WSSN Stories

By Dr. Oliver Brooks, pediatrician and CMO, Watts HealthCare 

As California moves into the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, children remain a key component to the state’s SMARTER plan and keeping our communities safe and healthy going forward. Children’s exposure to the virus in schools, social events, and in family settings puts them, their loved ones, and communities at greater risk for infection, making their vaccination more important than ever.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccination rates for children have dropped sharply since earlier the pandemic. The decline has continued as vaccines have now been made available for children and youth 5-17. Recent CDC data shows that, nationally, approximately 9.1 million U.S. children ages 5-11 have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, which is only 32 percent of the age group. In California, the number is even lower at just 19 percent.

To bring it closer to home, Black and African American children in California are the second most likely to die from the virus among Californian’s younger than 18, with 1.2 deaths per 100,000 Black and African American children.

It is important to remember that children remain susceptible. More than 700,000 children and adolescents in California have been infected with COVID-19. There have been more than 6,500 pediatric hospitalizations in our state since July of last year, and we have lost too many young lives since the start of the pandemic. Vaccinations protect kids from the most dangerous impacts of COVID-19, like hospitalization.

Lagging vaccination rates for school-age children means that not only are children at risk for infection, but so are teachers and other school staff, and their families.

We have a long way to go, nationally and in California; and the journey will be only longer if we do not get more of our children fully vaccinated.

Low vaccination rates are a signal of access issues in Black and African American communities. Examples of access issues include lacking transportation to get to an appointment, internet to schedule a vaccination appointment, or not having a primary care physician.

California has taken steps to start to address these barriers to vaccination. By making your appointment on the state’s vaccine portal by visiting MyTurn.ca.gov or calling 1-833-422-4255 and indicating you need help with transportation, the state will call you to arrange an in-home visit or transportation when available. Local pharmacies and community-based clinics are also great resources to get vaccinated near where you live or work.

Fears about vaccine safety are also a factor, with some parents expressing concern that COVID-19 vaccines may harm their child. The COVID-19 vaccines had to undergo rigorous testing and clinical trials to be approved for use, and all tests have deemed the vaccines are safe for children.

Children being vaccinated against COVID-19 is essential for public and population health. However, it is also important for their physical and mental health according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children thrive when they can socialize with their peers as part of their overall health. Being fully vaccinated ensures they can stay healthy for school and play.

For more about COVID-19, including guidance on masking and testing, visit covid19.ca.gov. You should also visit covid19.ca.gov or the CDC.gov more timely, accurate information about the pandemic. To schedule an appointment for a vaccination or a booster, visit MyTurn.ca.gov, or call 1-833-422-4255.

The next phase of COVID-19 is here for California.  By increasing vaccination rates among children and their families, we will help protect them and the entire community from COVID-19 infections.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

As gas and food prices continue to shoot up at a rapid clip, Californians might be hit with sticker shock from another bill that skyrockets later this year: their health insurance premiums.

According to officials at Covered California, monthly premiums for insurance coverage could jump by as much as 100% — or an average of about $70 — for more than 2 million Californians if federal government subsidies provided by the American Rescue Plan are allowed to expire at the end of 2022.

An estimated total of 14 million Americans could be affected by the price increase.

“The American Plan built on the Affordable Care Act and provided more financial help than ever before to help people get covered and stay covered largely in response to the pandemic,” said Peter V. Lee, former Executive Director of Covered California.

Lee was speaking during a press briefing held earlier this month to inform the public about what he sees as an impending crisis if the federal government does not take action.

As a sidenote during that virtual meeting, Lee announced that he was stepping down from Covered California.

In February, the agency’s Board of Directors announced Jessica Altman, former Commonwealth Insurance Commissioner of Pennsylvania, as Covered California’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Lee said funds the federal government currently provides to states to help lower health care premiums for Americans led to record numbers in enrollment across the country, including about 1.8 million new signups in California.

The largest increases in enrollment in California were among African Americans and Latinos.

About 90% of Covered California enrollees have received discounts on their premiums through the program.

“The American Rescue Plan increased affordability by paying a bigger share of consumers’ monthly premiums. As a result, the portion that consumers pay dropped significantly by 23 % nationally and 20 % here in California,” said Lee.

