Health
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The Root Joins PBS' Independent Lens and the film Bedlam for a Discussion on Mental Health and Mass Incarceration
The numbers are staggering. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than one in five adults—essentially 40 million Americans—are living with mental illness, including severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, severe depression and bipolar disorder, of which I, too, am a sufferer. But when it comes to me, someone who enjoys a great career…
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Sabrina Elba Tests Positive for COVID-19, Explains Her Decision Not to Self-Isolate From Idris
If there’s anyone who is going to use the extra time that comes with social distancing in order to be more productive, it’s Oprah Winfrey. “Like millions of people all over the world, I’ve been staying safer at home for over a week now,” Oprah tweeted on Saturday. “I know a lot of people are…
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We're Just Not Built for This (and It's Fine to Admit That)
When faced with a life-altering and potentially life-ending crisis—a cancer diagnosis, for instance, or a terrorist attack—the performance of resilience can be an anesthetic; an anxiety-engulfing balm that allows us to make space for an effective counter-punch. Also, it just feels good to tell ourselves and others that “We got this” and “We’re built for…
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Scary Hours: Drake Reportedly Self-Isolating After Partying With Kevin Durant, Who Tested Positive for the Coronavirus
Drake is ubiquitous. Be it the Billboard charts, the clubs, or your girl’s DMs, the 6 God ain’t hard to find because much like the coronavirus, he’s pulling up and showing out every-damn-where. To that end, being Mr. Congeniality has its pitfalls, as the Independent reports that the Grammy Award-winning rapper is laying low in…
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Some Observations I Observed During My Trip to Target Today in the Midst of These Pandemic Times
I went to Target today. Actually, I went to PetSmart and Target today because one of our fish went to be with his ancestors and one of my kids was despondent over this fact. Now, we told him that because he was sick that Petco came to pick him up when the UPS guy stopped…
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Celebrities Clearly Have Ample Access to COVID-19 Tests. What About Everyone Else?
Access to healthcare isn’t universal in this country, but access to the coronavirus certainly is. As I recently expressed when Idris Elba confirmed he had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus strain, realizing celebrities weren’t immune to contracting the virus was a sobering reminder. However, as we heard celebrity after…
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Wu-Tang Is for the Children…and Adults Who Need to Learn About Coronavirus Precautions
Wu-Tang is for the children, but who’s to say adults don’t need some guidance, too? Especially, when you consider the various ways in which people have been reacting to local social distancing mandates. As many across the world gear up for such social distancing in order to halt the further spreading of COVID-19, the disease…
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The Black Person's Guide to the Coronapocalypse
There is an old black saying that goes: “When white folks catch a cold, black people get pneumonia.” Now that white folks are catching the coronavirus, what will black folks get? Coronavirus Ultra? Heinekenfluenza? Stella Artoirthritis? While we may not worry about missing the St. Patrick’s day parade, shaking hands at CPAC or sharing a…
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Preparing for Outbreaks Like Coronavirus Is Always Difficult. For Marginalized Communities, It’s Crucial
In the last few days, there have been a number of shifts in the current COVID-19 outbreak that have put the world on even greater alert and made the declaration of a pandemic almost inevitable. At the time I write this, there have been more than 80,000 cases confirmed across the globe (pdf). Brazil has…
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An Open Letter to the (White) Men in Airport Restrooms Who Refuse to Wash Their Hands
Hey Thad. It is Thad, right? How did I know that was your name? Lucky guess, I guess. Anyway, I know you’re in a rush. We’re in Gate A and your flight to Austin boards in 22 minutes from Gate E, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport is arbitrarily and unnecessarily massive, so I’ll keep this…