>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

>>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >>> GOOD DAY AND WELCOME TO "THE WASHINGTON REPORT."

I´M STACY PLASTKIS.

I´M BLESSED TO SERVE AS THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS REPRESENTATIVE.

WE ARE KEEPING YOU INFORMED OF CURRENT FEDERAL ISSUES THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY.

THE SHOWS GUESTS ARE COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ACTIVISTS.

IT´S ABOUT GETTING ISSUES TO YOU.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS, IDEAS, THOUGHTS FOR THE SHOW TO ASKSTACY.

FOR THIS SHOW, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US IN SOME WAY OVER THE PAST YEAR.

MORE THAN A YEAR NOW.

WE´VE STRUGGLED TOGETHER AS A NATION AND A COMMUNITY AND NOW WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO END THIS DARK PERIOD IN OUR WORLD.

WE HAVE A CLEAR PATH FORWARD TO COME OUT OF THIS DARK TIME AND EVERY AMERICAN, EVERY ONE OF US HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO PLAY OUR PART.

A MAJOR PART OF THAT RESPONSIBILITY BASED UPON MEDICAL EXPERTS, NOT ME, BUT THE EXPERTS IS TO GET VACCINATED.

I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO DIRECTLY ADDRESS THOSE WHO MAY BE HESITANT TO RECEIVE A VACCINE HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC, WE ARE CURRENTLY AT LEVEL 4 IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COVID RISK OF INFECTION AND ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF CASES HAVE BEEN DROPPING AND THE VACCINATION RATE RISING, THE EXPERTS AGREE THAT IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO GET HERD IMMUNITY.

AS OF AUGUST 18th APPROXIMATELY 30,000 INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WHICH IS ABOUT 37.7% OF OUR POPULATION.

ONE OF THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATES IN THE NATION.

THE ESTIMATE FOR COVID-19 IS THAT ROUGHLY 70 TO 85% OF THE POPULATION WILL NEED TO BE VACCINATED TO REACH WHAT IS CALLED HERD IMMUNITY THRESHOLD.

THANKS TO THE INCREDIBLE WORK OF SCIENTISTS AROUND THE GLOBE BUILDING ON DECADES OF RESEARCH ON VIROLOGY AND VACCINE TECHNOLOGY, AMERICANS HAVE ACCESS TO THREE EXCELLENT LIFE SAVING VACCINES AGAINST COVID-19.

THEY ARE ALL SAFE AND AVAILABLE TO ALL INDIVIDUALS 12 YEARS AND OLDER.

NOW MY EXPERTISE IS IN THE LAW AND I´VE BEEN A LAWYER FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

I HAVE AN EXPERTISE IN CRIMINAL LAW, TRANSACTIONAL LAW, ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATION.

I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL AND TASK LAW AND I WOULD NEVER ADVISE PEOPLE ON EPA RULES OR TAX PLANNING.

THAT´S NOT MY EXPERTISE.

IN THE SAME WAY RELATED TO COVID AND VACCINES, IT´S IMPORTANT TO GET YOUR INFORMATION FROM EXPERTS AND SO I DECIDED I NEEDED TO SPEND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME ON MY SHOW TO HAVING MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS ON THE SHOW, EXPERTS FROM THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF THEIR FIELD, EXPERTS WHO ARE CONCERNED FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR, TO COMMUNITIES LIKE OURSELVES AND SO I HAVE FOUR OF THOSE EXPERTS ON MY SHOW, TWO OF WHOM ALSO HAPPEN TO BE VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

NOW I´D LIKE TO INTRODUCE MY SPECIAL GUESTS TODAY AS WE DISCUSS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TOPIC, THE COVID-19 VACCINE AND WHY THEY BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECEIVE IT.

FIRST, DR. MARSELA NUNEZ SMITH.

NIH PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTOR OF EQUITY RESEARCH AND INNOVATION AT YALE UNIVERSITY.

HER RESEARCH FOCUSES ON HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE EQUITY FOR MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE SOCIAL AND STRUCTURAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH.

THE INFLUENCE OF HEALTH CARE AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF COMMUNITY ACADEMIC PARTNER SCHOLARSHIPS DRMPT NUNEZ SMITH CURRENTLY SERVES AS SENIOR ADVISER TO THE WHITE HOUSE COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM AND IS CHAIR OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COVID-19 HEALTH EQUITY TASK FORCE.

ORIGINALLY FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, SHE ATTENDED JEFFERSON MEDICAL COLLEGE, RESIDENCY AT HARVARD´S BRIGHAM & WOMEN´S HOSPITAL, A FELLOWSHIP AT YALE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION CLINICAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM.

DR. AYESHA LANGFORD IS A BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIST WHO STUDIES HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDICAL DECISION MAKING ACROSS DISEASES AND CONTEXTS.

SHE RECEIVED HER BA IN ENGLISH FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.

HER MPH IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE FROM ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY AND HER Ph.d.

IN HEALTH BEHAVIOR AND HEALTH EDUCATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.

AS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT NYU DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE POPULATION HEALTH, SHE STUDIES HOW HEALTH COMMUNICATION CAN IMPROVE INDIVIDUAL DECISION MAKING AND REDUCE POPULATION HEALTH DISPARITIES FOR CONDITIONS OR BEHAVIORS THAT LEAD TO PREVENTIBLE MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY.

DR. ALEX Z. SIMMONS JR. IS A BOARD CERTIFIED GENERAL SURGEON IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA.

DR. SIMMONS RECEIVED HIS UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE FROM MOOREHOUSE COLLEGE.

HE RECEIVED HIS DEGREE IN 1999.

HE WENT ON TO COMPLETE HIS MEDICAL RESIDENCY AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. DR. SIMMONS SPECIALIZES IN BREAST CANCER SURGERY, THYROID, PARATHYROID AND HERNIA REPAIR SURGERY.

DR. SIMMONS SERVES AS A MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE SHERMAN OUT-PATIENT SURGERY CENTER AND IS CHAIRMAN OF THE FLORIDA HOSPITAL SYSTEM OPERATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FLORIDA HOSPITAL CREDIT UNION AND HE WAS BORN ON THE ISLAND OF SAINT CROIX.

SO LET´S JUMP RIGHT INTO THE TOPIC AT HAND WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS.

FIRST I´D LIKE TO HEAR FROM DR. SMITH ABOUT WHAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS GOING.

PARTICULARLY DR. SMITH AS YOU HEAD UP THE EQUITY TASK FORCE.

WHY ARE THE ISSUES OF EQUITY IMPORTANT IN DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC?

