covid-19 relief
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Democratic Lawmakers Ask HHS to Allocate Portion of COVID-19 Relief Funds to Grassroots Groups in Communities of Color
In the midst of a vaccine rollout plagued by slowdowns as well as lingering suspicions from Black Americans and others about trusting the government’s response, Democrats are calling on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to direct funds from the recently passed $900 billion COVID relief bill to grassroots organizations in communities of…
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Oregon COVID-19 Relief Funds Reserved for Underserved Black People in Jeopardy Due to Lawsuits
After the first round of Paycheck Protection Program loans meant to help small businesses survive shutdowns due to the pandemic went out last year, report after report after report documented how Black businesses were being ignored. The state of Oregon has been trying to do something to ensure that racism doesn’t play a part in…
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Trump Signs COVID Relief Bill, Says $2,000 Stimulus Checks Are Still Up for Congressional Vote
On Sunday night, President Donald Trump signed legislation for $900 billion in COVID relief funding along with $1.4 trillion in government spending, which averted a government shutdown that was scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. The COVID relief bill—which was approved by both the House and Senate on Dec. 21, but Trump refused to sign it…
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President Trump Spends Holiday Golfing and Tweeting From Florida While COVID-19 Relief Bill Languishes in Limbo
After throwing a wrench into Congress’ plans to pass a desperately needed COVID-19 relief bill (insufficient though the $600 stimulus payments would be), President Trump has predictably spent the past few days doing absolutely nothing to fix the problem he created. Ahead of Christmas Eve, Trump had announced that he would not sign the $900…
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Senate Leaders Say $600 Stimulus Checks Are ‘Just a First Step’ as Millions of Americans Shout GTFOH
Welp, it finally happened. After months of contentious negotiations between groups of people who have plenty of money who make decisions that greatly affect people who don’t, Senate officials announced the bipartisan $900 billion coronavirus stimulus package—one that will provide most Americans with $600 to help make ends meet as the pandemic rages on. As…
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The Scam That Was the Paycheck Protection Program Paid Out Millions to Hate Groups
While Congress continues to dither over distributing another stimulus check to members of the American public during a pandemic that has stuttered the economy and left many unemployed and unable to meet the cost of their basic needs, it’s become increasingly clear that the Paycheck Protection Program—ostensibly meant to support workers in small businesses—has been…
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Department of Education Finally Starts Processing COVID-Related Discrimination Cases 9 Months Into Pandemic
Y’all, we all know the Department of Education under Betsy DeVos ain’t shit. The RC Cola version of Dolores Umbridge has decided that nine months into the pandemic and one month before she’s out of a job is the perfect time to start processing discrimination cases related to COVID. According to HuffPost, the department’s Office…
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Pfizer Says Its Vaccine Is 90 Percent Effective as COVID Cases Are Set to Overwhelm the American Healthcare System
Can’t even lie, it felt incredibly good to see the whole world reenact the end of Return of the Jedi this weekend. I’m going to do my best to hold onto that feeling because the upcoming months aren’t looking too hot with regards to the ongoing pandemic. While Pfizer has shared a promising development on…
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American Express Launches 'Coalition to Back Black Businesses,' Applications for First Round of $5,000 Grants Now Open
The coronavirus pandemic has placed an extraordinary toll on the Black community. The virus has become the third-leading cause of death for Black people and the economic fallout has had a disproportionate effect on Black people, as well. A program launched by American Express intends to alleviate some of the economic stress. Fast Company reports…
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Protesters Chant 'Orange Lives Matter' at Oklahoma Prison Facing Coronavirus Outbreak
In Taft, Okla., a group of protesters have gathered outside a local prison currently facing an outbreak of COVID-19. KTUL-8 reports that protesters have taken to chanting “Orange Lives Matter,” outside of Eddie Warrior Correctional Center, a minimum-security women’s prison. They’re concerned with the way the prison has handled an emerging coronavirus outbreak. Merri Davila…