COVID-19 Updates: June 4, 2020
|
|
|
|
Durham elementary school student dies from coronavirus
|
|
|
|
|
|
Originally posted by The News and Observer, Josh Shaffer, June 3, 2020 An elementary school student from Durham has died from coronavirus complications, her friends and principal announced, marking the state’s first reported child fatality in the pandemic.
Aurea Soto Morales died at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill Monday, said Oscar Henriquez, who organized a Gofundme page to support the family.
Creekside Elementary released a statement on its homepage: “Our whole Creekside community’s heart is broken over the loss of one of our wonderful students, who was a shining light wherever she went. Even though we must remain physically distant due to COVID-19, we are still reaching out to support our children, families, and staff during this difficult time.”
Henriquez originally started the gofundme post as Morales was fighting a COVID infection, which he said caused brain swelling and put her in a coma. The page drew more than $12,000 in donations.
“Our hearts go out to the Soto Family during this extremely difficult time,” he wrote, “and we pray they remain strong and find peace. Thank you to everyone that has donated, I know the Soto Family will need all the help they can get.”
NC DHHS reported 939 deaths from coronavirus statewide as of midday Wednesday. Of those, the youngest victims were aged 25 to 49, which represents 5% of the total. Most of the reported deaths in the state, 63%, have been 75 and older.
We at Orange County Health Department send our condolences to the Soto Family, and they are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. |
|
|
|
|
|
Testing Site This Friday!
|
|
|
|
|
|
TESTING EVENT: this FRIDAY in Northern Orange.
The Health Department is working with UNC to host a mass mobile testing event. We hope this is the first of many!
This event is targeting populations in Northern Orange to include African Americans, Immigrant/Refugee Population, Farmers and Migrant Farm workers. We will have additional testing events, but we are trying to reach those in Northern Orange with possible transportation barriers to UNC and the Health Department.
Pre-Registration strongly encouraged. State’s latest guidance about testing applies which means symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals will be tested. We will test from 1-6pm or until supplies run out. At this time we have capacity to test ~200 individuals.
There will not be public bathrooms available at the test site.
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, June 5th, 1-6 pm
Mt Zion AME Church
5124 NC-86, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Links to flyers are included below: |
|
|
|
|
|
Protesting During the Time of COVID-19 |
|
|
|
|
|
Americans have the constitutional right to assemble, and we support community members as they protest the unjust death of George Floyd and many other black and brown lives lost, as well as those affected by racism and racist acts. Systemic racism is a public health crisis and is further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fact that this new disease disproportionately affects people of color is another concrete manifestation of the institutional and structural racism that spurred the current protests. If you choose to go out to express your outrage, pain, and to call for justice, we offer the following advice for the safest ways to protest during the COVID-19 pandemic. - If you are sick, even if it’s just a little cough or cold, please stay home! There are many online campaigns you can support as an alternate form of protest. Do your research for credible campaigns.
- If you chose to attend a protest, take these steps to lower your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19:
- Know that the more people that are gathered, and the longer you are there, the more risk you have of catching or spreading COVID-19.
- People in group gatherings should monitor their health for 14 days afterwards. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 you should get tested right away (whether you’ve been at a protest or not).
- Try to stay 6-8 feet away from others. We understand this could potentially be difficult during a protest, but do the best you can.
- Try to stay with a small group if possible, and again, stay 6-8 feet away from other groups.
- Stay away from people who are shouting or singing because these activities spread more virus into the air. Instead consider using noise makers to replace shouting.
- Wear a cloth face covering.
- Sanitize your hands often.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Avoid touching objects and surfaces that others have touched.
- Stay hydrated! Keep water and a snack with you.
- Be mindful of the weather and watch for heat related illnesses and know when to seek care.
- Should I get tested for COVID-19 if I went to a protest rally?
- Only if symptoms develop or if you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19.
- If you have questions about getting tested please call (919) 245-6111.
It is also important that you know your rights while protesting:- The first amendment gives Americans the right to assemble peacefully and air our grievances.
- Restrictions can be imposed on protests, including the place, time and manner of the protest.
- The first amendment does not, however, protect protests that escalate to violence or the destruction of property.
- You do not have the right to assemble on private property.
- Police and local government can order you to leave or disperse if ample notice is given to leave somewhere safely (ex. a curfew has been issued).
- You have the right to take photos and videos of what is happening at a protest.
- Police cannot ask you to give them your phone or forcibly confiscate it without a search warrant. Police also cannot ask you to delete video you took or delete it themselves.
- At a public protest in the US, you consent to a photo just by being there.
- If you are arrested, police do not have the right to know where you’re from or your citizenship status. You can ask for a lawyer – talk to one immediately if you’re booked into jail. Memorize a contact number just in case or write it on your body in permanent marker. The National Lawyers Guild is a good example. Police cannot listen in on your call to a lawyer, but they can listen to a call to a friend or family member.
We also strongly discourage police tactics of de-escalation that affect the respiratory system like tear gas, smoke, pepper spray, and other irritants as these could prompt people to cough and gasp for air, increase chance of infections, and worsen existing health conditions.
Looking for other ways to support people of color in our community? Continuously witnessing this type of traumatic events take a toll on the mental health of everyone but in particular to people of color. Check-up on friends, family and community, as well as checking in with yourself. You can also use this time to educate yourself on the history and lasting impact of structural racism.
Sources: |
|
|
|
|
|
Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News |
|
|
|
|
|
With protests over the violent deaths of black Americans dominating the news, it’s understandable that many kids are feeling scared, confused or angry about the situation. How can parents, many of whom are struggling themselves, help children process what they’re seeing and manage their feelings?