A LOT OF PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE DISTRUST OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS LED TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS NOT TRUSTING THE VACCINES AND HAVING ONE OF THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATES IN THE NATION.

WHY ARE YOUR ARGUMENTS TO JUSTIFY -- AND WHAT ARE YOUR ARGUMENTS TO JUSTIFY WHY YOUR FELLOW VIRGIN ISLANDERS SHOULD TRUST THE GOVERNMENT IN THEIR EFFORT TO HAVE EVERYONE VACCINATED?

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT´S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU TODAY.

VERY, VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOU SPENDING THE TIME CREATING THIS PLATFORM AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS REALLY CRITICAL DISCUSSION.

I MEAN, YOU MAKE SO MANY OUTSTANDING, IMPORTANT POINTS.

HERE WE ARE 18 MONTHS INTO THE REALLY, REALLY SOME GOOD NEWS TO LIFT UP.

WE HAVE VACCINES THAT ARE EFFECTIVE.

THE VACCINES ARE WORKING TO KEEP US OUT OF THE HOSPITALS, TO KEEP US ALIVE.

REALLY, REALLY CRITICAL THAT THEY´RE FREE, THEY´RE EASY TO GET, THEY´RE CONVENIENT.

WHY THE URGENCY NOW TO GET VACCINATED?

WE´RE DEALING WITH A VARIANT THAT IS UNLIKE MANY OTHER VARIANTS WE´VE SEEN BEFORE.

DELTA IS DIFFERENT.

WE´RE SEEING DELTA AT VERY HIGH RATES OF TRANSMISSION AND CONTAGION.

IT´S SPREADING FURIOUSLY.

WE´RE WORRIED ABOUT THE ABILITY OF OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO KEEP UP.

YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT THE REASONS TO GET VACCINATED IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

CERTAINLY AS YOU SAID, IT´S IMPORTANT FOR US TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND WE KNOW THE VACCINES WILL DO THAT.

IT´S IMPORTANT FOR US TO PROTECT OUR FAMILIES, OUR COMMUNITIES.

AVOIDING LONG COVID, SO IMPORTANT.

I´M A PRACTICING INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT WHO ARE THERE EVERY DAY SHOWING UP TO CARE FOR OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES.

THE WAYS WE SHOW GRATITUDE IS TO DO OUR PART IS TO MAKE SURE THE BEDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO NEED THEM.

WE WANT TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, MAKE SURE YOUR QUESTIONS ARE ASKED AND ANSWERED.

WE RECOGNIZE THE MANY REASONS WHY PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE QUESTIONS, MIGHT BE WONDERING ABOUT IT.

YOU HAVE TO GET INFORMATION THAT YOU TRUST BUT ALSO THAT ARE EXPERT.

THOSE DOCTORS, THE HEALTH CARE, THOSE SCIENTISTS, OTHER TRUSTED LEADERS WHO ARE INVESTED IN YOU AND REALLY, REALLY SO MUCH ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND MISINFORMATION IS OUT THERE.

IT´S NOT TOO LATE.

EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTRY 12 AND OLDER ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINES.

I BRING A MESSAGE TO ENCOURAGE YOU.

WE NEED YOU.

GET VACCINATED.

>> THANK YOU.

DR. NUNEZ SMITH, I TRUST YOU.

YOU ARE A WOMAN.

YOU ARE A WOMAN OF COLOR.

YOU ARE AN EXPERT IN YOUR FIELD AND YOU´RE A VIRGIN ISLANDER BUT MANY OF US IN OUR COMMUNITY DO NOT TRUST THE GOVERNMENT.

WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS THE INTERESTS OF BLACK PEOPLE IN MIND.

I THINK ABOUT PEOPLE ALWAYS GIVING THE TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENT AS AN EXAMPLE, RIGHT.

AS SOMEONE WHO LOOKS AT LOGIC, THAT´S NOT A LOGICAL EXAMPLE BECAUSE THE TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENT WERE A GROUP OF PEOPLE, MEN WHO ALREADY HAD THIS AND STUDYING THE EFFECTS OF NOT GIVING THEM TREATMENT.

THAT´S NOT WHAT´S HAPPENING WITH COVID, RIGHT?

IF YOU FOLLOW THAT LOGIC, WHAT WOULD MAKE IT A BETTER EXPERIMENT IS IF THEY GOT BLACK PEOPLE WHO HAD COVID, PUT THEM IN A FACILITY AND DEPARTMENT GIVE THEM ANY TREATMENT AND WATCH THEM STUDY THE EFFECTS OF THE COVID PANDEMIC ON THEM.

THAT WOULD BE A LOGICAL CORRELATION BETWEEN THE TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENT AND WHAT´S HAPPENING WITH COVID.

WHY SHOULD WE TRUST THE GOVERNMENT WHEN THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED BLACK PEOPLE IN THE PAST?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ENSURE THAT OUR INTERESTS ARE BEING LOOKED AV AND THAT WE ARE SAFE ON YOUR PERCH HEADING UP EQUITY AT THE PRESIDENT´S TASK FORCE?

>> RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF THE U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE OF UNTREATED SYPHILIS.

THAT WAS WITHHOLDING OF CARE.

NOW PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS COME OUT AND SAID THAT MOST CERTAINLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT ALWAYS, AND THAT´S ONE EXAMPLE, TREATED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, PARTICULARLY BLACK PEOPLE, WITH THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE, RIGHT.

AND THE HISTORY AND LEGACY OF MEDICAL EXPERIMENTATION IS ONE.

THERE´S A CONTEMPORARY REALITY ACROSS MULTIPLE SECTORS OF SOCIETY.

AS A PRACTICING PHYSICIAN, SOMEBODY PART OF THAT ADMINISTRATION, I´M ACUTELY AWARE OF THEIR ISSUES OF TRUSTWORTHINESS OR LACK THEREOF BY MANY HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS AND CERTAINLY IN SOME INSTITUTIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THAT´S WHY THE NUMBER ONE POINT IS REBUILDING TRUST WITH A VARIABLE IN THE INDUSTRY.

I´M GRATEFUL YOU BROUGHT UP TUSKEGEE.

PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE AWARE BUT THE DESCENDENTS OF THOSE MEN, THEY HAVE COME OUT PUBLICLY TO SAY, PLEASE GET VACCINATED.

THE REDRESS THAT´S IMPORTANT IS NOT TO DENY OURSELVES THE BENEFIT OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, RIGHT?

THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GO OUT THERE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE.

WE ARE FORTUNATE TO BE IN THIS COUNTRY AND ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE REUNIFY THE INTERGENERATIONAL LEGACY IS TAKING A SIDELINE WHEN THERE ARE LIFE SAVING VACCINES.

