Ask a Black Doctor on The Numberz Ask a Black Doctor on The Numberz

Additional resources





OHA COVID-19 vaccine website: covidvaccine.oregon.gov


OHA Facebook 
Safe+Strong website
Ask a Black Doctor on The Numberz

REACH webpage and REACH Facebook


Cornell University Infographic on Spotting Fake News






Fighting COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation and Heart Awareness: 


Q1: Some social media posts I’ve read suggest COVID-19 vaccines lead to football player Damar Hamlin collapsing in the middle of an NFL game on Monday. Should I believe them?

It’s best to be cautious about other users’ online posts around the COVID-19 vaccine, especially if they are vague, and trigger emotional responses like fear and anxiety. In this case, many of these posts imply a connection between Hamlin’s collapse, and the COVID-19 vaccine without citing any sources. Some even say he passed away from the incident using the hashtag #diedsuddenly, when he’s actually in a hospital as of the publishing of this episode.

It’s also important to note that Hamlin’s vaccination status is unknown, and his full medical history isn’t publicly accessible information. 

For now, Hamlin’s team the Buffalo Bills say he experienced a cardiac arrest shortly after a tackle. While there’s no confirmed reason as to why, doctors following the situation say it was possibly due to something called commotio cordis.

Q2: What is commotio cordis? Is it the same as a heart attack?

Commotio cordis happens whenever someone experiences enough blunt force or trauma to the chest during a specific timing of their heartbeat, when the heart is most vulnerable to such impacts. Their heart can stop beating unexpectedly as a result, otherwise known as cardiac arrest. 

In this situation, calling 9-1-1 and giving CPR as soon as possible can save that person’s life until emergency response teams (EMTs) arrive.  

By comparison, heart attacks can happen when the heart doesn’t get enough blood, usually due to something blocking the bloodflow. Since someone experiencing a heart attack can still talk and breathe, they don’t need CPR, but they do need to get to a hospital right away.

Q3: Does getting the COVID-19 vaccine have any side effects that may affect my heart?

There have been rare reports of Myocarditis and Pericarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle and inflammation of the heart’s outer lining respectively. While few, these cases tend to happen in teen boys and young men within a week of getting their second COVID-19 shot. With that said, they felt better quickly after getting some care and medicine. 

Those aside, there’s a remote chance of a severe allergic reaction within minutes to an hour of getting your COVID-19 vaccine. A fast heartbeat and dizziness are some possible signs of this.  


Q4: Are COVID-19 vaccines safe? Should I still get myself or my child vaccinated?

Yes. Vaccines go through constant testing for quality and safety, even after they’re licensed and approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 helps prevent possibly severe complications like getting seriously ill, being hospitalized and dying. Additionally, the vaccine helps reliably create an immune response against the virus without the potential illness or post-COVID conditions that can come with an infection.

As the virus evolves over time and mutates into different variants like Omicron, keeping up to date on booster shots you’re eligible for can offer protection against those new variants.


Q5: I heard about a new variant type called XBB.1.5 in the news. What is the latest we know about it?

At this time, we know that XBB.1.5 is a subvariant of Omicron that’s steadily grown across December 2022. By the end of that month, it made up 18.2% of cases across Oregon, Washington and Idaho, and 40% of cases nationally, according to the CDC.

There’s currently no evidence of it causing more severe illness from c

Additional resources
 OHA COVID-19 vaccine website: covidvaccine.oregon.gov
 OHA Facebook
 Safe+Strong website
 Ask a Black Doctor on The Numberz
 REACH webpage and REACH Facebook
[Insert FAQ Topic]
Q1: As we wrap up the holiday season, are there still concerns about respiratory
viruses, including influenza, RSV and COVID-19?
Yes, all three continue to circulate in our communities, but at different levels. The
percentage of positive influenza tests and resulting hospitalizations rapidly increased
in the last several weeks, but, fortunately, percent positivity and hospitalizations for
RSV have declined since peaking in early December. Similar to flu, we have seen a
rise in COVID-19 cases, which pushed hospitalizations well above 300 per day and
kept bed capacity at or near 100%. Those hospitalization include patients waiting in
emergency departments because no bed is available.
Q2: Why is the high number of hospitalizations such a problem? Don’t hospitals
typically operate at or near capacity?
They do, but during this respiratory season the problems are caused both by a lack of
beds and a shortage of nurses to staff those beds. Many of these health care workers
are out with the same viral infections as everyone else, making the problem more
acute. What we’ve been reminding people is that if you go to the hospital, you may
have to wait half a day in the emergency department to be seen, and if you have to
be admitted you may not be in a regular room.

