Holdin' Down The Culture
Preliminary data compiled in the United States suggests that Black-Americans have a greater probability of dying from COVID-19. The reason being, according to experts, is the longstanding disparities and inequalities in predominately African-American neighborhoods.
The World Health Organization recently noted that people with chronic lung disorders, diabetes, and heart disease exhibit more serious symptoms of Coronavirus. This makes the illness more serious for Black-Americans, who have higher such cases.
Dr. Summer Johnson McGee, Dean of the School of Health Sciences at the University of New Haven, addressed the matter, stating,
“A pandemic just magnifies the disparities in healthcare that many communities of color face.” Dr. McGee also highlights the lack of investment in African-American communities and the lower grade of overall health care in these communities.
The Center For Disease Control has not publicly provided information on the race and ethnicities of Coronavirus patients, Illinois-the 6th largest state in the Union-reports that 40% of COVID-19 related deaths and 30% of the state’s cases are from Black people. When one considers that Black only people make up 14.6% of the state’s population perspective can be obtained as to the seriousness of both the current danger to Black-American in the ongoing pandemic and the general systemic issues facing America in terms of health care. Likewise, the State of Michigan-the 10th largest state in the Union-offered it’s figures relating to Coronavirus-related deaths and, again, the numbers are lopsided with 40% of the state’s reported deaths being Black residents while Black people only make up 14% of the state’s population.
The state of New York has not released on figures on the matter as of yet. However, outspoken New York City Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently called for Coronavirus-related reparations for “Black & Brown” people suggesting inequality in medical treatment for American Black & Latino minorities. Preliminary numbers seem to back her claim.
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COVID deaths are disproportionately spiking in Black + Brown communities.
Why? Because the chronic toll of redlining, environmental racism, wealth gap, etc. ARE underlying health conditions.
Inequality is a comorbidity. COVID relief should be drafted with a lens of reparations.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 3, 2020
It was only yesterday that Bronx-bred emcee Fred Da Godson posted a photo of himself in the hospital, “I’m in here with this Corvus 19 sh*t! Please keep me in y’all prayers!!!!”
Stay tuned. We’ll have more info on this matter as the details become available.
Source: www.reuters.com