I WANT TO MAKE A SPECIAL COMMENT ABOUT TREATMENT BECAUSE THE WAY TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE FROM COVID-19 AND GET VACCINATED, IF ONE GETS INFECTED, THERE ARE TREATMENTS OUT THERE.

PEOPLE KNOW THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE LIFE SAVING.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO REBUILD TRUST WITHOUT A DOUBT.

THAT´S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

WE ARE IN A CRISIS AND THE RISKS OF GETTING COVID-19 FAR OUTWEIGH THE RISKS OF GETTING VACCINATED OR TAKING ANY THERAPIES.

THAT´S THE MESSAGE I´M HOPEFUL PEOPLE HEAR AND HEED.

>> I HAVE ONE LAST QUESTION FOR YOU AND THE SAME FOR DR. LANGFORD TO SEE IF SHE HAS ANYTHING TO ADD TO IT.

ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HEAR FROM PEOPLE IS THAT THE VACCINE CAME OUT TOO QUICKLY.

THAT THIS WAS DEVELOPED TOO FAST AND, THEREFORE, THEY DON´T TRUST IT BECAUSE IT WAS TOO QUICK.

WHAT DO YOU SAY -- WHAT´S YOUR ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION?

>> IT´S GREAT TO BE HERE WITH ALL OF THESE EXPERTS BECAUSE THIS IS A FULL TEAM LIST IN THE COMMUNICATION.

I GET ASKED THIS QUESTION A LOT, TOO, RIGHT AROUND THE VACCINE.

THE REALITY IS THE TECHNOLOGY, WHICH THE VACCINES, THE MESSENGER RNA VACCINES PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

DECADES UNDER MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIONS TOO.

UNDER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND A LOT OF THE TECHNOLOGY WAS ADVANCED.

IT MIGHT BE NEW BECAUSE IT´S NEW TO THE REST OF US, BUT IT´S BEEN IN DEVELOPMENT FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

ANOTHER QUESTION PEOPLE ASK, WHO WAS IN THAT TRIAL?

CAN I SEE MYSELF IN THE SCIENCE THAT DEVELOPED THESE VACCINES?

THANKFULLY THE ANSWER IS, YES.

OVER 30% OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE TRIALS, THESE ARE THE TRIALS THAT TOLD US THERE´S A GOOD CHANCE IT´S GOING TO WORK AND WE´VE SEEN THEM WORK IN THE MIDWEST SETTING.

30% OF FOLKS IDENTIFIED AS PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THAT´S REALLY IMPORTANT AND TO SAY THAT THE SCIENTISTS WHO HELPED DEVELOP, CREATE THE VACCINE, DIVERSE.

THE POLICY MAKERS WHO REVIEWED IT, INDEPENDENT SCIENTISTS, DIVERSE.

REALLY IMPORTANT THERE´S BEEN REPRESENTATION IN THE TRIALS AND LEADERSHIP EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

THE TECHNOLOGY IS NOT NEW AND DECADES IN THE MAKING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I KNOW YOU, DR. LANGFORD, WHEN DR. NUNES SMITH TALKED ABOUT THE CLINICAL TRIALS, YOU HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE WITH REGARD TO THE CLINICAL TRIALS.

CAN YOU SHARE WITH US YOUR EXPERIENCE AND ANY COMMENTS THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE ABOUT WHAT´S BEEN DISCUSSED THUS FAR?

>> SURE.

ABSOLUTELY.

I ACTUALLY WAS A PARTICIPANT IN THE PHASE 1 CLINICAL TRIAL FOR THE PFIZER VACCINE SO I WAS LITERALLY ONE OF 48 PEOPLE TREATED FOR THE TRIAL AT NYU LANGONE HEALTH.

SOME PEOPLE ASKED ME WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I SIGN UP PROACTIVELY TO GET AN EXPERIMENTAL VACCINE AT THE TIME.

>> WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?

>> THE FIRST REASON IS THAT MY DISSERTATION RESEARCH WHILE I WAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ACTUALLY WAS ALL AROUND HOW TO ENHANCE REPRESENTATION OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES IN CLINICAL TRIALS.

I HAVE SAID FOR OVER A DECADE THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST REASONS THAT PEOPLE DON´T PARTICIPATE IS THAT THEY DON´T KNOW ABOUT IT.

A LOT OF TIMES IF YOU ARE A RACIAL OR ETHNIC MINORITY, YOU´RE NOT INVITED.

I´VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR YEARS THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW ABOUT TRIAL OPPORTUNITIES AND TO PARTICIPATE IF IT´S A GOOD CHOICE FOR THEM.

I WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO SCIENCE.

I NOVAK SEENS ARE IMPORTANT.

I HAD A VERY GOOD FRIEND WHO GOT COVID IN APRIL OF 2020.

HE GOT VERY, VERY SICK.

HE WAS HOSPITALIZED.

LUCKILY HE IS BETTER, BUT NOW HE HAS SCAR TISSUE IN HIS LUNGS BECAUSE OF COVID AND A LOT OF LINGERING ISSUES.

I THOUGHT, I´M HEALTHY, VERY BLESSED THAT I´M ABLE TO ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE AND I WANT TO CONTRIBUTE.

THAT´S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I WANTED TO PARTICIPATE.

MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE VERY CONCERNED.

WHAT IF YOU DROP DEAD?

LUCKILY AS YOU CAN SEE, I DID NOT DROP DEAD.

I STAYED HEALTHY.

I GOT MY VACCINATION ACTUALLY IN JULY OF 2020 AS PART OF THE CLINICAL TRIAL.

I WAS VACCINATED FIVE MONTHS BEFORE THE VACCINES WERE AVAILABLE AND I PROACTIVELY CHOSE TO GET THE EXPERIMENTAL -- OR OPTIONAL BOOSTER SHOT THIS YEAR IN MARCH OF 2021 ALSO AS PART OF THE CLINICAL TRIAL.

SO IT´S REALLY BEEN A BLESSING AND VERY INTERESTING TO SEE EVERYTHING COME FULL CIRCLE AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE EARLY STAGE AND NOW SEEING THIS VACCINE THAT´S SAFE, EFFECTIVE, LIFE SAVING AVAILABLE TO THE WORLD.

THAT´S A GIFT AND A BLESSING AND I´M EXCITED THAT I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AND THAT I HAVE THESE KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK TO PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME WHO MAY BE ON THE FENCE ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED, THAT IT´S IMPORTANT.

IT´S A VERY CARING THING TO DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR LOVED ONES.

