Vol. 51 No. 4
May 14, 2020 -May 20, 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)
Little Richard, One of the Most Influential Founding Fathers of Rock n’ Roll, Dies at 87
Publisher’s Corner Publisher of The San Bernardino AMERICAN News
Email: sbamericannews@gmail.com
Clifton Harris Editor in Chief
Passing of NOBLE Founding Member Mitchell Ware National News
By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor
Judge Mitchell Ware, NOBLE Founder
Richard Wayne Penniman, better known as Little Richard, was one of the most influential singer songwriters in popular music. He was one of the founders of Rock n’ Roll in the 1950s and one of the most memorable performers in rock history. Little Richard was born in 1932 in Macon, Georgia. “Tutti Frutti” (1955), one of Richard’s signature songs, became a hit reaching the No. 2 on the Billboard chart. Another hit, “Long Tall Sally” (1956), hit No. 1 on Billboard. “Tutti Frutti” was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2010 and cited for its “unique vocalizing over the irresistible beat announced a new era in music”. Two of his songs,”Tutti Frutti” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly” were listed on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Little Richard’s music was covered by several artists thereafter and his influence included The Beatles, who opened for Little Richard as he toured Europe in 1962. He also advised Paul McCartney on his distinctive vocalizations. Little Richard influenced Otis Redding, James Brown, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, John Lennon and Cliff Richard and those influences
frequently showed up in their music. Legend has it that James Brown came up with the Famous Flames debut hit, “Please, Please, Please”, after Richard had written the words down on a napkin. Redding started his professional career with Little Richard’s band, The Upsetters. Bob Dylan performed covers of Little Richard’s songs on piano during a high school talent show with his rock and roll group, the Golden Chords. In 1959, Dylan wrote in his yearbook under “Ambition”: “to join Little Richard.” Many Rock critics noted the similarities between Prince’s androgynous look and vocal style to Little Richard. In 1963, Richard agreed to assist a failing tour effort by The Everly Brothers, Bo Diddley and The Rolling Stones and was given his own TV special after the tour ended. Little Richard received all the honors possible in music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of its first group of legendary inductees in 1986. He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Little Richard is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm and Blues
Foundation. In 2015, Richard received a Rhapsody & Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music for his key role in the formation of popular music genres and helping to bring an end to the racial divide on the music charts and in concert in the mid-1950s changing American culture significantly. At the suggestion of Lloyd Price, Little Richard sent a demo to Price’s label, Specialty Records, in 1955. Producer Robert “Bumps” Blackwell, who worked at Specialty Records, thought Little Richard was Specialty’s answer to Ray Charles, but was told by Little Richard he was a fan of the sound of Fats Domino. In 1955, he recorded “Tutti Frutti” in three takes and it was released as a single in November 1955. Penniman’s performances, like most early rock and roll shows, resulted in integrated audience reaction during an era of strict segregation in the South. On tours that included groups of music stars, Little Richard and other artists such as Fats Domino and Chuck Berry would allow audiences Black and white to enter buildings via the same door but sit in separate places — but everyone would dance. Vocal supremacist groups such as the North Alabama White Citizens Council warned that rock
and roll “brings the races together.” The universal popularity of Little Richard killed the myth that black performers could not successfully perform at white-only venues. Little Richard’s high-energy performances while playing the piano included dancing on top of the piano, running on and off the stage and throwing souvenirs to the audience. He also dressed flamboyantly onstage. Some of what is taken for granted now in popular music was invented by Little Richard. Little Richard was ranked eighth on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and Rolling Stone listed three of Little Richard’s recordings, “The Girl Can’t Help It”, “Long Tall Sally” and “Tutti Frutti”, on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Little Richard was the third of 12 children of Leva Mae and Charles Penniman. His father was a church deacon and his mother was a member of Macon’s New Hope Baptist Church. 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
On the Front Lines of “Reopen America” Trumpers, conspiracists and anti-vaxxers attack shelter-in-place orders: “I can’t just work, work, work and watch By Steve Appleford
Erik Rodriguez: “Let it be heard! Let it be heard! Let it be heeeeard!” All photos by Steve Appleford The skies above downtown Los Angeles were smogless and blue on May 1, as a parade of truckers rolled their massive cabs past City Hall, blasting their air horns at up to 152 decibels. The ground shook and a crowd of protesters carrying signs and American flags
cheered every ear-shattering honk. And no one was more energized than Erik Rodriguez, marching along the sidewalk in dreadlocks, D’Artagnan mustache and goatee, raising a megaphone. As the trucks roared once again,
he shouted into the mic: “Let it be heard! Let it be heard! Let it be heeeeard!” Rodriguez, 35, was the unlikely organizer behind a May Day protest against California’s shelter-in-place order and the mandated shutdown of all nonessential business in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s normally disengaged from politics, is only an occasional voter, and still hasn’t filled out his U.S. Census form. But he still managed to gather a crowd of several hundred on the steps of City Hall, and an accompanying long line of protesters in cars and big trucks, circling for hours with horns blaring. Clad in a black cowboy hat and sleeveless denim jacket, Rodriguez wore no mask or gloves, and practiced none of the
recommended social distancing protections as he stopped to shake hands and chat with demonstrators. “I eat well, drink a lot of water, exercise and nothing in my world has changed,” he said with an upbeat air of invulnerability, a tattoo of Leonardo da Vinci’s spreadeagled “Vitruvian Man” on his right bicep. That Rodriguez, who lives a county away in Anaheim, found himself the instigator behind L.A.’s largest protest yet against the coronavirus shutdown was the accidental result of a single Facebook post three weeks earlier. He’d merely stated online that he’d like to see a peaceful demonstration soon, “because something needs to happen,” and within 24 hours got 161 shares. Rodriguez had watched friends (continued on page 3)
The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Judge Mitchell Ware, who passed away April 19, 2020 of natural causes. NOBLE Founder Ware was a trailblazer in the policing profession serving as one of Illinois' first black state troopers. He would go on to earn a law degree from DePaul University College of Law, start his own private practice, lead the Chicago Police Department as Deputy Superintendent, before serving as a judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County. An athlete, scholar, journalist, public servant, and attorney, Founder Ware was instrumental in developing the groundbreaking principles that would guide
NOBLE. His experience as a patrol officer and state narcotics agent was not lost on him as he rose to become Superintendent of the Illinois Bureau of Investigation and Deputy Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Recognized as a national leader in criminal justice and law enforcement, Mitchell Ware would join others in 1976 to help found NOBLE. He continued to help guide NOBLE serving as the organization's General Counsel and Chicago chapter president. A memorial service for Mitchell Ware was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. To extend words of condolences to the family of Founder Ware, you may visit https://judgemitchellware.com
Georgia Man Ahmaud Arbery, Shot and Killed — Jogging While Black By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
Add jogging while Black to the ever-growing list of reasons African Americans continue to be shot down senselessly by armed White men, supposedly under the color of law. Twenty-five-year-old Georgia resident Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed while jogging after a former police officer and his son chased him down because they “thought he looked like the suspect in a recent string of break-ins.” The incident took place two months ago but has come to light after Civil Rights Attorney Lee Merritt and Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper, appeared on CNN this week to call for justice. Cooper said police originally told her that her son was involved in a burglary. They claimed that there was a confrontation between Arbery and the homeowner and a struggle over a gun. The incident took place in Brunswick, a southeast coastal town in Glynn County that’s less
than five hours from Atlanta. So far, there have been no charges filed against the former officer, Gregory McMichael, and his son, Travis McMichael. CNN and other media have reached out to the McMichael’s for comment but were told they wouldn’t comment because of “an ongoing investigation.” Reportedly, two district attorneys have recused themselves over possible conflicts of interest, one of whom wrote that Travis McMichael acted out of self-defense, and their actions fell within Georgia’s citizen arrest laws. “The decision to rely on the citizen’s arrest statute is really a recent invention, prior to that they just simply said it was selfdefense,” Merritt told CNN, adding that the men are trying to use the law to say they were trying to stop a crime. “According to that law, you actually have to be observing the crime or be in the immediate (continued on page 2)
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PAGE 2
May 14, 2020
COMMUNITY/EDUCATION/NATIONWIDE
Bill Establishing Reparations Commission Advances in California Assembly Community/Education News VIDEO: For video of bill presentation, please follow the link: https:// www.assembly.ca.gov/media/4202-video. Presentation starts at 3:55
Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego) presents her reparations bill in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Photo courtesy of California State Assembly (Attribution not required) Sacramento- The Assembly Judiciary Committee passed legislation today that would establish a commission to consider reparations for African American Californians who continue to experience the negative effects of Black slavery and oppressive laws and institutions after emancipation. AB 3121, authored by Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. (D-San Diego), would establish an eight-member panel to consider how California enabled chattel slavery within its borders. The task force would also explore how Black Californians could be provided the means to overcome the persistent effects of laws and practices intended to undermine their full participation in California’s economic and political life. “While California was nominally a 'free state,' but in practice we allowed slavery within our borders even after statehood, while runaway slaves were often denied sanctuary by the courts,”
Weber said. “After emancipation, California and local municipalities allowed or even actively pursued discriminatory practices akin to those found in the South to deny former slaves and their descendants access to housing, quality education, employment, fair wages, voting rights and the practice of professions.” "Income and wealth inequality have roots in slavery and have been codified time and again with anti-black policy decisions," said Isaac Bryan, Executive Director of UCLA's Black Policy Project at the Bunche Center for African American Studies. "The visible representation of those collective failures can be seen right outside on our streets. Over 40% of the bodies forced to live in abject destitute on our streets are Black bodies. This is not a coincidence. It is not an accident. And, it does not have to be this way. " The bill now moves to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations for consideration in the next few weeks.
Vermont Elementary School Earns Beacon School Award Educational News Vermont Elementary School earned a 2019–2020 Imagine Nation Beacon School Award. The Imagine Nation Awards are presented by Imagine Learning to motivate and recognize schools that are effectively and consistently implementing the Imagine Learning programs. Imagine Learning measures program usage and implementation data to identify award-winning schools. “We know that every student is unique and that different students have different learning styles,” Vermont Principal Ana Perez said. “Imagine Learning is an educational technology tool that allows students to connect to learning in a different way. We’ve found that many of our
students respond well to the program, and we’re proud that Imagine Learning has recognized our efforts to use every option available to help our students learn.” Imagine Learning is a developer of technology that supplements educational curriculum for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Imagine Learning programs provide supplemental education in English language and literacy, math, and Spanish. According to Imagine Learning’s website, https:/www.imaginelearning.com, more than 3 million students nationwide benefit from Imagine Learning programs to accelerate learning.
Black Philanthropist And Entrepreneur Launches Productivity And Scholarship Application Challenge "12 Days in 12 Hours Productivity Success Challenge" & "The Secure the Bag Scholarship Application Challenge" Community/Education News
Jay Cameron Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) -- Popular philanthropist and entrepreneur Jay Cameron is hosting the online "12 Days in 12 Hours Productivity Success Challenge" & "The Secure the Bag Scholarship Application Challenge" on Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 and May 16th, 2020 from 9am until 9pm. To assist families with maximizing their productivity while observing COVID-19 "stayat-home" orders, Cameron has created this virtual success challenge. The online challenges are hosted by Maximum Impact Success Academies and focus on
accomplishing twelve days' worth of task completion within a twelve-hour timeframe. This free event encourages participants to choose specific tasks to complete during the online challenge. As a part of the main event, Cameron is inviting high school and college students to participate in the "Secure the Bag" Scholarship Application Challenge. With massive student debt plaguing families and billions of scholarship dollars left unclaimed annually, the goal of this challenge is to complete as many college scholarship applications within twelve hours. Speaking enthusiastically on the new challenge, Jay Cameron emphasized the need to be most productive during this time and to incorporate our high school and college students in the process. Jay comments, "My goal is to reach people who want to get things done and to make the most of their time before things settle into our 'new normal'. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from our previous 12hour success challenge inspired (continued in next 2 columns)
Black Philanthropist And Entrepreneur Launches Productivity And Scholarship Application Challenge...continued me to continue with the event. The most popular task was cleaning years of cutter, which was followed by completing or creating online courses, focusing on organizing financials or papers, studying, and a host of other projects. The online group support encouraged everyone to maximize their time." He continues, "In our initial challenge, adults over the age of 30 were the primary attendees. I saw the opportunity for our youth and young adults to participate and make it a family affair. I'm excited about adding the
scholarship challenge because it could be a game-changer for many families. The possibility of securing funding for college can make a difference for many students." The launch of both success challenges comes at a time when people all over the world are facing "stay-at-home" and "social distancing" mandates in many areas. The creation of this online event is to address multiple challenges by encouraging maximum productivity during this time. Anyone can register for free at http://bit.ly/12in12challenge
Georgia Man Ahmaud Arbery, Shot and Killed — Jogging While Black...continued from page 1 knowledge of the crime,” Merritt said. “The only thing they have ever said is… that (Arbery) stopped by a house that was under construction and he looked through the window. We don’t know if that happened or not, but even if that did happen, that is not a felony that would invoke the citizen’s arrest statute that would make this allowable.” After the shooting, Gregory McMichael told police he saw the same man “the other night” and that he stuck his hand down his pants on that occasion, leading McMichael to believe he was armed, according to the police report. After seeing Arbery jogging, McMichael then alerted his 34year-old son, Travis, according to a Glynn County Police report. “Travis, the guy is running down the street, let’s go,” McMichael said, according to the report. The two grabbed a shotgun and a pistol and followed Arbery in their truck, police said. Travis McMichael, the driver, followed Arbery and then attempted to cut him off, the report continued. Arbery turned around and began running in the opposite direction, the police report said. They chased Arbery to a nearby intersection where they caught up to him. The men claimed they told Arbery to stop because they wanted to talk to him.
