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That which Surgeon General gets mistaken about African Americans and Covid19-Bakari Sellers
That which Surgeon General gets mistaken about African Americans and Covid19-Bakari Sellers
Bakari Sellers is a former Democratic member of the South Carolina House of Representatives and a CNN commentator. He is the author of the forthcoming book “My Vanishing Country.” The views expressed in this commentary are his own.
(CNN)“When America catches cold, black folks catch pneumonia.”
In his words, he said Growing up in Denmark, South Carolina, my father, Cleveland Sellers Jr., would regularly repeat this notion to offer much-needed perspective in different policy discussions throughout the years. Continually, my father’s evergreen sentiments have proven to be correct.
The destructive impact brought on by the COVID-19 is being felt in every corner of America. Each day, our lives and livelihoods hang in the balance as millions of Americans file for unemployment and friends and loved ones die by the hour.
Based on my father’s logic, we should not be at all surprised that in some cities, the overwhelming majority of those who are losing their lives are African American. In Chicago, Milwaukee and New Orleans, African Americans represent 70-80% of the coronavirus deaths. And in St. Louis, according to the Associated Press, African Americans comprise all but three of the coronavirus deaths, as of Monday.
What Covid-19 is showing us about the South
It is impossible to overlook the obvious racial disparities that have made surviving the coronavirus so difficult for African Americans. Asthma, according to federal data analyzed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, kills African Americans three times more than any other race and increases the risk of complications.
We also cannot ignore the black families who are forced to breathe pollutants from nearby brownfields, oil refineries and freeways and what that can do to the respiratory system, particularly when this new virus can attack your respiratory tract.
We cannot disregard the lack of preventative care and communities of color tucked within food deserts — with little to no access to nutritious options — and with lack of health care access, ultimately adding to frightening rates of high blood pressure and diabetes.
The racial disparities that persist in America are clear and comprehensible, but leaders like Dr. Jerome Michael Adams fail to see the picture.
As surgeon general, Adams is the lead spokesperson on public health matters for the United States government. Yet, last week Adams urged African Americans to stop drinking, smoking or doing drugs to protect those who are most vulnerable.
Adams’ remarks not only perpetuate harmful narratives about black communities, but he blames African Americans for getting sick. When asked about his remarks, Adams said that his remarks were not meant to be offensive and that the guidelines are meant for all communities.
The story of this pandemic cannot be told by simply looking at the numbers. For example, national news outlets have drawn attention to Alabama for some of the highest coronavirus-related death rates and hospitalizations in the country, with African Americans comprising 35.7% of confirmed cases and 53.2% of deaths, despite only representing 27% of state’s population.
But we must also consider the story behind these figures.
Let’s discuss the numerous rural hospital closures in the state, lack of preventative care and distrust of health care in general stemming from the Tuskegee experiments that commenced over four decades ago.
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Moreover, I imagine it would be emotionally difficult for any African American who had to endure the dark legacy of Tuskegee to take advice from health professionals that don’t look like them, especially on an unknown virus like COVID-19.
At a time like this, our leaders cannot afford to ignore racial disparities that have led to the crisis we have today. Now that we have data on the impact of coronavirus, we must focus recovery efforts on the distressed communities that need our assistance the most.
We must applaud the efforts of governors like Gretchen Whitmer, Gavin Newsom and Andrew Cuomo for taking the necessary steps to save lives in their respective states and state legislators like Nick Mosby, who is leading the charge in Maryland to release more COVID-19 case data based on race and ZIP code.
As we continue to tackle the public health impact of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the efforts by way of the CARES Act — the federal government’s economic response to the current fiscal crisis — we must approach recovery efforts with a racial lens that takes into account the disparities that put us in this situation.
Failing to address the persisting racial disparities is not only perpetuating racism, but also a surefire way for history to repeat itself years from now.
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…Restates Commitment to Empower Women for Se
Author: Lucy Nyambi.
The President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, commissioned the COWA office for the PTML chapter in Lagos on Wednesday, 28 August 2024.
The event, which took place at PTML Mile 2 Terminal, was attended by Chairpersons of COWA and Customs Area Controllers from Zone A.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Adeniyi stated that the occasion symbolises the association’s commitment to capacity building and growth. “Today, we are not only commissioning our office but also empowering our trainees with essential work equipment. This gesture reflects our dedication to capacity building and growth.”
