BASIC BLACK Facts about COVID-19 & the vaccine

covid-19: 2020-2021

THE VACCINE saga: proceed with caution

Centers for Disease Control data above.

The facts are that Black people get sicker and die from COVID-19 at much higher rates than white people.

Why?

Race and ethnicity are risk markers for other underlying conditions that affect health including socioeconomic status, access to health care, and exposure to the virus related to occupation, e.g., frontline, essential, and critical infrastructure workers.

What this means for Black people:

We are not:

Receiving racial and ethnic data from every state and local jurisdiction
Receiving racial and ethnic data regarding Covid-19 vaccination administration
Having necessary resources properly allocated during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Proportionately receiving Covid relief programs and funding for our community Black-owned businesses

Conclusion

“COVID-19 is not an equal opportunity virus. Indeed, it’s shined a spotlight on America’s pandemic of inequality. Everything we know thus far says that its burden falls disproportionately on low-income communities and communities of color, especially the Black community.”

Reflects CDC data as of November 2020

THE VACCINE saga: proceed with caution

Centers for Disease Control data above.

The vaccines are effective in reducing risk of severe illness and death.

Black people are receiving vaccines at relatively lower rates than other racial and ethnic groups.

What this means for Black people:

Black households and communities are more at risk of experiencing COVID-19's medical and other impacts.

What we know for sure about the vaccine in general:

Vaccines are widely available in the United States for people ages 5 and above.

Vaccines do not prevent transmission of COVID-19, but they decrease the likelihood of severe illness, hospitalization and death.

Booster vaccines (for those who completed the first single or double dose vaccination regiment 5-6 six months depending on the the vaccine manufacturer) are widely available in the United States.

The effectiveness of the original vaccine declines over time, particularly as new variants of COVID-19 emerge.

Booster shots "boost" protection from severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.

Proof of vaccination:

It is unclear how the system showing proof of vaccination will work and guidelines vary across cities and countries.

Check your local health department website for guidelines.

BASIC BLACK facts about COVID-19 & the vaccine

covid-19: act like you know the FACTS

ACTING COLLECTIVELY ON WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT COVID-19 IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL SET US ALL FREE!

CLICK HERE to access a PDF document with our team's answers to these FAQ’s:

What are COVID-19 and coronavirus and where did they really come from

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cdcresponse/about-COVID-19.html

What is the right type of mask and how should I wear it?

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-face-masks-what-you-need-to-know

What is the safe physical distancing measurement and how far can respiratory droplets travel?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html

How long does the virus survive on surfaces like countertops, bottoms of shoes, and clothing?

https://www.webmd.com/lung/how-long-covid-19-lives-on-surfaces

What is the value of contact tracing and does it violate my privacy?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/principles-contact-tracing.html

Should I use a contact tracing app on my phone?

https://www.natlawreview.com/article/close-personal-contact-tracing-apps-employee-privacy

Is my personal data safe when I give it to a contact tracer or it's in an app?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing-faq.html

·If I don't have symptoms like a fever, I don't have COVID and I can't give it to anyone else, right?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html

Is it true that people can only infect others when they've been within six feet of each other for at least 15 minutes?

https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/what-counts-as-coronavirus-covid-19-exposure--how-does-contact-tracing-identify-who-has-been-exposed-to-covid-19.h00-159383523.html

Why should I take a COVID test if I don't feel sick?

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/05/31/865932474/should-i-get-tested-for-coronavirus-just-for-the-heck-of-it

Why is there more than one type of COVID test and what are the differences between them?

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/coronavirus-disease-2019-testing-basics

If kids don't often get COVID, why aren't they allowed to go to school?

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01354-0

Why are different states and countries having such different results with the spread and containment of COVID?

https://covid19.who.int/table

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23276665.2020.1784769

Why are Black people getting sick and dying more from COVID than white people?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/race-ethnicity.html

THE VACCINE SAGA: FACTS are emerging

covid-19: act like you know the FACTS

WATCH. LEARN. ACT ON WHAT YOU KNOW.

CLICK HERE to access a PDF document with our team's answers to FAQs:

What is a vaccine trial and is it safe?

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/clinical-trials-benefits-risks-and-safety

How are vaccines developed and are they safe for me, elders in my family, and chidden?

https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-are-vaccines-developed?

Has the vaccine been tested on Black people like me?

https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/racial-diversity-within-covid-19-vaccine-clinical-trials-key-questions-and-answers/

Why is there such a big push to get Black people to be test subjects for the vaccines?

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/health/coronavirus-vaccine-trials-african-americans.html

https://khn.org/news/the-color-of-covid-will-vaccine-trials-reflect-americas-diversity/

Are Black celebrities, churches, medical professionals, universities, and social organizations being paid to recruit people for the vaccine trials, and what does that mean to me?

https://theconversation.com/covid-vaccine-celebrity-endorsements-work-even-if-people-dont-like-it-151130

What corners were cut to get the vaccine to market so quickly and what does it mean for Black people?

https://news.wsiu.org/post/scientists-explain-how-covid-vaccine-was-developed-so-fast#stream/0

My parents Are Vaccinated. I'm Not. Can we visit?

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/my-parents-are-vaccinated-but-im-not-is-it-safe-for-us-to-visit#The-risk-is-not-zero

Do I need the vaccine if I already had COVID-19 and survived? Won't those "antibodies" protect me from dying from COVID?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/serology-overview.html#:~:text=Having%20antibodies%20to%20the%20virus,this%20protection%20may%20last.

Are people who are vaccinated immune to COVID?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html

When can I expect to get the vaccine?

Maryland

https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/faqs/#faq3