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00:30Good morning. Hello and welcome. My name is Charlie Penn. I am the Relationships and Wellness Director here at Essence Magazine. I hope that you are together at home with your loved ones, and most importantly, that you are safe. We are so, so happy that you are here today.
00:59It is my distinguished pleasure to welcome you to the first ever Essence Wellness House Digital Life Summit. We designed this event with our community in mind. That meditation with Faith Hunter was amazing, wasn't it? I feel more relaxed already. We all need that right now.
01:17These are unprecedented times. We are amid a global pandemic, and right now we have a lot of questions, but most importantly, we need hope and positivity.
01:26This two-day event was designed, like I said, with our community in mind. We want to make sure that we focus on our physical health, our mental health, our emotional health, and our overall wellness.
01:39That we learn how to keep ourselves and our families safe. That we learn how to stay together and learn how to stay sane. We have so much planned for you over the next two days.
01:50We're going to focus on eating well, getting moving, staying calm. We're going to teach you new ways to balance your home and work life, your finances, and most importantly, how to stay informed and positive.
02:02Today, there will be a message of hope with Sarah Jiggs-Roberts, meal prep with Gina Neely. We'll learn to master our dreams with Iyanla Van Zant.
02:13Dr. Sherry is even here to help us all manage the anxiety that I know that you are feeling. You'll also learn DIY projects to do with your kids.
02:22Let's get started, and thank you so much for being here today.
02:25Now, I know that we all have so many questions about COVID-19. In fact, more questions than there seem to be answers.
02:34We brought a very important expert here for you today to help navigate the questions that you have.
02:41Please welcome Dr. Patrice Harris. She is a trailblazer. She is the first Black female president of the American Medical Association.
02:51Good morning, Dr. Harris. It's good to see you again. How are you?
02:53Good morning, Charlie. It is so good to see you again as well. I'm doing well.
03:01I'm so happy that you're safe and that your family is safe. Thank you for being here this morning.
03:05Dr. Harris, we have so many questions. I'm glad that you're here to answer them. I think we should dig right in.
03:12What are the most important facts, and I say facts, what are the most important facts right now that we as a community need to know about COVID-19?
03:20Happy to give a few facts, but Charlie, the first thing I want to note is the importance of the first session this morning on meditation.
03:31That is wonderful. And I encourage each one of us, when we get up in the morning, to center ourselves.
03:38We are living in a time of fear, and I'm so glad that Essence really has pulled this together and is looking at this in a comprehensive approach.
03:51So I'm very excited about that aspect. And I do echo your comments. We will get through this.
03:59We will get through this together. And it's so important to, first of all, make sure you have reputable information and Essence is certainly a platform for that.
04:10You know, I spent the first two weeks of this pandemic, even before it was labeled a pandemic, dispelling the myth that African Americans cannot be affected by COVID-19.
04:24So, again, the first point I want to make to everyone, in addition to staying centered, is to make sure you're getting your information from a reputable source.
04:34And certainly Essence will be a reputable platform for that.
04:38So what is this?
04:39What are some other reputable platforms that we can go to?
04:43Certainly, you can go to the Centers for Disease Control. You can go to the World Health Organization.
04:49You can come to our website at the American Medical Association. Of course, that will be mainly focused on physicians.
04:57But we are all trying to get reputable information out there. Please, I want everyone to be careful about what they see on social media.
05:04Certainly, there are some great influencers who are giving accurate information.
05:09But it's important to find that reputable source of information.
05:14Just a few facts about this disease.
05:17First of all, what is a virus?
05:19I'll just give a couple of very brief facts.
05:21A virus is a very microscopic particle that certainly can infect humans, can infect others, and cause illnesses.
05:30This particular virus is the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
05:34It's a part of the family of coronaviruses.
05:37We have seen other coronaviruses, but this is new.
05:41So folks ask, well, what's going on with this one?
05:43This is a new coronavirus in that family.
05:46And that's why we don't have any immunity built up for this particular virus.
05:52And the COVID-19 is the illness, the respiratory illness that's caused by the virus.
05:58So those are some basic facts about the virus.
06:02It is highly transmissible through coughs and sneezing and close contact.
06:07And that's why it's certainly important to keep your distance.
06:13And we should all assume that every one of us is infected.
06:16And that's really not out of fear, but that's out of safety.
06:21We should make that assumption as we walk and go about our daily lives.
06:25Now, if we make that assumption, how can we work together as a community to keep ourselves safe,
06:32to keep our families safe and our neighbors?
06:33Well, I think the most important factor to remember is to stay home.
06:41You know, in times like these, people do feel helpless and hopeless.
06:46And the best way to combat that helplessness and hopelessness is to act.
06:51And I think sometimes people underestimate the power of staying at home.
06:57That is an action.
