►
Description
The newest episode of COVID CONVO. On this "Neighbor to Neighbor" edition, Board Chair Matt de Ferranti chats with the President of Arlington Branch NAACP Julius D. "JD" Spain and community leader Carlos Velazquez. They discuss the effect of COVID on the community, look back at the past year, and answer why people should get the vaccine.
A
Hi
and
welcome
to
arlington
county's
newest
show
covid
conversation.
We
are
here
tonight
for
an
honest
conversation
about
a
year
of
covid
and
the
vaccine,
and
particularly
getting
doses
into
arms.
As
has
been
said,
I'm
board
chair
matt
d
franti
and
I'm
happy
to
be
joined
by
a
couple
of
faces
that
I
suspect
you're
familiar
with
a
few
folks
out
there,
jd,
spain
and
carlos
velazquez.
A
B
A
Thank
you
very
much
jd
and
thanks
for
your
leadership
of
the
naacp,
I
know
you've
grown
the
number
of
members
quite
a
bit
in
your
short
tenure.
So
thank
you
for
that
and
I
will
say
I'm
happy
to
be
one
of
those
members
glad
to
have
you.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
So
carlos
give
us
a
sense
of
yourself
and
you've
been
in
arlington
as
well
for
a
good
good
period
of
time.
C
C
The
opportunity
to
be
with
you
this
evening
and
jd
it's
good
to
see
you
so
I
have
been
a
resident
of
this
area
for
21
years
and
I've
seen
a
lot
of
changes
in
arlington
professionally.
I'm
the
president
and
ceo
of
hma
associates,
but
I
volunteer
with
a
lot
of
different
efforts,
including
the
county's
effort
to
be
able
to
vaccinate
everyone
in
the
county,
and
I
also
sit
on
the
arctic
county
commission
on
aging.
A
Thank
you
very
much
and
carlos
you
you
long
time
on
the
arts,
commission,
the
the
commission
on
aging
and
it's
great.
I
know
you
have
lived
in
different
parts
of
arlington,
but
it's
also
great
to
to
have
you.
I
know
now
in
the
western
part
of
of
columbia
pike
and
just
grateful
for
all
your
service
and
leadership
for
arlington
county.
A
So
it's
been
a
long
long
year
of
covid
and
I
wanted
to
talk
a
little
bit
about
the
biggest
challenges
you
faced
as
you
balance,
work
and
family
and
and
everything,
and
on
this
one.
Just
why
don't
we
start
with
you?
Carlos
is
to
you
know
it's
totally
changed.
Not
all
of
us
knew
what
zoom
was
the
phrase
social
distancing.
A
C
So
two
challenges
have
surfaced
from
the
onset
one
that
a
lot
of
the
clients
that
I
have
actually
had
to
close
shop
or
reduce
services
considerably,
and
so,
within
the
first
two
months
of
when
the
pandemic
was
announced.
I
lost
about
70
percent
of
my
work,
and
so
I
had
to
pivot
quickly
and
to
make
my
small
business
thrive,
and
that
has
happened,
and
I've
been
very
fortunate
for
that
to
happen.
A
A
It
has
definitely
been
so
that's
a
thought
and
there's
no
great
way
to
to
keep
going,
but
clearly
you
have
and
we
seek
to
honor
the
conversation
by
safety
as
you've
already
worked
on
and
and
trying
to
help
people
avoid
infection.
So
jd
your
biggest
change
challenges
over
the
last
year
leading
I
know
you,
you
also
got
a
day
job
and
you
got
the
naacp
local
chapter
and
you
are
busy.
I
see
you
in
a
lot
of
spots,
so
what's
been
the
biggest
challenge
for
you
this
year,.
B
Yeah
well,
thank
you
for
the
question
and
not
to
my
condolences,
go
out
to
you,
carlos
and
to
everyone
who's
watching
who
perhaps
lost
a
loved
one
or
our
friend
during
one
of
the
most
tragic
times
of
our
our
lives.
So
we've
been
going
through
this
together
for
the
naacp
and
I'm
going
to
keep
it
pretty
central
around
the
naacp
outside
of
work,
because
I've
been
able
to
adapt
in
what
I
do
as
a
consultant,
an
acquisition
intelligence
field
and
work
from
home
for
most
of
the
most
part.
B
Most
of
the
time,
which
has
been
great
but
in
double
acp
we've
seen
some
scribes
actually
and
this
forced
us.
The
pandemic
has
forced
us
to
communicate
in
means
like
zoom
change,
our
way
of
meeting
and
it's
we've
been
okay
right.
Some
of
our
branches
in
the
region
have
stepped
up,
but
here
in
arlington,
we've
seen
our
membership
grow.
B
But,
let's
be
quite
honest,
you
know
covet
as
we
know.
