THE CASH STUFF 04-02-20

WHAT IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE COVID-19,

BUT DON’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE?

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

The story that is everyone’s worst nightmare.

On March 18th, a 17-year-old teen in Los Angeles County, Ca., suffering from respiratory problems, went to a nearby urgent care center for treatment. But because the young man did not have health insurance, he was refused, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

Instead, he was sent to a nearby hospital, where the teen later died.

The Los Angeles County Health Department initially reported that the teen died as a result of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), but later backtracked, saying more confirmation was needed.

Still, whether the boy had COVID-19 or not, the fact remains, the first place of healing he rushed to rejected him because he was uninsured.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2018, 30.1 million Americans under the age of 65 do not have health insurance. Before the COVID-19 crisis, that fact was considered unacceptable.

But now, in the midst of one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, especially for poor communities of color, that fact could be life-threatening.

Here in North Carolina, just over one million had no health insurance per the latest figures from 2018, according to the U.S. Census.

So what should anyone who suspects they or a loved one has COVID-19 do if it becomes clear they need medical attention, and do not have health insurance?

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, “Call your nearest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). If you feel you may have COVID-19, be sure to disclose that when you call to obtain an appointment. FQHCs are community-based health care providers that receive federal funds to provide needed health services in communities across the state.”

Go to https://www.ncchca.org/health-centers/find-a-health-center/ to locate the FQHC in your area.

“If you are not able to be seen at an FQCH, call your local health department (https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/county-health-departments). Free and charitable clinics may also be able to provide assistance. A map of these resources, including contact information, is provided by the Office of Rural Health.

If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or call ahead then go to the Emergency Room. https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/testing-and#individuals-without-health-insurance,-who-are-not-feeling-well,-should.

For people who think they might have COVID-19 and have mild symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends they stay home and call their doctor if you need medical advice. Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild illness and recover at home. NCDHHS has developed a fact sheet to help North Carolinians know what to do if they are sick. Share the Fact Sheet (https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/documents/files/covid-19/C19-PatientGuidance-3.23.20-FINAL--003-.pdf).

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4TH CIRCUIT APPELLATE COURT

GRANTS NC LEGISLATIVE MOTION

IN VOTER ID CASE

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

On March 27th, by  a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals granted a motion by North Carolina Speaker of the House Tim Moore, and NC Senate President pro Tem Phillip Berger to intervene in a lawsuit brought by the NC NAACP and six local NAACP branches against members of the State Board of Elections, alleging that the 2018 voter photo identification law, passed by the Republican-led NC General Assembly in 2018, was “racially discriminatory in it’s intent.”

“The order allows the Speaker of the House [Moore] and the Senate Leader [Berger] to intervene in the litigation as defendants,” said atty. Irving Joyner, chair of the NC NAACP Legal Redress Committee.

“As such, they are able to fully participate in future proceedings along with [state Attorney Josh Stein on behalf of the Legislature. This will probably result in some delays in the proceedings.”

“As it stands now,” atty Joyner continued, “…the trial of this matter in on the [Middle] District Court Schedule for January 2021.’

Will the NC NAACP appeal the U.S. Fourth Circuit order. Atty. Joyner says that decision “is on our agenda.”

It was December 31, 2019 when Federal Judge Loretta Biggs informed the NC NAACP that she was granting a preliminary injunction against the 2018 voter ID law passed by the state legislature, thus disallowing it to be used during the March 3rd, 2020 primaries. 

A few days later, her order was released, citing “racially discriminatory intent” in the passage of Senate Bill 824.  State Attorney General Stein, on behalf of the NC Board of Elections, indicated that he would appeal Judge Biggs’ ruling for trial, but would allow the injunction to stand for the primaries as to not cause confusion with early voting and absentee balloting slated to begin shortly.

But Republican legislative leaders, who were originally not allowed to intervene, or become defendants in the lawsuit, persisted in demanding that they be considered. 