06:58You know, I think some people say, well, I'm not doing anything.
07:00I'm home.
07:01No, that is a powerful action.
07:04And I want everybody to know that we thank them for staying at home because that is a powerful action.
07:12And I think we also need to say it out loud that not everyone, I said earlier that this is a highly transmissible disease.
07:23That is a fact that just means we can get it from one another easily.
07:27But fortunately, people who get it, most people who get it will only experience mild symptoms.
07:34Those who are at higher risk for experiencing more severe symptoms or certainly those who are over 60, those who have hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disease, or an immune compromised system.
07:53And I think, Charlie, we also know, and that is one of the reasons that AMA is partnering with Essence, that African-Americans, unfortunately, have a higher incidence of some of these very risk factors, hypertension, diabetes.
08:10And so we are at risk and we should do everything we can to minimize our risk for our own safety and the safety of others.
08:18And what about our parents?
08:20I know many of us are concerned about the elders in our community, our parents, our grandparents.
08:25As we know, sometimes they can be very stubborn.
08:27It can be very difficult to keep them at home.
08:29But we must do that right now.
08:32Absolutely.
08:33That is another action.
08:34And, Charlie, my father lives here in Atlanta.
08:37He lives in a senior independent facility.
08:40It's not even our nursing home.
08:42It's an apartment complex for seniors.
08:44And I have not been able to visit him for several weeks now.
08:47And that is hard.
08:49But you know what?
08:49It's a sacrifice well worth it because I want to keep my father healthy.
08:54I want to keep all of his neighbors healthy.
08:57And so we should definitely make sure we are checking in on our older relatives and family members and even neighbors, helping them, maybe going shopping for them when we go shop for groceries.
09:10And, by the way, yes, we know you do need to go out for the basics, the essentials, medicine and grocery shopping.
09:16And that's what we can do.
09:17So we need to check in on our neighbors because they are at risk.
09:22But, Charlie, I do want to emphasize that everyone is at risk.
09:26We are seeing young folks who are at risk for severe disease.
09:30So certainly the risk factors make you more vulnerable, but none of us should feel invincible.
09:37I mean, I think that's when we start to get in trouble if we begin to feel invincible.
09:43Now, speaking about that vulnerability, Dr. Harris, like you said, we do have to go out and get food and supplies.
09:50I know that we are trying to minimize that in our own homes.
09:53But when we do go out, can we talk a little bit about myth versus fact?
09:57Should we be wearing masks?
10:08Protect ourselves and our families.
10:11Yes.
10:11So when we go out, certainly the first thing is to make sure we are practicing physical distancing.
10:17And, by the way, I and some other folks are using the term physical distancing on purpose.
10:23Because just because we need to stay six feet apart, you know, it doesn't mean we can't stay socially connected.
10:30So when we do go out, make sure you are six feet apart from the next person.
10:35I know that at the grocery stores that I've been to, they have wipes.
10:40If you do have wipes, bring your wipes.
10:42You should use gloves.
10:45You know, I think we are changing our minds a little bit about masks and whether or not everyone should wear masks.
10:51And certainly for the general public, not the N95 mask.
10:56But it might be a good idea.
10:58We should look for some upcoming guidance by the CDC.
11:01And, Charlie, let me take a moment because I know folks get frustrated about the changing guidance.
11:08And I want to recall something that my grandmother used to say.
11:12She used to say, when you know better, you do better.
11:14And so as we learn more about this, there might be a change in guidance.
11:20So I urge everyone not to get frustrated.
11:23You know, last week you told me to do this.
11:24Now, that is a part of learning and growing.
11:27And so I think that we are coming to the point where it might be a good idea to use masks when we're out.
11:34But let's wait on that guidance.
11:37Again, standing six feet apart.
11:38Now, if you are ill, if you have a fever, a cough, you should actually not go out at all.
11:45Stay in and perhaps, you know, again, stay separate.
11:49Someone else may have to go out for you and do your grocery shopping or get your medications.
11:55I'm glad that you brought that up, Dr. Harris, because the next thing I really think we all need to talk about are symptoms.
12:01You know, we're seeing a lot of means and different things going, information being passed along social media about the symptoms of coronavirus, COVID-19 versus flu and other things.
12:11What symptoms should we be on the lookout for?
12:14How should we manage them?
12:16So there is no question that the symptoms are similar to flu.
12:21Certainly a cough has been the hallmark symptom, a fever.
12:26I just read recently that there's some new data about a loss of smell.
12:33So if someone notices that, that is something that we've been learning more and more about based on the science and the evidence, which I'll come back to that point as well.
12:43People can have some GI upset, either some nausea or some diarrhea.
12:50So, again, that has been a symptom.
12:52But the most worrisome symptom is shortness of breath.
12:58And so, as you know, most folks will have a mild case if they do become infected.