“Those are big drops. That meant that two-thirds of our consumers were eligible for a plan that cost $10 or less,” Lee continued. “For a lower income consumer, low cost is a critical ingredient for getting and keeping coverage.”

Covered California is the Golden State’s federally subsidized public insurance marketplace where individuals and businesses can purchase health care plans.

Lee said nearly $3 billion from the American Rescue plan allowed California to subsidize the insurance costs of more middle-income people. The eligibility window expanded to include Californians earning up to $52,000 as a single person or $106,000 as a family of four.

Before help from the American Rescue Plan kicked in there were hundreds of thousands of Americans paying up to 30 % of their income for insurance, according to Covered California.

If the federal supplement expires, “those who can least afford it would be hit the hardest,” warned lee.

Lee says the program is helping more middle-income people than ever before.

“In California today, about one out of 10 of our subsidized enrollees earn above 400% of the poverty level. They are getting financial help that is needed and meaningful,” said Lee. “Without the extension of the American Rescue Plan, those gains would be wiped away and consumers would be faced with staggering cost increases.”

Lee says if the federal subsidies expire, the loss of funding will also hurt people who do not qualify for the subsidies and pay for insurance at market rates.

For Californians earning more than $52,000 a year, their premiums could increase by an average of more than $270 per month or nearly $3,000 annually.

“As people drop their coverage, the rising premiums would be felt by everyone. When you price people out of coverage, people that drop coverage first are healthy people. If you’re sicker, you keep your coverage,” said Lee.

“What does that mean? If the American Rescue Plans subsidies are not continued, we are very likely to see a premium spike. As health plans say, ‘next year will be the year we have fewer insured people, they are going to be sicker on average, we are going to have to boost our premiums,’” Lee emphasized.

If the U.S. Congress does not act to make the subsidies permanent – or at least to extend them — Californians will first see the new increased amount of their monthly premiums in the fall when they receive their renewal notices for 2023.

Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen IV

Dorjil Apartments is in foreclosure… The San Bernardino west side apartment complex consisting of 34 units was built forty years ago to provide subsidized low-income housing. The foreclosure is based on administrative and financial defaults causing a sales auction to be scheduled for Monday March 21.  It is possible that a thirty-day delay of the sale date may occur. It is possible that the original developer, John Dukes will maintain control of the property.

The dilemma of ownership is a story that must include chapters on property management, property maintenance and customer service… The Dorjils were developed by Vivian Nash and John Duke creating great pride and national accolades for the project and for the Black couple. Dorjil is a great story that deserves to be told, I hope John is writing the book!

The dilemma of homelessness is immanent when one’s housing is in foreclosure.  Where will the people who now occupy the Dorjil apartments, live if the foreclosure sale takes place? Where will they live if present ownership prevails? Those questions both are rooted in the maintenance/condition of the property. The condition of the property is of immediate concern to the residents, and ultimately the responsibility of the owner regardless of who that may be.

Some residents have been withholding rents, they say, because of the property conditions… If new ownership occurs, will the condition of the property be an excuse/reason for tenant displacements during improvements?   If ownership remains the same, will residents pay rents before repairs are made? Will management handle repairs prior to collecting withheld rents? Will residents get evicted? Does the forty-year-old development continue to provide subsidized housing, or will it become the reason for housing trauma that may lead to homelessness?

The residents are organized to withhold rent because of not only maintenance concerns, but also recently about what they consider to be questionable if not illegal rent collection procedures. The management and many of the residents are at odds. I have not heard all the residents but of the dozen or so that I have heard, all of them are upset, saying they don’t trust management!

Distrust is not a good foundation for negotiation. There is a solution… I hope we find it!

By Charlene Muhammad | California Black Media

To mark Women’s History Month, The California Black Women’s Collective (CBWC) honored more than 100 Black women leaders from across the state from different professional backgrounds, including media executives, public health professionals, activists, politicians and more.

The organization also held a series of panel discussions leading up to the celebration and highlighted several policy priorities, including aging and elder care.

