Houston Style Magazine Vol 31 No 16 by Houston Style Magazine (HSM)

April 16 – April 22, 2020

Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication

Volume 31 | Number 16

Complimentary

CORONAVIRUS – US WEEKLY NUMBERS – March 19, 2020 Cases: 10,442 Deaths: 150

Jesse Jackson

Once The Pandemic Passes, People Of Consequences Must Step Up

March 26, 2020 Cases: 75,233 Deaths: 1,070 April 02, 2020 Cases: 226,374 Deaths: 5,316 April 09, 2020 Cases: 455,876 Deaths: 16,314

D.A. – Kim Ogg Coronavirus COVID-19 – Quarantined With An Abuser?

April 16, 2020 Cases: 661,813 Deaths: 33,490

STAY HOMEHWORK SAFE Reports on State of Texas, Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston Counties & City of Houston Follow Us #TeamStyleMag

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TIMETABLE FOR CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IS 18-MONTHS

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BARACK OBAMA ENDORES JOE BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

Governor Greg Abbott Judge Ruled Abbott Exceeded His Authority With Executive Order

Russell Westbrook Gives Back

N E W S | C O M M E N TA R I E S | S P O R T S | H E A LT H | E N T E R TA I N M E N T Support Black Owned Businesses

April 16 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April 22, 2020

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Publisher Francis Page, Jr. fpagejr@stylemagazine.com Associate Publisher Lisa Valadez lisa@stylemagazine.com

Managing Editor Jo-Carolyn Goode editorial@stylemagazine.com

COVID-19: Is Reshaping U.S. Corporate Culture

Social Media Editor/Videographer Reginald Dominique reggiedominique@me.com Sports Editor Brian Barefield

NATIONAL WRITERS

Jesse Jackson jjackson@rainbowpush.org Roland Martin www.rolandmartin.com Judge Greg Mathis www.askjudgemathis.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS Vicky Pink vhpink@gmail.com

Russell Westbrook: Gives Local Students 650 Laptops

William Ealy Williamealy1906@gmail.com Semetra Samuel semetra@artistikrebelcreative.com

Mike Munoz artrepreneur91@gmail.com Robert Franklin editorial@stylemagazine.com

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HCC: To Address Shortages In Protective Gear

©2020 Houston Style Magazine, a Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Company. All Right Reserved. Reproduction in whole or within part without permission is prohibited. Houston Style Magazine has a 2019 audit by Circulation Verification Council (CVC). Houston Style Magazine is a member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA), Texas Community Newspaper Association (TCNA), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Independent Free Paper of America (IFPA), Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP). National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc. (NAHP, Inc.), Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals (HAHMP), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP)

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April 16 – April 22, 2020

COMMENTARY

Coronavirus Draws Attention to the Cost of Racism By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer

he media has just discovered that the coronavirus is far more deadly to blacks and Latinos than to whites. Twice as deadly in New York City, according to the New York Times. Seventy-two percent of the fatalities in Chicago are blacks who constitute about 30 percent of the population. The news is treated as a shocking revelation on the BBC, CNN and CBS and in newspapers across the country. Why should anyone be shocked? Over 150 years after the abolition of slavery, and over six decades since the end of legal apartheid in this country, America still remains, as the Kerner Commission concluded in 1968, “two societies, one black, one white, separate and unequal.” The coronavirus does not discriminate, but people do. African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to die because we bear the pre-existing condition known as race. The reality is harsh and inescapable. African Americans are more likely to be poor, more likely to be unemployed, more likely to lack health insurance, more likely to be arrested, jailed and incarcerated. We live lives of greater stress, in neighborhoods too often scarred by gun violence. The result is a lower life expectancy even before the virus hit. This discrepancy is structural, and it is not accidental. It is, as the Kerner Commission concluded, the direct result of public policy and private prejudice. African Americans are more likely to be afflicted with pre-existing health conditions that make the virus particularly fatal: heart disease, diabetes,

asthma, obesity. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, we are 50 percent more likely to have heart disease and 40 percent more likely to die at an early age. Nineteen percent of us can’t afford to see a doctor. The majority of us live in the South where many Republican governors have refused to extend Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Anti-immigration rhetoric and policing make many Hispanics reluctant to go to the hospital or see a doctor, even if they can afford it. Blacks and Hispanics also constitute a disproportionate number of the frontline workers -- the bus drivers and grocery clerks, janitors and mass transit workers, child care and nursing home staffs. They take the early bus. They do not have the luxury of “social distancing.” They can’t work from home and can’t afford not to work. These realities are pre-existing conditions that make us more vulnerable to the virus. They aren’t a secret, even though they are seldom discussed. Now the virus is bringing them to public attention once more. The question is whether anything will be done this time. If the president or Congress were serious, they would create a new Kerner Commission, an independent commission to document the structures of racism and discrimination built into our public policies. And then they would act on the recommendations - many of which no doubt would be no different than those of the Kerner Commission itself over half a century ago. If they fail to act, governors could create similar

Donald J. Trump investigations for their own states, and act upon the recommendations. Donald Trump has failed to mobilize adequately the federal resources needed to combat the coronavirus effectively. But past presidents and congresses have failed for decades to mobilize the resources and make the wrenching changes needed to end the virus of white racism, and finally create an equal playing field for all in America. The coronavirus only serves to once more draw attention to the terrible human costs of that failure. You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this newspaper or by email at jjackson@rainbowpush.org. Follow him on Twitter @RevJJackson. Share this story online at www.StyleMagazine.com.

