Metro Times — April 8, 2020 by Chava Communications

2 April 8-14, 2020 | metrotimes.com

metrotimes.com | April 8-14, 2020

NEWS & VIEWS Editor’s note The coronavirus and a ban

on large gatherings has put Detroit’s cultural events on hold, but local creatives aren’t letting that stop them. Many are using technology and turning to livestreaming to perform for their followers to watch safely on their phones or computers while we all ride this virus out. They’re adapting to changing times, so we are too. You can now submit livestreaming events to our online calendar, just like you would submit your concert or art exhibition. Just go to

metrotimes.com/addevent, classify the event like you would any other (food, music, art, etc.), and select “Livestream Event.” You can also submit your events to calendar@metrotimes.com. If we get enough of these, maybe we can bring art and culture listings back to our weekly print edition. Another project we launched is Good To-Go Detroit, a database of restaurants with carryout, curbside delivery, online ordering, and other options due to the coronavirus. We’ll be adding more restaurants as we go. You can also add your own at metrotimes. com/GoodTo-GoDetroit. You can also email eat@metrotimes.com. Stay safe, Detroit, and remember to wash your hands. —Lee DeVito

Vol. 40 | Issue 27 | April 8-14, 2020

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metrotimes.com | April 8-14, 2020

NEWS & VIEWS

Detroit is leading the nation’s first large-scale study on whether hydroxychloroquine can prevent COVID-10.

SHUTTERSTOCK

A ‘miracle cure’?

Detroit is at the center of a nationwide debate about a potential coronavirus drug touted by Trump B y Lee DeVito

Detroit’s former public

health director Dr. Abdul El-Sayed weighed in on the debate around hydroxychloroq uine, an antimalarial drug that has been touted as a potential cure for coronavirus patients by P resident Donald Trump in recent weeks. Last week, officials announced Detroit’s H enry F ord H ealth System would conduct the nation’s first large-scale study of the drug. El-Sayed cautioned that despite the drug’s promise, the science just isn’t there to back it up yet. “The President’s promotion of #Hydroxycloroq uine shows a failure to understand science,” he tweeted Sunday evening. “In science we don’t promote a treatment until there’s solid, reproducible R C T [ randomiz ed controlled trial] evidence behind it. Without evidence, a treatment may be ineffective, even harmful.” El-Sayed was referring to a Sunday White House press briefing in which Trump doubled down on his promotion of the drug. Without citing evidence,

Trump said “there are signs that it works ... some very strong signs,” and claimed it could also be used as a preventive measure. Then, when a C N N reporter asked the N ational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony F auci about the medical evidence for hydroxychloroq uine, Trump interrupted, refusing to let F auci answer. “Do you know how many times he’s answered that q uestion? ” Trump cut in. “Maybe 1 5 .” Trump even said he would take the drug himself. “So, what do I know, I’m not a doctor. I’m not a doctor. But I have common sense,” he said, adding, “What really do we have to lose? ” In another interview on Sunday, Fauci cautioned of the drug’s ability to fight coronavirus: “the data are really just suggestive.” El-Sayed later appeared on C N N later to explain. “Dr. Anthony F auci is a respected scientist, he will always lead with the sci-

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ence,” he said. “And the science shows that right now there’s mixed evidence, and none of that is all that promising, particularly considering that the gold standard kind of test that you’re looking for is a randomiz ed control trial. And that evidence just hasn’t panned out.” El-Sayed added that there was a “fissure” between Trump and Fauci’s messages. “On the other hand, you’ve got President Trump, who, from the beginning, has been leading with a short-term political perspective,” he said. “And his short-term political perspective is that he’s looking for any ounce of hope, even if it’s false hope, that he can throw out there. And so I think, unfortunately, we’re starting to see a little bit of a fissure where the president continues to want to go back and say, ‘Look, we’ve got this drug’ — and he’s not saying this, but he’s hinting — ‘Look, there’s a miracle cure. It’s just around the corner.’ And Dr. Fauci is just saying, ‘Look, there’s a process that we follow,

by which we decide if and when there is a medication that is safe and effective in patients.’ Let’s not give people false hope. Let’s always lead with the science. And when we lead with the science, what we say will be true.” H ydroxychloroq uine has become the center of a political storm in Michigan. In March, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration issued a letter to doctors threatening “administrative action” if they prescribed the drug to coronavirus patients. M etr o T im es ’ comments section trolls accused the Democratic governor of opposing the drug simply to spite Trump and endangering lives, but R epublican State Sen. Mike Shirkey later clarified to T h e Detr oit N ew s that the prohibition was to prevent doctors from hoarding the drug and depriving it from non-C O V ID-1 9 patients, who need it to treat lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other ailments. At the news briefing, Trump also falsely said the F ood and Drug Administration “gave it a rapid approval.” In fact, the F DA issued a limited Emergency U se Authoriz ation for hydroxychloroq uine to be distributed from its stockpiles, but warned that it “is not F DA-approved for treatment of C O V ID-1 9 .” In a bit of a reversal, last week, officials announced that Detroit is now leading the nation’s first large-scale test of the drug for coronavirus patients. At H enry F ord H ealth Systems, more than 3 ,0 0 0 volunteer frontline hospital workers are being asked to take the drug to see if it can be used as a preventive measure for C O V ID-1 9 , the disease caused by the coronavirus. “I think that there is some great potential here amidst all of the sadness and hardship that we’re going through right now,” Whitmer said during a town hall last week. But as Whitmer’s former gubernatorial rival El-Sayed cautioned, until the trial is over, we can’t say for sure. F or example, he tweeted, “Aspirin is a safe drug—EXCEPT FOR IN KIDS W/ F EV ER S, in whom it was used for a long time because we ASSU MED it was so safe,” he wrote. “It’s why we have to STU DY it.” In another tweet, El-Sayed was more blunt. “’Is #Hydroxychloroquine a safe & effective #COVID19 treatment?’ isn’t a *political* question — it’s a SCIENTIFIC one,” he tweeted. “The answer: WE JUST DON’T KNOW YET. ANY other answer is political spin — which has been the problem w/ the #COVID response all along. You can’t spin science.”

metrotimes.com | April 8-14, 2020

NEWS & VIEWS Virus on the mind How to stay sane during a global pandemic B y B ib a A d a m s

Grief. Depression. Fear.