The Hon. Cheryl Brown, a retired California Assemblymember and a Commissioner on the California Commission on Aging said 23% of Black women live in poverty, which is the second highest percentage in the U.S. — only behind Native American women.

Brown pointed out that Gov. Gavin Newsom set aside $2 billion for the Master Plan on Aging, a 10-year project, but she questioned, how would the people the money is intended to help access the money. Brown said currently there are not effective systems in place to inform people about the help they need.

The funds, she said, will funnel down through the California Department of Aging down to county agencies.

“That’s why it’s critical to get involved on those levels,” Brown emphasized.

Ahead of Women’s History Month, a group of influential California Black women brought their perspectives together last month in a virtual “fireside chat” to take a broader look at aging and elder care in the Black community.

Whether they were expressing the joys of caring for a loved one or exposing the range of challenges Black women face as they age, the panelists shared useful insights that could shape public health policy or improve ways African American caregivers attend to the needs of aging family members.

“This is our third event as part of the California Black women Empowerment series,” said Yvonne Wheeler, a member of the strategy team of the CBWC. The event was organized in partnership with Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA).

“Our goal is to talk about the issues that are important to Black women in California and today the topic is ‘Black Women Aging With Dignity and Respect.’”

During their remarks, panelists outlined resources Black women need to make sure that their needs are met while elevating some concerning statistics.

“Black women in California have many barriers in their everyday life. As we get older, the issues don’t change. The issues just get more complicated,” said Regina Brown Wilson, moderator of the event and Executive Director of California Black Media.”

“Before COVID-19, we were already experiencing financial hardship, poor health outcomes, and when the pandemic hit, older Black women were among the most vulnerable because of their circumstances, Wilson stated. “Approximately 80% of Black women are breadwinners who earn 40% of the household income. Seventy-four percent of Black women breadwinners are single mothers.”

The panelists were Brown; Sylvia Drew Ivie, Special Advisor to the President, Charles R. Drew University; Delane Sims, Founder and CEO, Senior Moments; and Shavonda Webber-Christmas, Community Benefits Program Manager at LA Care Health Plans. The women helped shed light on issues that Black women experience as they age in their older years.

Webber-Christmas said it is critical to ensure that there are culturally competent providers helping Black women navigate resources available to them and to make sure that they are practicing the self-care they need to maintain long, healthy lives.

“If you’re missing food, your likelihood of being healthy is low. So, we do try to look at the whole person and not just medical needs when we talk about the services that we contract for, or services that we provide grants for. We want those to be holistic,” she said, highlighting some of the wraparound social services LA Care provides to the people it serves.

“I think that when we talk about older women, we’re not talking about someone who just became that person,” Webber-Christmas added.  We’re talking about someone, if you look over the life course of the individual, it’s incremental. What we are doing today determines what we experience in later life.”

Sims spoke about the experiences of Black women who live longer and the various challenges they face as caregivers.  Her own father lived to be 115 years old, she shared. Sims said taking care of him became a challenge as his other caregivers aged.

“It was daunting to say the least, to be sort of thrust into caregiving and not being prepared, but just feeling like it was something I absolutely needed to do to honor my mother and certainly my stepfather. But that is also one of the challenges,” said Sims.

She encouraged Black women caregivers to seek emotional support, avoid missing meals, talk to someone and even join a support group.

Brown said Black families must take a collective look at caring for their aging loved ones.

“We have to look out for each other,” she said. “It has to be an inter-generational thing.”

Kellie Todd Griffin, convenor of the CBWC said there is an emerging trend of communal living among Black single mothers.

“They are buying homes together. Sharing in the costs of daycare and helping each other out. We have to be creative,” she said.

Griffin said it is also important for Black women to organize.

“We have got to raise our voices and knock on doors. When we show up at the Capitol and in those district offices, that’s when they start listening to us,” she pointed out. “It is important to show up to those town hall meetings that legislators have in their communities.”

By Joe W. Bowers | California Black Media

This weekend, the California Democratic Party, for the first time in state history, endorsed three Black candidates for statewide office at the same convention.

Delegates attending the virtual convention threw their support behind Dr. Shirley Weber for Secretary of State; Tony Thurmond for State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI); and Malia Cohen for Controller.