OHA 3900 (9/28/2021)
Q3: Are there things people can do to reduce their risk of needing hospitalization
due to a respiratory virus?
Yes. The best way to protect loved ones and friends who are most at risk of severe
illness from influenza, RSV or COVID-19 is to take steps that increase your chances
of not getting the virus in the first place. And they’re the same things we’ve been
talking about during the last nearly three years of the COVID-19 pandemic:
 Wear a mask in all indoor public places.
 Limit the size of holiday gatherings, especially if they will include young
children, older adults or individuals with underlying medical conditions.
 Stay home and limit contact with others if you are sick.
 Cover coughs and sneezes.
 Clean all high-touch surfaces.
 Regularly wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
 Get a flu shot and stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including
boosters.
For most people, respiratory viruses will only mild illness. But those with symptoms
and in a high-risk group, or very sick and worried about their illness, should seek care
right away.
For children, warning signs needing medical attention include:
 Fast breathing or trouble breathing – flaring nostrils, wheezing or grunting.
 Bluish lips or face.
 Ribs pulling in with each breath.
 Chest pain.
 Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk).
 Dehydration (no urine for eight hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying).
 Not alert or interacting when awake.
 Seizures.
 Fever above 104°F.
 Any fever in children younger than 12 weeks old.
 Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen.
 Worsening of chronic medical conditions.
 In infants and toddlers, very ill or drowsy, poor feeding or high-pitched cry.
For adults, warning signs needing medical attention include:
 Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
 Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
 Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse.
 Seizures.
 Not urinating.
 Severe muscle pain.
 Severe weakness or unsteadiness.

OHA 3900 (9/28/2021)

 Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen.
 Worsening of chronic medical conditions.
Q4: Is there anything OHA is doing in response to the staffing problems at
hospitals in Oregon?
Yes. OHA is working closely with Gov. Brown to bring staffing relief to Oregon’s strained
hospitals.
 Earlier this month, Gov. Brown issued a new executive order

Additional resources





OHA COVID-19 vaccine website: covidvaccine.oregon.gov




OHA Facebook 




Safe+Strong website




Ask a Black Doctor on The Numberz




REACH webpage and REACH Facebook






Q1: What is RSV?





Respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, is a common respiratory virus that spreads through virus-containing repiratory droplets produced from coughing and sneezing
For most children, RSV produces mild illness. However, young children are especially susceptible to RSV. 
Those at higher risk of severe illness are:
Children under the age of 2
Premature infants
Infants with congenital or chornic cardiopulmonary disease
 Older adults 65+
Children and adults with weakend immune systems



When children are first infected with RSV, between 25-40% will have symptoms of bronchiolitis or penumonia
Yet, it’s important to keep in mind that only about 2% of children will require hospitalization




Q2: What are signs and symtpoms of RSV?





Symptoms will show within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. 
Runny nose
Decrease in appeitite
Sneezing
Fever
Wheezing



Symptoms in infants with RSV may be
Irritability
Decrease activity 
Breathing difficulties



These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.






Q3: What is the impact of RSV in the Black and African American community?




Research has show that due to racism-related stress Black and African American women are more likely to deliver a premature baby. 



The risk of contracting RSV is even higher for premature babies. Making this of particular concern for Black and African American community. 



Being aware of the impact of RSV on the community and the preventive steps that can be taken, is critical to protect the health and well-being of children.  






Q4: What are some safety measure one should take?





Stay home when sick to help protect other others in the community from catching the illness, if possible



Avoid close contact with sick people



Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 



Disinfect high touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices 



Consider a mask in crowded indoor settings



During this time of year, it’s recommend to stay up to date on flu and COVID vaccinations to help prevent other repiratory illness. 



If you have questions about your child’s care, call your health care provider or visit an urgent care center. 






