The racial disparity of the coronavirus will now be the subject of a state task force created by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week.
The pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color, according to state statistics. While African Americans represent 13.6 percent of the Michigan population, 40 percent of deaths from COVID-19 are of African American race. The task force will act in an advisory capacity to the governor and study the causes of racial disparities in the impact of COVID-19 and recommend actions to immediately address such disparities and the historical and systemic inequities that underlie them, according to state officials.
“COVID-19 has taken a disproportionate toll on Michigan's communities of color and I am confident this task force will help us identify the factors driving this disparity and to identify actions we can take to create a more equitable Michigan for everyone,” Whitmer said. “Each of the task force members will provide a unique perspective and play a vital part in identifying these barriers and ensuring all Michiganders have equal access to critical resource when they need them most.”
“We know that generations of racial disparities and inequality has a detrimental impact on the lives of people across the state,” Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist said. “The coronavirus pandemic has shown this inequity to be particularly damaging, 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 will also work with different groups of community action stakeholders. Given the complexities of developing and implementing actions to address racial disparities, a diversity of stakeholders will provide valuable insights about how best to engage with the community, local government, and health systems, officials said.
The task force will also identify avenues of funding for combating racial disparities in the impact of COVID-19 and recommend changes in Michigan law relevant to combating racial disparities in the impact of and response to pandemics. The group will be chaired by Gilchrist and include Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon or his designee, Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, and a long list of health and educational leaders throughout the state appointed by the governor.
The Task Force will continue to work for 90 days after the termination of the declared states of emergency and disaster, or such other time as the governor identifies.
