America first — Reparations for all
Unfortunately, America outpaced
China and Italy and is
now number one in the entire
world recording the most numbers
of infected cases caused by
COVID-19.
With 131,636 confirmed
cases, 2, 296 deaths in the USA,
the global figure accounts for
625, 352 and 31, 845 deaths
from 155 nations.
First with increasingly, daily,
astronomical numbers, popup
hospitals were necessitated
to stem the surge of positive
tested individuals here in New
York.
The impact of the USA leading
the world during a pandemic
is without precedence
and presents a crisis that is
challenging cities and states
throughout the nation with
shut down of commerce.
It is no wonder that the New
York Stock Exchange suffered
its worst losses that resonated
with a bi-partisan vote by the
senate to unanimously approve
a stimulus injection to citizens
with hopes of providing aid.
According to provisions of
the stimulus package, unless
a family earns one million dollars
or more, every American
will receive a $1,200 check in
the near future.
“This has never happened
before,” President Donald
Trump repeated over and over
again during his daily press
conferences from the White
House.
The dole to citizens was
decided last week when the
president inked the bill that
could stimulate the rapidly
declining economy.
“It’s no one’s fault,” the president
Caribbean L 14 ife, April 3-9, 2020
remarked.
It certainly isn’t and does not
need to be reiterated because
since late last year, reports out
of China were that a lock-down
in the Wuhan Province caused
by an infectious virus had been
wreaking havoc on the Asian
nation.
Reportedly, the Asian government
immediately closed
their borders to contain citizens
and the coronavirus which
despite their efforts spread to
other provinces.
Much has been said about
South Korea’s pro-active
approach to contain the rate of
infection and reduce the numbers
of casualties.
The fact Europe hesitated
resulted with Italy and Spain
reporting spiraling numbers
that surpassed the high totals
of the first victimized nation.
That the United States
delayed preparation and now
suffers the consequences to
now being first in the world,
citizens hoarded toilet tissue,
hand sanitizers, rubbing alcohol,
surgical gloves, protective
face masks, food and other
items is compelling evidence
that the Federal government
fumbled.
More often than not reparations
are doled to make amends
for wrongdoing in attempt to
repair deliberate and unfair
treatment. However, in this
instance the COVID 19 is blameworthy
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. Craig Ruttle / Pool via REUTERS
and despite apprehension,
the president has repeatedly
absolved himself saying “I
take no responsibility.”
The economic injection is
intended to correct the fallout
from the massive shutdown
caused by the pandemic. The
government acted in response
to the maximized requests for
unemployment benefits after
it skyrocketed to a record three
million dollars in one week.
It was inevitable that with
businesses closed, imposed
quarantines, deployment of the
military and bars and restaurants
adhering to curfews compensation
seems merited.
Catch You On The Inside
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
It’s that time of the decade
when we are called to
be counted as part of the
U.S. Census. This month,
we all should have received
an official 2020 Census letter
at our homes with details
on how to respond.
Since 1790, and every 10
years thereafter, the practice
of counting each household
in the United States
will help determine how
our communities, our city
and our state will receive
funding for resources over
the next 10 years. It’s easy,
it’s safe and it’s important
for our community. And,
for the first time, if you
choose, you can respond
online at my2020census.
gov.A
s New Yorkers, we each
need to make our presence
known and be counted, so
that our city will get its fair
share of federal funding to
support our schools, roads
and public services in our
communities. The demographic
data is used by
businesses to determine,
for example, where to build
new food markets, and by
emergency responders to
locate injured people after
natural disasters.
The census population
tally determines the number
of congressional seats
and Electoral College votes
to appropriate to New York
and other states. States and
localities also use census
numbers for redistricting
or the drawing of political
boundary lines for government
districts.
When you respond to the
census, your answers are
kept anonymous. They are
used only to produce statistics.
You will be asked
questions such as:
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living or staying in a home
on April 1, 2020.
���� ���������������� �������� ���������� ������
owned with or without a
mortgage, rented or occupied
without rent.
���� ���� ������������ �������������� �������� ����
person in the home.
���� �������� ������������ ���������� ����������
date of birth and race of
each person in the home.
���� ���������������� ���������� ��������������
is of Hispanic, Latino or
Spanish origin.
���� �������� �������������������������� ������
each person to a central
person in the home.
There is no question
about citizenship on the
census form. The Census
Bureau also never asks
for Social Security numbers,
bank or credit card
information, money or donations,
or anything on
behalf of a political party.
Everyone living in the
United States is supposed
to be counted by the census,
whether they are citizens
or not. Everyone has the
duty and the opportunity
to stand and be counted.
Join me in completing
the census so we can get
the resources to support
what we count on most in
our communities.
Dr. Claudia V. Schrader
is president of Kingsborough
Community College
(KCC) located in beautiful
Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn.
Kingsborough Community
College is committed
to enhancing learning opportunities
for the Brooklyn
community. Visit www.kbcc.
cuny.edu to learn about the
classes, certifications and
degree programs offered at
KCC.
EDUCAT I O N PROFI LE
Stand up and be Counted
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/www.kbcc
/www.kbcc
/cuny.edu
