[ad_1]
At first, Elizabeth community activist Salaam Ismiall discouraged members of her community from not getting the vaccine. But now he’s in the hospital battling a serious case of COVID and says he was wrong to tell people to avoid vaccinations.
WATCH | Extended interview with community activist Salaam Ismiall
Eyewitness News has covered Ismiall’s work for years and contacted him when he spoke about the many COVID deaths at an Elizabeth care facility.
“I was one of those anti-vaccines, for various reasons. I realized that was all we had,” Ismiall said.
RELATED | CVS and Walgreens Offer 3rd Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine for Immunocompromised Americans
He has been in the hospital for about six days.
“I had a temperature of 103, one of my lungs looked like junk. I was ready to die. No doubt about it,” Ismiall said.
Before that he had posted online to discourage vaccines, but now he wants the opportunity to post a new message.
“Well, I mean, I’m not going to fight myself,” he said. “Not because Salaam Ismiall got sick, oh now he’s going to come out… no, no, no. It has nothing to do with that. I would die first.” I believe this vaccine is all we have – – that if we don’t do anything, just take the hit, then you are not only affecting yourself, but everything around you. “
There is tremendous pressure in Union County to get more people vaccinated in communities of color.
Eyewitness News spoke with Union County Commissioner Sergio Granados about this mission and his thoughts on the activist’s new message who courageously launches a new call for vaccination.
“Listen to the healthcare professionals,” Granados said.
For more information on the COVID vaccine, residents can visit the county’s website.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE
New York City COVID-19 Vaccine Tracking
New Jersey COVID-19 Vaccine Tracking
Coronavirus Disease Control and Prevention Centers
Submit a hot tip or question
Copyright © 2021 WABC-TV. All rights reserved.
[ad_2]
Source link