Officials at several health clinics serving largely Hispanic residents in the Chicago area today cautioned against unfairly tying Hispanics to the outbreak.
At a news conference held at the Pilsen Wellness Center, 2319 S. Damen Ave., the center partnered with the Centro de Salud Esperanza clinic to voice concerns about potential racism directed at Hispanics because the virus is believed to have originated in Mexico.
"Right now one of the things that we want to prevent is the stereotyping" of Hispanics and Mexicans in particular," said Eddy Borrayo, director of substance abuse at the Pilsen Wellness Center.
Dr. Alejandro Clavier, medical director at Centro de Salud Esperanza said he has seen an uptick in people coming to the organization's health center. He said concerns about increased susceptibility to swine flu because of recent travel to Mexico is warranted.
Clavier advised people to repeatedly wash their hands, cover their mouths with tissue when they cough and immediately dispose of those tissues, and to remain at home if they are sick so as not to spread the virus.
He also told people to immediately seek medical attention if they experience high fever, difficulty breathing, coughing and body aches.
--Lauren R. Harrison
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