WSSN Stories

Markelle Fultz Reveals What Really Happened With His Shot, Shoulder


By Etan Thomas

Since he arrived to the NBA as the No. 1 pick in 2017 for the Philadelphia 76ers, there has been so much misreported about Markelle Fultz.

Fultz went through two tumultuous years of misinformation by the media and fans, conspiracy theories, unfounded rumors, criticisms and internet jokes, and he was labeled a bust by people who are paid a king’s ransom on ESPN — namely Stephen A. Smith, who called Fultz “the biggest bust in NBA history.”

But what actually happened is quite the opposite. Fultz wasn’t a “bust.” He was dealing with an injury that is not only untraceable by an MRI, but also rarely (or hardly ever) seen in basketball players. In spite of all that, he was still trying to play through the pain because of his love for the game of basketball, and it’s something that he does, in fact, regret doing.

I spoke with Fultz on my podcast, “The Rematch,” and the Orlando Magic guard opened up on everything that happened with his shoulder and finally put all of the incorrect rumors to rest. Below is a snippet of our conversation:

Etan Thomas: You mentioned your shoulder. You injured your shoulder, and you initially tried to play through it and not tell anybody about the injury, right? Am I correct?

Markelle Fultz: “Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.”

Etan Thomas: So walk me through that process because people don’t really understand how it works sometimes. And I’m sure the pressure of being No. 1 was a contributing factor to why you wanted to play through the injury. But walk me through that process.

Markelle Fultz: “Yeah. Well, a lot of people just don’t know my love for the game. Growing up in the area I grew up, you have bumps and bruises. But that’s where it becomes a business, taking care of your body. And me being who I am, loving the game so much, I feel like, although my shoulder was messed up, I feel like I can still contribute to the game and help my team win. So I wanted to go out there and just compete and have fun with the game. And also, it’s my first year. And I think that I did a poor job of communicating to my agent and my family what I was feeling, instead of just going out there and trying to compete without expressing what I was feeling. And all I was doing was making it worse. But when I realized that certain situations weren’t going my way, I knew I had to speak up, and I had to do what’s best for myself.

“And I think that was the toughest part about it, because I felt like I could still play and contribute to my team, but I wasn’t myself. I wasn’t 100%, and it wasn’t what was best for the team. So I took that time and tried to figure out what was going on. And I went to go see certain doctors and started that rehab process then. But I think the biggest thing I learned from that is just taking care of my body, and communicating what I feel to not only my agent and my family, but also trainers and stuff like that.”

Etan Thomas: So how long were you in pain before you told anybody?

Markelle Fultz: “Actually, my shoulder started hurting before training camp [in my rookie year].  But I just thought it was from how much work I was putting in, from me shooting so much that my shoulder was just sore. So I tried to work through it. I’m going in the gym, shooting thousands of shots, trying to shoot through it. And the whole time, I just continued to make it worse. But again, the mindset that I had, I’m just trying to grind. I’m trying to continue to work through these issues, and not knowing that I’m making it worse. Again, I’m just kind of being young and being selfish, I would call it, in a sense, not understanding my body. And I think that was a big part of it. And again, once I communicated, I started to get the help that I needed. And I started to work and rehab, and it started to get better.”

Etan Thomas: You mentioned you learned how to advocate for yourself. I want you to go a little bit more detail with that. And speak up because still, a lot of people don’t really understand how it works with team trainers and team doctors, and how a lot of times players have to speak up and advocate for themselves. Just go into a little bit more detail about that point.

Markelle Fultz: “Yeah. And this is no knock on any team or anything like that, but it’s a business, at the end of the day. And sometimes, again, it’s a long season, so you have bumps and bruises. And sometimes, some people play through it, some people don’t. Everybody’s body is different. So especially not knowing a person and not knowing the situation, if you don’t communicate and advocate for yourself, you never know what could happen. And it can be something as small as your toe hurting. But what I’ve learned so much about my body is your body compensates. And we’re so good, as athletes and as humans, that if we’re trying to do something, our body’s going to find a way to do it. So it might not be the right way, but we can do certain stuff and hurt ourself, in the long run.

“And so my one thing would be: try to be in tune with your body as much as you can. And [it could be something] as small as your toenail hurting. I mean, you always get this phrase of ‘You’re soft’ or you’re whatever. But what I’ve learned is I’d rather overcommunicate about how my body’s feeling and still be able to work out. I still want to work out, but I’m going to let you know, ‘Hey, my big toe’s hurting. Hey, my right hamstring is feeling like this today. My knee’s feeling like this.’ So they can start to know that you’re caring about your body, and you’re documenting certain stuff, so you don’t end up compensating and hurting yourself in the long run.”

Etan Thomas: Yeah, well, it’s interesting. You go to different gyms, and they could be even as young as high school. And you see phrases on the wall like “Pain is weakness leaving your body” and stuff like that. And I hate that. I do, because it puts the wrong mentality into players, to thinking that them being injured is somehow their fault, like they’re not being tough enough to play through an injury. And I just personally cannot stand that mentality at all.

Markelle Fultz: “Yeah. And I think that’s how I kind of grew up. Not in a bad way. But growing up, I’m playing through whatever. I don’t want to be soft. I want to show that I’m tough. But when you get to a certain point where your body is your brand… Your body is your car, so you need to take care of that thing like it’s a Ferrari. You hear phrases like that, but it’s true. You have to take care of your body.

“You have to get the right recovery. You have to get the right sleep. If not, it’s going to end up hurting you. It might not hurt you right away, but down the road it can give you certain side effects. Or you never know, it can lead to something happening right away. But there are also freak accidents that happen. But I think that’s the one thing that I would recommend to any player at any age, is just communicating about your body. [That] doesn’t mean that you have to sit out of a drill, but it can start to put an awareness on people’s mind. You can start to document certain things. And you’ll have a better understanding, going forward, of why you do what you do.”

Etan Thomas: But I think that sometimes a player does have to sit down. A player does have to say, “Okay, I can’t go. You’re going to talk bad about me. You’re going to tell…” So I use the example a lot with my son about Robert Griffin III. So when RG III first came to D.C., my son was the biggest RG III fan on earth. And then I took him to… you know when they have the open scrimmages? So he met him, and RG III was cool with him. And they took a picture, and he’s been the biggest RG III fan forever since then. And you remember that game where RG III was limping out there? And so, I’m watching that game with Malcolm. And he was like, “Why is he playing? What is he doing? He’s going to injure himself,” and so forth. This is what a young Malcolm is saying.

