Page 27 - Florida Sentinel 10-23-20

Blacks And COVID-19:
Taking A Chance To Live – Time To Engage In The Solutions
(Continuation from October 9, 2020)
Early in the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, progres- sive respiratory failure was the most known and recognizable clinical manifestation of COVID-19. Other very notice- able bodily effects began to emerge as the virus continued to spread throughout the globe.
Cardiac disorders (mycardi- tis- inflammation in the heart; blood clots; heart attacks) have surfaced; neurological disor-
ders (loss of smell and taste; mood disorders; headaches and dizziness); clotting disorders (blood clot development in the lungs and brain; small vessel clots); and gastrointestinal dis- orders (diarrhea, abdominal pain; nausea/ vomiting) among other disorders. COVID-19 is far more than “just” a respira- tory disease, and can produce very serious illness, bodily damage, and potential death of the infected individual.
Given that the beginning of
SARS-CoV-2 has primarily oc- curred over the past seven months, scientists and clinician researchers have not had enough time to follow patients to see if these medical condi- tions will completely resolve in all patients. Persons infected by SARS-CoV-2 that have addi- tional chronic health conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc.) are at significant risk to experience the most se- vere health problems. Because of significant disparities in healthcare, including lack of ac- cess to quality healthcare and poorer social determinants of health (factors include: educa- tion, food access, neighborhood environment, socioeconomic status, etc.), African-Ameri- cans, Latinos, and American Indians have been most nega- tively affected.
The potential for death fol- lowing SARS-CoV-2 infection is elevated in these racial/ ethnic groups, despite the expanding use of therapeutic treatments (medications). And with the continued re-opening of the American economy, there is no
reason to expect that infection rates will go down in our com- munities of color. More must be done to protect the most vul- nerable among us.
I am urging individuals from Black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Amer- ican, Asian Indian, and any other identified communities of color to participate in the clini- cal trials for SARS-CoV-2 vac- cines. Before widespread distribution of any vaccine can be achieved, we must first gather credible data and infor- mation about the safety and ef- ficacy of these vaccines. This can only be achieved through clinical research. While mis- trust of clinical research in all of these communities has valid historical reason to exist, we must actively participate in the process to transparently gather and distribute all of the safety and efficacy data that is owed to every individual in all commu- nities that seek to have such in- formation.
Clinical researchers, such as myself, must be ever-present to watch and protect people from
all communities. We must be available to help the restoration of trust in not only the clinical trial process, but in the health- care system overall. Trust the Process, But Definitely Verify All Actions with Accountability and Transparency!
We are all faced with a foe in SARS-CoV-2 that has already proven to be deadly, and may leave the afflicted with long- term health ailments. As I mentioned in a recent commu- nity webinar, the most funda- mental task we must attempt to accomplish each day is to stay alive -- to live as productive a life as possible. And to be pres- ent for our children and loved ones as they proceed into a world that is changing more rapidly than our ability to keep up with it.
This Coronavirus does not know color or ethnicity; it does- n’t know political affiliation; it doesn’t know rich or poor. It only knows its eventual victim as being a human being. We owe it to ourselves to fight back against it. Please Join Us in the battle against this virus.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 5-C