“I’m asking for your ongoing support, running for my first term as Secretary of State. I’m going to fight whatever happens. The democracy that gave me life, gave me opportunity and gave me purpose,” said Weber, who Gov. Newsom appointed Secretary of State in December 2020 after he selected Alex Padilla to replace Kamala Harris in the US Senate when she became Vice President.

96.4% of the delegates attending the convention, themed “We Are California” and held March 4-6, voted to endorse Weber.

The convention attracted more than 3000 Democratic office holders and district delegates to engage each other and mobilize the party faithful as they prepare for the 2022 primary and midterm elections.

Democratic National Convention (DNC) top brass also attended the annual conference, including Vice President Kamala Harris; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12); DNC Chair Jaime Harrison; and members of California’s delegations to the United States Congress, among others.

Rusty Hicks, California Democratic Party Chair, praised the endorsements and admitted the party needs to do more to empower voters — not just engage them.

“Our party over the last two years, actually stood up an organizing department specifically to engage communities across the state on a year-round basis, not just on electoral work, but on important issues and policy work,” Hicks told California Black Media, addressing concerns about the decreasing number of Black men voting for Democratic candidates in elections across the country.

Cohen received endorsement votes from 93.7% of the delegates. Cohen, who is currently President of the state Board of Equalization, was chosen over Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin.

“I’m a proud lifelong Democrat. I’m a proud graduate of Fisk University. We are the alma mater of the great John Lewis. You remember, John Lewis. He was the one that coined the phrase “making good trouble,” she said. “Well, Fisk is the place where I learned the art of making good trouble. A notion that has shaped my career and my public service.”

Thurmond, who was endorsed by 93.7% of the delegates, was elected SPI in 2018 in a close race over his opponent Marshall Tuck. That race was reportedly the most expensive campaign ever for a state education chief.

“In 2018 you endorsed me to serve in this role. I’m before you again asking for your endorsement as I seek re-election to continue the great work to support our six million students in this State,” he said.

Thurmond told Party leadership and delegates – some attending from a production studio in Los Angeles, others mostly participating from home – that he

Lost his only parent to cancer when he was six years old.

“I ended up being raised by a cousin who I met for the first time when I showed up on our doorstep,” he said. “We were raised on the free lunch program, on public assistance and government cheese.”

Thurmond said he found the strength to succeed by his belief in “the promise of education that my teacher shared with me –and saying that my life would be better than it had started.”

Other candidates the delegates endorsed for the June 2022 California primary include: Gavin Newsom for Governor; Eleni Kounalakis for Lt. Governor; Alex Padilla for US Senate; Rob Bonta for Attorney General; Fiona Ma for Treasurer; and Ricardo Lara for Insurance Commissioner.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) Chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) is calling on Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones to resign for “dereliction of duty” and for “breeding a culture of racism, hatred, and ignorance.”

Bradford was commenting on an investigation of Kate Adams, a former Sacramento County sheriff’s captain, who was placed on administrative leave for misconduct, which included the distribution of racially charged text messages, memes, and photographs.

Adams has since retired from the position.

“Former Sacramento County Sheriff’s Captain Kate Adams, acting as the Chief of Police of the Rancho Cordova Police Department under the supervision of Sheriff Jones. is the poster child for law enforcement bias,” Bradford stated.

Bradford, who is also the chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee, added, “for the first time in California, both the Senate and the Assembly Public Safety Committee chairpersons are African Americans. I am concerned, outraged, but not surprised by this behavior.”

“The pervasive, ongoing racism that is rooted in law enforcement and in America is an issue that all people of color should be concerned and outraged by,” he continued.  “This ongoing, blatant racist behavior under Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones stops now.”

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), who is also a member of the CLBC, is the chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

The Greater Sacramento Branch of the NAACP (GSNAACP) asked Bradford to expand the investigation now that Adams has resigned from the Sheriff’s office. RCPD is under contract with the county office and uses deputies to patrol the community.

“Unfortunately, we’ve seen that racist conduct is ignored until it reaches a level that the public becomes aware of it. Similar cases of racist texts between law enforcement officers in Los Angeles, Torrance and San Francisco should have taught us that transparency on this issue is a must,” wrote Betty Williams, Branch President of GSNAACP.

