The editors of the Washington Post want to know why the death rate due to COVID-19 among American blacks is so much higher than for whites:
THE NOVEL coronavirus, as far as we know, does not discriminate along racial lines. But America does — and the data so far show that black people are dying at a disproportionate rate. The first thing to do about it? Get more of that data, and fast.
The numbers trickling in from cities, counties and states in recent weeks are alarming: Chicago’s population is about 30 percent black, but so are nearly 70 percent of those in the city killed by the virus. Milwaukee County looks worse: Black people make up 26 percent of the population, and a whopping 73 percent of covid-related deaths. In Michigan, it’s 14 and 41; in Louisiana, it’s 32 and 70. Maryland has a 30 percent black population and reported Thursday that black residents account for 40 percent of the state’s deaths.
They are convinced that the only possible explanation is racism. It’s the only explanation of which they will admit. The same is true of the explanations proffered by our governor and mayor.
I think they are probably over-simplifying. If the racial disparity in death rates were solely due to racism, wouldn’t you expect that there would be a similar disparity in deaths due to seasonal flu or pneumonia? There aren’t. Blacks are at a slight disadvantage with respect to those diseases as well but it’s not remotely as stark. COVID-19 is different.
I would suggest that there are multiple factors involved including:
- Racism, historic and present
- Behavior including social behavior and dietary preferences
- Maybe even genetic predisposition
Here in Chicago we are concluding the deadliest week in recent Chicago history. More young black men have shot and killed each other than we are accustomed to and that despite “stay at home” directives or maybe even because of them. A quarter of the total homicides for the entire year. Attributing that to racism is just too pat. It’s more complicated, a soup of gangs, boredom, drug use, and social dysfunction from which racism is inextricably entwined.
With all due sensitivity – at least with racism it is something that in theory society as whole can take action on.
A genetic predisposition… would shatter the general conceit that man can be control of its fate.
Apples and oranges.
Louisiana’s Black population?
Illinois Black population?
Should use numbers from New Orleans and Chicago.
Urban density.
I think urban density is a likely explanation for at least part of it, but also comorbidities. Have they looked at cross tabs to see if the effect is equally explained by high blood pressure and diabetes, which are both more prevalent among blacks than whites IIRC?
Might be true, but if is it will be linked to lack of health care due to persistent systemic racism.
It helps no one in this crisis to give ammunition to race baiters. So I’ll go out on a limb here and mention that African people are reported to be affected more and earlier by the affects of cigarette smoking. Since this virus attacks the lungs there may be a connection.