And sure enough, in fact his entire career, the trajectory of everything, went downhill from there. And then you saw the trainer say, “Well, I didn’t tell him to go out there.” Nobody wanted to take responsibility. But it should be the trainer’s job to tell you that you are going to hurt yourself more if you continue playing. And that’s the problem that I personally have with a lot of NBA trainers. I’m not throwing anybody in particular under the bus; this is a league-wide issue. They’re employers of the team, and they want to do what’s best for the team, not what’s best for the player.

Markelle Fultz: “Exactly. And that’s where it comes back to a relationship. So you have to have the certain people in your corner that’s going to always keep it real with you because at the end of the day, like I said, your body’s your brand. And it’s about the longevity. It’s different if it’s Game 7 in the playoffs or the championship, and you’re sacrificing for that. What I’ve also learned is rest is a big part of recovery, and getting the right amount of rest. Some days you got to go hard, and some days you have to not do anything at all. I mean, you can do some light stuff. But I think you hit it right on the head. Some people’s mind is set for the team. Not everybody has your best interest [in mind]. You have the best interest for yourself. So I think that’s why it’s huge to communicate how you feel to whoever it is — whether it’s your mom, your dad, your trainer, whoever — and do what you feel is best because you know your body the best.

“Nobody else can tell you how your body is supposed to feel, how your body feels at that time. And I think that’s where I learned how to advocate the most for myself. And I’ve gotten more respect from a lot of people when I do that. And again, it doesn’t mean you’re soft. It’s just being smart about certain things. But at the same time, you do have to push yourself in certain limits to be able to… It’s going to be certain days where you’re sore, and you still have to push through. That’s part of it, but it’s a difference between sore and hurt. So just trying to learn… The sooner you start to communicate certain things, you start to learn what’s pain, and what’s okay to work through and what’s not to work through. And that’s where I think I’ve learned the most. I’ve learned how to identify what’s going on in my body, and understand what I need to do to make that feel better, or if I need to take rest or if I need to go get treatment.”

Etan Thomas: Yeah. I mean, I always heard the saying that there’s a difference between being injured and hurting. So sometimes you’re going to have to play through being hurting. That’s just part of being an athlete. But being injured, you need to sit down.

Markelle Fultz: Exactly.

Etan Thomas: So, I want to ask a few specifics. I remember seeing some videos of you, watching you play and seeing your different routines on the free-throw line. And I just wanted to ask: Was that when you was trying to push through it? Was it part of the rehab? So there was one where you would kind of pat the ball like this, and then shoot it. And then there were some where you would go up and it would be kind of like a hitch, kind of. What exactly was going on?

Markelle Fultz: “Yes. So what a lot of people don’t know is, what TOS (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) is. It’s a nerve… It’s when your nerves are getting pressured on, and you can start to lose feeling in your hands. So at the time when I was playing, I still had TOS. I wasn’t diagnosed with TOS. I still was working through certain shoulder stuff. But again, with my love for the game, I still wanted to be out there.

“And another thing people don’t know, TOS is not diagnosed through a MRI, CAT scan. It’s very hard to diagnose TOS, which is a big part of why, in the beginning, I kind of thought that nothing was going on. And I just thought it was my shoulder, because when I got MRIs and I got the scans, I didn’t see anything that was going on. But I had to continue. So I went from shooting 40% in college to coming into the NBA…. It’s so funny, people were like, ‘He changed his shot.’ Like, what would I change my shot for? There’s no reason. So that was one of the funniest things that I heard, then I used to hear all these rumors about me being injured on a motorcycle, but that’s another story.”

Etan Thomas: Oh, man! There were so many different rumors about you… They got the story wrong so many times. I heard so many different stories.

Markelle Fultz: And that’s what was the funniest thing because to me… I never went out to address it because I didn’t care about that. Again, my main focus was getting back on the court, doing what I needed to do. But some of the stuff I used to see, I used to be like, ‘Yo, that’s crazy that somebody actually believes that.’ But it also taught me another thing: You can’t believe everything you read, right? But yeah. So pretty much what people didn’t know is, so when I was going… The whole thing on my shoulder, when I would try to shoot, it almost felt like I had a too-small suit jacket on. So I would go, try to go up, and it felt like somebody was almost holding my arm there. I would try to move fast, but I felt like I couldn’t move fast. So what I ended up doing is continue to try to shoot on it. I ended up building up more and more pressure on my shoulder where I’m not using… where I’m starting to hinge my shoulder up. I’m starting to use the wrong muscles, and I’m building bad habits.

“But what people don’t understand is I’m out there playing, still. Still trying to shoot, still doing this. I was still making free throws. I wasn’t very high percentage, but I was still making free throws. And so the first thing, when I would go up sometimes, I would lose feeling in my hand. And so, that’s the reason I’d double clutch, because I would get here and I wouldn’t feel like the ball was in my hand. But when I’d come up, my feeling would come back because the way it is — when I’m going through a certain motion — my muscles are pushing on my nerve, which is cutting my feeling off. And when I go through, it releases off the nerve, and that’s when I would get my feeling back. So when I would do the double clutch, it was because when I would get here, I wouldn’t feel the ball in my hand. So it was no way I was shooting if I don’t feel like the ball [was] in my hand.

“So I would go up a little bit and it would come back, so I would just come from here and shoot the ball. And so when I went to practice, I’m like, ‘Alright, that’s not working, so let me try something else.’ So another thing I tried to do was, this wouldn’t have me holding the ball. So the desensitization of just moving the ball back and forth until I get into where I get feeling, which is right here, then I can just shoot. I was fine shooting from here. If I had just caught the ball here and shot up, it was perfectly fine. So that was why I went to that because I was just trying to be more efficient at the free-throw line. I didn’t care what people were saying. I was just trying to get my flow in. So when I got to where I needed to go, I can just shoot the ball fine. But again, that was another realization of me compensating. And I said, ‘Markelle Fultz, you don’t need to compensate. You need to get healthy.’

“And another instance where I talked to my agent, I just told him I have no problem playing. I just feel like I want to be myself so I can just go out there and play without thinking, just playing my game, be who I am. And so, that’s where it kind of went from. But just a lot of repetition of shooting the wrong way, it just builds bad habits and it builds your muscle memory wrong. And so, that was the biggest thing, trying to get back to… And I’m still working on it now. It’s something I’m always going to have to work on. It’s just trying to get my brain to process the ball being over my head the same way. And it’s something that is a everyday grind, but I’m enjoying it. I feel way more comfortable now, and I feel the improvement. And again, I know my body, so I know what I need to work on.

