CHINO, CA––On May 13th, CDCR released a statement identifying a new outbreak of Covid-19 at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino, California. Less than five miles away, at the California Institution for Men (CIM), the disease has swept through the population, with 398 confirmed cases and at least five deaths.
While CDCR has yet to release the number of new cases in the women’s prison, advocates at the California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP) have heard from incarcerated individuals that more than 50 individuals have been made aware of their positive statuses, as hundreds more wait to hear their results. One incarcerated individual who tested positive stated: “Almost my entire unit just tested positive. Some of them are canteen workers, kitchen workers, and workers who have been sewing masks. People who interact with everybody. We are terrified. This entire prison needs to be tested.”
Since mid-March, advocates have been demanding action to prevent an outbreak at CIW. In letters to prison and state officials, CCWP exposed dangerous conditions at CIW, including a lack of access to protective and preventive supplies and a blatant disregard by prison staff of CDCR’s own policies. Further, the state refused to listen to advocates and public health experts who warned that the only way to prevent outbreaks in prison is to reduce population density by expediting releases, especially for those at highest risk of the deadly effects of Covid-19.
While CDCR claims it instructed prisons to “conduct additional deep-cleaning efforts in high-traffic, high-volume areas” and to institute social distancing practices “wherever possible,” incarcerated people indicate that CIW staff failed to implement such policies and that social distancing is impossible in prison. In California’s overcrowded prisons, all spaces are high-traffic areas, but people report that not even the showers at CIW are being regularly cleaned or disinfected. Similarly, while guards were instructed to wear masks and social distance, CCWP continues to receive reports of guards refusing to adhere to these policies.
The devastating, needless deaths at CIM present a dire warning for prison administration and the State of California. The state must expedite release for vulnerable populations. At the same time, elected officials must ensure that CDCR goes beyond advertising preventative measures and actually implements meaningful, life-saving policies, including widespread testing.
.A. County Lifeguard PSA on Beach Regulations and B-Roll Available For Download
Los Angeles – Los Angeles County announced the re-opening of its beaches as of May 13 for individual sports, exercise and similar physical activity. Permitted activities include walking, running, swimming and surfing. Face coverings are required at all times on the beach unless in the water and around other people, and the county urges everyone to keep at least six feet of physical distancing from other visitors. Once finished with an activity, all beachgoers are asked to head home.
For now, parking lots, piers, boardwalks and biking paths will remain closed. Sunbathing, group sports, large gatherings, beach chairs, coolers and umbrellas are not allowed to help ensure proper physical distancing. If anyone headed to the beach feels sick or lives with someone who is sick, they are being asked to stay home.
Download LA County Lifeguard Pono Barnes Beach Reopening PSA in ENGLISH (Credit LA County): https://vimeo.com/417827870
Download LA County Lifeguard Marco Rodriguez Beach Reopening PSA in SPANISH (Credit LA County: https://vimeo.com/417828268
Download LA County Beach B-Roll (Credit LA County): HERE
May 8, 2020 – The City of Redlands is working to assist local businesses as the County of San Bernardino begins implementing Phase 2 reopening of business under the State guidelines announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors late Thursday, May 7, announced some businesses can start to re-open Friday.
Businesses may contact City of Redlands Economic Development Manager Cruz Esparza at (909) 335-4755, ext. 1, or by email at cesparza@cityofredlands.org.
“During this crisis, City staff and elected officials have been working with State and County representatives to get to a point of reopening our local businesses in as safe a manner possible,” said Redlands Mayor Paul Foster. “As we move into Phase 2, our City staff are prepared to provide assistance to those businesses who are reopening as well as businesses still under lockdown orders.”
Phase 1 has been essential businesses, which were never required to be closed. Under the initial portion of Phase 2, “lower risk” workplaces, including but not limited to bookstores, jewelry stores, clothing and shoe stores, home and furnishing stores, sporting goods stores, antique stores, music stores, and florists can begin reopening while implementing public health guidelines. Reopening efforts should be phased in, starting first with curbside pickup until further notice.
