A video by the Miami Gardens mayor debunks a myth about COVID-19 and black people
Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert posted a video to Twitter on Tuesday to address a rumor that’s been making the rounds in the nation’s black community for a few weeks.
“Black people are not immune from COVID-19 — period!” Gilbert says in the video, posted to the City of Miami Gardens Twitter account.
Propelled by mouth and social media, this rumor infected enough people that Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Jenice Armstrong wrote about it March 11. And after Gilbert canceled the annual Jazz in The Gardens music festival, which was to happen last weekend, he said he was “inundated” with comments asking why he had postponed the festival when black people can’t get the virus.
Gilbert points out in the video not only is that not true, black Americans can be among the most at-risk groups for the worst of COVID-19, even those who aren’t senior citizens.
“A disproportionate number of black Americans suffer from chronic diseases, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, all of which equal a compromised immune system,” Gilbert says in the video.
The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates Miami Gardens’ population is 73.3 percent black or African-American.
“Black Americans, this risk is ours to own,” Gilbert said. “COVID-19 does not recognize race, ethnicity, sex, age or religion and it does not discriminate.”
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 11:16 AM.
