By Robin Martin
COVID-19 continues to attack the Diasporas across the United States in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North and South Carolinas. African-Americans are dying from COVID-19, a respiratory illness, at the alarming rate of two times their representation in those states’ populations.
What is clearly q disproportional representation of deaths when compared to the majority. In Louisiana, the state department of health noted that Black people make up only 32% of the state population
The Ninth Ward’s, New Orleans East hospital, CEO and physician Takeisha Davis serves African Americans of low-wage status, the underlying conditions of heart disease and diabetes.
That checklist of health inequalities, essential workers, and access resulted in 7 out of 10 of all COVID-19 deaths being African American in hard-hit New Orleans. While African-Americans comprise only 32% of the state’s population, they are 70% of COVID-19 deaths.
In our communities, a drive-through testing site is not as practical as our state and federal agencies think. Residents do not necessarily have a car or know someone who does. A portion is homeless and not able to take advantage of the drive-through sites. So, Dr.
Takeisha Davis created a stand-up testing site. However, other obstacles exist. Testing kits were being rationed and the lack of personal protective equipment.
New Orleans East hospital reported 83% of COVID-19 cases are African-American.
COVID-19 testing in Chicago resulted in approximately 5,000 cases. Of that 29.4 % were in the Diaspora. A Diaspora that is only 14.6% of Illinois’ population and an alarming 42% of the deaths.
“The data already released shows troubling trends for African Americans that must be addressed to ensure public health,” Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust
Blacks comprise 14%-18% of the Michigan population. COVID-19 tests resulted in 34% African-Americans testing positive of the 18,970 tests and 40% of the deaths. For the same inequities as Louisiana.
You might know the sad case of Jason Hargrove. The bus driver who recorded his encounter with a woman who boarded the bus he was driving and proceeded to cough in his face. Hargrove died April 1, weeks later, leaving a wife and children.
Here is more information from Black News of demographics in southern states. Alabama African-Americans represent approximately 27% of the population, 44% of COVID-19 deaths. Mississippi, African-Americans represent approximately 40% of the population, 72% of COVID-19 deaths. North Carolina, African-Americans represent approximately 22% of the population, 38% of COVID-19 deaths. South Carolina African-Americans represent approximately 27% of the population, 46% of COVID-19 deaths.
African American History
1775 – First Abolitionist Society in United States organizes in Philadelphia
1944 – U.S. Supreme Court ruled Texas could not bar African-Americans for voting in the
Texas Democratic primaries
1997 – Tiger Woods wins Masters Tournament at age 21, youngest ever to win
Ms. Martin is an educator, a freelance journalist, and 2008 Monmouth University Dr. King Unsung Hero award
