TPA TEXAS PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION This paper can www.TheAustinVillager.com be recycled Vol. 47 No. 40 Phone: 512-476-0082 Email: [email protected] April 24, 2020 TMA Supports Governor’s INSIDE Science-Based Plan to Reopen Texas The Clark Sisters Debuts, ranked RAPPIN’ #1 across all TV. Tommy Wyatt See LIFETIME Page 3 You are never too old to COVID -19 learn! Texas Governor If you have missed The Greg Abbott Breakfast Club on Trump “donates” KAZI, it is because his salary to HHS. Damita and I have been See SHAM grounded. Neither of us Page 6 were prepared to work from home and the station staff did not offer to help us make the Statement by Texas Medical Association (TMA) President David C. Fleeger, MD, transition. So we decided about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement on reopening Texas. to sit this one out. (AUSTIN, TX) - “Texas physicians are pleased (PPE) for non-hospital based/community physicians, Stimulus package Trying to keep up with that Governor Abbott is taking a gradual, science- nearly two-thirds of whom say they have less than nets wealthy millions the expansion of social based approach to reopen the Texas economy one week’s supply of the most critical supplies, ac- See WINDFALL media has proven to be safely. We applaud the governor for placing four out- cording to a TMA survey conducted late last week; Page 7 one the hardest things standing physicians on his recovery strike force and · A huge immediate expansion in our state that I have done. But the for stating in such a straight-forward manner, ‘We and local public health infrastructure and workforce one thing that I can do is must be guided by the data and the doctors. We so we can track down, isolate, and monitor Texans Reports move out of the way and must put health and safety first.’ newly infected with this virus – and anyone who let the people who have “We obviously look forward to the safe reopen- may have contracted it from them; and Suggest the skills do their thing. ing of those portions of our health care system that · A way to cover the health care costs of the Many Have I have been blessed to have been shuttered as we took the steps neces- millions of Texans who don’t have or recently lost have a son and a grand sary to slow the spread of this virus. The health of health insurance. Had daughter working with patients not affected by COVID-19 is an overwhelm- “We appreciate that Governor Abbott has so- Coronavirus me who keep me on ing concern. Telemedicine has been an important licited the experts and listened to their advice. We track and for not looking tool, but it does not substitute for hands-on exami- must follow the science. We need to have adequate With No like an idiot as we work nations of growing children or diagnosing complex PPE, and we’re not there yet. We need to have ad- Symptoms hard everyday to con- health problems. Many of our patients have put off equate testing, and that’s not available yet in phy- tinue publishing a news- desperately needed surgeries or procedures that sician offices or in the wider community. And we paper that you can be can no longer be delayed. need to have the ability to track down positive cases proud of. And a paper “We cannot throw the switch overnight, how- based on those tests, something our overextended that our community can ever, or we risk a rapid return of a terribly conta- public health system won’t be able to do in the im- support as we continue gious disease that has not yet reached its peak and mediate future. to highlight our is still killing dozens of Texans every day. Moving “Patience has been a critical factor behind our community in a positive forward on safely reopening our state will require: successes so far. We must remain patient, calm, and By MARILYNN way. · Ongoing and consistent compliance with the vigilant. Until we have a vaccine, social distancing MARCHIONE, The current COVID- social distancing practices that have worked so well, remains the best way to reduce the spread of AP Chief Medical Writer 19 pandemic is requiring so far, at containing the virus in Texas; COVID-19. As the governor said, we must make sure (THE AP) - None of all of us to do a lot of · Reliable, affordable and widely available we don’t reopen only to have to shut down again.” these numbers can be things a little differently testing for our patients, physicians and other health TMA is the largest state medical society in the fully trusted because as we all try to survive care personnel, and those who have come in con- nation, representing more than 53,000 physician they’re based on flawed through this challenge. tact with COVID-19-positive patients, so we can and medical student members. It is located in Aus- and inadequate testing, We are lucky to have identify and contain new cases as quickly as pos- tin and has 110 component county medical societ- said Dr. Michael Mina of THE NATIONAL sible; ies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 Harvard’s School of Pub- NEWSPAPER · Appropriate personal protective equipment is to improve the health of all Texans. PUBLISHERS lic Health. ASSOCIATION Collectively, (NNPA) looking out for though, they suggest our publishers around “we have just been off the country and trying to The Grand Slam: the mark by huge, huge keep us in the forefront numbers” for estimating of news gathering for the Poets and Performers Reflect on Downs Field total infections, he said. African American com- Worldwide, more munity. than 2.3 million infec- Black Owned tions and more than newspapers are some of 160,000 deaths have the largest small busi- been confirmed. The vi- nesses, along with the rus has caused nearly churches and restaurants unprecedented eco- in our communities. nomic and social harm They provide many of since its existence was the jobs for our citizens. reported in early Janu- We have to do all that we ary. can to make sure that STEALTH CASES these families and Based on known businesses are still cases, health officials standing when we pass have said the virus usu- this crisis. ally causes mild or mod- The one thing that I erate flu-like illness. have learned over the Date/Time: April 25th at 4pm Now evidence is growing years as things change is that a substantial num- “If you don’t know you Where to tune in: See FLAWED, pg 7 better ask somebody.” KAZI 88.7 FM or www.kazifm.org Page 2 ~ THE VILLAGER/April 24, 2020 THE COMMUNIQUÉ www.theaustinvillager.com www.theaustinvillager.com THE BULLETIN THE VILLAGER/April 24, 2020 ~ Page 3 Lifetime’s The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel We Want YOU! 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In addition, Raven Goodwin as The Clark Sisters was the “Denise,” Sheléa Frazier best ad-supported cable as “Dorinda,” Angela original movie since Birchett as “Jacky”) 2018 in key demograph- overcame humble be- ics, with 1.1 million ginnings in Detroit, and Adults 25-54, 905,000 endured domestic Adults 18-49 and abuse, loss, rejection, Kierra Sheard and Queen Latifah at the TCA press 813,000 Women 25-54. betrayal, and sibling ri- conference/panel of Lifetime’s "The Clark Sisters: On social media, valries eventually to First Ladies of Gospel," in Pasadena, California, Agape Baptist Church #TheClarkSisters ranked achieve international Jan. 18, 2020. | Getty Images for Lifetime Agape Baptist Church In “THE CENTRE” Bldg. F-15 #1 across all TV on April fame as icons of the Gos- 7801 North Lamar Blvd. (S.E. Corner of North Lamar and 183) 11 with more than pel music industry. her dance moves with days to finish all of the Austin, Texas 78752 AGAPE: A church for all people. “Where Jesus Christ is Magnified and the Love 700,000 interactions, ac- The Clark Sisters her daughters. music for the movie. The He exhibited is Exemplified.” Come, received God’s Unconditional Love for you. cording to Nielsen So- were one of the most “I listen to them to music had to be ready For there is No Greater Love! learn.