Expect A Second, Stronger Coronavirus Outbreak This Winter, Says CDC Chief
by Derek Major

April 22, 2020

Expect A Second, Stronger Coronavirus Outbreak This Winter, Says CDC Chief

The coronavirus outbreak has broken the U.S. job market, the stock market, and food supply chains. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sounding the alarm for a stronger, second wave this winter.

“There’s a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through,” CDC director Robert Redfield told the Washington Post on Tuesday. “And when I’ve said this to others, they kind of put their head back, they don’t understand what I mean.”

A still incurable infectious disease combined with the flu, poses a public health threat that could break an already under-equipped healthcare system, said Redfield, who urged Americans to get a flu shot. Doing so “may allow there to be a hospital bed available for your mother or grandmother that may get coronavirus.”

Redfield’s coronavirus warnings may be falling on deaf ears. Governors of Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee have pushed to either lift or significantly reduce lockdown orders to open up the local economy. Additionally, President Donald Trump has pushed for states to reopen, which has led to protests in several states. Redfield said Tuesday that the protests are “not helpful” and could make the coronavirus worse down the road

Georgia governor Brian Kemp who has also been pushing to reopen states, will allow indoor facilities like bowling alleys, gyms, and hair salons to open on Friday. Restaurants will open next week, but all are expected to keep practicing social distancing.

Though Kemp admitted “we’re probably going to have to see our cases continue to go up,” George is better equipped to address new coronavirus outbreaks. Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms said an interview with CNN that cases are still rising by the hour.

“As a parent, I am concerned,” Lance Bottoms told Chris Cuomo. “Because when I look at the data that we received from our public health department, our numbers are going up.”

 

 

 

by Jeffrey McKinney

April 22, 2020

Natonal Urban League Demands PPP Funding Go To Legitimate, Imperiled Small Businesses

With money from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) gone, civil rights leader Marc Morial is asking Congress to ensure additional funding toward appropriate small businesses, including black businesses.

Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, the largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy group, is demanding the next legislative package include specific monies for legitimately small businesses that are truly harmed.

The PPP is geared to help small businesses combat the novel coronavirus. The $350 billion lending program became law in late March as part of the $2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus package.  PPP funding ran out on April 16, just about two weeks after being launched. On Tuesday, the Senate passed a $484 billion bill to send new aid to small businesses and hospitals, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The move is part of an effort to help halt the economic meltdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The bill provides an additional $310 billion to PPP, Yahoo News reported.  The legislation is expected to be sent to the House for approval Thursday.

Morial told BLACK ENTERPRISE the National Urban League considers what happened on Tuesday a win but more needs to be done. “Without our advocacy, the package would not include the $60 billion disaster loan fund or the funding for CDFIs (Community Development Financial Institutions) and small banks, Morial said. “We continue to advocate for desperately needed funding for local governments.”

Earlier in the week, the National Urban League blasted reports that massive restaurant chains and still-operating businesses received PPP funds that were intended for small businesses closed because of the pandemic.

“Struggling small businesses in the nation’s hardest-hit regions have not received a dime from the Paycheck Protection Program, intended for businesses with fewer than 500 employees, while hundreds of millions of dollars have gone to corporations that employ thousands, like Ruth’s Hospitality Group and Potbelly Corporation,” Morial said in a press release. “Executives whose annual compensation is in the multi-millions skirted the intent of the program by applying through subsidiaries, depriving legitimate small businesses of the aid they desperately need to survive.”

BLACK ENTERPRISE reported larger businesses got PPP funding while smaller ones didn’t.

“We are in discussions with members of Congress and senior committee staff, including Senators Chuck Schumer, Cory Booker, Chris Van Holland, Sherrod Brown, Ben Cardin, and Rep. Maxine Waters,” Morial told BLACK ENTERPRISE. Those Congressional leaders are among the most powerful in the nation’s capital. For instance, Waters is Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, Schumer is Senate Minority Leader, and Cardin is Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee.

