LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer is announcing a new task force with the goal of helping people of color and vulnerable communities greatly impacted by the coronavirus.
On the same day the governor extended the stay at home order until April 30th she also unveiled the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities.
This task force will be chaired by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and consist of governmental leaders and health care professionals from communities hard hit by COVID-19. They will work together to provide recommendations on how to address this disparity and slow the spread of the coronavirus.
During a press briefing, Governor Whitmer and Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun released some startling statistics in regards to this virus among African Americans.
At last reported on Thursday, April 9, over 40% of COVID-19 deaths in Michigan are African Americans, but only 14% of Michiganders are African Americans.
The governor said, “This virus is holding a mirror up to our society and reminding us of the deep inequities in this country. From basic lack of access to health care, transportation, and protections in the workplace, these inequities hit people of color and vulnerable communities the hardest. This task force will help us start addressing these disparities right now as we work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan.”
Governor Whitmer has signed a number of executive orders in hopes of helping these vulnerable communities including temporarily banning evictions and tax foreclosures, expanding unemployment benefits, and restoring running water for families.
“We know that generations of racial disparities and inequality has a detrimental impact on the lives of people across the state,” Lt. Governor Gilchrist said. “The coronavirus pandemic has shown this inequity to be particularly true, especially in the Black community, where the health of our friends and family has been disproportionately impacted. That’s why we are taking immediate action to assemble some of the greatest minds to tackle this racial injustice now and in the future.”
The task force is expected to hold their first meeting this week.
