THE BIG STORY

How did the coronavirus response fail black communities?

In cites all across the country, people of color have been disproportionately hit by the coronavirus outbreak. Now a group of almost three dozen local lawmakers are asking the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to investigate how and why that happened.

Among other things, they want answers on the uneven distribution of coronavirus testing sites, and the lack of protection given to essential workers, who have been most exposed to the virus and are disproportionately people of color.

“It could not have been a coincidence that from the Southside of Chicago to South Jamaica, Queens, you get the same outcome,” Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, a signatory to the letter, told BuzzFeed News. “There was information that was known beforehand so you have to believe there were conscious decisions made in the deployment of resources, assets, and instructions.”

STAYING ON TOP OF THIS

A lockdown jailing

A Dallas salon owner has been jailed after publicly tearing up a court order demanding she comply with local lockdown rules. The case of Shelley Luther, owner of Salon à la Mode, has become closely followed among anti-lockdown activists, including members of a local militia group that protested in front of the courthouse during the hearing.

"I have hairstylists that are going hungry because they'd rather feed their kids,” Luther told the judge. “So, sir, if you think the law is more important than kids being fed, then go ahead with your decision, because I'm not going to shut the salon."

Judge Eric Moyé sentenced her to seven days in jail and a $3,500 fine. "Society cannot function when one's own belief in a concept of liberty permits you to flaunt your disdain for the rulings of duly elected officials," he said.

Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther (Lm Otero / AP)

SNAPSHOTS

Barack Obama privately criticized a Republican investigation into Joe Biden and Ukraine. In a letter responding to a request for documents, he called the investigation an attempt “to give credence to a Russian disinformation campaign.”

Ecuador’s commercial capital, Guayaquil, has been hit harder by the coronavirus than any other city in Latin America, and its health system is buckling under the pressure. Hundreds of people have reported having the bodies of deceased family members go missing amid the chaos.

US citizens who are children of undocumented immigrants are suing the Trump administration for denying them coronavirus stimulus checks. The policy “punishes citizen children for their parents’ status,” the lawsuit says.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released a video of their son Archie in celebration of his first birthday. The video was released as part of a campaign to raise funds for coronavirus relief.

Megan Markle and her son, Archie (via Save the Children / Instagram)

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PLAYING RAMBO

The weirdest failed coup

A former US Green Beret named Jordan Goudreau has claimed responsibility for plotting a failed coup attempt in Venezuela, which ended with a number of participants being killed by security forces and the capture of two US citizens. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claimed the Americans were members of President Trump’s security team and “were playing Rambo. They were playing hero.”

Trump denied any US role in the coup attempt, telling reporters yesterday that “it has nothing to do with our government.”

Goudreau runs a private security company, Silvercorp USA, which claims on its website that it “advises corporations and governments worldwide.” It’s also… a very weird company. “A promotional video on its homepage shows Goudreau running with weapons, then shirtless at the gym, shirtless running up the stairs of an ancient ruin, shirtless on the beach,” J. Lester Feder reports.

The story gets much weirder, including a cameo appearance by Richard Branson and a claim to be emulating the warrior teachings of Alexander the Great.

Reuters

IT’S RAMADAN

Fasting during the pandemic

Muslims across the world — including the author of this very newsletter! — are currently celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, abstaining from food and water from sunrise until sunset. That’s a hard thing to do at the best of times, and it can be even harder when you’re an essential worker who doesn’t have the luxury of working from home or taking it easy.

BuzzFeed News asked our readers how Ramadan is going for them this year, and dozens of Muslims around the world shared their stories of fasting and religious observance while working in often hectic environments like hospitals and airports. Others spoke of how quarantine has its ups and downs: it keeps you away from your community, but can allow more time for prayer and introspection.

“Ramadan is a time of reflection where you’re supposed to be peaceful, kind, patient, honest,” said Aminat Sarumi, a 28-year-old flight attendant in Virginia. I’m just praying for the goodness of the world, and I’m sure other Muslims are, too.”

Join Aminat and wish for the goodness of the world today,
Tom