COMMENTARY: The Black Church Faces an Atypical Crisis
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Blacks in the U.S. have been disproportionately affected during the pandemic. Although African Americans only compose 6 percent of the population in the state of California, Blacks comprise 10.6 percent of the COVID-19 deaths. This has been attributed to the fact that a number of Blacks have underlying and sometimes untreated conditions — cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, etc. — which compound problems, when paired with the coronavirus.
Phase II of ‘Reopening Texas’ underway
Governor Greg Abbott has announced the second phase of the State of Texas’ ongoing plan to safely and strategically re-open while minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Under Phase II, restaurants may increase their occupancy to 50% and additional services and activities that remained closed under Phase I may open with restricted occupancy levels and minimum standard health protocols laid out by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Citywide celebration to be held for 2020 high school seniors
The city of Houston has not forgotten its milestone graduates, and are planning to hold a special ‘first-of-its-kind’ outdoor celebration for high school seniors on June 5.
Acres Home funeral director on COVID-19 deaths: ‘We are the last responders’
In 1953, Ebony magazine reported there were 3,000 black-owned funeral parlors across the country, and last year, that number had decreased to about 1,200, with nearly a dozen remaining across the Houston area. Many African Americans continue to rely on the comfort and security from familiar faces when it comes to burying their loved ones, especially during the COVID-19/ coronavirus global pandemic.
Saluting Houston mothers on the front line
As the novel coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the globe, many of our bravest souls are out there fighting the good fight trying to help save lives, keep the economy going and flatten the curve.
Too much of a risk, too soon?
If there was ever a fear of the novel coronavirus and spread of COVID-19, that was not made clear last weekend in Galveston, as the island was flooded with bumper-to-bumper traffic on the first day the beaches were reopened.
Follow the Science, ignore the noise, focus on the signals
By: Omowale Lithuli-Allen In March of 2016, the NYT featured an article that was prophetic about the future of the US and world regarding an emerging existential threat-PANDEMICS. Authors Osterholm and Olshaker posited that MICROBES, GERMS would be the deadliest of enemies that we face. No, it is not a Chinese virus. Senator Cornyn, it […]
Lone Star College history professor relates COVID-19 with 1918 flu epidemic
The outbreak of COVID-19 has many historians drawing comparisons to the 1918 flu epidemic. Much like the coronavirus, authorities in 1918 responded to the epidemic with a combination of church, school and theater closures, cancellations or prohibitions of public gatherings in attempts to quarantine the ill.
Harris County residents now have more options to get tested for COVID-19
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) encourages all residents to take advantage of the increased testing capability, complete the online screening and get tested at any drive thru sites or mobile testing locations. HCPH has expanded the total COVID-19 testing capacity to 1,200 test per day, including two mobile testing locations scheduled across the county.
