Elijah’s law: Learning about food allergies before an emergency happens
Black children with food allergies have higher rates of asthma, a factor in up to 75% of anaphylaxis fatalities
Thanksgiving is coming, and you know what that means. You’ll probably see at least a few dishes that include beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes, lamb, rams, hogs, dogs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, YOU NAME IT!
I agree with YouTube user PutYouonGame* who declared, “We gotta support this woman. She's the only one who can prevent the early Christmas music.”
At the start of Thanksgiving week, I listen to Shirley Caesar’s most popular sermon. (I’ve been agnostic my entire adult life, but I was still raised in a church so I can appreciate her.) The 11-time Grammy winning artist even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Then, I bob my head along to the vegan rap remix of her song, which plant-friendly, hip-hop lovers know as Official Grey Music. And both songs remind me of people’s nutrition requirements during the holiday season. Whether you’re a soul vegan or vegetarian or about that omnivore life, family members, friends and significant others should all ask about food allergies long before distributing knives, forks and plates. This is especially significant for children, who may or may not be outspoken enough to speak up when they can’t clean their plates.
Recommended Read: “African-Americans could fare well with vegetarianism ~ Meatless Monday or everyday, here's why the health perks matter so much”
U.S. News & World Report confirms that approximately one in 17 U.S. children (5.8%) were diagnosed with a food allergy in 2021. Of that number, the largest percentage (7.6%) was found among Black children. While crustacean shellfish; finfish; and nuts (peanuts and tree nuts) are commonly discussed as high allergens for Black children, dairy (milk and cheese) may not be getting enough attention. (Macaroni and cheese and dairy desserts are a staple in just about every black household I’ve ever been in for Thanksgiving.)
In one fatal dairy example, three-year-old Elijah suffered a severe allergic reaction after eating a grilled cheese sandwich in school. Although his guardians warned preschool staff of his dairy allergy, he was given the sandwich anyway. Instead of the preschool calling 911 once they saw his reaction, they called Elijah’s mother. Even though she rushed to the school and then a local hospital, it wasn’t in enough time. Her son went into anaphylactic shock and passed away.
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We can all point fingers at where the preschool staff went wrong, but I can think of several relatives who have food allergies. And I didn’t have a clue what “anaphylactic shock” even meant. I heard them say they had food allergies, and it went in one ear and right out the other. They have to remind me every time.
So instead of angrily writing about how the educators at Seventh Avenue Center for Family Services in Harlem failed on that tragic day on November 3, 2017, I looked up what should have happened to prevent anaphylactic shock.
As much as I wish Elijah’s parents — Dina Hawthorne-Silvera and her ex-husband Thomas Silvera — were being interviewed to talk about how their son survived, the one positive thing that came from it was the passage of what is now known as “Elijah’s Law.” This 2019 law requires preschool and child care centers to have an “action plan” to recognize and respond to children with food allergies. Additionally, Elijah’s law requires emergency protocols if there is an allergic reaction. Two years ago, my home state of Illinois passed our own version (Childhood Anaphylactic Policy Act), along with several other states. I’m still confused about why California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a version of Elijah’s law last September though.
Food allergies for black children are already a problem, and asthma statistics make the reaction to food problems that much worse. And considering food allergies are also environmental issues — exposure to air pollution, dust mites, mold and tobacco — some children are screwed by simply playing outside.
Recommended Read: “African-Americans' roles in fighting against environmental racism ~ Q&A interview with Norris McDonald, president of the African-American Environmentalist Association”
While researchers aren’t always in agreement on whether vaginal birth versus C-sections would help reduce the odds of food allergies, there are some preventative methods. These include keeping children away from tobacco smoke and taking proper steps to prevent mold in the home. (It’s more than just using bleach in the bathroom. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, confirms that mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce a poisonous gas.)
What else can be done? Know the signs ahead of time, and research early and often.
The CDC confirms that not all allergic reactions will develop into anaphylaxis. Most may be mild and resolve without any problems. The problem is no parent, educator, family member nor friend can predict what will happen until it happens. Obvious symptoms are throat hoarseness or swelling, persistent wheezing, fainting, or low blood pressure.
Children with known or suspected ingestion of a food allergen should be closely monitored and possibly treated for early signs of anaphylaxis. And while the school Elijah attended claimed to have been trained in handling food allergies, clearly, they were not. Before allowing children to attend a specific school, parents should ask school officials whether there is a “basic health services delivery and management system” to respond to student health needs, specifically about food allergies. While state laws may vary, ideally these voluntary programs shouldn’t result in heavy (or any) financial costs. This is an opportunity for PTA groups to get involved as well.
If the school doesn’t seem safe or interested in being prepared regarding children’s food allergies, it may be better to keep looking — or homeschool, if that’s an option. Regardless of the school’s preparedness, food allergy education should also be enforced with all family members in each home. Older siblings, cousins, aunts, grandparents, parents and whoever else lives in the household should keep any food allergy reminders and emergency preparedness tips in a prominent area, usually the refrigerator.
Be safe. Happy (early) Thanksgiving!
(Due to the holidays, I’m writing the monthly BlackTechlogy post early. I’ll return to my usual weekly BGIDW post in December.)
* I was going to link his YouTube channel, but it’s wildly problematic and sexist against women. His views on parenthood didn’t age well, considering Roe vs. Wade was outlawed. Still, this particular point on Christmas music is accurate.
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