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April 16 – April 22, 2020

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How COVID-19 Is Reshaping

CORPORATE CULTURE COVID-19 Is Changing How U.S. Companies Operate

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

he outbreak of COVID-19 is radically changing how many U.S. companies operate. Public safety measures have closed physical offices and made remote working the norm. Travel restrictions have heightened the importance of efficient technology, communication and collaboration. Executives have had to pivot quickly, reorganizing and rallying their workforce to push forward in an unprecedented time. Some business leaders think COVID-19 marks a permanent turning point. And at the center of the seismic change is the reshaping of corporate culture – the beliefs and behaviors that influence how a company’s employees and management interact, says Chuck Crumpton (www.chuckcrumpton.com), author of The Jagged Journey: A Raw & Real Memoir about the Non-Perfect Path of Life & Business. “The pandemic unquestionably will have lasting effects on corporate cultures,” Crumpton says. “There’s a

growing sense it’s a fundamental shift, a new normal. “It starts with empathy. Company leaders are seeing they need to listen more to their employees’ concerns, which are really everybody’s concerns right now. Many people have fear and uncertainty. It’s an opportunity to be more understanding and build relationships with the people you work with, and from there as a company, being better able to work in new and more collaborative ways.” Crumpton explains the ways corporate culture will be reshaped in the wake of COVID-19 and how leaders can influence those positive changes: Providing emotional support along with technical support.While technology is the key to keeping a remote workforce functioning at a high level, Crumpton says how leaders create a culture of mutual support will be a big factor in company culture and the employee experience. “You want to get people helping and looking out for each other,” Crumpton

OBAMA ENDORSES JOE BIDEN

By Dan Merica, CNN StyleMagazine.com Newswire

ormer President Barack Obama played an active, albeit private, role in the Democratic presidential primary that effectively ended on Wednesday when Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race. Obama and Sanders spoke multiple times in the last few weeks as the Vermont senator determined the future of his campaign, a source familiar with the conversation tells CNN. Sanders’ decision to get out on Wednesday paves the way for Joe Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president for eight years, to become the Democratic nominee. Obama’s eventual endorse-

ment of Biden and fulsome entry into the campaign, whenever it occurs, will signal a new phase in Democrats’ efforts to defeat President Donald Trump. In keeping with tradition, Obama had previously made clear he wouldn›t publicly wade into his party›s 2020 presidential primary fight but has promised to support whomever ended up as the nominee. And with Sanders out, the former President backing his one-time running mate is all but a forgone conclusion, something Trump acknowledged at the White House Wednesday. “He’ll come out, I’m sure he’s got to come out at some point,” Trump said of Obama. “Because he certainly doesn’t

says. “Not every Google Chat, call or email has to be business-related.” More, and better, communication. Working remotely, with managers and employees at different locations, places an emphasis on focused and more precise communication – even over-communication if necessary – to keep operations flowing, Crumpton says. “The use of video conferencing is very effective, keeping everyone connected and agendas targeted,” he says. “It increases responsiveness, attention span, and strengthens collaboration.” More of a family feeling. “Working from home personalizes the workplace, partly because you are working from your personal space, and the imaginary line between family and work is basically gone,” Crumpton says. “People are out of their shell now, more relatable. Colleagues and clients are happy to share a screen with their kids or pets in the background. There’s a blending of the personal and professional, and it’s liberating.” want to see me for four more years. We’re not -- we think a little bit differently.” Although Obama remained relatively mum throughout the primary, only speaking out a handful of times before voters began casting ballots in 2020, the former president was closely monitoring the debate and had regular conversations with candidates before, during and after their respective bids. “His private counsel consistently emphasized staying focused on the ultimate goal: Winning the White House in November,” the source familiar with Obama’s calls tells CNN. “I am confident that at the end of the process we will have a candidate who has been tested,” Obama said, “and will be able to proudly carry the Democratic banner, and we are going to have to unify around that.”

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Better collaboration. “Your relationship with your teammates will improve,” Crumpton says. “Fighting a common enemy, the coronavirus, creates bonds in relationships. Everyone being in this together brings new levels of connection with colleagues and clients. You’re happy to see each other on screen during this period of physical isolation, and that feeling can be brought forward when things settle down. The bond strengthens with teammates also by having worked together to solve problems and be proactive during difficult times. That means better collaboration and more enthusiasm for teamwork and shared success.” “This crisis has challenged us in seemingly every way,” Crumpton says. “It’s been sudden, profound, and life-changing. Companies have been forced to make major changes, and in the process, they’re seeing the workplace and the world differently. It’s a great opportunity for growth and positive, permanent change.”