Morial added the National Urban League is working on including language that specifically addresses black-owned businesses–along with other minority businesses–rural, remote and unbanked businesses as priorities.  “And,” he said, “we are pushing for the COVID-19 legislation to include these provisions.”

The National Urban League reported it has been advocating in Congress for the next round of PPP funding to be reserved for legitimate small businesses that qualify under the Small Business Administration’s gross sales guidelines.

Because eligibility for PPP loans does not consider the small business size standard base on gross sales, large chains like Ruth’s and Potbelly were eligible based on the number of employees who work at individual locations, not the total workforce, the civil rights group said.

Further, much of the funding has gone to businesses that continue to operate, like construction firms, that have retained most of their workforce. Because funding was based on the size of a company’s workforce, the worst-hit businesses that had already laid-off workers were at a disadvantage.

“The lifeblood of the communities we serve are the Main Street mom-and-pop establishments, like barbers and beauty shops, neighborhood cafes, and specialty services that may employ only a few dozen or fewer workers,” Morial said. “Those are the businesses we’re fighting to protect, and we expect Congress to protect them as well.”

 

by Derek Major

April 22, 2020

Chase Institute Study: African American and Hispanic Families Struggle to Overcome Economic Turmoil

A study by the JPMorgan Chase Institute shows African American and Hispanic families have fewer resources available to weather income volatility and economic shocks.

The study, released this month, shows the racial gap in liquid assets is twice as large as the racial income gap. As a result, African American and Hispanic families have fewer options when dealing with economic instability. The study shows there is not only an income gap between white families and minorities in America, but also gaps by gender, age, and liquid assets.

In times of economic instability such as a job loss, for every $1 lost in income, African American families cut spending by $0.46 and Hispanic families cut spending by $0.43. White families cut spending by only $0.28. The study adds these cuts in spending can have negative impacts on well-being, adding stress to multiple family members.

To study the racial gaps, the institute used Chase banking records and self-reported race information for 1.8 million families in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana. All three states had Chase branches and collect race information during voter registration.

African American and Hispanic families also increase spending after receiving a tax refund more than white families. African American and Hispanic families increase spending by 187% and 149%, respectively, relative to baseline, whereas white families increase spending by 77%. This could indicate minority families under-spending before receiving their return and using it to catch up on payments.

“As families face job loss and income uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, this report shows that Black and Hispanic families will bear the brunt of this economic crisis,” Diana Farrell, president and CEO of the JPMorgan Chase Institute said in a released statement. “While our findings are particularly relevant in today’s crisis, the research underscores the persistent racial wealth gap that exists across age, income, gender and geographies — pandemic or not. We hope this research will help inform the policy, business and community response to support vulnerable families through this uncertain time and beyond.”

African Americans and Hispanics have been hit harder by the coronavirus outbreak than other races. Both groups have lower-paying jobs and are less likely to work from home.

Darrick Hamilton, executive director of the Kirwan Institute, believes the study should be used to make sure African American and Hispanic families don’t fall further behind the curve.

“This research underscores the reality that the racial wealth gap has positioned black and Latinx families far more vulnerable to precisely the types of economic events we are experiencing right now as a result of COVID-19 — income and job loss,” Hamilton said in a released statement, “Policymakers should consider these findings to address the needs of communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the racial wealth gap more broadly. The JPMorgan Chase Institute has assembled a novel innovative dataset that opens up a critically important lens into how families’ ability to weather income fluctuations varies by race. I look forward to the Institute’s continued work on this topic.”

Michael Jordan Documentary ‘The Last Dance’ Scores Highest Ever Ratings for ESPN
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 22, 2020

Michael Jordan Documentary ‘The Last Dance’ Scores Highest Ever Ratings for ESPN

Michael “Air” Jordan hasn’t played a professional basketball game in years, yet, he is still drawing record crowds to see him.

The highly anticipated Chicago Bulls documentary, The Last Dance, was the most viewed program in ESPN history as Sunday’s two premiere episodes averaged 6.1 million viewers, according to ESPN.

