NANBPWC Inc hosts
By Jurry Taalib-Deen
Journal Staff Writer
The war against Covid-19 is far from over, and the women of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc, wants the public to understand that fact. Therefore, they hosted a public information event themed, “Give Your Body a Boost,” which was held on Sunday, November 19 at the Mercy Health Senior Center, 545 Indiana.
Trevor Black, co-chair, told The Toledo Journal that the event would focus on the different forms of Covid-19, and the best forms of protection, which would be shared by Dr. Rochelle Rollins, PhD of Pharmacy. Further, Covid-19 home test kits would be given away at the event.
“We want the public, especially African Americans, to be more aware about their health,” Ms. Black said.
Dr. Rollins would speak on the different forms of covid, the signs and symptoms, what to do if a positive test for Covid-19 is discovered, and antiviral medications.
She explained that Long Covid is when someone still experiences the symptoms of the virus, even after they no longer test positive for Covid-19. “The thing with this virus is, it’s always presenting something new for us to tackle. A person may no longer have Covid-19, but he/she could still be experiencing the effects of the virus. Even if a person never tested positive for Covid-19, an antibody test could reveal that person did have the virus, but didn’t experience any of the symptoms at the time they had it; later down the line, they may begin to manifest those symptoms,” Dr. Rollins said.
She added that the Department of Health and Human Services recognized Long Covid as a disability. Some of those effects include extreme fatigue, muscle aches, changes to smell and taste, and loss of appetite.
Dr. Rollins said, since covid-19 is hitting the African American community at higher rates than other communities, Black people need to advocate for themselves, learn more about the virus, and take better care of their health.
“I’d like to see more African Americans become knowledgeable about the boosters, and their overall health,” said Pattie Poston, president.