Former President Barack Obama Endorses America’s Democratic Candidate Joe Biden for President to Defeat Current Republican President Donald J. Trump

April 16 – April 22, 2020

Coronavirus Briefs. . .

Timetable for Coronavirus Vaccine Is 18 Months By CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Exceeded Authority with Executive Order By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

Lawsuit says governor’s order restricting releases exceeds his constitutional authority; public health experts agree reducing populations in prisons and jails necessary to prevent outbreaks

overnor Abbott unlawfully exceeded his constitutional authority by issuing an executive order that suspends the rights that individuals, who are presumed innocent, have while facing criminal prosecution, according to a new lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Texas, Texas Fair Defense Project, the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The lawsuit, filed today in the State District Court of Travis County, is on behalf of the misdemeanor magistrate judges of Harris County, three criminal defense non-profit organizations and the NAACP of Texas. It states that the Governor’s March 29 order, GA-13, unlawfully attempts to remove discretion from judges about who can receive personal bonds and suspend

certain laws related to decisions about who can be released on personal bond, while the Texas Constitution clearly states that those decisions lie with the Judiciary and the power to suspend laws lies only with the Legislature. The lawsuit argues that the Texas Disaster Act also does not grant the Governor with this authority. The lawsuit also states that GA-13 creates an unconstitutional wealth-based system by banning the use of personal bonds for certain people, putting pre-trial freedom out of the reach of those unable to pay cash bail. “Governor Abbott’s illegal executive order disproportionately keeps poor people, people of color, and in particular African Americans jailed and therefore at a heightened risk of contracting COVID-19,” said Arthur Ago, criminal justice project director for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “The Texas Constitution makes it clear: The Governor does not have the authority to suspend state law, particularly those that govern our criminal justice system, even during an emergency,” said Andre Segura, legal director for the ACLU of Texas. For those reasons it’s best to leave the decisions of how to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the jails and prisons to judges. Under our laws, they are the ones who are best suited to make those decisions.” A copy of the complaint filed in court is available at: www.StyleMagazine.com

April 16 – April 22, 2020

ighteen months might sound like a long time, but in vaccine years, it’s a blink. That’s the long end of the Trump administration’s time window for developing a coronavirus vaccine, and some leaders in the field say this is too fast -- and could come at the expense of safety. The estimated time made headlines last month, when Trump remarked at a televised Cabinet Room meeting with pharmaceutical executives that a vaccine could be ready in «three to four months.» There, in front of TV cameras, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), poured cold water on Trump’s estimate, saying it would be more like a year to a year and a half. Ever since, that estimate of 12-18 months has become gospel, its appearance in media stories ubiquitous. But medical experts and scientists with firsthand experience developing vaccines are skeptical. “Tony Fauci is saying a year to 18 months -- I think that’s optimistic,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, a leading expert on infectious disease and vaccine development at Baylor College of Medicine. «Maybe if all the stars align, but probably longer.» Dr. Paul Offit, the co-inventor of the successful rotavirus vaccine, put it more bluntly. “When Dr. Fauci said 12 to 18 months, I thought that was ridiculously optimistic,” he told CNN. “And I’m sure he did, too.” Vaccines development typically measured in years, not months As the number of U.S. coronavirus deaths surges past 3,000, the pressure on the scientific community to find a vaccine is immense. In just a few

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weeks, the virus has jammed the gears of a robust economy and destroyed 3.3 million jobs. Fear is off the charts, and with that comes the pressure to find a fix yesterday. On March 16, two weeks after the Cabinet meeting, the first federally funded trial for the novel coronavirus -- officially known as SARS-CoV-2 -- kicked off at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute in Seattle. On Friday, it expanded to Emory University in Atlanta. Forty-five volunteers in the Seattle and Atlanta communities are participating in the first phase of the trial, which Fauci said was “launched in record speed.” (Although several vaccines are in development, only one other clinical trial is underway, in China.) The problem is, experts say, the oft-stated timetable is ambitious at best. “I don’t think it’s ever been done at an industrial scale in 18 months,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar focused on emerging infectious disease at the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University. «Vaccine development is usually measured in years, not months.» Vaccine trials typically start with testing in animals before launching into a three-phase process. The first phase involves injecting the vaccine into a small group of people to assess safety and monitor their immune response. The second ramps up the number of people -- often into the hundreds, and often including more members of at-risk groups -- for a randomized trial. If the results are promising, the trial moves to phase-three test for efficacy and safety with thousands or tens of thousands of people, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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April 16 – April 22, 2020

4/1/20 7:08 PM

Are You Quarantined With An Abuser? Harris County District Attorney’s Office Remains Ready to Respond to Domestic Violence

REPORT ABUSE: Do Your Part to Prevent Drug Abuse By StatePoint special to Houston Style Magazine

