Barack Obama statement on Pres. Trump's Covid-19 diagnosis

Former President, Barack Obama released the following sttaement via Twitter in respose to President Trump's Covid-19 diagnosis:

Michelle and I hope that the President, First Lady, and all those affected by the coronavirus around the country are getting the care they need and are on the path to a speedy recovery.

Obviously, we’re in the midst of a big political battle right now, and while there’s a lot at stake, let’s remember that we’re all Americans. We’re all human beings. And we want everyone to be healthy, no matter our party.

Rep. Payne, Jr. Introduces Bill to Reimburse Schools for Coronavirus Masks

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. introduced the Masks for Students Act today. The bill would force the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to continue to reimburse local K-12 schools nationwide for the masks purchased to protect in-school students during the coronavirus global pandemic. FEMA officials said recently that the administration would stop reimbursing schools because it defined masks as an operating expense now and not critical emergency equipment during the coronavirus global pandemic. Rep. Payne, Jr. introduced the bill with Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ).

“Schools are under tremendous pressure to continue in-class learning with less financial resources,” said Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. “They need all the help we can give them. Since the country benefits when students are back in the classroom, I wanted to introduce a bill that would continue to give local schools and school districts federal support for the masks they use to keep teachers and students safe. We are still in a national medical emergency and schools should not be punished for keeping students and workers safe.”

AFSCME, NAACP LAUNCH HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP TO MOBILIZE BLACK VOTERS

Partnership kicks off with a joint four-state presidential radio buy on African American radio stations in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina.

WASHINGTON – AFSCME and the NAACP launched on Saturday two radio ads which will run in the Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Detroit, Flint, Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro markets through election day. Both the AFSCME and NAACP ads slam President Trump’s failures to combat COVID-19, while the virus continues to exact a brutal and disproportionate toll on the Black community.

“While Trump lied, Black people died,” says the NAACP ad before urging voters to request a ballot and make a plan to vote. “Trump spends his time golfing, while COVID-19 hits the black community hard,” says the voiceover in the AFSCME ad (paid for by AFSCME’s PAC, AFSCME PEOPLE) contrasting Trump’s record with that of Joe Biden’s to protect health care. The significant ad buys jumpstart a partnership between the two organizations that will focus on Black voter education and mobilization based on what is at stake in November and beyond for communities of color.

The partnership marks a new chapter in the shared activism and close bond between the civil rights community and AFSCME. Together, the NAACP and AFSCME are addressing the deep-seated racial injustices and corrupt incompetence which have forced Black communities across the country to bear the brunt of the health and economic crises facing the nation.

“The Black vote will determine the outcome of this consequential election, and we must ensure that we use this influence to elect leaders who will empower our communities,” said NAACP President Derrick Johnson. “This historic collaboration is proof that our communities are united during these critical times. From the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 to ongoing police brutality experienced by black people, we must turn out to vote in November — and every election — if we are to achieve the representation and policy changes that will protect our communities. We must ensure that every voice is heard because our lives and future depend on it.”

Listen to the ad here: https://blackvoiceschangelives.org/press/ 

“I can’t recall an election where fundamental issues of racial justice have been more at stake,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “It’s going to take overwhelming turnout among African Americans and communities of color to prevail in November. That’s why AFSCME has entered into this unique partnership with the NAACP. By combining our resources and expertise, we will mobilize voters in targeted states who are tired of leaders who stoke racial resentment and head for the links while Black and brown people die by the thousands. This collaboration — between our two organizations that have done so much to advance civil rights, labor rights and human rights — will help ensure that voters are informed and empowered this November to elect leaders who will invest in all our communities and unite us around shared values.”

Listen to the AFSCME ad here: https://youtu.be/rpWh6P2fGmI

Kamala Harris says she won't trust Trump's word alone on a vaccine

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris cast doubt during a CNN exclusive interview on a potential coronavirus vaccine pushed by President Donald Trump, who has frequently touted a coming cure for the raging pandemic.

