For anyone ranting about COVID and protests... I’m a doctor who cares a lot about COVID. I care about human life more than anything. But I agree with the protests. And I want to share my perspective.
I’ve literally watched patients DIE of COVID. My niece has Leukemia and is immunocompromised. I care VERY much about the spread of coronavirus and care deeply about the health and safety of protestors. Especially in black populations that have been disproportionately effected.
BUT we all just watched George Floyd get MURDERED. He is one of MANY black people who have suffered from systemic racism and social injustice that has plagued our country for far too long. Yes, many of us who haven’t been, should have been fighting this long ago.
But NO ONE can say that what is happening now isn’t leading to change. Protesters now are demanding an end to racism, police brutality, and the attitudes and policies that allow both to exist.
Before George was Breonna Taylor, Sean Reed, Tony McDade and Ahmaud Arbery. Before that there was Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, and countless more. It’s horrible. So the outrage felt by many in our nation is justified. And now... the protests DO feel like they are creating change
Every state in the US has had protests speaking out for #blacklivesmatter. The protesters who have turned out over the past week also seem to be more aware of structural racism, and prepared to combat it.
Already in many states, after Floyd’s death, now police officers are banned from using chokeholds, and are required to report other officers they see using chokeholds and to intervene in such cases.
Changes in Minneapolis now require more timely discipline decisions and allow for civilian audits of bodycam footage. Many states are now working to dramatically rethink how they approach public safety and emergency response.
There is A LOT of work that has to be done. But it’s a start. It’s a movement. And it’s important. It doesn’t have to be COVID or protests for social justice. We can care about BOTH. I went to two protests in Philly this week and never once was I within 6 ft of anyone.
Almost every single person was masked. There were medical students from Temple, Jeff, and Penn, handing out masks, hand sanitizer and water for anyone that needed it. There has been a lot of pain but also a lot of unity.
And as I stood there with two of my friends who have been fighting for this for so long, they said thank you for being here. It meant something to them for us to SHOW UP for them. My friends of color can’t constantly carry the weight of all of this on their own. We have to help.
And of course we have to make systemic changes that last far longer than the protests will. But as a millennial who knows a lot of other millennials, we have NEVER felt so ready for change.
So I ask, for anyone criticizing the protests because of COVID - listen, I care about coronavirus too. But instead of distracting from the important underlying topic here: racial injustice... help. Help by sharing on social media SAFE ways to protest and prevent the spread.
Go to a protest and hand out masks, hand sanitizer and encourage social distancing. Support black owned businesses and amplify the voices of black physicians and nurses and healthcare providers and educators. I care about coronavirus and support the protests. You can too.
Applies to the majority of us🙏 #blacklivesmatter 