IT´S A REALLY WISE THING TO DO FOR YOURSELF SO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> DR. LANGFORD AS WELL AS DR. NUNES SMITH.

DR. NUNES SMITH, I KNOW YOU MIGHT HAVE TO LEAVE.

COULD YOU SHARE WITH US, WE TALKED ABOUT EMERGENCY -- YOU USED A PHRASE, EMERGENCY USE OF THE VACCINE.

AND I´VE HEARD INDIVIDUALS SAY THAT IT´S ONLY AUTHORIZED FOR EMERGENCY USE AND I´M NOT GOING TO THAT I CAN UNTIL THE FDA GIVES IT PERMANENT APPROVAL OR THAT IT´S NO LONGER JUST AN EMERGENCY APPROVAL OF THE VACCINE.

CAN YOU TELL US IF THERE´S AN IMPORTANCE TO THAT DIFFERENCE AND WHY SHOULD THAT BE BE -- WHY THAT SHOULD NOT BE A DETERRENT FOR INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE IT?

>> I CAN GET STARTED.

DR. LANGFORD, THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE CLINICAL TRIALS.

WE DON´T OFTEN SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO STEPS UP AND DOES THAT.

THAT IS SUCH A KEY, IMPORTANT ROLE.

EVERY TIME SOMEBODY ASKS ME ABOUT DIVERSITY AND REPRESENTATION IN THE TRIALS, WE CAN SAY, YES, THERE WAS.

WE LOOK TO YOU AND SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT.

YOU IMPORTANTLY RAISED THIS EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION QUESTION.

ANOTHER ONE THAT WE COMMONLY GET AND PEOPLE WONDER DOES THAT MAKE IT EXPERIMENTAL.

IT´S REALLY KEY, I THINK, THAT WE DISCUSS THIS.

THE PROPER FOR ANY VACCINE IS THE FDA PROCESS.

THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL PROCESS.

THESE ARE INDEPENDENT SCIENTISTS WHO REVIEW THE DATA.

NEXT IS THE CDC, THE ACIAP AND THE EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPONENTS.

WE TALK ABOUT SAFETY, WE TALK ABOUT EFFICACY.

THERE´S ALSO QUALITY, THAT VACCINES CAN BE MADE IN A HIGH STANDARD, QUALITY WAY.

EMERGENCY USE IS A PROCESS TO EXPEDITE JUST IN THIS SITUATION.

WE ARE GOING TO START REVIEWING THESE DATA IN REAL TIME UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT PROCESSES WORKING IN PARALLEL.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO SAY IS -- WHICH IS PERHAPS A BIT IRONIC IS WE KNOW THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOSES GIVEN OF THESE VACCINES.

WE HAVE MORE DATA REGARDING SAFETY, EFFICACY, EFFECTIVENESS AND QUALITY THAN WE HAVE FOR MOST THINGS THAT HAVE FULL APPROVAL.

SO AT THIS POINT IN THE PANDEMIC WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EMERGENCY USE, I THINK IT´S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND UNDERSTAND THE FDA IS WORKING VERY AGGRESSIVELY, NOT SKIPPING ANY STEPS AND NO STEPS WERE ESCAPED TO GET TO EUA STATUS.

THERE IS A FAIR AMOUNT OF DATA THAT SAYS SOME PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR THAT.

BUT I WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE BECAUSE DELTA IS HERE, THAT THE URGENCY IS NOW.

EVERY DAY DOES REALLY MATTER.

THE FDA DOES NOT PUT OUT ANYTHING FOR EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION THAT THEY DON´T IN FOR SAFETY, EFFECTIVENESS, EFFICACY AND QUALITY.

I´VE BEEN VACCINATED OF COURSE AND I´M VACCINATING MY CHILDREN, EVERYBODY 12 AND OLDER.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

I THINK IT WAS FASCINATING WHEN YOU SAID THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE TAKING THIS VACCINES MORE INDIVIDUALS THAN WE HAVE FOR A REGULAR FDA APPROVAL ON OTHERS.

SOMETHING THAT YOU MENTIONED WERE CHILDREN.

I HAVE NOT STHARD WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE CHILDREN MYSELF.

BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I ARE VACCINATED AND OUR YOUNGEST CHILD IS 12 YEARS OLD AND TURNED 12 IN JUNE.

WHEN WE ASKED HER WHAT SHE WANTED FOR HER BIRTHDAY, SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO BE VACCINATED, SHE WANTED TO GET BACK TO LIFE.

WE HAVE OLDER CHILDREN AND WHEN WE TALKED WITH HIS PEDIATRICIAN, HEALTH CARE EXPERTS.

SEVERAL DAYS AFTER HER BIRTHDAY WE MADE A BIG DEAL ABOUT TAKING HER TO GET HER VACCINE BECAUSE THAT´S IMPORTANT TO ME AS A PARENT.

I´M GOING TO MAKE JUDGMENTS BASED IN SCIENCE AND BASED IN THE EXPERTISE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MEDICAL EXPERTISE NOT FROM FACEBOOK POSTS, NOT FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT UNDER PEER REVIEW WHEN THEY PUT THEIR OPINIONS, I´M GOING TO DO IT BASED ON THE EXPERTS.

PEDIATRICIANS, CDC, EXPERTS SAY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT´S SAFE FOR CHILDREN THAT ARE 12 AND OLDER.

MY IMPORTANCE AS A PARENT IS TO MAKE SURE MY DAUGHTER IS HEALTHY NOW AND I BELIEVE THAT WE´VE MADE THE BEST DECISION.

BUT, DR. SIMMONS, NOT TO BE OUTDONE IN THIS.

YOU KNOW, WE´VE TALKED TO DR. NUNES SMITH.

NOW I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION.

THERAPY.

FIRST OF ALL, YOU´RE A MEDICAL DIRECTOR AT A FLORIDA HOSPITAL, WHICH IS A HOT SPOT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THE HOSPITAL?

AND BASED ON THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT DECISIONS HAVE YOU MADE FOR YOUR OWN FAMILY.

THEN EXPLAIN WHAT HEARD IMMUNITY IS AND WHY IT´S SO IMPORTANT.

>> THANK YOU.

I WOULD SAY YOUR DAUGHTER HAS DEMONSTRATED QUITE BRILLIANTLY SHE´S ADHERED QUITE WELL AND MADE A WISE DECISION.

>> I AM A PROFESSOR AT ADVENT HEALTH WHICH IS RIGHT IN A WAR ZONE AT THIS TIME.