Listen to the full episode of Markelle Fultz on The Rematch here.

Produced in association with BasketballNews.com.



The post Markelle Fultz Reveals What Really Happened With His Shot, Shoulder appeared first on Zenger News.

Rebellious Teenager Evolves Into Sweet Soul Catering Entrepreneur 


By Lem Satterfield

Once a rebellious teenager, Aurelia Geddis, now 33, is a spiritually-based, single mother to a young boy and owner of Sweet Soul Catering.

Geddis’ creations range from fried chicken and collard greens to sweet potato cheesecake and apple pie, from a soul-food feast with creamy macaroni and cheese to an intimate tea party with cucumber sandwiches and Charcuterie boards.

“Cooking is very therapeutic to me,” said Geddis, of Woodbridge, Virginia. “I thought to myself that I wanted to make sweet treats and soul food, so I came up with the name Sweet Soul. I even had a scripture to line up with what I wanted to do. Psalm 34:8: ‘Oh taste and see that the Lord is Good, Blessed is the man that trusts in Him.”

“Cooking is very therapeutic to me,” says entrepreneur Aurelia Geddis. (Courtesy of Aurelia Geddis)

The eldest of three daughters born to Herbert Geddis, a nondenominational deacon, and Toni Geddis, a minister, Aurelia was the apple of her parents’ eyes. Once she past her growing-up years, she started her business in 2015.

Geddis talks with Zenger about her journey from an 18-year-old who was twice kicked out of her home to successful culinary businesswoman.

Zenger: What is the origin of your business, and how did you arrive at that name?

Growing up, Aurelia Geddis (left) had a pretend restaurant with her sisters Shanelle (right) and Te’onya. “To this day, I’m still taking their orders,” she says. (Courtesy of Aurelia Geddis)

Aurelia Geddis: I started it in 2015 with just baking and making a few dishes for people at church. I remember writing a Facebook post with suggestions on a name. With my sisters Shanelle and Te’onya, I had a pretend restaurant called Ree’s Palace.

I had a notebook and took my sisters’ orders. The menu consisted of peanut butter and jelly, ramen and anything microwavable. My sisters always sent me ideas and the craziest and hardest recipes. To this day, I’m still taking their orders.

Sweet potato cheesecake topped with pecans and caramel sauce: a sweet specialty of Aurelia Geddis. (Courtesy of Aurelia Geddis)

Zenger: Can you describe what you do?

Geddis: I am a caterer. I provide services for people who need cuisine at their events, parties, weddings, funerals, dinner parties, etc. I have had the honor to cater at some awesome events. I have catered several weddings and proms. I’ve done the Taste of Black D.C. with the University of the District of Columbia, an event at the Embassy of Haiti.

At an event with the Greater Washington Urban League, I actually won the chefs’ competition. All of these chefs owned their restaurants, so I felt like I understood the assignment of what I do. I’m a black single mother.

Zenger: Has COVID been a factor?

Geddis: Pre-COVID, the business got so busy that I had to start rejecting business. It was stressful. I could tell I was starting to experience burnout. So when COVID happened, the break was needed. I tried to think about how to revamp the business to still accrue business without having to travel to my clients.

I started making seasonings and extracts.  I plan to start advertising it in 2022. I have really advertised recently, but now that things are opening back up, I have taken on more events. I literally started out doing small things and making mistakes.

But I expanded to catering weddings and large events with over 200 people. I’m tired, but I truly love it. Now, I plan to do smaller events and dinner parties and meal prepping.  I’ve also entertained the idea of being a personal or in-home chef.

Veggie shots and snickerdoodle cupcakes are among Aurelia Geddis’ creations for her catering business. (Courtesy of Aurelia Geddis) 

Zenger: Can you characterize your bond with your parents and their spiritual role in your life?

Geddis: My relationship with my parents wasn’t always great. As a teen, I understood that we lived in a nice home in a nice neighborhood, but I also understood that we didn’t really have money and funds were tight. There was a time when I was being rebellious.I got kicked out of the house.

Zenger: How was life for you at that time?

Geddis: Even while kicked out, I would come visit, and they loved me. There were arguments, but I knew they loved me. I came back after a few years and got kicked out again. I lived with my pastors for a couple of months while they mentored me, loved me and convinced me I should go back home and reconcile with my parents.

My mom raised us in church. I stayed in the church I was raised in and would see them sometimes. I constantly felt God pulling on my heart, bringing me back to a life of faith instead of partying and entertaining bad influential people. I knew that God was the only way to go when I felt I didn’t have anywhere else to go.

Zenger: Were there challenges raising Caleb as a single mother?

Geddis: Being pregnant was the most difficult thing. I was having a baby with a man that I didn’t want to be with. I was depressed all day. The day I had Caleb, I wept so hard when I heard his cry. It was the most beautiful and joyous thing I’ve ever heard. I remember not sleeping at night to make sure he was alive and breathing.

I silently went through postpartum. My hair fell out and support was not coming through like I wanted it to.  My son made me grow up. He makes me make better decisions. He’s the reason why I went back to school and got my degree. He’s the reason why I decided that I wouldn’t continue a relationship with his father.

My son understands that I work with cooking. There have been several late nights with being in the grocery store, doing homework and prepping meals. He rarely complains about it. We now have a deal that his job is to go to school and do well, and mine is to make the money, so we can go on vacations.

My ultimate goal with him is to raise him as a gentleman who treats women well, tells the truth, prays and seeks God for all things. Everything else will fall into place. We pray every day for his teachers and classmates and of course for my future husband.

Aurelia Geddis with her 7-year-old son, Caleb. (Courtey of Aurelia Geddis) 

I recently had a meeting with his teacher. She had only good things to say about his behavior and kindness to other students. He sits next to a student that is on the spectrum, and she states that he is so kind and patient with him when other students aren’t. That only shows me that I’m parenting him well.

Zenger: How did you develop your business acumen?

Geddis: My independence as a child allowed my parents to trust me more with finances. After all the years of craziness, they helped me purchase my first car and my second. My mom always volunteers my services to any person she comes in contact with. She is the ultimate networker. My dad loves to eat. He’ll tell me if the dish was good or not.

