Father Bruce Lewandowski, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Rev Dante Miles, Senior Pastor Koinonia Baptist Church, Rev George Hopkins, Pastor Sowebo Community Church
“We find ourselves in the midst of two pandemics: police brutality and the corona virus. Both of these pandemics have left brown and black people with knees on their necks. Both of these pandemics have left brown and black people unable to breathe….We are here today because our faith demands that we be here. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says “ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Jesus’ words speak to us in 2020. We cannot ignore the plight of our brothers and sisters that are suffering. ……Governor Hogan, Jesus is saying to you “Take the knee of lack of testing off the neck of the least of these so that our black and brown brothers and sisters can finally breathe. ” Rev Dante Miles, Senior Pastor Koinonia Baptist Church and BUILD strategy team leader, press conference at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church 9am June 10, 2020.
“Baltimore City should be opening up; especially with all the tests they have” Governor Hogan Press Conference 5pm June 10, 2020
What we know: The World Health Organization recommends a positivity rate of 5% or below for two weeks in order to reopen safely. According to coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov as of June 12, 2020:
- 21224 (Sacred Heart of Jesus) has a 28% positivity rate,
- 21206 (Koinonia Baptist) has a 20% positivity rate
- 21229 (Still Meadow Community Fellowship) has a 19% positivity rate
- no ZIP code in Baltimore has a positivity rate under 10% with the exception of two majority white zip codes – 21201 and 21211
Immediate Call to Action: Join the more than 65 institutions – BUILD members and beyond and 70 individuals who have signed on to our call to the Governor to:
- Give a public accounting of how the federal dollars received by the State have been spent
- Give a public accounting of how PPE, tests, and other resources to support contact tracing and treatment have been allocated by jurisdiction
- Increase capacity in Baltimore City to get us to the ability to performe theminimum of 2800 COVID-19 tests per day recommended by public health experts.
- Our city health officials have reacted swiftly and strongly to this pandemic – but they need more:
- staff, including Spanish speakers;
- more PPE;
- increased test processing;
- ability to assist those who cannot self-isolate to do so safely;
- community-based testing sites
Use Social Media! Tweet (@BUILDBaltimore), post on Facebook (BUILDBaltimore) or Instagram (buildiaf1). Here are some examples:
@GovLarryHogan trust local officials. @BMORE_Healthy says it would be reckless to re-open. Why? 3 ZIPs at >19% a, 21224 at 28%. Only 2 ZIPs below 10%, majority white. One of your City constituents was sadly 4th person to die due to lack of access to testing. #COVD-19 #buildcapacity
We appreciate the increase in tests. Along with that as you know from your 500k @GovLarryHogan lab supplies are also needed. Plus staff and medical follow up. Public health recommendation is 5% positivity or below for 2 wks. 21224 is at 28%. Only 2 ZIPs below 10%. Majority white.