John --

I have two important requests. When I talk to people across the district, it's clear Black residents are wary about participating in vaccine trials for COVID-19 or the immunization itself. And I don't blame them for their distrust.

This trust gap comes from centuries of malpractice. Communities of color were used nefariously in medical research procedures that left the victims dead or impaired. And unfortunately, that mistrust has only worsened because of medical discrimination, health care access, and outcome disparities that COVID-19 has magnified.

The past is well-documented and on display for all to evaluate. But we do not need to let it dictate the present. John, history shows us that crises create opportunities for change, and the COVID-19 crisis is no different. This brings me to my first request:

1. Read my latest op-ed to learn how our nation can use the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to rebuild trust between communities of color and the medical community » [link removed]

As we face a virus that has already taken countless lives, we need to restore trust in science and medical research more than ever before.

If health officials are mindful of the pain past practices have inflicted and develop an empathetic response, the testing and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine can establish new standards of how disadvantaged communities and the health care and research communities interact and work together.

And you can help make that change a reality:

2. Will you sign our petition if you agree we need to start a community-based conversation about the trust gap in medical research? It's well past time we develop consensus-driven solutions to overcome it and save lives in the process » [link removed]

Thank you,

Dwight

DONATE » [link removed]

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