Coronavirus is killing black people at a faster rate than whites

Black people in the United States are catching and dying of coronavirus at a faster rate than whites and other ethnic groups.

That finding was uncovered by ProPublica, a non-profit journalism group.

ProPublica’s reporting shoots down the rumor that black people don’t catch coronavirus. Instead it shows that black people are at greater risk of catching the disease than anyone else.

Why?

More chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma and other lung illnesses

Living in food deserts where there are few stores selling fresh produce and other healthy foods

Surviving on a limited income where black folks have less money to buy healthy food, which then contributes to high rates of diabetes, hypertension and other sicknesses which makes them more vulnerable to coronavirus and other sicknesses.

Living in cramped conditions where it’s more difficult to social distance.

While the federal Centers for Disease Control won’t reveal the race of coronavirus victims, the ProPublica investigative reporters spotlighted a few major cities, such as Milwaukee, Wisc. The city’s population is 39 percent black. As of last week, Milwaukee has nearly 1,000 corona virus cases and roughly half of those victims are black. Most are middle age black men.

The investigators found similar trends in Illinois, Michigan and North Carolina.

In Orlando, the “32805 Spotlight” podcast was first to sound the alarm that the coronavirus posed a special threat for the black community.

Four weeks ago, "32805 Spotlight" host Lawanna Gelzer said, “When America catches a cold the black community catches pneumonia. Well with coronavirus America just caught pneumonia, so what do you think that means for black folks?”

For more on this on this urgent topic, listen to the “32805 Spotlight” by clicking here.