13:04But if people recognize that they're no longer able to breathe well, they are beginning to have shortness of breath,
13:13they certainly need to call the emergency department.
13:18And if it's significant shortness of breath, they need to go to the emergency department.
13:24And let's talk about testing.
13:26That's been a huge concern for our community.
13:28Some people want to get tested and are unable to.
13:32Some people are able to get tested.
13:34Some doctors are recommending if you have mild symptoms to stay at home.
13:37Can you talk a little bit about symptoms versus testing and availability?
13:42Yes.
13:43Testing, you know, there's no question that we missed the mark early on by not having the availability of testing.
13:51You know, regarding good public health practice, when you have an infectious outbreak, you know, the first thing to do is the testing.
13:59We, unfortunately, did not have wide availability of testing, Charlie.
14:04And, unfortunately, we are still catching up on the testing.
14:08And that is why it has been recommended.
14:11So they've tiered those who need to get the test.
14:15We are still catching up.
14:16The good news is just this past week.
14:18We've heard some private companies have tests where the results can be available in about 15 minutes.
14:25And so that is good.
14:26But we will need to continue to test, test, test.
14:31As more tests become available, more folks will have the opportunity to become tested.
14:38And so certainly follow the recommendations of your local public health officials regarding testing.
14:45And that's another point.
14:46As we get more tests, the numbers will go up, right?
14:50The numbers will go up, the number of positives.
14:52What I'm looking at right now, though, mostly is the number of hospitalizations.
14:58I think that is a good metric right now.
15:00So I don't want folks to – we need to be concerned, but we know we are so low.
15:04And whatever number we see now, it's likely to be around 10 times more when we ultimately get to test everyone.
15:12So follow the local recommendations.
15:13And if you have symptoms, again, if they're mild, stay home, severe, report to your local emergency department.
15:22Now, a lot of the news headlines about many of the hospitals throughout the nation where the medical workers who are our heroes and sheroes right now, doctors like yourself who are on the front lines, don't have the supplies that they need to take care of patients who are arriving at the hospitals.
15:38Can you talk a little bit about the truth there versus, you know, myth versus fact, which I think is very important, and what we should expect if we do have to go to the hospital?
15:47I can, Charlie, and I can tell you as a physician, this has been very frustrating.
15:54I certainly thank you and appreciate that, and I want to add my thanks to all the physicians and nurses and other health professionals that are on the front line.
16:03You know, we go into this – I can speak for physicians – we go into this accepting some risk of infection.
16:09I mean, this is not, you know, the first infectious disease that we have to encounter, but we also have an expectation – I call it an accountability contract – that those around us who make the decisions will make sure they are doing everything in their power to keep us safe, and there is not enough PPE available.
16:29That's why the American Medical Association a couple of weeks ago called on the president to do all in his power to pull every lever of the federal government to make sure that those of us, those doctors and nurses on the front lines have that equipment, the masks, the gowns, the face shields.
16:49We are behind on that, and we have to continue to ramp up on that.
16:53That's why you see physicians and nurses reusing these masks and re-sterilizing them.
16:59Now, I do understand that there are some new guidelines that will come out on how to particularly re-sterilize this equipment.
17:06We need that.
17:07But the bottom line is physicians, nurses, and others, those who clean the rooms, you know, on my Facebook page, I had a shout-out to the janitors and those who work in hospital cafeterias.
17:21Everyone needs to – you know, if we're assuming that everyone is positive, then we need to have PPE available.
17:28And so we will continue to sound the alarm.
17:31I know I speak for all physicians that everyone should do everything they can to make sure we have that equipment.
17:37And that's why, again, staying home – by the way, again, I want to hammer home this point – really helps the frontline healthcare workers.
17:45Because when we lower the risk and lower the transmission of this disease, by the way, you are helping doctors and nurses and everyone on the frontline.
17:54But everyone can help by sounding the alarm about the need for personal protective equipment.
18:01Thank you so much, Dr. Harris.
18:03We have some questions from our audience that I'd like to share with you.
18:07Someone says, if I have mild symptoms, should I just stay home?
18:12The hospitals are overwhelmed.
18:13Or is it important that I go and get tested?
18:16Yes, if you have mild symptoms, stay at home.
18:19Now, if you can, in your own home, you need to stay as far apart from everyone until you no longer have the symptoms, maybe about 14 days.
18:31Again, here, follow the guidance of your local health department and, of course, the CDC.
18:37But absolutely, you should stay home.
18:40Of course, stay well hydrated.
18:42You can use Tylenol for the fever.
18:46But if you have mild symptoms, please do stay home.
18:51Someone now says, if I have been diagnosed with COVID-19, after I recover, will my family be safe?
18:58After you recover, and we are still learning about this, what is the safe period of time after you recover?