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

DA Kim Ogg! hope this message finds you and yours healthy and safe. The lack of certainty during these times has a way of making every day a little more challenging, and the close quarters we share may cause frustration. It’s in times like these that we need to find our patience and, for everyone’s sake, remain calm. Unfortunately, a crisis is often accompanied by increased domestic violence. Those who are quarantined in their homes with an abuser, especially when children are involved, are now

in a more vulnerable and precarious situation than ever before. The District Attorney’s office and law enforcement continue to work tirelessly and remain ready to respond to calls for help from victims of domestic violence. Regardless of a person’s national origin or their health status, the Harris County DA’s Office will protect you from continued domestic violence, so long as you report it. Protective Orders still can be obtained from a judge upon presentation of sufficient evidence of past violence and continued risk, so we have put together some tips to help keep everyone in our community safe. Please share this information with everyone, and if you know anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse, please check in on them by phone, by Facetime, or even email. Let’s stick together and stay safe by staying in touch. Don’t forget or forgo calling the police to report violence in your own home. It just might save your life. Your safety continues to be my number one priority as your District Attorney – DA Kim Ogg!

Based on epidemiologists’ COVID-19 models, it’s estimated that more than 13,000 lives can be saved in Harris County if stay-at-home orders are followed through April 22nd. By Andy Olin / Kinder Institute

ith many Americans asked to stay at home to help curb the impact of COVID-19, there’s a higher risk of potential prescription drug abuse or prescription drugs accidentally falling into the wrong hands, like those of children. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Abuse, more than 9.9 million Americans abuse prescription drugs. Additionally, more than 70 percent of individuals who illegally use prescription pain relievers obtained them through their friends or family, including through the home medicine cabinet. To help those at home prevent prescription drug abuse and dispose of unwanted medications in a safe, environmentally responsible way, Susan Peppers, Express Scripts vice president of pharmacy practice, is sharing the following tips.

• Keep drugs secure and out of reach. Medications should be stored in a locked area, out of children’s reach, with narcotics and other potentially addictive drugs stored in another secure location. If this isn’t an option, a lock should be added to the medicine cabinet and the key secured.

• Track treatments. It’s recommended

to maintain a master list of the medications stored at home, especially for individuals with a potential for abuse. That list should include the medication name, the doctor’s name who prescribed it, the dosage and the medication’s potential side effects. Periodically, caregivers should count the medications remaining in the container and make sure it’s the correct amount according to the prescribed dosage. Pill boxes with dividers

April 16 – April 22, 2020

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for each day’s medicines are also a good way to track usage.

• Don’t share medication. Medica-

tion prescribed to one individual isn’t for anyone else, even if that person is showing similar symptoms. Not only is sharing medication with someone else illegal, but it could lead to dangerous drug interactions and serious side effects due to potential allergies and wrong dosages, among other reasons. If an individual has taken medication that wasn’t prescribed to them, they should contact their doctor.

• Dispose of unwanted drugs properly. Individuals should follow specific disposal instructions on the label, if provided. Otherwise, they can check the Food and Drug Administration Flush List to see if they can flush the medicine down the toilet. If that isn’t an option, individuals can mix the medication with an undesirable substance like used coffee grounds, cat litter or sawdust, place the mixture in a sealable bag and dispose of it in the trash. Medication containers should be stripped of all personal information prior to placing them in the trash or recycling. Note that once guidelines are lifted for staying home, individuals can visit the Drug Enforcement Administration website to locate a collection site near them as another way to dispose of prescription medications safely. As everyone is spending more time at home, remembering these simple steps can go a long way to help individuals protect their family against prescription drug abuse.

Houston Health Department Expands COVID-19 Test Sites to Anyone Wanting to Get Tested Testing Capacity Doubled to 1,000 per day

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

he Houston Health Department’s two COVID-19 drive-thru sites will broaden testing to anyone wanting to get a test and double their daily testing capacity to 1,000 on Tuesday. Each community site will ramp up its testing capacity from 250 to 500 people per day. The tests are free to the public. People can call the department’s COVID-19 call center at 832393-4220 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to receive a unique identification code and instructions on where to go for testing and how to obtain their test results. The community sites only accept people with the identification code obtained through the department’s COVID-19 call center. People showing up at the test sites without an identification code will not get tested. The testing sites will continue operating until further notice. Workers at the sites only collect

Fort Bend County Expands COVID-19 Testing Sites to All Residents

Available Tests, Free to All, No Screening for Symptons

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

ounty Judge KP George announced publicly on Tuesday that the Fort Bend County testing site for COVID-19 is now open to all residents -- whether or not they are experiencing symptoms from the novel coronavirus. The Judge announced the expansion in the open session of the Commissioner’s Court.

insurance information and don’t accept payment. The information obtained through testing or services will not be used against immigrants in their public charge evaluation. Houstonians may visit HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 for updated information about local risk, routine protective actions, frequently asked questions, communication resources, rumor control, emergency preparedness tips and more.

“I am pleased that we have found the resources to open our county testing side to everyone who wants to be tested, at no cost to them,” Judge KP George said shortly after the Commissioners Court meeting. “I want to thank all the hard working Fort Bend County and Access Health employees who are working around the clock to make our community safer for families and especially those most vulnerable to this terrible virus. I pray that more testing will help save lives.”

and time. They must bring the code with them to the appointment. The County is able to do 200 tests per day. The test is free to the resident.