Adams would have been able to seek employment as a law enforcement officer elsewhere in California without a hitch if it were not for Senate Bill (SB) 2. Bradford authored the bill that became California law on Jan. 1, 2022.

SB 2 authorizes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to decertify officers if investigations find they have engaged in serious misconduct.The inquiry into Adam’s actions was called off after she retired but Bradford said she should still be held accountable.

“The investigation of Captain Adams must be completed and if the allegations are found to be confirmed, she should lose her POST certification so that she is unable to be hired by any other law enforcement agency to continue racist and hateful misconduct in another community,” Bradford stated. “In addition, the hundreds — or perhaps thousands — of cases she’s handled over the years, under a climate of bias, must all be reviewed in an independent investigation.”

In a statement, GSNAACP said SB 2 “could not have been achieved without the support of many legislators, community organizations, families, and entertainers” who persistently “advocated non-stop for accountability in our policing system.”

“We use this moment to recognize that social

media messaging is used as a pathway to perpetuate racism while also exposing those who use racism in their positions of power. Rancho Cordova’s Chief Adams had a responsibility to stand against racism and bias,” the statement continued. “Instead, what has been communicated to the GSNAACP is a person who finds the historic and traumatizing use of (high-powered water) hoses against Black people a mockery.”

With a Black population of over 6,800 out of a total of 74,000 residents, Rancho Cordova is 15 miles east of downtown Sacramento. The Adams case is not the first time the CLBC has weighed in on misconduct involving officers of the Rancho Cordova Police Department.

In April 2020, a Rancho Cordova officer was caught on video punching a defenseless 14-year-old boy. The deputy was in the area due to complaints from citizens about hand-to-hand sales of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs to minors.

“The deputy saw what he believed to be a hand-to-hand exchange between an adult and juvenile,” according to an April 2020 statement from the Rancho Cordova Police Department.

“After an administrative investigation (related to the incident), the deputy was terminated from employment,” the sheriff’s office said in a September 2020 written statement.

Bradford said peace officers in California are accountable to the people they serve.

“Our communities must have faith that all law enforcement officers in California are held to the highest standards,” Bradford stated.

By Lou Yeboah

You see, Jesus prophesied to the disciples that there will be wars and rumors of wars. He said, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this MUST take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” [Matthew 24:6-7].

Hear me and hear me good. God has a plan for the End Times. The war between Russia and the Ukraine, is part of the plan. As told in the Bible, the world is moving toward the Tribulation and the Battle of Armageddon. God is preparing the nations. This is the most likely reason for the war between Russia and Ukraine, and God is allowing it. Ultimately, it is part of His plan. God has allowed Russia to invade Ukraine. He knew the events of March 3rd, 2022, before they occurred. He knew the Russian army would attack Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant in Ukraine in the city of Zaporizhian. He knew the fires would erupt during the battle over the nuclear reactor as the Russian invasion continued into its second week. He knew that on the morning of March 4th, the world would learn the reactor was safe, the fires would be extinguished, but the invasion would continue. Because as King David declared in [Psalm 139] God knows everything. It is obvious that God knew about the war before it started, and He continues to know all that will happen. So, why did God allow this war to begin and continue? The question to explore is, “What does the Bible reveal about Russia and Ukraine in the end times?”

The first prophecy that helps to answer the question is [Daniel 11:40-45]. The prophecy describes a series of battles that will occur BEFORE and DURING the Battle of Armageddon. The prophecy refers to the major countries that will be engaged in the Battle of Armageddon. It states that the king of the north and the king of the south will attack Israel. So, who is the king of the north? The prophecy in [Ezekiel 38-39] reveals that most likely it is Russia. These two chapters provide more detailed information about the role of Russia’s army in the battle of Armageddon at the end of the tribulation. Read it. Pick up your Bible and read it. So that you will not be caught off guard as to the things that is YET to come.

Here are His words, “This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations. For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?” [Isaiah 14:26-27]

The message is that God rules over human history. No one can stop His plans. [Isaiah 40:1-23] says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. It is He who reduces rulers to nothing, who makes the judges of the earth meaningless. [Isaiah 40:21-23].