Before I had my son, I always said I wanted to purchase a home. I’m in awe of how I actually bought a home, revamping it during the pandemic. I found out I had identity theft when my credit report was run. It took me a few months to get it cleared up.

I went to an open house on a Sunday afternoon with my dad. When I walked in, the home needed work. The previous owner didn’t take great care of it, so the cost was under market value. I was able to take advantage of a loan and get renovations included in my mortgage. Every area of my house is new. All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Zenger: What is your educational background?

Geddis: In high school, I contacted a culinary artist from Johnson and Wales [University]. The day, I called my mom to let her know what I wanted to do, she was calling me. She said God told her what I should be going to school for, and we both said the culinary arts. I actually got accepted to Johnson and Wales.

Creations by Aurelia Geddis’ Sweet Soul Catering. (Courtesy of Aurelia Geddis)

But because of the family dynamic and the finances at the time, my dream school was not in the picture. I would cook for different church functions and my church family would always hype me up and encourage me to do more. One day, I just got the courage to stop making excuses and just start.

After high school, I went to community college. I didn’t really go to classes or do well and was in and out of school for a while. It wasn’t until after I had my son that I wanted to be a good example to him. I enrolled in Mid-America Christian University and graduated in 2017 with my bachelor’s in business administration with a focus in accounting and ethics.

Zenger: Are there any causes you aspire to?

Geddis: When I attended the Greater Washington Urban League, I promoted healthy eating for low-income families.

There are several diseases the black community is more susceptible to because of the food they have access to or what is more or /less expensive.

I was able to create a meal to show that we can eat healthy — even in the means that we live in. I also created a video showing how to cook healthy meals they promoted on their site.

Zenger: Was racism ever an issue?

Geddis: I never really thought I could accomplish as much as my Caucasian counterparts. When advertising myself, I wouldn’t get as many hits or business. But through faith and prayer, resources and businesses were drawn to me like a magnet. My family, friends and extended family allowed me to believe I could accomplish anything.

Edited by Judith Isacoff and Fern Siegel



The post Rebellious Teenager Evolves Into Sweet Soul Catering Entrepreneur  appeared first on Zenger News.

Letter To the Editor: Kick Tobacco for Mental Health Benefits

By Carol McGruder, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council

It’s that time of the year again. During the holiday season, people will start to make their 2022 resolutions, and try to stick to them. While many might wait until New Year’s Day to start this process, there’s absolutely no harm in getting a head start.

As co-founder of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council with decades of experience, I know there are many reasons why people need to stop smoking and vaping. But besides the obvious harmful physical effects, smoking is also bad for your mental health. Many people who smoke think it relieves stress. Unfortunately, nicotine in tobacco products or vapes can lead to increased stress, anxiety, irritability, and impulsivity, and quitting smoking can improve your mental health and well-being. The holidays can be especially chaotic so taking care of your mental and physical health this time of year is more important than ever.

While it might be easy to reach for that cigarette, know there is a better way to manage stress and kick the habit. Kick It California, formerly the California Smokers’ Helpline, has been helping people quit using tobacco products for more than 30 years. With more than half of the people who reach out to Kick It reporting having at least one mental health issue, Kick Its comprehensive program focuses on behavior change methods that help adjust thinking and build confidence to make new, healthier habits stick. Three decades of research and results shows that people succeed when they have access to personalized programs and support like Kick It.

If you are quit-curious, quit-ready or just need a little push to move forward, now is the time, and Kick it California is here to help. They will meet you where you are in your process. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Kick It California’s new mobile friendly website, one-on-one coaching, enhanced tools, and proven methods are available to all Californians, and shown to double a tobacco user’s chance of quitting.

I know it takes a village, a support system, to quit tobacco. I also know that it will take many attempts, but the point is to keep trying. So rather than viewing relapse as a failure, people who smoke and their loved ones need to understand that it is part of the process. Or as Donnie McClurkin told us, “we fall down but we get up!” And participating in Kick it California is one big step to help you eventually get up and stay up!

I encourage everyone who uses tobacco products to make it their resolution to quit tobacco and do it sooner rather than later. With lung health so important these days, if there was ever a time to quit tobacco, it’s now. The resources are free and within your grasp. Our community needs you healthy and strong. You can start your journey to a smoke free life today by visiting kickitca.org, texting “Quit Smoking” to 66819 or calling 1-800-300-8086. Happy New You!

 

50-Year-Old First-Time Mom Welcomes Baby Girl

Susie Troxler, a 50-year-old woman from Greensboro, North Carolina, recently gave birth to a baby for the first time. She and her 61-year-old husband Tony are very excited about being parents to their miracle baby.

Since the couple got married in 2008, they have always dreamed of having their own baby. But years have passed, and Susie still didn’t get pregnant. They tried consulting doctors but they were always told that it could not happen.

Aside from their age, Susie had uterine fibroids and Tony had some medical issues that lowered their chances to have a baby in a natural way.

That is when they tried other procedures like IVF and egg donation. Cone Health OBGYN Dr. Carolyn Harraway-Smith referred them to Carolinas Fertility Institute where Susie’s fibroids were removed before performing rounds of egg collections and IVF.

“None of that worked, and we were down to our last embryo,” Susie Troxler told WFMY News about their experience. “They bring me into the ultrasound, and the first thing they said was, ‘Oh, she’s moving!’ I was like, ‘Yes!’”

Last September, Susie gave birth to a healthy baby girl that they named Lily.

“We are thrilled. Sleep-deprived, but totally beyond worth it. She is a miracle baby,” Susie said.

Meanwhile, even though giving birth at the age of 50 is extremely rare, Harraway-Smith said it is not always recommended as it involves several risks such as miscarriage, stillbirth, among others.

“Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha ?ka? laka ? Boom!”

By Lou Yeboah

Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha ?ka? laka ? Boom! – – Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha-ka-laka ? Boom! Whoosh!

The stage is set, the key players have taken position, the cameras are rolling, and the lights are beginning to dim. A hush is falling across the audience in Heaven, and all is needed is for the Director to cry out, “Action!” The seven seals crescendo into silence. Then the temple of God in Heaven opens, and within His temple the ark of His covenant is seen. All of a sudden flashing of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm. [Revelation 11:19]. Compelling evidence that at any time now Christ could explode onto the scene, rupturing the sky wherewith He will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem. [Zechariah 14:12]. “Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha-ka-laka ? Boom! Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha-ka-laka ? Boom! Whoosh!

