By Elodie Nonguierma, Research Assistant, Center for Health Equity Engagement Education and Research
For the past few months, the world has been hit by this nasty virus that caused thousands of deaths and made millions in counting sick. Once again many are suffering from an uncontrollable situation specially the ones from minority communities. In fact, people in certain economic and social conditions are more impacted than others by COVID-19. That could explain why African Americans, and Hispanic/Latino people communities had more deaths due this illness. As we are observing the rapid spread of the virus and the increasing counts of deaths, various safety measures have been put in place while waiting for a vaccine and/or potential cure. Earlier in the crisis, the health officials have made it clear that social distancing and constant hand washing were the most important actions to take to avoid contamination and spreading of the virus. When the world was ready to resume its daily activities after a brief self-isolation, other guidance such as wearing a mask in public was made a rule for the safety of all. Some items such as masks and hand sanitizer became high commodities, which made people also become creative and start making their own masks and cleaning solution. Many people are making masks for personal or business reasons and others to donate to the ones in need. That is the case for Shanelle Smith Whigham, the Ohio Director of the Trust for Public Land, who created masks for community to support Cleveland’s African American, Latino and LGBTQ community members who are disproportionately experiencing the severe and deadly health impacts of the pandemic. Whigham is not only distributing free, washable face masks but also provide health information kits to residents to low income neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID-19 in the Cleveland area. The including neighborhoods are Clark Fulton, Brooklyn-Center, Slavic Village, Hough, Central, Lee-Harvard, Central, Glenville, Union-Miles, Buckeye-Woodhill and Mount Pleasant. Each Masks 4 Community kit will include a washable face mask, pertinent health information about COVID-19, and civic engagement information about the 2020 Census and voting in upcoming elections, the news release said. The kits will be distributed at grocery stores, pharmacies, discount stores and food bank sites in East Cleveland and Cleveland neighborhoods identified through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2018 Social Vulnerability Index.
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In light of the current injustice, and police brutality that the black communities are facing, so much need to be done by all of us for equality and fairness for all of us. Educational outreaches disturbing masks and providing health and civic engagement information can only bring us one step closer to our goal of an equal and fair world for all. So, ask yourself what are you doing to contribute to the cause? What can you do as an individual to help reduce social injustice hence improve public’s health?
Learn more about this collaborative effort here.