Today is Tuesday, and if you have followed our broadcast for a while you know that for over 2 years we have reported updated coronavirus information every Tuesday. During that time, we have remained the only LGBTQ+ media outlet to translate the COVID-19 numbers into how many members of our community were included. We were also one of the first LGBTQ+ media outlets to report on the virus back in January of 2020. (WATCH THIS)
(John Hayden) On March 11, the WHO declared a world health emergency. Little did we know how quickly the virus would spread and begin to hit close to home. We continued to discuss COVID-19 on both Queer News Tonight and It's Happening Out. On March 18th, 2020, Republican commentator Ron Brenesky was discussing how the new concepts of social distancing and virtual meetings were bringing his family together. (WATCH THIS)
(Sobourney Barnes) Ron tested positive for COVID-19 soon after that show. Host Chef Josie also tested positive for the virus. On April 8th, 2020, we began our segment we called Quarantine Quickies. Initially we only reported on the total number of Americans who had become infected or passed away from the virus. We had not yet begun to calculate the number of LGBTQ+ individuals impacted by Covid-19 (WATCH THIS)
(Al Ferguson) In response, we presented a special Q&A on March 19th featuring Mayor Dean Trantalis, Dr Beau Sheetal Sharma, and Dr. Stephen A. Renae. We continued the Q&A every week after with the local doctor who had tested the cast & crew of our network. Dr. Howard Grossman is one of the most respected names in infectious disease, having been the Executive Director of the American Academy of HIV Medicine and having worked with Dr. Anthony Fauci at the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. He became our expert health anchor during the pandemic. (WATCH THIS)
(Evyn Almanzar) Little did we know how prophetic Ron's words on his episode of It's Happening Out would be. That Friday, he would be admitted to the hospital with breathing problems. By the weekend, he would be put into an induced coma. Due to pandemic visitation restrictions, his husband was never able to visit him in the Hospital. A month later on April 27th, 2020, we lost our friend Ron Brenesky. (WATCH THIS)
(Gregg Shapiro) We continued to report on Pandemic numbers, and in a unique feature to our show we calculated exactly how many members of the LGBTQ+ community were affected. As the pandemic winds down and government officials begin to block those numbers from being published, we offer our final Quarantine Quickies of the pandemic. We will continue to report on any major stories regarding the pandemic.
(John Hayden) For the final time, we report that as of today more than 5 million 730 thousand LGBTQ+ Americans have contracted COVID-19. Almost 82 Million total Americans have contracted the virus.
(Sobourney Barnes) We remember the over 1 Million Americans, and especially the estimated 70 Thousand LGBTQ+ Americans who have passed away due to the virus. Including Happening Out Television Network host Ron Brenesky.
(Evyn Almanzar) Medical Science has saved many, many more lives however. Despite the political debates about the virus, more than 562 Million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered here in the US.
(Gregg Shapiro) As life begins to return to normal, we remind everyone that we at Queer News Tonight and the Happening Out Television Network will continue to provide you with any news about this or other future issues that may affect the global LGBTQ+ community.
(Al Ferguson) Our community has faced pandemics before. We lived through HIV/AIDS. We lived through Coronavirus. We will forever carry the scars that these diseases have given us. We will remember those who have lost, and we will not remain silent as new threats arise.