Travis McMichael then exited the truck with the shotgun, and his father claimed at that point Arbery “violently attacked” his son, and they struggled over the gun. Travis McMichael fired two shots, according to the police report, killing Arbery. “What made a jogger look like a suspect besides his Black skin,” an outraged citizen named Gary Hughes wrote on Twitter. “Why are these murderers not in jail awaiting trial for murder? If he looked suspicious, call the cops, don’t grab a shotgun and a pistol,” stated Hughes, who joined more than 1,000 individuals to either comment on or view a Twitter posting of the incident by Kristen Clarke, the president and executive director of the National Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “Arbery’s family deserves justice,” Clarke stated. Merritt added that McMichael and his son only had the authority to follow Arbery and send law enforcement to the location. They had no authority to engage him. The 911 calls show a dispatcher questioning McMichael as to what, if anything, Arbery was doing to break the law. “They didn’t give any answer for that,” Merritt told CNN. “They said, ‘He’s a Black man running down our road.'”
encore (COVID19 Relief) Drive Thru Food Pantry, Sat May 16, 10-2 pm, Los Angeles (Artesia) LA County News On May 2nd, 500 families were scheduled to be fed. 800 were fed. The Mayor of Artesia requested an encore food pantry drive and it will feed cooked meals to 2000 families this Saturday. Please help spread the word. There is a pre-event opportunity to videotape meals being cooked for area hospitals on Tuesday, May 12th and Thursday, May 14th. Please call for time in the morning so we can alert the cooks. Or contact us for the video and photos from the May 2nd food drive. @MichelleTennant 828.817.4034 ibookinterviews@gmail.com
WHO: United Sikhs to feed 2000 families cooked meals in Los Angeles this Saturday. Read more about how they've already fed over 1 million during COVID19 crisis: https:// unitedsikhs.org/united-sikhsfeeds-over-1-million-duringcovid-19-crisis/ United Sikhs: affiliated with the United Nations and is a registered NGO under the 501c(3) status in the United States of America WHAT: Those in need will get cooked meals to feed a family of four. To maintain social distancing, packages will be placed inside the trunk of your vehicle. Please ensure space is available. WHERE: Artesia Park, 18750 Clarkdale Avenue, Artesia, CA 90701 WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 10 am - 2 pm, Drive-Thru Food Pantry WHY: COVID19, coronavirus pandemic relief REQUEST ASSISTANCE: UMEED 1-855-878-6333 (HOPE) HOW YOU CAN HELP: Feed the hungry in this pandemic http:/ /tiny.cc/feedthehungry SPOKESPERSON: Texas-based, Global Aid Director, Gurvinder Singh. See his April 24, 2020 interview with the BBC: https:// youtu.be/ugm7LvvKbMs There will also be on-site coordinators available for interviews. Finally, if you'd like to interview the Mayor of Artesia, please make
that request. INSPIRATIONAL STORY: United Sikhs fed an international student who was living off bread and water because they did not qualify for another program. To speak to this student, please contact the publicist @MichelleTennant 828.817.4034 H A S H T A G S : #RecognizeTheHumanRaceAsOne #UNITEDSIKHS #STRONGERTOGETHER PUBLIC WEBSITE: https:// unitedsikhs.org/ PUBLICIST: @MichelleTennant 828.817.4034 (WhatsApp, Signal, Texting) or michelle@wasabipublicity.com or ibookinterviews@gmail.com SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK: https:// www.facebook.com/ UNITEDSIKHS.org/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ unitedsikhs?lang=en YOUTUBE: https:// w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / u s e r / UnitedSikhsTV LINKEDIN: https:// www.linkedin.com/company/ u n i t e d - s i k h s / ?originalSubdomain=in INSTAGRAM: https:// www.instagram.com/unitedsikhs/ ?hl=en
New state child care website comes up short By Elizabeth Aguilera, CalMatters
Amanda Simoni, owner of Heritage School of Discovery in Oakdale, laughs while students play in the school yard mud pit. A new California child care website aims to connect essential workers with available options. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters New state child care website comes up shortBy Elizabeth Aguilera, CalMattersGov. Gavin Newsom promised that the state’s new child care website would giveessential workersall the information they need to choose a provider for their kids.It isn’t quite working out that way.The portal Newsomannounceda week ago, based on state licensing data, lacks key information. In many instances, hours of operation and available spots are missing. Thesitedoesn’t indicate whether providers accept subsidies or what they charge.The number of complaints about a provider initially was listed, but the state removed that information within days of the portal’s debut. Citations also are absent. To find that crucial information, a user would need to locate and then click on the license number —which then links to the state’s main licensingdatabase.Across California, 72% of child care is provided by licensed private businesses —large centers and small and large family home care sites,accountingfor nearly 1 million child care slots. Of those, 35% have a state or federal contract, such as Head Start. The rest get paid directly by parents or via vouchers.Newsom said the portal was created to help working parents track down child care
during theCOVID-19 pandemic. The state’s shelter-in-place order never requiredprivate child care and preschool centers to close, but many have shut down for safety reasons or falling enrollment. Relatives who may have provided care or been backup babysittersare now in isolation, and schools are out for the foreseeable future.But the portal is not proving to be a onestop shop, said Nina Buthee, executive director of EveryChild California, a statewideorganizationsupporting early childhood education programs with 1,500 members.“Any parent would still need to make quite a few phone calls and reach out to a number of different places,” Buthee said. Instead, she called the new California child care website a “really good start for finding out where facilities are.”The new portal allows a user to enter an address or zip code to see a map of nearby centers as well as a list of providers. From there a parent can choose a provider and access whatever information is available. The portal lists 41,000 sites and 464 new pop-up child care locations.The state Department of Social Services already had a licensing database that is searchable, but it is more complex and doesn’t provide availability information.“The purpose of the
portal is to provide child care options that are convenient and reliable for their families located near their work, home or preferred location,” department spokesman Scott Murray said in an email.About the missing information, Murray said the department is contacting providers regularly through an automated system to get updates regarding availability. If a center does not respond to text, email or phone calls the site indicates “availability unknown.”Originally the new portal included the number of complaints a child care provider has received but the state removed that information within three days. Murray said that element was cut because the page has a link to the original licensing site, where users can explore complaints, citations and facility inspection reports.Buthee said if the goal was to create the informative, user-friendly site that Newsom promised, it should include a list of recent citations and complaints with the date,reason and resolution. Or instead, the site should explicitly explain what parents can find if they follow the link to the licensing data.Ironically, there is a more in-depth child care database in the works. In July, a long-awaited multi-million dollar website will launch that includes in-depth information and resources for families. This project was created in response to the requirements of aChild Care Development Block Grantthe state received in 2014.The website was fully funded in last year’s budget, according to Keisha Nzewi, director of public policy for the California Child Care Resource and ReferralNetwork, which holds the contract and is building the site. “It’s good to have something up,” said Nzewi about the state portal. “I wish people could see how beautiful and user friendly this site is going to be. I wish COVID had held off or we had
enough money to do this sooner.”For now, the referral network is working with the state to infuse the portal with some of the features from the new site, like a more robust database of providers and availability.The current California child care website has disappointed some parents and providers alike.“It’s really bad,” said San Francisco mom Maria Jandres. “That portal doesn’t give you any information. It doesn’t say where they are, how many spaces. For a new parent it has nothing. It leaves you more lost and with even more questions.”Jandres said her 4-year-old son’s regular child care site closed in March, around the time her work as a Realtor and court translator was coming to a slow stop. She stayed home with him for three weeks before signing up as a food delivery driver for various apps. She now juggles his care with her partner when he is not working.“We have to figure out our child care because we don’t have anyone else,” she said.“Without child care neither my partner or I would be able to survive.”At the same time, she said she is afraid to send her child to a provider she doesn’t already know, even if there are slots for essential workers. She’d rather ask around in her community for a personal recommendation.This comes as no surprise to preschool owner Amanda Simoni, whowent from having 54 kids every day to the 10 she is taking care of now at Heritage School of Discovery in Oakdale. She said she has laid off half of her staff and hopes to bring them back as soon as more kids return.Simoni said California’s new child care website “came too late and it does not give enough information.”She reached out to her local nonprofit child care agency after perusing the site and finding her phone number was (continued on page 4)
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May 14, 2020
COMMUNITY/ GOVERNMENT/BUSINESS/ADVERTISING
Pork Chops vs. People: Battling Coronavirus in an Iowa Meat Plant
Aguilar Announces Over $1.1 Million for Inland Empire COVID-19 Testing
After President Trump’s executive order, meat plants are reopening. Can they do so without endangering their low-wage workers and their communities?
State/Government News
By Ana Swanson, David Yaffe-Bellany and Michael Corkery May 10, 2020
Panels now separate worker stations at the Tyson Foods meatpacking plant in Waterloo, Iowa, which reopened on Thursday.Credit...Daniel Acker for The New York Times On April 10, Tony Thompson, the sheriff for Black Hawk County in Iowa, visited the giant Tyson Foods pork plant in Waterloo. What he saw, he said, “shook me to the core.” Workers, many of them immigrants, were crowded elbow to elbow as they broke down hog carcasses zipping by on a conveyor belt. The few who had face coverings wore a motley assortment of bandannas, painters’ masks or even sleep masks stretched around their mouths. Some had masks hanging around their necks. Sheriff Thompson and other local officials lobbied Tyson to close the plant, worried about a coronavirus outbreak. In an April 14 phone call, county health officials asked Tyson to shut down temporarily, Tyson said. But Tyson was “less than cooperative,” said the sheriff, who supervises the county’s coronavirus response, and Iowa’s governor declined to shut the facility. “Waterloo Tyson is running,” the company said in a text message to employees on April 17. “Thank you team members! WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!” Five days later, the plant was closed. Tyson said the reason was “worker absenteeism” as well as a spike in cases and community concerns. As of Thursday, the county health department had recorded 1,031 coronavirus infections among Tyson employees — more than a third of the work force. Some are on ventilators. Three have died, according to Tyson. Sheriff Tony Thompson, who is based in Waterloo, asked: “Which is more important? Your pork chops, or the people that are contracting Covid, the people that are dying from it?” The plant didn’t stay closed for long. As meat shortages hit
grocery stores and fast-food restaurants, political pressure built to get the dozens of plants across the country that had shut down because of virus outbreaks up and running again. After an executive order by President Trump declared the meat supply “critical infrastructure” and shielded the companies from certain liability, Tyson reopened its Waterloo facility on Thursday. New safety precautions have been added, like plexiglass barriers along the production line, infrared temperature scanners to detect fevers, and face shields and masks for the workers. Now the question is: Will America’s appetite for meat be sated without sickening armies of low-wage workers, and their communities, in new waves of infection? Workers and their advocates say Tyson’s actions — and recent federal safety guidelines — have come far too late. They point to lapses that Tyson made in the first three weeks of April, as the virus tore largely unimpeded through the Waterloo plant. As high-level executives lobbied the White House to help protect Tyson from lawsuits, the company was failing to provide adequate safety equipment to Waterloo workers and refusing the requests of local officials to close the plant, according to more than two dozen interviews with plant employees, immigrantrights advocates, doctors, lawyers and government officials. More than 1,000 workers at Tyson’s Waterloo factory have been infected by the coronavirus. While Tyson began changing its policies on short-term disability benefits in late March to encourage sick workers to stay home, many employees were not certain of the rules, and some went to work sick to avoid losing pay.
