New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in West Palm Beach is ensuring that those hardest hit by economic hardships have access to the life-saving COVID drug Paxlovid, distributing it for free, including to Black and poor residents who often lack health insurance and could otherwise not afford it. In partnership with the state Department of Health and the Florida East Coast Baptist Association, the church is set to continue this act of benevolence every Sunday, as reported by The Palm Beach Post.
The formidable cost of a full five-day course of Paxlovid is $1,390, a sum unreachable for many without insurance, and the drug's proven effectiveness in early treatment stages is especially critical for minority communities that studies have shown are at increased risk of contracting and suffering severely from COVID; the church's effort, in its seventh month, has already seen over 120,000 doses disbursed, "This is not the beginning," said New Bethel Senior Pastor Toby Philpart in a statement obtained by The Palm Beach Post.
According to a WPTV report, Dr. Dwight Reynolds, who is integral to the initiative, emphasizes the unnecessary loss caused by limited access to such treatments, "You don't have to die because of COVID," he stressed, pointing out that their goal is to reach those in lesser served neighborhoods—individuals who mirror himself and Pastor Philpart in background, but lack access to essential medication.
Assistant Professor of Medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Dr. Imran Ali, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the virus continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable groups who might suffer the gravest consequences, including hospitalization and a higher mortality rate, and Paxlovid's availability could be a gamechanger for those in economically strained circumstances "One in three people that get COVID happen to be African American," Dr. Reynolds told WPTV, adding that they "will have severe disease, hospitalizations, intensive care unit and perhaps, death." New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church rolls out its giveaway events every Sunday starting at 8:45 a.m, for as long as their supply of the medication lasts.
Paxlovid's safety after its sell-by date has been verified by health professionals, with the caveat that its potency may diminish, though still remain effective enough for use, Dr. Reynolds advised in the Palm Beach Post interview, the church clarifies that anyone receiving the medication should call the number on the package for medical advice on potential interactions with other drugs they may be taking.