Document accessibility: For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a language other than English, OHA can provide information in alternate formats such as translations, large print, or braille. Contact the Health Information Center at 1-971-673-2411, 711 TTY or COVID19.LanguageAccess@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Additional resources





OHA COVID-19 vaccine website: covidvaccine.oregon.gov




OHA Facebook 




Safe+Strong website




Ask a Black Doctor on The Numberz




REACH webpage and REACH Facebook






Q1: What is RSV?





Respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, is a common respiratory virus that spreads through virus-containing repiratory droplets produced from coughing and sneezing
For most children, RSV produces mild illness. However, young children are especially susceptible to RSV. 
Those at higher risk of severe illness are:
Children under the age of 2
Premature infants
Infants with congenital or chornic cardiopulmonary disease
 Older adults 65+
Children and adults with weakend immune systems



When children are first infected with RSV, between 25-40% will have symptoms of bronchiolitis or penumonia
Yet, it’s important to keep in mind that only about 2% of children will require hospitalization




Q2: What are signs and symtpoms of RSV?





Symptoms will show within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. 
Runny nose
Decrease in appeitite
Sneezing
Fever
Wheezing



Symptoms in infants with RSV may be
Irritability
Decrease activity 
Breathing difficulties



These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.






Q3: What is the impact of RSV in the Black and African American community?




Research has show that due to racism-related stress Black and African American women are more likely to deliver a premature baby. 



The risk of contracting RSV is even higher for premature babies. Making this of particular concern for Black and African American community. 



Being aware of the impact of RSV on the community and the preventive steps that can be taken, is critical to protect the health and well-being of children.  






Q4: What are some safety measure one should take?





Stay home when sick to help protect other others in the community from catching the illness, if possible



Avoid close contact with sick people



Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 



Disinfect high touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices 



Consider a mask in crowded indoor settings



During this time of year, it’s recommend to stay up to date on flu and COVID vaccinations to help prevent other repiratory illness. 



If you have questions about your child’s care, call your health care provider or visit an urgent care center. 






Document accessibility: For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a language other than English, OHA can provide information in alternate formats such as translations, large print, or braille. Contact the Health Information Center at 1-971-673-2411, 711 TTY or COVID19.LanguageAccess@dhsoha.state.or.us.

(Part 1) Bivalent Vaccine Key Facts:



The Moderna and Pfizer updated boosters each contain an mRNA component that targets the currently circulating subvariants (BA.4 and BA.5) and an mRNA component that targets the original COVID-19 virus strain.
The FDA concluded the vaccines are safe and effective based on the totality of available evidence.
The Pfizer/Moderna mRNA vaccines went through extensive clinical trials before they updated their formulas for the bivalent booster, similar to the way the flu vaccine gets updated every year.
You do not need to have had previous boosters to receive the new updated booster.
The updated booster, like all COVID-19 vaccines, is free, and no insurance or proof of residency is required.
Common side effects are similar to those felt after more than 7 million monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in Oregon.
Pfizer’s updated bivalent booster is a single booster dose for people age 12 and older available at least two months after completing an initial vaccine series or at least two months after their most recent booster dose.
Moderna’s updated bivalent booster is a single booster dose for people age 18 and older available at least two months after completing a primary vaccine series or at least two months after their most recent booster dose.


(Part 2) Addressing Behavioral & Mental Health during COVID-19:





The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, offering people compassionate care and support from trained crisis counselors.
988 is available to help people who are having a range of behavioral health crises, including: thoughts of suicide, self-harm, substance use or any other kind of behavioral health crisis.
People can also contact 988 if they are worried about a loved one.
Some people may have heard that 988 is like 911 – there’s some misinformation out there
There is a vision that 988 will become as well-known as 911, and make it easier for anyone to access behavioral health services
While 911’s focus is on dispatching in-person responders, 988 provides emotional support over call, text or chat in the moments people most need it, in a compassionate, one-on-one conversation

988’s vision to provide a behavioral health response to behavioral health crises. It’s understandable that some people may be hesitant to call an emergency or crisis number, especially if they have experienced an emotional or mental health crisis in the past, have been adversely impacted by systemic and historical social injustice, or have experienced harm or mistreatment by police or healthcare systems. 

For serious and life-threatening situations, 988 call centers will work with local mental health providers to support appropriate interventions.




https://988lifeline.org/

featuring Dr. Roberta Hunte, Dr. Mariotta Gary-Smith & Sherly Paul.