filing a return by going to the California Department of Tax and Fee’s website: CDTFA.ca.gov. Go to the "Alert!" banner at the top of the page, and click on "Learn more" after the sentence, "CDTFA is able to make it easier for taxpayers to request relief." Or, taxpayers can call: 1-800-4007115. CBM: Will taxpayers still have to pay their property taxes on April 10th? MC: The April 10th deadline is fixed in statute. Only San Francisco has extended the deadline to May 4 due to the shelter-in-place order in effect in San Francisco. Local county tax collectors can relieve penalties and interests if they determine that failure to make timely payment is due to reasonable cause and circumstances beyond the taxpayer's control. Taxpayers would have to file for relief of penalties and interest with their county tax collector. I certainly hope that tax collectors are willing to grant relief to all who are impacted by the coronavirus and the stay-at-home orders. CBM: How do we contact you if we need help? MC: We are always eager to help. Call and leave me a message at 1-415-557-3000 or email me at MaliaCohen@boe.ca.gov and we will get back to you as soon as we can. My website at www.boe.ca.gov/Cohen has many helpful resources or you can follow me on Facebook or sign up for my newsletter to receive updates. Note: Complex tax laws and concepts were discussed in this interview. It may not address every situation and is not considered written advice. Changes in law or regulations may have occurred since the time this news release was written. If there is a conflict between the text of this news release and the law, decisions will be based upon the law and not this news release.
COVID-19 financial warning: Consumers and banks should stay away from payday loans By Charlene Crowell
For the foreseeable future, ‘normal’ life will be indefinitely suspended due to the global pandemic known as the coronavirus. Record-breaking employment layoffs in the month of March resulted in the Department of Labor reporting that 10.4 million consumers lost their jobs and filed for unemployment compensation. As medical experts continue to track the virus, the New York Times reported at least 214,461 known infections and at least 4,800 related deaths. Beyond these statistics, untold numbers of additional school and retail closures, and an expanding army of people working from home have also been directly affected by the virus. Consumers both young and old
have passed as the virus continues to spread across the country. Its viral wrath has spawned hot spots from the Pacific Northwest’s Seattle, to the Gulf Coast’s New Orleans, the Midwest’s Detroit and the nation’s largest urban metropolis, New York City. Zeroing in on the economic impacts of the crisis, people everywhere are struggling with competing needs in their lives. When living costs exceed available financial resources, tough times lead to tough decisions about how to feed families, keep a home to live in, ways to keep utilities working and a myriad of other day-to-day needs. Despite a $2 trillion federal rescue enacted with bipartisan
support, checks of $1,200 promised to taxpayers, along with an additional $500 per child will arrive too late for first of the month April payments for bills like mortgages and rental payments. Many leaders also warn that despite its size or range of areas addressed, the legislation was not enough. In a March 27 House floor statement, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee warned colleagues that their job was not yet complete. “[I] must make clear that the legislation is far from comprehensive, and that there are issues it leaves unaddressed and areas where it falls short…The American people need help now and this bill represents a down payment on that relief,” said Waters. A similar reaction came from AARP chief executive Jo Ann Jenkins. “Older Americans face the onetwo punch of coronavirus’s health and economic consequences, and many need
immediate relief and ongoing help and support to cope with the pandemic,” noted Jenkins. “Those needs are only set to grow in the weeks and months ahead.” What can really make a difference between life’s success and failure is not just what leaders do but also what they didn’t do when they had the chance. The recent legislative package was silent on interest rates, as well as forgiveness of federal student loans, negative credit reports or bans on private evictions for late rental payments. As the cost of living has risen faster and higher than most consumer incomes for more than a decade, the likelihood of a savings account large enough to cover household expenses for a month or more is slim to none. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency tasked with protecting consumers from unscrupulous lenders has been conspicuously subdued. Instead of forceful and timely agency alerts via multi-
COVID-19 financial warning: Consumers and banks should stay away from payday loans...continued media communications warning consumers about opportunistic scam artists, CFPB has offered a modest tip sheet on how consumers – not government – can protect themselves. Fortunately, as the viral saga unfolds, some news outlets are reporting on the potential harms of consumers turning to payday and car-title loans. A joint response by five federal regulars - Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) – came on March 26 in a statement that encouraged banks, savings and loans, and credit unions to offer “responsible small dollar loans” to consumers and small businesses during the pandemic.
According to the regulators, “responsible small-dollar loans can play an important role in meeting customers' credit needs because of temporary cash-flow imbalances, unexpected expenses, or income disruptions during periods of economic stress or disaster recoveries.” Without any specifics defining “reasonable small dollar loans”, the regulators’ statement could be an inducement to join tripledigit lenders’ financial exploitation. For Black America and other communities of color, predatory short-term loans of $500 or less began decades ago when payday and car-title storefronts took prominent residence in our neighborhoods across the country. Loans that were marketed as quick fixes for millions of consumers morphed (continued on page 5)
NNPA Senior Correspondent Stacy Brown and Wife Shenay Test Positive for COVID19...continued from page 1 and vitamins at their doors. Stacy, who has been following the rapid spread of the virus, had attributed his early symptoms of COVID-19 to allergies. He and the family spent a wonderful day outside in their backyard grilling about a week ago. The Browns live on half an acre, so they have lots of space and aren’t right next door to anyone. They began experiencing symptoms shortly thereafter. “My wife had a slight temperature, and in my case, I still have not had a temperature. I’ve had a sore throat all week and at night it gets worse,” says Brown. After having trouble with his chest, back, breathing and a headache, Brown and his wife headed to the Emergency Room at their local hospital where they received chest x-rays and throat swabs. “The doctor said we definitely have the virus,” his voice dropping. “The ER doctor is a specialist in infectious diseases and says the more cases she sees, the more she believes it’s in the air,” he added. Brown and his wife were diagnosed based on their symptoms and sent home with prescriptions for Tylenol and inhalers. “We’re not at the point yet where we need to be on ventilators, but if our symptoms don’t improve, then we’ll have to be admitted and isolated.” The Browns have fluid in their lungs and Stacy has an underlying condition. Brown understands the severity of the situation having three children at home. They have held conference calls with all of their children regarding end-of-life care and decisions that would have to be made, which is sobering. Brown has tried to make a case for testing the girls to see if they have it, but the hospital won’t hear of it. “I have tried to talk them into testing the girls, so we’ll have some idea of their status, but the doctor says the hospital won’t allow it,” he says. “The fact they’re asymptomatic and young means they don’t get the test. Even though they say children handle the virus better, we’re learning that isn’t necessarily true in some cases,” he adds. Stacy sounds like himself although a little winded. While he is clearly worried, he is also optimistic and encourages people to stay home and have end-oflife conversations. “Black people don’t always have these difficult discussions
with their families, but it is important to do so now because there is so little known about this virus,” he says. “My symptoms started with a rash on my ankles which I attributed to washing my clothes with bleach. The doctor said people have been reporting rashes as something they experience before the other more known symptoms such as difficulty breathing, which I had never heard before.” Brown realizes he’s not a doctor and there are a lot of unknowns about COVID-19, but he says to listen to trusted scientists and doctors. “Talk to people who are going to speak with authority who know what they’re talking about and get the right information like James E.K. Hildreth, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Meharry Medical College, who is one of the top experts on infectious diseases in the world,” he adds. In addition to trusting experts in the field, Brown suggests that folks continue practicing social distancing, wear masks and limit leaving the house as much as possible. Brown was checking the mail periodically before but says now that he has no plans to continue doing so. He wants people to do everything they can to avoid COVID-19. “Listen to the experts and listen to your inner voice,” he cautions. “When I first learned of the seriousness of COVID-19, I discontinued a medication for an underlying condition that suppresses your immune system. Had I not done that, I might very well have ended up in ICU on a ventilator,” Brown said. “I’m not advocating skipping your medication but talk to your doctor and if you can make it without meds that suppress your immune system for a little while, then you should think about it.” Brown is thinking about a lot of factors as he and his wife face the biggest fight of their lives. “I was already afraid of it, so I wasn’t taking any unnecessary chances. Now I’m more afraid because I still got it. My wife has it too,” he laments. When asked what he wants the readers to know, Brown pauses momentarily. “Don’t be a hero. The only heroes are the healthcare professionals,” he offers. “The bottom line is COVID-19 is real. It is not a game or a conspiracy. It is here and spreading rapidly and we must take as many precautions as possible to stay safe.”