She expressed gratitude to Comptroller Tenny Daniyan, the Customs Area Controller of PTML Command, for his unwavering support and partnership with COWA.
“Your leadership and commitment to our welfare have been invaluable, and we deeply appreciate the opportunity and resources you have made available to us,” she said.
Mrs Adeniyi reaffirmed the association’s commitment to empowering women to be self-sustainable.
“In COWA, it is about empowerment, making our women self-sustainable. In everything we do, they are in our hearts, whether they are widows or wives of serving officers or even the larger society.”
In her address, the Chairperson of the PTML COWA Chapter, Mrs. Maureen Daniyan, acknowledged the role of Customs Officers’ Wives as pillars of support. “At the PTML chapter of COWA, we have stepped up our activities to achieve significant improvements. The commissioning of the skills acquisition centre today is one of the manifestations of our efforts. We hope to do more as God gives us strength.”
Trainees in catering, general body care products, and other vocations were presented with work equipment. Widows were also considered, receiving food items and cash gifts.
Guests were entertained with a drama presentation by COWA members, showcasing what the association stands for.
Author: Titus Omajali.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, welcomed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Authorised Economic Operator Technical Working Group (AEO-TWG), World Customs Organization (WCO) Experts, and representatives from the World Bank Group to his office in Lagos on 28 August 2024.
During the meeting, Comptroller Nnadi reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating the swift clearance of all AEO consignments within the command. He emphasised that faster cargo clearance, in accordance with the WCO’s guidelines on AEO, would not only enhance revenue generation but also help decongest the ports and bolster cargo security.
He acknowledged the efforts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to streamline cargo clearance and facilitate trade in line with international best practices. “As you all know, I was appointed the chairman of the Time Release Study (TRS) by CGC, and I believe the report will be out in September,” he stated.
The CAC further stressed the importance of continued WCO and World Bank support in implementing the AEO programme in Nigeria, particularly during this crucial pilot phase.
Responding to his remarks, Pelisa Matyumza, a WCO expert, praised the NCS for its efforts in piloting the AEO programme and assured the WCO’s continued support in its implementation. ACG Bede Anyanwu (rtd.), a consultant for the World Bank, also pledged the World Bank’s backing for the successful realisation of the AEO programme in Nigeria.
The visit to Tin Can Island Port Command, according to Nnenna Awa, the Team Lead of NCS’s AEO-TWG is part of the ongoing Onsite Validation Mission for the pilot phase of the AEO programme and also to acquire practical knowledge of the validation, which is involving the NCS AEO-TWG, World Bank Group, and WCO experts. She said, “This mission is critical to ensuring that the AEO programme is effectively piloted, launched and operationalised, paving the way for enhanced trade facilitation in Nigeria”.
Author: Gift Wada.
In the fight against smuggling activities, the Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has recorded seizures of 2,280 wraps of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,824 kilograms.
The illegal substance, cleverly concealed with more than 200 sacks of sawdust, was seized along the Ilero axis of Oyo State on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, in a press statement released on Friday, 24 August 2024, by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Superintendent of Customs Kayode Wey, commended the vigilance and dedication of the officers involved, stating that the seizure is a clear demonstration of the Command’s commitment to protecting public health and safety.
“The seizure of these 2,280 wraps of Cannabis Sativa is a testament to the professionalism and intelligence of our officers. The smugglers’ attempt to disguise this illegal substance with over 200 sacks of sawdust was a calculated effort to evade detection. Still, our team’s thorough inspections have once again ensured that these harmful drugs do not reach our communities,” he explained.
Comptroller Oramalugo noted that the interception was based on intelligence from one of the Command’s anti-smuggling units.
After identifying the 6-tyre DAF truck carrying the illegal cargo, customs officers conducted a detailed inspection, uncovering the Cannabis Sativa hidden beneath the sawdust.
While noting the impact of Cannabis Sativa on public health, particularly among the youth, he assured the public that the Command is determined to prevent such dangerous substances from infiltrating society.
The Customs Area Controller also revealed that the seized Cannabis Sativa would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for further investigation and disposal.
The CAC urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking or smuggling to the nearest Customs office or law enforcement agency.
He assured that the Command would continue to intensify its efforts to combat all forms of illegal trade, ensuring the safety and well-being of the people.
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