Unfortunately,
the
death
rates
of
blacks
and
latinos
is
at
a
very
alarming
rate,
and
it's
been
such
for
over
a
year.
So
you
know,
along
with
the
emotional
and
strain
mental
strain
that
many's
been
going
through.
We
have
to
understand
that
so
I've
been
trying
to
lead
with
empathy
right
and
unders,
letting
people
know
that
I
understand
and
doing
my
best
to
kind
of
make
a
way
out
of
nowhere
right
and
let
them
know
that
together
we
will
get
through
this.
A
It
doesn't
develop
character,
it
reveals
character
and
both
of
you
have
spoken
to
your
own,
the
the
challenges
that
you
and
your
organization
faced
and
also
the
work
you
did
to
work
through
it,
and
so
I'm
grateful
for
that,
and
I
know
that,
as
I
think
personally,
about
the
biggest
challenge
of
the
la
of
the
last
year.
For
me,
it's
really
been
around
a
reckoning
with
respect
to
to
fairness.
Racial
equity
is
a
is
we've
we've.
B
But
as
I
look
at
the
complete
vaccine
count
committee
and
see
all
the
partners
out,
there
are
reassured
that
we're
going
to
be
okay
as
long
as
everyone
carries
their
a
little
bit
of
the
weight.
So
there's
a
lot
of
work
to
do,
and
but
we
are,
we
are.
That
was
a
good
news
story
for
us
and
I
can
only
imagine,
since
we
had
that
meeting
a
week
and
a
half
ago
that
we've
probably
you
know,
registered
a
hundred
and
some
odd
more
but
working
together
in
tandem
again
with
our
partners.
A
Thank
you.
That's
very
helpful
to
hear
and
delish
davis
is
a
great
leader
who
I've
gotten
to
know,
and
it's
great
that
she
was
mentioning
the
progress
much
more
to
do,
of
course,
but
carlos
anything
stand
out
as
a
good,
a
moment
that
you
treasured
appreciated
either
with
the
complete
vaccine
committee
or
in
your
work
that
you
mentioned
about
reaching
out
and
the
the
communications
work
on
covet.
That
you've
been
doing.
C
C
And
they
talk
to
me.
The
people
start
talking
to
me
revealing
a
lot
of
their
concerns
what's
happening,
but
it
also
is
a
reminder
of
the
disparities
that
do
exist
in
our
community,
because
the
pop-up
events
often
are
married
to
other
efforts
that
are
being
organized
to
provide
services,
whether
it
be
food
or
rental
assistance,
people
in
need
and
so
being
able
to
hear
people's
stories
about
what
is
really
of
concern
to
them.
C
A
I
think
I
mean
there's
a
lot
of
talk
about
the
importance
of
stories
and
the
people's
everyone
has
a
story
and
hearing.
It
is
a
big
big
honor,
and
you
pointed
out
that
the
pre-registration
tablets
that
the
ipads,
sometimes
that
we've
been
using
they
take
more
time
than
we
might
wish,
because
we
really
want
to
you
know
overcome
any
concern.
People
have
certainly.
A
I
was
at
the
career
center
and
I
was
like
I
was
so
eager
to
get
the
the
folks
I
was
helping
through
so
that
they
would
be
pre-registered
and
on
our
list.
So
there's
that's
that's
part
of
what
we've
been
working
on.
I
do
want
to
just
take
a
quick
second
before
I
I
I
ask
another
question
and
keep
continue
the
conversation.
A
877-829-4682
and
if
you're
not
pre-registered,
it's
really
that
that's
we
need
you
to
be
pre-registered,
so
we
can
get
help
to
you,
and
so
I
I
wanted
to
kind
of
ask
a
little
bit
of
what
you
guys
are
what
you
two
are
hearing
when
you
think
about
folks.
You
talk
to
in
in
the
groups
that
you
are
active
in
your
communities
and
we
all
have
multiple
communities
that
we
engage
with.
B
A
long
story
history
by
which
none
of
us
need
to
repeat
and
kind
of
talk
about
that.
We
all
know
about.
There's
been
these
disparities
in
the
way
the
minorities
communities
have
been
treated
for
decades.
So
the
question
has
been
coming
to
me:
you
know
what
is
the
county
doing
jd?
Can
they
do
more?
Why
aren't
they
here?
So
you
know,
matt,
we've
been
we've
been
asking
the
hard
questions
trying
to
be
understanding.
B
I
have
more
individuals
in
the
communities
that
I
engage
with
that
want
the
vaccine
than
any
that
don't
want
that
the
vaccine.
So
again,
a
lot
of
people
want
to
get
the
shot
and
I
think,
we'll
be
better
off
to
kind
of
measure
later
on.
