Ahead of a new documentary about racial inequities in healthcare, the TV host opens up to The Times about her own experiences.
Marissa Evans’ father began 2022 eating apple pie and feeling like it would be their family’s year. He died of COVID-19 before the end of January.[Gary Evans]. I thought you would be somebody who actually understood what it is we’re trying to talk about. Not just talk about, but what it is we’re trying to offer here. I see everything as an offering. Sincewas so summarily rejected by the world, I learned to do all my work as an offering that either could be received or not be received.
What has surprised me the most is how well I was able to adjust to the isolation and not being around other people. I remember one point [Gayle King] said, “Don’t you just miss being around other people?” I go, “Eh, not really.” And I think it’s because every day, I was in an audience of 350 people twice a day, so I’ve had shaking hands and autographs and selfies, and lots of attention, and exposure to being around a lot of people.
Let me tell you, if ever you’re going to use your celebrity status, you want to use it when it comes to a medical emergency. Forget the restaurants, forget the free gifts. All the other attention you get for being a person who’s known in the world doesn’t even compare to what it means to have all eyes on you when something goes wrong. That is a real advantage. And it can also be a disadvantage.
I actually thought, “How irresponsible [of her] not to have just given me a blood test.” And I also thought, for the first time, “I can see now that when you show up and you’re a known person, although everybody seems excited to see you, they’re also nervous, because they’ve got to also cover themselves.” I keep that in mind anytime I’m going into a new doctor.
I think my biggest misconception was that it was about health insurance, that it was about having access financially, and if you didn’t have the money, then you couldn’t get the care that you needed. What COVID laid bare is that inequities in so many other areas of your life also contribute to the major disparity when it comes to healthcare.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
S.F. startup transforms food surplus into environmentally-conscious meals - The San Francisco ExaminerMaen Mahfoud founded replateyourmeal in 2016 by drawing on his experience of delivering free meals to neighbors and those in need while growing up in Syria. Though Mahfoud focused on food insecurity, Replate now also promotes climate action.
Read more »
‘Hunger Games’ Prequel Film Sets Release DateIt’s official: A ‘Hunger Games’ prequel movie is coming to theaters next year:
Read more »
Janet Jackson looks to sell longtime NYC home for $9MThe “Miss You Much” singer will miss this aerie with Central Park views, but it’s time to move on.
Read more »
DC college students say climate change and COVID-19 are top voting prioritiesGeorgetown University college students spoke to Fox News about their top priorities leading into the 2022 midterms, with a majority of answers focused on COVID-19 and climate change.
Read more »
Water Emerges As Weapon Of War In Ukraine And BeyondAt the beginning of the invasions, Russia forces destroyed a concrete dam in southern Ukraine. It's highlighted how disrupting an enemy's access to water can be an especially vicious tactic of war.
Read more »
Are You Overparenting? A Child Psychologist Says These Are the Tell-Tale SignsIt’s easy to fall into the trap of “overparenting,” but one expert explains why this should be avoided and how to spot the tell-tale signs.
Read more »