The best example of why God can allow such overwhelming evil, suffering and any circumstance to exist is the crucifixion of Jesus, Himself. The GREATEST wrong, evil and sin EVER committed by any human or humans was when Jesus was crucified. The creation tortured its Creator and then nailed Him to a tree to suffer the most agonizing of deaths. This is the reason God can allow such awful suffering and circumstances to exist in the world: if God can take the GREATEST evil/sin [the Crucifixion] and turn it into the entire creation’s greatest blessings, our salvation, how much ‘easier’ will it be for God, through Jesus, to eventually bring about blessings and a glorious ending from ALL the ‘lesser’ evils, sins and sufferings that exist today, as well as in times past.

No one can frustrate God’s plans. Russia may plan, march, invade, murder, and destroy, but that nation cannot do anything that God does not permit and cause to happen. No President, head of state or ruler of any country can carry out any decision or policy they have made UNLESS God give them ‘permission’ to do so: As [Proverbs 16: 1] state, “Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.” An illustration of this is in [Job 1:6,12; 2:6] where Satan, himself, is shown to be limited ONLY to what God gives him ‘permission’ to carry out. [Job 1:6, 12; 2:6].

My faith is in God not man. What about you?

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

As the cost of gas continues to soar in California, Black leaders, state lawmakers and frustrated citizens are urging Gov. Newsom to take immediate action to decrease high prices at the pump.

Last week, Shane Harris, president of San Diego-based People’s Association of Justice Advocates (PAJA), wrote a letter to Newsom. Harris urged the governor to declare a “state of emergency,” allowing him to cut the gas tax, which Harris believes helps to drive up the cost of gas.

“We are seeing gas at nearly $5.50 a gallon, which is nearly three dollars more than the national average,” Harris said. “I am writing you as someone who works on a daily basis with communities who are already struggling to pay their rent and essentially living check to check.”

PAJA is a national civil rights organization and policy institute founded to direct action with a balanced standard of justice for all no matter their race, religion, criminal record, sexuality, gender status, or citizenship.

Across social media, African Americans are blasting the sharp increases in gas prices. Ellen Nash, a San Diego resident, and chair of the Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC) posted a photo on Facebook of a gas station in Beverly Hills, where reports say fuel is above $6 per gallon.

“We are experiencing a gas prices epidemic,” said Nash. “Time to shelter in place again. And work remotely!! With A few exceptions. This is ridiculous.”

Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 as President Vladimir Putin authorized “special military operations” that began with missile and artillery attacks on major Ukrainian cities.

Western allies, including the United States, announced sanctions, including restrictions on Russia’s central bank and global payments system. Since the attacks that have caused over a million people to flee Ukraine, a former Soviet republic located on the southeastern doorsteps of Russia, gas prices in California and the rest of the country have soared.

Economic experts say that the U.S. only gets 5% to 10% of its crude oil and refined products from Russia, but gas prices have passed the $5 mark up and down the state. In certain places, such as Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, gas is hovering around $6 per gallon.

Before the war in Ukraine started, Newsom suggested that state legislators consider suspending the entire 18.4 cents federal gasoline excise tax.

“Well, now we have a war going on in Ukraine and while I know that we get our gas here in California from a variety of countries it is still clear that the war in Ukraine is adding on to an already growing crisis at our pumps here in California,” Harris wrote. “While I understand the foundation of the gas tax provides more funding to our state toward things like infrastructure, I also see real people hurting and that is concerning.”

The gas tax in California is at 51.1 cents per gallon, and it is scheduled for another increase in July. California Assembly Republicans last week said they are backing a bill, AB 1638, that Assemblymember Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) introduced. It would eliminate the current gas tax for six weeks.

At the release of Harris’s letter, San Diego County recorded its steepest hike in the average-price of gasoline since Sept. 28, 2019. Self-serve regular fuel rose 8 cents to $4.975, in 16 days, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA) and Oil Price Information Service (OPIS).

Hardworking families are having to cut back from other expenses just to fill up their gas tanks,” said Sen. Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) on March 2. “Higher gas prices are eating up their budgets for food and groceries, prescription medications, school supplies, and other necessary expenses. With such an enormous surplus, this is just unacceptable.”

