Connect with us

California

COVID Recovery in Alameda County: Our Church Is Offering Free Tests

Variants still pose a threat. And case numbers are still on a gradual decline here in California and around the country. Therefore, we can’t throw all caution to the wind when it comes to keeping our loved ones safe and healthy. The death rate resulting from COVID-19 is still higher for Black Californians than the statewide average, according to numbers from the California Department of Public Health.

Published

3 years ago

on

The Rev. Gerald L. Agee is the founder and pastor of Christian Friendship Church in Oakland and the statewide manager for the Black church testing program.
The Rev. Gerald L. Agee is the founder and pastor of Christian Friendship Church in Oakland and the statewide manager for the Black church testing program.

Rev. Gerald L. Agee | Impact Alameda

States and cities have lifted mask mandates and other COVID-related restrictions. But even as we readjust to life as it was before the pandemic, we know that COVID is not fully gone for good.

Variants still pose a threat. And case numbers are still on a gradual decline here in California and around the country. Therefore, we can’t throw all caution to the wind when it comes to keeping our loved ones safe and healthy. The death rate resulting from COVID-19 is still higher for Black Californians than the statewide average, according to numbers from the California Department of Public Health.

At the height of the coronavirus crisis, Black pastors across California recognized the urgency of the COVID-19 threat. As we move from pandemic to endemic, we still do.

We continue to accept the responsibility of this fight, and we understand as faith leaders in our communities that we must combine faith with action. Prayers for healing and health must be backed up by a plan for protection and prevention that keep our communities safe and the virus at bay.

That is why dozens of faith leaders across our state have worked together to keep the doors of our churches open for convenient COVID-19 testing. Some sites offer vaccinations. This effort to keep our congregations and our neighborhoods safe has been made possible with the support of our testing partner Color and the California Department of Public Health.

The pastors in our network, their congregations, staff, and volunteers at our churches and in our community have done an excellent job. Their effort has contributed in no small way to the high COVID-19 vaccination rate and low positivity rate we now have in California. We are truly proud and grateful.

As we walk into this new phase of our COVID-19 response, we must prioritize safety, especially for those among us who are aging or otherwise fragile.

As our slogan tells us, “Don’t guess, get the test” before fully chucking your mask, or going back to work or traveling to see loved ones.

Look up one of our centers in your community to get vaccinated and tested. It is the surest way that we can stem the spread of this virus.

We must decide to renew our hope and lead with faith even stronger than we have been doing. With that resolve, committing ourselves to keeping each other and our communities safe will be easy.

Remember, we can end this endemic once and for all — together.

About the Author

The Rev. Gerald L. Agee is the founder and pastor of Christian Friendship Church in Oakland and the statewide manager for the Black church testing program.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Is an Employer or Landlord Using Your Felony Conviction Against You? Here’s What You Can Do

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is also encouraging the public to report housing ads that use discriminatory language to exclude certain racial groups, immigrants, people with felonies, and applicants with Section 8 or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) vouchers; etc. 

Published

3 years ago

on

April 12, 2022

By

Since the law passed, the state has sent more than 500 notices to businesses informing them that they have violated protections put in place to protect people seeking work. 
Since the law passed, the state has sent more than 500 notices to businesses informing them that they have violated protections put in place to protect people seeking work. 

Edward Henderson | Impact Alameda

The California state government has been reminding businesses and landlords across the state that it is illegal to discriminate against job and rental applicants because they have committed felonies or misdemeanors in the past.

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is also encouraging the public to report housing ads that use discriminatory language to exclude certain racial groups, immigrants, people with felonies, and applicants with Section 8 or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) vouchers; etc.

“The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing announced a new effort to identify and correct violations of the Fair Chance Act, a pioneering state law that seeks to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with criminal histories,” a DFEH statement read.

The Fair Chance act, which took effect on January 1, 2018, was written to increase access to employment and housing for Californians with criminal histories — a way to reduce recidivism, among other goals. Employers with five or more employees are prohibited from asking a job candidate about conviction history during the hiring process or when advertising a vacancy.

Since the law passed, the state has sent more than 500 notices to businesses informing them that they have violated protections put in place to protect people seeking work.

The DFEH says it is implementing new technologies to conduct mass searches of online job applications that include unlawful statements. For example, some businesses explicitly state in hiring advertisements that they would not consider applicants with criminal records.

“Using technology to proactively find violations of the state’s anti-discrimination laws is a powerful strategy for our department to protect Californians’ civil rights,” said DFEH Director Kevin Kish. “DFEH is committed to preventing employment discrimination through innovative enforcement actions and by providing clear guidance to employers.”

DFEH released a toolkit to aid employers in adhering to the Fair Chance Act guidelines. The toolkit includes sample forms and guides employers can use to follow required procedures; a suggested statement that employers can add to job advertisements and applications to let applicants know that they will consider individuals with criminal histories; answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Fair Chance Act and an informational video that explains the Fair Chance Act.

In addition, DFEH plans to release an interactive training and an online app this year.

Before authorities lifted the statewide COVID-19 public health restrictions, DFEH also warned businesses against masking discrimination with COVID safety precautions.

“As Californians navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing has provided guidance to protect civil rights and mitigate risk of COVID-19 transmission in employment, housing, healthcare, and, in our guidance released today, businesses open to the public,” said Kish. “We can and must uphold civil rights while simultaneously disrupting the spread of COVID-19.”

DFEH encourages individuals to report job and housing advertisements violating the Fair Chance Act or other instances of discrimination.

Visit the DFEH website to file complaints. (https://ccrs.dfeh.ca.gov/s/login/)

Continue Reading

Trending