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.
(continued in next 2 columns)
The San Bernardino AMERICAN News reserves the right to edit or rewrite all news releases.
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April 9, 2020
HEALTH/FITNESS/SENIOR NEWS
UVA Enrolls First Patient in COVID-19 Medication Study
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia for changes in their condition. Trial data from all participating hospitals and an estimated 440 participants worldwide will be combined and analyzed about halfway through the trial’s enrollment period to determine if changes should be made to the test. The trial could stop if participants were not benefiting from remdesivir, or the trial could be changed to add another medication or therapy that could improve participants’ responses. “Having scientifically sound information about the effectiveness of remdesivir will be helpful as we seek to provide the best care for patients,” Dr. Patrick the principal Trial data from all participating hospitals and an estimated 440 participants worldwide will be combined and Jackson, investigator for the trial at UVA, analyzed about halfway through the trial’s enrollment period to determine if changes should be made to the stated in the release. test. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA The National Institute of The University of Virginia Allergy and Infectious Diseases, vice president for health affairs. The trial will evaluate the safety Health System (UVA) has joined which is part of the National “I am pleased that UVA is a part and effectiveness of remdesivir, a national clinical trial testing a Institutes of Health, is funding the of this valuable study.” an antiviral drug that has been potential COVID-19 medication. study. Gilead Sciences Inc., which Participants in the trial will be tested in humans with the Ebola “I enrolled the first patient on developed remdesivir, is randomly assigned to either virus. It has shown promise in the clinical trial for Remdesivir,” supplying it for the study. receive remdesivir or a placebo animal studies against Middle Dr. Taison Bell, an infectious “Bringing the remdesivir trial to intravenously for as long as ten East respiratory syndrome, or disease expert who specializes in UVA is a true testament to our days, according to UVA’s news MERS, and severe acute critical care at the Charlottesvillecollaborative spirit,” Bell added. release. respiratory syndrome, or SARS, based health system, told NNPA “Before I spoke to Dr. John Beigel Trial participants and their which are both caused by Newswire in an email. [the principal investigator for the different types of coronavirus, doctors will not know whether Hospitalized adult patients with entire trial], we had already lined UVA officials noted in a press patients are receiving the COVID-19 and significant up the research staff and release. medication or a placebo. Patients symptoms – including difficulty infrastructure to hit the ground “Finding an effective treatment will otherwise receive the current breathing, using supplemental running. He was impressed with will be incredibly important in our standard of care for their oxygen, or needing a ventilator – our organization, and we were battle against COVID-19,” said Dr. symptoms. UVA physicians will can now choose to participate in able to start moving immediately.” K. Craig Kent, UVA’s executive assess trial participants each day the trial.
Wear a mask! OK, but what kind?...continued out there.”Health care officials are most appreciative.“We are humbled by the outpouring of support we have received from our communities and business partners to help source additional supplies,” healthcare HMO Kaiser Permanente said in a statement to CalMatters.But the company said it was organizing a donation network and discouraged people from bringing donations directly to medical centers.The California Department of Public Health told CalMatters that while the P95 fire masks are “highly effective,”it is “up to the individual medical institution to decide if they are acceptable for use by personnel.”At least one hospital told Allesio that it would not be able to use the donated P95 masks because they didn’t meet the hospital’s requirements.Medical masks areregulatedby the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The state launched awebsitewhere individuals and companies can donate or sell scarce medical supplies, including
After coronavirus outbreak at Colton nursing home, San Bernardino County issues new orders Riverside Press Enterprise
Speak Life! More Than 200,000 Wear a mask! OK, but what kind? Recovered From Coronavirus So Far By Julie Cart, CalMatters Health/Fitness News
Everyday, and it seems like all day–if you turn on the news, you’ll hear about the coronavirus COVID-19. How many people have been tested, diagnosed and died from the terrible disease. But very rarely do you hear about the cases of people recovering. This is meant by no means to diminish the seriousness of the disease. It’s a terrible pandemic that is affecting everyone and everything around the world. Yes, people are dying. Yes, it’s horrible. But also, yes, people are recovering. More than 765,000 coronavirus cases have been confirmed across nearly 177 countries and regions since the virus was first detected in Wuhan, the capital city of China’s Hubei province, in late December. More than 36,000 deaths have been counted with more than 160,000 recoveries, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The U.S. now leads the world in the number of confirmed cases, with more than 273,000, but is third in deaths at more than 7,000 deaths. China has seen more than 90 percent of its confirmed infected population recover, with more than 75,000 recoveries out of the more than 82,000 cases. Italy, which leads the world in the largest number of deaths, has seen more than 14,000 recoveries out of its more than 100,000 cases. More than 11,000 deaths have been reported. “The most commonly reported symptoms included fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath, and most patients (80 percent) experienced mild illness,” World Health Organization officials said. “Approximately 14 percent experienced severe disease and 5 percent were critically ill.” As coronavirus cases near 1 million, hundreds of thousands of patients have recovered. But health experts say the worst of the pandemic is still in front of us. This news comes after Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said based on modeling of the current pace
of the coronavirus’ spread in the U.S., that “between 100,000 and 200,000” people may die from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. One real story of recovery is that of Stewart Boyle. He is almost certain he contracted coronavirus at one of his choir meetings a few weeks ago. “We were all social distancing when we met on the Thursday, but by Sunday a high number of people had come down with flulike symptoms,” he says. Over the following 10 days, the 64-year-old’s health declined. “It’s quite subtle at first,” he explains to the BBC. “But then I would try to climb the stairs and be wheezing like an old man. Soon I didn’t have the ability to exercise or move at all. The virus was attacking my lungs and I was losing the capacity to fight back.” Stewart’s family called emergency and he was taken to hospital. “It was like something out of a movie,” he says. “I was wheeled into the ‘red zone’ and there were…loads of tests being carried out and swabs being taken. They thought I had coronavirus so they upped my oxygen. There were a couple of hours where I was within a whisper of a very dark place and I thought, ‘maybe my time is up’. But I wanted to live. “I could feel the battle in my lungs and it required all my reserves to get through it. The extra oxygen gave my lungs a break and gave me the added energy to push out the disease. The NHS staff were incredible, but all they can do is help you fight the virus. There’s no vaccination or magical potion that can save you. It’s about your own resilience.” Since then, Stewart left hospital and is now self-isolating at home. He has been drinking a lot of water to help his lungs and throat recover. We are continuing to pray for and speak life into those who are afflicted by the disease–those we know about and those we don’t. We are praying for full, 100% recovery on all levels.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention onFridayrecommendedevery American wear a face mask while in public to protect against contracting coronavirus.The agency announced that nonmedical fabric masks –even scarves or bandannas –could help slow the spread of the infection. State health officials earlier in the week made the same recommendation.The everevolving response to the coronavirus pandemic has amped up the need for keeping everyone safe from the virus.That means wearing masks.What is the purpose of a face mask?It depends on who is wearing it.Humans have long covered their faces to ward off disease, and medical masks have a long andcolorful history.For most of the public and some healthcare workers, “the main purpose of a mask is not to protect yourself from others, but to protect others from you,” saidBill Padula, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Pharmacy.Padula, who studies patient and worker safety in hospitals, said medical masks are designed to protect the wearer from contact with aninfected patient.