Black Lens - September 2021

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Page 26 September 2021 www.blacklensnews.com The Black Lens Spokane OUR COMMUNITY’S ONLY NONPROFIT HOSPICE, SERVING PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES SINCE 1977. “TELL US ABOUT YOU. We want to know your story. We want to know what’s important to you so that we can be best equipped to help you and be a part of your journey.” A Message From COVID to Black America Continued From Page 19 States with large outbreaks are seeing rising case numbers among children as well as adults. As it reaches into our communities, how does the Delta strain affect children, and how can we help them safely navigate their days? Lastly, Blacks should be particularly concerned about “Long Haulers” and chronic conditions. Little to no attention is devoted in public health messaging on how this aftereffect of COVID infection in some result in a myriad of systemic health problems. With a significant segment of the Black population living with chronic conditions, long before the pandemic, how well-prepared is the primary care network to handle this new burden to an already overtaxed system? Who’s paying attention to this accident waiting to happen? It has become apparent, after what the pandemic has shown us, that there are two different systems addressing the health of Americans and the well-being of communities. There is the one system that protects the needs and interests of some; while the other system leaves the rest of the population to, basically, fend for themselves. Most harmful to the Black population throughout the course of the COVID pandemic, has been the absence of information that speaks, directly, to their needs and interests. The narrative of information being disseminated from public health official; politicians; and the media is shaped on the assumption that, “a rising tide lifts all boats”. This would be true if all the boats were seaworthy before the tide went down. But we know that Blacks, in this country, have some of, if not the worst health outcomes in every category - long before the pandemic. Going into the pandemic, we were disproportionately vulnerable and at higher risk. The country’s efforts and resources are directed at “promoting the common good”. Regrettably, that obviously doesn’t, and has never included us. At the very least, these eye-opening “realities” should give Blacks enough pause to stop and think about the information, and the understanding that is needed to make good, informed decisions about surviving this pandemic. Don’t ever forget that information is the best medicine. Glenn Ellis, MPH is a Visiting Scholar at The National Bioethics Center at Tuskegee University and 2018 and 2020 Harvard Medical School Bioethics Fellow. For more good health information visit: www.glennellis.com or @glennhealth DIGNITY. RESPECT. COMPASSION. 509.456.0438 hospiceofspokane.org
The Black Lens Spokane www.blacklensnews.com September 2021 Page 27 2021 ESBA BENEFICIARY This outstanding Charity to receive funds from our event 2021
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Black Lens - September 2021

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