Finally, the Director gives the signal, the war is announced. It is declared. [ I Corinthians 14:8]. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and a third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. Then the second angel sounded, as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. [Revelation 8:7-9]

Can you imagine what that will be like? A day when all of those who have lived in rebellion to God, who will finally be vanquished, a day when—as the prophet Habakkuk said, “When the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” A day when the very prayer that we have been asked to pray will finally come to fruition and that is, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” [Habakkuk 2:14].

I tell you, there is no way to escape the conclusion that we are living on borrowed time. The signs of the times are upon us, and they are shouting for our attention. Are you ready? Is your life in order? How about your family and loved ones? Jesus uses four-word pictures to emphasize the same point: Be ready for His return. “Be dressed in readiness” “let your loins be girded.” Luke 12:35-40].

Warning after warning in scripture, telling us, today, that the time is short, discern the signs of the times, because the days are evil. {Ephesians 5:16]. Remember what Isaiah said to King Hezekiah, all of us, set your house in order, and pray that you are found worthy to escape the tribulation that is coming upon the entire world.

Listen, God is delaying His judgment for one reason – He is giving you an opportunity to be saved before it’s too late. Judgment will eventually come. It will come surely, says Peter. It will come suddenly. So, consider this your wake-up call because I tell you, what’s coming next there is no words for it. Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha ?ka? laka ? Boom! Boom Sha-ka-laka, Boom Sha-ka-laka-Boom!

As Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” When death comes, it will be too late for repentance. The Rich Man in Luke 16 discovered that too late. His destiny was now fixed and like in Esau’s case “there was no place for repentance.” May each of us learn from him, and from Esau, and not wait until it is too late to consider the cost of our decisions and actions.

Howard University Names Kimberly Holmes-Iverson Director of Public Relations

Howard University is pleased to announce Kimberly Holmes-Iverson will serve as director of public relations in the Office of University Communications. Holmes-Iverson will lead the University’s media relations and communications strategy to increase Howard’s visibility and enhance its reputation as an internationally recognized research institution and preeminent Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

“I’m excited to work for such an esteemed institution,” said Holmes-Iverson. “Howard University is a true gift to our community. I feel my professional and life experiences have prepared me for this opportunity to share the stories that are living at Howard, which in turn, give life to us all. My vision along with a collaborative team effort will expound upon the brand, history and legacy of HU.”

Holmes-Iverson is an accomplished journalist who has a wealth of award-winning experience as a storyteller, bringing nearly two decades of communications and journalism experience to Howard University. She previously served as a morning anchor at the CBS affiliate on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Prior to that position, she covered countless stories while reporting, anchoring and producing investigative reports and specials at stations in Orlando, Florida and Cincinnati, Ohio. Her work has been recognized by the Emmy ® Awards, Associated Press, Religion Newswriters Association, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

“I am excited to bring Ms. Holmes-Iverson to Howard University,” said Frank Tramble, vice president and chief communications officer for Howard University. “Her experience with storytelling and leadership in newsrooms across the country will be crucial to helping us share stories of Howard’s community with the world. Her ability to bring new relationships and forge stronger relationships with the media is critical.”

Holmes-Iverson began her career behind the scenes as an associate producer in Miami, Florida and as an intern at Bloomberg Television’s Washington, D.C. bureau. Her passion for encouraging young people led her to teach journalism, media ethics & communication courses as an adjunct instructor at Salisbury University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She often draws upon her experience working in public relations at an education nonprofit in Washington, D.C. and communicating at a grassroots level while working on a gubernatorial campaign early in her career. Throughout the years, she has served as a mentor, volunteered with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and been the leader of a Girl Scout Troop. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Holmes-Iverson received her bachelor’s degree in public policy from Duke University and her master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. As the director of public relations, Holmes-Iverson will report to the vice president and chief communications officer. She will oversee the University’s public relations and communications strategy to expand Howard’s visibility and will work to strengthen relationships with the media.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Meet Jessica Watkins, the 1st Black Woman Astronaut to Live and Work on the International Space Station

Jessica Watkins, a 33-year-old female astronaut from Lafayette, Colorado, will make history in April 2022 when she becomes the first Black woman to live and work on the International Space Station.

Watkins will serve as a mission specialist on the ISS as part of the SpaceX Crew-4, which is the fourth batch of astronauts on a flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft. She is one of the four members of the crew who will live on the ISS for six months.

Since 2017, Watkins has been an astronaut in NASA where she worked in its research centers, particularly on the Mars rover Curiosity. Her mission next year will be her first mission in space.

As a child, Watkins had always been inspired by iconic astronauts like Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space, and Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. Now, she hopes to be the one to inspire more children of color to pursue space travel.

“I do hope that all young girls, especially young girls of color that are interested in STEM and interested in exploring space, feel empowered to do so,” Watkins said, according to NPR. “I just hope young girls across the country feel that way now.”

After the ISS, Watkins, who had a background in geology and the surface of Mars, said she is also interested in traveling to Mars soon.

Getting Their Kicks In: Urban Initiative Brings Soccer Fields To Underserved Cities


By George A. Willis

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Children in some urban communities in New Jersey are benefiting from new soccer fields aimed at making the game accessible to those who lack the resources or opportunities to play.

The practice fields were built by the Players Development Academy Urban Initiative in collaboration with RWJ Barnabas Health.

The goal of the initiative, founded during the pandemic, is to provide soccer facilities and coaching to children in underserved urban communities to enhance their physical and social well-being. Five turf fields have been built since January: two in New Brunswick, and one each in Newark, Hamilton and Belleville. There are plans for additional fields in other New Jersey communities before duplicating the program nationally.

“There are plenty of soccer fields around, but not in these underserved communities,” Gerry McKeown, the initiative’s director, told Zenger.

“I thought that if we can bring the game to underserved communities, we can help those communities, increase the pool of athletes that are exposed to the game, give kids a chance to fall in love with the game, and perhaps break the cycle of poverty by getting a scholarship to a college or maybe becoming a professional.”

Gerry McKeown (left) and Barry Ostrowsky celebrate the opening of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Community Field at Kossuth Park in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  (Courtesy of RWJBarnabas Health)

Founded in 1998 and based in Somerset, New Jersey, the Players Development Academy is a training program that offers instruction and top-level competition for boys and girls. McKeown is the boys executive director of coaching.

