Healthy Communities Matter
In the winter of 2020, a novel virus spreads into a deadly, global pandemic, COVID-19. As it runs its course, it mutates and kills with impunity, especially in BIPOC communities. The virus and the subsequent aftermath is a wake-up call, an opportunity, to address serious social justice, emotional and mental health issues.
Healthy Communities Matter is an inspiration during the pandemic to educate, inform and motivate individuals and communities to do their part to suppress, mitigate and contain community spread of the virus. Read the facts to help prevent, maintain and stop the spread of COVID-19.
The resources page is born from a deep commitment to social and racial justice issues. Its devoted to spreading the ideal of healthy communities that I am honored to belong to. When we can support one another, we can heal and begin to make real change.
In the year 2022, times are fragile. Two years after the worst medical, public health and economic calamity, people are exhausted and traumatized. The greatest divide is on equity, race, class, economic and political power.
Be vigilant and mindful. Information is fraught with midfields of mis-dis-information, half-truths and lies. We are living and witnessing a perfect storm - no faith in government - no trust in science - and literally no belief in the media- this is preventing people from making informed decisions.
Close to a million Americans are dead. The focus is on moving forward to face our collective grief. To celebrate surviving. To learn, to heal, to thrive and re-imagine a new 'normal' where we create systems, spaces and communities that have equal access to to living wage, a safe neighborhood and a place to call home.
Covid-19 Race & Health Disparities
Clarity Context Concern
Increase Collection & Reporting
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) have called for more thorough collection of racial data. They fault the government for “currently failing to collect and publicly report on the racial and ethnic demographic information of patients tested for and affected by Covid-19.”
Racial Disparity Data Needs Context
Data in a vacuum gives rise to unsubstantiated explanations for racial health disparities. Disparity figures alone can give rise to explanations grounded in racial stereotypes about behavioral patterns. Granularity of data allows more fine-grained analyses, but presented by themselves can reinforce territorial stigmatization.
Mitigate Myths of Race & Health
Socioeconomic factors that may further contribute to racial disparities in Covid-19 outcomes include unemployment, food insecurity and unstable or substandard housing conditions. These factors further perpetuate disparities in health outcomes for people infected by the coronavirus, most specifically among low-income communities of color.
Mask Guideline is to Wear One in Public.
