Race, mortality rates and COVID-19

At a COVID-19 testing site in South LA, a man wears a medical mask and gloves. His sign says “we care.” April 8, 2020.

At a COVID-19 testing site in South LA, a man wears a medical mask and gloves. His sign says “we care.” April 8, 2020. Photo by Ted Soqui for KCRW.

In Louisiana, 70% of people who died from the novel coronavirus were black, despite being just 30% of the population. In LA County, 17% of people who died were black. We look at race and mortality rates when it comes to COVID-19. Also, due to stereotypes, some black men fear that they might be mistaken for a criminal if they wear a mask in public to slow the spread of the virus. 

From this Episode:

Credits

Host:

Madeleine Brand

Producers:

Sarah Sweeney, Michell Eloy, Amy Ta, Alexandra Sif Tryggvadottir, Rosalie Atkinson, Brian Hardzinski, Angie Perrin