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THREAD: @DarcelTribune’s live Q&A today with @DrBrandiJ and @DrBrittaniJ was so incredibly powerful. Here are some of my favorite moments, but you can also rewatch it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/378543406904366/permalink/394533665305340/
Q: In a recent poll, only half of Black Americans said they will get the COVID-19 vaccine. Why do you think that is?
@DrBrandiJ: It's a loaded question, but it's simple: The medical community has not done much currently or historically to earn the trust of Black Americans.
@DrBrandiJ: It's a loaded question, but it's simple: The medical community has not done much currently or historically to earn the trust of Black Americans.
. @DrBrittaniJ: The history of exploitation is something that has been going on for hundreds of years and has been backed by mainstream scientific and medical thought.
Q: What patients of color say regarding the vaccine?
@DrBrandiJ: There's a lot of hesitancy. Some folks have concern there's a reason the Black community keeps getting led to take it. The reason is we are suffering disproportionately from COVID-19, but that message is being lost.
@DrBrandiJ: There's a lot of hesitancy. Some folks have concern there's a reason the Black community keeps getting led to take it. The reason is we are suffering disproportionately from COVID-19, but that message is being lost.
Q: What are your ideas to alleviate those concerns?
@DrBrittaniJ: Traditional ways of getting word out are not going to be effective. Past presidents taking it publicly is great, but my patients think Barack Obama will get a different vaccine than them. #covid19qa
@DrBrittaniJ: Traditional ways of getting word out are not going to be effective. Past presidents taking it publicly is great, but my patients think Barack Obama will get a different vaccine than them. #covid19qa
. @DrBrittaniJ: Only way to be successful is acknowledge there's a deep mistrust of health care and a firm belief that Black people are not a priority — we're an afterthought. We should embrace that and think about who is trusted — church leaders, community centers and activists.
. @DrBrandiJ: What we need from traditionally powerful institutions is a move to humility. They're used to being the authority figure, but who has authority in the Black community? It certainly isn't large hospitals, and it isn't even small clinic systems. #covid19qa
. @DrBrittaniJ on the Black community's mistrust of health care: I understand. Being a physician has actually done the opposite of making me comfortable; it's made the racism of medicine even more apparent. My experience has solidified my own mistrust.
. @DrBrittaniJ: So in deciding whether to take this vaccine, I couldn't depend on my own field. I had to read the research myself. That being said, the science holds up. It's indisputable. I have mistrust too, and I'm excited to take this vaccine when my time comes. #covid19
. @DrBrandiJ and @DrBrittaniJ on the COVID-19 vaccine: If you're a Black person in America, you're 3x more likely to die from COVID-19. In Chicago, you're six times more likely. Weighing that reality against the vaccine's flu-like side effects is important in decision. #covid19
Psychiatrist @DrBrandiJ: The fact that this virus has worsened people's mental health is pretty universal. The difference is, where were we at the starting line? Who was losing before this pandemic even started, and who is getting hit the hardest now. #covid19
. @DrBrandiJ: It's not a suffering competition, but there are facts here. Black people, especially on Chicago's South and West sides, have not had the same access to testing or safe places to quarantine. To say their mental health has been hit is an understatement. #covid19
So what do we do about that? "If I had @chicagosmayor's ear, my advice would be to bring these people to the table — people who not only have expertise in public health and medicine, but also have a love and passion for serving the Black community." — @DrBrandiJ
. @DrBrittaniJ: I would push it a step further, because I think it's a missed opportunity if we only bring in Black professionals and so-called elites. I'd love a day when it doesn't take an MD to sit at the table and be lended credibility and have their opinion valued. #covid19
From start to finish, every minute of this Q&A is worth watching. Props to @DarcelTribune for such excellent questions, and to @RochellSleets for once again flawlessly pulling this off. Here's the link one more time: https://www.facebook.com/groups/378543406904366/permalink/394533665305340/
