The coronavirus has affected everyday life in many ways and, according to a recent poll, will have lasting effects on American politics, if the black vote has anything to do with it. The poll conducted by the political action committee, BlackPAC, sheds light on black voter sentiment and potential turnout in November’s general election in the age of coronavirus.
The poll surveyed 800 black registered voters in eight battleground states: Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Overall, respondents expressed being greatly affected by the impact of the pandemic on the Black community, which has energized a voting bloc that was already anxious to vote Trump out of office.
76 percent said they disapprove of how Trump has handled the crisis.
Nearly 60 percent said they are worried that they or someone in their family will become infected with coronavirus.
46 percent said they have either lost a job or work hours as a result of the pandemic.
78 percent said they can’t trust Trump to give truthful information about the pandemic.
Polled voters also gave high approval to the media and state leadership (73 percent and 70 percent, respectively). However, those in Republican-led states like Georgia and Florida gave substantially lower approval ratings for their management of the crisis. [READ MORE, 212 WORDS]
When it comes to voting in November, 80 percent of those polled said they would vote by mail if they had the option. 41 percent worried that their vote would be counted. And almost half of those who didn’t vote in 2016 seem to be looking for ways to re-enter the electorate, expressing their interest in voting by mail.
OUR COMMUNITY
Award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson is urging people to assess their mental health and act as they shelter at home. Henson, who suffers from depression and anxiety, is offering up to five free therapy sessions for communities of color grappling with the pandemic through her mental health foundation. Go to borislhensonfoundation.org for more information.
THE PANDEMIC
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, the National Institute of Health’s lead scientist for coronavirus vaccine research, announced that a COVID-19 vaccine could be available to front-line health care workers as soon as this fall and for the general population by spring 2021.
In a recent study by the journal Nature Medicine released on Wednesday, people might be most infectious with the coronavirus before they show symptoms. This research supports evidence showing that seemingly-healthy people are spreading the virus, beginning two to three days before displaying symptoms.
Today, the IRS launched an online form for Americans to get money faster. The new portal allows the agency to transfer the payments of up to $1,200 per person faster than it would be able to using paper checks. The website also allows Americans to track their cash payment by inputting their Social Security number, date of birth and mailing address.
BUSINESS & POLITICS
Senior IRS officials said Trump’s name will be stamped on the left, memo line of the stimulus checks sent out to financially strapped Americans. This is the first time a president’s name has ever appeared on an IRS disbursement.
A federal judge has postponed the criminal trial of associates of Rudy Giuliani, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, until February 1, granting a four-month delay over coronavirus concerns. The men were charged last year with violating U.S. campaign finance laws by funneling funds from abroad and hiding their source.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons is making calls and video visitation free for inmates. This comes after suspended in-person visits due to the pandemic. Last month, a group of senators led by Amy Klobuchar wrote a letter encouraging bureau Director Michael Carvajal to waive the high fees that come with inmates trying to call their families. Inmates can pay as much as 25 cents per minute in addition to fees for each call.
STATES
New York Governor Cuomo announced that he will be issuing an executive order requiring all people in the state to wear a mask or mouth and nose covering in public. This includes taking public transit and walking on sidewalks. 752 people died in New York on Tuesday.
Los Angeles issued a similar order yesterday, requiring anyone going out in public to wear a mask. He added that sporting events and other large public gatherings probably won’t reopen until a vaccine is available.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $170 million initiative to battle food insecurity. The mayor detailed his plan to make sure “no New Yorker goes hungry” by providing 10 million meals in April for people who need them.
Indiana Republican Rep. Trey Hollingsworth said the reopening the economy takes priority over losing more lives to coronavirus. In an interview with radio station WIBC-FM of Indianapolis, Hollingsworth said, “It is policymakers’ decision to put on our big boy and big girl pants and say it is the lesser of these two evils.”
Edward Williams, 26, of Tampa, was arrested for murder Monday, one day after being released early from jail due to the spread of coronavirus within the jail system. Williams was arrested last month on suspicion of heroin possession, a third-degree felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to jail records.
