The global coronavirus pandemic has been affecting African Americans and Hispanics in an overwhelming fashion compared to their Caucasian counterparts, and not just locally either. Health experts contend there are various reasons for this––a primary one being due to the initial belief that African Americans couldn’t contract the deadly disease, which came about because early test figures mostly listed elderly Caucasians as those being victimized. However, some argue that testing was not done early on in Black communities, thereby offsetting the numbers and causing many not to promptly prepare for the crisis.
City officials have released daily reports showing steadily increasing stats regarding the rapid spread of COVID-19, revealing that the communities most adversely affected have disproportionally been those densely populated by African Americans and Hispanics. Analysts suggest this is due to them being more social than Caucasians, thereby exposing them more to infected people.
A recent NY1 News poll reveals that African Americans and Hispanics make up 51% of New York City’s population, but total 62% of COVID-19 deaths. African Americans account for only 22% of NYC’s population, yet are 28% of fatalities. Hispanics represent 29% of the residents, and 34% of the deaths. In contrast, Caucasians are 32% of the population, and 27% of the deaths, making them the only group out of these three to have a plus rate. Asians equal 14% of the population, and only 7% of the deceased.
During a White House briefing on April 7, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci said: “So we are very concerned about that. It is very sad. There is nothing we can do about it right now except to give them the best possible care to avoid complications.”
Experts say that part of the reason for such disparity is because African Americans and Hispanics make up the bulk of the essential workforce which cannot afford to leave jobs and are exposed to the virus more often. Also, that many within these particular communities received preventative instructions about, and support for it late and did not take precautions in advance, causing NYC to quickly become the U.S.’ No. 1 epicenter, and fifth worldwide.
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said: “It’s so unfair that we believe these communities are ‘essential,’ lump them together, have them go out, and they’re the ones on the frontlines dying. We have to reconsider what ‘essential’ is, and lockdown the city tighter than we considered before. We may have to sometime soon restrict the MTA.”
The death tolls soar in cities like Detroit where 13,549 cases and 380 deaths––28.4% were Blacks, 27.1% Caucasians, 10% Hispanics, 3.3% Asians and 25.7% other. Other states have similar figures.
“This is a critical issue for us that we’re raising, and we’re sounding the alarm,” said Augusta, Ga. Mayor Hardie Davis, who also serves as president of the African American Mayors Association where 42.9% of deaths were Black, 36.1% Caucasian, 8.4% Hispanic, 6.8% unknown and 3.7% Asian. Approximately 15% of the state’s population is Black, while 77% is Caucasian. African Americans are only 14% of Michigan’s population, but 33% of COVID-19 cases and 40% of fatalities. In Louisiana 70% of the deaths were African Americans even though they’re only 32% population-wise. In New Jersey, African Americans are 15% of population, yet are 24% of fatalities; with Caucasians being 60%, Asians 5%, and 11% others.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said: “Obviously, this is a big disparity, and we’re going to try to figure out what that is attributable to and what we can do about that as quickly as possible.”
African Americans may be more vulnerable to coronavirus due to asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and/or obesity––usually caused by poor diets.
“There are clear inequalities, clear disparities in how this disease is affecting the people of our city,” NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio stated. “The truth is that in so many ways, the negative effects of coronavirus, the pain it’s causing, the death it’s causing, tracks with other profound healthcare disparities that we have seen for years and decades.”
Another factor is the public not complying with the social distancing protocol, which may contribute to NYS’ 500-800 daily deaths, and NYC’s 14,604 total fatalities, as of Tuesday morning.
