Inherent to #COVID19 - as in every epidemic - are issues of class, race, and equity.

I cannot be more clear: although we are all at risk, historical injustices result in INCREASED risk for Black communities. https://www.propublica.org/article/early-data-shows-african-americans-have-contracted-and-died-of-coronavirus-at-an-alarming-rate/amp?__twitter_impression=true">https://www.propublica.org/article/e...

I cannot pretend to be a voice FOR them. I can, however, be an ally, and try my hardest to make sure we pay attention to - and try to fix - the reasons for these disparities.

Things like:
- disproportionate representation in essential service jobs (unable to practice social distancing)
- historic economic & housing issues (which make social distancing difficult)
- bias in the #healthcare system (which hurts care, hurts trust, & worsens outcomes)

- and of course the as-yet unknown science behind the disease (& the role of pre- existing conditions like diabetes, which are more common in Black communities)

(& nb: this scientific knowledge must not be obtained at the expense of Black communities... a longer topic)

I can also support my friends, neighbors, colleagues, who are trusted & tireless voices eg @uche_blackstock @AMLandryMD https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙏🏽" title="Folded hands (medium skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Folded hands (medium skin tone)">

Listen. I& #39;m already seeing this disease & its unintended consequences hit the most vulnerable members of our community, the hardest.

We must make sure our lens focuses here.

At a bare minimum, we must insist on:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📥" title="Inbox tray" aria-label="Emoji: Inbox tray"> data on racial/ethnic/gender breakdown of #covid19
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📥" title="Inbox tray" aria-label="Emoji: Inbox tray"> consistent #publichealth messaging
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📥" title="Inbox tray" aria-label="Emoji: Inbox tray"> empowerment of trusted community leaders
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📥" title="Inbox tray" aria-label="Emoji: Inbox tray"> science for all.

/fin

or in the words of @uche_blackstock: https://twitter.com/uche_blackstock/status/1246805480871256064?s=20">https://twitter.com/uche_blac...