The emergence of COVID-19 and its spread across the United States has led state governments to roll out strategies on how to mitigate the spread of the disease. One of the DC government’s approaches was to provide grants and partner with nonprofits and community-based organizations to implement COVID-19 projects around contact tracing and case investigation, of which AWCAA is one of the beneficiaries of the Credible Messenger Grant.
The grant funding provided by the government has enabled us to reach out to black communities across Washington DC to educate them about the importance of contact tracing and case investigation in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. We have also through this project educated African Americans and Africans immigrants living in the district about COVID-19 and how to stay safe during this period.
On October 23, 2020 we had Hellen Fissihaie, to discuss, “Measures to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 Among African Americans and African Immigrant Communities.” Hellen serves as a City Commissioner for the D.C. Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (MOAA). We were glad to have her enlighten our over 280 participants on the government’s efforts in reducing COVID-19 spread in Washington DC.
Through these community outreaches, we are building trust among the black communities in Washington DC for the DC government. We believe that when our communities are well informed about COVID-19 and the activities of the government to help contain the virus, it builds trust and opens doors for cooperation and community participation. This makes it easier for contact tracers and case investigators sent by the government to reach out to our communities and achieve great results.