Barack Obama ask Americans to stay safe this Labor Day

Former President Barack Obama took to Twitter to ask Americans to stay safe this Labor Day weekend.

Read his comment below:

It might be Labor Day weekend, but let’s all remember that we're still in the middle of a pandemic. Wear a mask, practice social distancing, and follow the experts. It’ll save lives.

58% of African Americans Say They Won't Take COVID-19 Vaccine

A recent survey on Blackdoctor.org (BDO) revealed a staggering 58% of the respondents wouldn't take a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as it's available. In addition to 58% saying "no" to the vaccine, 22% reported they would take the vaccine, but had "concerns". In total, 80% of respondents either said "no" or had "concerns" regarding taking a COVID-19 vaccine with the majority saying "no" because they "didn't trust the healthcare system". For any vaccine to work and be validated, it needs to create herd immunity, which is a protective effect created by a significant portion of a community being vaccinated. That leads to the question, "How can the results of a vaccine be considered valid without being taken by the population most affected by it?" 

Black Americans represent a disproportionate number of positive cases and deaths associated with coronavirus. These facts make it logical for Black Americans to want to receive a vaccination as soon as it's available. Unfortunately, there is a long history of distrust between Black Americans and the medical community. This distrust gets exacerbated when the government is involved in the research, creation, and dissemination of the vaccine.

BDO recognizes this distrust is real and warranted. From the Tuskegee Experiment, to Henrietta Lacks, to general biases causing misdiagnosis, Black Americans don't use medical care as frequently as mainstream America. This lack of engagement has shown to be consistent, regardless of age or socioeconomic status. To overcome distrust and get more Black Americans to engage in new treatments or vaccinations, BDO recommends the following:

• Information must appear on a trusted platform
• Messaging must be authentic, and the experts should look like them
• Content must also be based on Black Americans' truths

BDO strives to end racial inequities in medicine and disseminate cultural specific information to its vast database. Any illness or condition affecting Black Americans receives full attention based on the Black patient journey, and provides relevant tips and strategies on how to live a happy and healthy life. BDO will effort to show its audience how to protect themselves from COVID-19. For more information, go to Blackdoctor.org.

BDO is the leading health and wellness destination for people of color. Since 2005, they have leveraged culture, content and technology to transform people's lives for the better. Editorially, BDO shares culturally relevant tips and strategies on health, wellness, lifestyle and longevity. BDO is where wellness and culture connect!"

Morehouse College to move to all-virtual classes for fall semester

Morehouse College President David A. Thomas announced Monday that students will continue learning remotely this fall, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Georgia and other states that many men of Morehouse call home. College officials have made no decision about re-opening the campus to students for the Spring 2021 Semester.

Watch his announcement below:

Ayanna Pressley to Betsy DeVos: 'I wouldn't trust you to care for a house plant let alone my child

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA 7th District) took to Twitter to respond to remarks Education Secretary Betsy DeVos made in an interview on CNN’s "State of The Union" early Sunday. During her appearance, she reiterated her call for schools to resume in-person classes in the fall and pushed back on social distancing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending children’s time meeting in groups be limited to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Pressley’s response:

@BetsyDeVosED you have no plan. Teachers, kids and parents are fearing for their lives. You point to a private sector that has put profits over people and claimed the lives of thousands of essential workers. I wouldn’t trust you to care for a house plant let alone my child.

NAACP SAYS FEDERAL NEGLIGENCE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INCREASE IN COVID-19 CASES

The NAACP released the following statement in regards to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases spreading across the United States:

The recent news of record spikes in COVID-19 cases across the country is truly alarming. Our nation is in peril because of this pandemic and as a result of negligence by this Administration in the infancy of this virus and its refusal to lead on critical preventive measures now. Inaction, which disproportionately impacted the Black community, is now being compounded by inadequate oversight, as states were urged to reopen, prioritizing economic profits over the well-being of American citizens.

The notion that this virus that has now claimed over 120,000 American lives and offers a recent single-day record of over 50,000 cases will suddenly “disappear” is both egregious and dangerous to the American people. Recent confirmation by this Administration that federal funding to testing sites across the country will be cut as hospital admissions across seven-states hit record highs in the last week can only be considered social malpractice.

