Created: February 04, 2021 05:15 PM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the Black and Brown members of our community. The data shows they are getting sick and dying at a rate much higher than white people. New York state has promised equal access to the coronavirus vaccine, but as the rollout continues, some question whether that is happening.
Age-adjusted death rates per 100,000 from the start of the pandemic until the middle of January in Monroe County show that Latinx and Black communities have been hit hardest. The data is similar on a statewide level, which is the reason Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been promising for months that there would be a focus on equitable vaccine distribution.
“I think the important message is not so much who, but how we as health systems and leaders support the varying concerns and perceived or real barriers that some of our employees are feeling,” said Mayo. “We’re trying to address it in that way, and I think that will help.”
De. Mayo says that an incentive program may do some good:
“We have begun to sort through what those incentives could be. We will be sending out a survey where we will probe some of that,” said Mayo. “We have asked employees throughout this what they need and what can support them in their work. We’re interested in what our employees have to say about this and will try to address that as best as possible.”