Anger. The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically impacted and changed all of our lives forever. During this, the worst time that many of us have ever lived through, how can we make sense of it all? Detroit mental health professionals have some advice for us. “I know several people, myself included, who are doing this alone,” says C aleb S. B oswell, a limited licensed professional counselor and student advisor in the Office of Counseling and C areer P lanning at Washtenaw C ommunity C ollege. “The weather is gloomy, and that can heighten things like anxiety and depression. It’s important that we try to stay connected to our circle through phone, email, and F aceTime. We may be physically isolated, but it is important not to become mentally isolated.” B oswell’s passion for mental health has led him to do social media presentations about the benefits of therapy, using the hashtag # TherapyIsN ormal. H e’s also the facilitator for the college’s B rother 2 B rother program, which helps support underrepresented men on the campus. As C O V ID-1 9 ravages low-income, minority populations see this week’s cover story , he offers special advice for B lack men. “Sometimes we often don’t feel that we have the space to be vulnerable and open, oftentimes turning to sex, alcohol, drugs, and other negative coping mechanisms,” he says. “H owever, these times are uniq ue, and I would honestly say that there is an opportunity here to find at least one person that you can simply talk to and be open with.” Journaling is also a common recommendation among therapists. If you can’t find someone that you feel comfortable talking to, writing down feelings is a way of getting those emotions out. P hysical activity has long been linked to a healthier mental state — which can

SHUTTERSTOCK

be hard to accomplish now, since we’re supposed to be staying home to prevent the spread of the virus. B ut Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order calling for Michiganders to stay home allows for people to go outside for exercise — just be sure to stay six feet away from other people. Therapists recommend 3 0 minutes of activity every day: walking, dancing, going up and down the stairs. According to P s y c h ol og y T od a y , exercise is well-known to stimulate the body to produce endorphins and enkephalins, the body’s natural feelgood hormones that can make problems seem more manageable. Spiritual practice can also be useful. While churches are exempt from Whitmer’s executive order banning large gatherings (which have drawn criticism by some for being dangerous and, perhaps, unconstitutional), some might not want to go to church during the pandemic. “Watching YouTube videos of faith leaders can also be helpful,” says R ev. Dawn C lark of DC C C ounseling and C onsulting, LLC , an associate minister at N ew Liberty B aptist C hurch in Detroit. B ut faith, or lack thereof, is a very personal thing. “Do the things that bring you comfort, and a little bit of joy,” she says. The financial toll of COVID-19 is obvious. Last week, more than 6 million people filed for unemployment, doubling the record high of 3 million the week before. “F inances can be mentally challenging, even without something like this,” says C lark. “R each out to your bank and creditors and let them know your current financial situation.”

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C lark says that it’s important in these times, when our normal routines have been upended, to try to stick to a schedule that’s close to what it used to be. “Waking up around the same time as before can be helpful, setting small goals to achieve throughout the day,” she explains. “We may have a lot more free time now. Setting a goal of just cleaning a cabinet or closet or working on a business plan can help the time pass and fill us with a sense of achievement.” While it’s smart to set small goals, it’s also O K to rest and not feel the need to do much at all. Moderation in all things remains important — and that includes substances like alcohol. Whitmer’s executive order banning all but “essential” businesses allows liq uor stores to remain open, and the temptation to cope with alcohol can be strong for many. “During this pandemic, so many of us are feeling anxious, afraid, depressed or isolated,” says Stephanie M. H uhn, an admissions manager at R ainbow R ehabilitation C enters in metro Detroit. “F or those in recovery and those struggling with addiction, maintaining sobriety during this time can be a huge challenge, as they have often turned to substances (or addictive behaviors) in the past to escape from these feelings of unease.” H uhn says that the normal ways of comforting ourselves have been lost during this crisis. “We are all experiencing a massive change in our day-to-day routines and our sense of normal has been shattered

in many ways,” she says. “This can be very disorienting and cause feelings of fear, panic, loss, and depression. Some people are feeling overwhelmed with new responsibilities, such as working from home and home schooling their young children, while others have lost many things that are important to them, such as their jobs, their routines, their sense of purpose, and their sense of self.” H uhn explains that, more than anything, it’s important to remain hopeful. There are many available options for support, connection, and overall health and well-being. Stay connected, reach out, and ask for help when you need it. Though we have to be isolated to stop the virus from spreading, that doesn’t mean we have to be isolated from each other emotionally. If you’re starting to feel depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, reach out for help. F or those facing struggles with addiction or maintaining sobriety, the Substance Abuse and Mental H ealth Services Administration (SAMH SA) has a free, confidential hotline you can call 2 4 /7 for referrals, support, and resources: 1 -8 0 0 -6 6 2 -H ELP . C ommon Ground R esource and C risis C enter is another resource where people can call in, text, or chat online with a therapist: 8 0 0 -2 3 1 -1 1 2 7 ; commongroundhelps.org The Detroit Wayne Mental H ealth Authority is also a free resource for referrals to a mental health professional: 7 0 7 W. Milwaukee St., Detroit; 3 1 3 -8 3 3 2 5 0 0 ; dwihn.org.

metrotimes.com | April 8-14, 2020

NEWS & VIEWS

The failures that brought us this pandemic can never be forgiven or forgotten.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Informed Dissent

The new hoax By Jeffrey C. Billman

“The reason you’re seeing so

much attention to [ C O V ID-1 9 ] today is that [ the media] think this is going to be the thing that brings down the president. That’s what this is all about it. The u kills people. This is not Ebola. It’s not SAR S, it’s not MER S. It’s not a death sentence; it’s not the same as the Ebola crisis.” — Acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Conservative Political Action C onference, Washington, D.C ., F ebruary 2 7 F rom 2 0 1 4 –1 6 , Ebola killed more than 1 1 ,3 0 0 people. In 2 0 0 3 , SAR S infected 8 .0 9 6 people and killed 7 7 4 . In 2 0 1 2 , MER S spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula, leading to about , confirmed cases and deaths by the end of 2 0 1 9 . As of Monday morning, C O V ID-1 9 has infected nearly 1 .3 million people and killed , in just over three months. Mulvaney wasn’t speaking out of turn. This was the party line. A day earlier, on F ebruary 2 6 , Trump tweeted that the coronavirus was “very much under control.” At a press briefing on February , when there were known coronavirus cases in the U.S., Trump said it wasn’t as big a deal as the u: “The u, in our country, kills from , people to 9, people a year.

