The following information and materials were developed with and for faith-based organizations who are part of the Faith Health Alliance, with the National Minority Quality Forum’s (NMQF’s) Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity (SHC) and the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Original support for this program was provided by an independent educational grant from Pfizer, Inc.

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March 2024 marks the 4^th anniversary of the COVID pandemic in the United States. While much has changed over this time, with lower rates of infection, hospitalizations, and deaths as well as the development of vaccines and therapies, COVID is not over. It is still circulating, many people, especially people of color, do not access vaccines or treatments, and long COVID persists. Furthermore, guidance from the CDC and experts is in flux and sometimes at odds.

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These slides provide an update on COVID and links to information sources so that faith-based communities of color can stay abreast of new developments and protect their health and the health of their family, friends, and community.

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About the Virus

What Is COVID-19?

• COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2
• It most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia; most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill
• COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus
• Over one million people have died from COVID-19 in the United States

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CDC Museum COVID-19 Timeline | David J. Sencer CDC Museum | CDC

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Lower than at the Height of the Pandemic but Persist

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

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Stay Up-toDate on COVID-19 Rates: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

COVID-19 Cases Vary Locally; You Can Track Rates in Your County

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Find the rates in your county: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases-deaths-testing-trends

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COVID-19 Circulates with Other Respiratory Viruses

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Find which respiratory viruses are circulating at: RESP-NET Interactive Dashboard | CDC

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Emergency Department Visits Are Another Measure of Respiratory Virus Impact

COVID-19 Variants Change Over Time

The COVID-19 virus is constantly changing and new variants are likely to occur. Scientists are tracking the changes to understand differences in the variants in terms of how easily they can spread, how responsive they are to current vaccines, and how dangerous they may be.

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In mid February 2024 JN.1 is the most common variant.

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See: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-summary

Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on People of Color

COVID-19 Led to More Illness, Hospitalization, and Death among Minoritized Populations

COVID-19 Cases, Deaths, and Vaccinations by Race/Ethnicity as of Winter 2022 | KFF

CDC COVID Data Tracker: COVID-NET Hospitalization Surveillance Network

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Highest in 2024 Among Native American and Black Individuals

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, People of Color Were More Likely to Die at Younger Ages | KFF

COVID-19 Cost About 2 Decades of Life Among Black and Brown Populations

COVID-19 and Vaccination Rates

COVID-19 Vaccination Rates (through March 25, 2023): After Achieving Equity, People of Color Lagged Getting the Booster

Check out current rates in your region: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccine-delivery-coverage

People of Color Have Lower COVID-19 Vaccination Rates, February 2024

Adult Coverage and Intent | CDC

Latest COVID-19 Vaccination Rates Vary by Geography, February 2024

Adult Coverage and Intent | CDC

Flu Vaccination Rates Also Exhibit Large Racial and Ethnic Disparities

Influenza Vaccination Coverage, Adults (cdc.gov)

COVID-19 Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

Symptoms of Respiratory Illness: Similarities and Differences

Understanding COVID-19 Symptoms

Illnesses caused by respiratory viruses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV can make anyone sick. However, some people are at higher risk, including:

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• Older adults
• People with chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease
• Young children
• People with compromised immune systems
• People with disabilities
• Pregnant people

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Risk Factors for Severe Illness from Respiratory Viruses | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC

Who Is Most at Risk?

Respiratory Virus Guidance (cdc.gov)

Common Strategies Protect You from COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Viruses such as Influenza and RSV

In March 2024, the CDC updated its guidance on masking and quarantining to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

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• Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms, including fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache

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• You can go back to your normal activities when your symptoms are improved for at least 24 hours and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication)

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• Take added precautions to protect others over the next 5 days when returning to normal activities, such as wearing a mask, physically distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors

Preventing the Spread of Respiratory Viruses and COVID-19 When You Get Sick: Updated Guidance from the CDC

About Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC

What About Masks?

What the CDC says:

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Cloth masks

N95 and KN95 “respirators”

Can be reused

Surgical masks

Dispose if wet or dirty, maximum uses unknown

Better Protection

Some Protection*

Best Protection

*for better protection, layer with surgical mask

Masks and Respiratory Viruses Prevention | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC

COVID-19 �Vaccination

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent COVID-19

• Prevents serious illness or death
• Makes symptoms less severe
• Can reduce the spread of COVID-19 to others

Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines

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There are different types of vaccines used in the United States including mRNA and protein subunit vaccines

All COVID-19 vaccines prompt our bodies to recognize and help protect us from the virus that causes COVID-19

None of the COVID-19 vaccines can give you COVID-19 or alter your genes

Hundreds of millions of people in the United States have safely received COVID-19 vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccines used in the response to the pandemic underwent the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history

Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work | CDC

CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

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COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have been updated as of February 28, 2024: Adults ages 65 years + should receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose

Everyone aged 5 years and older should get 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19

Children aged 6 months–4 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date, including at least 1 dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine

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STAY UP-TO-DATE AS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE UPDATED!

Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC

Recommended Respiratory Virus Vaccines for Adults, 2024

Recommended Vaccinations for Adults, Easy-To-Read Format

Aged 19 Years and Older, United States, 2024

Recommended Vaccinations for Adults Aged 19 Years and Older in Easy-to-read Format | CDC

People at Greater Risk Due to Medical Conditions

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A person with any of the medical conditions listed below is more likely to get very sick with COVID-19. If you have one of these conditions, talk with your healthcare provider about how best to protect yourself from severe illness from COVID-19, including use of masks and additional vaccine doses

People with Certain Medical Conditions | CDC

Finding and Paying for COVID-19 Vaccines

To find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233

Most people can get no-cost updated COVID-19 vaccines through their private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid plans

Adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all vaccine costs can get no-cost updated COVID-19 vaccine at healthcare providers, federally supported health centers, and select pharmacy locations participating in CDC’s Bridge Access Program

CDC’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children through health care providers enrolled in the program

Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine | CDC

COVID-19 in Children

• Generally mild in children
• Some children and young people have had severe experiences with the disease, can develop long COVID, and a few have died
• Worse outcomes have been seen for children of color or children with disabilities

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Fact Sheets | Protecting Our Children and Youth from COVID-19 (cdc.gov)

Vaccines for Kids

• COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for most kids 6 months and older
• COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as other routine vaccines
• Talk to your pediatrician and stay up-to-date on CDC recommendations

Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC

COVID vaccination is recommended in all people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant

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• Pregnant people are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19
• COVID-19 increases the risk of complications in pregnancy that can affect baby
• Vaccines are not associated with fertility problems in women or men
• COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy builds antibodies that can help protect the baby

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COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy

COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding (cdc.gov)

COVID-19 �Testing and Treatment

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• Testing for COVID-19 can help you decide on seeking treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and take steps to lower your chances of spreading a virus to others
• New CDC guidance says people at higher risk should seek out testing with the development of symptoms
• New guidance does not call for the use of tests to decide when to stop isolation
• Order free COVID-19 antigen tests through the U.S. Postal Service or purchase them from many retailers

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COVID-19 Testing: Updated Guidance from the CDC

Antigen Tests: Rapid tests that usually produce results in 15-30 minutes. Positive results are very accurate and reliable. However, in general, antigen tests are less likely to detect the virus than PCR tests, especially when symptoms are not present. 

PCR Tests: PCR tests are the “gold standard” for COVID-19 tests. They are a type of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which are more likely to detect the virus than antigen tests. Your sample will usually be taken by a healthcare provider and transported to a laboratory for testing. It may take up to 3 days to receive results.

Testing and Respiratory Viruses | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC

COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know | CDC

Treatment of Respiratory Viruses | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC

Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home, treating symptoms with over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

COVID-19 Treatments and Medications | CDC

If you have COVID-19 and are at high risk, treatments are available to reduce your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the disease

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Medications to treat COVID-19 must be prescribed by a healthcare provider or pharmacist and started within 5–7 days after symptoms appear

Home Test to Treat: The Home Test to Treat program provides access to free (dispensing fees may apply) COVID-19 testing, telehealth visits, and treatment for anyone who tests positive. Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to learn more.

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People of Color Less Likely to Receive COVID-19 Treatment

COVID-19 Cases and Deaths, Vaccinations, and Treatments by Race/Ethnicity as of Fall 2022 | KFF

 Patient assistance programs are available to people who are underinsured, uninsured, or on Medicaid or Medicare to lower their out-of-pocket costs. Call ahead to your healthcare provider and insurer to confirm supply and coverage eligibility.

Current COVID-19 Medications

COVID-19 Treatment: Ask Your Provider

• How best to manage symptoms
• Medications for COVID-19 they suggest
• Potential interaction of COVID-19 treatments with other medicines you are taking
• Potential Impact on your liver and kidney
• Use in pregnancy and breast feeding
• Patient assistance programs to help pay for treatment

What Is Long COVID? �

• Most people recover from COVID within a couple of weeks; when symptoms (new or recurring) last longer this is known as long COVID
• Symptoms include a wide range of ongoing health problems that can last weeks, months or years
• Long COVID occurs more often in people who had severe COVID-19 illness, but anyone who has been infected with the virus can experience it
• People who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and become infected may have a higher risk of developing Long COVID compared to people who have been vaccinated

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Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions | CDC

Long COVID and Treatment

• Can be difficult to diagnose; there is no test
• Symptoms are similar to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
• Black and Hispanic adults have higher rates of Long COVID
• Seek care from a health care provider to come up with a plan that can help improve symptoms and quality of life: Patient Tips: Healthcare Provider Appointments for Long COVID | CDC
• May be considered a disability if it severely impairs major life activities: Guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability Under the ADA, Section | HHS.gov
• Living with Long COVID can be hard, especially when there are no immediate answers or solutions
• Consider getting involved in Long COVID research: About the Initiative | RECOVER COVID Initiative

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Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions | CDC

db480.pdf (cdc.gov)