PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — On a special edition of Flashpoint LIVE taped before a virtual audience, host Cherri Gregg takes a look back at the pandemic, a year after its start, and asks the burning questions about lessons learned.
When government failed to help Black Americans who were getting sick and dying from COVID-19, Black churches, Black doctors, non-profits, community groups and individuals with resources stepped up.
Guests include Rev. Marshall Mitchell and Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, who joined other pastors of Black churches that joined forces with the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium to fill the void when the community needed it most.
Mitchell was on the front lines working to organize and use the influence of local church leaders to set up testing sites. Waller tested positive for COVID-19 at one of the events and used the circumstance to spread awareness and dispel myths.
The "Twin Sister Docs," Drs. Elana McDonald and Delana Wardlaw, are identical twin sisters who work to eliminate health disparities in Black communities.
They are respected physicians and worked for a while with the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, but have used their own platform to promote accurate information on COVID-19, vaccines and preventative healthcare.
Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia joins the show. Guaracino is a leader in the hospitality and tourism industry and his organization markets the city.
He discusses the challenges businesses in Philadelphia have faced during the pandemic, how they are working to shift them and how the recovery cash coming to Philadelphia will help.
Finally, Jen and Robert Morris, owners of Cupcakeology, tell the story of their successful cupcake business in Collingdale, Delaware County. The closures from the pandemic brought their community out and the business thrived.
However, both of them contracted COVID-19, which threw them for a loop. However, it also showed them they needed to pivot to help other small businesses through the coronavirus storm.
This episode of Flashpoint is sponsored by Patriot Home Care, the leading provider of home care services across the state of Pennsylvania. Patriot Home Care is now accepting caregivers and new clients virtually.
Flashpoint airs every Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KYW Newsradio 103.9FM and 1060AM. It also airs at 5 a.m. Sundays on B101FM and WPHT 1210AM, at 6 a.m. on WOGL 98.1 and TDY 96.5 and 6:30a.m. on 94.1 WIP.
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