That was shocking to me. … And again, when you have 1 people, and the 1 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to z ero, that’s a pretty good job we’ve done.” A few hours after Mulvaney handwaived the coronavirus threat, the president traveled to a MAGA rally in South Carolina, where he blamed not just the media but Democrats for overhyping the crisis: “This is their new hoax.” Two days later, the first American died of COVID-19. Since then, 9, Americans have followed — again, as of Monday morning — and roughly , Americans have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. If Trump gets his way, this history will be memory-holed. In his retelling, he knew it would be a pandemic before anyone called it a pandemic, and he took it seriously from the start, even though he called it “an unforeseen problem.” And if the death count is less than 2 .2 million — a years-long, worstcase-scenario projection that assumed no mitigation — it will be a testament to his leadership. Last week, the White H ouse’s coronavirus task force unveiled its own projection: Between 1 , and , would die, it said, though the White House wouldn’t divulge the projection’s

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timeline or assumptions. As of Monday, the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s model, which the White H ouse used to develop its projections, forecast 1, U.S. deaths through August. Some public health officials believe the IH ME is optimistic, and other models are much grimmer. But if it is correct and this wave of COVID-19 fi les by July, Trump will head into the election touting it as an achievement. And all of a sudden, 80,000 deaths in four months — more than in V ietnam, more than 9/11s — will somehow be recast as a victory instead of a colossal failure, likely with the same pusillanimous media now swooning over Trump’s “change of tone” complicit in the sales job. Trump is, if nothing else, a champion bullshitter. But make no mistake: This is a colossal failure with catastrophic repercussions. It will cost thousands of lives. And the worst of it could have been avoided. We shouldn’t forget that. And we damn sure shouldn’t forgive it. Two startling reports from this weekend lay bare how badly Trump botched the most important job of his presidency. The first, from the Associated Press, reveals that the administration waited

until mid-March to place bulk orders for N9 respirator masks, ventilators, and other eq uipment needed by frontline health care workers. By that time, the national emergency stockpile was depleted. In late March, Trump finally ordered General Motors and Ford to manufacture ventilators, but the order came too late for them to produce mass q uantities before the peak of the crisis hits. More damning is a devastating Washington Post investigation detailing how a disinterested president and his incompetent team missed chance after chance to contain the virus before it spun out of control, all while telling the public that this was nothing to worry about. Throughout January, as officials tried to focus Trump’s attention on the pandemic, he brushed them aside. F inally, on January 1, Trump shut down travel to C hina, but only after C hina locked down Wuhan. By then, the U.S. already had eight coronavirus cases. Department of H ealth and H uman Services Secretary Alex A ar’s efforts to secure additional funding for eq uipment and a testing-and-tracking network were shot down as “alarmist.” When coronavirus cases started to mount, the White House eventually agreed to ask Congress for . billion, which C ongress upped to $ 8 billion. By then, the Post reports, “The United States missed a narrow window to stockpile ventilators, masks, and other protective gear.” The C enters for Disease C ontrol and Prevention failed to put together a reliable coronavirus test while the government blocked private and academic labs from deploying their own until F ebruary 2 9 . Again, too late. Without widespread testing, the U.S. lost weeks in which it could have pinpointed and contained outbreaks before they spread. This tragedy of errors, of course, traces to the top: to a president who disdained expertise, nurtured his sense of grievance, and prioriti ed the stock market and his own re-election above all else. The result, as the Post succinctly puts it, is that “the United States will likely go down as the country that was supposedly best prepared to fight a pandemic but ended up catastrophically overmatched by the novel coronavirus, sustaining heavier casualties than any other nation.” N o matter how many die, that will always be Trump’s unpardonable sin. The coronavirus has made life difficult for independent media. You can help keep Informed Dissent viable by contributing to patreon.com/ jeffreycbillman.

metrotimes.com | April 8-14, 2020

FEATURE

A virus that discriminates CORONAVIRUS EXPOSES DEADLY IMPACT OF POVERTY, RACIAL DISPARITIES IN METRO DETROIT BY STEVE NEAVLING

ill B ennett couldn’t afford to get sick. Living paycheck to paycheck, he works part-time as a chef downtown with no sick

days. Then came the coughing, fever, and fatigue — the telltale signs of C O V ID-1 9 , the disease caused by the coronavirus pandemic that originated in Wuhan, C hina, last year and has since reached nearly every corner of the globe. Without a doctor or health insurance, B ennett didn’t bother getting tested. “I just prayed and waited,” the 4 6 -year-old tells M etr o T im es . That was nearly a month ago. H e feels better now and is back to work, but his time off left him behind on rent and other bills. And he considers himself one of the lucky ones. H is uncle, also from Detroit, was rushed to the hospital last week because he couldn’t breathe. H e tested positive for C O V ID-1 9 , and three days later, he died. H e was in his late 6 0 s. “I have no words,” B ennett says. “It came out of nowhere. N o one was prepared for this.” The coronavirus is having an alarmingly disproportionate impact on African Americans, who make up about 1 3 .6 % of the state’s residents but more than 4 0 % of the more than 5 0 0 people who have died as of Monday, according to the Michigan Department of H ealth and H uman Services (MDH H S). And the number could be significantly higher because there’s no racial data

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on 2 8 % of the fatalities. White people, meanwhile, make up 2 8 % of the deaths but 7 5 % of the state’s population. B lack people account for 3 5 % of the more than 1 6 ,0 0 0 positive C O V ID-1 9 cases in Michigan. Another 2 4 % are white, and 3 5 % are of an unknown race. F ew states have been hit as hard by the coronavirus as Michigan, which has the third-highest number of C O V ID-1 9 deaths and cases nationwide, behind N ew York and N ew Jersey. “We are concerned about how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting Michigan’s B lack community,” Dr. Joneigh K haldun, the chief medical officer for MDHHS, who formerly served as Detroit’s health director, tells M etr o T im es . “We will continue to work to get more robust data and testing in the state so we can better understand the disease.” In Detroit, which is 8 0 % B lack, more than 1 7 5 people have died from the coronavirus, which is killing residents at a higher rate than N ew York C ity, the epicenter of the outbreak. As of Sunday, Detroit had a death rate of 2 4 .7 per 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 residents, compared to 2 1 .2 per 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 residents in N ew York C ity. “We are really struggling in the Detroit area,” Dr. Matthew D. Sims, director of infectious disease research at B eaumont H ealth Systems, tells M etr o T im es . “It’s rough. It’s a struggle.” Sims says population density and health care disparities are likely to blame. “We have to find a way to prevent the progression of cases,” Sims says. “It takes everybody working together.” O nly N ew York C ity has more deaths

in the country than Wayne C ounty. Making up 1 8 % of Michigan’s population, Wayne C ounty has 4 7 .5 % of the state’s deaths and 4 7 .8 % of its confirmed infections, as of Sunday. In suburban Washtenaw C ounty, where 1 2 % of the population is B lack, 4 8 % of the hospitaliz ed coronavirus patients are B lack. In O akland C ounty, where the disease is spreading q uickly, communities with largely B lack populations are seeing the highest infections rates. They include Pontiac, Oak Park, Southfield, and Lathrup V illage. Health care inequity The disproportionate impact on B lack people is “nauseating,” but not surprising, says Dr. U ché B lackstock, founder and C EO of Advancing H ealth Eq uity. “It was obvious to me that marginaliz ed communities would be the most impacted,” B lackstock tells M etr o T im es . “The racial health disparities are incredibly profound and significant. And here you have this easily transmissible virus, and of course the most vulnerable people are going to be the most impacted.” Long before the coronavirus swept across America, underserved B lack communities have been struggling with a severe health crisis. Generations of racist housing and economic practices have trapped many B lack people in impoverished neighborhoods without adeq uate resources. In Detroit, where more than third of its population is impoverished and many are uninsured or underinsured, residents are far more

A coronavirus testing site at the former Michigan State Fairgrounds. Detroit has become a hotspot for the spread of the virus.

