How And Why the Coronavirus Pandemic Disproportionately Impacts Communities of Color

As more data comes out on coronavirus cases and coronavirus-related deaths, we’re starting to see the way the virus seems to hit communities of color the hardest.

Reports from all over the country show the same racial patterns. In New York City, Black and Latino residents are dying from the coronavirus at twice the rate of white residents. In New Mexico, a quarter of the people who tested positive for the coronavirus are Native American, despite only making up 6% of the state’s population. In Maryland, Black residents make up 30% of the state’s population but over half of its coronavirus-related deaths.

According to the US surgeon general, Americans of color are more likely to face both medical and social challenges that make staying healthy harder. He noted that these individuals are more likely to live in densely packed areas, have multigenerational households, take public transit, work essential jobs, and have less access to medical care. Dr. Anthony Fauci, infectious disease expert and member of the White House coronavirus task force, explained that the numbers reflect a larger issue of general health disparity among minority populations in the US.

This disproportionate impact has been elevated by several mayors, governors, and members of congress. Led by the Congressional Black Caucus, legislators are calling for provisions to address the disparity, including increased data collection and investment in medical care for communities of color.

Take Action: On April 22, BET, in partnership with the NAACP and United Way Worldwide, will be hosting a special broadcast, “Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort,” and proceeds will be donated to Black communities severely impacted by COVID-19.

“Wanna Talk About It?”: Netflix Stars Are Promoting Mental Health During the Pandemic

Netflix is launching “Wanna Talk About It?,” a mental health-focused Instagram Live series featuring some of the stars of their original shows and films.

Among them are Noah Centineo and Lana Condor from “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” Joey King from “13 Reasons Why,” and Jerry Harris from “Cheer.” They’ll discuss the challenges of taking care of your mental health during a global pandemic with experts from organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), The Trevor Project, and Crisis Text Line.

The videos will cover common problems like trouble sleeping, staying connected while physical distancing, and managing coronavirus-related anxiety. The series is running every Thursday at 7 p.m. EST on Netflix’s Instagram page.

The pandemic is taking its toll on the nation’s mental health, and this series comes at a time when nearly 50% of Americans are feeling a significant mental and emotional impact.

(If you’re feeling especially anxious or stressed out by what’s happening, you can access 24/7 support through the Crisis Text Line.)

Take Action: Read and share these tips for practicing self-care while physical distancing.

From Beauty Supplies to Medical Supplies: These Salons Are Helping Fight the Coronavirus

A network of Vietnamese-owned nail salons are working together to respond to the shortage of protective equipment in healthcare facilities.

The group was started by salon owner Huy Nguyen after he temporarily closed his business and donated all the equipment he had left in his inventory. Nguyen and dozens of other salon owners in Mobile, Alabama donated a total of 134,000 gloves and 23,000 masks to their local hospital. Now they’re calling on Vietnamese-owned salons nationwide to do the same.

One Tennessee nail salon has even converted their business into a small factory, sewing gowns and masks for local health care providers. Former nail salon customers helped fund sewing machines and materials to keep the operation going.

Even as concerns over medical supplies rise, more and more businesses (many of them minority-owned) are stepping up to fill the gaps -- from fashion designers to footwear companies.

Why aren’t more people talking about… how largely self-funded Native American communities are being hit hard financially due to COVID-19 closures?

Meanwhile, in the UK… people are burning down 5G phone towers because of conspiracy theories that claim they spread the coronavirus (they don’t).

My hero today is… Bhasha Mukherjee AKA Miss England, who’s returning to her job as a respiratory specialist for the UK’s National Health Service.

My *other* hero today is… 16-year-old TJ Kim, a pilot-in-training who’s bringing needed medical supplies to rural communities through his flight lessons.

Today in viral cuteness… clapping makes this dog smile.

I’m obsessed with… the videos from musician/YouTuber Blanks where he remakes popular songs in an hour. I’ve been binge-watching them, and I think my favorite is his latest one remaking “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd.