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VOL. 70, No. 12
March 25 - 31, 2021
www.tsdmemphis.com
My ‘trial’ vaccine dose was the real thing by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell, a participant in the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine study, learned on Wednesday that she was among those who had received an actual dose – not a placebo – on the very first day. (Courtesy photo) pointment for me to “take the vaccine.” It is Friday afternoon, just before 5 p.m. I called back, but no one picked up. I called back Monday, anxious to verify that I was making an appointment to take the vaccine. Yes, that is the purpose of the appointment, I
was told. Naturally, I assumed I had received the placebo, not the actual vaccine back in December. So, Wednesday (March 24) when I got to the
SEE TRIAL ON PAGE 2
COVID-19 UPDATE
Vaccination window opens wider by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Amid renewed pitches for area residents to be vigilant about COVID-19 safety protocols, there now is the pronouncement that by April 5 anyone 16 and up in Shelby County will be eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine shot. “Today, there were 101 new cases reported,” Dr. Bruce Randolph, Shelby County Health Department medical officer, told The New TriState Defender on Wednesday. “Now, whether there are variants of the virus in that number, we don’t yet know. But we are monitoring the
Maneuvering through the NIT… Landers Nolley II scored 10 of Memphis’ first 12 points en route to scoring 21 points, with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, against Dayton in the Tigers’ first-round game in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Next up is a matchup against Boise State on Thursday (March 25) night. See story on Sports, Page 9. (Photo: University of North Texas State)
County Commission turns one thumb up, one down on pipeline by James Coleman
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
In a randomized, double-blind study that uses a placebo as a control group, you don’t know from the onset whether you received the substance under scrutiny or an innocuous, salt-water shot that looks like it could be the real thing. It’s either all or nothing – 50/50. You’re protected from the ravages of COVID-19, or you are not. The Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine study was being tested at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. On Dec. 14, I became one of 180 test subjects at that location. There were plenty of Caucasian test subjects, both men and women. But African Americans were needed to test the viability of the vaccine in a population that was much more vulnerable to COVID-19. I was called in for my six-month office visit. A nasal swab was taken, blood was drawn and questions were asked about any symptoms, either mild or severe, I may have suffered since the last office visit. This visit had far greater significance than all the others. I received a call. I didn’t recognize the number, and I let it go to voicemail. The message was a pleasant, friendly voice telling me that she is calling to schedule an ap-
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new cases closely since about 15 percent of those tested last week showed some variants.” The report of 101 new cases came after two days of totals below the 100 mark. Two new deaths were reported. Gov. Bill Lee announced Monday that Tennessee soon would allow all residents 16 and older to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Tennessee had been distributing the vaccine to health care workers, first responders, senior citizens and people 16 and older who have high-risk health conditions – including cancer, hypertension, obesity and pregnancy – as well as caregivers and household residents of medically fragile children.
On Monday, two new groups became eligible, including Tennesseans 55 and older and those who work in critical infrastructure industries. After having adjusted to vaccinations for those 55 and older, the City of Memphis on Tuesday started giving shots to people 45 and up. According to Doug McGowen, the city’s chief operating officer, the appointment window will open on Friday (March 26) for those 16 and over to get shots. The first of those vaccinations are on track to begin the following Friday. The x-factor is the availability of vaccine
SEE COVID-19 ON PAGE 2
A measure that would have asked the federal government to put a hold on the proposed Byhalia Connection Pipeline project failed on 5-6 vote by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Monday. In a related matter, the commission also defeated, by a 9-2 vote, a resolution that would have approved the sale of two parcels of land earmarked for the project. The 49-mile Plains All American Pipeline LP project would carry crude oil through Southwest Memphis to Mississippi. It would cut over the Memphis Sands Aquifer, the main drinking water resource for Memphis and Shelby County. Critics fear leaks and other accidents could harm the resource. “With all due respect, the people at Byhalia may understand Memphis, but they do not live here. They do not drink the water,” said activist Keshaun Pearson of Memphis Community Against the Pipeline. “They will not suffer the consequences when a spill does happen. We know they happen because only seven percent of spills are detected, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.” The pipeline also would pass through backyards and properties primarily owned by African Americans, which has the proposed project open to accusations of environmental racism. Katie Martin, communications manager for Plains and Byhalia Connection, said, “We had to go through South Memphis to connect to the refinery. It was not a choice to choose one people over another. We chose this route on purpose. “We chose mainly vacant properties to (not) impact the community.” There are lingering questions about what substantial benefit Memphis and Shelby County will derive from the deal, opponents claim. “It does not have benefits for anyone except an out-of-state, multi-billion-dollar pipeline company. It puts every one of us, all of our water at risk,” said Pearson. Opposition to the project has grown into a national story. Former vice president and environmentalist Al Gore recently visited Memphis to voice his disapproval. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis also is appealing to the Biden administration to pause the conduit’s moving forward. The goal is to have the pipeline rerouted or even abandoned. County Commissioner Mick Wright, who voted against the federal resolution, said, “I just struggle with this. I think it becomes very political when you have a former vice president come into town. It’s harder on people of my particular political variety to join you on things like this. I am just not fully there. I apologize to the sponsors that I am not quite there yet.” He also expressed the benefits derived from fossil fuels, economic and otherwise, as well as the need for cleaner resources to be developed. Right of way for the pipeline
SEE PIPELINE ON PAGE 2