At a time where our country is becoming even more vulnerable by the spread of COVID-19, the need for continued funding for expanded testing and nationwide protocols that follow the guidelines recommended by public health experts — wearing face coverings in public, maintaining physical distance, exercising proper hygiene, minimizing crowds and reopening businesses carefully — should be the only alternative to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect and save lives. These measures will also help us move forward together as safely as possible.

As numerous states pause reopening efforts and reenact more stringent policies and practices for social engagement, we urge all federal, state and local government leaders to take necessary precautions toward an effective and responsible resuming of activities and to ensure that the lives of our people are weighed more prominently than economic profits.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reissues stay at home order as Covid-10 cases rise

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has issued an Order directing the City of Atlanta’s five-phased reopening plan to be moved from the current Phase II back to Phase I effective immediately in response to the alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in the state of Georgia. The Mayor’s reopening plan was drawn from the recommendations of the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Reopening Atlanta. The reopening phases are based on milestone metrics and recent data.

“Based upon the surge of COVID-19 cases and other data trends, pursuant to the recommendations of our Reopening Advisory Committee, Atlanta will return to Phase I of our reopening plan,” said Mayor Bottoms. “Georgia reopened in a reckless manner and the people of our city and state are suffering the consequences.”

Phase 1: Stay at Home guidelines are as follows:

Individuals:

• Stay home except for essential trips;
• Wearing a face mask in public is a mandate;
• Frequent handwashing; and
• Social distancing followed and enforced where practical.

Businesses:

• To-go and curbside pickups from restaurants and retail establishments;
• Continue practicing teleworking; and
• Frequent cleaning of public and high touch areas.

City Government:

• Non-essential City facilities remain closed;
• Moratorium on special event applications; and
• Establish and continue communication with local and State authorities to monitor public health metrics.

Earlier this week, Mayor Bottoms issued Executive Order 2020-113 requiring all persons to wear a mask or a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth within the city of Atlanta in response to the rising number of COVID-19 infections. Today, Mayor Bottoms issued Executive Order 2020-114 which prohibits gatherings of any number of individuals on city of Atlanta property.

A comprehensive list of actions taken by Mayor Bottoms during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found online here.

The City has also posted prevention information and additional resources related to COVID-19 on its website here.

Chief among the City’s guidance to residents and visitors are the following preventative measures:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• If you have recently returned from a country with ongoing COVID-19 infections, monitor your health and follow the instructions of public health officials.

Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. Supports Bill to Protect Homeowners during Coronavirus Crisis

Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. co-sponsored the COVID-19 Homeowner Assistance Fund Act today. The $75 billion bill (H.R. 6729) would provide financial assistance to homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgage during the coronavirus global pandemic. It would help them pay their mortgage as well as property taxes, property insurance, utilities, and other housing-related costs to prevent foreclosures.

“The loss of housing is one of the most common concerns for constituents in my district,” said Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. “I wanted to co-sponsor this bill because it gets people the money they need to stay in their homes during this public health and economic crisis. We are still struggling to reopen our country. We don’t need a housing crisis during this difficult time.”

Rep. Payne, Jr. has been working diligently to fight for his constituents and all Americans during the coronavirus global pandemic. He introduced a bill to get hazard pay for the nation’s federal frontline workers, such as TSA agents, daycare workers, and veteran health care workers. He co-wrote a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve a ventilator design that could help supply local hospitals in New Jersey and the rest of the country that the FDA approved a week later. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery of the House Committee on Homeland Security, he has been in constant contact with FEMA officials to support them in their efforts to aid and protect the American people.

In addition, he has voted to approve five coronavirus-related aid bills in the House to help the nation survive this public health crisis. The most recent legislation, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800) was a $3 trillion emergency stimulus package that would provide roughly $1 trillion to state and local governments to help them pay coronavirus-related costs, another $1,200 payment to low and middle-income Americans with a maximum of $6,000 per family, $200 billion in hazard pay to essential workers, and an additional $75 billion to improve the country’s coronavirus testing and contact tracing.