There is no requirement for symptoms to be tested. Under the expanded testing policy, residents of Fort Bend can call (281) 238-2363 to get an identification code and to schedule date

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April 16 – April 22, 2020

Kroger Houston Expands Partnership With Local Restaurants

roger Houston Division announced additional dates as part of their partnership with several local restaurants in an effort to support local businesses. In addition to local minority-owned restaurants Burns BBQ and Kim Son, Kroger will be partnering with Frenchy’s and Peli Peli, offering a selection of chef-prepared meals at pop-up locations in select Houston area stores. “We have seen a tremendously positive response to our efforts to team up with local restaurants,” Said Joe Kelley, Kroger President. “We are excited to be able to extend this program and support our local community; it’s something we are very proud of.” Peli Peli is one of the best-reviewed LOCAL restaurants in Houston and features South African steaks & seafood highlighting flavors from around

the world. Currently with four locations around the greater Houston area, Peli Peli opened its first location at Vintage Park in 2009. Peli Peli has been featured on the Food Network and CNBC. Frenchy’s has become one of the most popular Creole cuisine restaurants in Houston and surrounding areas. From its humble beginnings, Frenchy’s has grown to become the hometown favorite for millions of customers over the years, with a full Creole-style menu of sides to accompany the famous, spicy “Frenchy’s Chicken” that Houstonians have come to know and love. Customers can pick up the chef-prepared meals at the following stores:

April 16 – April 22, 2020

Burns BBQ

Beginning April 16 & 19 from 11am Kroger – Shepard 1035 N. Shepherd Houston, 77008 Kroger – Studemont 1449 Studemont St. Houston, 77007 Kroger - Buffalo 5150 Buffalo Speedway Houston, 77005

KIM SON

Beginning April 15 & 17 from 11am Kroger - Buffalo 5150 Buffalo Speedway Houston, 77005 Kroger - West Gray Kroger, 1938 West Gray Houston, 77019 Kroger - Voss/San Felipe Kroger, 1801 S Voss Houston, 77057

FRENCHY’S

Beginning April 17 & 18 from 11am Kroger – Shepard 1035 N. Shepherd Houston, 77008 Kroger – Studemont 1449 Studemont St. Houston, 77007

PELI PELI

Beginning April 17 from 11am Kroger – Champions 15802 Champion Forest Dr. Houston, 77379

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the good from. . .

SOCIAL DISTANCING By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

o need to pinch yourself or splash cold water on your face. You are not dreaming but are living in an altered reality. We are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic that is wreaking havoc in the world, taking millions of lives, draining the economy, and keeping us indoors. By now you are well aware of what COVID-19 is, the symptoms, and how it spreads. All the negatives are out there but how about a dose of positivity?

HEROES Those in the military, law enforcement, and firefighters are often frequently called heroes. During this outbreak, new heroes have been identified to add to that category. Healthcare workers dispense care and heal us back to good health. But never before has their physical and mental health been so at risk. Going above and beyond the call of duty, these folks are jeopardizing everything just to take care of us despite some who are putting themselves in harm’s way regardless of race, gender, age, and in some cases, lack of judgment. They continue to fulfill their oath day in and day out. Grocery store workers are now heroes. Doing backbreaking work for extended hours. These men and women are helping to keep us feed. Even in spite of the rudeness of some, the inconsiderate who spread germs, and the volume of demand. The people that are often invisible are showing up to work with a smile and no real appreciation. Thank you grocery store employees for keeping shelves stocked as best you can and putting your own and that of your family’s safety at risk.

The Family

Now to focus on the family that has been given a precious gift, time. Often parents feel guilty because they don’t have enough time to spend with their children due to work commitments and other activities. Stay Home orders have given parents the opportunity to really connect with their children. Parents can learn their children’s likes and dislikes, what they are thinking, their talents and skills, their goals and aspirations, and so much more. Children are learning their parents can be silly and have fun with them based on the influx of dance videos, cooking competitions, outings in the park, and new skills learned that are on the feeds of many social media accounts. Spouses have gotten to reflect on why they fell in love with each other. While some have even found new reasons why they love their significant other. Couples have discovered interesting things about each other as their love continues to grow. Families have found new ways to love and show their love for in reciprocal ways. Families will be closer in the long run because of the coronavirus.

Sharing Your Heart Southerners are thought to be the friendliest folks as we charm others with our southern hospitality. We bend over backward for family, friends, and strangers. In times of crisis we step it up and the good is brought out in all of us. We become our brother’s/sister’s keeper. Neighbors check on each other. Friends find new ways to connect with zoom meeting link-ups, random cards in the mail, and calling instead of texting to hear the voice of others. Across the country, people are expressing acts of kindness in creative and unique ways. Musicians are given front porch concerts. Teachers are hav-

ing drive by parades for their students. Residents are opening up their pantry to share with neighbors in need. The healthy are running errands for the high at risk. This is a great time to be neighborly while be socially distance.

