A little bit church off of DC 295 continued its century-old mission because it held a vaccination clinic to assist its surrounding neighborhood — which has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
The church, Zion Baptist Church of Eastland Gardens, has known as its present location residence for 50 of its 113 years. Though pews had been empty Saturday, neighborhood teams had been targeted on filling the seats on the clinic on the opposite facet of the home of worship.
Pastor Smith T. Banks grew up locally and church, which he would ultimately come to steer.
“Over time you begin to see folks’s struggles, notably with Covid that simply occur and happen, folks dropping jobs,” Banks mentioned.
The D.C. Division of Well being statistics present that there have been 52 deaths from COVID-19 since June 1. All however a kind of victims had been African American, and 61% of the individuals who died lived in Wards 7 and eight. African Individuals make up 77% of all coronavirus deaths within the District.
Saturday’s well being truthful is a method these statistics are being addressed.
“You may’t get any extra divisive in a dialog about vaccines and the unvaccinated. We simply need people to know that the science behind it, we’re going to help you someway,” Banks mentioned.
In addition to vaccinations, there was a meals giveaway, a neighborhood bike trip and dietary counseling supplied on the truthful.
“I simply are available with easy logic. I say, ‘Hey, let’s have a look at, what does your day appear to be? Are you getting sufficient sleep, are you consuming water?’” wellness coach Harvey Johnson mentioned.
For Banks, it’s all a part of the true mission of any church, one which goes past the pews and the pulpit.
“We’re simply making an attempt to indicate them the advantages to good well being, long-lasting well being, watching your grandkids develop up,” he mentioned.