Rumors and misinformation spread among workers, many of whom are not native English speakers. As the work force dwindled, fear gripped the plant. Steve Stouffer, the head of Tyson’s beef and pork operations, said in an interview that the company had made the best safety decisions it could in a rapidly evolving situation. But he acknowledged that the company might have done more. “Looking at it in the rearview mirror, you can always be better,” he said. Sheriff Thompson said that he was thankful for the new safety precautions but that Tyson had been too slow to act. “Which is more important?” he asked. “Your pork chops, or the people that are contracting Covid, the people that are dying from it?” Protective panels between seats in the plant’s cafeteria. An executive said Tyson had made the best safety decisions it could but acknowledged it might have done more. ‘A Time of Fear and Panic’ A squat gray building branded with the slogan “A Cut Above the Rest,” the Waterloo plant is Tyson’s largest pork operation in the United States, responsible for almost 4 percent of the nation’s pork supply. Before the pandemic, it operated around the clock, breaking down up to 19,500 hogs a day into cuts of meat that traveled on a fleet of trucks across the country. It is tough, demanding work, usually performed by workers standing close together. During a conference call on March 9, union leaders in the meat industry discussed how to spread out workers in plants and take other precautions to prevent an outbreak. But at the time, the problem seemed a long way away from eastern Iowa, said Bob Waters, president of the local union for the Waterloo plant. “We thought it might come, but we hoped it didn’t,” he said. Iowa, like several other Midwestern states, never issued a statewide stay-at-home order. By early April, however, the Black Hawk County emergency operation center had started getting complaints about dangerous conditions at the plant. Workers and their relatives reported a lack of protective gear and insufficient safety protocols, and said employees were starting to test positive for the virus. Refrigerated truck trailers
outside the plant. The coronavirus has killed three workers there, Tyson said. Tyson had put some precautions in place. In March, it began checking workers for fevers as they entered the plant and relaxed its policies so workers who tested positive or were feeling unwell would be paid a portion of their salary even if they stayed home. But workers were still crowded together on the factory floor, in the cafeteria and in the locker room, and most did not wear masks. Tyson said it offered cloth bandannas to workers who asked, but by the time it tried to buy protective gear, supplies were scarce. At least one employee vomited while working on the production line, and several left the facility with soaring temperatures, according to a worker who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of losing his job and local advocates who have spoken with workers at the plant. Because of patient privacy laws, Tyson and the union had difficulty obtaining information about which workers had tested positive — hampering their efforts to isolate colleagues in close contact with them. Older employees, as well as those with asthma or diabetes, became increasingly afraid of entering the plant. “It was really a time of fear and panic,” said State Representative Timi Brown-Powers, who works at a coronavirus clinic in Waterloo. “They had not slowed the line down. They were not practicing any sort of social distancing.” Before the plant closed, “they were not practicing any sort of social distancing,” said Timi Brown-Powers, a legislator who works at a coronavirus clinic in Waterloo. On the night of April 12, she said, nearly two dozen Tyson employees were admitted to the emergency room at a hospital, MercyOne. Tyson employed interpreters to communicate with its diverse work force, which includes immigrants from Bosnia, Mexico, Myanmar and the Republic of Congo. But misinformation and distrust spread. One worker who died had taken Tylenol before entering the plant to lower her temperature enough to pass the screening, afraid that missing work would mean forgoing a bonus, said a person (continued on page 5)
UNITED SECURITY FINANCIAL, INC. OFFERS SOLUTIONS FOR BORROWERS HIT BY THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
USF CEO Lois Johnson offers win-win solutions for lenders and borrowers Business/Financial News As the novel Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the health of Americans, one of its toxic side - effects is also threatening the financial health of homeowners all over the country. At one of his daily press briefings, President Donald Trump proposed that a 90-day forbearance should be made available to those homeowners seeking to avoid foreclosure because of an inability to make their monthly mortgage payments. While the president's pronouncement initially offered hope to millions of struggling homeowners, that hope was quickly dimmed when borrowers were confronted with the possibility that they would be on the hook for three months of back payments which included principle, interest, taxes and insurance, along with the mortgage payment that would be due for the fourth month. Understandably, borrowers remembering the nightmare of the 2008 subprime crisis have begun to panic when thinking about the possibility of foreclosure looming over them. Millions lost their homes during the Great Recession and have yet to rebound from what proved to be
Lois Johnson, USF CEO
Michael Grant, USF President
an uneven recovery. Lois Johnson, chief executive officer of United Security Financial, a minority-owned, fullservice mortgage firm, has emerged as an industry leader with solutions that are designed to help homeowners avoid defaulting on their loans. Her proposed solutions also seek to keep lenders solvent throughout the duration of this pandemic. In a nutshell, Johnson wants to offer homeowners a streamlined forbearance or a chance to refinance their loans without having to face the cumulative burden of three months of back payments due all at once.
With a streamlined forbearance, borrowers (even those receiving unemployment compensation) would be able to tack three months of payments at the end of what would be essentially be a new loan. With the streamlined refinanced forbearance, borrowers could avoid all the inevitable hits to their credit status and enjoy a fresh start. Johnson, understanding that her proposed solution for borrowers, by necessity, also had to include a companion benefit for lenders. Therefore, she is also advocating that lenders not be held responsible for advance payments to investors.
"Providing forbearance to borrowers without agency assistance for lenders could cause many lenders to fail," she stated. With Johnson's proposal (her company is a Ginnie Mae issuer), Ginnie Mae would not have to make advancements to lenders who would otherwise have to make payments on behalf of the borrowers who have sought forbearances. According to Johnson, "If Ginnie Mae does not have to grant loans to the lenders to cover forbearances, the government could then use this money to help fund other Covid19 relief efforts." According to Michael Grant, president of United Security Financial, "The country would benefit immensely by undergirding strong support for borrowers and lenders, thereby allowing more wealth to remain in the hands of the many and not be siphoned off by a few as happened during the last housing crisis. Our proposed solutions are for the greater good of our industry. And we at USF are laser-focused on keeping people in homes that they have struggled to acquire."
Rep. Pete Aguilar San Bernardino, CA – Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $1,121,862 to expand coronavirus testing capabilities in San Bernardino County. The funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will be distributed to three Inland Empire health care providers and agencies, with SAC Health System (SACHS) receiving $640,264, Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inc. (IBHS) receiving $224,449 and the County of San Bernardino receiving $257,149. “We know increased testing is one of the best ways to track and limit the spread of this virus, which is why the House worked to ensure additional funding for tests in the last coronavirus relief
bill. I’m proud to announce this funding, which will help more members of our community get tested and will play a major role in helping our community defeat this virus,” said Rep. Aguilar. “Testing continues to be critical for our communities and patients,” said Dr. Jason Lohr, CEO of SAC Health System. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with our local health plan and health department to provide COVID-19 testing to any IEHP member who needs it.” “Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inc. (IBHS) is grateful to Congressman Aguilar for his continued support. The Board of Directors and the Medical Team are planning on hosting both walk-up and drive-thru testing, with a focus on the uninsured populations, in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. IBHS is also in talks with our local churches to assist in offering the testing to the communities and to those staff members who wish to be tested,” said Dr. Temetry Lindsey, CEO/President of IBHS. Rep. Aguilar serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, the committee responsible for allocating funding to agencies like HRSA.
On the Front Lines of “Reopen America”...continued from page 1 suffer from the state economic shutdown, which began March 19. And as the weeks went on, he became increasingly frustrated with the interruption to his active lifestyle: his usual runs along Newport Beach or kicking a soccer ball at the park, his nights out for pizza and beer, concerts and cover bands with his girlfriend. “I can’t just work, work, work and watch Netflix,” said Rodriguez, a self-employed accountant based out of his home. “Shit gets old, dude. You have to live, and we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.” * * * Rodriguez connected online with Josh Ellis, a home remodeler and handyman in Naperville, Illinois, who decided to coordinate May 1 protests across all 50 states. Another political neophyte, Ellis, 40, calls the nation’s many state-mandated stay-at-home orders illegal under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of how severe a threat the virus may be to public health. “It would have been a horrible tragedy if half of the population of the United States died, but it still wouldn’t have been okay, per the Constitution,” insisted Ellis, who spent his day of protest at the Chicago demonstration. That might sound dangerously absolutist to some supporters of his movement, but Ellis aims to be far less divisive than the Trumpsters wearing “Fuck Your Feelings” T-shirts. Under his American Revolution 2.0 banner, Ellis says his mission is to create a lasting movement with appeal beyond the farthest of the far right, a new Tea Party minus a distracting Sarah Palin cult of personality. For Ellis, confiscating May Day, the traditional workers’ holiday, for a libertarian day of protest was just a start. “This is a continuing fight,” Ellis said. “It’s not a one-anddone for us. This is a movement.
I plan on continuing into a complete restoration of the Constitution.” In early April, from his suburban home outside Chicago, Ellis called on the protest groups to focus on a national May Day event, and to avoid extreme messages and overt Trump worship that could turn away potential allies among moderates, independents and even Democrats frustrated by the shutdown. He knew the MAGA crowd was already with them. “In order to effect change, you have to have the moderates with you,” Ellis said. “You’re not going to get the moderates if all they see in the media is you’re a bunch of white nationalist, racist, bigoted Trump-supporting rednecks. Then they’re going to go, ‘Well, you guys are nuts.’” He voted for Trump in 2016 and almost certainly will again this year, but Ellis calls himself generally apathetic politically, only a sometime voter: “I see crookedness on both sides and have for a long time.” Elizabeth Crawford, 61, of Encino: “?There’s no crypto, altright radical freaking Nazi group.” Ellis helped guide local organizers across the country to create 53 May Day rallies, including ones in Los Angeles and Sacramento. He eased out of leadership positions some people with extreme “weirdnesses that are irrelevant, quite frankly.” That has meant navigating among apolitical volunteers, Trump fanatics, QAnon conspiracy cultists, gun rights exhibitionists and anti-vaccination activists. Long-active anti-vaxxers are a fast-rising presence at the demonstrations. * * * In Los Angeles, one bright orange sign declared: “Our body. Our choice. No forced vaccination.” In the same crowd was a nutritionist and holistic health consultant who practices under the name Julie E. Health. (continued on page 7)
The San Bernardino AMERICAN News Staff Samuel Martin Sr.-Founder Clifton Harris/Editor in Chief/Investigative Reporter Mary Martin-Harris/Editor Clifton B. Harris/Audio Engineering Editor Legal /Display Advertising & Sales (909) 889-7677 The San Bernardino American News was established May 8,1969. A legally adjudicated newspaper of general circulation on September 30, 1971, case number 153913 by the Superior Court, of San Bernardino County. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News, a division of Don Roberto Group, Inc. is published every Thursday by Mary Martin-Harris and Clifton Harris P.O. Box 837 Victorville, CA 92393, Telephone (909)889-7677, Emails: msbamericannews@gmail.com sbamericannews@gmail.com The San Bernardino AMERICAN News subscription rate is $58.00 per year. The San Bernardino AMERICAN New is committed to serving its readers by presenting news, unbiased and objective, trusting in the mature judgment of the readers and, in so doing strive to achieve a united community. News releases appearing in the San Bernardino AMERICAN News do not necessarily express the policy nor the opinion of the publishers. The San Bernardino AMERICAN News reserves the right to edit or rewrite all news releases.
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May 14, 2020
HEALTH/FITNESS/SENIOR NEWS
No Meat In Stores, Try One Of These 5 PlantBased Diets Health/Fitness News
As if we didn’t already have enough coronavirus-related problems, now, we’re experiencing a meat shortage because of the coronavirus outbreak in meatpacking plants around the country. Some of the affected plants are even closed indefinitely because so many of the workers are home ill. This shortage has had a ripple effect across various industries. Wendy’s, for example, has had to take burgers off the menu at several locations because they have no burgers (their brand moto is they serve fresh, not frozen beef). A New York Times article details how grocery store chains like Kroger and wholesalers like Costco are limiting the amount of meat customers can purchase. If you have ever thought about changing to a plant-based diet or limiting your meat intake, this may be the best time. One of the greatest benefits to a plant-based diet is lowering your risk for heart disease, but as pointed out in an article by the Harvard Medical School, all plant-based diets are not created equal. IT’S ABOUT THE CHOICES More and more Americans are reducing their meat intake and that was before the meat shortage. Choosing the correct plants to
give you maximum nutrition is key to healthy eating. Dr. Ambika Satija of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health says the focus needs to be on the quality of plant food. There are many plant-based diets, but the most beneficial ones underscore specific foods related to healthy heart advantages such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits, and healthy oils like olive oil. When you eliminate meat from your diet you run the risk of having low iron. Here are a few diets that have been studied for their effect on heart health. Mediterranean Diet This diet is based on the gastronomy of people living near the Mediterranean Sea where studies show people in this region have a lower rate of cardiovascular diseases. Foods attributed to this diet are high in beans, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nut and seeds and olive oil. The foundation of this diet is plant-based meals created around vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and whole grains and here is modest consumption of fish, poultry, dairy and occasional red meat. Along with these
Don't Wait: Stroke, Heart Attack Still Emergencies, Doctors Say During COVID-19 Pandemic, Experts Encourage Use of Telephone or Video Visits for Milder Symptoms, Calling 911 For Acute Symptoms Health News
The entrance to Cedars-Sinai's Ruth and Harry Roman Emergency Department. Photo by Cedars-Sinai. Doctors who treat stroke and heart attack patients are trying to find out why they have been seeing fewer patients with these life-threatening emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Is COVID-19 somehow preventing emergencies from happening? Or, are people ignoring symptoms and staying home instead of seeking the medical care they need? Shlee Song, MD, Director of the Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Stroke Center and Telestroke Program is leading a multi-center data collection study to determine the impact of COVID-19 on acute stroke care throughout Los Angeles county. Results are expected in June. In the meantime, Cedars-Sinai experts say there are some symptoms no one should ignore. Patrick Lyden, MD, professor of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai, says that signs of a stroke include the sudden onset of numbness on one side of the face or body, slurred speech or inability to walk in a straight line. This is easily remembered by the acronym BE FAST: B – (sudden loss of) balance E – eyes (vision loss) F – face drooping A – arm weakness S – speech difficulty
T – time to call 911 Lyden says that neurologists treating stroke often say, "time is brain," meaning that the sooner patients seek care, the sooner they can be treated and spared from potential long-term brain damage. "If you're having a stroke, you still need to come in, we are still here for you," Lyden said. "Time is still brain, and we still have great treatments. We can cure stroke. And we're here to keep doing that." At Cedars-Sinai, patients with COVID-19 are kept separately from other patients, and all staff members are screened daily for COVID-19 symptoms. In addition, everyone is required to wear face masks. The stroke team staff at CedarsSinai work closely with the Emergency Department to implement telemedicine techniques to evaluate and treat stroke patients while taking extra precautions to prevent exposure to the coronavirus. Using a telemedicine camera, patients who come to the Emergency Department with stroke symptoms can be evaluated by a stroke specialist until their COVID-19 status can (continued in next 2 columns)
mainstays of the Mediterranean Diet, olive oil is an essential source of added healthy fat that has been shown to lower total cholesterol. Moreover, use herbs and spices native to this region to enhance meals and this should help to cut down on the use of sodium. DASH Diet Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is designed to treat and prevent hypertension and to reduce blood pressure without medication. The premise behind the DASH Diet is to reduce your sodium intake and eat foods rich in nutrients that lower blood pressure like magnesium, potassium and calcium. This diet promotes large amounts of vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy with a modest portions of poultry, nuts, fish and whole grains. The standard DASH Diet allows people to stay within the 2,300 mg of sodium per day as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Pescatarian Diet This diet is mostly plant-based with the exception of seafood as well as nuts, seed, whole grains, eggs, dairy, and beans.
Pescatarians don’t consume any meat including chicken, pork, beef, lamb or turkey. They will eat a wide variety of seafood such as salmon, sardines and herring, which are a good source of protein, like meat, but without the negative cardiovascular effects. Seafood is low in saturated fats and some are rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But, as is the case with most things, you can consume too much. Seafood such as tuna and swordfish can contain mercury, a heavy metal that can have an adverse effect on your health. If considering this diet, consider fish that has lower mercury like salmon, lake trout, sardines, mackerel and herring. Vegetarian Diet Consumers of a vegetarian diet eat no animals. They eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, beans and seeds. Some vegetarians do add eggs and dairy to their meals, however, and are known as lacto-ovo vegetarians. Individuals who eliminate eggs are considered lacto-vegetarians. Others who eat eggs and delete dairy from their diet are considered ovovegetarians. Contrary to what some believe, vegetarians have a wide spectrum in meal choices. Vegan Diet Being a vegan is not only a diet, but a lifestyle. Vegans eat no animals or animal byproduct, which includes eggs, dairy and honey. They also don’t wear any leather or, fur or use any cosmetics that are associated with animals. Their diets usually consist of fruits, vegetables, tofu, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, herbs and spices. Changing to a plant-based diet will take some discipline, but if you are committed, you can leave meat behind and become one of the millions who have put eating animals in their rear-view mirror.
Don't Wait: Stroke, Heart Attack Still Emergencies, Doctors Say...continued be established. Lyden says these precautions limit opportunities for transmission of the virus and could help save lives. Michelle Kittleson, MD, PhD, professor of Medicine and a cardiologist in Cedars-Sinai's Smidt Heart Institute, says symptoms of a heart attack include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, palpitations, lightheadedness and fainting
spells. "If you're feeling these symptoms and you're not sure whether to go to the ER and risk being exposed to infection versus waiting it out at home, call your doctor," Kittleson said. "As physicians, we have a lot of great experience in teasing out the details of a patient's symptoms to triage whether the symptom is dangerous or not."
Virtual Dental Chat and TeleDental Company Helps People with Dental Problems During COVID-19 DentalChat is helping to minimize dental-related ER visits during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering online services. Health/Fitness News
COVID-19 has affected many industries, where mandatory closures and strict policies are in place to adhere to safety precautions. Dental offices are no exception, with many dentists having to stop offering medical services aside from emergency dentistry. This is a critical step in protecting patients and healthcare workers, but where does that leave patients who still need dental care? Even if their concerns or ongoing procedures may not be urgent, these patients still need assessment and medical attention. DentalChat.com and DentalChat App, help people in their time of dental need - for free. During this coronavirus era, people can Dental Chat with dentists for FREE. Recent DentalChat endorsement by the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) noted: “With COVID-19 causing great disruption to the dental profession, PDA has been researching teledentistry options for PDA members. The company we think will meet the needs of members is DentalChat. Over the past 10 years, DentalChat’s team has built a suite of services that provide multiple ways to connect
dentists to people seeking help.” The American Dental Association shows that dental ER visits doubled from 1.1 million in 2000 to 2.2 million in 2012, or one visit every 15 seconds. Dentists and the ADA have stated that, even under the current circumstances, the problem persists. Fortunately, DentalChat offers a solution to reducing the number of people who go to ER with tooth-related issues, relieving some strain off of the medical system. DentalChat provides answers, consults, and referrals to patients through online services. The company’s mission is to help people with their dental care problems, gain better dental information online and to find people dentists locally, when needed. DentalChat answers dental questions primarily for people in the USA, as well as people globally. Although DentalChat’s services have proved useful in the past, the company has never been more essential than it has with the current pandemic. DentalChat has adjusted their business practices to take services to the next level during (continued in next 2 columns)
Virtual Dental Chat and TeleDental Company Helps People with Dental Problems During COVID19...continued COVID-19. Over 145,000 monthly visitors use DentalChat for answers to their dental questions, who strives to help people as much as they can virtually. DentalChat offers solutions for their patients for free from licensed dentists via the Smart Chatbot, an AI chat service that allows website visitors to ask questions and receive answers securely from professional dentists. To offer a higher level of service, DentalChat provides FREE Dental Chat messaging with dentists and virtual consults through a secure video room. Connecting patients with dentists for live-video consultations at affordable rates. The company can refer visitors to local dentists; in this case, advising a patient when it is necessary to see a dentist under emergency circumstances and locating a local practice. DentalChat offers referrals to over 145,000 website visitors every month to help find the right dentist. Dr. Greg Grillo, VP of Business Development, says “Our mission is to help people with their dental care.” He adds, “During COVID19, demand has exploded. Building on our strong history, we’re engaging consumers through chat messaging, video
consults, referrals to dentists, articles, and more.” Visit https://dentalchat.com/ for a free dental consultation online and for more solutions to your dental needs.DentalChat DentalChat offers a comprehensive communication platform that connects patients and dentists across the globe. Based in Orange County, CA DentalChat was founded over a decade ago by Dr S Said, a dentist who specializes in technology. The service has proven invaluable to thousands of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reviews “Really fast reply and I was told what was wrong which is what I wanted to know. Thank you for the fast reply and for the help! I really appreciate it.” - Ana A. “I needed someone to talk to and it was good and grateful so it’s a big thank you.” – Tosha H. “Not much to say besides great, dentist gave me clarity and everything went smoothly.” – Isaac C. “I had some questions that were answered 100% and explained everything to me thank you so much for your help.” – Christine
New state child care website comes up short...continued from page 2 wrong. It also included three complaints against her program,all of which were three or more years old and had been resolved, she said. Simoni said parents should have all the information, but it should be listed in a comprehensive way.As is, she said, the portal is “just not giving accurate information, it’s not giving parents the opportunity to make a good decision.”For parents seeking child care sites that are much smaller than Heritage School, and are operated out of a provider’s home, this portal is going to require some additional hoops.These so-called “small family homes,” where providers care for up to eight kids, are listed without the official name of the business, address or contact information.Department spokesman Murray said that the contact information is not listed for privacy reasons because these are individual homes. So in
order to reach these providers, parents would have to call their local nonprofit referral agency that oversees child care.Those extra steps could thwart a connection between a family and a small child care provider.“They need to have as much of an advantage as anyone else,” Buthee said.Child care advocates hope to resolve all of these concerns with the new site.Eventually, any searches will direct web traffic to the new site, Nzewi said. She said she expects the need to find child careto continue to grow into the summer, as some centers reduce enrollment to meet social distancing guidelines —or close altogether.“It’s going to become even more important for parents and providers,” she said. “Parents will have to seek out new care.”CalMatters.orgis a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
HHS distributes $231,583,318 to California hospitals heavily impacted by COVID-19 pandemic Health/Fitness News The Department of Health and Human Services is distributing $12 billion allocated for a targeted distribution to hospitals in areas that have been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, including $231,583,318 to hospitals in California. President Trump is providing support to healthcare providers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic through the $175 billion in relief funding to hospitals and other healthcare providers on the front lines of the coronavirus response provided through the bipartisan CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. $12 billion is going to 395 hospitals who provided inpatient care for 100 or more COVID-19 patients through April 10, 2020, and will be used to support healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19 and to ensure uninsured Americans can get testing and treatment for COVID19. The distribution methodology takes into consideration the challenges faced by facilities serving a significantly disproportionate number of lowincome patients. To view the list of hospitals and the amount each received, please visit here. These payments are going to 395 hospitals who reported at least 100 COVID-19 inpatient admissions through April 10, 2020. These 395 hospitals accounted for approximately 71 percent of COVID-19 inpatient admissions
through April 10, 2020, reported to HHS from nearly 6,000 hospitals around the country. $10 billion of the $12 billion distribution uses a simple formula to determine what each hospital receives: hospitals are paid a fixed amount per COVID-19 inpatient admission. The remaining $2 billion of the $12 billion is distributed based off each hospital’s portion of Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments and Medicare Uncompensated Care Payments (UCP). See the methodology used for the COVID-19 High-Impact allocations here. HHS is distributing $50 billion across the healthcare system to providers and facilities that bill Medicare. HHS is distributing $10 billion to rural hospitals and clinics. See the state-by-state breakdown. HHS is distributing $400 million to tribal healthcare providers. HHS is using a portion of the Provider Relief Fund to reimburse healthcare providers, at Medicare rates, for COVID-19-related treatment of the uninsured. Providers can register for the program and the portal is open to submit claims. HHS is working to provide relief to additional healthcare providers including skilled nursing facilities, dentists, and other providers significantly impacted by COVID19. For more information, visit hhs.gov/providerrelief for more information on the allocations.
