Ebenezer Baptist West Church in Athens is taking a proactive approach to fighting off COVID-19 and other health ailments that are particularly detrimental to the Black community.
The Reverend Dr. Daryl Bloodsaw pastors the church. He says Ebenezer West is wrapping up an eight-week partnership with Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital.
“Where we started talking back in July about how this virus has impacted our community. And so we sat down with doctors and administrators at the hospital and put together a plan.”
The partnership began with the hospital pitching tents while hosting a health fair and free screenings at the church in October.
“And so we've been having follow-ups every week. Every Tuesday at 5:30, there is a Zoom conference where there are doctors and nurses and health professionals who are on the line, and there’s a different issue whether it is breast cancer, and this past week was anxiety and stress because that too contributes to high blood pressure which is a pre-existing condition which makes us much more susceptible.”
Organizers hope to spread the program to other churches throughout the entire Piedmont coverage region.
The Reverend says he plans to publicly take a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.
