BY: Liliana Rocio, Senior Editor for World Liberty TV

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan; NYC Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long; Mayor’s Office of Ethnic & Community Media Executive Director José Bayona will hold an ethnic and community media roundtable on Monday, July 25th at noon at City Hall to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 response and vaccination in our communities.

Close to 50 media outlets were in attendance, known as ethnic and community media. Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, went on to say he was very happy to do a roundtable, because ethnic and community media, are sometimes forgotten as main stream media is always given the opportunity.

He also went on to say that , it is very important for our media get this very important use back to our communities and educate everyone about COVID, and the update.

Mayor’s Office of Ethnic & Community Media Executive Director José Bayona, was the moderator, for the roundtable and did a great job, of giving each media outlet in attendance an opportunity to ask an question with Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan; NYC Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long.

A lot of the questions were about, if it is still mandatory to wear masks since the COVID, cases have been on the increase in New York City.  Dr. Ashwin Vasan, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner, went on to say that it is important to wear the masks on the trains, where MTA has made it mandatory, also at large gatherings, he went on to say I really don’t want to wear a mask because, its not that I like it, but I must wear it to keep myself safe and people around me.

Many other questions were about quick rapid testing kits, how effective they were in detecting COVID variants once used. Additional question was asked by our Chief Editor, Dr Adal Hussain, he asked what was the process once an adult gets effected with COVID, What was the next step, also if a child gets infected with COVID, what medicines he has to take to get better. The Commissioner answered it fully, you can watch it in our World Liberty TV, COVID Channel by Clicking here.

Also questions were asked about Monkeypox, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan went on to say , Cases of Monkeypox are increasing in NYC.Monkeypox is a rare, viral infection that does not usually cause serious illness. However, it can result in hospitalization or death. That’s why health officials in New York, the U.S., and around the world are monitoring cases of monkeypox in areas that do not usually report monkeypox infections, including in New York State.

While New Yorkers should not be alarmed, everyone should stay informed about the monkeypox virus. This means understanding the symptoms, how it spreads, and what to do if you are exposed.

Anyone can get and spread monkeypox. The current cases are primarily spreading among social networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. If you have multiple or anonymous sex partners, your likelihood of exposure is high. If you have a new or unexpected rash or sores, contact a health care provider.

It was a very informative roundtable, many things discussed and many questions answered, see more in our World Liberty TV, Political Channels and blogs by clicking here.