We are back with another weekly installment of public health Q&A. We’ve received a few different questions this week, ranging from going to church during the COVID-19 pandemic and infant mortality. Let’s dive right in.

1)    Is it now safe to go to church?

a.     Short answer: NO. This, in my opinion, is cut and dry. The only way meeting in large gatherings is “ok” is if congregants can physically distance at least 6 feet from one another, church leaders can mandate that every single person where a mask, and ensure that people aren’t touching each other. How is this even possible at church? So, NO. Don’t go to church right now. While there are some that believe God is testing our faith to see if we will “give in” and not attend church, I believe the exact opposite. I believe God is testing our faith to see if we will follow the instructions of the experts He has placed on this earth. God does not want you to go out and be ignorant. 

2)    I want to meet up with my family but we are all scared, what can I do?

a.     The only thing you can really do, is virtual meet ups OR get a COVID-19 test to ensure that you are negative (if you have symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus). Since this country has poor leadership and we are not employing widespread testing, you have no way of knowing if you are asymptomatic. Either meet virtually or do something outside, where you can physically distance yourself from your family at least 6-feet away with masks on. 

3)    NOTE: TRIGGER WARNING – If you have experienced infertility, infant mortality, or any complications in pregnancy, please stop reading here. 

a.     The news of Chrissy Teigen’s and John Legend’s son passing away due to pregnancy complications hit some people hard. You posted about infant mortality on your story, why is the rate so high for Black folks and how can we help?

 i. Short answer: systemic racism. It literally causes most everything. I will try to touch on a few points that will help add some context

1.     According to the CDC, the top 5 leading causes of infant mortality are birth defects, preterm birth and low birth weight, maternal pregnancy complications, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and injuries.

2.     Coincidently, states in the south that had enacted Jim Crow laws at some point in their history, have the highest infant mortality rates in the country. 

3.     Likewise, Non-Hispanic Black Americans lead the country in infant mortality.

4.     So, what do you think happens when racism meets those top 5 leading causes of infant mortality? Disparities. 

In 2018, infant mortality rates by race and ethnicity were as follows:

·      Non-Hispanic black: 10.8

·      Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 9.4

·      American Indian/Alaska Native: 8.2

·      Hispanic: 4.9

·      Non-Hispanic white: 4.6

·      Asian: 3.6

ii. And, quite honestly, I don’t have an answer for how we can fix this, outside of fixing the broken and racist system that created it. 

So, to sum up today’s Q&A: The whole damn system is guilty as hell. 

-Kristen