19:06And we still have a little bit of learning to do on this.
19:10Most folks are saying maybe after no fever for 48 to 72 hours.
19:15But here, I would definitely follow the advice of your physician and follow that advice as to when it is safe then to go back out into the community and be around family.
19:31You know, we are learning pretty soon.
19:33This is good news.
19:34We will have the ability to test the blood to see if you have antibodies, meaning you've already been infected.
19:43And if you no longer have symptoms, you are then recovered.
19:48But we are still early in that.
19:50And so I would encourage folks to stay attuned to the CDC recommendations regarding when you can go back after recovery.
19:59The next question, once we beat this, and I believe we will, and we are immune, how long will it last?
20:09I'm worried this will just happen again next season.
20:12Well, you know, that is the worry.
20:14And, of course, Dr. Tony Fauci at the NIH is a long-time respected leader on this.
20:21And I just heard him talk yesterday about the possibility if this virus acts like other viruses, it may decrease over the summer months.
20:32But we cannot let down our guard.
20:34If it acts like other viruses, it will come back in the fall.
20:38And so we will certainly have to keep our guard up as we get more information about this virus.
20:45Again, that will really determine what our next steps are.
20:51Okay.
20:52Is the virus spread on fresh food, like fruits and vegetables?
20:57Well, certainly at a baseline.
20:59And here are some reminders.
21:01Everyone should be washing their fruits and vegetables when they bring them home at a baseline.
21:06That is something we should all be doing.
21:09It's a possibility, of course, because these inanimate objects, doorknobs and fresh fruits and vegetables and that.
21:16So everyone should be, again, good hand hygiene, washing their hands, washing fruits and vegetables.
21:23Some of us are privileged enough to have folks deliver food to us.
21:29And so certainly what I do is wipe down those surfaces, transfer the food when I bring it into my home.
21:36And so we need to practice all of those good hand hygiene techniques.
21:40And, Charlie, if I can, because this is something that we all need to talk about, and I use that term privileged purposefully.
21:47Because we all know that not everyone has the same resources in this country.
21:52Absolutely.
21:53Here in Atlanta, you know, we tell everyone to wash their hands.
21:56If you're homeless, you don't have a place.
21:59You might not have a place where you have running water.
22:01And here in Atlanta, there's a group that went out with big tanks to, big water tanks to allow the homeless to be able to wash their hands.
22:09You know, we talk about social distancing or physical distancing, but not everyone, you know, lives in a huge home where they can do that.
22:17Some folks live in small.
22:18So I just want to respect and appreciate and try to talk more.
22:23And I try to do this about those who do not have resources.
22:26And we know those sometimes in communities of color, rural areas where the health systems have been traditionally under-resourced, don't have resources.
22:35So I just encourage us all, and I try to take my own advice.
22:40We'll make sure that we broaden our recommendations.
22:44One of the first things, you know, we said was call your physician.
22:48Not everyone has a physician.
22:49And that's why I, especially here in Georgia, recall other states to have a 1-800 line that folks can call if they don't have a physician for information.
23:00So I just want to put a marker down for making sure that we are talking about and being inclusive in our recommendations.
23:11Okay.
23:12And our last question, Dr. Harris, is what advice do you have as a medical professional for how to properly clean our home and sanitize it?
23:20Yes, so I would definitely use maybe a little bit of diluted bleach products.
23:27Many of the cleaning products that are already on the shelves have bleach in them or alcohol in them.
23:33So I would certainly use those products as you are cleaning around the home.
23:37And certainly if anyone is ill, the doorknobs and those little things, the refrigerator handles, sometimes we forget about those things.
23:45But look at those things that a lot of folks touch and make sure we are cleaning those regularly.
23:52But again, wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands, and stay six feet apart and stay home.
23:58Dr. Harris, we cannot thank you enough for taking the time this morning to make sure that our community is informed, that we have facts, the answers that we need to our questions.
24:09Can you please tell everyone where they can find you and where they can get more information from the American Medical Association?
24:15Well, I'm on Twitter at PatriceHarrisMD.
24:19And lastly, how can we support the doctors and nurses, the people on the front line in our community?
24:38Please tell us how we can best support them at this time.
24:41Thank you so much for that question.
24:43Yesterday was National Doctors' Day, and so shout out to all the doctors and the nurses on the front line.
24:48The best way to support doctors and nurses is to stay home, wash your hands, and follow the best public health guidelines.
24:57And actually, shout out a doctor or nurse, or just say thank you, thank you, thank you.
25:03And thank you, Dr. Harris.
25:05Please stay safe.
25:07Thank you, Charlie.
25:08You too.
25:18We'll see you next time.
25:48We'll see you next time.
26:18We'll see you next time.
26:48We'll see you next time.
27:18We'll see you next time.
27:21We'll see you next time.
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