Episode 13 | COVID-19 in the Black Community

EPISODE 13 | THE COVID-19 EDITION

I thought it was important to bring into the Lounge, a handful of subject matter experts to discuss the topic of COVID-19; specifically with regards to how this aggressive and highly contagious virus is impacting the Black community. There are simply not enough resources dedicated to this. So this discussion is the start. Eavesdrop into the conversation by clicking any of the links above or below and be sure to share and comment.

L -R: Diallo Brooks, Dr. Okem Okpara and Nicole Clark

SHOW NOTES

Joining me in the Lounge this time are three guests, each of whom have been impacted by COVID-19 through their work or personally.

DIALLO BROOKS

Speaker, activist, social justice champion and Senior Director of Outreach & Public Engagement at PFAW (People For the American Way).

DR. OKEM OKPARA

Medical doctor and Medical Director at Austin Emergency Center.

NICOLE CLARK

I am also joined by Nicole Clark, a friend and proud survivor of COVID-19. Nicole shares her experiences of having the virus and demonstrates powerfully that no one should be shamed for testing positive for COVID-19.

00:07:12 - Exploring the meaning behind both Diallo and Okemefuna’s African names and their experiences of having non-western names growing up.

00:14:42 - Coronavirus vs COVID-19: the distinction.

00:20:12 - CDC stat cited by Dr Okpara: Approx. 80% of those who contract the virus will have a mild/moderate response.

00:22:30 - Dr Okpara walks us through the common and uncommon symptoms of infected COVID-19 patients.

00:28:57 - Nic shares her experience of how she contracted the virus and how the symptoms showed us for her.

00:38:58 - How the virus spreads.

00:44:00 - Being quarantined with an infected person. Dr Okpara shares his self-quarantine process and how he has been protecting himself and his family from potentially being exposed to the virus.

00:47:45 - Masks. Which ones and why.

00:52:56 - Diallo Brooks hits on why the black community is vulnerable and therefore heavily impacted by COVID-19: “Choosing between a paycheck and protecting our health”.

00:59:05 - Death toll of American Americans are disproportionally higher than any other race/ethnicity. The latest data from APM Research Lab.

01:00:00 - Diallo Brooks highlights the racial disparities that continue to exist in this country’s (the USA) structures, leaving a majority of African Americans vulnerable to these pandemics. What about hazard pay for those working on the frontlines?

01:07:00 - Africa & COVID-19. The role of hydroxychloroquine; a malaria treatment. Dr Okpara shares why African Americans are more susceptible to this disease.

01: 17:18 - Nicole raises the shame that comes along with being a COVID-19 patient.

01:19:47 - My guests share their biggest adjustment since COVID-19 and the first thing they will do when this is eventually over.

01:36:30 - The lightening round. Everyone’s favourite bit. A series of quick questions on popular culture.