“It isn’t simply thinking about what I have to do for this patient sitting in front of me, but ‘How do I treat this patient, with respect to the next10 patients who walk into this clinic?’” he said.In its new guidelines set Friday, the CDC said studies have shown that “a significant portion” of people with the virus have no symptoms and can still spread the virus. “In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d transmission.”Which masks are in short supply?The highlycontagious coronavirus requires doctors, nurses and other clinicians to take extra precautions when treating patients. With more than 1 million people worldwide infected, there is a critical shortage of N95 masks and surgical masks —the types worn by healthcare providers.The N95 respirator mask is a polymer cup designed to fit snugly to the face to form a seal, and filters out nearly 95% of airborne particles. The federal government suggests they not be reused or shared.In contrast, surgical masks are made with multi-layered fabric,
commonly pleated, with bands that hook over ears, and are worn loosely. They are designed to provide a physical barrier that prevents the spread of germs from person to person.They also are not intended to be used more than once.But in both cases, hospital officials in hard-hit cities such as New York have rationed the masks and are washing and reusing them.The situation is made worse by the fact that about half of the world’s supply of medical masks is manufactured in China, with many of the factories located in Wuhan, thought to be the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.What about other types of masks, will they work?In many fire-prone communities around California, homeowners and local community emergency agencies maintain stocks of masks intended to protect the wearer from wildfire smoke.Some of these are known as P95 masks, often recommended by fire officials for use by residents during wildfires.The masks —sometimes referred to as dust masks —are fitted with a small carbon filter, designed to protect against oilbased particles.They work well in many applications, but are not considered medical-grade masks and are “not commensurate with current U.S. standards of care,”according tothe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Federal guidelines go on to say, however, that P95 masks, alone or in combination with other measures, are acceptable when there are shortages of N95 respirators. “These devices are expected to be suitable alternatives to provide protection during the COVID-19 response when supplies are short,” the CDC guidelines say.The guidelines do not say why P95 masks, which block the same percentage of particles as the others, do not meet federal standards for health care workers. It is likely that they have not been fully studied to ensure that their filtration ability, seal and other factors meet the needs of hospitals, since they were not designed for that use.How about donating those wildfire masks to hospitals and local clinics?Napa City Council MemberLiz Alessioorganized a local donation drive that gleaned some 45,000 masks, the bulk of them surgical masks but some from people’s stocks of P95 masks.The region’s vulnerability to wildfire meant that “folks had masks in their homes and businesses,” Allesio said. “There’s a lot more (continued in next 2 columns)
masks. The site specifically mentions N95 and surgical masks only.Ok, what are the rest of us supposed to do?Before this week, officials downplayed the need for most people to wear masks when they are out in public, provided they practice appropriate physical distancing. Then, as it became more clear that there are unknown numbers of asymptomatic people officials are now urging everyone to use face coverings, as well as remain at least six feet apart.There is a wide variety and many gradations of face masks anyone can use, including rudimentary paper dust masks, often used for home DIY projects.Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, said that for most people, a homemade mask using tightly woven cotton fabric, a bandanna or scarf affords sufficient protection.“There really is no need for anyone in the public to go and secure N95 masks, I beg you not to,” she said.“They are needed by medical workers or health care workers.”CalMatters.orgis a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
A second nursing home facility in San Bernardino County is seeing a novel coronavirus outbreak. Last week, eight residents and seven employees at the Reche Canyon Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Colton tested positive for COVID-19. One resident died, county officials said Monday, April 6. The outbreak follows one at Cedar Mountain Post-Acute Rehabilitation in Yucaipa, where 75 residents and employees have tested positive. Five residents there have died, according to the county. San Bernardino County has created a special task force and issued new orders to slow the spread of COVID-19 at the 171 state licensed nursing facilities across the county. The task force is comprised of public health and other county officials as well as officials from the state Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency management and hospitals, a county news release states. “The task force will proactively identify, map, and assess readiness for COVID-19 at nursing facilities throughout the county with the intent of identifying strategic sites that may act as COVID-19-positive sites to further mitigate spread among our most-vulnerable residents,” County Public Health Director Trudy Raymundo said in a statement. Governor Gavin Newsom identified San Bernardino County
as one of four nursing home “hot spots” in the state during a Saturday, April 4, news conference. In response to the Reche Canyon outbreak, county public health officials, with the help from state public health officials, launched an “aggressive testing campaign,” the news release said. This week, the public health department will give testing supplies and staff assistance to other facilities in the county affiliated with Cedar Mountain to help test symptomatic residents and staff, the county said. San Bernardino County now has 372 coronavirus cases San Bernardino County coronavirus cases rise to 353, deaths up to 13 15 San Bernardino County employees have tested positive for coronavirus 51 residents, 6 staff at Yucaipa nursing home test positive for coronavirus The county is also helping Yucaipa with its plans to hold a community testing event in the city this week. Also on Monday, the county’s Acting Public Health Officer Dr. Erin Gustafson ordered nursing facilities to “employ any means necessary” to stop using staff members who also work at other facilities. The order also requires nursing home staff to wear protective gear to prevent spreading the disease to residents and monitor their temperatures. The order forbids them from going into facilities if they have symptoms of any contagious illness. “Without appropriate precautions and procedures, nursing homes can create a tragically ideal environment for the spread of viruses among those who are most susceptible to symptoms and complications,” Gustafson said in a statement.
A potential coronavirus vaccine funded by Bill Gates is set to begin testing in people, with the first patient expected to get it today...continued from page 1 4800, is the second potential coronavirus vaccine to start human trials in the US. The Massachusetts biotech Moderna started dosing in mid-March for its own safety trial. Anthony Fauci, the longtime leader of the National Institutes of Health's infectious disease unit, has repeatedly stated it will take at least a year to know if any vaccine is safe and effective against the virus. For the study of Inovio's vaccine, the company is enrolling 40 healthy adult participants in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania's medical school and in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Center for Pharmaceutical Research.
Each volunteer will receive two doses of the vaccine four weeks apart. Inovio expects quick enrollment in the study and safety results by late summer. If those results are positive, the company will quickly start another study focused on assessing the vaccine's efficacy against the virus. Given unprecedented global demand, any vaccine that proves to be safe and effective will face a major challenge in manufacturing. Inovio stated it is now scaling up its production capabilities and is aiming to have 1 million doses available by the end of 2020. These doses could be used in additional clinical trials or emergency use, if required.
