Changing Our Narrative – COVID-19 Vaccine
By: Michael Reel
In the first week of providing COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public, the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science medical mobile truck was strategically staged on the grounds of Jesse Owens Park in the heart of South Central Los Angeles.
“The mobile truck is a way of expanding our capacity to get people registered and vaccinated,” said Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Dean and Professor for the College of Medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. “We are demonstrating with trusted partners that the community will come out. This community wants to be vaccinated.”
Holly J. Mitchell, the newly elected Second District Supervisor for the County of Los Angeles, hosted the Friday afternoon press conference that featured representatives of California’s top emergency management agencies and FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Mitchell highlighted the efforts of federal and state agencies and praised the city’s non-profit partners, Community Coalition and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, for engaging the residents of South Los Angeles and getting the word out about the coming vaccination station at Jesse Owens Park.
“Our Black and Latinx communities in South Los Angeles continue to be disproportionately impacted by this virus and from my perspective they deserve a disproportionate investment in them and this community,” said Supervisor Mitchell. “That’s why it was important to connect with the right community organizations that are actively engaged and trusted to get the job done each and every time.”
Mitchell reached out to Alberto Retana, CEO of Community Coalition and Dr. David Carlisle, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Both veteran and trusted community leaders along with their staff galvanised residents to action within 48 hours.
Retana spoke with Michael Reel of Reel Urban News about Community Coalition’s effort to get folks vaccinated. “Community Coalition has been around for 30 years and what we’ve been doing for 30 years is involving everyday residents in improving their community. We go door-to-door letting people know this is right around the corner. We also texted people letting them know this was happening.”
In the final moments of the press conference, Dr. David Carlisle of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science shared with Reel Urban News his thoughts on the public mission of the political and medical gathering. “This is a powerful statement affirming our community institutions are here for the community to ensure the community gets vaccinated against COVID-19.”