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May 14, 2020
LEGALS/CLASSIFIEDS/NEWS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200004219 Date Filed: 05/01/2020 Filing Expires On: 05/01/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): 2 CHICKS REALTY County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 7835 CHURCH ST. HIGHLAND, CA 92346 Mailing Address: Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./ Reg.:SHOWCASE, INC. State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 7835 CHURCH STREET HIGHLAND, CA 92346 This business is/was conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: Not Applicable Jeffery Stoffel, 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 May 14, 21, 28 , June 4, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200004016 Date Filed: 04/22/2020 Filing Expires On: 04/22/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): R & F PRODUCTS County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 1226 S. CYPRESS AVENUE, UNIT C ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA 91762 Mailing Address: Name of Individual Registrant: RENAN E. PANSOY 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: 1226 S. CYPRESS AVENUE UNIT C ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA 91762 This business is/was conducted by: An Individual Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: April 15, 2020 Renan E. Pansoy, Proprietor, 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 May 14, 21, 28, June 4, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200003951 Date Filed: 04/16/2020 Filing Expires On: 04/16/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.):1.NEWJOIE SOLUTIONS 2.SERENE ESCAPES, SPA & TRAVEL County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 7814 MELINDA WAY FONTANA, CA 92336 Mailing Address: 10808 FOOTHILL BLVD., 160534 RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730-3889 Name of Individual Registrant: CHRISTINE SMITH 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: 7814 MELINDA WAY FONTANA, CA 92336 Name of Individual Registrant: FRANK A. SMITH Residence Street Address: 7814 MELINDA WAY FONTANA, CA 92336 This business is/was conducted by: A Married Couple Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: March 23, 2020 Christine Smith, 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 May 14, 21, 28 June 4, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200004196 Date Filed: 05/01/2020 Filing Expires On: 05/01/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): ADRIAN’S TRUCK TRANSPORT CORPORATION County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 15598 RIVIERA LN. FONTANA, CA 92337 Mailing Address: 4505 ALLSTATE DRIVE, SUITE 213 RIVERSIDE, CA 92501 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: ADRIAN’S TRUCK TRANSPORT CORPORATION State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA Inc./Org./Reg. No.: C4582804 Residence Street Address: 15598 RIVIERA LN. FONTANA, CA 92337 This business is/was conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: April 01, 2020 Gustavo Cardenas, CEO, 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 May 14, 21, 28, June 4, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20200004315 Date Filed: 05/06/2020 Filing Expires On: 05/06/2025 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME (as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.): SUPERIOR HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES, INC. County of Principal Place of Business: SAN BERNARDINO Street Address of Principal Place of Business: 555 N. BENSON AVE. UPLAND, CA 91786-5075 Name of Individual Registrant: Name of corporation or limited liability company as shown in the Articles of Inc./Org./Reg.: SUPERIOR
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, INC. State of Inc./Org./Reg.: CA Inc./Org./Reg. No.: Residence Street Address: 555 N. BENSON AVE. UPLAND, CA 91786-5075 This business is/was conducted by: A Corporation Registrant has commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: January 27, 2020 Inna Joyce Aguda, President/ CEO, 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 May 14, 21, 28 June 4, 2020.
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Black Barbers, Beauty Professionals Push Gov. Newsom to Reopen Their Shops Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Business
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Statistics in Schools Program Offers Free Resources to Keep Kids Learning Amid School Closures U.S. Census Bureau Program Supports Learning at Home for Pre-K-12 Students MAY 12, 2020 — This week, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools (SIS) program released four parent/ caregiver toolkits that include valuable resources for parents and guardians to use at home with students from pre-K through high school. These new toolkits provide fun Census Bureau interactives that school-age children can enjoy at home while e-learning. “The Statistics in Schools program has always been focused on providing additional resources to make learning about statistics and the 2020 Census fun and engaging,” said Dr. Steven Dillingham, Census Bureau Director. “Many students have transitioned to learning at home to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The program has adapted its activities to not only engage students, but also their families and caregivers, so that everyone in their household learns about the importance of the 2020 Census.” Learn More All of the resources included in these kits are designed to teach students about their community and their country through statistics. SIS materials are engaging and easy to follow, and no prior teaching experience is needed to use them. For younger students, parents will find resources like a coloring book and activities on topics such as transportation and counting. Older students can learn about topics like apportionment and even use census data to decide what they might want to do after high school. SIS resources provide a great opportunity for parents to learn more about their country, state or local community alongside their children. In addition to providing educational opportunities, these materials also show families the importance of having accurate census data. While school buildings may be closed, the 2020 Census is still proceeding, and the goal remains the same — to ensure a complete and accurate count of everyone living in the United States, including all children. The results from the 2020 Census will inform the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars for hospitals, emergency services, and schools each year over the next decade. To achieve a complete and accurate count, it is imperative for every household to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail. Members of the media who are interested in interviewing Census Bureau or SIS spokespersons or a SIS teacher ambassador can contact the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office at pio@census.gov or 301-7633030. For more information, visit www.2020census.gov.
Lorenzo Griffin, CEO of Laran Products
Two weeks ago, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp drew sharp criticisms from African Americans across the country. Black politicians, social media commenters, and others blasted the governor, saying his decision to lift his state’s month-long stayat-home order by first opening businesses like barbershops, nail salons, sneaker stores, tattoo parlors, gyms, and bowling alleys put the lives of Blacks at risk. Those are businesses African Americans frequent, his critics pointed out. But unlike Georgia, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said businesses like barbershops, beauty shops, and nail salons will not be allowed to begin servicing their customers again until the third phase of the Golden State’s reopening plan. “Phase three is not a year away. It’s not six months away. It’s not even three months away. It may not even be more than a month away,” Newsom said at his daily press conference Friday. “We just want to make sure we have a protocol in place to secure customer safety, employee safety, and allow the businesses to thrive in a way that is sustainable.” On May 8, California started the second in a four-stage process of reopening business and public spaces shut down during the COVID-19 crisis on a categoryby-category basis. Businesses in industries such as retail, manufacturing, logistics, and others that fit certain safety requirements opened Friday, still maintaining recommendations for wearing masks and gloves, and maintain a social distance of six feet between people. Now, smaller businesses like salons and barbershops that re-
quire closer contact between people — and that have been hit hard in the pocket by coronavirus-related shutdowns — are calling on the California governor, state legislature and other politicians to allow them to return to work. The Black Small Business Association of California (BSBA) wrote letters to Sacramento Mayor Darryl Steinberg and Gov. Gavin Newsom urging them to consider allowing barbers and cosmetologists to safely resume their business. “While we understand the need to prioritize public health and safety during this unprecedented crisis, the economic devastation of this moment cannot be overstated,” the letter read. “This loss of income is compounded by the limits of California’s safety-net services and has left too many barbers and cosmetologists without assistance during this difficult time.” The BSBA claimed that many of the protections federal and state officials promised to small businesses did not reach barbers and cosmetologists. “For example, many of these individuals have applied for Unemployment Insurance, but were denied,” the letter read. “Others applied for the federal Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the Small Business Administration and were denied access to these funds as well. In addition, few if any have received access to information about local emergency funding options when these funds have been made available.” In addition to those letters, the BSBA, along with the Mixed Cosmetology School, several barbers
and cosmetologists wrote safety guidelines to serve as a model for how these specific businesses could begin reopening sooner rather than later. Those guidelines include the implementation of personal protective gear, mandatory temperature checks, symptom questionnaires, and extensive disinfection. Robert Brown, a barber at Another Look Hair Salon in Sacramento, highlighted some of the unique issues facing barbers and beauticians during the pandemic. “Many African American owned salons didn’t qualify for the PPP loan because we rent booths to our stylists and barbers,” Brown said. “We didn’t have the payroll numbers to give banks to qualify.” The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a federal government stimulus loan program under the CARES act that provides cash to small businesses to cover payroll. The federal government forgives the loan if 75% of it is used to keep employees hired. California joins several other states in reopening businesses after months of closures in the midst of this pandemic. But due to the size of the state, Gov. Newsom says, the reopening process has been based on the needs of different counties. Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, detailed how Los Angeles County will cooperate with the governor’s reopening plan. “[Los Angeles] County is in conversations with our state partners and wants to ensure any restrictions we ease are in the best interest of the health of all of our residents,” Barger said. “What’s best for other counties may not necessarily be right for Los Angeles County as we are the most densely populated county in the state, our guidelines will certainly look different than others.” Dave Charles Presley Jr., a Rialto resident, and barber for 28 years had to move out of his apartment due to all of the revenue he has lost since the COVID-19 pandemic began. “It’s been an absolute nightmare,” Presley said. “I’m looking at all of these politicians with
these fresh haircuts, yet our businesses are suffering. I know they didn’t cut that themselves.” Presley also claims that he has waited for over a month to receive the unemployment benefits that he applied for after the governor issued his stay-at-home order. Lorenzo Griffin, CEO of Laran Products, has been trying to help barbers like Presley as Laran Products only sells their merchandise directly to salons and barbershops. “The beauty industry, the barbershops, and the beauty salons is the second-largest social institution in Black America, second only to the church,” Griffin said. “It’s vital that we open but it is absolutely vital that we stay safe when we open.” Some have expressed concern about Black people returning to certain jobs during this reopening process. Dr. Melva Thompson-Robinson, Executive Director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Center for Health Disparities Research, spoke about the many challenges Black people have been facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. “For the African American community, this has been something that has been centuries in the making in terms of the inequality and the racism that African Americans, in particular, have experienced,” Thompson-Robinson said. “As far as the African American community, they are often working in positions where they’d be considered essential workers. Not just as a doctor or nurse, but they are part of the janitorial staff or other essential staff.” Thompson-Robinson also expressed her concern about the inherent racial bias in the medical community and explained how African Americans can combat that bias without coming across as hostile. “You can advocate for yourself by having someone who can go with you, who can advocate on your behalf, or if you can’t have someone go with you, have someone put together a list of questions that have to be answered by the doctors so if you’re there by yourself, your issues and concerns aren’t being overlooked,” Thompson-Robinson said.
Pork Chops vs. People: Battling Coronavirus in an Iowa Meat Plant...continued from page 3 who knows the worker’s family and who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their privacy. Workers at the plant were confused about why so many colleagues seemed to be getting sick and missing work. Supervisors told them that it was the flu, some said, or warned them not to talk about the virus at work. In an emailed statement, Tyson said it had “worked with the information available to us at the time to help keep our team members safe.” The company said earlier information from the Black Hawk County Health Department would have helped its decision-making. Dr. Nafissa Cisse Egbuonye, the director of the Black Hawk County Health Department, said that before the state changed the rules on April 14 to help speed public health investigations, she was legally prevented from sharing the names of employees who had tested positive with the company. But she said that she had been in constant communication with the plant and shared her concerns. “I think they had enough information,” she said, “to take the necessary measures.” Safety reminders at the entrance to the factory, where workers include immigrants from Bosnia, Mexico, Myanmar and the Republic of Congo. A Vulnerable Workforce Iowa, an overwhelmingly white state, has long had a complicated relationship with meatpacking plants. While the industry is an engine of the state’s economy and the country’s food supply, it also employs many immigrants, who have faced periodic raids to enforce immigration laws.
Even with union representation, immigrants at the plant say they are afraid to raise concerns about working conditions. “The narrative is shifting the blame to the workers, instead of focusing on the true incompetence, in my opinion, of the government, not just the governor, but also leaders here at Tyson,” said Nilvia Reyes Rodriguez, president of the Waterloo chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens. “It was their responsibility to protect their workers.” Nilvia Reyes Rodriguez, the president of the Waterloo chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, argued that it was the responsibility of the government and Tyson “to protect their workers.” She added, “Because of the population in those industries, I think there is a disregard for those communities.” Tyson said in a statement that it took pride in its diversity and that its immigrant workers have advanced to management positions, including at the Waterloo plant. But some of those tensions simmered as local politicians became locked in a struggle with the state and then the federal government over closing the plant. After Sheriff Thompson’s visit, he and other local politicians began lobbying Tyson and Gov. Kim Reynolds for a shutdown. The governor sided with Tyson. She issued an executive order on April 16 stating that only the state government, not local governments, had the authority to close businesses in northeast Iowa, including the Waterloo plant. “We’re making sure that the work force is protected and, most
importantly, that we’re keeping that food supply chain moving,” Ms. Reynolds said. But the number of infections continued to increase. Tyson said it began winding down operations on April 20. But the plant did not fully shut down until April 22, after the company had processed the remaining hog carcasses in its cooler. After the plant closed, the company invited workers back for coronavirus testing. But that process may have infected more workers, said Christine Kemp, the chief executive of a local health clinic. Employees bunched together outside the plant and crowded the stairwells. Some left without being tested, afraid they would catch the virus in line. The virus had already spread through the community, including to a nursing home where several workers are married to Tyson employees. The Tyson employees who have died included a Bosnian refugee survived by a grieving husband, and a man with three daughters. The mother died from cancer last year, and the oldest daughter, 19, will take guardianship of her sisters. A maintenance worker at the plant, Jose Ayala, 44, is lying unresponsive on a ventilator. Zach Medhaug, 39, a fellow worker, has been calling him to talk to him and play his favorite music. Mr. Medhaug also caught the coronavirus but has recovered and said he was ready to return to work. “But I’m also in a different position than some other people are,” he said. “I’m over Covid. For other people, it’s very scary.” An infrared camera has been installed to check arriving workers for fevers. Reopening the Plant
The political stakes of the reopening in Waterloo are high. With meat supplies disrupted nationwide, the White House has pushed Tyson and other meat companies to continue operating. And Tyson officials have had plenty of chances to air concerns, dining at the White House and participating in several calls with the president and vice president in recent months. Since he issued the executive order on April 28, Mr. Trump has been quick to declare that the supply chain is back on track. Asked Wednesday about a hamburger shortage at Wendy’s, he turned to the secretary of agriculture, Sonny Perdue. “Basically, you’re saying, in a week and a half, you think everything is going to be good, or sooner?” the president asked. “Yes. These plants are opening as we speak,” Mr. Perdue said. “You’re going to have to push them,” the president replied. “Push them more.” But the reopening may have to proceed in fits and starts. Tyson executives cautioned that it would take time to return to normal. The Waterloo plant reopened on Thursday at about 50 percent capacity. And ramping back up could take weeks as workers return from quarantine. Mr. Stouffer, the Tyson executive, said he hoped the worst was over. But health officials warn that a rush to full production could cause a second wave of infections. “History will be the judge, eventually,” Mr. Stouffer said. “But we have attempted very hard, our entire team, our entire organization, from the chairman of the board on down, to do the right thing.”
