As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Missouri, an estimated 514 cases were reported in St. Louis City yesterday, along with 12 deaths. And all 12 of those were Black people.

This could very well be a coincidence, but in a city like St. Louis, that is unlikely.

In any context, Black people being the majority of deaths, is alarming. But to put it in context, City Health Director Dr. Fredrick Echols believes that socioeconomic inequity is a major factor.

“We are learning more about the coronavirus every day, but let me tell you this in no uncertain terms: It doesn’t care if you are black, brown, white, red, yellow or some other shade. The idea that African Americans are somehow resistant to it is both untrue and dangerous to the health of our community.

Many of the pre-existing conditions that make the coronavirus more dangerous for some people — like heart conditions and diabetes — disproportionately affect the black community. This is why everyone in the City of St. Louis — especially African Americans — must take precautions against spreading this disease.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought to light what many healthcare providers in the St. Louis region already know: the communities with the highest health disparities and lack of access to health care will be hit the hardest by COVID-19,” he told The St. Louis American yesterday.

I’ll avoid my theories about racism in the medical field and stick to what facts are presented. And that is; the fact that Black people are disproportionately killed by the coronavirus (as with many other things, but one battle at a time).

So if you care about Black people, Stay Home!

Cover photograph by John Scott.