Sports fans have been clamoring for some type of sports programming since the coronavirus pandemic canceled virtually every sporting event in the world. ESPN had announced last month that the premiere of the 10-part documentary series about the NBA legend and the Chicago Bulls would air on Sunday nights from April 19 through May 17. The series, which highlights the Chicago Bulls’ quest to win a sixth NBA title in eight years, was originally scheduled to debut in June.

According to the numbers, The Last Dance averaged 6.1 million viewers for episodes 1 and 2 across ESPN & ESPN2 from 9-11 p.m. ET. Episode 1 (9-10 p.m.) averaged 6.3 million viewers and episode 2 (10-11 p.m.) averaged a tad less with 5.8 million viewers. In addition to viewership, “The Last Dance” dominated the conversation on social media.

Just on ESPN alone, the two hours averaged 5.3 million viewers, with episode 1 delivering 5.7 million viewers and episode 2 delivering 5 million.

The series was directed by noted sports documentarian Jason Hehir (The Fab Five, The ’85 Bears, Andre the Giant). It features never-before-seen footage from the 1997-98 season.

“Michael Jordan and the ‘90s Bulls weren’t just sports superstars, they were a global phenomenon,” said Hehir. “Making The Last Dance was an incredible opportunity to explore the extraordinary impact of one man and one team. For nearly three years, we searched far and wide to present the definitive story of an era-defining dynasty and to present these sports heroes as humans. I hope viewers enjoy watching our series as much as we enjoyed the opportunity to make it.”

Tracye McQuirter Leads A Vegan Movement For Black Women
by Dana Givens

April 22, 2020

Tracye McQuirter Leads A Vegan Movement For Black Women

The vegan movement has gained a lot of traction across the U.S., with more and more Americans looking to change their eating habits and transition into more healthy eating habits. Within the black community, vegetarian and vegan cuisine is becoming more popular with chefs turning cultural favorites into vegan-ized healthy meal options. One activist wants to take it a step further by leading a new movement to convert more black women to veganism.

Activist and speaker Tracye McQuirter wants to lead a crusade to turn more black women vegan with the launch of 10,000 Black Vegan Woman, a movement designed to bring more awareness to the benefits of the animal-free lifestyle. After embracing the vegan lifestyle for more than three decades, McQuirter published her book, By Any Greens Necessary, which was the first vegan diet book aimed at black women.

“Although the movement is growing and there are many black people who have gone vegan, particularly women, in the last decade, we still are facing a health crisis,” says McQuirter to Cuisine Noir Magazine. “There’s still far too many of us who are eating unhealthy food for a variety of reasons, and I wanted to reignite this movement.”

With more African American women becoming a risk for health complications such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and unhealthy weight, McQuirter states they have the most to gain when eating the healthiest foods available and moving toward a vegan lifestyle. “Going vegan opens up your palate to a world of cuisine that you might not experience as an omnivore eating the standard American diet,” she says. “We have come a long way. We have done a lot, but we have so much farther to go,”

NFL And Players Coalition Give $3 Million To Communities Of Color For COVID-19 Relief
by Dana Givens

April 22, 2020

NFL And Players Coalition Give $3 Million To Communities Of Color For COVID-19 Relief

The COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus pandemic, has brought about massive economic devastation and a huge cultural shift in our society. Since the start of the public health crisis, black and people of color have been the hardest hit by the virus. The NFL has announced this week a donation of over $3 million in collaboration with its Inspire Change platform and the Players Coalition toward relief efforts for the viral outbreak. The funds will go toward the seven markets that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19.

The donation’s funds will go to health systems, individual hospitals, and nonprofit organizations in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, and Washington, D.C. The deal is apart of an ongoing collaboration of NFL players, clubs, and owners to address racial inequality and social injustice issues within the country.

“We know that during this difficult time, our minority and low-income communities are struggling disproportionately with the impact of COVID-19,” said Players Coalition co-founder and Working Group member Anquan Boldin in a press statement. “Communities in Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore and more are getting hit hard right now, and we want to do our part in ensuring these areas have even the basic needs. We are glad we can partner with the NFL to support the organizations who are on the ground providing for these families.”

