Written by Stacker As has been true throughout America’s COVID-19 history, every state—and every county therein—has its own COVID-19 story, driven by local policies and behaviors. The United States as of Dec. 8 had reached791,705 COVID-19-related deaths and 49.4 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. As of Feb. 2, more Americans had been […]
Category: Coronavirus
Posted inCoronavirus
Omicron: The new COVID variant
By J. K. Schmid Special to the AFRO A new COVID-19 variant has been identified and named Omicron. The new variant was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Nov. 24 and was deemed a “variant of concern.” The organization gave the variant its name, Omicron, on Nov. 26. “Variants of concern” are those […]
Posted inCoronavirus
South African scientists brace for Covid wave propelled by omicron variant
By Andrew Meldrum The Associated Press Worried scientists in South Africa are scrambling to combat the lightning spread across the country of the new and highly transmissible omicron COVID-19 variant as the world grapples with its emergence. In the space of two weeks, the omicron variant has sent South Africa from a period of low […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Surgeon General and Top Pediatricians: Vaccination key in reducing physical and mental impact of COVID for children
By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO From long-haul infections to the traumatic loss of loved ones, friends and caregivers- one thing is clear: Children living in the time of COVID-19 have been anything but spared by the pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 770,000 Americans have died and […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Telemedicine: Checking in on health virtually
By Micha Green AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor mgreen@afro.com Telemedicine, also referred to as “telehealth,” allows patients to see a doctor or healthcare provider without being in person. From physical therapy, to internists to psychiatrists, telemedicine happens every day and this reporter has experienced it over the pandemic firsthand. While there are several strengths to […]
Posted inBUSINESS
COVID-19 Vaccine: Get the Facts
Featured Expert: Kaiser Permanente Kwame Akoto, MD, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group The COVID-19 vaccine offers the best way to bring the ongoing pandemic to an end. Yet, much conflicting information is circulating about the vaccine, causing hesitancy and confusion, so it’s important to know the facts. Dr. Kwame Akoto, a Permanente Medicine family medicine physician […]
Posted inNEWS
#WordinBlack: School bus driver shortage compounds pandemic school challenges, overwhelmed drivers demand change
By Alexis Taylor, Special to the AFRO The school bus driver shortage sweeping the nation gave way to tense operations in Baltimore County this week. Parents and guardians woke up to an alarming email over the weekend, warning that “Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) bus drivers and bus attendants may organize a ‘call out’ that will […]
Posted inCoronavirus
D.C. parents make sure kids get the vax
By Katia Pechenkina Special to the AFRO Since the D.C. officials have scheduled several walk-in clinics for 5-to-11-year-olds to get their coronavirus shots, many District’s parents have been lining up at pop-up vaccination cities throughout the city. On Friday in Kingman Park, parents started lining up on Gales Street N.E. shortly after 2 p.m. When […]
Posted in!Front Page
Baltimore Convention Center field hospital offers crucial COVID treatment for high risk groups
By Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO Many people moved during the COVID shutdown because working remotely made it possible for them to do so. Some moved back to their hometowns to be closer to family. For 27-year old Baltimorean Christopher Trotman, he had to move because with his pre-existing condition, COVID made living with […]
Posted inCoronavirus
D.C. Rolls out vaccine for students ages 5 to 11
By Katia Pechenkina Special to the AFRO The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine on Oct. 30 makes the District’s 46,000 children eligible for the shot, as the city is rolling out the plan for the vaccine distribution. D.C. will initially receive approximately twenty-five thousand doses of the vaccine, according to […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Covid collateral damage: The rise in cost of education
By Megan Kirk The Michigan Chronicle School is back in session and for some parents, back-to-school shopping has been yet another aspect of life affected by the pandemic. Shortages in apparel, supplies and other school necessities are making the return to in-person learning more difficult. Parents are having to use additional resources to source goods […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Mayor Bowser announces Hotel Recovery Grant Program
By Tyra Wilkes Special to the AFRO Mayor Muriel Bowser, together with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) and Events DC, have announced the Hotel Recovery Grant Program. The $40 million relief fund will support qualified hotels, inns, motels, and bed and breakfasts in their COVID-19 recovery efforts. Similar […]