Detroit has a quarter of the state’s coronavirus infection and deaths, but only 6.7% of the population. likely to have pre-existing health conditions like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. Asthma-related hospitaliz ations, for example, are three times higher in Detroit than the rest of the state, according to MDH H S, due to industrial pollution. “The vulnerability to severe reactions is much higher because of structural ineq ualities,” Dr. Gail C . C hristopher, executive director of the N ational C ollaborative for H ealth Eq uity, tells M etr o T im es . “P eople of color, and African Americans in particular, face a greater risk, and we need to take these things seriously. The first step is to begin acknowledging it.” Detroit and other communities with large B lack populations are getting hit the hardest by the coronavirus. Detroit has a q uarter of the state’s coronavirus

infections and deaths, but only 6 .7 % of the population. C ontagious diseases often spread faster in lower-income areas because many people rely on public transit, live in close q uarters, and have jobs without paid sick days. A disproportionate number of lower-income residents also work in the service industry, where employees are in close contact with the public. “Anybody who works in service industries is likely to have a greater exposure,” C hristopher says. “There is a greater prolonged risk because they are interacting with the public.” Tracking the impact Michigan is one of the few states tracking or disclosing the racial breakdown of people infected with C O V ID-1 9 . U .S. R ep. R ashida Tlaib,

COURTESY OF THE CITY OF DETROIT

D-Detroit, is among the members of C ongress calling on states to track racial data so that public health officials can address the health care ineq uities. “We can’t dismiss that there is a dramatic impact on our B lack neighbors,” Tlaib tells M etr o T im es . “If we try to downplay or ignore it, we won’t be able to address it. We can’t save people’s lives if we don’t follow the real data.” Tlaib and others also worry about residents whose water had been shut off. The city shut off water to thousands of households in the past two years due to delinq uent bills. Despite calls from health officials and activists in February, the city waited until March 9 to restore water service. H and-washing is critical to combat the virus. N early two weeks after the city offered to restore the service, more than 2 ,5 0 0 houses were still without water. That same day, the city reported 7 5 confirmed infections, though the number was likely vastly higher because of a severe shortage of testing kits. At the time, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department officials said they were trying their best to restore services, dedicating 1 0 crews to turning water back on. B ut, they said, the task

turned out to be far more difficult than they had anticipated. F or some houses, it took hours to restore water because some homes have significant plumbing issues that need to be corrected before water can be turned on. Some water meters were also broken or missing. “We didn’t have enough data to know that it would take this long,” DWSD spokesman B ryan P eckinpaugh tells M etr o T im es . On Friday, city officials said water service has been restored to a vast majority of the households. O f those that haven’t been restored, workers were busy fixing significant plumbing issues, said DWSD Director Gary B rown. “At the end of this program, we should have every single Detroiter with water,” B rown said. F or essential city workers, the impact of the coronavirus has been devastating. A beloved bus driver and three members of the Detroit P olice Department have died. All were B lack. More than 1 0 0 DP D employees, including C hief James C raig, have tested positive for C O V ID-1 9 , and an additional officers and 1 police civilians were under q uarantine, as of last week.

metrotimes.com | April 8-14, 2020

FEATURE

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers converted the TCF Center (formerly Cobo Center) in downtown Detroit into a 1,000-bed field hospital, which is expected to begin serving COVID-19 patients on Thursday.

At least firefighters and medics also have confirmed infections, and more than 1 have been under quarantine. Greektown Casino has offered to use of its hotel rooms to quarantine first responders and bus drivers. Atop the closed casino, the message # DETR O ITSTR O N G, is lit up. On March 1 , a vast majority of bus drivers for the Detroit Department of Transportation refused to come to work until the city could better protect them. That day, city officials struck a deal with bus drivers to req uire riders to board and exit in the rear. The city is also waiving fares so customers aren’t sharing the fare box, which is next to the drivers. B us driver Jason H argrove, who was part of the negotiations, posted a video on social media in which he complained that some riders were coughing without covering their mouths. “This coronavirus shit is for real,” he said in the video, which has since gone viral. H e died days later after contracting the coronavirus. Mayor Mike Duggan said “everybody in America” should watch Hargrove’s video. “H e knew the crisis, he was vocal about the risks, and he went to work anyway,” a visibly emotional Duggan said at a press conference on April 2 . “H e knew his life was put in jeopardy by

somebody who didn’t care, somebody who didn’t take this seriously.” B uses are a vital service in Detroit because about a third of Detroiters don’t have access to a car. The coronavirus has claimed the lives of well-known Detroiters, including state R ep. Isaac R obinson, community leader Marlowe Stoudamire, two Wayne County Sheriff’s deputies, retired restaurateur O tis K napp Lee of Mr. Fofo’s Deli, and educator Brenda P erryman. The coronavirus also has infected state R ep. Tyrone C arter, C ity C ouncil P resident B renda Jones, longtime civil rights activist Rev. Horace Sheffield III, and H ighland P ark P olice C hief H ilton N apoleon. All but R obinson are African Americans. Alone and sick The coronavirus has devastated Detroit’s close-knit ballroom dancing community, which is predominantly B lack. More than a doz en are reported dead. O ne of the dancers is Anthony B est. His son, Anthony Williams, hasn’t seen his 6 2 -year-old father since he was admitted to Sinai-Grace H ospital on March 1 . “F ifteen of his friends (in the ballroom community) are gone, and he

14 April 8-14, 2020 | metrotimes.com

COURTESY OF TCF CENTER

Few states have been hit as hard by the coronavirus as Michigan, which has the third-highest number of COVID-19 deaths and cases nationwide, behind New York and New Jersey. doesn’t know it,” Williams tells M etr o T im es . “It’s tragic.” B est has been unconscious and on a ventilator for nearly three weeks. He’s too ill for a tracheostomy. Since visitors aren’t allowed inside hospitals, Williams can’t see his dad. A nurse sent Williams a photo of his dad last week. “It’s frustrating that we can’t see him,” Williams says. “At times like this, seeing his family could make the difference.” While Harvey Puckett was fighting for his life on a ventilator, his wife and son were under q uarantine. O utside the hospital, other members of his family held a sign that read, “H urry home H arvey. We love you! ! ! ” H is family was hopeful. H e was 5 4 years old, healthy, and worked every day.