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April 9, 2020
LEGALS/CLASSIFIEDS/NEWS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME 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. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200002327 Date Filed: 02/21/2020 Filing Expires On: 02/21/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): SHINE BRIGHT NETWORK LLC County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 27076 CYPRESS ST. HIGHLAND,CA 92346 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: SHINE BRIGHT NETWORK LLC State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA Inc./Org./Reg. No.: 202002810805 Residence Street Address: 27076 CYPRESS ST. HIGHLAND, CA 92346 This business is/was conducted by: A Limited Liability Company Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Daisy Meza, Manager, 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 March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 2020.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200003077 Date Filed: 03/06/2020 Filing Expires On: 03/06/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): MR T’S TOWING, INC. County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 997 E. 8TH ST. UPLAND, CA 91786 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: MR. T’S TOWING, INC. State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA Inc./ Org./Reg. No.: C1773459 Residence Street Address: 997 E. 8TH ST. UPLAND, CA 91786 This business is/was conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 01/01/2019 Omran Alqazah, President, 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 March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200003536 Date Filed: 03/18/2020 Filing Expires On: 03/18/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): FORGET ME NOT MICROBLADING County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 771 W. FOOTHILL BLVD. UPLAND, CA 91786 Mailing Address: 7543 WELLINGTON PLACE RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730 Name of Individual Registrant: MELISSA P. FLORES 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: 13115 2ND STREET CHINO, CA 91710 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 03/01/2020 Melissa P. Flores, 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 March 26, April 2, 9, 16, 2020.
before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 4/15/2020 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: S16 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 924150210 San Bernardino District-Civil Division A Copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: The San Bernardino American Newspaper P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393 Date: Lynne M. Poncin Judge Of The Superior Court Published in the San Bernardino American Newspaper March 19, 26, April 2, 9, 2020.
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Farmworkers may be considered “essential,” but the undocumented workers who pick the nation’s food are excluded from the CARES Act. Published on April 1, 2020 By David Bacon In fields and rural communities across the United States the nation’s 2.5 million agricultural laborers are waiting for the shoe to drop – for the first cases of coronavirus among farmworkers. As they wait they are already feeling sharply the effects of the measures taken to contain the virus’s spread. Co-published by the American Prospect Francisco Lozano, a farmworker in Santa Maria on California’s central coast, says poverty makes this crisis much worse. In the winter, when there’s no work, families live off meager savings from the previous season, and when those are exhausted, they borrow from family and friends. “This is the time work starts up again, picking strawberries,” he says. “But instead of pulling ourselves out of debt, our situation is worse now than ever. The fruit is bad, and they’re paying by the hour – minimum wage [California’s minimum wage is $13 per hour.] That’s not enough to live on.” Working conditions themselves have deteriorated. “Because of the rains we’re working in the mud,” he explains. “We work close to each other so social distancing is impossible. They tell us to wash our hands, but there are lots of people for each station and the soap runs out. People normally have colds at this time of year, and many of us have to work anyway because of the economic pressure. With the virus, that’s dangerous. But the growers just want production.” In Washington state one of the few farm jobs in March is cutting tulips, and Skagit County normally hosts a Tulip Festival in April. But three crews, each with 80 to 100 workers, started cutting only to be told that most would be laid off. According to Ramon Torres, president of Familias Unidas por la Justicia, the state’s new farmworker union, “Growers told them that no one is buying tulips. But the workers also suspect growers couldn’t comply with the governor’s orders to maintain social distancing of six feet between people. And now the workers who lost their jobs haven’t been able to find any others.” Luis Jimenez, head of the Alianza Agricola in New York state, charges that the needs of farmworkers are ignored. With 4,000 farms the state produces more yogurt and sour cream than any other area of the country, and most workers live in housing provided by the dairies. “But we can’t buy food until we get off work, and by then the store shelves are empty – no rice or eggs or meat,” he says. “The growers tell us we have to stay home when we’re not working, but then how do we eat?” Like all workers interviewed for this story, Jimenez fears the arrival of the virus. “We live 8 to 10 people in a house, so how would we isolate? Some have their own room, but I know one farm where everyone sleeps in bunk beds in a big room. At work we have to help each other all the time, like
A worker cuts lettuce in a crew in California's Coachella Valley. All photos copyright David Bacon when we have to move a cow. You can’t do this alone, and the job requires it. The ranchers say that health is important, but I feel they’re really only concerned with getting the work done.” Who Are These Essential Workers? For the first time in U.S. history farmworkers have been officially declared “essential workers.” Without their labor there would be no fruits, vegetables or dairy products in the stores. Yet the economic situation of farmworkers has never reflected that essential status – nor does it now. The last National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) by the U.S. Department of Labor in 2017 found that the average farmworker family had an annual income between $17,500 and $20,000. More than half relied on at least one public assistance program, with 44 percent using Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California). A third received either food stamps or WIC nutrition assistance. But most telling as they face the pandemic, less than half of farmworker families have health insurance, and among them, only a third got it from their employer. A third of farmworker families paid cash for doctor visits, and a quarter relied on Medicaid or Medicare. Guiillermina Ortiz Diaz, Graciela, Eliadora, Ana Lilia and their mother Bernardina Diaz Martinez sleep and live in a single room in a house in Oxnard, where three other migrant families also live. Exacerbating these problems, according to NAWS, half of all farmworkers are undocumented. Lack of legal status makes workers ineligible for almost all public benefits. Emergency rooms normally must accept people with serious conditions regardless of status, but otherwise, no papers usually means no healthcare. Sandy Young, a family nurse practitioner at the Las Islas Family Medical Group clinic in Oxnard, California, says that “it’s always been true that undocumented people fear that if they go to hospitals or clinics, their names will be given to ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement]. In our present situation that lack of free access can be critical.” The Las Islas clinic has a specific program to provide care in Mixteco, the language of the valley’s main population of
Remaining indoors as the weather gets warmer can feel like a challenge. The following are some ways to keep busy and productive at home: Find a furry friend: Foster a dog, cat or rabbit through San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control and save an orphaned animal. Connect virtually with loved ones: There is no better time to call, text, or video chat loved ones to check in. Use free online County resources for young children: If you are the parent or caregiver of a young child, decrease boredom and prevent the loss of preschool skills by clicking here to find resources and activities. Work on professional development: Teachers and other education professionals may take free online professional development courses. Do art activities at home: Visit Create at Home for free and fun resources to engage your family members with the arts at home.
