Hospital heads, Black clergy call for COVID-19 action
Of the fifty states, Tennessee recorded the second-largest number of coronavirus cases per capita Thursday, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
Distressed by the distinction, the leaders of two area hospitals and the Memphis Black Clergy Collaborative joined state Sen. Raumesh Akbari for a virtual press conference Friday.
Their collective appeal: Give the vaccine a chance to save lives by doing everything possible, now, to halt a “magnitude” of unnecessary death and suffering among patients and medical workers — at area hospitals pushed to the brink of capacity as the COVID-19 death toll continues to disproportionately ravage the Black community.
Locally, that means having the political will to activate tripwires and close businesses as needed; for clergy to “turn the lights out” at churches; and for individuals to make sacrifices, the assortment of speakers said, often citing their own family’s decisions to social distance and sacrifice business for the sake of public safety.
The Rev. J. Lawrence Turner of Mississippi Boulevard Church, who convened the press conference, expressed his support for Shelby County leaders willing to take actions prescribed to mitigate the current COVID-19 spread.
“The trip-wires that have been put in place, when we reach a level of transmission as we have: Place those in action.
“We stand with you in doing what is best for the common good,” he said.
As for statewide action, Turner said that an incoming stream of patients to Memphis from rural areas with neither hospitals nor local mask mandates shows that state leadership must institute a statewide mask mandate and expand Medicaid.
Meanwhile, as Memphis residents and church leaders make plans for holiday gatherings and services, medical leaders described a staggering level of suffering taking place behind closed doors — much of it unnecessary, they said.
Evidence from recent local screenings shows nearly 20% of people who pass temperature screens have tested positive for COVID-19, according to President of Regional One Health, Dr. Reginald Coopwood.
“We do have a vaccine but the vaccine will not stop the transmission of people who are convening with others who may be sick,” he said.
That relates to what Dr. Cassandra Howard, chief medical officer of Methodist Le Bonheur Health, said troubles her most about the current rate of transmission.
“I’m most moved by the degree and amount of suffering that we’re seeing ... so much suffering to the point that we’re having to make sure we’re taking care of the patients that are presenting ... but also our associates,” she said, of grief counseling underway for hospital staff.
“What troubles me most is that most of it is avoidable and preventable,” Howard said, describing patients with end of life regrets.
“The folks that are saying ‘I really wish I could do this over and not go to that party or wedding or Thanksgiving dinner,” Howard said.
In advance of the holidays and before vaccine distribution has become widespread, Howard said she hopes the community will join with the civic leaders on the call. “I haven’t hugged my mother in seven months because I want to be able to hug her in three months,” she said.
“Just have some compassion,” Howard said. “Wear a mask, wash your hands, bunker down and isolate and let’s get this virus out of our community.”
Sarah Macaraeg is an award-winning journalist who writes in-depth stories for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at sarah.macaraeg @commercialappeal.com.