More than $50 million has already been donated toward COVID-19 relief by the greater NFL family, now including the NFL’s Inspire Change social justice contribution. Inspire Change supports NFL players, clubs, and nonprofit grant partners.

“This is a difficult time for our nation, and it is important for us to continue to find ways to support those that need it most,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We have an opportunity to direct financial resources to the hardest hit populations. This pandemic is having a tragic effect on communities of color and through Inspire Change and our relationship with the Players Coalition, we are pleased to be able to help where we can.”

Stacey Abrams Blasts Georgia Governor as ‘Dangerously Incompetent’ for Lifting Coronavirus Lockdowns
by Selena Hill

April 22, 2020

Stacey Abrams Blasts Georgia Governor as ‘Dangerously Incompetent’ for Lifting Coronavirus Lockdowns

Stacey Abrams deemed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp as “dangerously incompetent” after he announced that Georgia’s economy would begin to reopen this Friday.

The governor announced Monday a new order to lift coronavirus restrictions that will allow hair salons, bowling alleys, gyms, and tattoo parlors in the Peach State to open for business starting April 24, reports The Associated Press. By next week, restaurants can begin to resume some in-house dining services and movie theaters will be allowed to start showing films. Under the order, all open businesses will be required to have employees wear masks and gloves, test the temperature of workers, and enforce social distancing between customers.

In response, Abrams blasted Gov. Kemp’s decision in a tweet that highlights that Georgia has nearly 19,000 confirmed cases and 733 related deaths.

On Tuesday, the former Democratic Georgia gubernatorial candidate went on to criticize her former opponent as “deeply problematic” during an interview on CBS This Morning.

“There’s no legitimate reason for reopening the state except for politics, and I think it’s deeply disingenuous he would pretend otherwise,” Abrams told CBS This Morning anchor Gayle King.

Abrams argued that the high number of infections and slow testing rates is a signal that the lockdown needs to be kept in place. She also claimed the state’s health infrastructure could not handle another influx of COVID-19 cases.

“We’re not ready to return to normal,” she said. “We have people who are the most vulnerable and the least resilient being put on the front lines, contracting a disease that they cannot get treatment for.”

She continued, “We have swaths of Georgia where we have no hospitals, no doctors and no relief,” she said. “And the governor’s refusal to expand Medicaid means we haven’t gotten the new infusions of cash to prepare us for the pandemic.”

Abrams also noted that low-wage workers would be at an increased risk of infection once the lockdown is restricted, stating they “will be compelled to go back to work in order to keep their jobs.”

Abrams, who is reportedly being considered as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, also announced Tuesday that she is backing the “Project 100” campaign, which aims to give $1,000 to low-income families during the pandemic.

“The most economically vulnerable are struggling to survive, unable to afford groceries or medicines for their children, let alone cover utilities, car payments, and rent,” Abrams said.

“Project 100” is an effort organized by nonprofit GiveDirectly, software company Propel, and education advocacy group Stand for Children. Its goal is to send 100,000 families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits direct cash payments within the next 100 days. The group says it has already raised $55 million as of Tuesday.

In addition to Abrams, the campaign is also backed by Andrew Yang, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Halsey, and Stephen Colbert.

by Dana Givens

April 22, 2020

Florida Father Surprises His Four Kids With ATM Business

Generational wealth has been critical to the conversation in building black wealth. Due to economic and historic racial disparities, passing down tangible economic investments like real estate or businesses are far and few in between. For one entrepreneur, the importance of passing something down to his children was imperative and he was able to do so with their own ATM business.

William Moxey had wanted to be an entrepreneur since he was 12 years old and now the father of four is passing down his business sense down to his four children. Moxey went on social media to announce that he surprised his kids with an ATM Business called QuickBuxNow with the hopes of teaching them important lessons on how to run a business as well as money management.