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CIVDS 2006461 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: ANNASTACIA WANJIRU WANYOIKE-GROETSCH filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a ANNASTACIA WANJIRU WANYOIKE-GROETSCH to Proposed name: b. ANNASTACIA WANJIRU BLACK THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear
America’s Farmworkers Await the Virus
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Get organized: Organize your personal spaces like closets, home office/desk areas, cupboards, drawers, and vehicles. Keep a routine: Take time to create and maintain a routine. Schedule time to eat, sleep, perform self-care rituals, pursue at-home hobbies, etc. Stay tuned in with yourself: Take time to monitor your mental and physical health every day.
indigenous Mexican immigrants. Young describes them as “a young population, which in the current crisis is a plus factor. But their general health is bad, and they usually get healthcare in a hospital emergency room, which is the most dangerous place.” The new interpretation by the Trump administration of the “public charge” policy would disqualify anyone from applying for a visa if they were deemed likely to receive public healthcare, housing or nutrition benefits. Undocumented families, therefore, fear that getting healthcare will stop them from gaining legal status in the future or being able to reunite families. People might stay at home with the coronavirus rather than seeking testing or treatment, she fears. Further, without sick pay the pressure to keep working is intense. “We won’t stop working,” Jimenez declares. “We’re willing to risk the virus. But I didn’t come here to die. I came so that my family in Mexico will live. We don’t know what will happen to those who get sick. How will we pay our bills and send money to help our families survive?” Undocumented workers are not the only farmworkers who are particularly vulnerable. Another such group are workers in the H2A visa program, through which growers and contractors recruit workers in other countries, who then work for the duration of a contract and afterwards must return home. Last year over 250,000 workers were brought to the U.S. under that program. For these workers, living conditions make maintaining a social distance of six feet virtually impossible. Housing for H-2A workers in central Washington often consists of prefab dormitories, in which four workers sleep on bunk beds in a single small room, and many workers share a common kitchen. According to attorney Corrie Arellano with California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA), the legal aid organization for the state’s farmworkers, growers and contractors bring about 800 workers to Santa Maria each year. “At first they filled up almost all the inexpensive motel rooms in town,” she said. “Now they’re renting out houses and apartments and pushing up rents.” In a case filed by CRLA attorneys in Santa Maria, Jose Gonzalez, Efrain Cruz, Ana Teresa Cruz and Rosaura Chavez were
held in a house in which 18 to 20 workers slept in two bedrooms and were told they could leave only to go to work. One Santa Maria residence (at 1318 North Broadway) was listed as the residence of 80 of these workers. According to Mary Bauer, general counsel for the Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, a group that advocates for the rights and welfare of H-2A workers, “It is unclear how workers will access medical care or be able to self-isolate if conditions require them to do so. Employers are not currently required to provide housing which allows workers to be quarantined where necessary.” Despite the Trump administration’s toxic antiimmigrant rhetoric, it has, in the middle of the pandemic, directed U.S. consulates to process H-2A visa applications by growers and contractors, while most other visa applications have been stopped. It even dropped a previous restriction in which visas would be given only to workers who had been contracted in previous years. As Congress began discussing a possible bailout and relief package, unions and community organizations began drafting proposals and demands. Thirtysix organizations signed a letter to the administration drafted by the Washington, D.C., advocacy organization Farmworker Justice, calling for more protections for H2A workers. The recommendations included safe housing with quarantining facilities, safe transportation, testing of workers before entering the U.S., social distancing at work, and paid treatment for those who get sick. For its part, CRLA provided two pages of bullet-point recommendations. Included were free testing and coverage for all COVID-19 related care regardless of insurance and immigration status, suspension of co-pays and sliding fee payments at clinics, improved food and nutrition services, and expansion of Medi-Cal eligibility to all ages regardless of immigration status. The Food Chain Alliance was among several immigrant rights groups that have called for eliminating immigration status as a barrier to benefits, eliminating the public charge rule, and ending immigration enforcement against the undocumented and H-2A workers during the pandemic crisis. The final $2 trillion bailout and relief package adopted by Congress, however, includes a bar forbidding the undocumented from receiving its benefits. The legislation, the CARES Act, provides extended unemployment and one-time cash payments to low and middle-income families. People who lack legal immigration status, and even U.S. citizen children who have at least one undocumented parent, are excluded, however. That exclusion encompasses the majority of the nation’s farmworkers, and in California, as many as 70 percent of them.
COVID-19 financial warning: Consumers and banks should stay away from payday loans...continue from page 3 into long-term financial nightmares that deepened debt with every renewal. In many cases, the interest paid on these loans was often double or triple the amount of principal borrowed. A coalition of civil and consumer rights organizations released a joint statement warning of the possible spike in high-cost lending by the nation’s depository institutions – banks, credit unions and savings and loans. “This is the worst possible time for banks to make predatory payday loans,” said Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund, the Center for Responsible Lending, Leadership Conference
for Civil and Human Rights, NAACP, National Consumer Law Center. “Around the time of the last recession, a handful of banks issued ‘deposit advances’ that put borrowers in an average of 19 loans a year at over 200% annual interest,” continued the leaders. “These bank payday loans disproportionately harmed the financially vulnerable and badly damaged banks’ reputations. Since 2013 when regulatory guidance warned against this form of credit, banks have mostly stayed away. We trust that they will continue to do so as they do not want to repeat mistakes of the past.”
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April 9, 2020
ENTERTAINMENT/LOCAL/NATIONAL NEWS
While You Were Paying Attention To Covid-19, Trump Slipped Something Past You By Bill Fletcher, Jr., NNPA Newswire Contributor
Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the executive editor of globalafricanworker.com and a former president of TransAfrica Forum That’s right, he did it again. Just like a magician, while you are looking at his left hand, he pulls a trick with his right. In this case, while almost all of the news has been focused on Covid-19, the Trump administration dropped auto fuel efficiency standards. And to add insult to injury, the Administration cannot defend the move with a straight face. They have no defense that makes sense. The only argument for this maneuver that Trump’s spokespersons seem to be able to make is that they were overturning another Obama regulation and that deregulating is good because…it is deregulating. So, let’s put this all together, because this column does not need to be very long. Approximately 99% of all credible scientists identify climate change as threatening humanity. Key to climate change is fossil fuel. Automobiles use…fossil fuel. Fuel efficiency standards have been aimed at reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases. Thus, the actions of the Administration are, in effect, aimed at shortening the existence of human beings on planet Earth. Let’s just be as direct as possible and stop beating around the bushes. The Administration made a move while the entire country has been focused on the Covid-19 plague. They know that such a move is/will be very
unpopular. But, at the end of the day, they could not care less. This was another gold nugget thrown to the fossil fuel industry, a segment of corporate America that has been very supportive of the Trump administration. We should not blame ourselves for being focused on Covid-19. If Trump had been more focused on Covid-19 we might now be looking at a very different picture of the USA. Instead we have witnessed two acts in this performance. First, regarding Covid-19, the Administration cynically disregarded scientific recommendations and warnings, and downplayed the danger until it has now emerged as a plague covering virtually the entire country. Second, the Administration made use of our concerns about Covid-19 in order to slip the fuel efficiency standards reduction right past us, thereby further ignoring solid scientific recommendations and warnings and, instead, servicing his supporters. One cannot but wonder whether hanging over Trump’s bed are the immortal—and notorious—words of the French King Louis XV, offered shortly prior to the French Revolution: “After me, the flood.” Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the executive editor of globalafricanworker.com and a former president of TransAfrica Forum.