They failed to do so before the March 3rd primaries, but now will most likely be included as defendants for the January 2021 federal court. That means, however, that voter ID still will not be allowed for the November 3rd general elections.

Ironically, on March 26th - the day before the Fourth Circuit order came down - the conservative pro voter ID group, the Voter Integrity Project NC, Inc. - filed a “memorandum in support of motion to intervene” in federal court, also seeking to become a defendant to fight against the NC NAACP lawsuit.

No ruling was made on that motion by press time.

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STATE NEWS BRIEFS FOR APRIL 2, 2020

DURHAM REP. MARYANN BLACK, 76, DIES

[DURHAM] She was a longtime Durham County commissioner and social worker, well respected and regarded both in her community, and in the state legislature, where she was appointed to serve in 2017. Rep. MaryAnn Black, 76, died last week. Reportedly she was being treated for cancer. NC Democratic Party Chair Wayne Goodwin said of Rep. Black, “She proudly served her local community long before joining the General Assembly and was committed to improving the lives of all North Carolinians – from raising wages to advocating for environmental justice to addressing the opioid epidemic.”

SEN. BURR’S STOCK TRANSACTIONS BEING PROBED BY U.S. JUSTICE DEPT AND SEC

[WASH. D.C.] U.S. Sen. Richard Burr is staring down the barrel of more than just a Senate ethic investigation per allegations that he cashed in $1.7 million worth of stock right before the COVID-19 stock market crash in February, based on classified government information. Published reports now say Burr, who leaves office in 2022, is being probed by the U.S. Justice Dept., and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Burr has countered that his stock trees were solely based on public information, but a tape of an address he gave to wealthy donors contradicts that claim. Burr has been urged to resign.

NC ELECTIONS BOARD MAY MAKE ELECTION DAY A HOLIDAY

[RALEIGH] Last week the NC Board of Elections agreed to recommend to the NC General Assembly several changes to election law in light of the COVID-19 crisis. One of the changes suggested is to make the Nov. 3rd General Election Day a state holiday, which would expand the pool of potential Election Day volunteers from the elderly, to students and teachers. Lawmakers said they will consider the list.

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THE CASH STUFF FOR 03-26-20

                                                   DR. JOSEPH L. GRAVES, JR.

NC A&T BIOLOGIST TELLS

TRUTH ABOUT COVID-19

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

We’ve seen many an expert doctor or scientist on television, lately explaining why, in their view, the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, is one of the most formidable biological infestations the world has ever had to deal with.

And virtually all of them have been either white, or from another country.

All but one, and his name is Dr. Joseph Graves, Jr., an African-American professor of Biological Sciences at NC A&T University in Greensboro.

Appearing earlier this week on the digital “Roland Martin Unfiltered” show, Dr. Graves - considered a widely published leading scholar in the social construction of race, and human aging - peeled back the mysteries of COVID-19, and warned that the mutating viral infestation is presenting more challenges than previously known, especially for poor communities of color.

CAN COVID-19 LIVE ON SURFACES FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME?

Yes, says Dr. Graves, approximately up to 72 hours, so the key to handling boxes, containers  or packages is maintaining personal sanitation - thoroughly washing both sides of your hands, in between fingers and nails with soap. If you get packaging in the mail, leave it and/or open it outside of your hime if you can, take out the contents and discard it afterwards. Certainly disinfect the contents if possible.

Even go so far as to empty the contents of a box of cereal, or packaged meat, into cleaned containers that you know and trust.

Best protection, Dr. Graves said, is to assume the worst when you come in contact with anything from outside your home, use soap and water religiously, and keep your hands clean after very handling. Make sure you never touch your nose or your eyes, key entry points for viral infections.

IS PLAIN SOAP AND WATER BETTER THAN ANTI-BACTERIAL CLEANERS FOR VIRAL  DISINFECTING?

Yes, because anti-bacterial cleaners normally don’t work as well against viruses as soap and water does. 

WHAT ARE MUTATING VIRUSES (LIKE COVID-19)?

Viruses are nonliving genetic codes that are wrapped inside of a protein shell, Dr. Graves says.  They become rogue genetic codes that copy themselves at the expense of the host organism (humans in this case). The protein machinery that replicates the DNA,  or RNA in the case of the coronavirus, is incapable of doing that perfectly. “Those mistakes we call mutations,” Graves says,”and that’s what drives the evolution of viruses. 

“The viruses that have the ability to replicate inside of the cells of their hosts, are the ones that persist and go on to infect most hosts. And that’s simply the way all genetic systems work - replication, mutation, natural selection,” Dr. Graves continued, “And that’s what’s happening with the coronavirus.”

CAN VIRUSES BE STOPPED?

Viruses, like bacteria, naturally develop evolutionary resistances to anything created to control them. As long as there are plants, and animals (and humans), there will be viruses, says Dr. Graves. The problem comes when a new wave of viruses hits a specie…like the 1918 pandemic that killed 50 million worldwide, and now, the novel coronavirus, which Dr. Graves says “has [that] capacity.”

         SOUTH KOREA AND THE UNITED STATES REPORTED THEIR FIRST CASES OF COVID-19 ON THE SAME DAY IN JANUARY, YET, WHILE SOUTH KOREA SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN IT’S PANDEMIC UNDER CONTROL DUE TO IMMEDIATE MEASURES TAKEN TO ADDRESS IT, THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT. WHY?

“Part of the reason why we were unprepared for this is because the administration that currently resides in Washington [D.C.], didn’t listen to scientists,” said Dr. Graves. “It has hampered the ability of scientists to do their job in regard to the danger that now the world is facing.”

THERE IS TALK FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. ABOUT ENDING MANY OF THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS LIKE SOCIAL DISTANCING, SOONER THAN LATER. PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS EVEN CITED EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 12TH. IF THAT HAPPENS, HOW CAN PEOPLE STILL KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE?

“What I said earlier in the program is always going to be your best friend with regard to personal sanitation (the thorough washing of hands with soap and water),  being careful about what you touch, when you touch it, and going near your eyes and nose,” Dr. Graves said. “Even before this specific virus, that was always good practice.”

YOU AND OTHER SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN WARNING FOR YEARS ABOUT COMING VIRAL PANDEMICS.

“This corona outbreak is just one of many that we’re going to experience, particularly as the human population grows, as more people are packed into less space,” says Dr. Graves. “We’ve created the conditions by which viruses and bacterial disease, have basically a windfall opportunity to spread themselves. So this is something that is not going away, so we need to change the way we live, and we need to do it soon.”

WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

“One of the unintended side-effects of income inequality is creating a reservoir of …homeless people, and incarcerated people, who are always going to be the target of these viral and bacteria diseases, because of the conditions that they have to live in. But those people also come in contact with services where rich people are. So if [rich people] think they are going to be safe, you know, cloister themselves in their own communities, while allowing the majority of the [poor] people in this country to go homeless or under-employed, or thrown in jail, then they’ve got things absolutely wrong,” said Dr. Graves.” It’s even in their bet interest to have places or people to live…people with employment that is meaningful. It is important for us to end mass incarceration. Epidemiologically, it’s a terrible idea.”

HOW HAS COVID-19 EXPOSED THE WEAKNESSES WE HAVE IN OUR MEDICAL SYSTEM?

“We don’t have enough trained doctors. We don’t have enough hospital beds. We don’t have enough equipment, ventilators. Doctors in New York City are already making triage decisions about which patient gets a ventilator, and which does not.”

Dr. Graves continued,” Since the focus of our conversation is people of African descent in the United States and other underserved communities, these kind of tribulations are going to be visited more so in there health care infrastructure. The effect of this kind of pandemic is going to be even more devastating on the poorest people in this nation.”

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                                                          SEN. RICHARD BURR

SEN. BURR STOCK ALLEGATIONS

HOT POLITICAL ISSUE

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

It is one of those political scandals that has hit a deep nerve with everyone who is suffering from the impact the dreaded novel coronavirus has had on everyone’s lives.

North Carolina’s senior Republican U.S. Senator Richard Burr - chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and best known in the black community for blocking the nomination of former NC Supreme Court Associate Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson for the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals - allegedly used confidential information obtained from U.S. intelligence officials in mid-February about the projected dire impact COVID-19 would have on the American economy before the general public knew, and cashed out of an estimated $1.72 million in stock holdings before the stock market began to tumble shortly after.

Critics charge that Burr knew what was coming, and did not warn the American people at-large, but only a group of rich North Carolina business leaders, part of which was caught on a secret tape recording.

“There’s one thing that I can tell you about this: It is much more aggressive in its transmission than anything that we have seen in recent history. “ a voice identified as Burr is heard clearly saying. “It is probably more akin to the 1918 pandemic.”

Once the full scope of the allegations became clear, even normally conservative allies, like Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, openly called for Sen. Burr’s head, demanding that “He must resign.”

Progressive NY Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez has also demanded that Burr step down.

On Monday, a shareholder in Wyndham Hotels and Resorts sued Burr in federal court for “…[using] private information to motivate a mass liquidation of his assets. It is illegal for senators to use nonpublic information in conducting securities exchanges,” Politico reported.

A number of newspaper editorials across North Carolina have also called for Sen. Burr to resign.

Burr and aides in his Senate office have countered that he’s done nothing wrong, and have called for a Senate Ethics investigation. He is among four U.S. senators - three whole are Republicans, including the wife of the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange - accused of using their powerful political positions and access to intelligence briefings to benefit themselves right before the recent stock market downturn.

But Burr’s case has clearly drawn the most political fire.

“Senator Richard Burr knew coronavirus was going to hurt our country,” stated N.C. Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley, Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, in a recent campaign petition.

“But instead of taking action warn North Carolinians and prepare us before COVID-19 been top spread, he pulled over a million dollars out of the stock market - a week before it crashed.”

Rep. Lewis Holley’s campaign continued, “We know now that Burr was receiving daily classified briefings about the severity of the coronavirus pandemic. But when the trump administration claimed that the virus was confined, he kept quiet.”

“Join us to demand that Richard Burr resign immediately,” the campaign letter urged. “We need leaders with integrity that we can trust in these times. Add you name to tell Burr to step down. It is up to us to hold our elected officials accountable during this time of crisis.”

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                                                 REV, DR, CARDES BROWN, JR.

THE BLACK CHURCH’S ROLE

DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

Confusion reigns across the nation as thousands of new COVID-19 cases are being reported; the national death rate climbs above 600; politicians angrily fight one another as the economy crumbles; and the president, against all scientific advice, vows to defeat the viral infestation in weeks, not months.

Incredibly, the elderly are being urged by the lieutenant governor of Texas to give their lives to save the nation’s economy; school systems and businesses are shuttered,  and gatherings of 50 people or more are not permitted, not even for Sunday worship services.

Is this the biblical “end of times” as once predicted? Like the devastating 1918 plague that killed 50 million people the world over, is the novel coronavirus a message from GOD that, once again, He is not pleased with man, or his defiant behavior?

One of North Carolina’s oldest, and most revered Baptist ministers, the Reverend Dr. Cardes H. Brown, Jr., Senior Pastor of New Light Missionary Baptist Church in Greensboro for over forty-three years; local NAACP chapter president, and a disciple of the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., says there is no question in his mind, or his faith, that GOD is telling His children something. 

“We’re living in a time where the disparities that exist in our society are amplified, and certainly visualized,” Dr. Brown says, noting that the COVID-19 crisis is forcing Americans to recognize those disparities, if not ultimately address them.

Rev. Brown cites II Chronicles 7:14,  If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

“It seems to me that there are things that we, as believers, recognize in this pandemic. It’s a global situation….and if nothing else is realized through this coronavirus, [it should be that] all people are responsible to each other.”

Unlike many churches across the state that have cancelled their Sunday services or have streamed them online in the face of Gov. Roy Cooper’s original order that no more than 100 people could congregate in one area (recently the governor has reduced that to no more than fifty in order to contain the COVID-19 spread), Pastor Brown says New Light Missionary has both complied with the governor’s order, yet still had service for smaller congregations within the order’s boundaries.

“For those who do come to service, we will observe social distancing,” the Rocky Mount native added, referring to the prescribed six-foot space health officials have recommended individuals should maintain between themselves and others while in public to reduce viral spread.

And for those who feel safer staying sheltered, New Light Missionary’s services are being streamed as well.

Rev. Brown is urging all of his church family group members to stay in touch with one another to make sure they remain close, and help share both emotional and spiritual support during the course of the COVID-19 crisis.

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NAACP ENCOURAGES BLACK CENSUS WEEK

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the NAACP is cautioning African Americans to check their mailer their U.S. Census form. That form will have a special code that they will use to fill out at my2020census.gov an online questionaire that will then be submitted electronically. It is important that the every black family is counted ensure that adequate federal funding is appropriated to black communities across the state and nation to fund important projects such as roads, schools and more.

COOPER DIRECTS FUNDING TO SCHOOLS TO FEED STUDENTS DURING COVID-10 CRISIS

[RALEIGH] Governor Cooper directed $50 million in school funding flexibility to help public schools and support the greatest needs to serve students during the COVID-19 crisis. Governor Cooper has ordered North Carolina public schools to remain closed to in-class instruction through May 15. The State Board of Education (SBE) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will establish a new $50 million flexible allotment for public school units to address COVID-19-related expenses.This allotment is comprised of unused funds from the current and previous school years as well as the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund.

GOVERNOR COOPER REQUESTS MAJOR DISASTER RELIEF DECLARATION FOR COVID-19

[RALEIGH] In a letter to President Trump, Governor Roy Cooper has requested a major disaster declaration for the State of North Carolina due to the continuing impacts of COVID-19 on North Carolina. “It’s important that we help North Carolinians stay protected from the health impacts of COVID-19 and recover economically from the financial impacts this crisis is having on our state,” Cooper said. n requesting the major disaster declaration, Governor Cooper asked the federal government to provide individual assistance for those affected, including crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and Small Business Administration assistance, among other programs.

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THE CASH STUFF FOR 03-19-20

STATE NEWS BRIEFS FOR 03-19-20

CHAIN STORES ESTABLISH SPECIAL  ELDERLY SHOPPING HOURS

[RALEIGH] In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, major grocery chains have set up special hours for the elderly to come and do their shopping. Chains like Whole Foods, Dollar General, and Target are allowing persons 60 years of age and older to shop at least one hour before they open their doors to the general public. Many of those store are also closing early to allow more time for deep cleaning of their facilities. Check a stories website for more details.

NORTH CAROLINA LISTS 63 POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES AS OF WEDNESDAY

[RALEIGH]  Sixty-three patients have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus as of Wednesday of this week, state health officials say. On Tuesday, the number of known cases were 40. At that rate, the state could easily see it’s 100th case by this weekend. Experts say now that more testing is being done, expect the number of COVID-19 cases to rise dramatically in the coming weeks.

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE BLASTS LT. GOV. FOREST FOR COUNTERING COOPER’S ORDER

[RALEIGH] A spokesperson for Gov. Roy Cooper blasted Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest to alleging publicly that Cooper did not have the authority top order the closing of bars and restaurants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Spokesperson Sadie Weiner said, ‘ it’s one thing o disagree. It’s another to create a chaotic situation in the middle of a pandemic. The Governor is taking action to protect the health and safety of North Carolinians and does not need concurrence. The Governor and the Secretary of DHHS have the authority to do this under state public health and emergency powers law.” Rep. Yvonne Lewis Holley, Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor in November, confirmed that Gov. Cooper has the legal authority do what is necessary to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the public. “I stand with him,” she said.

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DO THE U.S. CENSUS

RACE/GENDER QUESTION

DEFAULT TO “WHITE” & “MALE”

IF YOU REFUSE TO ANSWER?

By Cash Michaels

Staff writer

A New Hanover County commissioner sent a “formal request’ to the director of the U. S. Census Bureau last month, asking if it was true if a citizen refused to answer a question about either their race or gender, the survey would automatically default to “white” and “male.”

“I write to you as a member of the New Hanover county Board of Commissioners and as the co-chairman of the New Hanover County Complete Count Committee,” Com. Barfield wrote to Steven Dillingham, director of the U.S. Census Bureau on March 11th.

“During our March 5th Complete Count Committee meeting, we were alarmed to learn from our Census Bureau partners that a person who declines to answer the survey’s questions regarding  racial background and gender would be defaulted to “white” and “male,” Barfield continued.

“As an African-American man who is a leader in this community, I found the revelation troubling and something I sincerely hope the census Bureau will reconsider,” Barfield continued. “Our committee consists of community leaders from a variety of races and ethnic backgrounds.”

“Every member was shocked to learn this development.”

But what is the U.S. Census?

As mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, the country conducts a headcount of it’s population once every ten years.

“The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data,” the U.S. Census website states.

“The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts,” the U.S. Census website states.

Thus, the reason why Com. Barfield was so concerned about what was discussed during his committee meeting.

Defaulting non-answers to “white” and “male”could skew the data that will be used for the next ten years to determine federal spending and representation, Barfield wrote.

So is the census survey allegation true?

According to a statement from the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau, no.

“There is no automatic default for missing responses to the race and sex questions, the Census Bureau said. “Questionnaires with incomplete information are still counted, but we highly encourage people to fill out the census as completely and accurately as possible.”

“In the 2020 Census we are planning to use administrative information, such as from some federal and state records or previous census responses, to fill in missing data.  We may also use other information provided about the household or persons living in the household. As a last resort, we use statistical techniques to impute for missing responses. The only way to ensure we tabulate the choice that most closely aligns with how you identify is for you to respond.”

Com. Barfield did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

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NC DHHS DEVELOPS WEB PAGE

TO HELP DISADVANTAGED 

COMMUNITIES DURING COVID-19

CRISIS

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

As COVID-19  continues to spread across North Carolina, revealing more and more cases. the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services has developed a useful webpage to assists communities in dealing with the crisis, providing access to needed resources, and updating ever-evolving health policies.

That webpage address is https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina.

For detailed guidance on specific areas  of interest and concern, please refer to the following webpages per category:

Business and Employers

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/businesses-employers

Colleges and Universities, K-12 Schools,  Childcare Centers

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/covid-19-colleges

Community, Faith-based Organizations, Mass Transit and Mass Gatherings

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/community-events

Correctional Facilities, First Responders, Migrant Farm Workers and People with Disabilities

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/community-events

Human Service Providers, Homeless Shelters, and Syringe Service Providers

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/human-services

Health Care Providers, Hospitals and Laboratories

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/health-care

Local Health Departments

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/local-health-departments

Long-Term Facilities

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/covid-19-long-term

Malls and Shopping Centers

https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/documents/files/covid-19/NC-Interim-Guidance-for-Malls-and-Shopping-Centers-3-14-20.pdf

Public-facing Agencies and Businesses

https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/documents/files/covid-19/Interim-Guidance-for-Public-Facing-Businesses-and-Agencies-3-14-20.pdf

Restaurants and Bars

https://files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/documents/files/covid-19/NC-Interim-Guidance-for-Restaurants-and-Bars-3-14-20.pdf

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BLACK COMMUNITY WRESTLES

WITH COVID-19 PANDEMIC

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

When Gov. Roy Cooper ordered no public gatherings of 100 or more people in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), black churches across the state knew they immediately had a problem.

“I’m going to just say it,” opined one prominent North Carolina black minister on Facebook. “Science has defeated faith in America, as of this day! These cancellations are too much. Megachurches, I understand. But your 20, 30, 50 member churches are small groups, to an extent anyway. For those size churches, maybe divide into smaller groups, A, B, and, C. Groups of 10 or 20 folks could have a more devotional type worship together in different spots of the church such as Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Bible Study Classroom. Come on, people of faith!”

Still, many black churches last weekend posted notices on their websites, advising their congregations and visitors that because of the health crisis, their services were either temporarily cancelled, or would be live-streamed online so that they could be watched from home.

“Coronavirus Update,” bellowed the full screen advisory for Guilford  Baptist Church in Greensboro. “Our region is being impacted by the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) illness. Federal and state health officials have advised local organizations to minimize public gatherings as this is one of the primary venues by which this virus spreads.”

The Guilford Baptist Church website advisory continued, “It is imperative that organizations loo to the health of their members as well as take whatever steps are necessary to avoid overwhelming the healthcare system. Out of concern for our congregation and guests, Guilford Baptist is implementing the following changes effective March 13, 2020 through at least March 29th, 2020.”

The advisory went on to announce that all church activities other than Sunday Morning Worship had been suspended, and the church campus would be closed except for 10:30 a.m. worship service, which would be streamed later at 3 p.m. online.

“Because this illness disproportionately impacted the elderly, those with chronic respiratory conditions, cardiac disease and other chronic illnesses, those in this category are encouraged to consider staying home.”

No doubt, with states, including North Carolina, increasing restrictions on public movements and gatherings, the African-American community is feeling the heat as well. Schools statewide have been ordered closed. Major grocery stores are closing earlier in order to limit access and provide more off-time for cleaning.

Local community centers and public buildings have been closed. District court cases postponed. People have been ordered to work from home.

But most importantly, black communities have a disproportionate rate of poverty and poor health - both interchangeably undermining the other generationally, health experts say.  Couple that with undernourished young people and a plethora of elderly residence, and COVID-19 serves to ascorbate an already tentative health desert.

With mostly large families already occupying small spaces in urban public housing or in rural communities, following advisories of the constant washing of hands, and covering coughs or sneezes, is about the best the can be done to safeguard the further spread of the virus in poorer communities of color.

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THE CASH STUFF FOR 03-12-20

STATE NEWS BRIEFS OR 03-12-20

NHC SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY RESIGNS

[WILMINGTON] Saying that he’s been subjected to “extreme harassment and attempts at intimidation by several members of the public,” Wayne Bullard, attorney for the New Hanover County School Board, submitted his resignation as general counsel, effective March 17th. Bullard had apparently recorded several speakers during a March 3rd public hearing “who were attacking me’ he continued. Bullard maintained in his letter that he had the right to protect himself.

191 TO BE LAID OFF BY VIDANT HEALTH

[GREENVILLE] Thanks to an $18 million budget shortfall, 200 employees are scheduled to be laid off by Vidant Health, according to published reports. According to an email from Chief Executive Dr. Michael Waldrum. He said that the layoffs would be in the business and administration side of the health care corporation. “While beds are full and patient volumes are up, net revenue has declined and costs associated with serving our mission have increased. This resulted in an $18 million budget shortfall …”

UNIVERSITIES READY TO CANCEL CLASSES BECAUSE OF COVID-19

[RALEIGH] Administrators at Shaw University in Raleigh and Campbell University in Buies Creek say if more and more cases of COVID-19 become evident in the state, they are prepared to cancel classes on campus, and conduct courses online instead. They are also prepared to do the same with students who are quarantined after return from foreign studied.

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HBCU GRADUATIONS - ARE THEY 

PREPPING FOR COVID-19

PREVENTION SPREAD?

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

Now that winter is just about over, many are preparing for the warm spring and summer months, and the traditional activities that come with them.

But right now, literally as you read this, the sponsors of many of those upcoming events are wondering if they’ll even happen at all, or if they do, how, all because of the ever-increasing threat of COVID-19…the novel coronavirus.

In the black community, where every week, people hug and greet each other weekly at church or social/civic events, graduations are on the horizon both in secondary schools, HBCUs and larger universities throughout May and June.

Tens of thousands of people, particularly families, will be coming to or through North Carolina, to take part.

What can, or is being done to safeguard against COVID-19 transmission in settings where joyous hugging, kissing, and vigorous handshaking are essential parts of the occasion? According to the U.S. Centers and Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is most commonly transmitted by close contact, person to person, via respiratory droplets (coughs, sneezes0 within six feet, or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

A quick review of HBCU campus websites in North Carolina found St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh; North Carolina Central University in Durham; N.C. A&T University in Greensboro; Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville; and Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, as the only HBCUs out of ten across the state, to have COVID-19 advisories on their websites where they could be easily found.

Several of the schools have advised students coming back from international studies in China, Italy and other foreign countries known to be fighting COVID-19 spread, to self-quarantine  for 14 days upon return. All other students are advised to follow CDC guidelines in COVID-19 prevention.

And when it comes to those guidelines for large gatherings and events like graduations, the CDC has issued “interim guidance.”

“As the COVID-19 outbreak evolves, CDC strongly encourages event organizers and staff to prepare for the possibility of outbreaks in their communities. Creating an emergency plan for mass gatherings and large community events can help protect you and the health of your event participants and local community.’

The CDC guidance continues, “If possible, identify a space that can be used to isolate staff or participants who become ill at the event. Designate a space for staff and participants who may become sick and cannot leave the event immediately. Work with partners, such as local hospitals, to create a plan for treating staff and participants who do not live nearby. Include a plan for separating and caring for vulnerable populations.’

[Go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html our more].

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COOPER DECLARES COVID-19

NC STATE OF EMERGENCY

by Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in response to growing cases of the novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19.

During a noon press conference, Cooper said the declaration allows state officials “increased flexibility in responding to containing the spread of the virus.”

As of press time Tuesday, there were seven known COVOD-19 cases in North Carolina.

Dr. Mandy Cohen, state Health and Human Services Secretary, advised that those most vulnerable to the disease - the elderly who have weakened immune systems - should remain home if they feel ill, and should not travel, and avoid large groups. She added that currently, officials see no need to order a curtailment of large gatherings or events, as long as sanitary precautions are observed such as washing one’s hands frequently, covering one’s face when sneezing or coughing, or no touching of one’s face.

Officials also want event organizers to adopt lenient refund policies for those who cancel out on attending an event.

Dr. Cohen added that, for now, they see no reason to call for the closure of schools , but with the situation across the stat rapidly changing, that will warrant constant monitoring.

For more information about the COVID-19 crisis in North Carolina, please go to https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina.

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2020 NC PRIMARY ELECTION

BREAKDOWN

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

Early voting was key to victory for many Democratic candidates in the March 3rd 2020 primaries, according to “VoteTracker,” and online election project by the conservative Civitas Institute, using data from the North Carolina Board of Elections.

Per the One Stop early voting period between Feb. 13th - 29th, 801,708 early ballots were cast, which the largest share between Thursday Feb. 27th and Saturday Feb. 29th. 

Of that number, Democrats cast 380,326; Republicans 204,587 and unaffiliated cast 215, 660.

        In terms of race, 587,760 early ballots were cast by whites; 173,602 by African-Americans and 33,315 undesignated. 

Female out balloted males, 435, 830 to 341, 320. Genderwise. 24,558  were undesignated.

The congressional district with the most early votes cast was District 4 in Wake County.

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