“I started off by doing what every other little kid was doing, selling CDs, and that gradually grew into selling T-shirts, sneakers, and stuff like that, but I was kind of born into the whole entrepreneur-type lifestyle because I was raised by a single mother — she’s been an entrepreneur since I was born,” Moxey told  Atlanta Black Star. The father of four credits his own mother for being a good example of a business owner, watching her run three hair salons in the home state of Florida and helping him develop his own business savvy. She’s owned her own salon since I was born, and kind of watching her it kind of grew me into wanting my own.”

by Lydia Blanco

April 21, 2020

Michelle Obama Partners with PBS to Read to Kids Virtually

Who wouldn’t want to be read to by former first lady Michelle Obama? That was rhetorical! Thanks to PBS, viewers will be able to read along with Obama every week on PBS Kids in partnership with Penguin Random House. Viewers can also tune in on PBS Kids’ YouTube page and Penguin Random House’s Facebook page.

In a tweet, PBS wrote, Join us for “Mondays with @MichelleObama!” In this weekly read-along series, she’ll read 4 of her favorite children’s books (one book every Monday). It begins Mon. @ 12pm ET with “The Gruffalo” on @PBSKIDS & @PenguinRandomHouse Facebook pages! #ReadTogetherBeTogether #pbskidsread

Related: LeVar Burton Will Read to the World on Twitter Livestream While People are Sheltered In

As students continue to learn virtually while sheltering in place due to the global pandemic, a number of organizations are doing their diligence to create alternative learning opportunities for students.

Obama shared her excitement about the partnership on Twitter.

Related: Crittenton Services is Supporting Underserved Black and Brown Girls and Their Families During the COVID-19 Crisis

Here are some creative ways to keep your child engaged during the COVID-19 crisis:

  • Create a schedule for your student’s day and stick to that routine to create a sense of normalcy while in the house.
  • Create traceable worksheets to keep students learning new words and letters.
  • Make up and remix songs by their favorite artists to help them memorize important facts and lessons.
  • Google fun homemade science projects that are kitchen and carpet friendly!
  • Watch five minutes of the news with your child and recap the current events.
  • Share a family and or cultural history lesson or create a family tree.
  • Research or create financial literacy exercises as an alternative to regular math lessons.

Click here for more.

Healthcare Workers and Anti-Quarantine Protesters Duel In Colorado
by Derek Major

April 21, 2020

Healthcare Workers and Anti-Quarantine Protesters Duel In Colorado

Healthcare workers in Denver blocked a group of anti-quarantine protesters planning to storm the capital to fight the state’s stay-at-home order.

According to Now This News, two healthcare workers, dressed in scrubs and N95 masks, stood in the crosswalk of a Denver street to prevent protesters from driving Monday. Video of the incident was recorded and posted on Twitter by @MarcZenn.

The video shows a woman hanging out of her vehicle’s window shouting “Go to China if you want communism” and “You get to go to work, why can’t we?”

Hundreds of anti-quarantine protesters showed up to the state capital Sunday as part of two protests organized by ReOpen Colorado and other conservative groups. Protesters were shown carrying American flags and “Don’t Tread on Me” flags, the unofficial flag of the Tea Party, as well as signs about reopening businesses and schools.

“Coloradans have a First Amendment right to protest and to free speech, and the Governor hopes that they are using social distancing and staying safe,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ office said in a statement. “No one wants to reopen Colorado businesses and lift these restrictions more than the Governor, but in order to do that, Coloradans have to stay home as much as possible during this critical period, wear masks and wash their hands regularly to slow the spread of this deadly virus.”

The state has more than 9,700 cases of coronavirus and at least 420 residents have died. Colorado is set to continue its stay-at-home order until at least April 26. Other anti-quarantine protests have occurred in Michigan, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and North Carolina over the weekend.

However, the anti-quarantine protesters appear to be in the minority. A Politico poll showed 81% of Americans agreed we “should continue to social distance for as long as is needed to curb the spread of coronavirus, even if it means continued damage to the economy.”

The coronavirus outbreak has led to more than 20 million job losses in a month and the virus is hitting African Americans harder than other races.

×