coronavirus racial disparities

african-americans getting the corona more

As the number of coronavirus cases rise nationally and in kentucky...a troubling trend has emerged...a disproportionate number of african- americans are getting the virus.

Lexington's health department invited community leaders to talk about the trend, theories as to why it's happening and what can be done about it.

Here's abc 36's christy bollinger.

L3: white community forum on covid-19 cases in african-americans l3: white kevin hall lexington-fayette health dept.

President of lexington's interdenominational pastoral fellowship l3: white kacy allen-bryant board of health chair l3: white devine carama community activist, hip-hop artist l3: white community forum on covid-19 cases in african-americans take vo: the lexington- fayette health department says african-americans make up 15-percent of the city's population...yet 28- percent of the 183 confirmed coronavirus cases...are african- americans.

That kind of disparity is being seen across the country.

Take sot: :05 "we don't have the answers to why that's happening but we want to have that conversation."

Take vo: so the health department talked with african- american community leaders about the issue...on why they think the numbers are so high.

Take sot: :07 "due to the economic instability, the gathering, probably not being informed correctly."

Take sot: :09 "anticipation of experiencing prejudice and stigma from health care providers is part of the reasons afircan americans are less likely to access care."

Take sot: :10 " i know as a single father who was in poverty for a long time, i know it was my living conditions that kept me from the doctor's office."

Take vo: another possible cause...not having the space to social distance.

Take sot: :05 "many of us are on top of each other already.

Many of us are just trying to survive."

Take vo: community activist devine carama says there's a lot of disproportionate numbers in the black community..

That need to be considered when looking for reasons.

Take sot: :12 "you gotta start looking at the disproportionate amount of african americans going to jail, you gotta start looking at jobs and employment, educational opportunities."

Take vo: pastor keith tyler thinks being misinformed is a big factor..

And as an answer for that he says we need to get this information out on all platforms and places... including in the governor and mayor's briefings.

Take sot: "we need to be more so mindful of why or how if not both blacks are escalating, what is causing this escalation."

Take vo: there's no one reason or answer...but the group hopes continuing this dialogue is a good start.

Take sot: :05 "we will get through this.

We as a people have been through far worse."

Take vo:christy bollinger, abc 36 news.

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