by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 29, 2020

30-Year-Old Brooklyn School Teacher Dies After Battle With COVID-19

The deadly toll of coronavirus patients dying is continuing to cause heartbreak.

Rana Zoe Mungin, a 30-year-old middle school social studies teacher from Brooklyn, died Monday after contracting COVID-19, according to ABC News. She was turned away twice for COVID-19 testing before eventually being admitted and diagnosed with coronavirus.

Mungin’s sister, Mia Mungin, a registered New York City nurse, had been updating her sister’s dilemma across social media for more than a month, and notified everyone that her sister “fought a long fight but her body was too weak.”

Mia had just written on Facebook, “Racism and health disparities still continues … [and] the zip code in which we live still predetermines the type of care we receive.”

The coronavirus has shone a brighter light on the nationwide problem of racial disparities. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that black people are being severely impacted by COVID-19 nationwide, accounting for 30% of coronavirus cases in the U.S. while only comprising approximately 13% of the population.

“She died not only because of COVID-19 but because we live in a world that is racist and anti-black,” Rana Zoe Mungin’s good friend of more than a decade, Nohemi Maciel, told ABC News. “We know that black people are dying at disproportionate rates. This cannot be left out of the conversation.”

Maciel added, “I’m heartbroken and don’t know how to live in a world without Zoe. But I’m also angry. I’m angry that her students lost a wonderful and committed teacher, because representation matters.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 29, 2020

Gospel Singer Troy Sneed Dead From Coronavirus Complications

Acclaimed gospel singer Troy Sneed has died, according to Billboard magazine.

Sneed, a Grammy-nominated singer, producer, and label executive died early Monday at a hospital in Jacksonville, FL due to coronavirus complication. He had a catalog of more than a half-dozen albums and 10 singles that hit the gospel charts during a 20-year career. He was just 52 years old.

Upon hearing about the news of Sneed’s death, music distribution company GoDigiPath released a statement that read, “With great regret, we at GoDigiPath, LLC are literally stunned, deeply and extremely saddened as we have lost a beloved colleague and dear friend.

“Words truly cannot express our sorrow regarding an innocent life taken WAY TOO SOON due to Covid19! Please pray for Emily (Sneed), the kids, ‎and the extended family/loved ones of our tragically departed brother, Troy Sneed… He is missed, beyond words as our hearts are broken well beyond all understanding!”

Sneed sang with the Georgia Mass Choir and appeared with the group in the 1996 film, The Preacher’s Wife, which starred Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington. Sneed had also earned a Grammy nomination for his work on the Youth for Christ’s 1999 album, Higher.
Seven of Sneed’s albums hit Billboard‘s Top Gospel Albums chart, including A State of Worship, In His Presence, In Due Season, My Heart Says Yes, All Is Well, Awesome God, and Taking It Back.

He also had 10 of his singles appear on the Hot Gospel Songs chart, half of which were in the top 10 including “Hallelujah,” “Work It Out,” “My Heart Says Yes,” “Lay It Down” and “Kept by His Grace.”

The singer gained praise from fellow Gospel artists on social media.

Coronavirus Lingers In Air of Crowded Spaces: Study
by Derek Major

April 29, 2020

Coronavirus Lingers In Air of Crowded Spaces: Study

Researchers have discovered the coronavirus appears to linger in the air in crowded spaces or rooms that lack ventilation.

According to Bloomberg, researchers found pieces of the virus’s genetic material floating in the air of hospital toilets, an indoor space housing large crowds, and rooms where medical staff changed out of protective gear in Wuhan, China.

The study, published Monday in the journal Nature Research, did not attempt to establish whether the airborne particles would cause infection.

How the coronavirus spreads has been a topic for debate since the virus was discovered.

The World Health Organization said the risk is limited to certain circumstances, saying an analysis of more than 75,000 coronavirus cases in Wuhan showed no airborne transmissions.

The researchers also set up so-called aerosol traps in and around two hospitals in Wuhan. Scientists found few aerosols in patient wards, supermarkets, and residential buildings.