Supply chains supporting the Phase 2 businesses can also open under this early stage, specifically in the manufacturing and logistics sectors. All businesses will need to modify operations to reduce contact, ensure proper distancing, and ensure proper PPE and sanitation equipment for all employees, preferably with outdoor breakrooms and physically distant seating. When businesses eventually open their doors to patrons, a workplace should restrict entry to 25 percent capacity and slowly advance from there as health indicators are evaluated.
“This is a key step in reopening our economy responsibly and safely,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “By beginning with mostly curbside operations for early Phase 2 businesses, we are giving business owners an opportunity to begin the process of ramping up their operations and ramping up our economy while ensuring the safety of their employees and patrons.”
In the second stage of Phase 2, workplaces in additional sectors will open. Timing for this will be evaluated and announced as early as next week, and could include:
Destination retail, including shopping malls and swap meets
Offices, with physical distancing (although telework is still being encouraged)
Seated dining at restaurants, but with physical distancing
Personal services (not requiring close proximity with patrons), such as car washes and pet grooming.
Schools and childcare facilities
Outdoor museums and open gallery spaces
Under State and County guidelines, the ability to continue opening workplaces in Phase 2, and eventually higher risk Phase 3 businesses, will rely on several criteria. First, businesses must demonstrate their adherence to safety and social distancing guidelines. Second, county residents should also continue to practice accepted safety guidelines, such as the use of face coverings, six-foot distancing, and frequent hand washing.
Third, and most importantly, is the county must continue to demonstrate a flattening curve. Combined COVID positive and suspected cases must continue to go down (COVID positive cases in San Bernardino County has been relatively flat for the past month). Hospitalizations and ICU utilization have been well below projections. The use of ventilators has remained stable, and County hospitals still have significant capacity to accommodate a surge.
High-risk individuals, and anyone who is sick, should continue to follow strict safe-at-home guidelines until further notice.
Riverside County health officials are encouraging young people to get tested for coronavirus because it is believed the group has been underrepresented in testing so far.
More than 71,000 people have been tested in Riverside County – at county- and state-run testing sites, clinics, hospitals and private facilities – and health officials say it is important that all segments of the population get tested to help determine the spread of coronavirus in the community. While adults have been well represented in testing, officials said they would like more of those 25 and younger to get screened.
According to census data, those 18 and under make up about 25 percent of Riverside County’s population, but that group has made up only 6.6 percent of the testing appointments at the county’s coronavirus testing sites.
“We would like to get a more complete picture of the illness as it has spread among young people,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of public health for Riverside County. “This will helps us better understand who in the community has the disease and how it might be moving among children and families.”
The county currently operates four drive up testing sites – Indio, Perris, Riverside and Lake Elsinore – and those who want to be screened do not have to have symptoms, although they do need an appointment. Parent permission is required for testing of minors. For an appointment, call 800-945-6171.
Appointments are also required at the eight state-operated walk-up testing sites spread throughout the county. To make an appointment at the state sites go online, click https://lhi.care/covidtesting, or for those without internet access call 888-634-1123.
“Testing is for everyone, regardless of immigration status or insurance, and it is free,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “Testing has been expanded to be available for those with and without symptoms, and we encourage our young people to get themselves tested at one of our many testing sites.”
There is no cost to the person being tested at either the county or state operated facilities.
It was as if Jeremiah was the lone person aboard the Titanic who knew that the ship was on a collision course with an iceberg. It was his task to convince the crew and the passengers that they were doomed if they didn’t change course. That there was still time—if they would just listen. But the captain and the people plugged their ears and didn’t course correct. They just kept dancing and dining to their demise. “The Weeping Prophet” cried when no one would heed God’s Warnings.
Jeremiah spent forty years telling the people what would happen. And they didn’t listen. They were warned, over and over and over, but they did not repent. Then God told Jeremiah that He had had enough. “I am tired of holding back…declared the Lord. Because they have rejected me, I will bring bereavement and destruction on my people, for they have not changed their ways. I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea … I will put the survivors to the sword before their enemies.” “I will send four kinds of destroyers against them,” declares the Lord, “the sword to kill and the dogs to drag away and the birds and the wild animals to devour and destroy…[Jeremiah 15:2-3, 5-9].
