— Read on www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-doctors-tackling-myths-fuel-vaccine-hesitancy-rcna1789
Black doctors serving Black communities are feeling exasperation after months of wading through myths and misinformation about Covid and the authorized vaccines.
I definitely feel these docs! My MD sis is fairly burnt too. This time is tough in so many ways!
Similarly, I am finding it tough to come up with a compassionate, reasonable response to the extremely diverse anti-vax sentiments, vax-hesitancy and vax-disorganization. Especially when their views are harmful to themselves or others. Or when its just plain nuts…
Black folks have their own set of valid reasons from their history for suspicion and distrust, but they’re also subject to all the same myths and misinformation circulating in the wider info sphere.
Hearing some stuff, a person just figuratively and literally stand there agape…for some reason I get mad sometimes. Not helpful. BUT, I’m getting practice working out the approach cause I get calls from friends and family to talk about the confusions and misinformation multiple times/ week….Talking about the same stuff!
My response to the exasperation comes on various levels….
In part I feel that, for those of us who have the knowledge and training, it’s kinda what we signed up for. I see sharing knowledge as sort of our duty to the community and beyond.
HOWEVER, that doesn’t diminish the burn out or consternation for having the same conversations repeatedly! Its only human! I guess we just have to support each other, rest and be ready to do it another day. This is pretty much the definition of high stakes!!
Black folks and other folks of color have the most to loose and the greatest need given the health and vaccine inequality that the pandemic has shined a light on. We got to find a way to keep on keepin’ on! ‘Palante!
pepitothinking 