TO GIVE YOU REAL LIVE NUMBERS AS I SIT HERE IN MY OFFICE, 49% OF OUR 309 BEDS ARE OCCUPIED BY COVID PATIENTS.

WE HAVE A 40 BED ICU ABSOLUTELY FULL.

29 OF THE 40 BEDS ARE FILLED WITH INTUBATED COVID PATIENTS AND THREE WHO ARE INTUBATED IN NONTRADITIONAL SETTINGS.

WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO BE ADMITTED BUT WE HAVE NO ROOM.

SO WE ARE DEFINITELY IN THE THROWS AND THIS IS OUR PATIENCE, MANY OF WHICH -- 98.8% OF WHICH ARE UNVACCINATED.

THIS REALLY AND TRULY HAS BECOME ABOUT THE MEASURE OF PREVENTIBLE DISEASE.

I CAN´T TELL YOU THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS THAT ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO SURVIVE BEING INTUBATED, WAKE UP AND SAY PUBLICLY, I WISH I WOULD HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

THERE´S NO AMOUNT OF BALSAM, LEMON GRASS THAT WILL BRING YOU BACK FROM COVID.

WHAT COULD YOU HAVE DONE TO PREVENT YOU FROM BEING INTUBATED?

WE WERE RIGHT THERE TAKING CARE OF ABOUT 4, 500.

I´M TELLING YOU, MOST WHO WOULD COME TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO RECEIVE CARE, THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WE ARE SEEING HERE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, DICTATES SOUTH FLORIDA AND ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE THERE IS NO PLACE THAT HAS BED CAPACITY OR ICU CAPACITY.

>> I´M SORRY.

>> ON.

>> TO HERD IMMUNITY, IT LITERALLY IS A THRESHOLD BY WHICH WE HAVE ENOUGH PROTECTION SUCH THAT THE VIRUS DOES NOT SPREAD AND THE PROBLEM IS WHEN WE DON´T REACH HERD IMMUNITY, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE UNVACCINATED FOR THE VIRUS TO MUTATE.

THIS IS A NATURAL COURSE OF VIRUSES.

THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE WITHOUT A HOST AND YOU NEED TO CHECK PEOPLE.

WHEN YOU ARE VACCINATED, WHEN YOU HAVE PROTECTION, YOU STILL CAN GET COVID, IT´S JUST THAT THE SYMPTOMS ARE NOT AS SEVERE.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING NOW IS LARGELY PREVENTIBLE AND IT´S UNFORTUNATE THEY´RE MISINFORMED IN ALL SORTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN FINDING THEMSELVES.

>> WHEN YOU SAY THAT, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, YOU TALKED ABOUT 98% OF THOSE WHO ARE IN ICUs WITH THE COVID ARE THE UNVACCINATED BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT MEANS 2% ARE VACCINATED.

I´VE HEARD THE ARGUMENT THAT SAYS THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED CAN STILL CONTRACT COVID?

CAN WE EXPLAIN WHAT´S THE POINT THEN?

DOES THAT GO BACK TO HERD IMMUNITY AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> YOU CAN STILL BE AN ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIER OF COVID, PARTICULARLY THE DELTA VARIANT.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PATIENTS WHO ARE SICK ENOUGH, EVEN IF THEY ARE VACCINATED, SICK ENOUGH TO REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION MUCH LESS INTENSIVE CARE TREENLT, IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER.

MOST IN OUR HOSPITALS TODAY ARE NOT VACCINATED.

THEY´LL GET COVID AND HAVE ACHES OR PAINS FOR A DAY OR TWO AND HOPEFULLY WILL QUARANTINE.

IT IS THOSE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED.

BY THE WAY, IT IS MUCH YOUNGER PEOPLE.

TODAY WE´VE HAD CODES IN OUR INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.

I SPOKE EARLIER TODAY WITH SOME OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS AND THEY WERE SAYING NEVER IN THEIR CAREER HAVE THEY PUT SO MANY PEOPLE IN BODY BAGS AND YET THEY´VE GOT A BET, PREPARE THE BODY FOR THE MORGUE, CLEAN THE ROOM, GET READY TO ADMIT ANOTHER PATIENT.

WE´VE BEEN DOING THE CYCLE FOR A FULL YEAR NOW AND PEOPLE ARE TIRED.

WE´RE DEDICATED.

WE HAVE TO BE SQUARED AWAY IN OUR MINDS AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

DR. LANGFORD, I DON´T KNOW IF YOU HAVE HEARD THIS.

DR. SIMMONS, THIS GOES TO YOU FIRST.

AS A VIRGIN ISLANDER, I KNOW YOUR MOM, LEMON GRASS, NATURAL REMEDIES.

PEOPLE JUICING UP SOMETHING FOR YOU.

I´VE HEARD THE ARGUMENT, I HAVE A GOOD IMMUNE SYSTEM.

I WORK ON MY IMMUNE SYSTEM AND THIS IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT ME BECAUSE I HAVE A JUKE FOR THE COVID.

GOING TO KEEP IT AWAY.

WHAT DO YOU SAY MEDICALLY FOR THAT?

THERE IS A USE OF MEDICINE, HERBS, MEDICINAL HERBS TO SUPPORT DEPRESSION, THE DISEASE.

YOU AS A SCIENTIST USE THOSE IN SOME OF THE MEDICINES YOU CREATE?

WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER TO THOSE WHO TALK ABOUT IT RELATED TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS.

>> WELL, THERE CERTAINLY IS A ROLE IN MOST THINGS BUT IN MODULATION OR HUMAN BOOSTING MICRO NUTRIENTS.

SUPPLEMENTS.

HOWEVER, CORONAVIRUS IS A NOVEL VIRUS.

THE EARTH HAS NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE 2019.

IT IS SO SEVERE, THE WAY IT TAKES OVER LUNG FUNCTION AND IMPAIRS AND CAUSES AN INTENSE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE THAT IT SCARS THE LUNG.

THE DEATH OF COVID IS AIR STARVATION.

THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF NUTRIENT TO CUT THAT.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO NOT BE THE BETA TESTER THEMSELVES TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE JUICED FOR WILL PROTECT THEM.

I AM SEEING TOO MANY PEOPLE DYE WHO ARE YOUNG, HAVE THE MENTALITY.

I WORK OUT, I EXERCISE, I EAT WELL.

IF I GET IN, THAT´S PRETTY FALSE.

IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IT WILL PROVE TO BE FALSE AS WELL.

SO MANY VIRGIN ISLANDERS HAVE CO-MORBID CONDITIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

DR. LANGFORD, I SAW YOU NODDING YOUR HEAD YES.

>> YES.

