To trust the vaccine is to believe it’s a chance to continue to live. Hopefully, we will all give the science a shot to save millions of lives. Highly credible people want the same outcome.
I recently tuned in to a really informative, top-notch panel discussing COVID-19 and the vaccinations. April Ryan moderated the event, which she aptly called “Champions on the Frontline.” Each panelist is worthy of a story on just what they do. Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, gave opening remarks and Dr. Patrice A. Harris, MD, immediate past president of the American Medical Association (and the first black woman to hold that post) sat on the panel.
Here are points that got my attention from the panel regarding African Americans and the COVID-19 vaccine:
- Is the vaccination safe? Instead of just listening to the news or scrolling through social media, one panelist suggested we talk to people who have taken the vaccine or had COVID-19 to get firsthand experience of what it feels like. The African American community would call this listening, and peaking “the drum.”
- Another panelist was Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, co-chair of President-elect Joe Biden’s Advisory Board on the Coronavirus, who stated that the distrust and resistance that African Americans have about getting vaccinated was earned. Remember the Tuskegee experiment on black men with syphilis, the drug experiments on African American prisoners and the monetary rip off by research institutions derived from acquisition and resale of bodily materials? To be fair, we must mention the development of blood plasma by Dr. Charles Drew, an African American. This is not exactly dinner table talk, but it is real.
- Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett is an African American and one of the lead research scientists at the National Institute of Health, responsible for developing coronavirus vaccines. She spoke on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the immunizations and the rigorous protocols that have to be met before approval for all human beings, and she clearly stands up for the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.
- Dr. Gigi El-Bayoumi is local to our D.C. community at George Washington University, and is on the front lines with years of experience, service and cognizance on the issues facing the non-white communities in the region.
- The big power in the room was Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, who stated without hesitation that we have a President-elect and Vice President-elect who are not going to let us down.
- African American volunteers are being tested. Donald J. Alcendor, a biology professor, spoke about one such program in Tennessee. He stressed the importance of children being tested. It is recommended that children be at least 16 years old before getting the vaccine, but he did suggest that eventually he expects that a COVID-19 vaccination will be added to the list of required vaccinations for school age children.
The town hall clearly made a case to build up the trust and confidence of communities of color. You could say there are folks at the table who are one of us and are alert, aware and leading us forward.
I say yes to the vaccine to save ourselves, families and loved ones, especially the essential front line workers: the doctors, nurses, teachers, public works, taxi drivers, truckers, bus drivers, grocery staff and catered home meal delivery staff. I want them to be well so they can protect their families and continue to serve all of our essential needs.
Let’s get vaccinated, mask up and stay in to recover as best we can.