I tell you, the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. [Jeremiah 8:20]. Listen, God’s judgment is coming. Right now, mercy is available, but one day God will draw a line in the sand and there will be no more opportunity. Don’t ignore the warning! Warning comes before destruction. Heed the Warning! Repent! Knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. [Romans 13:11]
Case in point.: The major prophetic events coming up on God’s calendar are these:
The rapture of the church [1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58].
The seven year tribulation period [Daniel 9:27; 12:1-12].
The rebuilding of the Temple [there is no specific prophecy about rebuilding the Temple, but several prophecies happen within and around the Temple, so we know it must be rebuilt].
The Antichrist will establish a one world economic system with some form of identification placed inside everyone’s right hand or forehead [Revelation 13:16-18].
The return of Jesus Christ at the battle of Armageddon [Revelation 19:11-21; Zechariah 14:4].
The Millenium – Christ sitting on the throne in Jerusalem for one thousand years [Revelation 20:1-10].
Following The Millenium is the final judgment of the unsaved and the ushering in of eternity for the redeemed [Revelation 20:11-22:21].
All of these are Biblical prophecies to take place during the Tribulation, and we are watching them taking shape around us now. These events are coming just as sure as Jeremiah knew Babylon was on her way.
In Luke’s account, Jesus tells us that “when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near” [Luke 21:31]. Then He warns about not letting “that Day come on you unexpectedly” [Luke 21:34]. Jesus concludes by saying, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” [Luke 21:36].
“But if they will not listen, then I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord. [Jeremiah 12:17]
“To whom shall I speak and give warning that they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; They have no delight in it.”
[Jeremiah 6:10]
“The Weeping Prophet” Cried, When No One Would Heed God Warnings!
YUCAIPA, CA—- – Crafton Hills College will virtually celebrate the institutions 48th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 6 p.m.
“We are proud of our graduates and hope they will join us to celebrate their accomplishments at this virtual event,” said Crafton Hills College President, Dr. Kevin Horan. “We also invite the Class of 2020 to celebrate in person during Commencement in May 2021.”
The 2020 Commencement Ceremony will recognize the 794 graduates who earned 1,281 degrees and certificates. During the reading of the names, there will be an accompanying slide with each graduate’s information and photo. Students who want to participate are asked to submit their information by May 13th.
The event will include all traditional elements of the ceremony. The ceremony order will follow as:
Salute to the Flag – Tyrone Ross, CHC Student Senate President (Class of 2020)
National Anthem- Performed by Vanessa Terry (Class of 2020)
Welcome – Dr. Kevin Horan, President, Crafton Hills College
Introductions- Jose Torres, Interim Chancellor San Bernardino Community College District
Student Commencement Speaker- Karina Lewis (Class of 2020)
Commencement Keynote Address- Dr. Judith Valles
Presentation of Graduating Class- Dr. Keith Wurtz, Vice President, Instruction, Crafton Hills College
Awarding of Degrees- Dr. Anne Viricel, Chair Board of Trustees, San Bernardino Community College District
A Thought for the Future- Julie McKee, President Academic Senate, Crafton Hills College.
Crafton Hills graduate, Vanessa Terry, will sing the National Anthem. Terry is a part of the CHC class of 2020 and is a theater art major. Terry will be graduating with two theater arts degrees one with a concentration in performance, the other in technical theater and a fine arts degree. She served as president for the Theater Arts Association Club on campus this semester, and earlier this year performed for the Black History Month Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
The 2020 Crafton Hills student speaker will be graduate, Karina Lewis. Lewis is a communication studies AA-T major. She is transferring to CSUSB and will be dual majoring in English and communication studies. Lewis works at the Crafton Hills Tutoring Center, tutoring in English and communications studies. She is also a member of the Crafton Hills Honors Institute and the vice-president of the Communications club. Lewis is graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 G.P.A.
