State to investigate racial disparity in COVID-19 victims

A new task force, created by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, will investigate the serious racial disparity in cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Whitmer announced the new investigation last week and said that the task force would be chaired by Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. Members will include leaders across state government and health care professionals from communities most impacted by the spread of coronavirus. The task force was expected to meet last week.
Statistics reported last Friday showed that more than 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths in Michigan are African Americans, while only 14 percent of state residents are African Americans.

“This virus is holding a mirror up to our society and reminding us of the deep inequities in this country,” said Whitmer. “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.”
“We know that generations of racial disparities and inequality has a detrimental impact on the lives of people across the state,” 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.”
During the COVID-19 crisis, Whitmer has signed a number of executive orders aimed at protecting people in vulnerable communities. These include orders to temporarily ban evictions and tax foreclosures, expand unemployment benefits, and restore running water for families.
“It shouldn't take a global pandemic for us to address these problems” Whitmer continued. “It shouldn't take a crisis for us to expand unemployment benefits, ensure protections for workers who are sick, or expand access to quality, affordable health care.
“We're going to come out of this, but we must also learn some hard lessons about the deep problems in our economy that we need real, meaningful solutions on. As we recover from the impact of COVID-19, my administration will continue to focus on long-term solutions for every family in Michigan.”