He came up with the concept for the Urban Initiative during the pandemic. He looked at the success of the academy and all the young athletes throughout the years who have received college scholarships to play soccer and some who have gone on to professional careers. But there was something he didn’t like.

“Soccer has become an upper-middle-class sport with all the travel teams and the money needed for that,” McKeown said. “We’re the only country in the world where it has become a game of relative wealth. The better you are, the more it costs you. In every other country, it’s a game for the poor. There is no cost. We’re the antithesis of the rest of the world.”

The Urban Initiative concept is similar to building a neighborhood basketball court that’s open to the public for informal pickup games anytime. Many of the greatest basketball and football players in the country learned their games on public courts and fields in urban communities. McKeown believes the same can happen with soccer.

“Providing soccer fields children can walk to from their house might give them a chance to learn the game,” McKeown said. “Kids are so orchestrated these days. This is an organic environment with not much instruction. It’s peer-learning.”

There are health and social benefits, too, which is why RWJBarnabas Health agreed to fund the majority of the fields. President and CEO of RWJBarnabas, Barry Ostrowsky, was contemplating ways to invest in communities to promote physical activity and recreation, particularly for young people.

“One of the social detriments keeping people unhealthy is the lack of facilities for children and others to get exercise outside,” Ostrowsky said. “Typically, vulnerable communities are not communities in which they build great outdoor recreational facilities. When they told me about PDA’s Urban Initiative, it was just perfect. Their mission and our mission are precisely aligned.”

Seeing the results

When McKeown spends time at one of the fields in New Brunswick, he first sees young kids playing after school. Later in the afternoon, young men and adults start to appear, accompanied by their children and families. The fields, approximately 40 feet-by-70-feet, are much smaller than regulation soccer fields, and teams are usually 5-on-5. The ball is always in play because the field is fenced.

“In these environments, you’re on the ball the whole time,” McKeown said. “The kids get a lot of touches. It’s about having the ability to be creative and sharpen your skills. It’s a lot different teacher than a normal soccer field.”

The  Urban Initiative has teamed with RWJBarnabas Health to build  soccerpractice fields like this one in New Brunswick, New Jersey. (Courtesy Gerry McKeown)

McKeown is not only watching to see how the fields are being used, but he is also searching for the diamond in the rough, who might be an exceptional talent.

“Any kid who shows any promise, our club has agreed to provide a scholarship to the Players Development Academy for that kid to participate free of cost,” McKeown said. “We’ll try to get as many of these kids in our program as we can.”

Ostrowsky grew up in an era when kids met at the neighborhood field or court and played whatever sport was in season.

“If there was a field available anywhere near us, we used it,” Ostrowsky said. “We didn’t have to reserve it or join a league. We just used it. That’s the kind of thing you see with the … Urban Initiative.  You see people coming out because they want to use it.”

A worthy investment

Each soccer field costs an estimated $70,000 to build, which Ostrowsky sees as a worthy investment.

“It warms my heart to know that we’ve actually put resources into something that will not only be used immediately but used happily and to the benefit of those who use it,” Ostrowsky said. “People talk about building recreational complexes with gyms and practice fields costing millions of dollars. These fields are far less expensive and can be done quickly in areas and on land people may not want.”

McKeown, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, moved to Kearny, New Jersey, where he played soccer in high school and then at North Carolina State. He has been with the Players Development Academy for 21 years and is widely recognized for his coaching skills. But he insists “our reach needs to be bigger.”

The next field will be built in Perth Amboy with an individual sponsor.

Camden, Elizabeth, and Paterson are other locations being considered before the program undertakes plans to expand nationally to urban areas in major cities.

“There’s a lot of places that can use these things as a positive influence,” McKeown said. “These fields serve as a distraction from all the negative influences and provide positive socialization as well as promote physical and mental well-being.”

Edited by Judith Isacoff and Matthew B. Hall



The post Getting Their Kicks In: Urban Initiative Brings Soccer Fields To Underserved Cities appeared first on Zenger News.

The Orlando Magic Are Finding Their Frontcourt Of The Future


By Jackson Frank

Thus far, the footprint of the Orlando Magic’s 2021-22 campaign is buried at the bottom. They tout the league’s worst net rating (-11.0) and second-worst record (4-17). Each of their Southeast Division counterparts are above .500 and in the playoff hunt, including a pair of top-three seeds. Along with the Detroit Pistons, they’re one of just two Eastern Conference squads more than two games removed from a play-in spot.

Do not confuse short-term struggles as a harbinger for a rebuild spiraling awry, though. Through the season’s quarter poll, Orlando is cultivating a crystalized vision of future success.

After a troublesome rookie year, Cole Anthony is operating with more poise and shot-making prowess to assert himself as a bona fide ball-handler. Despite a thorny beginning, fifth overall pick Jalen Suggs is establishing some footing in recent weeks. New head coach Jahmal Mosley is diagramming creative schemes and deploying the young guys in predominantly optimal settings.

Aside from Anthony’s newfound exploits, the crux of all these encouraging developments resides in the Magic’s frontcourt of Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba. Together, this trio is showcasing a complementary offensive portfolio to amplify a lead initiator (Anthony or otherwise) and anchor a stingy defense.

Following three years of health setbacks and inconsistent playing time — mixed in with tantalizing two-way flashes — Bamba has snagged the starting center gig. His 29.7 minutes per game are nearly double his previous career-high of 16.3 minutes.

Amid those minutes, he’s exhibiting heightened defensive activity. His 7-foot-10 wingspan dominated mainstream conversations around him pre-draft, and he’s justifying credence in the impact of that physical profile. The dude’s length is mind-boggling, and it enables him to influence so many events that most others are simply incapable of.

On attempts within 6 feet of the hoop, opponents are shooting 7.5% worse than their average when Bamba is the primary defender, per NBA.com. He’s also stamping his mark on passes, where his 1.2% steal rate ranks in the 54th percentile among bigs, according to Cleaning The Glass (CTG). With Carter (4 vs. 5) and Wagner (3 vs. 4) probably playing down one position respectively, Bamba serves as a safeguard of the backline when they’re stretched too thin on the perimeter — though, they’re each quite adept out there.

All this liveliness with a greater minute load hasn’t seen him succumb to foul trouble either. Per 100 possessions, his 4.5 fouls are well below his mark of 6.3 during the first three seasons of his career. He’s both a better and more discretionary defender, altering plays without jeopardizing his minutes.