There’s no one right answer. That said, there are a few guidelines parents can keep in mind to help kids deal with troubling news about race and violence.
Validate their feelings
Start by checking in with your child. Kids, even very young ones, are extremely perceptive, and they may have worries or concerns they don’t know how to express.
This will look different for every child. Kids might be afraid of riots, of being hurt by the police, or worry that something bad could happen to loved ones. Avoid making assumptions. Instead, ask broad questions that give kids space to talk over what they’re feeling: “How did you feel about what we saw on the news? What did it make you think about?”
For young children, drawing, painting or acting out stories with toys can be helpful tools for expressing thoughts and feelings that aren’t easy to put into words.
Do your best to meet your child where they are and acknowledge their feelings, fears or worries.
Don’t avoid talking about it
“Racism is not new,” says Dr. Kenya Hameed, PsyD, a clinical neuropsychologist at the Child Mind Institute. “These are ongoing problems. It’s going to take all of us changing the mentality and the mindset to work towards a better future and fix them.”
That change, she emphasizes, can’t and won’t happen without frank, open conversation — a conversation that for most black families has never been optional. “It’s really not a choice,” says Dr. Hameed. For families of color, racism is a daily reality. “Black parents can’t wait, even if they wanted to.”
White parents, she says, can help by addressing race and racism with kids early and often. Research shows that even very young children are aware of racial differences, and children can learn harmful lessons about race when it’s not discussed openly. It’s helpful for white families to see that minimizing the legacy of racism in our society by avoiding ugly truths does children a disservice. Instead, white parents can commit to educating themselves and building conversations about race into kids’ lives early on.
Additionally, white families can make a concerted effort to represent racial diversity in the products they buy for their children. For example, parents of white children can look for black dolls and books with predominantly black characters, which can help normalize diversity for kids and spark spontaneous, everyday conversations about race.
Be clear, direct and factual
Even with young children, use clear language. Don’t say, “People are upset because some groups treat other groups unfairly.” Instead, say: “This is about the way that white people treat black people unfairly.”
“If you expect children to read between the lines, they can miss the message,” says Dr. Hameed.
Emphasize that racial violence is wrong. It’s easy for kids (especially little ones) to think that bad things happen to black people because black people are themselves bad. “Even if a child doesn’t explicitly tell you this,” says Dr. Hameed, “it is an easy assumption they can make based on how black people have been portrayed and treated in this country.” Help children understand by speaking to them in a developmentally appropriate way. Emphasize to your child that black people are good and that being black doesn’t make you bad. Treating people unfairly is the thing that’s bad, and black people have been treated unfairly for a long time.
Talk about history. Kids need to know that racism is part of a history that dates back hundreds of years, Dr. Hameed notes. At the same time, you can also emphasize your hope for a better future and plan ways your family can help make that a reality.
Encourage questions — and don’t worry if you can’t answer them
Kids are likely to have lots of questions about racism and violence, and chances are they won’t be easy ones. They might want to know how racism affects them or why white people treat black people unfairly. These aren’t easy subjects and feeling uncomfortable during the conversation is normal — but it’s not a reason to stop talking.
By tolerating discomfort you’re modeling an important skill for your child. Be honest. You might say, “I find it really hard to talk about this. It feels scary. But it also makes me more hopeful about making change.”
Try to be calm, but don’t hide your emotions
Children take their cues from parents, so talking to them calmly and staying factual helps them process information. It’s helpful to pick a time when you’re feeling centered and have had a chance to work through your own feelings.
At the same time, it’s important that we don’t hide our emotions from children, especially when the subject is so important. Let them know that you’re sad or angry, says Dr. Hameed, and acknowledge that it’s good to be upset by injustice, as long as it doesn’t stop you from working to make it better. That way, you’ll leave kids with a clear lesson about the family values you want to pass on to them.
Rely on your support system
Witnessing scenes of racist violence is deeply upsetting for many parents, but for parents of children of color, it can also be traumatic. Take time to check in with your own mental health during this time, especially given the additional stress of the coronavirus crisis. If you’re feeling exhausted or overwhelmed, reach out to your networks for support. Friends, family members, religious leaders and mental health professionals can all help you process your own emotions and plan conversations with children.
It can also help to bring in trusted allies to talk to your children themselves — having an adult perspective that doesn’t come from a parent can give them more space to sort through what they’re feeling and ask questions.
Keep the conversation open
Like any important topic, racism and violence aren’t something you can have “the talk” about just once. For kids of any age and race, this is something that’s going to keep coming up, so be sure to let your kids know that you’re there for them whenever they need to talk — and keep checking in proactively, too.
Explore resources
No matter what challenges come up as you talk with your kids, there are lots of great resources out there to help you continue these crucial conversations. Check out the following resources for further help and support along the way: |
|
|
|
|
|
North Carolina COVID-19 Cases
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 31,966 COVID-19 cases, 960 deaths, and 659 hospitalizations, as of June 4, 2020. For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every morning at 11 a.m.), please visit the NCDHHS website.
Orange County Health Department also has a COVID-19 dashboard webpage, with information on COVID-19 data in the county. The dashboard will be updated every Tuesday and Thursday.
There are currently 370 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 40 deaths.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Community Resources
For more information on COVID-19 community resources in the county, please visit our webpage. Resources on specific topic areas, such as food access, education, housing, and others, are all accessible on our website, or at the links below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