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May 14, 2020
ENTERTAINMENT/RELIGION/LOCAL/NATIONAL NEWS
Betty Wright, Iconic Soul and "The Rocking 50's" Young Visionaries 2020 Gala Postponed R&B Singer, Dies at 66 Entertainment News
Hollywood Reporter
In light of the growing concern and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19), Young Visionaries, has decided it is best to postpone our upcoming Young Visionaries Annual Gala, scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Double Tree by Hilton Hotel San Bernardino. Young Visionaries is committed to the health, well-being and peace of mind of our community and youth. This decision was not made lightly and was made based upon our concern for our participants and the community. A new date will be announced in the next few weeks. All pre tickets sales and sponsorships will be honored in the new Gala date.
Mychal Watts/Getty Images for Jazz in The Gardens Music Festival Betty Wright The "Tonight Is the Night" and "Where Is the Love" singer founded her own record label and was introduced to a younger generation of fans on the TV show 'Making the Band.' Legendary soul and R&B singer Betty Wright, known for classics such as "Tonight Is the Night," “No Pain, (No Gain)" and "Clean Up Woman," has died. She was 66. Wright died from cancer at her home in Miami, Billboard has confirmed. In early May, Chaka Khan wrote on Twitter that Wright was "now in need of all your prays." "Calling all my #PrayWarriors," Khan tweeted. "My beloved sister, Betty Wright @MsBettyWright, is now in need of all your prays." Born Bessie Regina Norris in 1953, Wright started her music career singing with Echoes of Joy, her family's gospel group in Miami. In 1968, at age 15, she released her debut album, My First Time Around, giving her a top 40 song on the Billboard Hot
100 with "Girls Can't Do What the Guys Do." Wright earned a top 10 single in 1972 with "Clean Up Woman," which peaked at No. 6 on the Hot 100, and would go on to be sampled by numerous artists, including Mary J. Blige, Afrika Bambaataa and Sublime. By the mid-'70s, Wright had scored big with songs "Tonight Is the Night" and "Where Is the Love," which earned her a Grammy for for best R&B song in 1975. In the 1980s, Wright founded her own record label, Ms. B Records, and released the album Mother Wit, featuring the popular song "No Pain (No Gain)." Wright was introduced to a younger generation of fans in 2006 after being appointed a vocal coach by Sean “P Diddy” Combs on his television show Making the Band. In 2011, she teamed up with The Roots for the collaborative album, Betty Wright: The Movie, which featured guest appearances by Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg and Joss Stone
Edwin Freeman’s Film “Modern Day Slavery” Shows How The U.S. Justice System Perpetuates Actor Edwin Freeman makes his directorial debut with the impactful documentary "Modern Day Slavery"
By Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D, NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Editor
Andre Harrell on The Breakfast Club. (Photo: Screen Grab) declining sales. In 1995, Harrell left Uptown Records to join iconic record company Motown Records with Heavy D becoming CEO of Uptown. Harrell, who had been paid $20 million to sign with Motown, was fired two years later in 1997, taking a $5 million payout with him. In 2014, Andre Harrell and Combs reunited, with Harrell becoming Vice-Chairman of Revolt TV & Media, Combs’ multi-platform music network. Harrell was also a producer on Revolt‘s wildly popular show “State of the Culture.” At REVOLT, Harrell oversaw the REVOLT Music Conference (RMC) and produced and hosted the show, “Music Talks” where he interviewed music legends like L.A. Reid, Babyface, Nas, Queen Latifah and Sean Combs. At the time of his death, the entertainment powerhouse was working on a 3-part-series about Uptown Records for BET Networks. A pioneer of Hip-Hop Soul and a major figure in black R&B music and television soundtracks, Harrell was 59. This story is developing. Check for updates on Twitter @TheBurtonWire. This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual. This article originally appeared in The Burton Wire.
drag away and the birds and the wild animals to devour and destroy…[Jeremiah 15:2-3, 59]. I tell you, the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. [Jeremiah 8:20]. Listen, God’s judgment is coming. Right now, mercy is available, but one day God will draw a line in the sand and there will be no more opportunity. Don’t ignore the warning! Warning comes before destruction. Heed the Warning! Repent! Knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. [Romans 13:11] Case in point.: The major prophetic events coming up on God's calendar are these: The rapture of the church [1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58]. The seven year tribulation period [Daniel 9:27; 12:1-12]. The rebuilding of the Temple [there is no specific prophecy about rebuilding the Temple, but several prophecies happen within and around the Temple, so we know it must be rebuilt]. The Antichrist will establish a one world economic system with some form of identification placed inside everyone's right hand or forehead [Revelation 13:16-18]. The return of Jesus Christ at the battle of Armageddon [Revelation 19:11-21; Zechariah 14:4]. The Millenium - Christ sitting
on the throne in Jerusalem for one thousand years [Revelation 20:1-10]. Following The Millenium is the final judgment of the unsaved and the ushering in of eternity for the redeemed [Revelation 20:11-22:21]. All of these are Biblical prophecies to take place during the Tribulation, and we are watching them taking shape around us now. These events are coming just as sure as Jeremiah knew Babylon was on her way. In Luke’s account, Jesus tells us that “when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near” [Luke 21:31]. Then He warns about not letting “that Day come on you unexpectedly” [Luke 21:34]. Jesus concludes by saying, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” [Luke 21:36]. “But if they will not listen, then I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord. [Jeremiah 12:17] “To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; They have no delight in it.” [Jeremiah 6:10] “The Weeping Prophet” Cried, When No One Would Heed God Warnings!
Witness for Justice #994
Free Them All
Entertainment News
Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey Minister for Congregational and Community Engagement
Andre Harrell, Legendary Music Executive, Dies at 59
The Twitterverse is in mourning after reports legendary music executive Andre Harrell was found dead today in his Los Angeles apartment. The Bronx native was one half of the rap duo Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde. In the early 1980s, Harrell joined Russell Simmons at Def Jam Records, eventually becoming Vice President and General Manager. In 1986, Harrell left Def Jam Records to start his own label, Uptown Records at MCA, which became the sound of 1990s HipHop Soul. At Uptown, Harrell signed Heavy D and the Boyz, Marly Marl, Al B. Sure, and Guy among others. It is at Uptown Records where Harrell famously discovered future music mogul Sean “P Diddy” Combs, who started at the company as an intern and rose to the ranks of a Vice-President of A&R signing such acts as Mary J. Blige, Jodeci and Father MC. Harrell also served as an Executive Producer for the FOX television hit New York Undercover (1994-1989). Harrell fired Combs, who left to form Bad Boy Records bringing Hip-Hop legend Notorious B.I.G. with him and signing Total, Faith Evans, 112, Craig Mack, and a host of other artists. Despite the breakup, Combs and Harrell remained lifelong friends. After Combs’ departure, Mary J. Blige and Jodeci also left the label, leaving Uptown with
“The Weeping Prophet" Cried When No One Would Heed God's Warnings...”...continued
Nationwide (BlackNews.com) - Actor Edwin Freeman, best known for his roles in the 2009 Fox Searchlight biopic Notorious, and the 2016 Marvel/Netflix series Luke Cage makes his directorial debut with the impactful documentary Modern Day Slavery, which continues the conversation on criminal justice reform that was initiated in the acclaimed documentaries 13th and Free Meek, and shows how the U.S. Justice System violates the rights of millions of AfricanAmericans and Latino citizens, by perpetuating slavery which was said to have been abolished in 1863. In his film, Freeman explores how the modern-day prison labor industry makes millions of dollars annually off the punishment of the disproportionate amount of African-Americans and Latinos who get arrested at much higher rates than their white counterparts. In most cases these defendants get pressured into
accepting unfair plea deals by prosecutors due to their financial inability to pay bail, hire adequate legal representation and go to trial. Modern Day Slavery features commentary from a range of cast members including, Criminal Defense Attorney Ikiesha AlShabazz, Actor, Poet & Political Activist Caridad "La Bruja" De La Luz, retired New York State Parole Officer Ronald Stewart, Radio Personality Benn "Bowtie Benn" Pryor, and Social Justice Advocates Keston Jones, Kamell Ellis, and Kevin "Renny" Smith. Among the subtopics discussed are: The 13th Amendment, Black Codes, Jim Crow Laws, Stop & Frisk, Schoolto-Prison Pipeline, convict leasing, cash bail, 1994 Crime Bill, gentrification, wrongful convictions, criminalizing poverty, War on Drugs, and more. Available now on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi. For more details about the film, visitModernDaySlaveryMovie.com
“The Weeping Prophet" Cried When No One Would Heed God's Warnings...” By: Lou Yeboah
Lou Yeboah It was as if Jeremiah was the lone person aboard the Titanic who knew that the ship was on a collision course with an iceberg. It was his task to convince the crew and the passengers that they were doomed if they didn’t change course. That there was still time—if they would just listen. But the captain and the people plugged their ears and didn’t course correct. They just kept dancing and dining to their
demise. “The Weeping Prophet” cried when no one would heed God’s Warnings. Jeremiah spent forty years telling the people what would happen. And they didn’t listen. They were warned, over and over and over, but they did not repent. Then God told Jeremiah that He had had enough. “I am tired of holding back...declared the Lord. Because they have rejected me, I will bring bereavement and destruction on my people, for they have not changed their ways. I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea … I will put the survivors to the sword before their enemies.” “I will send four kinds of destroyers against them,” declares the Lord, “the sword to kill and the dogs to (continued in next 2 columns)
For decades, the United States has normalized the brutal and dehumanizing treatment of incarcerated people – from making solitary confinement commonplace (a practice detrimental physiologically as well as mentally and emotionally), to charging exorbitant amounts for phone calls to maintain contact with loved ones, to normalizing the crisis of rampant sexual assault. In addition to the brutality, dehumanization and exploitation of our prison industrial complex, it is also a tool of systemic racism and violence, devastating the lives of black and brown people and their families at exponentially higher rates than those with white skin privilege. These practices have nothing to do with justice, restoring relationship, or protecting and sustaining life. They are antiChrist. In Scripture when Jesus calls his followers to action, such as in Matthew 25, it has everything to do with demonstrating and dignifying relationships with the most vulnerable – including people in prisons. Now as a pandemic clashes with our prison industrial complex, we must not forget our incarcerated siblings. We must continue to demand their human rights be recognized. Especially now, that means healthcare and even release for many. Andrea Circle Bear was a 30year-old Native woman sentenced to 26 months in a federal prison for selling $850 worth of drugs. Andrea was pregnant when she started to serve her sentence. Last month she got sick with COVID-19. She ended up on a ventilator and gave birth to her child while intubated. Two weeks later, Andrea died. Dying from COVID-19 must not
be another collateral risk for the incarcerated or immigrants held in detention centers. From Ohio to California, prisons are predictably becoming the epicenters of COVID-19 outbreaks. How can a system that sustains brutality and exploitation possibly keep incarcerated people healthy during a pandemic? The exploitation is not limited to the incarcerated. Many correctional officers do not make a living wage. How can a for-profit prison system be held accountable for brutality, exploitation, and dehumanization when – according to the capitalist system from which it was born – its measure of success is profit, not human well-being? This is anti-Christ. My family and I have joined mutual aid networks to get lifesaving supplies to incarcerated people during the pandemic. We have participated in car protests, demanding care and rights for people and for the vulnerable to be released. We continue to call on the leaders who have the power to choose life and safety for so many, asking them to join the few who have commuted sentences or freed vulnerable people. Right now, we are reacting for the sake of survival and harm reduction. We must. But we cannot lose sight of, or stop imagining, what a just and beautiful world really can be, one where the thirsty always have clean and free water, the sick have healthcare, and the isolated have the means to maintain dignified human connection. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey is Minister for Congregational and Community Engagement for the United Church of Christ.
