Hawa Ceesay – Memphis Flyer

There were 73 presumptive monkeypox cases in Shelby County as of Friday, September 23rd, according to the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD). Earlier in August, the Shelby County Health Department reported four monkeypox cases within the county.

Monkeypox, which is a rare disease caused by an infection of the monkeypox virus, is part of the same family of viruses which causes smallpox, according to SCHD.

Despite how infectious the disease can be, some residents said they weren’t shocked by the outbreak.

“I was shocked but not surprised when I first heard of monkeypox,” said chemist-analyst, Ndoricimpaye Leya. “I am still practicing social distancing and wearing my mask for time to time and being mindful that these viruses are still out there.”

So far, 877 Shelby County residents have received at least one dose of the two-dose series of monkeypox vaccinations, according to the SCHD.

Amy Alaina, Human Resources adminstrator at AirToGround Services, said that the pandemic prompted her company to increase the amount of cleaning supplies in the workplace, and they are ready to keep using those procedures. However, she believes that monkeypox won’t have the same impact as Covid-19.

“I don’t think monkeypox will warrant the same measures, because to my understanding, the symptoms of monkeypox will go away on their own,” said Alaina.

Symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and respiratory symptoms, according to the health department.

“It was overwhelming hearing about monkeypox when Covid hasn’t been eliminated,” said Leya. “To keep my head-space clear, I continue to be mindful of my health and I’m staying up to date with the CDC guidelines.”

Health experts say monkey pox symptoms are like smallpox but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal — and not related to chickenpox.

“Covid opened our eyes to a number of things,” Alaina said. “Some things I was already doing as far as keeping things tidy and clean. But I am not going to let this virus, or any other virus stop me from doing the things that I love.”

The Shelby County Health Department is offering appointments for the monkeypox vaccination during the following evening and weekend hours at its 814 Jefferson headquarters:

• Monday and Wednesday, October 3rd and 5th, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Monday and Wednesday, October 17th and 19th, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Monday and Wednesday, October 24th and 26th, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Monday and Wednesday, October 31st and November 2nd, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Appointments will be available between 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 22nd and October 29th.Those who meet the current criteria for vaccination may sign up for an appointment here.

The struggles of embracing natural hairstyles in the workplace has come to an end in Tennessee.

This year, state lawmakers passed the CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” The new law prohibits companies from discrimination based on an employee’s hairstyle.

“For decades, Black hair has been unjustly policed as too ’unprofessional’ or ’unkempt’ for public spaces, such as classrooms and workplaces,” said Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis), the sponsor of the CROWN Act bill.

When the law passed here, Tennessee joined 15 U.S. states and the U.S. Virgin Islands in passing similar legislation. A CROWN Act bill was passed by the U.S. House in March and introduced in the Senate. The Senate bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee but has not seen action since March.

Porsha Hernandez, a graduate of the University Memphis said she struggled with her natural hair.

“It is actually sad because I first experienced this in middle [school] when I flat-ironed my hair and damaged it to fit in with the other girls,” Hernandez said. “My hair was so frayed that I had to cut it all off when I was at a comfortable age. When I did the big chop, people used to think I was another gender sometimes or make fun of me, which hurt my self-esteem at first. But I realized I’m beautiful either way, with or without hair.”

The CROWN Act was Hernandez’ platform last year when she sported her natural hair in a University of Memphis beauty pageant with the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. During her talent performance, she presented a poem about her natural hair and brought awareness to the importance of embracing one’s hair. She remembers people seeing her natural hair and wondering if she planned to wear it during the pageant.

”They were like, ’Is she gonna do her hair?’” she said. “My friends would tell them, ‘she is standing for the CROWN Act.”

Hernandez was crowned Miss Delta Nu 2021.

When the law was signed by Governor Bill Lee this year, Akbari called it “a big day for any Tennessean who has ever been told their hair looks unprofessional.”

“No one should ever have to experience discrimination because of the hair that grows out of their head,” Akbari said.

Under the new law, an employee may complain to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development if their right to wear their hair naturally is violated.

Hernandez urges people to always embrace their natural hair.

“Woman or man, wear your hair because it defines you, [whether] your hair defies gravity or plays along with it,” Hernandez said. “Your hair is natural and natural cannot be threatened. It cannot be changed. It is who you are, so show them you.”

Hernandez is elated about the new law and believes “it will expose all cultures to the ’new’ natural.

“It will show them the authenticity of people and it will bring more respect in the workplace,” she said. “It will show them that not all shapes are the same.”