Our work on COVID-19 began over two years ago. Ten days after Covid-19 was detected, our Board voted to take action. And it was due to disease modeling.
SARS, a predecessor to COVID-19, was first discovered in the region in the early 2000s. More, it alarmed experts, some who warned that it was a posed a future threat.
We informally formed in 2017. And SARS was one of our primary concerns.
We had set the goal of formally incorporating in summer, 2020 as a nonprofit. But that all changed with the breakout of COVID-19. In fact, our Board took the threat so seriously, that they voted on November 27, 2019 to take immediate action.
Early Work
Thus, we are the first nonprofit organization to incorporate in direct response to COVID-19. More, the health messages we created in late November, 2019 for COVID-19, are likely the first created in North America.
Then on December 14, 2019, we raised initial funds to launch, incorporating in late December, 2019 in the state of Delaware.
After this, we submitted an application to the Internal Revenue Service, seeking nonprofit 501)c)(3) status. And although we did not specifically request it, they processed our application through their emergency revw office. More, the application was approved in under three business weeks. Our nonprofit status was granted on January 23, 2020 from the IRS. More, that fell only two days after the first COVID-19 case was found in the United States.
Today, we remain committed to work on COVID-19. And this will continue.
Before the first case was ever detected in the United States, we were beginning to hand out masks as a key preventative measure.
COVID-19 is a vaccine-preventable disease. And everyone 5 or older in the United States can now get a free vaccine regardless of their immigration or health insurance status.
Vaccines are safe. And they are effective. Also, while some “breakthrough cases” do occur, vaccines substantially curb their symptoms.
Roll up your sleeve! Time to get vaccinated. Here is everything you need to know, including a checklist. More, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after you receive the second dose.
Moreover, here are our key health messages on vaccines:
Vaccines Protect the Person Receiving it
Vaccines help to protect us from the virus. More, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after completing your second dose.
Vaccine Protect Others, too
More, they protect others, also. Additionally, it is important to remember that some cannot receive it, including children. In fact, you can have it and not know it.
Please get vaccinated. And encourage others, too.
Previous Infection will not Protect you
If you previously had the virus, you still would need the shot. And here is why.
First, it is unclear how long immunity lasts. We wrote several articles documenting reinfection. And that is because there are new strains. More, viruses mutate over time.
So even if you had it, you can get it again.
Second, it protects others. Early evidence shows vaccinated individuals are less likely to spread the virus to others. And remember, not everyone is eligible to receive it.
While we started over two years ago, we will keep up the fight.