I WOULD SAY 1,000% AGREE WITH DR. SIMMONS.

I WOULD SAY THAT WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT THIS AS BOTH.

>> Andy: NOT EITHER/OR.

EVERYTHING THAT WAS IMPORTANT BEFORE COVID.

IT´S REALLY GOOD TO MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT, IT´S GOOD TO GET EXERCISE, IT´S GOOD TO EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

IT´S GOOD TO DRINK WATER.

IT´S GOOD TO GO OUTSIDE AND GET FRESH AIR AND SUNSHINE.

IT IS GOOD TO GET PROPER SLEEP.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT STEPS TO KEEP YOU WELL AND HEALTHY REGARDLESS OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT VACCINES ARE ALSO HERE TO HELP YOU STAY HEALTHY AND PREVENT DISEASE.

THEY´RE NOT EITHER/OR.

YOU SHOULD BE DOING BOTH OF THEM.

MY REALLY GOOD FRIEND WHO GOT SICK FROM COVID, LUCKILY HE RECOVERED BUT HE STILL HAS SCAR TISSUE IN HIS LUNGS.

HE IS YOUNG.

HE IS HEALTHY?

VERY, VERY YOUNG AND HEALTHY.

THE VIRUS DOESN´T SAY YOU TAKE A PARTICULAR TEA AND YOU DON´T.

IT´S AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INFECTOR.

WE NEED TO USE ALL OF THE TOOLS WE CAN TO HELP PREVENT THIS DISEASE.

ALSO DOING ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR MANAGING HEALTH ALL THE TIME.

IF YOU HAVE CHRONIC CONDITIONS, YOU NEED TO FOLLOW A PLAN OF ACTION AND STAY AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE.

COVID IS A TERRIBLE DISEASE TO GET.

WE HAVE A TOOL THAT WILL HELP US NOT GET INFECTED AND I REALLY HOPE THAT WE ALL TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO STAY WELL AND TO KEEP OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WELL AT THE SAME TIME.

>> OKAY.

NOW I´M GOING TO GO THROUGH SOME QUICKLY.

THEY´RE GIVING ME SIGNALS I DON´T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

SOME OF THE MYTHS I´M GOING TO ASK YOU IF YOU CAN SUCCINCTLY GIVE ME A RESPONSE TO THIS.

WILL THE COVID-19 VACCINE ALTER MY DNA?

>> NO.

>> UNEQUIVOCALLY, NO.

>> WHY NOT?

>> A COMPLICATED EXPLANATION BUT THE WAY mRNA VACCINES ARE MADE, PFIZER, MODERNA, JOHNSON & JOHNSON, IT´S IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE VACCINES TO ALTER YOUR DNA JUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THEY´RE MADE.

>> OKAY.

CAN YOU RECEIVE THE COVID-19 -- CAN RECEIVING A COVID-19 VACCINE CAUSE YOU TO BE MAGNETIC?

>> I´M NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS BUT THAT´S SOMETHING THE PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE SAYING.

>> THIS CAME FROM SOME VIDEOS THAT HAVE BEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

AGAIN, I SEE NOTHING AT ALL THAT MAKES THAT TRUE.

>> DOES THE COVID-19 VACCINE CAUSE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION OR INFERTILITY?

YOU SMILED AT THE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION ONE, HUH?

>> PERHAPS IF WE TOLD MEN THEY COULD BREATHE LONGER AND PERFORM BETTER AND NOT BE IMPOTENT THEY WOULD BE MORE POTENTIAL OF GETTING IT.

>> MY OLDEST SON, I TOLD HIM IT WILL AFFECT YOU IF YOU GET COVID.

>> YOU´RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

YOU SAID YOU WERE A LEGAL EXPERT AND NOW YOU´RE SHOWING SOME MEDICAL EXPERTISE.

>> I READ WELL.

PEER REVIEWED MEDICAL REPORTS, NOT FROM WHATSAPP VIDEOS.

WHAT ABOUT INFERTILITY.

I KNOW PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

PEOPLE DON´T WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO HAVE IT BECAUSE THEY´RE AFRAID THEIR CHILDREN WILL BE INFERTILE LATER ON.

>> THERE´S NO EVIDENCE THAT THE VACCINES IMPACT FERTILITY.

ALL OF THE MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO HAVE A BABY IT´S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BE WELL AND HEALTHY.

THERE´S NO EVIDENCE AT ALL TO SUGGEST THAT IT´S GOING TO AFFECT YOUR PERFECT TILL THE OR YOUR CHILDREN´S FERTILITY AT ALL.

>> WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT AND HAVE COVID HAVE A HIGHER RISK OF DEATH AND DYING.

ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN PREGNANT KNOWS THE BABY OCCUPIES A GREAT AMOUNT OF SPACE.

COVID MAKES THAT WORK.

NOT ONLY DOES IT NOT AFFECT FERTILITY, BUT IT PREVENTS YOU FROM GETTING COVID.

>> WHAT ABOUT BREAST FEEDING MOTHERS?

>> YEAH.

>> IS THERE ANY -- HAS THE CDC OR ANYONE COME OUT ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT INDIVIDUALS BREAST FEEDING SHOULD HAVE THE VACCINE, NOT TAKE THE VACCINE?

>> NO.

>> YOU GUYS ARE REAL SUCCINCT NOW.

MAYBE A LITTLE TOO SUCCINCT ON THESE ANSWERS.

EVERYTHING THAT I´VE SEEN REPEATEDLY OUT THERE IS THAT VACCINATED PEOPLE ARE THE ONES SPREADING COVID.

HAVE YOU HEARD THAT?

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> VACCINATED PEOPLE CAN SPREAD COVID.

ASYMPTOMATIC PEOPLE CAN AS WELL.

PEOPLE ACROSS THE BOARD ARE SPREADING IT, AFRICAN-AMERICANS SPREADING IT.

THE REALITY IS THAT THE SPREAD IS DETECTED BY THE SAME MECHANISM.

VACCINATION, MASKING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PIECE IS TO GET VACCINATED.

>> THE BOOSTER SHOT.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK ABOUT THAT?

SHOULD INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED TAKE THE BOOSTER SHOT?

BUT THEN EVEN MORE FUNDAMENTALLY, IF PEOPLE DISCUSS OH, WELL SEE NOT ONLY BOOSTER SHOTS FOR VACCINE DON´T WORK, IT AIN´T WORKING IF YOU HAVE TO GET A BOOSTER SHOT.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT?

>> SO THAT´S NOT TRUE.

THERE ARE OTHER EXAMPLES OF VACCINES THAT YOU GET BOOSTERS SO THAT´S NOT A NOVEL CONCEPT.

