New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins took to Twitter to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic impacts the African-American community on Sunday.
Jenkins encouraged members of the community–whom have been among the hardest-hit demographics–to take care of themselves and assist others when the opportunity presents itself (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk):
“This message is for my black brothers and sisters,” Jenkins said in a video posted on Twitter. “We must survive. This pandemic is real, and the damage that is left in wake of the coronavirus is realized mostly in our communities. Bad policy, institutional neglect, and overexposure place us disproportionately in arm’s reach of the dangers of this deadly virus.
“We are the essential worker. We are the most impacted, yet the focus of the resources aren’t being invested in us. We cannot wait for a government that has never prioritized us. We must look out for ourselves.”
“So take care of you first, share your resources, protect the elderly, and stay home as much as possible. Please stay safe, stay healthy, and survive. Because whether they know it or not, the world needs us, and we need us.”
The illness has certainly had a drastic impact on African Americans.
In Chicago, African Americans have accounted for nearly 70 percent of COVID-19 deaths in the city, despite the fact they make up 30 percent of the city's population, according to the Chicago Tribune.
This is a rather calamitous time, which is why it is so important for athletes like Jenkins and others to set an example by educating the public and remaining in isolation in an effort to curb the spread and mitigate the impact of coronavirus.
Follow Us
Subscribe