A few days later, he died. “I have never seen anything like this,” his cousin, Rene’ee Wilks-Bryant, tells M etr o T im es . “You are hopeless. You can’t do anything.” Wilks-B ryant says she worries about this “horrific virus” and its impact on other families. “You live in fear for others,” she says. “This new way of life is already scary. It’s a horrible way to lose someone you love.” Public health officials are worried the worst of the coronavirus is yet to come. “We know the apex probably is not until the end of April or the beginning of May,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said on April 2 . “This means we are a month out before we hit the height of this.” Last week, top federal government officials estimated that between 1, and 4 ,5 0 0 Michigan residents will die,

but only if everyone adheres to the social-distancing measures. O n March 2 3 , Whitmer issued an executive order calling on all residents to stay home except to conduct “essential” business. O n Monday, she indicated she would likely extend the order through the month. In Detroit, city officials have been alarmed by videos posted on social media that show large groups of people congregating in defiance of Whitmer’s stay-at-home order. Duggan warned that N ew York C ity “is our future if we don’t change our behavior.” Duggan said a vast majority of Detroiters are adhering to the socialdistancing measures, but he and public health officials are worried that the few who are ignoring them are placing the rest of the city at risk. “I expect the police department to be very strong in dealing with groups that are gathered and have no reason to be in public,” Duggan said at a press conference F riday. The city has begun removing basketball rims at parks to discourage clusters of people. Duggan said the city is considering closing parks and even imposing a curfew if people don’t stay home. “If we have to go to a curfew, we will,” Duggan said before adding, “We’re going to step up the tickets and take stricter and stricter actions until we get more enforcement.” Last week, officials changed the penalty of violating the stay-at-home order from a fine to 1, . Many hospitals are already at capacity and are running out of ventilators, intensive-care beds, and personal protective eq uipment like masks, gloves, and gowns. At B eaumont H ealth System, doz ens of health care workers have been infected with COVID-19. With a critical shortage of heath care workers, Whitmer is calling on out-ofstate nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapists to come to Michigan. Meanwhile, the U .S. Army C orps of Engineers is converting the TC F C enter (formerly C obo C enter) in downtown Detroit into a 1, -bed field hospital, which is expected to begin serving COVID-19 patients on Thursday. Sixty beds will be dedicated to seriously ill patients; the other 4 0 are for recovering patients. Lack of testing Since Michigan confirmed its first case of the coronavirus on Tuesday, Feb. 1 , the same day more than 1 million people voted in the state’s primary election, the number of confirmed infections has increased exponentially. The state was unable to adeq uately

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, left, and Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical officer for MDHHS.

track the rapid spread because the federal government botched the rollout of testing kits. “As a country, we did not make tests available q uickly enough to be able to fully understand the scope of the problem,” K haldun said on March 2 3 , when the state’s death toll reached 1 . Without the ability to identify who was sick, public health officials had no idea where the virus was spreading. It took nine days before the state was able to identify 1 cases. By then, the coronavirus had taken root and was q uickly spreading throughout Detroit and other nearby communities. Jamon Jordan, who teaches local African American history, was nursing a 1 -degree temperature with a sore throat and body aches when he tried to get tested in mid-March. Jordan, who has asthma, was turned down by two hospitals and spent several days going through doctors to get tested. Eventually, after spending hours on the phone, he was tested. H is 6 6 -yearold mother, who had underlying medical conditions, was turned down for testing. Less than a week later, she was seriously ill and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. “She was gone an hour later,” Jordan explained in a heartbreaking F acebook post. “Testing can lead to you getting into the hospital, getting on a ventilator, having uids and other medicine provided through IV , and dealing with other health issues you may have that are exacerbated by the virus,” he wrote. “That’s why the problem of getting tested has caused many people to die.” P ublic health experts say wide-

spread testing is critical to combating the coronavirus. “We have no idea what the rate is of sick people in the population because we don’t have widespread testing,” says Dr. B etty C hu, who is leading Henry Ford’s coronavirus response. “There are sick people out there, and we need to know who they are.” F rustrated by the lack of testing, Duggan led the creation of a regional site at the former Michigan State F airgrounds at Eight Mile and Woodward, where he expects at least 1 , people will be tested for COVID-19 over the next six weeks. During the first two days, of the people who were tested were positive for the coronavirus. The city is also working with doctors who are willing to see patients who don’t have insurance. “We’re going to make testing available to every single person in this city who needs [ it] ,” Duggan said during a press conference Thursday. “It is critical that every single Detroiter have access to this.” Last week, the city became the first municipality in the U nited States. to begin using testing kits that provide results within 1 minutes. The 5 ,0 0 0 kits from Illinois-based Abbott Laboratories are reserved for police officers, medics, and firefighters. “This is a game-changer,” Duggan said. “We will be fighting the coronavirus for months. We need the tools to fight back.” Fighting back O n F riday, Duggan called on residents to cover their face if they go

COURTESY OF GOV. WHITMER’S OFFICE

outside. “It is time for people in our community to put on a mask or a scarf before you go out to the public,” Duggan said. “I don’t want to see anyone get on a DDO T bus without something over their mouth.” With the lack of testing, it’s too early to gauge the impact of the state’s stay-at-home orders. “The governor’s order only went into effect less than two weeks ago, and it is very likely that folks who are tested today may have well been infected prior to the order,” Denise Fair, Detroit’s chief public health officer, tells M etr o T im es . “We do not yet fully know the impact of the stayat-home order on transmission in the community.” R acial-justice and anti-poverty advocates say the coronavirus’ devastating impact on B lack communities underscores the importance of stamping out ineq uality. “While Detroit has made headlines for the economic turnaround in its business corridors, the real story has been how the majority, African American residents of the city have been left out of the economic benefits and investment,” Tina M. P atterson, president and director of research at the P uLSe Institute, an anti-poverty think tank inspired by the journalism of local reporter B ankole Thompson, tells M etr o T im es . “Until Detroit officials make tackling poverty and ineq uality a top priority, African Americans will continue to suffer disparate treatment, even after the pandemic has run its course in the region.”

metrotimes.com | April 8-14, 2020

CULTURE Q:

Y ou r l a s t tw o c ol u m n s a n d y ou r l a s t tw o p od c a s ts w er e a l l a b ou t th e p a n d em ic . E v er y th in g ev er y w h er e is a l l a b ou t th e p a n d em ic r ig h t n ow . C a n y ou g iv e it a r es t? F or m a y b e a w eek ? C ou l d y ou a n s w er s om e q u es tion s th a t a r en ’ t a b ou t th e p a n d em ic ? A n y f u n k in k q u es tion s c om e in th is w eek ? I c ou l d u s e a b r ea k f r om th e p a n d em ic , Da n , a n d I ’ m n ot a l on e. —C ol u m n is t’ s O eu v r e Viv id l y I n s til l s Dr ea d