>> LIKE WHAT?

WHAT OTHER VACCINES DO YOU HAVE TO GET A BOOSTER FOR?

>> LIKE TETANUS.

IT´S ESCAPING MY MIND THE OTHER ONES.

THAT COMES TO MY MIND QUICKLY.

I´M EXCITED BOOSTERS ARE AVAILABLE.

THEY´LL BE PRIORITIZING BOOSTERS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM MAY NOT HAVE HAD A ROBUST REACTION TO THAT.

THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WILL BE PRIORITIZED FIRST.

AGAIN, COVID DISEASE IS REALLY TERRIBLE AND I´M GLAD THAT WE HAVE MORE TOOLS TO HELP KEEP PROTECTION OVER A LONGER AMOUNT OF TIME.

I´M VERY ACTUALLY EXCITED THAT BEHAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE BOOSTERS IN THE FUTURE.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT WHOLE HEARTEDLY.

IN OUR FACILITY, 80% ARE VACCINATED.

WE HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE WAIT THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME BEFORE YOU GET IT.

THE IMMUNITY IS SOMETHING THAT FADES AFTER SIX MONTHS.

SO AT SIX MONTHS AND BEYOND I WOULD CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO GET VACCINATED TO GET A BOOSTER SHOT SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE PROTECTION BECAUSE, AGAIN, THE VARIANTS ARE BEING PRODUCED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE PRODUCED IN THE UNVACCINATED.

TO THE POINT OF WHAT OTHER VIRUSS DO YOU GET VACCINATED FOR?

YOU GET INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS EVERY YEAR.

THOSE ARE BASED ON THE MOST WICKET, VIRULENT STRAINS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO FIGHT IT WITHOUT SUCCUMBING TO IT.

>> DR. SIMMONS, I DON´T TAKE THE FLU VACCINE SO WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO TAKE THIS ONE?

OTHER PEOPLE TAKE THAT FLU VACCINE, THAT´S OLD PEOPLE.

I DON´T TAKE THE FLU VACCINE EVERY DAY.

I´M PLAYING DEVIL´S ADVOCATE.

>> I WOULD WELCOME THOSE FOLKS TO COME AND TAKE A TOUR OF MY ICU AND SEE THE NUMBER OF 20 AND 30-YEAR-OLDS WITH A TUBE DOWN THEIR THROAT AND WHO ARE DIEING WITHOUT THEIR FAMILY SEEING THEY WILL.

I LIVE IT EVERY DAY, MY TEAM LIVES IT EVERY DAY.

>> ONE OF MY REALLY GOOD FRIENDS, MY COLLEAGUE FROM BROOKLYN, SHE REPRESENTS ONE OF THE MOST HEAVILY CARIBBEAN DISTRICTS IN NEW YORK CITY AND, YOU KNOW, I´M TELLING HER THE CHALLENGES WE´RE HAVING, NOT JUST IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BUT OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS WITH PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED.

WHAT´S IT LIKE IN YOUR DISTRICT BECAUSE YOU HAVE SO MANY CARIBBEAN PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED.

SHE´S LIKE, SIS, WE CAN´T KEEP THE VAC SEERCH.

I´M LIKE, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE DIFFERENCE IS?

SHE WAS LIKE, WELL, WE´VE SEEN THE BODY BAGS IN BROOKLYN.

WE WERE THE EPICENTER.

WE REALIZE THIS IS NOT ABOUT JUST US, NOT ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, IT´S ABOUT PROTECTING OTHERS AND NOT JUST YOURSELF.

>> THE TURNING POINT IS GOING TO BE WHEN THEY OPEN IT UP AND THEY WILL MAKE IT UP.

IT IS A DAUNTING TASK TO EVEN THINK ABOUT.

I THINK THAT´S IT.

>> AND I LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY AND I DEFINITELY DON´T WANT A REPEAT OF 2020.

I DISTINCTLY RECALL HEARING SIRENS LIKE ALL THE TIME BECAUSE I´M VERY CLOSE TO A HOSPITAL.

I´M VERY CLOSE TO A FIRE HOUSE AND I WOULD REALLY JUST ENCOURAGING PEOPLE, WE DO NOT WANT TO BE BURYING PEOPLE.

WE DON´T WANT TO BE BURYING CHILDREN.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY NOW AND WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

HERE´S ANOTHER MYTH THAT WE HEAR.

DO ANY OF THE COVID-19 VACCINES AUTHORIZE THEIR COMPONENTS.

>> SHED OR RELEASE.

>> YEAH.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE NOTION THAT THERE ARE RECEPTORS IN THE VACCINE THAT ARE PUT IN PEOPLE AND AT SOME POINT THE GOVERNMENT WILL TURN THOSE ON AND INDIVIDUALS WILL BE TURNED INTO ZOMBIES OR SOMETHING ELSE.

>> OKAY.

SO STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

IT´S INTERESTING.

I HEARD SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF THAT AS WELL, BUT PEOPLE HAVE CELL PHONES.

YOU KNOW, FACEBOOK I THINK IS ALWAYS SPYING ON ME.

EVERY TIME I GO THERE I GET A NEW AD.

THE WORLD THAT I´M MUCH MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THAN THESE THINGS THAT YOU ARE SAYING.

I´M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

I´M CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE STAYING OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE COVID VACCINE COMPONENTS OF IT CHANGING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM SO THAT YOU BECOME DEPENDENT ON VACCINES AND OTHER COMPONENTS?

>> NO, VACCINE DEPENDENCY IS AN OXYMORON.

ONE WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD RECEIVE THIS ADDITIONAL PERSONAL PROTECTION.

MICRO PARTICLES, YOU CAN´T MOVE IT.

THE AMOUNT OF CHANGE, THE PROTECTION, THE ROWELLS ARE SEEING WHAT IS YOU BE RECOGNIZABLE AND HAVE A CHANCE TO FIGHT IT.

LITERALLY A VERY MINUTE EXPOSURE TO THE BINDING PROTEIN THAT THE VIRUS NEEDS TO GAIN ACCESS IN THE BODY SO THAT THE VIRUS HAS TO COME OUT.

THE PATIENTS TODAY ARE NOT VACCINATED.

THOSE THAT ARE VACCINATED EVEN IF THEY DO GET IT WILL NOT SUCCUMB.

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PUTTING MINUTE PARTICLES, PEOPLE I´VE HEARD SAY YOU THAT ARE PUTTING THE VIRUS IN PEOPLE IN THE VACCINE.

>> THERE IS NO LIVE VIRUS IN ANY OF THE VACCINES APPROVED FOR EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION.