Once
we
get,
you
know,
you
know
the
vaccines
in
right
and
everyone
will
get.
You
know
a
couple
of
these
phases
down
the
road
so
but
for
right
now,
there's
still
a
lot
of
angst,
there's
still
a
lot
of
people
who
are
anxious
to
get
this.
B
This
vaccine
they're
just
waiting
for
those
that
are
watching
this
today,
I
will
tell
you:
I
was
fortunate,
I'm
under
65
with
an
underlying
condition.
So
but
guess
what
I
I
got
my
vaccine
and
I
would
encourage
you
if
you're
watching
this
to
go
out
and
register
register
now
we
need
to
get
this
behind
us
and
we're
only
gonna
be
able
to
do
that
if
everyone
in
the
community
does
their
part
and
that
means
going
out
and
getting
vaccinated.
B
A
C
C
As
you
know,
our
hair
president
left
the
office
with
a
lot
more
gray,
hair
and
I've
had
more
gray
hair
grow
on
my
head
than
ever
before,
so
it
has
been
a
traumatizing
year
in
many
ways,
and
I
think
the
gray
hair
is
a
result
of
that.
But
I'm
also
hearing
two
things
about
the
unveiling
of
truths,
but
the
inequities
that
exist
in
our
communities-
and
I
hear
that
more
from
some
of
the
community
leaders,
those
who
understand
what
is
happening
and
are
able
to
voice
their
concerns.
C
And
so
it's
really
important
that
when
we
hear
misinformation
or
people
who
believe
something
that
we
know
is
not
true
as
opposed
to
going
after
them
and
saying
you
know,
that's
wrong.
How
can
you
believe
that
just
leading
in
the
way
of
being
able
to
get
connected
to
websites
and
resources
that
can
provide
medically
factual
information?
C
And
I
think
that's
the
beauty
of
the
resources
that
have
been
developed
in
arlington
county
as
well
as
the
state
that
there
is
information
that
can
lead
people
to
medical
information
and
truths.
So
I
would
say
that,
in
order
to
counter
misinformation,
it's
important
to
not
necessarily
just
hit
them
with
facts,
but
also
with
stories
that
matter
and
when
people
can
hear
your
own
story
about.
What's
you
know
the
impact
of
copeland,
and
I
tell
people
that
about
what's
happened
in
my
life.
A
A
A
Over
the
past
week
to
10
days,
one
with
neighborhood
health,
who's
working
out
of
macedonia,
baptist
church
in
green
green
valley
and
one
with
the
arlington
free
clinic,
which
is
halfway
down
the
pike,
just
a
block
off
of
columbia,
pike
and
both
are
seeking
to
get
into
networks
that
can
just
provide
that
added
information
that
I
think
is
necessary.
Honestly,
I'm
not
hearing
a
ton
of
hesitancy
as
much
as
information
needs
to
put
be
put
before
people.
So
those
are
two
partnerships
and-
and
you
know,
I'd
be
curious,
jd.
B
Yeah
yeah
so
again,
that
is
a
start
and
I
can
say
I'm
just
going
to
speak
specifically
about
the
traditional
black
community,
slash
family,
more
especially
down
in
south
arlington
in
the
green
valley
area.
Using
places
like
the
macedonia
is
a
known
way
to
kind
of
get
in
and
and
expand
within
the
black
community.
So
I
greatly
appreciate
where
we
were
at
there.
So
you
know
working
with
any
traditionally
black
church
in
south
arlington.
B
B
So
we
have
to
do
that
door,
knocking
right
similar
to
what
the
census
team
has
done
in
the
past,
and
I'm
happy
to
know
that
even
down
in
macedonia,
they're
going
to
be
doing
some
of
that
and
the
audience
and
free
clinic.
Of
course
they
have
a
network.
So
I'm
very
appreciative
of
what
they're
doing.
I
think
that's
a
good
step
forward.
What
I
would
like
to
see
is,
you
know,
perhaps
a
little
bit
more
outreach
and
how
that
looks.
B
I'm
not
gonna
pretend
to
tell
everyone
how
to
do
that,
but
you
know
there's
a
couple
more
churches
down
there
right
so
whether
we're
talking
about
lomax
or
mount
zion
in
the
old
johnson
hill
area.
There's
those
areas,
I
would
say
we
probably
can-
can
set
up
shop.
But
I
know
it's
going
to
take
some
time,
but
I'm
happy
of
where
we're
at
thus
far
all.
A
Right
well,
thank
that
that's
good.
You
know
I.
I
share
some
happiness
that
we
that
we're
working
on
it
and
we've
developed
these
two
partnerships
with
networks,
but
there's
also,
I
believe
we
need
to
be
we're
going
to
need
to
door
knock
and
do
so
safely
with
masks
on
and
and
we're
also
going
to
need
to
to
do.