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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May 14, 2020
LIFESTYLE NEWS/ADVERTISING
Covid-19 Crisis Has Made a Bad Situation Worse in Alabama Prisons
Holman eliminated more than 12% of ADOC’s designed bed capacity in men’s maximumsecurity facilities, with the additional overcrowding in other facilities forcing incarcerated people into even greater proximity. Under these conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to make an already dire situation in Alabama’s prisons worse. According to the most recent ADOC statistical report, nearly 20% of ADOC’s jurisdictional population is over the age of 50 and many have preexisting conditions such as liver or kidney
Lifestyle News
Julie Bennett
Two men incarcerated in Alabama prisons have died violently after separate homicides in different prisons in less than one week. These murders bring the death toll in Alabama prisons to nine homicides in the past six months and 20 in the past two years. Alabama has the highest rate of prison homicide in the nation. Overcrowding, poor management, and inadequate staffing have created a crisis in the state’s prison system. The public health crisis—which is expected to hit prisons especially hard—has made things worse. On March 24, Kenneth Locke was killed in an assault at Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama. Less than one week later, the Alabama Department of Corrections reported that Dennis Benson had been killed in an assault at Ventress Correctional Facility in Clayton, Alabama, on March 30. Mr. Benson was serving a threeyear sentence for nonviolent property and drug charges. Both Ventress and Fountain are medium-security facilities where the majority of incarcerated people are housed in open dormitories that hold upwards of 100 people per housing unit with minimal officer supervision. According to data published by the Alabama Department of Corrections, there were over 1,100
Covid-19 Crisis Has Made a Bad Situation Worse in Alabama Prisons...continued
assaults on incarcerated people recorded in medium-security prisons in 2019 alone. The rate of violent incidents has more than doubled in the past five years, from 4.2 assaults per 100 incarcerated people in 2015 to 9.8 in 2019. One year ago on April 2, 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice notified Alabama officials that the conditions in the state’s prisons violate the constitutional rights of the people incarcerated there by failing to protect them from violence and sexual abuse— violations that they noted “are exacerbated by serious deficiencies in staffing and supervision and overcrowding.” Since that time, the problems have gotten worse. In 2017, data from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics showed that Alabama had the most overcrowded prisons in the country, holding on average 167.8% of their intended design capacity. EJI reported that parole policy changes in 2019 erased all progress ADOC made in reducing the prison population in 2018. These problems were exacerbated in late January 2020 by the decommissioning of Holman Prison and the transfer of 617 people in general population and restricted housing to other prisons. The closure of (continued in next 2 columns)
disease that the CDC has identified as putting people at heightened risk of serious illness from the novel coronavirus. EJI has received numerous reports indicating that incarcerated people reporting health concerns have not been able to promptly access health care or obtain appropriate hygiene supplies. At the same time, ADOC’s moratorium on all prison visitation—including legal visits—has further isolated incarcerated people at a time when they are particularly vulnerable.
California Black Newspapers Win Hundreds of Thousands in Facebook Grants Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media
Several Black-owned newspapers in California have received grants to help them weather the economic downturn the COVID-19 pandemic has caused. Facebook announced May 7 that it is awarding nearly $10.3 million to 144 local newsrooms through the company’s COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program. According to the Facebook Journalism Project, more than half of the recipients are publications operated by — and targeted to — communities of color, and the majority are independent or family-owned. “We are honored to have been chosen to receive the Facebook Journalism Project COVID-19 program Grant,” Danny J.
Bakewell, Sr., Executive Editor and CEO of The Los Angeles Sentinel, told California Black Media. “We have been and remain committed to helping our community survive in these unprecedented challenging times, when all businesses and families are struggling, especially those within the African-American Community,” Bakewell added. The majority of the Blackowned California newsrooms that received over $300,000 in grants are located in Southern California around the greater Los Angeles area, including the L.A. Sentinel, the L.A. Focus Newspaper, the Los Angeles Wave and Independent News Paper Group (continued in next 2 columns)
California Black Newspapers Win Hundreds of Thousands in Facebook Grants...continued and Black Voice News in Riverside. The Oakland Post, a Blackowned paper in Northern California didn’t receive a grant but was delighted that so many Black media throughout the nation did. “I am pleased to see that Facebook invested in AfricanAmerican and other ethnic media,” said Paul Cobb, publisher of the Oakland Post. “I am however concerned that it was concentrated in Southern California and left a huge void with the rest of the Black community statewide. I hope this opens the door for more conversations to fund those who still need support.” Lisa Collins, publisher of the L.A. Focus Newspaper, said the money is timely. “I am thrilled [the Focus] was selected to receive this grant. This will help us continue to serve our community with timely and valuable news and information on COVID-19 and better inform our community,” said Collins. Paulette Brown-Hinds, founder of Voice Media Ventures and publisher of Black Voice News, has big plans for the grant money. “This Facebook grant will allow our team to build on our current reporting on the economic impact of COVID 19 on our community, as well as expand our expertise in data journalism and data visualization and mapping.” “As a community focused media entity, we look forward to continuing to be a resource not simply contributing to community thought and understanding, but to community engagement and action.” The grant recipients were chosen from a pool of more than 2,000 applicants by the Facebook
Journalism Project and its partners: The Local Media Association and the Lenfest Institute for Journalism. The grants range from $25,000 to $100,000 to help publishers serve their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We're proud to support this diverse group of publishers — many of which are family or independently owned, said Campbell Brown, VP of global news partnerships at Facebook. “Not only are these journalists working tirelessly to serve people right now — they're focused on transformation, building innovative local news businesses that can continue to serve communities beyond the current pandemic.” In addition, to the COVID-19 relief grants, Facebook also awarded $5.4 million in grants to North American newsrooms that have participated in Facebook’s Local News Accelerator programs. Report for America, a nonprofit that embeds early-career journalists in newsrooms, received $2.5 million to help its 2020 cohort, 225 journalists, who will be placed in 160 local news organizations. Bakewell says he appreciates the support the grant has provided. It places his publication in a stronger position to provide vital information to people in his community whose lives the pandemic has disrupted. “This grant will help us to continue our mission of informing our community of the resources available to help navigate through this pandemic so that we can all come through this together — safe, healthy with our dignity intact,” he said.
CTA Launches Digital Ads to Thank Educators for Service During COVID-19 Hearts of Educators Are Always with Students Lifestyle News
On the Front Lines of “Reopen America”...continued from page 3 “We don’t mind coming out in public,” she said, wearing no mask or gloves, and surrounded by marchers. “You get a choice when you live in a free country, and all of these people are not afraid of the virus. We’re way more afraid of the government overreach.” Joe Collins, a 34-year-old Navy vet and Republican running a longshot bid to unseat Democrat Maxine Waters in California’s 43rd U.S. Congressional District, argued, “In South Los Angeles, we have things that kill people in our district worse than coronavirus: homelessness, domestic violence, gang violence, gun violence.” (Within his district, Inglewood alone has seen 378 cases of COVID-19 infection, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Inglewood Police counted 16 homicides in 2018.) Trump supporter David Vaysukh, 62, of Burbank: “I’m from the Soviet Union and we were fighting communism there and I never thought that so many years later I’d be fighting against socialism or fascism in America.” Most of the events connected to AR 2.0 unfolded peacefully at statehouses and other government offices, with notable exceptions. The Sacramento protest of about 1,000 led by the female-fronted anti-vaccine group Freedom Angels melted down when they refused to disperse from the Capitol steps under orders of the California Highway Patrol. During the fourhour protest, 32 were arrested, including Heidi Munoz Gleisner of the Freedom Angels. (The activist group did not respond to requests for comment.) * * * The demonstrations followed a week of high-profile cracks in the shutdown, with American flags and Trump banners lifted by protesters who presidential economic adviser Stephen Moore has compared to civil rights icon
Rosa Parks. On April 28, Elon Musk tweeted: “FREE AMERICA NOW,” and in a later call to Tesla investors described the stay-athome response as “fascist” and “an outrage.” Even California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday a gradual loosening of the restrictions, just as new reports emerged that White House models are predicting an alarming rise in coronavirus cases in states that have announced a coming end of their shelter-in-place orders. While 63 percent of Americans now fear lifting restrictions too quickly, as the nation hits 1.2 million coronavirus cases, many protesters share a sense of outrage and panic at the financial costs. A Bloomberg survey of U.S. economists predicts an unprecedented 21.5 million job losses by this Friday. Newly unemployed workers face unpaid bills and the real prospect of losing their homes, while parents grapple with school closures and kids are trapped indoors. After Trump tweeted a demand that supporters “LIBERATE” the swing states of Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia from quarantine, armed protesters entered the Michigan state capital on April 30. Another armed group marched through Raleigh, North Carolina, last Friday morning, looking less like demonstrators than a combat squad on patrol. While the armed groups arguably did as much damage to their cause as draw attention to the costs of the shutdown, Trump later described them as “very good people,” echoing his response to torch-bearing white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. (Even Sean Hannity of Fox News criticized the carrying of long guns to intimidate opponents.) In Los Angeles, there were no arrests, and the protests were generally user-friendly and sometimes comical. The convoy circling City Hall included a car blasting the national anthem
while a passenger stood up through the sunroof with a sign reading: “Let my people go!” One young long-haired dude raised a sign stuck to his skateboard: “I drink bleach for free speech.” The gathering landed at the end of a week that marked 23,230 total cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, according to an ongoing tally by Johns Hopkins University. The protest began with several moments of political gridlock. Hundreds of antishutdown demonstrators arrived to find an ongoing protest advocating for rent forgiveness during the pandemic. And the parade of cars and trucks was blocked near Second and Spring streets by a crowd of counterprotesters from the Revolutionary Communist Party, its members holding up a wallsized banner crossing out “America First” and replacing it with “Humanity First.” On the City Hall steps was David Vaysukh, 62, waving a large “Keep America Great” flag, an official Trump campaign mask hanging loosely over his mouth. An immigrant from the former Soviet Union, he called the shutdown “liberal insanity,” though several Republican governors have declared similar orders, including in Ohio and Maryland. “I never thought that so many years later I’d be fighting against socialism or fascism in America.” * * * A much larger turnout of nearly 3,000 happened at the boardwalk of Huntington Beach, at the crossroads of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street, after overcrowding forced the governor to close Orange County beaches days earlier. One man in a motorcycle helmet raised a surfboard painted with a message: “Surfing is not a crime! Newsom is a kook.” They were pushed off the streets by cops on motorcycles and horseback. A week before, a much smaller,
hardcore group of protesters under the name “Operation Gridlock” rallied midday around L.A.’s City Hall. They too were confronted by communist counterprotesters in black, but there was as much tension with a swarm of journalists and photographers, after a week of news reports from across the country showed some demonstrators carrying the Confederate stars-and-bars, guns and the occasional swastika. “Frankly, we’re sick of being bundled all together and called all kinds of names,” said Elizabeth Crawford, who arrived from Encino in a dress, hat and face mask of red, white and blue. “There’s no crypto, alt-right radical freaking Nazi group. I’m an American and I’m sick to my stomach after what I see these people do — convenient crisis after convenient crisis. You don’t need to be a conspiracy theorist. You need to pay attention.” This wasn’t her first protest or political rally, but the times have radicalized her into the MAGA column. “I’m 61 years old and I voted Democrat all my freaking life,” she said. “The Democrats lost me. The Republicans did not gain me. Trump gained me.” For Ellis, guiding events in L.A. and across America from Illinois, the encouraging numbers that turned out in most states on May 1 have set things up for the next step in his movement: escalation. Last week’s protests were largely meant to be upbeat and compliant. On Memorial Day, his comrades will mobilize across several states with plans for increasing civil disobedience. (In Los Angeles, Rodriguez and his team are planning to stage their next protest Saturday at the mayor’s residence.) “This one is going to be a noback-down event: Don’t pick a fight but don’t back down either,” Ellis promised. “It’s going to be similar to chaining yourself to a tree type of thing. Where it’s peaceful, but you’re not going to get us to budge.”
