Surgeon Gen. Adams calls out medical racism amid pandemic

 

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 07: U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams walks to the West Wing of the White House after a television interview July 7, 2020 in Washington, DC. Adams recently argued against a nationwide mask mandate to battle coronavirus indicating such a mandate would lead to rebellion among many Americans. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 3:50 PM PT – Sunday, December 27, 2020

Surgeon General Jerome Adams is calling attention to the history of medical racism across the U.S. amid the pandemic.

During an interview on Sunday, Adams said the issue needs to be addressed immediately in order to properly combat the ongoing coronavirus crisis within the black community. His comments came after alleged racist medical care led to the death of a black doctor in Indiana.

In a recent video, Dr. Susan Moore was allegedly begging for treatment in the hospital before she passed.

Adams said in order to combat the coronavirus in the black community, we need to acknowledge the past and make adjustments. According to a number of reports, communities of color in the U.S. have a greater chance of being impacted by the pandemic, primarily due to undiagnosed and untreated pre-existing conditions.

Adams also touted the work of a black female doctor who helped develop ‘Moderna’s’ COVID-19 vaccine. He commended the vaccine by saying, “We need to walk the talk,” citing his recent vaccination.

Adams said the reason he was vaccinated on live television was to show the public that he looked at the data from both his scientist and doctor perspective. The Surgeon General also praised the vaccine’s effectiveness and noted the trial groups were made up of diverse participants.

In the meantime, Adams stressed the importance of practicing coronavirus safety precautions during the holiday season.

“Even if you traveled, it doesn’t mean you just throw your hands up in the air and say, ‘oh well,'” Adams said. “There are measures that you can take and the CDC… recommends 3 to 5 days after travel–or after you’ve been around people without a mask on–you go out and get tested.”

He added that getting frequent tests “reassures that you didn’t contract the virus from an asymptomatic spread” or spread it to others.

In a tweet, Adams also emphasized practicing the ‘Three-W’s’: washing your hands, wearing a mask and watching your distance.