*Although only 30% of the city is Black, more than half of Chicago’s COVID-19 cases have reportedly hit urban communities the hardest, as 72% of the dead are African-Americas.
According to data shared by the city, 98 people have died from the deadly virus in Chicago. Of those 98 deaths, 67 were Black, per CBSNews.com.
“Fifty-two percent of our cases have been in black Chicagoans, and, most strikingly, 72% of our deaths here in Chicago,” said Chicago Public Health Department Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.
In addition, the Latinx community appears to not be as affected, and many believe this could be due to underreporting of symptoms, CBS Chicago reports.
“What is turning out to be a positive attribute is turning into a risk factor,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. “We are all in this crisis together, but we are not all experiencing this crisis in the same way.”
Blacks with underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are most at-risk.
“Seventy-one percent of Chicago’s COVID-19 deaths have been in people over 60,” said Arwady, adding, “Diabetes rates among blacks in Chicago are double the rates of what they are for whites in Chicago.”
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She also noted that “Men, as compared to women, have higher rates of deaths from chronic disease, are less likely to seek medical help, are more likely to smoke and actually are less likely to wash their hands and to use soap,” Arwady said.
While Black folks are more likely to have underlying health conditions, they’re also more likely to still be working during this pandemic.
“When the city puts out orders for people to shelter in place … the grocery stores are open … public transit is still open,” said Dr. Monica Peek. “And the people that are working in those jobs are primarily or disproportionately racial or ethnic minorities.”
Health officials seem to agree that both race and socioeconomic status contribute to the disproportionate number of Black people in Cook County, Illinois contracting and dying from the novel coronavirus , as compared to other races.
“You’re 30% of the population but 72% of the dead? IT sounds like people are being targeted,” wrote popular YouTuber Jason Black of The Black Channel.
And Many agree with that statement.
You’re 30% of the population but 72% of the dead? IT sounds like people are being targeted.
Be careful around these savage cavemen and unsanitary Bushequas. They are a clear and present threat to us. https://t.co/ePd9WukT6Y— Black Authority (@TheBlackChannel) April 6, 2020
Another Twitter user added, “It’s disturbing. But take it all with a grain of salt brothers and sisters. Fear is a great marketing tool. Ask yourself – why weren’t they releasing death demographics for coronavirus when it was clearly all Asians and white people 2-3 weeks ago?”
A third user wrote, “I was thinking the same thing. A virus isn’t that precise on [choosing[ who to infect and kill. It’s not making any sense that a [virus] that plagued pale people suddenly abundantly targets black people within a few weeks of being in the U.S. These white supremacist think we’re slow.”
User Keith Baker wrote, “ I believe the medical community is killings [a lot] of us and we won’t be able to prove anything as most places are calling for cremation.”
And Twitter user @CarmelReal_77 added, “They are trying to say that about Detroit & The Metro Area but I don’t believe our numbers are that high. Dr. Birx already insinuated about the “Urban Areas” may have higher cases 2 weeks ago! Now data out saying we are at the top?”
Meanwhile, as reported by TheGrio, other states, including Michigan and Atlanta, are starting to show similar COVID-19 statistics among Black Americans.
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