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A Subdued Trump Confronts COVID-19 Reality: Over 100,000 Deaths Possible in “Best” Scenario

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Using modeling that displays their 30-day recommendations to avoid gatherings and travel Dr. Birx displayed a chart that revealed the possibility of up to 2.2 million COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. in a worst-case scenario. Dr. Birx added that she is, “very worried about every city in the United States” and projected 100,000 to 200,000 American deaths in a “best” case scenario. The next day on April 1st, the most deaths in one day announced so far, 835, was announced by the U.S. government.

Published

5 years ago

April 8, 2020

Oakland Post

After weeks of public denial that were followed by the failure of President Trump to read and prioritize an intelligence report placed on his desk in January, the COVID-19 infection numbers slowly grew until a national emergency was declared on March 13. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

On March 31, President Trump appeared in the White Home Briefing room flanked by Vice President Pence, Dr. Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, the Coronavirus Response Coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

By April 1st over 211,000 COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed in the U.S. with 4,700 deaths.

Onlookers were stunned at what they heard next. Using modeling that displays their 30-day recommendations to avoid gatherings and travel Dr. Birx displayed a chart that revealed the possibility of up to 2.2 million COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. in a worst-case scenario.

Dr. Birx added that she is, “very worried about every city in the United States” and projected 100,000 to 200,000 American deaths in a “best” case scenario. The next day on April 1st, the most deaths in one day announced so far, 835, was announced by the U.S. government.

The day before during a television interview, she said “I think everyone understands now that you can go from five to 50 to 500 to 5,000 cases very quickly. I think in some of the metro areas we were late in getting people to follow the 15-day guidelines.”

The news was sobering, and the data echoed what was relayed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo during the second week of March. At that time there was much skepticism about Gov. Cuomo’s predictions until news from overseas from Italy appeared to demonstrate how quickly coronavirus could spread and become lethal.

Even after the stunning statistics relayed on national television by medical professionals, some in government continue to declare a premature need to get back to business as usual.

“Let’s stop looking at the death counters and let’s talk about how we can keep as many people employed as possible,” Rep. Devin Nunes told Fox anchor Laura Ingraham on March 31. “That’s the key right now, Laura, because if you don’t, what you said earlier is correct. When you have people staying at home, not taking care of themselves, you will end up with a hell of a lot more people dying by other causes than you will by the coronavirus,” he added.

The reality of mounting fatalities is likely to will change the minds of the few who are not convinced that COVID-19 is a serious threat to the U.S.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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Tiguan’s AI Touchscreen & Gear Shift: VW Just Changed the Game! #2

Explore the Tiguan’s cutting-edge 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control, and a new AI assistant. See how VW innovatively moved the gear shifter to the steering column, enhancing the center console and navigation system! #AutoNetwork #Tiguan #Infotainment #AppleCarPlay #AndroidAuto #AISystem #NavigationSystem #CarTech #TechReview #CarInnovation #Automotive

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2025

Oakland Post

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IN MEMORIAM: Legendary Funk Pioneer Sly Stone Dies at 82

Sly Stone’s musical approach radically reshaped popular music. He transcended genre boundaries and empowered a new generation of artists. The band’s socially conscious message and infectious rhythms sparked a wave of influence, reaching artists as diverse as Miles Davis, George Clinton, Prince, Dr. Dre, and the Roots.

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2025

Oakland Post

Sly and the Family Stone play the Opera House in Bournemouth. Mojo review. Photo by Simon Fernandez.

By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Newswire

Sylvester “Sly” Stewart—known to the world as Sly Stone, frontman of the groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone—has died at the age of 82.

His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by loved ones, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health complications.

Born March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, Stone moved with his family to Vallejo, California, as a child. He began recording gospel music at age 8 with his siblings in a group called the Stewart Four. By his teenage years, he had mastered multiple instruments and was already pioneering racial integration in music—an ethos that would define his career.

In 1966, Sly and his brother Freddie merged their bands to form Sly and the Family Stone, complete with a revolutionary interracial, mixed-gender lineup.

The band quickly became a commercial and cultural force with hits such as “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—all penned by Stone himself.

Their album “Stand!” (1969) and live performances—most notably at Woodstock—cemented their reputation, blending soul, funk, rock, gospel, and psychedelia to reflect the optimism and turmoil of their era.

As the 1970s progressed, Stone confronted personal demons. His desire to use music as a response to war, racism, and societal change culminated in the intense album “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” (1971). But drug dependency began to undermine both his health and professional life, leading to erratic behavior and band decline through the early 1980s.

Withdrawn from the public eye for much of the 1990s and early 2000s, Stone staged occasional comebacks. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2017, and captured public attention following the 2023 release of his memoir “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—published under Questlove’s imprint. He also completed a biographical screenplay and was featured in Questlove’s documentary “Sly Lives!” earlier this year.

His influence endured across generations. Critics and historians repeatedly credit him with perfecting funk and creating a “progressive soul,” shaping a path for racial integration both onstage and in the broader culture.

“Rest in beats Sly Stone,” legendary Public Enemy frontman Chuck D posted on social media with an illustrative drawing of the artist. “We should thank Questlove of the Roots for keeping his fire blazing in this century.”

Emmy-winning entertainment publicist Danny Deraney also paid homage. “Rest easy Sly Stone,” Deraney posted. “You changed music (and me) forever. The time he won over Ed Sullivan’s audience in 1968. Simply magical. Freelance music publicist and Sirius XM host Eric Alper also offered a tribute.

“The funk pioneer who made the world dance, think, and get higher,” Alper wrote of Sly Stone. “His music changed everything—and it still does.”

Sly Stone is survived by three children.

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PRESS ROOM: Clyburn on 10th Anniversary of Mother Emanuel AME Church Shooting in Charleston

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following video on X, paying tribute to the 10th anniversary of the shooting that took place at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015.

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2025

Oakland Post

By Congressman James E. Clyburn

WATCH HERE

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following video on X, paying tribute to the 10^th anniversary of the shooting that took place at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015.

“Over 6 years ago, the House first passed my Enhanced Background Checks Act to close the Charleston Loophole that allowed a white supremacist to obtain the gun he used to murder nine worshipers at Emanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015.

“I’ll never stop fighting to pass this law.”