This years’ Keynote Address will be given by Dr. Judith Valles. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Judith Lopez Valles graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1951 and attended San Bernardino Valley College from 1952 to 1953. Valles taught elementary and high school for several years and simultaneously graduated from the University of Redlands with a bachelor’s degree in English (1964). She later earned her master’s in Spanish literature at the University of California, Riverside (1970) and did doctoral work at UCLA. Valles was appointed to the SBVC faculty in 1965 and taught Spanish until 1984. She headed the department of foreign languages from 1972 to 1976, chaired the division of humanities from 1976 to 1981 and was dean of Extended Day and Summer Session from 1981 to 1983.
Valles was the administrative dean of academic affairs from 1983 to 1987, she also held the position of chief instructional officer at the college and the position of executive vice president of academic and student affairs from 1987 to 1988. Valles was appointed president of Golden West College in 1988 and was chief executive until retiring in 1993. Valles has also served as acting president of Coastline Community College, Oxnard College and was a San Bernardino Community College District trustee. She produced and hosted a Spanish-speaking television show, “Impacto,” for KVCR-TV and “La Voz” at KCSB and has been involved in the performing arts.
Valles has been the subject of three doctoral dissertations on leadership and invited to lecture on gender and leadership issues as a visiting professor at Harvard University. She received the Citizen of Achievement Award from the League of Women Voters in 1989 and the YWCA Outstanding Women of Orange County Award in 1990. She was inducted into the SBVC Alumni Hall of Fame in 1991. In 1998, Valles established the Valles Family Scholarship at San Bernardino Valley College as an embodiment of her love of family and commitment to students and higher education. She received an honorary doctorate from the University of Redlands in 2000 and the California Community Colleges’ Distinguished Alumni Award the same year. She received the Ohtli Medal in 2003 from the government and people of Mexico for her contributions to the Mexican-American community. Valles was elected mayor of the City of San Bernardino on February 3, 1998 and was reelected in 2002. Valles was the first Hispanic mayor of the City. After completing her terms as mayor, she was appointed President of Los Angeles Mission College.
The 2020 Virtual Commencement event will be live on the Crafton Hills YouTube channel and Crafton Hills College Facebook with links posted within a few days prior to the event so students, faculty and staff can share with family and friends. Everyone is encouraged to join in the celebration by using #chcgrad2020 when posting on their personal social media accounts.
ONTARIO, CA— – Eric Danhof’s battle with a rare form of bladder cancer has forced him to step away from the best job he has ever had, but the beloved principal of Colony High School has no intention of staying away from the calling that came to him as a young man.
“It’s been the highlight of my career to serve as principal of this school,” Danhof, 52, says as he prepares to formally hand off those responsibilities to Thomas Mitchell, who has served as Colony’s interim principal since Danhof took ill in August. Danhof, who has been Colony’s principal for three years, plans to return to the Chaffey Joint Union High School District in another role once he has time to heal from surgery and chemotherapy treatments.
“Being a principal is a full-time job – days, nights, weekends. I love it, but I’m just not in the physical condition to do that,” he says. “This is not something that anyone would choose to go through, but I’m overwhelmed by the support I’ve received from the student body, teachers, the District and the community.”
Chaffey District Superintendent Dr. Mathew Holton describes Danhof’s legacy as one of professionalism, perseverance and hope.
“Everywhere Mr. Danhof has gone is enriched by his presence and his commitment to enhancing the lives of students. You can immediately spot people who love what they do, and Eric is one of them. His spirited passion for education is leaving a lasting legacy at Colony High School,” Dr. Holton says.
Danhof’s ties to the District run deep. He spent half a decade at Ontario High School, as an English teacher, department chair and coach. He spent another eight years as assistant principal at Etiwanda High School, followed by two years in the same role at Montclair High School. He joined Colony as an assistant principal in 2016, and became principal the following year.
During Danhof’s tenure, Colony has been honored for its work in civics education, hosts hundreds of veterans and service members every year for its Colony Commemorates event, and has seen an impressive increase in academic performance.
But it’s the daily interaction with students that he misses the most.
“The energy of a high school campus is not something you can find anywhere else,” Danhof says. “You’re there and encouraging them when students are making the biggest decisions of their lives.”
The Southern Illinois native comes from a family of teachers and discovered early on that he had a passion for education. He moved to Southern California in 1992 and “never left … I loved it out here.” He taught in the San Fernando Valley for four years before moving to Ontario Christian High School, where he served as athletic director. After five years, he landed at Ontario High.