BURLINGAME — During Teacher Appreciation Week and leading up to California Day of the Teacher on May 13 and Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day on May 19, CTA is launching a statewide ad campaign highlighting the tireless commitment of all educators to their students during COVID-19. More importantly, it is one of many ways CTA is recognizing all educators for their dedication and strength during this crisis. “I am so proud of how our educators have responded during this pandemic to continue reaching and teaching students,” said CTA President E. Toby Boyd. “While we are all in this together, educators are going above and beyond to take care of their students during the statewide lockdown – from providing more office hours, visiting their students at a safe distance, or delivering meals to families in need. Educators have demonstrated that their hearts are and will always be with their students.” The ad campaign shows how far educators will go to reach and teach their students. From video conferencing to drive-by visits to feeding families in need, educators are showing the world what it truly means to be an educator. In the ads you see educators creating personalized lesson plans, providing learning materials, engaging in food delivery, and meeting students outside their windows or at a safe distance – literally meeting them where they are located. No matter where students are, the lessons and hearts of educators are always with them, even in the time of social distancing. The TV spots will air during numerous network news and cable programs. The TV ads are accompanied by print and digital ads in several languages. CTA TV Ad: Educator Are Always There For You: (In Spanish) CTA TV Ad: Educator Hearts Are Always With You: (In
Spanish) California Says, “Thank You!” To channel this new widespread appreciation into a gift for educators, CTA launched Thank an Educator to call on Californians to thank an educator in their community. Now more than ever, we are grateful for the contributions of our educators. The sudden need to turn homes into makeshift classrooms has been a learning moment for many about their dedication to students. ESPs are keeping students fed and preparing for a safe return to school. Parents, communities, and people across the country are developing an even greater appreciation for the patient and supportive educators in the lives of their children. During Teacher Appreciation Week, Day of the Teacher, ESP Day and beyond, this is the perfect time to tell these amazing educators just how much they mean to us. Day of the Teacher is May 13 “California Teachers: Inspiring Generations” is the theme for the 2020 Day of the Teacher celebration, and this year CTA especially recognizes all the retiring educators who have done just that. Ricardo Levins Morales, the artist for this year’s poster, is nationally recognized for his depictions of social justice and the labor movement. In an interview with the California Educator he said, “Teachers are important. They are tasked with the job of being gardeners, creating an environment where children can flourish. In good times and bad, teachers provide the consistent element of teaching, which is about watering roots, cultivating, and weeding, so students can flourish and pollinate and be part of a community. It’s an ecosystem, a web of connections and relationships. That’s true of organizing. That’s true of families.”
Visit Us Online: www.SB-American.com
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May 14, 2020
NEWS/ AD VER TISING ADVER VERTISING
Inmates, Staff Worry About Care as Marion South Coast AQMD Reaches $600,000 Prison Becomes One of Largest COVID Settlement with Lead-Acid Battery Outbreaks in US By Dan Yount, The Cincinnati Herald Recycling Facility for Emissions Violations Local/National News
At Marion Correctional Institution, above, 95 percent of inmates have tested positive for coronavirus as of May l. The minimum-to medium-security prison has become the largest-known source of coronavirus infections in the United States, according to the New York Times. Photo provided by Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction The largest-known coronavirus hotspot in the country isn’t in New York or California: it’s the Marion Correctional Institution, an Ohio state prison about 50 miles north of Columbus. According to state data that is updated daily, for Marion Correctional, as of May 1, staff members who reported positive results are 175; COVID-19 related staff deaths are 1; staff who have recovered are 98; units in quarantine include the full institution; inmates in quarantine are 430; inmates in isolation are 2016; inmates currently positive for COVID-19 are 2016; probable COVID-19 related deaths are 0; confirmed COVID-19 related deaths are 8; inmates who have pending results are 190; and inmates who have recovered are 69. In the Ohio prison system, as of May 1, 6375 inmates have been tested; 937 tests are pending; 4072 tested positive; and 1906 tested negative. Thus, more than 95 percent of the population at the minimumand medium-security facility at Marion have tested positive for COVID-19. Combined, almost 16 percent of Ohio’s total
coronavirus cases come from the Marion prison. Gov. Mike DeWine ordered that every inmate at Marion and two other prisons be tested. Many of those who tested positive showed no symptoms. Yet, the situation at Marion is worse than any correctional institution in the country. Interviews conducted by cleveland.com with inmates and activists reveal a number of reasons they say are to blame, including lags in getting test results, inadequate cleaning, no social-distancing measures, and intense strains on their mental health. Prisons, by their very nature, are some of the most vulnerable places to infectious outbreaks, as they contain a large group of people forced to remain in close quarters, with limited access to medical care. At Marion, some inmates are assigned to cells, while others are assigned to a dorm – a large room filled with bunk beds for dozens of people. “There is no social distancing,” said Jonathan White, a 44-yearold Marion inmate from Cincinnati serving 15 years to life for murder, told cleveland.com. “You can’t get
away from it.” Inmate Emrie Smith also spoke to cleveland.com, saying he has been in the gym, where there is no social distancing, and after 8 p.m. there is only one toilet available for about 200 men. White said prison officials didn’t start moving to isolate sick inmates until the disease spread throughout the population. However, JoEllen Smith, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Corrections in Columbus, told the Herald preparations to keep the virus out of the prison began in early January. Also, ODOC officials have been conferencing with correctional officials in other states for best practices information during the entire outbreak. Smith provided a comprehensive list of conditions enforced at Marian and other state prisons to reduce the cases of the disease. “There is so much anxiety about what is going on here with people’s health,” White added. “We view ourselves as an expendable population. So, when you see these types of numbers (continued in next 3 columns)
DIAMOND BAR – Today, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) announced a recent settlement with Quemetco, Inc., for reporting and emissions violations at its facility located in the City of Industry. Under the agreement, the company is required to pay a $600,000 penalty. “Battery recycling facilities must comply with our rules to prevent the release of potentially harmful levels of emissions,” said Jill Whynot, South Coast AQMD’s Chief Operating Officer. “Compliance with these regulations is imperative to improve air quality and protect public health.” Quemetco operates a lead-acid battery recycling
facility. Inspections and testing conducted between 2017 and 2019 identified violations of federal requirements, as well as violations of South Coast AQMD Rule 1420.1. Rule 1420.1 sets stringent emissions limits for lead, arsenic, benzene, and 1,3 butadiene, as well as housekeeping, ambient air monitoring, and exhaust stack emissions testing for battery recycling facilities. The violations included not minimizing dust emissions; reporting requirements; emissions of lead, arsenic, and 1,3 butadiene that exceeded rule limits; and not maintaining negative pressure in the building enclosure. Due to the arsenic and lead emissions-
related violations, Quemetco was ordered to temporarily reduce operations at its facility as required by Rule 1420.1. For more information on South Coast AQMD Rule 1420.1, please visit: http:// w w w. a q m d . g o v / d o c s / default-source/rule-book/ reg-xiv/rule-1420-1.pdf South Coast AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including the Coachella Valley. For news, air quality alerts, event updates and more, please visit us at www.aqmd.gov, download our award-winning app, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Inmates, Staff Worry About Care as Marion Prison Becomes One of Largest COVID Outbreaks in US...continued that are happening to us in prison, it’s almost expected – like, they (the authorities) don’t care.” When asked why Marion in particular has so many COVID19 cases — more than the rest of Ohio’s prison system combined — state prisons spokeswoman JoEllen Smith gave this answer: “The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has taken an aggressive and unique approach to testing, which includes mass testing of all staff and inmates at the Marion Correctional Institution, the Pickaway Correctional Institution, and the Franklin Medical Center (which is Ohio’s medical facility for inmates),” Smith stated in an email. “Because we are testing everyone – including those who are not showing symptoms – we are getting positive test results on individuals who otherwise would have never been tested because they were asymptomatic.” Smith stated that after testing, inmates who show symptoms are immediately placed into isolation. As for cleaning supplies, Smith stated that chemical boxes are delivered daily to each prison area, and the amount of disinfectant has been increased during the coronavirus crisis. As for mental-health services, Smith stated that the state’s prisons agency offers “a full continuum of mental-health care within our facilities” using social distancing guidelines and proper personal protective equipment. State prison officials are also developing plans to increase the use of tele-services for mentalhealth care if necessary, she stated. Dozens of protestors stood outside Marion Correctional Facility Saturday holding signs to show support for their loved ones inside. “I’m here fighting for my son’s life,” said Sabrina White, whose son, Richard Williams, has been incarcerated at Marion for over a year now. He has four more years left on his sentence. In a Marion Star report, “Just recently, we have inmates in here that can’t even walk and breathe because of the virus,” said Austin Cooper, who has served over half of his six-year sentence for aggravated burglary and assault. “Medical just keeps sending them back out here to the camp, talking about they can’t do nothing for them.” Inmate Jimmy Dzelajlija, who is serving a 17-year sentence for robbery and aggravated robbery in Cuyahoga County, talked to 5 On Your Side investigators by phone about the situation inside Marion Correctional. He said despite being tested Friday, he has not received the results of his COVID-19 test. “That’s the aggravating part, they won’t tell us,” said Dzelajlija. “We don’t know with the numbers that high, we don’t know if we’re the ones who have it.” Numbers from Ohio’s
Department of Rehabilitation and Correction show more than three out of every four inmates in the prison are infected. “They passed out masks, we have little these little face masks that we wear,” said Dzelajlija. “Really, that’s to be honest, that’s it. We’re supposed to practice social distancing, but it’s impossible. My neighbor is literally three feet away from me, both sides, and behind me. There’s no way to practice social distancing here.” “The frustration is building and building and building among everybody in here,” he said. “And tempers are flaring up on just the slightest provocation.” “I saw the numbers and I just broke down bawling,” said Azzurra Crispino in a report in the Marion Star newspaper. Dr. Amy Acton, the director of Ohio’s Department of Health, echoed that. “As we know, there is a significant amount of the population who are really being carriers or vectors without even realizing it,” Acton said. And that’s what scares Crispino. She said even if you don’t care about the health of inmates, the threat of workers contracting the virus and carrying it outside prison walls and into the community is real. “The virus doesn’t distinguish between why the person is in that facility,” said Crispino. “From the virus’ perspective, they are still eligible hosts.” It’s why she believes it’s time for the state to seriously look at reducing its prison population to try and slow the spread of the virus. “This is a human rights travesty and public health crisis,” said Crispino. Department of Correction Director Chambers-Smith was part of the Governor’s press conference April 30. “Individuals who test positive are placed in an area of the facility, which is separate from the general population. Also, our comprehensive testing approach of staff and inmates has assisted us in identifying asymptomatic individuals who have tested positive who can now be isolated from others in order to prevent further spread. DRC’s preparation began for the potential impact of COVID early this year, Smith said. This included tabletop exercises and frequent discussion with counterparts across the county. Director Chambers-Smith presented during a national webinar the best practices in preparation for COVID for correctional facilities. DRC continues to work closely with the Ohio Department of Health in implementing operational changes as we address the challenges associated with COVID-19, Smith said. Smith said DRC has taken extensive steps in response to
COVID, including but not limited to: Prior to COVID-19, as part of our normal infectious disease control efforts, we routinely offer annual influenza vaccines to all offenders in our prison who wanted one, and especially targeted our at-risk and chronic care caseloads. We have issued numerous communications to our staff and inmates, including education about COVID-19 and reminders to engage in aggressive hand washing and social distancing where possible. The prisons have sanitation crews who frequently disinfect common surfaces with a chemical effective against COVID-19 in line with public health recommendations. We are using technology and other methods to reduce staff and offender gatherings including using teleconferencing for our new officer training. We implemented a text messaging system for staff to be able to easily check in with their loved ones while they are at work as cell phones are not permitted within the facilities. A family phone number and email address have been established and published to help answer questions about the impact COVID-19 is having on our operations. Individuals can email the DRC atcovid19@odrc.state.oh.us or call 614-728-1142. We have implemented COVID19 specific health screening for all inmates entering our prisons. Volunteer activities and visiting have been suspended. Only staff and mission critical contractors are permitted into the facilities. Health screenings are in place for staff and contractors who are entering the facilities/ offices. Staff and the incarcerated population are permitted to wear protective masks. We have suspended travel for all state employees to only tasks that are mission critical. The director issued an executive order to county jails regarding the screening of inmates before being transferred to our reception centers. Reception inmates will be housed in the same area by date of arrival for a minimum of 5 weeks to monitor them for any symptoms. Inmate work assignments, which are not on state property, have been suspended. Most facilities are serving two meals per day – a hot brunch meal and a hot evening meal. This is being done to ensure we have less movement and less contact to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Commissary prices are being reduced as well to assist residents in being able to purchase food and other goods. State Highway Patrol is providing perimeter security at three facilities.