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April 15 - 21, 2021
VOL. 70, No. 15
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COVID-19 UPDATE
New health directive outlines path forward
Buffets, dancing get OK nod by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Decision to put J&J vaccine on hold stunning for trial participant
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Despite a significant rise in daily rates this week, the COVID-19 numbers are still encouraging and some restrictions will be eased, according to a Shelby County Health Department official. “Last week, we enjoyed some pretty great daily case numbers in the 50s,” said Health Department Medical Director Dr. Bruce Randolph. “Monday (April 12), there were 196 new cases, and Tuesday’s (April 13) number was 148. “When you consider that we just got through spring break and the Easter holiday, we are still in pretty good shape, in my opinion.” The Health Department reported 148 new cases Wednesday and one new death. Two other factors made officials appreciate this week’s numbers even more. “When you consider that we not only are dealing with variants, but that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been placed on hold, these numbers are still very good,” Randolph said. The B117 European strain is now the dominant strain in Shelby County. Mutation of the original virus occurs because the virus is trying to survive. Randolph said a loosening of restrictions is in order, as long as “everyone continues to wear a mask in public, and keep hands clean. “A new health directive will go
by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
TSD freelance photographer Tyrone P. Easley gets his shot as Memphis Fire Department personnel administered COVID-19 vaccinations at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood, 620 Parkrose Ave., last Thursday (April 8). (Courtesy photo) into effect on Saturday, April 17. Dancing will be allowed, both in doors and outside, but people must stay six feet apart from other dancers. Buffets can reopen and diners
may serve themselves, as long as they first use hand sanitizer.” Festivals are a “go” as well. Masking still is required with the new directive, as well as social dis-
tancing, and frequent washing or sanitizing of hands. City of Memphis Chief Operating
SEE COVID ON PAGE 2
Ministers to Black community: Time to get angry about gun violence by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
Memphis’ homicide rate in 2020 peaked at a record 332 killings, the dizzying rate of gun violence has continued and three minor children are hospitalized from shootings this past Thursday. “Too many of these senseless killings involve minors,” Pastor Bill Adkins said at a Friday afternoon press conference. “Little Jordan Washington, the grand-niece of one of my members, was shot and killed in her kitchen while she was helping her mother prepare dinner, struck by a stray bullet. “Why are we not angry?” Adkins, pastor of Greater Imani Cathedral of Faith in the Frayser community, spearheaded a press conference in front of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, surrounded by other ministers of like senti-
TSD freelance contributor Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell is participating in the ongoing Johnson & Johnson vaccine trial. (Courtesy photo)
ment. He noted that the 76 homicides recorded in 2021 included 63 murders. Isolating for those under 18, the homicide total includes six in that category. Reading a statement, Adkins called for anger about the city’s murder rate and “righteous indignation” about “all of this killing.” “Citizens are sleeping on their floors and in their bathtubs because they are afraid of all the gunfire,” Adkins said. “Our seniors can’t even walk to the store for a loaf of bread. People are falling asleep, not to the sound of raindrops hitting the roof, but the sound of gunfire. “Why aren’t we angry?” Adkins said people are being struck down by “wild west type shootings” on the streets and on the interstates. In addition to more than 330 killings last year, Adkins cited other disturbing statistics, including: 80 interstate shootings, more than 2,500
The Rev. Bill Adkins, pastor of Greater Imani Cathedral of Faith in the Frayser community, spearheaded a press conference in front of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. He was surrounded by other ministers of like sentiment, including Pastor Darell Harrington, of New Sardis Baptist Church (far left), the Rev. Charlie Caswell (left rear) and Pastor Ed Stephens of Golden Gate Cathedral. (Photo: Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell) wounded by gunfire and over 12,000 arrests for aggravated assault. Lt. Karen Rudolph, spokesperson for the Memphis Police Department, sounded an alarm last month, detail-
ing that last year in February there were 29 murders, with this year’s total exceeding that figure by 17.
SEE GUNS ON PAGE 2
For the longest time, I had no words. I sat staring at my laptop, a blank page staring back at me. On Monday (April 12) evening, I was at The Healing Center, watching a smoothly running COVID-vaccination operation. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, which only requires one shot – unlike the Moderna and Pfizer that require two shots – was being used. Nearly 100 people had received their shot. Tuesday morning (April 13), news broke that six serious cases of blood clotting resulted in women, who had received the J&J vaccine. One died as a result of the clotting complication. Despite the fact that the J&J vaccine has been delivered to more than 6.8 million Americans without serious side effects, further use of the vaccine was halted by federal authorities “out of an abundance of caution.” I took the vaccine on Dec. 14 when I entered a trial study of the J&J vaccine because I wanted to help; to be a part of a grand experiment to test a substance Janssen Pharmaceuticals had developed to combat a virus that was hitting the African-American community harder in so many places. More African Americans were needed for the study. Signing up seemed a good idea at the time. I still think it was the right decision. A first-hand, inside look at a trial study would be useful in quelling fears about vaxing, I thought. Sure, there are risks. But serious illness from blood clots and death? For that, I am sorry. I never imagined that. The public acknowledgment of an investigation into the clotting cases has sparked fears that more cases of clotting could be forthcoming. However, prior to that time J&J reported that a quality control process identified one batch of drug substance that did not meet quality standards at Emergent Biosolutions, a site representatives said had not yet been authorized to manufacture drug substance for the J&J COVID-19 vaccine. The
SEE J&J ON PAGE 2