Twin Plagues Ravage America: Coronavirus and Police Killings of Black Men and Women

Strategic Insights -

A devastating confluence of the coronavirus pandemic and police killings of black men and women has upended the lives of countless Americans, highlighting the deep-seated racial inequalities that have long plagued the country. Minneapolis, a city already reeling from the economic and health toll of the virus, erupted into chaos as protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white police officer, descended into violence and destruction. For small business owners like Jimmy Mills, who has cut hair for 12 years in the Midtown neighborhood, the pandemic and police brutality have combined to create a perfect storm of hardship.

Key Takeaways:

  • The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately affected racial minorities and immigrants in Minneapolis, with black and Latino workers more likely to have lost their jobs and many others risking their health by going to work at essential jobs.
  • The black community in Minnesota has been hit particularly hard by cases of the virus, with one estimate suggesting that black people account for at least 29% of known Covid-19 cases in the state, despite making up only 6% of the population.
  • The recent protests over George Floyd's death have sparked widespread destruction and looting in Minneapolis, with at least 200 businesses damaged or destroyed and many residents left without power or access to basic necessities.
  • City officials, including State Representative Mohamud Noor and City Council member Phillipe Cunningham, have been scrambling to respond to the crisis, with Noor citing concerns about new waves of foreclosures, job losses, and business failures.
  • Resident and community leaders, including pastor Jia Starr Brown and pastor Tyler Sit, have spoken out about the need for collective action and solidarity in the face of racism and police brutality, with many young people feeling a deep sense of responsibility to take to the streets and demand justice.
  • Researchers and experts, such as rashawn Ray, a sociologist at the Brookings Institution, have emphasized the need for a comprehensive and sustained response to the dual crises, highlighting the importance of addressing the systemic inequalities that have contributed to the pandemic's disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.

Statistics:

  • Over 100,000 people have died from Covid-19 in the United States.
  • At least 600 Americans were reported to have died from Covid-19 on Sunday alone.
  • Black people account for at least 29% of known Covid-19 cases in Minnesota, despite making up only 6% of the population.
  • African-Americans make up 35% of coronavirus cases in Minneapolis, though they are less than 20% of the city's population.
  • The unemployment rate in Minneapolis has soared, with many low-wage workers facing significant hardship and uncertainty.
  • Over 200 businesses have been damaged or destroyed in the recent protests in Minneapolis.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, "Twin Plagues Ravage America: Coronavirus and Police Killings of Black Men and Women"
  • The New York Times, "As Minneapolis Erupts in Anger and Flames, a Community Seeks Justice for George Floyd"
  • Brookings Institution, "The dual crises of COVID-19 and police violence" by Rashawn Ray
  • Various city and state government reports and statements.