THERE´S NO LIVE VACCINE IN JOHNSON & JOHNSON OR PFIZER.

NO LIVE VACCINE IN MODERNA.

IT´S IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO GET COVID-19 VACCINE.

>> WHAT ABOUT I´VE HEARD FROM SOME SPEC TORS WHO ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE THEY´RE PRO LIFE.

THEY CAN´T TAKE THE VACCINE BECAUSE IT WILL HAVE FETUSES IN THE VACCINE.

>> THAT´S UNTRUE.

>> YEAH.

>> THAT´S ANOTHER SCARE TACTIC.

>> WHAT DOES IT CONTAIN?

>> THE PFIZER AND THE MODERNA VACCINE CONTAIN MESSENGER R THAT ARE AROUND THE BODY TO SEE IT AND TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT THE BINDING AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS AN ADENO VIRUS.

TO BE EXPOSED FOR SOMETHING, TO BE PRIMED AND THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN ACTUALLY MANIFEST THESE FROM THE HEAT OF THE MESSENGER RNA.

>> WELL, THOSE WERE THE MAJORITY OF OUR -- I HAD MY STAFF GO OUT, SCOUR, TRY TO FIND THE QUESTIONS.

>> YOU DID A NICE JOB.

>> I WAS DOING GOOD, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> TEAM PLASKITT.

>> I WANTED TO LET YOU GUYS HAVE THE LAST WORD.

AT THE END OF THIS WE´RE GOING TO GIVE A LIST OF COVID LOCATIONS IN THE AREA.

YOU CAN BOOK AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING 340-777-8227.

340-777-8237 IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BOOKING -- I´M SORRY, 340-777-82227 IF YOU WANT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND VISIT, FIND OUT LOCATIONS FOR THE VACCINATION BY VISITING COVID19USVI.COM/VACCINES.

I´M GOING TO LET YOU GUYS GIVE HIM THE LAST WORD.

DR. SIMMONS, GO THERE.

DR. LANGFORD, YOU GO FIRST.

IF YOU HAVE ANY CLOSING WORDS FOR US.

>> SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I JUST WANT TO SAY I´M VERY HOPEFUL OF OUR FUTURE.

I THINK PEOPLE -- MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HESS TENT BUT I THINK FORUMS LIKE THIS GIVE PEOPLE MORE CONFIDENCE TO GO OUT AND GET VACCINATED.

I HOPE YOU ALL CONSIDER SERIOUSLY GETTING VAC KUWAITED.

MY LAST THOUGHT IS CONTINUING WHAT YOU´RE SHARING.

IF YOU DON´T KNOW WHO IT´S COMING FROM, YOU HAVEN´T TREAD, IT DOESN´T COME FROM A REPUTABLE PLACE OR THE LOCATION.

GO.

IF YOU CAN´T VERIFY IT AND IF YOU HAVEN´T READ IT AND IT DOESN´T COME FROM A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL OR PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, DON´T SHARE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, I JUST AM REMINDED, I´VE TOLD PEOPLE THAT IN THE UNITED STATES WE HAVE AN ONSLAUGHT OF BOTTS AND OTHER COUNTRIES SENDING MISINFORMATION.

RUSSIANS.

>> PARTICULARLY TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

FOR THEM NOT TO GET VACCINATED.

THAT SHOULD TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINES THAT THE RUSSIANS ARE DIRECTLY US LOOKING NOT TO BE VACCINATED DURING THIS TIME.

I USUALLY CLOSE OUT MYSELF BUT I´M GOING TO LET THIS DOCTOR WHO I´M GOING TO REVEAL IS NOT JUST ANYBODY TO ME.

DR. HARD SIMMONS, MY BROTHER.

SAINT CROIX.

>> HIS MOM AND MY DAD ARE BRAERS AND SISTERS.

AND MY FAMILY IS SO ENORMOUSLY PROUD OF HIM AND THE WORK THAT HE´S DOING.

FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR WIFE DO, THE FACT THAT IF THERE IS EVER A CRISIS, THE MEDICAL WORK YOU NEED, YOU MADE IT A POINT TO COME.

YOU´RE ALL OVER AND IF YOU COULD CLOSE OUT WITH A MESSAGE TO YOUR FELLOW VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I AM A NATIVE SON AND I WOULDN´T WANT YOU TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I EXPERIENCE AND MY TEAM EXPERIENCES EVERY DAY.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE, THE RESPONSIBLE CHOICE.

HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS ARE STRETCHED RIGHT NOW.

PART OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING BAD DECISIONS AND WE TRAIN FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE AT THEIR MOST VULNERABLE.

BECAUSE OF THE DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN THAT TRUST HAS BEEN ERODED AND PEOPLE ARE DIEING SO PLEASE, PLEASE.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

GO AND GET VACCINATED.

IT´S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> SO THANK YOU.

THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW I TOLD YOU I WAS GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO WERE EXPERT IN THIS AREA.

I´M NOT AN EXPERT IN THIS AREA.

NEITHER ARE MANY OF US WHO ARE SHARING INFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO LET THE MEDICAL EXPERTS SPEAK TO US AND EXPERTS WHO HAVE COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS AND WHO HAS REACHED THE PINNACLE.

TO DR. LANGFORD WHO CARES SO MUCH ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY BUT SHE RAISES HER HAND AS A SCIENTIST TO BE INVOLVED IN THE CLINICAL TRIALS IN THE VACCINE AND DR. ALEX SIMMONS WHO WAS BORN RIGHT HERE.

HAS DONE THE RESEARCH, DONE THE WORK TO NOT ONLY BE AN EXPERT IN HIS FIELD BUT TO BE HEADING UP THE MEDICAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN FLORIDA IN WHAT IS NOW THE MEDICAL EPICENTER, WAR ZONE AGAINST THE VACCINE.

TAKING A VACCINE IS NOT JUST ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, WE´RE TRYING TO REACH HERD IMMUNITY TO PROTECT EVERYONE.

WE CAN´T BE SHOCKED, SAD, UPSET WHEN WE HEAR ABOUT OUR FAVORITE ARTIST, PRO MOTOR.

THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE IN OUR HOME UNTIL WE REACH HERD IMMUNITY.

NO, I DON´T BELIEVE IT IS A PERSONAL DECISION.

IT IS MY BUSINESS IF YOU ARE VACCINATED.

IT IS ALL OF OURS BUSINESS UNTIL WE REACH HEARD IMMUNITY AND REACH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND MOVE ON TO PROSPERITY.

THANK YOU ALL.

STAY VI STRONG AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ ♫♫ >> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.