Appreciation of Others Since schools are now closed, parents have found themselves in a role that they didn’t think they would have to be in, a teacher. Students have replaced their classroom desk with their home kitchen table. Parents are having to go back to refresh their knowledge on reading, writing, and arithmetic to help their young scholars while dealing with behaviors teachers convey about their children. Their children’s education is now in the palm of their hands. All of this experience has caused a flood of appreciation for America’s teachers and those in education. Where would any of us be without having a teacher in our lives educating us? So if you haven’t thanked a teacher, I surmise that you are doing that now. No longer is being a teacher a thankless job. Teachers, you are appreciated for all that you do to educate the next generation. Let’s not forget about governmental employees, city government officials, postal workers, road crews, garbage workers, and more who continue to show up to keep our city functioning as best as possible. Just imagine this pandemic without them. I shudder to think about what our reality would look like. Bless these folks with motivation and productivity to keep going and the knowledge to pull us through it all.

thing.” Well, now you have plenty of it. God has answered your prayers. You have been given the gift to play catch up when life was moving too fast. Connect with your spiritual authority. Clean the house. Write a book. Launch that business. Learn a skill. Focus on your dreams. Work on yourself. You now have the time to do so. What have you done with your extra minutes? Don’t waste it. Use it productively.

Technology When you are socially distant, technology can be your best friend. The advancement of it has aided us greatly during this time. Teachers are using it to keep their students’ minds expanding. Workers are continuing to do business because of it. Our entertainment options are endless. Families can say goodbye in some cases to dying loved ones. Celebrations like birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, happy hours and other events can still be held in a new way. Information is at our fingertips in real time on a 24/7 cycle. It may seem hard in these bleak times to find the rainbow in the clouds but hopefully, I have given you some reasons to smile. Remember you are not alone. We are all in this together.

Time Be grateful for the time. Have you ever said, “There are just not enough hours in the day to do every-

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April 16 – April 22, 2020

Five Questions With Pastor Joel Osteen

Pastor Of Houston’s Mega-Church – Lakewood By Allison Kugel, Special Newswire Correspondent

ne man, Pastor Joel Osteen, of Lakewood Church in Houston Texas, has been doing his part, and then some since taking over his late father, John Osteen’s, Lakewood congregation in 1999 as head pastor. Osteen’s eternal optimism, interpretation of Bible scripture and his practice of radical acceptance, has skyrocketed his church and his message into the stratosphere. Osteen’s parishioners who attend his church and follow him on television, through his podcasts, many New York Times bestselling books, tours and radio broadcasts have responded in massive numbers to Osteen’s message of “come as you are.” During our conversation, we discuss his deep-rooted belief that human beings do not have to be perfect to embrace Christianity, or any faith for that matter. You simply must have the desire in your heart to be better today than you were yesterday; an all-inclusive qualification, that Osteen insists,

allows us all to measure up in the eyes of God. Allison Kugel: How has your ministry changed in the wake of this COVID-19 pandemic in terms of how you’re interacting with your congregation, and with the world at large? Are you approaching your messages differently? Joel Osteen: You know, I wouldn’t say that I am. I guess I am approaching it differently in one sense. I’m speaking more to the subject at hand, and talking about choosing faith and not fear, and things like that. Other than that, it’s just a shift away from the people being here [in Houston’s Compaq Center] and being able to pray with people in person. Fortunately, we had our online platform, and this network of television stations already lined up. Other than not seeing everyone in person, it hasn’t changed that much.

Joel Osteen, Head Pastor Of Lakewood Church Allison Kugel: Apart from 9/11, which was of course devastating, the last several decades we’ve just kind of had good times. We didn’t live through things like the Spanish Flu, The Great Depression, World War I or World War II, like previous generations did. Now we are faced with the enormity of this pandemic. Do you think the word “faith” has taken on new meaning now? Joel Osteen: I think it has. I think our faith is tested and tried in the difficult times, and you make a good point in that we haven’t lived like previous generations did. We haven’t had to endure that. This is such a time of uncertainty, but I do believe this is when we turn to our faith. This is when you can feel that peace and that hope to get through it. That is what I feel faith is all about. It’s not just for the good times. Even though we hadn’t previously experienced those kinds of things in our generation, we all experience difficulties in relationships, finances, the loss of loved ones and with health issues. I think our faith can be seen there. Allison Kugel: Faith comes into play any time we have to believe, in the absence of concrete physical evidence… Joel Osteen: I think we can see we are not really in control as much as we think we are. I think for me, I’ve encouraged people that it’s a great time to re-evaluate your life, and your priorities; and to ask, “Do I have things in order? Am I taking people for granted? Am I loving the people God’s given me to love?” These things can cause us to ask those important questions. That’s how good can come out of it. We can reevaluate and maybe make some adjustments. Allison Kugel: Have you been revisiting scripture to connect to all that is going on in the year 2020, and this seismic shift in our world?

