S5, Ep 10- Talking Turkey Day and COVID

While COVID-19 vaccines and medications are largely available, this year’s celebrations will not be without risks, especially for the chronic disease community.

Our hosts discuss their plans for Thanksgiving and share their tips to stay healthy and to help advocate for communities that are at higher risks from COVID. “If you have loved ones or you're surrounded by folks who may not be as sympathetic or as understanding to getting the vaccine or wearing masks, the best way to listen is to listen with empathy. It may be difficult to listen if you hear loved ones repeating false claims about the vaccine, masking or COVID, but if you immediately shut down their concerns, they may not listen to you in return,” says Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF.

Among the highlights in this episode:

2:35: “It feels like a lot of the general public is ‘back [to] normal life.’ Mask mandates have been lifted, work from home employees returned to offices, and many just resumed pre-pandemic ways generally. And I'll say it... things aren't cut and dry for those of us living with chronic illness,” says Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director of Community Outreach at GHLF

2:55: “It's a great idea whether you're over zoom or in person to start a conversation about your health and why it is important to stay safe from infectious diseases like COVID-19, and the flu,” says Steven Newmark

3:22: Steven Newmark shares helpful ways to initiate conversations at the table about health risks posed by COVID-19 and other infectious diseases

5:00: More on how to establish productive conversations about the importance of vaccination with family and friends

6:47: The importance of being an advocate

Become a 50-State Network advocate: https://www.50statenetwork.org/become-a-50-state-network-advocate/

7:13: Zoe Rothblatt shares her plans for the holidays

7:32: Steven Newmark shares his plans for the holidays

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Director of Policy at GHLF: [email protected]

Zoe Rothblatt, Associate Director, Community Outreach at GHLF: [email protected]

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