Thursday, March 28, 2024

As Coronavirus Spreads, Dr. Tasha Dixon Provides Plain Talk Perspective (Exclusive Video)

*On March 11, 2020 the spread of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, was labeled by the World Health Organization as a pandemic.

Because coronavirus has affected rural and urban America, Reel Urban News sought expert medical advice from the scientists and doctors of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of Los Angeles.

Reel Urban News asked Dr. Tasha Dixon how we should react during a time of panic and hoarding in this country.

“The word pandemic means global outbreak. Pandemic sounds really scary but there have been five pandemics in the last 50 years – so they happen,” Dr. Dixon explained.

“The coronavirus is actually a common virus that we now call COVID-19. This particular strain has mutated from the common coronavirus that is known to cause a common cold every day in every population.”

According to Dr. Dixon there are two major symptoms of COVID-19. “One of the first things you will notice is you may have a cough and or fever as well. The fever and cough are two things you want to seriously monitor, as they could be indicators of the coronavirus.”

covid-19
Covid-19

Dr. Dixon also expressed concern for patients with pre-existing health challenges or conditions. “Immunocompromised patients, those that may be on steroids, those with chronic lung disease, those that may have HIV/AIDS, those that may have cancer or be on chemotherapy – those are vulnerable people and more susceptible to COVID-19.”

Because COVID-19 is a new virus the majority of the data and research collected is preliminary. However, Dr. Dixon remains optimistic about the pace of research and that a vaccine is within reach.  “We’re learning more and more about COVID-19 every day. Scientists are studying the virus as fast as we can.”

The outbreak of coronavirus started in late 2019 and developed into a global pandemic by early March 2020. According to Dr. Dixon, COVID-19 affects people of every nationality. “The virus can affect anyone regardless of color, creed, or shape – all of our blood will be exactly the same. The virus will affect anyone that comes in contact with it.”

Dr Tasha Dixon
Dr. Tasha Dixon of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science ‘There is a myth that COVID-19 does not affect African Americans; that is not true. Two players in the NBA were recently diagnosed with this very virus,’ said Dr. Dixon. ‘This virus can affect any one of us at any time.’ Photo Credit: Michael Reel / Reel Urban News

In addition to speaking generally about COVID-19, Dr. Dixon spoke directly to the African American community about the serious nature of the deadly viral outbreak.“There is a myth that COVID-19 does not affect African Americans; that is not true. Two players in the NBA were recently diagnosed with this very virus,” said Dr. Dixon. “This virus can affect any one of us at any time.”On Sunday, March 15, a significant number of African American houses of worship throughout the nation either closed their doors to parishioners or encouraged a majority of their membership to remain home. To avoid large gatherings, large and small churches equipped with the technology invited their members to stream the worship service via their church websites or Facebook Live.

“One of the things the Centers for Disease Control is really pushing is keeping our distance or social distancing, meaning you are to keep at least six feet from the person you’re next to,” Dr. Dixon advised.

“I got a message from my church today and I know I’ll be at home watching online because it’s important that we distance ourselves until we get this disease under control. This is not the season for ‘touch your neighbor,’ for sure.”

Michael Reel - Dr Tasha Dixon
Michael Reel, Reel Urban News and Dr. Tasha Dixon of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science gather following our exclusive interview focused on COVID-19. Photo Credit: Deveion Hicksonbottom / Reel Urban Images

In the closing moments of our exclusive interview with Dr. Dixon, she expressed her hope regarding COVID-19 with our Michael Reel. “My hope is that we prevent the spread of the virus as fast as possible so that we can resume our normal, healthy lives.”

More About CDU:  https://www.cdrewu.edu/about-cdu/governance/OSA/journalists.

Tasha Dixon, MD, MPH is the Outpatient Faculty Lead currently serving as the Family Medicine Lead Attending at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Outpatient Center and Family Medicine, Harbor UCLA Medical Center Los Angeles County. Dr. Dixon was raised in Dallas, Texas and attended Prairie View A&M University before receiving her medical degree from Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University.

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