Danhof’s motivation throughout his career was helping students expand their thinking. “I love that feeling – to hook a classroom and see kids develop in their thinking,” he says.
And while his health is forcing him to walk away from the highlight of his work life sooner than he had planned, he does so with no regrets. He and his wife have raised a family, and now have nine grandchildren.
“It’s one day at a time,” Danhof says. “I’m not retiring, but the school needs steady presence and leadership, and I need time to heal.”
SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $1,121,862 to expand coronavirus testing capabilities in San Bernardino County. The funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will be distributed to three Inland Empire health care providers and agencies, with SAC Health System (SACHS) receiving $640,264, Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inc. (IBHS) receiving $224,449 and the County of San Bernardino receiving $257,149.
“We know increased testing is one of the best ways to track and limit the spread of this virus, which is why the House worked to ensure additional funding for tests in the last coronavirus relief bill. I’m proud to announce this funding, which will help more members of our community get tested and will play a major role in helping our community defeat this virus,” said Rep. Aguilar.
“Testing continues to be critical for our communities and patients,” said Dr. Jason Lohr, CEO of SAC Health System. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with our local health plan and health department to provide COVID-19 testing to any IEHP member who needs it.”
“Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inc. (IBHS) is grateful to Congressman Aguilar for his continued support. The Board of Directors and the Medical Team are planning on hosting both walk-up and drive-thru testing, with a focus on the uninsured populations, in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. IBHS is also in talks with our local churches to assist in offering the testing to the communities and to those staff members who wish to be tested,” said Dr. Temetry Lindsey, CEO/President of IBHS.
Rep. Aguilar serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, the committee responsible for allocating funding to agencies like HRSA.
Face coverings are no longer required but are still strongly recommended in San Bernardino County as the result of new health order requested by the Board of Supervisors.
The new order repeals the April 23 omnibus health order that required face coverings as well as social distancing at essential businesses, and banned gatherings and short-term rentals.
Although no longer regulated by a county health order, gatherings and short-term rentals are still prohibited and social distancing at essential businesses are still required under the state’s “stay-at-home” order.
“The County strongly urges everyone to continue wearing face coverings in public to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and businesses may still require face coverings for customers and employees,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “But repealing the local health orders and deferring to the less-restrictive state orders will allow the County to reopen businesses more quickly as the governor continues to relax standards.”
Many types of businesses were allowed to reopen this week under certain conditions. The Board of Supervisors last Thursday adopted a Readiness and Reopening Plan and made plans to seek the governor’s consent to open many other types of businesses next week. The board plans to discuss additional details on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. That meeting can be viewed on the CountyDirect Broadcast Network at http://www.sbcounty.gov/Main/Pages/ViewMeetings.aspx .
Information related to COVID-19 in San Bernardino County can be found at http:// sb covid19.com/ .
Two weeks ago, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp drew sharp criticisms from African Americans across the country.
Black politicians, social media commenters, and others blasted the governor, saying his decision to lift his state’s month-long stay-at-home order by first opening businesses like barbershops, nail salons, sneaker stores, tattoo parlors, gyms, and bowling alleys put the lives of Blacks at risk. Those are businesses African Americans frequent, his critics pointed out.
But unlike Georgia, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said businesses like barbershops, beauty shops, and nail salons will not be allowed to begin servicing their customers again until the third phase of the Golden State’s reopening plan.
“Phase three is not a year away. It’s not six months away. It’s not even three months away. It may not even be more than a month away,” Newsom said at his daily press conference Friday. “We just want to make sure we have a protocol in place to secure customer safety, employee safety, and allow the businesses to thrive in a way that is sustainable.”
On May 8, California started the second in a four-stage process of reopening business and public spaces shut down during the COVID-19 crisis on a category-by-category basis. Businesses in industries such as retail, manufacturing, logistics, and others that fit certain safety requirements opened Friday, still maintaining recommendations for wearing masks and gloves, and maintain a social distance of six feet between people.