A study conducted by UCLA’s Luskin Institute on Inequality and Democracy revealed hardships Blacks and Latinos are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study estimates that more than 1.9 million adults in California were unable to pay their rent on time in July 2020.

“Californians pay the highest gas tax in the nation, which is adding to the skyrocketing cost of fuel,” said Assemblymember Janet Nguyen (R-Huntington Beach). “Our communities are struggling to make ends meet while Sacramento leadership works to increase the cost of living even higher.”

By Gigi Crowder

As Black History Month 2022 winds down, I find myself doing a mental assessment regarding how much progress we have truly made regarding addressing health disparities, especially as it relates to mental health, which now has everyone carrying more awareness and possibly less stigma. I naturally think about the impact COVID-19 has had on the emotional wellness of the African American community. I ponder about the additional barriers and challenges my community will need to navigate. For example, how damaging is distance learning for black students? Will our Elders thrive and get back to socializing, going to worship services, and visiting family; or will they feel more comfortable continuing to isolate? Has so much death, economic loss, and social unrest during this pandemic created an increased sense of hopelessness and despair? As an optimist and Activist, who relies heavily on my faith, I don’t allow myself to focus on the negatives very long. I prefer to spend more time considering solutions, potential opportunities and focusing on who I need to join forces with to promote improved outcomes.

My staff and I at NAMI Contra Costa take our roles offering non-clinical supports and resources to African American communities across California to heart. We all are fully committed and strategically built strong networks and collaborate effectively with Statewide Cultural Brokers in each County, Black Faith Leaders and Centers/Churches, Athletes, Entertainers, and Social Influencers across the state and beyond. We closely monitor the community’s needs and respond swiftly to fill gaps and offer resources. Our team has facilitated a minimum of 2 targeted trainings or awareness events each month since we began doing this work. I’ve spoken on panels with Assembly members, Congresspeople, and other elected officials at Town Halls to lift the mental health needs of African Americans due to COVID-19. I have spoken on the radio and had the opportunity to speak at concerts etc. My team members have participated at health fair events across the state, as well as showing up virtually or physically wherever there is an opportunity to spread the word about CalHOPE. The CCP staff is diverse across ages; we can offer all services in a culturally responsive manner with a primary objective to reduce the harm and prevent challenges due to the pandemic.

As California moves toward less restrictive protocols, I recognize It is indeed a great blessing to have NAMI CC participate as a CalHOPE Campaign subcontractor. We greatly appreciate the role we play in delivering ethnic-specific messages that reminds African American because of low vaccination rates and the greater risk they must proceed with more caution. We have not been able to change the minds of all-black community members who carry vaccination hesitation due to misinformation and broken trust based on past hurts.  However, we have been very successful with getting those deciding not to be vaccinated to reduce their risk of getting infected. We target the unsheltered and have partnered with our county Supervisors and Public Health Department and given out thousands of face masks, hand sanitizers, and even COVID-19 rapid tests. We have had CCP staff at Vaccination Clinics around the state with information about our ethnic-specific support groups, resources, warm line, and the CalHOPE Live Chat.

I know that as the months move on and we forget about how we honored our African American Heroes in February; our work will continue and we will stand on the shoulders of those heroes. We already see the negative impact and the statistics continue to highlight glaring disparities, such as more hospitalizations and higher death rates even for black children, but we will adapt and develop new community-defined targeted strategies.

My prayer is that others, especially decision-makers, will join me and take time to look at how much our program has done to reduce risk, and consider where we can be used to address other concerns faced by African Americans and others impacted by mental illness. NAMI CC supports the new 988 services to offer a non-police response for those experiencing a mental health emergency. Our Crisis Counselors are fully trained and can easily support that effort recognizing too often African Americans are statistically at the greatest risk when law enforcement is needed. At NAMI CC we are already the trusted go-to agency for African Americans responding to those that call and understand how to triage as needed. There is no need to build a new responsive prevention system when one already exists through the culturally, ethnically, and linguistically sensitive programs CalHOPE has in place across California.