Founder Of Black-Owned Accounting Firm Says His Clients Are Already Getting Stimulus Checks National News
Coronavirus Scams Spreading As Fast As The Virus Itself, FTC Warns by Mark Hedin
Not only has the corona virus wrought havoc worldwide, it’s also become a new pretext for fraudsters trying to take advantage of people’s trust to steal their money. According to the United States Federal Trade Commission, COVID-19-related crimes are being reported by the thousands, have doubled in just the past week and are growing faster still. The FTC has received more than 10,000 complaints so far this year, (https://tinyurl.com/FTCcoronavirusreports), with losses approaching $7 million and a median of more than $500. More than half of those reports arrived in just the past 10 days. On March 31, the FTC reported fielding 7,800 complaints this year, “double what they were a week ago.” As of April 2, the number had grown to 9,918. Complaints describe perpetrators claiming to represent the government or a business, often trying to take advantage of travel and vacation-related reports about cancellations and refunds. Other complaints cited problems with online shopping and mobile texting. The federal agency is updating the numbers the exponential growth of coronavirus-related complaints at its Explore Data web page (https://tinyurl.com/FTCcomplaint-data), and offers information on types of scams and how to avoid them at https:/ /www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/ftc-inaction. If you have been targeted by a fraudulent operation, please report it to the FTC: FTC.gov/ complaint. As a general rule, don’t click on links in emails that claim to be from the government or a bank,
even if they look legitimate, and don’t respond to those emails. The criminals are good at copying the look of those institutions’ correspondence. It’s better to call the government agency or bank directly. But even there, be careful to find out the correct phone number on your own, and don’t trust the number in any unsolicited call or email. Also, most phone calls trying to defraud people are “robocalls” — calls made by machines — so if you pick up a call and there’s no person on the other end of the line, just hang up. But fraudulent calls are sometimes made by individual people, too. Because the government has passed legislation offering various kinds of financial relief to consumers, some scammers are trying to take undue advantage of that, also. In one effort to combat this type of crime, the Small Business Administration is asking people to contact them directly, either by phone or at the sba.gov/coronavirus website, to find out what kind of help is legitimately available. Similarly, be wary of people or callers offering a fast-track to such financial help. And never give your Social Security, tax ID, bank account numbers or any other such highly personal information to someone you don’t know. Even if you’ve received a check in the mail, proceed with caution. Not all “coronavirus relief” checks can be trusted. The FTC has a blog with advice about how to spot a bogus relief check (https://tinyurl.com/SBA-fakecoronovirus-checks). In recent weeks, the FTC has had to notify numerous
California to Send 500 State-Owned Ventilators to the National Stockpile to Help States in Need Local/National News SACRAMENTO –Recognizing that states like New York are experiencing immediate supply shortages as a result of COVID19, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that California would help meet this moment by loaning 500 state-owned ventilators to the Strategic National Stockpile inventory. “California is stepping up to help our fellow Americans in New York and across the country who are being impacted the hardest right now by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Newsom. “We still have a long road ahead of us in the Golden State – and we’re aggressively
preparing for a surge – but we can’t turn our back on Americans whose lives depend on having a ventilator now. We’re meeting this moment with compassion. I know that if the tables were turned and we were experiencing a hospital surge, other states would come to our aid and provide ventilators just as we are today.” California continues to prepare for a possible COVID-19 surge. The state is securing thousands of beds in alternate care facilities, protecting the homeless, purchasing critical medical equipment and launching new programs like the Health Corps to recruit health care professionals.
technology companies such as internet service providers (https:/ /tinyurl.com/FTC-coronavirusfraud-warning) that they are making it easier for people operating illegal telemarketing and robocalls involved with coronavirus-related scams. Those companies included: USTelecom; Connexum; VoIPMax; SipJoin Holding, Corp.; SipJoin Holdings Corp.; iFly Communications; Third Rock Telecom; Bluetone Communications, LLC; VoIP Terminator, Inc. — also known as BLMarketing — J2 Web Services, Inc.; Voxbone US LLC; VolPMax; and Comet Media, Inc. “It’s never good business for VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocols) providers and others to help telemarketers make illegal robocalls that scam people,” FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Andrew Smith said. “But it’s especially bad when your company is helping telemarketers exploiting fears about the coronavirus to spread disinformation and perpetrate scams.” The FTC reports that it also is prosecuting another company, Globex Telecom, and software provider James B. Christiano, for
this kind of activity The Department of Justice is a prosecuting two VoIP companies for “committing and conspiring to commit wire fraud by knowingly transmitting robocalls that impersonated federal government agencies.” The FTC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have warned other companies about selling unapproved products that may be falsely claiming to be helpful in treating or curing COVID-19. These include Gaia’s Whole Healing Essentials, LLC; Health Mastery Systems/Pure Plant Essentials; Homeomart Indibuy; Neuro XPF; FullerLifeC60, LLC; Halosense, Inc.; JRB Enterprise Group Inc.; Carahealth; CoronaCure; Vital Silver; Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd.; N-ergetics; GuruNanda, LLC; Vivify Holistic Clinic; Herbal Amy LLC and the Jim Bakker Show. Although the FTC strongly recommends against communicating with ANY unknown person or business, the opposite is true when it comes to notifying friends and family to be careful. “Share these tips with your coworkers, family and social networks,” the agency says.
San Bernardino County sees 3 additional coronavirus deaths, more than 150 new cases...continued Fontana, 66 Fort Irwin, one Grand Terrace, two Hesperia, 18 Highland, 21 Joshua Tree, two Loma Linda, 12 Mentone, four Montclair, five Oak Hills, two
Rancho Cucamonga, 36 Redlands, 41 Rialto, 26 Rimforest, one Running Springs, two San Bernardino, 40 Upland, 18 Victorville, 20 Wrightwood, one Yucaipa, 77 Yucca Valley, three
Nationwide (BlackNews.com) - In March 2020, the U.S. government announced that trillions of dollars would be made available to organizations, small businesses, and individuals in an effort to stimulate the economy. As of Monday, April 6, many small businesses are already starting to see the reality of that initiative. Randy Hughes, founder and CEO of Counting Pennies, LLC, says that several of his small business clients are already seeing loan money come in from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP is part of the third phase of a 3 phase progress the government wrote into law in March. Under the program, business that have employees are encouraged to keep those employees on payroll and hire back any that they had to layoff. "The Payment Protection Program is a wonderful opportunity for small businesses to keep their doors open, continue serving their communities, while at the same time retaining their employees," Hughes says. The program is a loan that is based on 2.5 times the average monthly payroll of the business.
Once received, the funds can be used to cover payroll for employees, as well as other expenses, such as utilities, mortgage interest, and lease payments. As a further incentive to use the funds to help employees, the program states that if at least 75% of the loan proceeds are used for payroll, then forgiveness of the loan can be requested, and if granted, the loan will be converted into a taxfree grant that does not need to be repaid. "These are unprecedented times," says Hughes. "The loan is free of much of the red tape associated with traditional loans, and the funds are being provided quickly, within 3 business days in many cases. If ever there was a time to be proactive in applying for assistance, this is that time." For more information on the Payment Protection Program and how to apply, visit the SBA website To learn how Randy Hughes and Counting Pennies can help you potentially get approved faster and also help with other accounting and tax management services, visit www.cpennies.com or call them at (800) 234-1449.