April 16 – April 22, 2020

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Joel Osteen: I’m always searching the scripture and I’m always studying. I don’t know if it’s specifically that, but I agree with what you are saying that some scripture becomes more real right now. I talked the other day, and I think it was from the Book of Matthew, where it says in the last days, there will be pandemics. And I think, “Well, you know, we’re stepping into these times.” But Jesus said, “Even then, don’t lose faith. Keep your faith and don’t live in fear.” Allison Kugel: What is Lakewood Church doing in terms of donations of medical supplies, food, or whatever kind of support you’re working on for your local hospitals and other service providers in the Houston area? Joel Osteen: We’re doing something called Boxes of Hope. These are for the elderly, and for people that have special needs children. These are boxes filled with groceries, water, soaps, and things that they need if they can’t get to the grocery store. My brother Paul is a medical doctor and he’s working with some of his contacts, and we’re donating masks and medical supplies down to the large medical center we have here in Houston. Another thing we are doing is taking food trucks down to the medical center for the first responders, nurses and doctors, so they can step outside and have some free food. We also did a blood drive last week at the Gulf Coast Blood Center. We’re always their biggest blood drive in North America. We’ll have another couple of thousand people that will come through and give blood. People here at Lakewood [Church], they love to help, they love to give, and they love to share. Read the full interview online at: www.StyleMagazine.com.

Rockets’ Star Russell Westbrook Purchases 650 Laptops for Local Students By Brian Barefield, Sports Editor

ven when he is not on the court, Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook is still making his presence felt in the community. Westbrook is teaming up with Comp-U-Dopt and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to donate 650 laptops through his WHY NOT? FOUNDATION to underprivileged children throughout the city. Texas schools have been closed for nearly a month due to the COVID-19 pandemic which forced school districts to come up with an alternate plan to help students complete their assignments via distance learning while they are not physically able to attend classes. During the transition to the online curriculum, many teachers found out that a majority of their students did not have computers at home. “Russell Westbrook proves why he is a champion on and off the court,” Mayor Turner said. “This donation will

Houston Rockets Star Player – Russell Westbrook be a gamechanger for many students and their families coping with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The generous contribution from the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation will help young people stay focused on their education

at home and until they can return to their classroom.” Comp-U-Dopt has provided nearly 1,000 computers to economically disadvantaged families through donations to families in Houston since March

18th. The majority of those homes have a yearly income of less than $35,000. “The generous gift from the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation will allow us to significantly increase our inventory and ensure we can to continue to close the gap for Houston families most in need,” says Colin Dempsey, Executive Director | Houston & Galveston for Comp-U-Dopt. “1 in 3 economically disadvantaged students in the Houston area lack access to a computer at home.” Westbrook is just one of many Houston athletes doing their part in helping the city get through this current crisis. On last week, Astros third baseman Alex Bregman made a $100,000 donation to the Houston Food Bank through his FEEDHOU organization. Read more online at: www.StyleMagazine.com

If I could do one thing, I’d have a daycare closer to work. If you could do one thing for your community, what would it be? More daycare centers? More funding for Head Start? Completing the 2020 Census is a safe and easy way to inform how billions of dollars in funding flow into your community for hundreds of services. Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

Complete the census at:

2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.

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‘Do Not Wait’ How to Apply for Harris County’s Small Business Loan Program Commissioner Adrian Garcia Announces Details By StyleMagazine.com Newswire employment. Garcia said businesses can apply to both this loan program and the SBA loan program: https://www. sba.gov Applicants will be asked to submit requested documents and information, officials said. VISIT: https:// www.hgaldc.com Garcia said all businesses must meet the following requirements:

GUIDANCE FOR FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS Food has not been identified as a likely source of COVID-19 infection at this time; however, food businesses can play an important role in both protecting their employees and their customers from coronavirus infection by following the below personal and environmental hygiene practices.

VISIT WWW.HCPHTX.ORG OCEE 03/13/2020

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Stay home when you are sick with fever, coughing, and sneezing

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Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds upon first arriving to work, after using the restroom, before and after eating and frequently throughout the day. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

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Provide alcohol based (60%) hand sanitizers for use for both employees and customers by placing them at convenient/accessible locations

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Use sanitizing solution (i.e., one teaspoon of unscented household bleach in a gallon of cool water) to frequently sanitize commonly touched surfaces and objects such as electronics, door knobs, faucet handles, counter tops, cash machine key pads, dining tables frequently throughout the day. Change the sanitizing solution at least once every four hours

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Consider temporarily limiting self-serve operations. Examples of such operations include; salad bars, buffets and dispensers. Replace utensils frequently (approximately hourly) during peak use hours for self-serve style operations

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Ensure dishwasher and/or three-compartment sinks are used properly and have the appropriate level of sanitizer for final rinse (50-100 PPM chlorine-based sanitizer, follow product label for other approved sanitizers)

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Ensure sneeze guards are in place where required

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If you have food employees at higher risk for coronavirus with underlying health conditions, such as people 60 or older, people with underlying health conditions (heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes) or those with weakened immune systems or those who are pregnant: consider temporarily assigning them to non-public-contact duties