A : Some kink q

uestions did come in this week, C O V ID, and I’m happy to answer them. B ut the pandemic does come up in the second one, which you should feel free to skip.

developing unusual patterns of attraction than others,” B ering said. “B ut whether it’s a penchant for P oké mon, feet, underwear, or spiders, the best available evidence suggests that some people — mostly males — have a genetic predisposition for being ‘ sexually imprinted’ during development.” And once our erotic imaginations have seiz ed on something, once we’ve imprinted on P oké mon characters or big bellies or wrestling singlets, there’s not much we can do about it. B efore we’re adults — before we hit puberty — our kinks, as B ering put it, are “pretty much fixed, like it or not.” F or all we know, the teenage boy with the P oké mon fetish was completely

Savage Love B y Da n S a v a g e

my gay away. Embracing your kinks and exploring them with other consenting adults — or if your kinks can’t be realiz ed for ethical reasons, enjoy them through solo or partnered fantasy play only — is the only realistic option. That said, some doctors have prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSR Is), aka antidepressants, to people who were uncomfortable with their kinks. Those drugs don’t selectively eradicate kinks, B B W, they crater a person’s libido. Taking SSRIs would mean sacrificing the vanilla sex you enjoy with your partner on the same altar with the kinks that stress you out. I can’t imagine you want to go

I h a v e a k in k / f etis h th a t’ s b een g iv in g m e a l ot of a n x iety ov er th e l a s t f ew y ea r s . I in a d v er ten tl y d is c ov er ed th a t I ’ m tu r n ed on by big bellies, eight gain, and stuffing. I t’ s a c tu a l l y b een th er e s in c e I w a s a l ittl e k id , th ou g h I d id n ’ t u n d er s ta n d it u n til n ow . I f it’ s r el ev a n t, I ’ m a f em a l e in m y m id - 2 0 s , in a h eter os ex u a l m on og a m ou s r el a tion s h ip . M y p r ob l em is th a t I h a v e a lot of trouble getting off ithout looking a t p ic tu r es or a t l ea s t th in k in g a b ou t m y k in k . I b el iev e th e c om m on g u id a n c e is , If it s not hurting anyone, it s ne. But I f eel s u p er g r os s a n d a s h a m ed . N eith er m y p a r tn er n or I a r e l a r g e, a n d w e b oth v a l u e our health and tness. I have absolutely no d es ir e to p a r tic ip a te in th is a c tiv ity w ith a real person. very time I nish masturbatin g , I f eel em b a r r a s s ed a n d d is g u s ted w ith m y s el f . S om e p a r t of m y b r a in ob v iou s l y c r a v es th e k in k , b u t th e r es t of m y b r a in H A T E S it. I k eep tel l in g m y s el f I w il l s top , but I have such a hard time getting off ith oth er p or n ( or w ith ou t p or n ) th a t I a l w a y s r etu r n to it. I g en u in el y en j oy h a v in g v a n il l a s ex w ith m y p a r tn er . I f eel tu r n ed on a n d I h a v e f u n . B u t I ’ m of ten n ot a b l e to c om e. I t s om etim es m a k es h im th in k h e is n ’ t d oin g a g ood j ob , w h en in r ea l ity h e’ s d oin g g r ea t a n d I ’ m j u s t f r u s tr a ted w ith m y b od y . S o I g u es s I ’ m w on d er in g : Does c on tin u in g to w a tc h b el l y p or n r ein f or c e th e k in k in m y b r a in ? S h ou l d I s top w a tc h in g it a n d f or c e myself to nd other ays to come hould I someho nd a ay to embrace the kink in s tea d ? —B ig B el l y W oes

A : Six years ago I roped Dr. Jesse B

ering, author of P er v : T h e S ex u a l Dev ia n t in A l l of U s , into answering a q uestion from a dad who was worried about his teenage son’s sexual interest in P oké mon. (Yes, P oké mon.) Dad wanted to know if there was anything that could be done about his son’s “pathetic” sexual obsession. B ering explained that his kid’s kinks — that everyone’s kinks — are hardwired. “N obody knows why some people are more prone to

potentially really fun — q uirks, not as tragedies. You have a thing for big bellies, B B W — you don’t have leukemia. And you can explore your kinks without gaining weight or stuffing your partner until he does. A little big belly dirty talk could help you get off with your partner, BBW, and even the fittest person can push their tummy out and create the illusion of a rounded belly. H ave fun!

M y b oy f r ien d a n d I l iv e in S a n F r a n c is c o, w h er e w e’ v e b een s h el ter in g in p l a c e. W e a r e u n f or tu n a tel y u n a b l e to s h el ter tog eth er , w h ic h m ea n s th a t w e c a n n ot h a v e p h y s ic a l c on ta c t, es p ec ia l l y s in c e h e l iv es w ith a p a r en t w h o’ s a t h eig h ten ed r is k . ( I t’ s n ot a n op tion f or h im to s ta y w ith m e f or th e d u r a tion . ) W e’ r e a s f r u s tr a ted a b ou t h a v in g to a b r u p tl y en d th e p h y s ic a l a s p ec t of ou r r el a tion s h ip a s y ou m ig h t ex p ec t. W e g o f or ( d is ta n c ed ) w a l k s d u r in g th e w eek , e talk everyday, and e jerk off in front of w eb c a m s tog eth er , b u t th a t on l y g oes s o f a r . I w a s th in k in g a b ou t g iv in g h im s om e of m y w or n p a n ties f or h im to d o w h a tev er h e w a n ts w ith . M y q u es tion is th is : I f I w er e to w a s h m y h a n d s a n d b e c a u tiou s w h il e p u ttin g tog eth er a p er v y c a r e p a c k a g e, is th er e m u c h of a r is k of s p r ea d in g th e v ir u s a r ou n d b y d oin g th is ? I ’ m c u r r en tl y in g ood h ea l th , b u t I k n ow th a t p eop l e c a n b e in f ec ted b u t a s y m p tom a tic , a n d w e’ r e b ein g r ea l l y c a r ef u l to k eep b oth of ou r h ou s eh ol d s a s s a f e a s p os s ib l e. C a n th e v ir u s b e s p r ea d v ia p u s s y j u ic e? —Ver y A r om a tic G if t

