National Nurses United says African American nurses make up 12% of the workforce in the U.S. but account for 18% of deaths among nurses due to COVID-19.Denise Meyers, the director of nursing at a local nursing home says she isn t surprised; she s African American and COVID-19 put her in the hospital in November.She says one of the reasons is Black nurses haven t been as diligent with safety protocols, whether at work or in the communities where they live; an admitted self-indictment, Was I cognizant of wearing my eyewear all the time, or having on two masks? I was not. I m not going to tell you that I was. However, the Kappa Chapter of a Black nursing sorority called Chi Eta Phi, says another prevailing fact also explains why Black nurses have been vulnerable, the lack of credentials to hold administrative and other upper-level nursing positions, as staff nurses, we are at the bedsides more than other races of nurses, says R.N., Jerry Ann Allen.Another nurse, CRN, Joan Mit
Seven counties advancing plans for regional health department after second meeting Share Updated: 6:12 PM EST Feb 24, 2021 Share Updated: 6:12 PM EST Feb 24, 2021
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Show Transcript COMMISSIONERS IN THE SEVEN COUNTIES SAY THEIR RESIDEN HAVE DEALT WITH FRUSTRATION THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC WHILE WAITING ON DIRECTION FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. WE RECEIVED CALLS DAILY FROM CONSTITUENTS PLEADING WITH US TO ASSIST THEM IN OBTAINING A VACCINE. WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY, WE PLAY NO ROLE. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS REALLY CUT THE COUNTIES OFF. WHETHER THAT WAS COMMUNICATION OR GIVING THE VACCINE PLANS, WHETHER IT WAS IN CONTACT TRACING, THE THINGS THAT WE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE EFFECTIVE AND WE HAD A MORE REGIONAL APPROACH OR A LOCAL APPROACH. ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT IS FAYETTE COUNTY ACTING INDEPENDENTLY OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. COUNTY LEADERS CREATED A VACCINE REGISTRY TO EXECUTE A VACCINATION PLAN FOR RESIDENTS. MOVING FORW
Health care professionals say the continued practice of wearing masks and washing hands frequently are the best ways to prevent the spread of both strains of the virus.