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I’m not the first person to write about Thomas Lopez’s death from COVID-19. But after talking to his wife, Antonia, I am humbled to tell this story, and I’m glad it was included in our coverage of how this disease is affecting the Latino community. (1/6) http://bit.ly/2ZpeNe5
I remember early on in all of this, members of my own family seemed to be thinking about this as a “white person” disease.
In retrospect, I think that’s because so many of the early stories on this in traditional media outlets featured white faces and voices. (2/6)
In retrospect, I think that’s because so many of the early stories on this in traditional media outlets featured white faces and voices. (2/6)
The data have since shown that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not here. Not anywhere in the U.S.
So while a lot of the disparity seems to be the result of existing economic and cultural factors already at play in health outcomes... (3/6)
So while a lot of the disparity seems to be the result of existing economic and cultural factors already at play in health outcomes... (3/6)
I also wonder how much of this is about communication and who we consider “the public” in public health.
And that’s more than messaging about washing your hands and staying distant. It’s about saying: “This disease affects you and yours.” (4/6)
And that’s more than messaging about washing your hands and staying distant. It’s about saying: “This disease affects you and yours.” (4/6)
That’s why I think it’s important to tell Thomas and Antonia’s story. Not necessarily because they faced communication challenges (though they did).
But because by doing so, we’re saying their story is worth hearing. That it’s worth talking about their life AND his death. (5/6)
But because by doing so, we’re saying their story is worth hearing. That it’s worth talking about their life AND his death. (5/6)
My colleague @OtherWillJames gets into the communication thing in the latest episode of Transmission from @knkxfm , where my story also lives. And shoutout to @CuriousWing for her editing and producing. (6/6) http://bit.ly/36oQZZm
