First HIV, now Corona. Why does it always have to be black people?

During the early epidemic days of COVID 19 I am sure most of us read statements saying things like “black people can’t get corona virus” and “black people are too strong to get corona” even … “WAKANDA FOREVER”? This bizarre idea was started by several Chinese sources that were stating that African blood is somehow resistant to Corona Virus. People took this myth and ran with it, especially the black community. In March Waka flocka even stated, "Minorities can't catch Corona Virus. Name one. It doesn't touch them soul food folks." It seems that somehow the color of our skin always equates to physical strength & disease resistance to other races. Which could explain why black people are constantly ignored and neglected by health providers... well that plus a hint of racism, okay let’s be honest, way more than a hint of racism. Statements and jokes like these are extremely dangerous to our communities and black people should play no part in it. Though this myth spread like wild fire, it was not reported on any major news sources and I would hope most people realized this was simply not true.

Fast forward to the Pandemic days of COVID 19 and there is an over-representation of black people in COVID cases in the US. To put it into perspective only 13% of people in the US are black but 33% of people hospitalized for COVID are black and in Chicago for example, only 30% of the population is African American yet 68% of COVID deaths are black people.

You might be wondering ‘Why does it always have to be black people’?

Well one of the things that’s known about corona is that it hits people with underlying conditions the hardest. African Americans have more underlying health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, asthma and heart disease, making them more susceptible to dying from  COVID.

Another important factor is wealth. Black people in America are more than 2x more likely to be poor in comparison to white and Asian Americans.  The poorer you are the more likely you are to get sick. Poor people’s bodies are in a constant state of survival mode, which raises stress hormones in their body and makes them more susceptible to getting sick. Poorer people are also in poor health due to malnutrition. You might be thinking of those world vision commercials with African kids with swollen little pot bellies by now. But in North America malnutrition looks a little different, it is not only simply not getting enough food it is also eating too much unhealthy foods because you simply can’t afford much else.  

Some things I already touched on… the mistreatment of black people by healthcare workers due to racism and prejudice. Also the misinformation that was spread at the beginning of this pandemic likely led to our communities not being as safe as they need to. So no, “THE STRENGTH OF THE BLACK PANTHER” will not protect us from COVID and your mothers ginger and lemon tea will not protect you either. Wash your hands, social distance and stay informed.

Sources 

CDC. (2020, April 22). COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/racial-ethnic-minorities.html

Le Cadre, Anne-Sophie Faivre.   “Black People Aren’t More Resistant to Novel Coronavirus.” Agence France Presse.   12 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://factcheck.afp.com/black-people-arent-more-resistant-novel-coronavirus

Sauter, M. B. (2018, October 10). Faces of poverty: What racial, social groups are more likely to experience it? Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/economy/2018/10/10/faces-poverty-social-racial-factors/37977173/

Stafford, K., Hoyer, M & Morrison, A. Coronavirus is killing Black Americans at a much higher rate. Retrieved from: https://globalnews.ca/news/6799322/coronavirus-black-americans/