Ontario, 28 San Bernardino County sees 3 The location of 21 cases was Phelan, one additional coronavirus deaths, more unknown. than 150 new cases By Sandra Emerson COVID-19, the View Across Black San Bernardino County reported three additional coronavirus deaths Monday, April 6, and the number of confirmed cases shot up by more than 150. There are now 530 cases of COVID-19 and 16 deaths, up from 373 cases and 13 deaths on Sunday, when cases rose only by one. The jump could be due to positive cases getting confirmed after the Sunday evening update, said Lana Culp, county spokeswoman. Among the positive cases reported by the county since testing began are 75 residents and employees at Cedar Mountain Post-Acute Rehabilitation in Yucaipa. Eight residents and seven employees tested positive at Reche Canyon Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Colton. Five residents of the Yucaipa facility and one at the Colton facility have died. Of the 5,670 people tested for COVID-19 in the county, 9.3% had positive results, the county’s data show. Of those who tested positive, 51.2% are male, 48.6% are female and .2 % were unknown. Most of the cases, 219, were
among people 18 to 49 years old, while 169 were 50 to 64 years old, 135 were older than 65 and six were 2 to 17 years old, according to the county. Here’s where the San Bernardino County cases are located: Adelanto, three Alta Loma, four Apple Valley, seven Barstow, seven Big Bear City, two Big Bear Lake, three
America...continued from page 1 emergency grants. “Lots of folks are out of work. People are making jokes about getting checks from Trump but I think it is no joke. Folks were struggling before this, and the $1,000 they’re expecting will come in handy.” It is by no means strictly doom and gloom, however. Across the country, communities are banding together to help each other weather the storm. Activists with the Community Ready Corps are distributing Corona Kits—hand sanitizer, N95 masks, and brochures—immuneboosting care packages of garlic, ginger, turmeric, lentils and oats, and even books to Oakland’s Black community focusing on the elderly, the sickly, and even stir-
crazy kids. Opened four years ago amid a food desert on Indianapolis’ east side, the Trap has pivoted sharply to a web-only eatery that is preparing to ship its shrinkwrapped healthy seafood nationwide. A retired schoolteacher in New Jersey volunteered to knit surgical masks for mostly nurses of color treating coronavirus patients at a local hospital. Jon Jeter is a freelance journalist writer and social critic He formerly worked for several major newspapers, including the Washington Post before becoming an independent journalist.
Bloomington, seven Blue Jay, two Chino, 16 Chino Hills, 22 Colton, eight Crestline, one
(continued in next 2 columns)
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.
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April 9, 2020
LIFESTYLE NEWS/ADVERTISING/RELIGION
Russell Simmons Brings Back Def Comedy Jam to Raise Money for Coronavirus Ravaged Areas By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
Russell Simmons Hip-hop and business mogul Russell Simmons has seen the devastation of the novel coronavirus and the effect it has had on his hometown of Hollis Queens, New York, and the rest of the world. Now the iconic Def Jam founder is bringing back one of his legendary creations to help raise money for those devastated by the pandemic. Simmons is leading a group of producers who, on Sunday, April 5, will premiere “Def Comedy Jam Presents: Healing Through Laughter,” a marathon fundraiser hosted by Cedric the Entertainer. The program will air online beginning at 10 p.m. EST, and Simmons’ Instagram page will be updated to provide more information. Simmons has established a GoFundMe page with the hopes of raising as much
as $100,000 to help with supplies to assist those in need. Supplies purchased and collected from proceeds will be distributed among essential workers in Queens and Brooklyn, New York, and those in the Logan section of Philadelphia. “Let’s begin to fund the effort to raise money and awareness to make sure people putting their life on the line to work in our communities have the safety kits they need,” Simmons wrote on Twitter. As of Thursday, April 2, New York had more than 92,300 confirmed coronavirus cases, including approximately 52,000 in the city. New York accounts for 42 percent of the virus-related deaths in the United States, and hospitals around the Empire State and, in particular, throughout the Big Apple, have been
Chuck D: ‘There’s a Poison Going On’ PE Leader Releases New CDs, Graphic Novel By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
Chuck D debuted the group’s new single, “Food as a Machine Gun.” The single features a reunion of Chuck D and Flavor Flav. It turns out the social media beef between Public Enemy icons Chuck D and Flavor Flav was a hoax. “April Fools” – sort of. Chuck and Flavor today released brand new music, and the relationship between the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends remains as tight as ever. In an exclusive interview with National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., broadcast live on Facebook and at BlackPressUSA.com, Chuck D debuted the group’s new single, “Food as a Machine Gun.” The single features a reunion of Chuck D and Flavor Flav. “It’s the most important rap record ever,” the superstar stated. Chuck D called the record important because it arrives at a time when many still take hip-hop for granted, and that includes African Americans and the artists themselves. “Last year, I finished a four-year tour of the world with Prophets of Rage, and we played to packed stadiums and I watched Rage Against the Machine do a fivenight run to sold out crowds in the [Madison Square] Garden. I saw how loyal their fans were and how wild they are. How much they loved their rock stars,” Chuck D stated. “With hip-hop, our fans aren’t like that, and the artists are led by their having to get breadcrumbs.” He said the media and others had taken away the narrative from hip-hop. “Now, it’s time to take the narrative back from those who have side-swiped it. They need to be eliminated,” Chuck D added. In February, news outlets
reported that Flavor had been fired from Public Enemy after a dispute erupted between him and Chuck over the group’s performance during a Bernie Sanders campaign rally. Flavor’s lawyers released a statement saying that the rapper hadn’t consented and was against the group supporting Sanders. Things appeared to have heated up in the feud after Chuck took to Twitter and seemed to “out” Flavor as having a substance abuse problem. However, Chuck explained to the NNPA Newswire that, while Flav does enjoy a Hennessy and chaser a little more frequently than what he believes a 60-yearold should, there’s never been an accusation of drug abuse, in contrast to the meaning that many took way from Chuck’s tweets on social media. “Flav’s name was dragged through the mud so much in 2018 and 2019, so I had to do something to bring him up,” Chuck explained to NNPA Newswire. “My name is kind of Teflon, but his wasn’t, so I thought this was a way of bringing him up. I had people say, ‘why are you doing stuff to Flav?’ I responded that ‘you aren’t supporting him. What are you doing to support him?” Further, Flav wasn’t fired because “you can’t fire a partner,” Chuck D stated. “It shows you that people don’t pay attention.” He called the banter between him and Flav a “hoax that ain’t no joke.” “It’s a serious hoax,” he said. Since the coronavirus outbreak, Chuck and Flav have worked tirelessly on the new CD. Chuck also has worked on a second CD that includes several friends from the hip-hop community. Both CDs were released simultaneously. With a degree in the Arts, Chuck has also applied his talents as a graphics, sketch and caricature artist. He chronicled the past month (continued in next 2 columns)
overwhelmed with cases. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state’s stockpile contained 2,200 ventilators, but about 350 new patients daily needed them. “2,200 disappears very quickly,” Cuomo said, according to the New York Times. The goal of the Def Comedy Jam Marathon is to raise funds to provide basic needs for essential workers in vulnerable and underserved communities. Supplies include items like hand sanitizer and masks for the most vulnerable communities currently impacted by COVID-19. Simmons said 100 percent of the proceeds raised would be used to benefit individuals in inner-city communities – specifically targeting his hometown of Hollis, Queens, which has been highlighted as the most affected area in New York.
