Friends,
I’ve heard people call the coronavirus the great equalizer -- that it doesn’t discriminate against race, zip code, gender, or wealth.
The fact is, African Americans are dying at higher rates from COVID-19.
Decades of racist health and economic policies have caused communities of color to die from this disease at alarming rates. The racism, poverty, and structural inequalities that exist in our health care system have never been so clear.
Despite this, Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would require the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to collect and release racial data on COVID-19.
It’s outrageous. We are facing an unprecedented national crisis – yet, instead of ensuring that all communities have the resources they need to stay safe, Senate Republicans are playing politics with people’s lives. Sign my petition now demanding the CDC collect this data. [[link removed]]
SIGN YOUR NAME [[link removed]]
Communities of color are less likely to be able to afford staying home and social distancing. They’re disproportionately in low-wage jobs with less access to health care or have been laid off and lost their coverage. They’re exposed to air pollution at higher rates and disproportionately suffer from asthma, making them particularly vulnerable to this virus.
Some states have already started collecting this data, and I applaud those governors.
For example, in Louisiana, 70% of coronavirus deaths have been African American -- but African Americans only make up 32% of the state’s population.
Alarm bells should be ringing. Unless we have a national operation to collect this data, this crisis will only get worse for communities of color.
This is an unprecedented and difficult public health crisis that will disproportionately kill communities of color. We cannot accept that. Sign your name now to demand the CDC start collecting racial data on COVID-19. [[link removed]]
SIGN YOUR NAME [[link removed]]
We cannot let this go unnoticed.
In solidarity,
Barbara Lee
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Barbara Lee for Congress
333 HEGENBERGER ROAD
SUITE 369
OAKLAND, CA 94621
United States
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