A: C

JOE NEWTON

comfortable with his own niche sexual interests. The dad wrote in, after all, not the kid. (B ut if you’re a 2 3 -year-old P oké mon fetishist and your dad routinely invaded your privacy when you were a teenager and heaped shame on you about your kinks, please write in with an update! ) B ut I have heard from people who, like you, weren’t comfortable with their own kinks, B B W, and desperately wanted to know what could be done. Most sex scientists and researchers agree with B ering: there’s really nothing you can do, and masturbating to the porn that turns you on doesn’t “reinforce” your kinks. You can’t starve out your kinks by refusing to think (or wank) about them, B B W, and you can’t pray your kinks away anymore than I could pray

16 April 8-14, 2020 | metrotimes.com

down either of these routes, B B W, which brings us back to embracing your kink and coming clean with your partner. The risk you run telling a partner about your kink is no doubt at the forefront of your mind, B B W, because the conseq uences could be immediate, i.e., he might dump you. B ut not telling your partner about your kink — and leaving him to wonder why you can’t get off with him but have no trouble getting off alone — isn’t risk-free either. If he feels inadeq uate, if he feels like you’re hiding something from him, if he feels like he can’t satisfy you … he might dump you. So share your kink with your boyfriend, B B W, and kinks should always be presented as craz y and endearing — and

O VI D- 1 9 h a s n ’ t b een d etec ted in vaginal uids, , so your pussy juice b y its el f d oes n ’ t c on s titu te a th r ea t. B u t th e v ir u s , w h ic h is u s u a l l y tr a n s m itted th r ou g h th e a ir ( b y p eop l e w ith th e v ir u s c ou g h in g , s n eez in g , or ev en ex h a l in g ) , c a n survive for hours or days on different kinds of s u r f a c es , in c l u d in g c l oth es . T h e v ir u s c a n l iv e f or u p to 2 4 h ou r s on c a r d b oa r d , VA G , w h ic h m ea n it’ s th e p a c k a g e, n ot th e p a n ties , th a t a r e p oten tia l l y a d a n g er h er e. I f th e l a s t p er s on w h o h a n d l ed y ou r c a r e p a c k a g e — th in k th e U P S g u y w h o d r op p ed it on h is p or c h — h a d C O VI D- 1 9 , y ou r b oy f r ien d c ou l d w in d u p ex p os in g h im s el f b y tou c h in g th e b ox a n d th en h is f a c e b ef or e w a s h in g h is h a n d s . B u t I th in k y ou s h ou l d s en d h im th a t p a c k a g e — b u t w ea r g l ov es w h il e y ou p a c k it, d on ’ t s en d it ov er n ig h t ( y ou r s c en t w il l k eep f or a c ou p l e of d a y s ) , a n d m a k e s u r e y ou r b oy f r ien d im m ed ia tel y w a s h es h is h a n d s a f ter op en in g a n d d is c a r d in g th e p a c k a g e. O n th e Lovecast, c om ed ia n P ete Dom in ic k : s a v a g el ov ec a s t. c om . Q u es tion s ? m a il @ s a v a g el ov e. n et.

CULTURE

Horoscopes B y C a l G a r r is on

ARIES: March 21 – April 20 Do what you can to keep your mind on the here and now. The tendency to dwell on the past, or old hurts, or people and things that have left a bad taste in your mouth poisons the realm of possibilities and keeps you from moving on. B lessed with a huge amount of energy and light, remind yourself that you have better things to do. What form those things take is always up to you. F rom what I can see, your work is your strong suit; it could turn out to be your salvation right now. R edirect your focus, gather your strength, and get your mind on a more lighthearted track.

LEO: July 21 – August 20 You could look at this a million different ways. If every crisis gives us a chance to correct the mistakes that we made long before everything exploded, your current state of emergency could be seen as a blessing. Re ecting back on the last few years, it might help you to z ero in on the moment when you went over the top, off the rails, or out of integrity. Life has its own way of bringing us back to center. If you’re on top of this situation, it’s because you’ve learned your lesson. If you’re still moaning about the past, wondering “Why me?” it’ll take time for things to settle down.

SAGITTARIUS: Nov. 21 – Dec. 20 This is one of those moments where things can go either way. Everything depends on what you choose to do about it. F aced with circumstances that leave you wondering whether you want to heal this situation or give in to the belief that you can’t, would it be possible to open your mind to the idea that nothing is incurable? I always say, “If you have yet to find the cure for whatever the problem is, you need to keep searching because it’s out there.” That being said, what happens next is up to you. If you choose to let go of your preconceived notions, anything is possible.

TAU R U S: April 2 1 – May 2 0 Well, who knows how things will go? At the point where they could go either way, it’s best to step aside and allow life to show us what’s needed. Too many things impinge upon the desire to see all of your perfect pictures unfold, and what you assume is fated is very much up in the air. Longtime friends and acq uaintances have shown up to give you another way to look at things. If you’re fed up with people and their suggestions, I get it, but keep an open mind. Like I said, when things could go either way, don’t let your “stuff” place limits on the realm of possibilities.

VIRGO: August 21 – Sept. 20 Dealing with people who don’t have a clue is exasperating enough. O n top of all that, you’re going toe-to-toe with your own issues, wishing you could just pack it all in and blow this clam bake with your dreams intact. If you had more clarity about what the next step is supposed to be, you’d be out the door. With too many q uestions and not enough answers, let caution rule over impulse, and be willing to submit to the same old thing just a little while longer. The good news is there’s life on the other side of all this, and you’ll be there to meet it when the time comes.

CAPRICORN: Dec. 21 – Jan. 20 This isn’t your first rodeo. Having been here many times before, things are going up or down, depending on how you decide to spin it. In many ways, you have good reason to be ticked off by the fact that you seem to be spinning your wheels. If that is the case, try to see that things keep repeating until we get the picture and do your best to wake up and smell the coffee. Those of you who know how to take the good with the bad, and who are willing to bow to the lesson, are reaping the benefits that come to us when we finally wise up, and gathering strength from this experience.

GEMINI: May 21 – June 20 Whatever you’ve created is steady and strong. Don’t let anyone diminish it or try to convince you that it’s falling apart. C onsider the next few weeks as an opportunity to take a deep breath and draw strength from the stillness that is there to provide you with a stable jumping-off place for your next move. Those who have always been there for you are still there. If it seems to be otherwise, let them off the hook they’re wrestling with their own issues. F ind solace in simple things and wait on the will of heaven. Soon enough, you’ll be off and running on a whole new track.

LIBRA: Sept. 21 – Oct. 20 If you thought you were over things, it’ll take a little longer. In your mind you may have settled up, but the heart moves slower than the mind. At the moment, your heart is still releasing the remnants of the past. F or anyone else, this would be easy. It’s a blessing and a curse to be so sensitive, my friend. If it helps, you might want to realiz e that you are not your feelings and nothing is good or bad unless we make it so. A dose of objectivity will clear the fog enough for you to see that it’s O K to love too much, and that it’s perfectly normal to have a hard time turning your life around.

