African Americans Disproportionately Impacted

WAAY 31's Ashley Carter talks to a nurse from the Black Nurses Association who says there are many components to why coronavirus is impacting the African American community more than other races.

At six... the coronavirus is continuing to impact the african american community disproportionat ely.

Months after the pandemic began - the alabama department of public health says black alabamians are still dying at a higher rate than any other race in the state.

Waay31's ashley carter joins us live now after speaking with the "black nurses association" about these numbers.

Ashley?

One nurse from the black nurses association says there are many components to why this virus is impacting the african american community more than other races...but it's still concerning to see things are not getting better but in fact worse.

Frederick richardson, black nurses association "it's, it's really disturbing."

This was frederick richardson... a member of the local and national black nurses association's....re action when he saw the alabama health department's data on how many african americans in alabama are dying from the coronavirus...co mpared to other races.

According to the alabama department of public health....45 percent of people killed by coronavirus in alabama are african american.

But only 27 percent of the state is african american.

Richardson believes the main reason african americans are dying from the coronavirus at a higher rate is linked to pre existing conditions such as heart disease...diabete s and asthma.

Frederick richardson, black nurses association "the symptoms are going to be worst to individuals with these other diseases and unfortunately within my community, within the african american community it would effect us more."

He says they can't change how the virus impacts people with the pre-exisiting conditions common in the african american community....but he does see a way to slow down the trend so less african americans get the virus frederick richardson, black nurses association "the most important thing i can say is the education aspect in terms of making sure that we speak to our families, speak to our friends, speak to our co-workers about the importance of wearing a mask, washing your hands and social distancing."

Richardson says right now he urges everybody to not only take personal responsibility to stay safe...but also keep in mind how this virus can be deadly to many people so follow the safety guidelines for them as well.

Live in hsv ashley c waay 31 news right now - african americans make up 34-percent of all coronavirus cases in alabama.

That's around 15,800 cases right now.

African americans also make up almost half of all deaths in the state.

However- they only make up 27 percent of the