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Side Effects will examine the health care challenges that refugees and immigrants face in the U.S. Language barriers, cultural misunderstandings and our complex bureaucracy can interfere with effective care.Have a story idea? Email health@wfyi.org

You Asked: COVID-19 information for Burmese immigrants

courtesy of Kelly Harper Berkson
Indiana University linguistics professor Kelly Harper Berkson with members of the Chin Languages Research Project. From left to right, Peng Hlei Thang, Thomas Thawngza, Zai Sung, Kelly Harper Berkson, Sui Hnem Par, James C. Wamsley, Samson Lotven.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Side Effects is answering questions from our audience about the virus. To reach a larger audience, we’ve translated some of this material into Spanish. And now, we're partnering with Indiana University linguistics professor Kelly Harper Berkson and the Chin Languages Research Project to provide information to the Burmese-American community. 

These Q&As deal with issues such ashow to get tested, immunity, common questionsand how to stay safe as states reopen. Indiana University students Peng Hlei Thang and Kimberly Sakhong translated these into Hakha Lai, a common language spoken by Burmese-Americans.

There's information about the virus and how it spreads, who's at risk and how to take precautions. And as health experts learn more about COVID-19, Side Effects will continue to answer questions.

This story was produced by Side Effects Public Media, a news collaborative covering public health.

Side Effects, Indiana Public Broadcasting and WFYI are asking Americans about health issues as part of the America Amplified: Election 2020 initiative. The public media initiative, funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is using community engagement to inform and strengthen local, regional and national journalism. Follow the initiative on Twitter at @amplified2020.

Darian Benson is a reporter for Side Effects Public Media and WFYI in Indianapolis. She can be reached at dbenson@wfyi.org.