Public Health Office Hours Recap
For the entire month of May, our founder, Kristen Marie, has been holding public health office hours on her personal Instagram (IG) Live @queenofthenile. Each IG Live consists of COVID-19 updates, general public health updates, and a question and answer section. The institution of these office hours came in response to the spread of misinformation as it relates to COVID-19. Kristen meant this time to be a source of evidence-based, scientific and public health information and for people to ask questions from a trained public health professional.
The office hours have seemed to help those in attendance gain further clarity on the COVID-19 pandemic, how the virus is spread, precautions they can take to lower their risk of contracting the disease. Here is a recap of the structure and rules for office hours and what was discussed.
Office Hours Rules
No spreading misinformation - misinformation doesn’t always come in the form of blatant lies. It could be twisting the words of experts and science to fit a narrative. We will use evidence to ground discussions and inform opinions.
It’s all love here. No hate in the comments. We’re coming to spread facts and ease fears.
I will always pin my website where a blog post will go live about an hour after the live ends. It will have more details than I can tell you in our short time together. AND it’ll be equipped with links to sources of where I got my information and where you can do additional research. I will also repost any questions asked and their answers. Especially if I don’t know and need to do a bit of further research.
Office Hours Format
Approximately 30 minutes long. VERY possible it will be shorter
COVID-19 Updates
General Public Health Updates
Q&A
COVID-19 Updates (All information can be found on WHO or CDC websites)
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that may cause illness in animals or humans. We have discovered 3 coronaviruses that have infected humans today: Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and now COVID-19.
COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019, as it was discovered after an outbreak in Wuhan, China in December last year.
How is it transmitted?
From others who have the virus through small aerosol droplets through the nose or mouth. These can be sprayed when someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Since these droplets are too heavy to remain suspended in the air, COVID-19 is not known to be “airborne”. The aerosol droplets immediately fall to the ground or on another surface. Because these droplets can land on surrounding surfaces, though, people can become infected by touching a surface laden with these aerosol droplets. That’s why washing your hands, and disinfecting all surfaces around you are key for stopping the spread of this virus.
There is ongoing research on the ways the virus may be spread. The one we can say with all CERTAINTY is true, is that it is spread through those aerosol droplets.
Who’s at an increased risk?
The elderly
Individuals with existing comorbidities (asthma, diabetes, COPD, etc.)
essential workers (medical professionals, delivery drivers, grocery store staff, factory workers, etc.)
non-essential workers in close contact with clients (fitness trainers, salon owners, stylists, etc.)
Marginalized and Minoritized populations
Current Stats (From JHSPH GIS Tracking Dashboard)
Globally: 5.4M+ Confirmed Cases & 345k+ Deaths
US: 1.65M+ Confirmed Cases & 97,850 Deaths
Texas: 55,897 Confirmed Cases & 1,528 Deaths
The state of Texas still has not peaked in cases yet. Which means we are still in the acceleration phase of the epidemiological curve. Johns Hopkins projects Texas to peak by May 28, 2020
How can we stop the spread?
Stay home (if you can)
Wash your hands frequently, with soap and water. Be sure you’re washing for 20 seconds
Wear a cloth face mask. Remember, your mask protects them, their mask protests you. So, if we’re all wearing masks, we’re protecting everyone.
While some states are “reopening”, it’s not very smart to do so. Texas is in accelerating phase of epidemiological curve and won’t be projected to peak until 20 days from now. It’s critical to practice social distancing and stop the spread NOW!
What’s up with Black folks being infected the most?
The inequities that are always present in the healthcare system, are exacerbated in a pandemic.
a) Disparities in access to healthcare
b) not having the privilege to work from home
c) lack of insurance or being underinsured
d) RACISM! RACISM! RACISM!
e) All factors that affect the social determinants of health
a. This is not a behavioral issue
b. It’s easy to point the finger at individual behaviors when you don’t know or ignore the systemic drivers (healthcare systems, policy, public health infrastructure, social programs infrastructure, etc.) that cause severe health inequities
Public Health General Updates!
Not much in the news besides COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications.
BUT, May is the Month for National public health holidays.
National Nurses Week is now through the 12th
National Arthritis Awareness Month
National Women’s Health Week is 10th - 16th
a) Mental Health
b) Managing Stress
c) Getting Enough Sleep!
d) Get Your Vitamin D!
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Food Allergy Action Month
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month
a) May 27th is National Sunscreen Day
National Blood Pressure Month
May 31st is World Tobacco Day
Y’all will be getting a TON of content from me on all of these things, how they affect Black people and ways to mitigate your risks. Again, you will ALWAYS get my sources so you can research for yourself should you deem it necessary.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE CENSUS! It takes literally 5 minutes.
April 1, 2020 is your reference date. You will complete the census based on EVERY SINGLE PERSON living in your household on April 1, 2020.
If you have not responded online or by phone, you should’ve gotten paper questionnaires starting mid-April.
May 27 - August 14, census takers will be coming to your home (likely in a mask) for those who have not completed the census.
The census is VITALLY important. It determines how trillions of dollars are allocated from the federal government. It determines if districts need to be redrawn. LOTS OF THINGS! So, PLEASE complete it.
Kristen Marie’s Updates
IGTV on Susan G. Komen’s IG Friday May 22, 2020 on health disparities + COVID-19
I will be joining the IRIS Collaborative & The tigerLilly Foundation on May 30th at 5pm for their ConFab virtual HAPPY HOUR. You still have time to register to get your swag box for FREE! Info is in a post in my story. We will find strength in stillness and meditation during this time, so I’d love it if you’ll join me. This Happy Hour is apart of their ConFab for shining a light on metastatic breast cancer disparities
That’s all for updates! Join me this Friday may 29, 2020 at 5pm CST for our last office hours!