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GETTING SMART ON COVID-19
Surviving COVID-19 RESOURCE DIRECTORY
by Contributing Writer, Cheryl D Howard
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On March 8th, 2021, Regina Brown-Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media, moderated the first of a four-part series beginning with “Getting Smart on
COVID-19.” It is the goal of this discussion to educate and inform Californians, particularly those in the African American community, about the COVID-19 vaccine. African American communities have been the most vulnerable and hardest hit for the infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Black Americans are shown to die at a rate 1.4 times that of White Americans. Since the vaccine has been offered, African Americans are not showing up in expected numbers to receive the vaccine.
During the first several months of the pandemic, there was mass confusion and uncertainty surrounding the COVID19 disease. Unfortunately, the confusion stemmed from the highest source the nation had to depend on. So, it is unsurprising that the nation at large could not trust anything connected to COVID-19. In recent months, since the release of the vaccine, it has been an uphill battle to get citizens across the nation to trust the vaccine. It has been particularly challenging to get African Americans to receive the vaccination. This is especially true for African Americans when it comes to any medical innovations.
Joining the discussion were two young African American. They were glad to share their experience before and after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. They both made the decision to have the shot, and neither of the women experienced any major side effects. At first, both were quite apprehensive about taking the shot. And their reasons have been shared with among Black Americans. For one, “because the vaccine is relatively new.” Another, wanting to wait to see what happens to others, and finally, probably most popular, can’t trust it because it was released too fast. There are sure to be more reasons that cause such trepidation among African Americans; however, it is the expressed goal of briefings like this to inform the public and disperse the facts and dispel myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Yolanda Richardson, Secretary of Government Operations Agency was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to head the campaign to distribute the vaccine. Since January of this year, California has been aggressively getting the vaccine distributed nationwide. As of March 5, 2021, California has surpassed a 10 million mark for the distribution and inoculation of the vaccine. That tally has placed California 7th in the world for vaccinations.
Dr. Oliver Brooks, Chief Medical Officer for the Watt Healthcare Corporation spoke about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines distributed that included Pfizer and Moderna. He also discussed some possible side effects such as redness or soreness in the injection site, headaches, fever, or nausea. He acknowledged that people may have some concerns or complaints about side effects.
“You may have some pain or redness in the injection site—that is the immune response; however, you’re really not going to like being in the hospital on a ventilator
with COVID,” he exclaimed. The options are very few, either you get the shot, experience some minor side effects, or as Dr. Brooks explained, contract the disease and risk lying ill in the hospital.
A frequent question is often asked of Dr. Brooks, “What vaccine should I get?” His answer was simple.
“The one that was available to me that day. Each is safe and effective,” he answers.
Dr. Jerry Abraham with Kedren Health representing the Black and Brown communities of South Los Angeles, spoke adamantly about the critical need to get the vaccine distributed to those communities. They have been largely successful in doing so.
Kimberley Goode, Senior Vice-President of External Affairs for Blue Shield, is one of the three African American women at the forefront of this cause and has been instrumental in achieving this goal.
“California’s commitment to equity is a paramount consideration,” she said. Blue Shield has partnered with the major healthcare organizations and has been on the frontline in the distribution of the vaccine in this state.
It is a prime objective of everyone represented in this panel discussion today to educate and eliminate the anxiety felt by the African American community. All three have had the vaccine and are confident that the COVID-19 disease can be eradicated, and the pandemic will cease, if every American makes the informed decision to be vaccinated. n
