by Marc H. Morial
President and CEO
National Urban League
It is no secret how devastating the COVID-19 pandemic has been for marginalized communities in this country. The National Urban League quantified this impact in the 2020 edition of our annual capstone report, the State of Black America.
As COVID-19 swept across the country, we sprang into action through combined efforts from our affiliate movement and public/private partnerships to save lives across the country. In 2021, we launched All In, a joint effort with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to close the vaccination gap in communities of color and underserved neighborhoods with the help of our affiliates.
Even though we are past the peak of the pandemic, this is the stark reality of our present situation: COVID-19 remains a severe health threat. Over 43,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 in 2024 alone – and as we enter the colder months, flu season, and holiday season, the risk of severe infections and hospitalizations will continue to rise.
We know that those with pre-existing conditions like COPD, high blood pressure, and obesity are at greater risk of falling seriously ill. People of color and marginalized communities are also affected by these conditions at a disproportionate rate. And beyond the risk of an acute COVID-19 infection, we cannot ignore the devastating toll of Long COVID-19, which has impacted roughly 18 million Americans. Long COVID-19 can affect anyone, regardless of age and health status, and is linked to more than 200 symptoms, including brain fog, debilitating fatigue, and chronic pain.
Staying up to date with vaccinations to prevent and reduce the severity of new strains of the virus is the best way to protect ourselves from falling seriously ill. According to one study, the total COVID-19 hospitalization rate is approximately 11 times higher in unvaccinated adults. At the same time, receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to fend off longer-term symptoms -– studies show vaccination reduces an individual’s risk of developing Long COVID by 70%.
The good news is that updated COVID-19 vaccines are available at pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and health clinics across the country. For most Americans the COVID-19 vaccine is free because private insurance and other programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program cover the full cost. Americans who don’t have insurance can typically find no-cost options in their communities through local immunization programs. The Department of Health and Human Services also provides up to four free COVID-19 tests per household.
Increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates will require the work of all of us. The same concerted efforts to fight misinformation, direct people to resources, and keep people informed of ways to stay safe are just as important as they were at the beginning of this pandemic.
Let’s do our part to keep ourselves safe and protect those who are most vulnerable this holiday season.
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