The first law, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074), provided $8.3 billion to fund medical efforts. The second one, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), allowed Americans to get free coronavirus testing and workers to get mandatory paid sick leave. The third one, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) authorized more than $2 trillion to Americans in coronavirus aid, including direct payments to low and middle-income workers, increased unemployment benefits, $349 billion to small businesses through grants and interest-free loans, $150 billion to state and local governments to help them handle coronavirus-related expenses, and $200 billion to support America’s hospitals and health care workers.

The fourth bill, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266), allocated $310 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program to allow small businesses to pay their employees, $75 billion to health care facilities for protective equipment and care, and $25 billion to enhance the country’s coronavirus testing capability.

Beloved doctor dies after saving others from Covid-19

Family and colleagues are mourning the loss of Dr. James Mahoney a beloved Brooklyn doctor who died from COVID-19 after saving others from the virus.

Rep. Maxine Waters Discusses Her Sister Who Died Of COVID-19

In a recent interview Rep. Maxine Waters told MSNBC's Chris Hayes about her older sister, who passed away due to coronavirus. Watch that video below:

Kamala Harris & Others Introduce Bill to Provide Monthly $2,000 Payments During the COVID-19 Crisis

U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Ed Markey (D-MA) on Friday introduced the Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act, legislation that provides a monthly $2,000 check to those struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic. As rent comes due and bills continue to pile up, Americans desperately need assistance to financially survive this crisis.  

“The coronavirus pandemic has caused millions to struggle to pay the bills or feed their families,” said Senator Harris. “The CARES Act gave Americans an important one-time payment, but it’s clear that wasn’t nearly enough to meet the needs of this historic crisis. Bills will continue to come in every single month during the pandemic and so should help from government. The Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act will ensure families have the resources they need to make ends meet. I am eager to continue working with Senators Sanders and Markey as we push to pass this bill immediately.”

The Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act is endorsed by Economic Security Project Action, Humanity Forward, Community Change Action, High Ground Institute, LatinxVoice, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Income Movement, People's Action, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Golden State Opportunity, MyPath, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Heartland Alliance, One Fair Wage, Caring Across Generations, End Child Poverty CA/The GRACE Institute, Coalition on Human Needs, Black to the Future Action Fund, ParentsTogether Action, RESULTS, and Forum for Youth Investment.

“As Congress considers the next relief package, $2000 monthly payments must be part of the equation,” said Natalie Foster, co-chair of Economic Security Project. “Alongside other important programs, cash payments give families an income floor so that no American is one missed paycheck away from living on the street. We’re glad that there’s growing support for direct payments both inside Congress and among the broader public.”

The Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act:  

• Provides up to $2,000 a month to every individual with an income below $120,000 throughout and for three months following the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Married couples who file jointly would receive $4,000.
  •   $2,000 per child up to three children
  •  Retroactive to March
  • Begins to phase out after $100,000

• Ensures that every U.S. resident receives a payment, regardless of whether or not they have filed a recent tax return or have a social security number.
  • Uses the data from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income, (SSI), Medicare and housing assistance programs 

• Forbids debt collectors from seizing the rebate payments.

• Ensures the homeless and foster youth receive payments.

Text of the bill can be found here.

A one-pager of the bill can be found here.

Sen. Harris Announces Legislation to Establish Task Force to Combat Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19

U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) on Thursday announced the COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act, legislation to bring together health care and other policy experts, community-based organizations, and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial leaders to confront the racial and ethnic disparities of the coronavirus pandemic head on. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the urgent need to address long-standing inequities in our health care system. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, will introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“People of color are being infected and dying from coronavirus at astounding rates,” said Sen. Harris. “This is in part due to persistent lack of access to health care, bias in our health care system, systematic barriers to equal pay and housing, and environmental injustice. It is critical that the federal government proactively work to right historical wrongs that have led to racial inequities for generations. The COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act is a necessary step to fully understand the impact of this virus in the hardest hit communities, and make targeted investments that correspond with their unique needs.”

