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https://www.essence.com/news/health-equity-cypher-covid-19-black-communities/
As COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues circulating across the country, the myths surrounding it are beginning to shed.
No longer is it known as an illness for just elderly, immunocompromised people. More and more young, relatively healthy people are being diagnosed positive with no “flattening of the curve” in sight. The virus is moving through vulnerable Black communities and among incarcerated people from Rikers Island to Sing Sing, with no rational leadership from the Trump Administration.
As data begins to accumulate, forming a clearer picture of COVID-19’s impact, reports show that health professionals are concerned that Black communities may not have equitable access to tests and treatment, primarily because Black communities in the United States are more vulnerable due to racial, wealth, and healthcare discrimination.
In the above video, Health Equity Cypher, an organization combatting institutional racism and classism through public health equity, policy, clinical and leadership strategies, discusses what we should demand from our elected officials and ways to stay safe and connected during this pandemic.
“While we are physically distancing and staying socially connected, this Cypher conversation is critical and will continue to bring information Black folks need during this crisis,” Joia Crear Perry, MD, FACOG, principal of Health Equity Cypher, and founder and president of National Birth Equity, tells ESSENCE.
Other members of the Cypher featured in the above video include: Shavon Arline-Bradley, minister principal of Health Equity Cypher and president of REACH Beyond Solutions; Anton J Gunn, principal of Health Equity Cypher and Healthcare Consultant Collaborative; and L. Toni Lewis, MD, principal of Health Equity Cypher, president of Liberation Health Strategies.
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ESSENCE is committed to bringing our audience the latest facts about COVID-19 (coronavirus). Our content team is closely monitoring the developing details surrounding the virus via official sources and health care experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Please continue to refresh ESSENCE’s informational hub for updates on COVID-19, as well as for tips on taking care of yourselves, your families and your communities.
The post Health Equity Cypher Discusses COVID-19, Black Communities appeared first on Essence.
Written by: Lebo Malatse
In our fourth recap of the Netflix series, Queen Sono we recap the episode “Rookie”.
Five years ago, in Joburg, Queen was a wild woman running from the cops and stealing cars for cash in the hood. Back then President Malunga was Deputy that was being investigated for corruption. I see that didn’t follow through. Sidwell visits to talk to Queen about her shenanigans and lack of work effort. Queen just wants to be in the field. We get a view of the cute relationship that was between Shandu and Queen. At work, Queen is a rookie, Bulabule is a loudmouth, and Fred is just getting to know who Queen. Nana worked with the former president and wanted Malunga to be investigated.
Shandu was actually considering marrying Queen. I wonder what stopped that from happening? He and a partner were put in as the president’s security detail and she surprises Shandu when she gets to be in the field. Malunga is in a meeting with a top Minister and heads of other companies that he has received hefty bribes from. SOG catches Malunga as he confirms that he has the bribe. It looks like he could go down. But it would seem that security details have another idea in mind. An ambush occurs while they are en route with Malunga. Multiple shots are fired and I have no idea who these men are working for! Shandu takes no prisoners while his partner does his best to get Malunga out.
Considering that this is Queen’s first time out on the field she is doing a good job of handling her own. Viljoen gets shot in the back but is able to pull himself out of the from safely. Shandu’s partner gets killed in front of Queen which shocks and immobilizes Queen. Shandu comes in and snaps her back to reality. They make it out with Malunga. At the hospital, Shandu accuses Sid of knowing about the ambush and being corrupt as well… Queen watches from afar. Late at night, she meets a very upset William and breaks down about seeing the same bubbles that she saw when her mother was killed. In an old video, we see Safiya Sono leading a protest against police.
Shandu really asks Queen to leave with him but she can’t leave her Mazet and she wants to wait for everything to be cleared out. He gives a moving eulogy at his fallen partner’s, Ulrich, funeral but not without mentioning the corruption that played in his death and Shandu’s brother’s death. He leaves immediately. Sid and Nana discuss the issue of Malunga knowing that he was spied on as well as accusing the current president, Eusebia, of assassination. As Deputy President, Malunga doesn’t know about SOG, and Eusebia steps down to ensure that Malunga does not find out about their involvement.
Miri is living her best life in Boston. She has a glow and her natural hair is popping! Nana, however, wants her child to come home asap, not dating a white man, obtaining more degrees, and being clueless in America. I see why Miri is so unhappy. It is not easy trying to be your own person while a parent pushes you to be who they want you to be. Queen is ready to leave SOG, Sid encourages her to stay, but in the midst of all of it, he states that Malunga once took a bullet for him! That explains a bit of that relationship.
Stay tuned for Episode 5: “Sugar Water”
The post ‘Queen Sono’ Recap Week 4: Rookie appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic afflicting the world, American Idol host and musical icon Lionel Richie is proposing doing a remake of the 1985 global hit “We Are the World” that he co-wrote with Michael Jackson, according to People magazine.
At the time, the song, which featured artists such as Jackson, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick, and many others, was recorded to help support the relief efforts to fight famine in Ethiopia and similar countries struggling at that time. The song raised more than $63 million and coincidentally, this is the song’s 35th anniversary, so the timing would be perfect to help ease the pain of what the world is going through currently.
The song, “We Are The World” was released on March 8, 1985, as part of the compilation album, “We Are The World” with sales of the project benefiting the foundation United Support of Artists for Africa (USA For Africa), founded by activist Harry Belafonte. The record was produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian. The song rose to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and also won four Grammy Awards in 1986 (Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Record of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal).
The 70-year old entertainer reminisces about the song’s hook: “There’s a choice we’re making, we’re saving our own lives.”
“That line,” Richie told PEOPLE, “came about as Michael and I were sitting there talking. We said you can either say, ‘I’m saving my life’ or ‘We’re saving our lives.’ ’We Are the World’ is a statement we wanted to make. What do we do to save our own?”
“We Are The World” became the fastest-selling U.S. pop single in history. The first-ever single that was certified multiplatinum, received a Quadruple Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Richie says, “What happened in China, in Europe, it came here. So if we don’t save our brothers there, it’s going to come home. It’s all of us. All of us are in this together.”
“Two weeks ago, we said we didn’t want to do too much [about the song] because this is not the time to sell an anniversary. But the message is so clear,” he said.