However, researchers found significantly more aerosols in toilets and two areas that had large crowds passing through. Higher concentrations of the coronavirus appeared in the rooms where medical staff removed protective equipment.

This could suggest particles contaminating their gear became airborne again while medical staff removed masks, gloves, and gowns.

The findings highlight the importance of ventilation, limiting crowds, and careful sanitation efforts, the researchers stated.

On Monday, Vanity Fair reported President Trump cut funding for a project studying how coronaviruses spread from bats to people. Newsweek reports that government agencies are updating reports with findings that the virus may have been accidentally released by an infectious disease lab in China.

The coronavirus has infected more than 1 million Americans and killed almost 59,000 people. Although there is no end in sight, many states are planning to reopen their economies under mounting economic pressure.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has allowed hair and nail salons, barbershops, massage businesses, bowling alleys, and gyms to reopen. Trump said in a press conference said during a briefing last week the idea “is one I disagree with.”

The coronavirus has put more than 20 million Americans out of work and has also stalled the stock market and various industries.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 29, 2020

Morehouse College Partners with Microsoft to Provide New Students with Microsoft Surface 2-in-1 Tablets

Microsoft is making sure that students at Morehouse College have no excuses about not having access to computers. The HBCU has announced that it has initiated a partnership with Microsoft Corp. to address the digital divide. Morehouse and Microsoft launched the initiative to ensure that students in families struggling financially because of the COVID-19 global pandemic will be prepared for a successful transition to college.

“Microsoft is extremely proud to partner with Morehouse College to provide the technology that can bridge the digital divide that has too often stood between students and access to information and education,” said Fred Humphries, vice president of government affairs at Microsoft in a written statement. “We are excited to work with the newest men of Morehouse as they enter the institution and look forward to seeing the impact they can make on their communities and the world.”

The partnership announcement took place over the weekend at Morehouse College’s Virtual Admitted Students Day “MXP.1” on YouTube, the first day of the Morehouse experience for new students and their families.

“The digital divide is another battlefield in the fight for social justice because it is directly linked to income disparities between racial groups,” said David A. Thomas, president of Morehouse College. “Black and brown families are at the lowest rungs of the household income scale.

The digital divide (the gap between those who have access to the internet and technology) is more than likely to impact students of historically black colleges or universities (HBCU). Currently, all Morehouse classes and pre-college summer programs are only available online.

“According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half of adults with a yearly household income of $30,000 do not have a computer for themselves or their children to use,” Thomas added. “We are grateful to Microsoft for partnering with us to help level the playing field in technology for our new students.”

Nearly 2,200 students attend Morehouse. The college has enrolled approximately 600 new students during the 2019-20 academic year. Based on statistics, more than 90% of Morehouse students are eligible for financial aid.

AT&T To Continue to Waive Late Fees and Keep Public WiFi HotSpots Open Through June
by Dana Givens

April 29, 2020

AT&T To Continue to Waive Late Fees and Keep Public WiFi HotSpots Open Through June

The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has been catastrophic for millions of Americans around the country. With over 700,00 jobs lost and over 26 million people filing unemployment, the ramifications from this public health crisis will be felt for years to come.
One of the results of the economic downturn is leniency on reoccurring charges and other household bills. Many major corporations have come out with relief initiatives and new policies that allow more flexibility to assist customers through this difficult time. AT&T was one of the many companies that pledged to help keep its customers connected to their wireless service even if they fell behind as a result of being impacted by the viral outbreak.
This week, the telecommunications giant announced it would be extending its initiative through June 30 amid the COVID-19 crisis. This includes keeping public Wi-Fi hotspots open for anyone who needs them and waiving any late payments fees for postpaid wireless, home phone, or broadband residential or small business customers.
The company will also be delivering 60 days of free and unlimited use of Caribu, an app that enables families to connect through a video-call.
The initiative is in conjunction with the FCC’s Keep America Connected Pledge with numerous technology and telecommunication companies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai recently announced the Keep Americans Connected Initiative as a measure to ensure Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity as a result of these exceptional circumstances caused by the virus outbreak.
“As the coronavirus outbreak spreads and causes a series of disruptions to the economic, educational, medical, and civic life of our country, it is imperative that Americans stay connected. Broadband will enable them to communicate with their loved ones and doctors, telework, ensure their children can engage in remote learning, and — importantly — take part in the ‘social distancing’ that will be so critical to limiting the spread of this novel coronavirus,” Pai said in a statement last month about the pledge.
Over 700 companies have joined the pledge including CenturyLink, Comcast, and Verizon.