“We know that COVID-19 is already taking an oversized toll on communities of color,” said Rep. Kelly. “It’s critical that we examine these disparities at the highest possible levels of our government and develop solutions to address, reduce and end them. Fundamentally, we need this analysis to give us hard, in-your-face proof of what we’ve known for generations to drive policy change.”

Along with Harris and Kelly, this legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Doug Jones (D-AL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

The bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an interagency task force of policy experts, community leaders, and government officials to make data-driven recommendations to federal agencies about directing crucial resources—like testing kits, testing supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE)—to communities with racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death rates. The task force’s work would guide a more equitable government response to the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health crises.

The COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act is endorsed by the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, California Rural Indian Health Board, Center for American Progress, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Color of Change, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, National Indian Health Board, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association, National Urban League, Third Way, and UnidosUS.

“Our country has long faced racial and ethnic disparities in virtually every facet of American life. COVID-19 has not only shed a light on these disparities but exacerbated them.  Senator Harris's legislation will not only address the current inequities we see in the response to COVID-19, but it will begin to address the structural issues causing these disparities that have persisted for generations,” said Danyelle Solomon, vice president of Race and Ethnicity Policy at the Center for American Progress.

“The novel coronavirus pandemic has sickened and killed Black and Latino people at disparate rates, and equitable support is not reaching the nation’s hardest hit regions,” said Marc Morial, president and CEO, National Urban League. “We need to convene health care and policy experts with local leaders in order to allocate the necessary resources to meet everyone’s needs --  especially in communities that have historically suffered from unfair and insufficient response from the government during times of crisis. The National Urban League is proud to support this legislation that will deliver much-needed federal support to our communities during these challenging times.”

“A federal task-force on racial disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic is essential for Black and Brown communities that are dying at alarming rates across the country. This pandemic makes it more clear than ever before that inequality in communities of color threatens stability for communities of every color nationwide. Identifying ways to specifically support and flatten the curve in our communities will serves as a protection for the entire country,” said Rashad Robinson, president, Color Of Change, the largest online racial justice organization in the country.

“I applaud Senator Harris and her colleagues for this proposal. Without comprehensive data on health outcomes and racial disparities, we are flying blind in our response to the pandemic. Early data from the CDC already shows that, among those with ethnicity specified, Latinos account for a quarter of overall confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and a shocking 40% of all cases among those under the age of 18,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of UnidosUS. “That’s why the task force proposed in this bill is so critical to protecting public health and stopping the spread of the virus. It will ensure that we don’t turn a blind eye to the racial disparities revealed by the more robust data collection mandated by Congress and compel the federal government to target and surge resources to hot spots and communities at risk and save precious lives.”

The COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force would:

Provide weekly resource allocation recommendations to FEMA and Congress including:
Data on patient outcomes including hospitalizations, ventilation, and mortality disaggregated by race and ethnicity.

Identification of communities that have high levels of racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death rates.

Recommendations to FEMA about how best to allocate critical COVID-19 resources like PPE, ventilators, testing kits, testing supplies, vaccinations (when available), staffing, and funding to these communities.

Best practices when communities are able to effectively reduce racial and ethnic disparities.
Provide oversight and recommendations to federal agencies about how to disburse COVID-19 relief funds—for instance, the Education Stabilization Fund and the Paycheck Protection Program created under the CARES Act—to address racial and ethnic disparities with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Report to Congress on:

Structural inequalities preceding the COVID-19 pandemic and how they contributed to racial and ethnic disparities in infection, hospitalization, and death rates.

The initial federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on racial and ethnic disparities in infection, hospitalization, and death rates.

Recommendations to combat racial and ethnic disparities in future infectious disease response.

At the end of the COVID-19 public health crisis, establish a permanent Infectious Disease Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force to continue to identify and address racial and ethnic disparities in our health care system and improve future infectious disease response.

