Kelly Price opens up about dying from Coronavirus and being revived; what her experience means for Blacks in entertainment, the church and as a whole
(The Slice): Singer Kelly Price is the latest celebrity to tackle the Coronavirus head on . She has broken her silence about her personal fight against COVID-19 since the missing person report came out last week. She cleared up speculation about her status and whereabouts in an interveiw with TMZ on Monday. “I was never missing. I was in my home. I was being seen by doctors,” she explained. The well-known R&B and gospel singer cried as she reflected on her struggles and reavealed, "I died."
Fortunately, Price was revived when hopspitalized with the deadly virus but says she required aftercare when discharged. It is not known whether she had been vaccinated and her attorney would not confirm her vaccination status when asked by Atlanta's WSB News.
As far as the missing person report that was filed with Dekalb County is concerned, Price said she was isolated under doctor's care and did not engage with relatives to protect them. Price's sister has come forth saying the family has not seen the artist.
Price's story is unique in that it intersects in three key areas where there is an apparent disconnect on Coronavirus vaccination being a priority -- the Black church, in entertainment and the Black community at large.
Ms. Price is a beloved entertainer who was raised in the church and sings gospel music. As a former host of Sunday Best, a singing competition aired on BET, she has a faithful Black faith-based audience, many of whom may not be vaccinated. This is a delicate moment for Price as she continues to heal. If #blm so much, why hasn't the message that COVID KILLS resonated with more Blacks? In sharing her testimony perhaps others will get the message and decide to get vaccinated.
In the broader context Ms. Price facing the risk of COVID-19 places her on the same level as ordinary African Americans. This is a fight that thousands of Black families have had to face over the pandemic and it isn't merely physical. Entire families are being devoured by the flighty and powerful illness.
While more Blacks have received the shot in the last few months, the current reality is that more Blacks still die from COVID-19 than any other ethnic group. The CDC reports that Blacks are twice as likely to die of the virus and 2.8 times more likely to be hospitalized than other racial groups (Data souce: COVD-NET). Trusted messengers in the community are working to alleviate fears among blacks that stem from historic hesitancy to current situations that bring about often justifiable skepticism among Blacks.
In some parts of the Black community that skepticism may be worsening. . .
With the approval of the Pfizer booster some African Americans are concerned about the safety of the shot even more. In the COVID-19 call on Tuesday a reporter brought up the fact that over 70% of African Americans participating in a Kaiser Family poll said that they thought that needing a booster indicates the vaccines are ineffective. This is a misperception. The fact is a booster shot is an additional layer of protection to strenghten immunity against the Delta variant that was unknown when vaccines were being developed. Furthermore, as the AP experts worry that adding ther booster "could undermine efforts to persuade the unvaccinated to get their shots."
Given all the aforementioned factors the experience of Kelly Price may serve as a wake up call for those still on the fence about taking a shot in the arm.
Price posted a statement on Instagram indicating that she wil be "going back into solace and silence."
The Slice News wishes Ms. Price a speedy recovery at that her vocal abilities will be preserved.
In the broader context Ms. Price facing the risk of COVID-19 places her on the same level as ordinary African Americans. This is a fight that thousands of Black families have had to face over the pandemic and it isn't merely physical. Entire families are being devoured by the flighty and powerful illness.
While more Blacks have received the shot in the last few months, the current reality is that more Blacks still die from COVID-19 than any other ethnic group. The CDC reports that Blacks are twice as likely to die of the virus and 2.8 times more likely to be hospitalized than other racial groups (Data souce: COVD-NET). Trusted messengers in the community are working to alleviate fears among blacks that stem from historic hesitancy to current situations that bring about often justifiable skepticism among Blacks.
In some parts of the Black community that skepticism may be worsening. . .
With the approval of the Pfizer booster some African Americans are concerned about the safety of the shot even more. In the COVID-19 call on Tuesday a reporter brought up the fact that over 70% of African Americans participating in a Kaiser Family poll said that they thought that needing a booster indicates the vaccines are ineffective. This is a misperception. The fact is a booster shot is an additional layer of protection to strenghten immunity against the Delta variant that was unknown when vaccines were being developed. Furthermore, as the AP experts worry that adding ther booster "could undermine efforts to persuade the unvaccinated to get their shots."
Given all the aforementioned factors the experience of Kelly Price may serve as a wake up call for those still on the fence about taking a shot in the arm.
Price posted a statement on Instagram indicating that she wil be "going back into solace and silence."
The Slice News wishes Ms. Price a speedy recovery at that her vocal abilities will be preserved.