Bamba has certainly emerged as a loud rim-deterrent and defensive playmaker in Year 4, but he’s not free of significant concerns. He’s prone to unnecessarily biting on shot fakes, as if he forgets about all his height and sprawling length. His fairly delayed load-up period as a leaper prevents him from contesting certain shots.

Similarly, he’s just a slow-moving athlete. While he may identify a rotation, he cannot always execute it in a prompt manner. Even then, his processing of plays lags behind that of foremost defensive centers. Bamba’s been rather valuable defensively, especially for a 23-year-old, but these warts feel like he’s leaving some meat on the bone during his minutes.

Although he’s only drilling 33.7% of his triples, there’s clear confidence in the shot, which broadens his offensive utility and shapes the way defenses view him. Wagner, Carter and Bamba each garner attention as floor-spacers. That opens driving lanes and real estate for guys like Anthony, Suggs and R.J. Hampton to maneuver inside the arc.

Bamba’s intersection of size and shooting touch is evident when defenses try to pin smaller defenders on him and manipulate his floor-spacing duties against Orlando’s offense. His poor center of gravity and underdeveloped core strength mean he’s not a reliable post creator, but he’s exhibited composure on switches and a capacity for firing over the top against smaller mismatches.

If the towering tandem of Carter and Bamba is to suffice long-term offensively, Bamba incorporating consistent scoring outside of the long ball feels paramount, especially when the opposition tries to defend him like a shooting guard in a 7-footer’s clothes.

The more shooting, the better, of course. But with frontcourt players, much of the value can be derived from the mere threat of a jumper drawing rim protectors outside of the paint. If defenses can’t hide smaller players on Bamba or Carter because of possible post exploitation, that will force them to station their center(s) on the perimeter, tailing Orlando’s gargantuan gunners. Bamba looks like he might be on the way to actualizing that dynamic.

Whereas Bamba’s belief beyond the arc is ahead of his results at this juncture, those facets are in lockstep for Carter. Entering the season, Carter had made 29 long balls in his career. He eclipsed that total in the 19th game this year. From 2018-19 to 2020-21, his three-point rate was .096. Now, it’s ballooned to .392, and he’s splashing home 39% of his triples.

Stepping into early-clock threes as a trailer and firing in the face of timely closeouts, he’s operating with a level of aggression rarely before seen from him. When his quick trigger and fruitful production spur defenders to overcommit or run him off the line, he’s displaying off-the-dribble juice and ball skills that have largely been dormant during his NBA tenure, though assuredly were evident at lower levels.

With some shooters, a hurried contest can exile them from the arc and neutralize them. That’s not the case for Carter. He’ll bomb away if the closeout isn’t (nearly) perfect, or drive off the catch when a lane is present. After years of passivity plagued his offense, he’s discovered the requisite conviction to thrive, slapping down a career-high 13.3 points per game on a career-best 60.9% True Shooting percentage (5.8 points above the NBA average, also a career-best). There aren’t that many non-stars doing all this as a 6-foot-10 big man:

Carter has long previewed notable passing chops, but that same passivity would rear its head to mute their equity. He’d often catch the ball near the elbow and be fixated on facilitating a dribble hand-off without glancing toward the hoop whatsoever.

Orlando is still utilizing him as a stationary passer, and he’s more cognizant of the windows that arise after pressuring the defense instead of moonlighting as a statue for a few seconds. He’s also putting the ball on the deck, and has fostered a rapport with Bamba. Teams have to respect his interior scoring touch, and when they do, he strikes via distribution.

Starting at power forward alongside Bamba necessitates a level of defensive mobility that Carter has met. According to Basketball-Reference, more than 70% of his minutes are coming at the 4 this season. In his previous three years, that number never exceeded 20%.

These days, he’s asked to function as a perimeter defender much more regularly. Light on his feet with quick hips, he’s doing so swimmingly, and is instilling hope that the Carter-Bamba pairing can succeed permanently — just as it has through the initial portion of 2021-22.

Perimeter services have solely been a feature of Carter’s defense. Where he’s really shining is in pick-and-roll coverage and as a helper. He plays 1-on-2 scenarios with patience and precision, wields jazz hands to close off passing angles on the interior and is a poster boy for verticality when contesting shots at the rim. Brawny finishers can steamroll through him for buckets, yet by and large, he’s forming a staunch duo inside with Bamba:

Most enticing among Orlando’s youth-laden frontcourt is the rookie, Wagner, who’s averaging 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals and a steal on 51.6% True Shooting (.425/.361/.786 splits). As a prospect, he was hindered by a gun-shy nature from deep, which has hardly been the case for him in the pros.

Across 55 contests at Michigan, he averaged 12.5 points and never scored more than 22 points. Since entering the league, he’s averaged 12.7 points and even catalogued a 28-point night.

The Magic have done well to balance his scoring opportunities on and off the ball. They’rve merged areas he already excels in with avenues he might excel in down the line if he’s afforded chances to refine his creation ability.

Because he’s willing to let it fly beyond the arc, Wagner attracts pressuring closeouts and attacks them as a driver by leveraging broad strides and silky touch. Routinely sensing when he’s become an afterthought for defenders, he’s a perceptively brilliant cutter, and his teammates know to feed him on those plays. His off-ball scoring package allows him to drift into the background and puncture advantages generated by others:

Wagner is laying the ground floor of some serious self-creation upside too. Orlando routinely entrusts him with on-ball reps, and he’s handling them capably — especially for a 20-year-old just five weeks into NBA action. What he lacks in burst and a dynamic handle, he compensates by way of his 6-foot-9 frame to dislodge defenders, along with his stoic driving cadence to plan each decision as it arrives.

Only 62.7% of his buckets have been assisted this season, a remarkably impressive rate for a rookie, let alone one not billed for his creation prior to the draft. A wing-sized rookie — who’s a plus passer, defender and off-ball scorer — looking this adept in manufacturing his own points bodes quite well for his prime in half-a-decade and beyond.

Part of Wagner’s initiating potential is linked to his savvy facilitating. Applying his size to title defenses or complete reads over the top, he’s an excellent interior passer, and is willing to take risks in pursuit of points; that’s something many good passers — especially young ones fearful of seeing their playing time reduced — don’t always adhere to. He and Carter have synergy in ball-screen actions, and Wagner sets up the big fella for an easy score most evenings. All of it is yet another example of how Wagner benefits this squad.