One
idea
is
a
set
of
really
short,
not
tick-tock,
but
like
that,
a
very
short
here's
my.
Why
of
why.
I
got
the
vaccine
and
I'll
start
with
my
we
we
do
have.
A
I
do
want
to
just
ask
you
for
each
of
your
whys
as
to
why
you
I
have
not
gotten
the
vaccine,
but
I
I
hope
to
get
it
soon
and
I
am
eager
to
get
it
and
my.
Why
is
I'm
47?
My
I
just
got
married.
My
wife
is
ready
for
me
to
get
the
vaccine
because
she
knows
that
I
want
to
be
out
there
in
the
community
and
she
has
seen
plenty
of
me
around
the
house.
A
So
you
know
she's
we're
happily
married,
but
it's
also
true
that
she's
she
doesn't
need
to
see
me
pacing
around
all
the
time.
So
that's
why
I
will
get
the
vaccine
in
order
when
I
am
able
and
I'm
not
cutting
any
line,
I'm
doing
it
in
order
when
it's
appropriate,
but
I
know
thinking
of
you
there's
so
many
folks.
We
love
my
parents
getting
to
see
them
again
in
person
getting
to
hug
my
sister.
Those
are
a
few
whys
and
what
about
both
of
you?
B
B
Well,
yeah,
thank
you
for
the
question
and
to
answer
it
quite
simply
jd.
Why
did
you
get
the
shot
because
I
believe
it's
more,
especially
when
you're
in
a
position
of
leadership
you
have
to
set
the
example
for
others
to
emulate.
Again,
notwithstanding.
All
of
that,
I
am
a
high-risk,
african-american
male
and
you
know,
had
some
underlying
health
conditions
from
the
military
and
registered
and
got
the
shot.
B
I
was
ready
from
day
one
and
for
those
of
you,
anyone
who
served
in
the
military
I'm
not
going
to
sit
here
and
share
my
health
record
but
say
guess
what
we
did
multiple
shots.
You
know
I
served
in
iraq
and
I
think
I
got
seven
shots
for
the
anthrax
I'm
still
here
today,
and
what
I
try
to
share
with
individuals
who
question
or
have
want
to
pause
and
get
more
to
what
carlos
said
earlier.
Refer
them
to.
B
You
know
places
like
the
cdc
or
to
virginia
department
of
health,
and
I
also
try
to
share
with
them
my
experiences
with
vaccines
over
my
48
years
of
being
so
I
got
you
about
one
year.
Man
that
is,
okay,
science
and
technology
is
is,
is
is
not
where
it
used
to
be
30
40
years
ago,
we're
in
a
better
place.
B
So
I
trust
the
guidance
coming
out
of
the
cdc
from
competent
leaders
like
dr
valji
and
then
our
you
know
the
president
of
the
united
states
and
many
others
that
are
not
into
politics
that
have
went
ahead
and
take
this
took
the
shot.
So
that's
what
I
tried
to
do
and,
of
course
I
want
to
live
right
and
there's
a
risk
associated
with
that
with
not
taking
a
shot,
and
I
tell
folks
you
know,
I'm
not
rolling
the
dice
with
my
life
right
and
that
be
quite
honest,
I
think
taking
the
shot.
B
A
C
But
I
also
want
to
respond
to
a
comment
you
made
matt,
and
that
is
that,
while
it's
important
to
have
these
partnerships,
like
with
the
pta,
that's
excellent,
but
a
lot
of
the
parents
are
connected
and
we
need
to
push
ourselves
even
harder
to
get
to
the
people
who
are
not
connected.
Who
are
invisible.
You
know
a
lot
of
latinos
have
two
or
three
jobs
and
it's
a
struggle
to
get
to
any
place
that
they
can
either
find
access
to
a
laptop
or
a
tablet.
C
Go
to
any
of
the
pop-ups
that
we're
organizing
and
oftentimes
it's
even
more
of
a
challenge
to
even
be
able
to
set
up
an
appointment
to
get
vaccinated.
So
I
think
we
need
to
all
work
a
little
harder
to
get
to.
Those
who
are
invisible
are
invisible
to
a
lot
of
us
who
are
not
necessarily
connected
to
groups
like
faith-based
organizations.
A
Thank
you
for
that,
and
that's
very
true,
and
I
think
of
so
many
who
are
if
you're
working
two
jobs,
you
don't
have
time
to
even
often
talk
with
people,
and
there
are
individuals
at
all
ages.
Our
seniors
also
some
who
are
in
our
20
in
their
20s
who
are
single
and
they
can't
see
people
in
person
as
often
and
so
there's.
We
need
to
make
sure
that
everyone
counts
on
this
critical
challenge
of
getting
out
the
vaccine.