If you are a food business owner or a food worker and have questions related to your operation, please reach out to your Health Investigator or call 713-274-6300 to speak with office staff. For the latest information, please visit the following site: www.hcphtx.org\COVID-19

April 16 – April 22, 2020

arris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia announced details Thursday on how small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic can apply for a 0% interest or potentially-forgivable loan from a $10 million county-funded program. Garcia and his office established the guidelines of the program after it was passed in commissioners court. The Houston-Galveston Area Council will administer the loans, according to a press release. The loan is first come first serve, Garcia said. He noted that it is important to apply now and not wait. The county’s goal is to help keep businesses open and staff employed by flattening the curb of un-

1. Need to be in Harris County. 2. Be in good standing county’s tax office. 3. Not a non-profit, liquor store or adult shop. 4. Able to provide impact use. 5. In business for more than a year. 6. Provide at least 2 years of tax returns. 7. Provide economic impact by COVID-19. 8. Provide future projections. Garcia said the money will only be used on payroll and benefits. Loan Application Website: http://www.Harriscountyloan.com

Texas Public Utility COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

What is the PUC doing to help Texans experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19?

How do I get added to the list? If you are a residential electricity customer in areas of Texas open to retail competition who qualifies for unemployment benefits and is in genuinely dire economic straits as a result of COVID-19, you can contact the state’s Low Income List Administrator (LILA) at 866-454-8387 to request enrollment. Their call center is operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Who are these actions intended to help? These efforts are intended to help those Texans in genuine financial distress as a result of COVID-19, when their utility bills will literally break their family budget. Because the cost of these temporary measures will ultimately be borne by rate payers (including customers with suspended disconnects whose final balances are not totally offset by the COVID-19 surcharge on actively paying customers), they should be reserved for those in dire circumstances.

How does enrollment work? After you have contacted the LILA (at 866-454-8387 or https://www. txcovid19erp.org/) and shared proof of your unemployment status and essential information with them (including your name, electricity service address and, preferably, your electricity account number with your REP), you will be provisionally added to the list and your REP will be notified within a week to not disconnect your power if you are unable to pay the bill or enter into a deferred payment.

n March 26th, the Public Utility Commission of Texas responded to the governor’s declaration of emergency with a plan to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Texas utility customers who are experiencing genuine economic hardship as a result of the pandemic.

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HCC Creates Community Partnership to Address Protective Gear Shortages in Houston Area

By StyleMagazine.com, Newswire

ouston Community College (HCC) announced that San Jacinto College, University of Houston at Sugar Land, Fort Bend County Judge’s Office, TX/RX Labs, Alief ISD and Houston ISD have joined efforts to help address personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages for local area medical professionals and first responders in the fight against COVID-19. The collaborative effort – known as H-Force – will be a comprehensive community partnership platform bringing together members’ resources, technologies and expertise to address the Houston area’s growing needs amidst this global crisis. “Everyone needs to do their part to help, and our institution is honored to be at the heart of this effort to bring educational partners and local organizations together so we can have an even greater impact,” stated Dr. Cesar Maldonado, Chancellor of HCC. Maldonado went on to state, “Through H-Force, we can work together and with the community to support innovative ways to address the significant need for protective equip-

ment to support those on the front-line working to keep our community healthy and safe.” H-Force members are already supporting a number of initiatives across the city, including the project initiated by TX/RX Labs to utilize 3D printers to produce face shields to assist healthcare workers at Memorial Hermann Health System, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and Baylor College of Medicine. + Houston Community College received an approved waiver from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo to use its high-capacity 3D printing labs to produce face shield components. Production is currently underway. In support of this exciting effort, the HCC Foundation has provided a lead grant of $30,000 to HCC. + San Jacinto College, Houston ISD and Alief ISD have also joined the effort, utilizing their respective organizations’ 3D printers to provide additional face shield components.

Dr. Cesar Maldonado, Chancellor of HCC + Fort Bend County and University of Houston at Sugar Land have brought other county stakeholders together to inventory the equipment, products and personnel they can provide to support the effort. In just a few short days they already secured a donation of 5,000 face shields from Sean Mehta, CEO and Founder of Luminess. All of those in the community who can assist with 3D printing are encouraged to do so, and H-Force is also in need of filament and 3D printing material supplies for those who can make donations. The collaborative is establishing drop off locations throughout the city to ensure community members have easy access to places to take their

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donations, while also maintaining the social distancing requirements in place throughout the Houston area. All of this information provided by H-Force and its collaborators (including printing specs, instructions, and donation options), in addition other initiatives H-Force will support, is available on a newly launched website – www.thehforce.org. The website will be a resource that continues to evolve as new projects and initiatives are identified to help increase PPE supplies across the city, county and state. Individuals and local businesses can also support the effort by making a financial or material donation.

April 16 – April 22, 2020

Texans Helping Texans Bringing us together during uncertain times.

To learn more go to heb.com/texanshelpingtexans 16

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