By Ashley Smith The challenges of motherhood have only grown since the outbreak of COVID-19. Monique Garvin, a Black mom who lives in Columbia, South Carolina, said navigating pregnancy during the pandemic was a feat. She constantly felt lonely and worried. “It was really hard for me being isolated from...
City Suspends Indoor Mask Mandate
City of New Orleans officials announced today (Mar. 2) that the indoor mask mandate for most public spaces will be suspended effective 6 a.m. Thursday, Mar. 3. The mask mandate will remain in place for all healthcare facilities throughout Orleans Parish and on public transportation, as detailed in federal guidelines...
Indoor Mask Mandate Returns to Orleans Parish
Reinstatement of the indoor mask mandate is effective Wednesday, Jan. 12 In response to the exponential growth of new COVID cases and hospitalizations statewide due to the Omicron variant, the City of New Orleans today (Jan. 11) announced the reinstatement of the indoor mask mandate in Orleans Parish, effective at 6 a.m....
CDC Revises COVID-19 Quarantine Recommendations
By Constance M. Gistand, MD, MPH, FACPThe New Orleans Tribune On Monday December 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shortened the previously recommended timeframe for isolation from 10 days to five days for anyone who tests positive for COVID 19 infection if they do not have any symptoms. After remaining symptom free for five...
Development of Fresh Food Grocery Begins in Lower Ninth Ward
Sankofa Community Development Corporation (Sankofa CDC) on Dec. 8, broke ground on Fresh Stop Market, a 1,600 square foot healthy food store and community learning kitchen that will be the first of its kind to provide daily access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the Lower Ninth Ward. Construction of the Fresh...
New Report Reveals Breakthrough Cases Among Vaccinated Are Extremely Rare
The rate of breakthrough cases reported among those fully vaccinated is well below 1 percent in all reporting states, ranging from 0.01 percent in Connecticut to 0.90 percent in Oklahoma. The rate of breakthrough cases in the District of Columbia stands at 0.04 percent. Stacy M. BrownNNPA Newswire Senior National...
CDC Director Urges Parents to Get Their Teens Vaccinated
In an e-mail statement, Dr. Rochelle Walensky urged parents who may have questions to speak with their child’s health providers or with local pharmacists or health departments. “I strongly encourage parents to get their teens vaccinated, as I did mine,” Dr. Walensky asserted. By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior...
Following CDC Recommendations, Mayor Cantrell Lifts Mask Mandate for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
By Constance M. Gistand, MD, MPH, FACP On the heels of the the Centers for Disease Control announcement on Thursday, May 13, 2021, that people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors in most situations, the city of New Orleans is lifting its mask...
Mayor Makes Push to Get More Black and Brown Residents Vaccinated
Mayor LaToya Cantrell wants to see more Black and Brown New Orleanians get the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s necessary, she says. “The only way out of this is going to be getting our people fully vaccinated,” the Mayor said during a round table with local Black press. Just under 38 percent...
Government, Community and Faith-based Leaders Join Forces to Champion the Fight Against COVID-19
By Darryl Sellers 2021 has brought with it, more daunting challenges in the African American community’s fight against COVID-19. More transmissible variants of the coronavirus which have emerged are swiftly sweeping their way across the United States. This latest trend in the year-long pandemic is especially troubling for Black people...
