UAB Briefs: Statement about George Floyd, Meals for Heroes, transit tips

In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

We also provide updates regarding the university's efforts to cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 18, the school released its plan for a gradual reopening of the campus beginning May 26.

To read the plan, or to find other COVID-19 updates and health information, visit uab.edu/coronavirus.

UAB STATEMENT

Nearly 30 UAB officials, including President Ray L. Watts, several vice presidents and numerous deans, signed a statement June 1 regarding the death of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man, at the hands of the police in Minneapolis last week.

“The senseless murder of George Floyd — fueled by racism and hate — is tragic, unacceptable and not isolated,” according to the statement.

The recent killings of Floyd and African-Americans Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery “show a disturbing pattern and are proof that an intentional focus on the values we espouse as members of the UAB community are needed now,” the statement says.

Those values are Integrity, respect, accountability, diversity and inclusiveness, according to the statement.

The officials also note what they call the “systemic health disparities” faced by the African American and Latinx communities during the COVID-19 pandemic — disparities which they say are being addressed by the UAB School of Medicine.

Officials urge people to “be a difference for positive change” and encourage the school’s students, faculty and staff to make use of the resources offered by UAB Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The co-signers also say that they “are proud of and affirm” the condemnation of these killings offered by the student government association at UAB.

FEEDING FRONTLINE WORKERS

Meals for Heroes, a campaign launched April 1 to feed frontline health care workers caring for coronavirus patients, raised about $76,000 and served about 16,000 meals in less than five weeks, according to UAB Media Relations.

The campaign — a collaboration between UAB Advancement and the UAB Department of Food and Nutrition Services — helped to feed providers and administrative staff at UAB Hospital and the COVID-19 testing site whose long shifts and busy schedules often left them no time to buy food.

“The donation of meals through Meals for Heroes provided meals to lab personnel on April 20, during National Lab Appreciation Week,” said Sherry Polhill, associate vice president for Hospital Laboratories, Respiratory Care and Pulmonary Function Services at UAB Medicine.

Meals for Heroes used gifts to place orders with local restaurants and caterers in an effort to help support community partners and bolster Birmingham businesses.

Numerous companies, including Milo’s Tea Co., Jimmy John’s and Newk’s, provided in-kind meal donations.

“The outpouring of support from churches, synagogues, restaurants, businesses and individuals in our community has been amazing,” said Charlotte Beeker, associate vice president for Food, Nutrition and Guest Services at UAB Medicine.

The Meals for Heroes campaign closed in early May, but there was a remaining balance of $21,00 that was to be used to continue feeding health care workers, Bekker said.

A SAFER BUS RIDE

For those riding buses and other public transportation, the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus is a legitimate concern.

However, Dr. David O. Freedman, professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UAB, shares some tips for traveling in the safest way possible.

“First and foremost, wearing a mask at all times is a critical way to protect yourself and others,” Freedman said. He also suggests that people eat or drink before or or after they ride transit to avoid removing the mask in a high-risk situation.

Freedman suggests that riders carry sanitizing wipes to sterilize any seat or handle they may touch. He also suggests trying to stay in one place throughout the ride to minimize the amount of contact with others.

“Carrying hand sanitizer when traveling to clean your hands right before and right after the ride, will keep you safe and provide peace of mind during your commute,” Freedman said.

Social distance is also important, even on a bus, Freedman said. Riders should sit or stand as far away from others as they can.

This includes staying at least 6 feet from others when entering and exiting the ride, at ticket stations and in other high-traffic areas riders may find themselves in during the journey.

“It does go against our human nature; but in these times, it’s important to minimize interactions with others in high-trafficked, public spaces,” Freedman said.