“Brave and inspiring people within the community are putting up a valiant fight against COVID19, we must support them,” Simmons stated. The original Def Comedy Jam aired on HBO from 1992 to 1997 and featured such talent as Martin Lawrence, Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac, and many others. Simmons had said he was inspired to create the original Def Comedy Jam after watching Jerry Lewis’ “The Nutty Professor.” The rebooted fundraiser is produced by Erica Ford of the nonprofit Life Camp, Inc., Gushcloud, O’Neal McKnight, Bob Sumner, Althea Lim, and Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic. Def Comedy Jam: Healing through Laughter will feature Def Jam’s original DJ, Kid Capri. It will include comedians Spice Adams, Tony Baker, Gary Owen, Mike Epps, Sommore, Bill Bellamy, Affion Crockett, Deon Cole, Corey Holcomb, Ashima Franklin, Adele Givens, Jess Hilarious, DL Hughley, JB Smoove, and Michael Blackson. While a host of other comedians are expected to join, those making their debut under the Def Comedy Jam umbrella are GC Studio’s Reggie Couz, KMoore The Goat, and Kellye Hardy. DJ Cassidy will lead an afterparty. Click here to visit the GoFundMe page.https:// charity.gofundme.com/o/en/ campaign/def-comedy-jammarathon-covid-19-relief-fund2 For more information about Def Comedy Jam: Healing through Laughter, click here.https:// www.instagram.com/unclerush/
Chuck D: ‘There’s a Poison Going On’...continued in a journal filled with narratives and sketches, including eyeopening renderings of Prince, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Notorious BIG, and many others. “I was dismayed about how the whole narrative of hip-hop went into the area where we only talk about dead rappers,” Chuck D stated. “Common gave probably the most incredible performance I had ever seen on television at the NBA All-Star Game in February, and you only heard crickets,” Chuck noted. “Pop Smoke got killed, and the media was on it, and his records rose up the charts. We went through this with Nipsey Hustle. The narrative is that you’ve got to be a dead rapper to be relevant in the news, and that’s disrespectful. “I want to use this as a teachable moment. All of that stuff with Flav and Bernie Sanders and the lawyers was all part of a plan. I wanted to see what happens when you present a bad look. And, it worked. I was trending for a bad look, and I thought that for more than 30 years, Public Enemy
has given you nothing but good looks. “We made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but this situation with Flav got us trending more than we did then. Thirty years after I made ‘Fear of a Black Planet,’ the digital age is fixed on what they see. I was on stage with Bernie Sanders, and nobody can tell you what they heard,” he said. Because people tend to be more visual today, Chuck said he thought he’d chronicle the past 30 days. He didn’t anticipate a pandemic. “Just thought I’d show things in pictures with the book, and the coronavirus came along, and there was even more to do,” he stated. The book is titled, “There’s a Poison Going On,” but the name was decided upon long before the pandemic, Chuck assured. “It’s ironic because, for the whole month of March, there’s been a poison going on for real,” he stated. “Maybe, people will pay attention to a good look the next time and not always a bad look.”
COVID-19: Black Churches Employ Innovation to Worship During a Pandemic By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor
Dr. Willard Maxwell Jr., who is the pastor of the New Beech Grove Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia, found another way to bring his flock together on March 29. Maxwell held service standing at a podium in the parking lot outside of the church. He livestreamed the service live on Facebook. Many parishioners stood outside of their cars during service while others sat and listened. Black churches in America have faced the challenges of wars, arson and racism written into the law. Following several slave revolts, including Nat Turner’s Rebellion in 1831, Virginia passed a law that required that a white person be
present during service. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge for Black churches which, in part, is financial. In the wake of a killer pandemic impacting all businesses and local travel, African American churches across the U.S. have been forced to be innovative and make quick adjustments to hold services. Paul James, pastor of CareView Community Church in Lansdowne, Pa, told the media that, “counterintuitive to most churches, especially the Black church… where we’re just glad to get together because of how hard life has been historically for us here in America. Church has been a safe place for us. It’s been a safe harbor. Now here we are faced with the inability to come together.” On the first Sunday of the COVID-19 crisis in America, March 15, many churches either held service or cancelled it, as the initial news of the seriousness of (continued in next 2 columns)
COVID-19: Black Churches Employ Innovation to Worship During a Pandemic...continued the pandemic was just becoming public. President Trump declared a national emergency on March 13, just two days beforehand. Now, weeks later, many Black churches are using conference calls, Facebook Live, Instagram, YouTube and other video conferencing technologies to hold services. A serious complicating factor for all churches is the inability to pass the collection plate. The revenue collected every Sunday pays salaries and the mortgage at many Black churches. Online fundraising has become an answer but for many churches, inperson cash donations are more effective. The importance of faith and the church for African Americans in America is unquestioned. Church has not only been a place of worship but a refuge in times of trouble. It has been a meeting place away from white racism and oppression. Black church pastors provided almost all of the key players in the civil rights movement. The church was the headquarters and meeting place for planning and organizing in the African American struggle for freedom. In many Black communities the church is the rock and community cornerstone, particularly for seniors. Dr. Willard Maxwell Jr., who is the pastor of the New Beech Grove Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia, found another way to bring his flock together on March 29. Maxwell held service standing at a podium in the parking lot outside of the church. He livestreamed the service live on Facebook. Many parishioners stood outside of their cars during service while others sat and listened. Dr. Chris Carter had service in
church observing the “six feet apart rule.” Members of the choir at his church, New Hope Baptist Church in Hampton, Va. sang six feet apart from each other and were shown on a Facebook livestream. Both churches already had livestreams every Sunday but now the technology is essential for service in a way it had not been in the past. On Sunday, March 29, President Trump extended the period for federal guidelines to deal with the deadly COVID-19 pandemic to April 30, 2020 — which would be after Easter Sunday — arguably the biggest gathering of churchgoers of the year. The numbers of COVID-19 deaths continue to rise. In New York City, officials are currently setting up a field hospital in Central Park. That unthinkable scene was matched by the city setting up a hospital inside the Jacob Javitz Center on the West Side of Manhattan. At Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, a makeshift morgue was set up in a large trailer, after the hospital morgue, which typically can accommodate twenty bodies, quickly filled to capacity. Black churches and other institutions are now forced to plan for the unknown. What history has taught us is that nothing has ever stopped the institution of the Black church. But COVID-19 is one of its most difficult challenges to date. Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke
“Say to Them, As I Live, Saith the Lord God...” By: Lou Yeboah
Lou Yeboah
“...I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways, for, why will ye die...?” [Ezekiel 33:11]. There is no reason for you to perish; there is no reason for you to die in your sin. Why do you insist on doing things your way? Why do insist on being disobedience? “I will not tolerate this stubborn, hard head stiff-necked spirit any longer.” Repent and live! Don’t be one of the multitudes of people who will lift up their eyes from Hell, crying out as they remember the “random” incidences where the Holy Spirit tried to reach them. I have provided a way of escape for you. Take it! If you don’t you will reap the consequences of your choice. It will be Hell before going to Hell!” For years now I have shown such long-suffering towards you, just as I did Sodom, restraining My anger, giving you much time to repent and change your ways, but naw, you insist on doing things your way. You are just like Jehoram, who knew the path to take, but chose not to walk in it. As a consequence of his choice, his end was the most pathetic and dishonorable of any of the other kings of Judah. [2 Chronicles 21:1215] Listen, and listen very carefully. If you do not make some radical decisions NOW, and set your face like flint to walk another way.
If you go on yielding to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life as your way of life, you will get just what sin warrant? Death! Do not be misled – My justice will not be mocked. I will judge you according to your ways, and I will repay you for all your abominations. My eye will not spare you, nor will I have pity... [Ezekiel 7:3-8]. Know ye not that the unrighteous; nor fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortion, shall inherit the kingdom of God…” [1Corinthians 6: 9-10]. Behold, NOW is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, NOW is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" [2 Corinthians 6:2]. “So, this I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God…” [Ephesians 4: 1721]. Understand, you may never have another day to repent in. Therefore, says the voice of wisdom, “REPENT NOW! Consider your “latter end,” and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. “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, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days...” [Deuteronomy 30:19-20]
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NEWS/ AD VER TISING ADVER VERTISING
April 9, 2020