Aside from improving as a shot-maker, which is an underdiscussed component of virtually every player’s ascension, Wagner has to better embrace physicality around the rim. While he’s willing to play through it as a driver, contact aversion tends to manifest at the basket, where he’s shooting just 53% (16th percentile among forwards, per CTG). On the positive side, 36% off his attempts occur there, but the results themselves are discouraging, and a refined approach can help bridge that disconnect.

More than any offensive facet of his game, Wagner is a vastly advanced defender. He’s typically Orlando’s designated stopper, and has amassed at least 20 possessions against seven different All-Stars, per NBA.com’s matchup data. Those All-Stars vary in style, too, ranging from Trae Young to Kevin Durant to Julius Randle.

He understands angles to cut drives off, shimmies around screens and brandishes deft hands to force turnovers or nab deflections. The Magic are comfortable playing him at the 3 because of his fluidity and quick hips. His plus-0.7 Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus ranks fifth among all rookies, thanks to that multifaceted aptitude. He’s a very good defender who will soon be superb.

Losing a plethora of games and welcoming a dazzling prospect to the fold for a few seasons does not guarantee prosperity simply because one is patient. The recipe for those prospects to develop beyond prospects — a word rich with promise but short on immediate results — is more nuanced.

They warrant suitable roles that amplify their strengths, teach them to rectify their weaknesses and prompt them to expand their arsenals without eschewing structure altogether. And that is what’s transpiring in Orlando. The victories have conveyed how this team can and will eventually win on a consistent basis.

Anthony may be the brightest gem of the rebuild at this stage (Wagner might object). Yet, none better reflect the importance of stability than Wagner, Carter and Bamba, all of whom, in divergent, well-fitting roles, are making clear that Orlando’s footprint should only temporarily be buried at the bottom of the NBA.

Produced in association with BasketballNews.com.

Edited by Kristen Butler



The post The Orlando Magic Are Finding Their Frontcourt Of The Future appeared first on Zenger News.

Vaccinating kids can help win the battle against COVID, experts argue

By Jenny Manrique, Ethnic Media Services

Nearly one million children ages 5 to 11 have been vaccinated in the United States since the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for this age group on September 20. Efforts to immunize 28 million infants could mark a turning point in the battle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, but many parents are still reluctant to vaccinate their kids.

“We received phone calls, emails and text messages from families that were just eagerly awaiting the vaccine for their children,” said Jennifer Miller, a pediatrician with East Bay Pediatrics during an Ethnic Media Services briefing on Nov 12. “But we also have another group of patients who have been more cautious and more hesitant.”

The first group of families, Miller noted, were looking forward to resuming some semblance of normalcy without having to worry about isolating or quarantining their children: being able to send them back to school or traveling together as the holidays come.

The latter, mostly families of color, are afraid to vaccinate their children because they do not know the long-term consequences of the shot, or because they are afraid of side effects such as infertility (denied by scientists) or myocarditis (inflammation in the heart that has occurred exceptionally in men after the second dose and it is very easy to treat.)

Although many parents have been vaccinated, they prefer a wait-and-see approach when it comes to their children because they feel the burden of making decisions on behalf of people too young to decide for themselves.

Dr. Miller cites the mental health impacts she is seeing among her young patients as another reason for ensuring they get vaccines.

. “Not only are we dealing with a pandemic because of COVID, but we are dealing with a mental health pandemic,” she said. “Children and adolescents have been removed from their school routine, their peers, their sports and their clubs. They are depressed and anxious due to the loss of family members to COVID; they experience frequent sadness.

“These children need to get back into school full time,” the pediatrician added. “We have kindergarteners that didn’t learn how to read and kids with special needs who didn’t get their own occupational therapy.” These educational disparities occur much more commonly in families of color. “If those families do not go out and get vaccinated, these kids will continue to fall behind and won’t be able to compete with their peers.”

There have been more than 6 million positive COVID cases in children in the United States since the pandemic began, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), resulting in 64,000 hospitalizations and 650 deaths. That’s why CDC.

Director Rochelle Wollensky endorsed the advisory group’s recommendation on immunization practices to move on mass childhood vaccination.

“There is no doubt that children are less at risk for severe disease from COVID,” said Monica Gandhi, Professor of Medicine at UC San Francisco School of Medicine. “Even though the risk is lower, during the Delta variant surge, COVID was the sixth leading cause of death in children.”

Gandhi cited three reasons why children should be vaccinated: to protect them against the virus; to reduce transmission to others, especially older parents and grandparents; and because thedoseissafe. Thesereasonsareparticularlyrelevantforcommunitiesofcolorwhichhavea higher incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, making them more vulnerable to COVID.

“During the (clinical) trial with 2,268 children, there was a reduction in COVID symptomatic infections of 90.7%.” Gandhi said. Because of the rare cases of myocarditis, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Pfizer to provide a 10 mg dose for children ages 5 to 11, in contrast to the 30 mg that adults receive. In Moderna’s case, the dose is higher: 100 mg.

Gandhi suggests that there will be greater efficacy in children if the doses are given more than three weeks apart, based on data from the National Institute of Public Health in Quebec: Canada chose to administer the doses eight weeks apart which was 92% effective versus 82% effectiveness when the doses were given closer together.

“We are still at about 68% for the vaccination rate across the country among eligibles over 12 years of age,” Gandhi said. “With 28 million vaccinated children, the virus will be able to find fewer and fewer susceptible hosts.”

Misinformation and fears

Maria Meraz, Founder-Director of Parent Engagement Academy, works annually with around 3,000 parents in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, 90% of them immigrants and first-generation Latinos. She said that the misinformation spread about the vaccine on networks such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube is “terrible”.

“These parents are low-income families and many of them don’t have access to (cable) TV… they get their information from sources that are not the best such as friends and family.” Meraz works with several school districts that provide social-emotional support services to guide parents through a dilemma that causes them great anxiety: While many do not agree with vaccination, they know they have no other option.

“They have to send their children to school because they have to go to work,” Meraz said.

Madison Sandoval, a Bay Area school nurse, cited a new fear that children who have not been vaccinated may wind up becoming targets for cyberbullying. “I can definitely see the potential for bullying to happen, and that’s why it’s really important for schools to get ahead of that kind of dialogue and really focus on vaccines’ benefits, not assigning blame or shaming any child because ultimately it is not their decision,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval recalled that masking and ventilation are really effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID within schools and that as long as vaccines are not mandatory to attend classrooms, they should be implemented.