Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in multigenerational homes

By: Dena Vang

One in five Americans currently live in a home with multiple generations. African American grandparents play a significant role in the homes across America. With the pandemic reaching one year, it’s crucial that all Black Americans get the most accurate information about how to stay safe during the fight against COVID-19.

The Black Coalition Against COVID (BCAC) is one organization which is keeping African Americans up to date about the pandemic with Facebook Live events. Dr. Felicia Collins, Rear Admiral, United States Public Health Service; HHS Acting Assistant Secretary of Health was one of the speakers who addressed how the virus affects multigenerational families.

“Multigenerational families living in homes with one bathroom makes it harder for us,” said Dr. Collins. “As African Americans are trying to quarantine and go through these periods knowing that if we’re infected with COVID, we have to stay at home and be away from others.”

Dr. Collins stresses the importance of African Americans staying equipped with information to ensure that they are not at the end of the line when the vaccine is available. “There are other people waiting to take our spots in line if we say, ‘No thank you’ when the vaccine is offered,” she said.

While we wait for the COVID-19 vaccine to become widely available, the CDC has tips to protect Black Americans and their family members, including those who are at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus. For more information visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/living-in-close-quarters.pdf