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Coronavirus Hitting African American Communities Hardest

Steve Baragona

   In Louisiana, two-thirds of the deaths from coronavirus have been among
   African Americans, in a state where blacks make up only one-third of
   the population.

   "What you see playing out is something that's very tragic," said Gov.
   John Bel Edwards.

   While data is incomplete, a trend is apparent: COVID-19 is hitting
   African Americans harder than white populations.

   Mississippi is about 38% African American, but blacks account for more
   than half of the COVID-19 deaths. Forty-three percent of coronavirus
   deaths in Alabama are among African Americans, who account for 27% of
   the state's population.

   The problem is not confined to southern states. Disparities show up in
   Illinois and Michigan, especially in cities.

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