Now, smaller businesses like salons and barbershops that require closer contact between people — and that have been hit hard in the pocket by coronavirus-related shutdowns — are calling on the California governor, state legislature and other politicians to allow them to return to work.
The Black Small Business Association of California (BSBA) wrote letters to Sacramento Mayor Darryl Steinberg and Gov. Gavin Newsom urging them to consider allowing barbers and cosmetologists to safely resume their business.
“While we understand the need to prioritize public health and safety during this unprecedented crisis, the economic devastation of this moment cannot be overstated,” the letter read. “This loss of income is compounded by the limits of California’s safety-net services and has left too many barbers and cosmetologists without assistance during this difficult time.”
The BSBA claimed that many of the protections federal and state officials promised to small businesses did not reach barbers and cosmetologists.
“For example, many of these individuals have applied for Unemployment Insurance, but were denied,” the letter read. “Others applied for the federal Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the Small Business Administration and were denied access to these funds as well. In addition, few if any have received access to information about local emergency funding options when these funds have been made available.”
In addition to those letters, the BSBA, along with the Mixed Cosmetology School, several barbers and cosmetologists wrote safety guidelines to serve as a model for how these specific businesses could begin reopening sooner rather than later.
Those guidelines include the implementation of personal protective gear, mandatory temperature checks, symptom questionnaires, and extensive disinfection.
Lorenzo Griffin, CEO of Laran Products. Lorenzo is highly instrumental in distributing exclusive hair products to hair salons and barbershops (Facebook photo)
Robert Brown, a barber at Another Look Hair Salon in Sacramento, highlighted some of the unique issues facing barbers and beauticians during the pandemic.
“Many African American owned salons didn’t qualify for the PPP loan because we rent booths to our stylists and barbers,” Brown said. “We didn’t have the payroll numbers to give banks to qualify.”
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a federal government stimulus loan program under the CARES act that provides cash to small businesses to cover payroll. The federal government forgives the loan if 75% of it is used to keep employees hired.
California joins several other states in reopening businesses after months of closures in the midst of this pandemic. But due to the size of the state, Gov. Newsom says, the reopening process has been based on the needs of different counties.
Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, detailed how Los Angeles County will cooperate with the governor’s reopening plan.
“[Los Angeles] County is in conversations with our state partners and wants to ensure any restrictions we ease are in the best interest of the health of all of our residents,” Barger said. “What’s best for other counties may not necessarily be right for Los Angeles County as we are the most densely populated county in the state, our guidelines will certainly look different than others.”
Dave Charles Presley Jr., a Rialto resident, and barber for 28 years had to move out of his apartment due to all of the revenue he has lost since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“It’s been an absolute nightmare,” Presley said. “I’m looking at all of these politicians with these fresh haircuts, yet our businesses are suffering. I know they didn’t cut that themselves.”
Presley also claims that he has waited for over a month to receive the unemployment benefits that he applied for after the governor issued his stay-at-home order.
Lorenzo Griffin, CEO of Laran Products, has been trying to help barbers like Presley as Laran Products only sells their merchandise directly to salons and barbershops.
“The beauty industry, the barbershops, and the beauty salons is the second-largest social institution in Black America, second only to the church,” Griffin said. “It’s vital that we open but it is absolutely vital that we stay safe when we open.”
Some have expressed concern about Black people returning to certain jobs during this reopening process. Dr. Melva Thompson-Robinson, Executive Director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Center for Health Disparities Research, spoke about the many challenges Black people have been facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For the African American community, this has been something that has been centuries in the making in terms of the inequality and the racism that African Americans, in particular, have experienced,” Thompson-Robinson said. “As far as the African American community, they are often working in positions where they’d be considered essential workers. Not just as a doctor or nurse, but they are part of the janitorial staff or other essential staff.”
Thompson-Robinson also expressed her concern about the inherent racial bias in the medical community and explained how African Americans can combat that bias without coming across as hostile.
“You can advocate for yourself by having someone who can go with you, who can advocate on your behalf, or if you can’t have someone go with you, have someone put together a list of questions that have to be answered by the doctors so if you’re there by yourself, your issues and concerns aren’t being overlooked,” Thompson-Robinson said.
Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
