By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher, San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper
Early in the pandemic, and with the initial release of the vaccines, there was much
discussion about disparities and how non people of color were getting doses of the
vaccine that should have gone to our communities. There were complaints about how
there were not enough African Americans being hired as contact tracers so that we
could identify persons among us who had contracted Covid-19 and were causing the
disease to spread. Next, an African American scientist discovered the vaccine and
efforts were made to make more doses available to Blacks. By contrast, during the
Tuskegee Experiments, Black men who had contracted syphilis were allowed to suffer
for more than 30 years and many died when treatment was withheld after a cure was
found. In the case of Covid-19, the issue is the availability of a vaccine and not the
withholding of one as a cure.
Today, we have sites available throughout our communities with vaccines and no lines
or cost for those who will step up and take it. We also have over 140,000 people who
are delinquent on getting their second shot and who are at risk with just having had one
shot. With the Delta variant increasing and still more than 10,000 deaths a day in
America from the virus and its mutations, like the Delta variant, it’s time for Black people
to take responsibility and accept fact over rumours. If we continue the foolishness of not
taking the vaccine, it will not be long before the cost of keeping non utilized vaccine
sites open will be greater than the limited usage.
We do know that there have been some side effects with the vaccines for a limited
number of people, but we also know that death is a bit more than certain for those who
get the virus without the vaccine. It’s time to stop blaming others and take responsibility
for ourselves and loved ones if we want to live.