 

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 29, 2020

NFL Raises Over $100 Million for COVID-19 Relief During This Year’s Draft

With the National Football League‘s schedule still up in the air for the upcoming season, the league held its annual draft in different settings because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s draft was held virtually and along with the event, the NFL held an online fundraising campaign, “NFL Draft-A-Thon LIVE,” on NFL.com to raise funds to contribute toward COVID-19 relief. According to the NFL, that effort has resulted in the NFL raising more than $100 million.

The viewership numbers for the “NFL Draft-A-Thon LIVE,” averaged more than 5.4 million total daily viewers across multiple digital and social properties. That audience viewed over 46.7 million total minutes of the online fundraiser.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the efforts and collaboration of our clubs, league personnel, and our partners to conduct an efficient Draft and share an unforgettable experience with millions of fans during these uncertain times,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a written statement. “This Draft is the latest chapter in the NFL’s storied history of lifting the spirit of America and unifying people. In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of so many talented young men, we were pleased that this unique Draft helped shine a light on today’s true heroes—the healthcare workers, first responders, and countless others on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19. We are also grateful to all those who contributed to the NFL family’s fundraising efforts.”

Funds raised during the NFL Draft-A-Thon LIVE will help support six national nonprofit organizations and their respective COVID-19 relief efforts. Fans and anyone who wants to contribute to the fund can continue to donate at NFL.com/Relief.

At NFL.com/auction, fans can bid on autographed NFL items and exclusive packages to support COVID-19 relief as well. The NFL does not retain any profits from the sale of these items or experiences. Charitable contributions are donated to the NFL’s nonprofit partners.

“Draft-A-Thon LIVE was presented all three days of the 2020 NFL Draft and available through NFL digital properties across devices (phone, PC, tablet and connected TVs) as well as a number of digital platforms including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Reddit, TuneIn, Yahoo! Sports and more than 100 news websites via SendtoNews.”

by Lydia Blanco

April 29, 2020

Wells Fargo Names Lester Owens as New Head of Operations

Wells Fargo recently announced that Lester Owens will be joining the company in July of 2020 as the head of operations. In his role, he will be responsible for building a more unified, more integrated approach to Wells Fargo’s business operations functions. Additionally, Owens will report to Chief Operating Officer Scott Powell and will serve on the company’s Operating Committee.

Owens will be joining Wells Fargo from Bank of New York Mellon, where he was Global Head of Operations, responsible for a team of 20,000 employees supporting every stage of the client investment lifecycle, including account creation, trading, clearing and settlement, and asset servicing.

Related: 5 Ways Black Men Can Succeed in Corporate America

Prior to joining BNY Mellon, he spent 10 years at JPMorgan Chase, where he was responsible for Global Wholesale Banking Operations, among other roles. Lester previously led significant operations functions for Deutsche Bank, Citibank, and Bankers Trust. Owens is a graduate of Long Island University and the Fairleigh Dickinson Executive MBA program.

In a statement released by Wells Fargo, Chief Operating Officer Scott Powell said, “Lester is a highly regarded operations executive with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and a passion for excellence, customer experience, efficiency, and transformation.”

He went on to add, “While everyone at Wells Fargo shares the responsibility for operational excellence, Lester’s team will enable us to deliver the best experience possible for our customers while driving consistent execution across our business operations functions, including contact center operations, client servicing support, money movements within our businesses, lending operations, and other functions. We will all benefit from having Lester’s deep experience and talent in this critical role,” said Powell.

 

Black Michigan Healthcare Worker Dies After Being Denied Coronavirus Test Four Times
by Dana Givens

April 28, 2020

Black Michigan Healthcare Worker Dies After Being Denied Coronavirus Test Four Times

COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, has overwhelmed most hospitals and treatment centers around the country. Now, one family is taking issue with a hospital’s negligence that led to the untimely death of their loved one who, they say, was denied testing.