AQUARIUS: Jan. 21 – Feb. 20 Too many things are showing you how amaz ing life gets when we shut up and start paying attention. The signals are everywhere, and you guys can’t afford to be looking the other way. P eople have arrived who have turned into guides, or teachers, or guardians, and they have come to redirect your focus. C hanging direction, and/or moving into areas of selfexpression that force you to redefine both your goals and whoever you think you are, has turned your world into a whirlwind of possibilities that need to be fully examined before you can decide what to do.

CANCER: June 21 – July 20 Things are on a high run. With all the extraneous B .S. safely tucked away where it belongs, you get to z ero in on things that are more productive and fulfilling than the distractions that filled up your life, up till now. New possibilities are in the works. U pcoming powwows with close others will yield ideas that give everyone involved a good reason to get excited about what the future holds. This might even include a relocation or, at the very least, a trip. C hanging the scenery isn’t a bad idea. As soon as you get a chance, take a day or two to let new surroundings change your tune.

SCORPIO: Oct. 21 – Nov. 20 Well, what you thought was going to be a big drag has turned out to be more fun than a barrel of monkeys. You had no idea how out of touch you’ve been with the stuff that gives your life meaning. Now that you’re in this meaningful groove, the next few weeks will re-center you in activities that matter way more to you than all the hustle and bustle that has been stealing all of your precious energy and time. P eople who take advantage, or who have dissed you in any way, are reconsidering their need to use or abuse you. B e prepared for an apology or two before the week is out.

PISCES: Feb. 21 – March 20 It comes down to taking a chance or taking the safe route. The latter seems to make the most sense. The problem is, nothing will change if you do. You’ve got it all figured out and totally made on so many levels. To keep things as they are would deny you access to a host of possibilities that you’ve never had a chance to explore. The part of you that is alive and kicking is dying to get out of the box. Give yourself a chance to find out what that means. It’s one of those now or never moments. Who cares if it defies logic? All the good stuff happens when we leave our safety z one.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! To The Brave: our First Responders, our Nurses, our Doctors, our Pharmacists & Caregivers...we are eternally grateful for you. To the Food Providers, Custodians, Attendants, the National Guard & every soul out there helping to save lives and bring comfort and peace to our communities while loved ones struggle in their final moments.

WE SALUTE YOU! WE HONOR YOU! WE LOVE YOU! And to the Journalists risking their lives to bring us one of our most precious resources, the truth...CARRY ON!

(((DETROIT STRONG))) Wednesday, April 8th Happy Birthday, Doc! Thursday, April 9th Happy Birthday, Erica P! Tuesday, April 14th Happy Birthday, English Joe!

metrotimes.com | April 8-14, 2020

18 April 8-14, 2020 | metrotimes.com

CLASSIFIED EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Systems Analyst II, United Shore, Pontiac, MI. Analyze, design &improve Loan Origination syss incldg Underwriting Sys, loan servicing syss, &mortgage payoff calculators, through HW &SW solutions incldg migration of intranet legacy sys (Integra Destiny) in Scheme language to webbased sys using C#.Net language cptr syss. Analyze &modify legacy sys to meet current Federal &mortgage industry standards in compliance w/ TRID rules. Install &configure new syss in testing &integration environments. Work w/ Architects, Developers &bus. clients to collaborate &build industry leading SW. Analyze how calculations are performed in legacy sys &prepare documents for dvlpg calculations on web-based sys, using MVC architecture in C#.Net in Visual Studio. Analyze, dvlp &install extensible enterprise SW &HW sys using cutting edge technology. Test, maintain, &monitor computer programs &syss, incldg coordinating installation of cptr programs &syss. Associate, Computer Sci. Technology, Information Technology or Syss, or related. 24 mos exp as Sys. Analyst or SW Developer, analyzing how calculations are performed in legacy sys &preparing documents for dvlpg calculations on web-based sys in VB.Net or C#.Net in Visual Studio, or related. Mail resume to Ref#1548, United Shore, 585 South Boulevard East, Pontiac, MI 48341.

Customer Team BuyerDoor Systems, Brose North America, Auburn Hills, MI. Plan, dvlp, &execute N. American supplier sourcing strategies for Door Syss plastic cmpnts, &for global sourcing of U.S. OEM global projects. Plan, perform in depth economic analyses, dvlp, control &assure timely, cost efficient &financially profitable procurement of complex cmpnts &syss for high performance mechatronic door syss incldg carrier plates, cable drum housings, latches, latch mini modules, covers &housings, &multifunctional brackets for window regulators, door module structures, hands free access, spindles, &power liftgates. Plan &coordinate door syss purchasing activities for NA/In’tl high-volume series production w/ 9 mfg plants in U.S./CAN/MEX. Initiate Feasibility Analysis w/in APQP to ensure vendors are capable of meeting IATF 16949 to timely satisfy Start of Production for new door syss prgrms, w/ proficient PPAP. Bachelor, Bus. Admin, Management, or Finance. 12 mos exp as Buyer, performing economic analyses &dvlpg cost efficient procurement of cmpnts &syss for mechatronic door syss incldg carrier plates, cable drum housings, &guide rails for window regulators &door module structures, or related. Mail resume to Ref#1951, Brose, Human Resources, 3933 Automation Ave, Auburn Hills, MI 48326.

Process Management LeadLogistics, Brose North America, Auburn Hills, MI. Design, dvlp, &assure timely implementation of logistics (incldg raw materials--steel &resins, lubricants, stamped, injection molded, &welded in process &final assy components, &fasteners), material resource plng ( incldg inventory, BOMs, routings), &cross functional production control (cycle/tact time, inventory buffers, line balancing, mfg &qlty) concepts for logistics (&logistics movements) &production control processes (incldg facilities layouts) to produce psgr vehicle mechatronic door syss (incldg door modular kits, power liftgates, window regulators,), seat syss (incldg seat adjusters, frames, track assemblies, adjuster motors), &drives (incldg Brose Airgate Syss), using SAP PP, SD, as Key User, MM, APO, WM &QM modules, for/in 10 high volume mechatronic systems mfg plants in N.A. Required travel to Brose mfg plants in MI/IL/SC/AL &ON/MEX, to evaluate &ensure proper implementation of logistics &production control concepts, up to 16 wks p/yr. 36 mos exp as Master Scheduler, Production Scheduler, Logistics Planner, Material Planner, or related, dvlpg &assuring implementation of logistics &production control concepts for logistics &production control processes to produce psgr vehicle seat or door systems, using SAP PP, SD & MM &WM modules for high volume mfg plant, or related. Mail resume to Ref#156, Brose, Human Resources, 3933 Automation Ave, Auburn Hills, MI 48326.

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