June 3
GUESTS: Anna Shah, attorney and co-founder of Vaccine Appointment Assistance and Heidi Harrison, community activist and advocate, talk about obstacles to getting COVID shots into low income communities.
Less likely to get the vaccine in low-income communities
Anna, Heidi and I talked about access to COVID 19 vaccine and why communities of color were initially left out. We covered the usual reasons, less internet connection and less free time or flexibility at work to get a shot.
Of course, we looked at distrust in African American neighborhoods too. Blacks have a long history of being used in less than ethical studies. Why would this be any different?
We didn't cover conspiracy theories about an overreaching government or a profit obsessed pharmaceutical industry. Anna and Heidi both focused on what was more destructive to the health of minority populations. And the conspiracy theories they encountered there were based on a documented history of being treated like guinea pigs by white scientists in the past.
We also left out the fact that both Anna and Heidi identify as people of color themselves. Neither saw their volunteer work as racially motivated, but as human response to those in danger. Perhaps our current plague reinforces that life affirming will to serve others in time of need, arguably our most redeeming quality. When COVID has passed, we should all sit down and read The Plague by Albert Camus.