Deborah Gatewood was a Michigan healthcare worker who recently died from coronavirus after being refused a test four different times at the Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills, where she worked for over 30 years.

Her daughter, Kaila Corrothers, told NBC News that the thing that bothered her the most about the entire situation was that her employer, Beaumont Hospital, had not treated her mother well.

“This did not have to happen this way,” she told the news station. The 63-year-old phlebotomist started feeling ill and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms around mid-March. She then drove herself to her Detroit hospital’s emergency room, requesting a coronavirus test but was sent home. “They said she wasn’t severe enough and that they weren’t going to test her,” Corrothers said in the interview, according to MSN. “They told her to just go home and rest.”

According to Corrothers, the next day her mother went back and started to experience a cough as well. Once again, Gatewood wasn’t given a test and was instead prescribed cough medication. As her symptoms worsened, Gatewood returned to the hospital but this time with a fever that had spiked. She was told by staff that she most likely had the coronavirus, but was still not tested.

The hospital responded to the allegations through a local Fox News station stating, “as patients come to Beaumont for care during this pandemic, we are doing everything we can to evaluate, triage and care for patients based on the information we know at the time. We grieve the loss of any patient to COVID-19 or any other illness.”

Corrothers is now using her mother’s case to encourage people to make sure they get the treatment they deserve, even if they have to go to another hospital.

“If people feel symptoms, go to the doctor. You’re the only person who knows how you feel,” she said. “If you can’t get treated at one hospital, go to another.”

For recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions if you’re experiencing symptoms, check here.

25-Year-Old Black Man Running Through Suburban Georgia Neighborhood Killed By Two White Men
by Derek Major

April 28, 2020

25-Year-Old Black Man Running Through Suburban Georgia Neighborhood Killed By Two White Men

An African American man running through a Georgia neighborhood was pursued, shot, and killed by a white man and his father.

According to Blavity, retired district attorney investigator Greg McMichael saw Ahmaud Arbery, 25, sprinting past his home in Brunswick, Georgia. Believing he was a robbery suspect, McMichael alerted his adult son, Travis McMichael, and both men grabbed their guns and followed Arbery in a truck.

“Stop, stop. We want to talk to you,” the men said to Arbery.

After a struggle over a shotgun the son was carrying, Arbery was shot at least twice and killed.

The Glynn County Police Department released its report on the deadly incident Tuesday. McMichael thought Arbery looked like the suspect in several recent break-ins. However, Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper, believes her son was judged because of the color of his skin.

The two men have not been arrested or charged. George Barnhill, a prosecutor in the case, told the police in a letter that McMichael and his son acted within the state’s citizen’s arrest law and Travis acted out of self-defense.

However, Barnhill, the district attorney for Georgia’s Waycross Judicial Circuit, was recused from the case due to a conflict of interest. Barnhill’s son works in the Brunswick district attorney’s office, which had previously employed McMichael.

Arbery was wearing a white t-shirt, khaki shorts, Nike sneakers, and a bandana at the time of the incident, according to The New York Times. The report did not indicate if Arbery was wearing the bandana on his face

However, activists believe even if Arbery was attempting to commit a crime, he should not have been chased or shot by the two.

“This incident was at the least a case of overly zealous citizens that wrongfully profiled the victim without cause,” said Rev. John Davis Perry II, the president of the Brunswick chapter of the NAACP. “These men felt justified in taking the law in their own hands.”

Friends and family of Arbery are now worried the case won’t get attention due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“We can’t do anything because of this corona stuff,” said Cooper. “We thought about walking out where the shooting occurred, just doing a little march but we can’t be out right now.”

The incident comes less than a month after Sens. Kamala Harris and Cory Booker sent a letter to the Justice Department asking for guidance for police officers dealing with people of color wearing face coverings. African Americans are worried about interacting with police while wearing face masks.

Arbery was killed three days before the eighth anniversary of the death of Trayvon Martin.

×