Civil rights and religious leaders urge African Americans to defy governors' efforts to reopen businesses

A coalition of prominent civil rights and black religious leaders is urging African American residents who live in states that are moving swiftly to reopen their economies to stay home in defiance of governors until there's evidence the coronavirus outbreak has eased.

The group, convened by the Conference of National Black Churches and Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network, said some governors are demonstrating "reckless disregard for the health and life of black residents" and called for black churches and businesses to remain closed in those states until there's evidence that it's safe to resume more normal activity.

"We do not take it lightly to encourage members of our communities to defy the orders of state governors," the officials said in a statement. "Our sacred duty is to support and advance the life and health of Black people, families and communities in our country."

Top officials with the NAACP, the National Urban League and the National Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law are among the groups joining the stay-at-home message.

Covid-19 has cut a particularly deadly path through African American communities. Figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show black patients have made up nearly 20% US coronavirus deaths, although African Americans make up about 13% of the nation's population.

[SOURCE: CNN]

Augusta Ga. Mayor warns that things wont just return to normal in Georgia

During an interview with The Hill Augusta, GA Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr. said that "We can't say we're going to open up the state, flip a switch and all of a sudden things are going to turn back to normal. That just doesn't happen at the federal, state, or local level.".

Watch that segment below:

Augusta, GA Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr.: "We can't say we're going to open up the state, flip a switch and all of a sudden things are going to turn back to normal. That just doesn't happen at the federal, state, or local level." pic.twitter.com/fnMnAw9sJe

— The Hill (@thehill) April 25, 2020

Howard University Creates Emergency Fund to Help Students Impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic

Historically Black Howard University in Washington, D.C., has established a scholarship fund to help students who are facing financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The university has heard from students and parents who have lost jobs or are facing other hardships related to the COVID-19 outbreak. All of the money in the fund will be used to give immediate, need-based scholarships to prospective May graduates in all 13 schools and colleges of the university, to assist them as they continue working towards their diplomas as planned.

The university has already taken steps to help students by refunding portions of students’ room and board, waiving seniors’ graduation fees, and returning fees for student activities, parking, and labs. The university is asking alumni to support the fund. Donations to the Howard University Alumni Association Emergency Scholarship Fund may be made here https://alum.howard.edu/emergencyfund.

“We have all been impacted by COVID-19, but Howard students have been hit especially hard,” says Sharon Strange Lewis, director of Alumni Relations whose daughter graduated from Howard University in 2017. “As a Howard alumna and the parent of a Howard graduate, I understand the level of excitement, anticipation, and pressure students feel when they’re about to graduate. This fund was created to support those graduating students who have experienced unforeseen hardship caused by the outbreak. Our hope is that each gift, no matter how small, will allow us to do something great for these students.”

Russell Westbrook helps to donate 4.2M masks, PPE to medical workers in African American communities

NBA star Russell Westbrook is joining an effort that will donate millions of masks and other personal protective equipment to medical workers serving the African American community.

African American communities have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus has infected and killed African Americans at disproportionately high rates.

The Houston Rockets point guard is joining Tulco founded by Thomas Tull to help launch Operation 42 in celebration of Jackie Robinson.

Operation 42 will donate 4.2 million masks and other personal protective equipment to medical workers in African American communities hit hardest by COVID-19.

I am proud to join Tulco founded by my friend Thomas Tull to help launch #Operation42 in celebration of Jackie Robinson. #Operation42 will donate 4.2M masks & other personal protective equipment to medical workers in African American communities hit hardest by COVID-19 @WhyNotFdn pic.twitter.com/a25Xw1HsGy

— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) April 16, 2020

Senator Tim Scott Says Getting COVID-19 Information To African Americans Will 'Save Lives'

During an interview on NPR's Morning Edition, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) stressed the importance of federal government outreach to African Americans about preventive measures like wearing face coverings and hand-washing. "It's important for us to have a specific and unique campaign to communicate the importance of following the protocols within the African-American community," the senator said.

Listen to his comments below: