ONE MONTH AFTER DEATH
OF REV. SPEARMAN, NO WORD
AS TO CAUSE
By Cash Michaels
An analysis
Friday, August 19th marks one month since the death of former NC NAACP President Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman, 71. To date, there has been no official explanation for how he died, or why he died, and many want to know.
Thus far, there’s been no reward-ladened Crimestoppers pronouncement for anyone with information to step forward and share with authorities what they know.
Here’s what we do know.
It was just after 5 p.m., on Tuesday, July 19th, when Rev. Spearman’s lifeless body was found in the basement of his Guilford County home, stretched out on a couch, amid a large pool of blood nearby.
That description came from a close associate of Dr. Spearman’s who went to his home, and was let in by a close, concerned relative who arrived at the same time looking for the civil rights leader when he failed to attend a 2 p.m. Guilford County Board of Elections meeting earlier, or answer repeated calls to his house. Dr. Spearman had been home alone for several days. His wife, Janice, was away in Detroit, Michigan reportedly with her ailing mother.
The last time Rev, Spearman was seen or heard from was during a Zoom call the night before, which reportedly ended at approximately 10 p.m.., a colleague told this reporter.
That likely means that Dr. Spearman allegedly lost his life either that night, Monday, July 18th, or during the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 19th.
There’s little doubt that the Guilford County Sheriff’s investigators handling Dr. Spearman’s case know all of the above, if not a lot more.
Those investigators know for certain whether this was a homicide (sources have indicated that it allegedly was), and by now, know approximately what time Dr. Spearman expired, and what the cause was.
They know because Dr. Spearman’s body was released a week after his death for his August 2nd funeral, which means the coroner’s office had the opportunity to exam his body prior to August 2nd to provide the sheriff’s office with most of the clues it needed.
And yet, a month after the his death, Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers remains tightlipped as to what happened, how it happened, who might be a person of interest, and whether to expect a break in the case.
Observers note that there may be very good reasons for the radio silence on Sheriff Rogers’ part, but that does not explain at least the how (was Dr. Spearman murdered?) or best estimation of when.
When called Monday for comment, Sheriff Rogers indicated that he was waiting on the medical examiner to state conclusively how Rev. Spearman died, and that sometimes it could take as many as three months for the answer.
Observers ask, "Then why not tell the public that?
Past cases have shown us that when the M.E. takes a month to three months to make a determination of death in a case, it’s usually because a toxicology test is involved.
But the large pool of blood seen by the person who discovered Spearman’s body does not suggest poison, but rather a blunt force attack of some sort. Perhaps a blow to the head, or stabbing, or gunshot. Was there a wound of any sort evident on Dr. Spearman’s body?
One fact is clear…30 days later, and the people who loved Rev. Spearman, and revered his work for civil and human rights still don’t know
It was Spearman’s attorney, Mark Cummings, who said on the record on July 22nd that both he and the family hoped that state authorities would “assist” the Guilford County Sheriff’s Dept. in its investigation.
At press time, there is no word that the State Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the probe of the death of Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman.
Rev. Spearman was a leader who stood strong for justice for others in life.
Those he led in that struggle are now seeking justice in knowing that a truthful explanation of his passing is forthcoming.
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REP. ALMA ADAMS (D-NC-12)
REP. ADAMS TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
On August 14th, the office of 12th District Congresswoman Alma Adams sent out the following notice:
“This morning I tested positive for COVID-19 and am experiencing mild symptoms. I quarantined immediately following the diagnosis. I have received four doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, so I am thankful for the protection that the vaccine provides. I am following the advice of my doctor and resting to ensure a strong recovery. Thank you to all of my colleagues, friends and family for their love and support at this time.”
Adams represents Charlotte and Mecklenburg Country, North Carolina in the United States House of Representatives. She is currently serving her fourth full term as a Member of Congress. Due to the yearly August district work period, the House and the Senate are not expected to convene for votes again until September.
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NCDHHS: 70% OF NC
MONKEY POX CASES
ARE BLACK MEN
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
Because of the “structural inequities of healthcare,” the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported that as of August 8th, “…70% of [111 monkeypox] cases are in Black men [in North Carolina, [and] Black North Carolinians are receiving less than a quarter of the vaccinations.”
NCDHHS further notes that so far, 19% of the 111 cases are in White males..
State health officials have also noted that Mecklenburg County has had more monkeypox cases than any other, with at least 60 thus far.
“We know that Mecklenburg County has been the epicenter where we’ve seen the most cases in North Carolina,” N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley said during a press conference last week. “Now is not the time for anxiety. It’s a time for action.”
Mecklenburg has been the only county to report more than ten cases so far.
There have been no cases of women or children recorded in North Carolina, but there have been six cases of children since July reported recently in Maine, Indiana, and California. Children under the age of 8 are considered by the U.S. centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at "increased risk" for developing a more severe illness if infected," reported ABC News.
In terms of protective vaccinations, 3,048 people have received monkeypox vaccine, but African-Americans have only received 24% of those vaccinations (whites have gotten 67%).
According to NCDHHS, “nearly all cases” of monkeypox in North Carolina “are in men who have sex with men.” However, NCDHHS officials are quick to add “Anyone can get monkeypox, most commonly through close skin-to-skin contact. That includes sex, but also non-sexual contact. The period from exposure to first symptoms is usually seven to 14 days but can range from five to 21 days.”
Right now, all cases are in adult males. Sixty-five of the state’s 111 cases are in men 30-49, 41 cases men 18-29, and five cases in men age 50 +.
Only four cases have been found in Hispanics; 21 in. White males, and 78 in Black or African-American males, reports NCDHHS.
As to monkeypox vaccines and vaccinations, “JYNNEOS is a safe and effective monkeypox vaccine,” according to the NCDHHS. “The vaccine requires two doses and it takes 14 days after getting the second dose of JYNNEOS to reach maximum immune protection. People who have already been exposed to monkeypox, but do not have symptoms, can be vaccinated to prevent illness or lead to milder symptoms if it is given within 14 days after exposure.
NCDHHS cautions, however, that “currently, vaccine supply is limited and [NCDHHS is] prioritizing people with monkeypox exposure and at a higher risk of exposure.
Thus far, of the 3,048 vaccine inoculations given in North Carolina as of August 8th, only 719 were to Black or African-American men, according to NCDHHS.
White men received 2,039.
In regard to getting tested for monkeypox in North Carolina, NCDHHS states, “Testing is widely available and encouraged if you had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox, or have symptoms of monkeypox including unexplained bumps, sores, blisters or pimples that look like monkeypox. There is no shortage of tests. People with symptoms should go to their health care provider or local health department. to get tested. Multiple laboratories in NC now offer monkeypox testing including the State Laboratory of Public Health.”
What is NCDHHS doing to “advance equity?’
“Viruses often impact historically marginalized communities first, not because of who they are, but because of systemic inequities that made them vulnerable in the first place.”
NCDHHS furthers that it must understand the epidemiology of the disease (how it spreads), and prioritize resources where most needed to combat it.
All 100 county health departments across North Carolina have received a direct shipment of vaccines directly from the federal government’s’ NCDHHS notes.
Please go to https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/monkeypox/monkeypox-vaccine-locations for more information about where in your county you can obtain a monkeypox vaccination.
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