Your Health + Your Faith

We are living in a time that most of us have never seen with the natural eye; an actual plague sweeping through this land. With it has come the realization that while anyone can be infected, everyone does not experience it the same.

There is a disproportionate number of African Americans being infected and dying. This disparity in deaths from COVID-19 for African Americans in the US should not be a surprise. We’re behind the 8 ball on this. We are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer, 52% more likely to die from cervical cancer, and 44% more likely to die from a stroke than a non-Hispanic white person. The reasons are multiple: poverty, racism, lack of access, and lifestyle behaviors. This pandemic, with its staggering infection and death rates for African Americans is yet another indictment of this country’s inability to face its demons for the good of ALL its people.

Chicago is currently experiencing a 70% death rate in Blacks with COVID-19 infection when they make up only 30% of the population. Other states such as Louisiana are experiencing rates of more than 70% of deaths African American infected.

I have little hope that anything substantive will change post COVID-19 if we rely solely on the federal government. The change necessary will start at the local level, with local government, in communities through grass root efforts that galvanize around the notion that “all men are created equal and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”

Communities that empower people with knowledge to assert greater control over their health and healthcare. Communities that make sure every family has access to live whole food either through personal or community gardens or the old school “huckster man”. Communities that join together to move their bodies, using technology or gathering in churches, parks, gymnasiums or at swimming pools.

Communities who embrace a true wellness and a prevention model of health rather than just the traditional diagnose and medicate model. Don’t get me wrong, our current “sick care” system is necessary especially for trauma and other health crisis. It does not however teach us to be well. Or if we have a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension or heart disease, how to modify our behaviors, thus lowering risk of poor outcomes

Communities that are proactive with mental health services that are available to ALL who need them. Easily accessible, with no stigma, in our neighborhoods, community centers and churches.

Communities where the church, the body of Christ are the and the EXAMPLES of total health, spirit, soul and body. Right now, as people of God lets sound the alarm and let our families, friends, church members know:

1. Black people do get infected with COVID-19; and we are sicker and die from it more than any other race.

2. We must abide by the recommendations made by the scientist to first and foremost, stay at home; by doing so you will contribute to lower incidence of infection in your home, communities and churches. Wash our hands frequently, keep our hands off our faces and wear a mask if you absolutely have to leave home.

3. If the local authorities say no gathering, even if they say you can gather if there are 10 or less people, STAY HOME! It only takes 2 people to infect.

4. By doing this, it is not a question of your faith in God. It is a demonstration of your obedience to authority and the love of Jesus in your heart for others which causes you to prefer them.

Let this Resurrection Day be different than any other you have ever experienced remembering that LIFE rose with POWER from the grave!

Jesus is Risen!

-Dr. Rita Stanley, M.D.

Dr. Rita Stanley, M.D. is a specialist in internal medicine and has been practicing for 35 years. She is also the first lady of Harvest Church West Branch in Topeka, KS.