The Coronavirus Crisis.

Right now, there are over 1 million people worldwide with the coronavirus. We have seen more than 700,000 jobs lost in March of 2020. Also, we see over 200,000 people in America with it and almost 6,000 Americans who unfortunately lost their lives to the virus. As we have seen from many Trump press conferences about COVID-19, Trump said that he is part of the back up team in responding to the needs of the states of America. I disagree, because the federal government has the responsibility to provide for the general welfare of the American people. The skepticism of Trump about the seriousness of the coronavirus, and his lax response for many weeks (when he was warned about this since late December 2019) outlines that he isn't ready for prime time. We are dealing with thousands of people worldwide who are suffering. We have to show facts. The fact is that doctors, nurses, and medical leaders are literally begging the federal government to provide them the essential ventilators, masks, and other medical equipment to help save lives. We witness many strikes in Amazon, Whole Foods, and Instacart when workers desire better workplace conditions. Tens of millions of people suffering doesn't merit indifference, but bold action. People can say what they want about Bernie Sanders, but at least he and others were bold enough to say that centrism doesn't work to solve our problems. While this is going on, the White House is deploying military forces on South America in claiming that drug cartels are exploiting the pandemic.

This is the tactic of imperialism. A survey from the U.S. Conference of Mayors documents how cities in America need kits and other supplies in combating the pandemic. We know that millions need PPE items. We realize that a $1200 check is minuscule compared to the billions that large corporations will receive, we know that millions of Americans have lost their health car after losing their jobs, and that solutions are necessary in this fight for our lives. Also, we have to learn the facts about COVID-19. We should realize that washing hands, promoting sanitation, and eating healthy foods will increase human longevity. That is common sense. Also, we have the right to ask questions, live our lives, and stand up for what is right. The system needs change as Jeff Bezos makes over 8 million dollars an hour, but he refuses to pay his employees sick leave. I agree with Robert Reich that a new relief package should give every American $2,000 a month for the duration of the crisis and cover testing plus treatment with no out of pocket costs. Power is meant for the people, not for the oligarchy. We are human, and our mentality is all about blessing others out of a sincere motivation.

I haven't lost my faith. During the times of the past, many people have lost their faith to give up. They have embraced total pessimism and sold out. We are certainly not that. Our ancestors experienced the worst form of slavery in human history. Our ancestors were brought into America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and other places of the world in chains via the Maafa. Many of our ancestors suffered unspeakable crimes. Yet, our ancestors never gave up. It is a historical fact that our ancestors fought the oppressors in Africa, on the ships, in other lands, and in other places for the undeniable principles of justice and liberty. From our ancestors, there came real leaders like Harriet Tubman, William Still, Malcolm X, Ella Baker, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Mae Jemison, Margaret Kimberley, and other Brothers and Sisters who stood up for self-determination and collective liberation.

Now, we live in a new time filled with closed businesses, social distancing, and further calls for resources to come to medical heroes. In our time, we certainly send great appreciation to the heroic doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who have sacrificed day in and day out for the premise of saving human lives. Not only do we appreciate courageous people. We are clear to stand up for progressive insights. One insight is that a person born on this Earth have equal rights just like anyone else. We have to reckon with the economic crisis that we do have (with 6.6 million Americans filing for unemployment benefits) and doing something about it. Defeating this crisis will take time. It won't be easy. Yet, the same faith of our forebears are still within us. True strength comes from within, and in the end, we will be victorious in our walks towards glory.

Some sad news is that the U.S. judge that dealt with terrorism, whose name is Judge Kevin Thomas, passed away at 87 from the coronavirus. Also, a Dougherty country judge passed away too.Her name is Judge Nancy Smith Stephenson of Georgia. Also, the jazz piano playing legend Ellis Marsalis Jr. passed away at the age of 85 from the coronvavirus too. He was the father of the famous jazz legend Wynton Marsalis. Ellis was born in New Orleans. As people know, New Orleans is the heart and soul of jazz. Jazz music is purely American. It was made up of many elements found in the Delta. The cousins of jazz are R&B, soul, funk, and even hip hop music. It spread into Memphis, Chicago, New York, and everywhere in the world. Bucky Pizzarelli was another jazz pioneer who passed away too. Disease and illnesses show no favoritism. They don't discriminate. That is why it is important, while we are blessed to see 2020 and beyond, to make sure that our lives are in accordance to truth and justice.


By Timothy