"Traveling during a pandemic, there were so many deaths, I wasn't sure of surviving."

Cissy arrived to the United States as an immigrant from Uganda during the COVID pandemic. She describes her harrowing journey, the impact of COVID on establishing herself in the US and her hope for the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have Long COVID?

Do I have Long COVID?

If you’ve had COVID symptoms - like cough, body aches, fatigue, or “brain fog” - for more than four weeks, you might have Long COVID. With Long COVID, you may feel tired an experience body aches, you might forget things, and you may feel weak or quickly tire.  

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Where can I get vaccinated and boosted?

Where can I get vaccinated and boosted?

As the pandemic has been officially declared over and the restrictions lifted, it is important to remain up-to-date with COVID boosters for you and your family.  These are especially important for those who are at greatest risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID variants -- children, those over 65 and anyone who is moderately or severely immunocompromised.

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How can I get support as someone newly arrived to the United States?

How can I get support as someone newly arrived to the United States?

Resources exist to help with healthcare and other facets of being a new arrival to the US.   Information on accessing health care coverage, legal and educational support can be found using the links below.

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Cissy Ayebi

Cissy is an Intern with Boston Medical Center’s (BMC) Clinical Trial Office(CTO). She's inspired by her own story of helping others. Previously, she worked with the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (a region of western Sudan) as a Human Rights and HIV/AIDS Officer before moving to this country as a refugee.

BACK TO STORIES
The Massachusetts Community Engagement Alliance (MA-CEAL), led by Boston Medical Center, is part of a nationwide initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health. MA-CEAL’s mission is to provide trustworthy information on COVID-19 through active community engagement and outreach to the people hardest-hit by the pandemic. Our goal is to build long-lasting partnerships and improve diversity and inclusion in our research response to COVID-19 and beyond.
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