One Year Later: COVID-19â²s impact on the Black community
One Year Later: COVID-19â²s impact on the Black community By Courtney Ann Jackson | March 12, 2021 at 8:10 PM CST - Updated March 13 at 6:48 AM
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - With one year of COVID-19 in the rearview mirror, weâre taking a closer look at the impact itâs had on the Black community in Mississippi.
Mississippi only trails the District of Columbia in the percentages of African Americans whoâve died from the virus.
COVID-19 has hit the Black community hard. Mary Robinson talked about that realization just after receiving her first dose of the vaccine.
These are the 12 people who will help write Mississippi s medical marijuana rules Isabelle Taft, The Sun Herald
Feb. 18 The group that will develop regulations for Mississippi s medical marijuana program met for the first time Wednesday morning.
The state s new Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee is comprised of 12 leaders of other state agencies, including the departments of public safety and agriculture, as well as State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs.
Under Initiative 65, the constitutional amendment voters overwhelmingly approved in November, the committee must finalize regulations by July 1. Business licenses and patient identification cards must be issued starting Aug. 15.
Whether that ends up happening will depend on the outcome of a lawsuit challenging the way Initiative 65 ended up on the ballot. The state Supreme Court could overturn the initiative and scuttle the medical marijuana program before it gets off the ground.
Physicians hoping to dispel vaccination distrust amongst Black community
Some skeptical of COVID-19 vaccine By David Kenney | January 5, 2021 at 6:52 PM CST - Updated January 5 at 7:27 PM
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - As COVID vaccines are being administered around the state, new data suggests there are some who aren’t taking the shot.
State health officials say they’re concerned about one particular group not getting the vaccine.
Frontline healthcare workers and doctors are in the first group to receive the vaccine in our state.
Health officials say they’re alarmed that only a small number of African American physicians are getting the shot.
Some Black MS residents are skeptical of COVID vaccine. Can researchers change minds? [The Sun Herald]
Dec. 21 A few days ago, Vanessa Reed got a letter in the mail. A company called ClinicalResearch.com wanted her to know she could get up to $740 and potentially a free COVID-19 vaccine if she signed up for a clinical trial.
Reed, who is Black and Native American, tossed the letter aside.
“To me it’s dangerous,” she said of the vaccine. “I do believe in vaccinating your children. But I just don’t trust any of this. People can tell me it’s OK, but their body is not my body.”
To build COVID-19 vaccine trust with Black Mississippians, researchers fight legacy of mistreatment Isabelle Taft, The Sun Herald
Dec. 21 A few days ago, Vanessa Reed got a letter in the mail. A company called ClinicalResearch.com wanted her to know she could get up to $740 and potentially a free COVID-19 vaccine if she signed up for a clinical trial.
Reed, who is Black and Native American, tossed the letter aside. To me it s dangerous, she said of the vaccine. I do believe in vaccinating your children. But I just don t trust any of this. People can tell me it s OK, but their body is not my body.