HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
COVID
TALK ABOUT IT! Emerging Perspectives on the COVID Pandemic By Hazel Rosetta Smith
N
o-one can deny we have come a long way in a short time to gain
the upper hand on COVID-19. Two vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna have rolled out of laboratories into the arms of citizens across the country. Vaccines from AstraZeneca and the single shot Johnson & Johnson are moving rapidly down the pipeline as well. So far, so good, few side effects and those are said to be manageable within a 24-hour period with a Tylenol, if need be. What we need to do to gain the ultimate success in the COVID-19 fight is CONVERSATION.
Information
Harlem Community Newspapers | February 25. 2021
about vaccines, clinical trials
18
Dr. Marcella Maxwell and community practice is available and can only be understood when we are open to listening and learning from medical professionals and science. Clear cut conversation is what was presented on a recent Webinar titled Emerging Perspectives on the COVID Pandemic organized by the Golden Life and Health Minis-
Dr. Rose Blackburne, MD, MBA
Dr. Nanette Alexander-Thomas
Dr. Eliseo Perez-Stable
Dr. Michelle Reed
tries of the Abyssinian Baptist
MBA, Executive Medical Di-
race or genetics, but rather on
Vaccines prevent clinical ill-
Church; The Greater Queens,
rector, Global Product Devel-
social determinants of health,
ness from COVID-19; howev-
NY Links Chapter; Annapo-
opment, PPD, a leading global
discrimination, healthcare ac-
er, recipients should be aware
lis, MD Chapter of the Links,
contract research organization
cess, education, income and
it could take a month for full
Inc. and the COVID -19 Task
providing comprehensive, in-
wealth gaps, housing, and oc-
effectiveness to kick in. Must
Force of the Greater New York
tegrated drug development,
cupations.
continue to wear a mask, wash
Links.
laboratory, and lifecycle man-
FEARS & MYTHS: Long-
hands and practice social dis-
Following the welcome by
agement services. PPD applies
term side effects of the vaccine.
tancing. If a vaccinated person
Dr. Marcella Maxwell, Leader
innovative technologies, thera-
Access to technology to regis-
tests positive, even if they lack
of Golden Life and Gerri War-
peutic expertise, and a firm
ter for a vaccine appointment,
symptoms, it is possible to still
ren Merrick’s opening prayer,
commitment to the time curve
limited internet access, lack
be infectious to others. It is not
Dr. Nanette Alexander-Thom-
of drug development to deliv-
or limited transportation to a
known yet what level of immu-
as, M.D, FACP, FACR, Med-
er life-changing therapies that
site and many are not locally
nity or how long the immunity
ical Director of Ambulatory
improve health.
accessible. Our DNA is being
lasts after receiving both vaccines.
Care, Brooklyn Hospital Med-
Dr. Michele Reed, FAAFP,
damaged, our genes are being
ical Center served as the mod-
CPT, a Family Medicine Phy-
changed. I will get COVID-19
erator. Dr. Alexander-Thomas
sician with 28 years’ experi-
from
the vaccine. I already
ER: Contemplate and inves-
has more than 37 years of ex-
ence in Geriatric and Internal
had COVID-19, I am immune,
tigate the information that is
perience as an Internal Medi-
Medicine. Owner and Man-
I do not need a vaccine. Or,
available and have the talk
cine Specialist.
aging Partner of MS Family
more often, the researchers
with your primary physician
The medical panel includ-
Medicine Health Care, P.C.
rushed the development of the
about getting the vaccine. We
ed: Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable,
and a NASM Certified Per-
COVID vaccine, so its safety
all play a role in the worldwide
M.D., Director of the National
sonal Trainer, owner of Fit
cannot be trusted.
effort of wellness for all. Stay
Institute on Minority Health
Doc Total Wellness, LLC. Dr.
Vaccine hesitancy is real
and Health Disparities (NIM-
Reed serves as the Medical Di-
and must be addressed by
The Webinar was time well
HD) at the National Institute
rector for The Congregational
a collaboration of “trusted”
spent listening to doctors who
of Health (NIH). The Institute
Church of South Hempstead
sources that include academ-
offered not only their knowl-
conducts research programs to
and the School District Physi-
ic partners, community-based
edge, but their sense of com-
advance knowledge of mech-
cian for the Hempstead, Mal-
organizations; healthcare cen-
passion for a community that
anisms to improve minority
verne and Roosevelt School
ters & providers; faith-based
is still in dire straits. The infor-
health, identify health dis-
Districts.
organizations and pharmacy
mation provided by the panel
KNOWLEDGE IS POW-
steady, stay carefully safe.
parities and develop effective
FOCUS ON THE FACTS:
networks. Access health pro-
is valid, valuable, and greatly
interventions to reduce these
Communities of color are
viders in person or with Tele-
appreciated. Touché
disparities in community and
about 4 times more likely to
health including mental health/
clinical settings.
be hospitalized than white
behavioral resources.
Rose Blackburne, M.D.,
people. Risks are not about
VACCINE AWARENESS.
